Saturday 25 February 2012

What is the colour of the wind?




The theme song of Pocahontas (1995) howled through my mind: ‘Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon?’ First off I thought: whoever wrote this song was taking hard drugs, even though it made me think. Was this Disney Film, based on a true story and what can we learn from it?
                                                                     
According to D. Morenus, the answer to that question is yes and no. Matoaka, nicknamed Pocahontas, was born in Virginia.  Factually, Pocahontas and John Smith weren’t in a relationship-he was 28 and she was only 11 years old! She saved him from being executed at that young age. They became good friends. Pocahontas was indeed engaged to a man called Kocoum but did not choose Smith over him! As time progressed, Smith left Virginia to seek medical attention whereas Pocahontas was told that he was dead.

Soon after, she was kept in captivity as a prisoner in Jamestown where she met her husband, John Rolfe. Christianised and married to John Rolfe, her name changed to Lady Rebecca Rolfe. She was indeed seen as an Indian Princess.

The nature of her spirit reveals her true soul and selflessness. As a young girl, she stood up for what she thought was right. She protected a white man from her tribe. History shows that she got in touch with people who looked and spoke differently than she did and protected and fed them. She was not afraid of leaving her clan behind and starting a new life in Britain. She lived a creative and full life by taking chances and following her beliefs in what’s right and wrong. 

In my opinion: she followed the colours of the wind.  
  


 Information sourced from http://pocahontas.morenus.org/ 

Mind the Gap


Here is a fun activity anyone can participate in. Step 1: copy and paste the extract provided. Step 2: When pasting it, place it in the comments section of this blog. Step 3: Fill in the “gaps” by following the provided instruction to create your own story. You can add in ANYTHING! This exercise results into hours of fun and laughter! I also did one for fun which counts as an example of the exercise. Here is a list of the instructions for in case you forgot these basic rules.

Pronoun: He / His / She/ Her(s) /It (s). E.g. He went to the shop with his friends. She plays netball with her teammates. Look at the kitten licking its paw.

Noun: A word that describes an object. E.g. a dress

Adjective: A word that describes the noun. E.g. a blue dress

Verb: A ‘doing’ word. E.g. Jumps

Adverb: Describing a ‘doing’ word. E.g. Jumps high

Abstract verb: Describing an emotion. She happily eats her ice-cream

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The extract:
The Adventures of (your characters name) the (profession/animal)

Once upon a time, a (profession/animal) named (your characters name) was on (pronoun) way to the (noun). They wanted to look (pronoun) best since (pronoun) had a (verb) with the (adjective) rascal (name). (Your characters name) (verb) all the way down the pebbly road and finally arrived at (pronoun) destination: (name of destination). (Pronoun) (verb) her (noun) tight together and exclaimed a little yelp of excitement.

Lilly the (noun), welcomed (your characters name) with a (verb) on the cheek. Soon (your characters name) was directed to (pronoun) (noun) and met (pronoun) (noun) Pica-low. It was his first day and he was extremely (abstract verb).“Stunning (noun), magnificent (noun)! What do you have in mind?” “Just a (verb) please Pica-low”.

Pica-low (adverb) took out the (noun) and (adverb) as he (verb) it on. The door swung open and the manager, (add a name), walked in. (Your character’s name) jaw dropped to the ground; Pica-low (verb) off a patch of her (noun)! “YOU (ADJECTIVE) (NOUN)! What have you done?”
Pica-low’s bottom lip (verb). All his (noun) fell to the ground. The (added name) rolled his (adjective) eyes and (verb) over to the (adjective) (your characters name). He took one look and whispered into Pica-low’s ear.

Looking (abstract noun), Pica-low suggested that he should (verb) (noun) sections which in turn would allow (your characters name) to (verb) (name of a game/sport) with her (noun). (Your characters name) was extremely (abstract noun) and agreed to the idea. After all, it is what is on the (adjective) that matters.

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An example of the exercise:
The Adventures of Mecherrie the Sheep

Once upon a time, a sheep named Mecherrie was on her way to the hairdresser. She wanted to look at her best since she had a date with the red rascal Porio. Mecherrie skipped all the way down the pebbly road and finally arrived to her destination: Gum Drops Stylists. She brushed her hooves tight together and exclaimed a little yelp of excitement.

Lilly the llama, welcomed Mecherrie with a kiss on the cheek. Soon Mecherrie was directed to her seat and met her stylist Pica-low the Porcupine. It was his first day and he was extremely nervous. “Stunning woollies, magnificent curls! What do you have in mind?” “Just a trim please Pica-low”. 

Pica-low swiftly took out the trimmer and trembled as he switched it on. The door swung open and the manager, Ginger Bread-Man, walked in. Mecherrie’s jaw dropped to the ground; Pica-low shaved off a patch of her wool! “YOU SILLY GOOSE! What have you done?” 

Pica-low’s bottom lip quivered. All his needles fell to the ground. The Ginger Bread rolled his icing eyes and walked over to the distort Mecherrie. He took one look and whispered into Pica-low’s ear.

Looking hopeful, Pica-low suggested that he should shave block sections which in turn would allow Mecherrie to play Checkers with her date. Mecherrie was extremely eager and agreed to the idea. After all, it is what is on the inside that matters.     



Thursday 23 February 2012

If I were the boss...




The first thought that flashed through my mind was an image of “The Cake Boss”. I cringed at the thought since I find the main character of that scripted ‘reality’ TV series extremely annoying, but absolutely ADDICTIVE to watch. Prior to this thought, I imagined that the ultimate “boss” throughout the fictional and factual world, would be no one other than the Queen of Hearts; Alice in Wonderland.

The Queen of Hearts is a very strict prune with an extravagant flamboyant style. Loud but ladylike, she has an excellent sense of humour; playing Croquet hitting the ball with a flamingo’s face. She is in control of Wonderland up until the point when the snotty brat, Alice, shows up. Alice is a threat to the Queen of Hearts' perfect world. It is pure human nature to rise against an intruder.

Sure, the Queen of Hearts wants to chop off her head which is a bit radical, but she is only protecting her piece of paradise. I believe the Queen of Hearts was probably heart broken by the King of Hearts. He ran off with the skanky Queen of Spades leaving her to run Wonderland all by herself.

If I were the boss, I would aspire to be like the Queen of Hearts: a strict and objective lady with a clever sense of humour. Not only does she have a flaming sense of style, but she knows how to run a well organised country. No nonsense lady following her heart in order to do the right thing



...even if it is chopping off heads!              



Zealous Zantic Frantic


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Zealous is a synonym for passion! Zealous Zantic Frantic translates to what I am absolutely passionate about: DANCING! If only I could put you (yes you, the reader) in my dancing shoes to experience this mind blowing experience. All I can do is to try and describe this magnificent feeling of power.

The mere existence of human beings survives on two things: stories and emotion. A good story stirs your heart strings which in turn makes you react. Reaction is based on emotion. With that said and done, dancing combines these elements:

Story + Emotion= Living!   

With every step you take, inhaling the music, your body reacts to the rhythm. As a person, you project a very abstract story. Emotively you move, releasing the barriers from your eyes, your soul shines through. You feel ALIVE like nothing else matters. The notes are pushing and pulling you. In this space, you can defy gravity; you are led by pure adrenalin. As the music drifts away, a feeling of satisfaction slowly prickles your subconscious.

Dancing is something extremely important to me.  Expressing myself on a spiritual, intellectual, psychological and physical level all at once; is absolutely incredible. 

Dancing defines who I am, ZELOUS ZANTIC FRANTIC!     






Thursday 16 February 2012

! TOP 10 THINGS TO DO WHILE STUCK IN TRAFFIC!

http://collabcubed.com/2011/12/24/happy-holidays/


Cape Town is a beautiful city; although each and every morning, the trip to town is horrendous! Strings of cars, idiots who got their licence in lucky packets and moving so slowly, even a snail races past you flipping you off with their feelers. When one is spending an hour and a half in traffic for 48 weeks per year, 5 days a week, it equals to 360 hours of time wasted! 360 hours of just sitting staring at the bumper in front of you...shocking isn’t it?

On a lighter note, here is my personal TOP 10 LIST of things to do while stuck in traffic. Spending your time more wisely; live, love, dance!



10.    Have a nice cup of steaming coffee or tea. It is great for rainy days.

9.      Moisturise your skin with a luscious vanilla scented cream.

8.      Eat a fruit salad decorated with peach yoghurt-challenge!

7.      Meditation. Clear your mind, slowly formulating a plan of action of the day- step by step.

6.      Listen to an audio book to distract you from the traffic lying ahead.

5.      Memorise every single word of your favourite rap song:“I like big bu”

4.      Listen to your favourite female artist, e.g. Annie DiFranco, and sing with on the top of your lungs! Open the window let the world hear your voice!

3.      Plan an exercise regime for the week lying ahead. An active mind is a healthy mind!

2.      Teach yourself a new language. Pop a training CD in the frontloader and away you go!

1.      Pump the music at its top volume and dance/bounce around in your car! Skrillex is my favourite. Look on the bright side, people you see in traffic will never see you again!



Have a go at each of these suggestions! 

Time flies when you are having fun & at least it's time not wasted.