Something Permanent

We have a constant appetite. We're never satisfied. Always wanting exposes our human need for more, for something lasting, eternal. Though all fashions repeat, songs end, stories conclude, performers bow, there is only one thing that lasts through all of our art in time, the Love of God. Here is our history, here is our present. What will we create that lasts?
I am in 2011.  I have no make up on.  I have no product in my hair.  In fact, I haven’t had a root lift in probably three months.  This is what it looks like to be me in 2011.  We are the recycled generation, reusing what we had before.  We pull from the eras that made us, from the 1800s to the 1920s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s and now.  Think of all that was created in that century.  The art, the perspectives, the fashions, the music!  Mozart to Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley to The Beatles.  We are given hundreds of years to learn from.  Who will we be in one hundred years?  What will 2020 see?  We are the frugal generation, the goodwill DIY paint it white and make it new again era.  We let our roots grow out and call it the Ombre to declare it a fashion.  We don’t have a lot of money to spend, and we don’t mind.  We are content and reevaluating what is important.  We experience nature.  We appreciate time.  We are slowing down as technology speeds.  We look up to Apple for the next big thing.  What will we create?  I want to be the Ralph Waldo Emerson meets Peggy Lee of my time.  I want to invent like Edison and bring light to people years from now.  God, show me how.

I am in 2011.  I have no make up on.  I have no product in my hair.  In fact, I haven’t had a root lift in probably three months.  This is what it looks like to be me in 2011.  We are the recycled generation, reusing what we had before.  We pull from the eras that made us, from the 1800s to the 1920s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s and now.  Think of all that was created in that century.  The art, the perspectives, the fashions, the music!  Mozart to Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley to The Beatles.  We are given hundreds of years to learn from.  Who will we be in one hundred years?  What will 2020 see?  We are the frugal generation, the goodwill DIY paint it white and make it new again era.  We let our roots grow out and call it the Ombre to declare it a fashion.  We don’t have a lot of money to spend, and we don’t mind.  We are content and reevaluating what is important.  We experience nature.  We appreciate time.  We are slowing down as technology speeds.  We look up to Apple for the next big thing.  What will we create?  I want to be the Ralph Waldo Emerson meets Peggy Lee of my time.  I want to invent like Edison and bring light to people years from now.  God, show me how.

Mona Lisa Smile.  This film brings us slowly out of the late forties and into the fifties with the curiosity that stirred among the youth, the discovery of historical art and it’s meaning to the world at large, the need for wild but true companionship, the role of women in that society, the conflict in women saying they were inadequate, and the rebellion from society that came from strong women saying they were already enough.  We reflect.

No. 4 of it’s time

Why Don’t You Do Right.  Peggy Lee.

Note how she gives the spotlight to the musicians on their solos.  A true star shines because they are generous. 

Jazz vocalist, writer, and actress, Peggy Lee is a category all her own and she is ultimately who I aspire to be like.  I adore and respect her beyond her talents as her kind demeanor and business mind match her praise.  Lee’s step-mother abused her for eleven years giving her reason to become violent, but she chose to be a peace-maker.  However, when it came to her music business, she’d fight to win.  Once, Disney tried to use her vocals in a video promo without payment, and she won her case in court against them.  As I listen to her sweet soothing sound, I imagine what it must have been like in ‘42, turning on the radio and hearing her sing I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good.  There wasn’t a hip hop genre, nor a dance-pop club jam that made you say “put yo drinks up” as part of the hook.  She was it, among the greats.  I wonder if they knew what kind of mark they were making on the world in the jazz era.  It was a complete movement.  Singing duets with Mel Torme and Sinatra was what audiences looked forward to.  Even the song titles alone are as promising as the duets: Bing Crosby in the 40s with “Watermelon Weather” and into 70s with Paul McCartney “Let’s Love”, and who can forget the clever “Beauty and the Beat” and “Mink Jazz”. 

Jazz vocalist, writer, and actress, Peggy Lee is a category all her own and she is ultimately who I aspire to be like.  I adore and respect her beyond her talents as her kind demeanor and business mind match her praise.  Lee’s step-mother abused her for eleven years giving her reason to become violent, but she chose to be a peace-maker.  However, when it came to her music business, she’d fight to win.  Once, Disney tried to use her vocals in a video promo without payment, and she won her case in court against them.  As I listen to her sweet soothing sound, I imagine what it must have been like in ‘42, turning on the radio and hearing her sing I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good.  There wasn’t a hip hop genre, nor a dance-pop club jam that made you say “put yo drinks up” as part of the hook.  She was it, among the greats.  I wonder if they knew what kind of mark they were making on the world in the jazz era.  It was a complete movement.  Singing duets with Mel Torme and Sinatra was what audiences looked forward to.  Even the song titles alone are as promising as the duets: Bing Crosby in the 40s with “Watermelon Weather” and into 70s with Paul McCartney “Let’s Love”, and who can forget the clever “Beauty and the Beat” and “Mink Jazz”. 

Artist a Month

Christie and Kelli are starting a new research project: following an artist or band for a month. Truly soaking in their sound, style, and the era they lived in. 

December of 2011 = Billie Holidays [Her last name is plural for the holidays:)] and The Jazz Era of 1940s

A Common Thread

We define ourselves by our work, careers, and accomplishments.  We feel that if we’ve worked for it, we deserve it.  We own our dignity and dress ourselves in inward and outward rewards.  Yet, when others are rewarded with a position or opportunity we feel we earned, we are irate.  Here’s the kicker: God’s grace is not earned, but given.  Earning makes us feel entitled, but in receiving, we are humbled.  We find lasting relief when we receive His grace.  As frustrating and unfair as this unearned gift seems, you must rest and receive.