Mini Skirt of Singers and Musicians in 1973

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You've come a long way, Bunsen

Today is Robert Bunsen's 200th Birthday.

He is the chemist who invented the bunsen burner which lead to the invention of the Bialetti stove-top coffee maker, so as far as LOML’s concerned he is the best inventor ever.

But that’s not why I noticed his birthday.

We all have a Mean Girls story from our school days. Mine happens to be a Mean Boys story, but we all know how these things play out. Group of kids makes life a misery for single kid for reasons known and unknown to themselves only.

I guess being nicknamed Bunsen and having a large group of boys call out ‘heeeeey BUUUNNNSEEEN’ every single time you walked past them isn’t the end of the world. I’ll take that any day of the week over so much of the teenage warfare a lot of kids endure.

But still.

Ground-opening humiliation for a teenager desperately wanting to fit in, even if the boys only came up to my armpit and, like all teenage boys, had absolutely nothing to offer. On and on and on it went. I went from laughing it off with a sweep of my offensive tresses, to attempting to ignore it, to only ever walking in the centre of a gang of girls, to going miles out of my way to avoid them altogether.

The burden of the peer group.

You know, once those boys stopped being a peer group, many turned out to be very nice indeed. I was oddly the only girl invited to every single one of those boys’ 21st birthday parties. I went along to a couple. To them it was ‘hey old mate!’ and I realised that as BUUUUNNNSSEEEEEN I was always a part of their gang; their quirky little mate who took teasing on the chin. They were boys and that’s just what boys do. Shudder.

The mystery of the peer group.

That’s what Robert Bunsen means to me. Happy birthday, clever man.

Were you picked on as a child? Do you think that Bunsen was bullied? What's the line between teasing and bullying? Is there one?

[Image by giac1061]

Vintage Streetstyle in 1920s

Old School Muscle and Fitness Magazine Covers in 1970s

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And on and on and on she goes

Silence is one of the greatest arts of conversation - Cicero

Yep, still talking.


I’m a babbler, a prattler, a discloser, a jabberer. I can’t stop talking. On and on and on I go.

I must drive people nuts with my incessant chatter. What am I, five?

It occurs to me regularly that I should just STFU, but I can’t hear myself over all my talking. Sometimes I am so embarrassed that I talk even more. It’s a nervous reaction.

I just love the sound of my own voice. And I think I’m funny too. It’s a headache-inducing combination.

Blah, blah, blah, blah.

Blah.

Do you suffer from a hearing inability due to your talking ability? Do you sometimes wish you were quieter, more introverted, The Mysterious Type? Any tips on making myself shut it?

[Image via Abuzeedo]

Heal The Kids / Carnegie Hall Address on February 14, 2001

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

This post is dedicated to one of my dearest friends.
Happy Birthday !!!

Thank you  for your love.

In 2001, Michael Jackson delivered a speech at a Valentine's Day Extravaganza event at Carnegie Hall, promoting Heal The Kids (a division of Heal The World foundation). Pieces of the speech can be found in several of our blog posts but it deserves the attention.

"I would like to welcome you to Carnegie Hall, ... the world's most famous concert hall to hear an entirely different kind of music -- a loftier melody. It's a more eternal song.
There are two kinds of music. One comes from the strings of a guitar, the other from the strings of the heart. One sound comes from a chamber orchestra, the other from the beating of the heart's chamber. One comes from an instrument of graphite and wood, the other from an organ of flesh and blood.
This loftier music I speak of tonight is more pleasing than the notes of the most gifted composers, more moving than a marching band, more harmonious than a thousand voices joined in hymn and more powerful than all the world's percussion instruments combined. That ... sweet and sound of love.
Just a generation ago, it was this sound that could be heard in every turn in every town. It was the sound of love that echoed in the livingroom when a father giggled with his son or a mother tickled a small infant child. It was the sound of love that echoed from children's literary classes as the parents read their children ... tales before they went to bed. And it was the sound of love that reverberated in their dinner conversations. Between parents and children, not just once a year but should be discovered everyday for peace and prosper.
Sadly, that sound has become a lost melody, a forgotten refrain, an empty tune and all we have in its place today is a dark and terrible noise. Instead of dinner conversations, there is the noise of video games. Instead of homework there is the din of the evening news. And instead of regular conversations between parents and children about the [webs of violence?], there is the ... sound -- the deafening sounds of silence.

Who among us would have believed that the sound of children at their playground would be replaced by the sound of automatic machinegun fire at our schools. That the sound of little girls skipping rope would be overshadowed by the frantic squeals of children dodging bullets. Yet instead of loving our children more we've installed metal detectors in our schools.
Are we blind to the fact that our children are raging against the indifference; crying out against the abandonment; of thundering against the neglect.
Heal The Kids is about doing something, about making a difference and trying to help adults and parents realize that its in our power to change the world that our children live in.
As a wise man once said, 'If not us, then who; if not now, then when?'
My friends, with 2 children of my own, I know what it means to have to balance the demand of family and career -- let's not even talk about finding a date for myself, even though... Even though Rabbi Shmuley keeps telling me he's going to find me the perfect woman, my response is: 

As long as it's not a journalist.
But learning how to strike this very necessary balance is what this special evening is all about.
In 3 weeks time, at Oxford University I will be delivering an address with strong implications for dealing with the parent-child relationship and giving an address that is certain to surprise you. Until then, I want to thank you all for coming out...showing your love. And I want to offer a couple of special thank-yous going .....that we have 100 ... New York City teachers with us .... I want to thank Steven Shaunfeld, he's a wonderful, wonderful. Everything he does for Heal the Kids is just incredible.
Together we can make a change for the better; together we can heal the world and make it a better place. God bless you all, I love you all."

Ice Skating Fashions, 1939

"Ice Skating Fashions" from LIFE, circa 1939.

Lucky!!!!

Here are some fans waiting to get John's autograph during the shooting of "How I won the war" in 1966. Lucky!!!!

Miniskirts in 60s and 70s [more]

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David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor

Pablo Picasso portraits

Model and actress Jeanne Carmen 1950’s

I Just Can't Stop Loving You

To R and F

May your life be blessed with joy !
恭喜您結婚的日子

"Only in love are unity and duality not in conflict." - Rabindranath Tagore

Michael Jackson had an extraordinary talent, he was able to put confer a physical dimension to his songs - I can see the rhythm, I will cry, laugh, love, protest, dance, feel empowered  – every time I listen to his songs, I feel them. It’s an unique, rewarding experience.

"Each time the wind blows

I hear your name so

I call your name ...

Whispers at morning

Our love is dawning

Heaven's glad you came ...
 

You know how I feel
This thing can't go wrong

I'm so proud to say

I love you

Your love's got me high

I long to get by

This time is forever

Love is the answer"

“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” was the first single of Bad album. It was received as rather a second hand song, maybe because of the fact it featured unknown, at the time, Siedah Garrett. Whitney Huston, Barbara Streisand and Aretha Franklin, rumored to have been asked for the duet but declined due to previous obligations, might have brought more star power to the song 

but it is my opinion that would have not brought the chemistry.

(Well in a total different way a duet with Aretha Franklin would have rocked our world.)

In spite of what has been said about the song the fact remains it opened the list of 5 consecutive number one songs in Billboard’s Hot 100 and went on to top R&B and Adult Contemporary singles charts (Michael's 2nd number one hit in the later after, coincidentaly, his duet from 1982 

with Paul McCartney, “The Girl Is Mine”)

Truth is at this point in time the duet needs no introduction. Michael and Siedah created magic.

In the studio and on stage. 

Two wonderful artists who were brought together by their 

deep understanding of how music can touch people.

In an interview with SongTalk Magazine, Siedah talked about how she found out 

she will record a duet with Michael:

"It came as a total surprise. Quincy called me after I had worked with him doing the background vocals for 'Man In The Mirror' to come back to the studio to do more work, but when I got there, I was surprised to discover that there was nobody else in the studio but Quincy, Michael and me. And the song they were working on wasn't 'Man In The Mirror.' It was a song that Quincy had given me a tape to learn. But I had no idea – I do lots of vocals on demos for Quincy, so this was nothing unusual. So Quincy said, 'You got the tape, right? Did you learn the song?' I said, 'Sure, I know the song.' He said, 'Well, go in there and sing it.' I go into the booth: there's two music stands. Michael Jackson is standing at one of them in front of a microphone and there's another microphone for me. This is the first time I realized what was happening. On the sheet music it said, 'Michael, Siedah, Michael, Siedah, etc.' I said, 'Wow! I get it.'"

“I hear your voice now

You are my choice now

The love you bring

Heaven's in my heart

At your call

I hear harps,

And Angels sing

You know how I feel

This thing can't go wrong

I can't live my life

Without you”

 

The song originally had a spoken intro (which was added for later version of the BAD album) and a longer musical opening. The song was also recorded in French as “Je Ne Veux Pas La fin De Nous” 

and in Spanish as “Todo Mi Amor Eres Tu”.

But what stands out is the perfect match up between Siedah’s and Michael’s voices. Marvin Gaye described Michael as having “the quality that separates the merely sentimental from the truly heartfelt, …. rooted in the blues”. Siedah Garrett definitely had the quality as well – whatever Michael brought to the song she answered.

Rolling Stone magazine, in their 1987 review of Bad album, described the song as “quivering with the kind of desire that makes men walk bent at the waist”.

[Michael]

You know how I feel

I won't stop until

I hear your voice saying

"I do"

[Siedah]

"I do"

This thing can't go wrong

[Michael]

This feeling's so strong

[Siedah]

Well, my life ain't

Worth living

[Both]

If I can't be with you

I just can't stop loving you

And even though it is my opinion their review only describes part of the song, they did very well underlined the songs power to transmit the ache and the embodiment of love.

In my opinion, the explanation behind the song’s success it’s the deep emotional connection, that the two shared and the lyrics talk about. 

 [Michael]

At night when the

Stars shine

I pray in you I'll find

A love so true . . .

[Siedah]

When morning awakes me

Will you come and take me

I'll wait for you

As Siedah remembers not everything about recording the song was all serious. 

In her interview with SoulTalk magazine she said: 

"Michael is funny. He has a real keen sense of humor. Which surprised me, because you hear all these stories about how strange he is. I guess he felt relaxed with me because I wasn't in awe of him when we met. I was kind of, 'Yo, Michael, what's up?' I think he found that refreshing."
"If I was talking to Quincy and we were serious for some reason, Michael would toss cashews and peanuts at us. I would be talking to Quincy and these peanuts would fly by. You know, the duet is a very serious love song. And when I was doing my verse, Michael was making these faces at me so that I would mess up. Quincy would say, 'Siedah – come on! You're holding up the whole album!' And I would get in trouble!"

In his autobiography “Moonwalk”, Michael said he did not write the song with someone in mind but that while performing it live he did.

The song did not had a video but eventually it didn’t needed one. The live performances during the Dangerous Tour become the visual support of the duet. Though Michael also performed alongside Sheryl Crow during Bad Tour, I don’t think too many of us think of that when we are talking or listening to “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”.
It will always be Michael and Siedah.
The on stage performance of the song, their on stage attraction to one another created a lasting impression

that will never fade away.

Michael, you are, and will forever be the thread of velvety voice, so intricately woven into the
fabric of the soundtrack of my life. Your music, talent, heart and soul has touched every cell of
my being. More than enough to last a lifetime. You are magic. And I will miss you.
May your vibrant soul rest in eternal peace. You changed my life, and for that I will love you forever.

Siedah
AKA "Miss Gayree"

[Siedah]
We can change all the world
Tomorrow

[Michael]
We can sing songs of
Yesterday

[Siedah]
I can say, hey ... 

Farewell to sorrow

[Michael]
This is my life and I,

[Both]
Want to see you for always
I just can't stop loving you

Credits

Written and composed by Michael Jackson
Vocal duet with Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett

Bass: Nathan East
Drums: N'dugu Chancler
Guitar: Dan Huff
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Piano: John Barnes
Synclavier: Christopher Currell
Synthesizers: David Paich and Greg Phillinganes
Synthesizer programming: Steve Porcaro
Rhythm arrangement by Quincy Jones
Synthesizer arrangement by David Paich and Quincy Jones
Vocal arrangement by Michael Jackson and John Barnes

Also read:

Siedah Garrett: What It Was Like To Work With Michael Jackson

Elizabeth Taylor when she was young

Muhammad Ali vs Sonny Liston, 1965

This fight lasted only one minute into the first round- when Ali knocked out Sonny Liston. Date of the fight was May 25, 1965.

Ali KO's Sonny Liston in first round in color photographic

Be a part of Earth Hour 2011!

Earth Hour 2011: It's time to go beyond the hour

At 8:30 PM on Saturday 26th March 2011, lights will switch off around the globe for Earth Hour and people will commit to actions that go beyond the hour.

With Earth Hour almost upon us, our thoughts are with the people of Japan during this incredibly challenging and sad time for their country.

日本の皆さん、勇気を持って頑張って下さい

Be a part of this global movement!

More info:

http://www.earthhour.org/

http://www.worldwildlife.org/

Make sure your engagement goes beyond the hour. Go and get inspired and inspire others:
http://www.beyondthehour.org/

Prepare yourself for Earth Hour 2011 with the "Lights Off" Twitter-application. http://eh2011.com #earthhour


Michael Jackson - Planet Earth



Planet Earth, my home, my place
A capricious anomaly in the sea of space
Planet Earth are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid

Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn't true
You are my sweetheart soft and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.

In my veins I've felt the mystery
Of corridors of time, books of history
Life songs of ages throbbing in my blood
Have danced the rhythm of the tide and flood
Your misty clouds, your electric storm
Were turbulent tempests in my own form
I've licked the salt, the bitter, the sweet
Of every encounter, of passion, of heat
Your riotous color, your fragrance, your taste
Have thrilled my senses beyond all haste
In your beauty, I've known the how
Of timeless bliss, this moment of now

Planet Earth are you just
Floating by, a cloud of dust
A minor globe, about to bust
A piece of metal bound to rust
A speck of matter in a mindless void
A lonely spaceship, a large asteroid
Cold as a rock without a hue
Held together with a bit of glue
Something tells me this isn't true
You are my sweetheart gentle and blue
Do you care, have you a part
In the deepest emotions of my own heart
Tender with breezes caressing and whole
Alive with music, haunting my soul.

Planet Earth, gentle and blue
With all my heart, I love you.

----

Addition March 27, 2011:

Thank you everyone who participated in this global movement!!!

This video sums it all up. Enjoy watching:

Earth Hour 2011 Official video

Ford Has A Judy Idea

The 1950s was truly the Golden Age of anthology television. In 1955, the Ford Motor group entered the fray, teaming with CBS to produce the Ford Star Jubilee. The timing of September 1955 was an ideal time to promote the new line of 1956 Fords.

The Tiffany Network and Family Of Fine Cars produced top drawer monthly entertainment. Running 90 minutes in length, each program was presented in color and boasted a constellation of stars that included: Bing Crosby, Orson Welles, Betty Grable, Julie Andrews, Noel Coward, Lauren Bacall, Claudette Colbert and Jack Lemmon. Over the course of it's run, it was nominated for 8 Emmy Awards and won 3.

For it's inauguration, the show cooked up The Judy Garland Show. This was a sure-win tie in with Capitol records, who, the day after the broadcast was releasing the album "Miss Show Business".

For her part, Garland had never appeared on television to this point and was, understandably a nervous wreck, even developing laryngitis the day before the show. I'm pretty certain that her nervous condition was partially assuaged by the $100,000 (826k in today's money) she was receiving for the show. The salary figure was a closely kept statistic as all the networks were afraid that other top performers would start demanding the same. Another safeguard was that husband Sid Luft was producing a concert formatted show that was basically a condensed rehash of her record breaking Palace engagement. And let's face it, our girl could always put over a number while darning socks!

[via: Felix In Hollywood]

This week I'm grateful for... sisters

... and little breaks.

I'm heading to Fibrotown for the weekend to visit Gran and Pops with the Tsunamis and my best friend Yes We Are Nearly There Yet in tow.

My fab sister MultipleMum at And then there were four is hosting Grateful for me today... have you met her? You'll love her!

Head on over to say hi and link up your Grateful post.

See you next week!

[Image by Metin Demiralay]

♥ Loving Shoes of Prey

I think we've established that I'm all about the ideas rather than the actual skills / drive to pull them off... I dream about dresses that will never be designed, businesses that will never trade and (apparently) coffee tables that don't exist (EIGHT years!).

Shoes of Prey is a mad name for a really cool concept. You draw and design the perfect shoes and they make them. Yay!

Wouldn't it be fabulous if other industries did the same? Do you know of any?

[Shoes above are not made by Shoes of Prey (unless you want them to be!) but I just love them to bits so here they are. Image via weheartit]