“What are the advantages of living in a glass house?” He asks me.

When the sun is shining, I can always feel it, I can see what’s going on around me, and I’m as close to being part of nature as you can get.

“I assume you ask because as a teenager I wanted to live in a glass house in the middle of the ocean…?” I say to him.

“That’s correct.” He responds back as if he’s analyzing me and my past like a doctor.

All I remember is this,  a scene from my young mind. It was me lying in bed with a man. I was in love. We were in a glass house in the middle of the ocean. I put my hands on his chest and looked up at him, but I can’t remember his face or I can’t see it. I was happy and content.

Reason enough?

“Well it’s not convincing to me, but go ahead, post it!” he says and laughs a nervous and wild laugh.

I read it all back to him.

“I’m not stupid.” He says this as if anyone has implied he is. Then he laughs again. He then says something about a magnifying glass.

I know the feeling I write. It’s like living in a glass house under the sea.

The interesting part is ‘escape.’ I wanted to escape, so I dreamt of a place with true love floating in the sea. My innocent mind missed the terror of being watched through glass. However, life has taught me the real disadvantages of living in a glass house over the years.

I was a beautiful and naive girl who trusted when I awoke in a glass house at bay.

Shattered dreams is the answer. Nothing more, nothing less.

Isaiah 26:1-4

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

Life can seem unbearable at times. Physical pain, difficult decisions, financial hardships, the death of a loved one, or shattered dreams threaten to engulf us. We become fearful and perplexed. Plagued by doubts, we may even find it difficult to pray.

Those of us who know the Lord through personal faith in Christ have in Him a calm retreat in the storms of life, even while the howling winds of trial are sweeping over us. We can experience peace of mind and calmness of spirit.

Richard Fuller, a 19th-century minister, told of an old seaman who said “In fierce storms, we mus tput the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” Said Fuller, “This, Christian, is what you must do. . . . You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may — winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers — no matter what, ou must hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus.”

Do you feel overwhelmed by your troubles? Learn a lesson from that old sailor. Fix your mind on the Lord. Ask for His help. Then trust Him to give you peace in your storm (Philippians 4:6-7). —richard de haan

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest — finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest. —havergal

The secret of peace is to give every anxious care to God.

I am so upset. I want to call a friend of mine to comfort and encourage him, but I’m so upset that I don’t want to get him more upset. I am the one who is supposed to keep it together for people. I am known as the commiserator who loses it before and after the fact when people are in trouble, but not during. I’m the one who is supposed to be strong, and there, and the listener, with the advice, and the hugs, and the encouragement. I’m the one who has heard just about everything, from friends, colleagues, students, prisoners, victims of various addictions, assaults, and situations. Yet, I feel utterly unable to call my friend, my 71-year-old friend, who has been there for me, and me and Gary, on significant and difficult occasions. A few weeks ago, he learned that he needed a defibrillator. It kept him out of work for a month, and he was ecstatic when he was able to return part-time. He was losing it, going stir crazy. Now, his doctor’s note is such that he has been ordered to take sick leave. This man is a genuinely decent human being who has a heart of gold. He lives with his homebound brother. His other brothers live far away. He is infatuated with a fifty-year-old mutual friend who simply does not feel the same way. He has faced disappointment after disappointment, shattered dream after shattered dream in his lifetime. He loves his work. He would rather die working than live without purpose. So, I should call him. I need to call him. But I’m so upset; I’m afraid I’ll lose it on the phone. I know I will. I don’t even know what to say to make it better. I know him. Nothing will make it better. Only purpose, pride in his work, will make him better. This situation will kill him faster than anything else could. Only a few months ago, his doctor told him, “Other than a train or a herd of moose rolling over you, you’ve probably got another thirty years in you.” I have to get over my selfish grief on his behalf and be there for him. At this very moment, I know with absolute certainty that he is miserable, angry, and viewing the days, weeks, and months that stretch before him with dread. This isn’t pity. It’s solid empathy, and I have to push it down enough to be there for him. Right now, though, I don’t know how to do that. I just don’t.(Frankly, it doesn’t help at all that September 28, 2003, was easily one of the worst days of my life, so I feel like there’s a contagious jinx about. If you see Murphy, knock him out for me, will you?)

What are your expectations? Do you expect people to act a certain way, your job to be a certain way, and the things you own to function a certain way. We think we’ve got things pretty much figured out until our whole world comes crashing down around us. We work incredibly hard to put or keep our lives nicely and neatly ordered, but something almost always goes wrong. In this series we’ll discover how God works through our Shattered Dreams to create something more beautiful than our original intent.

Week 3

What are your expectations? Do you expect people to act a certain way, your job to be a certain way, and the things you own to function a certain way. We think we’ve got things pretty much figured out until our whole world comes crashing down around us. We work incredibly hard to put or keep our lives nicely and neatly ordered, but something almost always goes wrong. In this series we’ll discover how God works through our Shattered Dreams to create something more beautiful than our original intent.

Week 2

Tomorrow night, Jared Jones who also goes by deejay alter ego Vibelicious, celebrates the release of his debut single – a cover of the eighties hit “Shattered Dreams” originally by Johnny Hates Jazz with newly recorded vocals from Canadian artist Dean Boudreau.

Jones hosts a release party with the Richmond Queer League at Papa Ningo as part of the new Tuesday Turnabout. In addition to his own remixes, expect a handpicked playlist from Vibelicious to keep the dance floor hopping throughout the night. And yes, there will be Michael Jackson.

GayRVA had a chance to catch up with Vibealicious for a little Q&A.

So Michael Jackson was a huge inspiration for you…

I have loved Michael Jackson since I was a little kid. My mom has told me stories about how I have begged her to put Thriller on TV. I just think the music that he has put out is far above anyone else you could consider his peer. He’s in a class of his own.

You dressed up as him for Halloween?

Glitterly glove and all.

Where were you when you found out what happened?

I was actually working on a remix and just happened to take a break and saw the news that he was taken to the hospital. I was really looking forward to the concert in London. It seemed unbelievable to me. He is part of our pop culture and you didn’t think he would be gone so soon. You just thought that he would be around for some time.

We actually went to Esta’s Drag Race that night and I thought about wearing the glove, but I decided not to…

Have you ever remixed any MJ?

I have never remixed any Michael Jackson songs. I do have the vocals for “Beat It,” so I may try something out and see what happens – as a possibility.

So what are you working on now?

I actually just finished up a remix for an artist named Kelly Keen. She’s going to be releasing a single in August called ‘Working Girl. Her original has a reggae-ish vibe. My mix has a dance sound. That’s my normal vibe.

What was the first song you remixed?

Brandy’s “What About Us” – hokey stuff. Culture Club “I’ll Tumble For Ya.” When I first started, probably a lot of Britney Spears or Madonna.

You’ve worked with Ru Paul too…

I have a remix of Ru Paul’s latest single called “Jealous Of My Boogie.”

How did you meet Ru Paul?

I met Ru in 2002. He started doing his blog on RuPaul.com and I sent him an e-mail saying I would be honored if I could do a remix. He actually gave me a call which was really cool. We talked for a whole year. Then when my birthday came around, I went out and stayed in LA for a week.

What is Ru Paul like?

Ru is basically what you see on TV except more toned down – he definitely has an interesting view on life. I’ve never seen Ru in drag in person. He only does drag at an event or if he’s paid for a performance.

Why do you think people are drawn to dance music?

I think dance music is uplifting and makes you want to have fun. In general, dance music doesn’t take itself too seriously. You’re there to have fun and be with friends, so it kind of fits with the mood and the atmosphere.

What do you hope to get out of tomorrow’s event?

I would love more feedback from people… I want to hear what people think about [the music].

What can people expect?

It’s for people to come out and have fun. I know a lot of people haven’t checked it out yet, but [Papa Ningo’s] a really great space.

Tuesday Turnabout featuring Vibelicious is Tuesday, July 7 starting 8 p.m.  with a $1 cover after 9 p.m. 18+ all night.  Papa Ningo is located on 1707 E. Franklin St.  Listen to Vibelicious on his official website at www.vibelicious.com or download “Shattered Dreams” on iTunes.

I created this at http://bighugelabs.com/motivator.php

Andy Milonakis A boy tried to give Megan Fox, star of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, a rose. Fox completely blew him off, found out about this later (by way of photographic evidence) and now wants to meet the boy to accept his rose. According to the KC Star, Kodak is even footing a $5000 reward to whomever identifies the boy in the picture, and a free trip to Hollywood is in store for this brave individual.

“I feel so sad for him,” Fox said. “That’s so terrible. That kills me. There were, like, 80 million people everywhere. It’s dark; all I see are flashes. Everyone’s yelling different things… and I didn’t know that was happening. If you know his name, I will send him a personal apology. I’m horrified. I would never do that. I’m sorry, sweet boy. I would never do that to you, and I would gladly accept your rose if I see you again.”

I found the original picture to be especially funny, and I thought it my duty to create the above “motivational” poster.

Edit: Sorry to all gamers who thought this post was alluding to Star Fox. My bad.

Darin, Britney, Duffy och yada, yada… YADA !!! Musiken av idag är inte vad den en gång var. Dyker det upp en bra låt på radio idag så är den till 95 % sannolikhet en cover på ett spår från 80-talet. Mer om DET vidriga fenomenet en annan gång.

Hur som helst så har Johnny Hates Jazz skivan gått varm hemma hos PROZAC de senaste dagarna, finns givetvis en orsak till detta men det tar vi också “en annan gång”. 

Ett av spåren som också sedemera blev en stor hit 1988 är låten Shattered Dreams. Redaktionen kan inte låta bli att bjuda på denna eftersom bloggen bara mår bra av lite musik.

Vrid upp volymen, blunda… lyssna.

“Woke up to reality
And found the future not so bright
I dreamt the impossible
That maybe things could work out right”

** Click here for EPISODE 95 **

it'll be even cheesier than this

We sure know how to have fun, listeners! For tonight is the most euphonious night of the year – Eurovision Song Contest – and because the best way to enjoy a night of spandex, caterwauling and elaborate dancing is with your face down in a laptop, we’re going to be liveblogging it. Right here. Well, Olly isn’t, because he smells has got proper stuff to do; but I am, along with Martin the Sound Man, Matthew Crosby and some other fine Friends of Answer Me This!.

So get your barbed comments ready, and from 8pm CLICK HERE to join the liveblogging extravaganza!

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When the moon feeds
on the residue
of a dying fireball,

I replenish my thoughts
with the wicks of a zillion candles–
extending from the canopy
of a dark night

before the moon is blindfolded
by the beams of a rising sun,

and my dreams, crumble
in the working hours,
snuffed by heavy feet,
rushing to make ends meet.