A Week of Music, Art & Sporting Events

It's been an incredibly busy week of music, art and sporting events... So busy I haven't had time to sit down and write my daily gratitude journal here until today. So here it goes before I have to move on to other home responsibilities before another art show tonight:

24. I'm grateful to have witnessed the amazing band that is The Airborne Toxic Event in Downtown Los Angeles at the Mayan on Wednesday night.

25. I'm grateful to have attended the Art Los Angeles Contemporary Opening Night at the Barker Hangar on Thursday night.

Here's a picture of the sunset that night:

26. I'm grateful to have experienced Downtown Los Angeles for a 12 hour day/night of work, fun and play yesterday including the California Gift Show and the LA Art Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center followed by happy hour at Flemings and my first Lakers game of 2013, which of course they won! (I had no doubt but my friends were skeptical given their season record.) I have no pictures because my phone didn't survive the day, but GO LAKERS!

I love this city and all the angels in it.

Music is food for the soul.

I've had a friend in the hospital for the past several weeks. He's older, had a heart attack and discovered he also has cancer and needs chemotherapy. It's very sad that he's been in and out of ICU and unresponsive for several weeks including when I last visited him.

Last week, I made him two cd's for my friend to bring him over the weekend. She played them for him and voila, he opened his eyes and started moving his hands to the music. Reports are that he's 1000% better so I'm going to visit him tonight and bring some more music for him.

#15. Today I'm grateful for music's power to heal the body and soul.

The Morning Music Playlist

September 25, 2012 - The Morning Music Playlist... Oh yeah! Enjoy. :D

1. U2 – All Because Of You – How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
2. Matt Nathanson – Come On Get Higher – Some Mad Hope
3. Bob Marley – Three Little Birds – Exodus (Deluxe Edition)
4. Cream – Sunshine of your Love – Disreali Gears
5. U2 – Stay – Zooropa
6. Credence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son – Chronicle
7. Coldplay – Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun) – Prospekt’s March
8. Five For Fighting – 100 years – Back Country Live
9. The Postal Service – Such Great Heights – Give up
10. U2 – Bullet The Blue Sky – The Joshua Tree
11. Kris Allen – Apologize – Apologize (American Idol)
12. Enya – Only Time – A Day Without Rain
13. Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
14. U2 – City of Blinding Lights – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb
15. Radiohead – Creep – Pablo Honey
16. Neon Trees – Animal – Habits
17. Carolina Liar – Show Me What I’m Looking For – Coming To Terms
18. The Bravery – Believe (Alt. Version) – The Sun And The Moon
19. The Rolling Stones – You Can’t Always Get What You Want – Singles Collection
20. Matchbox Twenty – Real World – Yourself Or Someone Like You
21. Aerosmith – Dream On – O. Yeah! Ultimate Aerosmith
22. The Strokes – Last Nite – Is This It
23. Kings of Leon – Sex On Fire – Only By The Night
24. Counting Crows – Sullivan Street – August And Everything After
25. Five For Fighting – Chances – Slice
26. Candlebox – Far Behind – Love Stories & Other Musings
27. Jimmy Eat World – The Middle – Bleed American
28. Matchbox Twenty – 3 AM – Yourself Of Someone Like You
29. Lost Lonely Boys – Heaven – Lost Lonely Boys (Dual Disc)
30. Dave Matthews Band – Jimi Thing (Live 2003) – Some Devil (Bonus Disc)
31. Dave Matthews Band – Tripping Billies – Crash
32. Queen – Under Pressure – Classic Queen
33. Coldplay – Sparks – Parachutes
34. Parachute – She Is Love – Losing Sleep
35. The Bravery – Fistful Of Sand (Alt. Version) – The Sun And The Moon
36. Anna Nalick – Breathe (2 AM) (Acoustic) – Shine
37. Nickelback – Rockstar – All The Right Reasons
38. INXS – Devil Inside – Kick
39. Dave Matthews Band – Crash Into Me (Live) – Life At Folsom Field Boulder
40. 3 Doors Down – When I’m Gone – Away From The Sun

Song of the Day: Original of the Species ~ U2

"And you are not alone in this. As brothers we will stand and we'll hold your hand. Hold your hand." Mumford & Sons ~ Timshel

Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson

In order to create, support and influence positive change in others, I believe I must first look in the mirror and make change happen within.

Michael Jackson's dedication to messages that matter and ability to inspire the world through music will never be forgotten! Much love.

A Song In Loving Memory of My Dear Friend Kindred Khan Nguyen

A dear friend of mine, Kindred Khan Nguyen, was doing one of his favorite and most enjoyable things, camping in Kings Canyon in the Sequoia's over the 4th of July holiday weekend when he left us unexpectedly in a tragic hiking accident on the 4th of July. I've been searching for two weeks to process this and to find the right words to give proper meaning to how special his life was to me and so many others, as well as searching for the right song to dedicate to him. His services and memorials are today and tomorrow. Today I finally found the right song. I'm still speechless in words as to how this great friend impacted my life and the life of the many people he encountered over the years. You can read the blog with some of his writings at http://kindredkhannguyen.blogspot.com/ as well as visit his memorial dedication site at http://www.khannguyen.com. I know I will have much more to share about the tremendous impact he has had on my life over the last few years as soon as I am able to process the part of me that is hurting, grieving and feeling such a great sense of loss... but for now, enjoy the song. It reminds me so much of what he stood for, love and life.

"I am a c'ode of Song. The moments are notes--strung together becoming a song of life. Consciousness is the melody. Tempo, the heart beating." ~Kindred Khan Nguyen 1970-2010

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own ~ U2

The last few months were tough for me physically and emotionally. Yesterday, on the day I finally found peace and resolve, I ran across this song and the lyrics completely connected with my experience. One of my many truths that brought me back to light, is that I don't have to make it alone. Also, the second I let go of past hurt, stopped fighting, stopped trying to being right, and allowed others to help lift me up in the moments that I needed it most, I was brought back to calm, peace and serenity.

Those who have the ability to be calm, peaceful and serene through a hard or difficult time, who see things clearly as they are, are the luckiest people in the world. I have rarely met such a person in my life... it's precious and a gift. So is the realization that the connectivity and help amongst and between people is a joy. I strive and inspire to one day be identified as a person who is calm, peaceful and serene regardless of my circumstances.

Enjoy the lyrics and acoustic version of an amazing song.

Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
U2

Tough, you think you've got the stuff
You're telling me and anyone
You're hard enough

You don't have to put up a fight
You don't have to always be right
Let me take some of the punches
For you tonight

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

We fight all the time
You and I...that's alright
We're the same soul
I don't need...I don't need to hear you say
That if we weren't so alike
You'd like me a whole lot more

Listen to me now
I need to let you know
You don't have to go it alone

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you when I don't pick up the phone
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

I know that we don't talk
I'm sick of it all
Can - you - hear - me - when - I -
Sing, you're the reason I sing
You're the reason why the opera is in me...

Where are we now?
I've still got to let you know
A house still doesn't make a home
Don't leave me here alone...

And it's you when I look in the mirror
And it's you that makes it hard to let go
Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Sometimes you can't make it
The best you can do is to fake it
Sometimes you can't make it on your own

Moment of Surrender by U2

On October 25, 2009, I volunteered to serve food and beer at The Rose Bowl to raise money for my brother's school music program during the U2 concert. Since they are in high school, they need adults over 21 to server liquor. One of the other adult volunteers cancelled sick last minute that morning and so I was able to attend in her place.

The Rose Bowl offers a great program in the local community where various groups sponsor each of the Rose Bowl's stands as volunteers. In return, a percentage of each food stand's earnings is donated to these local community groups at events such as the Pasadena flea-market, UCLA games, concerts, etc. After we finished serving a completely sold-out concert for an on-our-feet exhausting 5 hours straight (the lines never broke the entire time), my brother and I watched the end of the concert. I don't think I could have picked a better event to volunteer at than a U2 concert, especially since I lived in Dublin, Ireland for 18 months in a beautiful condo on the coast in Blackrock that was actually owned by one of U2's accountants. I earned over $400 in tips alone, all donated to the school's music program and with total earnings, it was the largest single fundraising event for the school's music program to-date. So many thanks to U2 and The Rose Bowl for helping support and continue my brother's music education program. :)

This is U2 performing Moment of Surrender live at The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.

Top 25 Most Played Song on my IPOD

1. Anytime by Brian McKnight
2. Satisfaction by Benny Benassi
3. Last Night by Diddy
4. Hit My Heart by Benassi Bros.,Dhany
5. Put Your Hands Up For Detroit by Fedde le Grand
6. Call On Me by Eric Prydz
7. Party All The Time by Sharam
8. Love Don't Let Me Go (Walking Away) by David Guetta
9. Love Come Again by Tiesto & BT
10. One More Time by Daft Punk
11. Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie
12. Stronger by Kanye West
13. Benny Benassi Club Insomnia Remix Techno Dance Hits Mix by Benny Benassi
14. I Love My Sex by Benny Benassi
15. Love Is Gone by Chris Willis & David Guetta
16. Alone by Junior Jack
17. Stupidisco by Junior Jack
18. Music Sounds Better With You by Various Artists
19. Say It Right by Nelly Furtado
20. Doctor Pressure by Gloria Estefan, Dirty Club Mix
21. Not Ready To Make Nice by Dixie Chicks
22. Emotion by Destiny's Child
23. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
24. Work On You by MSTRKRFT
25. Da Funk by Daft Punk

Rhythm Nation 1814

From the time I was very young, I had an incredible passion to dance. Expression through body movement came through years of training in various forms of dance including ballet, tap, gymnastics, jazz dance, drill, ballroom dancing etc. When I was about 12 years old I spent most afternoons memorizing Janet Jackson's videos... I sat in my living room for hours with this on repeat memorizing the entire video until I could dance along with Janet. I've seen her in concert six times since then and this is still my all-time favorite video of hers.

And of course these are still some of the most inspirational lyrics to-date. Enjoy! :)



Bound together through our beliefs
We are like-minded individuals
Sharing a Common Vision
Pushing toward a world rid of color lines.

With music by our side
To break the color lines
Lets work together
To improve our way of life
Join voices in protest
To social injustice
A generation full of courage
Come forth with me

People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life
We are a part of the Rhythm Nation
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers we can get it right
One time
We are apart of the Rhythm Nation

This is the test
No struggle no progress
Lend a hand to help
Your brother do his best
Things are getting worse
We have to make them better
Its time to give a damn
Lets work together, come on now

People of the world today ( Rhythm )
Are we looking for a better way of life ( Rhythm )
We are a part of the Rhythm Nation ( Everybody sing it )
People of the world unite ( Rhythm )
Strength in numbers we can get it right ( Rhythm )
One time
We are a part of the Rhythm Nation ( Whoo )

Say it People, Say it Children ( Rhythm Nation )
Say it if you want a better way of life
Say it People, Say it Children ( Rhythm Nation )
Say it if you want a better way of life

(Rhythm)
People of the world today
Are we looking for a better way of life ( Say it )
We are a part of the Rhythm Nation ( Whoo )
People of the world unite
Strength in numbers we can get it right
One time ( Sing it up now )
We are a part of the Rhythm Nation (Rhythm Nation sing the story)

Say it for the People( Rhythm Nation )
Say it for the Children
Say it for the Babies
Say it for the People( Rhythm Nation )
Say it for the Children
Say it for the Babies
Say it for the, Say it for the, Say it for the.....
( Rhythm Nation )

We are a part of the Rhythm Nation

By Janet Jackson