This is a test

Remember when your teachers used to say…”Okay students. Take out a piece of paper. We’re going to have a pop quiz.” You groaned, you mumbled, you scrambled for paper, you cursed under your breath because you hadn’t paid attention in class or read the assigned chapters.

None of those worries here. No cursing necessary. This is a fun test. No paper or pencils required.

Take a look at the images below and decide…..are they moving? Or are they still?



How about this one?



The images are used to test the level of stress a person can handle. The slower the images move, the better your ability to manage difficult situations.

Criminals that were tested said they saw the images spinning madly. However senior citizens and kids saw them standing motionless.

For the record, none of the images are animated. They are perfectly still.

I’ve got to admit, I think it’s a good measure. I tried it this morning when I was leisurely preparing for the day and the movement was minimal. I viewed them again this evening after a crazy afternoon and there was a lot more dancing going on.

And you?


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Better late than never

I’ve always been a late bloomer. Things just seem to come into my life a lot later than they do for most other folks. That’s not a complaint, because I agree with Bob Dylan “…I believe that things are handed to you when you are ready to make use of them.”

Yeah. That Bob Dylan. And he’s one of those “things” that has come to me later in my life.

I came of age when Dylan was roaring his way across the music world. He was always in my orbit, but being the shallow teen that I was, I gravitated more to The Beatles (because they were cuter), The Monkees (because they were funnier) and Jim Morrison (because he was more mysterious).

Dylan has become more front and center to me over the last ten years. During this time I’ve come to realize he’s more than a gravely voice. Even more than a celebrated poet. He is a non-stop wunderkind. Do you think you know his stats?

Well, here are the highlights:
- Released 44 albums in the last 46 years
- Sold more than 110 million albums
- Written over 500 songs
- His music has been covered by more than 3000 artists ranging from Duke Ellington to Bob Marley
- Won Academy Award and Golden Globe for “Things Have Changed”
- His memoir was on the NY Time bestseller list for 19 weeks
- Won a special Pulitzer Prize for “his profound impact on music…and extraordinary poetic power”
- As a visual artist he created a collection of drawings and sketches (a couple of which are featured on this post) and had them published.
- Was named a Commandeur dans l’Ordre des Art et des Lettres, the highest cultural award in France (where he is revered)
- Currently performs more than 100 concerts a year



As you may have noticed, I’m currently embroiled in a Dylan love fest. Better late than never. I think he has probably had an impact on most people at some point. So I’m curious – how, when, where -- did he touch your life?



Bonus Question: If Elvis is The King. And Springsteen is The Boss. Shouldn’t Dylan have his own superlative handle? Your nomination, please.

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To jog your memory, some Dylan lyrics are below. I’ve chosen more popular songs in hopes you will hear the music in your head.


Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right
I once loved a woman, a child I'm told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul
But don't think twice, it's all right

Forever Young
May your hands always be busy,
May your feet always be swift,
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift.
May your heart always be joyful,
May your song always be sung,
May you stay forever young.

Blowin' In The Wind
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
.....
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Let It Be Me
I bless the day I found you
I want my arms around you
And so I beg you: Let it be me.
Each time we meet, love
I find complete love
Without your sweet love,
what would life be ?
So never leave me lonely
Tell me that you love me only
And say you'll always let it be me.

Just Like A Woman
She takes just like a woman, yes, she does
She makes love just like a woman, yes, she does
And she aches just like a woman
But she breaks just like a little girl.

Blue Moon
Blue moon, you saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own.


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It's here, again

How'd that happen? Here we are coming up on Hump Day again. Where did the past week go? I guess that means we need something to smile about.


Oh oh. Somebody is fed up with social networking.



Well, times are hard so creativity counts.



Here lies the most picked-on man in history.



Well this fellow found something to smile about.



Gosh. Am I naive or what? I was looking for a way to end this post so I googled Hump Day thinking I'd find a fun quote. The results were not what I had in mind. Now before you all go running off to google that for yourself, please give me something to smile about and leave a PG rated comment.


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Very clever indeed

Created by Brazilian artists Anderson Augusto and Leonardo Delafuente, this fun painted storm drain is one of many that have now turned the streets of São Paulo into popular tourist attractions.

A very clever work of art just perfect for Mellow Yellow Monday.



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Thanks for your service

Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, was created to commemorate U.S. men and women who died while in military service. I think though, and rightly so, it has become a day to recognize all veterans.

My dad was a veteran of WWII. That’s his picture here….looking all handsome and snappy and devil-may-care. He was so proud to have been a soldier. He didn’t talk much about the action he saw, but he did talk about the men he served with.

His platoon remained a tight group. That band of brothers. They would hold reunions every couple of years to keep their friendship strong and once when they had a gathering near where I lived, I went out to meet his buddies.

Dad was a different person when in the company of his fellow soldiers. There was a light shining through him. A pride that just radiated from his eyes and broadened his smile. Whether they were talking about the war or grandchildren, there was a potent bond -- the knowledge they had been through something together that was important, and powerful, and ever lasting.

My dad passed almost four years ago. I think of him every day, but it’s on Memorial Day that I am awash in a special respect for him. I channel that pride he radiated. As I put out the row of small flags on my lawn today, I realized that he also instilled in me a fierce sense of patriotism.

From the editorial cartoons below, it seems as though there are others who share my appreciation for Memorial Day.







The next time you have the opportunity to be with a veteran – or a currently enlisted soldier, sailor, marine, or guardsman – thank them for their service. A salute would be nice, too.


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The gang's all here

The May television sweeps are over and drivel has returned to the tube. Ordinary drivel, not the blockbuster, hyped stuff we’ve been seeing for the past four weeks. I wanted background noise as I did the dishes so I clicked through the channels and hit a bonanza.


West Side Story.

Oh, stop wincing. This isn’t ordinary musical theatre, this is Bernstein and Sondheim retelling the story of Romeo and Juliet. With amazing choreography by Jerome Robbins, timeless songs and score, cultural differences, forbidden love…and the Jets and the Sharks!

I can remember as a kid dancing through the house (when no one was around), snapping my fingers and singing:

When you’re a jet/
You’re a jet all the way/
From you first cigarette/
To your last dying day.
When you’re a jet/
Let them do what they can/
You got brothers around/
You’re a family man.
(snap, snap)



Honestly, I don’t know how I remember those lyrics. I don’t think there is another song, other than maybe a couple of Christmas carols, where I know more than one line.

Whenever I’m in a really low mood and trying to convince myself that things are looking up, I always seem to find myself humming…

Something’s coming/
I don’t know what it is/
But it is/
Gonna be good.

How many millions of girls, young and old, have stood in front of a mirror singing:

I feel pretty/
Or so pretty/
I fell pretty and witty and bright.
And I pity/
Any girl who isn’t me tonight.

And how could you not tap your toe, shake your shoulders, and get your groove on when the Puerto Rican gang and their girlfriends gather on the rooftop at the dance to musically debate the benefits of living in the U.S.? The colors, the swishing skirts, the men in tight pants! Relive the thrill by clicking here to see Rita Moreno lead the fun in a rousing rendition of “America”.



I’m going to skip over the sad parts, because I think the ending is truly gut wrenching. Let’s just remember the pleasure of it. Play the songs in your head and tell me… what’s your favorite? Sing it for me!

Jet Song
Something’s Coming
Maria
America
Somewhere
Tonight
I feel Pretty
One Hand, One Heart
Cool
Gee, Officer Krupke




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From me, to you

It's Wednesday. Often known as "Over the Hump Day". By about 3 p.m. this afternoon hardworking folks across the planet will be itching for the weekend. While I can't make time move any faster, I thought maybe a chuckle or two would make Hump Day a little brighter.

Below I have posted photos of Hollywood types in a series called:

What celebrities would look like if they were regular people.

Gwyneth Paltrow


Leonardo DiCaprio


Nicole Kidman


Jon Travolta


Gwen Steffani


Johnny Depp


Pamela Sue Anderson


See! Now don't you feel much better? Who's your favorite?

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