fripodding and changing

So I guess I'm still on my charity kick. Not a bad thing, but I enjoy writing the more light heart hearted material. I'll save the heavy stuff for those moving scenes in my movies. Speaking oh which, I'm formulating a plan in which I'll write short scripts for myself when I do podcasts. (Actually, I'm not sure if they'll be officially "podcasts" but it'd be cool if I could... and just the thought of me being in YOUR iPod... gives me chills all over my body. OoooOOoooo! Yeah, it's like that... which is a bit creepy... sorry.) Anyway, I'll bring my movie reviews to the Workforce, but after I'll actually film myself talking about it. I'd do it now, but I lack the capability of transferring video to PC... and I'm not about to just buy some run of the mill webcam when I know I can do better. In the meantime, I'll hone in on other crafts until I can afford that (and a Mac). The podcasts (which will have a special name all its own) will contain other fun things besides reviews... but we'll talk about that bridge when it's in sight.

Back to charity... Today's friPod iPick hails from the King... of Pop. And I'm sure it's some what inspired by the King... the Reverend. It's none other than the #1 hit in the '88 (and no, I don't remember it at the time, but I'm quite fond of it now), Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror" and I even provided a link which I wasn't going to do because EVERYONE should know this song.



The video is taken from the Moonwalker home video that was released back in his prime. I've watched it several times, I don't hide the fact that I'm a long time fan. I will say that at the time, I didn't know what or who were in most of those clips interlaced in the video. In fact, I didn't even really know what the song was about, but for some reason it made me wanna cry a little bit just because I could feel the emotion in the song. While it "randomly" iPodded the other day at work, it brought back a flood of memories like it normally does when I hear it. Then iSaac decided to keep repeating the song, what a weird iPod it is.

And it's a great song I love to lampoon because it's hard to translate some of his lyrics from what you actually hear, that is, if you don't know the song very well. At times I feel as though I'm singing with my teeth clenched. (Yes, I've sung this song many times in my room and in front of the mirror. Don't act like you haven't. Maybe not to this song, but there's something on Jackson's discography that makes you go into concert.) And of course there's the infamous "cha'mon!" Oh, these were the days. He practically ruled the world at this time. This is a time I was growing up listening to him and watching people go nuts. People don't pass out at concerts anymore. What a waste of money. Go see MMJ and you faint, then you're carried off to who knows where. And this dude has always been original with his wardrobe. I couldn't pull off have his outfits. But he did tend to pull them off. This is during the time he was... uh... fit? Young. We'll go with young. Can you believe this dude is 50? Have you seen my childhood?... (His? Yes.) I jest.

Again, I digress. With these times of change, I thought this song would be fitting. Even though we are looking for change from our new President, we must not forget that change starts with us. So go find a mirror right now (well, wait until you're done reading) and ask that man or woman or whatever to change their ways. (If the image talks back to you... I can't help you.) We all want, or should want to see this world change for the better and that can't happen if you don't do anything about it. Whether it's helping the environment, a wee child, your next door neighbor, their next door neighbor, a squirrel or the less fortunate: make that change.

'tis the season

So I've been having the hardest time writing this particular post, because as most Indoobians know, I go into great detail, painting wordy pictures just to get to a point. And each time I begin writing this one, I go from talking about a lost article/essay I wrote for a high school newspaper, to childhood memories and epiphanies after watching a favorite Christmas-themed film from my youth, to how I've learned to cherish and appreciate my dearest loved ones and the material things I've been blessed with over the years. All and all, the post got seriously mushy and sentimental. Like a movie found on the Hallmark channel. And that is a stone's throw away from Lifetime! [Shudders.] Granted, having some sensitive material isn't harmful and shows that I do have a caring heart from time to time, but I want this blog to put smiles on the faces containing eyes that are reading. So all that stuff isn't bad... I just don't feel like writing that today. Plus I have a reputation to uphold being a lovable sarcastic smart mouthed jerk.

So I'll save my count-your-blessings and APPRECIATE speech for another day (because there are some people who really need to look at their life so far and realize they have nothing to complain about). Instead, I'm going to talk a little bit about charity.

With the festive holidays fast approaching, I don't want people to forget about the less fortunate. I went to the mall, as I usually do every few weeks, just to wander around and my friend noticed what she called "the baby tree." It's got wishes from children (actually children and adults) who are in hospitals, shelters, or being sponsored by foundations or something. These are hanging from the tree like ornaments, and the wishes are what that child wants.

My friend does this kind act every year, picking a boy and girl. I immediately decided to pick one too, so I looked for a wish that wouldn't make me broke... like a PS3 game, and wasn't too general... like "educational toy." I picked an 8-year old boy who wanted a book of all the maps of the world. Simple, specific and convenient. The tree was set up a few feet outside of Borders! So my crew and I went in search for a book, and found one in the kids' section with the help of a tall salesperson who looked like he goes surfing in the summer. Buying the book was a good feeling. Similar to warm and fuzzies. Fortunately it wasn't mold I had eaten this time. After the purchase, I dropped it off at the information desk like instructed on the little card I detached from the tree along with the original wish. The lady there seemed frustrated before I got there about something, but apparently by me giving this gift, it cheered her up tremendously, like I got the book for her or something. Silly lady. It's for the kiddies!

I keep saying this, but I really need to start bringing my camera with me and taking pictures to document these random adventures specifically for Indoobian purposes. Plus this would prove I leave the house and I do have friends.

So to conclude what I attempted to not be a long post: don't be afraid to do a random act of kindness, even when money is involved, and especially around this time of the year. Pay it forward, anyone? More on charity another day. In complete unrelated news, I'll debut a fresh new poem later this week. Maybe poems... maybe.

B.A.D. 2008: Poverty

'Tis Blog Action Day for the year 2008. Where blogs and podcast all across the planet get together for a worthy cause--to aid in the war on poverty.

Sadly, it sounds like another victory-less battle, such as the war on drugs, war on terror, war on the obese. But there's no reason to not try! Had I been on top of my poetry game this year, I might've had a Poetry Show this week to go along with BAD '08. Every show, I charge admission to be entertained one can per person. Or I try at least. Then I donate the goods to the local supermarket's food drive.

Some know that the charity I'd most likely give to is anything dealing with the arts. But overall, you need to eat before you can create. You can only write, paint, sculpt so much before you turn around and try to chew on the paper, paints and clay. If you are about 1 or 2 years old, I might let it slide. Just as long as it's not toxic. But I'd much rather you eat something nutritious. And yes, I talk to wee children like they are grown people. They'll understand when they're older.

As for other campaigns on the march to destroying poverty, I like ONE.org. I was trying to donate and get me one of those nifty white bracelet things. Everyone has the Livestrong yellow band... and I didn't want to be like everyone. I'm sure if I was running for some office, someone would instantly turn this into "t. sterling watson is FOR CANCER!" Yes, I stole that idea from the movie Head of State. Anyway, the ONE organization wants to eliminate poverty in Africa. Poverty and AIDS to be exact. Again, it's not something that will happen immediately, but who's to say that it won't at all.

Personally, the way I see it: I'm not trying to save the world. I trying to save just that one little boy or little girl, or both if I'm feeling tender hearted, warm and gushy inside. And you know that one kid, you see them all the time on the "Save the Children" commercials where the host-dude makes you feel bad for buying a cup of coffee when you could be using it to buy that poor child some rice. I'm not saying I'm not affected by these ads. I just wish they end on happier notes. Like those before and after shots: "This is my home before" (and it shows some shack or whole in the mud, and a naked boy with no food) "but this is me now!" (A nicer shack, the boy has some meat on his bones, he's in school and is smiling and wearing clean clothes) "Thank you for sponsoring me!" And the commercial ends. But I know that won't pull at the heart strings as much. I know their tricks.

Nevertheless, it's all for a good cause. I'm going to do my part and save a child or donate what I can to whomever I can. The ONE.org place is a good place to start. They email me a lot and unfortunately they started going into the spam box. It wasn't intentional, honest. But if you can sponsor a child, go for it. If you know of a local food bank or pantry that accept donations, buy some extra cans to donate there. They say charity starts at home. I really don't know who "they" are, so I just give wherever I can and see a need.