What has the world come to?

Alright.  So this is a completely random topic.  I also never ever touch the subject of weight, because I hate it.  Growing up I had influences that expressed very negative body image, which lead to me looking down on myself growing up.  No, I never had an eating disorder.  In fact, I've always loved food, and most importantly..I'm a lover of bread.  There is nothing that can ever stop that for me.  It wasn't until I grew to be in my older teens that I quit the "Poor me" act, and accepted my body for how it was.  No, I'm also not fat, and never have been.  I don't think the body is a garbage disposal, I think we should take care of it.  Eat our fruits and veggies, proteins...just look at the food pyramid, and that's my belief system!  (although admittedly...I go a bit heavier on the carbs, hee hee)

Either way, this article comes out, and I'm shocked.  

http://hellogiggles.com/the-fat-shaming-of-kate-upton-or-why-ill-never-buy-the-difference-between-thinspiration-and-pro-ana-websites

I click on it, and I see this gorgeous, envy worthy, hot girl.  She's got curve, is well-endowed, and a nice flat tummy.  The title had "fat shaming" in it, well I had no idea what was going on.  Or who was "fat" or whatever.  So I read, and blogs like "Skinny Gossip" is bashing on this girl...saying:

"Because if we’re to believe the truly motivating, encouraging words of the anonymous, “thinspirational” blogger behind a website called Skinny Gossip, Upton looks “thick, vulgar, almost pornographic” (assuming these are negative physical qualities? I think I know a few men and women who would gladly ogle a body fitting that criteria). Upton appears “lazy,” and “lardy,” has “huge thighs, NO waist, big fat floppy boobs, terrible body definition,” and “looks like a squishy brick” (which is a comparison that perhaps stretches the appropriate boundaries of proper simile usage). She’s likened to both a cow and a pig and the post itself is titled “Kate Upton is Well-Marbled.”

I'm sorry....WHAT?!  You're kidding me right?!!???!!!!!!  This was just the woman, that even had me as a straight woman saying "Dayum!"

Then I see that she's said to look like a "squishy brick".  Let me be blunt here and say that these people need to shut the fuck up!  My guess is that the writer of that blog is some skeletal, flat chested bitch, with a low self esteem.  Obviously.  

I apologize for the swearing, I normally try to refrain, but when I'm mad, it just comes out.  People need to take care of themselves, and celebrate their beautiful bodies for the way that God made them.  Not starve ourselves.  I think we can teach our younger generations, boys and girls, to love themselves.  To take care of themselves, and focus more of what's going on inside, rather than how we appear on the surface.  To love themselves for the bodies God gave them, instead of striving to be like someone else.  

That is all.  Good Day.

Who You Are

Well folks, this weeks (technically 2nd one from the past week) is "Who You Are" by Jessie J.  I was in love with this woman's voice the second I heard it.  If you read some of my previous posts, I've gone on about her before, and how talented she is.  Well here's my shot at it.

For some reason the Audio is worse than usual, and if I sing too loud the mic likes to cut out.  Why not get better recording equipment you say?  Well I'm poor to put it bluntly, ha ha.  So no fancy equipment for me, just my handy dandy webcam.  This video you are going to watch, was my last take, before my voice just couldn't take it anymore.  I was practicing singing this song in the original key...yes it's MUCH higher than what I'm singing at.  I can sing that high for maybe...the first try!  Then my voice starts to get tired on me.  So I had to opt for a lower key where I didn't sound like a dying cat!  If you pay close attention...you can still hear some of those "cat-like" moments ;-)

What I love, is that Youtube gives you 3 options to choose from for the thumbnail for your video.  Never once have I found one where I look...somewhat human.  Just the shots where I either look stoned, mentally challenged (no offense), confused, or asleep.  Yep.  Good ol' photogenic me!  

Either way, hope you enjoy the video.  

Guten Nacht!

Allow me to blab

Tonight I'm taking off of trying to film whatever video..concoction I come up with for this week.  Tonight, I feel the need to speak.  

Funny how it's easiest to write down the things you want to say, versus saying them.  As a "thinker" I get inspired by many different things.  How watching people, either close or far from you, can spring a plethora of ideas into your own head.  Maybe even make you question your own life...the way you do things.

For instance, one of my closest friends.  Their actions can be downright offensive.  Their beliefs, they really aren't even sure of, but are at least sure of what they don't believe.  They are the only one to call the bull in a room full of people who all think the same thing.  To give the honest answer that will get a rise when asked a question.  

Dear Friend, I envy you.

I think there are many of us who claim not give an eff about what "people" think.  That's a lie.  We all care what someone out there thinks.  We all at one point or another let someone else's thoughts impact our decisions.  In a world full of fashion, art, music, whatever your talent may be.  You feed off some sort of acceptance from an individual other than yourself.  I'll admit it.  I care what other people think.  I hate it.  I hate myself for even feeling that way, but it's the truth.  I'm actually afraid of people that see me everyday in this little town I reside in, that they'll ever see the other side of me.  To be even more honest, I'm afraid for them to know anything about me at all!  I've only ever wanted to be left alone.  With a simple "Hello", comes more responsibilities of more "hellos" and "goodbyes", and other mindless banter.  

Now the friend I mentioned above, make no mistake, they have fears, and are just like the rest of us.  Wanting to please someone.  I just envy their ability to speak the truth even if it means turning their whole world upside down.  Making themselves look like a monster.  I have this horrible need to speak the truth.  I give it.  If I don't want to speak it though, I just remain silent.  For instance, the videos I post on youtube.  They aren't horribly racy, but there is an air of sensuality to my alter ego "Raquelashakti".  I would die if my grandparents...sibling...or neighbor even saw them!  So as a result, they have no idea I even make videos.  I'm silent once again!  Which makes me feel spineless.  

"Dearest Raquelashakti, you can't live to please everyone, and yes, not even your family.  This is your hurdle, and you need to get over it." ~says the constant voice in my head. 

Do I tell them?  Is it really even that big of a deal?  

Naturally these thoughts string together ideas of a song, lyrics, decapitated heads, and floating balloons to me.  I pray for the day I'm given the opportunity to splash my imagination onto a piece of paper, and watch it come to life...without my internal fear of freaking my grandparents out, ha ha.

You didn't think I'd leave you without music, did you?  This band, called "The Books", was brought to my attention by a dear friend of mine who also has amazing taste in music.  Listen to it.

Guten Nacht.

Doubling it up!

Apologies for last week.  I didn't get a video up!  

Which means this week it'll be double the fun!  The Holiday and birthdays made for a very busy week that left me with no "alone time" to do projects.  I was asked by another youtube user, to do a tutorial of my cover for "Twice" by Little Dragon.  So that will be my first one up this week.  I was thinking of doing a Jessie J song as my other song for this week.  Reservations?  Jessie J can be hella difficult.  Her range is incredible to say the least.  She owns it too.  Jessie J seems like "one of the guys".  Which appeals to me naturally.  I've read that she spends hours each day working on her voice to improve it.  I would love that.  The things I'd love most to invest in, would be a vocal coach, and piano teacher.  My mom taught me a bit growing up, but I want to go...deeper. 

 It seems to get thrown at me all the time, "when you were little, you were SUCH a natural.  These other people trained, and you were either right behind them or beat them...no practice required."  Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.  Holy crap...I never...tried.  Which is what I feel has put me behind other people now that I'm as old as I am.  I look at "Jessie J", and she's younger than me, not by much, but still, she didn't "start" at where she is now.  She worked to get where she is, and she's accomplished so much.  

In other words...I NEED TO GET TO WORK!

Here is my video o' the week.  Enjoy!

Another wonderful summer night :-)

While the rest of Wisconsin seems to be in Madison.  Trying to fight the crowds of the "ever-so-popular" event, "Rhythm and Booms", I get to quietly, once again, sit out on my deck.  Looking at the sky, enjoying the silence.  With a hint of music of course ;-) 

 I think it's important that I share my love of music with you.  Not just any music either.  I dig.  I think the world needs to be made aware of the unique beautiful music that's really out there.  You just have to look for it. No...I'm not referring to the likes of Rihanna...or Katy Perry.  I'll give them props for catchy tunes, and I'll admit to singing along to them at times.  There is always something missing though.  They don't touch me.  I don't stop dead in my tracks when I hear a melody of their song. That internal light doesn't go off saying, "You need to find out who this is".  

Don't worry, I'm not going to list off a page of artists.  Rather I'm going to little by little give a song here and there.  

I came across this little gem not too long ago, while oddly enough watching a TV show called "Revenge".  After hearing some great songs that I had already loved on the show, I was sold anyways.  I'm also always very astonished when I hear bands that are more underground on very mainstream channels.  In this case ABC.  So the video I posted, is a cover done by the Silver Swans, called "Anyone's Ghost".  It was one of those songs where it got me.  Immediately.  On TV shows, they show snippets, but after hearing a small glimpse, I had to find out what this song was.  I hope you'll enjoy as much as I do.  

On another note.  I'm still working on my cover for "Seven Devils" originally by Florence + The Machine.  I'm very excited about getting it done, and showing the world!  

I'll be back next week with my newest video, and to bring you more wonderful music.

Cheers.

No light, No light

A chandelier to the head anyone? No? Ok, just thought I'd ask. 

 Well my weekly goal, is once again accomplished. Tonight I posted a video of me singing, "No light, No light" by none other than Florence + The Machine. Don't worry that chandelier isn't for nothing, that's the lucky piece I got to feature in my video. As stated in one of my earlier blogs, I hated my other videos. They're bland, and I need to feel like I'm doing something creative. So lo' and behold, I now do some odd scenery, or at least some different type of lighting for God's sake. 

 Here's the link, check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoZ13c_Ro-U&feature=g-upl

For those of you who don't know me well, I love me some Florence.  I'd love to get into her head, and based on the  two albums she has out, we've gone through a lot of the same garbage to say the least.  Once again, if you've read some of my past blogs...you'd understand.  I sense Florence is a quiet soul as well, but with a voice that you wouldn't expect to come out of her frail frame.  Love her.  

Anyone else out there ever get choked up when they see someone who has accomplished their dreams of performing?  Am I the only one here?  I think my favorite thing to do, is to visualize the artist as a young child who wondered where they'd be when they grew up.  Did they imagine all these amazing things they've accomplished?  Could they even fathom such a thing?  Did they even know if that was the route that they wanted to take yet?  For me, I always knew what I wanted to do.  Fortunately for me, both my parents were always incredibly supportive.  To me it's foreign, those parents that tell their children, that a "career in music" is not realistic.  I'm so glad I have the family that I did.  

I was a little girl once.  I had, and still have, the biggest dreams in the world.  I hope that one day someone can read about me.  See me accomplish my goals, and through that I can inspire them.  Even someone who comes from nothing, can achieve their wildest dreams.  

Au Revoir!

Well I said I'd have that video up Thursday night...

So I'm a bit late. Is that a shock?? If you know me, probably not. Granted it's 3:27 on Friday morning, and I still haven't gone to bed yet, but it does still feel like Thursday night to me! I finally (thank the Lord!) finished recording the song that was "Oh-so-secret". I decided to sing to "Obedear" by Purity Ring. Love love love this song. That pic I took of myself in the last blog entry, was me with a pile of hangers in my hand, that I stretched out, and made into the cage-like thing you will see in my video. It didn't quite have the effect that I was going for, but you'll get my drift. Cheers! (here's the link to my vid!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUWDZ7BmAgU