Saturday, March 7, 2015

Women's History Month - a Jamaican Heroine's Story

I came across this article recently and thought I would share it. Nanny of the Maroons: History, Memory, and Imagery by Kimberly Juanita Brown. This is an interesting read about Nanny, a former slave, rebel, and military leader in the fight against slavery in Jamaica.  http://www.yale.edu/glc/nanny.htm If you come across any others, please share the link.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Great Quotes for Read Across America Day

This week, people across the country celebrated Read Across America Day on Dr. Seuss' birthday, I love getting lost in a book as much as I love writing one and if you were like me, your love of reading probably started with a Dr. Seuss book. His stories were memorable, but he also gave us some great quotes that I found in this article called Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss! 16 of  His Greatest Quotes to Inspire You by MindBodyGreen, I'm sharing the link here.
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17599/happy-birthday-dr-seuss-16-of-his-greatest-quotes-to-inspire-you.html

I think my favorite quote is, "Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. So...get on your way."

Feel free to share your favorites in the comment section below. Happy Reading!

Saturday, February 7, 2015

My Five Favorite Bob Marley Songs

On Friday I posted a photo of Bob Marley on my Facebook page in recognition of what would’ve been his 70th birthday. A friend asked me what he represented to me and that really got me thinking. Bob Marley and reggae music played such an important part in helping shape my Jamaican identity while growing up in Canada, and his music taught me so many things. I love all of his songs, so it is hard to pick just five, but here are some favorites:


Positive Vibration
I love the first line of this song, “Live if you want to live!” Positive Vibration always lifts my spirits and reminds me to focus on the good in my life and to “make way for the positive day.”

Zimbabwe
Released on the album, Survival, Zimbabwe is one of those protest songs that gets you moving and gets you thinking. “Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny.” Zimbabwe was a call to action for Blacks to rise up against the minority rule of the White Rhodesians. It’s a reminder to fight for “you.”

Turn Your Lights Down Low
Bob Marley encouraged spirituality and advocated for freedom, but he was also a romantic. Turn Your Lights Down Low puts you in the mood to spend a quiet and easy night with a special someone. The version on the Exodus album is timeless and classic and the version with Lauryn Hill on Chant Down Babylon is really well done too.

Could You Be Loved
Some claim this is a love song, some say it was written for the poor and struggling, and some say it was Bob Marley reaffirming his faith in Rastafarianism. I’m leaning towards the last two interpretations: “Don’t let them change ya! Or even rearrange ya!” Be true to yourself and stand firm in your beliefs.

The Heathen
The Live Forever: The Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA, September 23, 1980 album is a recording of Bob Marley’s last concert performance before his death. “Rise up fallen fighters, rise and take your stance again!” In The Heathen, Bob Marley definitely lets you know the importance he put on spirituality. This song is at times quiet and low, but it is also energizing.  It makes me sad that I never had the chance to see a live performance.


Bonus: Crazy Baldheads
During my first years of practice, my managing partner had all the attorneys pick a war or “going to court” song. Mine was Crazy Baldheads. Yeah, I was reclaiming everything that was taken and then I was going to run you out of town (court)!

That’s my five (well, six). Notice that I didn’t number them; I couldn’t. I think they’re all great and there’s many more I would add to the list, so there’s no way I could rank them.


So that’s it for now. #OneLove! (Yeah, I snuck in another one.)