So I thought it was about time to reveal more of the nitty gritty about myself. And give to you the yummy list of music! i have to say that’s my favorite part of this snippet, sharing the music that becomes the embodiment of inspiration for me. I hope you may find such a treat in your life. whether its watching sports, action films, reading plays, soaking in nature, seeing life through a lens–I hope whatever it is that inspires the joy in your life that you never let that passion go; the passion that lets you recognize life is as wonderful and grand as you dream it to be.

In other news, Fall is approaching! And I gotta say the dancing leaves and the changing scenery makes me feel all cozy and warm inside.  Even though the trees are literally dying to survive the winter–they do make a captivating departure. As if dying is just as beautiful and majestic as living. Ah—I’m smitten with Autumn. :]

But here is the list of music. (Artist.Title) All available on itunes or if you myspace search the  artists’ name–they generally have a music page. Save the music! Buy the music

The Virgins. Rich Girls.

Radiohead. Talk Show Host.

Bob Marley. Redemption Song.

John Mayer. In Your Atmosphere(Acoustic).

Jump, Little Children. Mexico.

Jack’s Mannequin. Bloodshot.

Ingrid Michaelson. Breakable.

Now–random facts about myself. Hmmmm…I’ve named every stuffed animal I’ve ever owned. I’ve had hundreds since I was young, and if I saw them again I bet you I could recall every single one of their names. I only have three buddies now. Ducky the duck(whom I’ve had for a good 15 years), Remi the bear(my brother and I bought each other matching bears–his is named reginald), and Philip the dolphin(whom I got from seaworld). I have a tiny alpaca named Kooskoos, but he’s more of a figurine sitting on top of my printer.

tada! and the creme de la creme. a photo of yours truely,

Captain Nate Rawlings of the United States’ Military is a regular blogger of NPR. He is also currently fighting in the Iraq War. Rawlings writes about his experiences, and answers emails as well. Whether you believe this war is meaningful or useless, we must never forget the reality of it. People are dying. And in the cynicism of the world, Captain Rawlings is the perfect example of humanity not lost amidst violence and chaos.

Here is the reality ignored.

Question For Capt. Nate Rawlings

Capt. Rawlings,

What gives America the right to invade some country on the pretext of unfounded allegations made up to justify their invasion? Do you really feel proud of yourself as a murderer of innocent people? Who are you to go a country and force democracy on the people? If the U.S.A. did not have bombs and just fought a land war with conventional weapons I can assure you they would not be talking so bravely because they would be whipped so bad into defeat that they will never recover from their defeat. You call yourself a soldier, but I call you and all the others who are in the U.S. Armed Forces gutless cowards and murderers with their embassies hiding behind the fortress called the “Green Zone.” I challenge you to answer this one, you coward.

—Mohmed Hasan, Roeland Park, Kan.

Capt. Rawlings’ Answer

Dear Mr. Hasan,

Your question is very important because it strikes at the fundamentals of why we are here, but before I get into that I need to clarify a few things. While we do have bombs, artillery and missiles, much of the conflict, including my own current operation, is being fought in densely urban areas where such large weapons would cause massive loss of life and destruction of infrastructure. As a result, most of the fighting is being done by foot soldiers, rifle to rifle and by walking the streets and searching for insurgents. Any use of the larger, more destructive weaponry is always weighed against potential damage to the area and, most important, potential civilians killed or wounded. We avoid such damage and death at all costs.

What impresses me about your question is that it addresses one of the most important issues in this war: Why are we here? You obviously care enough about the current situation to write in to NPR, but your thoughts don’t provide any answers to the questions you pose. I am here because I am a soldier and swore an oath to defend my country and the Constitution, and when my commander in chief orders me to move I will go.

If you feel that we entered into this conflict unjustly and feel that we should not be here, then do all that you can to bring us home. First, study the conflict up and down so that you will have the knowledge to make your argument. Use the Freedom of Information Act to access documents that will, hopefully, explain the rationale for entering this conflict. Read the accounts by journalists and soldiers and talk to those who have been here because their experience is valid and their thoughts are important. Once you have the facts to back up the claims you want to make, write editorials, lead protests and, most important, vote for candidates in the upcoming election who share your views on the war. You believe political power without moral justification is perilous; I believe that passionate defiance without political engagement is worthless. Your vote is a powerful tool that should be used to make your voice heard. My father always said that people should and will vote with their feet. If you are truly passionate that we should not be fighting in Iraq then vote with your feet and work to change that.

(courtesy of NPR)

Food and liquor stores rest on every corner
From 45th and State to the last standin Henry Horner
J&J’s, Harold’s Chicken, good finger lickin
While they sin, gin, sin sin at Rothschild and Kenwood Liquors
The winos crooked stagger
meets the high stride of the youth searchin for the truth
They rebel and raise hell across alleyways and in classroom settings
They get, high off that drum bass and 20/20 rims
They rock braids, Air Force Ones and Timbs
They drink Hennessy, Hypnotiq and 40’s
They call they women hoes, bust downs and shorties
They keep funeral homes in business and gunshot wards of hospitals full
Prisons packed, bubblin over in brown sugar
They keep empty, Westside lots crowded, hype’s powdered
The well is running dry, the days of Malcolm and Martin have ended
Our hope has descended and off to the side
Waiting for the reinstallment of the revolution
Because we are dying at the cost of our own pollution
But God has another solution, that has evolved from the hood
I present one who turns, the Fiasco to good.

-uncredited female rapper

Words in any form are powerful, and so goes the power of music. Music is universal no matter what form. I encourage everyone, whether ascetically pleasing or their preference or not take a moment to appreciate the acknowledgment and power of words in any form. If you search hard enough, contrary to popular belief, hip hop has a message you never thought you’d hear. Open your eyes, life is not black and white. This rap is featured as the intro to Lupe Fiasco’s album Food&Liquor(2006) available on itunes.

(photo courtesy of wikipedia)

in other news. welcome back everyone.

So all my life I’ve grown up with this idea of a true love. This knight and shining armor that whisks me away from my stone tower, away from loneliness, self deprecation, and perpetual gloom of incompleteness. The true love. But, as I’ve grown older, and I suppose more aware of life and her devious troubles I don’t know if this pleasant idea is as tenderly satisfying anymore; to be honest, it bothers me.

True love has become synonymous of perfect. And in that I am bothered. “Perfect”—the chiseled chin, the luscious hair, the altruistic mixed badass that has plenty of money to roll around in. And yes, I described Brad Pitt. Perfect? Or the sexy woman that has a child from every continent, and plenty of money to save the world. And yes, I described his partner in crime, Angelina Jolie. I mention them because I can tell you, from the world’s perspective they are what you call perfect. I have no offenses against them, but as much as I’ve tried to create this dream of a perfect Brad Pitt for myself, I’ve realized perfection is not the same as truth, and truth is not the same as honesty.

Perfection doesn’t cause a single mother to sacrifice her dignity to endure an honest day’s work as a stripper in a local nightclub to feed her children, nor does truth wave its finger of judgment in her face because when her children grow up, they will see love is greater than perfect. Perfection doesn’t teach a betrayed spouse, a victim of infidelity, the greatest lesson in life is learning the true meaning of forgiveness. The honest heart to not look back takes greater strength than grippingly vowing with whiten knuckles of never letting go. And at the end of the day the lesson of forgiveness passes on resonating that love is greater than perfect.

Knowing there’s a chance of meeting the perfect person compared to meeting someone and becoming perfect for each other—I think I’d rather wait a lifetime for the latter. Truth is the chance to be honest; having the ability to peel the layers, the masks, the insanity—being more than a bundle of neatly packed lies by shattering the walls while having everything to lose. Given the freedom to say I’m real, and in my honest confession, there you will find truth— truth of my past, truth of my insecurities, truth of my joys.

That’s not even the best part! The greatest treasure no one else will ever see, no one else will ever hold, will be yours. A bruised and broken heart, worn down but not lost. That I would be entrusted with the most fragile life affirming hope of someone…is better than perfect. Its real.

May you discover truth in the boldness of honesty and may you see the never failing depth of love. May you find this letter is not for the hopeless romantic, but courage for all who declare love is real, and greater than perfect.

(photo courtesy of cuteoverload)

The new Nike Commercial titled Courage was made for the 2008 summer Olympics. It represents the strength of the human body, and how humanity is the only creation that defy expectations—in every form.

Just do it.

nike.com/courage

The only part of history still alive to this day. Even if its not your cup of tea or something you thrive on, take a moment to watch over 200 countries gathered not just to compete in sports, but doing it peacefully. Oh and if you haven’t see the opening ceremony. Find a way to see it. With 91,000 people within the bird nest stadium and an estimate of 4 billion viewers worldwide, it is truly wicked awesome of epic proportions.

2008 Beijing Olympics.

The best example of hope for peace left. And when I speak of peace, I don’t mean mindless agreement of “getting along.” But in a sense of never forgetting everyone has a mother, a father, a family to go home to, dreams to achieve, expectations to surpass, and a story.

(courtesy of NPR)