Sly

I was listening to Sly and the Family Stone the other day: Everyday People, Que Sera Sera, Dance to the Music, I Want to Take you Higher, Stand, Family Affair, You Can Make it if You Try. I was feeling so good listening and singing along when I realized how lucky I was to be raised listening to those songs. 


We had several of their albums in my parents vinyl collection. Yes, the music is infectiously soulful and funky, but what struck me were the messages contained within. My outlook on life--generally optimistic, open-minded, fun-loving, hard-working-- can be summed up quite accurately in Sly and the Family Stone lyrics. 


Made me wonder what kids are listening to these days and how it will color their world view. Here is my life philosophy summed up by Sly, Freddie, Larry, Rosemary, Greg and Cynthia: 


Everyday People

Sometimes I'm right and I can be wrong

My own beliefs are in my song

The butcher, the banker, the drummer and then

Makes no difference what group I'm in

I am everyday people . . . 

I am no better and neither are you

We are the same whatever we do

You love me you hate me you know me and then

You can't figure out the bag l'm in

I am everyday people 

Stand 

In the end you'll still be you
One that's done all the things you set out to do
Stand
There's a cross for you to bear
Things to go through if you're going anywhere
Stand
For the things you know are right
It s the truth that the truth makes them so uptight
Stand
All the things you want are real
You have you to complete and there is no deal
Stand. stand, stand

Family Affair

One child grows up to be

Somebody that just loves to learn

And another child grows up to be

Somebody you'd just love to burn

Mom loves the both of them

You see it's in the blood

Both kids are good to Mom

'Blood's thicker than mud'

You can Make it if you Try

You can make it if you try

Push a little harder

Think a little deeper

Don't let the plastic bring you down

And this one, you must hear for yourself:

Grapes of Zap

My grandmother Mentoria believed in understanding and listening to her dreams in order to better play the lottery. Keeping with tradition (minus the lottery part) I've interpreted the vivid dream I had last night.

I was riding on a passsenger train through the Ohio countryside. Looking out of the window there were miles and miles of utility poles. Strung between each pole are perfectly pruned concord grape vines laden with 2-inch, perfectly round juicy grapes.

According to some dubious online sources on dream interpretation, grapes mean abundance, traveling on a train symbolizes my life's journey, and power lines mean a struggle for empowerment.

An alternative interpretation is that I never pruned my grape arbor this winter and I feel guilt.

Sustainable Irony

I got a promotion and after some time trying to make it work, I've ended my time (for now) as a car-free Clevelander. With my new schedule, I tried a combination of cycling, bussing and Zipcar. My new sustainability related position has me attending meetings all over the place with very little travel time in between. I'd been leaving early and arriving late to everything which just "aint gonna fly" as my dad would say. The irony is not lost on me.

I've learned a lot from being car-free for 14 months in Cleveland. I've learned:

• you can live in Cleveland and have a good life sans automobile
• instant gratification is a lot harder without an auto, I spent less
• a "transit oriented lifestyle" is the inevitable result
• I like running into friends on RTA and in the bike lane
• empathy for families with little kids making complex transit journeys
• patience for standing outside in all kinds of weather
• the joy of cycling in winter
• how to smile at rude motorists
• how to be a rude cyclist
• that we need to have better transit network connections

and much more that I hope to apply in my new position. Someday I plan to be car-free again, but in the meantime I plan to have 2-3 car-free work days a week. 

Opportunity and Constraint

Opportunity and Constraint
Originally uploaded by Jenita McGowan.

Opportunity and Constraint

Weebles Wobble, but they Don't Fall Down

A nearly tipped stemless wine glass just reminded me that I used to love Weeble Wobbles when I was a kid. We had a parrot named Ricky Ticky Tacky (yes, he could say it). We would put one in our parrot's cage and he would peck at the Weeble Wobble, but being a Weeble Wobble, it never fell down. 

Cleveland from Columbus perspective

I am in Columbus for my great aunt's memorial service. Headed home soon, but stopping for lunch. This guy next to me at the Northstar is talking to his buddy about the reasons rich young people have to leave Cleveland to "get started". I'd love to know how he came to this conclusion and how often he espouses this.

I've come to look for America

Iv'e got that Paul Simon song running through my mind. The Greyhound Bus is calm and full of sleeping people.

Circa 1989

The 80s
Originally uploaded by Jenita McGowan.

I wish getting dressed was still this easy.