Bravery and Bravado?

“We always have to ask ourselves whether the level of risk is worth the story. What is bravery, and what is bravado?”

“My answer then, and now, was that it is worth it.”

She did know the risk.

And she still took the risk.

Finally lost this time — and she was the story. The story was..

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Iron Will

Man can do what he wills but he cannot will what he wills — Arthur Schopenhauer

She stood before the Parliament and said “No, no, no.”

It wasn’t going to happen on her watch. And it didn’t.

With the Euro in crisis today, no doubt her long time critics are keeping their mouth shut on that subject. She has been proven right, but no doubt her numerous critics on both sides of the aisle won’t give her credit on that, except they had to acknowledge that she had an Iron Will.

Yes, the Iron Lady. And many didn’t mean it as a complimentary sobriquet.

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Croix de Guerre

The Cross of War. (Croix de Guerre)

But she wasn’t about war. She was an entertainer.

“Bronze Venus”, “Black Pearl”, “Créole Goddess”

She was generous with her energy and her money.

But she was also a fighter against tyranny of any kind.

That included the Nazis and those who would deny her opportunity in her own country: The United States.

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Tactician's Tournament

Last night marked the Season Premiere of Celebrity Apprentice, the long-running reality competition series in which washed-up celebrities compete against one another in a variety of business related tasks.  This season certainly has it’s share of vibrant celebrity personalities, with the likes of: Arsenio Hall, Clay Aiken, Dee Snider, Victoria Gotti, and Debbie Gibson.  By far the best part of the show of course is when Trump fires all of these idiots, because he does so personally, and he alone decides who to fire when and why.  The first episode of the season certainly didn’t disappoint, as Orange County Choppers owner Paul Teutul Sr. raised just over $490,000 in one day for the Make-A-Wish foundation, while former supermodel Cheryl Tiegs was the first to get fired.  Despite his arrogance, Trump is one smart guy so let’s take a look at the man himself.

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Tactician's Redemption

Though the 54th annual Grammy awards did indeed have a somber undertone with the tragic death of magnificent songstress Whitney Houston: life as we all know it does in fact go on.  And so it did for rising British pop star Adele, who took home six trophies including the prestigious trifecta of record, song and album of the year.  The young British recording artist also gave a triumphant performance of her hit single “Rolling in the Deep” after having had recent vocal cord surgery.  Other notable Grammy events include Katy Perry’s fiery post-breakup performance done of course with blue hair, and Nicki Minaj’s extremely bizarre and god awful ‘exorcism’ themed performance that was subsequently deemed blasphemous by the Catholic Church.  Luckily Paul Mccartney closed the night off with some dignity performing some of Abbey Road with Bruce Springsteen and some others.  Adele’s acceptance speech was brief, commenting that the album was inspired by something that we have all experienced: a ‘rubbish relationship’.  And let’s be honest, nothing cures heartbreak like searing hot success.  I don’t know who her ex is but let’s assume he’s having second thoughts about his decision right about now.  Indeed Adele’s album sounds pretty good if you’ve ever experienced heartbreak, and we all have, so let’s take a look at this talented singer and songwriter from Tottenham.

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Why is it so?

“Watch it now! Watch it!” 

He would say it with obvious enthusiasm and kid-like glee.

It was infectious.  You could not not be enthralled and intrigued by the man. Well,  Actually, no.   It was strange, I couldn’t figure out when I was young WHY NOT EVERYBODY was not totally gaga about him and his science.  Why is it so?

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Celestial Tactics

Music’s biggest night had a solemn undertone as the 54th Annual Grammy Awards was overshadowed by the tragic death of beloved music icon Whitney Houston.  The singer’s death happened in Los Angeles about 24 hours prior to the awards show, and gave the Grammy’s their best ratings since 1984 as people tuned in to see tributes to the former singer/songwriter.  Host of the show LL Cool J kicked off the night with a touching prayer in honor of Whitney, while fellow singer Jennifer Hudson gave a vocal tribute to the late songstress by singing her classic I Will Always Love You.  The night was otherwise rather straight forward except for British newcomer Adele claiming a record six Grammys including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year.  Let’s however go ahead and take a look at the woman who is often heralded as one of the best female vocalists of all time, the legendary Whitney Houston.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey the daughter of a gospel singer and an entertainment executive.  Houston’s extraordinary vocal talent shined early as she sang in her local choir, and often sang along with her mothers vocal performances.  Indeed Whitney’s talents were exceptional, cited as the most-awarded female act of all time with over 415 total awards in her lifetime including six Grammys.  Sociable, outspoken, emotionally expressive, with her heart on her sleeve Whitney Houston was a Performer Artisan.  Unfortunately Performers are perhaps the most susceptible temperament to temptation, as evidenced by her run-ins with drug addiction.  Let’s however focus on the positive: and instead of mourning her death, let’s celebrate the life of this magnificent and vibrant singer Whitney Houston.

Quote1.png From the beginning, the camera and I were great friends. It loves me, and I love it. Quote2.png

  Whitney Houston

All that is gold, does not glitter

He did not want to do it, but he had to do his duty.

He wasn’t anything like his brother.

His brother was popular, handsome and witty, and well-spoken, and King.

Albert, wasn’t well spoken like his older brother, David  — in fact, Albert was considered rather dull compared to David, and Albert stuttered badly.

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Conflicted Diplomacy

The Superbowl brought us many things one of which was a fresh new trailer for the newest web-head installment The Amazing SpidermanThe Marvel reboot was much needed after the whole Spider-Man 3 incident, in which that skinny kid from That 70’s Show was cast as iconic badass-villain Venom.  Needless to say that didn’t work out very well so the powers that be decided to give Marvel’s youngest superhero a fresh new look and so far it’s not looking too shabby.  The web slinger himself will be played by rising British star Andrew Garfield, most known for his role in The Social Network.  Emma Stone (The Help) plays the female lead Gwen Stacy, while British actor Rhys Ifans will play villain The Lizard.  This shy, nerdy high-school student actually happens to be Marvel’s flagship character and company mascot, being by far their most commercially successful character, filling the top three box office slots of any Marvel movie ever made.  Wherein lies the appeal of such an awkward, shy, and misunderstood young teenager?  Let’s take a look.

Peter Benjamin Parker was orphaned at the age of six when his parents were killed in an airplane crash overseas.  Peter went to live with his aunt and uncle in New York, where he excelled as a science student.  Peter was then bit by a radioactive spider in a science lab, giving him superhuman strength and agility, and all the abilities of a spider.  Soon after being given superpowers Peter failed to stop a thief, claiming that it was not his responsibility, the same thief that ended up murdering his dear Uncle Ben.  Peter learned firsthand that with great power comes great responsibility, and took such a tragic lesson very seriously.  Spider-Man is commonly seen as a brave and righteous hero with an indomitable sense of justice and responsibility.  Shaken by his uncle’s tragic death, Spider-Man’s vow of responsibility has led him to a path of heroism and humanitarian service.  Intuitive, shy, sensitive, and selfless with a profound sense of idealism Spider-Man makes for a great example of a Healer Idealist.  Certainly Spider-Man suffers with identity issues, as many Idealists do, as he is often scorned and ostracized by the very people that he has vowed to protect.  Indeed Peter Parker has developed “a certain fascination with the problem of good and evil, the sacred and profane”.  Parker is alone in his quest for the greater good however, and yet still charges on with relentless passion.

Healers have a profound sense of idealism derived from a strong personal morality, and they conceive of the world as an ethical, honorable place.  Indeed, to understand Healers, we must understand their idealism as almost boundless and selfless, inspiring them to make extraordinary sacrifices for someone or something they believe in.  They are the Shaman, Medicine Man, or the Witch Doctor of the tribe, the Prince or Princess in fairy tales, the True Knight or Defender of the Faith, like Don Quixote or Joan of Arc.  Isolated by their seclusiveness and infrequency (around one percent of the general population), their idealism leaves them feeling even more isolated from the rest of humanity.

Quote1.png With great power, there must also come great responsibility. Quote2.png

Spider-Man  

The Ethereal Complex

“The Ethereal Complex” refers to the Idealists’ tragic tendency to be misunderstood by those that they love the most.  Humanity by nature of course takes what it is given for granted, and much to the disadvantage of the Idealist.  The Idealists pour a tremendous amount of love and care into those they are closest to, a sentiment that is not always fully appreciated.  Indeed the Idealists’ intentions always come from a warm and positive place in their heart, but the same thing can not always be said about those around them.  The Idealists’ quest for better understanding and personal fulfillment is often misinterpreted as a result, leaving many Idealists’ with a tragic sense of inner-turmoil.  All is not lost however, as the Idealists’ confidence in the innate goodness of life and human nature is often a self-fulfilling prophecy.