❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
Sunday, January 6, 2013
YOUR GLOW ♫ A TRIBUTE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY SANDY HOOK MASSACRE
♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫
♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫♫
Thursday, January 3rd, 2013, the bus
drivers, the surviving Sandy Hook Elementary School children and staff went
back to another building to resume their school year.
The song ~ Your Glow ~ is a tribute for those affected by Sandy Hook Elementary School
Massacre. I wrote the music December 14 on the day it happened. I wrote lyrics
to the music later on December 26 & 27. Yesterday, I used Garage Band to improvise a flute and bass part along with the keyboard. It is not a polished version, only put together in a few hours.
Your Glow
by Sandra Hammel
Verse 1
Breath is no more, your bright light shines on. Oh the pain seeps so deep, grace come to me to free.
Oh our hearts entwined for eternity, Oh touch me now…fly…… Oh, angel. Love never die
Surround me now, for now, I hold you sweetly within, lighting up my way. Going on for you.
I lift my eyes to you, Wanting all the world to see your star.
Verse 2
Breathe life in me, oh, bright star that shines on. Where to go when overcome, estranged from peace and calm.
Oh our hearts entwined for eternity, Oh touch me now…fly…… Oh, angel. Love live on.
Surround me now, for now, I hold you sweetly within, lighting up my way. You left behind your glow.
I lift my eyes for you, Knowing your tender soul remains in mine.
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When
I was still teaching in the schools, I taught 5 to 10 year olds. I was
the music teacher. So, when I picture these children and the staff, I
can picture it in my mind very personally. I think it is the wrong thing to do to arm teachers. I wrote about it here.
The second amendment has outlived its relevancy. When it was written, guns had a single bullet capacity and it took considerable time to reload it.
My "to do" thing right now is to organize my room that has my computer desk (a mess), the folders that haven't been filed (due to lack of room to file them), go through the files in the drawer and hopefully find some to thin or throw out and my piano, my keyboard and music.
In the brief minutes that I have actually started, I have been distracted over and over. This is the current distraction. I found words that I had written once and loved what they say. Here is part of that.
Remember
by Sandra Hammel
Remember, don't be afraid to fail.
look around
and know eveyone is filled
with fear of unacceptance,
more, rejection.
And don't let anyone
convince you for long that
life isn't feeling.
It is.
Being happy
isn't a gift of living
but a gift you
can give yourself and others,
by working at it.
Repost part of my previous blog post at the bottom of this post ~
Jim Hummel states (he also has a video with a report at the link Hummel) -
"Taxpayers filing a return in Rhode Island face huge changes this year. Reforms the General Assembly passed two years ago - but just now taking effect - include the elimination of itemized deductions, meaning there will be some winners and some losers. Jim Hummel finds that the losers include those with huge medical bills - who now can't fully claim them as a deduction."
This Hummel report states that 100,000 Rhode Islanders pay more tax 300,000 Rhode Islanders pay less tax
I wonder about this. Homeowners? How have you found this to be for you? My RI tax for 2011 went up 40% over 2010. If you would like the return of the itemized deductions to RI, sign the petition for this action.
RHODE ISLAND PETITION FOR REINSTATING ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS FOR INCOME TAX RI-1040
Click image to enlarge.
Rhode Islanders who own their homes and are used to itemizing and deducting what they pay from their RI income tax on the annual Income Tax Return RI-1040 for things such as medical expenses, interest you paid on home mortgage, the total deduction on your house town's property tax and the charities that you donate to over the year - found that for the year of 2011 - all itemized deductions were no longer allowed. But there was a decrease in the top marginal income tax rate.
My RI tax for 2011 went up 40% over 2010. If you would like the return of the itemized deductions to RI, sign the petition for this action.
Federal form Schedule A with Itemized Deductions listed. Click image to enlarge.
Click image to enlarge.
Jim Hummel states (he also has a video with a report at the link Hummel) -
"Taxpayers filing a return in Rhode Island face huge changes this year. Reforms the General Assembly passed two years ago - but just now taking effect - include the elimination of itemized deductions, meaning there will be some winners and some losers. Jim Hummel finds that the losers include those with huge medical bills - who now can't fully claim them as a deduction."
This Hummel report states that 100,000 Rhode Islanders pay more tax 300,000 Rhode Islanders pay less tax
I wonder about this. Homeowners? How have you found this to be for you? My RI tax for 2011 went up 40% over 2010. If you would like the return of the itemized deductions to RI, sign the petition for this action.
I accidentally came across the PBS TV American Masters tonight, while working in the kitchen and loved the hour documentary Cab Calloway: Sketches.
I don't know if it will be aired in your area, but it is FABulous. It ran in the month of February, for Black history month, although I saw it tonight (in March).
.............................................................................................................................................................................. I especially loved the dance at 3:30 in this video, which comes at the end of the documentary.
Stever Brodner creates a second sketch of Cab Calloway to Calloway's classic hit "Minnie The Moocher" for the documentary AMERICAN MASTERS Cab Calloway: Sketches, premiered nationally Monday, February 27, 2012. Brodner's completed sketch comes alives and dances alongside Matthew Rushing, choreographer/principal dancer of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In the New York metro-area the film aired Sunday, February 26, 2012.
Watch full documentary online ................................................................
This is a public video, however the purpose of this song is for my son, which is a personal matter. He is 24 years old. Some bonds are deep, some never take at all. The bond that I feel with my son is the deep kind, that of hearts, spirits - between two souls. And he came into my life when he was 8 years old.
I am grateful for this special experience, this special bond.
One day, I hope to do this song with better voice. In the meantime, I upload what I did yesterday and include the live version that I sang for my son as one of his Christmas presents on Christmas Eve 2011, which was shot with the cheapest camera sold. I dream of having a decent camera one day. I just can't afford one.
This song was written December 14, 2011 for my son.
Until Forever Ends
Written by Sandra Hammel
Though we are two hearts, many years apart,
Our bond runs deep, deeper than the blue sea,
Now, you, you sail on,
I stand here and watch you take flight……
Every day, keep your passions alive, breathe free,
SIGN PETITION TO END VIOLENCE BY POLICE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES IN CALIFORNIA
Full statement by the University of California Faculty Association -- sign in solidarity on the right. (Professors sign here. Students sign here.)
This week, we have seen excessive force used against non-violent protesters at UC Berkeley, UCLA, CSU Long Beach, and UC Davis. Student, faculty and staff protesters have been pepper-sprayed directly in the eyes and mouth, beaten and shoved by batons, dragged by the arms while handcuffed, and submitted to other forms of excessive force. Protesters have been hospitalized because of injuries inflicted during these incidents. The violence was unprovoked, disproportional and excessive.
We are outraged by the excessive and unnecessary force used against peaceful protests.
We are outraged that the administrations of UC campuses are using police brutality to suppress dissent, free speech and peaceful assembly.
We demand that the Chancellors of the University of California cease using police violence to repress non-violent political protests. We hold them responsible for the violence and believe it can only result in an escalation of outrage that holds the potential for even more violence.
Police brutality damages the University’s public image, and, more importantly, it damages the climate for free expression at UC. We condemn the assault on the legacy of free speech at the University of California.
We call for greater attention to the substantive issues that motivate the protests regarding the privatization of education. With massive cuts in state funding and rising tuition costs across the community college system, the Cal State network, K-12, and the University of California, public education is undergoing a severe divestment. Student debt has reached unprecedented levels as bank profits swell. We decry the growing privatization and tuition increases that have been the frequent — and only — responses of the UC Board of Regents.
Signed, The Board of the Council of UC Faculty Associations
This is a picture I wanted to include in the video, but when I got around to finding it, I was at the end of making the video and couldn't find an appropriate place to slide it in. Dad always "enjoyed" in a humorous way what he was giving Mom for Christmas. When I was there, I always was asked by Dad to wrap the gift. So, I am sure I wrapped this gift. Photo credit: Sandra Hammel
The lake was made out of a field by my dad, where he also located a natural spring. The house was drawn by my mother and built by my dad. It is the third home that I lived in overall before moving out as an adult. The other two houses in the family childhood videos and photos were also built by my dad and the plan of the second childhood home was also drawn up by my mother. The first home was built right after WWII during the Depression.
This video at Youtube is "unlisted". Please, honor me and do not embed this video anywhere. ................................................................. I have made this video in three versions. The above video is the second version. The third version is still processing at Youtube. Unlike the first version, there are audio glitches in the youtube uploaded video above.
I love pictures and videos and taking them. One thing is all the "unpleasant" times of a family are not in the pictures and videos for the most part. I made this video for my mother that I haven't talked to since my dad's funeral. But I have been emailing and sending youtube videos to her over the last months. It works well.
Story behind what brought me to making this video
My brother who lives in Hawaii, called my sister in Indiana recently because he felt mother must go to the hospital with an extremely low blood pressure. She has always had a very high blood pressure. The hospital kept her for a few days, ran tests and sent her home finding nothing. Then she went to her doctor and he had a test ordered, which was done June 24, 2011. Then the doctor "quit", as my brother put it. It took my sister pursuing the test results and Wednesday, June 29, my brother called to tell me the results: 75% blockage to one artery to the brain and 50% blockage to another artery to the brain. So the 75% blockage apparently is getting a stint and the 50% is getting medication. She was born in 1925, so it is surely risky that the stint will go well. No one has let me know when the stint is being placed in the artery.
So, I made this video for my mother. It is something I can do for her. Even though, there were some very hard words and actions about my dad the couple of years before he died...in 2007. I can do this. And give her some comfort.
My father's name is Hammel. And very little history has been passed down about my ancestors on his side. It is either Swiss or German, I believe.
My mother's family ~ the Mickley family's name was Michelet in Europe. And before one of the ancestors came across the Atlantic Ocean, they were from the area around Metz, France.
There is a book of the Michelet ~ Mickley history ~ The_Genealogy_of_the_Mickley_Family_of_America. There are some very interesting stories in the book, including the name (last) changes down through history. Some ancestors are listed as being killed by Indians. (See my blog post about the Indians: Neglected story of discrimination) There is a story about the Liberty Bell. Pages, I particularly like are: (Page 95 (Joseph Jacob Mickley ~ Biographical Sketch, 100, 102, 117-118, 150-153. My name is listed in the hard copy that I have. But my sister was born after the time that new children's names were added.
The first link is to this book put online by Cornell University ~ www.archive.org/stream
Click on the image to enlarge It has the Coat of Arms of the Michelet family and the motto of the family.
For Me ~ Raw title of the third version: Indiana The Lake July 14, 2002 #9 Hi 8 D 1 Edit Color of Video, Added Pictures and Video 720x480 (640x480) What A Wonderful World.mov
RHODE ISLAND RALLY ~ SOLIDARITY WITH WISCONSIN SAT FEB 26, 2011
We are all Wisconsin. We are all Americans. Rhode Island had two rallies to support the right to be in a union, freedom to bargain, Wisconsin Citizens and Wisconsin Democrats who have taken a stand to support "the right to exercise rights" wtihin a democracy. One rally was on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 and the other on Saturday, February 26, 2011. This video includes highlights of the Saturday Rally at the Rhode Island State House. Presented by Sandra Hammel
.................................................... Uploaded by me ~ ilovemylifesblog Correction: Spelling on one side of my poster's last line... Governor Walker. I was very much in a hurry when I did the sign. I had to drive 45 minutes to get there and I was late in leaving by 10 minutes.
Notable ~ The organizer of the Rhode Island Saturday rally asked the attendees how many were Union members and almost all those attending were not Union members.
Rhode Island rally to support Wisconsin on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 ~ Photostream More photos
Comments will be moderated at my discretion. This is a support post for the cause expressed on this post. Those who differ may post their own posts on their own blogs or leave comments where they are accepted by the owner of the blog or website.
Interview with Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Sunday, February 27, 2011 with David Gregory on Meet the Press. Video of the interview at Meet the Press transcripts
“First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out.
And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Then this posted by HollyandJohn ~
Perhaps the new version goes something like this:
First they came...
First they came for the car unions, and I didn't speak out because I didn't work in Detroit.
Then they came for the air traffic controllers, and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are too entitled.
Then they came for the welfare mothers, and I didn't speak out because I thought, yeah they are lazy, aren't they?
Then they came for the all the industrial workers, and I didn't speak out because I thought, well, NAFTA could be good for me.
Then they came for the free press, and I didn't speak out because I believed it was fair and balanced.
Then they came for everyone's savings and retirement money, and I didn't speak out because I thought bubbles happen and deregulation will make me money.
Then they came for people with houses and predatory loans, and I didn't speak out because they said greedy low-income people brought down the system.
Then they came for the right to an education, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a student or a teacher.
Then they came for those who organized to fight the rich, and I didn't speak out because I believe them when they said it was about the budget.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me. show more
Then this posted by lillymouse ~
Then they came for the mentally ill and I didn't speak out because I didn't have a problem and didn't know anyone who did.
Then they came for the sick, unable to afford treatment, and I didn't speak out because I was healthy and had a job with what I thought was good health insurance.
Then they came for the old and disabled and I didn't speak out because I wasn't either and I believed them when they said social security was broken and there was no way to fix it and we must all settle for less.
My advice ❧ Have many pictures of yourself taken when you are young, because when you are old you will appreciate those pictures.
I uploaded this same video at three places: Facebook, Vimeo and Youtube.
I haven't had a video compress right for months at Youtube. I uploaded this video twice and then removed it from Youtube. It is one thing to compress a whole minute off the original video, but to cut off the ending of the song is unacceptable outright.
Videos upload corrrectly at Facebook (the place for the best compression). Best screen size to view video by going to Facebook. Second best is at Vimeo but this time the audio has glitches in the video even at Vimeo.
What I created, actually uploads correctly at Facebook every time. Youtube compresses the videos so much that any attention to the timing gets defeated here. Youtube cut off the ending entirely and overall cut one full minute out by bunching together the single jpegs at a much faster tempo than the original. This is no masterpiece, but still it would have been nice to get what was created. To add to my complaining: Youtube's limited choice of the display picture leaves a lot to be wanted. Facebook and Vimeo give you many choices for the display picture of your video. Pretty Mary Yes, there are ONLY 2 chords - F and B flat - in the original song of "Pretty Mary" and mostly only the F chord. I added C in the coda. Anybody can play this song.
Raw title: Sandra Pretty Mary without descant #1 720x480 4,3.mov
Update I have "tricked" Youtube's compression software into including the song to the end by adding more visual on the end of my previously finished video. Youtube still compressed the original and subtracted two full minutes from the video. If you want to see the altered version... .............................................................
............................................................. Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
Raw title: Sandra w Beauty Once Known.mov ~ This is just for my sake.
................................................... Manuela Uploaded by jessuatwork
................................................... ................................................... Samba Luku Samba Note this song is not on the CD pictured for this video (Isabela), but on Ay Valeria! Uploaded by CuidaoCuidao I have another of their songs on my sidebar >
Check out their CD's and free listens to samples of many of their songs as mp3s at makinaloca I love this one ~ Isabela I own four of their CD's and have seen them live a couple of times. But they haven't come locally to Rhode Island for a few years now. They are based in LA.
I am teaching piano to students ages 8 through adult. The adults don't tell me their ages, necessarily. All are beginners. I enjoy each one of the students. Here is just a regular lesson where we used my MAC's photo booth to do simple recordings. The sound isn't great because when I updated my MAC the new system was more powerful and more noise is created when the MAC runs.
We aren't polished here, but I wanted the girls (sisters) to be able to share what they are doing with their grandmother. who lives far from us and Maryellen and Caitlyn couldn't open the movie files of the lessons that I emailed to them, so I put this together for them.
Amistad ~ a movie which partly was shot here in Rhode Island, Newport included. My favorite scene ~ ................................................
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"…The natural state of mankind is instead - and I know this is a controversial idea - is freedom.Is freedom.And the proof is the length to which a man, woman or child will go to regain it once taken.He will break loose his chains, he will decimate his enemies, he will try and try and try against all odds, against all prejudices to get home. …who we are is who we were…give us the courage to do what is right..."
Newport, Rhode Island played a leading role during the Colonial Period in the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. By 1776, several thousand African slaves lived, work and eventually died in this New England seaport. At the peak of the Colonial Period they comprised nearly one third of the total town population with one in three Newport families owning at least one slave. Source: newport history
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Here in Newport, Rhode Island we have several physical ‘touch stones’ to remind us of the legacy left by those Africans and later African Americans who graced our city with their presence. From 1696 when the first documented slave ship, the ‘Sea Flower’, touched our shores, to the present, African Americans have worked, raised their families and prospered in the city by the sea.
The American Slave Trade and Newport share similar origins. Newport, the most prosperous of colonial American ports, saw unprecedented growth throughout the 18th century; mostly from the export and trade of rum, spermaceti candles and slaves. By 1784, the fledgling state government abolished slavery.
Many of the slaves that came to Newport’s shore would arrive, like most goods, at the Long Wharf. These slaves would be auctioned off to the highest bidders at the Granary (market), which is today known as the Brick Market at the foot of Washington Square.
If colonial Newport was known as one of America’s most active slave ports, it was equally known as one of the new country’s most liberal communities for the pursuit of religious freedom. This unique atmosphere of religious tolerance would lead to the demise of popular support of human bondage led by two of America’s first humanitarians and abolitionists; Reverend Samuel Hopkins and Reverend Ezra Stiles of the First and Second Congregational Churches. Both men preached fiery sermons from their pulpits against the evils of slavery. Because of the dedication and vision of these two men, and the decline of Newport as a major trading port after the Revolutionary War, slavery would end in Newport by the commencement of the 19th century.
Where did these slave and free Africans live and work in early Newport? What were they like? Do any of these sites exist in Newport today? Numerous sites exist today that were built, lived in, or in some way touched by Newport’s long history with the African and African American community. Source and for more information ~ www.eyesofglory
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“…unless we all have plenty
one of us will become a thief and the ghief will make you angry
you will hurt him
this will hurt his children
they will punish you
this will hurt your children
they will punish his children
and that’s how it begins
to believe in man is to know
peace will not work if just one man alive
is unjust
if one man alive
is ignorant
or hungry
or crazy
or ashamed
FOR we have seen if only one of us
decides to pull the plug, the millions of us can kiss
the world good-bye
whether we like it or not.
From Joseph Pintauro’s little book “to believe in man”
Illustrated by Sister Corita Kent
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Click the post title for Newport history regarding slavery
In the end of September, I called the local newspaper - The Post and Mail- in Columbia City, Indiana, where I spent my childhood from 9 years old through high school. I asked if I could write a letter to the editor or an article about my father. And Ruth Stanley, the Managing Editor was very receptive and said she would publish it as an article. She didn't care how long it was, she was more interested in the story. After I wrote my first draft, she was willing to print it, but I wasn't happy with it, so I offered to edit it. I cut out a lot and ended up with a more concise article.
From Indiana, Cindy Auer found me on Facebook, requested to be Facebook "friends" and said, "I saw your article about your father in the paper. It is nice to honor him in that way. I'm still around CC, but I live in..."
The final cut...if you saw the rough cut video of where I live, you will recognize some things. However, some things were deleted and some things added to this one. It took me compressing it four times to get it in this quality. Not perfect, but it's okay. Enjoy the beauty of this area. And watching it at youtube, will allow you to see it in 720p and in an expanded screen size - just double click on the video and it will take you there.
........................................................... Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
If you go to youtube, click the expand arrows at lower right of the video for viewing on a larger screen. And watch in 720p if possible. To go to youtube, double click on the video.
This video is to show my love for where I live in Newport County, Rhode Island, on Aquidneck Island ~ once land of Native Americans, now a land of immigrants, ancestors of immigrants and Native Americans. Most of the video clips and photographs were shot in Newport, Rhode Island with the others being shot in the adjacent town of Middletown, save one in Portsmouth. I live in the town of Portsmouth, but claim Aquidneck Island as my home. Aquidneck Island includes three small towns: Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth.
Music
Al Green ~ Here I Am
Odetta ~ Hear Me Talking to Ya from the CD titled Blues Everywhere I Go
Please, support artists who don't ban youtube use.
Credits: Videogaphy and photography ~ Sandra Hammel The opening song is extracted from video that I took at the Newport Jazz Festival, August 12, 2007. It is Al Green singing Here I Am as clips of him singing at the 2007 festival are edited in. The view after showing Al sing is the view the artists see from the main stage at Fort Adams park.
Included in the tribute video: Newport Jazz Festival at Fort Adams State Park Narragansett Bay ~ views from many places, including a ride on a sailboat showing the shoreline Views of Jamestown on Conanicut Island Eastons Beach, also known as Newport Beach and First Beach Newport Bridge - renamed The Claiborne Pell Bridge Dance company "Island Moving Company" on St. George's lawn Black Ships Festival Taiko Drumming - New York City group
Brenton Cove Sachuest Beach, also known as Second Beach Sachuest Wildlife Refuge Third Beach Newport Art Museum
Cliff Walk and views from it Trinity Church Touro Synagogue The International Tennis Hall of Fame grounds Goat Island Ocean Drive, view from Brenton Point Park Newport National Golf Course Ida Lewis Yacht Club
Touro Park, The Stone Mill Channing Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church Bellevue Avenue, Newport, Rhode Island Kings Park, Rochambeau statue and gazebo My beloved sunset and cloud photos Picture of my son when he was 11 years old Ducks at Brenton Cove Kay Worden statues: Father and Daughter, The Hurdy Gurdy Man, The Wave, The Skater
Darfur event includes: Americas Cup Avenue Washington Square -- (important scenes of Steven Spielberg's "Amistad" were shot on Washington Square)
Link to interior picture of Saint Mary's Church. St. Mary's is at corner of Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard and it is the church where Jacqueline Lee Bouvier married John F. KENNEDY on a warm summer day September 12, 1953. Seated in the pews of St. Mary's were 800 people of power and privilege. The Peruvian ambassador to the U.S. was there; so was the ambassador from Spain. Joseph Martin of Massachusetts, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, attended as did numerous congressmen and senators from around New England .
Jamestown, Rhode Island a great website about the area - Jamestown is on its own island - Conanicut, which is across the Narragansett Bay from Newport, Rhode Island on Aquidneck Island. The area has a mix of names from the Native Americans and England's town names adopted.
I went to an audition tonight and I am making an attempt to re-enter life to feel normalized after an emotionally-charged event - an audition. We sat there and watched and listened to everyone audition. It was posted on their website to start at 6:30 p.m., but it was well under way when I arrived at 6:15 p.m. After being there for five minutes, I felt like leaving. I am no good at singing in public, but I have been trying to put myself out there.
I had recorded my own accompaniment and took a cd player to use, if they allowed it. But I was told "no, we want to hear you sing with a live pianist", although another auditioner sang without any accompaniment.
We were to sing one upbeat song and one ballad - only 16 measures of each.
My first song was good considering I didn't lose control of being relaxed, as is my typical behavior. That didn't happen until the second song. I suppose part of that was me, but part of that was the accompanist. He was good, but he didn't know how to "blues" up the music for Bring It On Home to Me - a Sam Cooke song. And I am used to the accompaniment that way. At first I thought he was playing it too fast, but I tried to slow him down and it still wasn't working. It was more the style he was playing. Too many notes, too fancy for a simple bluesy song. It overpowered the spirit of the song and I couldn't "feel" the music as I do when I sing and accompany myself. There is soul in the music and he was putting no soul in the way he play the keyboard. You get used to things that allow you to feel the music, meaning I can get lost in the music and not be so conscious of those watching me. And that is when my breathing gets nervous - when I start thinking of all eyes on me. And once that happens it is hard to reign in the nerves and sing relaxed. So the notes start to shake. I can't hold out anything longer than long enough to sing the syllable, because sustaining the note makes the shaking voice so evident.
Surprisingly the applause was long enough to keep going until I got to the back of the room where I had been seated. And one of auditioners, turned around and gave me a thumbs up and an affirmative "that was good". But it wasn't good. Because I do it so much better at home. With soul. Relaxed. Not tensing up the throat. So, tight sounds were coming out.
I asked one of the three "judges" at break time, if there would be more auditions later and she said yes. I said, I wanted to try again because I hadn't done too well. And her body language seemed to say otherwise. We'll see. But, the second song really didn't make me feel successful.
.................................................. Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog This is better watching it at Youtube. You won't get the black bars at the top and bottom, there. Double click the video and it will take you to Youtube.
This work is a work in progress and is in rough cut form at this time, so I ask you to honor my request not embed, link anywhere or download it, until I get the final cut done. I am reserving these things for myself.My Apple computer is in the repair shop at the moment, so I can’t work on it. But I want to share what I have so far with all who also love this beautiful part of Planet Earth.
I’ll see how this “honor system” request works.
This video is to show my love for where I live.Most of the video clips and photographs were shot in Newport, Rhode Island with others being shot in the adjacent town of Middletown.I live in the town of Portsmouth, but claim Aquidneck Island as my home.Aquidneck Island includes three small towns: Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth.
I have no credits on the video itself at this time.
Music:
Al Green ~ ”Here I Am”
Odetta ~ “Hear Me Talking to You” from the CD Blues Everywhere I Go
Please support artists who don't ban youtube use.
Credits:
Videogaphy and photography ~ Sandra Hammel
The opening song is extracted from video that I took at the Newport Jazz Festival, August 12, 2007.It is Al Green singing “Here I Am” as clips of him singing at the 2007 festival are edited in.The view after showing Al sing is the view the artists see from the main stage at FortAdams park.
Included in the tribute video:
Newport Jazz Festival at FortAdamsState Park
Narragansett Bay – views from many places, including a ride on a sailboat
showing the shoreline of Newport
Views of Jamestown on ConanicutIsland
EastonsBeach, also known as Newport Beach, FirstBeach
NewportBridge – renamed The Claiborne Pell Bridge
Island Moving Company on St. George’s – prep school lawn
Black Ships Festival Taiko Drumming – New York City group
TouroPark’s stone structure
Brenton Cove
SachuestBeach, also known as SecondBeach
Sachuest Wildlife Refuge
ThirdBeach
NewportArt Museum
One of the Darfur events I have organized include:
Americas Cup Avenue
Washington Square – important scenes of Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad” were shot here
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
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Khartoum, Sudan Stop Genocide Time
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Spain Time
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Melbourne Time
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Hawaii Time
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RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
Double Click on Videos to Enlarge
Darfur - The Abandoned Genocide - a video by Sandra Hammel
Want to help? Call 1~800~GENOCIDE
"May I Suggest" by Susan Werner
Satchita - Playing for Change
Stand By Me ~ Playing for Change
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Genocide is not only a word,
it is crying of the whole human race.
There is nothing redeeming about being silent
when speaking up is the humane thing to do.
The honor and integrity of the human race is at stake.
