Poems of the Day

Poetry expresses, life, love, family, friends and so much more.  The word Poetry means ‘I make’ or ‘I create’ from the Ancient Greek language.  Poetry uses aesthetic qualities, instead of the notional and semantic content, it differs from ordinary prose for its user and audience.  Poetry can convey emotions or ideas, often using incantatory effects.

Poetry would be notoriously difficult to translate from one language to another because of the linguistics, as opposed to using language; it is the weight of the words, the connotations where beauty is found in the balance of ideas rather than in specific vocabulary.  Sometimes the meanings in poetry can be difficult to interpret with the intention to escape the logical, expressing feelings and other expressions in a tight, condensed manner.

Image accessed at: Michael Michelini (2011)

To a wonderful friend, I asked her kindly if I could publish her  personally composed  poem about her daughter, and she agreed!  It is called ‘Aaahhh bless’:

Aaahhh bless

 

The room was green like peppermints

She lay with soap scented toes

The calmness and serenity

In a place where love would grow

 

And anchored with her roots of love

Million trillion miles of rope

Entwining and protecting her

New beginning time of hope

 

Such childhood days so vulnerable

Endless springtime, showers few

This precious time for memories

With a world around so new

 

Aaahhh bless

 

The room was black with posters up

From the ceiling to the floor

And in our life a stranger stood

As an island far from shore

 

The gales beat out, vibrations felt

As she thrashed against our heart

Relentless and conceivably

With attempt to rip apart

 

She come back they said be patient

Bowed head, lowered eyes we waited

And out of the darkness she came,

Again she loved not hated

 

Aaahhh bless

 

Fluttering into adulthood

Like a sunrise after rain

Daughter, we share togetherness

Our foundations are regained

 

So proud of whom you have become

And of what you will achieve

A beauty from the inside out

A sight to be believed

(Written By L Swinbourne, 2013)

If you really enjoy music and lyrics like I do, then go ahead compose a poem of your own.  A poem can come from feelings at that particular time, or a way to convey emotions or messages to an audience or a particular person.  Whilst I was on the subject and enjoying my friend’s poem, I enjoyed some thoughtful time to express some of my present thoughts on life with my sons.  I hope you enjoy my poem too:

The Warmth of the sun on a sunny day

The sound of chirping birds far away

The sound of children in the day

Humming, shuffling in their play

The way my son reads and breathes

And little hands that write with ease

The stack of magazines, the piled clean clothes

A voice calls; ‘Mum I need those Jeans’!

The teenager’s room with dirty cups, odd socks

I’ll do it tomorrow, no rush, tick tock

The sticky prints on window panes

A cycle of cleaning, picking up and maintaining

But….. one day these tasks will pass

More time, less demand at last

Childhood, precious time goes fast

Memorable moments never to mask

 

Leave a comment or post me your poem of the day.

 

Once apon a Polka Dot (Part II)

This animated icon, with her trademark polka dot skirt; no other than Minnie Mouse who was born into the Walk Disney illustration studio in 1928, as Micky Mouse’s female companion.

It can be said that the 20th century was truly the beginning of the polka dot’s role in the fashion industry.  The polka dot graced the gowns of female celebrities, seen here with Marilyn Monroe in a polka dot bikini.

With global recognition during the 1940’s and 1950’s, came the release of Christian Dior’s notable hourglass dresses, in spotted prints and a staple diet of polka dots in the glamorous clothes injected into the well known film; ‘I Love Lucy’.

(Images from google images)

(Text information accessed from; A Pictorial History of Polka Dot Clothing by Paula Darnell)

The History of the Polka Dot (Flaunt 2013)

Metaphorically the visual comparison of the polka dot is taken from the appearance of many infections, displayed by spots and round bumps, namely measles, moles and boils.  It’s childhood dates back to the medieval times with a tale of the visual spottiness as a pattern seen in diseases, to  later convert to a fashionable print, poignant and dramatic.

During the renaissance period of the 17th and 18th century, the polka dot had become a cosmetic procedure in the practice of moucheron also known as ‘patching’, where men and women would use circular patches of fabric to cover over blemishes on their faces (Ashley Hollins of Prezi 2013).

(Image by Theatre Fashion, Amber Jane 2012)

A Person who is  Colour Blind will probably not see Polka Dots 

Colour Blindness is more common in men who genetically carry two X chromosomes, as opposed to women who have one X and one Y chromosome, for the reason that biologically the fault lies in the colour vision gene of an X chromosome, known as a recessive disorder.  In colour blindness the vision itself is not affected, only the ability to distinguish between certain colours, and in rare forms of colour blindness, all colours are seen in black and white.

For a colour blind person, colour can be defined depending on its intensity;  reds, white, black and blue is easier to be identified, however many greens, orange, pale red or pink and brown all appear the same hue.

The Test

This type of display of colour dots is known as a Ishihara Test Plate.  There are many types of Ishihara tests, some with hidden numbers and letters hidden in different coloured dots.  The design of these tests help to diagnose colour blindness, can you see the two wavy lines made up of red and orange dots?  Or the background of green and blue dots?  If you are colour blind it will  be difficult to make out the difference in colours or the pattern of wavy lines.

   Colour blindness is usually inherited and if this is the case, it can not be stopped, however if there is an underlying eye disorder or medication causing the condition, it can sometimes be treated and stopped.

Colour Blindness text taken from reference: Dr Rob Hicks, BBC Health (2013) Accessed at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/colour_blindness.shtml (viewed 2nd April 2013)

 

Princess of the Polka Dots (Part 1)

Images from: http://pinterest.com/pin/193936327674159016/

This is really beautiful and pleasing to the eye, if you like polka dots? They are growing on me, dot by dot! Have you ever wondered why we have the  polka dots?   Or do you prefer stripes? Polka dots can be used to portray fun, seen by the extensive use in children’s characters or humorous TV mascots, aka ‘Mr Blobby’ with communicational vocabulary; blobby, blobby, blobby!  Accompanied only by expressed mood tone and repetition of ; blobby, blobby, blobby!  Sorry, I can’t resist that catch phrase!

For some of you, Mr Blobby is unfamiliar, particularly for those born during or after his reign throughout the nineties.  However, for myself , a memorable, amusing accolade of a well liked, live Saturday night show, known as; ‘Noel’s House Party’.  For me this was a big reason to have a  ‘Saturday night  in’, or an economical viable option when you are in your twenties with a new mortgage and bills you didn’t know existed.  In those days I was content to be on a comfortable sofa, with a shared curry, bottle of cider, whilst watching some members of the public exposed to trickery and embarrassment for our entertainment.

Mr Blobby & Neol Edmunds, accessed at: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=

Its popularity and viewing success was perhaps a comparative in simile to Ant and Dec’s ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’ (2005).

If you have to time to google this TV show, with the final episode in 1997, you can decide if this is funny, dated or not your kind of thing. Criticisms of Mr Blobby:

• These criticisms are all funny (that is only my opinion).  Blobby, blobby, blobby!
• Elizabeth Kolbert of the New York Times, states that some commentators view the character as ‘proof of Britain’s deep-seated attraction to trash.  (How very dare they)!
• In Sir Michael Parkinson’s 2008 autobiography he expressed disdain for this character, quoting; ‘far from amusing’.  (You still get my vote Mr Blobby).
• The No1 single of Christmas 1993, called (you guessed it) ‘Mr Blobby’, was voted the worst Christmas song ever!

Do you find Mr Blobby funny? Please vote Yes or No, and Please give me your reasons for your answer, it would be really interesting to find out.

Thank you.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_Blobby

(Part 11 to be continued)

Outnumbered 3-1

‘Three sons – I can’t think of anything worse.’ Really?
The idea of sex-selective abortions is abhorrent, but the pull of having a balanced family pervades our society

(Title heading from the Author; Iris Chapman;Guardian newspaper 27th February 2012)

Quite sad to hear this, after all life is meant to be unpredictable, not always planned and having a son and daughter may be a perfect family, with the experience of raising both, but our children are individual, unique per person, not only per gender.  I’m happy to wait for the experience of a Granddaughter, although the thought of Grandsons sounds just as wonderful.

There are strict guidelines from the  Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority on the engineering of families.  A mother expecting her third son, visited a Harley Street gynaecologist, whom unpromptedly suggested that if this baby was a third boy, he would support her undergoing IVF with preimplantation genetic diagnosis in a clinic abroad to secure a fourth female child (Iris Chapman, Guardian 2012).  Supporting societal expectations of the family structure having both sex children, and despite the moral and ethical issues and illegal nature, a health professional is still willing to ‘act God’ by suggesting such interventions.

Are you of the opinion that we should choose the sex of our children?

Is there nothing left for mother nature to deal her hand in?

Why do we allow science  interfere even though it needs to move forward and progress, but the most natural mechanism of a human being is producing another human, so where is the ‘cut off’ point?  For example, consider the issues surrounding IVF which is  controversial in itself.  Whereas it allows an infertile woman to have a better chance of producing a genetic blood child.  For some, this intervention leaves no barriers for a woman who wants to leave her body to produce or not to produce; or to accept fate  in preference to an intrusive and unnatural method of conception.  Some women have experienced an undignified, often painful treatment, in the attempt to artificially inject the body, affectively the defective female state with a possibility of no outcome and further disappointment.

Here is another debate.  Are women innately maternal?

In an article from The Mail Newspaper, titled, The women who think they’re too clever to have babies, written by Antonia Hoyle (November 2012).  One woman claimed that at the age of 16 she knew she did not want children and after getting her degree, started her own business, whilst her friends started a family.

Lots of friends my age with children look ten years older because they’re so sleep-deprived. When I see women out with their children they look so miserable’  (Quote from The Mail, November 2012).

Is it a myth that successful working women can simply take a year’s maternity leave for example, then return to work.  That must surely be an overwhelming situation, near impossible to succeed in your job and fulfill parenting duties.  Some would argue, what is the point of having a child but not getting to know your child.

Should smart women opt out altogether?  Or could this induce moral panic amongst the male counterpart for the empowering of woman and the loss of control for his blood line, heir, name to continue.  After all, a therapist named Marisa Peer looked at recent studies which showed females pass on intelligence not males.  Is it therefore a great shame if very bright women to not pass on these genes?

I used to know

Video from Utube, Group: Pentatonix: Gotye Cover

When I watch this video it’s amazing how this group were formed by three friends growing up together, entering a local radio competition and even though they did not win, their own school gave them recognition.  I briefly looked read the history of the group on the website, learning how they used utube to publisize their work, finding some of their members who had previously posted on utube, namely the ‘rapper’ of the group.  Their name, ‘Pentatonix’ means a cappella; an Italian word for ‘manner of the church’ in the style of singing without instrumental sound.

Before I heard their version, I was familiar with the song, however it didn’t stimulate me in the way this does; almost makes my skin tingle.  With the individual emotional expression, this group have created by their presence, voice and body movement, and not to mention the recording angle changing with the song.

In fact the lyrics are interesting in their nature, which again I had not read before finding this video clip. I decided to investigate a little further;

The lyrics denote a saddness for the ending of a relationship, however a relief that it needed to end.  Loneliness can accompany a relationship when there is lack of communication and very little companionship.  Although in the lyrics ‘you can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness’? Does this mean it easier to have a relationship and be lonely, than be alone without a relationship?  And why, when a relationship ends does it become a ‘cut off’, no communication, no friendship, or is this a coping mechanism for further hurt?   Read on, here comes some pschological analysis and the website I extracted my information and available here if further reading is of interest; 

(as cited in http://www.psychologistanywhereanytime.com/relationships_psychologist/psychologist_rejection.htm)

Loneliness

Research supports that all too often men and women get into a relationship and stay in a relationship through the fear of being lonely.  Fear is not a good foundation of a relationship, often creating discontentment.  A person who is able to enjoy their own company is less likely to rush into a relationship or seek a companion based on fear.  An extreme fear of being alone is a phobia, with several names; autophobia, isolaphobia and monophobia.  The symptoms can be displayed in many ways, namely, panic attacks, and the reverse affect of isolating oneself from loved ones, friends and work colleagues.

“You didn’t have to cut me off”!

Rejection or fear of being rejected, can rank as the most distressing event in personal experiences. 

Consider an act of violence thrust upon an individual: it is likely they will raise their hands in defence and react by covering the face, protecting vital areas.  The body may lean and automatically pull away from pain.  Now consider the lyrics, why ‘cut me off’?  This can be explained by the emotional reaction to hurt.  The same reaction occurs as a physical attack, however it occurs internally.  Our defence responses in our subconscious mind does not differeniate between physical and emotional pain: both hurts.

It is human nature to protect ourselves from further hurt.  Our responses have to suit our needs.  Does this explain why contact or communication in relationships seems to be ‘cut off’ or end without friendship an option?  Hope so.

Can’t buy me love

Enjoy what is here and now.

Yes, I used to be one of those people who planned the ‘future’, wanting to get there for myself and my sons to have more, more savings, better car, security.  What is security? Life is vulnerable, mundane, exciting, a ticking time bomb.  Nothing is certain, that is what I have learnt and the human body is designed for insecurity, survival tactics inherited from our ancestor; the hunters.  We come with an inbuilt stress tolerance, immune system to guard us against threat to the body.

Money can make life easier and material possessions can give pleasure but these are short lived, shallow commodities.  Emotions, feelings, social support, friends and families can give us the substance to thrive and keep fighting for life, keep smiling and be a part of something.

Can’t buy me love…..the famous lyrics of The Beatles hit song.  Unbelievably it is wealth, celebrity status and power which is the lowest priority on most people’s list of ‘what really matters’, published by Bonn 2013 in the Independent newspaper.  A good life is stemmed from happy families, according to the Journal of Happiness Studies, where men and women were asked to imagine their lives at 85 and to rank the most important factors for a good, worthwhile life.  The compelling evidence which came to light to be the most central for life satisfaction is a close enduring relationship (Bonn 2013).

In my opinion, a family need not be Mr and Mrs and 2.3 children; it can be a bond, partnership, a way of living together and forming friendships. When my sons’ father and I still lived together, I was of the opinion that my sons had what they needed by simply having both parents living with them full time.  I have since learned that parenting is building relationships, not just an existence or figure status.  All relationships require unselfish time giving, mutual respect, listening and talking and dealing with issues without anger. Patience and time with each other can build a stronger bond and hopefully a loving peaceful home for us to be happy and at ease with the world.

Families may appear a simple concept, however with the ever changing structure they are diversley complex.  I would not chose to be a single headed family, however my guilt has subsided now I see my sons growing and developing despite of changes.  It is important for me to involve my parents and friends in our lives to expand our family unit and support.  Have a look at this blog I descovered whilst I searched for ‘family literature’, there is loads out there!  Support and advise, we are not alone in family life.

http://www.parentfurther.com/why

Image Credits from google images

Learning to ……walk, run…..again ….have a look!

For some reason, this video hit a cord!  I can relate to the lyrics……learning to walk again.  In the last three years I have been adjusting to life as an unmarried, learning to become the primary carer in the home, setting boundaries making sole decisions.   Encouraging my sons to help with their Mothers attempts of flat pack furniture building, actually they take over the role!  Tackling jobs around the home, not always with great success, but boy, when I change some batteries or a light bulb, the feeling of triumph compels me.  Alright that is no big deal, but I was always the gardener, organizer and didn’t do electrical fixtures in the past!

This music video is an expression of some of the immense frustrations most of us encompass in modern society.  Why is nothing straight forward anymore?!  Maybe it’s a maturity perspective or learning to cope independently, but I certainly am not afraid to express my disappointments, however in a slightly more passive display of emotions than the singer from the ‘Foo Fighters’.  Not politically correct of course, but a humorous depiction of a bad day!

Well it had me laughing out loud!  Even my eldest son commented “its not that funny?!” Everyone has their own specific laughter levels, humour preference, do you think so?  Of course we should not hit shopkeepers with sticks, or destroy public property.  Or go about running over stuffed dummies with a golf buggy; totally uncalled for, ridiculously outragous!  Please watch and enjoy.

It’s my Life

Life certainly began at 40 for me! Another son to add to the collection; Henry who is now 6 years old, to include his brother’s  Tom 17 and Steven 13.  Henry is by far the king of the house; likes to get his own way and manipulate his brothers with his cuteness!  But of course I am their Queen and they will obey me, well sometimes!  We all work well together even though none of us are perfect; well my sons are most of the time!

There has been many changes in the last couple of years following my divorce some were difficult times, and like many parents I experienced an overwhelming sense of dismay for the loss of a traditional family unit.  However, our journey through life has continued, adjusted and thrived, with the belief that my sons are well balanced, with installed values and a very loving family surrounding them.

About Me

After working in the same company for 16 years, most of which was part-time whilst I enjoyed being a wife and mother, I am now back into full time education at the University of Essex.  Sometimes I still have to remind myself how I achieved this after an eight months Access Course to Higher Education as a gateway to University, having previously no A Levels.  I am passionate about learning and aim to achieve my Bachelor of Science degree, hoping to enter a Masters Degree to secure a desired career.  Having to run the home and care for my sons amongst the research and essay composing  is a  challenge which I enjoy achieving, with a determination to full fill both roles.

My Blog

 Publishing this blog has been an inspiration taken from an outside module called New Media and Socio Cultural changes, helping us to understand how websites can promote ourselves and our knowledge,  encourage debate and new subjects for discussion.  My blog title; Love, Life & Laughter aims to encompass my life experiences, with sentiment and some humour where possible.  I do not claim to be a professional, although within my literature I have researched subjects I have decided to write about, with my competent knowledge of research skills gained from my Health Studies degree.  There is context built from my own views and opinions which are not factual but with a sense to affiliate to other people’s experiences or emotions.  The modules I am reading within my Health Studies degree, include a balance of social sciences; illness and society, social psychology, health and disease, law and ethics and critical appraisal. Thank you for reading my blog or any other pages; you are welcome to leave a comment or click the ‘follow me’ link which will notify you by email when I post a new blog.