so to begin my day at work I usually log onto STEREOMOOD, which is a very fun playlist website and I pick INSPIRE... and this song  WE ARE YOUNG by FUN comes on! I sang this song for the entire MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY recently, humming it in the kayak :) Just popped in and stayed all day. I even pulled up the video to show my friends that day. So when it played first thing this morning I had to share more in depth with y'all!

This video is very cool with its special effects and each time I watch it I see more cool stuff. I really like it as an expression of the song. It takes it to another level for me, rather than telling the story of the song it illustrates the angst, anger, and confusion of youth trying to swim upstream in the night.

First let me tell you how much I love this tune. not just the lyrics, but the actual song and beat, phrasing and music.... couple that with a great message in the lyrics which are shown here.


Then they gotta go and make a spoof which takes this song to a whole new platform and speaks to my mid life nearing heart! ENjoy!!!


See you after YOGA TEACHER TRAINING!!! AHAHAHHAHAHAHA

BAMBOOZLED

One year I signed up for Netflix and on my streaming recommendations was this little series called "COSMOS", masterminded by the brilliant astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist (star makeup, not face :) MR. CARL SAGAN. 

The setting was late 1970's era giddy sets and costume, but the knowledge was as spell binding as his delivery.  Mr. Sagan was intent on looking into your soul and helping share his knowledge of star stuff in the way he already knew your brain could handle it. The result a masterpiece of scientific communication shown on PBS and now available to me through the magic of the interwebs. 

Carl knew ways to ask the big questions, scare your pants off about how large the universe is and then demonstrate how magical life is with displays of scientific instruction like your favorite neighborhood science teacher.  The top example being the Apple Pie Segment. 

"If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe."

After the riveting thirteen episodes of COSMOS, I found myself looking for more displays of Saganisms. I became a net stalker, searching for more and unearthed that he also was the M.C. for the ahead of its time book-made-into-movie "CONTACT". Foot note: this movie beautiful and intense in its own right, was also the launching pad for: the beautiful and intense, can't spell his name but don't send him packing with that six pack, Matthew McConaughey.  

Now that you have an idea of the genius and lovable brilliance that comprises Mr. Carl Sagan, I would like to inject the folllowing food for thought:

"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.” ― Carl Sagan

• What has bamboozled you that you have long forgotten the truth?
• What story line have you continued to write even though the bamboozled pen ran dry long ago.... 
• What can you awaken, refresh, energize from deep within your truest self???? 
• Forget those playground bullies, latchkey days, daytime soaps, fights with the noisy neighbors, self inflicted wounds...dive in and resurface your non-bamboozled soul. 

We have had some recent rains and storms and illuminating moons here in ATX. I am feeling washed anew and springy.
I also have a deeper understanding of the PALE BLUE DOT that we ride and call home thanks to Sir Sagan.  

If you are short on time, check out THIS LINK... sit down and strap on a belt... 

Big Sagan Love

For more on Sagan try the embedded links. 

***be warned, you may be on your way to a journey deep without and deep within.

"Ahead of Their Time"

"Ahead of Their Time"

An Arthouse Exhibition 

Our dear community member, Nany Zepeda, entered the contest, "Ahead of Their Time", for School Aged Youth and was awarded a place on the Gallery wall. The opening reception was held Saturday March 31st at The Jones Center, 700 Congress Avenue in Austin. Her photo and all contestant entries will be on view here through April 22nd.

Nany is overjoyed with her inclusion in the project and says "This contest gives the opportunity to young artists around Austin to be part of an official art exhibition in one of the most influential places that any artist living in Austin dreams to be a part of...the Universe chose me and one of the photographs of India to be one of the blessed artists featured in this exhibition."

NANY ZEPEDA's Featured Photograph

Nany also asks us to "celebrate with me, the magic of art through photography, but most importantly to celebrate the mysteries of India reflected on the eyes of humanity."

Nany is very active in the Amala community:  Participating in Young Artists in Service, Bhatti Mines School , and  One Village Projects.

Nany traveled to India on Service Retreat with the Amala Foundation- Bhatti Mines School Project.  Here she worked with the community and school, headed by Mr. Santosh Singh. The retreat creates a wonderful sharing between the school children, families and travellers. There is much work and play and deep learning that occurs on these occasions.  

Ms. Zepeda is a bright shining lady who is usually found smiling and hugging and laughing. She has been known to say supportive and powerful things to her friends when they need to hear a comforting word. Living large and much beyond her years, she has a grasp of Universal Humanity, that she shares through her art and words here..

"In November of last year, I travel to India for two weeks and a half. One of the most amazing and powerful experiences that I have ever had in my life.  All the mysteries of India hold space for me to exerience myself even deeper; in many way I never thought possible. The trip impact me so deeply that the repurcussions still here, in my everyday life. One of the great impacts that I had from this was reflected on one of my biggest passions. ART!

While in India, I got to take photographs of many of our family member of India. In their faces the reflection of love and gratitude was alive and vibrant. However, every time I took a picture I wasn't thinking about a "Masterpiece" or an "Art Compassion." Every shoot was just a human to human  connection that a simple camera give to me and the side effect was that I was creating a masterpiece with every shoot.

And on the past few months these photographs have given me what India did.....the opportunity to experience myself even more deeply. 

The photographs had won many contests and recognized by so many people, But most importantly they met India through my art."

Many community members were on hand at the unveiling reception and a few  are pictured below.  Thank you all for your continued support of Nany, the Youth and our Community! Peace and Love... and ART :)

Nany with Linda Freiheit

Tammy Howard and Daughter Amber :)

Crystal Schrieber and Jake Howard

Nany and Maya Adjianai

Majida Al-Hussaam

Maya and Kris "Cricket" Ferrari

Nany and Veronica

Wolf Creek

Magnified Hearts Eye

shine present Human

around the corner of the corner store

As I waited next to your bike at the quik mart, while you ran in for an energy drink....

I peered around the corner of the corner store.
 I spy a couple leaning against their car....

She holding two pieces of paper and him a cardboard case of beer. 
They are locked in on each other's gaze and smiling really big.

 I zoom in with my natural stare and see her passing the papers over from one hand to the other and
 back again, laughing playfully, showing all her teeth and shining brightly in the dimly lit street.

He reaches out his free hand to point to one and then I realize they are lottery tickets and

they have placed a wish on each paper.

A dream and a prayer held in the space between them, although they have already won.
Winning the prize of each other's shared company and dollars scratched off or not they have a recipe for a grand Valentine's day night.