I love so many things...gardening, cooking and eating, a good vodka, rum or tequila neat 'n short or in a lovely lime cocktail, i've never met a dog I didn't like whether they liked me or not, the wild kingdom...animals, insects, water life, birds, trees, plants, rocks, shells, fossils, warm starry nights, rain, quiet days, writing, computer nerding (the internet is like a multi-media library in your home...love it!!), intimate conversations, parties and dinner parties often followed by me shouting to "kick that table outta the way 'n pump up the jam!!" There's nothing more beautiful in my life than knowing i've connected in a spiritual way with someone even if only for a moment. Music lets me do that in the coolest way and for that I must thank my Ma, the mad and very popular Norwegian from Minnesota "Mama Betty" for recognizing that I, at a shockingly young age was destined to be a singer. She encouraged, even obliged me to become familiar with a diverse range of musical genres from Country to Polka to Ballroom to Rock 'n Roll to Pop to Crooners to Christmas Songs to Hymns, etc. etc....and had me performing as early as I can remember. She's a party animal and I get it from her I suppose although I prefer to go out in the boat with my Dad and talk about the days there were still fish in the lake. All day I spot eagles, hawks, birds and water fowl, moose, deer, otters...once in a while I jump in or just stick my hands or toes in to feel the coolness and bring up the scent of the clear water.
I'd like to meet:
Beck ( teach me!! ), Daniel Lanois ( ditto ) Funk Goddess Betty Davis ( ditto ), Dalai Lama ( tell me a story ), Beastie Boys ( teach me while we hang out!! ), Nick Drake ( ditto...perhaps in another life where woes melt away in the soothing warmth of a Grecian sea breeze? ), Chris Whitley
( ditto, ditto...thanks for the kindness and inspiration ), Billie "Lady Day" Holiday ( pass the bottle Billie!!! we'll show those facist f***ers who comes in the front door!!! ), Janis Joplin ( the most beautiful girl on campus ), Hank Williams Sr. Sr. ( first love ), Booby ( where are you??? ), Carol Burnett, Renae Ann Jenson
( my precious guardian angel who dances among the stars in that big '70's discotech in the sky...I count the days, my heart aches and my eyes weep for missing your laugh, your love, strength, your naughtiness and loyalty...so long ago my soul sister I shall never, ever forget you for a moment for you are my inspiration ), Steve Havluck at the shack, Steve Havluck at the cabin, SMANJ!!!! Nick Jury and Mama Betty in the desert, Dad anywhere...to be continued.
Movies:
Galore!!!!! (Especially as part of the team)
Television:
...Keep the Good Stuff
...Cut the Crap!!! In the U.S. check out Link TV...in Minnesota I know it's channel 375 on the satellite, for programming check their website. It's the only channel that gives the news straight ahead, also they have wonderful documentaries and interviews with world leaders and celebrities who are trying to raise global awareness on ecology and environmental issues. The most disgusting programs I know are some American talk shows i've stumbled on and became horrified!! They give people a few minutes of fame but the price they pay is destruction of families, friendships and values. "My Sister Is A Bad Mother" was shocking!! On another talkshow an intelligent and well-spoken 15 year old girl dressed as a punker was allowed to be insulted and humiliated by her Father and members of the audience for the way she dresses. Her Father looked like a Hell's Angel and one of the guys in the audience who told her "You look like a fuckin' freak!!" was dressed to the hilt as a football hooligan. I don't have cable for my tv and only watch one once or twice a year if that. It's too addictive and makes me lazy. I prefer to rent a movie or documentary once in a while.Throwing a few categories together here I love many kinds of movies, programs, and books...fiction, non-fiction, science fiction...but hate anything that only victimizes the women. Abuse is all around us in many shapes and forms regardless of sex. Toughen up and open up ladies and gents, so you can show compassion without being sucked dry of precious energy. My Mom watches some show called E.R. Special or something...all the episodes i've watched with her are about the raping, disfigurement and murder of women...another ploy to keep the babes shakin' in their boots. Violence exists and always has so we simply have to deal with it. Two films I quite like are extremely violent but I don't condone it, I understand it having been surrounded by violence from a young age, I feel these films are not senseless or sexist : in "The Cell" the cop gets tortured, ok it's just a dream but that is where the reality is taking place at that moment...where the problems are being dealt with...that along with seeing the murderer as a child being heartlessly blamed and abused by his disturbed Father gives understandable cause and effect...same with "Natural Born Killers" ( which I think is an inappropriate title ). The girl is relished and unashamedly sexually abused by her Father whilst her Mother does nothing to protect her...the girl finally snaps and very little goodness survives within her consciousness. Living your life in constant fear of violence or invasion of your space is not living at all.
Heroes:
"Beck" for giving the middle finger to the rule that to make it you need to stick within a "DIRECTION". As a child "Hank Williams" was my first musical hero and 'Kawliga' my favorite song. He writes about a shy Indian who's got a wooden head because he misses his chance at love. Being very shy and often bitter due to constant problems within our family plus the only brown person (adopted as a baby) in a town of 900 people...children and people in general were often cruel calling me "Stupid Indian", etc. In the song "Kawliga" I loved that the music switched between a very dark verse and a bright, uptempo chorus...somehow it gave me hope. Otherwise I have zillions of heroes everywhere. The sweet man who always seems to be lost in Ghent, never sure whether to go right or left, carrying his worldly belongings and water bottles with him wherever he goes. Sometimes we talk for a minute or exchange a look of understanding for he's a gentle soul and I know the pain of that. All the beautiful people who keep an open mind and heart, stop a fight or help a victim in need, pick me up hitch-hiking when I miss the bus, people who don't kill the little creatures just because they can and those who choose to pull up their un-wanted plants (some call them weeds) by hand instead of dousing the planet with poison, the lovely ladies in my local supermarket who are still friendly, kind and sweet to me when I often come in looking like "El Slobbo Greaseball". All the people who aren't afraid to take risks and step away from the norm (whatever that may be?) are FA*BULOUS...............and to all the uptight unfortunates who disturb the peace for the rest of us with their snobby ways and racist, sexist or agressive, anti-social behavior I suggest you do some volunteer work with the needy being the poor or the homeless, the handicapped or the elderly, the children and people with psychological and adjustment problems whether it's because they're neglected or ill...something like that. Bust down those walls of preconception, then perhaps someday you'll be FA*BULOUS TOO!!!
