The Prime Voice of Whitney Houston

This song. What can be said. Whitney at her best, so vocally strong. Timeless tunes. Her image is 80's iconographic of pop confronting racial cultural representation, which was rarely seen in 80's pop. There were not a lot of "great" non-white pop stars that made it popular in image. Whitney was of the shift of the trend that would define one current popular music trend: R&B with pop.
 
Who didn't wanna dance with an invisible shoes in this video? I sure as hell wanted to go to this concert. I just remember being taken by this beautiful black woman with a voice. I could listen to all Whitney's early albums from front to end and be drawn into the emotions. Her prowess as a voice remains at battle with the best of the best, perhaps our generations Aretha.


I admit to this day, Whitney's voice is still able to emotionally deliver for me. She is a ballad master and the actual physical power of her voice allows her to remain a true diva (before crack got wack).

Sexy love making music. Her smooth R & B was a shift in image that was more sensible of representing African American influence in American culture. Obviously black culture seems to heavily influence numerous genres of music, which again and again made popular, from R&B, Hip Hop to Rock n Roll.

This is as good as it gets folks.

Rome Wasn't Built in 100 Days

Push me, through the door. Tell me to be someone and then encourage me to do it. Make me big. Instead of judging my weight, why don't you look at yourself in the mirror. Distorted images all over - inside and out. Do you see what I see?

See the world through my eyes. There would be a frame around each picture. Glasses being peered through with a set of eyes. The frames resting on nose. Push me to be both hard and soft on myself, but don't hide me from the world. Reject boxes.

I am nothing really special, but I am here so as I am, I thought I would try to express myself. Give me the voice to speak truth. Remind me of the truth. When I forget, don't forget to forgive me, as I am only human.

Today I realized that I am special. I remembered that you taught me never to forget how special I am. Push me to keep pushing.

It's funny how some things just don't change. Time can pass, tempers can flare, moments can come and then go. The fact of life remains that memories that carry forward are saturated in fondness. When care becomes an emblem of remembering the past and valuing how it carries worth in future and present - it is realized that blessings come in array of transformations.

People come, people go, never stop valuing the time spent, even if it was long ago.

Happy Diwali!

To all my yoga lovers, Hindu homies and brown appreciators....light it up!

New Jack Playback: Monica "Before you Walk Out My Life"

Love me some old school Monica.

Portrait of Parul Pandya by Caitlin McGrath

My wife painted this beautiful portrait of me; I am quite speachless! Blue and red are my favourite colours, and red wine is my favourite water!!!

Cait is a very talented artist, so please check out her work here.

RIP, Gentle Jack Layton

What does it mean to be a facilitator of change? Does it require that you change the lives of many through your good deeds, or just one, or some? Should it mean that the impact you make should be immediately measurable in value, or does it mean that you plant a seed to watch progression happen slowly, like a baby horse taking a first step, who will one day run as free as a freeze. Change is an acknowledgment that growth is a human endeavour, and that with an effort of unity, many can be impacted through the positivity of this evolution.

Today a good man lost a battle to cancer, charismatic, kind and sensible NDP leader Jack Layton – a man that has made an unforgettable impact to Canadian contemporary politics, a man who made us acknowledge just how much we really can help eachother change for the better. I send my condolences to his family and friends, and I thank him for making us believe that some politicians still do harbour a conscience to serve the needs of the people. Missed and never forgotten, with a smile that seemed to strike the match of hope in many of those in younger generations. Though the battle with cancer came to a grim end, the contribution Mr. Layton has made to Canada is forever light. Thank you - the last election showed just how much Canadians were beginning to envision the values he installed into our world through his years of contribution.

Toronto Public Libraries Under Threat - Rob Ford is a DOUCHE

I urge you all to sign this petition immediately.Toronto's Public Libraries are under threat and we, the people, need to take action!

Doug Ford, the brother of Mayor Rob Ford said on July 14, 2011 - "I have more libraires in my area than I have Tim Hortons." Lets's keep it that way or we will be fat, lazy fucks like the Ford brothers.

This was my note on the petition:

Dear Mr. Ford,

It saddens me that you are demoting the importance of public space as a community outlet of learning, gathering and education. Libraries pay a critical role in communicating diversity, teaching history and providing imagination for adults and youth alike.

I think that your priorities are jaded. For example, for those youth who cannot afford to go out and spend money, a library is a PUBLIC place of escape and perhaps a sanctuary away from the problems of everyday.

I urge you to rethink the value of words. I am a writer and this is not only personally offensive to me, but it is an insult to society and Toronto culture. We, the people appreciate learning and value to pass this down for generations to come. It should not be in the hands of corporations or be threatened by privatization.

Best,

Parul Pandya

Rob Ford replied:

Thank you very much for your email regarding libraries in the City of Toronto. I appreciate your thoughts and value the input from our residents.

Yours truly,

Mayor Rob Ford
City of Toronto