Friday, October 23, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
the beckoning of lovely by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
i saw this over a year ago... it made me cry... her newest one is at the top.
she is just too cool for words... it's 10 minutes of viewing that will change
your mood:)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Triumph
Triumph
Like a wounded heart on suicide strings
I unfold you, and let you down easy.
This precious envelope I fit in,
is covered up with lacy glue,
tepid tape and acidic postage.
I am lifted into heaven
with your clever handshake
and supple smile and I am in awe
of your workman's hands and your
fashionable attaché.
I am yours.
The tension in my lips grows numb.
My feet ache in your direction.
I don’t even know you.
My fear is my love,
and my heart is awakened as once before.
I am beautiful again.
I am a boat crossing a sea, a mountain completing the scenery.
I am the sky’s grace. I can hold all the weight.
I will grow, I will blossom, I am passion, I am greed.
I am again comfortably alive!
Alive among the ruins of my dreams and again
I climb to you at the top of the stairs.
©jnl
Thursday, October 15, 2009
A Beautiful October
Tonight
I had my own
underground renegade
below
the high tops of green Pitch Pine.
I couldn't tell which was exploding more;
the heavy, fat white flakes of snow
or
the three fingered points of needles
stretched out
as if they wanted
to accept the challenge
of supporting the weight
of an early fall
storm.
I had my own
underground renegade
as the storm within myself
began to churn
and pick up speed.
I can't tell
which is exploding more;
the worries of a sacred friend
or
my outstretched arms
ready to accept the challenge
of suporting
his dying weight.
-Gib
I had my own
underground renegade
below
the high tops of green Pitch Pine.
I couldn't tell which was exploding more;
the heavy, fat white flakes of snow
or
the three fingered points of needles
stretched out
as if they wanted
to accept the challenge
of supporting the weight
of an early fall
storm.
I had my own
underground renegade
as the storm within myself
began to churn
and pick up speed.
I can't tell
which is exploding more;
the worries of a sacred friend
or
my outstretched arms
ready to accept the challenge
of suporting
his dying weight.
-Gib
Make love not war...
Just in passing I found a wall painted with this message.
Being a child of the 50's it struck me as familiar.
Hope everyone has a day full of peace, love and light.
Gloria
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
subway message...
went to see thich nhat hanh today
at the beacon theater in nyc...
it was a 1/2 day mini retreat of mindfulness.
he started with talking about his connection
to martin luther king jr. and then began to
speak of "beloved community"...
he urged us to support obama
(Thay, as his friends call him was nominated
for a nobel peace prize by MLKjr...)
he asked us to be obama's beloved community
(or sangha, as the buddhists call it)
because there is no way that he can change the
world on his own.
are you with me on this one?
you can see more about Thay here:
and here:
mindfulness, peace and love,
j
Friday, October 9, 2009
hope.
one of my students offered me a cupcake today...
it was her birthday.
i don't usually accept them, but this one just made me smile...
how could i say no to a peace cupcake?
it gave me hope...
congratulations obama!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
inspiring...
along the lines of m.c. yogi - who raps and sings hip hop
versions of ancient kirtan chants.... i had heard of matisyahu
a while back... i think music can really inspire change...
if you want to hear, click the link below.
enjoy!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Pass It On! Project Peace Flag October 11th!!
peace flag by jeannie thomma
WHO? Umatku-ites near and far...
WHAT? PROJECT PEACE FLAG (make a flag for Peace!!)
WHERE? The Total Life Care Center, 152 East Ave., Norwalk, CT
WHEN? Sunday, October 11, 2009, from 4-6pm
WHY? To share your vision of PEACE!
RSVP! Space is limited, call the Total Life Care Center to say you'll be there!! 203-853-4852
COST: $22 per flag
EXCITING STUFF!!: Look for articles about the October 11 Project Peace Flag event in the Norwalk Citizen and The Hour this week!
More Info:ProjectPeaceFlagBLOG
Saturday, October 3, 2009
ok. this is not an ad for starbucks.
i know it looks like one...
but really, it's just a little message of hope...
to help each other more, do some small things that matter
that add up to putting some really good energy out
there into the world.
and it just happens to be sung by m.c. yogi...
no need to go to starbucks to do this!
Grassroots Movement from MC Yogi on Vimeo.
but really, it's just a little message of hope...
to help each other more, do some small things that matter
that add up to putting some really good energy out
there into the world.
and it just happens to be sung by m.c. yogi...
no need to go to starbucks to do this!
Grassroots Movement from MC Yogi on Vimeo.
ganesh is fresh!
mc. yogi rocked jivamukti!
if you are not familiar with his music
you can check it out here:
http://mcyogi.com/
we went to see him last night
and i had a great time... dancing, singing
and hoolahooping - yes tom - hoolahooping!
... boys can hoolahoop - we saw them doing it there!
his concert had a few messages that i think connect to
what we are doing here:
1. spread the love (through singing or whatever floats your boat)
2. connect with the greater community (he and his musicians are doing a great
collaborative project with music from other parts of the world)
3. do something nice - that makes a difference
yup, that third one - so umatku... at the end, he actually challanged everyone
in the audience to come up with something to do that would make
a difference - no matter how small...
still haven't figured out what i'm going to do
what rock star does that? not many - unfortunately...
and he warmly said hello to me in a "namaste kind of way"
- a total stranger - most people don't even take the time
to do that to people they see every day (including me!)
thank you m.c. yogi, valerie, jenn and will!!!!!
m.c. yogi from jennifer mazzucco on Vimeo.
if you are not familiar with his music
you can check it out here:
http://mcyogi.com/
we went to see him last night
and i had a great time... dancing, singing
and hoolahooping - yes tom - hoolahooping!
... boys can hoolahoop - we saw them doing it there!
his concert had a few messages that i think connect to
what we are doing here:
1. spread the love (through singing or whatever floats your boat)
2. connect with the greater community (he and his musicians are doing a great
collaborative project with music from other parts of the world)
3. do something nice - that makes a difference
yup, that third one - so umatku... at the end, he actually challanged everyone
in the audience to come up with something to do that would make
a difference - no matter how small...
still haven't figured out what i'm going to do
what rock star does that? not many - unfortunately...
and he warmly said hello to me in a "namaste kind of way"
- a total stranger - most people don't even take the time
to do that to people they see every day (including me!)
thank you m.c. yogi, valerie, jenn and will!!!!!
m.c. yogi from jennifer mazzucco on Vimeo.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Ok, I'm In
Alright, I'll bring the pink and purple pool to the studio sale. However, I really would like some additional effects to be added since I'm not going to be rushed out there like the grocery store debacle. I'm thinking of maybe a bag of sand and some floating rubber toys or something. Maybe even a few of those water floating candles? That might look pretty cool.
Anyway, for the time being, I've decided to go back to basics. I think the SOS thing was a bit overboard (ha ha no pun intended), and therefore I'm going to kick it down a notch and send messages the old fashioned way: via balloons! It's stupid and overdone, I know. But think about this. I can get at least 30 or 40 kids to volunteer for the event. Just like your peace rock, Jenn. It was way too inspirational, and I saw my daughter's face light up when you pulled a rock from the little bag to give to her. She painted all the rocks in my walkway for crying out loud! Anyway, I can use all the messages I already made and create a few more. Then, I will buy two bags of balloons. I'm thinking the fifty per pack bag of balloons. I'll stuff all the envelopes with a single balloon, a hopeful message, and a pre-formed note about the mission. Then, I am going to rent a helium tank (I've got a good friend in the food industry; Will, you know, big Tommy from Mona Lisa), and he is going to hook us up with the air. I will then proceed to assemble all the kids at Frenchtown School and give them each one balloon to release! We'll have some kind of formal count down and let em' rip.
Now, on each envelope I will label the state of CT. When it eventually lands, hopefully someone will find the note and fill the provided unused balloon inside. They will package a new message, provide one balloon, and repeat mission. How many states do you think this can cover? Are balloons really bad for the environment? Will people just throw them out? And what do we have to do to get kids involved with the situation other than "I don't want to get rid of the balloon" and having fights ensue?
On another note, Will sent me some Taylor Mali video "stuff" a while back. I've been following Taylor Mali for some time now and actually read at a Dodge Festival several years ago when Taylor was the featured reader. Anyhow, I wrote a piece a year or two ago and really haven't done much with it or to it, but it is a "retaliation" of sorts to the poem by "I quit teaching turned poet" Mali. I really do like his work...very much. I was in one of those moods that just....well...felt like telling my side of the story. I could use some feedback or help because it isn't where it needs to be and may never be for that matter, but I'm going to post it anyway because I've had one of those weeks at school......
What Teachers Really Make:
The New Translation of Taylor Mali’s Poem What Teachers Make
I make coffee
Before the crows
Even think about tearing open the curbside garbage.
I make enemies
Because I care
enough
To make a difference
And eat lunch
With a bunch
Of screw-ups
Who show up
To talk
Instead of work.
I make enemies
Because I don’t
Give a rat’s ass
About
The paycheck
Unlike most
Who wear them
Like pocket protectors,
Every other Friday,
As if
It’s going to put a dent
In the oil bill or mortgage or credit card debt.
I make enemies
Because
I don’t promise parents
Anything.
Because the autistic child
Will always be autistic
And the alcoholic father
Will always be more of an influence
Than me.
Because I admit
That I will never
Replace
Music or drugs or sex.
I make enemies
Because I teach.
I mean
I really teach.
I pick up the pieces of
A shattered weekend
Every Monday
And put it back together
By 8:25 a.m.
And begin reading.
I read their faces
Their eyes
Their laughter
And cries.
I take time to stop
The out of control
Curriculum
From running all over their precious
Bones.
I make enemies
With
All of those
who
supposedly
teach.
I make enemies
With all of those
Who know nothing
About their lives.
I make it a point
To know
What kind
Of bike they ride,
What movies they love
And what they’re going to eat for lunch.
I make
More than a difference.
Anyway, for the time being, I've decided to go back to basics. I think the SOS thing was a bit overboard (ha ha no pun intended), and therefore I'm going to kick it down a notch and send messages the old fashioned way: via balloons! It's stupid and overdone, I know. But think about this. I can get at least 30 or 40 kids to volunteer for the event. Just like your peace rock, Jenn. It was way too inspirational, and I saw my daughter's face light up when you pulled a rock from the little bag to give to her. She painted all the rocks in my walkway for crying out loud! Anyway, I can use all the messages I already made and create a few more. Then, I will buy two bags of balloons. I'm thinking the fifty per pack bag of balloons. I'll stuff all the envelopes with a single balloon, a hopeful message, and a pre-formed note about the mission. Then, I am going to rent a helium tank (I've got a good friend in the food industry; Will, you know, big Tommy from Mona Lisa), and he is going to hook us up with the air. I will then proceed to assemble all the kids at Frenchtown School and give them each one balloon to release! We'll have some kind of formal count down and let em' rip.
Now, on each envelope I will label the state of CT. When it eventually lands, hopefully someone will find the note and fill the provided unused balloon inside. They will package a new message, provide one balloon, and repeat mission. How many states do you think this can cover? Are balloons really bad for the environment? Will people just throw them out? And what do we have to do to get kids involved with the situation other than "I don't want to get rid of the balloon" and having fights ensue?
On another note, Will sent me some Taylor Mali video "stuff" a while back. I've been following Taylor Mali for some time now and actually read at a Dodge Festival several years ago when Taylor was the featured reader. Anyhow, I wrote a piece a year or two ago and really haven't done much with it or to it, but it is a "retaliation" of sorts to the poem by "I quit teaching turned poet" Mali. I really do like his work...very much. I was in one of those moods that just....well...felt like telling my side of the story. I could use some feedback or help because it isn't where it needs to be and may never be for that matter, but I'm going to post it anyway because I've had one of those weeks at school......
What Teachers Really Make:
The New Translation of Taylor Mali’s Poem What Teachers Make
I make coffee
Before the crows
Even think about tearing open the curbside garbage.
I make enemies
Because I care
enough
To make a difference
And eat lunch
With a bunch
Of screw-ups
Who show up
To talk
Instead of work.
I make enemies
Because I don’t
Give a rat’s ass
About
The paycheck
Unlike most
Who wear them
Like pocket protectors,
Every other Friday,
As if
It’s going to put a dent
In the oil bill or mortgage or credit card debt.
I make enemies
Because
I don’t promise parents
Anything.
Because the autistic child
Will always be autistic
And the alcoholic father
Will always be more of an influence
Than me.
Because I admit
That I will never
Replace
Music or drugs or sex.
I make enemies
Because I teach.
I mean
I really teach.
I pick up the pieces of
A shattered weekend
Every Monday
And put it back together
By 8:25 a.m.
And begin reading.
I read their faces
Their eyes
Their laughter
And cries.
I take time to stop
The out of control
Curriculum
From running all over their precious
Bones.
I make enemies
With
All of those
who
supposedly
teach.
I make enemies
With all of those
Who know nothing
About their lives.
I make it a point
To know
What kind
Of bike they ride,
What movies they love
And what they’re going to eat for lunch.
I make
More than a difference.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
S.O.S message in the bottle...
I LOVE TOM'S IDEA!!!
LET'S DO IT!
(or can I at least invite gibbler, "the pappanator" to do it
at my studio sale - saturday, nov. 14th?)
wow tom, that is just such an awesome idea.
i am guessing w*mart? or stop and shop...
Ancona's Market may just be the place - you name the time
and if i am free - i am there with you, the swimming pool
and my paint pens.
it reminds me a little of the time i sat
at the farmer's market in ridgefield and gave out
signs that read "we are free - tibetans are not"
in protest of the olympics being in china opening on 08/08/08
people walked 10 FEET AROUND ME... looked at
me strangely and didn't really want to have anything
to do with me. i tried to explain that i didn't think the olympics
were bad - just the idea of having them in CHINA?!?
anyway - TOM - your idea is so much more of a POSITIVE ONE
and i am LOVING that you tried and even more so that you
posted about it. you rule.
this was my post on my blog:
finally back at home.... in my studio.... and inspired
to do a protest/art thing... it was 8/8/08 and the opening of the olympic games
so i made a bunch of these cards
and brought them to the farmer's market in ridgefield to hand out to people
i told them that i was trying to inspire mindfulness about what is
going on in Tibet and the Olympics in China.
i am not boycotting the olympics, i just want people to think about how
badly the Chinese government treats the Tibetans
and i can't support them hosting something that is supposed to
symbolize freedom (like the olympics)
Thanks a lot, Umatku
Well, I knew it was only a matter of time before I ruined the energy on this blog! I should have stopped at the pathetic moon rendering attempt. Anyway, after posting and getting excited about finally having a few good, like-minded, and healthy folks on my side, I decided to set up shop outside the local grocery store (famous chain whose name shall not be mentioned out of fear and possible free advertising which they do not need as it is). Anyway, the way I figured, I am close to enough citizens of this town (who are well aware of my eccentric and at times "weird" behavior) that I decided to send some "messages of hope" to the local tribe. Everybody else, it seems, is pushing an agenda of sorts outside the electronically controlled doors; high school football players carrying helmets to fund their road to victory, politicians promoting their twisted agendas, veterans looking to rid themselves of one thousand fake red flowers, and various other groups asking for help. Well, I thought I could solve two problems at once. I wanted to offer help and send a message of good will and enlightenment. Not to mention, I was going to promote recycling and economy savings, too!
Ok, so it wasn't a very good idea, but let me tell you.....I had the best intentions in the world, and nobody had a clue what I was attempting to pull off. My plan was to kindly borrow my daughter's plastic swimming pool, and using the permanent hose outside the grocery store which is there for plant watering, I was going to fill up on location. Next, I planned to use the discarded bottles inside the "REDEMPTION CENTER" and stuff them with random notes like "You're beautiful" or "Tomorrow is going to be better than today" or "Remember when you were four and laughed at anything silly?" or even "Please leave a happy message for someone else". Then I was going to prop up a pre-made board which read "Send an SOS to the World: I Hope That Someone Gets My Message In A Bottle".
Let me cut to the chase. It was bad enough carrying a huge purple and pink swimming pool through the parking lot and even worse to be asked "Sir, what are you doing? You can't set this up here."
I aborted the operation, but smiled heartily at the attempt and thought of pulling it off.
Ok, so it wasn't a very good idea, but let me tell you.....I had the best intentions in the world, and nobody had a clue what I was attempting to pull off. My plan was to kindly borrow my daughter's plastic swimming pool, and using the permanent hose outside the grocery store which is there for plant watering, I was going to fill up on location. Next, I planned to use the discarded bottles inside the "REDEMPTION CENTER" and stuff them with random notes like "You're beautiful" or "Tomorrow is going to be better than today" or "Remember when you were four and laughed at anything silly?" or even "Please leave a happy message for someone else". Then I was going to prop up a pre-made board which read "Send an SOS to the World: I Hope That Someone Gets My Message In A Bottle".
Let me cut to the chase. It was bad enough carrying a huge purple and pink swimming pool through the parking lot and even worse to be asked "Sir, what are you doing? You can't set this up here."
I aborted the operation, but smiled heartily at the attempt and thought of pulling it off.
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