by JTwisdom | May 2, 2015 | Music |
I must Tell The World, Tell The World Everywhere I Go!
Lecrae
I am unashamed to say that my wife and I attended a rap and hip-hop concert earlier this week at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.
The Fabulous Fox
Grammy award-winning rapper Lecrae brought his Anomaly Tour to the Gateway City on April 30, 2015. The three-hour concert, featuring Andy Mineo and DJ Promote, provided uplifting messages of hope and heavy doses of realness.
An anomaly is defined as something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected. Lecrae’s Anomaly 2.0 concert definitely had it’s share of anomalies. Let me see, where shall I begin.
Anomaly #1
I grew up listening to rock-n-roll, heavy metal and even a little country music. For me, rap was not on my playlist. I didn’t even like the music. The most rap that I listened was “Parents Just Don’t Understand!” by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Did I just date myself?). But as I have matured, so have my music selections. While I still will listen to some of my favorites, I now also listen to music that has an uplifting message, no matter the genre. Lecrae is currently one of my favorite artists because he delivers a message of overcoming the obstacles that life throws at you.
Lecrae
Anomaly #2
This is the third time in just over a year that my wife and I have seen Lecrae in concert. Last year, we attended our first Winter Jam concert and the Summer Shed concert when they stopped here in Saint Louis; both of which featured Lecrae. Lecrae is now the artist that I have seen in concert the most, more than Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and REO Speedwagon – all of which were bands that I attended concerts while in high school and college.
Lecrae
Anomaly #3
Prior the concert, my wife and I eat dinner with our friends who are also big Lecrae and Andy Mineo fans. Eugene and Roxanne grew up in Los Angeles. Although the LA area is vastly different and much larger than Vienna, MO where I grew up (3.8 million people versus 603 people), we all came together and enjoyed the food, fellowship and then the concert. They were so sweet because they blessed us with dinner. We got to get a picture together next time, enjoying the fellowship. We didn’t get a chance to take a picture this time. They are also true-blue Laker fans (but I won’t hold that against them). We also were able to see our other friends Marc and Peggy and their family.
My wife and I eating dinner at the City Diner before the concert.
Anomaly #4
We purchased our tickets back in February and were able to get awesome seats in Row J — about ten rows from the stage. Considering how costly some concerts can be today, paying only $48 for these tickets was such a great deal. Plus, the fact that the show lasted three hours made it an even better value. Not long ago, when Mrs. Carter had her concert in Saint Louis, we paid almost three times as much, for seats much further from the stage and the show lasted only an hour and a half. Still shaking my head over that one! What was I thinking? (I don’t know!!) You learn.
Anomaly #5
We purchased these tickets as deluxe tickets, which meant we were able to arrive early for a ‘meet and greet’ with Andy Mineo. My prior experiences with VIP tickets that give you an opportunity to meet the band, you will be paying two, three or four hundred dollars a ticket, maybe even more. I never bought VIP tickets because I didn’t want to pay such a high price, but for only $48 – what a deal! People asked Andy questions and he answered them and shook people’s hands as well as ours.
Andy Mineo
After the meet and greet, we purchased a STL Lecrae tour T- shirt and I had to wear it to represent. Pretty nice don’t ya think.
The Anomaly STL T-Shirt in Cardinal Red
Anomaly #6
It was great to see many people attend this concert as a family unit. I saw many parents jamming with there teenaged-children, posing for selfies, taking pictures and having a great time. In my experiences with previous concerts, I usually would see adults, and teenagers, but they did not come together as a family. This concert was different, and it was good to see.
Anomaly #7
When I was growing up, rap and hip hop were considered alternative music and only a small group of people listened to the music. But today, more people accept these genres and the music has moved into the mainstream, so much so that the concert’s demographics surprised me. The audience was very diverse and I can I say, I was there. The concert included a guest appearance from Saint Louis’ own Thi’sl for duet on Lecrae’s hit song, Fakin’.
Lacrae and Thi’sl getting ready to perform Fakin’
Anomaly #8
In all that I have said about the concert, I have not mentioned that Lecrae, Andy Mineo and DJ Promote are Christians and their music promotes strong Christian values. Why? I didn’t want you to have a prejudiced view of Christian rap and hip hop before I talked about the concert. That being said, I believe it is an awesome gift these men bring to the stage. There are some people who would say that Christian rap and hip hop are not true Christian music, almost to the point of being considered ungodly. However, I would disagree. Any music, no matter the style or genre, that has an objective to reach an audience with uplifting words and inspirational messages, and that can tell the world about God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is worth having on your playlist. These three men succeed at making music that achieves this objective.
If had a chance to catch the Anomaly Tour, leave a comment below and let me know what you thought about the show.
Jay and JT at Lacrae Concert
Jay
This post is dedicated to our concert rodees Roxanne and Eugene! Until the next concert.
by | May 2, 2015 | Inspirations, Music |
Hi Beautiful People,
JT going over her piano class session
I enjoy playing on my piano and listening to music. I have to put time on the calendar to practice. I grew up with my mother and father listening to all kinds of music. My mother use to sing jazz when she was in college, so it’s in my blood. I play intermediate piano and now taking a refresher piano-at-home course to sharpen my skills and learn more. I played piano in college and had to do recitals for my final grade. I was a late bloomer, so I had to really focus to learn to play piano and read music. You can learn to play a musical instrument no matter what age because you are never to old to do what you enjoy.
JT studying piano
Recently I’ve read about the many and remarkable benefits that you can get from learning to play a musical instrument. I know I enjoy it and keeps the mind smart and alert. This info has made me want to schedule in a lot more time for playing music! Here are some of the main advantages of learning a musical instrument. I hope you find them as motivating as I have!
It improves your memory
Our memory becomes less and less sharp as we get older. Apparently, because music requires the use of both sides of our brains, it can actually help to improve memory. Considering the amount of times I forget where I’ve left the house or car keys, this is a very appealing benefit for me!
It relieves stress
In modern life, stress gets to us all. But studies have shown that playing a musical instrument can help to reduce the physical and psychological impact of stress. By lowering the blood pressure, this in turn reduces the stress hormone cortisol in your body, leaving you feeling calmer and more peaceful. Bliss!
It is rewarding
And the rewards keep coming too, the more practice you put in and the better you get. Naturally, it’s very challenging as a beginner, but once you get the hang of it and start playing a tune without mistakes, it is so worth it! Playing music for your family and friends and making them smile is another aspect of this hobby that makes it so rewarding.
It is sociable
If you decide to take up guitar lessons, for example, not only might you become friends with your teacher, but also with many other people who play this instrument. This could be within your circle of friends, or through your wider community. You may love it so much that you have regular jamming sessions with friends or join a music group.
It boosts your confidence
All of us suffer moments of low self-esteem. This might be in our personal life, work life or both. But taking up a new hobby and realising that you can do well at it, could help to restore confidence in yourself and your abilities.
It’s great for your CV
Prospective employers will realise that you have many important and useful skills if you let them know that you play a musical instrument. For example discipline, organization, commitment and creativity. I first started playing piano and had never played before and would practice in the study rooms to fine tune my homework so if you really want to learn to play an instrument it can be done.
It helps you to be more patient
Because we can gain access to information so quickly and effortlessly these days, it’s made us all very impatient! When learning a musical instrument, there’s no way of speeding things up, you just have to go as fast as your body and mind will allow. Inevitably, you will make lots and lots of mistakes at the beginning, but the more you practice, the better you will get so it’s all about being patient! Practice, Practice, Practice and more Practice!
As well as these, I also think one of the biggest advantages of a musical hobby is that it’s fun! It gives you the chance to be even more involved in the music you love.
by | Apr 29, 2015 | Pets |
Doggie
As you know if you read my blog regularly, I am a real dog lover. My dogs are a big part of me and my hubby’s life and we always do our very best for them.
My dogs Gio and Vinny are young and full of energy and it’s good to incorporate exercise everyday to increase bone strength.
No matter what age your dog may be, whether they are young or seasoned, with proper care they can have an enjoyable life.
One thing to think about is illness-preventative tips and doggies having a long happy fun-filled life.
One of the most common diseases in older dogs is osteoarthritis. This can be quite sore and painful and can restrict your dogs range of movement.
However, there are plenty of treatments for this condition that will allow your dog to live a happy, pain-free life.
Take your dog to the vet
If you think your dog is suffering from osteoarthritis but he has not yet been diagnosed; the first step is to do is make an appointment to see your vet.
To properly diagnose your dog, your vet may want to take radiographs to see how severe your dog’s condition is. If your dog is diagnosed with osteoarthritis, your vet may suggest starting them on an anti-inflammatory drug, like Metacam. This will help to ease the pain and reduce long-term discomfort, as well as a form of painkillers.
If your dog has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, I feel for you, I really do. It must be incredibly difficult knowing a member of your family is in pain. To help you deal with your dogs condition, I have put together some simple tips below:
Do research
Of course, in most cases your vet does know best. However, vets are often hesitant to suggest trying anything non-medically tested, which is why doing research into your dog’s condition is vital.
As you research treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs, you will notice that there are many natural treatments you could try. One natural treatment option for osteoarthritis in pets is pure aloe vera gel. This is used by people with osteoarthritis, with some amazing results.
Keep your dog active
It might sound strange, seeing as your dog has a painful joint condition, but keeping him exercising is important. Keeping your dog’s muscles strong is important, as good muscle mass can help to make the condition less painful. Just like people who are dealing with arthritis are advised to exercise to keep the bones active.
Obviously, you don’t want to overdo it – running long distances and jumping should be avoided, but taking your dog for a walk or swim is ideal. Instead of taking your dog to the lake, why not book him into a local dog rehabilitation center for a swim? These rehabilitation pools are amazing for helping to keep your dog fit and healthy, without causing problems for the joints. Gently massaging you dog’s legs or back is another good tip that eases the muscles.
With the right care, a dog dealing with osteoarthritis can live a happy, healthy and most importantly, pain-free life.
by | Apr 29, 2015 | Inspirations |
Hi Elegant Readers,
Today, Wednesday, April 29th, is “Denim Day” which is a day for men and women to stand up against sexual violence.
Show solidarity through fashion wearing denim for a purpose.
JT
I came across Alert ID which is a valuable resource on how to protect yourself from sexual assault and resources on how to get help.
“There are things you can do to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted. Follow these tips from the National Crime Prevention Council.”
* Be aware of your surroundings — who’s out there and what’s going on.
*Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.
*Know your limits when it comes to using alcohol.
*Be assertive — don’t let anyone violate your space.
* Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.
* Don’t prop open self-locking doors.
* Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.
* Watch your keys. Don’t lend them. Don’t leave them. Don’t lose them. And don’t put your name and address on the key ring.
* Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who’s on the other side of the door before you open it.
*Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and apartment laundry rooms.
*Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-lit areas.
* Have your key ready to use before you reach the door — home, car, or work.
* Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if you’ll only be gone a few minutes.
* Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.
* Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.
* Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
* In case of car trouble, call for help on your cellular phone. If you don’t have a phone, put the hood up, lock the doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, “Help. Call police.”
I have a few tips that I wanted to add for you to take note.
1. Before you get into the car check underneath your vehicle and check the seats before you get in to make sure no one is lurking or hiding.
2. Make sure your car keys are in your hands before you get to the car and you are not fumbling through your purse looking for them.
Awareness can be shown today through wearing denim, however its only the beginning as the poster says above.
Get Involved
Wear jeans, jean jacket, shirt or something denim on April 29.
Educate yourself and others on the issues.
Support survivors of sexual assault.
Resources
ALERT ID
National Crime Prevention Council
DenimDayinfo.org
by | Apr 23, 2015 | Fitness |
Fad diets and shortcuts don’t work when it comes to losing weight long term. You need to make changes to your lifestyle, eat better and exercise more for the rest of your life. However, there are some foods that can help you achieve your goals a little quicker when eaten as part of a balanced diet.
JT making Sugar free cookies
Eat Whole Grain Foods
A study by Pennsylvania State University suggested that people who are on a weight loss plan lose more fat if they eat whole grain foods. So it’s a good opportunity to ditch all those refined foods in your store cupboard, like white rice and white bread. Get your whole grain fix by eating more portions of whole wheat, brown or wild rice, whole rye, barley and corn, buckwheat, quinoa and sorghum, amongst other foods. You can eat them as part of a meal or add them to snacks. Popcorn without butter, sugar or salt is a perfect example.
Exercise Daily
Make sure you are exercising daily to maximize your weight loss. You don’t have to go nuts – and, in fact, this could be dangerous for you – but make sure you are raising your pulse for a good half an hour every day. Save your heavier workouts for three, maybe four times a week, and go out for a brisk walk between workout days. Not sure what exercises are best? There are some great workouts for beginners over at GymJunkies.com.
Use Low-Fat Dairy Or Soy Milk
Don’t cut out dairy from your diet completely as it is a good source of calcium. It has also been shown that you are more likely to lose weight when consuming dairy products than taking supplements, for example. Choose low-fat versions or soy milk, and you can watch those calories, get your calcium, and help your muscles keep in shape
Eat More Fruit & Veg
Fruit and vegetables are filled with water, fiber and lots of other nutrients that are vital for a healthy body. But the reason they work for weight loss is because they have fewer calories. They can help you feel fuller quicker, and if you can combine eating more with consuming less fat, you will quickly see results.
Go Veggie
Vegetarians typically weigh less than meat eaters, and you could lose up to a pound a week – even without exercise – by switching to a low-fat vegan diet. Worried about snacks? Don’t. There are plenty of tasty vegan treats you can indulge in. However, taking this huge step is difficult to do if you love eating meat, so why not go veggie or vegan 4 or 5 days a week and treat yourself with some choice, lean cuts at the weekend?
Drink Tea
If you drink 2 cups of black or green tea every day, it could help stimulate the calorie-burning efforts of your body. Keep a few hours between drinks for the best effect and, of course, leave out the milk, cream or sugar.
JT enjoying a hot cup of tea
Get into these great habits for weight loss and see if they work for you.
Follow!