You are heremusic
music
Feel young at heart? In your 30s,40s...? They sure do in their 80s,90s, singing & performing: Young@Heart Chorus
A movie you must see –
"Young @ Heart" documents the true story of the Young at Heart Chorus, a singing group whose average age is 81, as they rehearse for a concert in their hometown Northampton, Massachusetts, celebrating "25 Years of Unpredictable Art." Their music is unexpected, going against the stereotype of their age group, performing punk, rock, and disco songs, for example, by James Brown, and Sonic Youth. Many of the 24 members must overcome ill health and other hardships to participate, adding new songs to their repertoire - including "Yes We Can Can", "Schizophrenia" and "I Feel Good" - with the help and encouragement of chorus director Bob Cilman. Although they have toured Europe and sang for royalty, this account focuses on preparing the new songs, not an easy endeavor, for the concert in their hometown, which succeeds in spite of several real heart breaking events. (Movie directed by Stephen Walker, 2007)
(quote)
When the Young@ Heart began in 1982 the members all lived in an elderly housing project in North- ampton, MA called the Walter Salvo House. The first group included elders who lived through both World Wars. Anna was a stand-up comic who at 88 told jokes that only she could get away with, she sang with the group until she was 100. read more »
What is your dream job? Among Vocation Vacations' top 20: actor, chocolatier, voice-over artist, wedding planner
(quote)
Everyone has a dream, right? Like rock star fantasy camps, Vocation Vacations gives ordinary folks the chance to live out a dream for a moment. It is the brainchild of Brian Kurth, a former business executive from Oregon. His company, born in 2004, connects curious people with mentors who have the dream jobs they've only, well, dreamed about pursuing. Here are the 20 most-popular "Vocation Vacations," according to Kurth.
Actor
Yeah, we've all dreamed of being a Robert DeNiro or Angelina Jolie -- the lights, the fans, the glamour. How could you not love being a famous star of the screen or stage?
Baker
If you like to see something come of your work, then perhaps you're meant to be a baker. Because best of all, after you're through admiring it, you can eat your work.
Bed-and-breakfast owner
There's nothing quite as calming as spending time around the house. As a bed-and-breakfast owner, you can -- with a few guests.
Brew master
Consider yourself a beer connoisseur? Brew up your own drinks and maybe sneak in a sip on the job.
Chocolatier
Like bakers and brew masters, chocolatiers get to sample their work. But going overboard might be a problem. How tough is it to be surrounded by chocolate all day? Talk about temptation...
Dog day-care owner read more »
Mid-level international-style Latin dancing at 2006 MIT ballroom dance competition
*Update*
"Intermediate level international-style Latin dancing at the 2006 MIT ballroom dance competition. A judge stands in the foreground."
Latin dance, ballroom dance or folk dance, is rarely not originated in Latin America. International dancesport (partner dance) competition categories:
cha-cha-cha
rumba
samba
paso doble
jive (US origin)
Social (and / or) street Latin dances:
Rumba
salsa
mambo
merengue
bachata
bomba
plena
Argentine tango
Photo credit Wikipedia
Lyrical Poem: "Mourning mountains toll the bell"
"A simple truth, 'to make sure everyone, alive, makes it home' (as a soldier shouted out), has been debated by many on and on..." Following is excerpt from "He Fell", poem inspired by a true story. Poet: .D. LuCxeed (www.loves-footsteps.com) -
...
To snatch life out of the steel teeth
of Death, he fell.
Have you, Heaven's Grace, heard him?
Jason Dunham, a handsome
heart above Hell -
"I want to make sure everyone,
alive, makes it home."
"Son, we're praying for you, Jason Dunham."
"Young man, motherland
needs you, too, home."
To snatch life out of the steel teeth
of Death, he fell,
down into somber deserts' bosom.
Mourning mountains toll the bell.
...
*music by calpomatt
From Ice Queen to Dance Queen - Kristi Yamaguchi Crowned Winner of 'Dancing With the Stars'
Original Source: Associated Press
(quote)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — After four consecutive male winners on "Dancing With the Stars," it was finally ladies' night. Kristi Yamaguchi was named the new "Dancing" champ on the show's season finale, becoming the first woman to win the ABC dance-off since its inaugural season. The figure skater came into the final contest Tuesday with a perfect score and bested fan favorites Jason Taylor and Cristian de la Fuente to claim the mirrorball trophy. "This is definitely for all those women out there to continue to be strong," she said after the show, hoisting the prize above her head.
The Olympic gold medalist was clearly the most talented dancer on this season's competition, regularly landing atop the judges' scoreboard. But viewer votes count just as much, and with the audience 75 percent female, men have had the edge. Last season ended with a shocker when race-car driver Helio Castroneves upset Spice Girl Melanie Brown.
Taylor, the massive but graceful pro football star, called Yamaguchi "just perfect," adding that he "grew up watching her compete for our country." De la Fuente, who was eliminated early in the two-hour season finale, said "it was impossible to beat her." His professional partner, Cheryl Burke, agreed. "Kristi deserved it more than any other woman in any other season," she said. "It's about time that a woman wins."
Winning the "Dancing" crown doesn't quite compare to winning an Olympic gold medal, Yamaguchi said, but it's still "a fun, amazing experience." "It's not just this (trophy) but what it represents," she said. "It's all the hard work and the time spent together and the friendships made, challenging yourself and learning something new."
Though Taylor and de la Fuente didn't win, each was victorious in his own way. Besides forming a close friendship with each other, Taylor, an aspiring actor, has taken meetings with Hollywood heavyweights, and de la Fuente learned an important life lesson. The actor ruptured a tendon in his biceps while dancing on April 28, but delayed the surgery necessary to repair it so he could continue in the contest.
"It's about wanting something in life and going for it," he said. "In this case it was a dance show, but it can be anything that you're afraid of. Go for it. Do it. The reward that you get when you put your heart, your soul, everything you've got in something, it's priceless."
(unquote)
Photos Courtesy of ABC
Princess Diana - an Emotional Tribute and her popular quotes "I am not a political figure, nor do I want to be one"
*Update*
Editor's Note
Princess Diana's popular quotes
"I am not a political figure, nor do I want to be one; but I come with my heart."
"Family is the most important thing in the world."
"There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded."
(quote)
Prince William Opens Up About Princess Diana
'My children will never know her': Prince William opens up about missing Diana as new photo released of family
Prince William has revealed how he misses his late mother intensely in one of his most candid ever interviews about Princess Diana. The future King says it has taken him 20 years to talk properly about Diana's death, the extraordinary week that followed it and the enormous impact it had on him and Prince Harry.
"I would like to have had her advice. I would love her to have met Catherine and to have seen the children grow up. "It makes me sad that she won’t, that they will never know her."
(unquote)