Imagine If....

Think
From The Information Society

Imagine if I said I sometimes need you 
I need you to this day.
Imagine if I said I sometimes hear you call my name.
Imagine if I said I still could love you.
Imagine what you'd say.
Imagine if I said I sometimes still can see your face.

Think about all the things we shared.
Think about all the times we cared.
When all of your hopes have come and gone,
Think about me and I'll be there.

There's something in the air that feels like winter
The kind we used to know.
Yesterday can seem like such a long, long time ago.
Who could ever count the miles between us?
But now I know it's true.
Imagine if I said that all my dreams were dreams of you.

Think about all the things we shared.
Think about all the times we cared.
When all of your dreams have come and gone,
Think about me and I'll be there.
Think about images we've drawn.
Think about all those empty songs.
Whenever you're sure that I won't dare,
Think about me and I'll be gone.

It took me a long, long time to learn
That love is a thing you have to earn
I finally realized it's true
I just can't make it without you

Think about all the things we shared
Think about all the times we cared
When all of your dreams have come and gone
Think about me and I'll be there
Think about images we've drawn
Think about all those empty songs
Whenver you're sure that I won't dare
Think about me and I'll be gone

On Being Classy

Recently a good friend of mine talked about what it means to be classy. And even though I know what that means, I thought I'd look up the official and popular definitions and meanings.

I came across this article on Wikihow. 

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Classy

(For now, I will focus on one aspect of being classy in accordance with this article below, later, I'll focus on other aspects.)

This also got me thinking, even though it's geared towards the ladies, it makes sense for both sexes and it seems that a lot of some people's behavior is not classy!

Here, for example, is one thing that shows some behavior that is certainly not classy....

Don't curse. Having a foul mouth is just not classy at all. If you have the urge to curse, go into the bathroom and turn on the faucet while you let loose a row of expletives, or curse into a pillow. But don't let people see you curse. This will make you look kind of trashy, and, if you're cursing because you're angry, like you don't know how to control your temper, which is a big sign of having no class.

• Cursing in general should be avoided; cursing at specific people should be avoided even more.

There's someone I used to be around, who when he was angry, he most certainly let people hear (and see) him curse.... especially me ;-) yeah, we all do it sometimes (doesn't make us not classy I don't think), but it depends on how and where we do it, and whether we do it discreetly or only around those who would 'get it' anyway and not be offended and understand and accept us as we are anyway.... =)

And, the Urban dictionary meaning:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=classy

An adjective:
1) meaning very stylish and elegant.
2) not crude or misgusting or dirty or depressing
2) a deeper, more meaningful word for 'cool'

Urban Dictionary of course has its own style....

But, according to the first article cited above, being classy means not talking about being classy....

Don't talk about how much class you have. For some reason, people who think they are classy just love to talk about how much class they have, especially in comparison to one person or another who has "no class" or "no class whatsoever." If you find yourself saying, "I've got class..." or "I'm a classy girl..." then you are not acting so classy yourself. Let other people figure out how classy you really are instead of bragging about it.

• Ideally, if you're classy, you should never use the word "classy." *(I think that mostly pertains in talking about oneself though...)

Yeah, I'm classy... take a look... ;-)

 And above all...

Technomatrix

First written in May of 2015...

We're living in a very weird time right now. The voices for power are gathering forces... technology is developing it's own intelligence...

Are the Humans still alive....?

Is it black or is it white?

The Sparrows and the Nightingales

 Is it black or is it white? Let's find another compromise...

This poignant song speaks across the decades and to everybody I think.... touching personally and universally, especially in light of these days' happenings...

The Words

How long have you been free
In this world of ice and greed?

Is it black? Or is it white?
Let's find another compromise

And our future's standing still
We're dancing in the spotlight

Where is the leader who leads me?
I'm still waiting

Leaving home and God is on your side
Dividing sparrows from the nightingales

Watching all the time
Dividing water from the burning fire inside

And god is on your side
Dividing cruelty from tenderness

Watching all the time
Dividing fiction from reality

Move in circles walk on lines
No human being in sight
Calm the winds
And calm the seas

Lets try another kind of peace

Who fights this Holy civil war?
A million men in uniform

Wo ist der führer der mich führt?
Ich warte immer noch

And God is on your side
Dividing presence from the history

Watching all the time
Dividing deaf men from the listening ones

Leave a light on in the night for me
That, I can find you

Remember when we both where young
And reckless and so curious

Now you're hiding from your child
A new day's dawning

Remember that you felt alive
Sometimes

And God is on your side
Dividing soldiers from the fisherman

Watching all the time
Dividing warships from the ferryboats

Songwriters
HEPPNER, PETER/REINHARDT, MARKUS/PERON, CARLOS

Published by
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

Read more: Wolfsheim - The Sparrows And The Nightingales Lyrics | MetroLyrics

******************************************************************************
For those interested in further analyzing this masterpiece, go here:

https://thepathslesstravelled.wordpress.com/2011/09/24/a-darkwave-epic-the-sparrows-and-the-nightingales-wolfsheim/

Some noteworthy excerpts from the article:

The Sparrows and the Nightingales is a song about feeling lost, not knowing where your life is heading. The lyrics describe how the narrator is not knowing where life is heading, which path to follow in life, using highly metaphorical language by using contrasts during a lot of stanzas of the over 6 minutes lengthy epic (PS: for TV-friendly reasons, the video cuts a few stanzas and shortens the song to approx. 3.5 minutes only). Examples are "How long have you been free in this world of ice and greed? Is it black or is it white? Let’s find another compromise. And our future’s standing still, we’re dancing in the spotlight" from the first stanza, or "Remember that we both were young and reckless and so curious. Now you’re heading from your child" from the second stanza.
A very important re-occurring line is the end of each stanza, bridging the stanzas to the chorus, "Where’s the leader who leads me? I’m still waiting… Leaving home", emphasizing the despair of the narrator, looking for a person to guide him and show him the way that he cannot find himself.
The chorus uses religious language, therefor probably indicating that the narrator being lost is looking for spiritual answers as in his earthly surroundings he cannot find any way or any person that can put his life back in the right direction. The chorus repeats the line "God is on your side" each time, but again uses highly contradicting language in each repetition of the chorus:

"God is on your side, dividing sparrows from the nightingales
Watching all the time, dividing water from the burning fire… inside"
"God is on your side, dividing presence from our history
Watching all the time, dividing deaf men from the listening ones"
etc.
The contrasts seem to reflect a good side as opposed to something with a negative, more helpless or more dangerous undertone.

The last stanza probably puts the song in its final direction. The narrator still has not found the peace, the security and the path to follow, and has still not found the mentor and the guiding hand to show him the direction. With despair he beholds the cruel reality, again described in highly poetic contradicting style:

"Move in circles, walk in lines
No human being in sight
Calm the winds and calm the seas
Let’s try another kind of peace
And our future’s standing still, we’re dancing in the spotlight"

And further down in the article, and do yourself a favor and read the entire article. It's worth it. And of course don't forget to watch the video! Over and over and over and over again.... like I have over the years... I always come back to this.... ;-)

The video is a masterpiece as much as the song itself and emphasized the atmosphere of the song: emptiness, desolate and gloomy. The combination of the words, the music and the images is just so spot on it is strangely close to perfection, the only bit of critique going to the TV stations forcing the band to cut the song short in order to have the video shown on TV. But don’t let that turn you off to watch the video, as it only makes the emotion of the song even stronger.

On Solitude: The Power of Introverts

I found an article months after I wrote this, just today, that explains exactly what I was describing here, in my blog. There is a word for it, it's called Introversion. '-)

the-power-of-introverts

The original article, from February of 2010: "Alone with Our Thoughts"

Wow, it's been quite a while since I've posted anything on this site. Anyway, I was reading a discussion on a forum that talked about how to stay positive in these trying times we live in. Well, here are my thoughts on the issue.

I used to let things depress me, but in these trying times, oddly enough I am happier than ever. Well maybe not completely and utterly joyful, but I just don't let anything get to me. And, I have no fear of anything. Nothing. We should not fear, everything runs as it should be even if we can't see it. Everything happens for a reason. That belief alone will carry anyone through anything I think. I think that belief is called Faith. But anyway, I can agree with what some of the others said on here, I feel like I lead a double life sometimes as well. I can only truly be myself with myself. I am not 'fake' around others, unless I'm around someone who is truly superficial or shallow, but I can't be around someone like that for very long. But even then, I try to be sincere and 'happy' and positive.

But, I spend an inordinate amount of time alone, in solitude, although a lot of it is spent on the computer, like on sites such as these. I am most happy when reading writing about things like this on this forum, the truth.. what can I say - I love thinking! And learning and seeking the Truth.. the center of things..the root of existence in my opinion.

I have so many friends that want to talk to me, but I almost detest being on the phone. I could probably go weeks without talking to anyone, perhaps. I haven't tried it. I am not anti-social, on the contrary, I love hanging out with people, friends and strangers sometimes, and people who know me will often find me gregarious and quite the life of the party.. but then I also have my 'quiet' side, my 'alone' time. When I am at home, I like to be left alone to my thoughts, to my computer etc. or watching movies, or writing my thoughts down somewhere (usually on the web, since I am intricately connected to it). Sometimes I just can't fathom how other people live without having their own thoughts.. I mean I think people are drawn to me because they see how meditative and thoughtful I am and they want some of that energy, but anyone can and should get that for themselves.. in fact, that is what they can *only* get from themselves actually. Perhaps it is my way of communing with God.. in my own way.

In Honor of Amy Winehouse, Laid in Rest

Recitative

Thy hand, Belinda, darkness shades me,

On thy bosom let me rest,

More I would, but Death invades me;

Death is now a welcome guest.

Aria

When I am laid, am laid in earth, May my wrongs create

No trouble, no trouble in thy breast;

Remember me, remember me, but ah! forget my fate.

Remember me, but ah! forget my fate.

**************************************************************************** This song sung by the avant-garde Klaus Nomi, who also met an early tragic Fate, seems to fit the sad passing of Amy Winehouse, a truly talented artist gone too soon as many others of her caliber and spirit have.. namely Janis Joplin, whom she was often compared to, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix.. etc. Also check out this article by Russell Brand, a former fellow addict and also friend and colleague to Amy. http://www.russellbrand.tv/2011/07/for-amy/

As Klaus sang in his aria, do this for Amy and all the others who have gone too soon.. and in a tragic way.. most recently, that would be Whitney Houston.

Remember me! Remember me! But ahh! Forget my fate!
Updated June 6, 2012

The 'Old World:" Croatia, Possible Photo Book in the Works

Taken back in the Summer of 2007, I thought I would give a preview of a possible photography book showcasing traveling I've done, most epecially in Croatia, land of my ancestry and heritage. 

Some past photography

Been looking through some of my old photography, some of which can be seen here:

http://elizabeth-photography-las-vegas.blogspot.com/

But anyway, to showcase some more, thought I'd upload some here. These were taken for a photography class at CSN in Spring of 2008. Class was aptly called Las Vegas Document, taught by Heather Protz, a quite capable teacher that let us bring our own creativity out. That's the best way to teach and learn I believe. I believe everything we need, if we are so inclined towards a certain path, is inside of us, we just need someone or something to help us bring it out. Sometimes that happens on its own, through life, but sometimes we need someone else to catalyze us too. Anyway, with that, here are a couple of those photos. Maybe more later.

Copyright Elizabeth Aralica 2008-2011

Bicuspi 5247

From the continuing series of "Spoems." Spoems - poems caught in between spam.

This particular one is from Fabrizio Blumberg, a lesser known poet, but a more proficient spammer in the "Spoem world.'

Here it is, the latest from Fabrizio, wherever you are!

...the air without breaking floated away over The Hill.

Very pretty! said Gandalf. But I have no time to blow smoke-rings this morning. I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging. and its very difficult to find anyone. I should think so in these parts! We are plain quiet kand have no use for adventures. nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you -

And it stops. I'm afraid some of this 'Spoem' is to be considered 'lost art/literature.' Well it is difficult to find such art, at least we have procured some of it! Where could we find such literature?! Well of course I know it is from the Lord of the Rings series. But it's just funny how bit and pieces of it end up everywhere like some ancient cave writings.. the emblem of a natural world lost to the digital...

Tune in next time for more of 'Spoem Theatre!'

~Brought to you by amb/en, lev/tra, cial/s, amox/cil/n, proz&c, v/agra, som&,mer/d/a, val/um. and Tr&madoI.

Should fiction be required reading? (a GRE practice essay question)

Since I have been considering going back to get my Master's Degree in English or Creative Writing (Poetry), specifically an MFA, I was looking through an online practice test for a GRE through the library website and came up with this essay based on one of the practice questions they had there. I thought it was a good essay, so I thought I'd post it here.

Should fiction be a required form of reading? We should then ask - should society study truth at all? For as Ralph Waldo Emerson so eloquently put it, “Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.” Non-fiction is of course the bare truth, if it is told truthfully and factually that is, but fiction reveals truths that are sometimes hidden by 'facts.' In fact, as another great literary/philosophical person once said, 'Give a man a mask and he will reveal the truth.' So, fiction is in fact that mask that will reveal the truths of society that we so need to hear and understand.

Thus it is my contention that of course fiction should be required reading. Not only is fiction part of the greatest world literature, but it also reflects truths that society as a whole needs to learn as I mentioned. I mean, think about it, what if we were never required to read Plato's 'The Cave' or Shakespeare's Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear or Romeo and Juliet or Twelfth Night or A Midsummer Night's Dream? What if we had never read Voltaire's "Candide", Sartre's "No Exit," Conrad's The Heart of Darkness, Hugo's Les Miserables or Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter or Bronte's Wuthering Heights? How bland and flat would our thoughts be then...? If we cannot think big thoughts, we do tend to become small. Oh yes, children and adults might eventually wander to these books on their own, but what if they did not? Then what..? Is that not the purpose of schools, education and teachers? To point the way to these great works of literature, harbingers of truth?

As another great literary figure said, Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Major Colombian novelist and short-story writer, 1982 Nobel Prize for literature, b.1928), "Fiction was invented the day Jonas arrived home and told his wife that he was three days late because he had been swallowed by a whale.”

Fiction is as old as time itself, from the first day that primordial man finished his hunting for the day and the woman and perhaps also the man prepared the food and they had time to sit around the fire in the cave or under the stars and began telling tales. Fiction was born! The truth is that fiction should not only be required reading, the fact is that fiction, or truth disguised and masked, is a vital and integral part of life and the question should not be 'should fiction be required reading, the question should be ‘what fiction should be required reading?’ The question should be not if, but what.

Copyright Elizabeth Aralica 2008 (that's me)
Do not use without permission! That would be plagiarism!

pla-gia-rism
  [pley-juh-riz-uhm, -jee-uh-riz-] Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.
the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.