Where is our humanity?

I feel so much anger and sadness.

Sometimes, I don't understand this world and the people in it. I know I'm one of the billions of people on this planet and I'm also contributing to the unnecessary negativity, but I'm tired of it all. As humans, we are destroying humanity and our planet. Who else can we blame, but ourselves? We need to put an end to it. How are we meant to preserve ourselves and our legacy, if we can't let go of the negativity?

Therefore, I am angry. I am sad. I am broken and I have a hard time letting go or accepting our fate. I don't want to feel this way, but I am human after all. I can't exude positivity all the time, because I am surrounded by the bad energy. The people around me make me unhappy and dissatisfied with life. We are terribly divided now, as a nation and worldwide. We need to be united... again.

Please unite.
We need to be united.
Without that, we have no future.

ORIGINAL is never finished

This is super empowering, beautiful and epic.

I think in a world of Capitalism, consumerism and conformity, we're prone to looking like clones and drones and cronies. I truly appreciate the symbolism and artistic approach to this Adidas ad or short film. I do feel special when I wear my Superstars, even though every other person on the street is wearing them. It has the power to make you feel strong, comfortable and unique. That's all anyone wants to feel when they're hustling and trying to find their place in the world.

Thank you, Adidas, for this original concept. Ready for today!

(Thanks to my bestie, Caro, for showing me this!)

You Can Find Me In A Black Hole

Dear Universe,

Once again, I desperately need and want to hide in a black hole. Not to be negative or dwell on the negative, but it has been a rough last few weeks, not just for me personally, but for America and the rest of the world.

I feel so strongly and just angry about all of this. There are so many words and yet, not enough words to accurately describe what I'm thinking. Just pick up a newspaper, read a magazine, watch a documentary and realize the world isn't just about what you're experiencing - it's a collective experience. What is happening right now has always been the case, but it is currently amplified by social media, people oversharing their thoughts and opinions and what the media is feeding us.

We are angry and we demand change. Yet some people are so against and resistant to good decision making, whether it affects developed or developing countries. We just hate to be wronged. It's in our nature. So stand up for our rights as humans, whether you are in America, Great Britain or Syria or anywhere in the world - please speak up.

From now on, I will be donating to @unicef @unicefwater monthly from now on and I urge you to pick a cause. Volunteer and help people in need. They need it. Remember, we are only human at the end of the day and wouldn't you want to look back and remember that you were a kind and generous human being? 100% Human. Take action.

Yours Sincerely,
Avalonne, human being

Please read:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/2848
http://www.nodapl.life/
http://www.takepart.com/lastcall/
http://www.slingshotdoc.com/
http://www.documentary.org/film/slingshot
http://www.mybkr.com/
http://www.swellbottle.com/
http://www.memobottle.com/
https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/usa/unicef-tap-project
https://www.watercache.com/blog/2011/10/must-see-water-documentaries-provide-insight-into-future-water-crisis

नमस्ते

I am bowing to you
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Every day
Forever more
Ad infinitum
Do not be mistaken
by my kindness,
I am not weak,
I care,
For you.
Please
Do not reject me,
I wish you good.
Be better, kinder,
For yourself,
For others,
For the universe.
Sending you good vibes.
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Namaste.
नमस्ते

A poem from the brain, heart, other organs and soul of Avalonne Hall 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste
http://namastetruckee.com/namaste-defined
http://hinduism.about.com/od/artculture/p/namaste.htm
http://www.yogajournal.com/article/beginners/the-meaning-of-quot-namaste-quot/

Oh Merde!

Oh...
Merde!
Shite!
Scheiße!
Schijt!
Skit!
Skítur!
Skitt!
That is all...
Wait... 
What are we to do now?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shit

Thank You, Obama Administration

Today marks the end of an era.

It was truly an extraordinary era and I think many of us took it for granted. Not to get too political or passionate, but I truly believe the last eight years were monumentally great due to the efforts of President Obama, Michelle and his administration. I'm not sure I'm ready to say goodbye. Since I've been living in the U.S., all I've known is President Obama and now... tomorrow... will be a whole other thing. No words to describe how anyone is feeling.

Thank you Barack and Michelle and the White House staff. We owe so much to you all.

Good luck, America. 🇺🇸

MLK

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." – Martin Luther King Jr.

Today, more than ever, we should stand up for ourselves, stand up for equality, justice, human rights! It's hard not to be political in tumultuous times and it's easy to hate politics and be indifferent or passive. But I choose to care like Martin Luther King Jr., because he cared. He cared so immensely that he caused and led a movement. Now that was a leader.

He was a remarkable man and just saying these words are making me teary eyed. He led people to their rights and I thank his courage, strong will and determination to fight for his beliefs. It's still an ongoing battle. Now that is not to say he was perfect - no one is perfect. So don't bother criticizing certain aspects of his life.

We are humans after all and we all make mistakes, big or small. I am so proud to be ENFJ like him. Thank you for your contribution. You are a legend.

http://www.biography.com/people/martin-luther-king-jr-9365086
http://projects.seattletimes.com/mlk/?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=vanityURL&utm_campaign=redirect
https://share.america.gov/life-legacy-martin-luther-king-jr/
http://hbculifestyle.com/martin-luther-king-jr-quotes/

Reinvent Yourself

re·in·ven·tion

rēinˈven(t)SHən/

noun

1. the action or process through which something is changed so much that it appears to be entirely new.

   
   

   "the reinvention of classic punk rock"

Always reinventing myself. It has taken me a long time to get here: as of now, I am really happy and accepting of who I am, but I am still working on it. It's a constant work in progress. For that reason, I am grateful to the universe for my life and existence.

I will hustle.
I will keep going.
I will not give up.
I will remain strong-willed.
I will persevere.
I will reinvent myself.
I will prove my worth.
I wholly believe in me.

It has been a great beginning to 2017. Cheers! 👩🏻

President Obama's Farewell Speech

We are so ready for 2017, but are we ready to let go of President Obama?

Barack Obama is a legend, who truly unified this country. A lot of people learned to shed their differences to come together to support this man's political agendas and objectives for this country for last eight years. I admire his courage and the goals that he has achieved and worked hard to provide for the country. Unfortunately, people have become jaded over time and has not been able to acknowledge all the milestones that were reached over the last two Obama's presidential terms.

So that’s what we mean when we say America is exceptional. Not that our nation has been flawless from the start, but that we have shown the capacity to change, and make life better for those who follow. 

Yes, our progress has been uneven. The work of democracy has always been hard. It has been contentious. Sometimes it has been bloody. For every two steps forward, it often feels we take one step back. But the long sweep of America has been defined by forward motion, a constant widening of our founding creed to embrace all, and not just some. 

If I had told you eight years ago that America would reverse a great recession, reboot our auto industry, and unleash the longest stretch of job creation in our history — if I had told you that we would open up a new chapter with the Cuban people, shut down Iran’s nuclear weapons program without firing a shot, take out the mastermind of 9-11 — if I had told you that we would win marriage equality and secure the right to health insurance for another 20 million of our fellow citizens — if I had told you all that, you might have said our sights were set a little too high. 

But that’s what we did. That’s what you did. You were the change. The answer to people’s hopes and, because of you, by almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was when we started.

There needs to be a huge shift in people's mindset of the country's political climate.

Which brings me to my final point — our democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted.

All of us, regardless of party, should be throwing ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions.

When voting rates in America are some of the lowest among advanced democracies, we should be making it easier, not harder, to vote.

When trust in our institutions is low, we should reduce the corrosive influence of money in our politics, and insist on the principles of transparency and ethics in public service. When Congress is dysfunctional, we should draw our districts to encourage politicians to cater to common sense and not rigid extremes.

But remember, none of this happens on its own. All of this depends on our participation; on each of us accepting the responsibility of citizenship, regardless of which way the pendulum of power happens to be swinging.

Our Constitution is a remarkable, beautiful gift. But it’s really just a piece of parchment. It has no power on its own. We, the people, give it power. We, the people, give it meaning — with our participation, and with the choices that we make and the alliances that we forge.

Whether or not we stand up for our freedoms. Whether or not we respect and enforce the rule of law, that’s up to us. America is no fragile thing. But the gains of our long journey to freedom are not assured.

President Obama has witnessed a lot, more than any of us will ever know. So it's easy for us to criticize and blame our political and world leaders, but who are we to judge them for their failures and errors? What have we done to better our political, social and economical environment? We still need more education and exposure and we need to spread this notion. Help yourself to help each other.

The Obamas are remarkable, our role models, our heroes. Thank you for making us proud, because we are so proud of your efforts and involvement. Truly a remarkable president, remarkable man, remarkable husband, best friend, father. Thank you for everything.

Don't take this democracy for granted! Go out and vote, get educated, raise awareness, fight for freedom! Tomorrow is another day to fight for justice, equality, girl power, human rights!

Never give up. The future is counting on us.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/10/us/politics/obama-farewell-address-speech.html

Satellites

Firstly, what is a satellite?

A natural satellite is any celestial body in space that orbits around a larger body. Moons are called natural satellites because they orbit planets. Satellites that are made by people and launched into orbit using rockets are called artificial satellites. There are thousands of artificial satellites orbiting the Earth.

Secondly, I'm in love with Garth Knox's Satellite. I discovered Garth Knox when I went to the Kronos Quartet Workshop presented by the Weill Music Institute of Carnegie Hall last April. It was such a visceral experience. I couldn't have anticipated how much I would be inspired and moved by these incredibly talented string quartets. There were three string quartets: Argus, Ligeti and Friction Quartets, I was completely enamored by their passion and skill. The 3 movements performed were so extremely eerie and fascinating. I'm already in love with anything space related and here I was at Zankel Hall, about to witness some incredible performances and I was listening to 3 movements called Satellites. 

I'm a huge fan of Kronos Quartet through their work with Darren Aronosky and Clint Mansell (one of my favorite film composers) for Requiem for A Dream and The Fountain. After this performance, I knew I had to be friends with these young musicians. Admittedly, contemporary classical music can be tricky for me, but when the elements are right, they can be exceptional. Garth Knox is the exception for me. I am so inspired by this music and it makes me love space, planets and celestial bodies even more. I hope to become more acquainted by Garth Knox's body of work and with these young, talented classical musicians. I have so much respect.

Kronos Quartet led a weeklong workshop open to student and young professional string quartets to explore new works commissioned as part of Fifty for the Future: The Kronos Learning Repertoire. Fifty for the Future is a major commissioning initiative of Kronos Quartet, Carnegie Hall, and many other diverse partners and is devoted to the most contemporary approaches to the string quartet. The project is designed to present music as a living art form and to create a new trove of resources for the training of students and emerging professionals.

Fifty for the Future: The Kronos Learning Repertoire
https://www.carnegiehall.org/
Kronos Quartet
Garth Knox - Violist Composer
Argus Quartet
Ligeti Quartet
Friction Quartet
Clint Mansell - Film Score Composer

A Man Called Ove

Life has made us hard, guarded and irrevocably broken.

And if you don't know it, then you're probably in denial.

I think life is this complicated journey that is truly a wonderful opportunity, but we're hit by the realities and circumstances of life. We're not in control and therefore, we may be deeply unhappy by our lack of achievements and purpose. We're just these aimless species wandering the earth, bounded by space and time, with no rhyme or reason. Sounds bleak, right? So how do we learn to let all of that go and try to start the healing process? How do we learn to embrace the meaninglessness of life?

Answer: Give it meaning.

I've been meaning to see A Man Called Ove ever since it came out. And time and time again, I kept missing my opportunity. The timing never worked out or when I was in the area of where the cinema is located, it wasn't screening anymore. It was like the universe did not want me to see this film. I hadn't watched the trailer, but I had read a review at the Angelika. Ultimately, I knew this film was right up my alley and I would find enjoyment and fulfillment from this film. Now I know I must watch this film this week. It's my number one goal.

Shyness

Today's the day, I feel like the universe is giving me a second chance. It's time to reinvent myself. Here's my first and possibly only attempt at proving myself as a "filmmaker". 

Stay tuned: Shyness (2017).

Holocene

Someway, baby, it's part of me, apart from me
You're laying waste to Halloween
You fucked it friend, it's on its head, it struck the street
You're in Milwaukee, off your feet 

And at once I knew I was not magnificent
Strayed above the highway aisle
Jagged vacance, thick with ice
And I could see for miles, miles, miles 

Third and Lake it burnt away, the hallway
Was where we learned to celebrate
Automatic bought the years you'd talk for me
That night you played me 'Lip Parade'
Not the needle, nor the thread, the lost decree
Saying nothing, that's enough for me 

And at once I knew I was not magnificent
Huddled far from the highway aisle
Jagged vacance, thick with ice
And I could see for miles, miles, miles 

Christmas night, it clutched the light, the hallow bright
Above my brother, I and tangled spines
We smoked the screen to make it what it was to be
Now to know it in my memory 

And at once I knew I was not magnificent
High above the highway aisle
Jagged vacance, thick with ice
But I could see for miles, miles, miles

The Art Of Asking

The simple art of asking is in fact very complicated and difficult for me. It has taken me years to understand that asking for help is not a sign of weakness or failure. In fact, it just means that you realize that you can't do and know everything. I need to watch this particular Ted Talk at least once a year as a reminder to ask another fellow human for help sometimes. I have such a huge admiration for Amanda Palmer and her speech has given me strength and the courage to ask.

I see you. You are profoundly remarkable, Amanda. Thank you so much.

Don't forget to ask. Don't be afraid to ask. Just trust yourself to ask.

http://amandapalmer.net/
http://amandapalmer.net/category/the-grand-theft-orchestra/
https://twitter.com/amandapalmer
https://www.facebook.com/amandapalmer/
https://www.youtube.com/user/amandapalmer
http://www.stereogum.com/1796152/amanda-palmer-1-2m-kickstarter-was-actually-a-loss-leader/news/
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jun/22/amanda-palmer-visionary-egotist-interview
http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/amanda-palmers-accidental-experiment-with-real-communism

Sad

I think this is the type of song I would want to be able to write or conceive. That's why I have such a huge admiration for Bo Burnham. He actualizes all his introspection and transforms them into comedic songs. That's just genius. He's not a comedic prick, he really is my hero and I admire his intellect, wisdom and wit. There are so many tragedies in the world and empathy won't fix the world unfortunately. This song is truly a work of genius. 

I cannot stress enough how important it is for me to be introspective. If I'm not introspective or empathetic, then I'm not me. Introspection is undervalued. Humility is overrated according to arrogant pricks out there in the world. But I prefer to be introspective, I prefer to be humble, I prefer to be altruistic. Is it my job to help others? No, but I prefer to be this way, because I am who I am and I will not apologize for it.

Avalonne, out.

(This is a song about how sad I am.
Just picture a depressed onion cutting himself.)
I met a homeless man named Rich.
Isn't that terrible.
I saw a flyer for a lost dog
and the dog didn't have any legs.
I saw a diabetic kid
Trick or treating.
I saw a giraffe who had a short neck.
That was sad... or a deer.
I saw an old man get hit by a train.
He didn't see it in the pouring rain.
He didn't hear me shout "look out for the train!"
Cause I didn't say anything.
I just thought to myself, "Ooh this is gonna be sad."
And it was.
I'm a genius.
I saw a man with only one eye
In a 3D movie.
I saw a little boy drop his ice cream cone directly on his mother's corpse.
I saw a kitten stuck in a tree, then the kitten jumped off and he hung itself.
I saw a boy who had red hair...
I went to a store looking for something to buy.
But they only sold paintings of the same sad guy.
No wait, this store sells mirrors!
See what I did there?
Let's Rock!
No.
The world's so sad bros.
Pain, genocide, war, sexism, racism.
But I gotta remember there's good things about it too.
Like the fact that none of that is happening to me, score!
Still though it's hard not to be sad about it.
How do y'all do it?
I've been telling you terribly sad things this whole song you haven't been sad at all.
You've been happy, no
You've been laughing.
That's it, laughter, it's the key to everything!
It's the way to solve all the sadness in the world!
I mean, not for people that are actually said, but for the people like us that gotta fucking deal with 'em all the time.
Being a comedian isn't being an insensitive prick capitalizing on the most animalistic impulses of the public, it's being a hero!
The world isn't sad. The world's funny! I'm a sociopath!
I saw an old man slip and fall.
Hey, what a fucking idiot.
I saw a woman at her daughter's funeral.
Ha Ha Ha! Classic comedy!
Everything that once was sad, is somehow funny now.
The Holocaust and 9/11?
That shit's funny 24/7 cause tragedy will be exclusively joked about.
Because my empathy is bumming me out.
Goodbye sadness!
Hello jokes.

http://www.boburnham.com/
http://observer.com/2016/06/bo-burnham-is-grown-up-and-making-happy/
http://www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type/mbti-basics/
https://www.16personalities.com/enfj-personality
http://www.preservearticles.com/201101283753/what-are-the-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-introspection-method-of-psychology.html

Take A Day Off!

Sometimes you just need a day off. You need a chance to recharge, recuperate, and even to reinvent yourself. This film inspired a generation, it has inspired a movement and the courage to just take a day off. Sounds simple, doesn't it? In fact, Ferris Bueller did something very bold and life-changing for Cameron. It will always reminds me to take risks in my daily life. I am not afraid to be courageous and I thank Ferris Bueller for that.

Have some guts and take a day off!

https://hbr.org/2013/02/do-women-take-as-many-risks-as
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/opinion/sunday/the-biology-of-risk.html?_r=0
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/margiewarrell/2013/06/18/take-a-risk-the-odds-are-better-than-you-think/&refURL=https://www.google.com/&referrer=https://www.google.com/
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2013/06/125-risk-takers/gwin-text
http://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/5-things-the-smartest-leaders-know-about-risk-taking.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/13/seven-reasons-why-risk-taking-leads-to-success_n_3749425.html
http://www.goodlifecoaching.com/CreativeLife41.html

1/3/2017

"The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it." – Hubert H. Humphrey

My godmother has been a constant source of inspiration, love, encouragement and support in my life. I have never once doubted our friendship and relationship all these years, because she has never been disappointed with me, she has never had certain expectations from me, she has just always wanted me to be happy. So I'm living a happy and healthy life for her. I wish we could live in the same city, but we are divided by a large ocean between us. But she will always be in my heart, when she's far, when she's near, I will always turn to her in times of desperation, joy, anger, sadness. And I am there for her to express my unconditional love, friendship and support in return. I am beyond thankful to have her in my life. I am who I am because of her.

Happy 70th Birthday to one of the most remarkable women I know! What a milestone!

Psychological Word Search of 2017!

Happy New Year, Universe and people of Earth!

The first 3 things I see are: Wealth, romance and success!

Well, I can't deny that I saw those 3 words first. I was in fact consciously searching for health, but found wealth. I must say I do need some wealth in my current state of my life right now. Which means I am determined to spend my money wisely and save efficiently. As for romance? Well, at least romance is not love, relationship or marriage. I'm open to romance. And as for success? I've been looking for success and to achieve my version of success for my whole life. I may have been procrastinating for the last years, but I think it has been a subconscious way to slow myself down, to allow myself the chance to learn, practice and then put that experience and knowledge into my ultimate goals in life. I believe wholeheartedly that I will achieve what I want in life. I believe!

We'll see what you've got in store for me, 2017. It's you and me, baby! Let's dance!