New Music Friday - Feb 27

More music for the weekend. Enjoy

Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash - Texas Sun

Elvis Costello - Veronica (Acoustic)

J.J. Johnson - Blue Trombone

MC 900 Ft Jesus - If I Had Only a Brain

Oasis - Morning Glory (Acoustic)

René Lacaille & Bob Brozman - Zok

Squirrel Nut Zippers - Suits Are Picking Up The Bill

The Pursuit of Happiness - I'm An Adult Now

Toots And The Maytals - Start Me Up
(Can't find link to this one. If anyone finds it please post it in a comment)

Trout Fishing in America - What I Want is A Proper Cup of Coffee

Karma's a bitch

I believe in Karma. I have seen it come to life so often, I cannot ignore it. Karma is the law of moral causation and is fundamental to Buddhism. It's a key tenet of my personal philosophy. Simply, do good and good will happen to you. Do bad, and bad will happen to you. Maybe not right away, maybe not this week, but it will.

This includes thoughts as well as actions. Many people think they can think bad thoughts, but if they don't act on them, then it's ok. Nope, nice try. Bad thoughts will still create a negative energy, too.

That is why I try to live by a philosophy of do good, think good. Not only to avoid karma coming back and smacking me upside the head, but it's actually a hell of a lot easier to be good and think good thoughts than bad. Try it, you'll see. Being bad is exhausting.

So all those who do bad, watch out, the Karma Police will find you and you will pay the price.

New Music Friday - Feb 20.

Continuing my new Friday tradition (Ok, it's only twice, but traditions have to start somewhere people!) Just click links below. Enjoy:

Aaron Neville - Use Me

Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing

Keller Williams - People Watchin' (Featuring Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten & Jeff Sipe)

Kitchens of Distinction - Drive That Fast

Kraftwerk - Autobahn

Lyle Lovett - Here I Am

Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance

Steve Kimock Band- Is it Up To You (Live at the BellyUp) - Sorry can't find on-line version.

The Funky Meters - Hey Pocky Way

Van Broussard - Ooh Poo Pah Doo

Get the bus off of me

What is wrong with people! Ok, now that I got that out I feel better. I won't go into details, but I felt like I was thrown under the bus by someone this week. If you don't know the phrase, click here for an urban dictionary explanation.

I've had time to think about it (long commutes). Why do people do that? I believe it stems from insecurity. If someone is secure with themselves, they would not do this this as their own personal internal strength would not allow them to act/react this way. But insecurities bring out the worst in some people.

I'm fine with the situation, because I am secure with myself. I only feel sadness and pity for the person who tried to throw me under the bus. Note to person, the tire tracks are not real and wash right off.

Friday Music

I love to share new music. I love it when someone hears something I'm playing and says 'That's cool, who is it'. And when I tell them, they say 'I've never heard of them'. So I will be sharing my musical tastes every Friday (or almost every Friday). You may have heard these groups or songs and that's OK, it just mean that you're musically advanced :-) . If not, well, this is your chance to broaden your musical tastes. Just click on each song below. Enjoy.

Ben Harper Diamonds On the Inside

Grateful Dead - Franklin's Tower

Joss Stone - Tell Me 'Bout It

Natalie Merchant - Baby I lLove You - Son Of A Preacher Man

Os Mutantes - A Minah Menina

Reel Big Fish - Hungry Like The Wolf

She and Him - Sweet Darlin'

The Police - Murder By Numbers

The The - Soul Catcher

Umphrey's McGee - Wine, Women and Song

Joy, Pain, Sunshine, Rain

What does this have to with Striving for Excellence? Quite a lot, actually. What are the two things that motive you (or anyone) to do anything. Joy and Pain. Carrot and Stick.

Think about this. When you do something, it is either to avoid pain or have pleasure. I will eat that piece of chocolate cake because it tastes so good. - PLEASURE. I will not eat that piece of chocolate cake because I will feel guilty cheating on my diet - PAIN.

At first you may say, 'What! You're reducing us to the level of Pavlov's dog? We can't be conditioned like that." Sorry, yes you can and companies pay Marketers billions of dollars a year to just that. "Drink this and you'll be happy" "Wear this perfume and you'll be sexy" They cater to our basic level. Pleasure and Pain.

Ok, now that you know this. Use it to your advantage. Take the thing you know you need to do, but are avoiding because of some pain and turn it on it head. Reframe it so that the outcome is pleasure.

I need to get the garage cleaned out, but it'll take all day! - PAIN stops you. Reframed: I need to get the garage cleaned out so that I park my car inside again. - PLEASURE.

By you reframing the issue, you control the outcome. You control you. Don't let someone else do it.