"Can't sleep??? Count Heads instead of sheep..." The deal's come round..don't you let it go down without you... Music Lovers: Here’s an opportunity to get out the vote AND see your favorite bands FOR FREE by acting as a Headcount volunteer at shows and concerts and register folks to vote. I first saw the Headcount volunteers (of America 😁) at one of NYC’s Summerstage concerts in Central Park where Nahko and Medicine for the People were performing. Their sign by the stage caught my attention from across the field. Dead & Company’s Bob Weir is a national spokesperson. See 2020 post "Furthur" down for info about these folks. SIGN UP NOW FOR DEAD & COMPANY'S 2023 TOUR - Their FINAL... Earlier tonight I signed up for the June 21 & June 22 shows and am wishin' and hopin' I get volunteer spots...I NEED A MIRACLE!!! as these volunteer spots fill up fast... Sign up links are below this image. To sign up for Dead & Company (all cities) ‘Just Like New York City’: Dead & Company at Citi Field (July 2016) SIGN UP FOR ALL OTHER VOLUNTEER EVENTS To sign up for all events (all other participating performers) ABOUT HEADCOUNT VOTE: Let our voices be heard (Sept. 2020 post) BOB WEIR & FRIENDS: LEADING BY EXAMPLE Headcount Interview: Bob Weir DEAD GRAPHICS: Get out the Vote with the Grateful Dead (2020) --includes "Grate" graphics like these to post...So, "Dew" your part and pass 'em around... MORE TUNES... Budding Trees - Nahko and Medicine for the People —At 02:58 musician Trevor Hall has a cameo. Check him out… Moon and Sun - Trevor Hall (04:03) Trevor Hall - You Can't Rush Your Healing - ARISE Music Festival - August 9, 2015 (10:41) --Listen to his amazing backstory about this song's roots...and you'll start believing in miracles... #music #humor #voting #Headcount #DeadAndCompany #BobWeir #CitiField #NYMets #NahkoAndMedicineForThePeople #TrevorHall

"If we eat, dance and pray together, there'll be peace on the planet" - Samuel Lewis (founder of Dances of Universal Peace) This post serves as both an invitation to musicians to play for a Dance, as well as an introduction to all folks to the Dances of Universal Peace movement. MUSICIANS: The Invitation: The Dances of Universal Peace is looking for interested musicians in the Long Island area to accompany participants in local Dances of Universal Peace. You can play for just a single event or several. While there's no formal compensation, they put out a basket for donations for the musicians. A current goal in this area is to have the event 3-4 times a year in indoor and possibly outdoor locations (maybe at a beach or among the trees). The enclosed videos present the Dances in a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. -->> If you are interested or simply have questions, please call me at 516-850-2493 (tOM Tittmann). NEXT DANCE: Sunday May 7, 2023 3-5 PM (see flyer below) Baha'i Center of Nassau County 11 W. Jamaica Ave. Valley Stream, NY 11580 Eileen and I participated in our first Dance on Sunday Feb. 12, 2023 at the Valley Stream Baha'i Center. It was...simply...delightful... The musicians would speak with Mariam, a coordinator, to decide on the exact songs but these 3 are some examples. There are more in the enclosed videos. Example 1: 3 Simple Songs from Dances of Universal Peace (03:36) Example 2: Brother Kirk on Sesame Street: "There is More Love Somewhere" (1975) (03:33) --found this inspirational song on the Dance of Universal Peace North America Facebook page EVERYONE: About the Dances of Universal Peace Vision Statement: Dances of Universal Peace North America envisions a world where peace, justice, interfaith celebration, and spiritual nourishment can be experienced and realized through the Dances of Universal Peace. A core value is to expand inclusive circles that inspire the next generation of dancers and foster practices that resonate with the unique conditions of the times in the service of peace and unity. Eat, Dance & Pray Together! (02:39) - Anahata Iradah --features young people and dancers from around our shared world Invitation to the Dance: Dances of Universal Peace - Dennis Roshay (21:48) --Envisioned as an introduction to the Dances of Universal Peace and why people are attracted to them, the video was filmed at the Canyonlands National Park Dance camp (Utah) in September 2006 --Fast forward to 14:01 to listen to two teens share their experience, followed by a high-energy dance segment (ends at 15:06). Check out the silly hats. Multiply Our Prayers with Singing and Dancing These are ways to EMBODY our intentions by using ALL of us...Body, Mind & Spirit... SINGING DANCING 7 Reasons Why Dance is the Ultimate Spiritual Experience! - La'Toya Princess Jackson Here are the 7. The above link includes more details for each plus links to other sources. 1. Dance is prayer - when you don't have the words to say simply dance and your heart will express the things that words can not. 2.Dance is meditation 3. Being in the moment 4. Dance provides an escape 5. Dance provides a connection with others 6. Dance promotes a healthy and active lifestyle 7. Dance is the ultimate therapy Image from this article... When you pray, move your feet. — African proverb Unicorn Dancing Spirit Camp (England) - A New Dances of Universal Peace Film 2018 (22:53) --You can enjoy these charming youngsters share their experiences from 09:53 - 10:55. "FOOTNOTES" : ))) Dances of Universal Peace Worldwide Website Spiritual practice brings us face to face with Life and Truth, prior to the concepts and beliefs of the person, opening to our true nature - authentic, unguarded, beyond form and imbued with the spaciousness and love that connects all. The Dances of Universal Peace and Walking Concentrations are spiritual practice in motion. Drawing on the sacred phrases, scripture, and poetry of the many spiritual traditions of the earth, the Dances blend chant, live music and evocative movement into a living experience of unity, peace and integration. This taste of our true nature - as Universal Peace - opens to the possibility of a deep spiritual revolution within the person. Dances of Universal Peace North America Website Dances of Universal Peace North America Facebook #music #dance #humor #children #SamuelLewis #peace #SesameStreet #BrotherKirk

Playing for Change --Playing For Change (PFC) was created to inspire and connect the world through music. The idea for this project came from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. Get inspired...read more here. Playing for Change Foundation --creating music schools and programs, the Playing For Change Foundation is a global nonprofit organization offering creative opportunities for marginalized and at-risk youth, most specifically in the developing world. Down By the Riverside feat. Grandpa Elliott | Playing For Change | Song Around The World (04:00) "Peace Train" featuring Yusuf / Cat Stevens | Playing For Change | Song Around The World (04:09) Part of PFC's mission includes creating arts programs in under-served parts of our shared world. Here in the States, PFC has partnered with youth groups like the Chicago Children's Choir. Click here to get inspired about the power of music to transform individuals, families, neighborhoods and beyond. Their choir is part of this next Buddy Guy classic about equality... Skin Deep featuring Buddy Guy | Playing For Change | Song Across the USA (05:32) Let's teach our children the core values of peace and social and environmental justice... Teach Your Children | Playing For Change | Live in Australia (06:14) A Change Is Gonna Come | Playing For Change Band | Live in Brazil (06:36) Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around The World (05:27) This next song features children from several of the PFC Foundation's music programs. Lean On Me (Bill Withers) | Playing For Change | Song Around The World (04:33) The Times They Are a Changin' Playing for Change w/Brandi Carlile, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) (05:20) TAKE THE MUSIC WITH YOU AFTER YOU LEAVE THE TRAIN Peace Through Music: A Global Event for Social Justice | 200+ Musicians Unite for Peace (1:55:33) Peace Through Music: A 2021 Global Event for the Environment | 200+ Artists Unite to Save Our Planet (58:58) --told in the tradition of storytellers passing on their wisdom...BUT, now around a digital fire... Playing For Change - Playlist of all Music (that's in this Post and is on YouTube) #music #PlayingForChange #peace #justice #cooperation #children

Happy Saint Joseph Feast Day! I’ve often thought to myself that if we get another chance at life on Earth, I’m coming back as an Italian. See, it’s taken me 75 years to accumulate some wisdom – much of it through “doing it wrong” – so I want to get a chance to try again (Remember, I worked for Avis the "We Try Harder" folks)…BUT, first, I’m gonna make a deal that I get to keep the little wisdom I’ve acquired. BTW - My Dad's middle name was JOSEPH...and one of his brothers was JOSEPH...and, unlike some cultures that name the first boy after his father, I was named for my Mom's father - THOMAS...and my "Irish twin" sister - Julia [born 364 days after me] - was named after my Mom's mother. (Shut up and EAT!) The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles presents St. Joseph Table's Expressions of Devotion, Charity and Abundance - Virtual Tour (12:36) --includes these images: If I Were a Carpenter…Robert Plant [yeah - the Led Zeppelin guy or for today the Led Zeppole guy...] (03:45) As new immigrants to America, Italians were often discriminated against... Coming to America - Neil Diamond --unfortunately, the American dream has yet to become a reality for many...BUT, that's for another post... Very little is actually known about this first century family man, but, what we do have implies that he was a... Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd (05:50) Led Zeppole - Bill Tonelli "It’s the superstar of Italian pastry — but just for one day a year." --contains lots of New York humor, mention of Dr. Joseph Sciorra (see next link) and ethnic references like: A View From The Bridge & 40 Years of The Calandra Institute | Italics - CUNY TV (29:04) --Italics, Television for the Italian American Experience --On this 2019 episode of Italics Dr. Joseph Sciorra will interview Claire Beckman, who is the Producing Artistic Director and Actress in "A View From The Bridge", Arthur Miller’s one-act play, which revolves around an Italian-American family. Coming to America | take me to Queens [Eddie Murphy] (07:25) --VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED: Language Led Zeppole New York --JUST DESSERTS...hilarious, calorie-laden tale of sugar EXCESS... --I remember how to spell "desserts" with 2 s's because I always want seconds Babe Ruth - "The Bambino" - was also nicknamed "the Sultan of Swat"...so I'm exercising my artistic license with this next offering... Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits (04:26) --includes lyrics "guitar George" - Babe actual first name Babe Ruth's (1932 WS) Called Home Run Shot Rare Video & Commentary (03:03) Babe Ruth hits first EVER All-Star Game home run! (01:04) I've included this version of the sign because it's close to the old neighborhood where I lived and first met my Italian friends...If you search for "leaving brooklyn fuhgeddaboudit sign" you'll be rewarded with lot of funny/phony variations... #humor #music #Italy #Italians #EddieMurphy #RobertPlant #NeilDiamond #DireStraits #BabeRuth #JosephSciorra #CalandraInstitute #ArthurMiller #LynyrdSkynyrd

Fellow Travelers, Until we and the rest of our shared world can learn to live together in peace, we need mindful peacekeepers... ...Let's begin by practicing peace in our own hearts & minds... and then teach this to our children...and grandchildren... ( ), hear our prayer... FYI - "RAK-47" because I was born in 1947 Let's Give Peace a Chance GIVE PEACE A CHANCE. (Ultimate Mix, 2020) - Plastic Ono Band (04:55) GIF image "Where Have All The Flowers Gone?"- Kingston Trio (03:10) Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Teach Your Children (Official Music Video) (02:54) "Peace Train" featuring Yusuf / Cat Stevens | Playing For Change | Song Around The World (04:09) Teach Your Children | Playing For Change Band | Live in Brazil (07:14) (from 2016) We are proud to share with all of you this PFC Band performance of "Teach Your Children" live in Brazil. The proceeds from this special night supported the opening of one of our newest PFC Foundation music programs in Curitiba, Brazil. This performance is a reminder of what love, music, and conviction can create. We all share the human heart, let the music bring us all back to our humanity. IMAGINE. (Ultimate Mix, 2020) - John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band (03:53) War/No More Trouble - Bob Marley (Live At The Rainbow Theatre, London / 1977) (07:51) Until, the philosophy Which old one race superior and another inferior Is finally And permanently Discredited And abandoned Everywhere is war Me say war That until there no longer (War) First class and second class citizens (War) Of any nation (War) Until the color of a man's skin (War) Is of no more significance (War) Than the color of his eyes (War) Me say war (War) That until the basic human rights (War) Are equally guarantee to all (War) Without regard to race (War) And this a war (War) War/No More Trouble feat. Bono | Playing for Change | Song Around The World (05:09) Turn, Turn, Turn - The Byrds (10:11) --also includes Mr. Tambourine Man w/Bob Dylan Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) ", is a song written by Pete Seeger in 1959. [1] The lyrics - except for the title, which is repeated throughout the song, and the final two lines - consist of the first eight verses of the third chapter of the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes. Source: Wikipedia Turn Turn Turn - The Byrds (03:48) --hauntingly beautiful imagery Random Acts of Kindness Day New post: Random Acts of Kindness Day Ideas for Random Acts of Kindness Day: February 17 PEACEMAKING RESOURCES FOR PRACTICING KINDNESS Dances of Universal Peace Pace e Bene/Campaign Nonviolence Nonviolence RACISM – There’s only one race – the human race #music #humor #peace #PlayingForChange #PaceEBene #CampaignNonViolence #DancesOfUniversalPeace #YusufCatStevens #CrosbyStillsNashYoung #KingstonTrio #NonViolence #racism #RandomActsOfKindnessDay #JohnLennon #PlasticOnoBand #BobMarley #Bono

Fly Like an Eagle - Steve Miller Band (04:47) --amazing aerial avian video imagery --the opening words tell us that time is passing too quickly...it's time to change our divisive ways... "Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' Into the future Time keeps on slippin', slippin', slippin' Into the future I want to fly like an eagle To the sea Fly like an eagle Let my spirit carry me I want to fly like an eagle Till I'm free Oh, Lord, through the revolution Feed the babies Who don't have enough to eat Shoe the children With no shoes on their feet House the people Livin' in the street Oh, oh, there's a solution" White Dove - Lynyrd Skynyrd (02:58) --And a wonder-filled ode to peace...without and within... "Said I'm tired of fighting, gonna lay down my gun Just know that my work is done" White Dove - The Scorpions (04:45) "A place without a name Under a burning sky There's no milk and honey here In the land of God Someone holds a sign It says we are human, too And while the sun goes down The world goes by White dove Fly with the wind Take our hope under your wings For the world to know That hope will not die Where the children cry Waves, big like a house They're stranded on a piece of wood To leave it all behind To start again But instead of a new life All they find is a door that's closed And they keep looking for A place called hope White dove Fly with the wind Take our hope under your wings For the world to know That hope will not die Where the children cry Na na Na na na na Na na na na na na na na Na na Na na na na Na na na na na Can anyone tell me why (can anyone tell me why) The children of the world (the children of the world) Have to pay the price (pay another price) And now your telling me You've seen it all before I know that's right but still It breaks my heart Well, the golden lamb we sent Makes us feel better now But you know it's just a drop In a sea of tears White dove Fly with the wind Take our hope under your wings For the world to know That hope will not die Where the children cry White dove Fly with the wind Take our hope under your wings For the world to know That hope will not die Where the children cry Na na Na na na na Na na na na na na na na Na na Na na na na Na na na na na" Source Blowin' in the Wind - Bob Dylan (03:00) --The female voice reminds us that it is their wombs that weep... A bird needs 2 wings to fly - one on its right and one on its left. Deprived of both...its flies in endless circles... Jian Birds "The Jian bird is a Chinese mythological bird that naturally has only one wing and one eye. Although one would be tempted to question why a bird would be created to be so imperfect, the myth continued that Jian birds were created in pairs. That is, there is no one Jian bird that was created to be alone, each bird was created to be the perfect half of another." What Is A Jian Bird? Meet This Fascinating Mythical Creature (chipperbirds.com) (00:44) Bird with One Wing | The Iowa Review --a fable...or is it...about a bird with one wing, a girl with no tongue...and a witch... Flying together at a recent gathering with our friends in a Long Island Baha'i fellowship. DIVIDED HOUSES...FALL... Truth be told... ...A house...House...divided against itself cannot stand. Grateful Dead - Opening Sequence / U.S. Blues (Winterland 10/74) (11:00) "Back to back, chicken shack Son of a gun, better change your act We're all confused, what's to lose You can call this song the United States Blues (note 2)" Source: Dead.net - contains the footnote references which include mention of these next set of lyrics from "One More Saturday Night" "I turn on Channel Six, the President comes on the news (note 2) Says I got no satisfaction, that's why I sing the blues His wife says don't get crazy, Lord you know what to do (note 3) Just crank that old Victrola, put on your rocking shoes" Source: Dead.net featuring annotations on "One More Saturday Night". Alien Invasion Alert: As the above video showed, there are those on other planets and in other galaxies that are watching us...watching to see if we're UNITED...or DIVIDED...or STUPID (see third image) Somehow, we gotta find a way to make our democracy work. Otherwise, it's just going to continue these prophetic and polarizing words: For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield cover (03:10) I liked this cover because it features young people. At this point in my life, I believe children are sent as messengers...trying to wake us up about unhealthy and unsustainable beliefs and the toxic practices that come from them. "For what it's worth", other countries look at us...what kind of example are we giving them? Hatred, division, discrimination...??? Or....... FOOTnotes Be sure you're sportin' some colorful foot gear...before you take it to the streets... Minions, Mario, And The Grateful Dead — 2020’s Weirdest Sneaker Collaborations ...or to the the courts... Seal - Fly Like An Eagle (03:49) #music #diversity #racism #division #SteveMillerBand #LynyrdSkynyrd #BobDylan #TheScorpions #BuffaloSpringfield #JoshTurnerGuitar #GratefulDead #aliens #Seal #Bahai

As I've said in other posts, I'm practicing what I learned in Sinday School...sort of... [I left my original (sin) typo unchanged] Priests would begin with a joke...loosened up the crowd...before telling us we were all goin' to hell... That said, here's the first of several posts for today... Quick with a joke...or to light up your smoke...smoking body : ((( Source Here's my salute to those brewers of the sacred bean - such as the Witches Brew Coffee House here in West Hempstead, NY. (Check my blog for other posts about my favorite baristas.) For my Mom and others like her... Holy loopholes, Batman... Click here to view GIF Acrimonious Acronyms #humor #Lent #AshWednesday #Ford #Seinfeld

Crosby, Stills, Nash (& Young) || Woodstock (We Are Stardust) (04:25) Thanks, Joni, for this timeless tale...Let's teach it to our children and grandchildren... Together is better... We are lifelong students... May this prayer...intention...come to pass... Remember that we are dust…AND stardust... #music #CrosbyStillsNashYoung #JoniMitchell #Woodstock #AshWednesday

Throwing Stones - Grateful Dead (Official Music Video) (04:38) Throwing Stones Lyrics By: John Barlow Music By: Bob Weir Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free Dizzy with eternity Paint it with a skin of sky, brush in some clouds and sea Call it home for you and me A peaceful place, or so it looks from space A closer look reveals the human race Full of hope, full of grace, is the human face But afraid we may lay our home to waste There's a fear down here we can't forget Hasn't got a name just yet Always awake, always around Singing ashes, ashes, all fall down Ashes, ashes, all fall down Now watch as the ball revolves and the night-time falls (note 1) And again the hunt begins and again the blood wind calls (note 2) By and by, again, the morning sun will rise But the darkness never goes from some men's eyes (Well I know) It strolls the sidewalk and it rolls the streets Staking turf, dividing up meat Nightmare spook, piece of heat It's you and me, you and me Click flash blade in ghetto night Rudy's looking for a fight Rat cat alley, roll them bones Need that cash to feed that Jones And the politicians throwing stones Singing ashes, ashes, all fall down Ashes, ashes, all fall down Commissars and pinstripe bosses roll the dice Anyway they fall, guess who gets to pay the price? (note 3) Money green, or proletarian gray (note 4) Selling guns instead of food today (note 5) So the kids they dance and shake their bones And the politicians throwing stones Singing ashes, ashes, all fall down Ashes, ashes, all fall down Heartless powers try to tell us what to think If the spirit's sleeping then the flesh is ink History's page will be neatly carved in stone The future's here, we are it, we are on our own On our own, on our own, we are on our own If the game is lost, then we're all the same No one left to place or take the blame We will leave this place an empty stone Or that shining ball of blue we call our home So the kids, they dance, they shake their bones And the politicians throwing stones Singing ashes, ashes, all fall down Ashes, ashes, all fall down Shipping powders back and forth Singing black goes south and white comes north (note 6) And the whole world full of petty wars Singing I got mine and you got yours While the current fashions set the pace Lose your step, fall out of grace The radical, he rant and rage Singing someone got to turn the page And the rich man in his summer home Singing just leave well enough alone But his pants are down, his cover's blown And the politicians throwing stones So the kids, they dance, they shake their bones 'Cause it's all too clear we're on our own Singing ashes, ashes, all fall down Ashes, ashes, all fall down Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free It's dizzying, the possibilities Ashes, ashes, all fall down [Ashes, ashes, all fall down] Ashes, ashes, all fall down [Ashes, ashes, all fall down] Ashes, ashes, all fall down [Ashes, ashes, all fall down] Ashes, ashes, all fall down [Ashes, ashes, all fall down] (1) Bob Weir sometimes sang "... as the sphere revolves." (2) Bob Weir seems to have sung some variations on this line. These include "The light goes on and off and the nightbird calls" and "Come close to the stars, celestial balls" (thanks to Dave Ellis for this). (3) Bob Weir has sung variants on these two lines: eg "Any more the pinstripe bosses own the dice, Anyway they roll guess who gets to pay the price?" (thanks to Brian and Bill for this) (4) Bob Weir sang this line as "Money green is the only way" on at least two occasions on The Dead's 2003 summer tour (thanks to Carrie for this) (5) Bob Weir has sung this line as "Blood for oil, dropping bombs today," "Drop them bombs, grab that oil today" and "Sell them guns, rape the earth today" (thanks to Bill, Chuck and Brian for noting these). (6) Bob Weir sometimes sang "... while white goes north" - which are the lyrics in the "In The Dark" songbook. SOURCE: dead.net The Annotated "Throwing Stones" - David Dodd --like dead.net above, this "Annotated" site is my go to for all things Dead... VISUAL MEDITATION What are we modelling for our children by our interactions with people who are different from us? "...a peaceful place...or so it looks from space..." "...a closer look reveals the human race..." "...Full of hope, full of grace, is the human face..." "...But afraid we may lay our home to waste..." "...There's a fear down here we can't forget Hasn't got a name just yet Always awake, always around..." "...Singing ashes, ashes, all fall down Ashes, ashes, all fall down..." "...Now watch as the ball revolves and the night-time falls And again the hunt begins and again the blood wind calls By and by, again, the morning sun will rise But the darkness never goes from some men's eyes..." "...And the rich man in his summer home Singing just leave well enough alone But his pants are down, his cover's blown..." "...And the politicians throwing stones So the kids, they dance, they shake their bones 'Cause it's all too clear we're on our own Singing ashes, ashes, all fall down Ashes, ashes, all fall down..." #music #GratefulDead #socialjustice #politics #AshWednesday

On The Road To Find Out - Yusuf / Cat Stevens (04:08) "On The Road To Find Out" Well I left my happy home to see what I could find out I left my folk and friends with the aim to clear my mind out Well I hit the rowdy road and many kinds I met there Many stories told me of the way to get there So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out There's so much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out Well in the end I'll know, but on the way I wonder Through descending snow, and through the frost and thunder I listen to the wind come howl, telling me I have to hurry I listen to the robin's song saying not to worry So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out There's so much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out Then I found myself alone, hopin' someone would miss me Thinking about my home, and the last woman to kiss me, kiss me But sometimes you have to moan when nothing seems to suit ya But nevertheless you know you're locked towards the future So on and on you go, the seconds tick the time out There's so much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out Then I found my head one day when I wasn't even trying And here I have to say, 'cause there is no use in lying, lying Yes the answer lies within, so why not take a look now? Kick out the devil's sin, pick up, pick up a good book now VISUAL MEDITATION... "I found my head one day...when I wasn't even tryin'..." #music #AshWednesday #YusufCatStevens #Rumi #InayatKhan #innerjourney

Second in this series, I've taken screen shots for a video that we can use as a visual meditation... Dust in the Wind - Kansas (03:29) VISUAL MEDITATION #music #Kansas #AshWednesday

Yesterday…all my troubles seemed so far away…Oops Yesterday, I learned how to open a banana… See, I’m being shown (at 75), that learning never ends…new courses are available every moment. Why, just last year at 74, I discovered gelato. Hey, my Italian friends! Watsa madda you??? Never tell me about this iced treasure!!! I had to discover it in Connecticut... Yesterday, I spent a great day with Brian, a new friend. First stop was a 1960's music lecture ("The Politics of Persuasion") by another friend - Keith Crocker - at the Merrick Public Library. (Keith also covers HORROR films - Click here for recent post.) Afterwards, we got some lunch and traded stories, discovering that we had a lot of common ground and interests - that, despite a difference of 30 years in age. A big sympatico was our affinity for the Grateful Dead. Why, Brian once worked for Mickey Hart. At one point in our conversation, Brian explained a proper AND EASIER way to peel one of my favorite fruits. Below, here’s Brian demonstrating…😂 Only kidding, Brian!!! Monkey Opening a Banana Yes, Barbara and others who might be concerned - we used a union monkey! Monkey opening banana (00:17) We humans, however, need instructions: How To Peel A Banana Like A Monkey (00:56) So, at breakfast this morning I took a selfie to show my teacher that I learned something… Thanks, Brian! A BUNCH MORE…FUN Barbara et al…the electricians in the next video are from the union... MONKEY BUSINESSMEN!!!! (04:11) The Three Stooges - Monkey Businessmen (1946) Full Episodes #92 (19:16) Post-Post Addition --I was describing this post to Eileen and she said, "What about Monkey Business?" I got a GRATE lady!!! Monkey Business (1931) Trailer (02:21) Monkey Business Full movie (1:08:18) A la the Beatles…the 60’s gave birth to music videos The Monkees - Theme Song edited to Full Length (1966) (02:21) I sometimes say how I have a Muse leading me around the web: Well, just now, I channeled Saint Valentine to find this cartoon version that mentions his name 😉 The Monkees - She Makes Me Laugh (Official Lyric Video) (02:58) Here’s a great cardio workout to use your banana-fueled energy… Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Mickey's Monkey (02:49) The Young Rascals - Mickey's Monkey (Live on Ed Sullivan) 1967 (02:45) Mickey Monkey Abeka Song (00:45) LET’S GET SERIOUS “The internet is like amphetamines for the monkey mind…” The Monkey Mind (01:41) Below, there are more helpful tips on taming this guy... I dedicate this next one to my friend Richie who’s teaching Eastern Arts like Tai Chi and Qigong to us on the dock in Hempstead Lake State Park on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s from 8-9:30 AM. For info, contact me. Here's this morning's setting. That's our teacher - he's always there already practicing before we arrive...Leading by his example... Richie has mentioned Wim Hof - the subject of this next song - on numerous occasions. Wim, an endurance mentor, focuses on learning to control our breathing, as well as the benefits of immersing ourselves in cold water. HEY, one out of two is a start... Ice Man-The Ballad Of Wim Hof - Monkey Mind Band [Official Music Video] (02:35) Silence The Monkey Mind (02:36) Wim Hof Music - 'Crazy like a monkey' (03:07) --Oh! He's also a musician Calming the Monkey Mind - Diana Raab/Psychology Today (from the article) According to Buddhist principles, the “monkey mind” is a term that refers to being unsettled, restless, or confused...The first step in doing so is to become grounded and calm the mind—that is, remember to be in the here and now. Being present in this way is called mindfulness. It is an essential state for inspiring the best writing because it taps into the messages of your heart and soul. Being mindful encompasses awareness and interconnectedness between your inner and outer worlds. If you are more awake and alert, you can more easily receive messages from within as well as from the universe. Mindfulness as a Daily Habit… - Ram Dass/Love Serve Remember Foundation MEDITATIONS IN GREY...& MULTICOLOR The Monkees - Shades of Grey (01:57) Grateful Dead - Touch Of Grey - 11/3/1991 - Golden Gate Park (07:14) Monkey and the Engineer (Oct. 2022 post) It's no coincidence that my banana guru - Brian - and I attended the same Half Step show at the Malverne, NY LIRR station in October 2022. #music #humor #Richie #Brian #TaiChi #Qigong #banana #monkey #ThreeStooges #TheMonkees #SmokeyRobinson #YoungRascals #MonkeyMindBand #WimHof #MarxBrothers #GratefulDead #KeithCrocker