| Concierto de Aranjue Click title to listen ! Allegro gentile Composer: Joaquin Rodrigo Performed by Christopher Parkening and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Enjoy this jaunty, adventurous piece of music!! |
" Only Love " By: Sophie B. Hawkins Album: The Best of Sophie B. Hawkins Click title to listen! Yeah, I couldn't help but add another song by my favorite crazy white girl. This tune is fun and catchy. It really is a good investment to buy this one's CD; she's a supper freak ! In fact, some of her lyrics kinda' suggest a very 'pervasive' and boundary-free love for her mother. Whoa! Her lyrics in this tune express her self-described "Omni-sexuality" She uses that word, I swear! I wonder if that means she would do my pet cat? If I ever witness such a event, believe me, I will make sure to tape it, watch it repeatedly ( being the freak I am) and then faithfully post it to this site!! |
| A few months ago a dear friend of mine introduced me to a British soap opera called, "Bad Girls." Yep, just like the Donna Summers song. Anyway, while American audiences were still drooling over Lucy Lawless and Rene O'Connor (Xena and Gabrielle) of Xena: Warrior Princess, British TV audiences were treated to the series, "Bad Girls." Set in a women's prison, Her Majesty's Prison Larkhall, this show covers some of the major social ills existent in the British prison system. |
| Helen and Nikki doin' what comes natural ! |
| Characters Helen Stewart and Nikki Wade locked in a deeply, passionate kiss |
| " Sweetness" Click title to listen! Artist: Yes Album: Yes |
| I can not speak for the American prison system, but I would chance to say that female inmates in this country face some of the same issues. I feel compelled to introduce you to the British version of this show before the Fox channel purchases the rights and puts together an American version. Quite honestly, I'm afraid that they will mess up some of the finer qualities of this entertaining and edifying work piece. Regretfully, they've only released the first season of this show to American audiences. I'm guessing that they don't want to give you anything to compare it to. How can you complain if you don't know what you're missing, right? Started in 1999, this series was, until recently, still on the air in Britain! But, sadly they have cancelled it because of falling ratings. Much like Xena:Warrior Princess, there is a highly featured lesbian relationship between two of the characters. Much unlike X:WP,however, the relationship is in no way ambiguous!! |
| "Glede Ma Glede" Click title to Listen! Here's a little traditional piece that may sound familiar to some of you |
| "Columba aspexit" Click title to listen ! Composer: Hildgard of Bingen I felt this lovely piece of Early Music was a perfect compliment to "Banshee's Honor" |
| Back in May of 2006, I experienced serendipity in its finest form. At that time, "Banshee's Honor" by Shaylynn Rose was an on-line book. I took a chance on the first chapter and soon I was hooked! Well-written and charming, one of the things that drew my affection for this story is that the hero, Ahzani is, unlike so many other characters in fantasy fiction, described as being dark-skinned. Dark isn't evil ! In spite of the character's blue eyes, I have to admit that I kept imagining Angela Bassett with warrior/ sistah locks. Don't mistake this novel for yet another bit of uber-Xena fare. The well-developed characters are all her own. And the story rocks ! I have to say that this book is more satisfying than anything I've read by even Marion Zimmer Bradley. Give it a go, you'll not be disappointed ! Click Here to Check it Out ! |
| I list this book because it is extremely well written and unlike several others that I've encountered regarding this topic, NOBODY comes away free of blame. I would suggest this book because it doesn't demonize the Belgians without including the French and the British as well. This book is a better and certainly less-forgiving account of the history of European imperialism in central Africa than many others I've encountered. If you are curious about the brutalities exacted upon the indigenous people that occupy the once called, "Belgian Congo," then for God's sake, put down Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness."Although, (God help me), I enjoy Conrad's writing style, he was very much a product of his time in his severely racist attitudes. Hochschild is exhaustively thorough in his research and has in fact been quoted in more recently published book about this woefully troubled land. You should avoid Robert B. Edgerton's The Troubled Heart of Africa. I found this text to be shamelessly Pro-british. The patronizing quote of some historical figures are actually presented, by the author, as "respectful" of Congolese culture. I'd advise caution on the part of the reader as the author's interpretation of events may belie actual fact. |
| <----- No, that's not a gun in her pocket |
| More Words to Live By ++ And some tunes to jam by ++++++ |
| Before you read this book, make sure that you're not too angry about other things in your life. I warn you, no matter what your religious stance, reading this book will inflame intense emotion. Though copy written in 1971, this little book still carries great power. The power of doubt! At first, the reader may mistake it for yet another tome indicative of that heyday of radical feminism. This work is intelligent and draws on a multitude of resources. Merlin Stone, a sculptress among other things, asks the question "why are women and dark-skinned people equated with evil and backwardness?" Be prepared to challenge everything you think you know about the Judea-christian faiths. Don't be afraid to feel the anger this book will sow within you. But remember to coat your heart with the soothing balm of Forgiveness and if that doesn't work, do what I do-- Imagine a three-way between Tyra Banks, Angela Basset and Queen Latifa. "Oh yeah, sure thing Tyra, I'll keep your secret." |
| " Be and Be Not Afraid" Artist: Tracy Chapman Album: Where You Live This album is so magnificent. She really has developed as a artist !! May this give you the courage to spit in the Devil's eye! |
| "Oh, What A Night!" Artist: The Dells Album: Ultimate Collection: The Dells Back in '69, this was your father's jam !! |
| "3,000 Miles" Artist: Tracy Chapman Album: Where You Live Okay, I'm not ashamed to say that when I was just coming of age, I was desperately in love with Tracy Chapman. Ah Sweet Christ, the woman could do no wrong! Well since then, I've gotten over my crush. But when I listen to songs like this absolute jem, I feel that old familiar pang . . . Seriously, buy this CD. It's a really deceptively mellow and uncomplicated. But in true Chapman style, she socks you with ponderous and multi-layered lyrics. Enjoy! |
| Back to "Things To Check Out" Back to "Home Page" |
| Banshee's Honor by Shaylynn Rose |
| King Leopold's Ghost by Adam Hochschild |
| When God was a Woman by Merlin Stone |
| Rhodes: The Race for Africa by Antony Thomas |
| Ah, Cecil Rhodes-- creator of the long since re-named Northern and Southern Rhodesia, founder of the Rhodes scholarship and perpetrator of numerous crimes against humanity. I read this book back in the summer of 2004 and much of it still stays with me. This text is not so celebratory of Rhodes' actions as an imperialist or even as a British citizen. In these times of backlash against "political correctness" it was a wonderful relief to encounter a biographer who names imperialism for what it was and the hell it has wrought among the nations of Africa to this day. Feel comfort in knowing that this author spotlights not only the actions of Rhodes, but also holds the British government as his accomplice. I HIGHLY recommend this book ! Antony Thomas is to South African history what Howard Zinn is to American history. |
| "Angela" Artist: Bob James Album: The Essential Bob James |