What it feels like for a Legend

Legend has it that when Madonna first came to New York that she said, "drop me in the center of everything". The driver dropped her in Times Square! Now Times Square is the center of tourism in New York City and New Yorkers actually stay away from it as much as possible. That's no so much the case with Madonna

My first introduction to Madonna was with the song, "Borderline". The hook and beat were infectious (remember those few chords that the beginning) and her voice was young and the chorus soulful. When the song/video for "Lucky Star" came out I was hooked. Where did this girl that could dance, sing and create her own look come from? When her videos dropped they were events (There was even a contest to create a video for True Blue). Depending on how old you are you remember the hype over "Like a Virgin"(the one song I didn't like until it was redone and "Papa Don't Preach. I had a conversation with my mom about abortion because of that song.

I never bought an album until "I'm Breathless" with the infamous single"Vogue" and then "Erotic" in 1992 with the "Sex" book (which I still have). "Vogue", said it was okay to be who you are...that was all I needed (the movie Truth or Dare didn't hurt either).

Madonna, Madonna...congrats! . Keep challenging your audience and yourself with new sounds and visuals. I'm always interested. I can't wait until "Hard Candy" (April 29, 2008)

UPS

This is from the LOGO channel.  I thought it was hysterical.  Click the title to view clip.

Banned from Armani

This is ridiculous. Because of Cathy Horyn's unfavorable opinions of his shows she's banned from attending them?

I attended my first fashion show in Bryant Park this year and I had a ball, but isn't the purpose of a show to showcase your clothes. If someone doesn't like it, oh well, that's their opinion. To tell a journalist especially from the New York Times that you don't want them to attend is to deny a voice. It says that your clothes only warrant positive comments. We know that in fashion and most other art forms there are intensely opinionated people who love to throw their "two cents" in.

Dear Mr. Armini ,

I have enjoyed your clothes for years; your clothes looks effortless and your fabrics are soft and modern. The only problem is your style/voice hasn't changed in over a decade. That is a problem. I think you need to listen occasionally. I'm sure your bottom line won't be affected by it. Anyway, if you had such a problem with Ms. Horyn, give her a standing room only ticket.

What are you doing to do to me Mr. Arman?. I think I'd cry if I couldn't go to a Dsquared show or Dolce & Gabanna. Those are shows I want to see in person! Yours, I'm fine to see the pics online.

My New Governor

David A. Paterson will be sworn in as the new Governor next week and I found this tidbit inspiring from this Washington Post article.

As an infant, Paterson was declared legally blind, with minimal sight in only one eye, a disability that has not kept him from running a marathon and playing pickup basketball. "The impressive thing about him . . . is a constant striving to overcome his disability," said Eric Lane, who was one of his professors at Hofstra.

That's incredible! What a spirit!

Mocha Goodness

I did indeed get a mocha latte last night. It was yummy. I sat in one of my favorite coffee shops last night to read A New Earth. It wasn't too crowded so I went to the back to have my own space. I decided against the sofa because I knew that could be a trigger for me to fall asleep.

Of course about five minutes later a man comes to the table across from me, smiles and sits down. While he typing on his multimedia phone with the safari browser another gentlemen comes introduces himself and sits down. They obviously haven't met.

I was witnessing a "first meeting".

I continued reading, but what I gathered from the convo was that they were both writers, one from the New York Times and the other from X. One thing I noticed is that when you don't know someone you speak at a higher volume as opposed when you know someone. I had never give that much thought before. As they talked their volume got softer. Good for them! One said, "I don't want you to be late for your meeting." and the other said, "No problem." Cute!

I finished my chapter and went to an eventful evening at work thanks to JK!

Two Hours

What can I do in two hours? I can read in one of my favorite coffee shops until I have to go to work. I did this last week and it was a great way to start the evening. Normally, I race home to change and head back downtown, but tonight I'm going to get a mocha something, relax and read my book.

Public Service Announcement

Take note:

Illusion of Ownership

This concept really got me thinking about the things we "own".

I have certain material items that I love and feel great pride about. For example my...

• Computer
• Mp3 player
• Bag(s)
• Blackberry

One concept in the book A New Earth says that identifying with "things" is your unconscious trying to connect with the material instead of the "being".

A few weekends ago I was at work and a friend came by because she needed some help in picking out a product. Before she came I had just had a break and headed back to find her so that we could find the product that fit her needs. There I am back at work and I reached in my pocket to find my Mp3 player to check the time and it wasn't there. Normally I always place it back in my pocket (I haven't used a watch in years).

A few things happened:

• my palms started to get moist
• my mind started racing, "where, where, who took, when"
  

As that was happening my friend T saw me and came over. She asked me what was wrong and I said, "I lost my Mp3 player". She said, "I'll help you find it". We looked around for a bit, but come on if I put it down in a crowded place is someone going to turn it in. I doubt it.

T said, "What are you going to do?".
I said, "I'm going to order another one tonight. If it's gone it's gone, there's nothing I can do.

I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I wasn't going to attack the people around me demanding that they show me the content of their pockets and purses. I just came to peace with the fact that I would order another one. I didn't want to spend the money on the product twice, but I was prepared to.

Well, would you know it. M a co-worker of mine, a lovely woman who is one of brightest stars at my job, came up to me and asked me if this was mine. It was my Mp3 player and I was elated. I told my co-worker J that I lost it and he told M who brought it up to me from the break room, where I had left it. Seemed like when I came to terms with it being gone, it came back into my life. I focused back on "the being". I don't change because I lost a material object. My Mp3 player and I are two different things. I learned from my past experiences to blow up, react emotionally and blame myself for losing a possession of mine.

Today is a new day.

So, when I think about the "Illusion of Ownership" I feel that things can be important to you, but (it even says this in the book)

"If you are aware that you are identified with a thing, the identification is no longer total. That's the beginning of the transformation of consciousness."

What I like about this section is that the book doesn't say you're bad or wrong for thinking this, but your awareness of this concept is enough to start a change within you.

I completely agree.