State of the Union!

 Last night was the State of the Union address. I've been watching the SOTU address every year since the middle of W.'s 8 year term. I didn't think I'd get to see the whole thing because I was sitting on the train and the feed on my phone kept cutting out. But in the end, I was able to watch it (thanks to PBS).
 There were a lot of things that struck me about it. I gained a lot of information I previously was not aware of and I realized that our country is building momentum to a brighter future...too bad Congress won't get out of the way and let it happen. But I'm not going spout off about the relationship between the President and Congress. No, instead I want to talk about heartbreak.

  This is Army Ranger Sgt.1st Class Cory Remsburg. He was invited to sit in the box with the first lady during the address. He's known the President for awhile, in fact, they met in 2009 on the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France. The President told his story...how he was injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, he was found by other members of his unit, face down in water with shrapnel in his brain. After months in a coma, he met the President again and was unable to speak or move. The thing that got me about this story was the fact that this brave man was on his 10th deployment to the Middle East! 10TH! 10TH!...That's all that kept running through my head when I was watching the rest of the speech. Not only should he not have been there at all, but he was there for the 10th time. This to me is absolutely heartbreaking...but it also shows the spirit of the brave people who enlisted (they all enlist...no one is being draft, these are all volunteers). Not only are they willing to go in the first place, but they are willing to go again and again and again...never knowing if they'll come back whole or at all.
  Cory is just a glaring example of what's happening everyday. Our military hospitals are full of men and women who gave so much of themselves for the rest of us. And it's heartbreaking because it's so unnecessary. Now, we have some members of Congress trying to pick another unnecessary fight...it's like now that we're out of one country and making strides to get out of another they wanted to pick a fight just to send our troops back. I'm glad the President said NO, I'm glad he's standing up to the war machine the US is funding and telling the Congress people to back down and shut up. We don't need to send anymore troops out to die or be severely injured over nothing.
  My heart is broken for our troops...the the injured and the whole...for the families of those who aren't coming back and for those who will have to go out with the unknown lingering over their heads.

  Until Next Time.
  ~m

what am I?

In my mind I am a raven...
In my heart am I a horse
In my life I am a chicken
In my mirror I am a frog
and in my thoughts...I am...

Musings

  I friend said something in an email that has stuck with me.
 We were talking about clothes (cause she's utterly stylish and I'm not, but would like to be) she was saying that she's been in a bit of a style funk, but that she's "trying, little by little, to fashion myself the way I want to be seen"...I had never really thought about it like that before. I mean I know that how you present yourself to the world is how the world will see you, but I've never really gone deeper with it. I'm not sure why it hit me so hard, but it did. Maybe it's because I'm not satisfied with how am present myself (which is something I'm trying to work on) and this, the fashion, style, clothing thing, is just an extension of that.
  Anyway, it's certainly something that has been on my mind lately. Something I've been thinking about harshly. I guess I see more opportunities and changes coming in this new year...although I'm at a true and total loss for what they may be. But whatever they are, I know that at the based level if I'm not happy with myself then I can't be happy with the changes...


   That's all I've got for now...
   Until Next Time

    ~m
 

I Think She's Lost It

'I got the total package you know, the curves, the rhythm, and the voice. I'm just the best"

  The above quote is from Miley Cyrus. She did an interview with a magazine called LOVE and in it she said that Beyonce was done and its now her (Miley's) time to be on top. She said that Beyonce has lost her focus and her body since having her child and that now she (Miley) is stepping up to take over....
   Okay, so before I get started let me say this. I'm not writing this post because I'm a huge Beyonce fan and feel like I need to defend her. In truth, I don't really care for Beyonce. I like some of her music and think she is a great entertainer, but I'm not a fan. I'm also not a fan of Miley, but she's just starting to bug the crap out of me. Also, let me say that I understand this is part of her "marketing" campaign/gimmick to keep people talking about her and in writing this post I'm falling right into the trap...oh well, I'm going to write and post this anyway.
    I don't care how much I don't care of an entertainer I will admit when they do something well. Beyonce does what she does well. At this point in time she is probably the best at putting on a non-stop thrill ride of a live show. She does the singing, dancing, costume changes, hair whipping and fan crazing all while wearing 5 inch heels...there's no one, right now, who can come anywhere close to that. Certainly not Miley. Here's the thing about the quote above...she only has no of the things she's claiming she has. That's the voice. Miley Cyrus can sing. If you don't believe me, that's fine. But if you take anyway the bad music and ridiculous lyrics and give her real songs to sing you'll see that she has a lovely powerful, even compelling voice. But she has no curves to speak of and as far as I've seen she ain't got no rhythm either. And that's what makes the quote all the more ridiculous.
    She wants to compare herself to Beyonce and say that she's ready to take the throne from her...but she can't hold a candle to Beyonce. I don't care if Beyonce is on stage with Blue Ivy in her arms she's still going to put on a better show and have more curves and rhythm).
    Before I wrap this up I want to say that earlier this month Beyonce released a surprise album. No one knew it was coming there was no build up, no advertising, no commotion. She just released an album one morning (alone with 17 new videos) and let go do it's thing. As far as I know she still hasn't do any interviews for it. You know what, that album went to Number 1 in a matter of hours worldwide...who else can do that. Not Miley, that's for sure.
    So Miley, please stop. You're embarrassing yourself. Beyonce is still on the top of her game baby or no. Her music is still selling, her shows are still slaying and her body is still banging...all you have is a bad haircut. So, just stop....please!

    Until Next Time
    ~m

 

Happiest of New Years!

My 2013 was exciting, nerve racking and difficult. But it was also an amazing journey.
I hope that my 2014 is less nerve racking and difficult and more amazing and exciting....I hope my journey through this new year is a great one, blessed with learning, reading, laughter and love.

I pray that you who are reading this are also blessed with greatness, joy, love and happiness. I hope your 2014 is wonderful.

Happy New Year to You!

~m