Joe's Writings

MJ's Passing Saddens Me

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:11:15 GMT

I have had a surprisingly overwhelming feeling of sadness since hearing the news of Michael Jackson's passing. I have been glued to the TV as I constantly channel surf to find any news, stories, tributes, etc. about him.   His musical legacy is simply unparalleled!   My love of music, Michael's music in particular, is probably why this news has affected me so much.

I always credit The Jackson 5 has the musical group that got me hooked on my love of music!  Actually, it was my mom who influenced my love of music because she was an avid fan of ALL Motown music, however, it was definitely The Jackson 5 that were at the top of my own personal list of all the Motown era artists with The Supremes being a close second.  I Want You Back, ABC & The Love You Save were always cited as my favorite songs at the age of 5.  And, from that point forward, I was a forever fan and my mom bought ALL the Jackson 5 music for me. I know we wore the hell out of those LP's and eventually they all became too scratched up and we discarded them one by one over time. I never replaced them on vinyl but I have purchased many of them as re-issues on CD's in recent years.

I know Michael's Thriller album always gets most of the attention, but for me it was Off The Wall that I felt always had the best songs, beats, rhythms, hooks and lyrics of ANY of his releases!

I really don't think there will be another like him. Below is a TOP FIFTEEN list of my favorite Michael Jackson songs:

1.   The Love You Save - although, I had many favorite Jackson 5 songs, this was probably at the top of the list.

2.   Music & Me - I always felt this song's lyrics spoke to me and were about me.  I identified with this song. Still do.

3.   Blame It On The Boogie - this song takes me back to roller-skating days and roller skating rinks in the late 70's. I remember always asking the roller-skating DJ to play this song and I would boogie down on my roller-skates to this song! The song is the perfect blend of funky pop music!! Shake Your Body was a close second choice favorite from the Destiny album and the "The Things I Do For You" was another undeniable funky jam!!! Destiny was one of my top favorite Jacksons albums!!

4. Walk Right Now - this song was a release on the Triumph album and it is credited for inspiring one of my first pieces of choreography. I just love the funky guitar playing and the funky bass lines. There were many other notable songs from Triumph that were just fabulous, This Place Hotel, Can You Feel It, Wondering Who - in fact, this is probably the most cohesive of all the Jacksons albums in my opinon.

5. Off The Wall - "just groove and let the madness in the music get to you" this is my favorite Michael Jackson lyric.   Anyone who knows my love for a funky groove would not be surprised to know that this is one of my favorite Michael songs. There are many favorites from this release.   One of my favorite non-singles is "It's The Falling In Love"!!!   Of course, as usual, I would scrutinize the album credits and I became very interested in anything Rod Temperton touched musically. Also, this song introduced me to the incomparable and awesome Patti Austin cause she sang on it. Side note - Patti has went to become one of my all time favorite female singers too. I have ALL her music!!

6. Human Nature - this is my favorite slow jam of Michael's. It is simply beautiful lyrically and musically. It always transports me to another place.  I also loved SWV's interpolation of it in their song Right Here!!!

7. P.Y.T. -  It's reminiscent of the funky hooks that had me loving Michael's Off The Wall release!!!

8. Torture - technically considered a duet with Jermaine. This song takes me back to my first year of college and using it for one of my first choreography pieces in college. I loved it!!

9. Another Part Of Me - not the biggest hit from BAD but it was my favorite song on the BAD release.  When I saw Anita Baker in concert in the late 80's she covered it in concert! I was so elated to hear Anita cover it so I imagine it was one of her's favorites too!!!

10. Leave Me Alone - again, not a big hit for Michael but it seems I liked the lesser known hits from BAD!! Liberian Girl was another jam I loved.

11. Remember The Time - this is such a great song!!   I loved the Steve "Silk" Hurley mix and played it to death!!  I also loved the remix versions of "Who Is It" and "In The Closet" better than the album versions. In fact, on my MJ playlist, I substiute the remix versions for the originals.

12. Scream - this song as well as the video was off the hook. I remember going to HOTLANTA with my party friends and this song was performed by a Janet and Michael impersonator during one of HOTLANTA's party events. They had the choreography and impersonation down pat!!!   That memory sticks out whenever I hear this song.

13. You Are Not Alone - a simple yet poignant Michael song.

14. Blood On The Dancefloor - I had also bought the CD maxi single with a variety of remixes and I fell in love with the fire island mix of this song.

15. You Rock My World - collaborating with Rodney Jerkins took Michael back to some of his funkier roots and I, of course, was instantly hooked when this song was released!!!

Ohhhhh..... the drama!!!

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:36:05 GMT

Why do some people have more drama in their lives than others? And, why does another person's drama have to intersect into my life? I really think I make a good effort to cancel negative core beliefs that can attract drama from others but lately I must not being doing a good job of it.

I had my fill this past weekend of emotional outbursts, irritating and irrationale behaviors by demanding and overbearing personalites with self-entitlement issues!!!

I want to attract peace and harmony into my life!!! Let me re-state that more affirmatively - I will attract peace and harmony into my life!!!!!

Life just is sometimes.....

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:31:34 GMT

I can't fully articulate why but lately it seems I have had an overwhelming feeling of feeling "burnt out", tired and withdrawn. I know my personailty type is usually that of a "people pleaser" and often I forget to put some of my own needs first and I believe that may have alot to do with my frame of mind of late. Over the past year and-a-half, I have put my own needs on the backburner because I felt it was more important to put the needs of others before mine (i.e. support system for Rob, as well as various family members and friends, etc.). I have this feeling that maybe it has all finally bottle necked and perhaps I haven't processed through it or properly dealt with it. I usually feel like I am person who has a good handle on things but maybe I don't have as good of handle on it all as I'd like to think. I really have been trying to psycho-analyze myself and perhaps that's dangerous and should be left to professionals. I don't know. What my instincts do tell me is that I really need to verbalize my needs more to the people around me. I long for such simple things like having the house all to myself for just a few hours (something that hasn't happened in months and months), just longing to enjoy a single day of solitude. I know it hasn't happened because I have been too busy taking care of others and neglecting to take care of me. If I don't get a handle on this then I am afraid I may start to lose myself and that just cannot happen. I really just feel I am stuck in a rut and I'm trying to figure out what it is going to take to overcome this feeling.

I'll figure it out. I always do. I am an optmist.

Job Market Woes

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:11:30 GMT

Unfortunately Rob's job has been added as a casualty to the job market woes. Today, he officially became an added statistic in the number of Americans losing their jobs. Is there no end in sight? I wish I could be optimistic be there doesn't seem to be any reason to believe the economy is going to be creating jobs any time soon. There are just no reasons for companies to flick on the hiring switch. I guess we await with trepidation but the expectation of more job losses ahead will only perpetuate the vicious downward cycle propelling the economy. I just give thanks that we are in a better position than some people because it can always be worse......

Ode To Folk/Pop

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:49:35 GMT

Although, it is a widely held belief by my family and friends that I am a R&B Music Junkie, which is true, however, it may be surprising to some that I appreciate a variety of music and lately I have been listening to a lot of folk/pop music playlists on my IPOD. I always say I have my mother to thank for my diverse musical tastes. Although, Mom really liked the artists on the Motown label, she also appreciated the likes of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, to name a few, and I mention those two because I remember falling in love with both artists. I loved Joni’s “Big Yellow Taxi”and Joan’s “Diamonds & Rust” two hits for which they are best known. In the late 70’s I was fascinated upon learning that Joan had a large gay fan base and I learned that her song "Altar Boy and the Thief" was written as a dedication to her gay fanbase. In the late 70’s, growing up as a smalltown boy I didn’t have much to latch on to in the way of gay news and information so I was particularly drawn to Joan Baez and her music given her gay-friendly views.

I want to post some comments of my favorite pop/folk tunes of all time:

1) Diamonds & Rust by Joan Baez – a song about memories being likened to diamonds and rust (time both turns dirty charcoal into beautiful diamonds and shiny metal into ugly rust).

2) Annie’s Song by John Denver – a beautiful ode to a love companion, in this case, his wife. I like that Annie’s name is not necessarily mentioned in the song thus making it able to apply to anyone which is probably why it is a wedding favorite.

3) Leader Of The Band by Dan Fogelberg – such a beautiful song both lyrically and musically. I love all of Dan's music and it was a tough choice to decide which I liked better, this hit or “Same Old Lang Syne”.

4) Everything I Own by Bread – a folk/pop standard that has been re-recorded by many artists. The song is often regarded as a love song but David Gates actually wrote the song as a tribute to his father after his father died.

5) Love & Affection by Joan Armatrading – this is a true classic in my opinion and it really inspired me to follow her musical career. I was happy to rediscover the song when Sheena Easton covered it on one of her CD's in the 80’s and I thought Sheena did a respectable version.

6) Just Remember I Love You by Firefall – a local Colorado band scored big with this hit. I remember when I was visiting Denver with my family and staying with cousins who informed me that they were touring as the opening act for Fleetwood Mac. It was right around their Rumours release. I sooooo wanted to see the concert but alas, never made it.

7) Cat’s & The Cradle by Harry Chapin - the song is told in first-person by a father who is too busy to spend time with his son and although I am always moved to sadness by the story, I think that’s why I like it so much because it’s a story-telling song.

8) Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce – a great singer/songwriter and had his life not been cut so short, I am sure he would have had continued success as an artist. I love this artist!

9) Danny’s Song by Anne Murray – though she may be considered more country than folk per se, she has always been a favorite female vocalist of mine.

10) What I Am by Edie Brickell – a one hit wonder by all accounts but what a great hit! Had she not married Paul Simon and had kids, I wonder if she would have been poised to have a bigger career?

11) We’re All Alone by Rita Coolidge – My mom was an absolute fanatic about Rita’s music. I, too, couldn’t help but love her music. This song is a song I used to sing out loud whenever I got the chance, in the shower, in the car, etc. I remember absolutely loving it!!!

12) Wildfire by Michael Murphey – this was always a very haunting song and I loved it so much! I used to sing it at the top of my lungs too!

13) Crazy Love by Poco – I loved the guitar strings of this song. Very pretty melody!!!

14) Fast Car by Tracie Chapman – could not have a complete list without this Tracy classic!

15) Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison – got to have some Van Morrison on the list too. I always thought their music was a unique blend of folk, blues, soul and jazz.

Slow and Easy!

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:51:30 GMT

My horoscope today read: “a slow and easy pace makes a difference” and I couldn’t agree more. Last year, it seemed as if life had been moving at a somewhat feverish pace all year long, but all that has changed after I vowed to myself before the holidays that I just wanted to slow down the pace and simply relax for the sake of relaxing. So, what have I been doing for relaxation? Well, mostly just vegging-out in front of a television and I’ve been enjoying it immensely. And, I think I am going to be doing a lot more of it for the next few months with American Idol back on TV, among other television shows that will be coming back (Big Love, The L Word, The Real World, 24) and others that have me following them faithfully (The Mentalist, Ugly Betty, Greys Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, New Adventures of Old Christine, Chelsea Lately, The View, to name a few…) Gosh, I do watch a lot of TV!!!

Anyway, just purchased tickets today to go see Miss Lady Gaga in concert in March. Looking forward to that concert – should be fun!!!

My Top 20 Favorite Songs of 2008

Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:24:38 GMT

1. Crash & Burn by Nadia Ali – from the singer of iio's two singles’s Rapture & At The End from 2001, this song was released in the summer of 2008 and I thought it had hit written all over it (at least the dance mixes made it to the billboard club play charts) but no one I know has even heard it. Anyway, the radio version became an immediate favorite of mine and is my top favorite of 2008.

2. I Can Feel You by Anastacia – released outside the US at the end of 2008 but of course this international single become an instant hit with me. It reminds me of the vibe she displayed on her first release “Not This Kind”. When is this girl gonna get her props due to her in the US?

3. I’ll Be Loving You Long Time by Mariah Carey – this song may have totally bombed on the charts and on radio but with each play for me it easily became my favorite song on her E=MC2 release even surpassing my initial favorite “I’m That Chick”.

4. All I Want To Do by Sugarland – easily my favorite country release of the year as I couldn’t get the catchiness of this song outta my head.

5. Fall by Kimberley Locke – I really thought this single would take off after she performed it on Idol but it soon faded off the charts much to my disappointment. The dance remixes were awesome too!

6. Bottle It Up & Love Song by Sara Bareilles – These two songs go hand in hand for me because I always play them back to back and they were always a joy to hear on the radio or on my IPOD or while watching the video’s play on TV or in any video bar. This is simply fantastic songwriting!

7. Bossy by Lindsay Lohan – This song was my ultimate guilty pleasure of 2008. Very few people I know have heard of it but whenever I play it for friends no one ever guesses it is La Lohan. She did manage to get a #1 hit of it on Billboard’s Club Play Charts.

8. Stamp Your Feet by Donna Summer – this was my favorite dance song of 2008. It faired well considering Donna’s been out of limelight for quite some time and kudos to her for being able to perform it on IDOL. I really wish it would have been a BIGGER comeback for her because it sure deserved it. I also love her “Sand on my Feet” song from her release.

9. Sensual Seduction by Snoop Dogg – I loved this old school sounding single. It was easily my most played song in early 2008. As they say, “this is the jam!!!!

10. Just Fine by Mary J. Blige – as with Snoop Dogg’s release which came late in 2007. This continued to be played like crazy by me in early 2008 so I definitely consider it one of my top 10 jams for 2008.

11. Magic by Robin Thicke – I guess I really was feeling all the old school sounding R&B releases this past year because this jam was another overplayed single in 2008.

12. Honey by Erykah Badu – I absolutely went Radio Ga Ga over this song when I first heard it. I heard it first when it was played on BETJ as a video. I am thrilled to see that her full length release made many critics Top 10 list of albums for 2008. Ms. Badu deserves it!!!

13. Superwoman by Alicia Keys – another Alicia classic. I was surprised it didn’t become as big of a hit as her other releases from the same CD because this was the standout cut for me. “Even when I’m a mess, I still put on a vest with an S on my chest………”

14. Beautiful UR by Deborah Cox – the dance diva came back in 2008 with this great message song with an undeniable groove.

15. Human by the Killers – this song is so mesmerizing to me!

16. WOW by Kylie – not an official single in the US but it was released as a single abroad and it was easily my favorite song on her 2008 release.

17. Mercy by Duffy - this song may have been overplayed to the point that I started to get annoyed with it, nevertheless, I can’t deny the excitement it brought to me when I first heard it and subsequent plays until I wore it out. In spite of being worn out on it, it definitely deserves to rank as a favorite for 2008.

18. So What by PINK! – what a great sing-a-long song! I played this over and over many times after it first came out and I almost wore it out like Mercy by Duffy but I stopped listening to it on purpose just so I wouldn’t become sick of it!!!!

19. Just Dance by Lady GaGa – this song deserves to be a favorite for 2008 because it brings a lot of fun and silly memories of singing along to it with my honey!!!

20. Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis – definitely a highlight song for me in 2008 even though I almost wore it out in late 2007 when I first got it as import from the UK. I hope it wins the grammy award!

Looking ahead to 2009!!!!!!

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:26:28 GMT

The past 12 months have been one heck of a ride in more ways than one! There were alot of curve-balls that reared their heads in 2008 and I really won't be sad to see 2008 fade out as the new year is about to ring in. This is going to sound weird for those who don't get it, but I am thankful for all the experiences (good and bad) encountered this past year (as well as in years past) as I do believe one can make the most of bad situations/events in one's life and emerge a stronger and better person for having gone through those kinds of experiences.

There are still adjustments happening all the time and I am sure everything will fall into sync in its proper time and place so that it can make room for something else that will need to fall into sync. After all isn't life about constantly falling into sync? It seems once one obstacle is overcome then there's another one to face down the road. Overcoming an obstacle today merely helps with getting better at overcoming obstacles in the future. I often remind myself that overcoming obstacles is simply a condition of life and you just have to face obstacles head on even when you may not want to face them.

While reflecting on 2008 and pondering what's ahead in 2009, I want to document a gratitude list right now of things that pop into my head during these next few minutes as I continue to write this entry, so here it goes and it certainly is in no priority order:

I am grateful for my health (mental, physical & spiritual), for my love Rob, for transportation (car), for a roof over my head, for music, for ipods, for having known Rob's dad while he was alive on this earth, for my brother, my mother, my mother's strength, inspiration, wisdom, perservance and unconditional love, my sister, my nieces, my dad and his wife and their adopted kids (now my step-siblings), for Rob's family and in particular my new live-in mother-in-law (may we always make the best of it), for Rob's health, for health-insurance, for Mile Hi Church, for ALL my supportive and loving friends, for living in beautiful Colorado and having access to the mountains, for television and the ability to DVR (LOL), for food (may we all eat healthier in the new year), for my new man-cave in the basement (a place to escape and have me time), for healthy finances, for good credit, for a computer, for a wonderful boss at work, for my job, for the hope that Barack Obama inspires while leading us into the future, for Harvey Milk, for dreams, for the kindness of strangers, for opportunities, for a good night's sleep, for stability, for hot showers, for a garage to house my car, for a morning cup of coffee, for Benny's Mexican restaurant, for the gift of laughter, for beautiful sunsets, for the LOGO channel, to be able to celebrate the holidays, for Broadway musicals (going to see "The Jersey Boys" tonight at the DCPA), for the ambience a fireplace creates, for bargain shopping after x-mas and for turning negatives into positives!

Okay it's been about 5 minutes and I realize I could probably go on with my gratitude list but I just wanted to write down the things that popped into my head for this 5 minute period. It'll be interesting to go back and read it at some point in the future. I know that my life's journey, as everyone else's, will always be full of twists and turns and that it can circle back and forth from time to time. I just need to sit back and allow the journey of each challenge and each triumph to unfold the way the the universe intends it to unfold and trust that it is all for the greatest good!

Well, I am signing off for 2008.

Namaste!!!

R&B in the house!!!

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:48:16 GMT

Well, I’ve been really digging some new and older R&B artists and their music lately. Check it out:

1) Leigh Jones – a newcomer on the scene who is a blue-eyed soul songstress. I absolutely love her!!! I haven’t felt this way about a white singer since Teena Marie or Lisa Stansfield. This girl is fantastic!!!!

2) Wayne Brady – this guy can sing! His single entitled “Ordinary” is one of the best R&B songs I have heard in quite some time. This song totally reminds me of Rob and I and the love and life we share as one!!! Don't let the title fool you!!!

3) Nikka Costa - I have always digged this funky chick ever since her “Everybody Got Their Something” days, which was my personal favorite song of the year back in 2001!!! Her second release was a huge let down for me, however, her new “Pebble to a Pearl” release is quite fantastic, especially the title song and the release “Stuck to You”!!!! I love the Steve Wonder vibe of the title song!!!!

4) Incognito – one of my favorite R&B/Jazz inspired groups is back with Tales From The Beach and Maysa Leak, my favorite rotating lead vocalist of the group is back and singing on this newest release. “I’ve Been Waiting” is classic Incognito at their very best!!!

5) Deborah Cox is back!!! Beautiful U R is a fantastic return for another of my favorite female vocalists!!! The beat is thumping and the message is important!!!

6) Lalah Hathaway – Donny’s little girl, well, not so little anymore. I have always loved Lalah’s rich, deep voice!!! Her song “Breathe” has kept me going for the last few months. It is reaching the pinnacle of the most played on my IPOD!!!!

7) Jody Watley has a new forthcoming album entitled “Chameleon”. I have gotten my hands on her first single, “Candlelight” and it is a sensuous mid-tempo jam reminiscent of the feel good soul records from the 70s. YOU GO JODY!!!!

8) Algebra Blessett is another newcomer this year and she enters the music landscape of India Arie and Erykah Badu !!! “What Happened” – her single is absolutely beautiful!

Queen of Pop

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:10:33 GMT

Well, I can finally check off seeing Madonna live in concert from my “things I want to do/see before I die” list!

First impressions – it was quite a theatrical spectacle! Second impression – it was energetic!! Third impression – without question she is the undisputed queen of pop in my mind! This was definitely an event. I didn’t want to psyche myself up too much in building any anticipation leading up to the concert because I really did not want to be let down or disappointed. I can safely say that I was not disappointed or let down. The highlights - I really got into Madonna and her guitar rock version of Borderline!!! But my favorite was probably “Like a Prayer” and the screens flashing religious quotes throughout the song! Of course, she did not sing my favorite Madonna song of all time – Dress You Up, but that’s okay because it was all still great!!!

Remember To Breathe........

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:15:24 GMT

It's been nearly a month since last posting so it's definitely about time. I finally have a little bit of down time this morning which you could say is a first in nearly a month!

Last week, I had a bit of a melt-down where my brother is concerned. He just pushed me over the edge with his ungrateful, negative, self-absorbed, pessimistic, narcissistic, controlling, judgmental, opinionated, and sarcastic ways! And, that's just the short list!!!

I started to lay into him last Thursday and I think he knows that I've had just about enough of him. I didn't get to tell him "everything" I wanted to tell him and that was because my mom was at his side when I went off on him over the phone and she pulled the phone out of his hand while I was just getting my tirade started. Mom knows I am close to the boiling point with him so it's probably a good thing she intervened because I would have said some mean, hurtful things because that's just what I was feeling at the moment. In fact, my mom called me several times throughout the day afterwards to check on me because she knew I had blown a gasket, so to speak. She kept telling me, just hang in there, I know he is difficult but he will be moved out in just over a week. "Difficult" - that's the understatement of the year!! But, she is right, even though my brother, in many oh so familiar ways, reminds me of my father (and, that's definitely not a good thing), in fact, dare I say that he may even be worse than my father, but the fact remains that he is still my one and only brother and I would still like to have some sort of relationship with him. But I have to say that I think his living with Rob and I these past 4 months has soured me on him for awhile. Though Chris and I have been very civil towards one another since last week and he has definitely dialed down his unpredictable ways around me and for that I am grateful for now. However, I am still going to need a long break from being in his presence once he is moved out!!

Anyway, I'll write more later.

White Privilege - Food For Thought

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 12:11:07 GMT

Below is an interesting analysis of what Tim Wise believes to be the double standard (based on race) that exists in the current election process. In case you don’t know who Tim is, he is among the most prominent anti-racist activists in the U.S., having given lectures from 1995 to the present in 48 different states, and on over 500 college campuses. He has trained a multitude of teachers, corporate employees, non-profit organizations and law enforcement officers in methods for dismantling racism in their institutions.

This is Your Nation on White Privilege By Tim Wise 9/13/08

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.

White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.

White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll “kick their fuckin' ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.

White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some course work at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.

White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don’t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you’re “untested.”

White privilege is being able to say that you support the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance because “if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me,” and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the “under God” part wasn’t added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.

White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.

White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was “Alaska first,” and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she’s being disrespectful.

White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you’re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you’re somehow being mean, or even sexist.

White privilege is being able to convince white women who don’t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a “second look.”

White privilege is being able to fire people who didn’t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.

White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God’s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you’re just a good church-going Christian, but if you’re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you’re an extremist who probably hates America.

White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a “trick question,” while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O’Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.

White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a “light” burden.

And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain.

Lovin' Livvvy.......

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:53:29 GMT

I recently dusted off Olivia Newton John's Physical release and I've been playing one of my favorites over and over - Silvery Rain. I was too young to really appreciate the message back in 1980 but she really deserves some recognition for being one of the early pioneers singing about environmental awareness. Anyway, back to the entire release, it has to be Olivia's, in my opinion, best release from beginning to end. Aside from the obvious huge hits Physical and Make A Move On Me, there is not a single song on here that isn't worthy of praise and it gets my vote for being the strongest album of her career. It also contains some beautiful and stunning ballads. I think this album stands the test of time. Recovery is probably one of the record's most underrated songs and I hadn't fully realized it until I recently watched the video clip and realized how the song really has a dark interpretation to it. Nevertheless, this record is completely flawless and ranks as one of my favorites. It lead me to put it on my favorites list as it had not been on the list before.

These aren't necessarily in order but here goes the list:

Physical - Olivia Newton-John

Prince - Purple Rain/1999/ Sign O' The Times

Off The Wall - Michael Jackson

Madonna - Madonna

Rumors - Fleetwood Mac

Anytime...Anywhere - Rita Coolidge

Tapestry - Carole King

Greatest Hits - Elton John

The Velvet Rope - Janet

Anthology of Diana Ross

ABBA - ABBA Gold

Rapture - Anita Baker

CrazySexyCool - TLC

Music Box - Mariah Carey

Falling Into You/Colour Of My Love - Celine Dion

What's the 411 - Mary J. Blige

Believe - CHER

Private Dancer - Tina Turner

DIVA - Annie Lennox

Guilty - Barbra Streisand

P.S. I am loving Darren Hayes remake of one my favorite Madonna tracks - Dress You Up!!!!!!!

Long Live Miss Cassidy's Music

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:11:12 GMT

I just got the new Eva Cassidy release of new music. I had no idea that Eva even had any new material to release so this was an unexpected surprise to discover today on new release Tuesday. It's such a treat to be caught off guard with an unexpected musical treasure. Eva's voice is one of those magical voices that makes me sometimes stop whatever I might be doing and just listen to her gorgeous and pure voice. I was immediately taken that there are so many genres of music on this latest release but Eva really can sing any genre. The first suprise was hearing her interpretation of Dolly's "Coat of Many Colors". The timing of hearing this version coincides with a recent concert memory of hearing Dolly sing it herself just two weeks ago live and in person. It's one of my personal favorites and to hear Eva singing it gave me the chills. I've heard there may be a movie in the works about Eva Cassidy's life. I sure hope it comes together. :-)

Exasperation.......

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:53:43 GMT

Okay, so just when I think my brother has things figured out with his next living situation, he goes and flips it all upside down on its head - AGAIN!!!! He has initiated purchase contracts on 4 homes. The first one he was outbid and the last 3 he got either impatient and/or cold feet.

Now, because I have been personally vested in this process with him, I could choose to be frustrated, exasperated, fatigued, exhausted, drained, spent, or whatever other words one can think of along those same lines, but I am making a choice to just laugh about it. After all, it's been said that laughter is the best medicine. I just hope his realtor can laugh about it, but I think not. I have simply reached a point where I cannot expel any more energy trying to help my kid brother sort out his life. And, he's not a kid. He's 40 years old!!! The poor guy is just lost and aimless at this juncture in his life so I know I should cut him some slack, but geez, he's given a whole new meaning to the phrase "being wishy-washy!! He has no clear direction and with no job I can only imagine that it only compounds things for him. I just don't know how to be helpful to him anymore so I am making a choice to step back and watch him let the chips fall where they may. He knows I love him and he knows I want the best for him but I've reached a crossroads with him and maybe me thinking that I am being helpful is really not being helpful to him at all. I just don't know anymore and I simply need to let me my mind focus away from him and back to me and back to what's important in my own life and Chris will just need to figure out his life on his own! I am just going to try and be a sounding board from now on and that's it. I guess we'll see how long that lasts..........

Moving Into Light

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:26:05 GMT

I haven't done a music post lately so I figured it was about time. It's going to be much easier to blog about music than to sort out my thoughts on the personal front although, I would say I am "moving into light" in that respect. Nevertheless, I can do a mini-recap of some recent personal events. Last week, Rob and I had an unexpected visit from someone I hadn't even been in touch with for nearly 25 years. This person was someone I traveled with during my year long stint of singing/dancing while traveling with Up With People from 1983 - 84. Actually, these past few months, there has been alot of getting re-acquainted and caught up with various people that I traveled with during that year and I have to say it's been a refreshing and enlightening experience. If someone had told me, I would be re-acquainted with this group of people that I haven't talked to or been associated with in 25 years, I wouldn't have believed them. I guess I have facebook to thank for that. I am just amazed that there is so much interest from all these people that I spent a year of my life with in what I'm doing and how I'm doing nowadays and it is a genuine interest.

Anyway, back to my visitor before I get off on a tangent. Lyn was traveling through Colorado from Kansas with his partner Fernando on his way back to Berkeley, CA which is where he now calls home. Although, I had always suspected that Lyn was probably gay 25 years ago, it wasn't something that we ever talked about, so fast forward 25 years later and I am not surprised to find this out about Lyn, in fact, I have come to find out that the majority of guys in my cast that year are gay. Again, no surprise, given that most of us had performing in our blood as we were all artistically disposed with either a dancing, singing and/or musical background. Lyn and his partner Fernando were so much fun and it was like welcoming a visit from a long lost family member. They only stayed over one night but the four of us talked and talked and talked non-stop about anything and everything. The visit went by much too quickly however, we are already discussing plans to go out to Berkeley sometime next year for a visit. Both Lyn and Fernando are teachers and have the summer months off so they have the time to accommodate guests during the summer months. It was funny because after they left and upon meeting someone named Fernando, Rob and I kept singing the ABBA song Fernando for days after their visit until we had to officially banish it from our lips. I sure am glad we got that out of our system because you know how you can get sick of a song even if you normally enjoy the song.

Anyway, speaking of music, that's a good transition into six tracks that have been in heavy rotation on on my IPOD lately:

No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) a remake by Amber & Zelma Davis - first off, where has Zelma Davis been hiding out since the C&C Music Factory days? I just find it interesting that she appears out of nowhere all of a sudden. Anyway, singers from Jocelyn Brown & Kym Mazelle to Andy Bell & KD Lang to even Tina Arena have taken this song on, but I have to say this is a solid version in it's own right and could end up being my all-time favorite version of the song.

Control Yourself (Soul Deep House Mix) by Erin Hamilton - Carol Burnett's daughter is back again and I like it. Last year, she put out "The Flame" which was okay, but this is definitely a better song because she has a house remix and everyone knows that I am partial to soulful house mixes of ANY song. I remember seeing her perform at a Gay Pride event in the early 2000's and liking her but thinking her vocals were thin, however, she sounds like a Black Diva Singer, at least on this mix of her song.

Don't You Wanna Be Mine (Bimbo Jones Mix) by Denise Lopez - I wonder if I am the only one who purchased her CD's from the late 80's, early 90's (Truth In Disguise & Every Dog Has It's Day). I remember really digging her song "Sayin' Sorry (Don't Make It Right)". To me, her music was always catchy and fun dance/pop and I likened it to the music of Paula Abdul at the time. Unfortunately, Denise never really went anywhere with her music on the charts except for maybe the dance charts kind of like Lisette Melendez - although Lisette probably had a little bit more success and notoriety. Anyway, it sure is fun to see "Don't You Wanna Be Mine" being resurrected with an updated sound for today. I always liked the original version of this song by Clivilles & Cole but I really like today's updates of the song.

Looking For Men (Ralphi & Craig J. Mix) by Rosabel Featuring Tamara Wallace - I like the sassiness of the song's lyrics. It's fun. I remember hearing it during Pride and wondering who it was and then re-discovering it later.

Give Some Love (Richard Earnshaw Mix) by Antoine Clamaran & Mario Ochoa Featuring Lulu Hughes - I always love uplifting lyrics backed with a great dance sound and this one doesn't disappoint.

Pop Muzak (Martin Solveig Electro Disco Mix) by Mousse T. with Roachford - I always thought this was a great pop record and one of the year's surprises back in 2004. It never got much notoriety stateside but I believe it was a decent hit in the UK. This is a track I've been resurrecting lately and it is what I like to call an "undiscovered gem from back in the day". Of course, I love the funkier, fun Martin Solveig version but the original is actually pretty darn good!!!

In fact, here's a link to the video: http://new.music.yahoo.com/Mousse-T-/videos/view/Pop-Muzak---Featuring-Roachford--2171310

Don't Take ANYTHING personally!!!

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:02:52 GMT

It's a hard pill to swallow when you are in receipt of information said from a family member that you never thought you would hear them say. I don't want to be too specific except to say that my mother shared with me an opinion of my brother's that he had shared with her recently and it has left me somewhat unsettled. You see, my brother has been living with Rob and I for about 6 weeks now and apparently he is formulating opinions about what he has been observing of Rob, and me for that matter. Suffice to say, he has expressed to my mom that since he has been living with us, that he has begun to perceieve Rob to be a completely different person than he thought Rob was and it doesn't appear to be a good perception, as best I can tell. My mom didn't want to go into specifics except to say that Chris told her that he believes I put up with way too much where Rob is concerned. Initially, I was a little stunned to hear it and even started to become somewhat defensive but upon immediate reflection and putting it into what I feel is the proper perspective, Chris is somewhat right, however, I told my mom, of course Rob isn't the same person he was and he has not been the same person since the beginning of the year. The permanent hearing loss he experienced in January and the devastaing loss of his father in April have been two HUGE factors that have contributed to the obvious personality changes, mood swings, short tempered-ness, etc., that have taken place with Rob. And, OF COURSE, I have noticed it - how could I have not noticed it. In fact, Rob has taken note and even admitted it to both himself and to me that he feels like a different/changed person and he doesn't like the person that he has been showing to the world at times.

So, if Chris wants to publicly state his observations and say that I am putting up with way too much where Rob's behavior of late is concerned then I feel the need to say to Chris in rebuttle - PLEASE put it in the right perspective my dear brother! Also, it's because I love Rob and because I know that Rob loves me that I am willing to stand by him and be a little more patient, a little more forgiving and of course I am going to make for some allowances as he works through the various stages of his grief especially given that he has experienced a very intimate parental loss as well as him still coming to terms everyday still with his devastating hearing loss. After all, sticking it out with the person you love unconditionally comes with the territory when you are in a committed relationship - you take the good with the bad, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health and unfortunately we're just experiencing the bad for now and I say "for now" because I know Rob just hasn't had that "break-through" yet, but I do know that it's something he has been working towards and will undoubtedly continue to work towards until he finally arrives at that necessary "break-through" point down the road that he most definitely needs to come to at some point- and Rob fully understands that! And, yes, I hope it comes sooner than later but it has to be on Rob's terms and time table and I know it cannot be forced. So, I guess if Chris wants to make judgments about Rob and how I put up with him then I suppose I need to remember one of Don Miguel Ruiz's "Four Agreements", which is "Don't Take Anything Personally".

This is actually the second agreement of the four and I have to say that it is the hardest one for me and I imagine it probably is for most people. I'd like to think I know myself fairly well and I recognize that I am emotionally based so it can certainly feel like a slap in the face for anyone when you hear a negative comment about yourself and/or the ones you love and when it comes from a family member, it is so much easier to feel let down and disappointed or even betrayed, but I have to remember that it is important to keep in mind that what others say and do is really a projection of their own reality on to others and if I can only commit this to memory and to always remember this then it will help me look at turning negative responses into more of a positive thing for me. I must remember not internalize any negative projections from my brother, or anyone else for that matter, personally!!!

I used to recite at least one of the four agreements as part of my daily mantra practices in the past but I haven't recited any of the four agreements in awhile. I think it's high time I dust them off and start rotating them back into my current daily mantra practices once again.

So, now that I have finished writing what I needed to get out of me in this journal entry, I do feel much better. Thank you Mr. Journal!!!

Must Be The Music!

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:54:49 GMT

As infrequent as my posts have been of late, I have been listening to ALOT of music to help get me through the past month's doldrums. Music has always been a positive thing for me and will continue to always affect me postively no matter what may be going on in my life. I can remember being a young toddler around the age of 4 or 5 and being subjected to listening to my parents fight all the time and I would always escape those situations by going into another room and turning on my little portable phonograph and listening to the Jackson 5 or some Motown artist and being happy for that moment in time despite there being a huge fight taking place between my parents in another room.

Well, not much has changed as I've continued that escapism technique up through my adulthood and I can only imagine myself being a music loving senior citizen when that chapter of my life catches up to me - LOL.

Here's what I've been listening to and liking lately. Some new tunes and some old resurfaced tunes:

1)    The Dance (Soul Seekerz Import Mix) by Evelyn "Champagne" King - I was always a fan of disco and "Shame" is a disco classic, however, it was Evelyn's more R&B oriented stuff that made me a huge fan. I recall buying her debut on vinyl "Smooth Talk" which is torn and tattered now but I played that album continuously. I am so excited she is back with something. This song is destined to be a HUGE club hit. She even samples her own song "Love Come Down" at various points in the song. LOVE THIS SONG!!!!

2) God Laughs by Delta Goodrem - I bought this singer's US Debut release having higher expectations. It's grown on me and there's no denying her vocal abilities. This song is one of my favorites off her release.

3) All I Want To Do by Sugarland - Jennifer Nettles is so fantastic!   I think she and this group may be on their way to becoming one of my all-time favorite groups! This song is so undeniably catchy!  ooooh,ooooh,ooooh,ooooh,oooooh,ooooh,ooooh.............

4) Happy by Orienta-Rhythm Feat. Joi Cardwell - this has been playing alot of on my IPOD because of its message and funky beat. I play this in my car and I forget that people are watching me in the car beside me because I am just singing and dancing away!

5) Joy (Bobby Blanco & Miki Moto Remix) by Christian Hornbostel Feat. Beverley T. - this is the next song after "Happy" on my IPOD playlist and like the title suggests, it brings me JOY, JOY, JOY!!!!!!!!

6) What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? by Alison Moyet - this is one of my favorite classic love songs. I have dedicted it to Rob in the past and he especially likes this version because he is a HUGE Alison Moyet fan. She does a wonderful interpretation of this classic!!!!

7) Forever (Bobby Blanco and Miki Moto UK Club Mix) by DJ Andrew Emil Feat. L.S.P. - I have been on a MotoBlanco kick lately ever since my friend John turned me on to Jennifer Hudson's Spotlight Moto Blanco remix.   The vocals on this song are sung are by Mica Paris! Another fabulous UK vocalist!!!!

8) Push Up On Me (Moto Blanco Mix) by Rihanna - although this isn't an official single. I absolutely think it should be and this remix is "OFF THE HOOK!!!!! You go Ri Ri!!!!

9) Close To Heaven by Stonebridge - I love the hypnotic vibe this song gives off!!!!

10) Let's Get Back The Feeling (Radio Edit) Feat. Samuele Sartini vs Jordan Dee by Cece Rogers - a nice house song by one of house music's best IMHO - CECE ROGERS!!!!!!!

Me Time & Us Time

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:42:20 GMT

This past weekend was very nice! Rob and I finally had “me time” and “us time” which is something we haven’t had in quite some time! There isn’t much to report on the weekend because it was so low-key but at least the weekend didn’t have to involve others. My brother was/is away for a long weekend and Rob’s mom is out of town until mid-September so there were two individuals that we weren’t obligated to have to cross paths with at all. We did catch up with one friend Friday night that we hadn’t spent time with in awhile and she wanted to spend more time over the weekend together but we put the kibosh on it by declaring this would be our first weekend of being alone together in quite some time.

There are some potential new living arrangements on the horizon. Rob’s mom has expressed an interest in selling her townhome, which Rob owns, and moving in with us before winter sets in and then possibly finding another place for her to live in about a year or so. I can’t exactly say no, well yes I could, but I am not going to because I know Rob really wants my support on this, so I am willing to keep an open mind since it has been stated by everyone as being a temporary situation. Who knows, it really may be an okay thing? We do know that it will save us all money, especially Rob and I, since we have been subsidizing his mom’s living expenses in order for her to continue living in that townhome now that his dad has passed and she doesn’t have that extra social security income that they both brought in together. Rob’s mom is a generally laid back person and definitely not a “mother-in-law from hell” type, which is a bonus. So, we’ll see what lies ahead. We put the townhome on the market last week and in this crazy market who knows if it will sell or not. I suppose if it’s meant to be then it will happen. We plan to also explore renting it if it hasn’t sold in a few months. Although, the place is in such great shape that we almost hate to think of renting it out to renters who could possibly trash it and bring down its value. Again, we just have to wait and see what lies ahead.

Rob has to start working alternating Saturdays for awhile so I am looking forward to “me time” every other Saturday

Bullet Points

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:30:07 GMT

I am in need of writing a long post so I can have a mind dump of everything that's been swirling in my head these past few weeks. Instead of long post, I am going to attempt a bullet point version which will make sense to me but may not to some reading this post.

Rob's mom leaves tomorrow for a 7 week trip and I'm elated to have more ME time as well as Rob & Me time!
I haven't had hardly ANY me time in recent weeks and I think that has alot to do with my scattered frame of mind.
My brother has been living with us and it's been better than expected but it can still be a huge drain of my energy.

More to come....I'm being interrupted.....AArgh!

Unmotivated

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:53:12 GMT

So much I want to journal about but I can't motivate myself to write. It's as if I feel paralyed. Hmmm.....wonder what that's all about. Time to psycho-analyze myself!

Been Waaay Busy

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:34:38 GMT

I haven't posted in more than a week. Just been staying busy with one thing or another has been the reason. The weekend before last was pretty much spent packing and moving my brother in with us temporarily. We had to make room in the garage and basement for storage of boxes, furniture etc.   We managed to find room okay but man does he have alot of SHIT!!!   He's out house hunting with my realtor right now and would like to be moved in to a new place in the next month or two. He's been better to live with thus far, more so than I thought he would be since he can usually be a little high maintenance plus given his state of mind in recent months. I'd like to think I have a calming effect on him - ha! At least that's what my mother has mentioned to me too as she has noticed a more mellower side of Chris since staying with us than she has in recent months. I think the finalization of his break up and finally moving out of the home he shared with his ex has been a huge weight off of him and I think he is looking toward the future and excited about starting the next chapter in his life.

Well, here's my hump day mix for today. I've been listening to my Chicago House Mix so here it goes:

1)   That's The Way Love Is - Ten City
2)   Hold On Tighter - Clubland
3)   What Would We Do - DSK
4)   Special Love - Jestofunk with Jocelyn Brown on Vocals
5)   Forever - CeCe Rogers
6)   Move Your Body - Marshall Jefferson
7)   Nobody Else - CeCe Peniston
8)   Good Life (Hurley Mix) - Inner City
9)   Closer Than Close (Knuckles Remix) - Rosie Gaines
10) Fine Time (Hurley Mix) - New Order

Hump Day Music IPOD shuffle

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:06:29 GMT

I missed this posting for yesterday:

1) Greatest Hit by Annie - I fell in love with this piece of dance pop fun a few years ago because I loved that she sampled Madonna's song Everybody.

2) What You Won't Do For Love by Bobby Caldwell - This song is definitely on the list of my all time favorite classic R&B songs ever recorded. I also love to sing this song at Karaoke bars when I have had enough libations in me to get up on stage and belt one out!

3) The Glow Of Love by CHANGE - Hands down this group IS my favorite dance/funk Euro-disco group. Not many people know that this group showcased the the early vocal talents of Luther Vandross before he went on to solo stardom or that this particular song was sampled by Janet Jackson on her smash single ALL 4 U!

4) For The Love Of Frances by Club Nouveau - This was always one of my favorites by this group. I loved it when Valerie showcased her vocals on various songs and this song definitely showcases her exceptional vocal talents. I really was fond of Club Noveau's sound and the sound they produced for my another one of my favorite musical groups - En Vogue!!

5) Honest Questions by Daniel Bedingfield - I am a huge fan of this song and I loved it instantly the first time I heard it and I recall repeating it over and over soaking in the music and lyrics. Tis a shame it was never released as a single. I love it when he breaks into his falsetto range at various points in the song. This song has always had the power to mesmerize me because of its somewhat haunting melody but I do like the overall message of "personal growth".

6) Special Kind Of Love by Dina Carroll - This British R&B/Dance Diva didn't get the musical break here in the states that I thought she should have gotten back in the early 90's given the music scene at the time because I thought she fit right in with this C&C produced song that never quite went anywhere. She, in my estimation, is one of the more stunning female vocalists (visually and vocally) to come from the UK - kind of on the same par as Leona Lewis only she came on the scene years before Leona. Sadly, I think I'm one of the few who have ever heard of her stateside or bought her release at the time. I was excited when I heard a song she covered (Van Morrison's Someone Like You) for the Bridget Jones Diary soundtrack in 2001 but I have no idea what's happened to her since. Come back Dina!!!!

7) On A High by Duncan Sheik - This song was great in its original version but I went "GAGA" for the Club mix back in 2003. Barely Breathing was also a favorite of mine. He is so easy on the eyes. It's interesting to note that he is getting all kinds of attention for writing the score to the Broadway musical Spring Awakening.

8) Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy - Her story of going from a virtually unknown artist to having gained much notoriety after her death is very much deserved. I discovered her in early 2000 like most people and I've since purchased her entire music catalog as it was slowly released over the years because I found her voice to be simply amazing. Interestingly enough, I was watching David Archuleta on The View the other day and he brought a smile to my face when he mentioned Eva Cassidy as one of his favorite artists.

9) Nice Girls by Eye to Eye - This song takes me back to the early 80's. This song barely cracked the Top 40 but I always liked this bouncy pop ditty and just had to own it on a 45. It was re-released on CD a few years ago so I re-purchased it then because up to that point I only had a CDR recording that I recorded from my scratched up 45.

10) Rescue Me by A Taste Of Honey - People often think of A Taste of Honey as a one-hit wonder with Boogie Oogie Oogie. I, for one, never thought of them as a one-hit wonder because I liked many of their releases and this was always one of my favorites. It's been sampled on a few R&B songs over the years. I recently discovered a version by Full Flava that is absolutely divine!

Pridefest Weekend Quick Update

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 22:39:11 GMT

First off, let me say, I am getting too old to handle three continuous days of partying and libations. My friend Tom came in town for the weekend. Our friendship goes back 20 years and 20 years ago we had no problem handling 3 days of partying probably because we were in our early 20's. Nowadays, it's just UGLY honey - LOL! The first night we stayed out until 330am, thanks in large part to my brother navigating the night, and I can't even tell you the last time I stayed out until that hour for partying purposes. Saturday morning was a little rough! We decided to hang out at the pool to relax and soak in some Vitamin D from the sun. Though, I think the sun managed to zap some energy out of us because we were tired as we milled about from bar to bar on Saturday night. Though, we didn't stay out late because we wanted to have enough energy for Sunday's parade and festivities. I managed to have some energy for most of Sunday, however, by about 5pm, I began crashing HARD! I just couldn't continue drinking and I sat around at The Wrangle trying not to be too much of a party pooper. Finally, I told Tom, I needed to go home and sleep. He stayed for a few more hours, though, I don't know where he pulled his energy from but he managed to make it to my house by 10pm to find me sacked out in bed and asleep. Fortunately, I had taken the day off yesterday because I knew I would need a recovery day.

All in all, Tom and I did have a fun time trying to rekindle our party days from bac-n-the-day. Unfortunately, Rob really wasn't up for much and opted to stay in for most of the weekend which I understood. Although, he did manage to make it to the parade and stay for a few hours afterwards. He also took his mom along and this was her first pride parade and she really had fun! She was taking it all in like a kid in a candy store. I don't think she had quite conceived that so many gays and lesbians would be in attendance. We managed to snap a few shots of her with a few outrageously dressed and colorful drag queens and interestingly enough, she was the one who asked us to snap the photographs of her with them!! It was cute!

Today, my skin feels hot to the touch - literally, because I have a wicked sunburn. I just hope my skin doesn't peel but I have a feeling it will.

Hump Day Music

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:23:35 GMT

I didn't get a chance to post this list last week so now we have to double it up this week! :-)

1) Rock The Boat (Doug Lazy Club Mix) by Aaliyah - An artist gone way too soon before her peak!!!

2) We Break The Dawn (Karmatronic Club Mix) by Michelle Williams - This song is great! Michelle put forth a good effort to keep up with Beyonce and Kelly.

3) Me, Myself & I by Darren Hayes - It's too bad this song didn't bust wide open on the charts. It's a toe-tapper!!!

4) Saturday Night, Sunday Morning by Juliet Roberts - I always loved this disco song back when Thelma Houston recorded it in the late 70's. This is a good update .

5) Come On by Jimmy Somerville - From Jimmy's "Home Again" album that found me 4 years too late. It was released in 2004 and it has some great stuff!

6) You Know How To Love Me (Friscia & Lamboy Mix) by Lori Jenaire - This is a remake from my favorite artist of all time, drum roll please.... Miss Phyliis Hyman!!! It's also pretty incredible how Lori's vocals sound hauntingly like Phyllis's. Could it be reincarnation? Improbable, since Lori was alive when Phyllis passed. Lori also recorded another Phyllis song - "Magic Mona" and dare I say, it is better than Phyllis's version. Blasphemy - I hope Phyllis doesn't turn over in her grave with that comment. In fact, the 13th anniversary of Phyllis's death is fast approaching (June 30th). I hope Rob is ready for a Phyllis music marathon coming on...... poor fellow!!!   I remember 3 years ago when we took a road trip down to Arkansas to visit his parents and we actually drove on June 30th, so of course we had to take a moment for Phyllis and listen to Phyllis songs for a good part of the trip. :-)

7) How Long (Ospina Vocal Remix) by Linda Clifford - And, yet another Phyllis remake! However, Phyllis's original version is far superior to this remake. There, I think I redeemed myself some for my last comment on the the previous song.

8) Sexyback (Pokerface Remix) by Justin Timberlake - It's interesting how I gravitate to the funkier remixes of songs. I absolutely love this version!!

9) He's The Greatest Dancer (Shapeshifters Mix) by Dannii Minogue - I love this remake! A throwback to my favorite Sister Sledge song.

10) Everywhere I Go by Katherine McPhee - If only Katherine had me as her music advisor to tell her she was stupid not to release this song as a single. It would have been a bonafide hit, I'm just sure of it!!!!   It's one of the most played on my IPOD and is now approaching 50 plays.

11) Time by Billy Porter - Mia Michael's, my favorite dance choreographer, choreographed a dance piece to this song last year on "So You Think You Can Dance" and it moved me to tears. It was a piece about her deceased father and how applicable it is to Rob and I a year later. The lyrics are so wonderful - the message reminds me of another one of my favorites "Season's Of Love".

12) Where The Music Takes You by Ari Gold - This out and proud gay artist should have had HUGE club success written all over it with this song. I really like the funky piano playing!!!

13) Do It Well (Moto Blanco Mix) by Jennifer Lopez - Boy, did Jennifer bomb on her last album or what? I think I was the only fan who liked most of it!!!!   The Moto Blanco remix kicks asssssssssssssssss!

14) Cobrastyle by Robyn - I've been playing this song alot ever since I saw last week's episode of "So You Think You Can Dance" and was enthralled with Wade Robson's choreography to this song on the dancers! It was phenomenal!!! I love it when someone's dance interpretation of a song really ignites the song for me cause that's exactly what happened to me with this song!!!

15) Pack'd My Bags/ You Got The Love by Chaka Kahn - This was a great re-interpreation, re-recorded version of Chaka's own song on her much overlooked "Funk This" release last year! Classic Chaka at it's finest!!!!

16) My Love by Jill Scott - I love Jill's talking intro and how her silky smooth vocals kick the song into high gear!! Love me some, Jill!!

17) OOh by Scissor Sisters - From Ta Dah!   Why doesn't America want to embrace this band like the rest of the world? Hands down, they gave me the best live concert experience in recent memory!!!

18) Go Your Own Way (Dave Aude Mix) by Fleetwood Mac - Of course, my brother would have the scoop on EVERTHING Stevie or Fleetwood Mac, but I am proud to say that this one got passed him as I was the one who turned him on to this version of the song. It's probably the first and only time that I will ever be able to make a claim like that - ha!!

19) Upper Room by Niki Haris - This is a little known dance gem from Madonna's former back-up singer. I can play this song over and over - I just love the hook!!!

20) Miss The Way (Junior Vasquez Mix) by Reina - I love Reina's voice. She has a great texture to her voice and I can instantly distinguish it!