Okay, if you haven't seen the Susan Boyle performance on "Britains Got Talent" and the reaction of the judges and the audience then you really need to. It's a great lesson on not judging someone from appearances. Below is the link to her performance with the before and after reactions and comments. It is quite a lesson in humanity and the results will hopefully make you feel good in the end. It's also a lesson on not giving up on your dreams.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
James Morrison
Back in January I took my daughter to see Adele at the Park West in Chicago and the opening musician was James Morrison. It was a belated present for my daughter but it turned out to be quite a present for myself as well. Both musicians were - no are - talented and great enteratiners. I have been listening to Morrison's latest CD which I purchased at the venue that night. I especially like his songs Broken Strings and Nothing Ever Hurt Like You but the CD has plenty of songs that I enjoy playing loud on my car music system.
His lyrics are simple but profound, something that makes a song resonate with me and I imagine many other listeners. You can listen to his songs at his myspace site:
http://www.myspace.com/jamesmorrisonmusic
I highly recommend exploring this musician from the UK who graciously came across the pond to entertain those of us who went to see Adele.
His lyrics are simple but profound, something that makes a song resonate with me and I imagine many other listeners. You can listen to his songs at his myspace site:
http://www.myspace.com/jamesmorrisonmusic
I highly recommend exploring this musician from the UK who graciously came across the pond to entertain those of us who went to see Adele.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Project Gutenberg
This self-proclaimed first producer of free electronic books (ebooks) is a must visit for anyone. If you haven't heard of it before here's the link:
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
Of course if you can donate even a penny when you download an ebook the producers of this site are very happy. More is better but it's voluntary.
So just who is behind Project Gutenberg? Again, from the site:
Project Gutenberg is the first and largest single collection of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971and continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.\
You can find essays from Michael Hart at the site.
I was excited to find an entry of one of my great-great grandfather's books in the collection. Wallace Bruce's The Hudson is available for download at:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17823
Wallace Bruce was quite famous in his day, the equivalent of some of our super stars today. He would tour the country and the world lecturing on Robert Burns, Scottish history and traditions and of course, the multitude of poetry that he penned. Just about every paper carried stories in anticipation of his arrival and chronicled his appearances. He also served as US Counsul General in Edinburgh Scotland while simultaneously serving as Scotland's Poet Laurate - exactly 100 years after Robert Burn held the post, which was only fiting since Wallace Bruce was considered a world-renowned scholar on the subject of Robert Burns and his poetry.
So, why do I suggest Project Gutenberg? It's not just because one of my ancestors is listed but the philosophy of the project would please Wallace Bruce, especially since he was instrumental in bringing the original Chautauqua to DeFuniak Springs, Florida. In fact his cottage house still stands on historic Circle Drive. Here's a link to the newly revived movement:
http://www.florida-chautauqua-center.org/what_history.htm
I believe that education and knowledge is power and with the internet so much more is at our finger tips to direct our lives in a contructive, healthy direction and to share that with others.
So, take a tour of Project Gutenberg.
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
Of course if you can donate even a penny when you download an ebook the producers of this site are very happy. More is better but it's voluntary.
So just who is behind Project Gutenberg? Again, from the site:
Project Gutenberg is the first and largest single collection of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971and continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.\
You can find essays from Michael Hart at the site.
I was excited to find an entry of one of my great-great grandfather's books in the collection. Wallace Bruce's The Hudson is available for download at:
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17823
Wallace Bruce was quite famous in his day, the equivalent of some of our super stars today. He would tour the country and the world lecturing on Robert Burns, Scottish history and traditions and of course, the multitude of poetry that he penned. Just about every paper carried stories in anticipation of his arrival and chronicled his appearances. He also served as US Counsul General in Edinburgh Scotland while simultaneously serving as Scotland's Poet Laurate - exactly 100 years after Robert Burn held the post, which was only fiting since Wallace Bruce was considered a world-renowned scholar on the subject of Robert Burns and his poetry.
So, why do I suggest Project Gutenberg? It's not just because one of my ancestors is listed but the philosophy of the project would please Wallace Bruce, especially since he was instrumental in bringing the original Chautauqua to DeFuniak Springs, Florida. In fact his cottage house still stands on historic Circle Drive. Here's a link to the newly revived movement:
http://www.florida-chautauqua-center.org/what_history.htm
I believe that education and knowledge is power and with the internet so much more is at our finger tips to direct our lives in a contructive, healthy direction and to share that with others.
So, take a tour of Project Gutenberg.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Yoga As Medicine
I received my copy of Yoga as Medicine - The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing by Timothy McCall, M.D. just a few months ago and I can't recommend it enough. It's not only a book that you will want to sit and read, but it's a reference guide to improve and strengthen your life in all ways: physically, mentally, emotionally, medically and spiritually. I've already given away a copy to a dear friend as a holiday present.
This book is endorsed by Mehmet Oz, M.D. one of the doctors who brought us the You series of books (You: The Owner's Manual, You on a Diet, etc.). I didn't focus on this when I purchased the book, I was just impressed with the concept of Yoga as a prescription and the approach this book took to the subject. Once I received the book and noticed that not only did Dr. Oz endorse it but his comment on the cover resonated with me - "Read this to find out why we teach our patients YOGA."
I have taken Yoga classes over the years along with martial arts, pilates, etc., etc., but I didn't make it a serious part of my life until 2007. I've been a runner for a very long time and as a result I have some what I will call body-alignment problems that began to cause me series health problems and resulted in having to take a number of medications. One of the more serious issues has been lower back pain and once I decided to try yoga more consistently my back pain began to subside. In fact, whenever I "forget" to do my yoga practice or attend classes for more than a week, my back pain returns. Okay - I was convinced.
With Yoga I feel better, think better, sleep better and I can't imagine not doing some form of Yoga everyday. That coupled with meditation, eating right, and yes, even running when I can, I feel better than I ever have. While I think everyone can improve their lives with the right form of Yoga - yes like everything else there are many forms - I caution everyone to not approach Yoga with what I call the miracle pill syndrome. The best approach is to accept Yoga as a part of one's life which is what I have done, and it will be so for the rest of my life. I'm fortunate enough to have a place and instructors that are very accomodating to each of the students to learn and improve at their own pace.
So, get a copy of the book Yoga as Medicine - in fact give at least one as a present - and try some classes until you find the right instructor for you. It will change your life for the better. (NOTE - as always talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your particular medical profile and adding Yoga to your daily routine.)
This book is endorsed by Mehmet Oz, M.D. one of the doctors who brought us the You series of books (You: The Owner's Manual, You on a Diet, etc.). I didn't focus on this when I purchased the book, I was just impressed with the concept of Yoga as a prescription and the approach this book took to the subject. Once I received the book and noticed that not only did Dr. Oz endorse it but his comment on the cover resonated with me - "Read this to find out why we teach our patients YOGA."
I have taken Yoga classes over the years along with martial arts, pilates, etc., etc., but I didn't make it a serious part of my life until 2007. I've been a runner for a very long time and as a result I have some what I will call body-alignment problems that began to cause me series health problems and resulted in having to take a number of medications. One of the more serious issues has been lower back pain and once I decided to try yoga more consistently my back pain began to subside. In fact, whenever I "forget" to do my yoga practice or attend classes for more than a week, my back pain returns. Okay - I was convinced.
With Yoga I feel better, think better, sleep better and I can't imagine not doing some form of Yoga everyday. That coupled with meditation, eating right, and yes, even running when I can, I feel better than I ever have. While I think everyone can improve their lives with the right form of Yoga - yes like everything else there are many forms - I caution everyone to not approach Yoga with what I call the miracle pill syndrome. The best approach is to accept Yoga as a part of one's life which is what I have done, and it will be so for the rest of my life. I'm fortunate enough to have a place and instructors that are very accomodating to each of the students to learn and improve at their own pace.
So, get a copy of the book Yoga as Medicine - in fact give at least one as a present - and try some classes until you find the right instructor for you. It will change your life for the better. (NOTE - as always talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about your particular medical profile and adding Yoga to your daily routine.)
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Menage a Trois
A California Red that beckons you to take a walk on the wild side. A self-described "seduction of dark, rich berry with a hint of peppers, a lush lingering finish leaving you wishing for more..." This really is a delightful wine as the label boasts and is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, produced by the Folie a Deux Winery in St. Helena, Napa County, California.
I've began drinking Merlot long before it became a fad and long before the proliferation of brands and varieties, so I'm glad to see the continued experimentation of using a Merlot with other varietals. In fact, the first time I sampled a Merlot was back in the late 1980's when I was attending graduate school at UC Santa Barbara, and the tour guide explained that Merlot was primarily used as a blending wine to enhance other varietals. After standing on its own for many years we are now seeing Merlots being used as a strong partner with other varietals and no longer performing as a backup singer.
Meritage wines are also another opportunity to taste some very sophisticated blends of Merlot and other noble red wines. In fact there's even a Meritage Association. For more information see the following links:
www.folieadeux.com/mat
www.meritagewine.org
www.uncork.biz/tidbits15.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritage
Salut!
I've began drinking Merlot long before it became a fad and long before the proliferation of brands and varieties, so I'm glad to see the continued experimentation of using a Merlot with other varietals. In fact, the first time I sampled a Merlot was back in the late 1980's when I was attending graduate school at UC Santa Barbara, and the tour guide explained that Merlot was primarily used as a blending wine to enhance other varietals. After standing on its own for many years we are now seeing Merlots being used as a strong partner with other varietals and no longer performing as a backup singer.
Meritage wines are also another opportunity to taste some very sophisticated blends of Merlot and other noble red wines. In fact there's even a Meritage Association. For more information see the following links:
www.folieadeux.com/mat
www.meritagewine.org
www.uncork.biz/tidbits15.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meritage
Salut!
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