Robert Palmer versus Michelle Shocked

Do you remember the Robert Palmer’s 1985 hit song, Addicted to Love? If not, you might remember his video.  His video caused a little controversy (polemica) because people felt it objectified (deshumanizó) women. Later, in 1989, Michelle Shocked, an American folk-rock singer, came out with a video of her song, On the Greener Side, which parodied Robert Palmer’s video. Her song talks about the opposite of love addiction, unsatisfying love! The title of the song is inspired by the saying The grass is always greener on the other side, which means that someone else´s situation always seems better than your own. Check out the two videos below. Which of these two circumstances reflects your own?

Your lights are on, but you're not home
Your mind is not your own
Your heart sweats, your body shakes
Another kiss is what it takes
You can't sleep, you can't eat
There's no doubt, you're in deep
Youur throat is tight, you can't breathe
Another kiss is all you need

Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love

You see the signs, but you can't read
You're runnin' at a different speed
Your heart beats in double time
Another kiss and you'll be mine, a one track mind
You can't be saved
Oblivion is all you crave
If there's some left for you
You don't mind if you do

Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love

Your lights are on, but you're not home
Your will is not your own
You're heart sweats, your teeth grind
Another kiss and you'll be mine
Whoa, you like to think that you're immune to the stuff, oh yeah
It's closer to the truth to say you can't get enough
You know you're gonna have to face it, you're addicted to love

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love

Send me a dozen long stem roses
I tell you what I will do
I'll bend them into a crown of thorns
And send it right back to you
Your love, love, love
Don't keep me satisfied
And though I've never been there
I know it's always greener
On the greener side

Say you wanna give me a run for my money
Here's something I'm gonna admit
It may sound funny, but Romeo, honey
I don't want none of your
Love, love, love
Don't keep me satisfied
And though I've never been there
I know it's always greener
On the greener side

My love is like a wishing well
Your love is like a clear blue sky
Sometimes it takes a thunderstorm
To fill me when I'm dry
Your love, love, love
Don't keep me satisfied
And though I've never been there
I know it's always greener
On the greener side

Oscar Wilde

Oscar  O’ Flahertie Wills Wilde  was born in Dublin , October 16th, 1854. His mother, Lady Wilde, in the last years of the decade of 1840, wrote fiery (encendida, apasionada)  literature in favour of freedom for the Irish people under the pen name of “Speranza” . Oscar Wilde was very close to  (unido a) his mother.When she died, he was in prison and in his "De Profundis” expressed the deep love and admiration he felt for her.

His father, William R. Wills Wilde, was  a man of great vitality and multiple activities. He opened  a private clinic in Dublin and wrote important books on ear surgery (cirugía del oído) and old Irish history.

Oscar went to Oxford and in 1878 won the Gold Medal of Berkeley for a poem on “ Ravenna”. He went to the United States and later back over to Paris where he stayed for a time. He returned to London and opened his comedies on stage.” Lady Windermere‘s Fan” ("El Abanico de Lady Windermere") was very succesful. It and many more things were published , such as “ The Happy Prince “, “The Sphynx  Without a Secret “, “ The Selfish Giant”, etc., and many of his poems.

In 1895 he was prosecuted (procesado) for his relationship with Alfred Douglas, and condemned to two years of hard labour (trabajos forzados) .

He got out of prison and moved to Paris where he published “The Importance of Being Ernest “, “ The Ideal Husband”, and other stories. In 1900 , after having had an operation, Wilde passed away  (pasó a mejor vida)  in the “Hotel d’Alzace” in Paris on November 30^th.

Consumerism

Everyone knows that we are living way beyond our means (realmente fuera de nuestras posibilidades). Not surprisingly, consumerism is the culprit (culpable)! Here's a video with a cute girl's voice to give us some details.

The Language of Flowers

What's your favourite flower ? Find the meaning of your favourite flower.Then ask your family and friends for  their favourite flowers and tell them what they mean. ( From an 18th century encyclopedia). 

   
   Begonia

    Meaning:  friendliness.

    What they say: I am a sincere friend.

     
      Heather (brezo)
     
      Meaning:  strength.

      What they say: I am very strong-willed.

                 

                 Thistle  (cardo)

                 Meaning:  difficulties.

                 What they say:  my future will not be easy .    

         
       Daffodil (narciso)
     
       Meaning:  sadness.

       What they say:  Why does love not last ?.

       Sunflower (girasol )



       Meaning:  wonder, surprise.

     
       What they say: I only see the one I love and no one else.

                  

                   Hyacinth ( jacinto)

                   

                   Meaning : happy heart.

                  What they say: I am happily in love.

      Mimosa

      Meaning :security.

      What they say: Nobody knows I love someone.

         Rose

         Meaning: love.

         What they say: I am waiting for my love. 

                                My love is beautiful.

                                My love is a promise.

     
        Marigold ( caléndula) 

       Meaning: grief ( pena,dolor, pesar )

       What they say:  I am sad far from my loved one.