Sunday, December 30, 2007

life experience 101



wow. I'm sitting here combing through the events of last night in a bit of shock... no less shock, more awe. Did that really happen? Did that really happen to me? Wow.

Let's just say DC's finest police officers were involved. And that was before many adult beverages and dancing with wild abandon.

Many thanks to good friends.

I'll leave it at that.

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Poetry on a bar-nap: Kramer's w/ Boris!

We were restless, broke, and creative... so we went to Kramer's for adult beverages & fun. Here's the result of our efforts, enjoy!

TOPIC: Home

The space where I breath easiest
The place where I am free to laugh, cry, stress out,
or dance around naked.
Home is your scent when I wake up.
Home is her laughter at a new discovery.
Home is "Momma, it's time for breakfast!!"
Home is the way he calls me princess.
Home is good conversation.
Home is our time together.
Home is now.
- k.k.

Leaving one home for another
Flying across the miles,
I take it with me
Memories, fine golden threads
Tying me to people, places
Filling spaces in my heart
Nomadic, I shoulder my sack of
Dreams
And move on
- Shallom

TOPIC: Nicknames

I haven't had a nickname yet
That stuck around for long
Maybe I'm one of those people
Who can't be abbreviated...
- Shallom

Little Lady
Baby girl
Lover
Sweet Cheeks

I've always hated
nicknames....
until He.

Gave me

these names and more,


See, I am his principania....
and I
love it
- k.k.

TOPIC: Girlfriends

My wet head drips
With moisturizing evaporates
My clothes are a little
Damp
However,
I am warm and
Dry
While the storm
Occupies the town
- Boris

Girls
Boys
Ladies
Men
Friends, Lovers, Friends
Around and around
They spin
Begin again,
Girlfriends once more,
Sharing secrets, sewing together a
Tapestry of stories far richer than
Wealth known.
Barely innocent, they roam...
Drinking each other in
Like nectar.
Love blooms,
Especially when they're
Girlfriends
- k.k.

"Girlfriends" a word with many meanings
Unexpected
Treasured,
We move through each others'
Worlds like silk across skin
Smooth
Comfortable
Warm
- Shallom

TOPIC: NAUGHTY

I sure do look nice...
Innocent & sweet
Look a little deeper and you'll see
A little something naughty
Underneath
- Shallom

I pledge allegiance to naughty
Not because it is the elder,
Wiser; but because it is
Sensible and complete
It acts without the pretense
Of control
It finds its passion and
Does not shy from it
- Boris

Naughty by nature,
Nice by choice.
I must be masochistic.
Oh, the thoughts I think!
Shall we?
Let's!
Naughty this night,
I think...
To bite
To squeeze,
A nipple to tease,
Naughty is nice,
It seems.
- k.k.

TOPIC: Free Refill

Refill
Refresh, Rewind.
Do over. Do again.
Essie May?
Essie won't.
Do, or Don't.
But, please,
Whatever you
May or won't do,
Find me
A REFILL!
- k.k.

Free Refill
Who has tea to chill
Or sun to brew
Or tobacco to chew
Or birds who flew
Or hearts that grew
My glass is empty
Or half a glass for tea
- Boris

I need a refill, darlin'
You think you can fill me up
Again?

... ooooo, I thought so.
- Shallom

TOPIC: Nibble

Nibble on me
But not too hard -
Or, I might bite back
In fact -
I'll bite you anyways -
I know you like it
- Shallom

Nibble on my cheekbones,
I giggle, wiggle,
Jiggle and...
That's right,
You scream
with pleasure.
So, nibble away.
- k.k.

Bite
Bite Bite
Bite Nibble
Pass the fork
Forks make me tired
Just dive in
Mouth
First
- Boris

TOPIC: Bitchy

She gets this way
When she is not moving
All blah, blah blah
or, "That ain't right!"
Unless she do what
Boris Willis does.
ARGH!
Someone needs to go
Beddie-bye
or
Move
- Boris

I wouldn't call myself bitchy
But I don't take shit from anyone -
Step up, step back or step off
'Cause I'm comin' through
- Shallom

Bitchy -
Oh, Yes,
I can be.
Quite.
Test me,
You'll see.
This bark only hints at the
bite.
- k.k.

TOPIC: New Year

New Year
Old Fear
Damn, I need a
Resolution
- k.k.

Resolute, the world turns
New, or the same
Whatever
Peek into and grab onto and live
Scream and release
- Boris

This new year brings new beginnings
Mint green shoots of new growth
Pushing tips through snow
Heading home to old friends
I bring the new ones with me
In heart and mind
Coming back to pick up where
I left off
- Shallom

Friday, December 28, 2007

A smoking ban in France?

Hmmmm... I found this a bit surprising, based on my memories of France. As a person who still enjoys a social smoke (yes, I can admit it) I wonder how the smoking French will respond.

Even my occasional social smokes typically happen at private residences these days - the non-smoking public tends to have that holier-than-thou "YOU ARE THE CAUSE OF CANCER!" look on their face when watching a smoker's huddle in public spaces. I don't need that judgment...

The French have a particularly acidic holier-than-thou stare (primarily when aimed at Americans). I am curious to see how the French adaptation of the CANCER STARE will look... anyone have pictures already?


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7163178.stm

French cafes set to ban smoking
A girl in a Paris cafe (file image)
France is transforming the image of traditional smoke-filled cafes
France is poised to extend its smoking ban to bars, cafes, restaurants and discos, but the measure will not be enforced fully until 2 January.

The health ministry said smokers would be allowed a 24-hour "grace" period for the New Year festivities.

The ban, which will also cover casinos and hotels, comes on top of a partial ban on smoking in public places that took effect in February.

Similar bans are already in place in Britain, Ireland, Italy and Spain.

The French health ministry said the wider ban, due to take effect on 1 January, would not be monitored strictly during the New Year festivities, in a gesture of "tolerance".

Any smoker caught flouting the ban thereafter faces a 450-euro (£332; $662) fine, while those who turn a blind eye to smokers on their premises can be fined up to 750 euros.

France has about 13.5 million smokers among its population of 60.7 million.

In February smoking became outlawed in French airports, railway stations, hospitals, schools, shops and offices.

The new ban is seen as a big cultural shift for France, where smoky cafes have long been the haunts of famous artists and philosophers. The ban does not include pavement tables or open-air terraces.

In 2004, Ireland became the first European country to introduce a comprehensive smoking ban in all workplaces, including pubs and restaurants.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Assassination

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7161590.stm

Benazir Bhutto killed in attack
Benazir Bhutto at the rally on 27 December 2007
Benazir Bhutto had been addressing rallies in many parts of Pakistan
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated in a suicide attack.

Ms Bhutto had just addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi when she was shot in the neck by a gunman who then set off a bomb.

At least 15 other people died in the attack and several more were injured.

President Pervez Musharraf condemned the killing and urged people to remain calm so that the "nefarious designs of terrorists can be defeated."

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack.

Ms Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had twice been the country's prime minister and had been campaigning ahead of elections due in January.

Map

It was the second suicide attack against her in recent months and came amid a wave of bombings targeting security and government officials.

Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, said her death was a tragedy for "the entire nation".

"It is not a sad day, it is [the] darkest, gloomiest day in the history of this country," he said, speaking at the hospital where she was taken.

The United Nations Security Council is to meet for emergency consultations shortly to discuss the situation in Pakistan after the killing.

Scene of grief

The attack occurred close to an entrance gate of the park in Rawalpindi where Ms Bhutto had been speaking.

Man cries in grief at scene of attack in Rawalpindi
Extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan
David Miliband
UK foreign secretary

Police confirmed reports Ms Bhutto had been shot in the neck and chest before the gunman blew himself up.

She died at 1816 (1316 GMT), said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of the PPP who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital.

Some supporters at the hospital wept while others exploded in anger, throwing stones at cars and breaking windows.

Police in the north-western city of Peshawar are reported to have used tear gas and batons to break up a demonstration by angry Bhutto supporters and there were also protests in other cities.

Mr Sharif said there had been a "serious lapse in security" by the government.

But an old friend of Ms Bhutto, Salman Tassir, told the BBC World Service he did not think criticism should be directed at the government.

"There have been suicide attacks on Gen Musharraf also," he told Newshour.

"... I mean it is extremism and the fanatics who are to blame."

Earlier on Thursday, at least four people were killed ahead of an election rally Mr Sharif had been preparing to attend close to Rawalpindi.

Ms Bhutto's death has plunged the PPP into confusion and raises questions about whether January elections will go ahead as planned, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says.

'Cowardly act'

The killing was condemned by the US, the UK and others.

BENAZIR BHUTTO
Father led Pakistan before being executed in 1979
Spent five years in prison
Served as PM from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996
Sacked twice by president on corruption charges
Formed alliance with rival ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in 2006
Ended self-imposed exile by returning to Pakistan in October
Educated at Harvard and Oxford

"The US strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy," US President George W Bush said.

"Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice."

UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "deeply shocked" by Ms Bhutto's death and said "extremist groups... [could] not and must not succeed".

Ms Bhutto returned from self-imposed exile in October after years out of Pakistan where she had faced corruption charges.

Her return was the result of a power-sharing agreement with President Musharraf in which he granted an amnesty that covered the court cases she was facing.

It was only a matter of time before the darker forces... carried out this action
Helen Stynes
Swaffham

But relations with Mr Musharraf soon broke down.

On the day of her arrival, she had led a motor cavalcade through the city of Karachi. It was hit by a double suicide attack that left some 130 dead.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

TV Spot

Cheza TV show Featuring CONTRADICTION DANCE
Kelly Mayfield•Joseph Nontanovan•Bryan East
8/20/2007


Xmas after-thoughts...




So the party is over, the peeps have left... save the dear Shallom & the artist Dwayne. As I sit here, sipping my last glass of red I'm listening to Dwayne singing Stevie while Shallom is drawing in her sketchbook. All is well and to all a good night.

Highlights from the day:
- my mother dancing (salsa & "tut")
- the impromptu jorda (spelling?) in my livingroom
- pop-lock lesson & group choreo
- Alana learning Chess
- wonderful food
- good friends

YAY! Holidays!

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

XMAS Feast, Oscar Peterson, & tidbits

Happy Holidays All!!!

I'm brimming with the spirit of the season... it tends to sweep me up and make me feel like flying. I've had butterflies on the mind lately - why would I hide this smile?

I'm taking a break from the madness of preparing a feast for friends. My feet hurt and I can't chop anymore, but I'm content and happy to be feeding my friends. There are a few who can't be here, of course, and they are missed. I find that as I cook, my thoughts linger on those who will share the meal - bonds made over food are lasting and warm in my world :)

I'm curious to see how my guests will mix and mingle... it's a diverse crowd in terms of gender, race, economics, religion, age, marital status, nationality, and expectation. hmmm more on that after the fact, I suppose.

Sad news in the music world... seems like so many great ones are gone... if you haven't enjoyed live music recently... GO!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7159591.stm

Jazz legend Oscar Peterson dies

Peterson received all of Canada's highest honours during his lifetime
Peterson performing
Jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson has died of kidney failure at his home in Toronto, at the age of 82.

Peterson was one of jazz's most recorded musicians, and was famous for his fast-playing virtuoso style.

He made more than 200 albums and won eight Grammy awards, including a lifetime achievement honour in 1997.

He released his first single at the age of 19 and performed with greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Nat "King" Cole.

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame announced last month that it was to present the star with its Founder's Award in 2008.

This was to celebrate "a brilliant jazz pianist and composer" who showed "musical dexterity and energetic performances", it said.

Peterson, who had a working-class upbringing in Montreal, won a talent contest organised by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) when he was 14 years old.

"The world has lost an important jazz player," Hazel McCallion, mayor of Mississauga, Ontario, and Peterson's close friend, told CBC News.

"He's been going downhill in the last few months, slowing up," she added.

His studio and live partners included Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Stan Getz.

Basie once described Peterson as someone who "plays the best ivory box I've ever heard", while Ellington referred to him as "Maharajah of the keyboard".

Gifted at improvisation, Peterson said in 2005 how live free-form jazz could enable "moments of great beauty to emerge".

He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honour, and he was the first living Canadian to be depicted on a stamp.

Peterson was married four times and had five children.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/entertainment/7159591.stm

Published: 2007/12/24 18:59:13 GMT

© BBC MMVII