If anyone still wishes to debate me on the intelligence of animals vs. humans, watch this. 

post wwf speech (world wildlife foundation) surprise phonecall 1 from jamie leigh on Vimeo.

post wwf speech (world wildlife foundation) surprise phonecall 2 from jamie leigh on Vimeo.

post wwf (world wildlife foundation) surprise phonecall 3 from jamie leigh on Vimeo.

This weekend I spoke at a WWF event.  Just as I was ending I noticed someone waving to me from the crowd to come down over.  When I got there, they gave me their phone and said, “Here, someone wants to say hello you.”  I was so surprised to end up hearing from a friend I had known from years back who heard I’d be speaking that day and had their friend drive out to attend since they live far.  Respecting their privacy, I won’t say who it was, but I stopped in my tracks. “Nooooo wayyy…”  This was a great surprise!  I bogarted the poor persons phone (I felt so bad – but you were kind enough to let us chit chat and catch up, lot of  love!) walked to the nearby apple tent, and caught up.  Funny how things happen sometimes and how people find you – and thank you again, you know who you are – so great and unexpected hearing from you! xx

http://www.worldwildlife.org/

Now typically, I’m known for standing firm with my passion for peace, love, and understanding.  Sometimes though – it’s time to get dirty. 

Tonight, after dinner turned into an impromptu boxing match.  On one side we have me – JL – filled with raw aggression and rage, and the other – my friend Mo who happens to actually be a real boxer.  It was the ring vs. the streets and hard knocks of JL’dom.  ”A humanitarian can’t box! Please! Who are you fooling?  She’d go down in one minute!”  Never judge… there are many layers folks, many.  Like Donkey once told Shrek, “Ogres are like onions.”

  After a few practice punches I rolled up my sleeves, put on some black gloves, and in the middle of a parking lot – a full on boxing match began.  I was a bit rusty.  I’m a lefty – some may see that as an advantage or disadvantage, but either way after a few lessons and proper body positioning mannerisms, I was swingin’ full!  I did some upper cuts, some under cuts, I went high, I went low, I stood in stoic silence to observe the situation, and when you least expected it – I struck like a panther – hard!  I told him, “I don’t want you to hold back on me just because I’m a woman, bring it, bring it on!” and trust me, he did. 

Who won you ask?

Need you ask.

Really?

Me!

(Ok, there were some points where I literally asked him to just stand there – two hands out as a target for me, and I just went NUTS! Punch after punch, and it felt good!)

(If it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure I’ve pulled a muscle on my left side just below the rib cage, I feel it right now, and it’s a good burn… a fightin’ burn – but it was worth it.  Release the spirits that hide within, and don’t meet me in a ring anytime soon…  because now, I’m simmering – ready to pounce at any minute like a cougar.  Yes friends, yes… it’s in there.)

xojl

This Doesn’t Have To Be It

After finally seeing Michael’s “last” performance on the big screen, I promised I’d say a few words on what I thought. Although I’d much rather prefer to remain quiet, there are certain times when others need to hear you.

I’d never wanted to in my lifetime see MJ on the big screen under which this circumstance presented. Unfortunately, we live in a mad world. A world where even superheros can disappear overnight – but, Michael was no superhero – he was mortal, just like you and me. A phenomenal performer and artist.  My sister and I had a talk earlier in the day where we agreed, above all else, we can look back and say we were here when one of those enchanting entertainers was alive - how lucky were we? What he used through the medium of art, is what elevated him to a level with which reached and inspired nearly every demographic possible. No easy feat. I won’t dive into my own personal memories and feelings towards MJ, some again, I choose to keep private for a multitude of reasons. My connection as I’ve said, was with the man, and his humanitarian vision and work. With that, we connected. As an artist however, I know I share the feelings of many. Those are the commonality that are showcased in a very nicely put together “film” using the rehearsal footage from what was to become the “This Is It Tour”.

A few points on what stuck out to me most when seeing the film.

Number one – new moves.

To me, MJ had been experimenting with a variety of new urban and hip hop style dances, and those were evident all throughout the film. I was actually surprised to see just how many new pops and breaks he had either seen somewhere else and put his spin on – or self-created in time for these rehearsals. The moves were clearly things that you can’t write a dance manual for, they had to be felt to be performed – something only certain artists can achieve. As you watch the film, look for what caught my eye – just how many new mannerisms and slight physical changes MJ slipped into his more classic routines and moves… I pay strict attention to detail, and for me, I must have caught at least one new twist on what he’d previously done in a step at least every 3 seconds. Seeing that from a performer who is so identified with his classic routines and dance moves, (which we love and instantly identify) seeing MJ experimenting and putting out totally different vibes through the smallest of manner or physical “flick” is thrilling.

Number two – MJ’s “Threatened” makes an extremely brief but KILLER surprise appearance in the closing of the “Thriller” performance. I’m sorry, but for me – as not only a fan of all kinds of music – but especially orchestrated and  instrumental twists on songs – when about 45 seconds of  MJ’s “Threatened” is weaved into the conclusion of that performance – along with MJ’s bump ‘n grind new moves as he made his exit, made it the peak of the mountain to me in a classic song. The ending cut to the track came out of no where, and when it did, I couldn’t help but start feeling the groove in my chair, so look for it!  My head couldn’t stop.

Number 3 – I had known this already after talking with him, but MJ’s almost dictated humbleness and work ethic are crystal clear throughout. There is a big difference between someone who works with you in encouragement and authentic passion, and someone who works AT you. MJ had the ability to make you want to better yourself in whatever you did. As an artist, as a musician, a dancer, and most importantly as a human being.

This film isn’t going to show you anything you don’t already know. It’s impossible to summarize who MJ was as an entertainer in 2 hours or below.  This attempt was a beautifully edited one, and one for anyone who hasn’t had the chance to see him live.  You will love it.  It’s a taste.  It’s going to remind you of just how effective and striking one person can be in the lives of millions of people – from millions of backrounds – and millions of perspectives. All the focus is on the music, how it makes you feel, where the adventures help you escape and travel to – and what messages we need to remind ourselves of each day are most important.

MJ’s last message or “sequence” offered from the film is one I was so happy Kenny Ortega decided to leave the audience with. It’s the one thing that kept my support and appreciation to him for such a long time. MJ was always tuned into the bigger picture.  He was a constant at it.  Never a gimmick or ploy – purely genuine and real.  I don’t think people today can fully realize just how difficult it can be to maintain a steady course of belief while the world does it’s very best to knock you off track.  Say whatever you will about MJ, from day one -  he never lost focus on what he wanted his art to convey.  To live a life outside of yourself. To make a difference, no matter how small. To just maybe take that chance and step outside of what is considered “safe” and “normal” in this society, and be unique.  Live to affect.  It’s a portrait of a man who gave all he could for as long as he did, and in my mind, the title of the film could have easily been altered to “This Doesn’t Have To Be It,” because just as MJ is no longer here physically with us on Earth, it doesn’t mean his music and messages have to end, in fact, it would be a crime if they did – they are real and very much alive this very moment.

If you take anything from seeing “This Is It” take the message of how important one life lived strong, lived in a world of art and escapism, and of helping those who needed it most, can completely transcend and stop time now – and for generations to come.  Let it remind all of us that all it takes is one.  It’s a lonely road, but one worth giving a try  if you’re up to the great task clearly as one man was.

Written By Jamie Leigh – Saturday October 31, 2009

According to one of my favorite nerds, Rainn Wilson.

Streaming live video by Ustream

Because you are so highly charged, you experience the consequences of a two-edged sword. You possess great abilities, but indulge in much self-reflection and self- criticism. You often feel highly self-conscious. You are aware on some level that you stand out. Even when you try to blend with your environment, you often feel conspicuous, alien, and out-of-place. You are blessed with a message, or a specific role to play in life. But you must develop yourself sufficiently to take full advantage of that opportunity. Until that time, your inner development takes precedence over your ability to materialize the great undertaking you were chosen to perform. Consequently, 11s seem to develop slowly, but they simply have more to accomplish in their evolution than the average person. Thus, your real success does not usually begin until maturity, between the ages of 35 and 45, when you have progressed further along your path.

You may often be frustrated, largely because you have extremely high expectations of yourself. But these expectations can be unrealistic, and can prevent you from accomplishing anything. You can be very impractical, envisioning a skyscraper when all that was necessary was a two-story house. You may also suffer from bouts of confusion and lack of direction. This gives rise to loss of confidence and the onset of deep depression. The cause of these emotional problems is your lack of understanding of your own sensitivity and potential. Your desire to achieve some great ambition is enormous. However, a lack of confidence in your own ability to realize this dream may cause you much frustration. You sense the enormous potential you possess, which requires equally enormous confidence in your ability to materialize your dream. Confidence is the key that unlocks your potential. On a strictly physical level, you must protect your nervous system, which is inordinately vulnerable to stress because of your acute sensitivity. Depression is often the result of long periods of stress that have gone unrelieved. Seek out peaceful and harmonious environments, relaxing music, and follow a healthful diet in order to restore balance and peace. As an 11 Life Path, you are a highly charged version of the 2 and possess many of the characteristics and talents of that number.

You can be extremely diplomatic and tactful. You are also patient and cooperative. You work well with groups and somehow find a way of creating harmony among diverse opinions. You enjoy music and poetry and require a harmonious environment. You have an eye for beauty and a fine sense of balance and rhythm. You have healing capabilities, especially in such fields as massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, and counseling. You are a sensitive and passionate lover; your perceptiveness makes you aware of your partner’s needs and desires, which you are able to fulfill with almost magical delicacy. However, when you feel you have been mistreated or jilted, you can react with devastating power, sometimes using personal criticisms vindictively.

You are a fine companion and possess a good sense of humor. When you have found your niche in life and begun to realize your true potential, your rewards will more than compensatefor your trials earlier in life.

Sent To Me Earlier Today From Wilco

July 22 1941. The girl next door is getting married. Anne Frank is leaning out of the window of her house in Amsterdam to get a good look at the bride and groom. It is the only time Anne Frank has ever been captured on film. At the time of her wedding, the bride lived on the second floor at Merwedeplein 39. The Frank family lived at number 37, also on the second floor. The Anne Frank House can offer you this film footage thanks to the cooperation of the couple.

And finally I twist my heart round again, so that the bad is on the outside and the good is on the inside, and keep on trying to find a way of becoming what I would so like to be, and could be, if there weren’t any other people living in the world. I live in a crazy time. I must uphold my ideals, for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out. How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. It’s really a wonder that I haven’t dropped all my ideals, because they seem so absurd and impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”

Anne Frank

RESCUE INK is a rescue group unlike any you’ve seen before: a bunch of tattooed, motorcycle-riding tough guys who have joined together to fight animal cruelty, educate abusers and help resolve situations other rescue groups can’t – or won’t – handle themselves.

Some of the guys grew up in the projects, some had their brushes with the law, some used their smarts to survive, even thrive on the streets. But that was then, this is now, and today they all share a common goal: Using every means within the thin boundaries of the law, they persuade and educate abusers about the right way to treat animals.

Like many of the animals they save, the members of Rescue Ink know what it’s like to be given a second chance in life. And they’re using theirs to help the animals, no matter what it takes.

RescueInk.Org
Rescue Ink On National Geographic