The Lady of Shalott June 21, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Music & Dance, Writing & Writers.comments closed
If you’ve never heard Loreena McKennitt sing before, prepare to be wowed.
In The Lady of Shalott, Loreena plays the harp and plucks her audience’s heart strings as she sings Lord Tennyson’s poem from Arthurian legend accompanied by instrumentals that transcend the stage and vocals that soar through the night sky:
Stay tuned . . .
Related post: Reaching the Bottom (Kate Shrewsday) * All Souls Night & The Mummers Dance
Building A Mystery June 21, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Music & Dance, Writing & Writers.comments closed
Rik’s post, A Musical Note: Tim Buckley ~ Sweet Surrender, transported me from cyber post to cyber point.
After reading Rik’s wise words, I watched Tim Buckley sing Sweet Surrender on YouTube . . . which reminded me how much I enjoy listening to Sarah sing her version of Sweet Surrender . . . which made me pause to watch Sarah tickle the ivories on Angel . . .
Which led me around to Sarah singing Building A Mystery with its talk of vampires, voodoo dolls, ghosts in the halls, sandals in the snow, know-it-all grins, smiles that won’t wash away, and looking out the window without our shadows getting in the way:
You come out at night
That’s when the energy comes
And the dark side’s light
And the vampires roam
You strut your rasta wear
And your suicide poem
And a cross from a faith that died
Before Jesus came
You’re building a mystery
Here’s Sarah singing Building A Mystery ~ something most of us do, day by day, as we live our lives:
In uncertainty lies all possibility . . .
Invictus June 21, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Books & Movies, Gratitude, Mindfulness, People.comments closed
Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Matt Damon rule the rugby field . . . hit a home run . . . score big . . . and claim the World Cup with Invictus ~ an inspirational tale of the power of forgiveness to transform the world.
Much more than a film about politics, South Africa, sports, rugby, racism, Nelson Mandela, or the end of apartheid, Invictus invites viewers to change their vantage point, just a bit, to see things from a different perspective.
At the beginning of the film, viewers see black and white, green and gold ~ colors that defined and divided a nation.
By the end of the film, when the Springboks win the 1995 World Cup, the unification of a nation has begun, with both blacks and white rallying around the players on the field . . .
Not because they’re expected to win . . .
But because of how they’ve chosen to play the game.
Related posts: The Right Frame of Reference * Ten Movies Worth the Price of Admission * Ten Marvelous Musicals * The Proposal
The Poet and the Reader (via Grandawn) June 21, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Writing & Writers.comments closed
We see the world behind our eyes. We rarely share the same vantage point.
The words I write and the words you read are not the same . . . due to our differing experiences and perspectives.
And, now, without further ado . . . here’s Grandawn’s poem, The Poet and The Reader, from Aging Semi-Gracefully.
May it resonate with the tapestry of your life.
Preferences, Predilections, & Propensities June 21, 2010
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Life Balance, People.comments closed
This morning, a fellow blogger, received a Beautiful Blogger award ~ a well deserved recognition.
After thanking Scattered Rayn, Tsuchigari shared the spotlight by creating a list of 10 other bloggers (including me!) whose writing and support have inspired her ~ Thanks, Jo.
Tsuchigari created a second list to share 10 things about herself that those of us who met her in cyber space, the blog-o-sphere, did not know.
To see Jo’s post, visit Beautiful Blogger ~ Who Me?
As I read through her list, I noticed many similarities between us. Most of the items on her list (from #2 through #8) overlapped with my preferences, predilections, personality traits, and propensities.
#3 We’re both frugal and dislike shopping. Even before I grew concerned about over-consumption and its impact on the planet, I would never have been called a fashionista.
Before heading to Marco Island for our 5th Wedding Anniversary (21 years ago), Bill insisted I go shopping for new “play clothes” because he had tired of the tattered and torn attire I wore when not dressed for court in power suits.
#4 We both love ethnic cuisine from Asia. Jo mentioned Japanese, Thai, and Chinese ~ I would add India and its curries to the list. Jo does sushi. I do not ~ except rolls made of veggies and rice with no seafood in sight.
#6 We enjoy The Food Network and its culinary offerings. Mmm . . . food!
#5 We dislike confrontation more than we dislike “spiders, heights, and public speaking.” As an attorney, I mastered the art of public speaking, and never shied away from a confrontation . . . when acting on behalf of a client. If I’m advocating for myself, confrontation poses more difficulty.
I don’t enjoy dealing with angry people. I don’t enjoy disappointing people. Often it’s easier just to “go along and get along” . . . unless, of course, it isn’t.
Aah, there’s the rub.
When my interests and desires clash with the expectations of others, and the storm clouds of confrontation appear on the horizon, I want to hide under the bed until the thunder and lightning pass out of sight and sunny skies return. Then I remember that I matter too. So I take a deep breath, say what I have to say, and hope that any ruffled feathers relax in short order.
Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don’t. Life goes on either way.
#7 Jo and I prefer to focus on projects that we know we can master ~ we like things to turn out “perfect.” When they don’t, I usually request a “do over” ~ which is why I prefer painting with words rather than with watercolors. It’s much easier to edit and correct typos on a computer than it is to fix a painting “gone wrong.”
My favorite paintings, however, are not the ones that flowed seamlessly together . . . they are the ones that I resurrected from the ashes. The same is true in the kitchen ~ my satisfaction is highest when something has gone awry and I figure out how to bring it “back from the dead.”
#8 We’re both happy when ensconced at home. Jo said, “Like many writers, I’m a bit of a hermit. I like the quiet and comfort of my home, and there is always tons to do here.” I agree 110%.
I’d rather watch The Food Network than travel around the world to sample its cuisine. I’d rather read a book, than hang out in a bar. I’d rather listen to a CD of my favorite music than attend a crowded concert. I’d rather watch movies in the comfort of my living room than drive across town, stand in line, buy a ticket, and take a seat in a theatre surrounded by other movie goers who are chewing, chatting, and expelling other audible noises which detract from my enjoyment of the images on the screen.
And now we return to #2 on Jo’s list: “My personality is blue/white on the Hartman color code – meaning that I’m loyal and logical, but totally uncomfortable in the spotlight.”
First, I have to confess my ignorance ~ I’ve never heard of the Hartman color code . . . but Jo’s description of the blue/white personality type resonated with me and inspired this post.
When forced into the spotlight, even a small one, like the beam of a dying flashlight whose batteries are struggling, I’m not comfortable. Give me a gift, I want to reciprocate. Pay me a compliment, I want to return it, unopened.
But . . . on the stage of life, I have things I want to say. I want to be heard. I want an audience listening as I share what I’ve learned.
As a writer, I’m not only willing to step into the cyber spotlight on a daily basis, I’m willing to sing, dance, laugh, pirouette, and clown around . . . on center stage.
So shine the spotlight this way . . . and listen up, people.
This is life we’re talking about.
Spirit Lights The Way 