Those Thursdays that my daughters have every right and the motivation to show up and wreck havoc on me.  In this past 5 years that my health has been sooo bad, when Ke has had to play nurse, when Ky has had to run the household.  On those days now, Ke states that she is working off a Thursday.   Now should I allow the working off of a Thursday dressed to the nine shouting across her college campus?

So what would “those Thursdays” look like.  Ugh, and they are better and taking apart furniture than I am.

Don’t we all cherish and dream of the days that our grown children come home to visit?   I dream of days everyone is happy, around the dinner table, good conversation, laughter and movies for the rest of the afternoon.   Now, reality.  And I think I should take into account here what our family unit looks like.  LOL who would cook the dinner we are all sitting down to eat???  good question Paige.   Is there a lesson here – in reality. 

Reality.  What is it I’ve heard and I don’t think it has sunk in yet?  There is my reality, the girls reality and the reality of the circumstance for that moment.  Or is that whats said about truth?  Either way, I’ve decided that those Thursdays could be very pivotal.  No matter what we eat, or even if they take place on Sundays.  Yet how often they take place, this is something I can focus on.  I have a NEW VISION about Thursdays.  Sure, plenty of stress, struggles and oh dear how my heart still drops when I think of what could have happened in many moments.  Yet such gratitude of what didn’t happen and the choices that my amazing girls continue to make.  They are nearly grown, out on their own.  So what will I do on Thursdays instead of wrecking havoc on my baby girls.  Perhaps I will learn to cook!  I dream of giving them all the things I wasn’t able when we were a young single parent family, the times I ‘played mom’ because wow, sure wasn’t something I  ‘knew’ how to do.   And as sappy and silly as it may seem to them, I believe I’ll take Thursdays (at least) to say all the things I didn’t have the words for.  Or didn’t take the time, OR let’s be real – in those teen moments I felt yet didn’t want to say and they sure didn’t want to hear.  So how will I share the love of a mother on a random Thursday?

JUST FYI – and Note To Self:  Reality

According to Dictionary.com   – re⋅al⋅i⋅ty :  1.  the state or quality of being real.  2.  resemblance to what is real.   3.  a real thing or fact.

  Note:  Wreck Havoc vs. Wreak Havoc…. its my story

I did, well in this instance I think I actually believed the TV.

I was again sitting on that same couch that my Thursday realization came to me.  A black leather couch in our Sugar House Duplex.  I think the girls favorite residence so far in life.  That couch is long since gone and so are those days.  Yet some very happy days, some defining moments in time. 

A “Just Say No to Drugs” commercial came on.  I said, “hey remember,  we don’t do drugs”.  Ke said, “we know, you’ve told us that since we were in preschool!”. 

I said, “the experts say to talk, talk, talk to your kids – remind them everyday that drugs are not okay.  The commercial remind me everyday to remind you everyday ‘Just Say NO’”

Ky, in all her logical wisdom, said, “goes to prove you shouldn’t believe everything you hear on TV.” 

~ and she meant it~

“Drugs, Sex and Rock-N-Roll.”  ”Just Say NO.”    Just Do It… Nike sure has made a profit.  Is keeping kids off drugs as easy as our buying trends?   Choices, it all comes down to choices.  I for one really thought that not only my daily words yet life had shown the girls that those choices – were not the ones to make.  Being a teen, hmmm who knows really what takes place in those thoughts. 

Times have changed they say… “they”, well “they” were not sitting on my couch, in that moment, in my shoes, in my circumstance, being educated by teens, by life.   All in all, I’m so proud of my girls.  For making the choices that they continue to make that are making them who they are.  In this moment I am realizing I can be proud of one thing for sure, I’ve taught them (and always said).  Whatever choice you make, you are one who has to walk it out.  And walk it out is something I can say they are sure doing.  And for me,   I’m walking out many choices I’ve made.  And so many I’m sure not proud of.  Yet, I expected my teens to listen as I repeated the ‘experts’. 

Which reminds me…. what about the Thursdays that they deserve to show up and wreck great havoc on me?

Thursdays have become a known ‘code word’ around our place.   I remember the couch I was sitting on when,  I’d had it!  ENOUGH.   Could I really be going through all that I was going through, with two teenage daughters.  I’d tried, I’d read to them, I set limits (and I always tried to follow through) I read books,  they had shoes, they had clothes,  I read the Bible, we finally had cable, the heat was never turned off, we attended church… na, I can’t cook – yet I did feed them. 

Anyway, as we all sat in the front room I decided Thursdays, Thursdays would be the day.  They would grow, go off to college and I would wreck havoc upon them.   Parade day of sorts.   Just picture it:  mom in the back of an old beat up convertible, mega phone in hand, screaming out “Mamma loves you girls”.  Posting baby pics and bad hair day pics all over campus.  Then retreat to home, a quiet home.

Oh and it wouldn’t stop at college.  I told them rather I loved, approved or not of their husbands I would randomly show up, unannounced to their homes and take their furniture apart!  and for the  boyfriends, husbands that I wasn’t so sure of, I’d take the screws with me. 

For every breathless moment, every MINUTE they snuck out of my house, ugh…. for the thought of sneaking out.  I would take my revenge!  It just may take the time until those distant Thursdays to recover… or plan.  

That “ah-ha” day; the day of consciously knowing I had a plan, the realization, the VISION was born, that day was a several years ago now.  One is in her Sr. year, the other close on her heels as a Jr.  and yes, the plans continue…

I kissed them goodnight, I took them to school, I did – I did!

Candy wrapped like a candy.
Thank you Ms. T

I finally invited all of the movie club members over to the house. I think everything went well, minus the fact that I didn’t make enough Hurry Up Chicken Pot Pie. I’m bad =P

Would the removal of clothing help create equality? Everyone is naked, everyone is who they are born to be, no hiding, no falsities, just equal….

Does me wearing me £80 Diesel Jeans, £30 Firetrap T-Shirt, £140 Full Circle coat and £35 FCUK scarf make me better than someone in trackies? Appearance wise yes, but is Jesus wore trackies next to me he’d still be ‘great’ right??

My point is clothing is false, remove these are we are no longer appearance judged we are characterised by who we are and what features we bring no the table and no our artificially enhanced appearance.

So I suggest naked thursdays, make it world wide, create equality. Reckon it will catch on?

December 17, 2009.

Christian Dior window display, Lee Gardens, Causeway Bay.

I wanted to have a caption for this that incorporated knowing why the caged bird sings, but I couldn’t come up with anything that wasn’t just laden with effort. Not a good thing when you are going for glib.

There seems to be a “cage” theme with the couture people this year. The Chanel mannequins all have giant cages over their heads. I suppose the caged bird thing is a little more overt in that example. I am not sure I get it, but as I am spending so much time int he proximity of the window displays, I figured I should share.

10th day of  December 9th year of millenia

And the holiday decorations are out at my house…

M:SOUNDTRACK presents ♥ : THURSDAY Donnerstag, 17.12.2009 @ 9 p.m. in Schokoladen w/ DUFUS (NYC) + Owl & Mack (formerly known as Gray Bird/bln)

DUFUS are one of the most prolific, original, and influential bands to emerge from the chaotic mash of freak folk acoustic rock scene of New York City in the past ten years. Their sound is absolutely different, Seth Faergolzia’s voice and songwriting style can be matched by no other.The Dufus stage has historically been an open space for exploratory collaboration, often with no less than 15 revelers sharing the stage. Some of these collaborations have included names like KIMYA DAWSON of the Moldy Peaches, JEFFREY LEWIS, and REGINA SPEKTOR.

OWL & MACK
when it’s good, play it slower
when it’s slow, play it half as fast
Boris Hauf: Organ, Vocals * Rico Repotente: Guitar, Vocals * Derek Shirley: Bass * Steve Heather: Drums, Vocals :: LISTEN: http://hauf.klingt.org/owlandmack

SCHOKOLADEN WINTERHOFFEST & BENEFIZ GALA #2
Samstag & Sonntag, DEZEMBER 19 – 20, 2009 * Ackerstr. 169 nähe Torstr.
* U8 Rosenthalerplatz * www.schokoladen-mitte.de

Feilgeboten werden etliche Kunsthandwerks-Stände, Konzerte im Schokoladen, Theater, Kino, Lesung, Karaoke, die „Fenster Bühne zum Hof“ mit Solokünstlern, Glühwein, Punsch, Waffeln, Bigos & Grog und polnisches Weihnachtsessen und 3 Dancefloors fürs Zappeln!
Alle Türen Offen ab 15 Uhr (Sa. und So.)

DEZEMBER 19, 2009

Fenster Bühne Zum Hof:
17 – 21 Uhr // Musiker der Schokoladen Formate Acoustic Moon und M:Soundtrack performen Solo + Wello Rausch singt kitschige Pop Karaoke…

Schokoladen Bühne:
22 Uhr // Antikaroshi (Postpunk/Pdam) + Exits To Freeways (Indirock/HH)
24 Uhr // SchokoDancefloor…
LISTEN //
www.myspace.com/exitstofreeways
www.myspace.com/theantikaroshi

Club Der Polnischen Versager:
15 Uhr // “Bigos & Grog”! Polnisches Weihnachtsessen und – trinken.
20 Uhr // Polnische Weihnachtslieder mit Christian Olesch und Piano,
+ Extrem-Ausdruckstanz.
21.30 Uhr // “Adam Gusowski und Piotr Mordel Leutnant-Show” (Schizonationale Satire).
Diesmal zum Thema “Polnische Weihnacht ist immer noch die längste der Welt”
23 Uhr // PolnischerDancefloor…

T.I.S.C.H. (Theater Im Schokohof):
15 Uhr // Im Theaterfoyer: Aufwärmen, Essen, Freuen, Trinken und Entspannen…
22 Uhr // SchauspielerDancefloor…

DEZEMBER 20, 2009 *Der Markt ist geöffnet ab 13.00 Uhr

Fenster Bühne Zum Hof:
17 – 21 Uhr // Musiker der Schokoladen Formate Acoustic Moon und M:Soundtrack performen Solo + Wello Rausch singt kitschige Pop Karaoke…

Schokoladen Bühne
19 – 24 Uhr // pOnk to the mOck (bln), petula (elektronic/bln), we fade to grey (bavaria), radar radar (i might be wrong/bln), rico repotente and band (ochosa/bln), ex best friends (bln/postpunk), high heels (austin brown/solo/us/bln)
LISTEN //
www.myspace.com/ponkmusic
www.myspace.com/mocklynzoo
www.myspace.com/radauradau
www.myspace.com/magnetandcompass
www.myspace.com/ricorepotente
www.ponkmusic.com
www.myspace.com/weareexbestfriends

Club Der Polnischen Versager:
15 Uhr // “Bigos & Grog”! Polnisches Weihnachtsessen und – trinken.
16 – 18 Uhr // KINDERPROGRAMM! – Märchen und Weihnachtsgeschichten live vorgelesen von Wiktor Winogradski – Märchenerzähler, Schriftsteller und Schauspieler.
20 Uhr // ERWACHSENENPROGRAMM! “A u f W i e d e s e h e n A m e r i k a” – dt.-pol.-jüd. Weihnachtskomödie von Jan Schütte.
22 Uhr // Polnischer Dancefloor

T.I.S.C.H. (Theater Im Schokohof):
15 Uhr // Im Theater Foyer: Aufwärmen, Essen, Freuen, Trinken und Entspannen…
20 Uhr // „Traubenzucker” Endzeitstück versus Weihnachtszeit inszeniert von Ilja Will.
22 Uhr // Theater Foyer:
Kult-Karaoke mit KJ Der Käpt’n

BANDS //

/// pOnk :: Das klingt wie ein Klopfen, und besteht aus sorgfältig zwischen Minimalismus und flirrender Staffelung arrangierter Beats, Found Sounds, warmen Basslinien und melodischen Elementen. Eine Mixtur aus diversestem Input von 90er Hip Hop bis Neue Musik sind die Basis. Hinter dem lautmalerischen Namen stehen die Experimente mit Samples seit Teenagertagen genau so wie die gegenwärtige Umtriebigkeit in der Musikwissenschaft von Frederik Knop. Pünktlich zum Release der EP “Wool and Water” durch die Tape-Verteidigungsinstitution Froggi Records bringt er seine Stücke auf die Bühne, zusammen mit den übrigen 2/3 des Trios mOck, in dem er sonst aktiv ist. pOnk ist so etwas wie reduzierter klassischer Post-Rock für Freunde audieller Objets Trouvés auf tragendem Groove mit genau richtig gesetzten Schlägen zwischen dem Bum-Chack. Neurere Releases auf Warp könnten als Referenz dienen www.myspace.com/ponkmusic ///

/// mOck :: Think about early post-hardcore of the mid 90s, the sound of the ‘Midwest’ and add some inspiration by Postrock in the vein of the Chicago school and you might get a glimpse on what the music of Berlins new trio mOck sounds like: driving, melodic, irregular, changing between crooked rhythms and floating, minimal structures. Just when you think you get it, there is a surprise. Sometimes noisy and unhandy, the next moment playful loops, outbursts and minimalistic withdrawals. Members of mOck are and have been active in other bands (Berlins alternative hardcore milestone Lin., Ampl:tude) as well as in solo projects (Kid Ikarus, pOnk). They teamed up to bring their listeners shining eyes, nodding heads and energetic handicrafts. www.myspace.com/mocklynzoo ///

// radar radar :: Es umfasst einen gänzlich. Ein Gefühl, unerwartet und aufbrausend zugleich. Es zeichnet sich ab in einem selbst Es drängt nach Abschluss. Will weiter. Man sieht sich um und alles ist anders, alles ist neu. Keine Zeit mehr für große Rückblicke. Und immer mit an der Seite, das tiefste aller Gefühle. Doch es ist schön, wenn Dinge aufgehen, in sich und in ihrer Idee selbst. Und man kann mit gutem Gewissen sagen, dass hier diesmal alles aufgeht. Wie in der Liebe zu einer Gleichung und in ihrer Gewissheit auf Sicherheit. *Radar Radar* ensteht als Projekt von *Florian Frenzel* (I Might Be Wrong) zu Beginn des Jahres 2008 und verarbeitet Skizzen und Umrisse aus Wörtern, Tönen und Geräuschen in einer Musik, für die in anderer Weise kein Platz gefunden werden kann. Eine Musik, die in sich alles verbindet, was nach außen drängt. Auf *Hantise* wird damit altbekanntes Neuland betreten. Und das ist und bleibt immer wieder spannend.
www.myspace.com/radauradau ///

/// Petula is the solo project of Sn Cleemann. It revolves around loop tectonics and honey-y melody, patterns and movements and the occasional clicky beat. Petula hails from Berlin and also plays in real bands making real music. www.myspace.com/supersonicsleep ///

/// Austin Brown from High Heels performs solo with a band of amps. the amplifiers and speaker cabinets are home-made and quite small, but the end result is lush with texture. simultaneous single-tone drones, at octaves of one another or harmonies with each other, create a warm bed of sound for quiet singing and gentle guitar. The album pink noise was made with josiah from Why? and michael horrigan from the Afghan Whigs on drums. www.myspace.com/magnetandcompass ///

/// Rico Repotente and Band :: a catchy mix of rock, blues, folk and surf with a healthy dose of screaming guitar. rico repotente – git,voc :: daniel iribarren – b, voc :: holger marseille – drums
LISTEN:: www.myspace.com/ricorepotente ///

/// we fade to grey :: Thinking about the 80s would not give a good representation of what you can expect when you listen to a …wefadetogrey song. The sound is more based in the late 90s in cities like Seattle, Washington and Halifax. It is Post-Punk with a liking for tricky elements but still pop music. They love to combine complex guitar work, impulsive bass lines and tight drum parts to use all that as the foundation over which the lyrics are partly spoken and partly sung.The members of…wefadetogrey felt very early what it means to grow up in a suburb of boredom and frustration by spending their youth in a small town not accommodating a lot of space for alternative culture. www.myspace.com/wefadetogrey ///

/// ex best friends enjoy sugary foods, cleaning up their rehearsal room and writing songs that require a lot of counting. Judging from their favorite band shirts they love listening to Septic Death, Agatha and Shokei. The band has been around for a year and a half now, and there have been two tours and two tape releases. Everyone sings. Ex best friends sind Antje, Anette und Jana, die seit anderthalb Jahren versuchen, ihre von Riot Grrrl und Punkrock geprägte musikalische Sozialisation auch jenseits der 25 noch glaubhaft umzusetzen. Gar nicht so leicht ist das! Und so entstehen allmählich vertrackt geschachelte Songs über Füchse in der Stadt, Körperbilder und Berliner Stadtteile. 2 Touren und 2 Tapes und eine Menge verkaufter Turnbeutel sollten ebenfalls erwähnt werden. LISTEN:: www.myspace.com/weareexbestfriends ///

Pho Ve Dem
My sister tried to brighten things up/ lighten the mood.

I can’t really critique pho, because for me it falls in two categories:
1) It’s bad
2) If it’s not bad, then it tastes like pho in any pho restaurant besides the bad pho restaurants.
I can’t distinguish differ flavor or style when it comes to pho. It only falls either bad or same. Oh except for homemade pho, that has a category on its own. Then again the only homemade pho I had, are made by my mom.

Just because it’s the holidays, don’t let your guard down.
It really has taken the spirit away from Christmas.
Please everybody be safe.

Online Research

I spent this morning trying to find more information on this product.
The word “Whitening” on any skincare product worries me.
I know whitening lotions are very popular in Asia, but I can’t help my natural tan.
The last time I was light skin, was probably when I was born.

Readers: If you know any info. on this product, please pass along the knowledge. It will be much appreciated =)

Santa Claws has quit the North Pole and moved on to bigger and better things, mainly selling freshly squeezed orange juice at Fremantle Village Art Markets.

Santa's New Business Venture

Fremantle Village Art Market,
Kings Square,
Fremantle,
WA 6162.

Ph: 0404 591 288

Every Thursday from October 1 2009 – April 2010

03-DEC-09

“A morning without coffee is like sleep.”

… so says the staircase leading up to the new cafe in the Causeway Bay G.O.D.
Yes, there is a God.

*amen*

Do not ever stand too close!

I like this photograph because it reminds me that we are riding on on a living planet. It reminds me that Thursdays are the prelude to Fridays, which is the beginning of the weekend and it heralds staying up later than usual on a weeknight because Friday is one day more to work through before the weekend gets here.

Late last night we had a swift but forceful rain storm pass through. It was the non-scary kind, so I was enjoying snuggling down beneath the covers. I felt secure. I felt safe. The sound of the rain on the rooftop and as it pelted the windows and skylights lulled me back to sleep. This morning when I threw open the windows, the air was clean and crisp.

We just downsized from 4,800 Square Foot house, to a perfect 1,500 Square Foot condo. It has just the right amount of space and further discourages random purchases and to begin the final purge of belongings and things we have stored over the past 25 years. We fully intend to get rid of the trappings and to release usable items and those which are perfect but of no real interest any longer, to those who might wish to have them. It is a blessing to share and a curse to hold onto these objects any longer. I choose freedom.

Next week, Bloggers Unite is sponsoring two events which are close to my heart. One is for Human Rights and the second is for Animal Rights. It takes the world to come together for those who cannot speak for themselves or who lack the freedom to do so. It takes a small effort of each of us to purge how we feel about the ones who take advantage of the downtrodden. Come join with bloggers around the world to write this December 10th. Make a difference and your heart will feel glad.

Thanksgiving Day, 2009: Saigon.

Hot. Loud. Frenetic. Without the usual trappings… why not have a Thanksgiving Day like this? In the middle of it all I return to this fountain, which always reminds me of a sculpture my mom used to have in her office, and still makes me wonder how symmetry can be so gracefully accomplished between big and small… and all the attendant metaphors therein.

STEREOLOVE | LITTLE TEMPLE | 12.3

w/live opening acts:
MATEO DENALI | www.myspace.com/mateodenali
For the soul. For the club. For the ride. For the love of music.

ADAM STERN | www.myspace.com/adamsternmusic
Adam Stern is a Los Angeles based singer – songwriter originally from Berkeley, California who is breaking the mold with his independently released debut album “The Dreamer Child.” His innovative approach to today’s music is shocking to fans and listeners alike. Adam brings a new unique concept he calls “Organic Pop” by combining a folk base with influences which cover the gamut from pop to world rhythms. Adam’s live shows are each a unique, soul & heart opening experience on a high vibration flowing with love & positivity in the spirit of peace & co-existence.

we are also celebrating the B’day of Unique74/StereoLove’s own LOTUSPETAL + all the fly Sagitarian babies!

And your resident djs, A-SKI, LOTUSPETAL, PLUSH ONE and DJ MIKECHECK spinning a collage of FUNK, SOUL, HIP HOP, SOULFUL HOUSE, AFRO LATIN, and REGGAE

$5 Valet and Ample Street Parking
+Drink Specials| Booth Reservatons | B’days
$5.00 cover or FREE Before 10pm w/ RSVP to unique74events@gmail.com

4519 Santa Monica Blvd (cross st VIRGIL)

Save The Date:
Dj Rashida (Golden Stereo) -12/10
Jimetta Rose Album Release Party- 12/17

you know what it is…early arrival highly suggested..

one word of advice: eat your wheaties..

“A sauna (pronounced /ˈsɔːnə/, or as Finnish [ˈsɑunɑ]) is a small room or house designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions, or an establishment with one or more of these and auxiliary facilities. These facilities derive from the Finnish sauna. The word “sauna” is also used figuratively to describe an unusually hot or humid environment.

A sauna session can be a social affair in which the participants disrobe and sit or recline in temperatures of over 80 °C (176 °F). This induces relaxation and promotes sweating.” (wikipedia)

I like traditions and tonight is the second time that we are taking a sauna on a thursday,  I hope this is going to become a tradition! ’cause it’s bellissimo!

Buona Notte!
Baci /Sofie