Okay...so indulge me as I post some of MJ's photos. It's a trip, I know, to notice the changes - both cosmetic and natural, but for whatever reason...the man, still captures my attention. The funny thing is, in the MJ fan world every generation of fan has their own set of memories or favorite era of Michael. It's hard for me to choose 1 era, but I do have favorite pics, performances, songs and videos.
Top 5 Songs (the order always varies)
1. The Way You Love Me (never released as a single, on Ultimate Collection. 4cds+1dvd)
2. Break of Dawn
3. Human Nature
4. I'll Be there
5. Lady in my Life
Top 5 Videos
1. Who is it? (never released in USA, but it's on the dvd...he beatboxed this for Oprah in the live interview with her)
2. Billie Jean (this was the one that made MTV and MJ)
3. The Making of Thriller (all 60 minutes...not just the 15 min video!)
4. Give in to Me (premiered on Oprah interview...right after he beatboxed)
5. Smooth Criminal (man...the lean...what else needs to be said?)
Top 6 Live Performances
1. I'll be there (30th anniversary special,Madison Sq. Garden/NYC, 9/10/01...thank God I couldn't afford those tics!)
2. DirtyDiana (MSG, Bad Tour)
3. Man in the Mirror (Grammy's 1988)
4. Dangerous (AMA's & American Bandstand anniversary)
5. Billie Jean (Victory tour)
6. Billie Jean (Motown 25 anniversary....this was the shhhhh...)
What are your favorites?
And now...the photoshoot....
offthewallera91
http://www.ebonyjet.com/michael_jackson/MJsaved/MJArchives.swf
(2007 pics )
http://www.ebonyjet.com/michael_jackson/MJsaved/MJBTS.swf
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Michael, Ebony Magazine & the Raging Debate over Innocence, Race & Music
http://www.ebonyjet.com/michael_jackson/
This is a song for the genius child. Sing it softly, for the song is wild. Sing it softly as ever you can - Lest the song get out of hand.
Nobody loves a genius child.
Can you love an eagle, Tame or wild? Can you love an eagle, Wild or tame? Can you love a monster Of frightening name?
Nobody loves a genius child.
Kill him - and let his soul run wild.
Langston Hughes
I always think of Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Berry Gordy, Joe Jackson, Shakespeare, Michelangelo, Langston Hughes, WEB DuBois, Malcolm X, Farrakhan, Martin Luther King, Jr., and a litany of others when I read this poem. It also brings to mind the fact that true genius is only appreciated when it's at its height or when it's gone. Is Michael Joseph Jackson, King of Pop, a musical/creative genius? YES! Is he the greatest entertainer of all time? Depending on your criteria, the answer may be YES. In my opinion, if you look at his stats, then the answer should definitely be YES! Why is there so much hatred towards him and of him? Some may be jealous. Others are just born to criticize, I guess. Still others have a sense of righteous entitlement that obviously makes them feel that it's their job to police Michael and every other celebrity when they fall too far below our "PERFECT" radar....when Michael and others start to seem a little too human, regular, normal....flawed like the rest of us, these kinds of people are ready to attack. It reminds me of the violence-loving savages that flock to watch two people fight rather than rushing in to stop it! They love the thrill of the kill....like many love watching Michael be criticized...watching a star fall as I've heard some say.
Just as there would be no MJJ without the existence of Africa, slaves, negro spirituals, gospel music, r&b music, soul music, country music, rock & roll music, jazz music, Joe & Katherine Jackson, Sammy Davis, Jr. , Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Nicholas Brothers, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Little Richard, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Supremes, Motown, J5, JACKSONS and CBS/Epic Records, there would be no JUSTIN, USHER, CHRIS BROWN, NEW EDITION, New Kids on the Block, NSync, Backstreet Boys, Immature/IMX, Marcus Houston, Omarion, Ne-Yo, Pharell, etc. without Michael Jackson! I'm not just talking about his singing and dancing skills...those are obvious to anyone. We know the moves when we see them even if it's some young artist today doing them. I'm talking about the way in which he does what he does - receiving inspiration from the heavens, beatboxing melodies into recorder or on a rough track in the studio, then layering that with sounds from the board, doing his own foreground and background vocals (he was among the first if not THE first to do this), earning $.75 of every $1 from Thriller (royalties never heard of before his time...in the 1980's). Making millions from tours and endorsement deals. Making smart purchases, like the Beatles catalog or real estate. Whether we like it or not, Michael is part of the fabric that made American music what it is. He made CBS/Epic/Sony records. He made MTV (before him only 1 demographic was really tuning in...since him, well...we see what MTV has become). Say what you want about his personal life (which to me is still wrong but people will be people), musically NO ONE ALIVE CAN TOUCH HIM! SO, BOW DOWN!
I think that as a society we are so critical of one another and this is amplified for anyone in the public eye. We expect our pop icons to be perfect- physically, socially, spiritually, mentally, but they are not and neither are we. The harsh reality of no longer having our love and attention and adoration forces stars to do unspeakable things to themselves - drugs, surgeries, alcohol, sex addictions and other destructive behaviors- to maintain the image of the kind of person they think WE want them to be. We (well not me) wanted Michael to remain that cute 9 year old of the J5. It was obvious when teen years, acne and hereditary skin disorders hit, that this was not going to be the case for Michael. Not only was he ridiculed by family, but the public, as well- making an already fragile mind and heart even moreso. I think it's interesting that Michael, the greatest entertainer in the world (a man who was loved by millions) would have low self esteem amidst all his fame and glory. We have seen Michael's pleas for understanding as a weakness, as a sign of femininity, as the con of a pedophile. We don't consider the fact that maybe WE (THE PUBLIC, THE FANS...EX FANS AND FAIRWEATHER FANS) are partly to blame for this Michael we see today. Why can't we just see his plea for what it is? A plea for love and understanding. Wouldn't we do the same for a child that wasn't famous? In the field of education and social services, when someone asks for help they aren't ridiculed, they are helped and supported. I guess it's easier for society to throw him away now that many rode him to wealth (media, record execs, etc)!
It's crazy to me that people focus so much on his looks and nationality when so many Blacks pass for white or don't look Black or have never dated any other Blacks once they hit the limelight don't receive the same kind of criticism. It's fine for Mariah Carey or Tiger Woods to be on the cover when they don't overly profess their blackness but MJ can't? RAce is only .1% of who we are as human beings....it's internal...it's at the level of DNA so why does it preoccupy so much of our social psyche? I, like many of you, prefer Michael’s looks from before (my favorite pics are along the right sound...scroll down a bit), but we can’t go back into the past so let’s just deal with it! I know a lot of people who wish they could go back to the way they looked 10 years ago much less 30 years ago! Can’t we appreciate him as a musician and not criticize the man personally? Who made us God? It’s not up to the media or us to criticize the individuals that God puts before us as geniuses – whether they be musicians like Michael or activists like MLK, Jr (criticized for reportedly having an affair).
As far as him being a molester, none of us were there. None of us sat on a jury. The jury declared him innocent. None of us should look to the media and mass hysteria to be our eyes and ears. As far as I’m concerned it seems fishy to me – I don’t know any parent that would be cool with their child being molested …so cool that they’d accept a check, trips, shopping sprees, spa treatments, free rent, potential business deals,cars, etc to keep their mouths shut! Why is it that money was enough for these parents? Could it be there is more to the story than we know? Besides, I don’t know any 13 year old boys that willing let grown men molest them and I don’t think that Michael would be stupid enough to do it considering how much public attention he gets. I agree that he doesn’t get that people are creeped out by him talking about kids and that he doesn’t answer questions in the best ways, but I don’t think being socially inept makes him a pedophile. I try not to judge a fragile book by its damaged cover.
Just as the world has always underestimated the power of the Original (Black) Man, they underestimate the gifts and talents God instilled in Michael Jackson. I see his whole life as a test - just as we all have great trials or tests in our own lives. God sends us through hardship to make us humble. Maybe Michael needed some humbling. He's definitely getting time to practice it. To those who are practicing "hateration," I urge you not to await his slinking away into the sidelines because it's not in him. He wasn't born on this Earth to be average, ordinary, regular, normal...he was given a gift to share with the world and no one can escape their destiny even when they are faced with hardship. It was his destiny to be here...to be born the 7th child of 10 and not 9. The baby before him died, so he was viewed as a blessing (hence, his Biblical name which means "he who resembles God" or "he who is like God". Reference to archangel Michael). His very existence is a miracle... to not live out his destiny would be an afront to the Creator himself!
Like the mythical phoenix, Michael continues to re-emerge from the flames of hatred, lies, bitterness, despair, depression, anger, unhappiness, sadness, deception, drama that the world creates in his life. Yes, he looks different...perhaps, a representation of the transformations in his life or just a painful reminder of the scares of a wounded angel/soldier/survivor/human.
Yes, he has been accused of molestation and has spent a lot of time with children over the years....perhaps this is due to a state of transference in his psyche - maybe he had to live out his childhood dreams as an adult because he was too busy entertaining us when he should've been out playing or out on a date! Isn't that what many of our rappers are doing...living out childish fantasies before our very eyes (even if their fantasies involve misogynistic practices)?
Yes, he hasn't had a traditional marriage and family life...perhaps a product of a child not really seeing normal marriages growing up in the entertainment industry.
Yes, he has had plastic surgery....perhaps due to low self esteem and a fat enough bank account to change what he didn't like. How many human beings love everything about their appearance? I can run off a list of things I'd change. We'd be hypocrites to say that as a society we aren't obsessed with our physical appearances - otherwise doctor 90210, top model, beauty & the geek, the bachelor, girls gone wild and biggest loser wouldn't be popular.
I don't know how you interpret this article - a fan's blind ranting, an attempt at seeing all sides, or as a social commentary. Actually, it's all three. The point is though....don't we really have more important things to do than criticize Michael Jackson for his imperfections?
This is a song for the genius child. Sing it softly, for the song is wild. Sing it softly as ever you can - Lest the song get out of hand.
Nobody loves a genius child.
Can you love an eagle, Tame or wild? Can you love an eagle, Wild or tame? Can you love a monster Of frightening name?
Nobody loves a genius child.
Kill him - and let his soul run wild.
Langston Hughes
I always think of Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Berry Gordy, Joe Jackson, Shakespeare, Michelangelo, Langston Hughes, WEB DuBois, Malcolm X, Farrakhan, Martin Luther King, Jr., and a litany of others when I read this poem. It also brings to mind the fact that true genius is only appreciated when it's at its height or when it's gone. Is Michael Joseph Jackson, King of Pop, a musical/creative genius? YES! Is he the greatest entertainer of all time? Depending on your criteria, the answer may be YES. In my opinion, if you look at his stats, then the answer should definitely be YES! Why is there so much hatred towards him and of him? Some may be jealous. Others are just born to criticize, I guess. Still others have a sense of righteous entitlement that obviously makes them feel that it's their job to police Michael and every other celebrity when they fall too far below our "PERFECT" radar....when Michael and others start to seem a little too human, regular, normal....flawed like the rest of us, these kinds of people are ready to attack. It reminds me of the violence-loving savages that flock to watch two people fight rather than rushing in to stop it! They love the thrill of the kill....like many love watching Michael be criticized...watching a star fall as I've heard some say.
Just as there would be no MJJ without the existence of Africa, slaves, negro spirituals, gospel music, r&b music, soul music, country music, rock & roll music, jazz music, Joe & Katherine Jackson, Sammy Davis, Jr. , Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Nicholas Brothers, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Little Richard, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, Marvin Gaye, Temptations, Supremes, Motown, J5, JACKSONS and CBS/Epic Records, there would be no JUSTIN, USHER, CHRIS BROWN, NEW EDITION, New Kids on the Block, NSync, Backstreet Boys, Immature/IMX, Marcus Houston, Omarion, Ne-Yo, Pharell, etc. without Michael Jackson! I'm not just talking about his singing and dancing skills...those are obvious to anyone. We know the moves when we see them even if it's some young artist today doing them. I'm talking about the way in which he does what he does - receiving inspiration from the heavens, beatboxing melodies into recorder or on a rough track in the studio, then layering that with sounds from the board, doing his own foreground and background vocals (he was among the first if not THE first to do this), earning $.75 of every $1 from Thriller (royalties never heard of before his time...in the 1980's). Making millions from tours and endorsement deals. Making smart purchases, like the Beatles catalog or real estate. Whether we like it or not, Michael is part of the fabric that made American music what it is. He made CBS/Epic/Sony records. He made MTV (before him only 1 demographic was really tuning in...since him, well...we see what MTV has become). Say what you want about his personal life (which to me is still wrong but people will be people), musically NO ONE ALIVE CAN TOUCH HIM! SO, BOW DOWN!
I think that as a society we are so critical of one another and this is amplified for anyone in the public eye. We expect our pop icons to be perfect- physically, socially, spiritually, mentally, but they are not and neither are we. The harsh reality of no longer having our love and attention and adoration forces stars to do unspeakable things to themselves - drugs, surgeries, alcohol, sex addictions and other destructive behaviors- to maintain the image of the kind of person they think WE want them to be. We (well not me) wanted Michael to remain that cute 9 year old of the J5. It was obvious when teen years, acne and hereditary skin disorders hit, that this was not going to be the case for Michael. Not only was he ridiculed by family, but the public, as well- making an already fragile mind and heart even moreso. I think it's interesting that Michael, the greatest entertainer in the world (a man who was loved by millions) would have low self esteem amidst all his fame and glory. We have seen Michael's pleas for understanding as a weakness, as a sign of femininity, as the con of a pedophile. We don't consider the fact that maybe WE (THE PUBLIC, THE FANS...EX FANS AND FAIRWEATHER FANS) are partly to blame for this Michael we see today. Why can't we just see his plea for what it is? A plea for love and understanding. Wouldn't we do the same for a child that wasn't famous? In the field of education and social services, when someone asks for help they aren't ridiculed, they are helped and supported. I guess it's easier for society to throw him away now that many rode him to wealth (media, record execs, etc)!
It's crazy to me that people focus so much on his looks and nationality when so many Blacks pass for white or don't look Black or have never dated any other Blacks once they hit the limelight don't receive the same kind of criticism. It's fine for Mariah Carey or Tiger Woods to be on the cover when they don't overly profess their blackness but MJ can't? RAce is only .1% of who we are as human beings....it's internal...it's at the level of DNA so why does it preoccupy so much of our social psyche? I, like many of you, prefer Michael’s looks from before (my favorite pics are along the right sound...scroll down a bit), but we can’t go back into the past so let’s just deal with it! I know a lot of people who wish they could go back to the way they looked 10 years ago much less 30 years ago! Can’t we appreciate him as a musician and not criticize the man personally? Who made us God? It’s not up to the media or us to criticize the individuals that God puts before us as geniuses – whether they be musicians like Michael or activists like MLK, Jr (criticized for reportedly having an affair).
As far as him being a molester, none of us were there. None of us sat on a jury. The jury declared him innocent. None of us should look to the media and mass hysteria to be our eyes and ears. As far as I’m concerned it seems fishy to me – I don’t know any parent that would be cool with their child being molested …so cool that they’d accept a check, trips, shopping sprees, spa treatments, free rent, potential business deals,cars, etc to keep their mouths shut! Why is it that money was enough for these parents? Could it be there is more to the story than we know? Besides, I don’t know any 13 year old boys that willing let grown men molest them and I don’t think that Michael would be stupid enough to do it considering how much public attention he gets. I agree that he doesn’t get that people are creeped out by him talking about kids and that he doesn’t answer questions in the best ways, but I don’t think being socially inept makes him a pedophile. I try not to judge a fragile book by its damaged cover.
Just as the world has always underestimated the power of the Original (Black) Man, they underestimate the gifts and talents God instilled in Michael Jackson. I see his whole life as a test - just as we all have great trials or tests in our own lives. God sends us through hardship to make us humble. Maybe Michael needed some humbling. He's definitely getting time to practice it. To those who are practicing "hateration," I urge you not to await his slinking away into the sidelines because it's not in him. He wasn't born on this Earth to be average, ordinary, regular, normal...he was given a gift to share with the world and no one can escape their destiny even when they are faced with hardship. It was his destiny to be here...to be born the 7th child of 10 and not 9. The baby before him died, so he was viewed as a blessing (hence, his Biblical name which means "he who resembles God" or "he who is like God". Reference to archangel Michael). His very existence is a miracle... to not live out his destiny would be an afront to the Creator himself!
Like the mythical phoenix, Michael continues to re-emerge from the flames of hatred, lies, bitterness, despair, depression, anger, unhappiness, sadness, deception, drama that the world creates in his life. Yes, he looks different...perhaps, a representation of the transformations in his life or just a painful reminder of the scares of a wounded angel/soldier/survivor/human.
Yes, he has been accused of molestation and has spent a lot of time with children over the years....perhaps this is due to a state of transference in his psyche - maybe he had to live out his childhood dreams as an adult because he was too busy entertaining us when he should've been out playing or out on a date! Isn't that what many of our rappers are doing...living out childish fantasies before our very eyes (even if their fantasies involve misogynistic practices)?
Yes, he hasn't had a traditional marriage and family life...perhaps a product of a child not really seeing normal marriages growing up in the entertainment industry.
Yes, he has had plastic surgery....perhaps due to low self esteem and a fat enough bank account to change what he didn't like. How many human beings love everything about their appearance? I can run off a list of things I'd change. We'd be hypocrites to say that as a society we aren't obsessed with our physical appearances - otherwise doctor 90210, top model, beauty & the geek, the bachelor, girls gone wild and biggest loser wouldn't be popular.
I don't know how you interpret this article - a fan's blind ranting, an attempt at seeing all sides, or as a social commentary. Actually, it's all three. The point is though....don't we really have more important things to do than criticize Michael Jackson for his imperfections?
Sunday, November 4, 2007
My Family Tree
On tribal pages.com, you can create family trees and albums to share your family history. Here's mine.
http://sonjamoore.tribalpages.com/
http://sonjamoore.tribalpages.com/
Monday, August 20, 2007
If you search Sonjanita Moore on facebook.com, you'll find my most recent page. I had a page under "Sonja Moore" but I'll be deleting that one soon.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Quote for the 1st day of school....
Watch your thoughts they become wordsWatch your words, they become actionsWatch your actions, they become habitsWatch your habits, they become your characterWatch your character, it becomes your destiny
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Sorry if you're from Montreal, but I gotta say this...
If you love the stuffy, old world feel of Europe, then you'll love Montreal. While history of any nation is interesting to me, it became clear to me that Montreal is definitely a place to visit but not live....I can't say it's a place I would ever come back to. My poor experience with Grayline Tours and VIA Rail in getting there didn't help the feeling. Encountering a rude French speaking woman at Partigras in Toronto a couple days before coupled with all the warnings from Canadians, made me apprehensive but I still wanted to see it for myself.
The architecture of the cathedrals was phenomenal. St. Josephs. Notre Dame Basilica. All breathtaking as was the view from Mont Royal and Denis, the tour guide was very nice and he made an awful day much better.
I couldn't help but long to get back "home" to Toronto
The architecture of the cathedrals was phenomenal. St. Josephs. Notre Dame Basilica. All breathtaking as was the view from Mont Royal and Denis, the tour guide was very nice and he made an awful day much better.
I couldn't help but long to get back "home" to Toronto
Global Elements of Hip Hop: The 4 Elements Festival 2007
Check out the MySpace page for the event and youtube for more info on these events, Wild Style, Lord Finesse, Busy Bee, DJ Theo, Euphrates and others.
July 27, 2007
Where has hip hop found global, government recognition? Where has hip-hop film been honored by local government? Toronto, Ontario. At the GEHH Festival, in honor of the 25th anniversary of Wild Style. The opening day of the fest featured the screening of Wild Style and then, a tribute concert. The show features an eclectic audience compilation - hard-core hip hop headz rub elbows with Japanese b-boyz. Teenie boppers reminiscent of America's suburban wiggers mingle with confused tourists new to Toronto's Harbourfront Center. Then, of course, as with any free outdoor music concert your drunk party boyz. Grand Wizard Theo (cut creator) on the 1's and 2's amidst a new crowd filled with many 30+ audience members rockin' ol skool jamz as youngstas stand ready to get educated. T.O.'s harborfront thumps with bass and hip hop culture as America's best takes us back to what hip hop was and should be. The Fantastic 5 (minus 2) travel back musically to 1979 as DJ Grand Wizard Theo burns the wheels of steel. Hip hop history reborn to new seeds ready for fertilization.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Breakin workshops, graffitti, b-boy/b-girl battle, freestyle dance contests
Countin Headz: South African Women in Hip HOp
From Mambo to Hip Hop
Okay so I forgot about the Japanese film screening earlier today, but the 2 films that I saw were outstanding. Erin Offer's South African hip hop film was very revealing as far as the limitations of women in hip hop. The fact that women want to step out and have a positive, strong image and sound is just as problematic as it is here. It's more acceptable for women to take on the whorish image of a female MC rather than being graff artists, dj's, b-girls and hardcore MC's.
Mambo to Hip Hop, too, was great in that it talked about the Latino, particularly, Cuban and Puerto Rican influences in the genre. Focusing only on Latino communities of New York, it became clear as how mamba and salsa dance styles influenced b-boy moves of the late 70's and early 80's.
The night's biggest disappointment was the no-show of Wyclef Jean - he sent a group from his label instead.
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble sounded great and it was hard to opt for the film screenings rather than listen to this group. Also there was Nomadic Massive and TelMary.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
SoCalled
Narcicyst of Euphrates
Scottbox
Twin WArriors
Spittz & Poizunus
This is the last day of the fest and I missed the film screening today due to a spa appointment but was able to partake in the MC workshop and Beatbox competition. Although I didn't spend a lot of time in front of the stage, the bands sounded good. I can't really comment as much on the fest today cause I split the day between the hip-hop fest and the BrasilFest on Center Island. This is a busy weekend with Just for Laughs, WakeStock, Beaches Jazz Fest, the Roots and other groups.
July 27, 2007
Where has hip hop found global, government recognition? Where has hip-hop film been honored by local government? Toronto, Ontario. At the GEHH Festival, in honor of the 25th anniversary of Wild Style. The opening day of the fest featured the screening of Wild Style and then, a tribute concert. The show features an eclectic audience compilation - hard-core hip hop headz rub elbows with Japanese b-boyz. Teenie boppers reminiscent of America's suburban wiggers mingle with confused tourists new to Toronto's Harbourfront Center. Then, of course, as with any free outdoor music concert your drunk party boyz. Grand Wizard Theo (cut creator) on the 1's and 2's amidst a new crowd filled with many 30+ audience members rockin' ol skool jamz as youngstas stand ready to get educated. T.O.'s harborfront thumps with bass and hip hop culture as America's best takes us back to what hip hop was and should be. The Fantastic 5 (minus 2) travel back musically to 1979 as DJ Grand Wizard Theo burns the wheels of steel. Hip hop history reborn to new seeds ready for fertilization.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Breakin workshops, graffitti, b-boy/b-girl battle, freestyle dance contests
Countin Headz: South African Women in Hip HOp
From Mambo to Hip Hop
Okay so I forgot about the Japanese film screening earlier today, but the 2 films that I saw were outstanding. Erin Offer's South African hip hop film was very revealing as far as the limitations of women in hip hop. The fact that women want to step out and have a positive, strong image and sound is just as problematic as it is here. It's more acceptable for women to take on the whorish image of a female MC rather than being graff artists, dj's, b-girls and hardcore MC's.
Mambo to Hip Hop, too, was great in that it talked about the Latino, particularly, Cuban and Puerto Rican influences in the genre. Focusing only on Latino communities of New York, it became clear as how mamba and salsa dance styles influenced b-boy moves of the late 70's and early 80's.
The night's biggest disappointment was the no-show of Wyclef Jean - he sent a group from his label instead.
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble sounded great and it was hard to opt for the film screenings rather than listen to this group. Also there was Nomadic Massive and TelMary.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
SoCalled
Narcicyst of Euphrates
Scottbox
Twin WArriors
Spittz & Poizunus
This is the last day of the fest and I missed the film screening today due to a spa appointment but was able to partake in the MC workshop and Beatbox competition. Although I didn't spend a lot of time in front of the stage, the bands sounded good. I can't really comment as much on the fest today cause I split the day between the hip-hop fest and the BrasilFest on Center Island. This is a busy weekend with Just for Laughs, WakeStock, Beaches Jazz Fest, the Roots and other groups.
ILL CHI REPRESENT FOR THE HOOD IN ONTARIO
ROCKIN TO THE BEATZ AS THEY ROLL THRU THE STEREO
TRYING TO KICK A FLOW THAT'S WORTHY OF THE QUEEN
WORDZ FLOW FROM PEN REAL SMOOTH LIKE CREAM
ROCKIN TO THE BEATZ AS THEY ROLL THRU THE STEREO
TRYING TO KICK A FLOW THAT'S WORTHY OF THE QUEEN
WORDZ FLOW FROM PEN REAL SMOOTH LIKE CREAM
Queen's Park 2007
Monday, July 23 3:55pmEST
I sit alone in Queen's Park with the train rumbling below my feet. It's a peaceful day. Truly inspirational. I wish I had my sharpie to immortalize myself in this table at which I sit. Although I've seen and heard things that demonstrate Toronto's flaws, I still can't help but love it. The fact that I feel free to walk and explore or stop in a park is new. Not that I couldn't do that in Chicago but I don't. I wish I'd bought Felicia here cause she would've loved it - the quiet solitude, the black squirrels and leaves rustling in the trees. I'm glad I have this alone time even though I was flustered trying to figure out what to do today. This is a welcomed rest after walking Queen Street West and spending more money that I didn't need to, but lots of people spend money on things that make them happy. Toronto...Ontario makes me happy. This extra week before getting back to the hustle and bustle of CHI life keeps the stress of reality away. I'm already looking ahead to next year and doing the final phase of the UGRR at the north end of Ontario - the Owen Sound area and Collingwood to hopefully participate in Emancipation Day 2008. Of course though I still want to do at least a week in Vancouver, realizing of course that it's cheaper to fly WestJet within Canada than travelling by air from here.
I paused there a moment to snap a few photos and take in the scenery - babies toddling by, 2 guys doing yoga, a couple students reading, which makes sense seeing as how we are on the U of T campus. A Japanese guy just sat down to ask me to participate in a survey he's conducting using a memo pad, a pen and 2 questions: What is creativity? Why is English a hard language to learn for foreigners? Of course, I had a lot to say about both but I was limited to the pages size.
Oh well, I had to pause again to chat with mom back in the CHI. It's getting dark now so I guess I'll walk down to the next TTC subway entrance and get back downtown to eat dinner.
I sit alone in Queen's Park with the train rumbling below my feet. It's a peaceful day. Truly inspirational. I wish I had my sharpie to immortalize myself in this table at which I sit. Although I've seen and heard things that demonstrate Toronto's flaws, I still can't help but love it. The fact that I feel free to walk and explore or stop in a park is new. Not that I couldn't do that in Chicago but I don't. I wish I'd bought Felicia here cause she would've loved it - the quiet solitude, the black squirrels and leaves rustling in the trees. I'm glad I have this alone time even though I was flustered trying to figure out what to do today. This is a welcomed rest after walking Queen Street West and spending more money that I didn't need to, but lots of people spend money on things that make them happy. Toronto...Ontario makes me happy. This extra week before getting back to the hustle and bustle of CHI life keeps the stress of reality away. I'm already looking ahead to next year and doing the final phase of the UGRR at the north end of Ontario - the Owen Sound area and Collingwood to hopefully participate in Emancipation Day 2008. Of course though I still want to do at least a week in Vancouver, realizing of course that it's cheaper to fly WestJet within Canada than travelling by air from here.
I paused there a moment to snap a few photos and take in the scenery - babies toddling by, 2 guys doing yoga, a couple students reading, which makes sense seeing as how we are on the U of T campus. A Japanese guy just sat down to ask me to participate in a survey he's conducting using a memo pad, a pen and 2 questions: What is creativity? Why is English a hard language to learn for foreigners? Of course, I had a lot to say about both but I was limited to the pages size.
Oh well, I had to pause again to chat with mom back in the CHI. It's getting dark now so I guess I'll walk down to the next TTC subway entrance and get back downtown to eat dinner.
Time lost in the good times...
It's weird how i had no concept of time or date without having to look it up. It's not weird to go over my budget though cause there's so much to see and do. Living as was there, seeing all I did makes it worth it though. The Pantages is a welcome comfort from dorm-hotels.
If you're visiting Toronto, pop into Eggspectation on Dundas next to the Eaton Center/Queen Street Subway entrance. Lucky Laki, the Greek owner from Montreal, will make you feel welcome and his tasty baked goods will make you feel like a family friend.
Partigras in the Distillery District is a worthwhile venture for an afternoon. Construction makes the wait for buses a long one but the food and ambiance is fine...hopefully, you don't run into any rude, French speaking woman who cut the line and act as though one didn't exist before she got there.
If you're visiting Toronto, pop into Eggspectation on Dundas next to the Eaton Center/Queen Street Subway entrance. Lucky Laki, the Greek owner from Montreal, will make you feel welcome and his tasty baked goods will make you feel like a family friend.
Partigras in the Distillery District is a worthwhile venture for an afternoon. Construction makes the wait for buses a long one but the food and ambiance is fine...hopefully, you don't run into any rude, French speaking woman who cut the line and act as though one didn't exist before she got there.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Keeping up with me online...
Okay, so I'm venturing out into cyberspace with more blogs and...for those of you that have been telling me to....I finally have a myspace page! I have galleries on Kodak, Flickr and Shutterfly. Search for me as "pytofchitown" on YOUTUBE and you'll get my vids.
myspace.com/theblackqueenofchitown
http://theblackqueen.blogspot.com/
http://kuumbalynx.blogspot.com/
http://sonjaontheugrr.blogspot.com/
myspace.com/theblackqueenofchitown
http://theblackqueen.blogspot.com/
http://kuumbalynx.blogspot.com/
http://sonjaontheugrr.blogspot.com/
Monday, August 6, 2007
Mama Nora: Always on My Mind
Mama Nora: Always On My Mind & Heart
by her granddaughter, Sonjanita L. Moore
I love you! ♥
Dirt roads, church Sundays, Vacation Bible School everyday of the week
These are some of my Mount Vernon memories
Fish fries at the Peck’s, playing games at the Lyde’s, making friends outside
Things that took place during my Alabama time
Pancake breakfasts were great & catching lightening bugs was fun in the yard
But picking veggies & hanging clothes made Mount Vernon summers kind of hard
Shelling peas on Nora’s floor, shucking corn by the door,
Running that car into Nora’s fence - all a part of my remembrance
Early morning starts cause Nora’s day started way before 9,
Going out to cut a switch when I got outta line,
Those early ending Mount Vernon nights with no noise of any kind
Made back bedroom nights a hard one, at times
Vaseline-greased youngster with clean clothes & well-kept hair
Couldn’t go outside ‘til well past noon
Mount Vernon summers seemed unfair
Going up the road early – shopping, bills and the rest
But we were always back down the road when the sun set
Drinking sun-made iced tea, eating one of Mama Nora’s famous cakes
Tasty soul food dinners or juicy melons made those Alabama times great
Piggly Wiggly, A&P, JC Penney, Gayfers or the mall
Me and Mama Nora did it all!
Life’s journey has led me away from Highway 43, but
Time & distance can’t weaken the roots of my family tree
My sadness is replaced with joy for God’s servant - now painfree
Mrs. Nora Elizabeth McMillan Moore
It’s time to rest your weary feet
Look for me in the Hereafter, but until then
I’ll just remember our times down at 18655 Rice Street!
R.I.P.
Mrs. Nora Elizabeth McMillan Moore
9/13/12 – 12/26/06
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Happiness is...knowing summer isn't over yet...
I'm afraid however I can no longer rest in that happiness because for me the summer is over! Gone are the carefree days of Ontario life and present are worries associated with ordering textbooks, cleaning tables and planning curriculum! Tomorrow morning begins my wearied trek back into the real world....being that this is a PG-13 blog I can't express the full range of emotions felt at this time, but let's suffice it to say that I am forced to face my career decisions head on as of now and I am stuck with that decision until June 2008 - like it or not, happy or not.
Soon more meetings and forced social gatherings will come...students will return...the cogs in the wheel will begin to grind...my last 2 courses in a 2nd master's program will merge into the stop-and-go lane that is my life and hopefully, December will arrive soon - not to bring on the end of the year or to give reminders of my grandmother's passing, but to bring me that much closer to the next big vacation.
Woe is me....gotta go now...it's bedtime...and it's a school night.
:-(
Soon more meetings and forced social gatherings will come...students will return...the cogs in the wheel will begin to grind...my last 2 courses in a 2nd master's program will merge into the stop-and-go lane that is my life and hopefully, December will arrive soon - not to bring on the end of the year or to give reminders of my grandmother's passing, but to bring me that much closer to the next big vacation.
Woe is me....gotta go now...it's bedtime...and it's a school night.
:-(
Saturday, August 4, 2007
The Victoria Inn (july 15-17, 2007)
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Saturday was a day filled with sight-seeing and shopping in downtown T.O., mainly at the Eaton Centre and the grocery store. Sbarro's was a big hit with Fe who hasn't had any since moving out of Illinois. Sunday is the day we're looking forward to...our drive 90 minutes northeast to Gore's Landing/Rice Lake...the Victoria Inn B&B....
We've just had dinner (warm rolls,filet mignon, baby potatoes, fresh market vegetables...after dinner, we had the traditional hot tea, but also raspberry mousse cake). We're sitting here in the gazebo facing the lake...Rice Lake which was once crossed by the people of the Mississauga nation by canoe or by foot...island to island. It's beautiful here. It's dusk. The sun is about to go down making it a little cool. The drive up was very scenic - green and gold fields...sparkling lakes. the staff is sooo friendly - like the Pantages, but quaint like a next door neighbor, family friend or family. The price is the only thing that reminds you of the gourmet nature of the cuisine. I have no idea what time it is or what's going on in the world (no phones, no tvs, no clocks) and although I almost fell asleep out her before we got our jackets and when I went for a swim, I'm still out here in nature. Felicia loves the scenery but Tetley Tea Bags, the cat, is the apple of her eye right now! There are people being pulled across the lake on inner tubes. some are fishing. I am trying to wait on the stars, but daybreak seems to be holding on...I'm exhausted from the drive and probably last night...we'll definitely sleep good here. Ugh...I just remembered we didn't pack any snacks..oh well...we'll grab something before the 2-hour boat cruise tomorrow.
Monday, July 16, 2007
It's been a long time since I've had such a great Monday! We had a good breakfast and hopped in the car for a drive around Gore's Landing and then pastthe 401 into Cobourg to look around the mall. Heading back, we got to the Inn just in time to hop the boat cruise up Ricer Lake and the Otonabee River. There were cabins and houses laong the river and we briefly saw turtles and blue herring. The cruise was nice and peaceful. We learned of how the 1st Nations once cultivated rice plants and walked/swam/canoed from island to island -back when the river was 1ft to 3ft. Now,it's doubled due to man's engineering feats. The adventure however began once the cruise was over around 4pm..when we hopped back in the car to find the 1st Nations burial ground...Serpent Mounds. They said it was simple...county road 9 to highway 28 to country road 2...but county road 2 had no signage...at least not from the direction we were driving. When we hit highway 115 we knew we'd gone too far! Turning around, the sign was there and we were up County Road, but uncertainty came when we drove for 30 minutes and saw no signs for the park...long story short we arrive and with the help of some pre-teens, we walked up and around the mounds and then, to the beach. It was incredible. You could understand why 1st Nations peoples chose to bury their ancestors here. It turns out that this band of the Anishnabeg-Mississauga (connected also to the Chippewa) are related to the natives of Ohio who built the Cahokia Mounds. I wished we could've stayed longer but our dinner reservations and darkness beckoned, so we were off again but had to stop to take a few pictures roadside. A Canadian even stopped to see if we were okay! We were. So after taking the shots at various places along the highway, we turned Toni Braxton back on and headed in for dinner on our last night in the country. Tetley lingered as I enjoyed fresh grilled chicken, red potatoes, veggies and dinner rolls.
With our last cup of evening tea we roamed the halls and rooms of the inn taking photos and feelign as if we'd stepped into a time machine.
Friday, July 13, 2007 entry
First off let me say that I think the whole airport security thing is a game...it's a crazy game that the FAA, TSA and counter agents decide on...maybe even the airlines. How else would it be $25 to pay for a heavy bag, but $80 to pay for a carryon because it counts as the 3rd bag? Who decided that ziploc bags for your microscopic toiletries would stop a terrorist for opening that same ziploc once he gets on the plane? GEEZ! As if getting completely undressed for a flight isn't enough. Once we were on the flight I figured the Friday the 13th bad luck was over cause we arrived at Pearson International and were picked up by Ilahi in our Lincoln Towncar (AIRLINK LIMO SERVICE, TORONTO). Then we pulled up to THE PANTAGES HOTEL & SPA....We're talking lavish! Doormen/security that look like secret service men with dark suits and earpieces opening your door, grabbing your bags, taking photos of you, waiting for you at the lobby and then, bringing up your things for you...even returning later to "make up" the sofabed for you!
With not much time to spare we head straight to the spa for our 4pm appointments. After 3 hours i was mellow, until the lady doing my nails clipped the cuticle a little too low, I guess, cuz it wouldn't stop bleeding! Needless to say, the manicure couldn't be completed and I had to leave ticked off...defeating the purpose of getting a lavendar scrub, envelopment and massage!
An evening walk and dinner cleared my mind after complaining to the manager via email. Tomorrow I will return to have the manicure completed.
With not much time to spare we head straight to the spa for our 4pm appointments. After 3 hours i was mellow, until the lady doing my nails clipped the cuticle a little too low, I guess, cuz it wouldn't stop bleeding! Needless to say, the manicure couldn't be completed and I had to leave ticked off...defeating the purpose of getting a lavendar scrub, envelopment and massage!
An evening walk and dinner cleared my mind after complaining to the manager via email. Tomorrow I will return to have the manicure completed.
Ode to Rice Lake
There’s a certain calm that comes over Rice Lake –
As the summer blossoms bloom golden in the sunlight
As a light breeze hugs the trees & gently caresses the waterways
Once trod by native feet
Majestic stands the Victoria Inn atop a grassy knoll
Like a queen on a throne overlooking a natural paradise
As the sun sets over western islands, its rays stretch across sparkling waters
It plays hide and seek with my camera
It’s protected by the trees as porch chairs provide a break from the day’s chase
Tetley Tea Bags takes his evening stretch before nonchalantly traversing steps
Defeated by Don & Donna’s admonitions against venturing out after dark
The clouds over Black Island looked like puffs of cotton
Waiting to be plucked from a blue watercolor sky
Hard to fathom such beauty in a man-made world
It was the same when I watched the way Rice Lake
Glistened like crystals in the sunlight
Disbelief at the way in which sunlight kissed the Serpent Mounds
Or at the way the lake sang praises to the Hiawatha Nation as it touched the shore
At the sound of silence on County Road 2 or
The way photos of the road & a Pontiac G6 look like works of art
Against nature’s green, blue and white canvas
It seemed like the sun would never set
So the blissful play of two gave way to stops, stares and photos on roadsides
Making us miss dinner time
Old world feel and picturesque windows give the impression of time travel, but
Whirlpool baths keep reality just a soak away
The 401 becomes my portal back to the present, but
I can’t forget the way Mother Earth called to me as I sailed over rice plants of old
Or when I stepped atop the 9 mounds of the Hiawatha Nation
If I could…
I’d have taken a canoe to the heart of the lake
Then, laid back and let my fingers graze the waters
Looking up at the night sky calling to the Great Spirit
Thanking Him for allowing me to be in this place
Thanking Him for bringing a Cherokee to the heart of
Anishnaabe/Chippewa/Mississauga/ Hiawatha lands.
© Sonjanita L. Moore, July 23, 2007
Natives of Ontario related to Natives of Ohio
http://encarta.msn.com/map_701529057/Rice_Lake_(lake_Ontario).html
2000 years ago, ancient native people camped, hunted and fished here. It is a place of great aboriginal significance. We now call this land Serpent Mounds Park.
Serpent Mounds Park is a family campground and day-use area that is owned and operated by Hiawatha First Nation. The land was leased to the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1955 and used as a provincial park. In 1995, Hiawatha First Nation assumed management of the park.
Serpent Mounds Park is special to the people of Hiawatha First Nation. On a high point of land near Rice Lake are nine burial mounds that enclose the graves of the Point Peninsula people. Of significant interest is the largest mound which has a zigzag or serpentine appearance. It is the only one of its kind in Canada. In 2002, Serpent Mounds Park was officially designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
Hiawatha First Nation would like to share the park and its rich history with all mankind. We ask that you join us in respecting this part of our heritage while enjoying the natural setting of the park.
2000 years ago, ancient native people camped, hunted and fished here. It is a place of great aboriginal significance. We now call this land Serpent Mounds Park.
Serpent Mounds Park is a family campground and day-use area that is owned and operated by Hiawatha First Nation. The land was leased to the Ministry of Natural Resources in 1955 and used as a provincial park. In 1995, Hiawatha First Nation assumed management of the park.
Serpent Mounds Park is special to the people of Hiawatha First Nation. On a high point of land near Rice Lake are nine burial mounds that enclose the graves of the Point Peninsula people. Of significant interest is the largest mound which has a zigzag or serpentine appearance. It is the only one of its kind in Canada. In 2002, Serpent Mounds Park was officially designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
Hiawatha First Nation would like to share the park and its rich history with all mankind. We ask that you join us in respecting this part of our heritage while enjoying the natural setting of the park.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
The Pantages Suites & Spa (Toronto, ON, CA)
I quickly got over the fact that my King size ambassador suite wasn't available and I was given a queen size suite, but after 5 minutes on site, I didn't care. This hotel is fantastic! Staying here you may bump into celebrities (we bumped into rapper T.I. on the way into the hotel)! The location is fantastic. There's a fantastic spa on site. The staff is great. I stayed here for 17 days in July and was at home. The accept AAA and CAA discounts. If you want to avoid the rising cost of taxis or airport shuttles, arrive by lincoln towncar or limo using AIRLINK LIMO SERVICE - Ilahi will be more than happy to assist you for a mere $50-$60 CDN.
The best staffers are:
Front door: Chris, Jeff, David, James
Desk: Stephen, Tina and Ibrahim
FYI:
*be mindful of the new DMF charge that comes out at the end...it's some new tourist charge hotels can add
* the visitor tax refund program is dead and gone now (i wish i'd known before i spent so much money) so you can't get back your taxes paid on the room per night (there are 2 taxes charged equally about 15%)...for me that was in excess of $500+...ouch!
* rooms come equipped with washer-dryer and kitchen...very helpful...2 tvs (although they both got different channels...odd)...2 phones with personalized voicemail option
* DON'T USE THEIR PHONE unless you want to pay more money or unless you have your people call you...it's free to receive incoming calls.
*there is only 1 computer in the "business ctr" so bring your laptop or be prepared to wait.
* If you're not completely satisfied with spa services, ask for manager or fill out comment card. you will get immediate callback.
* there is no pool
*They hold for incidentals in advance...$150/day. This I didn't know about
VISITOR TAX REFUND PROGRAM IS DISCONTINUED SO YOU CAN'T GET ANY OF YOUR FUNDS BACK....so be sure you've got it and can afford to be without it- I was out of a lot of $$$ because of this. CDN and US $ were about equal so I didn't have as good a spending experience as in past years but it's definitely worth it. If I can afford to, can save up and/or get a nice tax refund, I will definitely be back. It's good to treat yourself sometimes.
The best staffers are:
Front door: Chris, Jeff, David, James
Desk: Stephen, Tina and Ibrahim
FYI:
*be mindful of the new DMF charge that comes out at the end...it's some new tourist charge hotels can add
* the visitor tax refund program is dead and gone now (i wish i'd known before i spent so much money) so you can't get back your taxes paid on the room per night (there are 2 taxes charged equally about 15%)...for me that was in excess of $500+...ouch!
* rooms come equipped with washer-dryer and kitchen...very helpful...2 tvs (although they both got different channels...odd)...2 phones with personalized voicemail option
* DON'T USE THEIR PHONE unless you want to pay more money or unless you have your people call you...it's free to receive incoming calls.
*there is only 1 computer in the "business ctr" so bring your laptop or be prepared to wait.
* If you're not completely satisfied with spa services, ask for manager or fill out comment card. you will get immediate callback.
* there is no pool
*They hold for incidentals in advance...$150/day. This I didn't know about
VISITOR TAX REFUND PROGRAM IS DISCONTINUED SO YOU CAN'T GET ANY OF YOUR FUNDS BACK....so be sure you've got it and can afford to be without it- I was out of a lot of $$$ because of this. CDN and US $ were about equal so I didn't have as good a spending experience as in past years but it's definitely worth it. If I can afford to, can save up and/or get a nice tax refund, I will definitely be back. It's good to treat yourself sometimes.
My love-hate relationship with Canadian Customer/Visitor Services
First off, let me say that I love Toronto, but a few things about it (that have changed) made my trip this year a little more frustrating.
1. THE VISITOR TAX REFUND PROGRAM IS NOW OVER (AS OF APRIL 1, 2007)! Who knew? How would I know seeing as how travel/visitor's bureaus in downtown Toronto are still giving out the forms and information? Gone are the days of getting your 15% back on all purchases over $50! This is the #1 thing that ticks me off cause Canada's not as cheap as it used to be (the US$ doesn't go far anymore...bad exchange rate) and on top of the 2 taxes applied to EVERYTHING, hotels apparently charge something called DMF charge (tourist tax or some garbage)! Geez! As if 15% extra (from gst and pst) wasn't enough!
2. VIA RAIL's CUSTOMER SERVICE leaves a lot to be desired. Last year there was a fiasco with me trying to drop off my bags in Windsor so I wouldn't have to carry them around all day after arriving from the states and then, found that you can only check bags at 5amor 6am....WTF! That's not what I was told by phone rep. So I was out of 2 taxi fares getting over there and had to pay someone else to ship my bags on to my final destination. There wasn't even a response to that letter.
Last week, the VIA train from Toronto to Montreal stopped mid-transit and we got in at 3:30am rather than 11:44pm! Then, to make matters worse (after they had transferred us to coach buses to finish the journey), they only give you 50% of that portion of the trip back in the form of a voucher only valid for 6 months! What good is that for someone not from Canada? After an email and several voicemails, after about a week someone called me back and is claiming to extend the voucher for 12 months and it will be mailed to me in the states.
You should also NOT purchase tour packages from Via Rail's site (might say WWTE when you go into options)....see below.
3. Montreal's GRAYLINE Tour Customer Service...Be sure to write down the name and time when you speak to phone reps because when they forget to pick you up on time for your prepaid tour, you will need that when you finally get to their office (35 minutes late)! I purposefully called 3 days in advance to request pick up and was told that it was okay. Then, the morning of the pickup I called to confirm that they were still coming and was told yes. when they hadn't arrived 15 minutes after the scheduled time, i called back and eventually a driver arrived. When I got to the office not only did they claim to not know anything about me calling and scheduling for pick up but they were unaware of my reservation - done through VIA RAIL's website and WWTE. The only redeeming quality was the tour guide, Denis. He managed to calm me down after a horrific journey from Toronto and the fiasco with the tour bus.
1. THE VISITOR TAX REFUND PROGRAM IS NOW OVER (AS OF APRIL 1, 2007)! Who knew? How would I know seeing as how travel/visitor's bureaus in downtown Toronto are still giving out the forms and information? Gone are the days of getting your 15% back on all purchases over $50! This is the #1 thing that ticks me off cause Canada's not as cheap as it used to be (the US$ doesn't go far anymore...bad exchange rate) and on top of the 2 taxes applied to EVERYTHING, hotels apparently charge something called DMF charge (tourist tax or some garbage)! Geez! As if 15% extra (from gst and pst) wasn't enough!
2. VIA RAIL's CUSTOMER SERVICE leaves a lot to be desired. Last year there was a fiasco with me trying to drop off my bags in Windsor so I wouldn't have to carry them around all day after arriving from the states and then, found that you can only check bags at 5amor 6am....WTF! That's not what I was told by phone rep. So I was out of 2 taxi fares getting over there and had to pay someone else to ship my bags on to my final destination. There wasn't even a response to that letter.
Last week, the VIA train from Toronto to Montreal stopped mid-transit and we got in at 3:30am rather than 11:44pm! Then, to make matters worse (after they had transferred us to coach buses to finish the journey), they only give you 50% of that portion of the trip back in the form of a voucher only valid for 6 months! What good is that for someone not from Canada? After an email and several voicemails, after about a week someone called me back and is claiming to extend the voucher for 12 months and it will be mailed to me in the states.
You should also NOT purchase tour packages from Via Rail's site (might say WWTE when you go into options)....see below.
3. Montreal's GRAYLINE Tour Customer Service...Be sure to write down the name and time when you speak to phone reps because when they forget to pick you up on time for your prepaid tour, you will need that when you finally get to their office (35 minutes late)! I purposefully called 3 days in advance to request pick up and was told that it was okay. Then, the morning of the pickup I called to confirm that they were still coming and was told yes. when they hadn't arrived 15 minutes after the scheduled time, i called back and eventually a driver arrived. When I got to the office not only did they claim to not know anything about me calling and scheduling for pick up but they were unaware of my reservation - done through VIA RAIL's website and WWTE. The only redeeming quality was the tour guide, Denis. He managed to calm me down after a horrific journey from Toronto and the fiasco with the tour bus.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
I'm off....
Finally, the time has arrived for me to begin my Canadian escape! The time seemed to drag by but it's finally here. So, despite the aches and pains of this carpal tunnel/ulnar nerve tension/arthritis thing I've got going on, I venture forward and hope to have lots of good adventures and good things to write about in my journal.
To combat the superstitious vibes of leaving on Friday the 13th, I've booked a spa treatment as my first "to do" in Toronto....it should be a heavenly way to start off a pricey adventure! My mantra, however, is that if nobody else is going to spoil you, then you've got to spoil yourself every once in a while! That's what this trip is all about.
To combat the superstitious vibes of leaving on Friday the 13th, I've booked a spa treatment as my first "to do" in Toronto....it should be a heavenly way to start off a pricey adventure! My mantra, however, is that if nobody else is going to spoil you, then you've got to spoil yourself every once in a while! That's what this trip is all about.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
First a 6...Now an 8!
I received this email from thedreamtime.com after perusing the site for a bit. It's obviously NOT about the number 6, but still speaks truth about me oddly enough...
"Soul Urge..
This number indicates your inner desires and feelings that
you may keep inside... It is what drives your inner soul
and personality! Read more about it below....
This is an excerpt is from our 30 page Professional
Numerology reading:
------
SOUL URGE 8:
You have an inner desire to be ambitious and successful in
everything that you do. You have a strong need to
accomplish what you set out to do, and you are focused and
intent on completing it at all costs! You must be careful
to not let this drive cause you to over-exert yourself or
you will run out of the energy that you thrive on.
Power, control and recognition are a few of the challenges
you will face when striving for success. You must grow and
learn to accept that abundance and wealth is good - this
will help you express the true riches in your own spirit.
You love to lead and especially in business ventures where
you can be and do what you want and desire. You crave
importance initially but you soon realize that the true
wealth that you enjoy also involves the spirit and so you
learn to make room for the spirit to enter yourself as
well, as you follow your path.
While you do find success you will will come to involve
others in your success as well and they will look to you as
an authority of great responsibility. This is perhaps the
best way for you to channel your muse and ambitious energy
- you will find it brings you the most reward in the end.
Your inner desire for ambition will serve you well through-
out this life."
"Soul Urge..
This number indicates your inner desires and feelings that
you may keep inside... It is what drives your inner soul
and personality! Read more about it below....
This is an excerpt is from our 30 page Professional
Numerology reading:
------
SOUL URGE 8:
You have an inner desire to be ambitious and successful in
everything that you do. You have a strong need to
accomplish what you set out to do, and you are focused and
intent on completing it at all costs! You must be careful
to not let this drive cause you to over-exert yourself or
you will run out of the energy that you thrive on.
Power, control and recognition are a few of the challenges
you will face when striving for success. You must grow and
learn to accept that abundance and wealth is good - this
will help you express the true riches in your own spirit.
You love to lead and especially in business ventures where
you can be and do what you want and desire. You crave
importance initially but you soon realize that the true
wealth that you enjoy also involves the spirit and so you
learn to make room for the spirit to enter yourself as
well, as you follow your path.
While you do find success you will will come to involve
others in your success as well and they will look to you as
an authority of great responsibility. This is perhaps the
best way for you to channel your muse and ambitious energy
- you will find it brings you the most reward in the end.
Your inner desire for ambition will serve you well through-
out this life."
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Destinies are pre-determined....
There is something to be said of the fact that my LIFE PATH number is 6, that I feel an affinity to the sacred scribes of Kemet and that I respect and admire Farrakhan for his divine intervention in my life at a time when salvation was needed. It causes me to reflect on the concept of destiny and whether or not our lives are predetermined as in the "Book of Coming Forth by Day" (known as "Book of the Dead to western scholars). I've explored these three sides of my spiritual self and found these facts to be true of my very nature.
Six represents equilibrium; harmony - balance. It symbolizes union of polarity- the male, fire and the heavens, and the female, the waters and the earth. Six is the symbol of luck; love; health; beauty; chance. It is a winning number at the throw of the dice in the West. There are six rays of the solar wheel and there are six interlaced triangles. There are six pointed stars or Seal of Solomon - and Star of David - Merkabah. To the Chinese: Six represents Universe, with its four cardinal points and the Above and Below - making it a total of six directions. Chinese culture there are six senses: taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing, the sixth being mind. The day and night each have six periods. For Christians: Six is perfection; completion because man was created on the sixth day. Six is man's number. Hebrew: There are six days of creation. It symbolizes meditation and intelligence. Kabbalism: Six is creation, and beauty. Pythagorean: Luck Sumerian: Six days of creation.
The number six is considered a perfect number (the factors of the number 1, 2 and 3) add up to the number itself (1+2+3=6). The six sides of a cube can be opened out to create a cross shape. The book of Genesis describes Gods work of creation as taking 6 days to complete.
Character traits: Equillibrium with others. Enjoys peace between all people. Values comfort and ease and enjoys beautiful things. A negotiator and peace-maker.
Negative tendencies: Gossipy, limited outlook, obstinate and unreasonable. Excessive worrying (especially about family members)
This speaks to who I am. The path I've taken in my life and the trials I've gone through in the last 2 weeks. My own personal jihad (struggle or war within) has been in the quest for balance between head and heart...money vs. mission. To know that what I've experienced is on point with what the universe places out there is validating, but the need for triangulated evidence becomes necessary so I look to Kemetic teaching and see more evidence of Divine Truths. In looking to the number 6, its meanings and the history of Kemet, I came again to the familiar concept and image of Ma'at.
Ma'at
Patron of: truth, law and universal order.
Appearance: A woman wearing a crown surmounted by a huge ostrich feather. Her totem symbol is a stone platform or foundation, representing the stable base on which order is built.
Description: Ma'at was the personification of the fundamental order of the universe, without which all of creation would perish. The primary duty of the pharaoh was to uphold this order by maintaining the law and administering justice. To reflect this, many pharaohs took the title "Beloved of Maat," emphasizing their focus on justice and truth. At any event in which something would be judged, Maat was said to be present, and her name would be invoked so that the judge involved would rule correctly and impartially. In the underworld, the heart of the deceased was weighed by Anubis against Maat's feather. If the heart was heavy with wicked deeds, it would outweigh the feather, and the soul would be fed to Ammit. But if the scales were balanced, indicating that the deceased was a just and honorable person in life, he would be welcomed by Osiris into the Blessed Land. Maat's presence in all worlds was universal, and all the gods deferred to her. There are 7 virtues of Ma'at and 42 admonitions/guidelines of correct behavior of Ma'at (4+2=6).
The very repetition of similar concepts - balance, justice, harmony, reciprocity- makes this evidence stand clear in my mind as validation of all that I have gone through and will go through. "The Matrix" (6) spoke on the idea of truth as being something you can NOT run from...all of this is true in my everyday existence. Ma'at's outstretched wings seems to me as a kind of blanket that envelopes humanity...in much the same way as I try to embrace those that are in my charge for a short term. The weighing of the heart on the scale, symbolic of the end of days, is word-for-word of the process I went through in recent days - my heavy heart was made light when the "right" decision was made.
Islam, too, offers some explanation of my path. In Surah 25, "Al Furqan" (6) and in the very being of Farrakhan (so named by his teacher based on qualities likened to this surah), I find a kind of strength and fortitude that serves as inspiration for me. "And the servants of Allah are those who walk on teh earth in humility and when the ignorant address them, they say 'peace'." (Surah 25, verse 63). The firy delivery of Farrakhan's teachings and the very descriptions of the Surah reveal the existence of contrasts between light vs. darkness, truth vs. falsehood, real vs. fantasy, knowledge vs. ignorance. I strive to speak truth and present truth in all perspectives so that those around me can make informed decisions. I do not believe it to be a mistake that my conversion from Christianity (Baptist Church) to Islam (N.O.I.) came under the leadership of HLF. It is not a mistake that I was blessed to move so swiftly through the ranks to work with HLF and his assistants so closely as to be in his presence and receive his request to join his teaching staff, receive guidance on the best way to teach the youth, sit on the same dais as him on the day of my "Muslim rites of passage", stand in his living room and receive kind words for work well done that outweigh bad deeds done or sit at his dinner table and feed on his words of wisdom. I do not believe in coincidence, but in evidence. My life path has shown me that destinies are pre-determined....ours is but to step into the stream that is our life and to just go with the flow.
Six represents equilibrium; harmony - balance. It symbolizes union of polarity- the male, fire and the heavens, and the female, the waters and the earth. Six is the symbol of luck; love; health; beauty; chance. It is a winning number at the throw of the dice in the West. There are six rays of the solar wheel and there are six interlaced triangles. There are six pointed stars or Seal of Solomon - and Star of David - Merkabah. To the Chinese: Six represents Universe, with its four cardinal points and the Above and Below - making it a total of six directions. Chinese culture there are six senses: taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing, the sixth being mind. The day and night each have six periods. For Christians: Six is perfection; completion because man was created on the sixth day. Six is man's number. Hebrew: There are six days of creation. It symbolizes meditation and intelligence. Kabbalism: Six is creation, and beauty. Pythagorean: Luck Sumerian: Six days of creation.
The number six is considered a perfect number (the factors of the number 1, 2 and 3) add up to the number itself (1+2+3=6). The six sides of a cube can be opened out to create a cross shape. The book of Genesis describes Gods work of creation as taking 6 days to complete.
Character traits: Equillibrium with others. Enjoys peace between all people. Values comfort and ease and enjoys beautiful things. A negotiator and peace-maker.
Negative tendencies: Gossipy, limited outlook, obstinate and unreasonable. Excessive worrying (especially about family members)
This speaks to who I am. The path I've taken in my life and the trials I've gone through in the last 2 weeks. My own personal jihad (struggle or war within) has been in the quest for balance between head and heart...money vs. mission. To know that what I've experienced is on point with what the universe places out there is validating, but the need for triangulated evidence becomes necessary so I look to Kemetic teaching and see more evidence of Divine Truths. In looking to the number 6, its meanings and the history of Kemet, I came again to the familiar concept and image of Ma'at.
Ma'at
Patron of: truth, law and universal order.
Appearance: A woman wearing a crown surmounted by a huge ostrich feather. Her totem symbol is a stone platform or foundation, representing the stable base on which order is built.
Description: Ma'at was the personification of the fundamental order of the universe, without which all of creation would perish. The primary duty of the pharaoh was to uphold this order by maintaining the law and administering justice. To reflect this, many pharaohs took the title "Beloved of Maat," emphasizing their focus on justice and truth. At any event in which something would be judged, Maat was said to be present, and her name would be invoked so that the judge involved would rule correctly and impartially. In the underworld, the heart of the deceased was weighed by Anubis against Maat's feather. If the heart was heavy with wicked deeds, it would outweigh the feather, and the soul would be fed to Ammit. But if the scales were balanced, indicating that the deceased was a just and honorable person in life, he would be welcomed by Osiris into the Blessed Land. Maat's presence in all worlds was universal, and all the gods deferred to her. There are 7 virtues of Ma'at and 42 admonitions/guidelines of correct behavior of Ma'at (4+2=6).
The very repetition of similar concepts - balance, justice, harmony, reciprocity- makes this evidence stand clear in my mind as validation of all that I have gone through and will go through. "The Matrix" (6) spoke on the idea of truth as being something you can NOT run from...all of this is true in my everyday existence. Ma'at's outstretched wings seems to me as a kind of blanket that envelopes humanity...in much the same way as I try to embrace those that are in my charge for a short term. The weighing of the heart on the scale, symbolic of the end of days, is word-for-word of the process I went through in recent days - my heavy heart was made light when the "right" decision was made.
Islam, too, offers some explanation of my path. In Surah 25, "Al Furqan" (6) and in the very being of Farrakhan (so named by his teacher based on qualities likened to this surah), I find a kind of strength and fortitude that serves as inspiration for me. "And the servants of Allah are those who walk on teh earth in humility and when the ignorant address them, they say 'peace'." (Surah 25, verse 63). The firy delivery of Farrakhan's teachings and the very descriptions of the Surah reveal the existence of contrasts between light vs. darkness, truth vs. falsehood, real vs. fantasy, knowledge vs. ignorance. I strive to speak truth and present truth in all perspectives so that those around me can make informed decisions. I do not believe it to be a mistake that my conversion from Christianity (Baptist Church) to Islam (N.O.I.) came under the leadership of HLF. It is not a mistake that I was blessed to move so swiftly through the ranks to work with HLF and his assistants so closely as to be in his presence and receive his request to join his teaching staff, receive guidance on the best way to teach the youth, sit on the same dais as him on the day of my "Muslim rites of passage", stand in his living room and receive kind words for work well done that outweigh bad deeds done or sit at his dinner table and feed on his words of wisdom. I do not believe in coincidence, but in evidence. My life path has shown me that destinies are pre-determined....ours is but to step into the stream that is our life and to just go with the flow.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Peace of Mind comes thru prayer....
It's not like I didn't already know that God (Allah) works in mysterious ways, but it's always good when He makes His will manifest through you. The last 6 months have been a trial, indeed - with the passing of my grandmother, boredom, dissatisfaction and frustrations with homeownership, financial challenges and my mid-life crisis as far as my career is concerned. Technology hasn't been fair to me either this year- with cpus, mice and wireless networks acting up i've had many a stressfilled day. Comcast is no better with their constant cable system updates. When will it end?
I will say though after spending a lot of time in prayer and meditation - alone and with my sistahs - I've come to see that Allah does indeed bring light out of darkness. He brought back a loved one who'd gone astray.He brought clarity to the murky world that was my life. He continues to bless me with opportunities to grow and to see how I am appreciated by my peers even when those under me don't show it. It's always easy to be negative or down, but peace of mind is possible when you ask for it....even if it may only be temporary.
I will say though after spending a lot of time in prayer and meditation - alone and with my sistahs - I've come to see that Allah does indeed bring light out of darkness. He brought back a loved one who'd gone astray.He brought clarity to the murky world that was my life. He continues to bless me with opportunities to grow and to see how I am appreciated by my peers even when those under me don't show it. It's always easy to be negative or down, but peace of mind is possible when you ask for it....even if it may only be temporary.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Hip Hop's "Shining Path" - TUPAC AMARU SHAKUR
Some say that our destinies are written way before we are born...that no matter what we do in life to try to run from who we are, the truth always hits us. It's like in The Matrix - once you take that pill, there's no going back. You will always know truth and feel a need to push for truth until your last day comes. Like those walking blindly in the "matrix" of today's society, Tupac Amaru Shakur's destiny was set.
Conceived during the Black Panther Movement of the 1970's, nurtured in the womb while his mom was in a federal prison and then, born months after her release, Tupac Amaru was named after the revolutionary leader of Peru. His last name, a Muslim one taken by his parents (Afeni & Mutulu) and aunt (Assata), reflects not only his characteristic but one of the 99 attributes (names) of Allah - Shakur = Shakir = The Appreciative
Tupac appreciated the struggles of the Black Panthers. He appreciated the struggle of his mom - fighting against racism, poverty and drug addiction. Most notably, Tupac appreciated the struggles of the young Black male in America. His T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. motto exemplified his frustration with the way in which Black youth seem to have been thrown away...disregarded. His passion for his artform and his love for his people led to his being seen as a leader, a poet, a prophet and a martyr...but what about the theories of him being in the witness protection program? hiding out in Cuba with his aunt, Assata (who is exiled from America)? Of him faking his own death, like Don Illuminati?
Will we ever really know the answers? Probably not, but to understand the man and his struggles one has to goto his own words - his music, his poetry -written in his own hand, and films, like "Tupac Resurrection."
One of the most powerful things Tupac ever said was - "I may not change the world but I can guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world!"
Such wisdom at a young age can only come from one with a Divine mission and purpose. Wherever Tupac is, I'm sure he can count himself among the chosen ones whose name will be written in the BOOK OF LIFE !
Hotep
Salaam
Peace
Conceived during the Black Panther Movement of the 1970's, nurtured in the womb while his mom was in a federal prison and then, born months after her release, Tupac Amaru was named after the revolutionary leader of Peru. His last name, a Muslim one taken by his parents (Afeni & Mutulu) and aunt (Assata), reflects not only his characteristic but one of the 99 attributes (names) of Allah - Shakur = Shakir = The Appreciative
Tupac appreciated the struggles of the Black Panthers. He appreciated the struggle of his mom - fighting against racism, poverty and drug addiction. Most notably, Tupac appreciated the struggles of the young Black male in America. His T.H.U.G.L.I.F.E. motto exemplified his frustration with the way in which Black youth seem to have been thrown away...disregarded. His passion for his artform and his love for his people led to his being seen as a leader, a poet, a prophet and a martyr...but what about the theories of him being in the witness protection program? hiding out in Cuba with his aunt, Assata (who is exiled from America)? Of him faking his own death, like Don Illuminati?
Will we ever really know the answers? Probably not, but to understand the man and his struggles one has to goto his own words - his music, his poetry -written in his own hand, and films, like "Tupac Resurrection."
One of the most powerful things Tupac ever said was - "I may not change the world but I can guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world!"
Such wisdom at a young age can only come from one with a Divine mission and purpose. Wherever Tupac is, I'm sure he can count himself among the chosen ones whose name will be written in the BOOK OF LIFE !
Hotep
Salaam
Peace
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Teacher Brain Drain....
Is it wrong that I can't wait until summer vacation? Is it wrong that I'm counting down the days just like my students? As a teacher, it's often assumed that one's whole life is school or education oriented. Granted, the whole reason I find myself addicted to college coursework is because I fear that my brain will go dead if I don't engage in stimulating ADULT conversations sometimes, but beyond that there's a real need to do things not related to secondary education. There's a need to read books that my students DON'T have to read....to not have papers to grade...to not be expected to call a parent of that student that you KNOW will never show up at the grade pick up or parent conference this time because they NEVER have before....there's a need to wake up and not have somewhere to be by 8am everyday!
Don't get me wrong...it's not all bad! 12 years of teaching and interacting with Chicago area youth have had many high points - graduations, thank you's, laughs, open mics,etc., but those are often so few and far between that it's easy to forget. I think the frustration comes, sometimes, too in the fact that this is often a "thankless job"...we do it out of love, dedication and a desire to see a better world, but the world doesn't appreciate the effort and the sacrifice. Sometimes, it's like..."Oh, sure I don't mind spending my weekend planning a really cool activity that you won't even take 5 minutes to read." Am I wrong?
As tired as students THINK they are of school come May or June, they have NO IDEA how exhausting teaching can be. I don't think anyone really understands until they've been in that position. You are teacher, parent, coach, friend, counselor, leader, mentor, role model, enemy, victim, nagger...byotch...all in one - depending on how the day goes and how your students see you that particular day! It's one of those jobs that people always say, "Wow! I really admire what you do!" but society doesn't reflect that in their treatment of teachers or in the priority we receive in terms of state and local budgets! If we are really so respected, how is it possible that garbage men, postal workers, athletes and entertainers make more than us? Why do the office personnel in some schools make more than the teachers? Why is it that the guy or girl in the videos that a child will probably never meet are the role models when teachers (and parents) are the ones they see in front of them everyday?
I'm venting...but maybe I'm purging and educating those of you that aren't teachers...maybe you're a parent trying to understand why your child's teacher seems so fed up all the time...maybe you're a student trying to understand why certain teachers nag you everyday about simple stuff like, bringing school supplies EVERYDAY until the end of the school year...maybe you're just a random person with a salary more than $40,000 or $50,000 who just doesn't get why anyone would take on such a daunting task....Whoever you are, now you know why June, July and August can be the three things teachers look forward to after spring break!
Don't get me wrong...it's not all bad! 12 years of teaching and interacting with Chicago area youth have had many high points - graduations, thank you's, laughs, open mics,etc., but those are often so few and far between that it's easy to forget. I think the frustration comes, sometimes, too in the fact that this is often a "thankless job"...we do it out of love, dedication and a desire to see a better world, but the world doesn't appreciate the effort and the sacrifice. Sometimes, it's like..."Oh, sure I don't mind spending my weekend planning a really cool activity that you won't even take 5 minutes to read." Am I wrong?
As tired as students THINK they are of school come May or June, they have NO IDEA how exhausting teaching can be. I don't think anyone really understands until they've been in that position. You are teacher, parent, coach, friend, counselor, leader, mentor, role model, enemy, victim, nagger...byotch...all in one - depending on how the day goes and how your students see you that particular day! It's one of those jobs that people always say, "Wow! I really admire what you do!" but society doesn't reflect that in their treatment of teachers or in the priority we receive in terms of state and local budgets! If we are really so respected, how is it possible that garbage men, postal workers, athletes and entertainers make more than us? Why do the office personnel in some schools make more than the teachers? Why is it that the guy or girl in the videos that a child will probably never meet are the role models when teachers (and parents) are the ones they see in front of them everyday?
I'm venting...but maybe I'm purging and educating those of you that aren't teachers...maybe you're a parent trying to understand why your child's teacher seems so fed up all the time...maybe you're a student trying to understand why certain teachers nag you everyday about simple stuff like, bringing school supplies EVERYDAY until the end of the school year...maybe you're just a random person with a salary more than $40,000 or $50,000 who just doesn't get why anyone would take on such a daunting task....Whoever you are, now you know why June, July and August can be the three things teachers look forward to after spring break!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Summer Reading List...
This is assuming that I'll actually want to read between now and august...but here's the list so far...
GHETTONATION (i'm only about 45 pages into it, but so far I agree with her in that America, in general, especially our youth, are embracing "ghettoness" at a sickening rate! There is pride in being ghetto....how sad!)
A BOOK OF FATE (fiction...I miss the writing of Dan Brown so this looks like a close imitation)
THE TROUBLE WITH ISLAM TODAY (an Irshad Manji book...a true Muslim warrior...check out her myspace page)
SECRETS OF LONGEVITY: 100 WAYS TO LIVE TO BE 100
100 TOP IMMUNITY BOOSTERS
The last 2 are "Jamba Juice" books...see, folks, there's more to Jamba than juice and smoothies!
GHETTONATION (i'm only about 45 pages into it, but so far I agree with her in that America, in general, especially our youth, are embracing "ghettoness" at a sickening rate! There is pride in being ghetto....how sad!)
A BOOK OF FATE (fiction...I miss the writing of Dan Brown so this looks like a close imitation)
THE TROUBLE WITH ISLAM TODAY (an Irshad Manji book...a true Muslim warrior...check out her myspace page)
SECRETS OF LONGEVITY: 100 WAYS TO LIVE TO BE 100
100 TOP IMMUNITY BOOSTERS
The last 2 are "Jamba Juice" books...see, folks, there's more to Jamba than juice and smoothies!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Planning ahead...
Somewhere between July 9 and August 1, I plan to be in Canada....again. I want to start off in Vancouver for 4-5 days and then, fly to Toronto with excursions to various spots -St. Catherine's (UGRR site- it's near Niagara Falls), Montreal day trip (to experience a taste of French culture...but just a bite cause I don't speak French ), Gore's Landing/Rice Lake to commune with nature, learn about First Nations culture and write poetry by the lake, Stratford day trip (to see Romeo & Juliet or some other Willy Shakes' production), Owen Sound (last stop on the UGRR...it's way north so this may not happen) and last but not least, Hamilton to see the Spencer Gorge and Webster Falls (i hope i wrote that right...one is a gorge and one is a falls...i always mix the 2 up). Of course, while there, I have to kick it on the islands and at the harbour for some international music....don't know if I wanna do Caribana again...it was expensive and okay...not really my flavor...maybe I'm too old to really need more than 1 day of that kind of celebration.
I love anywhere where I can experience nature (not like, camping or anything, but just the quiet, tranquility of trees blowing in the breeze or water crashing against a shore), music and all things cultural.
http://www.torontotourism.com/VisitorGuide/
Yes, I'm still on my T.O. kick....I've posted the latest guide for those of you interested. I'm really looking forward to my trip there again. My first journey was at the Renaissance next to the CN tower, baseball stadium and a hard rock cafe. My 2nd and 3rd journeys was "student style" - I took a midnight Greyhound bus into T.O.....11 hours and stayed in dorms. The 89 Chestnut residence (downtown, 2 blocks from bus station and eaton center). Last year, we were at the ILLC part of Ryerson university...3 blocks (different direction) from eaton center. Both were off Yonge...at the center of the action. close to TTC which was cool. Caribana weekend was jumpin'...you didn't have to do anything but step out onto the street and people watch! Of course, you could tell the rowdy Americans fromeveryone else.
This time around I'm looking for more homestyle digs...condo/apartment type locales. My first choice is in North York about 20 min from downtown, but the building looks nice. I always said I wanted to start venturing out in toronto. I guess this will be my chance. It would def be a step up in terms of cost and venue...a 1bdr deluxe condo unit - washer, dryer, equipped kitchen, furnished, computer and phone access in a building that has an indoor pool. almost seems to good to be true...but I hope it isn't. I hope it's worth the trek on the TTC or in the rental car. If nothing else it will give me an idea of what it's like to live like the natives. Besides, it's close to an outlet mall and a 24hour Dominion grocery store...what can be wrong with that?
I love anywhere where I can experience nature (not like, camping or anything, but just the quiet, tranquility of trees blowing in the breeze or water crashing against a shore), music and all things cultural.
http://www.torontotourism.com/VisitorGuide/
Yes, I'm still on my T.O. kick....I've posted the latest guide for those of you interested. I'm really looking forward to my trip there again. My first journey was at the Renaissance next to the CN tower, baseball stadium and a hard rock cafe. My 2nd and 3rd journeys was "student style" - I took a midnight Greyhound bus into T.O.....11 hours and stayed in dorms. The 89 Chestnut residence (downtown, 2 blocks from bus station and eaton center). Last year, we were at the ILLC part of Ryerson university...3 blocks (different direction) from eaton center. Both were off Yonge...at the center of the action. close to TTC which was cool. Caribana weekend was jumpin'...you didn't have to do anything but step out onto the street and people watch! Of course, you could tell the rowdy Americans fromeveryone else.
This time around I'm looking for more homestyle digs...condo/apartment type locales. My first choice is in North York about 20 min from downtown, but the building looks nice. I always said I wanted to start venturing out in toronto. I guess this will be my chance. It would def be a step up in terms of cost and venue...a 1bdr deluxe condo unit - washer, dryer, equipped kitchen, furnished, computer and phone access in a building that has an indoor pool. almost seems to good to be true...but I hope it isn't. I hope it's worth the trek on the TTC or in the rental car. If nothing else it will give me an idea of what it's like to live like the natives. Besides, it's close to an outlet mall and a 24hour Dominion grocery store...what can be wrong with that?
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Underground Railroad Monuments
It's important to note that the USA does have a National Underground Railroad Museum in Ohio (I haven't been yet) and there are also simulation-experiences in Ohio where you can (similar to a rites of passage type retreat) see what it was like to be on the railroad during slavery time. I've been told that hundreds of people do it annually - alone, with church groups or with their children- as a way to connect with our origins here in this land.http://www.freedomcenter.org/
There's also a biking project where you can ride the thousands of miles of the underground railroad from Mobile, AL (where I was born) to Owen Sound, Ontario (about 2 hours north of Toronto...I hope to get there in July). Do the whole trip or connect at certain points.
http://www.adv-cycling.org/news/2007ugrr2release.cfm
This brochure, though, highlights the 2 monuments, done by Ed Dwight, in Detroit and in Windsor. It designed to give you an idea of what you'll see and where to learn more.
http://www.eddwight.com/public_art/underground_railroads/
http://www.tellusnews.com/ahr/urr.html
http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/URR.htm
http://www.pc.gc.ca/canada/proj/cfc-ugrr/index_E.asp
Oh, Canada!
Okay, folks been asking..."what is it about canada that you love so much?" "why toronto? what's happening up there?" well it's kinda like being in the Chi and then, stepping thru the Stargate (did you see that movie with James Spader or watch the series? check it out or google it). T.O. has all the things the CHI has but it's cleaner, nicer. Of course, like all places it has its negatives - I'm not that naive, but it's diverse and full of culture. Tons of little excursions within a day's reach. It has the lure of CHI, but some areas make you feel like you're off in a distant paradise or an ancient timeperiod. It's also interesting that they honor FIRST NATIONS people....those are the folks we call "indians" or "native americans" here in the States!
I love that Canada honors and respects the contributions of the descendants of runaway slaves fromAmerica...they actually celebrate EMANCIPATION DAY....it's not just some random celebration like how few communities celebrate Juneteenth here in the states...it's on their calendars! When i get some time I'll chat about the underground railroad sites and add descrips to the photos on yahoo because it was/is such a moving experience to walk in the footsteps of ancestors. Doing that journey last summer (starting in Windsor and hitting Amherstburg, Chatham-Kent, Dresden, North Buxton), was moving to say the least. Sitting on that grassy knoll in front of the memorial statue on the Canada side of the river brought a wave of emotions over me. I followed the gaze of one of the statue figures as she looked back towards the US and realized that she was looking for those that were left behind (like me and mine...) I knew I'd have to see the other statue on the other side.
Later that year (Nov), on my journey to Detroit, I visited "sister monument" on the US side...walking up to it my steps got heavy and tears flowed as I got closer. When I looked out onto the water it was like I could see and hear the cries of the ancients calling to me from beneath the waters and across on the Canada side. I looked in the direction of the girl on the Windsor side, said a few prayers, journaled and just stood for awhile taking it all in. I thought back on my journeys to the mountains outside Mo-Bay, Jamaica...to that maroon village so high in the mountains that the indigenous folks and runaway slaves could pick off any REDCOATS coming to invade the village cause they stood out against the green! I thought back to the way the villagers took care of me when I passed out from heat exhaustion and the way the showed me around and took me in as if I was one of their own - just as the shopkeeper across from my hotel had done down in Mo-Bay. It reminded me of the way I feel whenever I was down home in Mt. Vernon, AL at Mama Nora's house - like I was in a different time and space where folks just take care of one another cause that's how it's always been done.
Being at those monuments and the other sites made me realize that no matter how down-trodden and trifling African Americans may seem...the Afrikan Diaspora still thrives on and since, "massa" is NOT going to bring our people and our history to us...those of us "lost sheep" in America gotta get out and find it for ourselves!
Toronto 2004
Toronto 2005
Ontario 2006
Missing: The Sad Case of the Written Word & Unsolicited "Libary" Cards
January, 2007
Teacher: For this assignment,you will be required to do library research and to check out at least one book or periodical to coincide with your paper. You need a total of 3 sources, but one must be a book.Student 1: BOOKS??!!! We can't just get it off the internet? I hate reading books!Student 2: The library? You mean, downtown? I don't even know where my library card is! I haven't been to the library since I was like 7!Student 3: My library card has money due. I ain't gonna go up there. I don't have $30 or those books anymore!Although these lines aren't word for word, I've had similar conversations over the years with high school students in my attempts to get them to write research papers and essays. Other complaints included - "Why do I have to write everything out first? Can't I just type it and be done? I don't wanna do a rough draft!" Is this laziness or just a cultural phenomenon of getting things done fast - even if it is poor quality? This is a dilemma I have yet to find an answer to.I am a proponent of the written word;however, "progress" continues to come in the form of technological advancements (i.e., computers, pda's, iPods,cell phones, etc.). We are a society convenienced by technology, but made distant and cold by it as well. What ever happened to going to the library? Checking out a good book? Kids today haven't seen a library card since the early 90's! What about writing letters to people? It's a lost art. In a world so consumed with having everything fast and quick, it's no wonder that our nation's youth are among the lowest in the world when it comes to academic progress. Oh well, that's the price we pay for defaulting to web-based media!
Teacher: For this assignment,you will be required to do library research and to check out at least one book or periodical to coincide with your paper. You need a total of 3 sources, but one must be a book.Student 1: BOOKS??!!! We can't just get it off the internet? I hate reading books!Student 2: The library? You mean, downtown? I don't even know where my library card is! I haven't been to the library since I was like 7!Student 3: My library card has money due. I ain't gonna go up there. I don't have $30 or those books anymore!Although these lines aren't word for word, I've had similar conversations over the years with high school students in my attempts to get them to write research papers and essays. Other complaints included - "Why do I have to write everything out first? Can't I just type it and be done? I don't wanna do a rough draft!" Is this laziness or just a cultural phenomenon of getting things done fast - even if it is poor quality? This is a dilemma I have yet to find an answer to.I am a proponent of the written word;however, "progress" continues to come in the form of technological advancements (i.e., computers, pda's, iPods,cell phones, etc.). We are a society convenienced by technology, but made distant and cold by it as well. What ever happened to going to the library? Checking out a good book? Kids today haven't seen a library card since the early 90's! What about writing letters to people? It's a lost art. In a world so consumed with having everything fast and quick, it's no wonder that our nation's youth are among the lowest in the world when it comes to academic progress. Oh well, that's the price we pay for defaulting to web-based media!
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly in Web Design January 16, 2007
At a basic level, a "good" web design would communicate its purpose in a clear, logical, and aesthetically pleasing manner. It would have symmetry, balance, categorization headers and assistance tools to aid in navigation. Williams refers to these as the "four basic design principles" - contrast, alignment, proximity and repetition. A "good" design allows the reader to glean the necessary content and to then, use that content to make connections to themselves and the real world.It is difficult to navigate a page whose data extends too far to the left or to the right - far outside the marginal view of the screen/window. Scrolling to the left or to the right to continue reading text feels "unnatural" to the pattern of (web) reading I've become accustomed to. When reading a text or novel the words and images or graphics are confined to the marginal limits. However, "bad" designs (although sometimes unintentional) don't have to follow such conventions because novices, like myself, can create sites seen by millions in seconds. Whereas, those millions may or may not read from the same book or novel if print media were the focus.Along the "bad" design continuum are the sites I consider "ugly." Perhaps this doesn't fall academically under the four design principles, but these sites violate another set of more important principles - moral principles. Sites that feature child molestation, child pornography or sites that fail to censor solicitation of minors are "ugly" in my opinion, no matter how much alignment, proximity, repetition or contrast they have! This is one reason I have such issues with sites my students often invite me to, like MySpace or Facebook - I know that many of them are vulnerable, naive, needy young women seeking love and attention from anyone or everyone, oftentimes, in negative ways. I wish there was legislation or some sort of monitoring board, similar to the FCC to control internet crime and sexual perversion. It's one thing to offer adults the option to appease their fetishes (similar to those that were used to renting or buying videotapes, pay-per-view and/or playboy in the ,60's,70's, 80's and 90's), but it's another thing to not protect our children. How hypocritical was it for the American public to be appalled by the Janet Jackson-Justin Timberlake incident at the Superbowl when the nation's youth see worse filth in the music videos, video games and on the internet? We need to be conscious of the kinds of messages/lessons we are teaching our youth about ethical internet use and how to discern what's appropriate and safe and what's not - even when their hormones tell them otherwise.In creating this site and the one using Comcast.net, it became clear that Task Stream had the superior software application. Of course, a more advanced site could be achieved by utilizing Dream Weaver software offered at my school, but unfortunately time didn't allow for me to learn it in a few days and I had not taken time the last 6 years to learn along with past student bodies. Initially, I sought to utilize AOL but found that feature to be discontinued. I found Task Stream's tools to be fun and easy to use. Although the limited style and color options were disappointing, I am pleased with the end result. I felt that I was limited in my ability to have 100% control of the four basic design principles due to the pre-determined confines of the software.
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