More Playing for Change

Because I believe in the power of this project.. because if there's anything this planet needs, it's peace.. because there are quite a few awesome musicians in it.. I want to share this.

Greenpeace needs your help

When you've finished watching the video I am also hoping that you'll be inspired and help us to share its message of action on behalf of our environment by taking some online action yourself ... and helping us recruit 3 million people to become climate activists. Yes, you read it correctly. 3 million. It's a big number because the Earth needs big action this year.

Here's what you can do:

First: Enjoy the video. Click on the YouTube logo at the end to rate it and leave a comment!

Second: Share it with your friends and family

Third: Take action for the climate this Earth Day by signing our online petition: ask our world leaders to take personal responsibility for the future of the climate and attend the UN Climate summit at the end of the year. But not just attend, they need to ensure a good deal for the climate.

Here's to a future that's green and peaceful. Together we can make it happen.

Vanilla

He smiles at me. Bright white teeth, bronze tanned face and those incredibly beautiful deep brown eyes. He is a looker, and he knows it. And I know exactly what he wants me to do. I smile, a bit shy, wondering if I should accept the invitation that is written all over his face. I was raised to believe it is a bad thing. It serves no purpose other than to indulge in its pure pleasure. I know this is true and yet, I find myself wanting to, needing to, a craving that is incredibly hard to resist. Half closing my eyes my mind floats away, daydreaming.

In my imagination I gently close my hand around it, holding it up, the perfect angle. Slowly bringing my face closer, tongue snaking from between my lips and just the tip licking, tasting just a tiny drop that was trickling down, the heat of this very moment. I know he wants me to go further, so much further and so I slowly open my mouth, tongue further out, a long stroke down the bottom all the way to the tip, savouring. It makes me shiver, hungry for more. Closing my lips around the tip I suck slowly. I love the feel, the taste, the knowledge all of this is for me. That I can take my time, enjoying it to the max. And so I do. Alternating between sucking slowly and licking hungrily, nibbling and gently biting here and there, my head dizzy, eyes half closed. Wanting it to last, and last. But the end is near, inevitably approaching. A few final licks and then I swallow fast and hard, not wanting to spill a drop but feeling it dribble down my chin. I wipe my chin and remove a few drops from the corners of my mouth, licking my fingers clean, then sigh happily.

Roughly pulled back to reality by a car braking nearby I look up. He is still watching me, smiling widely, his face radiating a "come on.. you know you want to" and I do, Ohgod, I do want to. And so I cave in, upbringing and knowing better shoved aside, giving in to an urge stronger than anything. I nod at him and he winks, getting ready to do the very thing he and I both knew would happen all along. One last sigh, knowing I have lost the battle, then I look at my kids standing next to me in front of the cart.. "ice cream, anyone?"

Cheshire cats and buddhahood

I was reading the ads on the supermarket's message board when I saw it: "Wanted due to sudden allergy: good home for grey cat, male, neutered." and a phone number. I spoke about it to my partner at the time who wasn't really too keen on the cat we already had and so of course he didn't like the idea of a second one very much. We agreed I'd just go have a look at the cat that evening. The lady who let me in was nice and warned me Siem wasn't really a lap cat or friendly towards strangers. She then led me to a room where he was sitting in a corner in the back, straight up, watching me as I was watching him. And I swear he was grinning. I didn't approach him, but instead crouched, just sitting there, holding out my hand and softly calling him. He sat motionless for several minutes, then slowly got up, strutted towards me, climbed into my lap and curled up, purring loudly. The lady was astonished, but I knew there and then. And so I came home with Siem at the back of my bike, in his pet carrier which the lady had given me since she had no further use for it. My partner gave me an angry "ah, so you decided to take it home after all huh" and all I could say was: "I didn't take that decision. He did." Which of course didn't help, but sometimes you have to risk a fight over something you know is right.


That was thirteen years ago. Siem is still with me. Now part of a pack of 6 cats, a dog and 2 rats around the house. He has never stopped grinning. Wether he is sound asleep somewhere near a heater, or sitting at his favorite spot halfway the stairs, overseeing the world from his elevated position, or watching the rest of the cats battle over the food bowls while he quietly awaits his time, when they've all gobbled down as much as they can eat and there's still plenty left for him to eat slowly and undisturbed, enjoying every bite. He is the largest of them all but he will only fight if he feels it's necessary, and then he can take on the biggest, meanest tomcats in the neighborhood and make them run for it, bleeding and humiliated. But right afterwards he'll go back to his quiet, grinning self as if nothing has happened. He still doesn't like strangers and will usually simply disappear if there's someone visiting. But once they've left, he's back again, sitting there with that big grin, as if he was saying "yeah, I'm here, missed me?". He is also still not much of a lap cat. Generally, humans make too much noise and move too much, they simply don't make suitable surfaces to lay down on and ponder the meaning of life undisturbed. But when one of us is feeling bad, sick or crying, he will make one of his magical appearances, curl up in our lap, and stay there until we feel better. I can't count the tears I have shed on his furs when I went through my, pretty rough, divorce with the kids' dad. But no matter how much I soaked him, he stayed there, purring, and grinning at me. And as crazy as it may sound.. that helped, a lot.
If I didn't know any better, I would say Lewis Carroll based the Cheshire cat from "Alice in Wonderland" on Siem.



In many ways, I envy him. For his balance, his omnipresent grin, his ability to pick his battles and not worry about the rest. Of course he has an easy life and really nothing to worry about. He doesn't have to work or clean, has never heard of financial problems or the stress that comes with raising kids, there's always food and water and a warm spot to sleep in, as well as ample cuddles from all of us whenever he feels the need to get them. Still, I wonder if it's true that it takes intelligence to reach enlightenment. His IQ probably is only a fraction of mine and yet, there he is, facing life, joy and defeat with the same laid back and accepting attitude, warm and compassionate towards those who deserve it, ruthless against those who don't but never cruel beyond what is needed to show them their place. He doesn't have an attitude nor insecurities, he doesn't whine or worry, nor is he ever grumpy, sad or insecure. He takes life one step at a time, dealing only with the present situation as best as he can. His intentions are always clear, there is no hidden agenda. And above all, no matter what.. he keeps grinning. Honestly, I wish I could be like him. With all the studying and soul searching I have done.. I am still far from that level. If he wouldn't have had a name already when I got him, I'm sure I would have called him Buddha. Buddha, the Cheshire cat. And I'm still so glad he picked me.

Stop whining, start fighting for it

Let's face it.. we are suffering from a global depression. And no, I don't just mean the financial crisis that is hitting hard everywhere. All around me, I can hear people complaining about virtually anything. Global warming, the arctic ice melting, terrible weather lately, religious differences, political issues.. and the list goes on and on and on. Usually, the response to someone mentioning these things is something along the line of "I know.. it's terrible". And that's it. We acknowledge the facts, and go back to sleep.

But what are we going to do about it? Ask this question and you'll get a "Who me? well nothing, what can I do?" For starters, you can stop complaining. It doesn't help, and it only enhances the facts. By mentioning these things over and over again, we only strengthen the negative energy that has us caged, making us feel helpless and on the verge of disaster. Once you have freed up the energy you have so far used to complain and feel miserable, you can start doing something useful with it. Try opening up your mind for a change. Realize there's an awful lot you can do. And it all starts with a positive attitude. Once you manage to do that, you will radiate positive energy and become an inspiration to others around you. Look at the word: inspiration. Put the spirit back in people.. awaken their soul, their core being.

And no, I don't mean religion. Although religion can be a great source of inspiration for people it has also brought us lots of misery. Because most religious people tend to both derive inspiration from their own religion but also: condemn those who believe otherwise, which is a big source of negative energy. Having a truly open mind means: Sure I believe in God/Allah/Jahweh/Oogabullah... not because I am a part of your religion, but because I see them as very useful sources of positive energy for those who believe in them. And whatever works for people, gives them hope, inspires them.. exists because of that very fact alone. How could I possibly tell anyone something they derive so much positive energy from, does not exist?

It is time for us to stop focusing on our problems and differences and start fighting for what is truly important. Bring back inspiration, bring back hope, stop being a part of the problem, be a part of the solution! Each and every one of us can bring a little bit of light to this world. By ourselves, we may be nothing but a tiny candle. But pictures millions of candles being lit all over the planet.. and behold, we have a glow that can be seen from the moon.

Next time you're about to whine, respond to someone in a negative way, put someone down because they don't meet your expectations.. think twice and say something positive or nice, instead. Whenever you feel the planet is going to bits: look at all the beautiful things that are out there, like in the video I linked here. I can go on, but I think you get the general idea. I just wanted to share this, because I think it's important but also to remind myself. Have a wonderful weekend!

A farewell

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Cold Turkey

Two days ago, both Ron and I quit smoking. Without any pills or patches or whatever, just the good old fashioned cold turkey method. So far, I'm doing fairly well, although I will admit I have my difficult moments countless times a day. Much to my own surprise it's not even the wanting to smoke I am having a hard time with. It's the side effects that annoy me to no end, and primarily the concentration problems.

I'm usually the type whose mind can easily perform multiple complicated tasks at once, I'm very organised and verbally strong. Now, the simplest things like making lunch or folding laundry take me forever, because halfway through I'll forget who wanted what or I'll stand with the one blue sock in my hand, just not seeing the other one that goes with it, then forgetting I need the second blue sock alltogether. I'll walk into a room to fetch that ehm.. yes.. what am I doing here? Or, and this one particularly bugs me: I'll forget I was talking to someone online in mid conversation, go do something else and then when they go "hello?" because I'm not responding I'll reply with a happy "Hi!" before realizing I was already talking to them before.

Apart from a bit demented I am also constantly restless, and even though I am in a great mood I just know that should anyone rub me the wrong way I am quite likely to snap.

And so I just hope I manage to make it through the first difficult weeks without caving in and without damaging my relationships with people I care about too much. I'm really not being a bitch or unattentive on purpose.. just a junkie going cold turkey to get rid of her addiction. Please, cut me some slack, okay?