There are a lot of people out there having a rough time. I hope that you read this and feel a bit better ... I know I did!
Live. And Live Well. BREATHE. Breathe in and Breathe deeply. Be PRESENT. Do not be past. Do not be future. Be now. On a crystal clear, breezy 70 degree day, roll down the windows and FEEL the wind against your skin. Feel the warmth of the sun. If you run, then allow those first few breaths on a cool Autumn day to FREEZE your lungs and do not just be alarmed, be ALIVE. LISTEN to your favorite music or any music for that matter. Get knee-deep in a novel and LOSE track of time. If you bike, pedal HARD… and if you crash, then crash well. Feel the SATISFACTION of a job well done, a paper well-written, a project thoroughly completed, a play well-performed. If you must wipe the snot from your 3-year old's nose, don't be disgusted if the Kleenex didn't catch it all… because soon he'll be wiping his own. If you've recently experienced loss, then GRIEVE. And Grieve well. At the table with friends and family, LAUGH. If you're eating and laughing at the same time, then might as well laugh until you cough up food. And if you eat, then SMELL. The aromas are not impediments to your day. Steak on the grill, coffee beans freshly ground, cookies in the oven. And TASTE. Taste every ounce of flavor. Taste every ounce of friendship. Taste every ounce of Life. Because if you don't have life ... what have you got?
Smiles,
Angie
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
One Hard Look
Upon reading all of the wonderful limmericks at http://southerngothicproductions.blogspot.com/, I remembered a poem that I read a really long time ago ... and it stuck with me for some reason. I think it's because it's quirky and rythmic and I think I could dance to it ... I give it a "10"!
"Small gnats that fly
In hot July
And lodge in sleeping ears
Can rouse therein
A trumpet’s din
With Day of Judgement fears.
Small mice at night
Can wake more fright
Than lions at midday;
A straw will crack
The camel’s back,
There is no easier way.
One smile relieves
A heart that grieves
Though deadly sad it be,
And one hard look
Can close the book
That lovers love to see."
~ Robert Graves
"Small gnats that fly
In hot July
And lodge in sleeping ears
Can rouse therein
A trumpet’s din
With Day of Judgement fears.
Small mice at night
Can wake more fright
Than lions at midday;
A straw will crack
The camel’s back,
There is no easier way.
One smile relieves
A heart that grieves
Though deadly sad it be,
And one hard look
Can close the book
That lovers love to see."
~ Robert Graves
(There is a different version of this poem, but this one is my favorite.)
Smiles,
Angie
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Thoughts and Dreams ...
"The unreal is more powerful than the real, because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it ... because it's only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. Stone crumbles. Wood rots. People, well, they die ... but things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on."
If you haven't checked out Southern Gothic Productions, please do. (http://southerngothicproductions.blogspot.com/)
They're really doing it guys ~ it's no longer a thought or a dream ... it's going to be a legend ... you just wait and see!
Smiles,
Angie
If you haven't checked out Southern Gothic Productions, please do. (http://southerngothicproductions.blogspot.com/)
They're really doing it guys ~ it's no longer a thought or a dream ... it's going to be a legend ... you just wait and see!
Smiles,
Angie
Monday, March 9, 2009
Just Another Manic Monday ...
I survived birthday weekend unscathed! YAY!
So, I wanted to share with you the song that I am totally loving right now. It is "Tangled Up In Blue" by Ani DiFranco. It is a brilliant remake of the Bob Dylan classic. Her raw, passionate voice is a perfect match for this song. If you haven't heard it, I believe that it's in my Last.fm library. http://www.last.fm/user/anewbury. I hope that this address will get you at least to my profile, so that you can access my library. I'm not real computer savvy, so we'll see :)
Another song that I'm loving is "Spaceman" by 4 Non Blondes (I don't think it's in my library yet, but you should check it out). I had a friend back in the day that was going through some real serious health issues (AIDS is so devastating you guys, so please, support your local AIDS foundation. They really need your help and you get the opportunity to meet some of the most selfless, honest people around!). He listened to this song everyday. Somehow, it always made him feel better ... and listening to it today reminds me of nothing but good times with him. His eyes were so dark and his skin was so pale, but when he heard this song (or watched That 70's Show), his eyes lit up and he smiled so big ... I really miss him a whole bunch ... everyday! He was the reason that I became involved with charities in the first place. (I'm getting teary ... sorry!)
Anyway, I wanted to share these two songs with anybody who wants to listen. I think they're fabulous songs and I hope you end up feeling the same! Take care you guys!
Smiles,
Angie
On a side note, I heard the song "Thank You" from Dido this weekend. It instantly made me think of Hilarie Burton and her vlog about the upcoming changes on One Tree Hill ... although I believe that the "best days" of her life are still ahead of her! Sometimes, a person will touch your heart in the midst of doing something very painful (or very freeing) ... in this case, a very intimate and personal vlog, and you remember it always. I don't think I'll ever forget the sound of Hilarie's voice in that vlog. She has incredible composure ...
So, I wanted to share with you the song that I am totally loving right now. It is "Tangled Up In Blue" by Ani DiFranco. It is a brilliant remake of the Bob Dylan classic. Her raw, passionate voice is a perfect match for this song. If you haven't heard it, I believe that it's in my Last.fm library. http://www.last.fm/user/anewbury. I hope that this address will get you at least to my profile, so that you can access my library. I'm not real computer savvy, so we'll see :)
Another song that I'm loving is "Spaceman" by 4 Non Blondes (I don't think it's in my library yet, but you should check it out). I had a friend back in the day that was going through some real serious health issues (AIDS is so devastating you guys, so please, support your local AIDS foundation. They really need your help and you get the opportunity to meet some of the most selfless, honest people around!). He listened to this song everyday. Somehow, it always made him feel better ... and listening to it today reminds me of nothing but good times with him. His eyes were so dark and his skin was so pale, but when he heard this song (or watched That 70's Show), his eyes lit up and he smiled so big ... I really miss him a whole bunch ... everyday! He was the reason that I became involved with charities in the first place. (I'm getting teary ... sorry!)
Anyway, I wanted to share these two songs with anybody who wants to listen. I think they're fabulous songs and I hope you end up feeling the same! Take care you guys!
Smiles,
Angie
On a side note, I heard the song "Thank You" from Dido this weekend. It instantly made me think of Hilarie Burton and her vlog about the upcoming changes on One Tree Hill ... although I believe that the "best days" of her life are still ahead of her! Sometimes, a person will touch your heart in the midst of doing something very painful (or very freeing) ... in this case, a very intimate and personal vlog, and you remember it always. I don't think I'll ever forget the sound of Hilarie's voice in that vlog. She has incredible composure ...
Saturday, March 7, 2009
It's My Party ...
Just a quick note to let my friends know that I'm totally feeling the love today! You all have made me feel so special ... so THANK YOU!
The thing that I love about birthdays is that, once a year, my friends will make sure to let me know that they love me and are thinking about me, even if it's simply texting me a smiley face ... some I see a few times a week, others maybe once a month. This day and age, it's so easy to feel lonely and alone ~ and to take for granted all the times that your friends and family make you laugh 'til you have tears streaming down your cheeks. There's nothing better than that!!! Those are healing tears :)
Then, there's my SGP friends. It's hard to believe that an online community could be so caring and so thoughtful and so humble. Everybody that I've met in the last few weeks are just outstanding individuals ... you are truly great and I appreciate you! Thank you all for introducing me to new things ... the music, the authors, the feelings of overwhelming warmth ...
I could go on and on about how happy that I feel! I'll spare you my novel of praise and delight :)
Smiles (barely containable),
Angie
The thing that I love about birthdays is that, once a year, my friends will make sure to let me know that they love me and are thinking about me, even if it's simply texting me a smiley face ... some I see a few times a week, others maybe once a month. This day and age, it's so easy to feel lonely and alone ~ and to take for granted all the times that your friends and family make you laugh 'til you have tears streaming down your cheeks. There's nothing better than that!!! Those are healing tears :)
Then, there's my SGP friends. It's hard to believe that an online community could be so caring and so thoughtful and so humble. Everybody that I've met in the last few weeks are just outstanding individuals ... you are truly great and I appreciate you! Thank you all for introducing me to new things ... the music, the authors, the feelings of overwhelming warmth ...
I could go on and on about how happy that I feel! I'll spare you my novel of praise and delight :)
Smiles (barely containable),
Angie
Thursday, March 5, 2009
I heart SGP
My only follower that does not follow Southern Gothic Productions is Cory ... so I'm calling you out :)
Let me tell you a little about SGP. I think (know) that you will love them and want to follow them on their journey as well ... maybe even get your friends to follow too!
They are a small production company from Wilmington, NC formed by the wonderful and talented team of Hilarie Burton and Kelly Tenney. They specialize in ... surprise ... Southern Gothic. If you're not familiar with Southern Gothic ... it uses very intense, sometimes deeply flawed characters to explore social aspects (mostly of the unpleasant variety) of the South. Carson McCullers, Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner are excellent examples of this type of genre. You should also check out Nicholas Gray. His works include The Devil's Greatest Wile, The Dying Words Of Edison Strange, Population 8 and Pedestrian (which is currently being produced by SGP).
They are all gifted, artistic, brilliant and surprisingly humble. Everytime they post, you learn something about the project, something about them ... and something about yourself. At least, that has been my experience. I encourage you to check them out. They are "the little engine that could" that will continue to grow and grow, all the while allowing us to ride along on their journey with them. They are FABULOUS!!!
Thank you for reading ... and check them out!!!
Smiles,
Angie
My puppy Elsinor (Ellie) loves SGP too!!! 
Let me tell you a little about SGP. I think (know) that you will love them and want to follow them on their journey as well ... maybe even get your friends to follow too!
They are a small production company from Wilmington, NC formed by the wonderful and talented team of Hilarie Burton and Kelly Tenney. They specialize in ... surprise ... Southern Gothic. If you're not familiar with Southern Gothic ... it uses very intense, sometimes deeply flawed characters to explore social aspects (mostly of the unpleasant variety) of the South. Carson McCullers, Flannery O'Connor and William Faulkner are excellent examples of this type of genre. You should also check out Nicholas Gray. His works include The Devil's Greatest Wile, The Dying Words Of Edison Strange, Population 8 and Pedestrian (which is currently being produced by SGP).
They are all gifted, artistic, brilliant and surprisingly humble. Everytime they post, you learn something about the project, something about them ... and something about yourself. At least, that has been my experience. I encourage you to check them out. They are "the little engine that could" that will continue to grow and grow, all the while allowing us to ride along on their journey with them. They are FABULOUS!!!
Thank you for reading ... and check them out!!!
Smiles,
Angie
My puppy Elsinor (Ellie) loves SGP too!!!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Due to lack of interest ... my birthday has been cancelled :)
So, my birthday is coming up in a couple of days. I figured, to celebrate, I would post some of my favorite music quotes of all times ... since music makes me the happiest girl in town. Now to clarify, these are quotes about music, not quotes from songs or anything ... but beautiful just the same. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~ Leopold Stokowski
Music is what feelings sound like. ~ Author Unknown
If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rapture upon earth. ~ Sydney Smith
If this word "music" is sacred and reserved for eighteenth and nineteenth century instruments, we can substitute a more meaningful term: organization of sound. ~ John Cage
The pause is as important as the note. ~ Truman Fisher
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. ~ Confucius
The discovery of song and the creation of musical instruments both owed their origin to a human impulse which lies much deeper than conscious intention: the need for rhythm in life… the need is a deep one, transcending thought, and disregarded at our peril. ~ Richard Baker
An artist, in giving a concert, should not demand an entrance fee but should ask the public to pay, just before leaving as much as they like. From the sum he would be able to judge what the world thinks of him - and we would have fewer mediocre concerts. ~ Kit Coleman
Music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life. ~ Jean Paul Richter
Music is a friend of labor for it lightens the task by refreshing the nerves and spirit of the worker. ~ William Green
I worry that the person who thought up Muzak may be thinking up something else. ~ Lily Tomlin
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music. ~ Angela Monet
Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music. ~ Sergei Rachmaninov
To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable. ~ Aaron Copland
Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought. ~ E. Y. Harburg
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. ~ Henry David Thoreau
I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality. ~ H.A. Overstreet
Alrighty, that's the end! Thank you Kelly, Megs, Missa and Cory for being my friend and following me on my journey, as I follow you on yours. You guys are so talented and so full of spirit ... where would I be without you? Still here, I guess, but feeling a little more lonely :)
Smiles,
Angie
A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence. ~ Leopold Stokowski
Music is what feelings sound like. ~ Author Unknown
If I were to begin life again, I would devote it to music. It is the only cheap and unpunished rapture upon earth. ~ Sydney Smith
If this word "music" is sacred and reserved for eighteenth and nineteenth century instruments, we can substitute a more meaningful term: organization of sound. ~ John Cage
The pause is as important as the note. ~ Truman Fisher
Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without. ~ Confucius
The discovery of song and the creation of musical instruments both owed their origin to a human impulse which lies much deeper than conscious intention: the need for rhythm in life… the need is a deep one, transcending thought, and disregarded at our peril. ~ Richard Baker
An artist, in giving a concert, should not demand an entrance fee but should ask the public to pay, just before leaving as much as they like. From the sum he would be able to judge what the world thinks of him - and we would have fewer mediocre concerts. ~ Kit Coleman
Music is moonlight in the gloomy night of life. ~ Jean Paul Richter
Music is a friend of labor for it lightens the task by refreshing the nerves and spirit of the worker. ~ William Green
I worry that the person who thought up Muzak may be thinking up something else. ~ Lily Tomlin
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music. ~ Angela Monet
Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music. ~ Sergei Rachmaninov
To stop the flow of music would be like the stopping of time itself, incredible and inconceivable. ~ Aaron Copland
Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought. ~ E. Y. Harburg
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. ~ Henry David Thoreau
I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality. ~ H.A. Overstreet
Alrighty, that's the end! Thank you Kelly, Megs, Missa and Cory for being my friend and following me on my journey, as I follow you on yours. You guys are so talented and so full of spirit ... where would I be without you? Still here, I guess, but feeling a little more lonely :)
Smiles,
Angie
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