Can you stand the rain?

This wet weather has bought to mind a Boyz II Men song I used to listen to years ago.
 My dad bought himself the album but my sisters & I claimed it for ourselves soon after.


On a perfect day
I know that I can count on you
When that's not possible
Tell me, can you weather the storm...

...Sunny days, everybody loves them
Tell me
Can you stand the rain
Storms will come
This we know for sure
Can you stand the rain...

Love Notes...

I think, I may be falling...

Sunday song sessions

" The function of music is to release us from the tyranny of conscious thought"

 Loving this pic I found on Tumblr.

The Ballet

Ever since I was a young girl, I really wanted to go to ballet classes. It was after seeing the tv series 'Anna Ballerina' that I became hooked. I admired the grace, poise and serenity that each dancer appeared to possess & their muscular & athletic frames. I wanted to pirouette, wear ballet pumps & a tutu!

Well, I never got to go to my Ballet classes but I have been to a couple of performances. The most recent was last week where I had the pleasure of attending 'The Royal Opera House' in Covent Garden (second pic above) to see three performances titled: Polyphonia, Sweet Violets & Carbon Life. All three performances were a pleasure to watch I enjoyed them all immensely but it was the final performance 'Carbon Life' that made the most impact.

On stage behind the ballerina's was almost a full live band! drums were the only thing missing. This was lead by Mark Ronson on bass guitar & singers who included Alison Mosshart & Boy George & a rapper called Black Cobain. It was so fresh and unexpected a complete contrast to the previous two performances. At times the singers were walking close into the ballerina's space.

It was such a new thing for me, seeing this fusion of classical dance being interpreted into another form by the music & seeing contemporary music & this classical art form of dance coming together in a space that you would never expect it to be seen. I loved it. It was like ballet being taken out from its comfort zone & some of the more mature audience members definitely appeared to be taken out of theirs.

The visuals were very strong, with light projection of shapes & various screens coming down over the band & the ballerinas. The costumes (see last pic above) were designed by Gareth Pugh & had a very abstract feel to them.

After the show when speaking to my companions they felt that the beauty of the ballet got a bit lost with so much going on visually and musically. I loved it all the same!

Much love & Blessings

Charlene x

What becomes of the broken hearted...?

Just a question I thought I'd put out there.

We live & learn & hopefully will gain something positive & significant from the pain & suffering we so often endure. I believe in happy endings!

Be open & receptive to something good appearing in your life.

Trust in God, he is more than able!

Keep loving,trusting, praying & learning on the journey that is your life.

Lots of Love, prayers & Blessings

Charlene x

Beautiful Brighton

Yesterday I went to visit my lovely friend, who not so long ago moved to Brighton to get away from the hustle and bustle of London with her boyfriend. I think it was after several long weekends here together, that they both fell in love with the place and decided to make it their home.

Brighton has always been dear to me. It brings back childhood memories of me sitting on a deck chair, walking & playing on the hard pebble beach & eating fish & chips with my big sister & Aunties. Mum having packed us both off early to go with them to their church convention.

I love the sea, the clean salty air, the colourful streets & houses & the laid back attitude of the people I meet here. There is so much creativity everywhere you look.

We were blessed with a beautiful day, clear blue sky and lots of sunshine! The sky & sea appeared to melt into one. The shades of blue were mesmerizing. There was a brief downpour of rain but fortunately we didn't get wet as we were tucked away in a cozy tea house indulging ourselves with cream tea, scones and clotted cream. Afterwards we left for a brief ponder around some of the independent & charity shops then for a long walk beside the sea. Bliss.

Much Love & Blessings

Charlene

Who is your Number1?

During a conversation with a gorgeous friend of mine who is currently 'seeing' someone, she said to me

" you know what Char, I just know I'm not his number1"

It really made me sad and got me thinking about friendships & relationships, men & women, the way we treat those around us.

So, who is your number1? Who do you give priority & preference to in your life?

Is it to the people who really matter?

Who do you take for granted? or carelessly string along, knowing you will never take them to that next level of commitment they desire in your life, but, you continue to keep them around?Maybe for comfort, convenience or even out of fear. Food for thought right?

For those who are in that grey and foggy area of dating, 'seeing' or 'checking' someone, where on their list of priorities do you rest?

In my past experience it's not a nice feeling when deep down you know that special someone who you would love to be exclusively yours just doesn't feel the same or they have other 'options' to explore so are not yet willing to cement your union. Before long you start to realize you are compromising yourself & your standards to remain in a situation that is in no way beneficial or pleasing to you.

I believe its all linked to how much we love & value ourselves.

If we don't respect our own body, mind & soul & have clear standards & boundaries ready and set in place, then how can we ever expect anyone else to?

Much love & blessings

Charlene .x.

Sunday, Sunday...

"Daughter of the diaspora" An image I found on the tumblr of Omari T.Davis

Happy Easter: & I'm not talking about bunnies & chocolate eggs

Wow, Its Easter again. Time is flying & it was only six blog posts ago that I was last writing a post about it! (shame faced) I really need to get writing more. Get the sea of words that flow around my brain out here onto this world wide web.

So this post is dedicated to my Saviour, JESUS who Easter, for those of you who don't know, is really all about. It was Jesus, the Son of God, who died on the cross at calvery to save YOU & me from our sins. BUT he wasn't dead for long! He rose from the grave three days later, defying death! He LIVES! JESUS IS ALIVE!

If you don't know him, then I urge you to get to know him. it's easy, just pick up a Bible. The word of God. And pray! PRAY, PRAY,PRAY!!! He listens, He cares, He Loves YOU!

Much love & Blessings

Charlene .x.

Spring Clean: Love & Need

Just a few days ago I gave some of my old clothes, shoes,books etc away, Stuff I haven't touched in ages to charity.

I'm currently in the process of getting rid of a lot of stuff. Clutter & basically junk I no longer use or need, but I find it so difficult parting with it all! After leaving it all at the charity shop I felt so anxious and uncomfortable about it & its madness because I really don't need any of that stuff! But it was all once mine, it played a part, a small one but still, a part in my life.

I guess we just get attached to things, objects, people. The thing is we can't take any of this with us when we die! Sorry to get morbid but it's the truth and someones gonna have to sort out our mess. So, I really want to down scale and be as minimal as I possibly can because I just want things around me that I love and need.

I'm also fed up of living in disarray, forever searching around for bits & pieces I've mislaid due to the heap of stuff I've amassed!

I'm going to start by buying (only if I really need it!) a lot more consciously on my new 'love & need' only basis, and also to continue to detach and cleanse from myself the things that no longer meet this criteria.

I want to live in a light, bright,open and clutter free space. A place where my family and friends can drop in unannounced & I will feel happy & prepared to welcome them in with no fuss or worry about the presentation of my home.

Much Love & Blessings!

Charlene