Song of the day - Sacrifice

This is one of my all time favorite covers of any song.  O'Connor, despite her extreme politics at times, brings a very raw, human edge to the song.  And, it showcases her beautiful voice.  I first heard this when Courtney Wright put it on a mixed tape for me in college.  I later found the album it was from, which has other great covers on it as well.  Enjoy!

Quote of the day

When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.

                                                                           Jimi Hendrix

Thought for the day - Game of Thrones fan letter

Dear Game of Thrones,

Admittedly, I do not watch you.  I never have.  It's not that I do not want to, I just haven't yet.  Don't worry, you're on my list to watch.  Honestly, I can say that your genre is not something I am initially drawn to, but once I start watching I almost always enjoy.  That is why I have not seen you yet.  Plus, when something is so hyped like you are, I would rather wait until the hysteria has died down before taking that viewing plunge.

Back to my initial reason for writing this letter, though.  I wanted to thank you for having your premiere last night on HBO.  I missed it.  I saw no reason to start watching yet since I have not seen any previous season.  I would have been confused and Michael would have had to explain everything to me.  And I know that you know how annoying that is when you're watching a show you enjoy and having to constantly tell people what is going on.  Yeah, it's frustrating.

I sat at my computer last night while Michael watched your premiere.  Mostly, I viewed videos on Youtube.  It's what I like to do.  I tend to watch mostly animal rescues, mystery videos and POV Disney rides.  What can I say?  It is what I enjoy watching.  To each his own, I suppose.  Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you.  Why, you may ask, since I do not watch you.  It is simply because for almost 4 straight hours last night, my Facebook feed was filled with you.  The majority of my friends on FB posted that they were watching you.  No doubt you had a huge audience.

I realize that there are lots of bad things going on in our world today.  However, it seems that has become almost all one sees online these days.  But for those almost 4 hours, it was all about you.  I did not have to get inundated with pro and anti Trump rhetoric.  I did not see stories about injustice and man's inhumanity to his fellow man.  I did not have to see how America compares to the rest of the world that provides health care to their citizens.   And I did not have to cut and paste anything to show that i care.  It was quite refreshing.

So, you now have a new fan in me.  Not because you are a great show, which I cannot say yet until I begin watching you, but because for a brief period of time there was some peace and quiet online and for once most people were focused on something that was not a tragedy.  And I really appreciated that.  I look forward to this season because I know now that there will be one time during the week that I can actually enjoy FB for what it originally intended to be....something fun.  Most days it is about as relevant as a high school slam book.  So, thanks for that!

Once you have finished your run, I will begin watching.  Late to the party, I know, but that's how I roll with popular trends.  Until then, thanks for a few hours of enjoyment at the expense of no one for a change.  It is much needed in our society.

Sincerely,

Bob

Thought for the day

I haven't written any this past week.  There really is no excuse for it.  But, I have not been in the best frame of mind this week.  Not depressed, per say. Just blah.  There were some good points, definitely.  I met with a friend of mine who works in a senior community and got some very useful information which I will put to use.  Then, on the other hand, one of my mentors is in the hospital for heart problems.  So, it's been a typical seesaw of a week.

This morning I did my usual routine.  Having my coffee, checking email, doing a crossword puzzle.  It's my daily routine.  Squirt is sleeping on the sofa, soaking in the morning sun.  Michael's still in bed, so I am enjoying listening to the radio and just chilling.  Sadly, I still have to change the station after With Heart and Voice is over because then it becomes all political talk and I need something else on a Sunday morning.  Luckily, one of the local college stations has some good gospel going on!

Anyway, as I sit here, I am pondering what is going to make this week different from last?  As I said, I was blah and got almost nothing accomplished.  I am still looking for jobs, but every day I see the same jobs posted online and there are only so many times I can apply for the same thing LOL  And I had the best of intentions to clean the house, but that fell by the wayside after vacuuming the living room.  At least I did that.

So, this week I plan on being different.  I am going to change a few things (taking small steps) and also make my attitude different.  I am capable of great positivity, I know that.  I just don't do it and then I sink into this black hole of life.  Some days, even just entering our house sucks the energy right out of me.  That all stops now.  I love my house and it needs to be a place of growth for me.  It is our home, after all.

This week will be about building myself up.  I am going to continue looking for work.  After meeting with my friend, I have a clearer vision of the path I want to take and that is most helpful.  I will get our house into the shape it needs to be.  I want to have one of those houses where people feel comfortable just dropping by and that when we decide to have folks over spur of the moment, we are not scrambling to fix the messy disaster.

I will incorporate more music and literature into life this week.  I will try a new recipe just for the heck of it.  I will not spend money unnecessarily.  I will take more pride in my appearance.  I will connect with people in real time and/or letter writing, which I've recently gotten back into.  I will make sure to get outdoors at least once a day, weather permitting.

I am just ready for something different so we'll see how this goes.

At least, that is the plan.

Thought for the day

I have a lot of negative energy in me right now.  I just need to find ways to hone that into something positive.  I'm going to conquer the obstacles in my life, one at a time.

That is all.  Brief, I know.

Cheers

Song of the Day - I Ain't Afraid

I heard this song at a chorus concert several years back and it's stuck with me ever since.  It's melody is haunting and the words are certainly accurate.  Originally written by solo artist Holly Near, I think it works better as a choral piece.  Very powerful words.

Quote of the day

Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life

                                                                            J.K. Rowling