Ugg the caveman speaks!

When I think of cavemen I think of BC... This was one of the best from Johnny Hart... and very controversial I hear but I fail to see why?
Watching pebbles being washed by streams gets tiring sometimes... It is no fun when friends stay in the cave... Ugg needs to go hunting to get his mind off all this water and those pebbles.
Now where did I put that club and spear?
Maybe bringing back some haunches of venison or a Mammoth tooth or two will do the trick to get Ugg's friend out of the cave, or maybe those shiny stones at the river mouth will do it as well... that is many days walking, plenty time to let friends sort out their cave stuff... Ugg has never understood this cave sorting that females do...
Ugg's friend can always send a message with cleft stick when she decides to come out of the cave... meanwhile Ugg will be hunting... but Ugg's friend will always be Ugg's bestest friend...
"If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thru' chinks of his cavern." Blake

No camera again!

High drama today on campus as I left the one Caf where I had been sorting out a comms problem... mmm now who is burning stuff in front of then West entrance I think to myself when it strikes me there is a small commotion going on and fellas dressed in blue running around with extinguishers and a car is burning... sorry blokes but the golden 2 minutes are gone... that baby is gonna burn!
As most rally enthusiast and racers will attest, you have 2 minutes tops to hit the extinguisher if you smell smoke on a rally car... if you see flames you bale out and let it burn... your own skin is worth more than a few hundred grand rally car.
The same goes for civilian rust buckets... usually by the time you smell the smoke the flames have taken hold under the bonnet and it is pretty dangerous to pop the hood and disconnect the battery, meanwhile the clock is ticking down to 120 seconds elapsed... that is when the fuel lines, brake lines etc. melt and dump their contents into the growing conflagration. Time to phone your insurance broker and tell him to bring the claim forms forthwith and then the fire brigade... just to make sure no other cars go up in smoke...
Sad but a fact of life unfortunately. This song is what went through my head while I watched this unfortunate incident... Somone is Carlos tonight...
Burn Baby Burn - ASH - Written by Tim Wheeler

You're all I have in this teenage twilight
Your golden hair and pale blue eyes
But through all the days and the sleepless nights
We have never been satisfied
Tumbling like the leaves
Yeah, we are spiralling on the breeze
Almost to the point of no return
Everything will burn baby burn

Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognise
Binds that can't be untied
Oh this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
And never will be reconciled
Oh something inside has died

You walk like you're in a daze
Unresponsive eyes in a distant gaze
Like all the good times have flown away
And their memory leaves a bitter taste
Tumbling like the leaves
Yeah, we are spiralling on the breeze
Destructive love is all we have
Destructive love is all I am

Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognise
Binds that can't be untied
Oh this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
And never will be reconciled
Oh something inside has died

Vicious bitter words
Becoming more and more cruel
But you always take me back
And let me lick your wounds
Tumbling like the leaves
Yeah, we are spiralling on the breeze
Almost to the point of no return
Everything will burn baby burn

Look into my tired eyes
See someone you don't recognise
Binds that can't be untied
Oh this is slow suicide
Feelings that I can't disguise
We're living in a compromise
Oh something inside has died
I hope this ends the misfortune I have seen, experienced and lived through the last few days... Things can only get better! As the D:ream song attests...
Things can only get better - D:Ream
You can walk my path, you can wear my shoes
Learn to talk like me and be an angel too
But maybe you ain't never gonna feel this way
You ain't never gonna know me, but i know you
I'm singing it now-
Things can only get better
They can only get better if we see it through-
that means me and I mean you too
So teach me now that things can only get better,
They can only get, they only get, take it on from here
You know i know that things can only get better

I sometimes lose myself in me, I lose track of time
And I can't see the wood for the trees
You set them alight
burning bridges as you've gone
I'm too weak to fight ya
I've got my personal hell to deal with, then you say
Walk my path, wear my shoes, talk like that-
I'll be an angel then
Things can only get better
they can only get better, now i found you
Things can only get better, they can only get better,
now I found you
and you and you
You have shown me prejudice and greed
And you've shown me how I must learn to deal with this disease
I look at things now in a different light than I did before
And I've found the cause
and I think you can be my cure
So teach me to...
Walk your path, wear your shoes, talk like that, I'll be an angel and
Things can only get better.....
Tomorrow will be a better day I say, every day seems better than the last when one looks back. I think a stiff one for medicinal use is called for tonight...
"Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water." W. C. Fields (1880 - 1946)

Amica donna mia

The title means "My lady friend" in Italian, to me the most romantic language to listen to in song, as I do not speak it or French for that matter I suppose it is a silly statement, but I have always found Italian songs more comfortable on the ear than French. Francisco Napoli, Eros Ramazzotti, Zuchero, Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli and the list goes on, all favourites of mine and all speak to my heart better than most French singers, the exception being Francoise Hardy... I had a schoolboy crush on her when her song Only You Can Do It (Je veux qu'il revienne) was a hit in the mid sixties and the pictures of her helped too...
I remember this one... sellotaped to my door...
My image of the quintessential Biker Chick... maybe she started me thinking about bikes?
Francois today... still good looking but not my type anymore... but I still like her music. In any case this is going slightly off track here, I wanted to focus on the Italian singers and the way they carry the passion of the song through their voices.

The song in question by Eros Ramazotti will always hold a special place in my heart as it reminds me of KatieB, when I hear it I picture her on the stand at the track, score sheet in hand, watching the bikes going over the finish jump while the song plays over the PA. I suppose I should have been focused on the race but I could not help stealing a glance her way and noticing how enthralled she was with the race. I think I feel the same way when I look at her, I see someone that is willing to put up with this crazy guy that loves motorbikes and dirt racing then I realize it is more than that... she actually shares my passions, how great is that? So to my Amica donna mia I want to say you stole my heart again that day... I hope to lose it each time we have an adventure or spend time together. Can one lose your heart to a friend? I believe so... I had better stop before I cause another Tsunami...

Just like a month ago when I went and blurted out my feelings over coffee and muffins... not that they have changed much. I have just learned to take each day at a time and be the person that she feels safe with, it is a learning curve for both of us I suppose but every day I realize this is a precious thing that has been given to us and we should treat it as such and nurture it like a special plant in a garden, too much water and it drowns, too much fertiliser and it wilts, too much pruning and it dies back. What I want to say is that I will always be your friend my Amica donna mia...

So here is my verse set to the same title:
Ere there was a time I was alone like the sands on the shore,
One amongst a billion, unseen unnoticed, unwitnessed,
Then my eyes were opened,
My soul was touched,
My life became reality,
You became my witness and I became yours,
You showed me that my dreams had purpose,
You became a lighthouse in my storms,
My arms became stronger,
Walls came tumbling down,
Friendship forged through adventure shared,
Amica donna mia forever.

Chilly August Night

As a counterpoint to Neil Diamond's concert and album, today was a miserable windy day and the weather forecast is even bleaker... thank goodness the bad weather has lifted somewhat in our lives though. I believe that it is partly due to the fact that I will not let bad things bring me down and make me start worrying, I hand the worry part over to my Problem Solver. He has a way of sorting things out in amazing ways.
We on Earth should also be thankful we do not have Martian weather, at present there are planet wide dust storms raging, I cannot imagine that here, we are blessed to have this Blue Dot to call our home. We should learn to look after it better but also keep in mind that a lot we see these days is not caused by our hand, sometimes that big old glowing ball in the sky gets a bit brighter... and heats up the whole Solar system...
Enough of that... I am so glad the KatieB's friend M was only shaken up in the crash that totalled his bakkie today, I really believe that a Guardian Angel had a hand in that close shave as well, another thing to say thank you for today!
Coming back to the title, my favourite song from Neil's album Hot August Night is Sweet Caroline, here are the words...
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Where it began, I can't begin to know when
But then I know it's growing strong
Oh, wasn't the spring, whooo
And spring became the summer
Who'd believe you'd come along

Hands, touching hands, reaching out
Touching me, touching you
Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
I've been inclined to believe it never would

And now I, I look at the night, whooo
And it don't seem so lonely
We fill it up with only two, oh
And when I hurt
Hurting runs off my shoulder
How can I hurt when holding you

Oh, one, touching one, reaching out
Touching me, touching you
Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good
Oh I've been inclined to believe it never would

Ohhh, sweet Caroline, good times never seem so good
Funny how some of this songs words are sort of relevant to my current friendship, KatieB has been around in my motocross life circle since more or less when I started this blog but we have only recently really connected, sometimes you miss the tree for the woods I suppose but sooner or later you notice the one that has always been there like an Oak, dependable and strong. Sorry... that is not a good analogy at all for the lady in question! But I think she will understand what I mean. She has the knack to read my mind...
Oh the life circle idea? That is the circle of friends and acquaintances one has in one's life at work and play... Someting I may blog about one day, I have added it as a label so I suppose I am commited to do so some time?
"One of the things about being a grown-up is learning how to act right even when you feel wrong." Sean Stewart, Perfect Circle, 2004

Soul food

KatieB made this delicous Tuna tart earlier this week and the kids raved about it, I will post the recipe sometime. Just like food we need soul food and today was no exception and I found it in an uncommon pace as well. This was posted on my sidebar today from TUT...

You are creation's first and last chance... to be you.

Just as you are today.

That's all you have to be.

Bask. It's more than enough.

The app is still not 100% as the link does not work, will be going under the hood sometime to fix it up properley but at least the messages are being recieved, in more ways than one. Today was a restfull day and I had time to take Shrek for a spin and visit R&M, watched some bike racing and had a good chat with two of my best friends.

I will be going to bed early as I have to go in to the office at the crack of dawn to send fill in some forms and leave instructions what to do while I will be out supporting L tomorrow.

The whole mix up will be sorted out in due course and I leave it in the competent hands of the Great Petitioner. I am gratefull He has given me the means to be able to organise the support we need. He will also reveal the purpose of it all.

"Skeptical scrutiny is the means, in both science and religion, by which deep insights can be winnowed from deep nonsense." Carl Sagan (1934 - 1996)

Will my arms be strong enough

Inner strength comes from outside ourselves, this I know, this I have experienced, having passed through divorce and all the related self pity and recrimination I can look back and see that my arms were never strong enough because I relied on my own strength, I had to pass through the fire that removed the dross and exposed my soul for me to see what was lacking. When I saw what I saw I was brought to my knees. Today I am stronger because I am no longer reliant on my own arms but the arms of someone that is always there to take hold and guide, always there to support and comfort. I may not evangelise and shout it out loud on every street corner but without God I am nothing. I do not claim to be a devout churchgoer either but I know what I know. So to those that do not believe God exists, brother I pray for you but I cannot convince you, your own soul has to do that.

In lighter vein I came across a song by BWO, wacky band name list candidate if ever by the way, that fits in with the idea and inspired me to use it as a theme for today and for me to once again put together a Screaming Tangerines play list. No they are not turning gospel but they will as always convey a message through the play list. I love having this one fantasy of being a lead singer in my own rock band, so bear with me, I also play a mean air guitar... when no one is watching. You do not need strong arms for that! Here is the song's words... and video!

BWO - Will My Arms Be Strong Enough

[via FoxyTunes / Bodies Without Organs]

Will my arms be strong enough - BWO
Walking through the empty rooms
The halls and lawns where children used to play
I can write the storyline
From secrets of the past
Looking through the doom and gloom
The chapel where you bent your knees to pray
I can feel a heart resigned
From love that's meant to last

Now I know what you've been through
The tears you've tried to hide
Let me prove my trust in you
I'll stand right by your side

Will my arms be strong enough
To take you through the night
Will my arms be strong enough
To lead you to the light
Will my arms be strong enough
To dare you seize the day
Could it be love that gives the strength
To wash our sins away

Come and leave the past behind
Tonight we're on a journey to the stars
I have seen the promised sign
Where angels fear to fly

Now I know what you've been through
The tears you've tried to hide
Let me prove my trust in you
I'll stand right by your side

Will my arms be strong enough
To take you through the night
Will my arms be strong enough
To lead you to the light
Will my arms be strong enough
To dare you seize the day
Could it be love that gives the strength
To wash our sins away

Will my arms be strong enough
Will my arms be strong enough
Will my arms be strong enough
Will my arms be strong

The play list is called Sanctuary and the reason is that I have found sanctuary in a very special friendship and I hope that I am able to offer the same in return, this afternoon at the party it was as boisterous as a bunch of kids around 7/8 years old can be but to me it was as if I had found the calmest place on the planet. Thanks for making me part of that world KatieB. Since teaming up with you every day has been an adventure of some sort or another, some have been tangible and others have been intangible. Every one has strengthened and inspired us, so I awake each day wondering what new mystery will be revealed to us.
So here are the Screaming Tangerines and Sanctuary:
109 tracks in play list, average track length: 4:18
Play list length: 7 hours 49 minutes 24 seconds

1. Utada Hikaru - Sanctuary (4:16)
2. Lobo - I'd love you to want me (3:34)
3. Solex - Close to the Edge (3:35)
4. Paul Hardcastle - Santify (4:38)
5. Danzel v DJ Frank - My arms keep missing you (franks edit) (7:41)
6. ATB - Ecstasy (Original Airplay Mix) (3:35)
7. Nadia Ali - At The End (album ver) (3:39)
8. Zhi-Vago - Celebrate the love (4:09)
9. Future Trance United - Irresistible (3:38)
10. Texas and Paul Buchanan - Sleep (Single Edit) (4:09)
11. Sash! - Mysterious times ft Tina Cousins (3:29)
12. Dido - Whiteflag (3:38)
13. 2 Vibez - Just 4 You (3:47)
14. Lasgo - Alone (Radio Edit) (4:02)
15. 4 Strings - Euphoric Eyes (3:20)
16. Eros Ramazzotti - Amica donna mia (4:07)
17. Joe Dolan - Make Me An Island (3:01)
18. IIO - At the end (Scumfrog Radio Edit) (3:45)
19. Lonestar - I'm already there (4:18)
20. Jan Johnston - Silent Words (Chiller Twist Destiny Remix) (10:00)
21. Eros Ramazzotti - Un Attimo Di Pace (4:37)
22. HIM - Right here in my arms (3:59)
23. Era2 - Hymne (4:54)
24. Future Trance United - Irresistible (3:38)
25. Sarah Brightman - Eden (3:49)
26. Gregorian - When a man loves a woman (4:52)
27. Delta Goodrem - Sanctuary (3:51)
28. Sash - Stand by me 2001 (5:20)
29. The Shuffles - Cha La La I Need You (3:20)
30. Dido - Take my hand (6:41)
31. Gladiator - Now we are free (4:15)
32. Toni Braxton - Un - Break My Heart (Soul Hex Anthem Vocal Mix) (5:53)
33. Mylo - In My Arms (Tocadisco's 'Zwischen Den Stühlen Mix') (5:52)
34. IIO - Rapture (club) (3:27)
35. Dido - All you want (3:53)
36. Gigi D'agostino - La Passion (3:25)
37. Lonestar - Amazed (huff mix) (4:02)
38. Kylie Minogue - It's In Your Eyes (3:22)
39. Peter Maffay - You (4:53)
40. Josh Groban - My Confession (4:56)
41. Zhi-Vago - Dreamer (4:02)
42. Novaspace - Run to you (2:52)
43. Bee Gees - Words (3:18)
44. BWO - Will My Arms Be Strong Enough (4:16)
45. Leigh Nash - Need To Be Next To You (3:45)
46. Paul Oakenfold - Hold your hand (3:40)
47. Cutting Crew - Just died in your arms tonight (4:38)
48. la cream - you (3:07)
49. Era2 - Infanati (4:29)
50. London Beat - I've Been Thinking About You (3:43)
51. Jon Secada - Just another day (5:24)
52. The Romantics - Talking in your sleep (3:55)
53. Fragma - Say that you're here-Liquid vocal mix (7:59)
54. Marc Almond and Gene Pitney - Something's gotten hold of my heart (4:40)
55. Robert Miles - One & One (Radio Version) (3:58)
56. ATB - I Dont Wanna Stop (3:34)
57. Cranberries - Promises (3:32)
58. Krystal - Eternity (3:40)
59. Ten Sharp - You (4:05)
60. Safri Duo - Everything (6:01)
61. IIO - Kiss you (ambient) (2:29)
62. Lambda - Hold on tight (Surge) (3:50)
63. Pop Parade - Here with me (3:30)
64. Hooverphonic - Eden (3:33)
65. Sarah McLachlan - In the arms of an angel (4:32)
66. Rave - Hold me in your arms (3:41)
67. ATB - Here With Me (3:37)
68. Mike Oldfield - Moonlight Shadow (ext ver) (5:12)
69. System85 - 5 Elements [system85 airplay mix] (4:12)
70. Ana Johnsson - We Are (3:55)
71. FR David - Words (3:25)
72. Melanie C - I turn to you(mix) (4:10)
73. Nightwish - Walking in the air (5:39)
74. Sonique - Another Moment (4:45)
75. Travis - Safe (4:25)
76. Calienda - I'll Surrender (3:38)
77. Nadia Ali - Is it love (4:27)
78. Delerium - Silence - Sanctuary-Medly mix (8:02)
79. Yazoo - Only you (3:10)
80. ATB - Hold you (club mix) (4:49)
81. kate ryan - alive (3:31)
82. Midge Ure - Breathe (4:25)
83. Bosson - I believe (Up-Tempo Version) (3:15)
84. Cher - The Music's No Good Without You (4:00)
85. Groove Coverage - What You See is What You Get (3:32)
86. Florida Inc. - Let Me Love You (3:02)
87. The Sweet - Love is like oxygen (4:00)
88. Nightwish - Forever yours (3:50)
89. Kate Ryan - Je T Adore (Eurovision Mix) (3:02)
90. Paula Cole - Where have all the cowboys gone (3:47)
91. Bosson - You opened my eyes (3:35)
92. ATB - Don't Stop (3:47)
93. Tina Cousins - Pray (3:57)
94. Nightwish - She is my sin (4:46)
95. Zucchero - Senza Una Donna (4:26)
96. Surreal - You Take My Breath Away-DJ Tiesto Vocal Mix. (8:29)
97. Kate Ryan - How many times (4:00)
98. Sonique - Sky (4:23)
99. Faith Hill - Breathe (Hex Hector radio edit #1) (3:56)
100. Midge Ure - If I Was (5:17)
101. Nianell - As One (3:43)
102. Dario G - Dream to Me (3:09)
103. Mike Oldfield - Innocent (12 inch mix) (5:30)
104. Tina Cousins - Hymn (Cj Stone Remix) (7:40)
105. Tina Cousins - Wonderful Life (Original Remix) (3:37)
106. Cranberries - Salvation (2:24)
107. One More Angel - Breathe (4:01)
108. Dido - Dido - Hunter (3:57)
109. DJ Tiësto - Walking On Clouds (7:24)
These songs always make me feel safe, warm and loved. Some are ancient favourites and some are fairly recent but all good to listen to.
The quote sums up my feelings I have for someone who has become my friend and adventure partner on this roller coaster we call life... may we share many unspeakable memories in future.
"What greater thing is there for two human souls than to feel that they are joined... to strengthen each other... to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories." George Eliot (1819 - 1880)

There is no love like the love of a parent

Today I experienced this and the pain L was going through made me feel like crying out "why?" but I have this knowledge that no matter what, things will be better and that I will do all in my power to be the father she needs. I am not going to say what the problem was on the blog just that I am sure in my heart that even though this was a dark day in our lives it will not be able to bring us down and stop us from experiencing all the good things we were given today, they are like a searchlight lighting up the sky and focusing our thoughts on the outcome that will be good.
Once one has experienced the joy that we all should have no evil can take hold any more, it may try but it is powerless in the light of faith and hope.
So with this day almost a thing of the past and a very enjoyable evening spent celebrating KatieB's daughters birthday I look back and see more good things than bad. We all want the best for our children just as Our Father in Heaven does and we love them just as He loves us...
"Parents are often so busy with the physical rearing of children that they miss the glory of parenthood, just as the grandeur of the trees is lost when raking leaves." Marcelene Cox

We all need Cheerleaders

I have finished reading The Secret but am not going to comment about it until at least 2 other people have read it... then I may just reveal what I think about the secret The Secret reveals... I can say that it has affirmed a lot of things I have been doing in my life. It is always a source of wonder when one gets pointed in a direction and once on the journey things happen that reassure you that what you are doing is the way to go. As KatieB put it so well recently it is "Like having your own cheer leading team" but of course the best is that we all have the Greatest Cheerleader of them all on our side.
Another great cheerleader is TUT, sign up for the Notes from the Universe and let PIP change your life.
"Wimps lift weights, cheerleaders lift people!" from Ms. Pineapple's Cheer Page

This blog is not dead yet...

just in a state of hiatus as I enjoy life in general.
Politics and the bad stuff happening is being covered quite well enough by the media at present so I am taking a sabatical on harping on the negatives of life, I am much happier at present being my bright cheerful self on my other blogs. So pop over and be surrounded by The Luurve...

Worthy

In a conversation via e-mail the subject of being worthy came up, this has been in my mind a while and I think today I will explain how I have come to believe that every person is worthy of not only respect from other people but that God deems them worthy.
I have this picture that was given to me during one of my times of self doubt. So here goes...
We all see the universe slightly differently because we all experience God differently but He is so concerned about every soul that He is able to be with each and every person as if it were that only they, God and the universe exists. Time and space do not exist to God as it does with us, he is able to be with everyone as if there was no time or distance. This to me is so amazing, this shows that His love is all encompassing and that He wants the best for all of us.
This love was manifest in His Son Jesus who came to remove the barrier of sin, guilt and remorse that we build up around us for things we have done as sinners. Because of this, we are once again connected on a one on one basis with God and His Universe he created for us so that we may know of His love for us. I believe that once a person realises this truth they can be the person that God intended, still a frail human but with the power that created all we see and all unseen by your side, how then can you not feel worthy or doubt that anything is not possible and that dreams cannot be fulfilled?
I do not claim to have all the answers but this one thing I know... God loves me... and you.
Phew... I do not usually talk about this in my blog but just feel that I had to say it, as I have experienced His love in my life in a very personal but amazing way and that I would truly be lost if I had not acknowledge that I needed Him to sit beside me every day. I am no Bible verse expert, I do not claim to be a regular worshipper nor am I a Holy man but I feel His presence with me every moment of my life and I can clearly see how this has shaped my views and life to date.
Today I close with more than one quote from people that I believe had the same vision I have been given...
"They say that God is everywhere, and yet we always think of Him as somewhat of a recluse." Emily Dickinson (1830 - 1886)
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997
"When a man takes one step toward God, God takes more steps toward that man than there are sands in the worlds of time." The Work of the Chariot
"Creativity is...seeing something that doesn't exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God." Michele Shea
"Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for." Terry Lynn Taylor
"It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him." Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)