My metallic kite

I remember being bundled in a blue parka, and other children running around me. I was the only one with my both my parents following me around. And I was the only one dressed fairly warmly, despite the deceiving sun it was minty cold in India. Clutched between one of my fist was a spool, while I hugged the shiniest metallic kite anyone could ever have. I remember running around the field, in a ridiculous attempt of trying to fly my kite higher than ever. Then I watched my kite ripped right in the middle, as it hit a branch of a really tall tree. The very sight made me almost tear up.

I think that was the day I learned that I may have had a really shiny kite, but I really had nothing special. A skill in flying a kite, meant something a lot more to me that day. It was something all the other kids had, but I didn't have. I couldn't see my kite soar high like the other kites.

To live in hearts,
You leave behind,
Is not to die, Grace

-Grace is Gone by Jamie Cullum

Crown

Reign,
Like a queen on her throne,
Seated on cherry red cushion
Of sweat and tears of passion feigned

Half-cup like milky moon of silver goblet
Between relentless fingers
Your turbulent heart seeks solace

In the most solemn placid twilight
When the lounging crown rests off the midnight locks
When the ornaments uncling themselves from you

But dearest, my beauty, by graceful-
Your highness
You think the thoughts of fortune,
The very same a subject would

I am still waiting.
I don't know how much longer I can withstand this....

If ever a time...

If ever a time you walked the halls feeling empty, I hope you realize the spaces around you. That such emptiness is only an illusion to the vastness of beauty, concealed from the eyes for the heart to see. If ever a day you feel alone, I hope you're comforted by the presence of others. If nobody is there, and you're still all alone, may you find warmth from the soothing of your comforter, and be reminded that  the Greatness will always be there...

Inked.

Write it on my wrist, she says
So I'll never forget,
Write, by the green broken glass beads
Below the crevice of her palm

Write it, so I'll remember what we have
The unseen, is a promise
Write so the memory of-
Even after the smeared ink smudges
& fades-
I'll remember the essence of it

Write it to prove this is real,
That when the tip of the black pen
Gently kisses her skin,
She'll finally see your thoughts
Translated into a single word.

Write it, that I find clarity.
For the beauty.
Write it so she knows.
For your thoughts unwritten
Will only make her forget.

The Little Prince

When I was in sixth grade, my homeroom teacher made us read Antoine de St-Exupery's The Little Prince. In grade eleven, I re-read the book but in French for the second time. I found myself relating to the little Prince, a ten year old who possesses maturity beyond his age.

But today, as I am sitting between studying for my Issues in Pop Music, and being distracted by the smell of the rain outside my window...I find myself resembling the little Prince's rose.

The vain and naive, who gets left behind.

Globalization and Cultural Transmission

The music industry is fairly concentrated in power. Or what Adorno claims it to be subscribing to the model of vertical integration. Think a fish tank, with one fish essentially controlling or monopolizing the resources of the entire fish tank from the other fishes. The commodification of popular artists transcends from profiting off songs to the associated images, style and symbols attached through the objectification off the individual persona.

Culture is defined in 2 ways. The first pertains to works and practices of artistic and intellectual activity. The other is defined by a reference to a way of life. The music industry is linked to a form of culture (or subcultures) in its social context. All in while, globalization occurs through transmission of music (from the music industry), influencing culture in a very large scale.

According to Wallis and Malm, there are 4 patterns of cultural transmissions:

1. Cultural Exchange (fairly equal in relations)
2. Cultural Dominance (involves a powerful imposing on a subordinate)
3. Cultural Imperialism (involves a exploiting off the resources from dominating)
4. Transculturalization (involves worldwide marketing network and spread of technology, from transnational corporation established)

Now if the music industry is vertically integrated, which out of the four patterns of cultural transmission is being practiced with the occurring of globalization? In other words, is it possible for globalization to occur with cultural relativity? Or is cultural representation in globalization (socially and in the music industry) a mere facade, veiling the exoticizing, and exploitation that occurs systematically? While we enjoy Bob Marley and he sings of "One Love" and Knaan who sings of "Waving Flags", who is really profiting, and asserting power, controlling the images we internalize be transmitted? Do we really believe in diversity in music and culture, or are we disillusioned by the standardization that occurs....that we have all become, really passive?

What does your 'cultural' popular music and the 'dominant' popular music have in common? Chances are they both subscribe to a particular genre. Because the mass consumes a specific type or category. Therefore, does the supply influence the demand, or the demand influences the supply chain? Or both?  =S

There's a reason.
I just have to wait a little bit longer.
Mama says,
He rewards those who are patient...
I guess will keep waiting, if He so wills.

Skeleton in closet

It is a skeleton in your closet,
Holding a picture of when you're five
Coral bones hiding between your socks
Such deathly glare made you giggle to glee
Tock-to-ticking of your silver clock
Made Mr. Bone cracked his humor two-three
But Mr.Skeletal-so-skinny, say you please

Leave the closet or pay rent, at least.

la lumiere

même si le vent me souffle-
ou la mer m'emporte au loin
j'espere que mes rêves, ils deviennent
la lumiere de mon coeur
me ramener toujours

Opera

Frequently, people talk of going to concerts and performances here and there. But when I have the financial capability one day, I'll treat myself to an opera performance. Preferably in Prague. But I'd be happy with a performance here as well. There's something more meaningful in opera, I think.

I'd love to watch George Bizet's Carmen. Or maybe Verdi's La Traviata.
Someday.
Maybe I'll work hard this summer to save up.
=)

Eggs & Coffee

I like my eggs sunny side up.
With the yolk round
On a skillet.
It makes me feel accomplished
When my egg is so perfect.

I like my coffee with two teaspoonfuls
Of sugar.
Actually, two cubed sugar
Would be prettier.

Erase

It's never too late to start new. Nor is it wrong to have new beginnings everyday. So maybe we do not have an erase button in our life. But that's a blessing, right?

Think about it, Shaf.
Quit justifying your mistakes.
Accept it, and sleep.

Pfft.
But not without blogging it to remind yourself first.

Fiery Tangerine

You're like a tangerine in fire,
As I witness you burn yourself
To drown and drown-
Behind the naked twigs and branches
Promising spring to come

Drown-
Drown into the frozen canal of white and blue
Where happy skaters once skate on
With teeth-grinning smiles and hearts so free
But numbed by the cold

So numb-
And you, burning tangerine,
Sink my deepest sorrow and anxiety with you.
For one as beautiful as you,
My burning tangerine
Lighting the sky to bloom
Of purple and blue,
You bring me fiery hopes of another day so new.


Dedicated to Leanna who requested I wrote about sunset.
Cheers.=)

So we'll just wait,
& leave my fate in His hands.
If it's meant to happen it will.
But I pray He opens your heart, and opens mine.

& that you be protected by His grace.