Lightworks

What is the magic that makes one's eyes
sparkle and gleam, light up the skies

The name of the game is Lightworks

The Gaslamp Killer showstopper

Two Moons

Michael Jackson was murdered

RIP Michael Jackson

Pygmy Jerboa

The sound of Persia

Hypnotic drumming, brilliant vocalizes, and haunting modalities reflect a centuries-old art. The pieces here represent the modern form of an ancient tradition, performed by Faramarz Payvar and his ensemble—some of Iran’s most distinguished musicians.

Beautiful music.

Chuck Norris Action jeans

Fuck copping the latest Nikes, Louis Vuittons, or whatever rubbish that's 'fresh' right now, I'm copping these badboys muthafucka. Just look at that crotch.

"Music is...

transmissions of recorded heart and spirit essence in sound signals that mix with our own experiences triggering an emotive response

Graffiti Grandad

I was with my boy Inkfetish when he was painting Cargo, when an old pensioner pulled up and started screaming. We couldn't tell what he was saying & thought he was cussing at first. Turns out he just wanted his little motability vehicle painted. Check out Mr Inkfetish's artwork, he' badass. www.inkfetish.co.uk

An Irish Lullaby

The Mongolian Eagle Hunters

Ghetto Weaves

Just because you're a character doesn't mean you have character

Most of you probably haven't heard of this dude. I'm not hating, but 'How to look good naked' presenter/stylist Gok needs to step off his high horse and feature in a George at Asda campaign.

Dick or Destiny? (Siddhartha)

It doesn't matter how much two people love each other. Realistically, 9 times out of 10 relationships between people who have nothing but pure love and adoration for eachother don't actually end up working. With love comes passion and misunderstanding. Love is love, but in everyday life, when shit hits the fan and the honeymoon period fizzles as reality settles in, love is simply not enough to make it work. Man and Woman, although both human, are very different and the balance of these species is crucial. When this is imbalanced, it causes frustration and can be very, very draining on your energy levels and wellbeing. One loses oneself into this moulding of two people that was based on love. This vital energy can be used as a catalyst for our personal synchronisity and path towards our Destiny. The book Siddhartha by Herman Hesse is an excellent book that kinda puts this whole subject into a very positive perspective. Although the relationship between woman and man only plays a small part in the book, it is a real eye opener for how unique each persons path in life is to another. It is the most inspiring book I've read to date.

Louis Vuitton tries to go Tribal

Excuse my french but FUCK Louis Vuitton. This is pure horror. No amount of money can buy you character and you certainly can't fake the funk.

A Spiritual Pandemic

A letter to humanity from The Star Elders
through Aluna Joy April 23rd. 2009

Pandemic! What a great and powerful word to awaken humanity to the fact that the collective is now thinking globally and acting locally. It is remarkable that something as simple as the fear of a little germ can link together the people of Earth. Humanity has taken another step toward being a global community. There is no doubt now that you have anchored within your consciousness the reality that you are all connected, interdependent and recognize the importance of being self-responsible. This is not a time to fear. It is a time to celebrate.

Your collective experience and explorations living in the third dimension have come full circle. This is a time where you will begin to rethink and renegotiate everything. Much of what you knew to be true you will discover is out of date. Realities that you dreamed about you will soon discover is the new reality you are now entering. These current times are causing a spiritual pandemic. This means that the boundaries between physical realities, cultures, religions, dimensions, social statuses and educational levels have been compromised and are breaking down. This spiritual pandemic means the entire world is waking up. Humanity is moving toward unity and oneness with all living beings of Earth. This spiritual pandemic will naturally evolve all life into a global community. Our actions will be a grand orchestrated collaboration focused on the well being of all living things. You can see symptoms of this transformation in every direction of your reality. This is the completion of ancient prophecy that you wrote about a long time ago.

The pandemics in your Earth's environment, your economic systems, your political systems, your consciousness, your physical realities and even your immune systems are morphing right before your eyes. You are now having a full on experience of what we like to call the Earth's stimulus package. You share the same planet . . . you breathe the same air . . . you even share the same viruses and bacteria! This is not new. You were never separate from each other. You just forgot you were always connected to all that lives.

The Earth's shifting environment is stimulating you to change the way you interact with Earth, the solar system, and the universe. This is showing up as the acceleration of using green technologies . . . including using solar power to recycling. Many of you are getting closer and in touch with Earth once again. Your gardens are sprouting in your environment, but also your internal gardens are flourishing.

Your shifting global economic system is impelling you to move toward one that is based on service and sharing. You will see a huge shift in values. You are evolving from a self-centered "What is in it for Me?" mentality, into a reality that you act from the knowing that you are a part of a global community. You recognize that everything you do affects every other living thing.

These times are compelling you to trust spirit over your physical and monetary assets. You were never meant to trust that which is outside of yourself. Your true nature is knowing that you are a 100%, self-contained, creative being with all the tools needed to live abundantly. It was never your destiny to toil to make a living. There is freedom right out in front of you.

Your physical body is morphing so quickly to the arrival of the new energy that you have to let go and let it be. This is causing you a lot of strange physical symptoms. The shifts are coming without delay and it takes your breath away. Even your immune system is evolving quickly so as to be able to adapt to the evolving energy of all life on the planet. Every single living thing in your environment is changing on a molecular level. From your body, to the earth, trees and plants, minerals, even viruses and bacteria are all evolving together to stay in harmony. This is not something to be feared. It is something to be excited about. Remember your body is an amazing self-healing vehicle. You constantly underestimate its regenerative power and forget it is evolving with everything else on this Earth. Disease is not why you drop your body to move on; it is just your human excuse. You leave this world when you have completed your mission and that is it. Let us remind you that you are not done yet!

Your consciousness is expanding to accept the utter vastness of magical and powerful new realities. You are beginning to live within these realities. You are enjoying the challenges and wholeheartedly except the huge void of unqualified energy out in front of you. It is an exciting, fascinating and highly creative time for you. It can also be a confusing time as you let go of the old and bring in the new all at the same time. Remember you are not going crazy . . . you are just waking up! This is something to celebrate. You are beginning to realize that the only way your life flows in these days is to be truly authentic to yourself and true to your heart. Many of you will be asked to make bold moves in your life. Others will stay more behind-the-scenes fine-tuning everything around them. You all are working toward the same goal . . . if you know it or not.

Do not let fear rob you of this incredible moment. This is why you came to Earth at this time. You are experiencing a huge evolutionary leap of the soul. Only the brave and courageous could be here at this time. You may not feel brave today, but we assure you, you are incredibly brave to take on and assist with the Earth's final step into oneness with the solar system and our multi-dimensional universe.

Do not let fear of global health issues, political unrest, economic challenges, war and terrorism stop you from being the truth of who you are. Your old, outdated, human nature naturally wants to cast blame on others for what is going on in your world today. This is not a conspiracy or diabolical plan by members of an elite group who we think are in power. This is propaganda that puts you in fear. Know that everything that is happening on this planet is happening because you allowed it to be so. It is a time to take full responsibility for the reality we have manifested in this dimension. Each living being will experience this evolution based on their own belief system. Ask yourself "What do you believe today?" All the issues your world is facing right now are just part of the Earth's stimulus package to help you stimulate your evolution . . . and it is working.

Evolution is a messy process. It always has been and always will be. Change and evolution is about tearing down the old and creating the new. Nature does this every moment. We do not know why humanity forgot that you are a part of this. But you did, and this is why you struggle and suffer sometimes during evolutionary pulses like the one you are in today. The cycles have come full circle and you are ready for the quantum leap to a new reality.

Remember that the best defense to the challenges of these times is to have a good offense. Your offense is acting from the authenticity of who you are. You may know this as your inner light, awareness, consciousness, etc…, but the fact is that there are only two choices you can make: You can choose fear, which is a lie and not who you are. Or you can choose LOVE, which is the truth of who you are, and you can keep on keeping on with the evolution. Fear will stop your evolution in its tracks. Love will not only accelerate your path, but it will make it an exciting adventure for you. Be positive, fearless and bold. Love is the unifier of all life and a protector of anything that you conceive could cause you harm. You are safe . . . you always have been.

Quit pretending your cool and calm on the outside, when on the inside you feel like you are going crazy. Let your support groups around you know what you are going through. We assure you that they are feeling the same things. It is insane to execute this evolving by yourself. There is a great sanity gained when our extended families come together in support of each other. It is another step toward global community and living in non-judgment. Remember there is an insidious, un-spoken rule that to be spiritual we must honey-coat the things we do not like. Honey-coating any part of the experience of this world is just a way to avoid the blessings and gifts of evolution of the current issue. When we avoid different aspects of our experience, we are also judging the greater divine plan that was set into motion by the Creator and our collective consciousness.

When you experience a peaceful moment, drink it in and enjoy every second of it. Do not worry that you are feeling stuck or not evolving. This is merely a rest stop so you can recharge and prepare for another leap into the next reality. Rest is good. Enjoy its rare and welcomed appearance of quiet and calmness.

There are many that will not like this message. They will criticize it and fight against it. These are the ones who teach us compassion. These are the ones that we must love and support . . . because you have been in their shoes more than once or twice yourself.

We realize that what we are asking you to do is a huge step of faith. We are asking you to take a leap into a void where you cannot see its destination. We are invite encourage you to put your fear addictions behind you, and to begin to act from the love and truth that you already know in your heart. If you do this, the path will unfold in front of you with each step you take, and you will be traveling in good company!

We are always here with you.

Copyright © 2009 - Permission is granted to copy and redistribute this article on the condition that the content remains complete, full credit is given to the author(s), and that it is distributed freely. Center of the SUN - Aluna Joy Yaxk'in, PO Box 1988 Sedona, AZ 86339 USA Website:www.AlunaJoy.com
Home of Aluna Joy Yaxk'in and Center of the SUN
Source: www.AlunaJoy.com

Music to my ears : The Quantic Soul Orchestra

I've been a bit bored of my ipod playlists lately and looking for something fresh. I was introduced to the Quantic Soul Orchestra a while ago at 4am in the morning on a big messy night that was coming to an end, people were falling asleep and I was ready to do the same. Then somebody stuck on Apricot Morning (my favourite album of theirs) and I just had to get up and dance by myself. It's a certain sound I've never quite heard before but always longed for as a sucker for live funk, jazz, soul & breakbeats. I kid you not, these motherfuckers are pure FUNK. I could picture bboys breaking, to people dancing in carnivals with the smell of barbecued chicken in the air. Simply put its like a trumpet acid trip.

In the end is the beginning

A dear friend of mine once said:

"When the wings of change come calling, fear not. For on these wings come closure, freedom & opportunity. Use this time to establish YOUR 'new' journey"

Letting go is hard and some people never even do. But it is only by letting go that we can evolve and experience new and wonderful things that are waiting for us out there. False hopes of travelling to distant lands with a special somebody, walking through bazaars and markets, hand in hand, feeling the earth under your feet... These were hopes of mine that are now nothing but faded promises.

A very special thank you to a very special friend of mine, who's unconditional love and guidance is always there. They want nothing in return and don't just listen, but they hear. They don't give advice for the sake of talking by coming up with cliches and "I'm here if you need me". I've come to realise that so many people who proclaim to be there for somebody are actually doing it for themselves to make them feel like a good person. Then there's those who actually care. Beautiful people. There's some real superheroes out there. Decent human beings put my faith back into humanity - y'all need capes!

x

Salvador Dali

"I don't do drugs, I am drugs" -Salvador Dali

METALLICA!!

Just heard Enter the sandman for the first time in many years. I used to have a massive poster of them on my wall when I was 11 and my dad would always rip it off and be like "Who are these freaks???"

"Exit light, enter night, take my hand, off to never land"

Inner city blues

Brainfeeder = Eargasms

I could quite possibly say that the best night I've ever been to was the Brainfeeder festival last year in London which was held at a massive car park somewhere in old street.... Some next level shit, literally. With the trippy sound of Flying Lotus, The Motherfucking Gaslamp killer, Danny Breaks, Hudson Mohawke & Kode9, everyone in there felt like they were on a different planet. Best night of music ever, by far. You know when you just dont know what to do with yourself. Words can't describe the vibe and sounds. The Brainfeeder crew have got a free podcast, so there will be no excuses for not listening.. I'm rinsing it as we speak and am not surprised that they've thrown in a bit of Fela Kuti in there. Yea, it's like that. They took it there and they take it way beyond. Enjoy.

http://www.brainfeedersite.com/

The next one in London will be on the 20th June. You have been warned.

Breaking the Elephants sprit : The Phajaan

"Elephant. The remover of all obstacles."

They are most intelligent creatures honoured by many cultures. In Buddhist tradition, the Buddha picked the form of a white elephant as one of his many incarnations, thus the rare appearance of a white elephant is still heralded as a manifestation of the Gods.

Elephants have always been my favourite animal by far and a spirit guide that has always appeared regularly at very poignant times on my journey in life... Described by many cultures as majestic, these creatures feel vibrations in the earth through their feet and have continually shown signs of telepathic communication amongst each other. One example of this was an animal documentary I watched about elephants, where animal rescuers had to transport a herd of elephants from one village to another to protect them from poachers. They had to take the herd in 2 goes, as they only had room for half of the herd in their 2 big trucks. As the first group of elephants had been moved to the next village, they were very distressed from being separated from the rest of their heard. As the 2 hour wait almost came to an end for the other elephants to turn up, the awaiting group of elephants suddenly started showing signs of excitement when the other half of the heard was about 2 minutes away.... As you may have heard, they also mourn their dead and visit their graves regularly. We MUST honour these animals.

You may have seen the breathtaking video clips on youtube of the elephants painting. It has only recently come to my attention that these animals are actually tortured brutally to perform these tasks as well as other tricks that bring in money from tourism in Thailand.

The Phajaan is a horrific ritual performed by evil shamen, where elephants as young as 4 are separated from their mothers for the first time to be taken away and tortured. As the elephant screams for its mother, its legs are tied up tightly with rope before being forced into a cage that barely fits their bodies and chained in place.


Photograph by Jennifer Hile

They are deprived of food, water and sleep and are poked and proded with bamboo sticks with nails imbedded in the end, knives and are also shot with stones and other projectiles. This is meant to “break the spirit of the elephant”. Watching parts of this process certainly breaks the spirit of humanity. The torture is endured by the elephant for up to 6 days until the shaman senses that the spirit has been changed.


This 91-year-old shaman is the spiritual leader of the phajaan. He believes that phajaan is the only way to train an elephant.
Photograph by Jennifer Hile

After Phajaan the elephant is never allowed to see its mother again and it is believed that even if it did, the mother would no longer recognize the elephant as its own since its spirit is changed so drastically. All in order to force them to perform ridiculous tricks for tourists.

Not for the faint hearted...



The Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary set up by a lady who goes by the name of Lek. She has dedicated her life to saving elephants from the Phajaan and has received many death threats, as well as had her youngest baby elephant poisoned to death.

Lets put a stop to this bullshit.

http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/
http://www.helpthaielephants.com/
http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/

"There is no creature among all the beasts of the world which hath so great and ample demonstration of the power and wisdom of almighty God as the elephant"
Edward Topsell

Sam Flores

One of my current favourite artists from San Francisco. His style is a combination of street art meets exotic woodblock paintings. There's something about the dream like melancholy of his characters and their expressive hands that's very distinct. Dramatic yet peaceful.

A wonderful moment in the history of music.....

James Brown might have beat his wife up, Michael Jackson may like children and Prince is just... something else. But they are all legends of their own and you can't deny that this video footage of the trio in 1983 is one of the greatest moments in music... James Brown cracked out with his huge smile, Michael just bussing out that voice and spin that the camera can't even keep up with. Then out of nowhere Prince arrives on the back of Santa Claus as a tranvestite, cracked out, only making one noise on the mic throughout the entire time he's on, only to stumble off stage and almost set it on fire by knocking over the stagelights. Wonderful energy. Pure Genius.

Brooklyn Baby

New York is one of those places I could always go back to. I'm not a big fan of Times Square or most of Manhattan as a matter of fact, as it felt like a cross between Leicester Square and Disneyland. Brooklyn, however was a different story. My homeboys Culture & Divine were my guides when I went last year. One place that captured my heart was Williamsburg. It's got a wonderful essence of its own that words can't describe. There's so many hidden treasures there, from the Vegan cafes covered in Brooklyn Renaissance style art from local artists, the little bars with amazing live bands, to the little weird & wonderful boutiques. That place oozes eclecticism, talent, culture and freshness. Dam I miss that place, it feels like somewhere I've been homesick for that I never knew existed. I met some beautiful people there with beautiful souls; all on the same Quest....



Culture & Divine. Stand up!

Currently bumping: Roy Ayers: We live in Brooklyn Baby

Equilibrium

Balance is the result of a number of body systems working together. Specifically, in order to achieve balance the eyes, ears and the bodys sense of where it is in space (proprioception) need to be intact. Also the brain, which compiles this information, needs to be functioning normally.

Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it is and not as it should be.

Three Wise Monkeys

호랑이

Nostalgia

Kim Kyung Soo for Vogue Korea

Did you know that Seahorses....

....are used in Chinese medicine to fortify the yang?

"Whazupitu"

Why is Ronald McDonald in the beginning of the video?
Why does Ronald say "The elephant is dying"?
Why is Eddie singing through his nose like that?
Whats with his deep camel toe?
Why are they thrusting their crotches?
Why do they have children dancing around in their school uniforms?
Why does Eddie put his hand over Michael's mouth from behind at the end?

So much wrongness.

Whazupitu?

Chicken = Crack

If food is love, then soul food is a hot, steamy, torrid love affair-bad for the heart, but you just can't stop from going back for more.

I'm trying to keep this blog all eclectic n shit, but at the end of the day, it IS the canvas for my thoughts, and right now I'm seeing through time and feeling feline. What is it about chicken that's so wonderful? There is nothing better than a crispy, juicy chicken thigh in my mouth. I can only describe the experience as poetry in the mouth. I used to be physically addicted to Morleys chicken (which only seems to exist in south London) when I lived in Streatham, where at one point I'd find myself outside my local chicken shop at 11am, which is the time they open. "2 thighs please". The joy. The joy that would fill my soul like a warm blanket as soon as I stuck my teeth in that chicken. Feels so right but so wrong. My mind is telling me no and my body is telling me yes. You know what the fucked up thing is?? I like the chicken grease all up in my grill. Pure filth. I don't take small bites either, I take the biggest bite out of that motherfucker. Believe. It's not a pretty sight and guys either seem to love it or hate it which can be quite amusing. I guess the only way to describe it would be as some kinda carnal ritual where the deeply buried cavewoman DNA in me, which we all posess, comes out. You know how lions rip up zebras with their teeth on animal documentaries? That's how I feel. Carnal.

I'm gonna read this blog tomorrow and be like what the hell was I thinking sharing this?

Oh well. It is what it is. I WANT CHICKEN AND I WANT IT NOW. I think I know how crack heads feel.

God Dammit.

The Path

This is gonna sound nuts, but I was high as hell at a houseparty in one of the rooms with a group of random people talking philosophy & deep shit (as u do) and came across this certain piece of writing by a Russian lady by the name of Yvanla *something*, can't quite read the last name as i scribbled the whole thing in my notebook under the influence, hence some unreadable handwriting.

Here Goes

There are four rungs on the ladder of success:
Plan Purposefully
Prepare Prayerfully
Proceed Positively
Pursue Peristently

In everything you do, have a Purpose.
Make sure the quality of your intention is one of truth, honour and love.
Prepare to pursue your purpose with prayer.
Ask for guidance, pretection & direction.
Ask that closed dooors be opened and that the purpose of those that remain closed be revealed. Give thanks for your answered prayers by proceeding without any doubt.
Keep your purpose in mind, trust the guidance you receive, have faith in your ability to succeed and accept all that comes your way.
If your purpose is clear, your prayers backed by faith, your outlook sure and positive, never, never look back.
You may meet forks and turns in the road, but your obstacles shall all be removed.

Don't talk about it,
Be about it.

Home is where the hatred is

Gil Scott Heron was one of the greatest artists to have been inspired from the Harlem Renaissance. We may not all be hooked on heroin, but the pure soul, pain & passion is something I'm sure all my fellow soldiers and soldierettes of the beautiful struggle can relate to.

"Music is....

....transmissions of recorded heart and spirit essence in sound signals that mix with our own experiences triggering an emotive response"

Native American Hawk wisdom

"The life of an Indian is like the wings of the air. That is why you notice the hawk knows how to get his prey. The Indian is like that. The hawk swoops down on its prey; so does the Indian. In his lament he is like an animal. For instance, the coyote is sly; so is the Indian. The eagle is the same. That is why the Indian is always feathered up: he is a relative to the wings of the air"



- Black Elk, Oglala

So turn off the God Dam TV.

Samurais & Geishas....

I'm obsessed with Japanese woodblock prints & Japanese mythology. You can definately see where the deep roots of the surreal nature of Japanese anime come from. I had a dream last night about being covered in samurai & geisha tattoos, which then started climbing out of my skin & came to life. Might sound like a freaky dream, but I kinda liked it. Probably a combination of watching too much miami ink and checking out Japanese art at the British museum the day before. Here are some of my favourites.

Sweet Dreams

Rose of Jericho

"A resurrection plant is any plant with the habit of reviving after seeming to be dead or, conversely, of seeming to revive when being in fact dead."

Found in arid areas in the Negev and Sahara Desert, as well as regions of Egypt, Israel, Persia, Jordan and Pakistan, this ancient species of everlasting plants is known as the Resurrection flower because it can go without water for years, losing 98% of its water content and then be rejuvenated within 24 hours. It is famed for its hygroscopic properties, which cause it to curl up into a tight ball when water is scarce, then unfold when in contact with water after years of being dead. The Rose of Jericho has been said to have mystical properties and to bring peace, harmony and abundance.

I remember seeing these in the desert when travelling in Persia.... :)

Hope Sufferance

Hope through sufferance.
That was our fortitude of soul.
Tesco value potatoes & onions with rice & lentils. Chillies.
Feeling the burn & being alive.
If we turn our backs to our emotions to be secure, we become slaves.
Or would you rather feel?
Daring to dream of meeting your hearts longing.
Touching the centre of your own sorrow.
Being opened up by lifes betrayals, not shriveled and closed from fear and further pain.
Sitting with pain without moving to hide it, fade it, or fix it.
Dancing with the wilderness, letting ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning to forget the limitations of being human.
Bearing the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
Seeing beauty even when its not pretty every day, sourcing your own life from its presence.
Living with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of the lake and shout to the silver of the full moon "Yes".
Getting up after the night of grief & despair, weary & bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done to feed the children.
Standing in the centre of the fire with me and not shrink back.

What sustains you from the inside when all else falls away?