listen to the head not the heart
for consistency,
say the idiots.

thoughts traveling the head
never obey the traffic laws.
they run all the stop signs
ignore all the posted speed limits
and get into all kinds
of collisions.

but feel and listen
how the heart never swerves
its road of rhythm.

em um dia temos tanta cumplicidade,
parece que fazemos parte um da vida do outro.
você divide comigo informações que não costuma dizer a ninguém.
continuamos assuntos pessoais, dividimos preocupações e também as coisas que nos deixam felizes,
como nossos pequenos afilhados.

no dia seguinte,
é como se nada tivesse acontecido.
você não aparece, não manda um e-mail ou sms.
faz parecer que o que temos é casual, aleatório, passageiro e oportunista.
nenhuma novidade. é sempre assim, não é?
só que isso se repete. já foi a quinta ou sexta vez.
um simples beijo no portão, e me sinto a mais tola das criaturas.
suspirando pelo que não devia, mesmo um ano depois.

o meu dia seguinte inclui você e as lembranças do dia anterior.
inclui também a vontade de te ver outra vez, e outra vez, e outra vez.
de te ver durante o dia, de você sentado no sofá da minha casa, do café da manhã na padaria,
de um e-mail bonito, de um telefonema sem motivo.

me sinto mal por você não me julgar merecedora.
por cultivar o que não devia nunca ter sido alimentado.
por aceitar de novo a mesma situação.
por esquecer que o outro dia é sempre frustrante.

I wanted to clarify a couple things about my last post.  I want to start by stating a couple of ABSOLUTES that I follow in my life.  I try my best to approach these ‘absolutes’ with the heart and mind like a child would have.

#1. God is Good! Nahum 1:7

#2. He is able to do more than I would ever dare to ask or hope. Ephesians 3:20

#3. Jesus said that we could ask anything…ANYTHING!…in His name and it would be given.

I don’t know why people who follow Jesus, who have faith for healing, and who pray for healing don’t receive it sometimes.  I don’t have that answer.  But, because of the 3 things I stated above I refuse to say that it was because God didn’t want them to have it.

In all honesty, God can do anything He wants.  If He wants me to have cancer, and He wants me to die because of that cancer, then who am I to question God.  But, I refuse to believe that might be the case because that type of belief gives me room to not pursue with all of my heart that which Jesus paid for on the cross.

I personally believe that God doesn’t want anyone to have cancer, the same way He wants everyone to be saved…yet, people are still perishing and will go to Hell.  Why do people still get cancer and die when prayed for? Why are people still going to go to hell? I don’t have those answers.

It’s like I’m a gambling man.  I’m going to go all in on the side that I have the best chance of winning…in this example, getting healed.  Matthew 11:12 talks about taking the Kingdom by force, and faithful praying is forceful!!

Yes, we all have to die.  God Himself limited us to 120 years.  But, why do we accept cancer and other diseases that cause insurmountable amounts of suffering, as okay ways to die.  I am sure that these diseases will continue to take the lives of faithful followers of Christ.  But, just because it claims one life doesn’t give us the right to pray for ‘whatever God wants to do.’ God did what He wanted to do.  He came to earth and paid for all iniquities and transgressions.  And, then He left us in charge to go out and claim what He paid for.  WE OWE HIM WHAT HE PAID FOR.  He is not here to claim it, it is up to us.

How would you like to pay for a car in full by emptying your bank account, but, due to circumstances, the only way you get to enjoy the car is if your friend picks it up for you.  All they have to do is go to the dealership, ask for the keys to your car, and drive it home to you…but, they never even went to the dealership because they thought you might not want it…WHAT? You paid for it up front and in cash, but you might not want it.  That’s crazy!…C-R-A-Z-Y!!!

Again, I don’t have the answers to all of the hard questions.  And, I’m not trying to search out those answers.  I will just stick to the absolute truths in the Bible.  Due to the busyness of the world, I have a hard enough time going after the Truth with all of my heart, so I don’t have time to waste throwing in my own ‘what-ifs’ and ‘it didn’t work that way for them.’

Right now, there is a friend of my wife’s family who is a younger man (45-55 yrs old) who has been told he has  just a few months to live because of cancer.  He has a two children I think, and both are still in high school. I will never agree with the thinking that Jesus paid for all iniquities except his, and that God wants him to leave this world with two children whom he is still raising. I can’t!   His name is Kevin.  Kevin’s life may very well depend on my faith to live.  Please join with us in praying for his miraculous healing!!

Verfasst von Joe

2. Quartal 2010 wird perfekt. Jetzt ist es nämlich soweit. Nintendo hat ein offizielles Statement zur Veröffentlichung der beiden Pokémon Remakes zu Gold und silber gegeben. Die Spiele werden, wie oben schon erwähnt im 2. Quartal 2010 erscheinen, sowohl in den USA als auch in Europa und wurden stark überarbeitet und auf den neuesten Stand gebracht.

Es gibt außerdem die Packshots zu den japanischen Varianten:

(Quelle: Gaming-Universe.de)

Oh and here’s a little gem for you, but mostly for me:

verfasst von Joe

Wenn man im Bus oder im Zug sitzt, auf etwas wartet, oder gerade auf dem Heimweg ist, dann ist die beste Möglichkeit, Zeit totzuschlagen eindeutig Gaming. Wenn man dann noch seine liebsten Retro-Titel unterwegs zocken kann, dann fängt der Spaß erst so richtig an. Ich liste euch heute ein paar meiner Retro to go Games auf.

Dragonball Z Buu's Fury

Mein erster Tip ist gleichzeitig ein Geheimtipp. Mit Dragonball Z Buu’s Fury ist nämlich eines meiner liebsten GBA Spiele erschienen. Das tolle Action Kampfsystem mit den Rollenspielelementen und der Dragonball Saga rund um Buu macht diesen Titel für mich zu einen wirklichen Hit. Ich habe viel Zeit mit diesem Titel verbracht, auch nach dem Story Ending war es spaßig, die Charaktere hochzuleveln, die Welten noch ein bisschen zu erforschen und neue Fertigkeiten zu lernen. Sehr cool: Man kann zwischen allen Dragonball Z Charakteren, die in diesem Teil der Saga tätig sind, spielen und wechseln nach Lust und Laune.

Final Fantasy IV Advance

Ein weiteres Rollenspiel darf hier in diesem Artikel dabei sein. Dabei handelt es sich um Final Fantasy IV Advance, welches ich schon seit SNES Zeiten gut kenne. Damals hat mich das Spiel schon begeistert, heute laufe ich noch gerne mit dem Gameboy Advance herum und spiel den Teil. Busfahrten werden so nie langweilig und auch der ein oder andere Sitznachbar ist sofort still und schaut gespannt auf dem Bildschirm um die sofort ergreifende Story mitzubekommen, oder die toll gemachten Kämpfe mitzuverfolgen.

Klar, es gibt noch viele andere Final Fantasy’s auf dem GBA, aber die müssen nicht alle genannt werden. Final Fantasy Tactics Advance etc. sind alles wirklich gute Titel, aber das hier ist einfach das beste Handheld Game der Reihe!

Mega Drive Collection (PSP)

Um auch eine gelungene Collection zu erwähnen, bringen wir diese mit ein. Schon allein die zwei Phantasy Stars (II und IV) berechtigen den Kauf dieser Collection allemal. Die anderen Titel sind auch wirklich gut. Wer mehr Info’s zu den einzelnen Titeln will, sollte einfach auf Amazon nachschauen…

Castlevania - Aria of Sorrow

Auf sämtlichen Handhelds ist Castlevania nun schon erschienen, aber auf keinem konnte es mich mehr überzeugen. Aria of Sorrow ist eines der wenigen Titel, dass die Elemente von Videospielen so gut verbindet wie sonst. Die RPG Elemente und das gut umgesetzte Metroidvania Prinzip, sowie die Liebe zum Detail seitens Konami machen den Titel unheimlich gut. Man spielt ausnahmsweise keinen Belmont und peitscht auch nicht in der Gegend herum, stattdessen sammelt man verschiedene Waffen und Seelen und läuft im Schloss von Graf Drakula umher, besiegt gigantische Bossgegner und erkundet die Umgebung.

Meiner Meinung nach eignet dieser Teil sich sowohl für lange als auch für kurze Sessions, da man jederzeit in Speicherräumen sein Spiel absichern kann, jedoch auch einfach fortfahren kann.

The Legend of Zelda - The Minish Cap

Schade dass ich Minish Cap erst jetzt nachhole. Denn hätte ich dieses Zelda Abenteuer früher gekannt, wäre ich wohl öfter mit dem früheren Bus gefahren,  um dann vor der Schule sitzend Zelda zu spielen. Stattdessen darf ich jetzt daheim spielen, weil ansonsten keine Zeit für das langwierige Adventure bleibt.

Ich habe übrigens bewusst zu Minish Cap gegriffen, da mir dieser Teil von den Handheld Zelda’s am besten gefallen hat, neben Phantom Hourglass. Aber Phantom Hourglass ist noch kein Retro Game, von daher…

Pokémon - Silberne Edition

Diese Videospielreihe prägte mein Leben als Gamer. Dank ihr spiele ich jetzt Rollenspiele, durch sie hab’ ich lesen gelernt und mit ihr gehe ich gerne auch heute noch aus dem Haus. Zwar nehme ich, um nicht mit dem klobigen Kultklumpen Gameboy aufzufallen, lieber meinen GBA mit, allerdings kann es schon oft passieren, dass genau dieses Spiel im Slot steckt. Die unheilmich gute Spielmechanik packt einen unheimlich gut, man kann allerdings auch jederzeit speichern und dann ausschalten.

Wer mehr über die Pokémon Reihe in Erfahrung bringen möchte, kann sich auch gleich die Retro-Perspektive dazu durchlesen. Hier hat Edgar mit mir über die gesamte Pokémon Reihe gechattet und wir konnten neben hilfreichen Details auch einiges an Material und Zusatzwissen bieten.

Hier zur Retro-Perspektive!

Jetzt seid ihr an der Reihe, was sind eure Lieblingsspiele für Handhelds? Wo und wann spielt ihr? Postet eure Geschichten einfach in die Comments!

Lawrence of the Resurrection

He [Lawrence] complains much of our blindness; and cries often that we are to be pitied who content ourselves with so little.

God, says he, has infinite treasure to bestow, and we take up with a little sensible devotion which passes in a moment.

Blind as we are, we hinder God, and stop the current of His graces. But when He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces and favours plentifully.

There they flow like a torrent, which, after being forcibly stopped against its ordinary course, when it has found a passage, spreads itself with impetuosity and abundance.

Yes, we often stop this torrent, by the little value we set upon it. But let us stop it no more. Let us enter into ourselves and break down the bank which hinders it. Let us make way for grace.

Let us redeem the lost time, for perhaps we have but little left. Death follows us close, let us be well prepared for it; for we die but once, and a miscarriage there is irretrievable.

I say again, let us enter into ourselves. The time presses: there is no room for delay; our souls are at stake. I believe you have taken such effectual measures, that you will not be surprised.

I commend you for it, it is the one thing necessary. We must, nevertheless, always work at it, because not to advance, in the spiritual life, is to go back.

But those who have the gale of the Holy Spirit go forward even in sleep. If the vessel of our soul is still tossed with winds and storms, let us awake the Lord, who reposes in it, and He will quickly calm the sea.

Lawrence of the Resurrection (1614-1691): Practice of the Presence of God.

Leo the Great

For the man who loves God it is sufficient to please the one he loves; and there is no greater recompense to be sought than the loving itself; for love is from God by the very fact that God himself is love.

The good and chaste soul is so happy to be filled with him that it desires to take delight in nothing else. For what the Lord says is very true: Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

What is a man’s treasure but the heaping up of profits and the fruit of his toil? For as a man sows, so will he reap, and each man’s gain matches his toil; and where delight and enjoyment are found, there the heart’s desire is attached.

Now there are many kinds of wealth and a variety of grounds for rejoicing; every man’s treasure is that which he desires. If it is based on earthly ambitions, its acquisition makes men not blessed but wretched.

But those who enjoy the things that are above and eternal rather than earthly and perishable, possess an incorruptible, hidden store of which the prophet speaks: Our treasure and salvation have come, wisdom and instruction and piety from the Lord: these are the treasures of justice.

Through these, with the help of God’s grace, even earthly possessions are transformed into heavenly blessings; it is a fact that many people use the wealth which is either rightfully left to them or otherwise acquired, as a tool of devotion.

By distributing what might be superfluous to support the poor, they are amassing imperishable riches, so that what they have discreetly given cannot be subject to loss. They have properly placed those riches where their heart is; it is a most blessed thing to work to increase such riches rather than to fear that they may pass away.

Leo the Great (c.400-461): Sermon 92,2-3; from Office of Readings, Monday in 34^th week of ordinary time.

It’s been an incredibly exhausting, exciting, novel “Novel” writing experience.

I am so tired I haven’t slept well for about 3 weeks.  I will not do second books at this kind of pace — nope.

It’s been a fun and charming tale to unfold — truly.

I had written many short stories before, and many are published in the web — but this was a new foray and I loved it.  Writing a book for children allows you to remember childhood.  How fab.

I’m soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired!

But, I have the end in sight, this morning.

I posted segments of the tale here in the blog and  on my page in NaNoWriMo!

(that was my initial synopsis!) — looking to rewrite that one soon… but, how can I write a synopsis before I’ve written the work?  I don’t work that way!  Also, will need a proper outline et al.  I entered the first 250 words to a contest…

The novel is about a lot of things — love is the key motif — am thinking of the synopsis this am before I start writing to the finish.  I like it and I think it has cross generational appeal not just for moms and daughters but for dads and sons?  Its core mythos is about love for the planet, too — and people and animals.

Okay.  Enough.  To the end we go…..

New up on the website are these necklaces, so pretty and completely handmade to order. Genuine ivory 6mm pearls have been strung onto stainless steel beading wire and then finished with 100% sterling silver clasps and findings. A stunning, delicate swarovski crystal heart measuring 14mm is then hung from the centre of the necklace. Great for an evening out as the crystal makes it just that bit more fancy, length is around 16.5″ long

Inspired by vintage necklaces and old school glamour, it would make a great gift for any pin up, retro, rockabilly kitten,

a choice of 4 colours, pictured below is the crystal and red coloured hearts.

Buy me here!

Christ begins his teaching about lust with a reference to the law of Moses: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” As Christ indicates, all those gathered on the mount to hear his words were certainly familiar with this norm. However, Christ’s further words, “But I say to you …,” show that the norm alone was not enough. The norm itself could not change the lustful heart.

***

In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ established the “new ethos” by transferring the significance of adultery from the “body” to the “heart.”

+ Christopher West, Theology of the Body Explained

Matthew 12:34
…For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

The words that spew forth from our lips is a reflection of that which bubbles and wells within our heart. Our mouths reflect our hearts. But, our mouths may not always fully reflect the perversity of our hearts, because of the self-restraint we may place on our mouths. However, I am convinced that alcohol often provides a window into one’s heart. As each drop slides down the back of the throat, the reigns on one’s tongue, holding back and restraining the perversities welling up within, begin to loosen. It is this liquid that will aid in revealing what is really and truly in a person’s heart. After all, what do the Scriptures say concerning drunkenness and our words?

Proverbs 23:29-35
Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes? Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine. Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly. In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things. You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast. “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.”

 My dad: a retired Navy man who served his time during the Vietnam war, cooked for thousands of service men, brought his family over from poverish situations in the Philippines and then worked 2 (sometimes 3 jobs) to make sure we had a good life. From my perspective, nothing could break this man; a small Asian man who has been through more than any one of us could ever imagine. He was tough and I never once saw fear in his eyes.

Then, on June 2nd 2009, my dad went through his usual routine of lovely retirement life. He spent all morning gardening, mowing the lawn, and cooking. Then he took off to spend time with his friend to play a good match of tennis. All of a sudden, he felt faint, blacked out, and nearly dropped to the ground. Thankfully, his friend caught him just in the nick of time. Dad contributed his fainting episode to the heat and fatigue, but attempted to call me on his cell phone. The call did not go through, however, because they were in what is called a “dead spot” in which cell phone signals could not go through. Somehow dad managed to drive himself over to my house, which was closer than the emergency room. His friend could not drive; so-somehow they managed together. When my husband answered the door, dad did not look well. We offered him a drink and suggested that he lay on the couch to catch his breath. All of a sudden I saw a look of panic in his eyes- I asked him if he was having chest pain, he said “yes”. I asked him if his chest felt heavy, he said “yes”. I threw dad in the car and sped off to the nearby emergency room ( 5 minutes away).

In the emergency room, although I knew something awful was happening to my dad- we still had to go through the usual process of signing in. After waiting a few minutes, and as my dad continued to lose color, I made an urgent plea for someone to please look at my dad because he was having chest pain. I also had to tell them he was short of breath (to speed up the process). Because my dad has a high tolerance for pain, you would not know what was going on inside his body by just looking at him. In minutes, they took my dad to the back as I filled in the paper work. My husband had called my brothers and they were on their way. Thankfully, an old family friend (more like family herself-I call her auntie) was working that evening. As one of the nurses there, she was able to get involved with dad’s care. As I was lead to the back, I immediately saw my dad hooked up to monitors and oxygen. They were in the process of applying the defibrillator pads on him and when I looked at the monitor myself- I was panicked and shocked. The monitor told me he was having an acute heart attack. My body began to tremble and the doctor began to speak about how dad was having a major heart attack and my aunt voiced how I got dad there JUST in time. My two brothers arrived in the emergency room just in time before dad was taken via helicopter to a specialty hospital for an emergent stent placement to unclog the blocked artery.

As with my dad, heart attack signs can manifest in several different ways. Because everyone is different, our bodies cope differently with major stressors and diseases. Be an advocate for yourself and for the lives of your loved ones- seek immediate help and attention when you KNOW something just isn’t right. Heart attacks sign aren’t always as dramatic as what we see on television. Ideally, it would have been better to have called 911 for dad. As a nurse and daughter, I made the mistake of taking over and not taking that moment to think from a clearer perspective. I did what I had to do, what was right for the patient at that moment…but I wasn’t in the hospital and this wasn’t a patient, he was my dad.

According to the American Heart Association, “…most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort and often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help”. The key is time and immediate intervention!

Heart Attack Warning Signs:

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

 • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

 • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1 or your emergency response number.

 American Heart Association: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3053

—- Envoyé avec BlackBerry® d’Orange —-

Heart cerebral disease sufferer, ascent the Great Wall to please watch for.

Submitted by: dunno source via Engrish Funny Submissions

Are you a romantic at heart? Or is romance something that is best left to those who indulge in hearts and flowers?

Personally, I love a bit of romance, and the beautiful design in some gothic romance items really appeal to my dark heart! Which is why The Covenstead are please to be able to offer some beautiful Gothic Romance jewellery items to you. Stocks on these items are limited and they are to to sell out in advance of christmas, so be sure to get yours early to avoid disappointment.

We have some stunning pendant necklaces with matching earrings that are bound to delight any dark princess.

Gothic romance isnt just for the ladies, there are some fabulous rings in the range too.

Don’t forget, if you find us on facebook and become a fan you will be eligable for a 12% Discount off ALL of your purchases.

So when you discover someone has been using the dreaded Reverse phycology scheme on you ,what will be your first reaction?

But when the scheme is under way and you keep wondering donde esta el truth.

So the situation enfolded day before when someone told me that He had a liking for a certain girl.Now This girl (I’m not making any judgements) is as said by my best friend a dumb,irritating female who my friend(whose tolerance index is pretty high)herself finds unbearable to handle.She gets freaked out and hyperactive because of little things ;and out of all the girls in here he had to just HAD TO  find her most suitable and “cute”.

So I have taken up the daunting task of making him see the Truth. I want him to,its more important for me that he does than for him and I hope that this is reverse phycology at work.

My heart would break if it were not.

Peace and Prayers

Start time: 9:06pm
Duration: 19mins
Witness: Ross Byers
Documentation: 6 x Illustrations + 1 page of notes
Other remains: performance text

I’ve been thinking a lot about my life. Senior. I still can’t believe that in a couple of months I’ll be 18. That in a week or so college applications will be due. I’ve never been so lost in life… or felt so empty as I do now. It scares me. I haven’t even applied to any colleges.

All my life I was decided on a career, of going to college and majoring in something that I knew I wouldn’t love. I laugh at the thought. I took classes that I know I wouldn’t love so much. Took AP classes I didn’t want to work hard for. I tried so hard to please everyone that I’d forgotten about myself.

Who am I? What do I want? What makes me happy? What makes me tick? What do I love to do? Why do I do it? Where do I want my life to lead to? There are so many questions I’ve never even thought of until now. But thinking about them doesn’t suit me at all. I think at some point of all this thinking, I just gave up. I gave up trying to please everyone but I might have just given up finding who I am earlier.

Then I start to think about why I draw, why I immerse myself so much in mangas, or why I love to be alone. Do I even really love those things? Have I always been this confused? I smile. This feeling is somewhat calming yet very stressful. Thinking about this means I’m finally stepping off course but there’s still a part of me who worries. A part of me that tells me to fulfill my parent’s wishes.

Do I even love to draw? No… actually, it’s tiring. Sometimes it’s even boring. I did it to escape. It was my way of disappearing from reality and living in a world controlled by me. I didn’t love it. I needed it. It’s one of those things where one asks, do you need me because you love me or do you love me because you need me. I’d pick the second. It almost feels like an obligation at some point though it was satisfying to hear my sister surrender to my talent… skill. The truth is, I force out what I draw. There’s no feeling in it, purely shallow.

All the things I do are ways for me to escape my life. There’s nothing wrong with that, I know. It’s a normal thing to want but I hate normal. I hate being a typical teenager. To me, it’s pointless… not something I want to experience. I’ve always acted older than who I am… and sometimes I wish that I’d never gotten the courage to tell my guy best friend that I like him so that it wouldn’t lead to my realization about someone else and then leading to what my life is now. I want to go back to junior year and do every thing differently. I don’t want a life surrounded by drama… by typical teenager events. Crushes are useless to me but I have them and I hate it. I hate feeling crappy because I’ve hurt someone. I hate feeling crappy because someone misunderstood me. I hate feeling like I’ve got to worry about school, social life and personal life all together. I hate feeling like I need to live up to everyone’s expectations.

Sometimes I just want someone to tell me that I’m okay the way I am. That it’s alright to be just me. That it’s okay to cry and complain. I want that one shoulder that I can borrow and just surrender to. I want someone to hold my hand and lead me to my path. I just want to hear from someone, other than myself, that every thing is fine the way they are.

but it’s one of those things that are impossible. To hear someone speak to me… haha it reminds me of Kyo from Fruits Basket (A manga by Natsuki Takaya) but not everyone knows what I’m talking about so it’d be really impossible to actually carry out what I want.

Whenever I interview a musician, I can hardly wait to get to my favorite part of the interview is asking an artist about the inspiration behind his or her songs.  The inspiration for songs is as imaginative as can be—some stories are silly, some are lovely, others aren’t all that special—but they’re all interesting.  This is why I love the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul Book: The Story Behind the Song.

I know, I know.  I usually stay away from sloppy, emotional stuff, and Chicken Soup books can definitely fit that category, but this book is different.  It offers a look into the minds of contemporary artists from a variety of genres, such as Jewel, Christina Aguilera, Kanye West, John Legend, Rick Springfield, Iggy Pop, Tom Higgenson of Plain White T’s, Ann Wilson of Heart, and many, many more!

For example, did you know that “Jessie’s Girl” was written about a cute girl in Rick Springfield’s stained glass class, the guy’s name wasn’t actually Jessie, and that it was the catalyst for his career?  How about the fact there’s a real Delilah who inspired “Hey Delilah” by the Plain White T’s, but Tom Higgenson never actually dated her?  I have learned all sorts of interesting facts about some of my favorite songs—“Livin’ On a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, “Operator” by Jim Croce (yes, I’m a dork!), “At Seventeen” by Janis Ian, “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett, and “Right Here Waiting” by Richard Marx.  And I finally know what “Sister Christian” (Night Ranger) is all about!  That in and of itself is worth the price of the book.

The fine folks at Plan A Media and Soul Publishing have given Backseat Writer a FREE COPY to give away to one lucky reader!  To win this amazing book, all you have to do is head to Twitter, tweet this comment, “I want to win STORY BEHIND THE SONG from @backseatwriter, how ‘bout you? http://bit.ly/W5mfk” and you’ll be entered to win. Winner will be notified via Twitter, so make sure you’re following Backseat Writer (@backseatwriter) on Twitter.  The contest ends December 1 at 5 PM EST.

Also, on December 1, Backseat Writer will be posting an excerpt from Chicken Soup: The Story Behind the Song–how Jewel came to write the song “Hands.”  You will definitely want to read that!

*In the interest of full disclosure, I want you, dear reader, to know that Plan A Media did provide me a review copy of this book.  There, now the FTC should be happy!*

Madammes are sleeping on my bed, king A is on their bed. I am elsewhere, enjoying a little piece of earthly heaven: warm molten chocolate cake with cool topping and fresh strawberries, a new crochet project and a great dars online.

May Allah bless my king a who never lets me run out of some things that i love. I always have chocolates, the girls always have burritos. (on the way back from our trip we stopped at a grocery store and packked coolerS worth of burritos coz they were in short supply in our area)

May Allah bless my family. Here and elsewhere.