Musical social workers...

Music is universal, even more so than body language(!). The combination of rhythm, melody, harmony and sound, along with a “dress code”, which many (most) adherents use to show belonging, create both a sense of identity and display your stand, political values or other views on life.

Music creates a mood and very often visualize a lifestyle.

A study conducted by Adrian C. North, “Lifestyle correlates of musical preference”, shows this to be true. http://pom.sagepub.com/content/35/1/58.abstract (I like it when I find science which support my own personal opinions based on observations.)

Some people think that only a few of the genres are accepted musical forms. They have the opinion that either you love what they enjoy themselves, or you are not a connoisseur of music.

I suppose I find that strange because in Norway all genres of music are being approved of being part of the musical “family”.

Or so I thought: I need to modify my “all genres of music” a bit: In Norway, someone clever came up with the idea to rule out the category of HipHop/Rap entirely, and include them in the genre of Pop. (I never really thought they were the same, but then again; I just base my opinion on how I myself comprehend the issue in my mind. I’m not an expert.)

In addition best female and best male artist is ruled out, just to prove how equal they think the sexes are.

Anyway. When I take a look around the musical world, it kind of strikes me how different musical genres are used as tools in society.

There are numerous foundations, i.e. within classical music, which work to educate future musicians or promote visual arts.

 

Jon Bon Jovi opened in 2011 The Soul Kitchen, a "pay-what-you-can" restaurant with his wife Dorothea.

 

 

In Australia a Metal Band, Nekrofeist, just released an album which raises a voice on troublesome issues in their country:

http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1330435/band-offers-heavy-metal-with-heart/?cs=2387

In addition Nekrofeist’s vocalist went to teach kids rock music in Ti Tree, Northern Territory.

Music Outback Foundation is an organisation that uses music and the arts as a powerful and creative tool to help improve education, health and other critical social outcomes on remote Indigenous communities in Australia. With a collective of over 50 committed workers and volunteers, working in partnership with remote community elders, parents, kids and schools  lenke.

These are just a few examples, but it seems to me that all the different genres of music have a social purpose: chosen causes they feel they need to highlight and support, in lack of good enough support from society and the governments in general.

They raise people’s awareness and by that make a difference.

Keep up the good work; don’t allow anyone to reduce yourself and (your) music to a limited (often stigmatized) venue.

Musicians are not just pretty faces; Music breaks frontiers, at all levels, regardless of genre.

 

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

by William Wordsworth
 
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed-and gazed-but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought.

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Talks...

As I grow older I have to admit that I am getting more and more impatient. It could be because the older I get; the less time I have left, but to be honest: I still feel the way I did when I was 20. The end is no closer now than it was then… besides the unexpected happen just as sudden at any time, regardless of young or older age, so I rule that reason out.

Still I think age has something to do with it. Not the number of years, but the experiences I have lived and the patterns I have learned to recognize.

One should think life itself taught me to slow down and be more lenient and indulgent, and in many ways it has: I am less likely to be upset over situations and issues, because I know there’s always a reason to why things occur. People are not unreasonable because they want to act up, just for the sake of it, there’s always a story which gives reasons to seemingly contrary conduct.

So, how come I claim to be more impatient?

Through the years, as far as I see it, problems and issues are more and more dealt with by calling another meeting. Everything has to be discussed and negotiated. The art of designing compromise proposals and solutions have become an oral practice, by that I mean we talk talks, but very seldom put action behind what we said. To be honest I often see that what we agreed upon is not followed through in the heat of the battle; when things happen we seem to react, based on what happened then and there, and our first instinct is what counts. Real life often doesn’t fit theory.

It is a good principle that everybody concerned should be heard. Still, you can’t rely on young age to hold the wisdom responsibilities and experience provide.

I see it every day, as we communicate with youth and also due to the fact I work within a system: Everything seems to be understood as a theme suited for discussion. It is hard to understand and accept that sometimes you get an instruction. People don’t want to take orders: they want to have a say, and they want to do things in their own pace and manner. When something needs to be done within a deadline, both the fact it has to be done and the time limit is difficult to accept.

Way back when I was a teenager, and a student, I can’t remember we ever objected to curriculum or rules and limitations on conduct. We accepted, and trusted, that wiser people than us had taken everything in consideration and worked out the best possible contents and set of rules, in order to make us prepare for the future the best possible way.

My students don’t have that trust. Somewhere along the way, from past to present, things changed and made young people believe they know best. That to make the same mistakes they did before is a good way to lead their lives. The will to change their ways is absent, and this stubborn attitude is rewarded by time set off to talk talks. Talks and time spent on negotiation and to make new deals on how to proceed and have progress.

It is said that smart people learn from their mistakes. I know a man who told me that smart people may learn from their mistakes, but wise people also have the ability to save themselves from both grief and trouble by learning from other people’s mistakes.

My impatience, I think, is based on the insight that so many of us are so preoccupied with ourselves and our own doing that we don’t care about what we can learn from the past and from that adjust in order to become more compatible with society and our fellow-beings (without losing ourselves in the process) and by that save ourselves from hours of meetings with "pointless "talks.

Getting ready for spring... ehm..

The sun is shining, it is freezing cold outside, but ever so lovely. One should think that everything is frozen, due to the -4° Celsius, but it’s not. Sitting outside on the stairs in my garden… freezing my bum off and hands shaking so much I at some point was worried I would spill all my coffee, I can see that the crocus, the hyacinths, the daffodils and the snowdrops sprout. A true sign of spring and new life to nature, which has been dormant for the last few months.

Spring, the most optimistic season of the year, is just around the corner. That means that we have to start thinking about how to dress when temperatures rise and both nature and people thaw.

We will no longer wear thermo overalls, excellent for hiding, or huge scarves to cover up that extra double chin; once again we try to avoid showing off what we made such great effort to hide last year.

Every year, when I go shopping for Christmas presents, I find stunning dresses and outfits I would really like to wear to the various Christmas arrangements and parties. But when I take a quick look in the windows I pass, I have to admit they would probably not fit me… or, of course they would fit me in the right size, but the right size is not the size I want them in. So I decide I will get something just as lovely and becoming next year, when my size is the size I want to buy them in. (I am NOT desperate enough to buy the clothes two sizes too small, and keep them for the future day when they fit… but the thought have crossed my mind.)

Problem is: When that lovely piece of clothing has been mourned and I have comforted myself with a coffee mocha and I have found both a couple of presents AND bought another big, dark tent I can imagine makes me look stunning. I am done with the grief over my poor state.

In addition; Our summer is basically a lot of rain and an occasional fortunate day with temperatures above 20 degrees celsius. Swim and beachwear is not really a big issue here, neither is getting your body in shape for beach life. :-(The thing about me not being all wrinkled up yet, is not careful skincare, it is all about being frozen and not getting exposed too much to sunshine.

In lack of real inspiration I forget all about self-discipline and the desire to look dashing. Society is so full of body images based on lies I just choose not to pay attention. It is all unattainable standards anyway.  At least to average women, like myself.

This has become somewhat of a pattern over the last 12 years. Everyday life traps you, and you fall into same old habits you had before.

Not necessarily because it is preferred or really wanted; You do it because you know the strategies you have developed over years, work; They allow you to get things done, and changes in your habits might interfere and interrupt your well planned strategy on how to get time.

Knowing this, I still reached the point when “something” had to change. That something was me. My mood was down, my self-confidence was low, my me-time was non-existent, thousand thoughts buzzed around in my head, and I just never got the time to sort them out and get done with. All in all I figured I was not a very pleasant person to be around, let alone live with.

So what did I do? I invested in the coolest pair of NIKE running shoes ever! The downside is that given the ridiculous prize I have to use them.

So I started off walking really fast four nights a week to gradually learn how to jog. Not only was it BORING it was also so cold my hands and thighs turned numb (Still is, by the way). Not funny, no fun... if it wasn't for the insanely expensive shoes I would NEVER keep it up.... but I did, I do.

Americans talk so proudly about their 3-mile run, so I figured a 3-mile run on a regular basis would be a nice goal. And you know what? It is not that hard! And every time it takes a little less time to complete.

I am not going to extend the distance I run. I need to come home feeling I could have run longer. I need to want to do it next time as well, and for me this works.

Personal trainers often have a lot of good suggestions and mantras. Well they are personal trainers for a reason, and it has to do with lifestyle and interest. I don’t have their personality; I had to develop my own strategy within the reach of my own potential. Pointing fingers really doesn’t work to scare me into a better lifestyle. I have to be left alone and figure out my command level for optimal conditions of life.

 

If it comes to a point when you understand you are not in a good place, and it doesn’t work for you to be around same old, then you must figure out a way to do something about it... or.... at least you will want to, and that is how you start changing what is not good in your life.

Hazardous grocery shopping

It is winter break here in Norway this week, and today I have been on my computer for most of the day. Not doing anything important; just surfing the net, watching this and that and reading whatever caught my attention.

While doing nothing important the TV was on, and I got to see all the unimportant stuff which I usually miss, since I am at work during daytime.

At one point I forgot about my doing nothing at all: On TV there was a program called Extreme Couponing.

Here in Norway coupons is not something you can base your finances upon, because it is not a big thing here. The closest thing I have found to anything like it s www.Rabattkuponger.no

Categories of coupons which can be found there, are the same ones we sometimes find in the newspapers:

• Barneutstyr, Leker og Barneklær            (childrens equipment, toys and childrens clothes)
• Bil og biltilbehør                                         (car and car accessories)
• Data, Utstyr og Internett                           (computer, equipment and internet)
• Diverse                                                          (sundries)
• Dyr og Tilbehør                                            (animals and accessories)
• Dating og Erotikk                                         (dating and erotics)
• Film, Musikk. Bøker og Underholdning   (film, music, books and entertainment)
• Finans og Lån                                               (finances and loans)
• Foto, Video og Utstyr                                 (photo, video and equipment)
• Hjem og Bolig                                               (home and residence)
• Hvitevarer og Småelektrisk                        (household appliances and electrical notions)
• Klær og Mote                                                (clothes and fashion)
• Kropp og Helse                                             (body and health)
• Lyd og Bilde                                                   (sound and picture)
• Mobiltelefon og Telefoni                            (mobile phones and telephony)
• Reise                                                               (travel)
• Spill og Leker                                                 (games and toys)
• Sport og Fitness                                            (sport and fitness)

A lot of stuff which you can get a great deal on, but food is not represented. Using a coupon here in Norway you can get a discount, but the amount of items is very limited and never for free. The closest thing is the deals when you i.e. buy a carton of eggs and get a bread for free to go with it.

To watch families make do, by putting down effort to get great deals on groceries, was so incredible fascinating, I watched how they organized their shopping, preparing to go to the super market, collecting coupons and paying close to nothing (in a couple of cases absolutely nothing!) for groceries sometimes worth as much as US $1000,- or even more (in most cases less, but still a considerably amount of money was saved).

Advanced skills in business economics were displayed in such an unexpected and cunning way. I was just blown away by how they took advantage of the loopholes in coupon regulations.  And by doing that they could make down payments on their house, arrange huge parties (weddings even) and fill their houses (literally) with incredible amounts of bottles, cans, boxes and bags.

I started off watching being very intrigued, but then, as the program proceeded, I found myself being really worried; the only vegetable I saw them buy was canned tomatoes. And the fruit I saw was passed by as the procession of family members, each with their own fully loaded shopping cart, hurried towards the next coupon smashing deal. They were directed, in strict order, to the items they were to buy.

To me the coupons came across as a trap to lure people into a bad diet.  Meat was represented in processed food like frozen dinners, and we all know how unhealthy they are, with all the additives and fat.

What was represented a lot was detergents, deodorants, shampoos and a very disturbing amount of sugar.

Who in their right mind needs 100 boxes of cereal, 1200 cookies, 20 cartons of soft drinks or 69 boxes of cake- or cookie mix. It is all for free (or as free as it gets), but all of it is groceries with huge warning signs: It is not good for you to eat too much of it! These things are treats and rewards on special occasions. They are not meant to comprise your daily diet.

I understand the value of having a hobby, and I understand how stretching finances is both wanted and crucial for most people, but I find it worrying that nobody sees the hazard and limit the access to free unhealthy food. It would be so much more reassuring if fresh fish, meat, fruits and vegetable were somehow included to the system.

Yes, at least they get very clean when using all the detergents, fabric softeners, razors and shampoos, but I still am very skeptical.  What should be a clever marketing strategy for food industry and stores, end up jeopardising customers and their families’ health.

 

How to be alone, by Tanya Davis

HOW TO BE ALONE by Tanya Davis

If you are at first lonely, be patient. If you've not been alone much, or if when you were, you weren't okay with it, then just wait. You'll find it's fine to be alone once you're embracing it.

We could start with the acceptable places, the bathroom, the coffee shop, the library. Where you can stall and read the paper, where you can get your caffeine fix and sit and stay there. Where you can browse the stacks and smell the books. You're not supposed to talk much anyway so it's safe there.

There's also the gym. If you're shy you could hang out with yourself in mirrors, you could put headphones in (guitar stroke).

And there's public transportation, because we all gotta go places.

And there's prayer and meditation. No one will think less if you're hanging with your breath seeking peace and salvation.

Start simple. Things you may have previously (electric guitar plucking) based on your avoid being alone principals.

The lunch counter. Where you will be surrounded by chow-downers. Employees who only have an hour and their spouses work across town and so they -- like you -- will be alone.

Resist the urge to hang out with your cell phone.

When you are comfortable with eat lunch and run, take yourself out for dinner. A restaurant with linen and silverware. You're no less intriguing a person when you're eating solo dessert to cleaning the whipped cream from the dish with your finger. In fact some people at full tables will wish they were where you were.

Go to the movies. Where it is dark and soothing. Alone in your seat amidst a fleeting community.
And then, take yourself out dancing to a club where no one knows you. Stand on the outside of the floor till the lights convince you more and more and the music shows you. Dance like no one's watching...because, they're probably not. And, if they are, assume it is with best of human intentions. The way bodies move genuinely to beats is, after all, gorgeous and affecting. Dance until you're sweating, and beads of perspiration remind you of life's best things, down your back like a brook of blessings.

Go to the woods alone, and the trees and squirrels will watch for you.
Go to an unfamiliar city, roam the streets, there're always statues to talk to and benches made for sitting give strangers a shared existence if only for a minute and these moments can be so uplifting and the conversations you get in by sitting alone on benches might've never happened had you not been there by yourself

Society is afraid of alonedom, like lonely hearts are wasting away in basements, like people must have problems if, after a while, nobody is dating them. but lonely is a freedom that breaths easy and weightless and lonely is healing if you make it.

You could stand, swathed by groups and mobs or hold hands with your partner, look both further and farther for the endless quest for company. But no one's in your head and by the time you translate your thoughts, some essence of them may be lost or perhaps it is just kept.

Perhaps in the interest of loving oneself, perhaps all those sappy slogans from preschool over to high school's groaning were tokens for holding the lonely at bay. Cuz if you're happy in your head than solitude is blessed and alone is okay.

It's okay if no one believes like you. All experience is unique, no one has the same synapses, can't think like you, for this be releived, keeps things interesting lifes magic things in reach.

And it doesn't mean you're not connected, that communitie's not present, just take the perspective you get from being one person in one head and feel the effects of it. take silence and respect it. if you have an art that needs a practice, stop neglecting it. if your family doesn't get you, or religious sect is not meant for you, don't obsess about it.

you could be in an instant surrounded if you needed it
If your heart is bleeding make the best of it
There is heat in freezing, be a testament.