Thursday, July 17, 2008

Don't Panic




While watching Monday night football, on an uneventful evening on December 8, 1980, I was nursing a hangover, when I heard Howard Cosell interrupt the game with a news flash. John Lennon was shot in New York City? Could that be true? It was true. Later, he was pronounced dead. I was in shock. Then my brother, Mark, telephoned me with the news. We both were John Lennon fans.

The Beatles, the fab four of the 60s, were each given character descriptions or nicknames adopted by their fans. John was the smart one, Paul was the cute one, George was the mysterious one and Ringo was the funny one.

I always felt John Lennon's character description or nickname, should have been dubbed the "misunderstood Beatle," because he seemed to always stir up controversy concerning his beliefs. He couldn't quite make his comments clear, and the media didn't help.

Take for instance, the comment he made on March 4, 1966, when he said, "the Beatles are more popular than Jesus." What he meant was that more people would go see the Beatles, than go to church on Sunday. Which may have been true. He generalized a wee bit by laying the blame on America, when he meant England.

Lennon was interviewed for the London Evening Standard by Maureen Cleave, who was a friend, and made an off-the-cuff remark regarding religion. Lennon said, "Christianity, will go. It will vanish and shrink. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first-- rock and roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me."

On August 11, 1966, The Beatles held a press conference in Chicago, in order to address the growing furor.

Lennon: I suppose if I had said television was more popular than Jesus, I would have got away with it, but I just happened to be talking to a journalist friend (Maureen Cleave), and I used the word "Beatles" as a remote thing, not as what I think--as Beatles, as those other Beatles, like other people see us. I just said they are having more influence on kids and things than anything else, including Jesus. But I said it in that way, which is the wrong way."

Reporter: Some teenagers have repeated your statements--"I like The Beatles more than Jesus Christ." What do you think about that?

Lennon: Well, originally I pointed out that fact in reference to England. that we meant more to kids than Jesus did, or religion at that time. I wasn't knocking it or putting it down. I was just saying it as a fact, and it's true more for England than here. I'm not saying that we're better or greater, or comparing us with Jesus Christ as a person or God as a thing, or whatever it is. I just said what I said and it was wrong. Or it was taken wrong. And now it's all this.

Reporter: But are you prepared to apologize?

Lennon: I wasn't saying whatever they're saying I was saying. I'm sorry I said it really. I never meant it to be a lousy anti-religious thing. I apologize if that will make you happy. I still don't know quite what I've done. I've tried to tell you what I did do, but if you want me to apologize, if that will make you happy, then OK, I'm sorry.

John Lennon returned to the subject later that year, when he told Look magazine that, "I believe Jesus was right, Buddha was right, and all of those people like that are right. They're all saying the same thing--and I believe it. I believe what Jesus actually said--the basic things he laid down about love and goodness--and not what people say he said. If Jesus being more popular means more control, I don't want that. I'd sooner they'd all follow us even if it's just to dance and sing for the rest of their lives. If they took more interest in what Jesus--or any of them--said, if they did that, we'd all be there with them.

Although there was little reaction to his statement in England, Christians elsewhere embarked upon a massive campaign to destroy Beatle albums and other paraphernalia. The Archbishop of Boston admitted that he was probably right, but many still refused to forgive him.

I can relate to his controversial statement, because I have made similar statements, such as, when I drive by a gambling casino on a Sunday, I'll say--"look at all those cars--try to pack them in a church parking lot." Of course, my meaning was that gambling is more popular than Jesus. I hope that isn't the truth--here in America. Am I in trouble for saying that?

All this didn't bother Lennon, he continued using religious remarks in his songs, one was God, released in 1971. The lyrics are as follows:

God (words and music by John Lennon)

God is a concept

By which we measure

Our pain

I'll say it again

God is a concept

By which we measure

Our Pain

I don't believe in magic

I don't believe in I-ching

I don't believe in bible

I don't believe in tarot

I don't believe in Hitler

I don't believe in Jesus

I don't believe in Kennedy

I don't believe in Buddha

I don't believe in mantra

I don't believe in Gita

I don't believe in yoga

I don't believe in kings

I don't believe in Elvis

I don't believe in Zimmerman

I don't believe in Beatles

I just believe in me

Yoko and me

And that's reality

The dream is over

What can I say?

The dream is over

Yesterday

I was a dream weaver

But now I'm reborn

I was the walrus

But now I'm John

And so dear friends

You just have to carry on

The dream is over

THE END

Once again, Lennon was misunderstood. He was put off by many Christians. I always understood the style of Lennon. I felt he was reaching out to question things we dared not ask. He was a buffer between reality and make believe. Some considered it threatening. I considered it harmless. Although he did say "I don't believe in Jesus." And he did say, "I don't believe in bible." Maybe he should have left them out of the song, at least to avoid controversy and save his career.. But, Lennon was Lennon, and he didn't care. He was saying he has the freedom to say what he wants to say, or sing what he wants to sing. I'm sure it hurt his career. Paul McCartney's career only blossomed. Not intending to leave out George and Ringo. Their careers remained stable.

I always thought a more fitting song for John Lennon would have been--Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, written and performed by a fellow musician and friend, Eric Burdon. He, also, authored a book under the same title.

In 1973, Lennon wrote and sang the song, Imagine, a very critical-- but popular song. It questioned the existence of heaven and hell and no religion, too. This, too, was angered by Christians. His message was clear to me. He was simply stating, if there wasn't any of these things he's imagining, the world would live in peace--as one. What would there be to fight about? There would be no wars. Many wars are about religion. The song is all about imagination. He's not a terrorist wanting to blow up the world. The lyrics are as follows:

Imagine

(words and music by John Lennon)

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one

THE END

Lennon was always the outspoken one. Some say he was a hypocrite when he preached about love and peace--not war. In 1969, he demonstrated his beliefs in his penned song, Give Peace A Chance, after his departure from The Beatles, during his solo career.

He defended many rights and causes. He was an anti-war activist. His beliefs were misconstrued and often he was taken as a socialist or communist. President Nixon wanted him deported. Lennon stood up and fought for his right to stay where he loved to be--in New York City, U.S.A. Sadly enough, it was also the place he was killed by a deranged fan.

During his solo career, Lennon wrote and sang songs of rebellion with his political views. He would socialize with antiwar leaders, such as, Jerry Rubin, Abbie Hoffman, and others. Lennon and his friends organized a concert in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in December of 1971, dubbed the "Free John Sinclair" concert. Sinclair was a local antiwar activist who was serving ten years in the state prison for selling two joints of marijuana to an undercover cop. Lennon appeared onstage along with Phil Ochs, Stevie Wonder and other musicians, plus antiwar radical Jerry Rubin and Bobby Seale of the Black Panthers. There was 20,000 in attendance; two days after the concert, the state of Michigan released John Sinclair from prison. During this time, a song written and sung by Lennon was released, entitled John Sinclair.

In 1972, Lennon released an anti-sexism song, entitled, Woman Is The Nigger of the World, implying that as black people were discriminated against in some countries, so were women globally. The lyrics are as follows:

Woman Is The Nigger of the World

(words and music by John Lennon)

Woman is the nigger of the world

Yes she is...think about it

Woman is the nigger of the world

Think about it...do something about it

We make her paint her face and dance

If she won't be a slave, we say that she don't love us

If she's real, we say she's trying to be a man

While putting her down, we pretend that she's above us

Woman is the nigger of the world...yes she is

If you don't believe me, take a look at the one you're with

Woman is the slave of the slaves

Ah, yeah...better scream about it

We make her bear and raise our children

And then we leave her flat for being a fat old mother hen

We tell her home is the only place she should be

Then we complain that she's too unworldly to be our friend

Woman is the nigger of the world...yes she is

If you don't believe me, take a look at the one you're with

Woman is the slave to the slaves

Yeah...alright...hit it!

We insult her every day on TV

And wonder why she has no guts or confidence

When she's young we kill her will to be free

While telling her not to be so smart we put her down for being so dumb

Woman is the nigger of the world

Yes she is...if you don't believe me, take a look at the one you're with

Woman is the slave to the slaves

Yes she is...if you don't believe me, you better scream about it

We make her paint her face and dance

We make her paint her face and dance

We make her paint her face and dance

We make her paint her face and dance

We make her paint her face and dance

We make her paint her face and dance

THE END

On a happier note, in 1971, Lennon, also, wrote and sang the song, entitled, Happy Xmas. This became a holiday favorite. It's questionable why he left out Christ in Christmas. But "X" is the Greek symbol of Christ.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of the death of John Lennon. His killer is still imprisoned, as he should be. The music world was robbed of this musical genius. I sure miss his works and imagination. If it weren't for his outspoken beliefs, he may have still been with us today. It may have been what killed him. But just imagine (I wonder if you can)--then there never would have been a John Lennon.

Earl D. Erickson, is an internet author. He writes exactly how he feels--coming from the heart. His stories can be read by going directly to his websites and logging onto the Ezine Articles or by going to Ezine Articles and log onto his name under expert authors. He is currently writing a book about his life struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction, suicide, grief and depression.

The book is entitled, Blurred Vision: Diary of an Incorrigible Alcoholic. He hopes to finish that project early next year.

Mr. Erickson loves to listen to music and explore its history, read, photograph, watching old movies and television classics, gardening and the great outdoors. He owns and manages his website at: http://ComfortAndLoss.com

Mr. Erickson is a native and lifelong resident of Tacoma, Washington.

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MTV Unplugged

On March 6th, Julieta Venegas recorded her MTV Unplugged at the Churubusco Studies in Mexico City, where she presented new songs besides interpreting some of her greatest hits in an intimate atmosphere to a live audience.

This production counts on important and interesting collaborations like two time Oscar winner, Gustavo Santaolalla, who accompanied her with the banjo and sang the chorus of the song "Algun Dia (Someday)". Brazilian singer, Marisa Monte featured in song "Illusion", a new and beautiful song that combines the Spanish and Portuguese language.

Also Mala Rodriguez joined Julieta and included a strong hip hop movement to the song "Eres Para Mi (You are for Me)", whereas the vocalist of Porter, Juan Carlos had a unique participation in "Algun Dia (Someday)".

In addition, the very talented Natalia Lafourcade comprised of the orchestra and played several instruments during the night, whereas the talented musician and composer, Jacques Morelenbaum accompanied Julieta on the cello in "De mis Pasos (From my foot steps)".
Customer Review: La re-invencion musical de Julieta Venegas - una joya musical
Este no es cualquier acustico. La multi-talentosa Julieta Venegas aprovechó esta oportunidad para crear una propuesta musical nueva, re-inventando sus canciones, llenándolas de nuevos sonidos a través de excelentes y novedosos arreglos. Ademas, selecionó muy bien sus invitados, basandose en su calidad artistica y no en el nivel de fama de estos. Fue un verdadero "dream team". Para comenzar, tiene entre sus musicos a la tambien talentosisima y multi-instrumentista Natalia Lafourcade. En "eres para mi" invito a la hip-hoper espanola La Mala Rodriguez, (hermosa y sexy por demas!)haciendo gala de su destreza y fuerza en el escenario. Otra agradable sorpresa fue Juan Son. Les confieso que no sabia quien era, pero que voz mas impresionante! Ademas, le tocó cantar una de las mejores canciones de Julieta - "de mis pasos" de su primer disco -. Como si fuera poco, tuvo de invitada a Marisa Monte, para muchos la mejor cantante de su generacion de la musica brasileira. Con su habitual seguridad y elegancia la "tribalsta" se lució como siempre con su increible voz y modo de interpretar. Luego subio a la tarima su antiguo productor, el Rey Midas del Rock en español y ganador de dos Oscares, Gustavo Santaolalla,.Para cerrar con broche de oro, la acompañó en la co-dirección y co-producción Jaques Morelenbaum; ¿quieren una referencia? este violonchelista es el director musical de Caetano Veloso. En síntesis, Una produccion impecable, que la disfruten...


Those who are young or relatively new to the HipHop culture don't realize that Rap Music has many different genres:

East Coast: The East Coast, most notably New York City, was the genesis for rap music hitting the mainstream. Run-D.M.C. led the pack, with Rakim and Big Daddy Kane also breaking through to make rap emerge as a national phenomenon.

West Coast: While HipHop was cooking in the East, West Coast rap music gained national recognition in the mid-1980s with performers like Ice T and Too $hort.

Dirty South: While most of the music world's attention focused on rap coming from New York and Los Angeles, HipHop artists in the South were turning to independent music labels to release their work. Geographically, the Dirty South genre encompassed places as diverse as Houston, Birmingham, and Miami, and was greatly influenced by Ghetto Mafia in the mid-1990s. Musically, Dirty South rap is known for is danceabilty and rhythmic delivery.

Gangsta Rap: Some say Gangsta Rap first emerged on the West Coast with N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" release, while others credit Ice T with taking Gangsta Rap to national acclaim. Characterized by lyrics glamorizing elements of a criminal lifestyle, violence, promiscuity, misogyny, and materialism, Gangsta Rap's controversy came to a head with the murder of the West Coast Tupcac Shakur in 1996, and the subsequent murder of the East Coast's The Notorious B.I.G. in 1997.

Pop Rap: Known for its widespread, mainstream appeal, Pop Rap's first breakout star was LL Cool J. The Fresh Prince and MC Hammer quickly rose to the top of the Pop Rap scene and the music charts with lyrics that were less controversial than those of the Gangsta Rap genre, and thus were more likely to receive radio airplay.

Christian Rap: While HipHop was garnering a reputation for less than savory lyrics and artists for questionable activities, other artists were expressing their faith through HipHop. Christian Rap took off in the late 1980s and early 1990s with rap groups like P.I.D. and S.F.C.

Jazz Rap: Although Jazz Rap has never enjoyed mainstream commercial success, the genre often incorporates Afrocentric and political themes. Gang Starr and Gil Scott-Heron are often cited as two of the first Jazz rappers.

Conscious HipHop: Similar to Jazz Rap, Conscious HipHop has never enjoyed mass commercial success. With an emphasis on social issues, Conscious HipHop isn't overtly political, but rather deals with issues such as poverty and religion.

Electro HipHop: A combination of dance music and rap, Electro HipHop first emerged in the 1980s on the West Coast from artists like Arabian Prince and Egyptian Lover. By the mid-1990s, Electro HipHop had pretty much run its course.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Rap Music: History and Genres or Majon's Music directory.

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Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Into the Light World Tour

Captured during a two-night stand at a Dutch arena, this 100-minute concert special documents Gloria Estefan's lavish 1991 world tour, which underscored the Cuban-American singer's graduation from acclaim as a dance-floor diva to the ranks of female pop superstars. At its best, Into the Light World Tour displays the relentless energy, personal warmth, and crack musicianship that Estefan and her husband, producer, and principal collaborator, Emilio Estefan Jr., had evolved through her old band, the Miami Sound Machine, and taken uptown through her solo career. When the star and her band kick into high gear, percussion simmering and horns blazing in taut, deftly arranged choruses, the propulsive lure of salsa is hard to resist.

Technically, Estefan is a singer with a supple tone but modest range, hardly suggesting the caliber expected of a bona fide diva. Neither does her small, compact frame suggest a dancer's physique, despite the production's reliance on extended dance sequences. Yet she makes the most with what she has, harnessing formidable physical energy and transmitting considerable warmth to her audience. Her material, including both Miami Sound Machine hits and subsequent solo signatures, works best when staying closest to her roots, riding the giddy syncopations of uptempo Latin rhythms, or plying the lambent emotions of traditional ballads. Her exhortations to dance--"Get on Your Feet," "Conga," and "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" being the inevitable faves--work handily with an ecstatic audience.

More grizzled viewers should be forewarned that this, like most recent concert films, isn't purely documentary--apart from backstage sequences that duly flatter the star, the live sound has been liberally sweetened during post-concert production. --Sam Sutherland
Customer Review: A great concert
I never actually saw this video. I was at the concert. The concert was awesome, so if this video does a decent job of capturing it, then it should be great too.
Customer Review: Gloria is the best and so are her concerts
Gloria is the best singer ever. On stage she's a divette. She's the best and so are her shows. The way she sings live is great, and so is her dancing. The band is great too. They know how to play and everybody goes wild in the audience!!!!!!!Always!!!!! I love her with all my heart and soul, 4 ever.....


1-Practice-Its obvious but many people claim they want to learn how to play fast guitar but dont put the time in. You get out what you put in! Even if you dont have much time to spare, half an hour a day is enough to help you improve.

2-Focus your practice-You can increase the benefits of your guitar practice exponentially by practicing the same stuff each time. A good way to start this is to choose 4 licks or scales or parts of scales (anything except chords will work just fine), and play through each lick in a loop for 15 minutes. By the end of the FIRST WEEK youll be two or three times as fast as you were with those licks to begin with.

3-Think long term. Focused practice everyday is great, but its even better to have a goal in mind. for example if you want to learn a particular piece, gear your practice toward licks and techniques used in the piece and then dedicate the last 15-20 minutes(depending on how much time you have) to practicing the actual piece. Nothing helps you learn how to play fast guitar and stay motivated more than being able to see your daily progress.

4-Work on legato-Legato actually means smooth, or flowing, but in guitar circles it is the term given to fretting notes with your left hand and making them sound without actually picking anything with your right hand. It could also be called the art of hammering on and pulling off. Excellent practice as it will strengthen your left hand, not only making you faster and smooth, but will improve your vibrato and chord changes too. It just makes your hand fitter! A great way to practice this is to run up and down some scales, but only pick the first note on each string, so you will be hammering on going up and pulling off on the way down. Its tough at first but persevere and you will get rewards!

5-Use a metronome. Other musicians seem to use metronomes with no trouble, but guitarists are allergic to them, or at least seem to be! Ill spell it out - An hour with a metronome does A LOT more good than an hour without. Its simply the best tool for highlighting the weak areas and inefficiencies in your technique. There is a learning curve but stick with it-your playing will change for the better, permanently! Buy one!

6-Use a hard pick. Controversial? I know that people should use whatever pick they want to, but a softer pick WILL slow you down, and a harder one wont. Its simple physics. Most picks have a degree of flexibility, so after picking a note we have to wait for it to return to its proper shape before we pick again, or the note is not picked cleanly. Put it this way-trying to learn how to play fast guitar while using soft picks is like putting bicycle wheels on a Ferrari and then trying to drive fast. Not going to happen!

7- Start slow-Work on something until you can play it with no mistakes at all before you crank up the speed. This will do more for your all round musical skills than just pushing the metronome up a few beats every few minutes. If you move forward before your skills are ready your playing will be very very sloppy, and that will be a real hard habit to get out of!

Hopefully those tips will help you break out of a rut and get your fretboard burning!

Steve Higgins is an accomplished guitarist who enjoys seeing others improve their skill. To check out more tips visit his blog.

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Latin Thug - 4 Life Navy - T-Shirt




If you're browsing the internet in search of a satellite radio service for the US and Canada, then you need only check two websites: Sirius and XMRadio. These two giants are your only options and yet you'll notice striking similarities between the two websites' design, the product pricing and the programmer's stations.

Rumors have been flying around that Sirius and XM will form a ground-breaking merger this year, uniting all 14+ million customers under one banner. However, as of right now, you'll need to know what makes each slightly unique.

Country Music Fans may favor the XM Radio satellite service, which provides listeners with two extra stations - one focusing on Americana Country like Robert Plant or Blackfoot, and the other focusing on Folk Country like Tim Garrison and The Nitty Gritty Band. Both stations have country music from the 80s and 90s, new country, bluegrass and classic country.

Christian Music Fans may favor XM one. This service includes one more Christian music channel than Sirius - in addition to Christian Pop / Rock and Gospel, XM also hosts a Southern Gospel channel with Gold City, Greater Vision and The McKarneys.

Electronic Music Fans will prefer the Sirius service if they'd like a Breakbeat/Old SKool station, in addition to the usual Trance/Progressive stations that both satellite radio services provide. XM has exclusive rights to acclaimed BPM, but Sirius has a special Dance Hits station.

Rock Music Fans will probably prefer Sirius. While XM provides four different "alternative radio" stations, a punk station, a heavy metal station, a jam bands station, a college indie station and three classic rock stations, Sirius gives subscribers roughly 23 stations with everything that XM's service has -- plus New Wave, Glam Metal, Jimmy Buffet, Grateful Dead, Elvis, Canadian rock, UK rock, Garage, 60s Rock, 70s Rock and an additional punk/ska station.

World Music Fans will find that both service providers offering two French stations, but Spanish-speaking subscribers will find XM the better option, since they offer Rock En Espanol, Regional Mexican, Latin Pop, Latin Jazz, Hispanic Rhythmic and Spanish AC. Sirius, on the other hand, has only one Spanish music station for Latin Pop. Additionally, XM has a station for African and a business station in Italian.

Rap and Hip Hop Fans may prefer XM because their service focuses on more Soul and Funk, along with uncensored Hip Hop and Urban Contemporary -- unless they're big Slim Shady fans, in which case they may need Sirius Radio's Eminem station.

In some ways, XM Radio caters to the aging population with Good Morning America, Casey Casem's Top 40 Countdown, Theme Time with Bob Dylan and Wolfman Jack. On the other hand, Sirius Radio goes after the 20-somethings crowd with Bam Marguera, Howard Stern, Jamie Foxx and Tony Hawk shows. However, both satellite radio service providers are likely to give you something you can enjoy.

Sports Fans will find many similarities in XM and Sirius service options. For instance, both providers have ESPN, Nascar and NHL exclusives, as well as both college and NFL football. XM gives better golf / PGA Tour coverage and Fox Sports, while Sirius gives better NBA coverage. On XM, catch shows with Jimmy Johnson, Dale Jr, Coach K, James Carville, Luke Russert and Cal Ripkin.

With the Delphi SkiFi2 radio, you can get a sports ticker to show game scores on your display screen and the SportsCaster comes with 30 sports presets programmed in. However, Sirius gives you game alerts, 30 presets and lists all your favorite teams in one category with the Sportster and Streamer satellite radios. Additionally, get exclusive programming with Jerry Rice, Daryl Johnston, Randy Cross, Adam Schein, Shannon Sharpe, Ray Evernham, Tony Stewart, Rick Ackerman and Frank Isola.

Whichever satellite radio service you prefer, you'll be surprised to find that both are competitively priced at $13/month and most of the radio components cost from $20 - $200. However, which ever service you choose for now, you will still need to purchase a satellite radio receiver and luckily, most of the satellite radios will work in your home and in your car.

Get all the information you need on the satellite radio service providers from Mike Selvon's portal, and leave a comment at his satellite radio network blog.

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30 Exitos Insuperables

Customer Review: Excellent album
I think this is a great starter album for those who may not have heard Paloma San Basilio. She has a wonderful voice, and can sing anything from dance to sultry formats.


I've been around horses for the better part of 25 years. I've had my share of mishaps, and every one of them was my fault. I've never had a horse intentionally hurt me, throw me, bite me, or try to fool me. Horses just don't lie. It's one of my favorite things about them. They are as honest and authentic as we could ever hope to be. They are the epitome of "what you see is what you get". In short, horses are just horses and they never pretend (or attempt) to be anything else.

Horses are very intuitive animals. They rely on their instincts/intuition to keep themselves safe. They have an uncanny ability to identify emotions, even when you're doing your best to hide them. I can't tell you the number of times I was in a bad mood and tried to get near my horse, only to have him walk away from me every time I got close. I'd put on my happy face and use my happy voice but it didn't matter. That horse would avoid me like the plague UNTIL I just allowed myself to feel whatever I was feeling. The moment I'd stop trying to mask an emotion, he'd come right up to me and give me his usual nuzzle, as if to say, "See? That's all you had to do. Just BE how you feel. It's really okay with me." I swear, it's the craziest thing, but my horse always knows when I'm faking it.

Now, there are a couple of things about the care and handling of horses that are always under dispute. But, in my experience I've found that the best way to get a horse to do what you want is to ASK. The whole idea that you can beat a horse into submission is about as barbaric (to me) as taking a branding iron to a child who is misbehaving. You wouldn't do that would you? So why in the world would you try to force such an intelligent, intuitive creature into submission? Here's the thing: horses want to make you happy. It's true, I swear it. But there is an agreement that must be honored. That agreement is we get to ride on their backs and use their power to facilitate our needs and we must honor them for what they are. That includes listening to them and caring for them and showing some respect. It's got to be a mutual thing or it just won't work.

One last thing before we get to the little 'summary'. Horses and people don't view time in the same way. What I mean is, let's say you are trying to teach the horse to load into a trailer. The horse isn't having it. You have to be somewhere in 30 minutes and the horse won't budge. So you might try all sorts of ugly things to get that horse to load. And the horse is still not having it. There is really only one solution. You are the one who's trying to beat the clock, so you need to rearrange your schedule. Because as sure as the sun rises in the Eastern sky, that horse isn't going to load until it's good and ready. The time issue is YOUR problem, not his. And he couldn't care less about your appointment. So, don't force the issue. It'll turn into an ongoing nightmare every single time you try to load that horse into a trailer. The best way to get a horse to do something is to make it so he WANTS to do it. (But that's for another day). In short, don't expect that your definition of 'timely' is the same as your horse's. It isn't.

How does all this apply to my business? Well, it's pretty simple really. To recap:

1. Be who you are. Don't pretend to be anyone else. While you may not please all the people all the time, authenticity goes a long, long way in terms of the Big Picture. People, like animals, know when you're being real. So, be real.

2. Don't fake it. Feel what you feel and let yourself go through those emotions. This does NOT mean that you can treat people badly. What it does mean is that if you paste a smile on your face that you're not feeling, it's as easy to spot as plastic vampire teeth on Halloween. Never underestimate another person's intuition.

3. Always ask for the sale/business/etc. Don't think that just because you're in front of someone they're going to know what you want. Treat them with respect. Respect their ability to make choices. Honor their perspectives. Listen to what they're saying. It's all about communication.

4. Throw away your expectations of timeliness when dealing with your customers. Your definition of "soon" and theirs may be totally inharmonious. You can certainly ask for a commitment, but you must respect their time line too. Make it clear if you're on a deadline so they can take advantage of whatever it is you're offering. But always remember that we all 'dance to a different beat' and that beat may be completely different than yours. Think Waltz versus Rumba!

One more thing: next time you think it's everyone else who's messing up and ruining your day (business or otherwise) take a moment to look in the mirror. I'd be willing to bet that 9 times out of 10, it's the reflection you'll see that's causing the discord. Take responsibility for your life, your business and your future. Once you've done that, the rest is easy to figure out.

To your success~~~in all areas of your life!

Camille Strate is an author, critter-keeper and entrepreneur who has spent her life in search of the perfect pasture. Her latest book, "Whispers" will be released sometime in Spring of 2008. http://www.genuineintentions.com

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Play Piano with " Coldplay "




Egyptian belly dance offers an authenticity and continuity of culture that one will not find in American style. Each dance has its own unique qualities. Egyptian belly dance is an authentic ethnic dance in movement and spirit. The dance and dancer are the physical manifestation of and visual compliment to the exotic music they accompany. Egyptian belly dance was among the first styles to be witnessed by Westerners.

The exact origin of this dance form is actively debated among dance enthusiasts, especially given the limited academic research on the topic. Much of the research in this area has been done by dancers attempting to understand their dance's origins. Wherever it began, the dance has a long history in African and the Middle East. Despite the restrictions in Islam regarding portraying humans in paintings, there are several depictions of dancers throughout the pre-Islamic and Islamic world.

Because the most popular venue for the dance remains night clubs, it is this version, rather than the more traditional folk or social versions that remain the most popular. The costume now associated Egyptian belly dance is called the bedlah in Arabic (meaning "suit") and was adopted by dancers in Egypt in the 1930s. From there it spread to other countries in the region. It owes its creation to the harem fantasy productions of vaudeville, burlesque and Hollywood during the turn of the last century, rather than to actual authentic Middle Eastern dress.

Most of the basic steps and techniques used in belly dance consist of circular motions isolated in one part of the body; for example, a circle parallel to the floor isolated in the hips or shoulders. This is a very intriguing action especially when accents using "pop and lock" technique where a dancer either shimmies or makes a striking motion in her shoulders or hips. Additionally, exhibits of flexibility and rolling one's belly muscles, balancing various props like baskets, swords or canes, and dancing with chiffon or silk veils are commonly used to enhance the mystery of the dance.

Dancers typically balance swords and other props, or did snake and folk line-dances. Their costuming was and still is distinctive with black and silver asuit fabric and facial drawings to simulate tribal tattoos. Dancers may also use a length of fabric like silk or chiffon during one part of the dance sequence. In truth costumes change from place to place and from time to time if you study the development of belly dancing.

http://www.my-belly-dance-4u.com/pages/egyptian.html

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Canciones De Mi Padre: A Romatic Evening In Old Mexico

Customer Review: conciones de mi padre
Love this DVD.I have 3 copies,2 in DVD, 1 in vhs. I also have all her Spanish CD's. She has such a beautiful voice.
Customer Review: I love it
I was really young when this came out, but I adored it. My father bought the soundtrack, and I watched it everytime it came on WTTW. My mom made a costume for me that was practically identical to the one Linda Ronstadt wore during "Y Andale." It made me want to learn more about my culture. I still love this concert, and now my son watches it with me.


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