Following is a personal perspective designed to inform and entertain mostly of a general nature including my unique spin on the sexual, the sensual and the spiritual. Life itself! Also included are quips from day to day experiences. New posts are added regularly.
After writing an article on 'Loneliness' for the Newsletter I came across a You Tube video and thoughtI would share. I recognise this place - it is in Australia - Sydney's Pitt Street Mall to be exact. What a way to spread some christmas cheer, I was most impressed with this video. Enjoy ....
You know I had honestly forgotten why I do not choose to listen to the radio when I drive the car, As I work from home, it is no longer important in rush hour to find out what is happening on the roads. Yesterday my daughter borrowed my car and turned off the CD and tuned into Hot Tomato.
This morning when I went to their house to wish my grandson a 'Happy Birthday' I found myself really put off by the chat on the Hot Tomato radio station on the Gold Coast and the news.
I heard about a guy who crashed into a parked tanker at 1 am in the morning. I heard about a child who had drowned in a pool in his back yard on the Central Coast, I heard about a girl in the Northern territory who died when jumping from a moving road train, and what about the 12 year old who was three times over the drink driving limit who crashed a car?
Seriously what the hell difference does all this make to the every day lives of you and me? Why does the media believe we really need to hear this stuff?
There is nothing uplifting about any of it. Is this life changing news that will help me become a better person? I think not.
Am I to understand that being privy to this sort of information will inspire me and give me reason to live a happier life? I think not.
Gosh... give me the DVD of music so I can foster a sense of peace and calm in knowing that all is well, even though there is diversity and contrast everywhere!
I try as best I can to 'walk my talk' The one thing I have not been able to overcome is my impatience. I live where each day one has to drive 13 kms along a tourist road and so impatience sets in when cars travel at 30kms instead of 60kmph or at 40kmph past the school at mid-day and again at 60lmph when they shuld be travelling at 80. There are very few spots where you pass so there is no option but remain stuck.
One car today could not decide which lane it wanted to be in travelling in the left lane and as I went to pass on the right, they crossed over in front of me. Pulling up at the lights I do a little dance with my hands indicatiing which lane did they want to be in. The burned me off at the lights so I could not get past and then prompylty pulled off the road and myself, another car and truck all drove past.
I never gave it another thought. Yippeee the road was clear!!!
Pulling into my drive way with grandchildren in tow some three hours later I receive an abusive phone call from a woman demanding to know if I drive a gold car and have short hair. She proceeded to call me an idiot and told me I was lucky she could control her husband and make him pull off the road.
I thanked her for her very nice words and hung up.
What amuses me is that somepeople have nothing better going on in their lives than to stew and rant and rave and hold on to things that happened hours before. Small minded to say the least, then having the need to make phone calls and vent their anger, and point fingers says more about them than it does about me.
No this blog is not going to become a political soap box. However this is a defining moment in history. I always said this was not a US election but a 'world' election and the outcome is awesome! Change, healing, transformation and integration, who would have thought???
McCain's speech conceding defeat was gracious, he did himself proud. Aaaah what a world.... What an amazing day. Martin Luther King's "I had a dream..... I see the promised land" has been made manifest. Wow!!!
I was listening to an excerpt from a workshop this morning where it was pointed out how we tend to always "tell it like it is".
"Where do you want to be?" "I'm here and I would much rather be there". "'I hate it here and I want to be over there".
Then we phone our friends, our Mum, anyone who will listen and join on-line chat groups and keep complaining about our mate, our job, our family, our relationships, how we have no money, how it all sucks and even ask " why is this happening to me?"
There is only one answer... "you take YOU with you , where ever YOU go. Yes.... it IS all about YOU.
What you give your energy to.. begets more and the more you talk about lack and what is NOT working in your life, the more it keeps not working.
What is it about us humans that keeps us so focused on what we DON'T want?
How come few of us wake up and immediately focus on the beautiful day, the feel of the sheets, and feel filled with gratitude to have another day in front of us? Usually the mind kicks in and picks up on some negative stance about something as we recall yesterday and what so and so said to us at lunch time.
The idea of saying/repeating affirmations over and over again doesn't cut to the chase because we are so out of sync! Our energy is not supporting what we are saying.
We want 'this' - yet all we talk about is 'that. We feel miserable and get disappointed because the affirmations are not working. How can they?
In daring to talk about the life we want, the relationships we want, the job we want, and seeing that happening and believing you are on the way to it happening you are telling a new story and offering a different perspective and energy on life and where you are going in the one you are living. We are 'holding the vision'.
Have you ever noticed how children do this? No such thing as can't in their understanding. They are eager to try new things, to pivot and go another way if something does work out the first time, they talk about everything as if it is now - they tell it how they want it, they believe it, they are totally present, and even draw their life on pieces of paper and colour in, both the present and the future - amazing.
Try this as a new way to live life sometime... and then watch and see what happens.
Ageing is one hell of a topic I think. We are all going to go there (eventually). I really want to age well and have my sense of humour in tact as well as be as active as possible.
My grandfather was amazing, full of vitality to the end (even though much slower) he did not go to hospital, never complained about aches and pains. His nearest thing to a complaint was a sigh and uttering "I'm tired, I've had a good innings".
Now there is my mother on the other hand, bemoaning the fact her knees give her problems. She has an operation and then states it has broken down again. Has another operation and says it still is not good enough. Next it is the feet, seems she may now have spurs in her heel.
To me this is about inflexibility, not giving in, fear, inability to bend (to other's point of view) with a bit of direction issues and understanding of self thrown in for good measure.
What I hear now is complaint, the amplifying of what is not working in her life, the pills she takes for the pain and much talking about 'the problem'.
Another friend a couple of years younger than my mother has today flown from the UK to the USA to be with lover for 2 -3 weeks. Guess what they will be up to tonight? I never hear this woman complain about her health even though she has had a gammy leg all her life!
As an active person I see myself staying that way. I see my older years as full of fun, travelling, walking, and hopefully a lover or two thrown in for good measure! Bring it on!!
No nursing homes, hospitals and complaint for me. There is too much emphasis on wanting to "feel good" in my persona and I intend to stay that way.
No matter what lands in your lap, it is a matter of choice as to how you ultimately decide to cope with or manage the situation at hand. Easily said isn't it? When the sh*t hits the fan it is not easy to choose good feeling thoughts and immediately pivot.
Driving behind a vehicle travelling under the speed limit is always a good one. Being a lead foot myself, I often find the very time I am running late I will be stuck for endless kilometres behind some tourists ambling along the highway. Where there is no way of passing safely one really can only turn up the stereo and start singing, or switch into fantasy land and imagine winning lotto. OR maybe a good way to loose weight is to fret and stress for the next 15 kms and burn up a few calories along the way.
I tried that "feeling good" thing out earlier in the week. Went for the annual visit to the Accountant to sign the tax return. Was not expecting to have to a pay Capital Gains Tax amount far exceeding my wildest dreams. It felt as though I had been winded when I heard the amount. I couldn't breathe, let alone speak!!! I hasten to add here it was not the fact I had to pay tax, that is never a problem, it was the amount!
I was very quiet. Signed the papers and began the drive home. About 5 kms down the road, I began to see the up side. I had 7 months to ensure I had the required amount, it all worked out perfectly when the properties did sell, and also I just want to feel good.
Each moment in life is indeed - a matter of choice!
Here I am, after weeks of preparation. I have arrived at an eagerly awaited event and set the stage (so to speak) only to find myself on the first day staring across the aisle into a vacant booth. This was to be the first sign that maybe this Expo was not going to live up to my expectations and vision.
Making decisions to attend Expos and taking your branding and product to the masses can be a great marketing exercise.
For me, after years of doing this with various types of product and merchandise, I have realised this type of marketing has run its course (well in my case at least).
It pays to see things from a broader persepctive. I am so sick of hearing complaint and negative remarks at shows signfying other stand holders discontent of "how disorganised it is" or "it has not been advertised correctly" or "the numbers of attendess are down, it was much better last year".
You see, it comes down to the Exhibitor everytime! No one holds a gun to your heads saying we MUST attend. Blaming and pointing the finger when things do not work out according to ones expectations is pointless and smacks of a lack of responsibility on the exhibitior's part.
We (as exhibitors) make our own choices and there is no-one and nothing outside of ourselves that is to blame.
I prefer to see the situaion I find myself in as a "launching pad for the future" even if that means I will not be back!
A sexy, yet tragic love story, that made a Friday night curled up with bottle of red rather enjoyable. ''Betty Blue'' is a lissome, free-spirited young beauty, and she is the very soul of inspiration to her boyfriend, Zorg. The film opens with a full on love scene where we first see them, Betty and Zorg making love under a poster of the ''Mona Lisa''.
A story of love, lust and death with some really funny bits thrown in for good measure. Well, funny/sad.
Betty likes to egg Zorg on with his artistic efforts, and to rail against the forces that keep him in submission. Whenever possible, and that's very often, she likes to do these things in the raw. Whenever possible, Zorg likes to second Betty's actions by grabbing her and demonstrating his appreciation. Nine scenes out of 10 seem to end this way.
This is a film was made in 1986, even so - it was enjoyable.
When you last went to "spend a penny" or "point Percy at the porcelain" did you go to the bog, the thunderbox, the lavatory, the rest room, the shit house, or the loo to name a few of the euphemisms out there?
At an outing not so long ago this chap I was talking to said "Excuse me, I must go to the little boy's room" Ask yourself! It has been a while since I went to "powder my nose" and in case you are interested I have been known to ask where the "rest room" is. We do not go there to rest, so wonder how that name came into being?
My Dad used to go and "see a man about a horse" or "a man about a dog" ( he was a farmer after all) and I recall my Nana going "to spend a penny". My grandparent had the night cart call and empty the contents in their "out house", how us kids used to HATE going into that smelly cupboard outside the back door. Too much lip to either grandparent would result in being locked in there. I tried many a time to stop breathing for half an hour. I just could not do it.
So next time you to "shake hands with your best friend" or "point Alice at the chalice" will it be the Khazi, the gents, the ladies, the water-closet (WC) or the cloakroom?
Working away and listening to ABC Classical FM and then a news item had me pricking up my ears. Seems in London the Church of Engalnd has been engaged in an uproar over allowing women bishops.
It seems the Synod refuses to back proposals for the ordination of women bishops arguing that Jesus chose the twelve Apostles ( all men) which signifies that the leaders of the church must be the role of men.
Get real! - that was 2000 years ago!
Now in 2008 I say power to the women (if that is their calling) who become bishops and follow their passion with dignity and grace.
Having been on a the same cruise ship last year, I headed off on vacation very excited to be cruising the Mediterranean and even more excited to be travelling on a vessel I knew had a great computer and internet set up. Boy, was I in for a shock. Seems they had changed the system somewhat.. and when I went to write my blog I was blocked out!
This was extremely frustrating and no amount of communication settled the matter. Here I was, sailing the high seas and unable to tap into my web sites.
I wonder how many people would spend a truck load of money going on a cruise to sit all day in the Internet Cafe on board downloading porn??
I won't be sailing with the Holland America line again, especially as their Customer Service does not follow through.
That is the one down side of trying to raise the bar and bring some honour and respect to sexuality and the use of intimate pleasure products. SEX is SEX is SEX and for some... no matter that it was the very act of SEX that got you here in the first place, just the word itself will have some taking the higher moral ground and not allow for the legitimate within their rules and regulations.
It is raining as I brave the 7 degree temperature and wind and finally take a long gasp of fresh air. After 24 hours of being either in a plane or an airport it is sheer relief to be outside.
A shower and sleep with the luxury of lying flat is at the top of the agenda. Waking at 3am it still felt like it was daylight and looking out the window in Copenhagen I found the culprit - the Hotel sign in full blaze ! There is a great theatre taking place on the streets below.
Bands of youth with hoodies roaming the streets and a couple of men so "high" on the steps of another hotel across the road. They are weaving and extraordinary dance - like puppets on a string they flop and glide and twirl, never falling. Almost horizontal at one stage, I remain fascinated.
Glancing the other way I am even more intrigued. A woman who seems to be of African descent stand on the street corner braving the cold. She is dressed in a black and white horizontal striped jumper and jeans and high boots. Every now and again she kicks a foot forward straightening her leg, brings its back and extends the other. She looks cold and alone. After a while I notice a large dark man wearing a trench coat walk past and say something and keep walking. I presume it is her pimp who is checking to see if she has had any trade. Oh well back to bed...
Well, well. I have been beating the drum about phthalates used in baby toys and sex toys for 2 years now and what is the headling on Page 38 of the Sun Herald today?? A common chemical in dummies could harm boys. Toxic Toys in the firing line.
Helloooo! Where have you reporters been sleeping these past 2 years? In fact you announce that controversy about the phthalate impact has raged in Europe and the USA - true - and if you did your research you know that that phthalates have been banned in childrens toys and dummies since 2004 in Europe and that San Franscisco has banned their use also. Not all of the USA though
It is also mentioned that phthalates are found in everyday products including vinyl,solvents, medical equipment, nail polish and pefumes. May I also add sport shoes, cosmetics and SEX TOYS!!!!
Australia - you are finally being told about this, their is no governing or regulations about the quantity used in products especially sex toys. China mass produces container load of dummies, teats for milk bottles, sex toys made out of jelly, and god knows what else and inundated the world with these toxic products.
How about also reporting thazt many women have experienced itches, rashes, burning and discharges from using a sex toy (which is very common you know - and dare I say - normal...) that has phthalate loadings of up to 70%!!!!
Well done to the Anglicans in Perth for allowing a woman into their ranks. Now for the rights of those who are gay. About bloody time I say. I had an experience whilst working with HIV and AIDS of the awful dilemma faced by many with this life threatening illness about religion rearing it's ugly side and casting judgement.
How great was it when a Catholic (not Anglican) priest came to the fore for so many of the ill, the outcast, the shunned, the ridiculed. This priest was gay. We knew it, he did such great work, he loved his God and honoured his faith. Yet, he had to leave the cloth due to the double standards of the Church and their stance on homosexuality.
They lost one of the most compassionate, caring, courageous priests they had ever had.
So now it is the Anglican's turn. Well step up, and step out I say. Oh for the time when people are judged on who they are and what they have to give to the Church and the community instead of on their sexual preference. It is none of your business!!!
Here I am at breakfast at the BEST cafe on Marine Parade in Coolngatta. Then it starts. Hi Hon ( or is that Hun?) good to see you". I nearly choke on my poached egg and wonder where a young woman - young enough to be my daughter... No, wait - young enough to be my grand daughter calling me Hon??? Ask yourself!
Whether she means Hon (as in Honey) or Hun (as in Matilla the Hun) I don't know and frankly don't care, you see I am neither!!!!!
Don't you love it when the little chick at the checkout at your Supermarket gives you your change and says "Thanks luv". The hide of it - I am not her 'luv' I don't even know her, don't even want to know her.
Then next as you walk away ( it is 5.15pm and nearly dark) I hear "Have a nice day!" Bloody hell, is everything that comes out of the mouth of person at a checkout in a Supermarket always by remote control??
Do me a favour - say "Enjoy your evening" once it becomes 4pm the afternoon, say "Thanks for shopping at Woolworths" as you give me my change and another thing.... look me in the eye when you speak to me.
I was fascinated when I watched this DVD. This woman is extraordinary and has lived and is living a full life. At 78 years of age she has a young lover aged 31, who has been her constant companion these past nine years. Whilst this is an amazing relationship in itself - it is not the basis of this documentary which is more about her life as a young woman and her incredible art which documents her amazing sex life.
An incredible artist, amazing woman and phenominal sex educator of 30 years or more you will be enthralled by this woman and her life. Great viewing!
The book Desire - Awakening God's woman, is a poignant unfolding of a sexual energy that is rekindled in moments. Lot's of raw emotion, an exploration of the sensual, the sexual and intimate from a deep place that is based on raw honesty.
This book may even stir emotions within the depths of the reader, of memories of where control has not worked in relationships. Where jealousy closes doors rather than opens them, where being able to express feelings and be honest is the glue of all relating. After all without communication, any relationship is indeed of the shallow kind.
Not so in this book - all is laid bare. What an amazing man is her lover to have this love he shared with Carla shared in a way for all to read about. His good points, his bad points, his fears and insecurities, his manhood, his helplessness and his vulnerability. Wow!
A great read - even if a little repetitive at times.
Spam is a pain! Curiousity got the cat this morning - so I clicked through on a new sex toy that has become available from Magma Toys.
This then led me to You Tube and there it was - a woman's hands with latex gloves on showing their latest toy. Lady, do you know how many people have reaction to latex? What is more the 'toy' was certainly not made of a material I would be inserting anywhere AND when you press it - it heats up. Great idea.. and what is the stuff inside? What happens if it springs a leak? What are the health implications of the material INSIDE the device let alone what the exterior is made of?
And to think - there is a woman, not bothered to reassure potential buyers of the safety of using her gadget, more trying (and failing) to be seductive. Take a tip from me, I would be giving those products a wide berth and sticking to pleasure products known to be safe, such as silicone, elastomer and glass where you have a guarantee and where you check they are top quality genuine materials and not mixes.
Cameron and Jayne have an interesting site all about romancing your lover, where they support and guide you into experiencing fun, passion and romance in your relationship. There are step by step processes, ideas and suggestions offered in helping you to fan the flames or reignite the passion that brought you together in the first place. In these busy times where it seems life has speeded up ( I think it is all in our minds, we just DO more) the idea of setting aside 'US' time sounds great. It may not be easy, however I am sure once you give this a fair go, you'll be looking forward to the next bit of fun and sizzle! Love, laugh and FEEL good - it is a great way to live.
After looking into the many studies on phthalates and the sex toy issue it appears that there are many different opinions.
Some studies have shown that neonatal phthalate exposure has had little effect on children. However I have also had direct contact with a woman who was pregnant and voiced her concern because she thought she "smelled" of phthalates. You know that new car smell or new joggers smell? She had been using a new toy and said the smell was coming out of the pores of her skin.
What immediately came to my mind was the fact that the use of phthalates has been banned in Europe since 2004 because it was found that little boys testes were shrinking. This was those that sucked dummies and drank from bottles with teats. So I wondered if there would have been any harm to the foetus and also wondered whether or not the gender was male???
Needless to say this woman was advised to get rid of her toy immediately and go for the safer option of elastomer or silicone.
Of course the phthalate industry maintains that levels of phthalates used in experiments with rodents is always so much higher than the levels used by those who use intimate pleasure products. So there is no way they would accept any responsibility if a problem arose.
It goes without saying that the main reason sex toy manufacturers use phthalates is that it is inexpensive, and it is the way it has always been done it.
Sadly in this country, the industry is NOT proactive about the health of their customers and is only likely to respond if there is strong pressure to do so.
Watch this space!
You win and you lose some, when it comes to selecting DVD's. I have just had a win!
"As it is in Heaven" was a thought proviking film, with great violin pieces scattered throughout the movie, with amazing harmonies and singing. It stirs the soul. Mixed throughout the movie is contrast and diversity of living... domestic violence, the pastor from hell, a successful international conductor who experiences the dark night of the soul, wonderful examples of small mindedness with a bit of love and lust thrown in for good measure. Well worth getting out and having a look.
Having a few laughs at a BBQ last night I was blown away when the conversation turned to what our genitals were called as a little 'un. I have heard of fanny, nor nor, panny, gina, tosh for the vulva and wee wee, pee pee, weiner, sausage and snake for the penis before but this takes the cake. This friend said hers was called "RUDE" and her brother was "JIMMY". Can't you hear it now? "Get your hands off your 'RUDE' and go wash them in the bathroom. And, "Leave your 'JIMMY' alone or it will fall off". Or how about sex education. You put your "JIMMY" in a girl's "RUDE" and you might have a baby. Good Grief!
Information provided by Marie-Elise in these blogs, is of a general nature and is presented as her unique spin on the sexual, the sensual and the spiritual. Life itself! Marie-Elise is unable to provide answers to specific medical questions, always consult a qualified health practitioner if you believe you have a problem.
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