Celebration was track number eighteen (Disc 2) and the first single from the Celebration CD. “Haven’t I seen you somewhere before? You look familiar… You wanna’ dance? …Yeah. I guess I just don’t recognize you with your cloths on… (laughs) What are you waiting for?”
A month later I left Colorado and moved back to Portland, Oregon. I arrived on April 30, 2009. This relocation was the first time in my life that I moved back to someplace. Every other move prior to this one involved moving someplace new.
I moved back into the same apartment building that I lived in before I left in the autumn of 2007. My new apartment was on the same floor, just two doors down from my old apartment. Within the first 48 hours, I ran into some of my neighbors from when I lived there before, and they all made a special effort to welcome me back to the building, and to Portland. It felt great to be back.
On Mother’s Day, May 10, I returned to my favorite clothing-optional spot in the Columbia River Gorge and just happened to witness the most amazing sight that I had ever seen. As I was lying naked on my blanket and looking up at the clouds, daydreaming about this and that, feeling happy to be back in Oregon, I saw a Bald Eagle fly directly overhead. It had to have been no more than thirty feet above my head, and it was carrying a fish, which it apparently had just retrieved from the Columbia River. For me, seeing a Bald Eagle so close in the wild felt like witnessing the second coming of Christ. I was so moved, that tears rolled down my face. I felt so empowered. When I returned home I discovered that Eagle brought the following wisdom: Swiftness, Strength, Courage, Wisdom, Keen sight, Illumination of Spirit, Healing, Creation, Knowledge of magic, Ability to see hidden spiritual truths, rising above the material to see the spiritual, Ability to see the overall pattern, Connection to spirit guides and teachers, Great power and balance, dignity with grace, Ability to see the “big picture”, Connection with higher truths, Intuitive and creative spirit, Respect for the boundaries of the regions, Grace achieved through knowledge and hard work.
And the fish it was carrying represented: Abundance, Fertility, Harmony, Regeneration, Love, and Balance between mind and emotion, Fish is also the Pisces symbol for Jesus Christ.
I couldn’t have asked for a better “Welcome back to Portland!” message from the Creator, and my mother’s spirit.
On June 15, I attended Gay Skate in Portland. It was the first time I had put on a pair of roller skates since I was fifteen years old. It was like going skating back in time. I had a blast skating to old disco tunes and remembering the days of my innocence. I experienced so much joy that evening. I went to bed with a massive smile on my face, and a blister on my right foot.
A week or so later I attended a Kabbalah gathering in the Portland area. I mainly did this out of respect for Madonna. Since I had experienced such a positive connection to her music over the years, I thought I would pay my respects by taking a closer look at Kabbalah. It was during this meeting that I discovered the 72 Names of God meditation cards.
On July 1, my immediate supervisor and co-worker left our organization.
On July 8, my Uncle Seth and his new girlfriend, my sister, brother-in-law, and my niece, arrived for a ten-day vacation. We had planned a trip that included several days in Oregon, a three-hour train trip to and from Seattle, and a Clipper Ferry ride to Victoria, Canada. While we were in Victoria, I found myself standing in front of the Empress Hotel. (Pictured at the top of this page.) It was interesting to me because the age of 47, regarding the Tarot, is the year of the “Empress”, which had most definitely described my year.
My family and I had a fantastic time together during those ten days, and when it was all said and done, my uncle said it was one of the best times of his life. His comment made me happy.
On July 22, 2009, I turned 48-years-old, and Warner Bros. Records officially announced the name of Madonna’s next greatest hits CD; Celebration. It was scheduled for release on September 28, 2009. Since I had just entered the year of the “Emperor”…
I hoped that this would be the year that I would do something amazing.
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Come join the party, yeah
Coz’ anybody just won’t do.
Let’s get this started, yeah
I think you wanna’ come over, yeah I heard it through the grapevine.
Are you drunk or you sober? Think about it, doesn’t matter
and if it makes you feel good then I say do it,
I don’t know what you’re waiting for
Boy you got a reputation, but you’re gonna’ have to prove it
I see a little hesitation,
Am I gonna’ have to show you that if it feels right, get on your marks
Step to the beat boy that’s what it’s for
Put your arms around me
When it gets too hot we can go outside
But for now just come here, let me whisper in your ear
An invitation to the dance of life
Come join the party, it’s a celebration
Anybody just won’t do
Let’s get this started, no more hesitation
Coz’ everybody wants to party with you
Come join the party, it’s a celebration
Anybody just won’t do
Let’s get this started, no more hesitation
Coz’ everybody wants to party with you X 2
Haven’t I seen you somewhere before?
You look familiar…
You wanna’ dance? …Yeah.
I guess I just don’t recognize you with your cloths on… (laughs)
What are you waiting for?
Come join the party, it’s a celebration
Anybody just won’t do
Let’s get this started, no more hesitation
Coz’ everybody wants to party with you
Come join the party, it’s a celebration
Anybody just won’t do
Let’s get this started, no more hesitation
Coz’ everybody wants to party with you
Boy you’ve got it
Coz’ anybody just won’t do
Let’s get it started, no more hesitation
Coz’ everybody wants to party with you
