Super Bowl Half Time Show

If you read my blog regularly, you have probably noticed I do not complain about things often. I try to find the middle ground in the argument.



However, after watching the Super Bowl half time show, I am going to make an exception. Maybe what is happening is I am getting old and I am finally moving to the edge of mainstream entertainment, but maybe there are many others like me who still don't "get" rap music. Why is rap music the new music standard? I find it hard to believe the majority of people like it compared to other genres. I am not calling for a ban on rap music, only some equal time for other non rap music forms.



Let us by all means, glorify the subject matter of typical rap music. F the police, F the white people, F obeying the law, dis yo ho, love the pipe, die young, you're a victim, the man is holding you down, crime is OK, you are a soldier in a noble cause, F everything. I think that about covers it. Now I know country music and a lot of rock music insinuate sex. Rap music gives the gory details using the most vile words ever coined by man. Oh, and the "N" word, which I was led to believe was one of the worst words one could ever utter, has been used more than the definite article "the" or the conjunctions "and" or "but." The people who supposedly suffer most by the N word are its most active proliferators.



I do like some rap music. I like 2 Pac's "Dear Momma" and though I do not like Eminem's words, a few of his songs have grown on me, "Stan" and "8 Mile Theme - Lose Yourself."



I do not believe video games, television, movies, and music are responsible for crime and the down fall of Western civilization. I do, however, believe that a steady diet of the views and words used in rap music desensitizes people to what should shock and offend them. This further leads to complacency and more frequent usage of words like nigger, bitch, and whore in everyday language. Yes, song writers have freedom of speech. I am exercising my freedom of speech to express my strong disagreement with their blatant use of bad language, sex, and violence. I believe it chips away at our moral fiber. We are a society sorely lacking in manners and common courtesy. This artistic medium does not slow the slide.



Maybe I am a racist hypocrite. I will beat my critics to the punch. I curse and drop F bombs often. I curse more for laughs and to relieve stress though than to express my artistic or social views in public and I think that is an important difference. I am not for the complete elimination of bad words, but I hate to have it served up at half time during the super bowl.



Then when I thought things could not get worse, Justin Timberlake reached over and exposed Janet Jackson's breast. This punctuates my point of entertainment going for major shock value. We have exhausted word shock, now it is nudity shock, I expect we will soon be witnessing murders and executions on television. It is hard to imagine what else can be done. If I am to believe news reports this morning, the Timberlake / Jackson stunt was planned.



I wrote this post Sunday night. I have slept on it and made a few edits. This week, I will write a series called "The Gray Area." I intend to discuss a different controversial topic each day. Possible topics are racism, abortion, gay rights, and entertainment. I hope to be the catalyst for some good honest discussion. I have my views and I realize I am a middle aged white guy living in the south. The way I see things has a perspective. I want you to know what that perspective is and I encourage you to share your particular point of view. Hopefully, we will learn from each other. As the three blind men described an elephant, one was feeling the elephant's side, another the trunk, and the other the elephant's tail. Their descriptions, though accurate were even more complete upon collaboration.



I also have some catching up to do on your blogs. I will be about that task this week and looking forward to it.



Until the next time

John Strain

The Juno Ball 04

I am in no way an expert about Mardi Gras history. I have experienced 25 counting this year. If you are intrigued and would like more details and accurate facts, a google search will produce many excellent sites on the subject. Mardi Gras on the Northshore is a bit more subdued than in New Orleans. Mardi Gras means "fat Tuesday" and is the day before Ash Wednesday. In the Catholic religion, the time of Lent is a time of sacrifice. Followers are to give something up and when they miss that "sacrifice" they are to be reminded of what Christ did, how He suffered for mankind. Well, people being what they are figured, "If I have to sacrifice, I want to really 'throw down' before that time hits." The day before Lent became more and more a party and day of indulgence. Today, in Louisiana, Mardi Gras is tradition. It is an established holiday like Christmas and, while it is a party, it is much more. It is a time to gather with family and friends and have fun. While nudity and drunkenness thrive in parts of the French Quarter, families picnic in other parts of the city. In essence, Mardi Gras, is whatever you want it to be.



The backbone of Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the Carnival Krewes. A Krewe is another name for a club or organization. Each Krewe is a private organization. They parade at a certain time each year, usually the same route. During the year, the Krewe members meet to decide a theme for their parade, costumes, and just to socialize. There are several parties leading up to the day of the parade. The selection of the year's royalty is one occasion for a party. Krewe members pay a fee to be in the Krewe. They also purchase their "throws" for the parade. Larger Krewes may cost an individual two to three thousand dollars.



The Krewe of Juno began in 1970 and they do not parade. It is an all female Krewe, but they do select a king. The Krewe members get together several times during the year and make their costumes. The ball is the culmination of the year's activities. Barbara was a Krewe member one year, but usually we attend, because one of our friends is a member.



The ball begins with a "tableau" or processional. All of the smaller groups making up the entire Krewe enter the ball room. They dance around then take a seat on the floor eventually ringing the ball room with people. Once the Krewe members are assembled, the royalty enters. Each is announced and has their own music. They take a position in the "court." All of this takes an hour or so and the guests and spouses watch from tables which also ring the ball room. Drinks are on the table, so we have something to keep us satisfied.



After the Tableau, it is a regular party. A band plays, people dance, drink, and look at each other. I danced a lot last night for a change. Usually I am content shooting the breeze with a few guys while my elbow bends.



On February 14 a parade comes within 2 blocks of my house. We always have a parade party. People come over to wait for the parade, then use our house as a home base. One needs a place to pee. After the parade, we eat and drink. You may detect a theme here. Mardi Gras fare usually entails red beans and rice, Popeye's fried chicken, chili dogs, cheese trays, chips and dip, oh man, I love Mardi Gras. Come on over if you can, the more the merrier.



More Juno Photos Here



Until the next time

John Strain

Film at 11

Don't believe the title completely. It is 6 AM here as I write. My running partner is picking me up in 30 minutes for our 20 mile run. The marathon training is going well. In September I got serious about getting back into shape. Since then I have lost 20 lbs, (now I am 195) and I run about 40 per week. The Napa Valley Marathon is March 7, so we are nearing the end of our training program.



Tonight, I am going to a Mardi Gras ball. I will write more about that and have photos. Mardi Gras is packed with hidden meaning and tradition. It is much more than drinking and going crazy, although that is part of it.

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Back from the run. The best part about a 20 mile run is to stop running. I have also noticed showers feel better and coffee tastes better too. I've got a feeling I will log some couch time. I better or that ball tonight may seem more a marathon than fun.



Have a happy Saturday blogdom, now it's off to the races for me.



Until the next time

John Strain

I picked this up at Larry's Blog.






create your own visited states map

or write about it on the open travel guide

A Thought or Two

Three cheers for Friday! It has been a long week and I am ready for the weekend. Do I hear an amen? You have all heard the acronym TGIF (Thank God It's Friday.) Have you heard POETS? (Piss On Everything Tomorrow's Saturday.) I like the POETS acronym because it not only expresses joy at it being Friday, but further conveys an attitude and looks forward to the next day.



No running for me this AM. It is raining. When God feels I need an extra rest day, He sends the rain. Many of us have elaborate systems to show God's endorsement on one part of our life or another. They are usually self serving. I am thinking about my own system here. For instance, if it is raining, I interpret it as God wanting me to rest. On the other hand, if my wife were to point out to me I am not doing my share of the work around the house, I don't automatically think God is trying to get me off my lazy kiester. God gets credit for a lot He does not endorse and He gets a lot of blame for things people do. Here are some examples: "God, why me?" "God, where are you?" "Thank God, He must be looking out for me, the cop did not write me a ticket." "I think God wants me to buy that dress, He wants me to look my best doesn't He?" OK, sermon concluded.

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Yesterday my comments were down. I was bummed to think I was missing out on the usual feedback. It occurred to me when I started blogging, I did not even know about comments. Now they are essential. Not only do our posts carry a certain message, but our comment threads contain complete conversations and can stand independent of the post. An example of a good exchange of ideas is the thoughts expressed in my post "No One Man or Woman." I expressed how people are much more important than politicians. I put my faith in (to use US examples) the individual Democrats and Republicans not the leaders of the respective parties.



Then as a microcosm of my point, the commenters, including me launched into a "take sides" political debate. Without comments, this would not be possible. Comments are like the town hall of our time. Instead of me rehashing ideas with my small circle of friends in Louisiana, I can exchange ideas with anyone in the world.



I would like to point out one such individual whose feedback I have enjoyed. Cheeky Squirrel. He offers a different perspective for me. He is outside the US and offers insights and humor I appreciate. I would like to sit down with him at his favorite pub and enjoy a few pints, on him of course because if I were in England, I would be his guest. Several of you are in Canada and offer another perspective. What a great way to challenge our minds and our ideas. If you truly want to learn and keep growing then blogging is a must.



The work day beckons so,



Until the next time

John Strain