Female Empowerment Song

I thought Beyonce had nearly become all but obsolete, with her last pitiable cry in her duet with Lady Gaga in "Telephone."

Boy, was I ever wrong. I just saw this live performance by accident on Youtube of Beyonce at the Billboard Music Awards (2011), where she performed "Run The World (Girls)." What an amazing live performance and amazing choreography.

Live performance of "Run the World (Girls)" (actual performance begins at 3 min, after the introduction by Michelle Obama and others):



Official music video:

NY is the largest U.S. state to pass a marriage equality law

This state, when it is at its finest, is a beacon for social justice. The legacy of this state was that we were the progressive capitol of the nation. And when you look back at so many of the great progressive movements that were birthed here in New York, the women's rights movement was birthed here in New York. The environmental rights movement was birthed here in New York, Storm King on the Hudson.

The workers' rights movement was birthed here in New York after the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire. All these great progressive movements, the gay rights movement was birthed at Stonewall. And what this state said today brings this discussion of marriage equality to a new plane. That's the power and the beauty of New York.

The other states look to New York for the progressive direction. And what we said today is you look to New York once again, because New York made a powerful statement, not just to the people of New York, but to people all across this nation.

We reached a new level of social justice this evening, marriage equality. I said to the legislators, you look at the first word, marriage, it's really about the second word, equality. It's really about New Yorkers, our brothers and sisters, looking at us and saying, we want equality. We want equality in society, equality in our relationships, equality in our love, equality in our families. We want full recognition, marriage equality, and we did it today.

-Governor of NY, Andrew Cuomo

Martial's "The Happy Life" from Epigrams

MARTIAL, the things that do attain
The happy life be these, I find:—
The richesse left, not got with pain;
The fruitful ground, the quiet mind;

The equal friend; no grudge, no strife;
No charge of rule, nor governance;
Without disease, the healthful life;
The household of continuance;

The mean diet, no delicate fare;
True wisdom join'd with simpleness;
The night dischargèd of all care,
Where wine the wit may not oppress.

The faithful wife, without debate;
Such sleeps as may beguile the night:
Contented with thine own estate
Ne wish for death, ne fear his might.

-Martial (Marcus Valerius Martialis) translated by Henry Howard

Elevating Pole Dancing to an Art Form

This girl has mad pole dancing skills!  (The comments made by ladies in the background make the video amusing.)

Nauli Kriya in Kuttutasana

Interesting Google Interview with Lady Gaga

Whether you love or abhor her music, you cannot deny her iconic presence on the world stage.  She has tremendous influence in pop music, culture, and fashion.

I like this interview because it shows how technology – and specifically YouTube — has democratized 'fame' and allowed the masses to rise to wealth and acclaim or notoriety (i.e., Rebecca Black).

It's a very long interview but I actually sat through the whole thing.  (The downside to this video is that the interviewer is quite annoying and keeps fawning over Gaga; fake laughing at every single comment Gaga makes.)




I didn't know this prior to the interview, but her new song "The Edge of Glory" is a tribute song to her deceased grandfather and it refers to the moment right before you pass from this temporal world.  I think it adds a whole new dimension to the song, which I had honestly heard on the radio and didn't care for much but am now curious to see the music video.

Maori Haka (War Dance)

NZ All Blacks at a Rugby Game:


NZ vs. Ireland (Rugby):
(This one is funny 'cuz all the Irish rugby players are just hugging each other while the NZ team does the Haka.)



Love the intensity on this one!
NZ vs. South Africa:


This one is nice b/c it has background info on the haka in the captions:



Funny commercial for whiskey (NZ vs. Scotland):

Go Periscope — Emily

"I was made to taste your kiss..."

I heard this song on the radio and right when I got home, I YouTubed it.


Official music video: