2009: MY TAKE...

MOST of our experiences are rooted in cause and effect; we naturally want to justify our contentment. We envision grand circumstances, stating that if only we could achieve this goal or obtain that possession, we would finally be in a position to attain happiness. As a result, satisfaction is always just out of reach and the very notion of grabbing hold of it seems like nothing more than a pipe dream. But the truth is that sincere contentment and fulfillment are never wholly the result of external events or situations. When we forget this, it is easy to become stuck in IF ONLY patterns of living.

MANY fairy tales have led us to believe that HAPPILY EVER AFTER is a final destination, when the truth is that life is a series of destinations…mere stops on a long journey filled with differing terrain. 2009 made many of us feel as if the world has FINALLY come to a TIPPING POINT of disaster. With the economies of the world crumbling, MANY felt that that their comfort blankets were yanked away from them. Many wished they could click their red ruby slippers and whisk themselves back home, an option far removed from reality.

I’ve been living my reality for a LONG time, EVERYDAY felt like it was 2009. So when 2009 came roaring in, I was right @ home. I felt SO @ peace despite the fact that I wasn’t working, had NO money and had bills piling up. The MANY years of pushing and pulling myself forward prepared me for what 2009 gave us. @ Its most basic, the material things of this world are mere instruments that are meant for me to meet my individual needs. TOO many of us react emotionally to issues concerning money and what we do with it and 2009 showed us that fact. It told us we lived a life that’s based on ALL the wrongs things. Like any blessing, life is meant to live purposefully.

We lost ourselves venturing into territories where we didn’t belong. We were playing it by ear, taking each other down AND looking out for ourselves in the process. We were SO busy looking for a home that we NEVER realized that we were already home. We got TOO busy with the dance of material things that we forgot the REAL dance of life. MANY of us now have to turn the lights down low on 2009 if we want 2010 to be a REAL change. We need to examine our life’s path AND write a new vision statement and take that forth!

We HAVE to REALLY put ourselves first and NOT the material things that brought us to where we are today. We HAVE to approach life as if we are on an airplane and are being instructed by the airline attendant to put on our own oxygen mask before we help anyone else with theirs. This advice is often cited as a metaphor for self-care because it so accurately expresses why it is important. 2009 seems to say, ironically, that if you can’t take care of yourself for yourself, then you will NOT survive. Too many situations in our lives mimic the wake-up call of an airplane emergency, and 2009 showed us that we TOO easily put off self-care. We NOW realize we haven’t been getting the oxygen we need to sustain ourselves and HOPEFULLY we NOW can begin to understand that taking care of ourselves is VITAL.

We need to understand that the elements of 2009 are always present in our lives; and acknowledging that life changes and brings both positive and negative events our way, should keep us balanced. We MUST honor the lessons of this year and acknowledge the positive benefits of our painful experiences. This allows us to embrace life while freeing ourselves from the bonds of trauma. We NEED to lift our consciousness above the pain and see ourselves as divine spirits that are unable to be truly harmed by worldly elements.

From the moment we are born, our souls are burdened by harmful energy because they are carrying the weight of all who have lived before us. Therefore divesting ourselves of what no longer serves us, such as unwarranted fear, the inability to feel empathy, or self-limiting behaviors, are just some of the many challenges we faced this year. There are NO quick fixes from the difficult AND painful circumstances of this year. Life is an ongoing process AND entails accepting that even when we do our best there are going to be situations, people, and outcomes that we cannot control. However, it is important to remember that our experiences are setting the groundwork for future healing…

Though you feel dissatisfied with your financial situation today and find yourself comparing your level of comfort with that of others, you shouldn’t compare your reality to someone else’s social mask. Equating financial prosperity with happiness, power, security, independence, or self-indulgence when money itself, is none of these things, diminishes our power to walk our unique paths. We need to HEAL our hurtful associations with the world by accepting what is and trying our best to rebuild our lives to TRULY have a prosperous 2010 and beyond…

2009...

2009…

I accept the notions that you have shaped my life

You tested my fate

Taught me the power of my tears

Now I know how to last one more day

Your clock is wound only once
And no man has the power
@ a late or early hour
now is the time you will own forever.

And the thought of

What and will fit as I sit

And I think maybe I would miss

The last good-bye the last kiss

For you are THAT metaphor

No more no less

And whether before comes after

No one will ever know for sure

Because as we look around

Everywhere you can be found

And nature is unbound

Yet we confound the confound

Acting like a child that sits and twirls

Looking through the barrel

@ How we are in peril

From air, water and minds that are sterile

Yet I’ve made my peace

With the mysterious and ponderous and curious things about you

Because you gave me my release

Before joining those who are decease

© tgk

2010: ¿WHERE ARE YOU RUNNING?

These days most of us feel HIGH on life and rightly so…who can forget what 2009 meant for the world economically? From loss of jobs, houses and lives, this year can’t leave too soon for many. Though I am HAPPY that most are feeling optimistic about ushering 2010 in, I can’t help but wonder if in our haste to leave 2009 behind, we aren’t taking the energy along with us?

The thrill of something new is AWESOME, but it can cause us to miss what lessons we were taught. I believe that TRUE passion for life comes from being able to be in awe of everything that is around us. In both the good AND bad times, we need to learn how to become conscious of the small things now so that when we turn the page on 2009, we are MORE than ready for what lies ahead.

Our lives zip past us SO quickly and we feel OBLIGATED to accelerate our own speed along with it. We find ourselves cramming for the BIG test that we knew was coming. Time and time again we’ve DISREGARDED our natural rhythms because it seems we have to just to keep up. Rushing never gets us anywhere but on to the next element that seeks to test our humanity.

So before 2010 comes re-examine your life…your place in the world. We live as if life is more about the time spent waiting for something to happen than it is about something happening. Hence the BIG events in our lives are preceded by many days and nights of dreaming, planning, organizing, and waiting. We just want to get to the future and have that NEW JOB or NEW HOUSE. And yet, there is a reason things take time to fulfill themselves…2009 provided us with this time so we can prepare ourselves for the next level. A space MUST be created AND resources MUST be set aside for the future! Psychologically, a shift MUST occur if we are to make things right once and for all…

So as 2010 is but mere hours away, try moving forward to it versus running away from 2009. 2010 will ONLY temporarily distract us, and seem as if it is curing 2009, but it can’t if we refuse to see the BIGGER picture. 2009 has taught me that ANY PAIN INVOLVED IN FACING OUR ISSUES, IS WELL WORTH THE EFFORT IN THE END. SO WHEN WE FACE OUR PROBLEMS INSTEAD OF AVOIDING THEM, WE SHOULD FREE OUR ENERGY & TRANSFORM OURSELVES FROM WHO WE WERE IN 2009 TO FULLY BECOMING WHO WE SHOULD BE STARTING 2010…

JUS’ SOME CONSCIOUS QUESTIONS (PART III)

DO YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF BY YOUR GOALS?

DO YOU KNOW THAT @ SOME POINT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THE IDEA THAT YOU HAVE A COMPLETE UNDERTANDING OF YOURSELF?

DO YOU KNOW THAT NO ONE CAN HARM YOUR SOUL BUT YOU?

DO YOU ACCEPT & EMBRACE THE CHANGES THAT COME WITH THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE?

DO YOU EXAMINE WHERE YOU’VE BEEN & WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED AS YOU MOVE FROM DAY TO DAY?

DO YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU ANCHOR YOUR IDENTITY IN YOUR SPIRITUAL NATURE, YOU UNDERSTAND THAT PHYSICAL CHANGE DOES NOT CHANGE WHO YOU ARE, BUT OFFERS ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE FROM WHICH TO EXPERIENCE, UNDERSTAND & CELEBRATE LIFE?

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM ACCEPTING COMPLIMENTS?

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SAYING YES IS RIGHT & SAYING NO IS WRONG?

DO YOU GO WITH THE FLOW TO AVOID DISAPPROVAL?

DO YOU KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE TRUE VALUE OF YOUR ENERGY?

DO YOU KNOW YOUR TALENTS?

DO YOU APPRECIATE & CONSIDER THE INPUT OF OTHERS, BUT ULTIMATELY FOLLOW YOUR OWN INNER GUIDANCE?

DO YOU OFTEN OVERLOOK OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE YOUR UNIQUE GIFTS WITH OTHERS?

DO YOU FEAR CRITICISM?

DO YOU HOLD ONTO THE PARALYZING WEIGHT OF UNCERTAINTY?

DO YOU KNOW THAT YOUR EARTHLY EXISTENCE PROVIDES YOU WITH AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE YOUR PURPOSE AND UTILIZE YOUR SKILLS IN A LIFE-AFFIRMING WAY?

DO YOU POSITIVELY TRY TO TOUCH THE LIVES OF OTHERS?

DO YOU KNOW EVERY GIFT LYING DORMANT IN YOUR SOUL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO FILL A VOID IN SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE?

DO YOU KNOW THAT YOUR EXISTENCE IS MADE RICHER BY SELF- LOVE?

DO YOU HAVE THE NATURAL ABILITY TO SOOTHE HURT, INSPIRE COMPASSION & THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX?

DO YOU KNOW THAT BY SIMPLY DOING WHAT YOU ARE GOOD @ & LOVING IT CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD?

DO YOU LIVE AS IF THE RECOGNITION YOU RECEIVE FROM OTHERS PALE IN COMPARISON TO WHAT THE UNIVERSE GIVES YOU?

TOO BAD MOST OF US ARE JUS' HUMAN...

It is my belief that man is a spiritual being that is having a human experience. However as he bobs and weaves with the ebb and flow of life, he has someone how lost his spirituality. It takes two halves to make a whole and with most of us half asleep and half awake @ the same time while seeking salvation from various religious practices is there any wonder we are JUST human?

As spiritual beings that are having a human experience, we go through many aspects of life. Living in the material world of opposites, labels, and classifications, most tend to identify themselves by the roles they were given OR the ones they took. They FORGET that being human means that life shifts and changes with each breathe we take. As spiritual beings we know how to anchor ourselves to truth. This makes me wonder, why do we allow our human-selves to let us believe that we should worship a spiritual being in the ways that we do?

SO many of us believe that the god they serve DEMANDS that they live in credulity, swim in despair and show hate to each other. And like actors on the stage of the world, we present human-selves as the ONE true us…NEVER realizing that it is when we are our spiritual-selves, we can see what an ADVENTURE life is and how much of a CELEBRATION differences can be…Rather we FORCE religion to become the opposite of it’s intent.

Religion in its human form is indeed, the self-consciousness and self-esteem of man who has NOT tapped into his spiritual being. It is as if man is that abstract being squatting outside the world seeking that which cannot be found. When is he going to understand that being JUS' human ONLY gives him an inverted consciousness of the world because he lives in an inverted universe? Thus his spirituality CANNOT thrive as long as his belief is that religion is THE moral sanction AND universal justification for EVERYTHING.

Man MUST therefore figure out how to make religion both a human AND spiritual experience. He MUST realize that forgiveness AND salvation does NOT come on Sunday mornings; and he will continue to get it WRONG as long as he persist in the traditions taught to him in his human form.

If I had my way, I would DEMAND the abolition of this notion that humanity alone can bring us that which we seek and have us strike the right balance between the human AND spiritual aspects of ourselves by SIMPLY WAKING UP! We are dual beings and we are charged with the duty of nurturing and tending to ourselves with EQUAL amounts of love AND devotion. TOO many of us are snuggled in the carnal realm and pay no attention to the needs of the spirit. The spirit is THE inward manifestation of our consciousness, so is there any wonder that things go haywire when the human part of us says something is wrong, but the spirit doesn’t?

The human AND spiritual part of us are the YIN & YANG of our reality and they are irreparably fused together. It is obvious to me that being human means we have our limits and that we are NOT capable of fulfilling our destiny in this form alone. We are all born with a unique spirit, and it is that energy that largely determines the paths we will travel in life…TOO BAD MOST OF US ARE JUS’ HUMAN!

WE ARE THE WORLD

"We Are the World" is a 1985 song and charity single recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and co-produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album We Are the World. Following Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?" project in the UK, an idea for the creation of an American benefit single for African famine relief came from activist Harry Belafonte, who, along with fundraiser Ken Kragen, was instrumental in bringing the vision to reality. Several musicians were contacted by the pair, before Jackson and Richie were assigned the task of writing the song. Following several months of working together, the duo completed the writing of "We Are the World" one night before the song's first recording session, in early 1985. The last recording session for the song was held on January 28, 1985. The historic event brought together some of the most famous artists in the music industry at the time.

The song was released on March 7, 1985, as the only single from the album. A worldwide commercial success, it topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling American pop single in history. The first ever single to be certified multi-platinum, "We Are the World" received a 4× certification by the Recording Industry Association of America. However, the song garnered mixed reviews from journalists, music critics and the public. Fans enjoyed hearing racially and musically diverse recording artists singing together on one track, and felt satisfied in buying "We Are the World", knowing that the money was going to charity. Other individuals, such as those in the rock community, were disappointed that the song did not challenge why famines occur in the first place, and felt that the lyrics were self-aggrandizing.

Honored numerous times—including three Grammy Awards, one American Music Award and a People's Choice Award—the song was promoted with a critically received music video, a home video, a special edition magazine, a simulcast, and several books, posters and shirts. The promotion and merchandise aided the success of "We Are the World", which was eventually named the biggest selling single of all time. As of 2009, it has sold more than 20 million units and raised over $63 million for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US. "We Are the World" demonstrated that diverse musicians could productively work together, and further influenced the movement within pop music to create songs that address humane concerns.

BACKGROUND & WRITING: Before the writing of "We Are the World", American entertainer and social activist Harry Belafonte had sought for some time to have a song recorded by the most famous artists in the music industry at the time. He planned to have the proceeds donated to a new organization called United Support of Artists for Africa (USA for Africa). The non-profit foundation would then feed and relieve starving people in Africa, specifically Ethiopia, where around one million people died during the country's 1984–1985 famine.^[1][2] The idea followed Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas" project in the UK, which Belafonte had heard about.^[3]a[›] In the activist's plans, money would also be set aside to help eliminate hunger in the United States of America. Entertainment manager and fellow fundraiser Ken Kragen was contacted by Belafonte, who asked for singers Lionel Richie and Kenny Rogers—Kragen's clients—to participate in Belafonte's musical endeavor. Kragen and the two musicians agreed to help with Belafonte's mission, and in turn, enlisted the cooperation of Stevie Wonder, to add more "name value" to their project.^[1] Quincy Jones was drafted to co-produce the song, taking time out from his work on The Color Purple.^[1][4] Richie also telephoned Michael Jackson, who had just released the commercially successful Thriller album and had concluded a tour with his brothers.^[1] Jackson revealed to Richie that he not only wanted to sing the song, but to participate in its writing as well.^[1][5] To begin with, "We Are the World" was to be written by Jackson, Richie and Wonder. As Wonder had limited time to work on the project, Jackson and Richie proceeded to write "We Are the World" themselves.^[5] They began work on the song's creation at Hayvenhurst, the Encino home of Jackson and his family. For a week, the two spent every night working on lyrics and melodies in the latter's bedroom. They knew that they wanted a song which would be easy to sing and memorable. The pair wanted to create an anthem. Jackson's older sister, La Toya, watched the two work on the song, and later revealed that Richie only wrote a few lines for the track.^[4] She stated that her younger brother wrote 99 percent of the lyrics, "but he's never felt it necessary to say that".^[4] La Toya further commented on the song's creation in an interview with the American celebrity news magazine People. "I'd go into the room while they were writing and it would be very quiet, which is odd, since Michael's usually very cheery when he works. It was very emotional for them."^[5]

Richie had recorded two melodies for "We Are the World", which Jackson took, adding music and words to the song in the same day. Jackson stated, "I love working quickly. I went ahead without even Lionel knowing, I couldn't wait. I went in and came out the same night with the song completed—drums, piano, strings, and words to the chorus."^[6] Jackson then presented his demo to Richie and Jones, who were both shocked; they did not expect the pop star to see the structure of the song so quickly. The next meetings between Jackson and Richie were unfruitful; the pair did not produce any additional vocals and got no work done. It was not until the night of January 21, 1985, that Richie and Jackson completed the lyrics and melody of "We Are the World" within two and a half hours, one night before the song's first recording session.^[6]

I thought this video would be the PERFECT video to close out 2009. This year most if not all of us felt excluded in some shape OR form due to what was happening around us. I would like to think that the financial crisis touched each of us and we are ready to take our collective places in the world. Caring for each other adds dimension to our lives and enables us to feel more interconnected to the rest of the world. While there are times when being an island unto ourselves is necessary, I think that such a way of life is not meant for us.

Giving support to each other means that we are active participants in creating a human world. By taking the time to consider the needs of others, you generate compassion and begin developing selflessness. When you find a way to serve, you become more attuned to the concerns of the world around you. This means that you create a greater understanding of yourself, your community, and the world as a whole. With this awareness comes the realization that many of your problems and those of others are universal. So take the time to serve others. Doing what we can will help us make 2010 the year that we turn things around and live life with a purpose.

¡HAPPY CHRISTMAS DAY!

HERE'S TO A VERY HAPPY CHRISTMAS DAY!

¡HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE!

CHRISTMAS SPREE
- by Del "Abe" Jones

The World is in turmoil
There's War everywhere
People starving and homeless
And not enough seem to care.

It's not their kid who's dying
In some place across the sea
Or who is mere skin and bones
With no one to hear their plea.

Some people are too busy
Out spending their money
To try and to outdo others
If not sad, it would be funny.

Some began it months ago
Swiping that plastic, credit card
There's some will never pay it off
And for most, it will be hard.

Then there are those people
Who want, "politically correct"
Who want, "Happy Holidays"
(What else would you expect?)

They can't leave well enough alone
The way it's always been for years
They say it might offend someone
And there's some other stupid fears.

Peace and Goodwill are evasive
And they will most likely never be
As long as the rich get richer
From War and the Christmas spending spree.

JUS’ SOME CONSCIOUS QUESTIONS (PART II)

DO YOU HABITUALLY BLAME OTHERS FOR YOUR TROUBLES?

DO YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFE?

DO YOU HAVE MANY LIFE-GIVING, LIFE-ENHANCING RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES @ YOUR DISPOSAL?

DO YOU KNOW THAT LIFE IS A GIFT?

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT WE ARE EACH CALLED & ARE EQUIPPED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD?

DO YOU WANT TO BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE?

DO YOU ALWAYS THINK THAT THE GRASS IS GREENER ON THE OTHER SIDE?

DO YOU THINK THAT THE PERFECT JOB, THE PERFECT MARRIAGE, THE HOUSE, THE PERFECT CLOTHES & THE PERFECT CAR ARE WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT?

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING IS WONDERFUL EVEN WHEN IT ISN’T?

DO YOU COMPARE YOUR REALITY TO THAT OF OTHERS?

DO YOU KNOW THAT EVERYTHING IS NOT AS IT SEEMS?

DO YOU KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC?

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT A PASSION FOR YOUR CAREER CAN GIVE YOU THAT SIX-FIGURE POSITION WITH A CORNER OFFICE?

DO YOU HAVE THIS SENSE OF WANTING EVERYTHING RIGHT NOW?

DO YOU KNOW THAT EVERY DAY ISN’T GOING TO BE FUN?

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE PHASES OF LIFE?

DO YOU OVER COMPENSATE FOR ISSUES YOU FEEL GUILTY ABOUT?

DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM PUTTING YOURSELF FIRST?

DO YOU SHARE YOUR TRUE FEELINGS WITH OTHERS?

DO YOU KNOW THAT SHARING YOUR TRUE EMOTIONS FOSTERS A MORE HONEST & LOVING RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF & OTHERS?

DO YOU HONOUR, LOVE & CHERISH THE PERSON YOU ARE WITH?

DO YOU LOOK TO THOSE WHO ARE OLDER FOR LEADERSHIP?

JUS’ SOME CONSCIOUS QUESTIONS (PART I)

DO YOU ASSOCIATE WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE WHO COULD ENHANCE YOUR PASSION?

DO YOU KNOW THAT ATTITUDE & DEMEANOR ARE TWO OF THE MOST POWERFUL MEANS OF PERSONAL EXPRESSION?

DO YOU FOCUS ON THE UNSPOKEN MESSAGES THAT YOU ARE CONVEYING TO OTHERS?

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO EXPERIENCE LIFE ON A MORE MEANINGFUL LEVEL

DO YOU FEEL IN CONTROL OF LIFE ‘S CHOICES

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO EXPERIENCE A DEEPER SENSE OF PASSION & PURPOSE IN EACH MOMENT

DO YOU CONSTANTLY LIVE THINKING LIFE IS NOT FAIR

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO BE HUMAN

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO BE AN ADULT

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO LIVE A LIFE INDEPENDENTLY

DO YOU FEEL THAT THE WORLD OWES YOU SOMETHING?

DO OTHERS MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MATTER

DO YOU RETURN THE SENTIMENT?

DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE MORE THAN SOMEONE ELSE IF YOU WORKED HARDER THAN THEY DID?

DO YOU GO TO PITY PARTIES OR GET BITTER EVERY TIME YOU DON’T GET WHAT YOU THINK YOU DESERVE?

DO YOU KNOW THE RECIPE FOR MISERY?

DO YOU PARTAKE IN THE ENDLESS PURSUIT OF JUSTICE?

DO YOU DESTROY YOURSELF BY TRYING TO EVEN THE SCORE?

DO YOU PLAY FAIRLY WITH OTHERS & DO THE RIGHT THING NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS CHOOSE TO DO?

DO YOU PLAY THE VICTIM ROLE WELL?

DO YOU KNOW THAT CHRONIC VICTIMS ARE A PAIN TO OTHERS & THEMSELVES?

REST IN PEACE BRITTANY MURPHY

The unexpected death of 32-year-old Brittany Murphy, who gained fame in such movies as "8 Mile" and "Just Married," appeared to be from natural causes but police are investigating, officials said.

Murphy died about 10 a.m. Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to the hospital.

She was transported to the medical center after the Fire Department responded to a call at 8 a.m. at the home she shared with her husband, British screenwriter Simon Monjack, in the Hollywood Hills.

Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said Murphy apparently collapsed in the bathroom, and authorities were looking into her medical history.

An official cause of death may not be determined for some time, since toxicology tests will be required, but "it appears to be natural," Winter said. He said an autopsy was planned for Monday or Tuesday.

Los Angeles police have opened an investigation into Murphy's death, Officer Norma Eisenman said.

Detectives and coroner's officials were at Murphy and Monjack's home Sunday afternoon but did not talk to reporters. Paparazzi were camped outside the multistory home, located above the Sunset Strip.

Neighbor Clare Staples said she saw firefighters working to resuscitate the actress Sunday morning. She said Murphy was on a stretcher.

Murphy's husband, wearing pajama bottoms and no shoes, appeared "dazed" as firefighters tried to save her, Staples said. "It's just tragic," she added.

Murphy's publicist, Nicole Perna, said in a statement: "In this time of sadness, the family thanks you for your love and support. It is their wish that you respect their privacy."

Messages left for Murphy's manager and agent by The Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Murphy's father, Angelo Bertolotti, said he learned of her death from his son, the actress's brother, and was stunned.

"She was just an absolute doll since she was born," Bertolotti said from his Branford, Fla., home. "Her personality was always outward. Everybody loved her — people that made movies with her, people on a cruise — they all loved her. She was just a regular gal."

He said he hadn't heard much about the circumstances of Murphy's death. Bertolotti divorced her mother when Murphy was young and hadn't seen Murphy in the past few years.

"She was just talented," Bertolotti said. "And I loved her very much."

Born Nov. 10, 1977, in Atlanta, Murphy grew up in New Jersey and later moved with her mother to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

Her career started in the early 1990s with small roles in television series, commercials and movies. She is best known for parts in "Girl, Interrupted," "Clueless" and "8 Mile."

Her on-screen work had lessened of late, but Murphy's voice gave life to numerous animated characters, including Luanne Platter on more than 200 episodes of Fox's "King of the Hill" and Gloria the penguin in the 2006 feature "Happy Feet."

She is due to appear in Sylvester Stallone's upcoming film, "The Expendables," set for release next year.

Her role in "8 Mile" led to more recognition, Murphy told AP in 2003. "That changed a lot," she said. "That was the difference between people knowing my first and last name as opposed to not."

Murphy credited her mother, Sharon, with being a key to her success.

"When I asked my mom to move to California, she sold everything and moved out here for me," Murphy said. "I was really grateful to have grown up in an environment that was conducive to creating and didn't stifle any of that. She always believed in me."

She dated Ashton Kutcher, who costarred with Murphy in 2003's romantic comedy "Just Married."

Kutcher sent a message on Twitter Sunday morning about Murphy's death: "2day the world lost a little piece of sunshine," Kutcher wrote. "My deepest condolences go out 2 Brittany's family, her husband, & her amazing mother Sharon."

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

THE RELIGIOUS HYPOCRITES

Yesterday I was having a conversation and the topic of hypocrites in the church came up. As we went on further, I found out that there was this pastor that owned a liquor store. Now I am all for us making our way in this world, but having these HOLY folks invest in such a business seems VERY wrong AND hypocritical to me. I suppose their God gives them a free pass because they bless the alcohol, prayed for the building AND place their business on holy ground…No matter because if there is ONE thing evident about me and blog EVERY Sunday, is that I am BEYOND tired of religious know-it-alls who love to point their fingers @ everybody else.

Hearing this made me think about the various track records of other religious folks that are ABSOLUTE, UNCOMPROMISING and UNWAVERING in the battle against sin. They are SO tough on sins of others, their own sins, well, NOT SO MUCH! Yet they preach SO vehemently against sexual immorality, gambling, drinking and everything else under the sun…I now realize that they can do that because they themselves are right in the filth with us. I can’t help but wonder if they are the BIGGER hypocrites or us for NOT having the balls to recognize that these “holy figures” are just as flawed as we are?

We take their hypocrisy in stride and this makes me wonder, what has to happen before the entire institution becomes suspect? Religion has FAILED to address the MANY underlying ills of society and I feel that it should be judged on the basis of those who claim to be its adherents. I feel that’s MORE than fair when, in reality, they practice the opposite of what they preach! I realize that the word HYPOCRITE gets thrown around a lot, and it is used to describe all sorts of behavior. I know that to some degree, @ some time or another, everybody’s been guilty of hypocrisy. But the worst form of hypocrisy, the one that really stinks, is religious hypocrisy…you know that person who tries to disguise his or her own personal defects under the guise of holiness and self-righteousness? YEAH THEM!

I really don’t want to stand in judgment on these people because in the final analysis NO ONE has that rite, but @ the same time, as case after case finds themselves into the light, we need to call it what it is…one of the greatest of all human sins…the sin of hypocrisy. I think this is THE dirtiest obstacles in the religious maze. I wonder if they would think that MY condemning the condemners AND hating the hypocrites is turning my feet away from the pathway of THEIR God when they are doing the same?

TORN

"Torn" is a song by the band Ednaswap from their debut album Ednaswap (1995). It was their second single from that album, after "Glow". "Torn" was written by Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, Rusty Anderson and Phil Thornalley during a demo session in 1991 before Ednaswap was formed. The lyrics were written by Preven while the guitar parts were arranged by Anderson. Thornalley produced the session. In 1997, it was covered famously by Natalie Imbruglia after having been covered by Scandinavian singers Lis Sørensen in 1993, and Trine Rein in 1996.

In 1997, Australian singer Natalie Imbruglia covered the song for her debut album Left of the Middle. Released as a single, Imbruglia's version became a worldwide hit. At the time of its release, U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart rules did not allow airplay-only songs to chart, so the song was prevented from achieving a high position on that chart despite remaining atop the Hot 100 Airplay chart for eleven weeks.

Imbruglia's version is very soft, with a dance beat throughout. Of all the versions of the song, it is the most pop-oriented and is said, by co-writer Anne Preven, to be sung in a "lobotomized" fashion. The main difference between this version and Trine Rein's version is that Natalie repeats the word "Torn" several times before the end of verses. Natalie Imbruglia also did an MTV Unplugged version of the song, which removed the outro. Preven and the other band members have at times expressed dissatisfaction that their versions of the song went unnoticed while Imbruglia's was picked up with the backing of major label promotion.

For the track, Natalie Imbruglia received a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, losing to Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On". The music video for "Torn" features British actor Jeremy Sheffield.

The Natalie Imbruglia version was recorded in Kilburn, London with David Munday (Lead Guitar), Phil Thornalley (Bass, Rhythm Guitars), Chuck Sabo (Drums), Henry Binns, Sam Hardaker (Zero Seven) (Drum Programming) and Katrina Leskanich (Background vocals). It was mixed by Nigel Godrich.

The beauty of this song is that though it is a scary place to be emotionally, it asks us to look within ourselves to find the way. There are NO maps; we MUST go on instinct, relying on our inner compass to show us which way to go. This is scary because so much seems to be riding on the fear that we might have gone too far in the wrong direction, or become paralyzed and make no progress at all. And yet, this is the very challenge we need to develop imperfect pristine life. This forces us to TRUST that the universe will support and guide us. We may believe this emotionally, but it is only through being torn that we can be okay with being lost and trusting that we will be whole again.

10 SIGNS OF LUST...

There is just something so fun about the reckless abandon of a fresh romance. Forget the holiday buzz, NOTHING compares to the high of going butt crazy for a guy! But a lot of times, when you start dating someone you like, you can’t tell if he’s just a nice guy or a spectacular stud who is sweeping you off your feet. How do you know you’re in lust? Here are 10 signs that you could look out for:

Each time you see him naked, his penis looks BIGGER.

Even when his ass needs a shower, he smells GOOD to you.

You want to introduce him to your buddies…well, the ones you fuck.

When you look @ him both your dick and ass pay attention.

You feel like you could tell him everything! But you don’t because you want to spend all your time together sexing.

You have about a dozen adjectives to describe him to your friends and the ONLY time the word “nice.” is used is to describe his body, dick N' ass.

You ONLY feel good about the relationship when you and he are indulging your lust for each other.

You take time off from work just to get some of him.

He can get you to indulge your lust with him ANYWHERE, ANYTIME & ANY PLACE!

You fight with him INTENTIONALLY for the make up sex.

MARRIAGE: ¿IS IT A RITE OF PASSAGE FOR WOMEN?

Yesterday my co-worker came to let me know that she will be out of office for a few weeks so I can have her desk until she returns. She was all excited about it, so I asked her where she will be and she told me that she was going to get her hair done for her wedding this weekend. She was SO excited and while I was happy for her, I couldn’t help but wonder what is it about marriage that makes want to be Mr. and Mrs. so and so?

We as humans will make MANY commitments throughout our time on earth, but few will have a lifelong impact on the path our lives will take. The decision to marry someone you love—to bond yourself to them completely—is unlike any other and can reshape your existence. When two people have similar goals, values, and needs, marriage can result in a lifetime partnership of love and respect, shared laughter and tears, friendship, and intimacy that is ultimately fulfilling. Love is often cited as the sole prerequisite of a strong and stable married life. However, the decision to get married should be made with the mind and the soul as well as with the heart…But it seem as if most women worry about this part much later…

The decision-making processes they employ tend to be one-sided. They tend to feel that love AND attraction along with thinking they can shape and mold man will GUARANTEE a long marriage. Most know that their relationship isn’t secure, but they foolishly think that marriage will make it so. Marriage has NO power to permanently fill any emotional or spiritual gaps in a woman’s life…I know that I am merely projecting my thoughts onto my co-worker, but are they basely? I feel that both she and her soon to be husband are spiritually compatible. I just hope that she is NOT like so many other women that rush into marriage just for the wedding dress, the ring, the party, and honeymoon. I wonder if she would still be willing to be married if she couldn’t have these things?

They say women are emotional creatures and rightly so…I just wonder if they actually understand that planning the wedding is simple when compared to the intricacies of nurturing a marriage. The honeymoon and nesting period will eventually wear off, and what you are left with is a partner for life…I do wish my co-worker all the best in her marriage…I just hope she enjoys the good AND bad times of a woman’s rite of passage…

MIND OF WONDER...

I believe that the universe is aware of both the concrete goals we actively pursue and the nebulous dreams we have not yet begun to refine. Neither our struggles nor the daydreams that inspire us are beyond the range of universal perception. Yet to manifest our aspirations, we not only need to know what it is we generally wish to achieve; we also need to clearly articulate these aims to ourselves and the universe. A week ago I was one of the 2,500 persons chosen for the Government Temporary Program. The job is for 6 months and it is clerical, paying just a little over $200.00 a week. I have no problem with this job @ all given the economic times we live in, but I can’t help but wonder if this could hurt or help me?

You see here in the Bahamas folks aren’t open-minded in the business world and all the years of accounting experience that I’ve earned wouldn’t mean a thing if I were to put my latest job on my resume. This led me to think that this is where I should be considering my past employment failures. I need job security and working for the Government can provide me with that. My problem is that I am TOO ambitious and I am not one for settling on working @ a place that offers NO chance of advancement. I find it crazy that if a job opens up in the private sector that I would take it if it is offered to me.

They say that the law of attraction is quite simple: LIKE ATTRACTS LIKE and I did that when it came to calling Noel into my life, but for some reason I haven’t been able to focus my energy in this area…AND LORD KNOWS IT ISN’T BECAUSE I HAVEN’T TRIED! On a new job I go with my personal career motto: SEEK TO UNDERSTAND, THEN BE UNDERSTOOD. I NEVER go in thinking that I know it all and trying to show others up, it is just that for some reason folks feel threatened by presence.

But all in all I know my uncertainty about career path is one of many given the economic climate today. And while my concerns are valid, focusing on them can only be counterproductive to my goals…right? Despite knowing that if I release my fears AND affirm that the universe wants me to be successful, having to make a choice like this just makes me feel a bit weary.

IN THESE ECONOMIC TIMES...

WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO WORK IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR THAT OFFERS SECURITY WITH VERY LITTLE CHANCE OF ADVANCEMENT....

¿OR?

WOULD YOU WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THAT OFFERS NO SECURITY, BUT POSSIBILITIES OF ADVANCEMENT...

THE "REAL" 10 COMMANDMENTS

1. Do NOT do to others what you would not want them to do to you
2. In ALL things, strive to cause no harm
3. Treat your fellow human beings, your fellow living things, and the world in general with HATE, DISHONESTY and CONTEMPT.

4. ALWAYS overlook evil and NEVER forgive wrongdoing.
5. Live life with a sense of SORROW and DOUBT.

6. NEVER seek to be learning something new
7. NEVER check your ideas against the facts, and be ready to discard ALL cherished beliefs if it does not conform to them.
8. ALWAYS seek to censor or cut yourself off from agreements; always disrespect the right of others to disagree with you.
9. Do NOT form independent opinions on the basis of your own reason and experience; always allow yourself to be led blindly by others.
10. Question NOTHING!

WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT

"What's Love Got to Do with It" is the second single released from Tina Turner's breakthrough solo debut album, Private Dancer. In the UK and Continental Europe it was the third single, following Turner's cover of The Beatles' "Help!". The song is widely credited for the huge success of the Private Dancer album itself. "What's Love Got to Do With It" is arguably Tina Turner's most popular and successful single, becoming her first number-one hit in the United States and establishing Tina Turner as a mainstream Pop and Rock artist, while also reaching number one in Australia and number three in the UK. In 1993, the song's name was used as the title for What's Love Got to Do With It, a biographical film about Turner's life leading up to the actual release of the song. The music video was directed by Mark Robinson. It is ranked #309 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". It also ranked #38 on Songs of the Century. It was the 17th best-selling single of 1984 in the UK.

Tina Turner had not had a top twenty single in thirteen years, and Capitol Records did not expect the song to turn out to be the hit it became. The song was originally written for the R&B singer Phyllis Hyman. "What's Love Got to Do With It" went straight to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained there for three weeks, becoming Turner's first number one hit. Billboard ranked it as the number two single of 1984. Tina Turner's first single ("A Fool in Love" with her husband Ike) had charted in 1960, and she achieved her first number-one single on September 1, 1984, which set a new record from the longest span between an artist's first charted record and first number-one single (a difference of 24 years, to the exact week). It also established another record, as Turner was 45-years-old when the song went to number one, making her the oldest artist to place a number-one single on the Hot 100. Both records were broken however, by Aerosmith in 1998 and Cher in 1999. She was the oldest female to have a number-one single until Grace Slick (with Starship) broke the record twice (in 1985) with "We Built This City" and 1987 with "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now"). Cher later broke Slick's record in 1999.

This song is for those that feeling depressed about love and the false sense it can give about the various romantic relationships we embark upon. The words of this song shows that authentic relationships don’t abuse and make you question love. Rather, they are real, fulfilling and honest. So listen to the words of this song and if the words ring true about your current relationship, you need to take a step back and ask "What's Love Got to Do with It."

3 SCORE & 10 + 4...

I got a call from uncle @ exactly 7:27 Thursday morning. Now I was thinking what could he be calling to tell me since we don’t communicate with each other like that. I thought he was calling to me that my cousin his daughter had died or something. So before he told me what he called for he asked if I was listening and I replied with a YES! He then told me that his father, my grandfather had passed away during the night. I responded with an okay and asked him what happened. You see my grandfather had been talking about funeral arrangements and was in and out of the hospital for a few weeks and I guess his pain and suffering got the better of him.

As I hung up my phone, I thought about death and how it just do it’s thing…I thought about how my sister told me about my grandfather’s wishes, but I just chucked them up to him just saying things because he can. And though we didn’t have that grandfather grandson relationship, I still care about his existence on this planet. After all he is another human being and more over, his blood is running through my veins. I didn’t think that his passing would affect me, but it did…maybe if it were a few years ago then it wouldn’t.

You see my grandfather wasn’t the type of man that did all he could with all he had, he just simply gave up on raising his children after my grandmother passed more than 45 years ago. I don’t know if he was in mourning, but from what I hear they didn’t have a good marriage. My mother always used to say that the wrong parent died. She had this thing that if her mom had lived, she and the rest of her siblings would have a life ten times better than the one they have now. But I ALWAYS think to myself that God doesn’t make mistakes and he knows EXACTLY why he did what he did…like Noel says, if you know it is God’s secret…So I hope that grandfather REST IN PEACE…He lived to be 74 years old hence my blog title 3 SCORE & 10 + 4 (SORRY FOR THE CONFUSION CHET, I POSTED THE ENTRY UNCOMPLETED) I SURELY HOPE THAT CHARLES WESLEY CAREY GOT ALL THAT HE NEED IN THIS LIFE, WHO KNOWS, MAYBE HE WILL GET IN THE NEXT ONE…

COMMENT MODERATION...

I WILL BE MODERATING THE COMMENTS LEFT ON THIS BLOG FOR A BIT. I HAVE BEEN GETTING COMMENTS CONSTANTLY FROM THIS PERSON THAT INSISTS ON POSTING THE EXACT SAME COMMENT EVERYDAY ON THE SAME BLOG ENTRY...I HOPE NOT TO MODERATE COMMENTS FOR MUCH LONGER, I JUST COULDN'T THINK OF ANY OTHER WAY TO DETER HIS COMMENTS...THANK YOU!

¿IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH AMBITION?

I believe...that taking action on our desire to improve or expand our life circumstances will attract more opportunities to grow and evolve on emotional, spiritual, and professional levels. But as late, I’ve been wondering if there is such a thing as TOO MUCH AMBITION? When does a person settle? Moreover, does he settle if he NO where near his goals?

A STORY WORTH READING

HOMOPHOBIA ON THE BILL...As a gay Ugandan, Frank Mugisha has endured insults from strangers, hate messages on his phone, police harassment and being outed in a tabloid as one of the country’s “top homos”.

That may soon seem like the good old days. Life imprisonment is the minimum punishment for anyone convicted of having gay sex, under an anti-homosexuality Bill currently being considered by Uganda’s Parliament. If the accused person is HIV positive or a serial offender, or a “person of authority” over the other partner, or if the “victim” is under 18, a conviction will result in the death penalty.

Members of the public are obliged to report any homosexual activity to police within 24 hours or risk up to three years in jail — a scenario that human rights campaigners say will result in a witch-hunt. Ugandans breaking the new law abroad will be subject to extradition requests.

“The Bill is haunting us,” said Mugisha (25), chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda, a coalition of local lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex groups that will all be banned under the law. “If this passes we will have to leave the country.”

Human rights groups within and outside Uganda have condemned the proposed legislation, which is designed to strengthen colonial-era laws that already criminalise gay sex.

The issue threatened to overshadow the
Commonwealth heads of government meeting that ended in Trinidad and Tobago recently with the United Kingdom and Canada both expressing strong concerns. Ahead of the meeting Stephen Lewis, a former United Nations envoy on Aids in Africa, said the law has “a taste of fascism” about it.

But within Uganda deeply-rooted homophobia, aided by a United States-linked evangelical campaign alleging that gay men are trying to “recruit” school children, and that homosexuality is a habit that can be “cured”, has ensured widespread public support for the Bill.

Last month President Yoweri Museveni warned youths in Kampala he had heard that “European homosexuals are recruiting in Africa” and he said gay relationships were against God’s will. “We used to say Mr and Mrs, but now it is Mr and Mr. What is that now?” he said.

In a interview James Nsaba Buturo, the minister of state for ethics and integrity, said the government was determined to pass the legislation, ideally before the end of 2009, even if it meant withdrawing from international treaties and conventions, such as the UN’s Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and foregoing donor funding

“We are talking about anal sex. Not even animals do that,” Butoro said, adding that he was personally caring for six “former homosexuals” who had been traumatised by the experience. “We believe there are limits to human rights.”

Homosexuality has always been a taboo subject in Uganda and is considered by many to be an affront to both local culture and religion, which plays a strong role in family life. This and the real threat of job loss means no public personality has ever “come out”.

Even local HIV campaigns — which have been heavily influenced by the evangelical church with a bias towards abstinence over condom use — have deliberately avoided targeting gay men.

Both opponents and supporters agree that the impetus for the Bill came in March during a seminar in Kampala to “expose the truth behind homosexuality”. The main speakers were three US evangelists: Scott Lively, Don Schmierer and Caleb Lee Brundidge. Lively is a noted anti-gay activist and president of Defend the Family International, a conservative Christian association, and Schmierer is an author who works with “homosexual recovery groups”. Brundidge is a “sexual reorientation coach” at the International Healing Foundation.

The seminar was organised by Stephen Langa, a Ugandan electrician turned pastor who runs the Family Life Network in Kampala and has been spreading the message that gays are targeting schoolchildren for “conversion”. “They give money to children to recruit schoolmates — once you have two children, the whole school is gone,” he said in an interview.

Asked if there had been any court case to prove this was happening, he replied: “No, that’s why this law is needed.”

After the conference, Langa arranged for a petition by thousands of parents to be delivered to Parliament in April. Within months the Bill had been drawn up. — © Guardian News & Media 2009.

SOURCE: MAIL & GUARDIAN ONLINE