Wednesday, December 8, 2010
We've Been Disconnected
I know there is so much more to life than what is presented to us!
My mind's overload tells me so.
As is religion and systematized education, I'm starting to wonder if believing everything happens for a reason, is a comfort. A way to believe that there is a greater good to come of "this".
By "this", I mean the now..
Life as is. Involving us and all of our doings.
I've grown distant to both others and my(usual)self.
As is religion and systematized education, I'm starting to wonder if believing everything happens for a reason, is a comfort. A way to believe that there is a greater good to come of "this".
By "this", I mean the now..
Life as is. Involving us and all of our doings.
I've grown distant to both others and my(usual)self.
Distant to others because I began to grow and to see some people for who they really were, as well as seeing myself for who I really am, and I'm STILL learning.
However, a frequent customer from my job once said to me,
However, a frequent customer from my job once said to me,
"Don't lose yourself, finding yourself."
To be free from pessimism, anger, jealousy, resentment and confusion.
Any negative emotion that barks upon us time to time.
With so much malice in our world, materialism (putting material before mental/spiritual) corruption and misuse of technology, lack of humanity (the disconnection between human beings), no sense of life's worth (reckless crimes, murders etc.), etc. Will I ever be as free as I would like to be?
Getting to know the higher me is the most complicated and beautiful thing.
To be free from pessimism, anger, jealousy, resentment and confusion.
Any negative emotion that barks upon us time to time.
With so much malice in our world, materialism (putting material before mental/spiritual) corruption and misuse of technology, lack of humanity (the disconnection between human beings), no sense of life's worth (reckless crimes, murders etc.), etc. Will I ever be as free as I would like to be?
Getting to know the higher me is the most complicated and beautiful thing.
It's a constant process that comes with losses to pair with the elevation.
Some easier than others.
If we can all recite to ourselves that our means of life aren't life itself, we can be in tune. In tune with our inner selves and one another.
If we can all recite to ourselves that our means of life aren't life itself, we can be in tune. In tune with our inner selves and one another.
Socially, we've been breed to compete and not think as a whole.
So many ways to find differences in "me" and "you" versus US.
What I do and say to anyone, effects you, your children and your grandchildren, so forth and so on (vice verse).
With that said, be careful what rules your world (your mentality).
With that said, be careful what rules your world (your mentality).
At the end of the day, you are in charge of your own happiness...
FIND IT BY ANY MEANS :)
...
Two clocks in different time zones, ticking all at once.
No matter, they are not any different from one another.
"Time" is still passing.
Time is for organization in our systemized world.
This is why seizing the moment is ever important.
All we have is now.
No matter, they are not any different from one another.
"Time" is still passing.
Time is for organization in our systemized world.
This is why seizing the moment is ever important.
All we have is now.
Creativity
Creativity, my inner self speaking to me
My thoughts turned inside out
Jack raising from the bean sprout
A little green would sure do me some good..
Invite the dogs to the tea party, call it "Alice in Wonderhood"
Creativity is so wonderFULL
Full of regret, intellect and inspiration..
but no imitation
The Real McCoy in every girl and boy
create, regenerate and never underestimate..
CREATIVITY.
My thoughts turned inside out
Jack raising from the bean sprout
A little green would sure do me some good..
Invite the dogs to the tea party, call it "Alice in Wonderhood"
Creativity is so wonderFULL
Full of regret, intellect and inspiration..
but no imitation
The Real McCoy in every girl and boy
create, regenerate and never underestimate..
CREATIVITY.
Must Learn
- to accept change
- to not cling to the past
- AVOID rebellion
- to focus on enlightenment and progressive thinking that will benefit mankind
- to broaden your life by gaining an understanding and an appreciation of all kinds of people
must learn... to LIVE!
Letter to my Grandparents
Gram,or as Eric would say, Hamlet! It's been a while since I've seen you last but I think of you everyday. I was a bit older when you went away though. Older than when Grandpa left. Because of that, I wish I held you longer, slept beside you more often than not and understood you more.
Hoping I did enough.
I always remind myself of you. This damn attitude! I know you're going to laugh when you read this. My how much I miss hearing you laugh and making you smile. I think of all the little things you had that I always thought were cool, your Polaroid's, brass knuckles, pink hair lotion, all the make you had that I fancy now and the sweet smell of your Sand&Sable. I could go on forever.
Grandpapi! It's been too long! If only you could see me now, I'm so much bigger than I was when we parted ways. I still have our hobbies, your the whole reason for my non-logical thinking. My husband will be like you and I'll buy him Paul Sebastian cologne, your favorite. I don't have to say how much I wish you were here. I think of you every time I see girls with their grandfathers, knowing we'd be doing those same things and more. Museums and movies I know you'd like! I'm learning and accepting everything happens for a reason.
One day, I'll be old and wise and telling my grand-children stories about you two!
Until next time...
In Memory of Gwen and Chuck
One day, I'll be old and wise and telling my grand-children stories about you two!
Until next time...
In Memory of Gwen and Chuck
TODAY
Today the sun barely shined
Today I faced a fear
Today I was discouraged
and then I found my, my courage
Today I hoped for the future
Today I glimpsed into the past but soon shied away
Today I lost myself
and then I found my, my way
Today I went to look up at the moon
But it was so dim, as was the day
I hung my head low
with my head down, I found my, my glow
The glow inside of me
My courage, my insight
All I needed to make my day "bright"
It was there, all of the time, inside of me
This thing we call life..
It's a funny thing
More indescribable than anything
The sun wasn't shining and the moon light was no where to be found
but..
Today I found happiness within in myself
It was there all along
TODAY.
Today I faced a fear
Today I was discouraged
and then I found my, my courage
Today I hoped for the future
Today I glimpsed into the past but soon shied away
Today I lost myself
and then I found my, my way
Today I went to look up at the moon
But it was so dim, as was the day
I hung my head low
with my head down, I found my, my glow
The glow inside of me
My courage, my insight
All I needed to make my day "bright"
It was there, all of the time, inside of me
This thing we call life..
It's a funny thing
More indescribable than anything
The sun wasn't shining and the moon light was no where to be found
but..
Today I found happiness within in myself
It was there all along
TODAY.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Keri's Controversy
Sitting here listening to "In A Perfect World", wondering what all the Keri bashing is about lately!
For those of you who aren't familiar with Ms. Hilson, let me fill you in!
From collabs with Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Ne-yo to penning hits for artists such as Usher, Ciara and Britney Spears, to name a few, and releasing her debut album, Hilson is world wide! "In a Perfect World", was released in March 2009, and debuted at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States, where it was certified gold selling 540,000 copies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keri_Hilson
Keri's no rookie!
SO, I decided to do a little researching from Perez Hilton's live interview with the singer/song writer, to asking a few folks their opinion of the situation via twitter.
Recently, the buzz in the game hasn't been so optimistic. Keri's been getting a lot of eyebrows raised from both appeal and astonishment due to her latest web release of the video entitled, "The Way You Love Me", which will be on her upcoming album "No Boys Allowed" set for release December 2010.
The video has her dancing in a black, revealing one piece. The dance moves, licking doors and lyrics have folks passing a lot of judgement. In the song, Keri tells her man she wants to be f****d, not made love to, TONIGHT. The eye brow raising chorus "Love me, love me – it’s the way you love me Touch me, touch me – it’s the way you touch me Fuck me, fuck me – it’s the way you fuck me" has the media buzzing in regards to it being "over sexed" or even as far as a publicity stunt with the release of her upcoming album.
Here's what few folks from the Twitter community think:
Ashley (@LeeLeeBoo) stated, "..RnB can be sexy, but clever..she's got people talking.. I guess by any means necessary?..".
Mean while, Femi (@FemzelWashingtn) added, "I appreciate it as a a man, but as a culture consumer I think it was a corny move.. Keri has always been sexy, don't think we ever needed to see less clothes..".
Keri insists otherwise!
In Keri's August 2009 interview with COMPLEX MAGAZINE she stated,
For those of you who aren't familiar with Ms. Hilson, let me fill you in!
From collabs with Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Ne-yo to penning hits for artists such as Usher, Ciara and Britney Spears, to name a few, and releasing her debut album, Hilson is world wide! "In a Perfect World", was released in March 2009, and debuted at number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States, where it was certified gold selling 540,000 copies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keri_Hilson
Keri's no rookie!
SO, I decided to do a little researching from Perez Hilton's live interview with the singer/song writer, to asking a few folks their opinion of the situation via twitter.
Recently, the buzz in the game hasn't been so optimistic. Keri's been getting a lot of eyebrows raised from both appeal and astonishment due to her latest web release of the video entitled, "The Way You Love Me", which will be on her upcoming album "No Boys Allowed" set for release December 2010.
The video has her dancing in a black, revealing one piece. The dance moves, licking doors and lyrics have folks passing a lot of judgement. In the song, Keri tells her man she wants to be f****d, not made love to, TONIGHT. The eye brow raising chorus "Love me, love me – it’s the way you love me Touch me, touch me – it’s the way you touch me Fuck me, fuck me – it’s the way you fuck me" has the media buzzing in regards to it being "over sexed" or even as far as a publicity stunt with the release of her upcoming album.
Here's what few folks from the Twitter community think:
Ashley (@LeeLeeBoo) stated, "..RnB can be sexy, but clever..she's got people talking.. I guess by any means necessary?..".
Mean while, Femi (@FemzelWashingtn) added, "I appreciate it as a a man, but as a culture consumer I think it was a corny move.. Keri has always been sexy, don't think we ever needed to see less clothes..".
Keri insists otherwise!
In Keri's August 2009 interview with COMPLEX MAGAZINE she stated,
"I wanted to do an album that expressed a woman’s true thoughts and true feelings about certain situations that we go through. I thought that was missing—the truth part. People do songs that paint themselves as perfect. Like they don’t do this or that: 'No, you can’t say this to me or do this to me.' It’s more like storytelling for some people as opposed to exposing who they are, and allowing people to relate to them. That’s what I wanted to accomplish—I wanted to touch people in ways that I was touched. I wanted it to be relatable.".
Keri says her song, "The Way You Love Me" isn't about being provocative nor promiscuous. Simply being in a relationship and deciding, THAT NIGHT, she doesn't want her man to make love to her. A feeling women can relate versus pretending, due her celebrity, she doesn't behave a certain way.
Later in the COMPLEX interview, Keri says,
Later in the COMPLEX interview, Keri says,
"..I don’t want to be oversexed! I don’t want to sell sex, I want to sell music. I want to inspire others, I don’t want to be one of those people who’s always throwing their body at the masses. What good does that do? Besides sell records. Men don’t buy records, anyway. These pictures are Photo shopped, they’re airbrushed. If anything, it’s just the opposite for me, where women are my fans.".
Taking her pre-controversial statements into consideration, did she really mean any harm?
This brings me to the idea of censorship, gender roles/double standards and perception in our society. This is far greater than a beautiful woman barely dressed paired with seemingly "vulgar" things said.
Taking her pre-controversial statements into consideration, did she really mean any harm?
This brings me to the idea of censorship, gender roles/double standards and perception in our society. This is far greater than a beautiful woman barely dressed paired with seemingly "vulgar" things said.
We've been seeing that for a while now in racy videos that exploit females, pornographic web sites and what we refer to as the infamous celeb "sex-tapes".
There is far worse presented to our youth than Keri's sexual advances.
Not saying Keri's video is good or bad, nor am I am saying she is right or wrong for ANYTHING.
Despite being a RnB singer, a rapper or pop-idol, it is still a form a artistry at the end of the day. A craft in which you express what you feel and others relate. No one is wrong for expressing themselves. Whether or not it is accepted or expected from the individual, is a matter of perception.
Not saying Keri's video is good or bad, nor am I am saying she is right or wrong for ANYTHING.
Despite being a RnB singer, a rapper or pop-idol, it is still a form a artistry at the end of the day. A craft in which you express what you feel and others relate. No one is wrong for expressing themselves. Whether or not it is accepted or expected from the individual, is a matter of perception.
To be blunt or subliminal is the issue.
You can metaphorically convey the same message.
For instance, the following hits. Beyonce's "Ego" is indirectly about the size of a mans penis, Rihanna's "Rude Boy" speaks sexually, metaphorically and fellow ATLANTA native, Ciara, song AND video "Ride It" is about a certain sexual position. This is nothing new! The 2000's mainstream music has constantly been about sex, going on to be hits! Do you know why? Because apparently, "sex sells". No one took offense to any of those songs because they were metaphorically aligned. Keri happened to be straight forward.
Was the video upsetting, if it isn't the lyrics?
We tend to sugar coat reality in this world, hating to see things for what they are. Sex is selling because we, the consumers, the fans and who ever you label a willing participant, buy it! Not just in a literal sense, but this has become our form of "entertainment".
All of these songs are released with provocative lyrics BUT as soon as someone acts it out, all hell breaks lose! There are lingerie stores and stores that sell sex toys BUT we remind ourselves that this is what happens "behind closed doors".
We tend to sugar coat reality in this world, hating to see things for what they are. Sex is selling because we, the consumers, the fans and who ever you label a willing participant, buy it! Not just in a literal sense, but this has become our form of "entertainment".
All of these songs are released with provocative lyrics BUT as soon as someone acts it out, all hell breaks lose! There are lingerie stores and stores that sell sex toys BUT we remind ourselves that this is what happens "behind closed doors".
It's become a matter of exposure. The public has become more public!
The role of female in our society is often associated with classiness and being more reserved than the male. Keri's song and video completely oppose that idea.
The role of female in our society is often associated with classiness and being more reserved than the male. Keri's song and video completely oppose that idea.
However, this is also a matter of perception, with the ever changing times we live in.
Being lady like is something that has always stuck despite less consistent "trends".
Ultimately, it isn't a rule, but a popular suggestion and most importantly a way of up bringing.
"Over Sexing" does not take away from one's talent or ability to relate to people, it simply affects the judgement of character, depending on the opinionated.
Sexiness has been trendy for ages, keeping names like Playboy around for decades. Due to our technological advances and use of the Internet and phone applications, it seems more prevalent.
The entertainment industry finds every way possible to market through these trends. That has and probably will always be a very lucrative field because trends are so extensive.
Presently speaking, Nicki Minaj ran with "pink" everything. Soon after the release of her album "Pink Friday", Nicki merged with MAC releasing a line of lip stick, "Pink Friday". Her style of rap, pink high-lighted hair and her derriere has Nicki in the spotlight! Amber Rose was recognized primarily for dating main stream artist, Kanye West. Previously, she had done videos and other work. However, as with Nicki, America leeched onto to Amber because of her unique "look" and figure-eight physique. Soon after, Amber's hair cut became a trend. Kim Kardashian is the daughter of Robert Kardashian, best known for his defense in the O.J. Simposon trial. Kim, howvever, is best known for her sex-tape with Rapper/Actor Ray J. Previously before, Kim had done styling for the stars but was exposed for her body frame and exquisite taste soon after the exposure of the private recording.
"Over Sexing" does not take away from one's talent or ability to relate to people, it simply affects the judgement of character, depending on the opinionated.
Sexiness has been trendy for ages, keeping names like Playboy around for decades. Due to our technological advances and use of the Internet and phone applications, it seems more prevalent.
The entertainment industry finds every way possible to market through these trends. That has and probably will always be a very lucrative field because trends are so extensive.
Presently speaking, Nicki Minaj ran with "pink" everything. Soon after the release of her album "Pink Friday", Nicki merged with MAC releasing a line of lip stick, "Pink Friday". Her style of rap, pink high-lighted hair and her derriere has Nicki in the spotlight! Amber Rose was recognized primarily for dating main stream artist, Kanye West. Previously, she had done videos and other work. However, as with Nicki, America leeched onto to Amber because of her unique "look" and figure-eight physique. Soon after, Amber's hair cut became a trend. Kim Kardashian is the daughter of Robert Kardashian, best known for his defense in the O.J. Simposon trial. Kim, howvever, is best known for her sex-tape with Rapper/Actor Ray J. Previously before, Kim had done styling for the stars but was exposed for her body frame and exquisite taste soon after the exposure of the private recording.
Realistically speaking, their bodies have a lot to do with their successes. Not saying it's ALL they have to offer, but it is what gets them noticed.
Is Keri's exposure unacceptable due to the impact she has on the young females who follow her and her music and even because the expectations we, as the listeners, placed upon her?
Is Keri's exposure unacceptable due to the impact she has on the young females who follow her and her music and even because the expectations we, as the listeners, placed upon her?
Honestly speaking, we generally don't expect some folks to do some things!
Then you have to ask yourself, are expectations means to criticize someones actions or pass judgement?
Then you have to ask yourself, are expectations means to criticize someones actions or pass judgement?
There are so many things to consider before taking a solid stance.
I could say she should have been more censored due to her audience/fan base, although she offered a "Clean" version.
I could say she should have been more censored due to her audience/fan base, although she offered a "Clean" version.
Young females tend to emulate artists of their generation. Keri would be included.
These are the same young people who are becoming parents at an earlier age every year! "Reality" shows like MTV's "16 & Pregnant" show us sex at an earlier age IS REAL!
It's not just Keri who should "tighten up"! It is society as a WHOLE.
It's not just Keri who should "tighten up"! It is society as a WHOLE.
We all need to do better at sexual awareness versus censorship!
Sex is real BUT sexual education and self worth what needs to be promoted!
Parents and guardians, aunts and uncles, neighbors and teachers, WE ALL, should instill in our youth values and sense to differentiate music and music videos, films and sex tapes from REAL LIFE, where there are consequences for EVERY action, where you will be judged by your image, indefinitely.
Being influenced is an option. Defining who YOU are is up to you.
Parents and guardians, aunts and uncles, neighbors and teachers, WE ALL, should instill in our youth values and sense to differentiate music and music videos, films and sex tapes from REAL LIFE, where there are consequences for EVERY action, where you will be judged by your image, indefinitely.
Being influenced is an option. Defining who YOU are is up to you.
Everything else in an opinion upon perception.
Written by: Starr A. Moore
VIEW KERI HILSON'S LIVE INTERVIEW WITH PEREZ HILTON BELOW:
KERI HILSON LIVE PHONE INTERVIEW WITH HOT 97:
Keri Hilson Calls Into Angie Martinez to Talk About the Controversy Over Her New Video …
Written by: Starr A. Moore
VIEW KERI HILSON'S LIVE INTERVIEW WITH PEREZ HILTON BELOW:
KERI HILSON LIVE PHONE INTERVIEW WITH HOT 97:
Keri Hilson Calls Into Angie Martinez to Talk About the Controversy Over Her New Video …
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