6 sleeps to Cuba

In this mind numbing cold, I can only think of one thing, Cuba Libre.

I am so ready for this trip. Well, I'm not really ready, my beloved is ready and I have some things to get ready. I am emotionally ready to go. A really cool thing happened, one of my colleagues, who shall remain nameless (Peter, one of the three), has offered to send several (up to ten, I think) soccer balls with me to distribute to kids in Cuba. Since we will be visiting in the home of one of the musicians, I think I may have the opportunity to give away some of the balls.

Soon enough, I will be there, away from here reading Hemingway, enjoying the breeze, the warm water and time alone with my beloved. Now that's a holiday.

Cuba Libre Indeed!

Tuesday Musings (#19)

Good Tuesday morning to you. What a snowy drive in this morning. It seems that winter has already been here for some time and will probably be with us for some time. That's it about the weather, a week from today and I'll be in Cuba.

April 3, 2008 was a day of great sorrow for my family and for many friends. One of our friends passed away that day and three days later her husband was charged with 1st degree murder.

One of my friends has decided that a great way to celebrate her life would be to hold a concert in her memory on her birthday. I have been given the privilege to sing at the concert. If you are interested, please check out:

http://www.onacoldwintersnight.blogspot.com/

It will be a fundraiser for Woolwich Community Services and Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. Out of a terrible tragedy, much good has come. Through this tragedy a family lost their only child and was "given" a new extended family that when we sat down for dinner on Dec.26 there were 19 of us present. For some who had no extended family close by, a new family was created to provide brothers and sisters.

In the Bible, the story is told of Joseph (yes, the guy with the multicoloured coat) who was sold into slavery by his brothers who then lied to his father by saying he (Joseph) was dead. Things really worked out well for Joseph in the end and a quote is attributed to him as follows: "man meant it for evil, God meant it for good". What good can come from this tragedy? If you only knew how much good has already come you would be amazed. The concert in memory of Valerie will be just one of those things that are good and came about because of this tragedy. Others will benefit from the concert and your attendance. There continues to be much pain and there is a difficult road ahead. We know that by standing together as a "family" with the help of many and with Emmanuel (God with us) walking beside or sometimes carrying us, we will honour the memory of Valerie.

I can't tell you about the set list, but I can tell you this, there will be some great songs and some amazing music. It will not be just "sacred" music, but will cover multiple genres as developed by the brains behind the event. Oh by the way, since the event is being held on her birthday, it will be a celebration.

Feel free to talk to me about the event, where else would you like to be "on a cold winters night", but with great friends and listening to great music.

Happy Tuesday everyone

Obscure lyric for the week of Jan.12, 2009

I found this song while travelling through the Internet some time ago. I love the singers voice, however, I have never been a huge fan. I have never and currently don't own one piece of music by this singer/songwriter. What a poet he is, oops. now you know he's a man. And what beautiful poetry, if I dare say. The title of this song actually came from a book of poetry by the writer and Poet Laureate Alfred Austin (1896 - 1912).

The song comes from an album released in 1980 and re-released just last year, with a different arrangement (alternative take) on this song between recordings. Once again, this week, I am taking a look at "peace" for inspiration for my song choice. The singer was born in 1945 and was the lead singer for a band named "Them". This artist was ranked in the top 100 by Rolling Stone.

Let us go there again,

when we need to find some relief

Oh, when I can't find my feet

When, I need rest and sleep

I would like to know the following:

The writer and singer:
The name of the 1980 album:
What song this person co-wrote with Robbie Robertson:
What Richard Manuel called him after his singing at a mutual performance:
What Monty Python film is referenced in this song (unintentionally I think):

The album it is from did not receive positive critical review as it delved into spiritual issues which (the spiritual issues) apparently were not well received by critics. No matter what they said, the words call out for relief, respite, rest and sleep. In this world we live in there is a significant need for all of those. Here in North America we are somewhat isolated and insulated from the terrors that have seized people in many areas. No matter where you stand on Gaza, Israel, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and the many other places of unrest, there is a need for peace, relief, respite, rest and sleep.

Have a great week, this is my last week of work before we leave for a week in the sun. It's a little but funny (no it's not Reginald Dwight, I just love the way those words roll off the tongue) that after two weeks of holidays at Christmas, I still need a vacation. If time permits, I will write the blog ahead of time and program it and the big reveal to come out at 7:00 a.m. on the following Mondays and Fridays until I return from the land of Che and Fidel.

Cuba Libre indeed.

The new year is here, Cuba here I come

It's quite clear that the new year is here. Our annual pilgrimage to Cuba is almost upon us. I am so looking forward to going to Cuba. I will have the privilege to visit in the home of a friend whose picture you see here below. He is a lovely man named Carlos and he is a singer with one of the teams of singers that stroll through the resort.

It is also very clear that the new year is upon us as Josh has left to go back to school in Virginia. It is a long drive and apparently he has had some bouts of lousy weather as he drove. The last update told us he was in Virginia, so he still has several hours to go.

I can't wait to get away. I'm looking forward to renewing friendships and to just being away in the sun and reading and sipping. Cuba Libre indeed.

Adios.

The big reveal for the week of January 5, 2009

Good morning music fans. It's finally Friday, this first full week of the year has seemed to be very long. I'm glad that the weekend will arrive this afternoon. I had a few guesses on this song and the first person to get part of it correct was Debbie M. and Brad F. got all the answers correct.

Here are your answers:

The song: What's going on
The singer: Marvin Gaye
The writer(s): Marvin was given writer status along with Obie Benson and Al Cleveland.
The record label: Tamla Records, a subsidiary of Motown.

Here is a portion of the song sung by the incredible Marvin Gaye, check out the horn section and the clothes.



I hope your new year is going well. There is a significant need for peace in this world, may it start with each of us in our own hearts and then move out to all people. Enjoy your weekend with family and friends, stay warm.

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other"

Tuesday Musings (#18)

Happy Tuesday everyone and especially to all Canadians.

I was thinking about a very serious word that I recently discovered and planned on musing on it this morning and then last night happened. I donned my team Canada jersey for the final game of the World Junior Hockey Tournament and watched as the boys from all over Canada beat the Swedes in our game. I watched from the edge of my seat until the last two minutes of the game, then I used the whole thing, when I wasn't standing and screaming at the tv. My beloved thought I was having multiple heart attacks or breathing problems, it was just my expressions of angst during the game.

I always watch the whole thing and especially the line up of players and management with arms linked around shoulders singing O Canada when we win. I usually have tears in my eyes by that time, not because of the hockey game, but because I love this country so much.

I was not born here. I love everything about my heritage. I was born in Ireland and come to Canada almost 40 years ago. I am a citizen of this country and I consider myself a Canadian. I do not believe in hyphenating in that some would consider themselves Irish-Canadian. I am Canadian. This country was a choice for our family and I have had the privilege of raising a family of Canadians.

And so, I leave you with this little reminder from Joe on this awesome day when 20,000 in person and millions across the country joined as one and said:

I am Canadian

Happy Tuesday Canada, tough luck Americans, Russians and Swedes, hockey is and always be..............our game.

Obscure Musical Lyric for the week of January 5, 2009

Good morning music fans and "welcome back my friends to the show that never ends" at least until I retire which won't be any time soon. I had a great two weeks off celebrating Christmas and the New year with family and friends. I took time to rest, relax and just be. It was good. I trust you all had a pleasant Christmas and may the New Year bring you peace, joy, good health and happiness.

I'm going to have several themes this year with the obscure lyric thing, probably on a monthly basis. For the month of January I'm planning on looking at the themes that I have wished for you and my family: peace, joy, good health and happiness. The world is in a bleak state and peace can be achieved if we choose to achieve it. It must start with me, not with me expecting someone else to start. I must defer to others, I'm not talking about being a doormat, though.

Here is this weeks lyric:

Oh you know you've got to find a way

to bring some understanding here today

picket lines and picket signs

don't punish me with brutality

The song was chosen by Rolling Stone as one of the top 100 songs ever. The song was released in 1971, yes I know it's old, but it is timeless. It speaks of the singers and writers plea for peace both on the world stage and the personal stage at home. The singer (who was also given co-writer status even though he did not write it) has left us tragically. The singer was quoted as saying, "If I was arguing for peace, I knew I'd have to find peace in my heart".

I would like to know the following:

The name of the song:
The singer:
The writers of the song:
The label it was first released on:

Have a great week, may this start to the New Year bring about opportunities for peace and may that peace start with each one of us individually. I'll try to bring some hints on Wednesday.

Happy New Year

The big reveal for the week of Dec.29/08

Good morning music fans. It's Friday and for some of you that means that the weekend is finally here. For the rest of us it means that we have to begin planning for return to work on Monday. I'm finally relaxed and now I have to go back to work. Oh well, 18 sleeps to Cuba.

Obviously, most of you were away this week and didn't have a chance to guess the song.

The answers:

The name of the song: Something in the air.

The writer of the song: A trick question as I gave this answer in the original blog, John Keen.

Famous guitar player who started the band: Pete Townsend.

Who played bass and was credited as Bijou Drains: another trick question, Pete Townsend.

Check out the video below and see what the "revolution" is all about.

Have a great weekend. Stay warm and dry. Cheer for Slovakia tonight. I'm not anti U.S. however the stick in the face was despicable, not totally unexpected though.

Take some time with friends to enjoy the last vestiges of the Christmas holidays and bask in the glow of the light of friendship.

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbours, and let each new year find you a better person"

19 sleeps to Cuba

The countdown is on.

In 19 days we will be in Cuba. We are heading back to the same resort we have been to before. This will be our third visit. I'm looking forward to seeing some people that we have developed relationships and friendships with. I'm looking forward to the sun, sand and the break from here.

I am so ready for this trip. I just want to get there and get away from here.

Happy New Year, 2009 is here

I have been looking forward to 2009 for some time now. Suffice it to say that 2008 was difficult. It was, however, a time of significant learning and of faith testing experiences. We experienced and heard things things that we should not have. But, God (the one they call Emmanuel) was and continues to be "with us" as we move from 2008 to 2009.

That's the exciting thing about difficulties and challenges, we believe that we are not alone. Based on that I can go into 2009 with great expectations, which by the way is another book i want to read again. 

I don't make new years resolutions for many reasons. I do like to make plans for the year. I want to be healthier, I want to challenge my mind, primarily by reading. I want to read more of the classics for example the works of: Steinbeck, Hemingway, Dickens and C.S Lewis. I also want to read more poetry. It is my intention to read through the bible again this year, this time my plan is to read it chronologically. I want to drink deep of the fountains of spiritual knowledge as well as being quiet and listening once in a while too.

Most importantly I want to be kind, not just to the ones I love, but to all people. I want to be forgiving and I want to dispense grace, not the before meal prayer, but the behaviour that places others before myself and extend to them that which has been extended to me. I want to seek to understand, rather than getting my point across. I want to stand for what is right and stand against that which is wrong while still demonstrating love.

I know that by seeking to do this, I will have opportunities that will challenge me to act in ways that match these values. I wanted to learn patience this past year and had many different circumstances placed before me to teach me patience.

Whatever this year has for me, I am ready and not alone, for He is "with us".

As always, I will keep you posted on my progress. Much like the Pilgrim in Pilgrims Progress, I will press on to the goal as I trust Him for direction and guidance in my life.  

Happy New Year, indeed!