At the beginning of the 20th century, immodest images of women in public were virtually unheard of in this country.

Women ballroom dancers swept across the floor in elegant, floor length hemlines.
By the 1920′s, even displaying a woman’s knees was still considered taboo. By the 1950′s, petticoats and tulle were all the rage and hemlines became shorter. In the 1960′s chiffon and semi-sheer fabrics were introduced and even more of the ladies’ legs were visible.

Gradually dresses became shorter and shorter and more and more form fitting and snug owing to the introduction of stretchy fabrics.

In the ensuing decades, women were routinely dressed sexily and whether we choose to admit this or ourselves or not…

Fashions do dominate our perceptions of popular culture and in particular of women.
Dance movements have become overtly erotic, suggestive and simulate s-ex itself.

The Methodists may not have been too far off when they observed and actually offered warnings in the 18th century that dancing is “stylised sex.”

Prior to the 17th century, men and women danced alongside each other, not even face to face.
The extent of physical contact would be touching hands with arms outstretched.

Can you say “We’ve come a long way Baby?”…Well that all depends on where we wanted to end up.

Nearly every experience we have in society- has become ‘sexualized’. Sexuality , we are told is “a natural characteristic” of which we should feel no shame..and certainly no modesty.

So……….. because sexuality is a natural desire, is it now legitimized in all contexts?..

In films… is it approriate to view explicit sex scenes..

At any concert, must the male and female background singers and dancers dance provocatively and in a way that encourages a sexual atmosphere?

It is a given that one criterion for a girl or woman to attain stardom in this century — is that she not need have any particular talent, but she must be willing to sexualize herself.

What was once shocking in the pop industry, the flagrant promiscuity, the degradation of morality, the attire ..we have now come to expect.

Ballroom dance was once synonymous with the epitome of sophistication.

In times past, ballroom dancing was the “social dancing” of privileged classes. The woman wore a stunning, flowing, long gown; the gentleman a suit or formalwear.
Latin and swing dancers wore shorter dresses or skirts but dresses nonetheless.

What passes for womens’ dresses in Ballroom dance today?

Anything that objectifies women to the max.

This “practically naked’ look, we are told is “empowering” to the woman dancer.
We all value her stunning, scantily clad form as she moves across the floor. Rrrright.

This exhibitionism will have one certain result: Every healthy male who watches this woman dance will think of her sexually.
He may not notice a single dance step but her half naked body will not escape him.

The tacit message is being sent.

Distracting men with a half naked female body is the hallmark of the entire advertisement world.

Turning girls and women into ‘eye candy’ does nothing but contaminate the dance form and lowers it to some biological exhibitionism.

Guess what…………Dancing should be judged by relative merit..not how well the dancer appeared in her bikini top with the sheer sarong wrapped around her waist to make it appear as though she were actually dressed.

Who set this “new bar” for womens’ attire..or should I say “lack of attire” in Ballroom dance?

Anyone remember the concept of “Class”?
“Grace”?

And…Where exactly is it written that every solitary aspect of what used to be known as our “Culture” — be dominated by sex appeal?

Jus askin.

Needless to say..the ahem the “international community” (um guess who that is)never approved the “reunification” of the city under Israeli sovereignty, and many countries (guess who those are)

have not recognized Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish State.
Surprise surprise eh.

Because clearly every city is “their” capital despite false claims or outright lies huh.

BUT……….(Shhhhhhhhhh…Don’t say their name aloud..They may get ahem…’offended’ and try to blow up some innocent babies at a Marathon somewhere.

That would be despite the fact that Jerusalem has been considered the capital city of the Jewish people since the time of King David, who incidentally conquered it and built it as the seat of his monarchy in approximately 1000 B.C.E.

Uh..That was quite some time ago, was it not?
Sooo..for those of us not in denial about WHO Israel truly belongs to…

We celebrate the existence and successes of the modern Jewish State, the ONLY democracy in the entire (blanking)Middle East.

L’Chaim!

HAPPY JERUSALEM DAY!!

Kosher wine anyone?

OK OK OK..Ya twisted mah arm.

Here are some themed ‘treats’ to feast (your eyes) on.
.or to ahem..’steal’. Heh.

MMmmmmmmmmmmm.

Blue and White…Woot!

Yummy. Yummy.

The world looks like it’s goin to H-ll in a handbasket.

Soooo…you stop trying…you stop writin’..You stop sharing.

One day turns into two, two turns into three, three turns into four…..

Then… I stuck my toe in the water..
and YOU were ALL there…just waiting for me……..

Like I never left…………..

And I realize…
The one thing Y’all have in common for me:
You make encouragement contagious.

And right about now Sweet Friends……. I sure need to catch me some.

Thank you all for keepin the Faith..while I lost some o’ mine.
I have missed you all to pieces.

Apparently, Michelle Obama thinks it would be a fabulous idea to bring her nanny state views on how to eat to the military.

GOP Rep. Allen West disagrees.

Boooooooooooooyah!

Meet the Food Fascists:

It’s high time we moved into that role, dontcha think?

But it’s an anniversary Whitney was destined never to celebrate. The star was found dead on Saturday in her hotel room in Los Angeles, where she had been staying ahead of her planned appearance at last night’s Grammy Music Awards, aged 48. Her cause of death is unknown.

But while it may be her battles with alcohol and drugs that have overshadowed her musical career in recent years, it will be that dazzling, effortless and inimitable voice which will be the enduring legacy of Whitney for her millions of fans.

She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once-pristine voice began to suffer the effects, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.

“The biggest devil is me. I’m either my best friend or my worst enemy.”

If there is anything on this Earth I can relate to..it is that.

All my Love ……….

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.

God bless.

Watch a class act in action Sweet Friends…………

Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb said:

“In my estimation we have lost one of the greatest voices in popular music today… but as we always learn too late…. we never cherish it until it’s gone…”

Amen.

I Didn’t Know My Own Strength

Lost touch with my soul
I had no where to turn
I had no where to go
Lost sight of my dream,
Thought it would be the end of me
I thought I’d never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to,
I thought I would break

I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive

I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength

Found hope in my heart,
I found the light to life
My way out of the dark
Found all that I need
Here inside of me
I thought I’d never find my way
I thought I’d never lift that weight
I thought I would break

I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive

I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength

There were so many times I
Wondered how I’d get through the night I
Thought took all I could take

I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive

I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength

Much as we’d like to deny it..(or at least some of us) we mortals needs approximately 7-8 hours of sleep each night to restore our stunning little bodies with the energy they require to handle all of the demands of living day to day.

When we don’t get enough rest, we have difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly, and remembering things.
Trust me. This I know first hand. Ha.

Now where was I……….

Yes yes yes….about the moodiness quotient……..
A shortage of good ole rest and relaxation affects your mood. And..er…it aint good.

Research has shown that when we miss out on good nights rest, our personality is affected.
Wer’e irritable, grouchy, crabby….Should I go on?

Namely..we aint too much fun to be around.

Isn’t that reason enough to take a break, unwind, relax and loosen up?
Um…you may want to ask your loved ones or co workers bout that one. heh.

There must be quite a few things that a hot bath won’t cure, but I don’t know many of them.
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar

The mark of a successful man is one that has spent an entire day on the bank of a river without feeling guilty about it.

The time to relax is when you don’t have time for it.
Jim Goodwin and Sydney J. Harris

Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.
Etty Hillesum

I’m takin off from World events this entire weekend..That’s right.
It’ll just hafta wait for me.

Sooooooo sweet friends…………What’s your excuse for not just “chillin out” this weekend eh?

O.K..All together now: OOOooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmm.
There there. Dontcha feel better already?

Because…

An ounce of hypocrisy is worth a pound of ambition.
Michael Korda

Elite fashionistas present…………..

A real “man of the people eh.
Sheesh.

Oh yea~!

Big money.

Just how much money can a Super Bowl bring to an area? Try $150 million! That includes all the money spent by fans, sponsors, media and other visitors in the Indianapolis area this year. Cha-ching!
Superbowl!

Are you ready for some … food?

Make sure you pick up some extra bleu cheese dressing to dip the 1.25 billion chicken wings fans will be eating on Sunday. That actually adds up to more than 100 million pounds of chicken wings.

Healthy lifestyle?
Vegetables at a Super Bowl party?

That’s right! In fact, the healthy treat is the top food eaten in homes during Super Bowl. Of course, we all know they taste better when someone brings some dip!

When it comes to watching the Super Bowl, nine out of 10 watchers are going to be at a home — either their house or someone else’s. That’s a lot of Super Bowl parties.

Are y’all having one?

Worth the gamble?
Betting on the Super Bowl?
You bet! Nearly one-third of U.S. adults are likely to bet on the big game with men outnumbering women who decide to put some cash on the line.
But be warned: 92% of those surveyed said they’ve actually lost money gambling on the Super Bowl in the past.

Ok ok ok..Y’all know I’m a NY chicka.

Soooooooooo..

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GIANTS!!!

Yeaaa baby!

Have an awesome weekend Sweet Friends~!