THE TRAFFIC CONTROLLER

Two little kids were playing in the street.

They were bouncing a dodge ball to each other’s feet.

The neighborhood was quiet, people were gone or inside.

The two little kids, played ball with all their might.

No parent was around to monitor this play.

No one else was outside enjoying this perfect day.

They continued to play and bounce around this ball.

The two boys were enjoying the glorious season of Fall.

But here comes a car, wanting to pass.

And instead of braking, flooring on the gas.

When suddenly one boy, put his hand out and yelled ‘STOP!’

The other boy stood there as the ball and his jaw dropped.

His piercing eyes meant ‘Oh, don’t you dare.’

His posture was strong as much as his stare.

He got closer to the car and said ‘You’ve got to slow down!’

The driver shrugged and said ‘I didn’t see you boys around.’

Everyone out of breath, released a big sigh.

Both boys stood firm, and didn’t even cry.

But the driver did… he shed a little tear.

He realized this karma, was revisiting a fear.

For when he was a boy, he was almost hit.

And he watched his friend die, from the same s**t.

It was a reminder to drive safely and slow down.

Or the cycle will continue and go ‘round and ‘round.

It’s a wakeup call to be reminded of your past.

Perhaps, you need to take your foot off of the gas.

It’s also a reminder, to appreciate life.

Because time isn’t always on your side.

So take the life lesson, you just learned from these boys.

Life is precious and meant to be enjoyed.

© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai

http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

MUSIC IS WORTH NOTING

From the day we are born, music is in our lives. From the first lullaby we hear to the music in numerous mobiles, Fisher Price toys to children’s TV shows and songs we learn to sing in school, music is in our lives.

Whether or not we ever learn to sing or play an instrument, music is a part of us. It intertwines with our soul more and more with each passing year. Dick Clark said “Music is the soundtrack to life” and this couldn’t be more true. Certain songs can trigger a memory – you know exactly where you were on what date, at what time by just hearing the first few notes.

When you think about the power of music, it’s quite an overwhelming thing. It can trigger emotions, songs can make you cry, songs can make you laugh, songs can make you want to celebrate and party just as much as they can make you reflective or nostalgic – and they don’t even necessarily have to be songs with lyrics. An orchestral piece can be so majestic, it can make you feel something. Or a single instrument like a soulful violin, a moody saxophone, a jazzy piano, a rhythmic drum or a strumming guitar can transport you to certain places and times, like nothing else.



I don’t know if you’ve ever done this, but when walking through a store that has keyboards or any other instrument, even if you don’t know how to play, it’s very tempting to play a note or two. Music draws us in, no matter how or where… you can hear music faint in the background somewhere…someone’s radio or TV and automatically tune into what you’re hearing.

Music is something we enjoy while we’re working out or while we’re doing domestic chores and especially while we’re driving on the highway, it helps us pass the time. We can hum, whistle and sing tap an object or clank a glass and make our own music no matter where we are or what we are doing.

Have you ever felt tired or lacked motivation and suddenly felt a second wind of energy because of hearing music? If we understand its affect on us, we can appreciate it more when we hear it.

Music is also healing and therapeutic. It can help us relax, feel comfort, mediate and also motivate us to get well, helping us through physical therapy to recover from injury. How many times have you been in a horrible mood, but it’s been changed because of music?

The best music is the music which makes us feel connected and alive. It can change how we feel about life and ourselves in a positive way. It can connect us with others (all generations) who appreciate the same genres of music or certain artists… and it is the language that translates every culture.

Have you ever stopped to take in an Olympic ceremony? From the proud anthems of all countries, to the opening and closing ceremonies, music is there. Have you ever looked at a wedding or a funeral or a parade or recital? Music is there.
We sometimes underestimate the power of music and take for granted how many different ways music is in our lives and how it can change one.

Perhaps we need to literally take note of how music can and will be something that documents history, creates a mystery, benchmarks a moment and moves us toward our own groove in life and through it.

In the words of artist Shannon, “Let the Music Play…”

© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai

http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

FOOD AND OTHER FOUR LETTER WORDS

Food. Grub. Chow. Eats. These are perhaps most universally devoured four letter words we have. And when we think about food – it’s a topic that everyone can contribute to. It’s something that can make you feel nostalgic about home, childhood and family. Food also provides the perfect platform for gatherings, parties and friends. It is something we use to celebrate life and it is also something we use to comfort in death.

Food is also something we tend to forget when we think about creating peace. A casserole or cookies can make peace in a neighborhood – calling a truce with a disgruntled neighbor or starting off on the right foot welcoming a new one. Pizza can bring together winning and losing sports teams. And a well-prepared feast can unite distant and dysfunctional families. A box of chocolates can mend a broken heart or make one go-a-flutter. And a sandwich split in two may make a new friend at elementary school with a kid who forgot his lunch.

When you look at world peace four big essentials come to mind:
1) A smile for everyone
2) Happy music
3) Laughter
4) Delicious food

Think about these four basics as the common denominator for peace. And then think about what these four things these have in common…. ONE mouth.




If the mouth was smiling, singing a song, laughing joyfully and eating food – there would be no time for argument, no time for shouting, yelling, saying other four letter words that are offensive, or talking about the other taboo four topics: religion, politics, war and money that seem to put everyone in a place that is not so peaceful.

Food happens to be the thing that feeds our soul, not just our hunger, when we choose to ‘break bread’ with others and celebrate the moments that food brings to the table.

For every moment in life, food is there. Even when there isn’t much food to be had, it can unite people together, sharing in what is there.
If we took time to look at food as a tool for creating happiness rather than just something we shove in our mouths, I think we would see that our own plates would be stacked with an overwhelming abundance of beautiful moments to savor.
Let’s eat up these words and apply them to our daily lives. Perhaps this recipe will be passed on and we can all feast on this kind of soul food.

And let’s not forget to say grace.

© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai

http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

They say that imitation (copying) is the sincerest form of flattery. I say it’s chicken, cowardly and unoriginal.

WHY is everyone so afraid to be different?! What’s so wrong with being different? I think being different is beyond being unique, it’s about being imaginative, strong, aware, having self-esteem to dare to be yourself, NOT like somebody else.
Yet so many people try to be ‘the same.’

The world is full of a lot of sheep. How boring is that?!



Standing out and being different takes guts. It says “Hey, I am me – and you either like me or you don’t.” And either way, that’s okay. I think if more people took the time to celebrate themselves AS THEY ARE and there was more self-acceptance, the world would be a more beautiful place. The world would probably be filled with more love, peace, tolerance and understanding. There wouldn’t be anyone trying to ‘one-up’ … instead there would be mutual respect to live and let live and be and let be.

I also believe that being different has more perks than being like everyone else. And this is something that kids today should learn and understand. Instead of vying to have the same shoes as everyone else in class in order to be thought of as hip or cool, there should be more emphasis and focus on the person IN THE SHOES, and the path they are walking as themselves.

Afterall, we are all unique, there are no two people exactly alike (even twins)… we have our own personalities, our own quirks our own tastes, our own thoughts, and every experience we have is our own - so why the heck isn’t THAT celebrated instead?

If we spent more time celebrating our differences instead of tearing down what is different, the world would be a much better place.

Be different. Be unique. Be yourself. Because in my eyes, that’s the most beautiful thing you can be.

~Queena Verbosity~
© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai

http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

VOGUE MAN AND FLOWER POWER IN THE RAIN

Today isn’t raining. But I saw some people walking with umbrellas. It’s not overly hot or sunny, so it wasn’t necessarily to give them shade. It is breezy, but not so much you’d want to protect yourself with an umbrella from the wind. I’m not exactly sure why these people were walking with umbrellas. But I had to ask myself if it was because they were putting it out to the Universe, that they were hoping for rain.

While we’re having quite the drought in California and we definitely could use some of the rain that the East Coast is getting, I know that I have heard more than once in the last several weeks, the desire to have a rainy day. We got close… we had a couple of marine-layer overcast days. But it didn’t rain.

I look at rain as a sign of good things to come, a cleansing of sorts not just for the psyche and spirit, but for the Earth as well. I have two significant stories in my life revolving around rain. Rain taught me some amazing things and it is because of rain, I have been blessed with a cloudburst of beautiful life lessons.

Flashback to El Nino….two significant things happened.

During El Nino 1997-1998 – rain hit pretty hard. And while I was more fortunate than most, I did have a lot of damage. I was also sick with Pneumonia, my mother was in a nursing home struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease and recovering from breast cancer, my father had passed, I had two friends who just died, work was slowing down and I had a leak in my kitchen. I sat there with a 103 degree fever in my pajamas with pots and pans all over my kitchen- catching streams, I couldn’t have been more miserable. My garage was attached to a back alley where the windows looked out to the West. When it wasn’t raining, I could see the sun conclude each day, as it would set in the L.A. smog. It was also in this back alley I became familiar with someone I affectionately called, “Vogue Man.”

Vogue Man would always wave “hello” and “goodbye” to me as I would enter or exit my garage in the back alley during all my comings and goings. Sometimes when he was feeling playful, he would jump out in the middle of the alley and leap on the hood of my car to scare me and laugh endlessly at my expense of horror.

One day, I saw Vogue Man at the grocery store. I said ‘hello.’ He stopped his shopping cart to acknowledge me. When I asked him how he was –he shyly smiled and quickly darted his cart away, never speaking, just smiling. I happened to get a quick glance at his cart – filled with Jack Daniels, a carton of cigarettes and a jumbo pink box of éclairs. From all indications, life must’ve been pretty bad… but was THIS how he got through life… it was his shopping cart, his party and he owned it.

I do not know Vogue Man’s real name. All I know is that he was elderly, lived alone and drove an old white truck. And every single day – he would indulge in his sinful habit of coming out in his baby blue polyester smoking pants, put his foot up on the front of his brick fence and ‘strike a pose’ as he lit a cigarette to take in his morning ‘smoke.’ This was a ritual…one where he had basked in the beginning or end of his day to just enjoy a peaceful moment while being outside.

Well, back to my rainy, crappy day sick and on my kitchen floor catching drips… I was watching the rain downpour. I felt sorry for my planter boxes. All my flowers were drowning. And as I got a little closer to take a peek at the flooded balconies, I looked further out the window. To my surprise… I got a life lesson amidst my day of misery.

In the alley, with the garage open, wind blowing and rain pounding – I saw Vogue Man. But he was NOT wearing his light blue polyester smoking pants! He was dancing outside, frolicking in the rain wearing brand new khaki Dockers. Vogue Man had new pants! He was happy, celebrating life, in his victorious way. He did not care that he was getting rained on. He was merely celebrating… ‘the moment.’ And this moment was his alone and no rain could take that away from him or his new pants.

I tapped on the window to get his attention. He looked up at me and smiled. I gave him a ‘thumbs up’ and smiled back and he returned the gesture and continued to dance and spin in the rain. This moment was a priceless gift and a life lesson. And I filed it away in my mind and heart.


The next week, I was glad to be healthy again and the leaks in my roof were temporarily patched. And they were ‘holding’ in the kitchen. Exhausted from all the drama, I was happy to have my first ‘good night’s sleep’ in a long time.

And just as my alarm went off… I felt a drip on my nose. I looked up… my bedroom ceiling was now leaking. Ah … fantastic, just what I needed.

Karen Carpenter put it best ‘rainy days and Mondays always get me down.’ Well this day happened to be a Monday AND El Nino was hitting, I had a new leak. And though I was being ‘spiritual’ thinking of Vogue Man’s lesson to ‘celebrate the moment’ – I was going to celebrate this as one more thing that didn’t kill me, but made me stronger. LOL

A couple of weeks prior to this rainy Monday – I had initiated correspondence with the head of a women’s business organization. It was part of the business ‘networking’ thing I was determined to do once I made a commitment to live in Los Angeles permanently. And I admit I was pretty persistent about it. This woman agreed to meet with me in person. And we had scheduled the meeting for this particular Monday and we were to meet for breakfast.

I was feeling sloth-like…(weeks of fatigue catching up with me) and even though I had a good night’s sleep, who could blame me for feeling like I did not want to get up out of bed, just to be in the middle of rush hour traffic to drive through flooded streets in this hardcore downpour of a rainstorm BEFORE breakfast?! Gads! Though, I was really, really wanting to meet this woman that I had spent time trying to network with.

But when I called to see if ‘the breakfast meeting was still on’ – to my shock, her words of strength, her attitude and demeanor were beyond what I was expecting her to say as she said “Oh it’s just a little rain – wear a raincoat, bring an umbrella – you have to eat anyway!”

So I dragged myself and put Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” voice in my head “Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen, pour myself a cup of ambition and yawn and stretch and try to come to life – jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin,’ out on the streets and traffic starts jumpin….”

And then I arrived at our breakfast destination dripping but smiling. I saw her and we both shook off the water like ducks and started to chat.

Immediately when I met her – I was glued to her energy. She was vibrant and very generous with her conversation and thoughts. It was a great meeting. But business got quickly pushed aside and the conversation got personal – the connection was very psychic and her offerings seemed to be from the Heavens. It was like she was ‘the messenger’ of something very important she had to tell me.

She shared a story about her life, which I will not share here – as that is personal. But she was struggling during a very difficult period in her life. Her life was very stressful, her world filled with chaos, drama and very emotionally taxing times. She said that every day she would run around harried and frantic, just trying to cope.

The gift came from a homeless woman who managed to scrounge up a soup can. The label was torn off of it. Earth’s great soil placed inside and propagation of a plant of some kind taking place. There was a very long, scraggly vine sans leaves, very long, windy, twisty – similar to a life’s journey. And on the very end of it a tiny flower with a yellow center and small, delicate white petals. No other blooms were in sight at all… just this one little, tiny bloom at the end of this homely, leafless vine. And with it came a note that said “If this little flower can make it, so can you!”

She shared this story with me. WOW – it was pure euphoria, epiphanies, revelations and a whole truckload full of feelings that were awakened inside me as I heard this story.

And the rainy season of El Nino made a huge difference in my life. One I’ll never forget. Between flower power over breakfast and Vogue Man dancing in the rain, I changed my outlook on life and haven’t turned back. So many things evolved from this.

This is what got me interested in plants once again….digging my hands in soil, being at one with the Earth and needing to do that to feel Zen in harried times. It inspired me to write my First Grade elementary school teacher and thank her for teaching me about propagation in the first grade. It inspired me to take a Hip Hop dance class at my gym and reinvigorate movement in my life and letting my body be an extension of my expression. And yes, even I must occasionally update my wardrobe rain or shine for my spirit.

These two events reminded me… that will is stronger than anything, and nurturing one’s own garden in life (even if completely drenched)… will encourage growth no matter how challenged the conditions.

In the words written by John Fogerty for Creedence Clearwater Revival… I want to know… “Have you ever seen the rain?”

~Queena Verbosity~
© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

CLEARING THE AIR

Breathing. It’s essential for life on earth. People, animals and plants all need to breathe. Without the breath of life, there would be no life.

While the whole planet is focusing on a greener earth, eliminating air pollution and creating clearer air, no C02s…. it makes me question WHY we are still having to deal with pollution at all if everyone knows it’s bad for us. Is it laziness? Too much financial greed? It’s certainly not for the lack of research, technology, science…. All signs point to how horrible NOT having clean air can be. So why isn’t this already resolved?

Perhaps it is too confrontational. You know, like having a disease and not going to the doctor for fear of knowing what problems exist and not wanting to know what is going to happen. But the bottom-line is that we all know what is going to happen if we don’t have clean air to breathe.

This brings me to the idea that ‘clearing the air’ is like a giant elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about, much like ‘clearing the air’ for misunderstandings, misinformation, everyday issues that no one wants to face….with honesty in the face.


Whether it’s an old family argument, a friendship or relationship gone awry, a work situation that is dysfunctional and toxic… most people will spend more time complaining and griping about something than taking the time to ‘clear the air’ of the issue at hand. Is it fear for not wanting to step out of the comfort zone to discuss something? Is this emotional baggage? Again, is it laziness, the lack of communication skills/tools to resolve something? Is it denial?.... hoping something will ‘JUST GO AWAY?’

Frankly, I am exhausted of the ‘excuses’ people seem to come up with for WHY something isn’t being resolved, addressed or rectified. Life is far too short to sweep crap under the rug and hoping for resolution without taking the steps. And this goes for the environment and the air we breathe just as much as it does for dysfunctional communications/interactions with people in your life and not clearing the communication air of negativity between you.

The only way to breathe deeply and cleanly in life is to take responsibility for your actions (or lack of), your words, your feelings and DO SOMETHING to make positive changes. Whether it’s doing our part to do the green thing, or doing our part to resolve negative feelings, it’s a change we all need to make to improve the air around us and between us.

Breathe easy….clear the air. It’ll feel good!

~Queena Verbosity~
© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

TAKING FLIGHT

Dreams. Goals. Aspirations. We all have them. Some may have goals to have a certain profession or career. Others may dream of taking a trip around the world or rocketing to the moon. Some may aspire to be like their mother or father or a role model in their life.

This is part of who we are. And as we get older sometimes these dreams, goals or aspirations change. For the most part, they do. Maybe when you were in Kindergarten, you wanted to be an astronaut or like Michelangelo and be a famous painter. But today you’re getting your degree in something completely different or just working to make ends meet.



Whatever the case, this does not mean dreams die. It does not mean goals go away. There is still something inside of you which aspires to be something you always dreamed of being or doing something you always dreamed of doing.
Everyday life sometimes puts things on hold. But by no means does it mean we can’t pursue something meaningful.

When I was little, I had lots of goals and dreams based on some of the things I enjoyed doing. And while some of those goals or dreams changed, they changed because I did. I grew. I grew up. In this process, new dreams and new goals emerged. It took time to embrace this. But in time I did and I learned to appreciate the process just as much as I admired the fact that life brings about new experiences so we can take flight with them.

This also means we change our circles, too. It doesn’t mean discarding your friends. But it does mean changing your circle a bit so that you can grow as a person and be introduced to new things and new experiences, also. You may find that others share your dream, too. Maybe this in itself, can give you the motivation to go forward with exploring it once again.

So while you may be working your ‘day job’ – why can’t you join an adult soccer league and play at night or on the weekends? Or maybe volunteer with the charity organization you most admire? Or even take up music, dance or martial arts… even night classes toward that dream or goal you once had but put on the back burner?

It’s never too late to be what you want to be or do what you want to do. It’s never too late to spread your wings to fly toward your dreams or goals. If you take the time to do this, you’ll find others who share your dream or goal, can pursue theirs right along with yours and make it all the more special.

Take flight…. And soar toward your dreams!

~Queena Verbosity~
© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

CATCHING THE WAVE OF OPPORTUNITY

There is an inspirational quote (with many credited authors for this quote) “Success is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” But I believe that sometimes opportunities happen as they happen.

Some people have been in the right place at the right time. They call this success or in some cases, just darn luck.

But what about ‘missed opportunities’ or ‘opportunities not taken…’ what about those? Some people cry over the opportunities missed… you know, the ‘one that got away.’ Though we must give thought to the opportunities we choose to miss. Is it a shift of priorities? Is it wrong timing?

When I think about the opportunities I did not take, I don’t regret any of them. Sure it is human to wonder ‘what if’ you had taken them, but I truly believe that everything happens for a reason. Don’t you?

Think about the idea, if you HAD taken a certain opportunity and it directed you toward a completely different path. It is highly possible the joys you DO have in your life right now, wouldn’t be there? They would be different or non-existent, maybe. So is this really something to think about also.

And much like the tide, if we paddle out to it and happen to catch a wave of opportunity… great. If not, wait for the next tide. While there will be high tide and low tide, one thing is for certain, the waves will always be there. It’s up to us to decide which wave to ride, and which wave to let crash over us, and which ones to simply ride out.

I think if we obsess too much over the waves we did not ride, we’re missing the best part about being out there to catch one in the first place. The same can be said for a short ride. Short rides are not to be mourned, either. They are merely gateways to the longer ride.

We are given many waves in life to ride – difficult and challenging as well as smooth rides. We need both. And we need both the high and low tides to make us appreciate what waves do come along and which ones we can ride smoothly and enjoy.
The truth is, our lives give us exactly what we need. We just have to not be so focused on the low tide to see the fact that we are floating gracefully as we await the next opportunity.

Surf’s up….Hang Ten!

~Queena Verbosity~
© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

IT'S YOUR ROAD TO TRAVEL

Throughout time, many have contemplated the road of life. Whether you are an intense spiritual being, an eccentric artist, deep author, illustrious painter, thoughtful poet or world traveler and philosopher or mindful musician, the road of life has been the charming muse of your soul and creative being.

The everyday person has their inspired road of life, too. But too often it is a traffic jam filled with the daily task of pounding the pavement to put food on the table and being stuck bumper to bumper. This often clouds contemplating the road philosophically other than with just air pollution.

Life is more than just a highway or a freeway of love. The road is more than just a country road, a rainbow, a city road, or a road that is broken, dusty, or crossed and long and winding. You don’t have to be the king of the road to enjoy it and you certainly don’t have to keep driving all night.

While we are reminded by everyday people that life is not about the destination, it is about the journey… I don’t argue with that. However, I feel that when the road actually ends, you ultimately want to end up at the end of the road NOT regretting that there isn’t one which you haven’t traveled.

Many people will talk about how difficult the road is (which is a whole other blog I won’t bother to writ)e. I think the road has its own road blocks and detours and we as the drivers need to make the right decisions on how to navigate safely accordingly, I think that the ‘open road’ discussion is one that hasn’t truly been addressed.

Mid-lifers (those in crisis and those feeling stuck) will tell you that the road open road isn’t so open once you broach it. People will speak openly about common topics….aging, health and a myriad of related things, but it’s a subject that is carefully taken on like a driving course of orange cones. There are certain forks in this road no one wants to drive on much less hug the curve of like a plagued spoon.

Clueless about what I am talking about? I am talking about the road which does eventually come to an end. Mortality. But I am also talking about life’s purpose.

If you had children in your early years, you are an empty-nester. Your children are gone now and you don’t feel as if you are needed anymore. If you are taking care of your family right now and seem to be in a daily rut, you are probably feeling “gee, is this all there is?”

And if you’re an over-achiever facing burn-out, you’re probably wondering which road to drive on next, wondering if at the end of it all, if it will have been worth it.

When experiencing a death, you look at life differently and through different eyes. You also realize that all the stuff this person got worked up over during life, really didn’t matter in the end. Basically, the road that was traveled was littered with life’s minor annoyances like nails in the tires, rather than anything that really made sense to go off-road for.

Swerving recklessly didn’t make the road better or more fun, but more dangerous. And driving 5 miles an hour doesn’t really make for a fun journey, either. But our road is our own and we must travel it as we see fit. We have a license to drive, we must drive responsibly so we don’t injure others in our path and we must also take the liberty to drive and obey the rules of the road so that we can actually keep on driving.

Driving in the middle of the road of indecision is more painful than anything else because you’re really not living on a specific course toward anything to make you say at the end of the road, “gee, that was fun.” But if this is your road by choice, and this is how you like it, there is room for you Sunday driver types.

The other day, I reminded someone who actually got a flat tire on their car, while plagued with the flu, that sometimes the Universe does indeed give you a flat tire or a speeding ticket to purposely immobilize you to stop in your tracks and get on a healthier one for the soul.

While this wasn’t the most enlightening advice I have given… (lol), it was indeed advice from the heart and there is truth to what I said. If we don’t maintain ourselves (like a car) – how in the heck can we go places? I believe the Universe gives you a speeding ticket when you are supposed to slow down in life to savor what life offers. I also believe that when driving down the road of life we are meant to let the wind blow through our hair, take time to enjoy the scenery and not worry about the speed bumps we encounter.

My mother was quick to remind me that when I was born, I didn’t come with an instruction book. And this of course translates to our being born without a road map, either. While our personal GPS will navigate us by instinct, we must also be mindful of the idea of riding in the carpool lane, when we decide to share life with a spouse/partner or take our families with us along for the ride. Sometimes, we can go places we never thought we would go all because we have passengers on board who give us a fresh perspective and direction which not only challenges us, but show us a new road to travel.



There is only a ‘wrong’ road in life when it conflicts with your core values and your divine purpose. You may become lost along the journey, but that doesn’t mean all is lost. Refuel, get yourself pointed the right way and you’ll be motoring down the road to great places with your Atlas of experience.

The meaning of life is not defined by how shiny your car is, how fast you go… what matters most is that you enjoyed your ride in life and you don’t have any regrets about any roads not traveled. If your odometer has a lot of miles on it and you have many a road trip tale to take with you in your memories, I say that road of life was a pretty good one.

Buckle up and enjoy your ride.

~Queena Verbosity~
© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

WHAT'S IN STORE?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the news has been featuring stories on businesses in trouble… companies that have been around for years! We have watched the many manufacturers and retailers go through mergers or acquisitions, or simply go away forever. The alarming rate of businesses dissolving is not just upsetting during a recession, but upsetting in terms of nostalgia for some and for others, the idea of a chapter ending, and not just Chapter 11.

While I won’t ramble on and list all the names of the businesses which have gone belly-up (it would be a 25 page blog), I will say that this whole recession has been very eye-opening. Not only is the public very much aware of the flaws within the system, but also the corporate greed, the mishandled funds, the lack of standard operating procedures of businesses gone bad, or at least a few key employees who became greedy sheep. And the public is also aware that a few really good companies became victims due to another epiphany consumers had… we don’t need so much ‘stuff.’

As George Carlin (R.I.P.) floats on a cloud in the Heavens reciting his whole ‘stuff’ schtick routine about how Americans have too much STUFF and need to buy more stuff to hold all our stuff, it is a true reality check to see in broad daylight, isn’t it?

Think about the fact that reality shows about ‘hoarders’ and people who need a ‘clean sweep’ actually exist because of the fact people have too much stuff. Isn’t this a reality check as well?

How about the fact most people have garages filled top to bottom, or that people have multiple ‘storage units’ of ‘things’ …. that they cannot take with them to the grave.

After watching numerous natural disasters happen over the past decade – hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, earthquakes… people losing ‘all their stuff’ …. Is it any wonder that when all is said and done, and all you have is your own life, that your being alive is what matters most? Did you really NEED all that ‘stuff?’ Does this not make you appreciate life and your loved ones even more?

While we may not have as many retailers anymore, maybe the true wakeup call in life is to live simply, with as little as possible. Maybe this is part of the master plan so-to-speak, so people can appreciate what they do have and live life in a better, more productive, more appreciative way. Perhaps (I know, dare to dream) we can return to the basic essentials, solid core values and maybe change the way life is lived and humble a few people along the way.

Though you may think this is an illusion of grandeur, in essence I think it’s supposed to be a life lesson. But if only, the people who really need to learn it, will pay attention in class this time.

I don’t know. But there’s always hope. And though we may not be shopping for hope by entering an automatic revolving door, under fluorescent lighting, or in segmented departments… maybe consumers as a culture, as a generation can look at life and live it a little differently.

There is an opportunity here to ride this recession out and catch the new wave of NOT “shopping til we drop.” It’s time to realize that ‘he with the most toys’ does NOT win, but rather will lose all perspective on what life is really about. Maybe THAT special should be on the news! SPENDING TIME enjoying life and its true meaning with the ones you love is more profitable than spending dollars on more ‘stuff.’

~Queena Verbosity~
© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

IF FISH COULD TALK....

From as far back as I can remember, I was fascinated with fish. From spending hours with my grandmother in front of the Koi pond where she lived, to random pet goldfish, I loved the tranquility fish brought to everyday existence. My folks liked neon tetras and had a tank full of them. Somehow, I don’t know if it started out as food for the tetras, or if this was a sidebar to the aquarium, but, our family raised guppies. I still don’t know when this started or for what reason, but I remember we had a fish tank full of them. And when we moved away, we had to give them away to the neighbor girls, Nina, Tina and Lina.

Watching Jacques Cousteau on television was an event in our house, and my father would collect issues of National Geographic magazine which featured marine life. I would thumb through these in awe, being careful to not bend the pages of this slick, colorful spectacular cataloging of fish pictures. Somehow while I was too young to understand the value of the sea, I knew that it was really important to honor everything in it.

Back in the 70s when I was growing up, there was a place which opened up back in the early 1950s called Hanna Barbera’s (yes, of the Flintstones animation fame) Marineland of the Pacific. It was located in the Palos Verdes Peninsula and was the pre-cursor theme park to Sea World (actually Sea World purchased it and moved the marine life South). This was my first ‘sea life’ experience. From the touch pools with the starfish and sea urchins, I was finally able to see ‘live and in person’ the very things I saw on a Davey & Goliath episode rerun of “Jeep in The Deep.” As Davey sang “It’s a great big, wonderful world we live in….” seeing the ‘whole other world’ under the sea, it made me ponder the question if there was any communication going on in the community we humans frequent.





What if fish could talk? I had seen Flipper speak on TV, but rarely fish communicate, though I had suspected they had a language all their own. I wondered if fish could talk, would they say, we need to become more educated about where they live. Maybe they would say by destroying where we live, we also destroy where they live. Fish don’t have any other option, they have to live in water.
Today, as we examine the horrific oil spills over the years a la Exxon Valdez and notice that our ocean waters are contaminated by thoughtless individuals and corporations, I have to wonder what the fish would say today.

As we watch the on-going effects of Global Warming, acid rain, over-fishing … perhaps this is why the fish are speechless?

Are there no more words and are words pointless from their perspective because no one is paying any mind to the idea that if we protect our precious ocean, the ocean giveth back?

If indeed they could talk, they would beg for us to ‘wake up’ and smell the sea water. The ocean is full of beauty, wonder and yes, precious resources to provide endless health benefits to nourish our bodies with seaweed, kelp and minerals and be of benefit to other creatures on our planet as well. The ocean isn’t just full of waves, it’s the wave of the future. Wakeup California, this ‘water shortage’ you keep speaking of … I have ONE WORD for you, D-E-S-A-L-I-N-I-S-A-T-I-O-N.

If the fish could talk, they would say if we planted more trees instead of creating a concrete jungle, we’d improve the atmosphere and it would improve the air, sucking up more C02 pollutants which would in turn, improve the water quality of the ocean. The place fish call “home” would be less acidic, because there wouldn’t be gas dissolving into the ocean from the air.

If fish could talk, would they also sing Marvin Gaye’s “Mercy Mercy Me” song:

Woo ah, mercy mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me, mercy father
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas, fish full of mercury
Ah oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, na na...
My sweet Lord... No
My Lord... My sweet Lord

OH, IF FISH COULD TALK!

~Queena Verbosity~
© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words
Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

THE WOODWORK

When I was a young child, I would wake up on Saturday mornings to the smell of sawdust and the rhythmic shrill of a radial saw steadily keeping a bass line tempo with alternating hammer beats. While this wasn’t the beginning of any new contemporary music breakthrough, it became the constant Saturday sound and smell I could rely on every Spring and Summer.

This was my father working in the garage… on something. Usually he wasn’t building anything massive. The three largest projects he took on were the backyard patio, the built-in book shelving and a desk, which I still cherish.

He wasn’t a carpenter by trade. But he was a carpenter of life. What he was ultimately doing was he was building a foundation for himself to escape the stress of daily work life, while saving hard-earned money by ‘doing things himself.’ It was much more economical to build something with his hands rather than pay full retail for a finished product. But it was even more than that. I had learned it was about the pride of accomplishment, doing something that was challenging and taking on the task of completing something from dreams and imagination to final, tangible reality.

I often think about his work, every time I walk into a home improvement store and step into the lumber aisle. The aroma is a nostalgic one that takes me back to many a memorable Saturday. And it’s not so much about the actual craft of woodworking, as much as it is doing things the old-fashioned way, from scratch.

My father’s method to his madness wasn’t even about ‘creating something better’ or any perfectionist type of drive, it was for the mere satisfaction of a job well done all in a good day’s work. His reward was kicking back with a beer after the day was done to celebrate the outcome of completing what he started. There was something great about this.

I’ve gone through my life knowing a lot of half-assed carpenters. My father was not one of them. And it is because of him, neither am I….

1) Finish what you start.

2) Get closure by doing.

3) Get satisfaction by being…. Part of the woodwork.

4) Build a solid foundation.

5) Create a sturdy frame.

6) Don’t worry about splinters… they only help you remember why you are doing what you are doing in the first place.

7) Make your own house a home by what you build it with.

8) Then decorate your life with the fine memories you make by the experiences you fill your life and home with.

Woodwork. It’s a beautiful thing. Once you nail it, you’ve discovered what the real beauty of life is all about: something you build yourself.

~Queena Verbosity~

© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words

Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

RANDOM THOUGHTS.... AND YOURS?

NEW AND IMPROVED. Any corporation who has created a product line where there has been ‘brand loyalty’ (i.e. laundry detergent, toilet paper, juice, etc.) generation upon generation… WHY in the world are you advertising that you are ‘new and improved?’ Are you saying that for 3-4 decades you’ve been selling us an inferior product and we were foolish enough to be loyal customers all these years?

SUNSCREEN vs. SUNBLOCK SPF… 2, 4, 8, 15… 20, 25, 30, 50 and now… gasp(!) SPF 80 and 100??? Really?! At some point when you get up to SPF 100 aren’t you really sunBLOCK and not sunscreen? Isn’t 100% 100%?

MOTION-SENSORED TOILETS, SINKS, SOAP AND PAPER TOWELS: Note to public restroom architects/designers….. if you are going to do one of these, do all of them. It makes no sanitary sense to only do one or two options and not the rest. You are defeating the purpose.

WHY IS THERE BRAILLE AT A DRIVE-THRU ATM MACHINE?

Every single day, there are thoughts to be pondered. These are just a few of mine. There will of course, be more to come. Share your thoughts on these random thoughts above.

~Queena Verbosity~

© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words

Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com

FRIEND OF CONVENIENCE

When we go to the grocery store, our bar coded items get scanned and a beep sounds when each item passes by the scanner. Bran FLAKES….. beep. Case of NUTS….. beep. TV Guide featuring all of this Fall’s best DRAMAS…beep. And the gallon of milk that will MILK every penny you have…. Beep.

No, I’m not talking groceries. I’m talking people… more notably, the Friend of Convenience that happens to be like a convenience store near you! This ‘friend’ is conveniently there begging you to buy into the lottery ticket of something tossed around lightly by them, called “friendship.”

When you were younger, you probably enjoyed shopping. And as you get older (ahem) and wiser, you realize you really hate shopping. It’s almost annoying. You try to blame it on the idea you don’t want to deal with the parking or the monotony of going up and down the aisle smiling like a Stepford wife or husband trying to feign delight in shopping (again) with your cart. But the truth is, the ‘idea’ of being obligated to do something that ‘just has to be done’ is what is truly plaguing you, because this is what life is all about.

Isn’t FRIENDship supposed to be a mutually enjoyable experience for BOTH people?? Why carry on in having to ‘pretend’ again and again that something is so very enjoyable, when there is really no benefit of ‘joy’ for you in the long run? Come on, I mean when you have a new recipe to try, you can get excited about going grocery shopping… so why do you have to deal with drama, selfish and disrespectful friends who only use and abuse you and your kindness and support? You know they will only leave your cart empty without so much as even a thank you or a coupon invitation to the ‘good times’ and fun in their lives? They’ll just forget about you until their next drama or need, but never think of you to share in the positive aspects of friendship.

Friends come and go in your life. And that’s just the truth. But when you reach a certain age, you realize that there are those friends that come out of the woodwork only ‘whenever they want something….’

Maybe they are looking for work or money or just want to vomit their emotional drama to a sounding board because no one else will listen. But then when it is YOUR turn, they are (ha! – conveniently) nowhere to be found. Sometimes around birthdays (theirs) or holidays, they are the ones who “suddenly want to get in touch,” even though all your life’s happenings have come and gone and they didn’t even bother to blink an eye of knowing.

While most people get philosophical and say….’that’s just how it is,’ – I say, WTF?! Are you kidding me? ! Seriously, who needs this crap? It’s like getting picked last for dodgeball and then you get the s**t beaten out of you anyway.

Why is this cyclical behavior accepted by so many? Are we humans THAT desperate to be doormats in a world full of people who are that self-involved and oblivious to the fact that there is more to life than just them? Are we ending up being a friend of convenience to the ultimate friend of convenience?

Think about that and get back to me. But I think it’s time we forget the so-called friends that look good on paper and are only plastic and fake and put them on the reject shelf in the grocery store of life. Maybe then they’ll BEEP BEEP BEEP out of our way so we can make room for some organic, fresh, new friends who produce healthier friendships.

~Queena Verbosity~

© 2009 Queena Verbosity 100% Real Words

Media Monster Communications, Inc.
Stacey Kumagai
http://www.100percentrealwords.blogspot.com
http://hubpages.com/profile/mediamonster
http://www.braingasm.com