Buffy, even though this tv show has been off the air for some time now, it still lives on in comics and in the heart of fans (me included). When I watch the tv series on my DVD's, I tend to notice some questionable things. I know there are other blogs etc about this and in fact they are more detailed but I still wanted to do my own. I also want to talk about my favorite episodes and so on.
If you stop and think while watching Buffy, you will realize that Angel is a pedophile. He is over 200 years old and dates a 16 year old girl. How creepy is that? In the first episode or two, Darla seems "week" and just has a little bit of a different personality than she does when she is shown in the past and when she is brought back in 'Angel'.
In season one when Buffy is trying to walk off her school campus, the principal comes out, stops her then puts a lock on the school gate. Um, that is against the law because it's a hazard to everyone in school.
Again in season one (I believe), Giles says that there is no Slayer instruction manual but in a later season when Kendra arrives, she says there is a handbook. Speaking of Kendra, she wouldn't survive in the baggage compartment on the airplane. I know she is a slayer and can withstand certain things but as cold as it gets in there and the air is so thin, I just don't see her still being able to survive that long of a flight in there. She is still human after all.
Back in season 1, Cordy gets kidnapped by the invisible girl. The girl then numbs Cordy's face and yet Cordy can still talk normal. Makes no sense but I'll still go with it. Giles gets repeatedly knocked out in almost every episode through all seven seasons (mostly in the earlier ones), how does he not have internal injuries and gets a concussion?
How did Angel not know that his curse would make him evil if he experienced true happiness? It doesn't make sense when Willow teaches an entire class for several days when Ms. Challenger(?) dies. That would never happen. I know Snyder said he had trouble getting a substitute but the school would have found a way. They just wouldn't let a student teach the class. Plus Willow would have to teach it all day long and wouldn't be in her other classes. I know they had to find the disc with the spell to cure Angel but there was another way for that to happen like them just using the computer to do something specific and then finding the disc.
The magic shop changes. In the earlier episodes, it's small and dark. When Giles takes over, it's suddenly bigger, brighter and even has stairs to another level. I guess the only way to get by that is the owner before Giles, expanded the store. But now that I think about it, the magic shop seemed to change slowly over the seasons until Giles stepped in.
In the episode 'The Wish', where was Darla, Spike, Dru and the Master's right hand guy from the first episode? If Buffy wasn't in Sunnydale, I am sure those vamps would still be alive because they were strong vamps. Not unless Giles' gang took care of them but that would have to be on luck for ordinary people to take on those vamps. Also, Ayana's look and voice is different from the first time we see her in 'The Wish' and when she becomes a demon again in a later season.
Angel breaks up with Buffy and moves to LA so Buffy can have a chance at a "normal" life but then in later episodes of Angel, he wants to hook up with Cordy. That is kinda messed up. I think that part in Angel should have been left out. Instead of a love interest, Angel and Cordy should have just developed a really strong relationship that is a little like a love interest but not.
When Spike gets his chip, how does it know when he is hitting/biting a human and when he is hitting a demon? How does Spike get electricity in his crypt to watch tv?
In the Prom episode, why would the butcher give Buffy the address of a customer to a stranger? Stores/companies don't do that.
In the last season when The First starts to reappear, there is a mistake. The First can't touch anything and yet when it pretends to be Cassie, it touches the table. Both in Buffy and Angel, it's funny how very little biting will kill someone and in other cases it doesn't.
My most favorite episodes:
Hush - this is my top favorite. I love how the actors are challenged to use gestures and facial expressions instead of words. They did an amazing job I think. It shows off their skills and to me it's like when a singer sings Capella to shows their real singing talent. The Gentlemen are very very creepy, probably one of the most creepiest demons on that show.
For your eyes only - This is probably my second favorite. My favorite part is when Angel and Buffy are taken over by the spirits; Buffy the guy spirit and Angel the girl one. They are standing there arguing and Buffy yells "Don't walk away from me bitch!" I know part of it they show the guy then Buffy but it's still my favorite part.
Doppelganger - My third favorite. I liked seeing Willow as evil instead of always good (at least up till season 6 when she goes evil Willow). I like towards the end when Willow is sent back to her time and then immediately gets killed and when she is dusting, she starts to say fuck. Great cover they did on that. :)
Earshot - I really like this one. Everyone wishes they could hear people's thoughts even though at the same time we wish we couldn't. I like when Buffy finds out that her mom and Giles had sex twice and once was on a police car. The end of this episode is epic when Buffy says to Giles "...if you are not to busy sleepy with my mother" and he runs into a tree. I didn't notice that when Buffy says that, a boy in the background looks over as to say "what?"
My fifth favorite is a tie between the two Halloween ones. I like when the trick or treater's turn into their costumes. In the second one, I like that they build up the suspense of this big evil demon and come to find out it's only a few inches tall. Zander taunts it and Buffy squishes it like a bug.
The most heart wrenching baby like crying episodes - These episodes ALWAYS gets me crying like a baby no matter how many times I watch them.
Buffy's mom dies - this is at the top of this list. Right from the start the tears flow and only takes breaks in between scenes. It hits home for anyone who has lost a loved one. Everything is so raw and true. The reactions, the feelings and thoughts. The "stress" that Willow goes through not knowing what to wear and just losing her emotions into her clothes says a lot without saying the actual words of what she is feeling. Zander not giving a crap that he is double parked because there is life things that are more important. Ayana with her questions and at first seems like she is being insensitive but really she asks the questions that we all ask when someone dies. That is heart wrenching too.
Tara dies - again someone dying from natural causes (so to speak) and painful to watch. Here Tara and Willow just started to get their relationship back on track and Bam, she gets shot. This I think is another great one because it shows the rage we feel when we lose someone especially when the loved one is lost to a senseless act. We all want to be that evil Willow.
The last one is a tie when Angel dies and when he leaves. Both times Buffy is in pieces over the loss of her true love. They were for different reasons but to see her fall to pieces was sad.
The least liked - I don't remember their titles because I sometimes just skip them. Depending on my mood is when I will watch them:
I think this one is called "I robot, you jane". It's when a demon gets scanned into the school computer and wreaks havoc. I just find this one to be boring. I guess I could see it "happening" but still.
The talent show one - this one is interesting but still kinda meh for me.
I think this one is called 'the zippo' or something like that. It's where Zander is the main character and shows what trouble he gets in and how he saves the day while the others are trying to save their day. I guess I like seeing Zander trying to handle something on his own but for some reason it still didn't really entertain me.
The musical one - this one can be kinda annoying. The cast are not crappy singers and I don't mind musicals but again it was meh for me.
So those are my thoughts on the Buffy tv show. I know there are so many more things that are "wrong" with the shows but this is just some of the things I see every time I watch them. I love the series and I think Joss Whedon is an amazing writer. I think everyone who worked on the show did an amazing job. Even though some things don't add up and some shows are kinda campy, I still think it's one of the best tv shows.
Friday, October 3, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
Yesterday and Today
So many things change in such a short time. I grew up in the 70's and 80's and the things that go on today was not in my wildest dreams back then. I am sure kids today (pretty much any generation) will say/have said the same thing. In this blog, I just want to talk about the things that we couldn't do in those times but can do now. How those things have changed the way we live our lives today.
One of the things I like about today is being able to find and get things that we once had when we were kids. There are some things that I have gotten rid of when I was a kid that I wish I hadn't and now I can find them on the web and buy them. I have things like old view master reels and Disney books that I now can add to my collection. Even if one is not buying their old toys back, it's so nice to see the photos of them taking us back in time. The web is like a time machine.
Communication, it's so much different today than what it was for my generation and older. When I was growing up, if you wanted to talk with someone overseas, there was the pen pal. I don't know how one would start a pen pal and find the address of someone but it's how we found connections with others from different countries. Sending those letters back and forth could take forever too so by the time one would get the letter, everything would be old news. It was our way.
Now we have the web where we can get on sites like twitter and facebook and chat with someone from another country right then and there. There is also things like skype where we can video chat with people. It's cheaper too since there is no long distance charges. No more waiting to have a conversation with a long distance friend. The one thing though, I am sure it was exciting to get that pen pal, sitting down on your bed and reading that long distance letter. Now that excitement is lost. Not hearing someone's voice over the phone can also be a loss (unless you're video chatting). I guess to gain something that is better, you must also lose something.
Another thing about communication is talking with our favorite stars (I really hate using stars, famous people etc simply because they are human like us but there is no other word). We can now send them messages through twitter and facebook. If we are lucky, we get a response back. If someone would have told me years ago that I would be able to directly communicate with Donnie Wahlberg, I would have thought they were crazy. Not in my wildest dreams did I think it could or would happen; until twitter came along. Just having a connection with someone that you like and/or admire is one of the amazing feelings one can get. Even as early as the late 90's when computers were making their way into everyone's homes, you couldn't communicate with others and your favorite star. It's mind blowing sometimes.
The downsides to instant connection are stalkers, rude people and bullying is intensified. Because it's easier to connect with people, it's also easier for these kind of things to happen. :/ People have less privacy, hackers infect and it makes it easier for people to hide who they really are (at times). Of course everyone has a choice what they put out into the world and at some point the real person comes out but these are still the bad with the good.
Sites like youtube are able to give us an outlet for our creativity. We can video blog, show family and friends our home movies, we can make mini movies and mini shows, stretching our imagination. With today's graphics and ability to create the craziest things, we can even make something seem like it's real. Back then, we were stuck with pen and paper unless we were lucky enough to have a certain type of computer. People with good voices were left to just record themselves on a cassette tape. I suppose those ways are good too but I feel that with today's technology, we can express ourselves easier.
This is true even for people who write stories. Now with e-books, anybody can express themselves and their talent without going through a publisher. All they have to do is turn it into an e-book and watch what happens. Then all the money goes to the writer. If they are lucky, their stories will get picked up by a publisher and then have it also in physical form.
Physical books are awesome but now it's easier to carry a story around with the e-book. No more having boxes of books sitting around your house. I still prefer the physical book and to this day I don't have an e-book.
Video games have changed a lot. When I was growing up we had Atari, Nintendo and the arcades cost $.25. We had like three lives and couldn't save where we left off until one of the Zelda games came along. There were no story lines and the graphics were meh but to us they were awesome. It some ways, videos games were harder than they are now because you couldn't save your game.
Today there are storylines, graphics that look like a movie, you can save your progress and sometimes have many lives. You have wireless controllers and can play with friends from other parts of the world. Arcades are fewer and some cost $1 or more to play a single game. The games today are awesome but nothing beats a good classic video game. I still have my old games and sometimes play them.
Board games were very popular too. Friends and family trying to figure out who killed who, with what weapon and where; playing the game of life, thinking games like Chess and Checkers, Yahtzee, Scrabble and who can forget the game where you buy properties hoping you wouldn't land on Boardwalk or Park Place. Today a lot of the games are role playing games. The classics are always the best (to me anyways).
Music, it's so much easier to get. Probably too easy. In my day, most of us would get a blank cassette tape and record our favorite songs from the radio. At some point they made cassette singles but getting the songs from the radio was easier even though one would catch the DJ talking no matter how hard we tried not to get them. We also couldn't purchase singles if they were put out before the album (until single tapes came along). Again radio was the only way to hear and get the songs. This actually made things more exciting, waiting for that special album to come out to hear the singles and the other songs that came out, wondering what the cover would look like etc. A lot of the excitement about new albums are lost. It's sad.
Today, we can get the songs anytime we want. A single comes out before the album and we can purchase it. Things are leaked either on purpose or not, before an album is released, taking away the excitement. The entire album doesn't have to come in a physical form now. This is both good and bad. Good because we no longer have to carry bulky devices (walkmans and portable cd players) to carry our tunes. We have smaller devices that we download our music to. The bad thing is that the good things that come with a physical album is not there. Not being able to hold something in your hands, having that new smell, taking the wrapper off and looking at the photos and words while listening to your favorite tunes. Also, there is illegal downloading of songs, making the artist not get paid for their hard earn art (that is a whole nother topic).
Music videos are also not what they use to be. Back in the day, MTV and VH1 lived up to their names, showing our favorite songs with a story. People being even more creative to bring their words to life. It was so exciting knowing that a certain video was going to be aired at a certain time and getting ready to see it for the first time. Listening and watching music all day long even if one didn't really the song, the videos were still entertaining.
Now if videos are made, they are only shown on youtube. There is less creativity but you can watch the videos at any time and as many times as you want. You can now even watch them on your phone and other traveling devices. Still, there was something special about music channels that youtube could never bring. Also, a lot of artist either don't make videos or are not as creative like they use to be.
Finding lost friends. Once one left school, we used to think that we wouldn't see certain people again (unless we had their phone numbers). Once you lost contact with someone, that was it unless you happen to run into them again. Today all you have to do is search facebook and you are more likely to find them, hooking up with old school friends. This is a blessing :)
Another thing that is great about today that we didn't have when I was growing up are outlets for people/kids who are being bullied and have low self esteem. One never heard about phone numbers to call so you could talk to someone like The Trevor Project. If there were songs about being strong etc, it was very rare. There was really nowhere for people/kids to turn to except for their parent, teacher or school counselor if there was one. Those options weren't always good. We had to pretty much learn to deal with things on our own if we couldn't get help from the people we were supposed to count on. Lord knows I could have used a phone number, a web site and those certain songs when I was growing up.
Today there are so many different ways to get help when you feel like crap, getting treated badly, think of committing suicide. It's easier to find songs of hope, to make you feel better about yourself and to stand up to the world. To let us know we are not alone and that there is nothing wrong with us. There are different phone numbers to call, blogging about it, talking about things on youtube, it's all there waiting for us when we need help.
Bullying back then was just at certain times and easier to get away from. People communicated more face to face. Today bullying is everywhere, easier to do and everyone has a potential to be a target. Yesterday we just worried about strangers on the street but today we worry about strangers being just a click away. People are taking more notice about bullies because of the internet but maybe we are not doing enough or not doing the right things.
So many great things happened in my generation and so many good things are out now to make things easier. Easier is not always better though. Life was simpler then but today we have more ways to reach out. Yesterday we did more out door things and noticed more. Today we spend more time indoors, behind a screen even if we are out and with others. Things being developed today to help save lives. Our loved ones yesterday died of things that wouldn't kill them today. It's amazing to sit back and really take a look at how much things have changed both for the better and the not so good.
One of the things I like about today is being able to find and get things that we once had when we were kids. There are some things that I have gotten rid of when I was a kid that I wish I hadn't and now I can find them on the web and buy them. I have things like old view master reels and Disney books that I now can add to my collection. Even if one is not buying their old toys back, it's so nice to see the photos of them taking us back in time. The web is like a time machine.
Communication, it's so much different today than what it was for my generation and older. When I was growing up, if you wanted to talk with someone overseas, there was the pen pal. I don't know how one would start a pen pal and find the address of someone but it's how we found connections with others from different countries. Sending those letters back and forth could take forever too so by the time one would get the letter, everything would be old news. It was our way.
Now we have the web where we can get on sites like twitter and facebook and chat with someone from another country right then and there. There is also things like skype where we can video chat with people. It's cheaper too since there is no long distance charges. No more waiting to have a conversation with a long distance friend. The one thing though, I am sure it was exciting to get that pen pal, sitting down on your bed and reading that long distance letter. Now that excitement is lost. Not hearing someone's voice over the phone can also be a loss (unless you're video chatting). I guess to gain something that is better, you must also lose something.
Another thing about communication is talking with our favorite stars (I really hate using stars, famous people etc simply because they are human like us but there is no other word). We can now send them messages through twitter and facebook. If we are lucky, we get a response back. If someone would have told me years ago that I would be able to directly communicate with Donnie Wahlberg, I would have thought they were crazy. Not in my wildest dreams did I think it could or would happen; until twitter came along. Just having a connection with someone that you like and/or admire is one of the amazing feelings one can get. Even as early as the late 90's when computers were making their way into everyone's homes, you couldn't communicate with others and your favorite star. It's mind blowing sometimes.
The downsides to instant connection are stalkers, rude people and bullying is intensified. Because it's easier to connect with people, it's also easier for these kind of things to happen. :/ People have less privacy, hackers infect and it makes it easier for people to hide who they really are (at times). Of course everyone has a choice what they put out into the world and at some point the real person comes out but these are still the bad with the good.
Sites like youtube are able to give us an outlet for our creativity. We can video blog, show family and friends our home movies, we can make mini movies and mini shows, stretching our imagination. With today's graphics and ability to create the craziest things, we can even make something seem like it's real. Back then, we were stuck with pen and paper unless we were lucky enough to have a certain type of computer. People with good voices were left to just record themselves on a cassette tape. I suppose those ways are good too but I feel that with today's technology, we can express ourselves easier.
This is true even for people who write stories. Now with e-books, anybody can express themselves and their talent without going through a publisher. All they have to do is turn it into an e-book and watch what happens. Then all the money goes to the writer. If they are lucky, their stories will get picked up by a publisher and then have it also in physical form.
Physical books are awesome but now it's easier to carry a story around with the e-book. No more having boxes of books sitting around your house. I still prefer the physical book and to this day I don't have an e-book.
Video games have changed a lot. When I was growing up we had Atari, Nintendo and the arcades cost $.25. We had like three lives and couldn't save where we left off until one of the Zelda games came along. There were no story lines and the graphics were meh but to us they were awesome. It some ways, videos games were harder than they are now because you couldn't save your game.
Today there are storylines, graphics that look like a movie, you can save your progress and sometimes have many lives. You have wireless controllers and can play with friends from other parts of the world. Arcades are fewer and some cost $1 or more to play a single game. The games today are awesome but nothing beats a good classic video game. I still have my old games and sometimes play them.
Board games were very popular too. Friends and family trying to figure out who killed who, with what weapon and where; playing the game of life, thinking games like Chess and Checkers, Yahtzee, Scrabble and who can forget the game where you buy properties hoping you wouldn't land on Boardwalk or Park Place. Today a lot of the games are role playing games. The classics are always the best (to me anyways).
Music, it's so much easier to get. Probably too easy. In my day, most of us would get a blank cassette tape and record our favorite songs from the radio. At some point they made cassette singles but getting the songs from the radio was easier even though one would catch the DJ talking no matter how hard we tried not to get them. We also couldn't purchase singles if they were put out before the album (until single tapes came along). Again radio was the only way to hear and get the songs. This actually made things more exciting, waiting for that special album to come out to hear the singles and the other songs that came out, wondering what the cover would look like etc. A lot of the excitement about new albums are lost. It's sad.
Today, we can get the songs anytime we want. A single comes out before the album and we can purchase it. Things are leaked either on purpose or not, before an album is released, taking away the excitement. The entire album doesn't have to come in a physical form now. This is both good and bad. Good because we no longer have to carry bulky devices (walkmans and portable cd players) to carry our tunes. We have smaller devices that we download our music to. The bad thing is that the good things that come with a physical album is not there. Not being able to hold something in your hands, having that new smell, taking the wrapper off and looking at the photos and words while listening to your favorite tunes. Also, there is illegal downloading of songs, making the artist not get paid for their hard earn art (that is a whole nother topic).
Music videos are also not what they use to be. Back in the day, MTV and VH1 lived up to their names, showing our favorite songs with a story. People being even more creative to bring their words to life. It was so exciting knowing that a certain video was going to be aired at a certain time and getting ready to see it for the first time. Listening and watching music all day long even if one didn't really the song, the videos were still entertaining.
Now if videos are made, they are only shown on youtube. There is less creativity but you can watch the videos at any time and as many times as you want. You can now even watch them on your phone and other traveling devices. Still, there was something special about music channels that youtube could never bring. Also, a lot of artist either don't make videos or are not as creative like they use to be.
Finding lost friends. Once one left school, we used to think that we wouldn't see certain people again (unless we had their phone numbers). Once you lost contact with someone, that was it unless you happen to run into them again. Today all you have to do is search facebook and you are more likely to find them, hooking up with old school friends. This is a blessing :)
Another thing that is great about today that we didn't have when I was growing up are outlets for people/kids who are being bullied and have low self esteem. One never heard about phone numbers to call so you could talk to someone like The Trevor Project. If there were songs about being strong etc, it was very rare. There was really nowhere for people/kids to turn to except for their parent, teacher or school counselor if there was one. Those options weren't always good. We had to pretty much learn to deal with things on our own if we couldn't get help from the people we were supposed to count on. Lord knows I could have used a phone number, a web site and those certain songs when I was growing up.
Today there are so many different ways to get help when you feel like crap, getting treated badly, think of committing suicide. It's easier to find songs of hope, to make you feel better about yourself and to stand up to the world. To let us know we are not alone and that there is nothing wrong with us. There are different phone numbers to call, blogging about it, talking about things on youtube, it's all there waiting for us when we need help.
Bullying back then was just at certain times and easier to get away from. People communicated more face to face. Today bullying is everywhere, easier to do and everyone has a potential to be a target. Yesterday we just worried about strangers on the street but today we worry about strangers being just a click away. People are taking more notice about bullies because of the internet but maybe we are not doing enough or not doing the right things.
So many great things happened in my generation and so many good things are out now to make things easier. Easier is not always better though. Life was simpler then but today we have more ways to reach out. Yesterday we did more out door things and noticed more. Today we spend more time indoors, behind a screen even if we are out and with others. Things being developed today to help save lives. Our loved ones yesterday died of things that wouldn't kill them today. It's amazing to sit back and really take a look at how much things have changed both for the better and the not so good.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Michael Jackson Art Links
If you like Michael Jackson, here are some links to some art of him. Two of mine are in there somewhere (Teresa Thomas) and will probably put more up.
michael jackson art
michael jackson canvas prints
michael jackson framed prints
michael jackson acrylic prints
michael jackson metal prints
michael jackson prints
michael jackson posters
michael jackson greeting cards
michael jackson iphone cases
michael jackson galaxy s4 cases
michael jackson art
michael jackson canvas prints
michael jackson framed prints
michael jackson acrylic prints
michael jackson metal prints
michael jackson prints
michael jackson posters
michael jackson greeting cards
michael jackson iphone cases
michael jackson galaxy s4 cases
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Sad
Sad...
It's sad to see and hear what we do to each other. How we treat one another. Fighting over religion, who is right and wrong, who is bigger and has more power. Having too much control. Governments (all over the world) trying to tell us how to live our personal lives (minus the obvious laws that we need). Wanting more and more at all cost.
Sad...
People still have to fight for simple human rights around the world. Some trying to push their beliefs onto others; thinking that since they live a certain way, others should too. Not being able to see everyone as individuals with different ways of life then accepting them even if we don't agree. Some parents willing to toss their own children out just because they can't accept them for who they are. Women being told what they can and can't do with their own bodies.
Sad...
We argue who is politically correct during the holidays. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, does it REALLY matter? Just showing respect and courtesy should be enough. Fighting over things that create violence and stampedes forgetting what is REALLY important in life.
Sad...
Losing the human connection while we dive into our devices. Never fearing what we say to one another as we sit behind a screen. Being in a room full of people and still being alone as everyone hardly speaks. We have lost something in just a short time as we gained easier ways to live. Bullies have it easier while victims lash out more. Cheating has become the norm. Why? If not happy, just leave. Better yet, communicate anyway you can (in a postive way). We lost our inner child. Why? We turn to things to comfort us instead of each other. Why?
Sad...
We judge when we don't really know. We fear what is different. We turn our backs to things that we should embrace. A cover is more important than what's on the inside. We fail to see the REAL beauty. We ignore what we don't understand.
Sad...
Parents too scared to punish in fear of getting in trouble creating frustration and kids who do what they please. Some don't pay attention, don't give the right kind of things. Some are too controlling, creating the same things in their kids if they didn't care at all.
Sad...
We put on a mask, afraid to reveal what's really there. Not having the confidence to go out and face the fear. We see the reflections and dislike what is reflected back. We're too busy with everything, not having time for ourselves, for our family. So stressed and angry that we turn to other things and people instead.
Sad...
We get so wrapped up on little things and don't concentrate on what's REALLY important. Cuss words on tv, a little skin, breast feeding in public, kids accidently seeing things they shouldn't, porn, strip clubs; who really cares? Putting the focus on more serious issues should be applied.
Sad...
People struggling to eat, to have a home, to survive. They wish they could have what we do and take for granted. All kinds of abuse. Using violence to resolve things. Our mental health system is screwed leaving the mentally ill to fend for themselves; then they commit unspeakable acts. Who's fault is it really? Lashing out on things and people. Getting harder to defend ourselves. To protect. Turning our heads the other way instead of doing what's right and needed. Everything is a pandemic. Or is it really? So many other things.
I didn't mean to do a sad blog. I was just inspired by things I see and hear in daily life. The news, just what I encounter and in my personal life. I know not everyone is like this but these things do go on and every one of us has done or felt at least of one of these things. That's ok, we're human. This is the human race. It's an interesting world.
There are just as much positive things in life too. I think it's important to embrace those positive things as much as we can. To try to be the best person we can be to ourselves and each other. Embrace the differences in others even if don't agree. To not judge others until you open that book and give it/them a chance. Life really is beautiful even during the hard times. We need to take a hard look at ourselves and chance what we don't like. It's never to late. These things popped in my head so I wanted to get it out. One must see both the ugly and the beautiful to really appreciate life.
It's sad to see and hear what we do to each other. How we treat one another. Fighting over religion, who is right and wrong, who is bigger and has more power. Having too much control. Governments (all over the world) trying to tell us how to live our personal lives (minus the obvious laws that we need). Wanting more and more at all cost.
Sad...
People still have to fight for simple human rights around the world. Some trying to push their beliefs onto others; thinking that since they live a certain way, others should too. Not being able to see everyone as individuals with different ways of life then accepting them even if we don't agree. Some parents willing to toss their own children out just because they can't accept them for who they are. Women being told what they can and can't do with their own bodies.
Sad...
We argue who is politically correct during the holidays. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, does it REALLY matter? Just showing respect and courtesy should be enough. Fighting over things that create violence and stampedes forgetting what is REALLY important in life.
Sad...
Losing the human connection while we dive into our devices. Never fearing what we say to one another as we sit behind a screen. Being in a room full of people and still being alone as everyone hardly speaks. We have lost something in just a short time as we gained easier ways to live. Bullies have it easier while victims lash out more. Cheating has become the norm. Why? If not happy, just leave. Better yet, communicate anyway you can (in a postive way). We lost our inner child. Why? We turn to things to comfort us instead of each other. Why?
Sad...
We judge when we don't really know. We fear what is different. We turn our backs to things that we should embrace. A cover is more important than what's on the inside. We fail to see the REAL beauty. We ignore what we don't understand.
Sad...
Parents too scared to punish in fear of getting in trouble creating frustration and kids who do what they please. Some don't pay attention, don't give the right kind of things. Some are too controlling, creating the same things in their kids if they didn't care at all.
Sad...
We put on a mask, afraid to reveal what's really there. Not having the confidence to go out and face the fear. We see the reflections and dislike what is reflected back. We're too busy with everything, not having time for ourselves, for our family. So stressed and angry that we turn to other things and people instead.
Sad...
We get so wrapped up on little things and don't concentrate on what's REALLY important. Cuss words on tv, a little skin, breast feeding in public, kids accidently seeing things they shouldn't, porn, strip clubs; who really cares? Putting the focus on more serious issues should be applied.
Sad...
People struggling to eat, to have a home, to survive. They wish they could have what we do and take for granted. All kinds of abuse. Using violence to resolve things. Our mental health system is screwed leaving the mentally ill to fend for themselves; then they commit unspeakable acts. Who's fault is it really? Lashing out on things and people. Getting harder to defend ourselves. To protect. Turning our heads the other way instead of doing what's right and needed. Everything is a pandemic. Or is it really? So many other things.
I didn't mean to do a sad blog. I was just inspired by things I see and hear in daily life. The news, just what I encounter and in my personal life. I know not everyone is like this but these things do go on and every one of us has done or felt at least of one of these things. That's ok, we're human. This is the human race. It's an interesting world.
There are just as much positive things in life too. I think it's important to embrace those positive things as much as we can. To try to be the best person we can be to ourselves and each other. Embrace the differences in others even if don't agree. To not judge others until you open that book and give it/them a chance. Life really is beautiful even during the hard times. We need to take a hard look at ourselves and chance what we don't like. It's never to late. These things popped in my head so I wanted to get it out. One must see both the ugly and the beautiful to really appreciate life.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Arguments On Gay Articles
I am sure I wrote something similar to this but this time I'm not going to talk about my feelings on people who are gay, but I am going to talk about my feelings on the comments/arguments I see on blogs that talk about people who are gay.
I don't know why I read comments on articles that has to do with the topic of people who are gay. It used to really piss me off but now I actually find them amusing. Sometimes yes, I get pissed about the ignorance but I have come to terms that there will always be racism of every kind. This doesn't mean that I nor anyone else shouldn't stand up for what's right but when it comes to comments on a website, sometimes it's better to ignore them. Some are there for attention, some are there to just state their opinion and others look for conflict so they can say how much they are correct and everyone else is wrong. It's kinda like people watching for me but on the web and I see the conversations instead of making up my own stories.
The comments always start out with arguing if being gay is a sin and/or wrong, or if it's not. Then very quickly it turns into an argument about religion; interpretations of the bible, if there really is a God and so on.
People sometimes start "yelling", cussing each other out and calling each other names. It's like they actually loose site in what their God really stands for (or just respect if one doesn't believe in a God). They start saying things that don't make any sense, they talk about the things they were most likely taught as a kid instead of taking a deep look into things and coming up with their own thoughts. A lot people also think they are correct and everyone else is wrong and stupid. It gets pretty crazy and stupid if you ask me.
Even though I now become mostly amused by everything, I also shake my head. I am always wondering why can't we argue about more important things? Do we really have to resort in name calling and think others are stupid just because they have different beliefs? Why do we feel the need to try and prove we are right? Why do we think that what we believe is right and others are wrong? Why can't we just respect each other? Open minds people, open minds.
I don't want to get deep into God and the bible but it does make me go "wow" at how many different interpretations there are about religion, how everyone thinks they are correct, forget that there are many different beliefs out there which none is right or wrong. It's the actions and how we treat other that really make something right or wrong. Some people get so hostile about it too. Again I ask why?
Other things I see a lot in comments are the crazy things that people believe to be true about gay people (I'm not calling the people crazy, just the words that come out of their mouths or in this case fingers). Where in the hell do some of them get their information and why do they believe it? Did something so horrible happen in their life to think theses things? Why can't they pick apart their accusations and realize what they say makes no sense? Why is it hard for some to admit they are wrong? I really do wonder about some people sometimes.
I know in writing this, I can't change everyone but I do hope some take a real hard look at themselves, how they treat others and why do they REALLY believe in some of the things they do. Maybe even try to think outside the box and come up with their own thoughts instead of what they have been taught by others. We also need to be truly educated on things before saying crazy "truths". Acknowledge others differences, accept it and most important, always show respect.
I don't know why I read comments on articles that has to do with the topic of people who are gay. It used to really piss me off but now I actually find them amusing. Sometimes yes, I get pissed about the ignorance but I have come to terms that there will always be racism of every kind. This doesn't mean that I nor anyone else shouldn't stand up for what's right but when it comes to comments on a website, sometimes it's better to ignore them. Some are there for attention, some are there to just state their opinion and others look for conflict so they can say how much they are correct and everyone else is wrong. It's kinda like people watching for me but on the web and I see the conversations instead of making up my own stories.
The comments always start out with arguing if being gay is a sin and/or wrong, or if it's not. Then very quickly it turns into an argument about religion; interpretations of the bible, if there really is a God and so on.
People sometimes start "yelling", cussing each other out and calling each other names. It's like they actually loose site in what their God really stands for (or just respect if one doesn't believe in a God). They start saying things that don't make any sense, they talk about the things they were most likely taught as a kid instead of taking a deep look into things and coming up with their own thoughts. A lot people also think they are correct and everyone else is wrong and stupid. It gets pretty crazy and stupid if you ask me.
Even though I now become mostly amused by everything, I also shake my head. I am always wondering why can't we argue about more important things? Do we really have to resort in name calling and think others are stupid just because they have different beliefs? Why do we feel the need to try and prove we are right? Why do we think that what we believe is right and others are wrong? Why can't we just respect each other? Open minds people, open minds.
I don't want to get deep into God and the bible but it does make me go "wow" at how many different interpretations there are about religion, how everyone thinks they are correct, forget that there are many different beliefs out there which none is right or wrong. It's the actions and how we treat other that really make something right or wrong. Some people get so hostile about it too. Again I ask why?
Other things I see a lot in comments are the crazy things that people believe to be true about gay people (I'm not calling the people crazy, just the words that come out of their mouths or in this case fingers). Where in the hell do some of them get their information and why do they believe it? Did something so horrible happen in their life to think theses things? Why can't they pick apart their accusations and realize what they say makes no sense? Why is it hard for some to admit they are wrong? I really do wonder about some people sometimes.
I know in writing this, I can't change everyone but I do hope some take a real hard look at themselves, how they treat others and why do they REALLY believe in some of the things they do. Maybe even try to think outside the box and come up with their own thoughts instead of what they have been taught by others. We also need to be truly educated on things before saying crazy "truths". Acknowledge others differences, accept it and most important, always show respect.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Having A Gay Parent
There is always talk about same sex couples raising kids. What you don't hear enough about is the kids that have gay parents. I am here to talk about my story.
If you have read my other blog Coming Out In My Family , you will know that my father is gay. Because in the 60's and 70's being gay was something one just didn't talk about, it made it harder for my dad to be who he was. Like a lot of LGTB people then, he tried to not be gay. He married my mom and a year later I was born. He struggled with it the whole time. Then in the early 80's, my sister was born. By this time he knew he couldn't change and accepted who he was. My parents split.
When he told me he was gay, I was about 10 or 11 years old. I knew what being gay meant, I just didn't understand it. Hell, I didn't even understand about straight relationships. I just knew that my dad was who he was and he couldn't change that. I knew a lot of people hated people who were gay and there was a lot of violence towards anyone who was. It was all over the news. Yes those things still go on today but not like they did back then.
I felt sad for my dad and scared. Sad because I knew things would be harder for him and I didn't want that. Scared because I didn't want someone to beat him up or worse. I was also afraid of how I might be treated in school since I was already being bullied.
At some point I decided to tell the few friends I had. Luckily they didn't care. Thank God their parents didn't care either. I never got bullied because I had a gay father, it was just other things like I was too skinny, I couldn't play sports etc etc.
My father never threw his relationships "in my face" so to speak. Even if it was something I saw all the time, it wouldn't have made a bit of difference if the person he was dating was male or female, I would have still felt the same. I was only introduced to two people. The first didn't work out. The second guy did and was amazing.
He did everything he could to make my sister and I feel welcome. He was one of the sweetest guys you could ever meet. He treated my dad with respect and my sister and I with respect. He treated us like his own daughters. He made my dad happy. Those are the things that really mattered. There are too many boyfriend/girlfriend's of single parents that treat the kids like crap. I would rather have my dad (or mom for that matter) be in a relationship with someone who was/is respectful than to be in one that is abusive.
When we would be out in public, there would be times I would wonder what would happen if someone found out that my dad and the other guy were a couple. Sometimes I wouldn't want anyone to know. I knew there was nothing wrong with two guys being in a relationship but knowing how other people felt about it made me uncomfortable. I know all of this is one of the reasons why some people say gay couples shouldn't have children. The thing is, one it was a different time (the 80's) and two, it didn't damage me at all. I was just more aware of things and I was already a child with low self esteem. Plus, the negative things that some people throw out can make anyone feel uncomfortable, child or adult.
My father and this guy got married but wasn't legal since back then it wasn't allowed anywhere. I didn't attend because I lived in a different state. Was it hard? Yes but not because my dad was marrying another guy. It was hard because he was marrying another person that wasn't my mom. I was about 18 or 19 but it was still hard. I just never dealt with any of feelings I had about my parents splitting up.
Fast forward to today. I am not broken or damaged by having a gay parent. Yes I was raised by my mom and still had my dad in my life but that's not the point. Even if I was raised by my dad, I would still be just fine. I haven't "turned gay", I don't sit here and think "it's cool to be gay" and any other myth you want to throw out can be, well thrown out. I can tell you that I would rather have a gay parent(s) than not have any at all. My father never abused me, he didn't abandoned me and he isn't sitting in a prison somewhere where I can only see him through bars and/or glass. I was taught the same things as any other child growing up.
I was shown and taught about love. That love comes in all different ways and is not prejudiced, only people are. I just want my dad to be happy. That is what really matters. I am grateful that my dad found that special someone. Unfortunately he lost his life and couldn't marry my dad legally.
To anyone who sits there and says that a kid having two moms or dads is not good for the child needs to get educated more on the subject. How about talking to kids who are in the situation or adults who grew up with same sex parents. We will tell you that it's really ok. Kids don't care if they have 1 parent or 2, 2 moms or 2 dads; they just care about being loved, supported and to be protected. So to deny a child a loving home who doesn't have parents is the real damage. The only people care seem to care who a child lives with is other adults.
I think some adults have forgotten what it's like to be child and how it feels. Children are not stupid. They know more than they are given credit. They are curious about the world and we need to educate them on the different people and lifestyles even if we don't agree to some of them. We need to stop sheltering them from little things and shelter them from the bigger things. Children tend not to judge so why do we as adults?
Some might say that kids don't know what's best for themselves. I call bullshit. Yes we know more but kids do know what they need and want. Just ask them. Ask them if they would rather have 2 parents of the same sex or no parents at all (or in jail etc etc). I guarantee you they will say they would rather have 2 same sex parents.
Some might say that there is a risk of sexual abuse. I think there needs to be more education on this subject as well. People are people no matter what. They will sexual abuse a child no matter straight or gay. Most abusers that go after the same sex are straight. Ask them. Has anyone? Probably not. Do real research before speaking on the subject.
How about, "they will get teased/bullied", well guess what, the bullying is going to happen no matter what the subject is. We can't protect our children from everything. "It's not a normal family". What is a normal family? Where parents fight all the time, are abusive, uncaring, drugs and so forth? Please people, stop with the crazy nonsense. Talk to actual kids and adults that grew up with gay parents. Let a child go to a loving home no matter who the parents are. They WILL be ok. Remember, the sad thing is and the real damage is not letting a child have a loving home and protecting them from things they don't need protect from.
If you have read my other blog Coming Out In My Family , you will know that my father is gay. Because in the 60's and 70's being gay was something one just didn't talk about, it made it harder for my dad to be who he was. Like a lot of LGTB people then, he tried to not be gay. He married my mom and a year later I was born. He struggled with it the whole time. Then in the early 80's, my sister was born. By this time he knew he couldn't change and accepted who he was. My parents split.
When he told me he was gay, I was about 10 or 11 years old. I knew what being gay meant, I just didn't understand it. Hell, I didn't even understand about straight relationships. I just knew that my dad was who he was and he couldn't change that. I knew a lot of people hated people who were gay and there was a lot of violence towards anyone who was. It was all over the news. Yes those things still go on today but not like they did back then.
I felt sad for my dad and scared. Sad because I knew things would be harder for him and I didn't want that. Scared because I didn't want someone to beat him up or worse. I was also afraid of how I might be treated in school since I was already being bullied.
At some point I decided to tell the few friends I had. Luckily they didn't care. Thank God their parents didn't care either. I never got bullied because I had a gay father, it was just other things like I was too skinny, I couldn't play sports etc etc.
My father never threw his relationships "in my face" so to speak. Even if it was something I saw all the time, it wouldn't have made a bit of difference if the person he was dating was male or female, I would have still felt the same. I was only introduced to two people. The first didn't work out. The second guy did and was amazing.
He did everything he could to make my sister and I feel welcome. He was one of the sweetest guys you could ever meet. He treated my dad with respect and my sister and I with respect. He treated us like his own daughters. He made my dad happy. Those are the things that really mattered. There are too many boyfriend/girlfriend's of single parents that treat the kids like crap. I would rather have my dad (or mom for that matter) be in a relationship with someone who was/is respectful than to be in one that is abusive.
When we would be out in public, there would be times I would wonder what would happen if someone found out that my dad and the other guy were a couple. Sometimes I wouldn't want anyone to know. I knew there was nothing wrong with two guys being in a relationship but knowing how other people felt about it made me uncomfortable. I know all of this is one of the reasons why some people say gay couples shouldn't have children. The thing is, one it was a different time (the 80's) and two, it didn't damage me at all. I was just more aware of things and I was already a child with low self esteem. Plus, the negative things that some people throw out can make anyone feel uncomfortable, child or adult.
My father and this guy got married but wasn't legal since back then it wasn't allowed anywhere. I didn't attend because I lived in a different state. Was it hard? Yes but not because my dad was marrying another guy. It was hard because he was marrying another person that wasn't my mom. I was about 18 or 19 but it was still hard. I just never dealt with any of feelings I had about my parents splitting up.
Fast forward to today. I am not broken or damaged by having a gay parent. Yes I was raised by my mom and still had my dad in my life but that's not the point. Even if I was raised by my dad, I would still be just fine. I haven't "turned gay", I don't sit here and think "it's cool to be gay" and any other myth you want to throw out can be, well thrown out. I can tell you that I would rather have a gay parent(s) than not have any at all. My father never abused me, he didn't abandoned me and he isn't sitting in a prison somewhere where I can only see him through bars and/or glass. I was taught the same things as any other child growing up.
I was shown and taught about love. That love comes in all different ways and is not prejudiced, only people are. I just want my dad to be happy. That is what really matters. I am grateful that my dad found that special someone. Unfortunately he lost his life and couldn't marry my dad legally.
To anyone who sits there and says that a kid having two moms or dads is not good for the child needs to get educated more on the subject. How about talking to kids who are in the situation or adults who grew up with same sex parents. We will tell you that it's really ok. Kids don't care if they have 1 parent or 2, 2 moms or 2 dads; they just care about being loved, supported and to be protected. So to deny a child a loving home who doesn't have parents is the real damage. The only people care seem to care who a child lives with is other adults.
I think some adults have forgotten what it's like to be child and how it feels. Children are not stupid. They know more than they are given credit. They are curious about the world and we need to educate them on the different people and lifestyles even if we don't agree to some of them. We need to stop sheltering them from little things and shelter them from the bigger things. Children tend not to judge so why do we as adults?
Some might say that kids don't know what's best for themselves. I call bullshit. Yes we know more but kids do know what they need and want. Just ask them. Ask them if they would rather have 2 parents of the same sex or no parents at all (or in jail etc etc). I guarantee you they will say they would rather have 2 same sex parents.
Some might say that there is a risk of sexual abuse. I think there needs to be more education on this subject as well. People are people no matter what. They will sexual abuse a child no matter straight or gay. Most abusers that go after the same sex are straight. Ask them. Has anyone? Probably not. Do real research before speaking on the subject.
How about, "they will get teased/bullied", well guess what, the bullying is going to happen no matter what the subject is. We can't protect our children from everything. "It's not a normal family". What is a normal family? Where parents fight all the time, are abusive, uncaring, drugs and so forth? Please people, stop with the crazy nonsense. Talk to actual kids and adults that grew up with gay parents. Let a child go to a loving home no matter who the parents are. They WILL be ok. Remember, the sad thing is and the real damage is not letting a child have a loving home and protecting them from things they don't need protect from.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Music Videos
Music videos was a big thing in the 80's and even part of the 90's. With cable tv channels like Mtv, CMC and VH1 and the late night weekend show Night Tracks that was on a regular channel, we were able to see music in a creative way. Mtv was the first channel to do this. It gave a different way for our favorite artist to be creative and to tell their story. It had my generation glued to that freakin' tv hoping to catch our favorites. Even if I didn't like a song, I still enjoyed watching a video - sometimes. It gave us another way to dance in our living rooms (hoping no one would catch us) and to discover new music having us rush out to the nearest record store to pick up the hottest song. It was also a way to give artist more publicity which I'm sure help create more sales. Those videos also would create lots of conversations at schools asking "did you see so and so's video?" Shows like Mtv also helped launch new artist like Madonna.
The videos did so much for us, for our culture and for artist everywhere. Michael Jackson was one of the artist that blew up the video scene when he came out with his videos like 'Billie Jean', 'Beat it', and the very popular 'Thriller'. He set the bar high with 'Thriller' and blew people's minds and was the first mini film video. Even if you don't like Michael Jackson, you have to admit that it is an awesome video especially for that time period. The video industry pushed artist to come up with that awesome video.
Another person who I thought was creative with their videos was Cyndi Lauper. Her videos were always weird, corky and yet fun and entertaining. Madonna did sexy videos with 'Like a virgin' and 'Material Girl', having girls everywhere wanting to dress like her. Rock videos had rockers head banging and trying to do air guitar right along with the videos.
Music videos then came with their own award shows and always gave the press even more to talk about when it came to "pop-stars", both good and bad. Madonna was talked about A LOT with the videos she came out with. There was also some talk about Prince's video 'When doves cry', Michael Jackson doing his crotch grabbing, Cyndi Lauper when she had the big orange hair and 'We are the world' which created good talk.
I miss those days. The videos back then were very creative and entertaining. The songs were better. It was something to relax to and enjoy. The feelings one would get when they saw a video from their favorite artist is indescribable. It was almost like a high. We could forget about our troubles just by vegging out in front of the tv with our music.
Today, it just isn't the same. Mtv isn't a music television anymore. Well maybe during the wee hours of the night/morning but that's it. VH1 is the same. Artist stopped putting a lot of creativity into their videos. It could be about money, because they don't get seen as much or maybe both. It's really sad. Yes we may have youtube but it's not the same. Sure I get very excited when my favorite artist puts out a video and I enjoy it very very much but there will always be something missing (not at all the artist fault) and that's seeing the videos on tv. It just has a different vibe. Most videos don't get a lot of notice, don't get talked about in the media much (unless it's a bad review) and it doesn't do a whole lot for the artist because they don't get noticed much(is my take on it). A lot of money goes into videos but hardly any money gets made from them.
There needs to be an actual music channel to bring back the old videos and new ones. We will always go to youtube for videos but to just turn on the tv and kick back with different videos playing is better. Plus not every video is on youtube. Some even get taken down because of copyrights. If they are on tv, there is none of that happening. There still are some very creative, simple and entertaining videos with stories like 'Roar', "E.T.', 'Born this way', 'Have a nice day', 'Black out the sun' just to name a few. It just seems like there is less and less. I know this is a new era but there still needs to be a good ol' music channel. The 80's were awesome for so many different reasons. I love music videos. They are awesome and could be watched all day long. I want my Mtv. :)
The videos did so much for us, for our culture and for artist everywhere. Michael Jackson was one of the artist that blew up the video scene when he came out with his videos like 'Billie Jean', 'Beat it', and the very popular 'Thriller'. He set the bar high with 'Thriller' and blew people's minds and was the first mini film video. Even if you don't like Michael Jackson, you have to admit that it is an awesome video especially for that time period. The video industry pushed artist to come up with that awesome video.
Another person who I thought was creative with their videos was Cyndi Lauper. Her videos were always weird, corky and yet fun and entertaining. Madonna did sexy videos with 'Like a virgin' and 'Material Girl', having girls everywhere wanting to dress like her. Rock videos had rockers head banging and trying to do air guitar right along with the videos.
Music videos then came with their own award shows and always gave the press even more to talk about when it came to "pop-stars", both good and bad. Madonna was talked about A LOT with the videos she came out with. There was also some talk about Prince's video 'When doves cry', Michael Jackson doing his crotch grabbing, Cyndi Lauper when she had the big orange hair and 'We are the world' which created good talk.
I miss those days. The videos back then were very creative and entertaining. The songs were better. It was something to relax to and enjoy. The feelings one would get when they saw a video from their favorite artist is indescribable. It was almost like a high. We could forget about our troubles just by vegging out in front of the tv with our music.
Today, it just isn't the same. Mtv isn't a music television anymore. Well maybe during the wee hours of the night/morning but that's it. VH1 is the same. Artist stopped putting a lot of creativity into their videos. It could be about money, because they don't get seen as much or maybe both. It's really sad. Yes we may have youtube but it's not the same. Sure I get very excited when my favorite artist puts out a video and I enjoy it very very much but there will always be something missing (not at all the artist fault) and that's seeing the videos on tv. It just has a different vibe. Most videos don't get a lot of notice, don't get talked about in the media much (unless it's a bad review) and it doesn't do a whole lot for the artist because they don't get noticed much(is my take on it). A lot of money goes into videos but hardly any money gets made from them.
There needs to be an actual music channel to bring back the old videos and new ones. We will always go to youtube for videos but to just turn on the tv and kick back with different videos playing is better. Plus not every video is on youtube. Some even get taken down because of copyrights. If they are on tv, there is none of that happening. There still are some very creative, simple and entertaining videos with stories like 'Roar', "E.T.', 'Born this way', 'Have a nice day', 'Black out the sun' just to name a few. It just seems like there is less and less. I know this is a new era but there still needs to be a good ol' music channel. The 80's were awesome for so many different reasons. I love music videos. They are awesome and could be watched all day long. I want my Mtv. :)
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Old Children's Games: Clapping And Hand Games Part 1
Do you remember those hand clapping games and other hand games that we did when we were kids? How about where they came from? I know I have these questions so I did a little searching. I have to say, it's difficult to find an actual answer. I assume there isn't a whole lot of information about them.
Clapping games is something my generation (70's & 80's) and others before my time, that would be done and enjoyed by kids all over the place. Kids would stand facing each other (mostly two at a time but sometimes more and in a circle), sing a song/rhyme and do a coordinated hand clap to it. Mostly girls did this but some boys did it too. If one person messed up, you would have to start over or go to the next person waiting to play. If the song was short, sometimes you would keep going and get faster each time until someone messed up.
There were all kinds of different songs like 'Miss Mary Black' and 'Three Sailors' which happened to be my favorite. I think the another I used to do was 'A sailor went to sea sea sea'. There are so many other songs too. There is also the toddler one, 'Patty Cake'.
I have read that it started in the 19th century and became popular in the 50's, that it dates back to ancient Rome or even from the 16th century. Personally I would think it came centuries ago, from just about anywhere from bored kids. I wouldn't mind trying to find out what certain songs from these games came from but since there are so many, it would be too difficult. Although I did read that 'Patty Cake' was first a finger game attributed by a 17th century English writer and poet Tom D'Urfrey then turned into a clapping one by writer Lydia Maria Child.
Over the generations, these songs have been changed and more songs have been created also making the clapping game a little more complicated. Here are the lyrics to the three I have posted above.
'Miss Mary Mack'
Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack
All dressed in black black black
With silver buttons buttons buttons
All down her back back back
She asked her mother mother mother
For fifty cents cents cents
To see the elephants elephants elephants
Jump over the fence fence fence
They jumped so high high high
They touched the sky sky sky
And didn't come back back back
Til' fourth of July July July
'Patty Cake'
Patty patty cake, baker's man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can
Roll it, pat it, mark it with a B
Put it in the oven for baby and me
'A Sailor Went To Sea Sea Sea'
A sailor went to sea sea sea
To see what he could see see see
And all he could see see see
Was the deep blue sea sea sea
(Note: another variation of this is just like the song listed below but used sea sea sea, chop chop chop, knee knee knee)
'Three Sailors'
Three sailors went to eye eye eye
To see what they could eye eye eye
But all they could eye eye eye
Was the bottom of the deep blue eye eye eye
(every time 'eye' is mentioned, one would point to their eye)
Three sailors went to love love love
To see what they could love love love
But all they could love love love
Was the bottom of the deep blue love love love
(one would cross their hands over their heart every time they said 'love')
Three sailors went to dizz dizz dizz
To see what they could dizz dizz dizz
But all they could dizz dizz dizz
Was the bottom of the deep blue dizz dizz dizz
(One would make the crazy sign during every dizz word)
Three sailors went to knee knee knee
To see what they could knee knee knee
But all they could knee knee knee
Was the bottom of the deep blue knee knee knee
(pointing or touching the knee every time it's mentioned)
Three sailors went to land land land
To see what they could land land land
But all they could land land land
Was the bottom of the deep blue land land land
(either patting the air in front of you or bending down touching the ground each time)
Three sailors went to I love Disneyland
To see what they could I love Disneyland
But all they could I love Disneyland
Was the bottom of the deep blue I Love Disneyland
(Doing all the movements in order when saying them)
String games was another popular kids game growing up. From what I have found, these kinds of games date back to thousands and thousands of years ago and there is no real set origin of it. It just passed down from generation to generation, changing as time went on.
One gets a string and ties the ends together creating a circle. One can either then make shapes by themselves or make it into a two person game by grabbing certain strings, pulling them through and making designs. If one failed in making one or couldn't figure it out, they lost. I could never never get very far in this one. Some of the popular ones were/are: 'witch's broom', 'Jacob's ladder' and 'Cat's whiskers'.
Counting out games was always a fun way to see who got chosen to go first for a game or to choose between certain things. Famous ones are: rock paper scissors, one potato two potato, bubble gum bubble gum and Eeny meeny manny mo. So many different version of eeny meeny manny mo have been created through generations. Some short versions, some long versions. I've used both. Here are a few of the popular counting games:
'Eeny Meeny Manny Mo'
Eeny meeny manny mo
Catch a tiger by it's toe
When he hollars let him go
Eeny meeny manny mo
(the longer version has this added to it - my daddy said to pick the very best one and you will not be it for the rest of your entire life.)
'Bubble Gum Bubble Gum'
Bubble gum bubble gum in a dish
How many pieces do you wish?
(Everyone puts their foot in a circle. Then someone would go foot by foot saying the song. Whoever got landed on at the end had to choose a number then in a circle the person went again counting to that number and whoever go landed on was out.)
'One Potato Two Potato'
One potato two potato
Three potato four
Five potato six potato
Seven potato more
(Everyone would put their fist in a circle and whoever got landed on at the end was out)
Even though most of these games is hard to find the origins of, it's pretty clear they have been around for a very long time bringing fun for kids for generations. They have changed over the years and will probably continue to do so. Although, I think today these games are played less and less with new gadgets coming out all the time. It's sad to see them slowly disappear but perhaps one day they will come back. There are some other hand games that I can touch one but will do that at a later time. Thanks for reading :)
Clapping games is something my generation (70's & 80's) and others before my time, that would be done and enjoyed by kids all over the place. Kids would stand facing each other (mostly two at a time but sometimes more and in a circle), sing a song/rhyme and do a coordinated hand clap to it. Mostly girls did this but some boys did it too. If one person messed up, you would have to start over or go to the next person waiting to play. If the song was short, sometimes you would keep going and get faster each time until someone messed up.
There were all kinds of different songs like 'Miss Mary Black' and 'Three Sailors' which happened to be my favorite. I think the another I used to do was 'A sailor went to sea sea sea'. There are so many other songs too. There is also the toddler one, 'Patty Cake'.
I have read that it started in the 19th century and became popular in the 50's, that it dates back to ancient Rome or even from the 16th century. Personally I would think it came centuries ago, from just about anywhere from bored kids. I wouldn't mind trying to find out what certain songs from these games came from but since there are so many, it would be too difficult. Although I did read that 'Patty Cake' was first a finger game attributed by a 17th century English writer and poet Tom D'Urfrey then turned into a clapping one by writer Lydia Maria Child.
Over the generations, these songs have been changed and more songs have been created also making the clapping game a little more complicated. Here are the lyrics to the three I have posted above.
'Miss Mary Mack'
Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack
All dressed in black black black
With silver buttons buttons buttons
All down her back back back
She asked her mother mother mother
For fifty cents cents cents
To see the elephants elephants elephants
Jump over the fence fence fence
They jumped so high high high
They touched the sky sky sky
And didn't come back back back
Til' fourth of July July July
'Patty Cake'
Patty patty cake, baker's man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can
Roll it, pat it, mark it with a B
Put it in the oven for baby and me
'A Sailor Went To Sea Sea Sea'
A sailor went to sea sea sea
To see what he could see see see
And all he could see see see
Was the deep blue sea sea sea
(Note: another variation of this is just like the song listed below but used sea sea sea, chop chop chop, knee knee knee)
'Three Sailors'
Three sailors went to eye eye eye
To see what they could eye eye eye
But all they could eye eye eye
Was the bottom of the deep blue eye eye eye
(every time 'eye' is mentioned, one would point to their eye)
Three sailors went to love love love
To see what they could love love love
But all they could love love love
Was the bottom of the deep blue love love love
(one would cross their hands over their heart every time they said 'love')
Three sailors went to dizz dizz dizz
To see what they could dizz dizz dizz
But all they could dizz dizz dizz
Was the bottom of the deep blue dizz dizz dizz
(One would make the crazy sign during every dizz word)
Three sailors went to knee knee knee
To see what they could knee knee knee
But all they could knee knee knee
Was the bottom of the deep blue knee knee knee
(pointing or touching the knee every time it's mentioned)
Three sailors went to land land land
To see what they could land land land
But all they could land land land
Was the bottom of the deep blue land land land
(either patting the air in front of you or bending down touching the ground each time)
Three sailors went to I love Disneyland
To see what they could I love Disneyland
But all they could I love Disneyland
Was the bottom of the deep blue I Love Disneyland
(Doing all the movements in order when saying them)
String games was another popular kids game growing up. From what I have found, these kinds of games date back to thousands and thousands of years ago and there is no real set origin of it. It just passed down from generation to generation, changing as time went on.
One gets a string and ties the ends together creating a circle. One can either then make shapes by themselves or make it into a two person game by grabbing certain strings, pulling them through and making designs. If one failed in making one or couldn't figure it out, they lost. I could never never get very far in this one. Some of the popular ones were/are: 'witch's broom', 'Jacob's ladder' and 'Cat's whiskers'.
Counting out games was always a fun way to see who got chosen to go first for a game or to choose between certain things. Famous ones are: rock paper scissors, one potato two potato, bubble gum bubble gum and Eeny meeny manny mo. So many different version of eeny meeny manny mo have been created through generations. Some short versions, some long versions. I've used both. Here are a few of the popular counting games:
'Eeny Meeny Manny Mo'
Eeny meeny manny mo
Catch a tiger by it's toe
When he hollars let him go
Eeny meeny manny mo
(the longer version has this added to it - my daddy said to pick the very best one and you will not be it for the rest of your entire life.)
'Bubble Gum Bubble Gum'
Bubble gum bubble gum in a dish
How many pieces do you wish?
(Everyone puts their foot in a circle. Then someone would go foot by foot saying the song. Whoever got landed on at the end had to choose a number then in a circle the person went again counting to that number and whoever go landed on was out.)
'One Potato Two Potato'
One potato two potato
Three potato four
Five potato six potato
Seven potato more
(Everyone would put their fist in a circle and whoever got landed on at the end was out)
Even though most of these games is hard to find the origins of, it's pretty clear they have been around for a very long time bringing fun for kids for generations. They have changed over the years and will probably continue to do so. Although, I think today these games are played less and less with new gadgets coming out all the time. It's sad to see them slowly disappear but perhaps one day they will come back. There are some other hand games that I can touch one but will do that at a later time. Thanks for reading :)
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is evil and effects thousands of people. It comes in different forms and in different levels. It can trick outsiders into thinking the person that suffers from it is rude, anti-social (by choice), doesn't care, weird and so on. It makes "outsiders" feel uncomfortable, not knowing how to react which also makes the person with SA feel even more uncomfortable. It can stop some people from even going outside, not being able to do something simple that we take for granted like going to a store.
It makes one feel alone, isolated, bad about themselves, feel like they don't fit in, not good enough, feeling like no one cares and that doesn't include when the anxiety kicks in. Once it kicks in, it can feel overwhelming to the point of tears, claustrophobic, can't breath, maybe even like one is going to loose their mind. Everyone that has SA, experience different things but one thing is for sure, it can be complete hell.
The fears are not rational but they are VERY real and there. One can't just "get over it" or "just do it". To the "average" person, it can seem like a person with SA is being dramatic and they just can't understand what one is going through. It makes it hard for one to make friends. It's a very hard and scary battle.
The reason why I am talking about this and why I know about it is because I have social anxiety. I never knew I had it until late last year. Looking back at my life, I can tell you that I have had it all my life. I thought it was just being shy but come to find out, it's more than that. Now that I know what it is, in some ways it makes it easier to deal with. In other ways, it's just the same but VERY frustrating. Different people get it from different experiences. I know where mine came from.
I was surrounded by a lot of negativity. I had positive stuff/people in my life but it seemed like the negative out weighed the positive. I'm sure it didn't but to a kid, it can seem that way. I was pushed aside, not a lot of people interacting with me (and to a child this is important), made fun of, threatened, called names, made to feel stupid and that I wasn't worth people's time. Even by teachers and my school. I didn't get a good education and this adds to the anxiety. I did have a few friends in school (some I even have re-connected with today) and to those, I send thanks for giving me a chance. For not judging and seeing something in me that for some reason others did not.
By the time I was a teen, I wasn't being bullied (except for a little in gym class) but the damage was already done. I did try for drama class to prove to myself that I could do something like that even though it was hard. By almost everyone around me, I was asked why was I doing it, saying I was too shy and saying I wouldn't make it. I did it and I made it but it was difficult. I just didn't have the confidence.
Fast forward to today. I can go out in public, I can apply for jobs and work. It's chatting with people - web or in person (in a social environment), talking on the phone and sometimes leaving comments on the web is what I have problems with. It doesn't matter if it's family, friends or people I hardly know, it's all the same. I do go through some of those things stated above. It's almost a daily battle. Running into some of the same situations when I was a kid doesn't help.
I have a hard time saying things, not knowing what to say or how to communicate, afraid I am going to be cast aside since I was a lot when I was a kid and the list goes on. I become overwhelmed at times. I have a hard time with the simplest things. So if I don't talk much, say something that might come off a certain way or even talk to much about myself, it's because of what I constantly feel/go through. I really do try to learn how to talk to people, to put myself out there and to just relax and to be me. I am writing and posting this in case others are going through it and to explain why I don't talk much. Yes I don't need to explain myself to people but at the same time, I want to express who I am. To say this is me and this is why. To let others know that I do like to have fun etc, I just have things I'm going through.
It makes one feel alone, isolated, bad about themselves, feel like they don't fit in, not good enough, feeling like no one cares and that doesn't include when the anxiety kicks in. Once it kicks in, it can feel overwhelming to the point of tears, claustrophobic, can't breath, maybe even like one is going to loose their mind. Everyone that has SA, experience different things but one thing is for sure, it can be complete hell.
The fears are not rational but they are VERY real and there. One can't just "get over it" or "just do it". To the "average" person, it can seem like a person with SA is being dramatic and they just can't understand what one is going through. It makes it hard for one to make friends. It's a very hard and scary battle.
The reason why I am talking about this and why I know about it is because I have social anxiety. I never knew I had it until late last year. Looking back at my life, I can tell you that I have had it all my life. I thought it was just being shy but come to find out, it's more than that. Now that I know what it is, in some ways it makes it easier to deal with. In other ways, it's just the same but VERY frustrating. Different people get it from different experiences. I know where mine came from.
I was surrounded by a lot of negativity. I had positive stuff/people in my life but it seemed like the negative out weighed the positive. I'm sure it didn't but to a kid, it can seem that way. I was pushed aside, not a lot of people interacting with me (and to a child this is important), made fun of, threatened, called names, made to feel stupid and that I wasn't worth people's time. Even by teachers and my school. I didn't get a good education and this adds to the anxiety. I did have a few friends in school (some I even have re-connected with today) and to those, I send thanks for giving me a chance. For not judging and seeing something in me that for some reason others did not.
By the time I was a teen, I wasn't being bullied (except for a little in gym class) but the damage was already done. I did try for drama class to prove to myself that I could do something like that even though it was hard. By almost everyone around me, I was asked why was I doing it, saying I was too shy and saying I wouldn't make it. I did it and I made it but it was difficult. I just didn't have the confidence.
Fast forward to today. I can go out in public, I can apply for jobs and work. It's chatting with people - web or in person (in a social environment), talking on the phone and sometimes leaving comments on the web is what I have problems with. It doesn't matter if it's family, friends or people I hardly know, it's all the same. I do go through some of those things stated above. It's almost a daily battle. Running into some of the same situations when I was a kid doesn't help.
I have a hard time saying things, not knowing what to say or how to communicate, afraid I am going to be cast aside since I was a lot when I was a kid and the list goes on. I become overwhelmed at times. I have a hard time with the simplest things. So if I don't talk much, say something that might come off a certain way or even talk to much about myself, it's because of what I constantly feel/go through. I really do try to learn how to talk to people, to put myself out there and to just relax and to be me. I am writing and posting this in case others are going through it and to explain why I don't talk much. Yes I don't need to explain myself to people but at the same time, I want to express who I am. To say this is me and this is why. To let others know that I do like to have fun etc, I just have things I'm going through.
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