18 March 2015: Fear Control- Heart of Texas Rockfest/SXSW 2015

“Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.”~ Dennis Prager

So I decided to wait until all of the SXSW Festival was finished. It ended last night, being with One-Eyed Doll headlining the last and final concert for Heart of Texas Rockfest 2015. Other venues ending the music with their concerts all over the entire city.

But for me, it ended somewhere between 2:30 and 3:00 AM.

Days before though, was the beginning experience for me under the “official flag” for the music portion of the festival.

FEAR CONTROL played an evening show on one of the big stages of HoTRockfest. After hearing some good tunes, seeing some pretty people, and running into the odd and freaky, FEAR CONTROL was that constant that I was able to safely fall back upon to know that what was coming was good.

The band right now is in the middle of recording, and for the most part their short time on stage was mostly of newer material. Their latest two songs that they have finished in the studio was played back to back live. And I could hear people behind me losing their minds.

After hearing simple rock and roll, jazzy rock, and even some folk rock, that particular crowd on that Wednesday night was actually willing, ready, and able to hear some good ole heavy metal. 

The energy was high and rocking, explosive octane as a pit got started EARLY!!

It was the release that many SXSW music fans were looking for all day long. What I am saying is that FEAR CONTROL took the night and became king of the hill for Wednesday the 18th.

As for myself, and many others who actually made the decision to get there early and check out other bands… they would not go away unfulfilled.

I was really impressed with the fact that FEAR CONTROL was really able to duplicate their sound from the Saturday before to that setting. So you know that the band is for real. Every ounce of it that comes pouring from their blood, sweat, and tears.

This is why I’ve gone to see them play live as much as I could in the past year. Keep in mind that SXSW is where I found FEAR CONTROL. And now its been more than a year, and I’ve been to so many live shows and concerts that its hard to keep count.

Find them in the Blogroll. And enjoy having your face melted in one clean drop.

Voting In The Face Of Despair And Agony

Shannon D.

“If voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.”~ Emma Goldman

Yesterday it was brought to my attention about this contest by People Magazine.

It is called “PEOPLE’s Real Beauty At Every Age.”

Contestants submit a photograph and then the general public votes.

And for once, this was a contest where voting was allowed that you did NOT have to sign up for anything. You weren’t going to be issued future spam by the contest holder. And it was free to vote.

And you were also allowed to vote as many times as you wanted.

I had seen contestants that had hundreds of thousands of votes.

From what I am understanding a winner will be chosen from each decade (20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s etc.) by People Magazine and will be featured in a future issue.

The only reason why I know about it is because it was posted on Facebook and I went to see what the fuss was about.

This 31 year old woman named Shannon from Idaho Falls, Idaho was being featured in this Facebook post and come to find out that Shannon lives her life to help others every day and gives back to anyone that needs help. So selfless! And not to mention pretty.

But I was told “no flirting!” with her.

We were there to vote. And vote I did. In the 24+ hours that I knew that this contest existed I punched that button and clicked so many times that at last check she was over 9,000 votes.

Unfortunately this afternoon during a time of the day where this had actually slipped my mind that it was going on I had banged the side of my hand really hard against a table and its been throbbing and hurting ever since. Sadly its the same hand I use to control the computer mouse with. All the clicking and refreshing and voting came with a painful price.

But I kept on doing it.

As much as Shannon D. is selfless…. my voting through the agony of my arm hurting was my way of being selfless in return. I did stop and take a break when the pain was getting too bad. But when it would pass, I would go back and vote some more with the boring and tedious process of clicking and refreshing and then clicking again. Then repeating the process many times over.

Shannon thought that the voting ended at midnight Eastern time.. but I am still voting. So who knows when this is going to really end.

If you like what you see and wish to vote for this wonderful person then you can take your chances with the link provided below.

But be warned: I don’t know when they will close the voting. You don’t have to pay for anything or sign up for anything. Just click, vote, and hit refresh and vote as many time as you would like.

As for me and my hand and arm….. we’re defeated and I can no longer withstand the repetitive process any more.

I hope Shannon does well. She is at this point in the top 18 of all contests. I’d like to see her at least get to the top ten.

Vote for Shannon (if you can):

http://specials.people.com/realbeauty/?id=55506

Class Act of March 2014 – SXSW Edition

“How beautiful it is to stay silent, when someone expects you to be enraged.”~ Unknown

The world by now already knows what tragic events happened at SXSW Festival. But what many are not hearing are the people who make this world such a great place to be.

There is a band JARED & THE MILL that is from the desert Southwest and they traveled to Austin to play at SXSW this year. They had a show to play that very night when tragedy struck.

Some of the fans of this band were involved and were listed among the injured and hospitalized.

Then JARED & THE MILL decided to go to the hospital with their instruments and enter the hospital room of their fans and play a concert. The very concert these victims had missed because of the idiot actions of a drunk driver. 

I sure as hell applaud this group of people even though I am not familiar with their music at all. This is how it should be in the first place. 

They should be caring and giving enough to know that its the fans that make or break their musical career. Without fans, they have nobody to play for but themselves. And generally musicians aren’t playing with themselves, for themselves.

Musicians play music for you and for me.

So the Class Act Award of March 2014 goes to JARED & THE MILL.

Personal note to them: Thank you for doing what you did for your fans. Truly classy and totally inspirational. Come back to the ATX at any time!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://m.statesman.com/news/news/local/injured-sxsw-fan-gets-private-concert-in-hospital/nfDkL/

11 January 2014: Surprise Visitation To Six Minute Century

“You must spray that shit for da bitches, sir.”~ Dr. Froth

I know that back in October I mentioned that I would not be continuing my trips to Houston.

However, this time around the premise and purpose was no different but there circumstances were.

Back in December, Mrs. Froth put out a message for those who were going to be involved in the January 2014 show to help me out, financially. Members from both SIX MINUTE CENTURY and ECHO TEMPLE were kind enough and gracious to have donated all of the money needed to make sure that I had a successful journey to the show.

I cannot say thank you enough to the people who did donate!!!!!!!!!!!!

And as a matter of fact, I ended up with a little MORE than what was originally designated based on their generosity. So I came home with MORE money than what I had coming. So humbled.

Off I went again on the bus to the great wonders of Houston, Texas.

It probably wouldn’t have been nothing but just another show, but Mrs. Froth had given birth to a son a few days later and this was going to be my chance to see the baby first hand. There was nothing that was going to get in my way.

Its weird that with the bus, that I can delay the bus driver to get me properly secure inside and that will take ten minutes out of his time from handling other passengers. End up anywhere between fifteen and twenty minutes late departing, and still some how make up time.

Going TO Houston, fifteen minutes behind. Arrive ten minutes early.

Leaving FROM Houston, twenty minutes behind. Arrive only ten minutes behind.

Thankfully for this blog post, I don’t have anything CRAZY to report. No staring strangers, no dead cats in luggage, no bratty children…. nothing at all. Just a peaceful to and from in which somehow I fell asleep and screwed up the back of my neck. Yipppppppppeeeeee!!!

Dr. Froth and his newborn son, Merlin. At the hospital.

When I arrived though, I got swept up by Dr. Froth, got fed, and then off to the House of Froth to meet the newest addition.

I was there for a few diaper changes. I was there for a few feedings, a few belches.. which surprised me a little bit. They were bigger than I expected.

“Baby Froth” is a sight to behold. That is for sure.

I got to hang out for a while and listen to Dr. Froth play around on his bass as he got ready for the show.

Then he realized that this was about to be his son’s first ever experience listening to music, and listening to his father play music.

A few jokes about him not sucking were passed around and Dr. Froth took that NSStick and TORE-IT-UP!!!

One thing that I will never forget was Mrs. Froth singing “Under The Moonlight” to her son as her husband dwindled away at the NSStick to an album recording of the song.

It was one of the most precious parent/child moments I had ever witnessed.

Also…. did anyone else know that Dr. Froth was a man of many huge talents?? He cooked up some walnut chicken and we all had a good time with it. Dr. Froth really is an extraordinary cook as well as a well-talented musician.

I’m blown away!!

But all good things had to come to an end, before the next good thing was allowed to happen. It was upsetting for me internally as Mrs. Froth would not be joining us at the show.

My first SIX MINUTE CENTURY show without my +1 of many, many years! Very strange!!

I was greeted by members of ECHO TEMPLE who were already there. It was like a meeting of the brotherhood. At least that is what I personally call the members of ECHO TEMPLE… my brotherhood, my brothers. And bountiful and moist conversations took place before the music got started.

It was there that I would actually be greeted by and then introduced to the original bass player of SIX MINUTE CENTURY, John Sample, aka Sampy. I had never met him. By the time I got to see the band in person, he had already left and Dr. Froth was in his place.

A really nice and gentle guy. He’s the kind of bass player that plays with a unique style that he bends over at the waist and lets his bass guitar drop to around his ankles and sits there and plays. He was part of MYSTIC CROSS, the headlining band.

Then I saw the succubus. If you go back to about August 2013 with Dr. Froth’s last birthday extravaganza post… there’s a little something there to it. But again, its not worth complaining about.

But with all the women that I have ever had trouble with, that I had met in Houston during a show…. she was not someone that I thought I would ever see last night.

I was kind of hanging out near the bar where the restrooms were and she had to get by to go to the ladies’ room. But coming out was a different story as the crowd shifted around and she couldn’t go back the way she came. She had no other choice but to walk right by me.

Let me just say that my peripheral vision kicks ass. I knew the moment she walked out of the bathroom and I knew the moment that she found that she could not “avoid” me on her way back from the bathroom.

So she touched my shoulder, said something while VICIOUS CYCLE was playing, but I can’t hear crap in there. So she asked another question that I understood.

She asked if I had gotten into town yesterday and I acknowledged that was fact. Then she said that it was great to see me again and she walked away. I never bothered with her again. Even though I had thoughts of trying to take a photograph with her. But why bother? ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!

VICIOUS CYCLE got up there and played first. And it sounded really good. I didn’t know them from before. I’ll have to keep a closer eye on them.

Don LaFon

SIX MINUTE CENTURY took on second and so many people were having a great time. But again, I was entirely disappointed with the numbers that were in attendance. There had to be less than 60 people at the peak. What the hell has happened in Houston and what is going on with music fans? I understand most of them got sick, and even Mrs. Froth was honestly in no condition with a new baby… but what are the excuses for the rest of them? I don’t freakin’ get it!!

Those who were there, were celebrating guitarist Don LaFon’s birthday. I too, have a birthday this month but SIX MINUTE CENTURY removed my favorite song of theirs of all time from their rotation. So no more birthday dedications at the January show. Damn….

At least now I know who was responsible for that. Ironically enough, I’m not mad…?

Lead Singer Chuck Williams didn’t even mess with LaFon as much as he usually does about how OLD of a man LaFon really is. And I keep forgetting the cantaloupe to hurl at the request of Frothtonomy and its followers. I think though that was a 2012 request. It may be void and no good any more.

I’ll have to check with Dr. Froth.

MYSTIC CROSS got on stage and it was sooooooooo fucking loud that it even pushed me outside into the back, out on to the patio… where it was a nasty 42°F/5°C at that time of night. Well, even though it is winter, this is still TEXAS! That’s not supposed to happen until next month some time where it will get nasty and bitter cold.

Dr. Froth then came running out and decided that he was going to pass out cigars like the old tradition after having a baby. He gave me one of his very select collection of very few. I was honored. A group of us stood there outside puffing away like dragons and even fewer of us knew what the hell we were doing.

I  think for many of them, it was their first cigar. And others their first tobacco experience EVER. I kept the tube in which it came in and put it away, this will be a souvenir to keep until the end of days. My first ever “Baby Cigar.” 

And still since the music was so loud we could enjoy the sounds of MYSTIC CROSS, which is another band that Don LaFon plays in.

Then when the cigar silliness was over, ECHO TEMPLE took the stage and I hugged the stage like a mad man. The same as I would always do for SIX MINUTE CENTURY. A monitor in my face and a filler at my chest… beating away.

And I’m not deaf yet?

As I was enjoying ECHO TEMPLE, Chuck Williams came by and hugged me. He slurred his “I love you man.” for whatever reason. I guess he was thinking about it too hard and he panicked. Oh well. The poor guy had teeth pulled less than a week before and he admitted this afternoon that he was in pain at the end.

I then was told that Mrs. Froth was having a difficult time at home with the baby, and Dr. Froth handed off the duty of getting me safely back to the hotel to Don LaFon… but I freaked out because — its his birthday show– hadn’t he been drinking?

A few minutes later I realized that my luggage bag was in Dr. Froth’s vehicle so I sent a text message to him expressing my concern. No response came.

It worked out though because Dr. Froth had forgotten some equipment that was still on stage and so he waited to get it all at the end of the night and THEN he brought me back to the hotel.

The biggest surprise (for me) was that the drummer of MYSTIC CROSS would come up to me during the ECHO TEMPLE set and try to talk to me while music was going on. I couldn’t hear. So he left and a few minutes later, he gave me the printed out set list of MYSTIC CROSS.

Drummer Austin Gartman was totally adoring me and I couldn’t figure out why. It was then that I found out that Don LaFon was at it again, adulating me to anyone who would listen to explain that “the guy in the wheelchair is SIX MINUTE CENTURY’S #1 FAN EVER!” and that he takes the bus every time to come to a show.

Yep, he had done it again and this time it caught the attention of Austin Gartman. It blew his mind! So then he swiped the set list away from my hands and grabbed a Sharpie and made everyone in MYSTIC CROSS  autograph it.

Now keep in mind, Don LaFon has autographed many things for me personally as many things. Mainly SIX MINUTE CENTURY, but he is probably getting used to it all by now.

Austin Gartman gave me many bro hugs and nearly he cried. I saw this with my own eyes. And he thanked me profusely for my dedication.

Now with Mrs. Froth gone, there was an option of going out to eat without her OR Dr. Froth would just drop me off. But since things were getting a little hairy at home with the newborn… I was dropped off at the hotel.

But its a trade-off and I understand it. I can either stay out a few more hours and then have to stay awake long enough to go get on the bus to come back OR I can leave and go back to the hotel earlier and attempt a few hours of sleep before having to get up and get on the bus to come back.

I didn’t mind taking sleep. Trust me on that!

I laid there in bed with my eyes probably sore from being red and I thought about all the wonderful things that everyone had done to get me to that show. All the love, all the financial assistance, all the support. I literally wept in the darkness until I fell asleep.

I took in four hours of sleep. Not bad, considering that the last couple of times I’ve had less than an hour while still in Houston. Its a little easier to get motivated to go when you have a little sleep.

It is abundantly clear though. I still will not be using my own money to make these kinds of trips to Houston. If anyone wants me there, they can pitch in. They’ve done it before. Last night was not the first time this has happened this way.

However, if there is any hope or idea or belief that there will be “more” after the show, then I am simply going to have to take in two nights in Houston. That first night will be the night of the show, and then take that night to sleep. The following morning I can do whatever. Watch television in HD or anything else and then go to bed early that second evening and then get up in the morning the second morning and return.

When I returned, my brain just wasn’t working well. So I’m going to need more sleep.

All in all, I totally enjoyed the trip. Glad that I didn’t have to deal with any stupids with the bus too! Meeting with old and making new friends. And enjoying music. How can you beat that???

 

 

Protective Streak

“I’m not a movie star like other actors in the way that I need to walk with a bodyguard.”~ Olivier Martinez

I’ve pondered this and many other situations all day long. And with this blog post I realize that I am probably going to break every single rule in the book that I have when it comes to communication, socialization, relationships, and connections. In other words, I’m speaking out of anger. So please forgive. But also pay attention.

But there comes a time when a person reaches their limitations and then feels the pressure applied by other people that pushes things over the edge.

I’m now over the edge, and I am most sufficiently angry, disappointed, and frustrated all at the same time.

I do not think that I have to go into the science or psychology of human nature at times when someone is feeling threatened that they put their walls up or they come out swinging in an effort to protect themselves. Their main goal is for their own personal protection. And I think that the same is true for cases when the people that love and care for are feeling threatened or being threatened. That our sense of fight and protect just comes naturally.

So when I found out that those who are close to me were being trashed, brought down, spoken of poorly, and all-around being dumped upon because someone else didn’t like what they did or said, a.k.a. — no good reason whatsoever, then yes… The moment I found out about it burned me from the very core of my soul.

My first instinct was to attempt to calm and soothe, but as of the past couple of years, my ability to do that most successfully has fallen into non-existence. Its no longer good enough to say, “Its okay. I love you.” at all.

The second instinct is to fight and protect. And believe you me…. its very wise to NOT to judge me by what you think you know. I cannot physically lift my leg and insert my foot between your butt cheeks hard enough to where you can taste my sock, but there are other ways that I can deal with the situation at hand.

I don’t have to be right there and on the spot. But the offender will soon find out that I am quite the force. And I think that is true of everyone. Not just me. So this is not about me tooting my own horn of outrage. We all have that horn within us.

But let me tell you what I think, and what I believe to be the most accurate and utmost truthful statements in life when it comes to the situations that have fallen into my lap.

To talk about someone and not do it in front of them…. is cowardly. Opening your mouth because you are discontented with someone and making sure that your words are spoken with the person that you are no longer enchanted with any more is absent and will not get word about it first hand… is contemptible beyond measure. And quite honestly your reactions are unworthy of anyone’s attention.

To discuss matters of your discontent and then draw their family and friends into it makes you look even worse. Honestly, drawing a bad scenario or giving a bad name to someone who is totally and completely innocent?? Yes, this only makes you look like more of an evil jerkwad of a douche nozzle than what you were before you opened your mouth.

Moving on to your other transgressions.

Attacking and defaming those who cannot defend for themselves is not honorable in any way, shape, or form. Who died and made you ruler of the universe to where you are judge, jury, and executioner of all human life on this planet? Get the hell off your high horse, pull your head from your own butt, and take a deep breath of this thing called REALITY.

Children, the elderly, the disabled, and the pregnant. These are not subjects for your forked tongue. These are also not targets but people like you, presuming that you are showing signs of humanity because your words prove otherwise.

Talk with evil words about those that I care about, and I will instantly become their protection detail.

But I was the subject of some malicious content today. Unlucky for that person, I have people in my circles who are willing to break that Honor Code and make me aware. And as I said, I’m not physically capable of making you stop and smell the roses, I can do most other things.

I will not stand for your mouth against me, against my family, against my loved ones, and against my friends and colleagues. The same as ANYBODY ELSE!!!!

I’m coming down like a bodyguard and I will deal with the situation as it deems necessary with appropriate actions. And I will not hide my emotions of disappointment and anger in this.

I’m pretty pissed off!!

I did this once before but then hid it from the public. This time, not so much. The ones who are guilty or in violation will not get that same opportunity as this will go live on the blog as soon as I finish.

I’m just not putting up with it any more.

9 August 2013: Family Ties With Echo Temple

“The family ties between hundreds of thousands of German families and their American relatives led many to think that America would never join a second war against Germany.”~Julius Streicher

The past weekend is going to definitely be memorable. And memorable in the most wonderful of ways.

Because I have been doing much better with kicking some nasty habits, I came into more money than usual. So this past weekend, was extended to include Friday night, as well to be able to see ECHO TEMPLE play live at Acadia Bar & Grill.

It was an unusual show for me since I was not with my friends there. I was virtually by myself. That’s if you don’t count the band ECHO TEMPLE or their families, at all.

I digress.

Although I just could not feel it for SIGNAL RISING and RAZOR DOVES. The bands who happened to be first and last for the evening. ECHO TEMPLE went on second, WELLBORN ROAD third.

But it wasn’t for a lack of trying. I mean, I was there for most of the night.

I took my spot near the front of the stage when ECHO TEMPLE started to set up. I was being disrupted and distracted at that fact that there was a DOG inside the club. A dog… just walking around with a Corona bandana around its neck like it belonged there. I would see the dog throughout the entire night. I am guessing that it had to belong to one of the owners or something. It was still strange to see it.

One of the funniest moments of the evening was when the set lists were being passed out, guitarist John Wisser asked me if I wanted a program.

Usually those set lists are kept private or at the very least not talked about much. I just knew that my favorite song from ECHO TEMPLE “Witch” was going to be played at some point. But I still took the set list and then turned around and made the entire band autograph it. And that now makes the second item of band memorabilia that I have fully signed and autographed by the band.

Who’s Da Man???

I was also to secure a photograph of the entire band WITH me in it. I’m told that’s not been done too often. That its difficult to get everyone together. Especially since there’s FIVE of them in the band.

It was funny that guitarist John Wisser AND guitarist Sean Turcott had BOTH come up to me looking for a fist bump before they got started. So awesome!!!

Their set seemed to be shorter than what I remember. But nonetheless, I got “Witch” and as a matter of fact lead singer Tom Calandra dedicated the song to me, announced that came a long, long, long ways to get to the show and that the band knew I loved the song.

I reached up and gave thumbs up, but Tom grabbed me around the hand. I literally thought that he was going to pull me out of my wheelchair and drag me up on stage…. that would have been VERY BAD as I would only been able to lay there like a slug on stage. That’s just not attractive.

But I was thrilled that they would do that for me. It felt like I was fitting in with the band, or that they cared what their fans/listeners thought.

The band would hang out for the rest of the evening. And later it was stated that’s okay for me to hang out with the band. Even if I thought they were discussing band business. It was expressed that if whatever they were talking about was serious enough that they wouldn’t be talking about it in a club. But rather in private, so I shouldn’t have to be afraid to hang out with them and not join the conversation.

It was then that I realized I was not just a fan, but part of the ECHO TEMPLE family.

How much more awesome does this get???? First SIX MINUTE CENTURY. Now ECHO TEMPLE.

Wellborn Road got up on stage and practically melted my face off with their blinding style of lyrics and metal music. They are from College Station…. home of Texas A&M. What was interesting to note was that when the band started to play a group of people moved forward and stood there for the rest of the set. Looking like a wave of college students.  Holy Crap!! Everyone has their following! 

But I was impressed. I missed them when they opened for none other than ECHO TEMPLE back in March at the House Of Blues. I got to see them from beginning to end.

I got to talking to the lead singer for a little bit after promoter Rusty Conner made the original introduction. Before the guy knew it, I was wanting merchandise and as much as he could give it and as much as I could afford it.

I ended up with a couple of their CD’s, a t-shirt, and a download code. I wanted two shirts, but they didn’t have the size. They didn’t actually have the size that I was looking for to begin with and it proved that truly I am a size XXL in t-shirts. I had the Wellborn Road t-shirt on earlier and my belly was showing at the bottom. Unattractive.

We’ll see if Wellborn Road comes to my area now.

He saw the military tags around my neck and assumed. And a drunk did as well. Ended up getting a FREE drink from the drunk’s assumptions.

Meanwhile the dog kept walking back and forth, in and out of the club all night.

Then Razor Doves got on stage. Constantly announcing that they were from San Antonio. But I just couldn’t get into their vibe. I mean, I was clawing at the walls to get out of there!!!!

Razor Doves just isn’t for me. Neither is Signal Rising. Although Signal Rising had a cool looking t-shirt that I wanted, but nobody came to help me out in that. Who the hell am I supposed to give the money to???

All in all a wonderful night of music. A Prelude if you will… an appetizer for a second night of music that was to come.

Meet Kristen

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”~ Walt Disney

The closing ceremonies took place in London of the Paralympic Games.

This is Kristen.

She was born with Cerebral Palsy, although she is capable of walking independently.

I met her some years ago, via her website.

One afternoon, I was reading the newspaper and I spotted a large image of her in a racing chair. Over the weekend, she had participated in the Capitol 10 K race. And I was both intrigued and shocked.

Kristen is the person who has turned into my athletic idol. She was the one who through correspondence, introduced me to the sport of sledge hockey. And she was even willing enough to come pick me up from my home to take me to a practice one Sunday afternoon. That very day, I was strongly encouraged by her and her mother to try it. Once I got on the ice, I fell in love and the rest is obviously, history.

I would learn that Kristen has had a very interesting racing career. It was something she was very passionate about. Suddenly, I was completely captivated by what she had done and by what she was doing.

Soon enough, my own passion would come from that fateful afternoon when I was on the ice with her and the rest of the team. And eventually, I would have scored my first ever goal in an athletic competition in a round robin match on Mother’s Day of that year.

My time with Kristen was unfortunately short lived. I was binding myself to her and to her social contacts which were other people with disabilities. She now lives and trains in the northwestern United States.

When I was with her, she always talked about her dream of being at the Paralympic Games. She wanted to represent her country well.

SHE DID IT!! 

Kristen made it on the team and participated in two events of the Paralympic games. She raced in the 100 m and the 200 m races.

While in London, she didn’t make it to the medal stand. But she was able to fulfill the dream she had for such a long time. And she even claimed a World Record for one of her races in her class.

Such an accomplishment.

I am so very proud of her!

Without knowing Kristen, I probably would not know sledge hockey. And I would be stuck at home doing nothing but feeling sorry for myself.

My debt of gratitude to her is so great. And I wish her future success as she returns back home to the United States and continues on in her journey and career.

She is another prime example of someone who stuck with her dreams through hard work and extreme dedication to make sure that those dreams came true.

Meet Brittany

Brittany

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”~ Norman Vincent Peale

I have actually been sitting on this story of inspiration for quite some time now. I don’t really know why. Tonight, I have decided to share it with you.

Through the magic of Facebook and mutual interests, I was introduced to Brittany. That was just over one year ago.

Her story is one of dreams that actually do come true.

As she was beginning her college education, this ravishing redhead who was studying in the southeastern United States began a very serious campaign of wanting to meet her most favorite person in the world, her idol.

Her efforts did pay off, as an e-mail was sent to Chicago, Illinois and the offices of none other than Oprah Winfrey. The news of Brittany wanting to meet her idol so badly actually spread to Oprah Winfrey. As Oprah said, “She is a fan, and probably the hottest redhead ever.”

And then in 2007, while she was in her college dormitory settling down for “Movie Night” a special surprise was played on a DVD recorded by her idol herself. That being Céline Dion.

Brittany was then flown to Chicago to be a part of the studio audience for The Oprah Winfrey Show, and that is where Brittany was able to meet her idol face to face, sitting on stage next in between Oprah and Céline Dion and in front of a nationwide television audience.

Shortly after that, Brittany would have the opportunity to duplicate her chances of meeting her idol, at LEAST three times in total (if I am not mistaken).

Her undying passion really paid off for her.

Earlier this evening, I traded messages with Brittany. I reminded her that she now has experiences that she will never forget for the rest of her life. I also mentioned to her that she is (in a way) an ambassador and her experiences are truly an inspiration for others. If this girl can do it, so can you!

Brittany also has a very nice start at a career or modeling/acting now. I am to understand that she can be seen in a few scenes of the film, “The Hunger Games”. I haven’t seen it, but others who have seen it have confirmed that they had seen her on the big screen. And that is now currently coming out on DVD/Blu-Ray. She also has her own profile on the IMDB website.

I cannot say that I personally or intimately know Brittany. I have traded correspondence with her via Facebook. And she’s always leaving smiles with each of her messages when she replies. That is always a shock for me because she has so many friends on Facebook that she takes the time to write me. And I wonder as to why she laughs when I’ve repeatedly requested an autograph??

And so there is a point to all of this:

No matter who or what your own passion is, no matter who your idol may be, there is always a viable and plausible opportunity for you. For some it is a political figure or a Hollywood actor or actress. For others it is musicians.

It is possible that with enough dedication and hard work, that your efforts in the end will cause your dreams to come totally true!!

Most importantly though, NEVER give up on your dreams! You may think that it is impossible because it will never happen. Or that it costs too much money. Whatever the excuse is– let it go. Do not let negativity overpower you.

In the case of Brittany, she set out to do something and she stuck with it and never gave up. Sufficed to say that she was greatly rewarded for her efforts.

If you have enough desire and will power, you will be rewarded too.

So did Brittany TRULY get to meet her idol? Well, you tell me… If you go to YouTube and do the right search, you will be able to witness all of these moments of Brittany’s dreams coming true.

 

 

 

 

Sucking In Your Muse

“If a composer could say what he had to say in words he would not bother trying to say it in music.” ~ Gustav Mahler

Anyone remember the days of stealing the telephone and escaping into your room, only to call the local radio station to have them play your request and/or dedication? I do… I totally was one of those kinds of people. Whatever was on my mind, I went to find that perfect song that was describing my personal feelings at the time. It drove my parents crazy. For one hour every Monday through Friday night, they could not find the telephone because I had it in my grasp. I try over and over and over again to get beyond the dreaded busy signal just to get in touch with the radio station and have them play that one song. Ah, fun times!!!

Now I am sure that some radio stations are around that still do so, but I haven’t actively listened to any particular radio station in quite some time. So I haven’t really given it much thought.

Until I come along certain message boards and forum that are just for general purposes. There’s a lot of people out there that just make their own musical dedications for their own reasons.

I must say that I find it amusing. Someone will have their “dedications” posted for the world to see. They feel on top of the world that they’ve found the love of their life. So they post ANYTHING that has the word “love” in the song title. And it’s not just one or two or even three times, try a few dozen times… and in a row.

And then after a while, it dies down. They still find that perfect playlist and drive each and every song into the ground as they play it over and over and over again. Then, Heaven forbid- the love of their life breaks up with them. The feelings of that high are gone, and now they are posting every song in the world that deals with heartache and pain.

To the outside person, that whole thing can be annoying. So true. However, music has a way with ALL of us. Not just those who “fall in and out of love” and those who want to share with the entire world. Music is that one thing that exists that we all enjoy. I am no exception. I listen to music every day & night. No doubt about it.

Music also alters our mood. Whether it enhances it, or changes it. I mean, who hasn’t heard a song that caused them to break down into tears? Or who hasn’t had that feeling of having a good day and then hearing a song that just takes your soul flying until you feel like you are on top of the world?

I’ve heard certain songs and it made me think of someone. Or it had triggered a memory of something. I think that is why we always enjoy making those radio dedications. We hear that perfect song that makes us think of a certain someone and we enjoy the thought we have. Yes, in fact it is a super-wonderful-fantastic feeling.

At times, music and songs allow us to express ourselves in ways that we cannot through our own words. So then we absolutely latch on to that perfect song and “dedicate it” and then stand by it until the very end. Even years later, no matter where we are in life when we hear that song, we stop and ponder the moment over again. Why? Because that song is OURS… and nobody else can have it!

To be honest I miss those days where we all passed around mix tapes. The collection of songs that we put together on one cassette that we deliberately chose to express ourselves towards another person. Now we can burn CD’s and what not- but does anyone actually have a “mix CD”? I don’t.

Anyways, I love music. I think we all do. It doesn’t matter what kind of music we choose to listen to. We all have our favorites. And we all have our personal reasons as to why they are our favorites.

So as I finish this post, I’ve turned up the stereo to listen to one song in particular that really strikes me in my heart. Such a great feeling I get when I listen to it.

Life without music is boring. I say, “TURN IT UP!”.