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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

I HOPE YOU DANCE

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Ever since I saw a video tribute made to Heath Ledger with this song, I Hope You Dance by Lee Womack, I have loved the words to the song. This tribute to Michael Jackson is also very fitting with this song, here sung by Gladys Knight. Uploaded by 4maxmeadows

Click the post title to find another I Hope You Dance tribute to Michael Jackson.

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
Time is a real and constant motion always
I hope you dance
Rolling us along
I hope you dance
Tell me who
I hope you dance
Wants to look back on their youth and wonder
Where those years have gone

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

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I DON'T READ MANY BOOKS, BUT THIS ONE IS A MUST READ

I own lots of books. I check out books from the library. But to be truthful, I don't read many books. Rarely do I get through an entire book, even when I start it. I read biographies, non-fiction, seldom does a fiction book get more than a promise that some day I'll sit with it. And yet, I prefer the book over the kindle and similar inventions. And when I do read a book, I like to mark it up for favorite lines and passages.

Yesterday, I sat down and finished a book that I had started a few weeks ago, liked and wanted to finish. But that has happened before, the wanting part and the book never gets read. But, I had a day that I decided to sit down and actually use the hours to read. No television on as background to my life, no music, no computer to gobble up my attention and time. First, I went to bed early the night before, which is also a rare thing for me to do and I took the book to bed and read a little before closing my eyes. In the morning, as the pen went dry that I was journaling with I decided to get my day started and then sit down with Michele Norris' book, The Grace of Silence. That is the book I finished yesterday. Of course, knowing that it was due at the library tomorrow was a bit of a motivation. And my son, inspired me, as well. He loves to read books and spoke of it on Saturday.

This book was an inspiration to me because I want to write about chapters in my life. And it was also relevant because the years that she wrote of her father's life was during the time I was about to be born and the time my father was also the age to go into the service for World War II as her dad was.

I highly recommend this book and hope that high schools and colleges will put it on their reading lists. It should be included certainly on history course book lists.


Click on the images to enlarge


The chapter The War at Home is worth the price of the book.




There is an excerpt at Michele Norris' website.

You can buy the book at Amazon

Or you can check it out at your library. It is a "must read" if you want to take the advice from someone who doesn't take the time to read a book very often.

The portion below from page 81 in the chapter Service is relevant to the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy today by Senator Mc Cain and the like. The color added is mine.

Over the course of my father's enlistment, the navy adopted new attitudes toward Negroes and their abilities, deciding that the marginalization of men with able bodies and agile minds only served to undermine the war effort. In February 1945, the navy published a new pamphlet for all naval officers, called the Guide to Command of Negro Naval Personnel, it spelled out the reversal of p0licy: "In modern total warfare any avoidable waste of manpower can only be viewed as material aid to the enemy. Restriction, because of racial theories, of the contribution of any individual to the war effort is a serious waste of human resources." 6

Personally, war is a waste of human resources to me. But Michele Norris book is about racism in the USA and she covers it in ways that I never learned about in my history courses.

These pictures are not from The Grace of Silence. The link is below for more pictures of African Americans who fought in World War II

US Army

1. "On parade, the 41st Engineers at Ft. Bragg, NC in color guard ceremony." N.D. 208-NP-4HHH-2. (african_americans_wwii_001.jpg)

2. "An MP on motorcycle stands ready to answer all calls around his area. Columbus, Georgia." April 13, 1942. Pfc. Victor Tampone. 111-SC-134951.

Pictures of african-americans World War II

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Also, I saw the HBO documentary Wartorn-1861-2010 recently. It is about post-traumatic stress and the veterans and their families who live with the effects of it after serving in the military.

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Saturday, November 27, 2010

LIFE IS PERSONAL

November 27, 2010, Saturday

Today, was my day with my son. Although thanksgiving day was Thursday and this is Saturday, I have never insisted on him spending it with me and not be able to go to his dad's extended family's thanksgiving day gathering. There he receives the importance of a large family coming together that is inviting and welcoming. He needs that.

Often I want to share what I write in my journal, but then I don't because it may be too personal. Recently, I started another journal and will share some writings from it.

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Journal #22, pages s15 - 17

(My son's name)

The miracle in my life.

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Resilience, tenderness, courage, strength in spirit ~

the best in our humanness.

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Kindness

Giving or receiving kindness lifts your spirit, lifts the universe.

No translation needed.

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Imagine your life with no one in it who treats you with kindness. You never experience a person who helps you when you are down. The only way you have connection with another human being who is an adult is by abuse, and worse, neglect.

If you are not even important enough to have even negative attention, how can you feel worthy to be alive? Many children live this life. November 11, 2010

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Pages 18 - 19

This I Know

So much of my experience has been either transient, let me down, betrayed me or simply been too little to fill me up and certainly never taken me to 'overflowing'.

But music has been there always for the taking and giving.

It has been a constant in my life. It has saved me from despair. It comforts me, lifts me up, inspires and been the vessel for my inspiration.

It is the vessel for my tears, my delight, my exuberance, my spirit.

For me music is a refuge in a world that isolates and tries to exile you from your own soul, at times. Music is a refuge in an often cold world.

Music is a gift that is for the soul and is born in the soul of Life.

November 14, 2010

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I was in the kitchen doing something I rarely do. Cook. My son was coming and this is what I do for him. It is a meal he loves. Thankfully, because it is the only thing I have kept in the cooking repertoire.

A Hole That Weighs Heavy

Sandra Hammel

It happened again today.

Like an anchor residing in my chest.

Burning hard and intense.

It has come and come again

and it doesn't lessen.

It's always the same. Deep and wide pain.

A hole that weighs heavy.

The skin around my eyes sting, my chest wells up and releases hot tear drops that I feel in the corners of my eyes. My cheeks flush with blood.

You have said the words. But I haven't felt it.

When these times come, I know.

When I stood by the apples on the counter with a paring knife in my hand, I froze and made the tears stop. I forced my face muscles to harden. Immediately, I took inventory of why I needed to be strong. Why it had to be okay that I'm not loved. But it sure feels like being loved would have healed the hole I carry around.

The hole you left me to heal.

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Uploaded by Thespadecaller

There is a website - www.gratefulness.org - that as a part of it, you can light a candle for anyone, any group or sometimes I light a candle for myself. I just did that again and called the page Soul
Sometimes I name it Spirit instead.

Also, a long time ago, I started a page for Darfuris. When a page is opened but the candles all burn out (in 48 hours) and not one candle burns, that page ceases to exist, until someone starts the page anew. But the page I opened for Darfur - Darfr - never goes away, not even when no candle is burning anymore. What that means, I do not know, but I think it is wonderful that it never ceases to be, no matter what.

Where I sometimes light a candle also for

Jon - my son

Dad

ami (friend)

Heath
Ledger

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Thursday, November 25, 2010

FAVORITES ~ HEATH LEDGER

I have some favorite videos that just stay with me and these are a sampling Heath Ledger favorites
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Roar
Uploaded by jopicca

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Uploaded by eerieblu01
The look at the end is priceless and memorable.

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The Apple and The Girl
Uploaded by DomaVaquera

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A Close Call
Uploaded by DomaVaquera

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Faces
Uploaded by jopicca

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The Beautiful One
Uploaded by jopicca

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Soul Man
Uploaded by occhiblucolbato

I Hope You Dance

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A TRIBUTE to PAUL WARREN ALLEN ~ Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen

First
Worked on a project of putting together a video.
Second
Imported it at Youtube.
Third
Youtube compressed the movie and the timing was all off. So, I didn't make the video "public".
Fourth
I tried to rework the video seven times to correct this, then upload at Youtube. But, the timing was only wrong after uploading to Youtube, which made the corrections a calculation game at best and a guessing game at worst.
Fifth
Surrendered and made the final upload "public" even though the work of trying to coordinate text, transition placements and singing was not evident at Youtube.

Then days later, my project in the software program was no longer coordinated because I had been changing it, guessing at how to make it come out right at Youtube. But then, I had the idea to try to upload it at Facebook to see if the timing would come out how I had created it in the first place. But I had to retrieve old versions in Quick Time formats and splice them together, then downgrade the quality in order to downsize it below 1 GB, which is a Facebook requirement (Youtube's requirement is 2GB). I know it is hard to follow...but in the end, the Facebook upload came out with the timing correct. So I post it here.
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North Central College Choir ~ 1968
12:52

Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877)
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), op. 74 no. 1 (1877) [satb], from Zwei Motetten, no. 1.

Other songs from the record uploaded are
"DICHTERLIEBE" ~ "Art Songs" Robert Schumann
www.facebook.com/video
"The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee" by Jean Berger
www.youtube
"I Am the True Vine", arranged by Salli Terri
www.youtube
"It's May", Robert Schumann's "Art Song"
www.youtube

Source of the following is
www.cantate-choir.info/ProgrammeNotes/Brahms-WarumIstDasLichtGegeben

The imposing opening Adagio (in D minor) of this motet, is punctuated four times by the urgent cry of Warum? (wherefore?). The following sections are in flowing cannon form with a 'warm F major glow' reflecting the text. It ends with a nunc dimittis in chorale form.

About the composer
Johannes Brahms was born 7th of May in 1833 in Hamburg, Germany
Bio:
www.johannesbrahms.org/JBbio.htm
and more at www.johannesbrahms.org

Johannes Brahms - (7 May 1833 in Hamburg, Germany to 3 April 1897 in Vienna, Austria)

Brahms studied piano from the age of seven and composition from thirteen. He had a lifelong interest in early music and amongst his generation he was without equal in sophisticated contrapuntal technique. He did not enjoy a meeting of minds with composers of the New German School, but his artistic kinship with Robert Schumann and his passion and veneration for Clara Schumann are well known influences on his life. Whether or not Brahms was a believer, he whole-heartedly accepted the Christain ethic and admired and embraced the literature and poetry of the Bible. His background was North German Lutheran Protestant. This inheritance gave to his choral music 'a noble human consolation' and air of hope.

His musical style was of the romantic school; his nature was introspective, reserved, logical and studious. Musicologists point to the essence of all these influences being demonstrated in the a capella motets spread over thirty years, and in his other sacred music, but most especially in the German Requiem.

Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877)

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; which long for death but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; which rejoice exceedingly and are glad, when they can find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (Job 3, 20-23)

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens (Lamentations 3, 41)

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. (James 5, 11)

With peace and joy I go forth in the will of God, my heart and mind are comforted, gentle and still. As God has promised me, death but becomes sleep to me. (Martin Luther - 1524)

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Wednesday, November 24, 2010

PAUL WARREN ALLEN ~ NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE ~ DICHTERLIEBE ~ SCHUMANN

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NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE CHOIR ~ ROBERT SCHUMANN'S DICHTERLIEBE ~ POET'S LOVE from ilovemylifesblog on Vimeo.

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NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE CHOIR ~ ROBERT SCHUMANN'S DICHTERLIEBE ~ POET'S LOVE
Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog

The record was made in the auditorium of Pfeiffer Hall in the Spring of 1968 in Naperville, Illinois. Three years later, North Central College eliminated the music department.

Artists work used in video
Childe Hassam
Christine Comyn
Crazy Frankenstein.com
Garmash
Taras Loboda
Waterhouse
Found at storylet

Schumann's original title in 1840 is "Twenty Songs from the Lyric Intermezzo in the Book of Songs for One Singer and Piano." A letter in 1844 refers to the Dichterliebe cycle though it is not clear who assigned this title. The word is usually translated as "Poet's Love"

Link to information
Schumann_Op48
Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856) / Heinrich Heine (1797 - 1856): Dichterliebe, Op. 48

Robert Schumann wrote, "At certain points in time, (Heine's) poetry dons the mask of irony in order to conceal its visage of pain; perhaps for a moment the friendly hand of a genius may lift that mask so that wild tears may be transformed into pearls."

Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877)
Johannes Brahms
facebook
The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee
Jean Berger
youtube
I Am the True Vine
arranged by Salli Terri
youtube
It's May
Robert Schumann's "Art Song"
youtube

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

WENDELL POTTER COMES CLEAN ~ WHAT WILL THE INSURANCE COMPANIES DO?

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


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Michael Moore and Wendell Potter and the movie Sicko

Bill Moyers

Wendell Potter on the Anti-SiCKO Smear Campaign on Countdown with Keith Olbermann -- 11/17/10

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Monday, November 22, 2010

COLORFUL RAFA WINS FIRST ROUND ROBIN IN LONDON 2010

NEXT TOURNAMENT
Australian Open ~ January 2011
australia brochure

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London, England
November 21 - 28, 2010
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London, England Time

Final Championship Match
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Roger Federer defeated Rafa Nadal
6-3, 3-6, 6-1
12:30 p.m. USA EST

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TV Viewing of
Championship Match on Sunday, November 26, 2010

All times USA EST

ESPN2 ~ Live

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

ESPN2

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LIVE online also espn3

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Final Championship Match

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Delayed on The Tennis Channel

Aired the following times on Sunday

3:00 p.m.

9:30 p.m.

Midnight

tennischannel

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Semi Final
Rafal Nadal defeated Andy Murray
7-6(5), 3-6, 7-6(6)
Saturday, November 27, 2010

Highlights of the Semi Final Match
youtube

Another youtube video of Semi Final Match
youtube

Interviews with Rafa following his SF win

tennistv

SF Interview in Spanish

Semi Final ~ TV ~ The Tennis Channel ~ Live at 9:00 a.m.

and 8:00 p.m. Delayed

tennischannel

Semi Final 2

3:00 p.m. Live

10:30 p.m. Delayed

Possible live stream for free

www.fromsport.com

Round 3 of Round Robin
Rafa Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych
7-6(3), 6-1
Friday, November 26, 2010

Round 2 of Round Robin
Rafa Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic
7-5, 6-2
Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Set 2 Tie Break

Round 1 of Round Robin
Rafa Nadal defeated Andy Roddick
3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4

Final

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his men's final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 28, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Final

zimbio

Semi Final

Rafael Nadal of Spain walks on to court before his men's semi-final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 27, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his men's semi-final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 27, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Semi Final
zimbio

Round 3

Rafael Nadal of Spain argues over a call with the referee during his men's singles match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 26, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during his men's singles match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic during the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 26, 2010 in London, England.Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Round 3

Round 2


Rafael Nadal of Spain serves the ball during his men's singles match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 24, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Round 2

Round 1

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his singles match against Andy Roddick of the United States during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 22, 2010 in London, England. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe

Pictures ~ Round 1



Media Day Pictures

British Prime Minister David Cameron Meets the Players

Rafael Nadal appears on Stade 2 TV show ~ zimbio




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Friday, November 19, 2010

TRIBUTE TO A GIFTED MUSIC TEACHER AND CONDUCTOR ~ PAUL WARREN ALLEN ~ BRAHM'S "WARUM..."


We young ladies of the North Central College choir wore these and the young men wore sweat shirts that read "Sons of Levi".


UPDATE
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Uploaded at Facebook with lesser quality to fulfill their 1GB limit.
But at Facebook, the compression didn't ruin the timing of the music with visual elements, which happened at Youtube (which is below from the original post).

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Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog

As stated on the video's end, this video was uploaded numerous times at Youtube. In my software programs, the video project has transitions and text placements perfectly timed to fit the music. But each time I uploaded this video at youtube, the timing was completely off. Obviously, this is a disappointment to me after all the time spent trying to present the music and video the best that I could. But after much tested patience, determination and
endurance, I had to surrender and put up a video that is not what I had done. The compression of youtube spoiled what I had attempted to do. But even so, I continue to post one song at a time of this North Central College Choir record from 1968, conducted by Paul Warren Allen and this song therefore had to go up in that effort.

Text from my youtube upload:
Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877)
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), op. 74 no. 1 (1877) [satb], from Zwei Motetten, no. 1.

Other songs from the record uploaded are
The Eyes of All Wait Upon Thee by Jean Berger
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L22uUsS-63E
I Am the True Vine arranged by Salli Terri
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmZLk36Wqng
It's May, Robert Schumann's Art Song
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOlOH1LaUzw

Source of the following is
www.cantate-choir

The imposing opening Adagio (in D minor) of this motet, is punctuated four times by the urgent cry of Warum? (wherefore?). The following sections are in flowing cannon form with a 'warm F major glow' reflecting the text. It ends with a nunc dimittis in chorale form.

About the composer
Johannes Brahms was born 7th of May in 1833 in Hamburg, Germany
Bio:
www.johannesbrahms.org and more at johannesbrahms

Johannes Brahms - (7 May 1833 in Hamburg, Germany to 3 April 1897 in Vienna, Austria)

Brahms studied piano from the age of seven and composition from thirteen. He had a lifelong interest in early music and amongst his generation he was without equal in sophisticated contrapuntal technique. He did not enjoy a meeting of minds with composers of the New German School, but his artistic kinship with Robert Schumann and his passion and veneration for Clara Schumann are well known influences on his life. Whether or not Brahms was a believer, he whole-heartedly accepted the Christain ethic and admired and embraced the literature and poetry of the Bible. His background was North German Lutheran Protestant. This inheritance gave to his choral music 'a noble human consolation' and air of hope.

His musical style was of the romantic school; his nature was introspective, reserved, logical and studious. Musicologists point to the essence of all these influences being demonstrated in the a capella motets spread over thirty years, and in his other sacred music, but most especially in the German Requiem.

Warum ist das licht gegeben dem mühseligen (opus 74, 1877)

Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; which long for death but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures; which rejoice exceedingly and are glad, when they can find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? (Job 3, 20-23)

Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens (Lamentations 3, 41)

Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. (James 5, 11)

With peace and joy I go forth in the will of God, my heart and mind are comforted, gentle and still. As God has promised me, death but becomes sleep to me. (Martin Luther - 1524)

Entry on Brahms ~ wikipedia

Free MP3's of Johannes Brahms~
music/Johannes+Brahms

This recording was done in Pfeiffer Hall in the spring of 1968 in Naperville, Illinois, outside of Chicago at North Central College. Three years later the college eliminated the music department. The decision was made by the college President, Arlo Schilling.

It was the year of 1971, the flourishing music department was cut out of the school. A church affiliated college with no music department.

The following is taken from the NCC website on the history of it association with churches ~
"Originally founded in 1861 by the Evangelical Association, North Central College became affiliated with the United Methodist Church (UMC) when the Association's inheritors, the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB), merged with the Methodist Church in 1968 to form the new denomination... We're proud of our association with the UMC and its deep commitment to spiritual renewal and social justice." northcentralcollege

Eighteen years later, in 1989, the music department was brought back.

The history of The Naperville Chorus ~

In the 1960's Dr. Paul Warren Allen of the North Central College Music Department melded the vocal talents of students, college personnel, and community members into a forerunner of the Naperville Chorus. The NCC-Community Chorus flourished and performed contemporary and traditional choral works until 1971, when financial cutbacks at the college eliminated the Music Department.

Read the entire article at www.napervillechorus

Virtual tour of NCC ~ virtualtour

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GENOCIDE FLOURISHES WITH THREE MAIN THINGS ~ MEDIA NEGLECTS DARUR


Genocide flourishes when there are perpetrators, weapons suppliers and Leaders Who Lack the Will To Hold the Perpetrators Accountable.

At a time when the world is focusing on the January referendum on Southern Sudanese independence, Darfur must not fall off the agenda of policymakers around the world. Doing so could result in a repeat of history and unmentionable violence and despair for the people of Darfur.
Darfuri child's artwork of his experience during the Khartoum government's support of genocide on Darfuris

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Salve Regina University student ~ Edwin Mutanguha's speech about Darfur ~ From Rhode Island Torch Relay

Camera for speech: Sally Hanchett

Note: One jpeg image of a Darfuri child's experience of what happened to him in his life (with text: "Peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice") is by a Darfuri child who lives in a refugee camp.

CORRECTION ~
The jpeg by Lucas is a painting made by a USA boy who made it for Darfuris.

☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙


Make a Difference

Call 1-800-GENOCIDE ~ ask Secretary Clinton to immediately hire a high-level diplomat for Darfur.

Here's how:

1. Dial: 1-800-GENOCIDE
2. Follow the instructions on the recording to be connected to Secretary Clinton's office.
3. You'll probably be asked to leave a message. Here's what to say:
* Say your name
* Say the name of your state
* Then say: "I urge Secretary of State Clinton to immediately hire a high-level diplomat for Darfur."
Source: blog for darfur

Media Neglect

As has been true a lot, the Darfuri people have been forgotten and neglected in 2010 by the leaders of the world. As the attacks continue in 2010 upon the Darfuri people, most USA media neglects to cover the story. And the USA government has been a part of that neglect. With the attention on the two Jaunuary 9, 2010 referendums, where Southern Sudanese and Abyei will vote to separate from Sudan, the attention on Darfur is even less than has been the case. The website ~ stopgenocidenow

Stop Genocide Now i-ACT team is returning to the Darfur refugee camps on the Chad-Darfur border in late 2010. They will be uploading same day web casts from the camps. The SGN iAct team will also be establishing the school to school relationships for the Darfur Dream Team Sister Schools Program.

Help in donations for the trip to the refugee camp in December 2010. Donations are for the following ~
$20 - Rechargeable Battery Packs
$30 - Digital Cameras
$35 - Portable Video Cameras
$100 - Flip Cameras
$250 - Satellite usage for initial reporting

The digital and flip video cameras will be given out to refugee reporters (mostly youth). Through their eyes, we will learn about their lives. Information on the cameras will be uploaded and by satellite viewing will be available for the world to see. From stopgenocidenow

Tags trying to edit in: Salve Regina University, Edwin Mutanguha, ilovemylife Sandra Hammel, ACT NOW FOR DARFUR, Sudan, President Barack Obama, Omar al-Bashir,

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FAILURE OF OBAMA'S PRESIDENCY IS MORE IMPORTANT TO SOME THAN THE USA SUCCEEDING - UNACCEPTABLE BUT TRUE


Be aware that this post is not meant to be well organized....just thoughts

Glenn Beck - a spokesman for God? Sarah Palin - a spokeswoman for God?

If I was God, I would need to be on an antidepressant due to those who are claiming to speak for me.

Those claiming to be Christian and who also promote hate, racism and/or are the epitome of rudeness and narcissism are walking and talking contradictions to what a Christian is by definition. Or if not, and they all go to heaven, then I don't want to go there. Living in the mortal world and listening to them is so close to unbearable that the thought of living in eternity in a place they claim is where they are going is not a desire I have.

If there is a heaven and those like Glenn_Beck, Rupert_Murdoch, Sarah_Palin and Mitch McConnell are going to be there, then I have to wonder what are the standards of that kind of a heaven? Inciting bigots is leadership, just not good Christian leadership. Or if it is, again, I don't want to belong to that kind of religion.

Good leaders lift us up to our best selves, which certainly doesn't include blatant polarizing statements. As for politicians who care more about their careers in politics than the good of the country and its people, I deeply suspect they are not in the "good leadership" category. I put Mitch McConnell in this category, as well as all the "just say no" politicians the first two years of President Obama's time as the President.

Leadership

This is my opinion...

THE FEAR ISN'T ONLY THAT PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL GET ANOTHER TERM
Racism is the central reason people, including politicians want President Obama to fail, more than they want the country's people not to fail. These people will do anything to make President Obama look like his Presidency is a failure. They are afraid that if it is perceived that he is succeeding not only will he get a second term, but their even deeper fear is that we will one day have another President who isn't "white".

Jon Stewart's - The Manchurian Lunatic of November 18, 2010

Watch the entire episode. It is well worth the time.

Note: After watching Jon Stewart with Rachel Maddow and their Discourse I have this to say ~

I believe Jon Stewart is wrong, when he claimed that his show is not a part of the dialog of politics in the USA. It is for me. And I believe it is for many others who watch his show. He holds that Rachel Maddow's show and his show are in different "mediums", but in reality he makes "statements" even though it is humor. And his claim that his show is more like Jerry Seinfeld's show than Rachel Maddow's show is wrong. "Seinfeld" was a show about "nothing" by Jerry Seinfeld's definition. And Jon Stewart's show is about "some thing(s)". "Some thing(s)" that are very important and and at times need some levity, though they have serious responses and sobering resulting residual effects.

Related piece with Stephen Colbert's Doom Bunker with Jack Jacobs and Stephen Moore

And . . .
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I am not qualified to be President. And I know it . Sarah Palin is not qualified to be President. She doesn't know it. Retired Governor Palin said this week that she could win against President Obama.

☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙♡☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙☙

1-800-GENOCIDE

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Tuesday, November 9, 2010

A HUMAN RACE IN DISARRAY

How Can It Be?

Observing the purposefully hurtful behavior by some politicians and some media "personalities", it is sobering to know that each one of us belongs to the same human race. I find it hard to believe. But, here we are on the planet at the same time and yet at such odds with one another.

Remember

ALL thOse things
we used To blAMe oN the devil
ANd ALL tHose thi Ngs
We LeFt uP to God?
NOW iT's ALL A HUNDRed tiMes MORE COMPLicated
We MUST becOMe NeW MeN
oR
be SAtisfied AS We ARe.
...eitHer WAy We RisK tRAgedy.

WHO WERE YOU ALL ?
We spoke in short sentences with our lips and eyebrows we kept our teeth white and we smiled. We could hardly figure out why we were here, but we tried ~ to love life hoping it had reasons of its own.

Our worst ugliness was our blindness to our own beauty and our fear more than death was rejection from each other.

from To Believe in Man by Joseph Pintauro


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Uploaded by Slambovia

The new CD The Grand Slambovians of Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams just arrived in the mail. One of my favorites from the CD is The Invisible. The band is coming to Common Fence Music at Channing on February 5, 2011. Click the post title to go to Windmills, another track from the CD.

Band's website: slambovia.com/radiofree

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