Marina. Photograph and copyright by Barbara Mattio 2001
My hometown, Erie, Pa.
The Peninsula…5 miles of pristine beaches, walking paths and cross country skiing. Photograph and copyright 2001 by Barbara Mattio
Why
Tag Archives: music
The Best Party Band in the Land
One of my favorite bands — and my sister’s very favorite — is Duran Duran, a band who has described themselves, many times, as the Band designed to make you Party.
The following video, party-ready, is from their 2001 tour and album Astronaut. It includes the single Wake up to the Sunrise, one my favorite songs. My sister simply loves all their music. I hope you will enjoy it too.
I hope it makes you smile.
Paper Gods
I’ve always loved music. Classical, Rock, Pop, Jazz, BlueGrass, Zydeco, Reggae. I love the way it moves me, and makes me think.
My sister is the same way, and it’s a rare day when the stereo isn’t on in the house, or playing in our cars.
So it made sense that, over 30 years ago, my sister introduced me to her favorite band, which quickly became one of my favorites as well: Duran Duran.
At time, they were the most popular band in the world, but you would be ridiculed for liking them. But, as most of you know, I’ve never been that concerned about what other people think about what I think. We’re all entitled to our own opinions, after all, and no one has ever been able to scare me out of mine.
30 years after I first heard them, Duran Duran are still together, and still making records.
Yesterday, my sister introduced me to the title track of their new album, Paper Gods, being released on September 11.
If this song is any indication, we have a lot to look forward to!
I hope you enjoy it as much as my sister and I did.
Sunday thoughts
” Are you looking for Me?
I am in the next seat.
My shoulder is against yours.
You will not find Me in stupas,
not in Indian shrine rooms,
nor synagogues, nor in cathedrals,
not in masses, nor kirtans,
not in legs winding around your own neck,
nor in eating nothing but vegetables.
When you really look for Me,
you will see Me instantly—
You will find Me in the tiniest house of time.”
—Khabir, a thirteenth century Eastern poet
Holden Beach, NC Photographed and copyright by Barbara Mattio 2015
A Journey of Creation
It’s been a rough week. Volcanos, earthquakes, riots. It makes people forget the beauty in the world, and the importance of creating beauty.
I found this talk, by Sabina Ulubeanu, a music composer, and Co-Artistic Director of InnerSound New Arts Festival in Romania, on the TED Talks channel on YouTube and wanted to share it with you, my loyal readers.
Sometimes, when things seem the worst, we need to remember that there is still beauty in the world, and that the creation of beauty in all its forms — music, art, poetry, prose and, yes, science — is the most important work of all.
Happy Passover
Tonight is the first night of the Passover Festival, celebrated by Jews around the world. It is a time of remembering when the Jews were slaves in Egypt. God used Moses and Aaron to free them. That would have been enough (Dayenu) but then God parted the Red Sea and allowed them to pass dry, preventing the Egyptians from following. That would have been enough (Dayenu) but he fed them for 40 years in the desert before bringing them to the promised land.
Passover is a holiday of celebration, the celebration of Freedom.
The Freedom to live and worship as you please. The Freedom, sometimes, to have a little fun with it all.
Enjoy this video and have a Happy Passover.
Ghazal
“Thanks be to God, the very world that birthed us
now is bathed by wondrous Nature
in a rapture of her glorious light:
the splendor of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, now revealed.
And humankind, highest of creatures,
endowed with Intellect’s might
so that all the beasts,
winged and hoof’d,
are placed under his command
And Adam’s veins are filled
with Art, Science, Faith:
he knows the sciences are clear
-but music is the weightiest
as a surging ocean
outweighs the very world through with it flows.
If he whose heart’s been moved
by the science of Music’s whole effect
were offered the pleasure of emperorship,
he’d certainly ignore it
-for Man is not alone in his delight
at that sweet sound
since even animals have sacrificed themselves for it.
More stubborn than a donkey,
he who holds that Music’s “impure”;
Ignorant of beauty
how claim acquaintance with the Lord?
Creator!
the Ocean Surges!
Permit my skiff to reach the shore
-King!
I beg what kindness
-Inayat-
thou canst afford.
—Translated from the Urdu by Pir Zia Inayat Khan and Lamborn Wilson
The Dalai Lama
Embrace your world and make it be whatever you want.
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A Sunday Thought
It’s been a long, hard week. Cold and depressing and the world creeps every closer to war.
This may seem an odd time to post this, but I think it’s always appropriate. This is my contribution of positive energy into the world today.
Fly Over the Rainbow & Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Photo Copyright by Barbara Mattio 2013
wonderful world
We all have days where life is rough. Or what is happening in the world is medieval and barbaric. Some days, it is difficult to keep the positive energy going. But it is important because we need to make peace in this world. Often, in my experience, these days come with a little help from the Universe to keep the love and kindness going. My asthma is very bad today. I found this and wanted to share it with all of you, my readers and my friends.
Namaste
The Journey of my Monday Morning Mind
Good morning, dear readers. I find myself thinking about those I miss. The people who are no longer there are the greatest loss of getting older. It is the anniversary of the passing of an old friend. John Lennon was in my dreams last night. I don’t know why and the plot isn’t clear, but it got me thinking of the rest of the Beatles. That led me to George Harrison, and this interview George gave to VHI shows the authentic, real George Harrison. It, in my opinion, is a brilliant video.
This is a quiet homage to Whitney Houston and a prayer for her daughter, Bobbi Christine, now in a medically-induced coma. May she come out of this with new strength and determination, and a clear knowing of how much her mother loved her.
idealisticrebel 