I did it all for the...

I seriously am trying to make a conscious effort to exercise more (thanks to my new Gold's Gym membership!), but this just made me laugh. It's exactly how I feel some days. Thank you, Postsecret!

And on that note, I'm off to the gym!

Love,
M

I can see your halo (halo) halo...

Well, this is kind of a fab follow up post to my last one. I just wanted to give a big shout out and congrats to Beyonce and Jay-Z for their new arrival! A baby girl named Blue Ivy Carter. Josh can't stop saying it over and over... he's not sure if he likes it. I like it! :)

Congrats to the mama, and the new big poppa! 

Hip Hop Has Saved My Life

I thought of this idea as I was jamming to the new Kanye West/Jay-Z CD, "Watch the Throne." (Which, by the way, is an AWESOME album. I highly recommend it.)

I really think that people sell rap and hip-hop music short. Many don't give it a chance, because they can't see past the bumping bass. But for me, that's what draws me in. I love the beat, I love the words, and I love the emotion behind it all.

In my recent musings, there is one lesson in particular that has really stood out to me. I don't care who you're talking about, but it seems that all rappers know how to give respect, where respect is due. They honor the memory of fallen friends and fallen heroes.

My latest example is Michael Jackson. Since his death, several people have sung/rapped about him, by throwing one liner shout outs. I think that in the "Watch the Throne" album there are at least three homages to the King of Pop. So, I LOVE Michael Jackson. But not everyone does. Not everyone can see thru or see past the drama, the craziness. Would I expect an MJ shout out from Jay-Z? Or even Kanye? Honestly, no. That's why I've definitely noticed it.

In "Welcome to the Jungle," Jay-Z raps,

"I'm a tortured soul, I live in disguise.                 Rest in peace to the leader of the Jackson 5." 

And how many rap songs reference grandma, 2-Pac, Notorious B.I.G, mamas, and more? SO MANY.

One of my all-time jams is Kayne West's, "Hey Mama." Below is his live Grammy performance (awesome), but definitely check out the album version-- it's a little more rockin, but still full of soul.



And guess what? His mom was still alive when he wrote and recorded this song! You do not have to be dead to get props and respect. And guess who else he mentions in this song? MJ. :)

I feel like so many people are quick to judge others,celebrity or non-celebrity... and it bugs me. People may be different from you, doing different things than you, but everybody deserves respect. Show a little love, and it will go a long way.

Quote of the Week:

Sunny days wouldn't be special, if it wasn't for rain

Joy wouldn't feel so good, if it wasn't for pain.       -50 Cent, "Many Men"

It's in a book... "The Good Thief"

So, I pretty much finished "The Good Thief" the day after I initially started my book club blogging! This book has a lot of build up, but it is DEFINITELY worth it! Once you get in, you should not give up, because the story ties itself up in the craziest bow you've ever seen.

Found this book in the recommended section of the library!

The story is about an orphan, Ren, who gets adopted by a thief, Benjamin Nab, and his partner in crime, Tom. [I'm laughing to myself... because in this case, he really is his PIC!] Benjamin is GREAT at coming up with colorful and surprisingly believable stories to get himself out of every jam they come upon. He tells a great tale to be able to adopt Ren in the first place, and you almost believe that they are brothers. Almost.

Benjamin and Tom use Ren to help them in their schemes to steal and earn money. Ren is very honest and would sometimes rather be back at the orphanage. Pretty much until about the last fourth of the book, I figured that the reader does not find out where Ren really came from, because how could anyone really know-- especially in that period of time. He was pushed through the gate at the orphanage, in a little basket, and was left in the rain. The only unique thing about him is that he was missing a hand, and no one knew why.

So many robberies later, the reader gets to the GOOD stuff. You find out that these guys are the occasional gravediggers, and on the first night that Ren helps them, one of the bodies is NOT DEAD. And the author did such a great job of painting this picture. I was FREAKED OUT! This un-dead character actually turns out to be one of  the soft spots of this book, despite his crusty exterior.

The story is set in New England, several years after the Revolutionary War. I thought this was a very interesting setting, and added to my interest in the book. There are a handful of interesting supporting characters, and my favorite is the landlady that they happen upon. She made me laugh out loud, and is also a real warm spot in the book. Ren definitely deserves all of the love and care that she gives him.

Overall, I don't think that everyone would enjoy this book. It is a little hard to get into, but I am glad that I finished it. It is kind of a dark tale, but ends on a very bright note. The characters are colorful and the story is a little creepy, but the author does a great job at depicting all of the details that make this novel rich and entertaining.

Let me know if you've read it or if you're going to!

M