What He Said, What He Wrote

The only thing I can say uniquely about Ray Bradbury's death is that I distinctly remember the shock and wonder I experienced reading "The Fruit at the Bottom of the Bowl," one of his short stories, for the first time. There is something incredibly powerful that happens when you read a story and it completely surprises you. I remember finding this story quite strange and at times slightly dull - and then my feelings got turned upside down. I felt, very profoundly, not only a new sense of interest, but surprise in reading the story toward the end - and then I had to read it again and again just so I could experience the feeling over and over.

This happened countless times when I read Bradbury's short stories (in "Driving Blind" was one of my favorite anthologies growing up) and novels (who couldn't be changed by "Fahrenheit 451" ? ).

In addition to his writing, I was impressed by Brandbury's sense of purpose, focus on love, and genuineness. When my high school acquired the rights to perform "Fahrenheit 451" the play - Bradbury sent our director a signed copy of the book to thank us for spreading 451's main messages to larger audiences.

In closing, I have to link to Paulo Coelho's Blog for some great quotes from Bradbury. A great author recognizing a great author. As well as Huffington Post's reflection on his life. Because really, nobody can describe Ray Bradbury better than the things he said, and nobody really gets it until they experience his stories.

Thanks.

Summer Reading 2012

My 2012 reading habits have waned, but I'm excited to set and meet some summer reading goals. What could be a better way to get back into the groove of reading than to do it by the pool?

Here is what I hope to read:

"A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin (HBO has renewed my interest in this series)
"Class Warfare" by Stephen Brill
"The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
"No Country for Old Men" by Cormac McCarthy
"In the Garden of the Beasts" by Erik Larson

Hopefully the reading jolt will also lead me to doing some more writing, too!

Cheers to summer! And to books!

~MJ

I am fighting for the liberation of voices with something to say

This post is mostly written by someone else. The song, which makes up the majority of this post, is incredibly fitting to my current work - my drive, my motivation, my hopes, my fears, my hurts and my wishes. Mostly, I never want to forget the voices with something to say - and never, ever, be a part of a system stamping out those voices, ignoring them, or misleading them.  Always, I will fight such systems with the hope of changing things for the better. Remember Lennon's "Imagine" ? Yeah, I'm not the only one.

Fight to Win

Goodie Mob - featuring Cee Lo Green

Fight to win, stand up straight

No debate, pushed by hate

Concentrate, penetrate, generate

Motivate, live by faith

Keep believin, I know the reason

It’s the season, now’s the time

Keep on dreaming, keep on leading

And keep on fighting!

[Cee-lo Green]

I am fighting for the liberation

Of voices with something to say

Like many before me, for glory

You have to stand in harm’s way

I’m no savior, just a soldier

Soldier with an order

So I have no choice but to trust the God

Cause it must be done

My only fear is what might happen

If I didn’t fight to win

[Hook]

If I lose, then it was worth fighting for

If I win, I only live to fight again

If I lose, then it was worth dying for

If I win, I only live to fight again

Who are? We are, they are too

Can't turn the turn the, too far?

Fight, fight, fight

You should be proud for the courage

The courage to think out loud

You’ll find your way if you’re foolish enough to be faithful

Believe me, it wont be easy

But it’s surely not impossible

And if they won’t listen

Save your breath and save yourself

And as soon as you see sunlight again

Get up and fight to win!

[Hook]

Til your presence felt, fight

Til your last breath, fight

For your spirit, for your mind, fight

For your soul, fight

Never lose sight

Keep up the fight

When all fails and you done tried everything in life, fight

Keep ya head up

Read more: http://www.killerhiphop.com/goodie-mob-fight-to-win-lyrics/#ixzz1t71xgvZH