Karma isn’t so Black and White, like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ #thursday #atozchallenge #atoz

 

“What goes around comes around, what goes up must come down”

“Karma” by Alicia Keys is one of the more upbeat tunes on my playlist that I enjoy listening to often. In the song, she talks about an ex-boyfriend who ended their relationship and now wants her back. Although this tune focuses on matters of the heart, the subject of karma has a funny way of playing out in various aspects of our everyday existence.

I’ve come to realize that the whole "nice guys finish last" saying can apply to anyone, regardless of age or gender. Sometimes, I feel like those who engage in questionable behavior such as theft, lying, fraud, murder or even living recklessly still get over while those who are relatively upstanding citizens get the short end of the stick. Take social assistance programs for example, welfare, child care subsidies, health care -- many (not all) people manipulate these programs for their own greedy interests while others who could really use the help get nothing more than a cold shoulder from society -- such as military veterans, the disabled or the elderly.

Who knows if everyone will see how karma comes into play in their lifetime. Sometimes it doesn’t balance things out and other times, it arrives just in the nick of time. It reminds me of the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" because the main character George spent a lot of his life giving his time, money, compassion, support and energy to others, despite rarely getting anything in return.

Just when George is at the point of no return in his worst of moments due to the potential loss of his business and ever-mounting legal troubles, his friends provide enough resources and support that that inspires him to get a new lease on life.

You have the power to create some positive karma in the spirit of giving to others while also getting some reciprocity by conducting a Secret Santa themed DVD gift exchange that can include both new and used items, at your next holiday party.

The gift exchange doesn't even have to be exclusive to the holiday season. You can hold a "Christmas in July," “Summer Santa” or a "Kwanzaa in July," etc. exchange for birthday parties, graduation parties, dinner parties, anniversary parties or whatever you are celebrating. Add any other movie memorabilia or merchandise such assoundtracks, etc. if you want to mix things up. 

Add an extra dose of generosity by collecting $1 or so from each guest at your party, to donate a piece of movie merchandise to a charity that you choose or one that guests vote on. If I attended a party where a Secret gift exchange was being held, I would probably give away my “The Box” DVD since it’s in like-new condition. I’ve only watched it once, just like I probably played my Lord of the Rings stratego board game once or twice, so I could give that to someone else who would make better use of it. If I were hosting a secret gift exchange party, I would use the money collected from donations to purchase gifts for child hospital patients, through the Childs Play charity.

I’m no video game fiend but learned about Child’s Play charity last year and it’s among one of the coolest organizations that I’d be proud to support. This organization partners with retailers such as Amazon and provides entertainment for young children undergoing medical treatment.

Supporters purchase gifts from the wish lists of dozens of hospitals around the country where a DVD or movie related video game that is donated through Childs Play is then given to one or more children who are patients at a particular facility of your choosing. As of this writing, I see that the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh has an Xbox360 LEGO “Pirates of the Caribbean” game on their wish list. Since I’m in Pennsylvania, that particular hospital and item would likely be my donations picks.

Do YOU believe in Karma?

If The Madlab Post was sponsoring a donation of one DVD movie to any hospital around the country, which hospital would YOU want it to be sent to? Why that one?

If The Madlab Post was sponsoring a donation to any one charity around the country, which one would YOU want this blog to support?

Just the Way You Are with Gender Benders in Film #wednesday #atozchallenge #trivia

 

“Don’t go changing to try to please me, you never let me down before -- I would not leave you in times of trouble, we never could have come this far. I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times. I’ll take you just the way you are...”

I‘ve played “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel on repeat on a few occasions and it’s among the older songs that I rarely get enough of listening to. The song reminds me of how greater life can be when unconditional love is present, whether it comes from a parent, friend, romantic partner or even a stranger -- it is something that no one should ever take for granted. Families are often expected to have unconditional love for one another, so when anyone lacks even that much, it is very hard to find that elsewhere, out in the world. I find “Just the Way You Are” to be a wonderful tune, however, because it also illustrates the joy that comes from giving it, not just receiving it.

Expressing love or compassion toward another human being can be powerful with regards to changing one's perspective on what is considered normal and abnormal, as well as possibly even helping people see themselves in a new light.

It kinda has me thinking about that jail scene in “Boys Don’t Cry” starring Hilary Swank, where Lana tells Brandon “I don’t care if you’re half monkey or half ape, I’m getting you out of here!” -- all gender bending aside, that was a key moment in the movie because Lana could have easily ended their friendship or relationship but she chose not to because the person that Brandon was meant more to her than his real gender.

In fact, if X and Y chromosomes were switched for a brief moment, would you be able to tell the difference between who is who at your job, out in public or even while watching a movie? The next time you are entertaining guests at home, play a “Truth or False” or "Name that Movie" dinner party game where players have to answer questions about gender bending movies where actresses take on roles as men and actors portray female characters onscreen.

Here is a little Just the Way You Are: Gender Bender Movie Party Game that I put together to get you started.

Gender Bending Movie Casting Trivia Questions:

What male comedian played a woman named Jill in the movie "Jack and Jill?" _______
What Actress played a man named Jude Quinn in the movie, "I'm Not There?" _______
What male actor played a transgender female in the movie "The Crying Game?" _______

Gender Bending Movie True or False Questions:

Actor Patrick Swayze played a woman named Rachel Tensions in the movie "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar." True or False? _______
Actor James Kirk played a teenage girl named Viola Hastings in the movie "She's the Man." True or False? _______
Actress Julie Andrews played a man named Count Victor Grazinski in the movie "Victor, Victoria!" True or False? _______

Gender Bending Movie Trivia Question:

In What movie did Gwyneth Paltrow play a man named Thomas Kent? _______

Play the game by answering one or all of these questions, in the comments section....

-and/or-

Answer this: What does the phrase “unconditional love” mean to YOU?

Extra credit - the movie poster for "Boys Don't Cry" reads "A True Story about Having the Courage to be Yourself." In YOUR opinion, how can people find the courage to be themselves no matter who they are?

*Want a Just the Way You Are: Gender Bender Movie Party Game sheet, complete with an Answer Key, to play at home with your family or friends, courtesy of The Madlab Post? Just let me know and I’ll send one your way.

Insane Inspirations from an Ice Cube Comedy Flim #tuesday #atozchallenge #foodie #amblogging

 

“...anything less than the best is a felony -- now that the party is jumping. With the bass kicked in, the Vegas are pumpin quick to the point, to the point, no faking. I’m cooking MCs like a pound of bacon...”

“Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice has to be one of the coolest one-hit-wonder tunes ever made. To this day, it is among my favorite songs and while I know many of you are probably either laughing or shaking your heading going “She can’t be serious!” right now -- I would still bump this song in my car (if I had a car) with no shame in the world.

Maybe it’s the beat or the image of Mr. Ice’s funny hairdo, I don’t know -- the song just makes me feel cool and want to move. If the unseasonably warm Spring we’re having this year is any indication of what’s in store for the Summer, then many of us across the country probably will likely try to limit our movements in an attempt to find coolness on an entirely different level.

So with that in mind, nothing says cool like an ice cream truck -- especially one that looks like it came straight out of an episode of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride.” Comedian-actor Faizon Love actually pulled this look off in his role as a drug dealer named Big Worm in the comedy “Friday,” starring Chris Tucker and Ice Cube -- go figure!

In “Friday,” Big Worm replaces the happy-go-lucky jingles that ice cream trucks are known for, with loud obnoxious hip-hop music, yells at his customers despite the fact that they are kids and he also sells more than ice cream from his little neighborhood food truck. While Big Worm’s behavior may not be something you’d want to emulate, his automotive style could make your next block party or family reunion an event to remember.

Inspired by Big Worm in “Friday,” pimp an ice cream truck for a large summer barbecue or related event. Replace the wheels with rims, play some wild music, paint it in neon colors, use graffiti similar to that in Vanilla Ice’s “Ice Ice Baby” music video to design the exterior of your automobile or share the fun and the work -- turn this task into a group activity where each member of your family is assigned to one part of the vehicle to pimp out in any way they desire. This may work better if implemented for family reunions or related gatherings where food is being served to large groups of people. 

In a family reunion setting, you could also setup several pimped out food trucks (if it takes place outdoors, such as in a park) featuring a design that is based on one of your favorite movies, but the truck should have a nickname with some swagger to it. A former associate that I used to work with was once referred to as L-Dizzle, which was a play on her name -- Lauren. So using this old nickname and the “Friday” theme, she could serve "L-Dizzle Ice Cream Pops" from her pimped out food truck today. 

Each truck at your family reunion could be assigned to one specific food item and they do not have to be specifically related to ice cream. In fact, you don’t even have to pimp out an ice cream truck, so long as you decorate some kind of large vehicle. There is a woman in Philadelphia who turned her passion for baking into a cupcake business called the Buttercream Cupcake Truck. She drives around Philly selling cupcakes out of a recycled postal truck, to people on the sidewalk.

So, consider going wild and crazy when serving food at your next family gathering. Hey, our former King Dong Rupert Grint aka Mr. Ron Weasley himself has an ice cream truck called Mr. Whippy -- maybe it's time for you and your family to get hip to the game, this summer!

What would YOU name YOUR food truck?

What variety of food would YOU serve to visitors?

How would YOU pimp the truck out?