May 21, 2011

Much Ado About Nothing

It's an hour and a half since the world was supposed to end. But lo and behold- here I am typing this. No worse for wear. Birds are chirping outside my window. I can hear the whir of my temperamental computer and someone is practicing piano in the apartment across from mine. It rained a bit and then the sun shone again. The sky didn't fall. The world as it turns out- has not ended. The world as we know it, anyway. Today is decidedly not Judgment Day. I wasn't worried. It's not the first time some crackpot claimed to know the exact date and time of the "rapture". And even if there was some merit to it, things are good with me and my Creator.

For those who were anxious or disturbed by this pseudo impending doom; now would be a good time to take a long, hard look at your life and how you live it. Make a change. Purport a deliberate difference. It doesn't have to be some ground-shattering spiritual awakening. Start small. Smile more. Curse less. Be kind. Make a list of endeavors and check it off as you accomplish them. Try a new cuisine. Write a book. Hold a baby. Take a trip. Take a class. Teach a class. Call your Mom. Build something. Whatever it may be- do it with the intentions of bringing yourself closer to what is right for you and your soul. The rest will fall into place because the universe wastes nothing. I try to always prep for rain and wish for sunshine. Well that's my plan, usually. My sky is still blue no matter the talk of obliteration. Recreate the world as you know it. It's a new day so to speak... so why not make it count?

May 14, 2011

How Sweet It Is

It's the age of the digital download. These days it's all about iTunes this, podcasts that. Look here- This Bug has an affinity for the classics. And whenever homage is paid to the classics, I have to give a respectful nod. I miss the days of vinyl and liner notes. If you've ever watched Erykah Badu's video for Honey and like me, wondered exactly which familiar album she was paying tribute to- wonder no more. She recreated some of the most recognizable and some more obscure but memorable album images in music history. Brilliant! And if you know anything about Badu, you know she wouldn't have looked to emulate any bullshit music. Every original album holds countless gems for your listening pleasure. Even the Rolling Stones magazine cover was a nice touch. Sidebar: I love me some Lennon. Hmm...Yoko? Not so much. Props to @fatbellybella on the concept of this visually groundbreaking vid. Like the classics she replicated- it never gets old. Enjoy.

Honey Video - Erykah Badu



Rufus & Chaka Khan - Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, 1975



Diana Ross - Blue, 2006


Funkadelic - Maggot Brain, 1971



Eric B. & Rakim - Paid In Full, 1987



Ohio Players - Honey, 1975


Minnie Ripperton - Perfect Angel, 1974



Labelle - Chameleon, 1976



De La Soul - Three Feet High and Rising, 1989


The Beatles - Let It Be, 1970


Nas - Illmatic, 1994



Olivia Newton John - Physical, 1981


Grace Jones - Nightclubbing, 1981




Earth, Wind & Fire - Head to the Sky, 1973




John Lennon and Yoko Ono's January 22, 1981 Rolling Stone Cover: