All Hallows' Eve AKA Hallowe'en 2014

Photo I took from Solus, Vancouver BC

"Halloween is one of the oldest celebrations in the world, dating back over 2000 years to the time of the Celts who lived in Britain?" according to the weather network (www.theweathernetwork.com).

Here is some info on Halloween - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween - I need to keep this post relatively short as I'm busy preparing my costume for tomorrow ... ;)

And the following is the way in witch - I mean which ;) - Halloween is celebrated in various countries around the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Halloween. Note that there are secular and religious-themed ways of celebrating.

I associate Halloween with (1) the colours black and orange (2) pumpkins and candy (3) an early dark night, usually cold and/or wet (4) dressing up in costume and (5) music like Enigma and more so Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', his album which I am listening to, right now in fact.

About two years ago, I had the opportunity to actually learn the dance moves from the Thriller track, only to end up sick on the day of the performance unfortunately. Below is a shortened version of the song on video, though it really demonstrates the moves well, don't you think? ;)



I have had inspirations for costumes from various sources. Here is one of my favourite Halloween costumes I came up with...read on what inspired it:
http://xpressyouressence.blogspot.ca/2011/10/safe-and-happy-halloween.html

It is interesting to note that the National Retail Federation cites the following as the most popular Halloween costumes for adults, in order as witch, pirate, vampire, cat, and clown.

My Halloween costume this year could have been two of those mentioned. I will have to show you later – tomorrow perhaps? – inspired by an outfit I purchased at a local 'Sally Ann' (Salvation Army) earlier this month. One costume I have never donned yet and was always curious about in terms of wearing it. Not sure why I never did. I’ll give you a hint: hahahahaha (evil laugh) ;) If you still can't guess, how about this one: which witch is which? ;)

For those of you who live in places where Halloween is celebrated, do take care, beware - be aware that is, and enjoy a safe and fun Halloween! That includes your pets too please as the loud explosion from fireworks really frightens and makes them nervous. You'll be doing your pets and you a favour!

I'm linking this post to writetribe and ultrablog and ultimateblogchallenge.

Parodies in Music

I love videos such as the one above created by Raamayan Ananda, a man I know from the spiritual community in Vancouver. It addresses GMO's (genetically modified organisms), rather, it is an anti-GMO music video that was created to support Prop 522 for GMO labelling.

This first video entitled "Don't Eat It", a parody to Michael Jackson's (MJ's) "Beat It" with partial imagery of MJ's "Thriller" dance routine, has the following storyline: "GMO executives Have Taken Over the Food Chain, a group of dedicated citizens march to face them off in an epic battle, but something nefarious and unexpected happens..."

The lyrics are as follows:

They Told Them Don't You Ever Grow Around Here
Don't Wanna Eat your food, You Better Disappear
The Fire's In Our Eyes And Our Words Are Really Clear
Don't EAT It

You Better Run, You Better Do What You Can
Don't Want no GMO's, You better ditch your plan
We'll fight you to the end, We're making a stand

Don't EAT, If you wanna stay allivee

(CHORUS)
Don't Eatt it (eat it), don't eat it (eat it)
g-mos will to be defeated!

Show em, its funky, show'em its not right
It DOES matter, who's wrong or right

Don't EAt it..(eat it... eat it... eat it....)
------
(Monsanto Execs Speaking)

We've got the politicians dealing our hand
You've got no right to know what's in your fruit and bread
Be like a good sheep, and just do what 'sam' says
JUST EAT IT

(GMO Activist Speaking)

Were Out To Get You, Better Leave While You Can
Our kids won't be no lab rats in your business plan
You wanna stay alive, Get GMO's Banned

Don't Eat It.... Better Do What You Can!

(Chorus)-

The short video below, "Plastic State of Mind" is a parody of JAY Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State of Mind." It is about the ramifications of plastic waste in the form of bags. (Both videos are brilliant in my opinion and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Please feel free to share and circulate them as they are important messages.)



These two videos are an example of only one idea (of many) that I have for my non-traditional, co-creative children's/youth choir. Co-creative in that we get to play with ideas - theirs and mine - in creating our own music, rhythms and yes, even rap.

Rap can be especially effective on matters that are close to one's heart and/or the heartbeat of Mother Earth. The results need not be as sophisticated as these videos and that's totally ok. It's the intent and the words and the message that is important.

What are causes close to your heart? Do you take action on them? If so, how often? Do you or can you do so in a creative or artistic manner?