The Next Four

51. "The Message" – Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
52. "When Doves Cry" – Prince
53. "When a Man Loves a Woman" – Percy Sledge
54. "Louie Louie" – The Kingsmen

Each week I purchase 4 more songs from the list that I don't already have.  These are the next four.

October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 8th is the 6th Annual Ride to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, screening, treatment and to help fund a cure.


Registration
On-line registration closes Friday, October 7 @ 12 pm
On-site registration available until Saturday, October 8 @ 9 am


To register online, you'll need a credit card -- it's a secure server. Active.com charges an online processing fee. Your fee is listed before you submit your transaction.


Additional Information
Ride Features:
·Fun-Family ride for all ages and abilities!
·Prizes! Prizes! Prizes! We have partnered with some great companies to provide awesome door prizes along with a Sweepstakes to win a Trek Madone!
·Goodie bags for all pre-registered riders
·Marked route and on-route support
·Refreshments


Ride for our Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Aunts, and our best friends. Ride for people we know and for people we don't. Ride to raise money for research and to find a cure. For the 6th year, Trek Women proudly supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. 100% of the Ride registration goes directly to this worthy cause.


http://www.active.com/cycling/tulsa-ok/trek-breast-cancer-awareness-ride-trek-bicycle-store-of-tulsa-2011

Born This Way

Flying down 71st street... I was thinking my problem is... I was born this way.

Growing up... I was discouraged from being true to myself (although I've found since... hiding who I am was never really necessary).    

I'd thought about coming out for the first time when I was in high school.  But I knew the truth way before that.

Most of the world operates as though people like me don't exist.  It doesn't really respect people like us... (there are others of us out here)..

And it was that lack of respect that ultimately influenced everything in my life including my final career choice... (I didn't want anything coming back to bite me...)

Don't get me wrong...  There are some great people out there who've "come out" and managed to survive being who they are.  Some who by.. battling the odds and obstacles... have even done well for themselves.  (Elton John comes to mind).  

But in the grand scheme of a world of us versus them.. we're in the overwhelming minority.

We don't count in the modern world.  

If there's anything good I've learned from growing up in the religious tradition... it's that it's never too late to make a change.

And that's why I've chosen to come out right here... Today.  

(And why shouldn't I?  It's WE who add color to the modern world... who give it meaning and bring it life).    
No.  I won't hide anymore.

I'll take pride in the truth of who I am.

I'm an artist.

Right sided... (brain... not politics)  And Proud of it.

If I learn to be who I am (Zen)... I might finally find "the" path... and escape the wasteland of this modern world.

Support Local Art

The Oklahoma Dance Film Festival will celebrate its 5th year of presenting dance works created for the screen - October 13-16, at Circle Cinema, Tulsa, OK.


The only festival of its kind in Oklahoma, this unique event features dance documentaries, choreography for the camera, and experimental short films that emphasize movement. Dance films create a bridge between visual and performance arts; they redefine the idea of “moving-pictures” and construct a new stage for dance.


By presenting a diverse collection of acclaimed films from around the world, and commissioning new works by local artists, OkDFF promotes the appreciation and creation of dance films within the state of Oklahoma.


October 13-16 at Circle Cinema TulsaThe Oklahoma Dance Film Festival is presented by The Bell House, with support from Circle Cinema, This Land Press, Choregus Productions, Tulsa Arts & Humanities Council, the Oklahoma Arts Council, McNellie’s Group, Target, and BOK Events.

http://www.okdancefilms.com/Festival/OkDFF.html

A Change is Gonna Come

I was born down by the river
In a little tent
Oh... And just like the river I've been runnin ever since.
Its been a long long time commin but I know
Change gon' come. (#12 on the list).
Sam Cooke
A Change is gonna come

Upon hearing Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" in 1963, Cooke was greatly moved that such a poignant song about racism in America could come from someone who was not black[1]. While on tour in May 1963, and after speaking with sit-in demonstrators in Durham, North Carolina following a concert, Cooke returned to his tour bus and wrote the first draft of what would become "A Change Is Gonna Come". The song also reflected much of Cooke's own inner turmoil. Known for his polished image and light-hearted songs such as "You Send Me" and "Twistin' the Night Away", he had long felt the need to address the situation of discrimination and racism in America, especially the southern states. However, his image and fears of losing his largely white fan base prevented him from doing so.


The song, very much a departure for Cooke, reflected two major incidents in his life. The first was the death of Cooke's 18-month-old son, Vincent, who died of an accidental drowning in June of that year. The second major incident came on October 8, 1963, when Cooke and his band tried to register at a "whites only" motel in Shreveport, Louisiana and were summarily arrested for disturbing the peace. Both incidents are represented in the weary tone and lyrics of the piece, especially the final verse: There have been times that I thought I couldn't last for long/but now I think I'm able to carry on/It's been a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come.


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Change_Is_Gonna_Come_(song)

Blue Notes

When you're running away from who you are..  You should expect an inevitable break down. This is how it happened for me... I was driving my mini van to church...  My kids were making noise in the back.  But I was wondering if I took my Prozac. Im not sure what was playing that day... It could have been Muddy Waters.. Or Ventura Highway.. Or something from the Talking Heads... "You May Ask Yourself!!"..   What I know for sure is that everything was a blur. As I drove up to the drop off.. I helped my kids from the van....  And My wife kissed me and told me she would see me inside, and I circled the parking lot for a place to park. After passing several spaces I circled a second time.  Then a third. And then suddenly I was flying away.. down the street. I don't know how I got out there... (or why..). But I was on the run... with The Blues playing fast and furious behind me.             These notes... are the story of the paradox of how I left everything just for a little bit.. so I could get back home.     These are my blue notes.