What's The Story: Lilo a young girl being raised by her sister Nani adopt an outlaw alien thinking its a dog. The alien, Stitch, causes trouble for the already troubled family, almost causing the sisters to be split up by children and family services.
Memorable Quote:
Lilo: 'Ohana means family, family means nobody gets left behind. Or forgotten.
Lessons:
you can always choose to be good.
Surfing makes every thing alright
family is important
love can change you from bad to good
Main Challenges:
Learn to be a model citizen like Elvis
Hula
Attitude:
Hopeful, inventive, creative, adventurous, playful. Imaginative, mischievous.
Challenges:
Family time
(its a surprise)
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Everybody's got something to hide except me and my Yo-Yo
Everybody's got something to hide except me and my Yo-Yo
As I was walking down the street slinging my pink princess Yo-Yo (one of my challenges this week) I was reminded of how few times in our lives we actually get lost in the moment. We get stuck in worries of the future, and stagnate in the immovable past, lost and unaware of the present. We are blind to the present moment until some tragic moment comes flying into our oblivious faces, but even then when we should be dealing with the now, often we allow ourselves to get caught up in the past or fearful of the future.
Sometimes we hit on moments so pure so simple that we become entangled with the now. Today it was me and my yo-yo, a strange contraption of string and a spool. How wonderful it is the simple small moments of life that pull us from the cruel lies of the past and future and plant us deep with in the moment. Its a beautiful thing; the simple feeling of string falling from ones hand, reaching its breaking point and with a quick snap of the wrist it returns gracefully to the hand. Simple, silly, pointless, hypnotic; it's almost a meditation.
I get home, sit down to write as I wonder, what other things are there in our lives that can bring us peace? Bring us into the moment, This moment? Then I realize its not the Yo-Yo or the silly shenanigans that bring about peace, its the willingness to let go, to fully commit to being free, free from anger and hatred. Free to just be.
Don't Hate the Yo Yo
A little note about the Yo-yo and those who dislike it. In Fantasia 2000 there is a flock of flamingos all gracefully swimming and flying in unison yet in among the flock there is the playful flamingo with a yo-yo, I am that flamingo. A lot of times in life I have been told to take life serious, to grow up, deal with life. I get stern looks of disapproval from people who just don't understand. Yes life is serious, however, serious doesn't mean painful, it doesn't mean boring, and it certainly doesn't mean that I can't play my violin while all of Rome is burning.
For as many times in life that have been inappropriately happy there are a million and one incidences where people are inappropriately unhappy. Life changes, it switches gear and the joy comes from going along with the ride, raising your arms and letting out a ye-haw! It is the greatest comedy that we humans fight against life, instead of celebrating that were alive. Life's challenges are not a punishment but a golden opportunity to grow, change and breathe deep and shout out loud, “I'm here world, lets get the party started!”
The yo-yo, for me, symbolizes the smile, the joy, the unwavering bliss that underlies this thing called life. This is an official shout out to all those who wield their proverbial yo-yo's of glee, be in the moment, be happy, just be and don't let anyone take away your yo-yo!
As I was walking down the street slinging my pink princess Yo-Yo (one of my challenges this week) I was reminded of how few times in our lives we actually get lost in the moment. We get stuck in worries of the future, and stagnate in the immovable past, lost and unaware of the present. We are blind to the present moment until some tragic moment comes flying into our oblivious faces, but even then when we should be dealing with the now, often we allow ourselves to get caught up in the past or fearful of the future.
Sometimes we hit on moments so pure so simple that we become entangled with the now. Today it was me and my yo-yo, a strange contraption of string and a spool. How wonderful it is the simple small moments of life that pull us from the cruel lies of the past and future and plant us deep with in the moment. Its a beautiful thing; the simple feeling of string falling from ones hand, reaching its breaking point and with a quick snap of the wrist it returns gracefully to the hand. Simple, silly, pointless, hypnotic; it's almost a meditation.
I get home, sit down to write as I wonder, what other things are there in our lives that can bring us peace? Bring us into the moment, This moment? Then I realize its not the Yo-Yo or the silly shenanigans that bring about peace, its the willingness to let go, to fully commit to being free, free from anger and hatred. Free to just be.
Don't Hate the Yo Yo
A little note about the Yo-yo and those who dislike it. In Fantasia 2000 there is a flock of flamingos all gracefully swimming and flying in unison yet in among the flock there is the playful flamingo with a yo-yo, I am that flamingo. A lot of times in life I have been told to take life serious, to grow up, deal with life. I get stern looks of disapproval from people who just don't understand. Yes life is serious, however, serious doesn't mean painful, it doesn't mean boring, and it certainly doesn't mean that I can't play my violin while all of Rome is burning.
For as many times in life that have been inappropriately happy there are a million and one incidences where people are inappropriately unhappy. Life changes, it switches gear and the joy comes from going along with the ride, raising your arms and letting out a ye-haw! It is the greatest comedy that we humans fight against life, instead of celebrating that were alive. Life's challenges are not a punishment but a golden opportunity to grow, change and breathe deep and shout out loud, “I'm here world, lets get the party started!”
The yo-yo, for me, symbolizes the smile, the joy, the unwavering bliss that underlies this thing called life. This is an official shout out to all those who wield their proverbial yo-yo's of glee, be in the moment, be happy, just be and don't let anyone take away your yo-yo!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Fantasia 2000
Fantasia 2000
What's The Story:
A series of animations set to instrumental music.
Memorable Quote:
Lessons:
you don't have to be a kid to play around
keep hold of your dreams and they may come true
just follow the rhythms of life and things will work out in the end
life can be reborn out of the ashes of destruction
Main Challenges:
Yo-Yo for a day
Dance
Attitude:
Playful, flowing, hopeful,
Challenges:
find an innovative way to crack a nut
What's The Story:
A series of animations set to instrumental music.
Memorable Quote:
Lessons:
you don't have to be a kid to play around
keep hold of your dreams and they may come true
just follow the rhythms of life and things will work out in the end
life can be reborn out of the ashes of destruction
Main Challenges:
Yo-Yo for a day
Dance
Attitude:
Playful, flowing, hopeful,
Challenges:
find an innovative way to crack a nut
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Little Girls Love Princesses- Aladdin
Little Girls Love Princesses
Each week I make my rounds, I walk down the main street and stop in to specific places, it seems like each week I add a new place, a few weeks ago I added the town hall to my list of visits. I walk past the people in the tax department, land registry and head towards environmental services.
I smile and wave and after a few weeks, they seem to have warmed up to my antics and give a little smile and wave as they are consumed with their very important and serious phone calls and paper work. I head up to the mayors office to give a little playful smile and wave, which almost always solicits a little uncontrollable chuckle from our distinguished mayor and his secretary.
This week when I was almost done my town hall rounds I was stopped by a woman who had a wish for me to fulfil. How serendipitous life can be, I was uncertain of how I was going to fulfil anyone's wishes, mostly since most people wish for things that border on the impossible. When it was requested that I walk a few blocks to go make a little girl's day, I was overjoyed.
I showed up at the door taking a deep breath as I was a little uncomfortable in my skin that day, I didn't know what was going to greet me on the other side of the door, for all I knew I could have come face to face with just about any situation, but I had to have faith that I was there to make someone smile. I knocked on the door a few times, as I stood trying to figure out what exactly I was going to say. I little flash of panic spread over me as I imagined all the wrong things I could say.
My imagination went wild, oh my God, what if they saw me and decided that they didn't want to open the door to some strange woman. How was I going to explain what I was doing. What was I going to say “Hi, I am a weird half dressed woman who has come to see your two year old daughter. You want to let me in?” Breathe Robin, breathe.
I could hear the stirrings of someone rustling around in the hallway. Breathe. The door finally opened and the woman on the other side was in a wheel chair, whew, that explained what took so long. She smiled at me, not surprised by my appearance, apparently someone had given her a heads up, thank God!
She beacons me to come in and calls for her little Princess Chloe to come see who's at the door. I hear the tell tale sounds of a little girl skipping her way into the room and I see a blur of curly brown hair and a bright little smile. “Hello.” I say to her and she smiles and hands me the stuffed bunny she is holding in her hand. Mom took a few pictures of Jasmine and Chloe, I gave a little hug and a handshake and was on my merry way.
As I walked away, I thought back to the reason I started this journey. Some smiles are more precious than others, some feelings just stay with you. That little girls hug was full of pure life, if there was one thing I wished that I could spread its the feeling of that little girl's hug, pure simple and a little reminder that heaven is closer than you think, love is all around.
Birthday Wishes
on Tuesday which was my husband's birthday he requested that I give him a birthday adventure where he could not say no to anything I requested. A little note about my husband, at home he is playful and fun loving however in public, he becomes quite aware of his surroundings and guards himself accordingly. Every week when he sees me dressed up, he smiles and shakes his head and says those predictable words “Oh boy”.
His only request was that I not make him dress up or be around him dressed up and parade in any way shape or form. Of course, I could have been completely evil about the whole situation, I could have made him test the boundaries of his comfort zone, however, it was his birthday so I needed to be mindful of it, I wouldn't want to be uncomfortable on my birthday, I would want to have fun.
I tried to keep in mind his likes and dislikes, we started with the thing that always makes me feel young, playground equipment, we swung on swings, slid down slides and attempted to use the teeter-totter.
We pursued kitchen supplies at Jill's Kitchen, (my husband is in culinary school) we ate Piri Piri Chicken at the Coventry Garden Market in London while watching Chefs cook at Waldo's on King, Browsed toys and comics at Heroes,played with toys at Dollarama, flew elastic powered airplanes in the school yard, and had a bubble gum contest that didn't quite go as planned.
We went to Springbank park to have a candy banana eating contest, the idea was to stuff as many candy bananas in our mouths as possible without swallowing, the result, it was kind of gross as the bananas being made of sugar started to melt. I will spare you the details.
All and all I think he had a great birthday, if I do say so myself. Sometimes it feels great to make someone's wishes come true.
Each week I make my rounds, I walk down the main street and stop in to specific places, it seems like each week I add a new place, a few weeks ago I added the town hall to my list of visits. I walk past the people in the tax department, land registry and head towards environmental services.
I smile and wave and after a few weeks, they seem to have warmed up to my antics and give a little smile and wave as they are consumed with their very important and serious phone calls and paper work. I head up to the mayors office to give a little playful smile and wave, which almost always solicits a little uncontrollable chuckle from our distinguished mayor and his secretary.
This week when I was almost done my town hall rounds I was stopped by a woman who had a wish for me to fulfil. How serendipitous life can be, I was uncertain of how I was going to fulfil anyone's wishes, mostly since most people wish for things that border on the impossible. When it was requested that I walk a few blocks to go make a little girl's day, I was overjoyed.
I showed up at the door taking a deep breath as I was a little uncomfortable in my skin that day, I didn't know what was going to greet me on the other side of the door, for all I knew I could have come face to face with just about any situation, but I had to have faith that I was there to make someone smile. I knocked on the door a few times, as I stood trying to figure out what exactly I was going to say. I little flash of panic spread over me as I imagined all the wrong things I could say.
My imagination went wild, oh my God, what if they saw me and decided that they didn't want to open the door to some strange woman. How was I going to explain what I was doing. What was I going to say “Hi, I am a weird half dressed woman who has come to see your two year old daughter. You want to let me in?” Breathe Robin, breathe.
I could hear the stirrings of someone rustling around in the hallway. Breathe. The door finally opened and the woman on the other side was in a wheel chair, whew, that explained what took so long. She smiled at me, not surprised by my appearance, apparently someone had given her a heads up, thank God!
She beacons me to come in and calls for her little Princess Chloe to come see who's at the door. I hear the tell tale sounds of a little girl skipping her way into the room and I see a blur of curly brown hair and a bright little smile. “Hello.” I say to her and she smiles and hands me the stuffed bunny she is holding in her hand. Mom took a few pictures of Jasmine and Chloe, I gave a little hug and a handshake and was on my merry way.
As I walked away, I thought back to the reason I started this journey. Some smiles are more precious than others, some feelings just stay with you. That little girls hug was full of pure life, if there was one thing I wished that I could spread its the feeling of that little girl's hug, pure simple and a little reminder that heaven is closer than you think, love is all around.
Birthday Wishes
on Tuesday which was my husband's birthday he requested that I give him a birthday adventure where he could not say no to anything I requested. A little note about my husband, at home he is playful and fun loving however in public, he becomes quite aware of his surroundings and guards himself accordingly. Every week when he sees me dressed up, he smiles and shakes his head and says those predictable words “Oh boy”.
His only request was that I not make him dress up or be around him dressed up and parade in any way shape or form. Of course, I could have been completely evil about the whole situation, I could have made him test the boundaries of his comfort zone, however, it was his birthday so I needed to be mindful of it, I wouldn't want to be uncomfortable on my birthday, I would want to have fun.
I tried to keep in mind his likes and dislikes, we started with the thing that always makes me feel young, playground equipment, we swung on swings, slid down slides and attempted to use the teeter-totter.
We pursued kitchen supplies at Jill's Kitchen, (my husband is in culinary school) we ate Piri Piri Chicken at the Coventry Garden Market in London while watching Chefs cook at Waldo's on King, Browsed toys and comics at Heroes,played with toys at Dollarama, flew elastic powered airplanes in the school yard, and had a bubble gum contest that didn't quite go as planned.
We went to Springbank park to have a candy banana eating contest, the idea was to stuff as many candy bananas in our mouths as possible without swallowing, the result, it was kind of gross as the bananas being made of sugar started to melt. I will spare you the details.
All and all I think he had a great birthday, if I do say so myself. Sometimes it feels great to make someone's wishes come true.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Diamond in the Rough
One of this week's challenges was to find a diamond in the rough. At first I went were it seems most logical, I had visions of finding some little treasure in an antique shop or second hand store, but as I went scouring through the stores I realized that it was kind of silly to search for physical treasures when in Aladdin, the true treasure was not physical, the true diamond in the rough was the spirit of a young man.
If I take a moment to really think about what the diamond in the rough is about the diamond that exists within, its the part of us, the part of existence that makes life magical. Just like Aladdin we all have been judged inaccurately, it seems to be the common thread amongst most people that we each have been told in one way or another that we are unworthy, unfit, and that we lack something to make us whole. We are told that we are unworthy of love, money, fame, joy and countless other things.
The problem isn't that we are told these things, the problem is that we agree. The ultimate truth is that we are all worthy, no one is born feeling unworthy, it is a learned trait that is spoon-fed to us from the worst villains there are, each other. We don't mean to do it, we just have adapted ourselves to the idea that we are lacking, so we teach our children about lack and it spreads like a disease and infects each of us with a sense of lack.
So, it is the agreement that we are unworthy where the “rough” comes from. It is the hurtful lies that we embrace that obscures the diamond within each and everyone of us. Discovering diamonds in the rough is easy, they are hidden within every aspect of life, the difficult part is unveiling or chipping away the rough from the diamond.
The first step to uncovering our diamonds is letting go of the lies we believe about ourselves. I'm fat, ugly, stupid, I will always be poor, life's not easy, the world is out to get me, there is no hope, I'm just not good enough. None of these lies speak about the truth of any person alive on this planet, which brings me to my own “rough” that obscured my inner diamond this week.
A Princess Revealed
I have seen Aladdin so many times that I ruined the first VHS tape I had by watching it too much, so when it came time to dress us as Jasmine, I should have been excited but the truth is I was terrified. The costume is lovely but it bares my midriff, a midriff that has carried three babies and has the scars to prove it. My tummy is not flat, and my hips are wider than the actresses and models that have become the standard by which most women now compare themselves with.
Never mind the fact that there is a huge illusion behind the images we see, there are tricks to lighting, makeup and extreme dieting, there is a profound part of me that is convinced that I am not worthy to bare my offensive midriff. How could I dare to reveal that there isn't a supermodel hiding under my cloths? I like many women have agreed, that not only do I not measure up, somehow my beauty outranks all my other qualities. Suddenly, my ego says, if they see that you have stretch marks they (whoever they are) will know the truth, I am not worthy.
Some people have thought that I was insane for going on this journey that I have but the true insanity is the fact that there is a voice that lives within my mind that could feel unworthy because I am me. This journey was meant to push me beyond my comfort zone, and it did, far beyond it, I hyperventilated and it took every bit of strength I had to walk out my front door. Most people didn't see the fear in my heart, they saw that silly woman and nodded like usual.
Out of all the people I encountered, there was only one person to make a rude comment, to point out my imperfections, to snicker with her friends quite loudly and crudely. I can't help but wonder, what lies does she believe about herself? What unworthiness keeps her up late at night? How deeply hidden is her diamond in her venomous rough and will she ever be fortunate enough to find it?
I sit here uttering a deep sigh as I examine the stretchmarks that mark the trail of three sons, the rounded belly that has been host to many a culinary delights and a body that is perfect in its own way. It is the personification of where I have been and were I intend to go, it is my vehicle to becoming the best me that I can become.
It is far too easy to believe in the lies that surround our own inabilities, shortcomings and limits when the truth is, our potential is limitless. We get wrapped up in the idea that we are limited by circumstances and circumstances have a funny way of fooling us into believing that they mark the truth of who we are and what we have the potential to become.
This diamond in the rough has full intentions of bursting through my comfort zone to discover what's on the other side. It is not from staying the same that we evolve to become better but through stepping outside of what is comfortable, it is in reaching further than expected that we learn our potential. I have no idea what my potential is, or what my purpose is on earth but what I do know is that if I never reach or extend myself I will never truly see the diamond that lives within me.
If I take a moment to really think about what the diamond in the rough is about the diamond that exists within, its the part of us, the part of existence that makes life magical. Just like Aladdin we all have been judged inaccurately, it seems to be the common thread amongst most people that we each have been told in one way or another that we are unworthy, unfit, and that we lack something to make us whole. We are told that we are unworthy of love, money, fame, joy and countless other things.
The problem isn't that we are told these things, the problem is that we agree. The ultimate truth is that we are all worthy, no one is born feeling unworthy, it is a learned trait that is spoon-fed to us from the worst villains there are, each other. We don't mean to do it, we just have adapted ourselves to the idea that we are lacking, so we teach our children about lack and it spreads like a disease and infects each of us with a sense of lack.
So, it is the agreement that we are unworthy where the “rough” comes from. It is the hurtful lies that we embrace that obscures the diamond within each and everyone of us. Discovering diamonds in the rough is easy, they are hidden within every aspect of life, the difficult part is unveiling or chipping away the rough from the diamond.
The first step to uncovering our diamonds is letting go of the lies we believe about ourselves. I'm fat, ugly, stupid, I will always be poor, life's not easy, the world is out to get me, there is no hope, I'm just not good enough. None of these lies speak about the truth of any person alive on this planet, which brings me to my own “rough” that obscured my inner diamond this week.
A Princess Revealed
I have seen Aladdin so many times that I ruined the first VHS tape I had by watching it too much, so when it came time to dress us as Jasmine, I should have been excited but the truth is I was terrified. The costume is lovely but it bares my midriff, a midriff that has carried three babies and has the scars to prove it. My tummy is not flat, and my hips are wider than the actresses and models that have become the standard by which most women now compare themselves with.
Never mind the fact that there is a huge illusion behind the images we see, there are tricks to lighting, makeup and extreme dieting, there is a profound part of me that is convinced that I am not worthy to bare my offensive midriff. How could I dare to reveal that there isn't a supermodel hiding under my cloths? I like many women have agreed, that not only do I not measure up, somehow my beauty outranks all my other qualities. Suddenly, my ego says, if they see that you have stretch marks they (whoever they are) will know the truth, I am not worthy.
Some people have thought that I was insane for going on this journey that I have but the true insanity is the fact that there is a voice that lives within my mind that could feel unworthy because I am me. This journey was meant to push me beyond my comfort zone, and it did, far beyond it, I hyperventilated and it took every bit of strength I had to walk out my front door. Most people didn't see the fear in my heart, they saw that silly woman and nodded like usual.
Out of all the people I encountered, there was only one person to make a rude comment, to point out my imperfections, to snicker with her friends quite loudly and crudely. I can't help but wonder, what lies does she believe about herself? What unworthiness keeps her up late at night? How deeply hidden is her diamond in her venomous rough and will she ever be fortunate enough to find it?
I sit here uttering a deep sigh as I examine the stretchmarks that mark the trail of three sons, the rounded belly that has been host to many a culinary delights and a body that is perfect in its own way. It is the personification of where I have been and were I intend to go, it is my vehicle to becoming the best me that I can become.
It is far too easy to believe in the lies that surround our own inabilities, shortcomings and limits when the truth is, our potential is limitless. We get wrapped up in the idea that we are limited by circumstances and circumstances have a funny way of fooling us into believing that they mark the truth of who we are and what we have the potential to become.
This diamond in the rough has full intentions of bursting through my comfort zone to discover what's on the other side. It is not from staying the same that we evolve to become better but through stepping outside of what is comfortable, it is in reaching further than expected that we learn our potential. I have no idea what my potential is, or what my purpose is on earth but what I do know is that if I never reach or extend myself I will never truly see the diamond that lives within me.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Aladdin - Princess Jasmine
This is probably the most emotionally uncomfortable costume I have worn to date.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Aladdin: May 16
Aladdin
What's The Story:
Aladdin finds a Genie who grants him 3 wishes, which he uses to pretend that he's a prince so that he can marry princess Jasmine.
Memorable Quote:
Sultan: I don't know where she gets it from. Her mother wasn't nearly so picky.
Lessons:
Be yourself
don't try to be someone who you are not
Things are not always what they seem
everyone has problems rich or poor
things are better than you think
Main Challenges:
Grant some wishes
Find a diamond in the rough.
Attitude:
Aladdin: Mischievous, cunning, quick witted, street smart, joyful, charitable, highly adaptable
Jasmine: Adventurous, playful, cunning, highly adaptable, head strong,
Challenges:
be truthful
Highlights
What's The Story:
Aladdin finds a Genie who grants him 3 wishes, which he uses to pretend that he's a prince so that he can marry princess Jasmine.
Memorable Quote:
Sultan: I don't know where she gets it from. Her mother wasn't nearly so picky.
Lessons:
Be yourself
don't try to be someone who you are not
Things are not always what they seem
everyone has problems rich or poor
things are better than you think
Main Challenges:
Grant some wishes
Find a diamond in the rough.
Attitude:
Aladdin: Mischievous, cunning, quick witted, street smart, joyful, charitable, highly adaptable
Jasmine: Adventurous, playful, cunning, highly adaptable, head strong,
Challenges:
be truthful
Highlights
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Lasso this Lassie
Yet again I have endeavoured to learn to tie another knot, this time it was the Honda knot or better known as a lasso. Tying a lasso is the fairly easy part, roping is a whole other issue. Trick roping requires spinning and finesse that quite frankly would take me quite a long time to even begin to master. First off I do not have the proper rope, a proper rope should be cotton braided The best quality of braided cotton sash cord is needed for successful spinning; this can be obtained from most hardware stores 3/8 inch thickness and 20 feet in length.
So I tie the knot and decide to go and find some instructions on how to toss a lasso. There are two main ways, the easy way, and the hard way. Straight tossing a lasso is a matter of aiming and trying your darnedest to not only hit your target but get the open end of it to wrap around it. The other way, is spinning, which is a matter of different ropes for different tricks, but lets face it, I have only a week to get this plus I need to learn to yodel. Easy right?
You will be glad to know that after only about ten or so tries I was able to lasso my cat. A little word of caution when you try to rope a cat that is not declawed remember that you will have to unleash it. Thankfully my cat was more interested in getting outside then he was slicing me open in retaliation. I have to say to all the cow boys and girls out there who can spin ropes: How the H e double hockey sticks do you do it? I am all thumbs.
If you've ever seen a rope spinner in action it looks easy enough, but honestly just throwing a straight rope was difficult enough let alone trying to spin it. I know you are reading this thinking that it just must be my inexperience, I challenge you, yes you there, YOU the doubter who doubts my abilities. I challenge you to try to spin a rope and not end up looking like Goofy. I tip my hat to all the rope spinners, and will hereby and forever be impressed with any and all rope tricks.
So I tie the knot and decide to go and find some instructions on how to toss a lasso. There are two main ways, the easy way, and the hard way. Straight tossing a lasso is a matter of aiming and trying your darnedest to not only hit your target but get the open end of it to wrap around it. The other way, is spinning, which is a matter of different ropes for different tricks, but lets face it, I have only a week to get this plus I need to learn to yodel. Easy right?
You will be glad to know that after only about ten or so tries I was able to lasso my cat. A little word of caution when you try to rope a cat that is not declawed remember that you will have to unleash it. Thankfully my cat was more interested in getting outside then he was slicing me open in retaliation. I have to say to all the cow boys and girls out there who can spin ropes: How the H e double hockey sticks do you do it? I am all thumbs.
If you've ever seen a rope spinner in action it looks easy enough, but honestly just throwing a straight rope was difficult enough let alone trying to spin it. I know you are reading this thinking that it just must be my inexperience, I challenge you, yes you there, YOU the doubter who doubts my abilities. I challenge you to try to spin a rope and not end up looking like Goofy. I tip my hat to all the rope spinners, and will hereby and forever be impressed with any and all rope tricks.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
How to Yodel (Home on the Range)
Yodeling is a style of singing where the vocalist would sing a note extensively, while the notes keep changing quickly and repeatedly in pitch from the chest voice to the head voice. Yodeling makes a high-low-high-low sound, which is a vocal technique incorporated in different cultures all across the world.
How to Yodel - Instructions
Every human voice has minimum 2 distinct vocal registers; head voice and chest voice. Both these vocal registers produce different kinds of tones. That's why you will find some people singing within a specific low pitch range, from their chest voice. And certain people can sing within a specific high pitch range, from their head voice, often called "falsetto". The most famous line Yudl - Ay - Weee - Hooo, especially the eeee part is sung in the head voice and the rest of the syllables are sung in the chest voice. With untrained singers, you can identify the gap between these two ranges. However, proficient singers have the aptitude to regulate their voices to the point where these two ranges overlap one another, which helps them switch between them smoothly. The art of yodeling applies this technique, where the vocalist may shift between the two ranges many times, which only takes couple of seconds. It takes a lot of practice and hard work for anyone to master the art of how to yodel.
How to Yodel for Beginners
Choose a place where there's an echo effect, as it would be an ideal location for yodeling. Places like mountain ranges, lakes, open areas (preferable on a height), or less populated beaches can do the trick. Now that you have a location in mind, let's learn how to yodel for beginners.
Step #1: You need to find your falsetto. You will find it gradually by going from your lowest-chest voice to the highest-head voice. At this point, concentrate on your neck. Can you feel it vibrating? If yes, then you know what a chest voice sounds and feels like. As you go higher, your throat will start vibrating, which means you are now singing from your head voice. The falsetto lies between them, as you break both the voices up.
Step #2: Now that you found your falsetto, try to sing Yudl - Ay - Weee – Hooo and Little old laaa - DY whoooo in low-low-low-high-lower manner. Each gap between the pitches will introduce your falsetto. The falsetto helps you take that break and go to the next higher pitch. This is where you learn how to yodel.
Step #3: When you sing Yudl - Ay - Weee - Hooo and Little old laaa - DY whoooo, change Weee and DY in Middle C for women and lenor men, and Low C for bass men. Pay attention to your body and the chest area. It doesn't matter what notes you change because there is no specific music to read. Change your wordings, the tempo, and notes as you keep progressing. Keep jumping back and forth in your pitches while yodeling.
Step #4: You are ready to yodel! All you need is practice, practice, practice.
How to Yodel - Instructions
Every human voice has minimum 2 distinct vocal registers; head voice and chest voice. Both these vocal registers produce different kinds of tones. That's why you will find some people singing within a specific low pitch range, from their chest voice. And certain people can sing within a specific high pitch range, from their head voice, often called "falsetto". The most famous line Yudl - Ay - Weee - Hooo, especially the eeee part is sung in the head voice and the rest of the syllables are sung in the chest voice. With untrained singers, you can identify the gap between these two ranges. However, proficient singers have the aptitude to regulate their voices to the point where these two ranges overlap one another, which helps them switch between them smoothly. The art of yodeling applies this technique, where the vocalist may shift between the two ranges many times, which only takes couple of seconds. It takes a lot of practice and hard work for anyone to master the art of how to yodel.
How to Yodel for Beginners
Choose a place where there's an echo effect, as it would be an ideal location for yodeling. Places like mountain ranges, lakes, open areas (preferable on a height), or less populated beaches can do the trick. Now that you have a location in mind, let's learn how to yodel for beginners.
Step #1: You need to find your falsetto. You will find it gradually by going from your lowest-chest voice to the highest-head voice. At this point, concentrate on your neck. Can you feel it vibrating? If yes, then you know what a chest voice sounds and feels like. As you go higher, your throat will start vibrating, which means you are now singing from your head voice. The falsetto lies between them, as you break both the voices up.
Step #2: Now that you found your falsetto, try to sing Yudl - Ay - Weee – Hooo and Little old laaa - DY whoooo in low-low-low-high-lower manner. Each gap between the pitches will introduce your falsetto. The falsetto helps you take that break and go to the next higher pitch. This is where you learn how to yodel.
Step #3: When you sing Yudl - Ay - Weee - Hooo and Little old laaa - DY whoooo, change Weee and DY in Middle C for women and lenor men, and Low C for bass men. Pay attention to your body and the chest area. It doesn't matter what notes you change because there is no specific music to read. Change your wordings, the tempo, and notes as you keep progressing. Keep jumping back and forth in your pitches while yodeling.
Step #4: You are ready to yodel! All you need is practice, practice, practice.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Home on the Range
What's The Story: To save their farm, the resident animals led by a cow, go bounty hunting for a notorious outlaw.
Memorable Quote:
Maggie: no matter how bad things get there's probably someone worse off.
Lessons:
Even at your lowest there is always someone in a worse position
you can hypnotize cows with yodelling?
you should work together when you have a common goal
use your brain not your brawn
Main Challenges:
Learn to rope
Try my hand at yodelling
Attitude:
bravery, making friends, working together
Challenges:
Get up close and personal with a cow
Memorable Quote:
Maggie: no matter how bad things get there's probably someone worse off.
Lessons:
Even at your lowest there is always someone in a worse position
you can hypnotize cows with yodelling?
you should work together when you have a common goal
use your brain not your brawn
Main Challenges:
Learn to rope
Try my hand at yodelling
Attitude:
bravery, making friends, working together
Challenges:
Get up close and personal with a cow
I love you Peter
I gravitate towards the Peter Pans of the world, you see them in meetings with a goofy grin on their faces because some immature thought has crossed their imaginative minds. Perhaps they are thinking 'I wonder if I were to streak would this boring meeting end?' It is the sense of play of fun, of utter immaturity that draws me to the Peter Pans of this world.
I see cynical people all over, the Captain Hooks of the world, who have long ago buried the heart and joy of childhood with worries of money and bills and responsibilities. Whether you worry about them or not, those worries and responsibilities will still be there. The thing about Peter Pan is that he doesn't worry he takes action. Pirates are attacking? Battle. Princess Tiger Lilly is in trouble? Rescue her. There is no room for worries in the mind of Peter Pan.
When we grow up and take on responsibilities we tend to take on the weight of the world. Sometime within the teen years, we start to buy into the idea that life is hard and that it is fate that we must carry the great burden that is life. We look out into the world and see what's on the surface: war, famine, crime, we become convinced that the darkness will swallow us whole. That the darkness is inevitable, inescapable and part of our punishment, for whatever crimes we believe that we have committed.
As a self proclaimed Peter Pan, I am here to tell the truth. Life was meant to be fun, to be enjoyed. Yes, bad things happen but they need not destroy ones spirit. Within each of us, even the darkest of minds, we carry the memory of joy, peace and boundless life that we held within the womb. Some people were forced to grow up too soon, to behave like he/she was supposed to, to be domesticated like cattle. Its never too late, the sense of childhood wonder awaits us all no matter what our age.
Some of us will always have the glint of fairy dust in our eyes, we flit about embracing life as a glorious adventure, even when times are tough. The Peter Pans of the world must band together and remind those Captain Hooks of the world that life is the grandest adventure of them all, its just waiting to be explored.
I see cynical people all over, the Captain Hooks of the world, who have long ago buried the heart and joy of childhood with worries of money and bills and responsibilities. Whether you worry about them or not, those worries and responsibilities will still be there. The thing about Peter Pan is that he doesn't worry he takes action. Pirates are attacking? Battle. Princess Tiger Lilly is in trouble? Rescue her. There is no room for worries in the mind of Peter Pan.
When we grow up and take on responsibilities we tend to take on the weight of the world. Sometime within the teen years, we start to buy into the idea that life is hard and that it is fate that we must carry the great burden that is life. We look out into the world and see what's on the surface: war, famine, crime, we become convinced that the darkness will swallow us whole. That the darkness is inevitable, inescapable and part of our punishment, for whatever crimes we believe that we have committed.
As a self proclaimed Peter Pan, I am here to tell the truth. Life was meant to be fun, to be enjoyed. Yes, bad things happen but they need not destroy ones spirit. Within each of us, even the darkest of minds, we carry the memory of joy, peace and boundless life that we held within the womb. Some people were forced to grow up too soon, to behave like he/she was supposed to, to be domesticated like cattle. Its never too late, the sense of childhood wonder awaits us all no matter what our age.
Some of us will always have the glint of fairy dust in our eyes, we flit about embracing life as a glorious adventure, even when times are tough. The Peter Pans of the world must band together and remind those Captain Hooks of the world that life is the grandest adventure of them all, its just waiting to be explored.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
25 acts of immaturity
25 acts of immaturity
Roll around in a patch of dandelions, caution they do leave stains. Thankfully I was wearing black.
Limbo under a line closed cord (didn't quite make it)
Blow bubbles
Blow bubbles with bubblegum
Stuff as many pieces of bubblegum in my mouth as possible
tightrope over parking blocks
weave in and out and around parking signs and trees
pop up at people
Take a bubble bath with a toy pirate ship
make paper airplanes
play peek a boo with strangers
Make funny faces
Llama hand
swing on a swing
slide down a slide
Play with dolls
shadow puppets
Crow like a rooster
Cluck like a chicken
slide on the floor with my socks
make a sock puppet
spin around in circles till I get dizzy
imitate animals
bark at dogs
meow at cats
Roll around in a patch of dandelions, caution they do leave stains. Thankfully I was wearing black.
Limbo under a line closed cord (didn't quite make it)
Blow bubbles
Blow bubbles with bubblegum
Stuff as many pieces of bubblegum in my mouth as possible
tightrope over parking blocks
weave in and out and around parking signs and trees
pop up at people
Take a bubble bath with a toy pirate ship
make paper airplanes
play peek a boo with strangers
Make funny faces
Llama hand
swing on a swing
slide down a slide
Play with dolls
shadow puppets
Crow like a rooster
Cluck like a chicken
slide on the floor with my socks
make a sock puppet
spin around in circles till I get dizzy
imitate animals
bark at dogs
meow at cats
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Only Pirates Grow Up
When did it happen? When was the exact moment that we adults decided that life was far too serious to use our imaginations? When did it become too un-adult to make sock puppets? Or to give dogs silly voices? When was the moment that we decided that an adult was devoid of play and fun?
I personally was reluctant to grow up, I was almost 15 when I put away my girly toys, mostly because no one would play with me anymore, and the shame that was placed on that sort of fun. I suppose its a part of growing up, that declaration that you are an adult now and do not need toys. But what do you do when you put away the toys?
For me I put away the toys and almost instantly turned to alcohol and drugs, those were adult things, or at least the adults I had known. Even now that I barely ever have a drop of alcohol and never partake in drugs, adults, my peers, seem to have no idea what to do with me. They offer a drink and I say, no thanks, and they become very uncomfortable, often assuming that I am some sort of snob or my favourite, think myself too “good” to drink.
The truth is, I hate being drunk, I dislike the feeling of not being connected to my body. I have finally become comfortable in my own skin and the last thing I want to do is disorient my mind and body for a “good time”. I like to remember when I am a fool, and I don't need alcohol or other substances to be my excuse for a good time or my excuse for bad behaviour, no substance need for that.
Sense of Wonder
What I find interesting is how much more acceptable it is for someone to be drunk or high walking down the street then someone to be, lets say, dressed up as Tinkerbell blowing bubbles down the street. Why is it that joy without materialism is so foreign to us? I have often been stopped on the street not in costume and asked why I am so happy, why am I always smiling and it always seems like such a silly question to me. The answer is I know the secret, that life is a grand adventure and I have learned to be the genesis of my own joy. I have learned that life is a game and to play it well you must look upon each moment with a sense of wonder like a child.
We adults do ourselves a disservice the moment we put aside our childlike sense of wonder and replace it with chasing our proverbial tails, searching for a tomorrow that never comes. We save the fun for later, or we hide the joy behind bottles or substances that only trick the mind, not to being happy but simply to the point where we don't care. We are a society of pirates, more interested in acquiring gold that we have been fooled into believing is happiness, we are too serious to play, too dignified to have improper fun like swinging on a swing or pretending or making believe. There are more treasures within our minds and imaginations then there is in a treasure trove.
We have grown up so serious that we can no longer see the wonder that is life. War is not human tragedy; the blindness to wonder is.
I personally was reluctant to grow up, I was almost 15 when I put away my girly toys, mostly because no one would play with me anymore, and the shame that was placed on that sort of fun. I suppose its a part of growing up, that declaration that you are an adult now and do not need toys. But what do you do when you put away the toys?
For me I put away the toys and almost instantly turned to alcohol and drugs, those were adult things, or at least the adults I had known. Even now that I barely ever have a drop of alcohol and never partake in drugs, adults, my peers, seem to have no idea what to do with me. They offer a drink and I say, no thanks, and they become very uncomfortable, often assuming that I am some sort of snob or my favourite, think myself too “good” to drink.
The truth is, I hate being drunk, I dislike the feeling of not being connected to my body. I have finally become comfortable in my own skin and the last thing I want to do is disorient my mind and body for a “good time”. I like to remember when I am a fool, and I don't need alcohol or other substances to be my excuse for a good time or my excuse for bad behaviour, no substance need for that.
Sense of Wonder
What I find interesting is how much more acceptable it is for someone to be drunk or high walking down the street then someone to be, lets say, dressed up as Tinkerbell blowing bubbles down the street. Why is it that joy without materialism is so foreign to us? I have often been stopped on the street not in costume and asked why I am so happy, why am I always smiling and it always seems like such a silly question to me. The answer is I know the secret, that life is a grand adventure and I have learned to be the genesis of my own joy. I have learned that life is a game and to play it well you must look upon each moment with a sense of wonder like a child.
We adults do ourselves a disservice the moment we put aside our childlike sense of wonder and replace it with chasing our proverbial tails, searching for a tomorrow that never comes. We save the fun for later, or we hide the joy behind bottles or substances that only trick the mind, not to being happy but simply to the point where we don't care. We are a society of pirates, more interested in acquiring gold that we have been fooled into believing is happiness, we are too serious to play, too dignified to have improper fun like swinging on a swing or pretending or making believe. There are more treasures within our minds and imaginations then there is in a treasure trove.
We have grown up so serious that we can no longer see the wonder that is life. War is not human tragedy; the blindness to wonder is.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Peter Pan- May 2
Peter Pan
What's The Story: Peter Pan is the story of the boy who never grew up. He brings a young girl, Wendy and her two brothers to Neverland where you never grow up, so that Wendy can be the lost boy's mother and read stories to them.
Memorable Quote:
Captain Hook: A jealous female can be tricked into anything.
Lessons:
Its better to follow your own beliefs and morals then to follow someone elses out of fear.
Everything is a potential game
When you give your word, keep it
A jealous woman will sell you out (being jealous makes you weak)
Mothers are important
Main Challenges:
Play a childish game with as many adults as possible and see how many will join in.
Turn everything into a game.
Attitude:
Playful, adventurous, fun loving
Challenges:
Visit the school
What's The Story: Peter Pan is the story of the boy who never grew up. He brings a young girl, Wendy and her two brothers to Neverland where you never grow up, so that Wendy can be the lost boy's mother and read stories to them.
Memorable Quote:
Captain Hook: A jealous female can be tricked into anything.
Lessons:
Its better to follow your own beliefs and morals then to follow someone elses out of fear.
Everything is a potential game
When you give your word, keep it
A jealous woman will sell you out (being jealous makes you weak)
Mothers are important
Main Challenges:
Play a childish game with as many adults as possible and see how many will join in.
Turn everything into a game.
Attitude:
Playful, adventurous, fun loving
Challenges:
Visit the school
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