Smelling flowers

It's a real thing.

Common - The People

Finally

**Take with your dose of politics.

Following up

On a couple of Coolio posts....

This. Is. Awesome.

http://www.fox32chicago.com/entertainment/41249775-story

Happy Hallow

Excited to see the mara-tin Sunday (Marathon, Wi hick-ish pronunciation.)

http://www.dailydot.com/lol/donald-trump-pumpkins/

Echosmith - Tell Her You Love Her [Live]

Birds

Where there are birds, there is truth.

Rihanna - Don't Stop The Music

What's truly scary

Halloween is sweet (in multiple ways :)), but what if we all took a moment to consider some things that are scary in perhaps a more serious, universal sense.

For me, air pollution is definitely one.* Of all of our world resources, nothing is as valuable - yet nothing is taken more for granted. What does that say about us as a Race and isn't that unfortunate?

Anybody.

*"Air pollution" refers not only to chemical toxicity but also what is audible.

If

Leaders are those who do the things that the majority of people think, then don't we all indeed hold the potential to be leaders?

Talib Kweli - I Try ft. Mary J. Blige

PE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK8sxngSWaU

Courage

Here's the thing about courage.

Each one of is courageous. Whether and when we decide to tap into it - that is what's in question.


(Educators take note)

Kanye West - Touch The Sky (MTV Version) ft. Lupe Fiasco

They say

beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but isn't beauty also in the eyes of Us?

There are plenty of semi-flawed traditional quotes.

Hence, following one's own path (with guidance) and progressing towards more truth seems sensible.

How does the song go?

                                                                                                                  "All just wasssted time..."

BREAKING NEWS

http://www.wsj.com/articles/study-links-sugar-to-conditions-that-lead-to-diabetes-heart-disease-in-children-1445938753

What if

When we have a tendency to say "the sad truth is..," we caught ourselves and instead said "the happy truth."

Any power in that?

#watchyourwords

Eyes

I found out the little guy has glaucoma in one eye yesterday. It was tough diagnosis but I also had a feeling. In the grand scheme, we'll be cool. 

How about eyes though? How magnificent and wondrous they can be. Not something I daily gave much attention, but when you apply drops to a loved ones ocular cavities, it's something you tend to notice on slightly different level. 

I'm grateful for the gift of sight. Life can indeed be good without it, but today it will be on the receiving end of just a little more gratitude. 

Loud.

This was pretty special this morning.

David Gray - "Babylon" official video

YOU CAN'T

Triple stamp a double stamp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD2YJrvd71Y

A-OK

or AOK, is going to start standing for Acts of Kindness.

If we want to discuss what gets noticed - and thus can lead to some sort of change or action - these are those things.

Bangkok to Nevada to Greece (even Russia), I'm pretty sure this is true.

Songs

Jack Johnson - All At Once

And

Welcome

To the year of:

Smiles

They juuust might be contagious.

Speaking of

Attention..

Pick up a piece of garbage sometime in a semi-public setting and see if someone takes notice.

(No, there's not an app. for that)

Identifying

I read an article the other day about how we make choices in regards to identification. In the read from the NYTimes, the author argued his case about how he chose to identify as "mammal." His points were solid and certainly resonated with me. For the most part, the Human Race :) has engaged in behaviors over a period of time that has caused increased disassociation from the world, or planet Earth, that each one of us is fortunate to call home. The products of these decisions have at times caused harm to the planet, and the author states that being a "human" can tend to have a negative connotation. Natural disaster, "terrorist" act, migrant crises, MLB World Series, family-farm operation in central Iowa, etc etc etc, are we all not inhabiting the same place when the clock strikes midnight?

Curiosities.

Attention shift.

Change & possibilities.

Boo ya?

Coolio - Fantastic Voyage

One of

Theee best to do it at the striker spot.

Is there

a correlation between fun and winning?

You


Be


The


Judge



I know I don't mind following competitors like this.

Priorities

They're different yet similar for most everyone (breeding another inquiry - are our differences actually what stir our commonalities?? And IF so, what's this say about truths of conflict or humanity in general??? Fun Stuff.)

Anyways, if you're only going to/be able to do one single thing in a day, doesn't finding a little sun seem important?

!!!

Long live Basketball.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/basketballs-best-free-throw-shooter-isnt-in-the-nba-1445790601

Usually

Those things requiring the greatest effort will hold the most significant reward.

Aging

What does this really mean and is it concrete or more of an ideology?

If you're once definitely an "athlete" then is there a point in time when you aren't an athlete?

If the belief is "yes," what are the belief systems one may have? These systems are certainly an important point of focus.

Fun stuff, and maybe the jumping of point for some more growth - or getting closer to more of who we are.

THROWBACK (and for jb)

Dave Matthews Band - So Much To Say

It's Interesting

The more we seem to participate in acts that are truthful to our own selves (and thus to the greater world/Earth around us), the more that subsequent truthful events occur. We could perhaps call this process of growth and interconnectedness "self-honoring."

Score one for society.

Common - I Used To Love H.E.R

Beautiful

Watching a 2 year-old dissect the color/dimensions of a small pumpkin today on train was a treat.

:) :)

Integrity

Integrity!

And compassion.

Toss in some grittiness & the stew of life steeps.

:)

What If

What we all needed was just a little more Taylor...

Simple, right?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdneKLhsWOQ

2 songs

*This is actually a decent video - dude left mark on 90's rap scene.

Jennifer Lopez - Ain't It Funny

Sensations

It seems as though of the 5 senses, our skin (or touch) is the one that gets the most neglect. Maybe it's due to the fact that it is least directly connected to out brain's wirings or enters into our awareness less than say smell or sight.

By simply holding a basketball, putting on a baseball mitt, splashing some water on out face or legs, or one I'm fond of - applying sunscreen regardless of cloud cover (double whammy) - these are acts that stimulate the skin. Potentially, these make us feel slightly more alive, awake, or motivated to do another thing that's natural. 

Additionally, these applications have power to connect us to a time when we were "younger" or maybe more curious about something. Whether it be the world, life, a bee on a flower, waves in the water - there seems to be some simplicity involved in all of this. In turn, the simplicity is what often can be a fuse for connectedness - things the majority of the population can relate and mayybee even respond to.

So grab a mitt, feel some sand on your feet, connect to something maybe you've known all along..

:)

Clipse - When The Last Time

(Also)

Real good to see Tracy Morgan back doing what he does.

Here's the thing

Not only the beginning line of one of my favorite movies, but the beginning for a variety of possible conversations.

Take dancing. When was the last time you danced? Not necessarily all-out body gyrations but simply swaying to a beat, melody - whatever your tone preference might be. How many times do we honestly wake up and think to ourselves, "I'm going to dance today.." I'll tell you what, there are some people that do. And even if they might not, these people are still somehow finding ways to sway their body, spirit, and mood more times than the rest of the population.

I've witnessed people get "off the wall" and move, even when most every thought acted as a deterrent. Some of these folks were 90. Some were in wheelchairs, "disabled" to a degree. Others had no money, or what we commonly tend to define as "wealth." BUT, these folks were doing things that looked wealthy to me.

Begs the question, no?

How are we going to define wealth together in this time that lies ahead? How are we going to unite people from all reaches who may feel more disillusioned, downtrodden, disconnected than at many other points in history. There seems to be a significant amount of opportunity.

Maybe part of the equation has more to do with music and dancing than who is running congress or whether or not BO and Putin can get along.

Maybe..

:)

Turnnt Up

Still

Somewhat disappointed about Dekker's decision not to come back.

Team would be a favorite + guy would have been legendary WITH a chance to go down in cheesehead lore similar to Brett and Aaron (sorry Robin Yount).

           Weeping..

Needed (see Learning post)

Related

As one notable educator often & purposely said, "How come?"

http://www.wsj.com/articles/japans-longevity-champs-may-not-win-even-silver-anymore-1445029035
.....

Furthermore, it's increasingly apparent to me that if we continually feel disheartened or upset about happenings near or far (relationships, habits, local/world affairs), our choices about being accepting OR taking small strides towards action - these have strong correlations with our degrees of happiness/propensity for suffering.

:):  :(:

Learning

This fascinates me as much as many other things. Even the word fascinate is a beauty. What are we fascinated by? Might it resemble something that was fascinating as a child? Did this fascination somehow fizzle over periods of time in what can be a convoluted and distracting space we inhabit? Could you still be just as wondrous as you happened to be as a "child"? On the topic of children, are we all still essentially childlike or does that evaporate as the numbers related to age grow?

As Common said in Like Water for Chocolate (classic, and one of first records owned), "The Questions, y'all..."

Can we be satisfied who not constantly knowing exactly what consists of the Truth? I am confident of one thing, and that's the fact that deep inside, we each have a similar understanding of what might be most truthful. This seems like a good place to start.

**Attention congress, politicians, "leaders"

Speaking of music, Kweli delivered a song called "New Leaders" on Gravitas. Timely.

The circle keeps on spinning :)

I really

liked this read. History's a wonderful thing - as are those UW schools!!!

http://host.madison.com/wsj/print_only/columnist/on-wisconsin-digging-deep-into-history-as-uw-platteville-celebrates/article_d2945465-2b68-595f-abf1-c4490503b5c6.html

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream

Rage Against The Machine - Bulls on Parade

Hi-lo

Monday songs are coming. Goodies.

Rrrawrr

BIG Cat :) 

(click)

Human crush

http://www.wsj.com/articles/chicagoans-thoughts-turn-to-mr-cub-1445032357

Go Cubs Gooooo

Welcome.

(nice hat)

Love this visual

#A-Rod  #vivafootball

Finally...

Good weekend

Y'all. Try to remember to clap.

http://www.okayplayer.com/news/talib-kweli-rapsody-get-graffiti-gritty-in-their-new-every-ghetto-video.html

Have a feeling

Dude is going to kill it next year. I'll say one major and a top two.

Last post

Reminds me of the title of one of my favorite mixtapes. Get Free or Die Tryin' from none other than Dead Prez.

Going back, Let's Get Free might be top 8 full-length for me. Think I eventually grabbed two copies after one was too scratched up. Lots of memories, still ringin' true.

Dancing

If we danced (or simply "moved our bodies") near as much as the tendency to check our phones, I sense good things.

No?

More of these

articles to come.

Good to see.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/first-class-care-for-animals-1444816800

As is this (click on it)

As I said to someone special last night, when we can all better understand, appreciate, and act on the fact that we each are people of the Earth...it seems as though naturally good and endearing things will result that hold the real potential to propel us all.

Just thought

this was a good pic.

Speaking of quiet athletes!!

Shyness anyone?

Biiig game tonight.

Didn't like

The bat flip/homer reaction. Nor do I like Toronto really.

I admire and appreciate athletes who can both tap into and harness emotions. Even if it is on as a large of a stage as what I'm certain was a deafening Rogers Centre.

Then again, some of us know that Drake is really running that city. The action was hip-hop, and it was interesting but not surprising for me to see that.

Maybe Bautista should skip a workout today or tomorrow and watch Field of Dreams.

Iowa, grass, baseball, and maybe above all - Respect.

(did either Mike or Mike ever actually play baseball?)

The Roots - Proceed

Love

Beauty and Capability.

3 words I write quite often. Seem good for today.

Better

Or more favorable song - Eminem's "Stan" or Drake on "Over"... ?

Tough call.

Cuuute

Someone I know sent me this. Not the only one :)

Mrow?

Sconny

Great pic.

Ahhhhhhhhh!

 <3

Clouds

Sometimes I like to look at 'em and think about all that they can see.

It's fun.

.....

"After" Dilated, EV started some things with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7ph3-S59As

Fashawn - Dreams ft. Evidence

Evidence "The Layover"

2 of my favorites coming

No explanation necessary.

So good (watch another, smoke or not)

A little hit of Liv (tough break)

Muuusic

Taking me back to marches to school along the Chippewa, gold discman in hand.

BK/WI stand Up

Kershaw

One of the better hats in baseball and the guy just rules.

Couple of good ones on slate today and a gem in LA mañana.


#Rangers!!

Monster

Musky - and only two minutes worth.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/videos/sports/outdoors/fishing/2015/10/13/73897300/

Bing bang boom

   

Play

More time for play (when available) and less time mulling over reasons not to play is healthy.

Solely watching kids or other humans play doesn't count (wink)

Rihanna And Kanye West And Paul McCartney - FourFiveSeconds

Observe

One of my favorite words.

As people, are we "good" or skilled when it comes to observing? Sure, some will be more capable, patient, and tuned in to this important ability. Truthfully, we all have the potential to improve upon this. It might mean checking the sky out once per day. Or potentially selecting 15 minute time-spans where the "Smart" phone is in another room or even stays in our pockets. The beauty seems to be locked into the fact that we all can become better observers. Even further, health and wealth might be intertwined with this process.

Know what else, it doesn't cost a cent :)  (shhhhhhhhh..)

It does however, directly involve you. Good thing, even if it can challenge us all.

Hey!

Whaddya know, a tree-related article!!  :)

"The sky-borne river over the Amazon carries more water than the Amazon River itself."

*See slight disconnect in paragraphs 9 & 11

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/11/opinion/sunday/deforestation-and-drought.html?_r=0

Swell

of excitement on the North side.

Let's

Go

Cubs!

Sources of Hope

Here's one cool thing about a tree. While we don't necessarily bear witness to it's physical growth in present time, it is constantly doing just this. It eats, drinks, absorbs, all in a similar fashion to human beings. Make a point to be near one sometime and determine if you can sense anything within your own module for growth.

Curious

It seems as though it's important to continually ask ourselves: "If you had all the time in the world, what would you be most likely doing?"

Thumbs up

Tunes

Where would we be without em?

http://www.okayplayer.com/news/jessica-care-moore-talib-kweli-catch-me-if-you-can-video.html

The Slide

Holy sh** Ruuben!!?

Wild guess that Utley played football for some years.

2 things

Perhaps I give you help or encouragement.

Two more of mine are clapping (maybe mixed with body movements) and lately - doing crosswords. I've always kinddd of liked crosswords but guess I didn't always go all-in.

Being outside, for now in sun, is also usually appreciated. Crossword or not.

Google's trying to guess words I am putting down, at times changing them.

Words

I like 'em. Always have. From tons of spiral notebooks in middle/high school to Bernice's class in EC (with B Dub), to writing close to daily with pen or pencil on some sort of template, words are a source of light in my life.

What are some of your light sources?

 :)

Simple

That's what this is going to be. Is this not in many ways what we all want? Take the screen that just appeared before me for example. The opening page was filled with jargon and options and all that business that is some ways has complicated our world, the daily choices we make, and our quest to cultivate more of who we truly may desire to be. I'd imagine, that like many things, this blogspot website was minimalistic and extremely easy to use at it's origins. I even know some very special people who started one and kept up with it quite routinely. I'd expect it was a useful outlet as well. Things change. For the better to for the worse, that is for each of us to decide. Part of the fun of this, is that we can also do it together. And in 2015, we can participate in this process of learning/growing in a variety of ways. So this is perhaps my offering :)

(Stop correcting my spelling inaccuracies so suddenly please)

Remember when we had to proofread and "go back" and think maybe even a little critically about our craft? The brain is not unlike a muscle, and it likely won't ever be. Remember that (another smiley)