Praise Jesus

I’m finding myself getting inspired more and more by my friends and family. This blog entry was inspired by VERY different things/people/occurrences.

But the commonality between both of them funny enough is … Jesus.

For some strange reason when I type or say “Jesus” a few things come to mind, and just the thoughts entertain me, enjoy:

-Advent Program as a young kid at St. Mary’s school. St. Mary’s annual advent program was really a 4^th grader’s religious fashion show. As young, cubby and unsure of who-she-would-be-one-day girl, I would beg and plead with my mom for a new Christmas dress to wear to the advent program – a night to celebrate in song, the birth of …you know it, everyone’s favorite baby in a manger, Jesus.

- High School days…o yes I followed Jesus to HS. This time as a-bit-more-assure-of-herself teenager, my reference point for Jesus was more of a remembrance of our World Religions class with Mr. Monfett. A strange but interesting and experienced man that I had a hard time impressing - probably because I started to question Jesus and not just dress for him.

- HS/College: “Look Look its JESUS!!” many a slumber party with a few select girlfriends watching The Sweetest Thing...here is the link to part I’m referencing.

- Now: Now, Jesus reminds me of … Jesus. Well not Jesus Christo but my friend Jesus (“hey-sus”). A great person and friend dropped some scripture on me the other day and as usual when I type these lengthy passages, I felt inspired. Now as an as-sure-as-she-has-ever-been-of-herself, I find my friends, family and experiences as my prophets, apostles, commandments, creed, code, church, Eucharist, reconciliation, and religion.

Jesus (friend), said this to me the other day and it stuck with me for some reason.

Jesus – “shit doesn't work out for a reason, found that out the hard way...if you don't wipe it clean that shit it will just spread and it gets even messier.”

ISN’T THAT GREAT!? I mean, really?! It’s really a sophisticated “Shit Happens” anecdote. If something isn’t perfect, or if life comes raining down (as it can sometimes)...Clean that shit up. Clean up the mess that you may find yourself in. If you don’t and expect the shit/mess/crappy thing to just disappear on its own, it won’t.

Clean up that shit because if you don’t…it will spread and who knows who you will be then – then it could get really messy.

I think it is too easy for us to sit back and point to things/circumstance/issues/people/etc and try to blame them for our “messes” that we find ourselves in. Through what Jesus said, I think that instead of trying to pass blame, as it may seem easier, I should just accept situations and challenges for what they are … and just move forward. Do a personal “clean up” and have faith in yourself.

I believe very much in faith in fate. Faith in my own fate, faith in who I am and how I lead my life. Faith in those things that affect me, faith in my family, friends and experiences. Faith in me. If you’re wondering what those words mean on my foot, well that should give you an idea.

So I may have a few different interpretations or what "Jesus" means or least reminds me of. But I hope that at the end of the day, I can faith in me to clean up the messes that I may find myself in. Or at least try and make it smell better.

"With a perspective",

Polly

Boys and Girls

Typing to Tunes: Hey Boy - The Blow, The Time is Now - Moloko, Love's Almighty - Telepopmusik, Longest Road - Morgan Page

SO...this is going to be a fun blog. Because as you would know if you read my blog, I geek out on people, interaction and how we communicate with each other and especially with ourselves. I have been thinking about the content of this impending blog since my walk to work this morning. Here we go.

Groggy morning, slept in, hair wet in a bun, bundled up for brisk walk to BART, coffee tumbler in hand, boomin' head phones to a somewhat new playlist. Lake Merritt is beautiful in the mornings, sun is shining, people are running, the bums are friendly, I'm stomping to the music, The Blow song "Hey Boy" begins to stream through my hot pink and blue headphones.

I have heard this song a million times.

BUT I have yet to really listen to the lyrics and the meaning of the song.

This song is not particularly "deep" or "moving" but I found it funny and insightful and brutally honest. 2 things I like very much in just about anything.

So here are the lyrics and I will walk you through them with my thoughts and feedback if your interested in TEAL. If not, I have included a link to the music video. Check it.

It may help to listen along with the lyrics.

Hey Boy
Why you didn't call me?
I waited for days
I can't believe you didn't call

Like in the video, why is it that, lets be honest ladies...we have waited for the phone/email to ring. We have sat in bed at night wondering. No, we are not crazy for doing this...but we do it and it's torture. Not all boys put us through this torture (boys don't flatter yourself). What is funny is that "waited for days" is somewhat true. Everyday that goes by that they don't call, we think crazy ridiculous things like "O well maybe he didn't want to call to soon". "Maybe he's busy." "But wait, did I say something weird". "Why wouldn't he call, doesn't he want to just talk to me?". Torture.

A. You're gay
B. You've got a girlfriend
C. You kinda thought I came on too strong or
D. I just wasn't your thing
no ring

Yes, I have encountered all of the above. Truly. A. I have gone out with 1 (maybe 2) boys that were clearly gay or very confused. B. Yes, I have gone out on a first date with a guy with a girlfriend - man I wish he read this blog. C. I'm SURE I have come on too strong, and D. well thats the "He's Just Not That Into You" reasoning and yes I have read that book and thank god for it. Thank you Karen for making me read it in college. Listening to the song list her mental multiple choice game as to why the "boy" hadn't called feels very...familiar.

Hey Boy
Why you didn't call me?
I waited for days
I can't believe you didn't call

When we sat outside for an hour at the party and talked
I thought something good could be starting
It's not a lot that I want
just some talking
and really, you just injured my pride

O boy o boy. Have we all heard our girlfriends say some version of the lines above.

"But he said...." "and we talked forever, ya know just talked" "I think he was really listening."

When we say these things, the crazy meters shoots to red and we automatically look like we want to take them home to meet mom and dad. But in reality (once we get our head out of the clouds) "Its not a lot that we want" ... we just really thought something good could be starting. But why do we think that automatically...it turns to "something could be starting". Why are we so convinced that something is starting...why couldn't it just be a normal friendly conversation? Torture.

But in the end the next day or the standard 3 day waiting period...our pride is injured. Our hope for "something good" and that doesn't turn out, we are let down and our pride is injured. But what doesn't make sense is that we set these expectations for hope. Hoping that something good turns out (of nothing) and at some point I think as females we try and just believe that something good will work out. And when that expectations is broken we are well ... like this song.

Hey Boy
Why you didn't call me?
I waited for days
I can't believe you didn't call

Susan said that maybe you're scared
Shelly says there always is a reason
and Chris said you're probably surrounded by girls and I'm just not one of them you're needing

Girls. I know I will never understand boys and I'M SURE they will never understand us. Part of this reasoning is because its not just ourselves that we're talking to. We talk. We're girls. And we talk about boys to our girls. A lot. Like most girls we need to talk about just about everything. The reason we feel this need is b/c we have to throw this crap against someone else and see if it sticks. We have friends like Susan that are sweet and hopeful. They reassure you that the reason he's not calling is because he's scared or doesn't want to scare you away, maybe he's busy, maybe he's just focused on his job, or maybe he just doesn't want to move too fast. Then you have friends like Shelly and Chris. The realists. The friends that just call it like they see it and let you know that hey, get over it, he probably isn't about you, don't obsess, don't take it personal. Easier said than done. I think I have more Susans :). So by talking and talking. We only make the torture worse.

So Polly why are you so inspired from this song?

Well besides The Blow being aaaamazing and the lyrics and the tone of song truly unique...Valentines Day is looming. I hope this blog serves as some positive reenforcement for my single ladies out there. We (present coming included, proudly newly dateless) should NOT look at this day and be sad as so many do. But instead remember to have control of what AND who you want. Yes, we get knocked off and distracted from this confident idea often, I know I have, but let that be only a brief period of dumb girlness and MOVE ON. Learn. Maybe talk to yourself less.:)

Thank you boy, Susan, Shelly and Chris.

Happy Valentines Day ladies, go love yourself.

Love,

Polly

Bay Play Time

Bay Play Time...

This weekend was filled with all things great and a reassurance that I have many more things to accomplish in the Bay. This leads me to Bay Play Time.

The Weekend started on Thursday my first show at the Independent. The Nels Cline Singers.

The respectful crowd sat back and enjoyed the jamming of this 3 piece. Nels of course was amazing and continued to wail so hard that his body looks like its vibrating electrically so fast that it literally looks like he's levitating. Stand up bass slapped it for real.

G and I yet again had a perfect time together and I was grateful that we could see such a unique performance.

Check out this vid for a sampling

Friday night...was a grand time to say the least. After surprising Kimmy with tickets to the Little Dragon show, we had cocktails and play time at sunset on the lake and then got roaring to go over bridge. It felt nice, more than nice to have my people with me under one roof, car, train, cab, etc. all of which we shared during their visit. We also managed to fit in, a cannabis club, a flea market, re-used store, Lanesplitter, Kona Club, and Fentons. Pretty good I must say.

Backing up to the Little Dragon show...well the Sweeds did it again. Besides the afro that obstructed parts of our view, these guys kept us dancing all night...my dogs are still barking.

Opener Billygoat was impressive.

BILLYGOAT - web, click reels

Little Dragon - After the Rain

Little Dragon - Constant Surprises

For your entertainment this evening...here is a series of photo booth pics (compliments of Kimmy's iphone) from Friday Night...Nuff said.

Love,

Polly