• how come when it’s us, it’s an abortion, but when it’s a chicken, it’s an omelet?
• if a fetus is a person, how come the census doesn’t count them?
• any woman who has more than one period is a serial killer.
• Catholic, which I was, until I reached the age of reason…

Warning: Adult Language!

RIP George.

The other day, Michael forwarded me this clip of the US Naval Academy performance from the Kings Firecrackers, an all girl jump rope crew. The caption on the bottom of the video is really great: “Girls Do Incredibly Intricate Jump Rope Routine. At one point, the only way to explain their fancy moves is CGI.” This screen capture, for example, shows three girls jumping on their lower legs — yes, while they are kneeling!

Hope you enjoy this clip as much as I did.

I particularly enjoyed the first portion of this video because the message was, IMO, a powerful reminder of how both being in our stability and allowing ourselves to step out of our comfort zone is, in fact, a gift to our development and our lives. Thanks Oliphant for sharing this!

I’ve been on vacation this week — quite an interesting experience in and of itself. That, alas, for another post. This post is dedicated to the fun poi-la-hoop practice I had on the 25th (shortly after my 40th birthday) to “Tom Sawyer” remixed by Z-Trip. Fun, fun, fun! You can download it through the Temple of Poi podcast or see it below through YouTube if you prefer. In addition, I had a really fun set with my flag poi which you can also see through the Temple of Poi podcast or through the YouTube link below. The Temple of Poi Blog has a listing of the moves being practice, in case you want more details.

That all said, what is the big deal? I’ve thought about this a lot. As someone who has done quite a bit of singing in choirs and enjoyed a bit of success as a musician and performance artist, I examined the clip a bit critically, as I’m want to do — after all, extraordinary is the standard around here.

The conclusion I came to in conversation with my friend Renee today is this: Ms. Boyle, while having an amazing voice, was not so much amazing in who she was, but rather, in helping people see (the audience for starters) how they had unconscious expectations of what amazing or excellent might “look” like.

I was not shocked to hear her belt out the excellent choice of songs with the strength and passion with which she sung. I thought she sang quite well. And, at the same time, excellence is every where, so I was not at all surprised. What did surprise me is that people were so impressed by it. Is this phenomenon because we (humanity) has such limited views about what is possible? Is it because we expect certain things to look a certain way — in terms of voice, dress, character and aesthetics?

Frankly, I think people being so surprised – at least surprise is what I perceive when I watch the whole clip with the judges conversation — is a result of their limiting views on what’s possible, not a commentary on Ms. Boyle. So I proudly salute you Ms. Boyle for helping people see how they are allowing themselves to have such limited views of what can be so in this world.

Of course, as I said to Renee, I’m sort of an unexpected walking incarnation of my dreams, so maybe I just believe hope and possibility lives everywhere.