Music

This is such a fascinating description of Music.   My girlfriend wrote it out in a card for me a long time ago and I just came across it today.   I can see how one might choose to worship the art form itself as opposed to the Creator of such a powerful language. 

I am music, most ancient of the arts.  I am more than ancient; I am eternal.  Even before life began upon this earth, I was here - in the winds and the waves.  When the first trees and flowers and grasses appeared, I was among them.  And humanity came, I at once became the most delicate, most subtle and most poerful medium for the expression of emotions.

In all ages I have inspired people with hope, kindled their love, given a voice to their joys, cheered them on to valourous deeds, and soothed them in times of despair.  I have played a great part in the drama of life.  Through my influence, humanity has been uplifted, sweetened and refined.  With the aid of humanity, I have become a fine art.  I have a myriad of voices and instruments.

I am in the hearts of all and on their tongues, in all lands among all peoples, the ingnorant and unlettered know me, not less the rich and the learned.  For I speak to All, in a language they all can feel.  Even the deaf hear me, if they but listen to the voices of their own souls.  I am the food of love.  I have taught people gentleness and peace; and I have led them onward to heroic deeds.  I am comfort for the lonely, and I harmonize the discord of crowds.  I am a necessary luxury to all.  I am Music.
- Anonymous

A few of my favourite things

I'm generally not one to endorse products, but in the past month 2 random products have proven themselves to be worth a mention. Both products get the Diva Stamp of approval (kind of like the Good House Keeping seal but better cause it has nothing to do with house keeping:)

The first -Yaktrakers Pro. As a walker/runner I find the winter months to be difficult. Over the years I have figured out what to wear to keep warm while power walking and running. It's the slippery snow and ice that has frustrated me to no end. Before Christmas I pulled a muscle after losing grip on some hidden ice and I was ready to give up and attempt to be motivated by DVD's alone - Until I heard about yaktrakers. They're these coil rubber things that slip on over your runners. They grip to the ice and snow to prevent you from sliding. I was skeptical when I saw them on the Shopping Channel, but did some research, and found them at my local running room so decided to pick some up. And Yaaaay! they actually Work!!!! I thought they'd make the walking/running awkard, but they don't. Albeit they're not very attractive - they could use a little more sparkle or colour, but they certainly help make my wintery interval training easier! And I have to admit I secretly do kind of enjoy being able to zip quickly past those other random walker/runner people on my path with an ' in yo face slippery sucka!' kind of strut:)

The second dreamy product - Bath and Body Works look ma, new hands moisturizing hand lotion. Being a teacher trying to avoid all the kiddy germs I have to constantly hand wash and sanitize. This fall I have found my hands to be more dry than normal. (probably as a result of the overuse of the sanitizer with the H1N1 paranoia ) I've tried lots of hand creams which mostly leave a greasy residue forcing me to wash it off within minutes. I got look ma, new hands as a gift from a student and I LURVE it! It keeps hands super soft, smooth, supple and best part - it isn't greasy. It's apparently the paraffin in the cream that makes the difference! Whatever the magical potion is, it's worth the little over the top for hand cream Bath and Body Works price. I'll admit that I can't help but caress my own hands throughout the day cause they are so dang soft! Creepy? A little, but trust me, if you used look ma, new hands you would be a creepy hand caresser too!

So what are you waiting for? Come, join the "in yo face slippery sucka!"/ creepy hand caresser club:)