Lessons of Life

"I feared being alone,
 Until I learned to like Myself.
 I feared failure
 Until I realized that I only Fail when I don't try.

I feared success
 Until I realized that I had to try in order to be happy with myself.
 I feared people's opinions

 Until I learned that people would have opinions about me anyway.

 I feared rejection

 Until I learned to have faith in myself.

 I feared pain

 Until I learned that it's necessary for growth.

 I feared the truth

 Until I saw the ugliness in lies.

 I feared life

 Until I experienced its beauty.

So beautiful !

 I feared death
 Until I realized that it's not an end, but a beginning .
 I feared my destiny,
 Until I realized that I had the power to change My life.

 I feared hate

 Until I saw that it was nothing more than Ignorance.

 I feared love
 Until it touched my heart, making the darkness fade into endless sunny days.

 I feared ridicule

 Until I learned how To laugh at myself.

 I feared growing old

 Until I realized that I gained wisdom every day.

 I feared the future
 Until I realized that Life just kept getting Better

The piano and bench are both cakes...yes CAKES! 

Sheila (pictured here with me) surprised me with these phenomenal creations for my birthday.

I always wanted a Baby Grand!

 I feared the past
 Until I realized that it could no longer hurt me .
 I feared the dark
 Until I saw the beauty of the starlight.
 I feared the light
 Until I learned that the Truth would give me Strength.
 I feared change,
 Until I saw that even the most beautiful butterfly had to undergo a metamorphosis before it could fly."

My bestie sent me that poem years ago (don't know who actually wrote it) and I've always loved it.

Hope it speaks to your heart as it did mine.

Luv,

Mandy

"Drop a pebble in the water..."

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water: in a minute you forget,
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown
You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget;
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,
And disturbed a life was happy ere you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;
But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave
Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;
But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy acircling yet,
And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.
Poem by James W. Foley

I believe it extends to DOING as well. We can all do something positive to have that ripple effect.
Mandy

Winner of My Backpack Giveaway is...

...Michele from Maine!

Michele is a mom of two, a wife, a grandmother, pet owner, but also someone who helps families in need.
In her entry she requested the backpack not for herself but to pass along to one of the families that her department assists every year.
She's also a blogger! For more on Michele please check out her page "Creative Writings 101" http://motheroftwoyesposahermosa.blogspot.com/

Congratulations Michele and keep up the great work!
Mandy

Want a massage with that backpack?

My dear friend and Massage Mogul, Robert Ballatt of Just1Touch.com has offered a *complimentary 1 hour full body massage as part of my backpack giveaway!

Another good friend of mine, Vanessa Telfer, was the first of my friends to donate school supplies as well.

Vanessa and moi

This is why I say I am truly Blessed. I am surrounded by wonderful people who care and are willing to make a difference.

So click here to find out how YOU can win this backpack of goodies for yourself or for someone you know!

All the best!
Mandy
*due to travel limitations, massage only applicable if the winner is in NYC/NJ.

So long, farewell, we hate to say goodbye...

...but all
the best
in
M
    I
     A
        M
            I

Tamyka and I met at my son's daycare. She was his teacher and I, the "make-SURE-you-take-care-of-my-child" mom.... And that she did.
From then our friendship developed; the kids' birthday parties, Christmas functions, death in our families (both her husband and mine passed away) and now her moving to Miami.

Luckily Miami is but a plane ride or a road trip away, but we will still miss having her around.
So we wish her and her family all the best and hope to see her again SOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!
Luv you Myka!

Myka and I at her farewell party

Myka's farewell cake, yes it is ALL cake, created by Sheila Thompson

(who also did my "Leo" birthday cake - see past blog entry)

She even made boarding passes, which by the way are also edible!

yes, even the tag was edible.

To order one of Sheila's creations, you can call 732-675-2132 or join her on Facebook "Cakes Galore by Sheila" by clicking here

Mandy's Backpack Giveaway!

Hey peeps!
Recently I received an e-mail from an organization that's collecting backpacks and school supplies for students whose parents cannot afford to get them the supplies they need.

I think it is such a great idea (why hadn't I thought of that before? ) Clearly, everyday holds a learning experience!

So I've decided to do a Backpack Giveaway!

This (1) black sling backpack (replete with cell phone compartment) will contain lined/ruled paper, notebooks, calculator, crayons, scissors, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, glue, pens, pencils, sharpener and ruler.

Interested? Here's what YOU do:
1.Follow my blog...you have to be IN to WIN so click here
2. Leave a comment under this post or e-mail me at mandy_joseph@hotmail.com telling me why you or someone you know should receive this backpack.

You must do so on or before Thursday August 19, 2010, 11:59 p.m. (EST). The winner will be chosen by a select team and announced on Friday August 20, 2010.

Remember "Noone can do everything but everyone can do something".

All the best!
Mandy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIMMY!!

Singing with Mr Jimmy Norman

I remember when I first met Mr Jimmy Norman. My family and I had joined Ann (Ruckert) for dinner at Roth's Steakhouse and not only was Jimmy performing that night but it was also his birthday celebration.

I was excited to have met a living legend and he even made up a cute rhyme about my name when we were introduced, but the highlight of the evening, and also one of the best moments in my life, was having the opportunity to sing with him.

As we sang "Stormy Monday" together I was in a state of euphoria. "Remember the words Mandy" "stay on key" "oh my goodness I am singing with JIMMY NORMAN?" "Why did I wear this?" "I so hope I don't have food in my teeth, people are taking pictures?"

My mind raced and yet I was trying to savor every single moment. So every year for his birthday I am reminded of that special time.

Happy Birthday Mr Norman, God's Speed and much continued success.

(Jimmy Norman wrote the lyrics for "Time Is on My Side" which became a hit for the Rolling Stones, as well as many other songs of which were performed by musicians such as Bob Marley and Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.)

I also want to send Happy birthday wishes to Mindy. The BEST Scattergory partner EVER! lol
Much love girl and enjoy your birthday to the max!

The chic and fab bday girl 

 Mindy

Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum...

My birthday celebration was a LOT of fun! What was supposed to be a little hangout turned into an event that would be etched into our minds forever!
The highlight of the night was my friend, Felicia. She started drinking Jose Cuervo shots but by the end of the night she was doing Johnny Walker shots (not to mention the other stuff she "sampled" in between :)

Felicia is naturally a comic, so add liquor and what we had was a recipe for belly-aching LAUGHTER!!
We all thought she was HILARIOUS up until the time we were getting ready for bed. She became really, really sick and ended up going to the hospital. She did not have alcohol poisoning but her body WAS enraged and reacted violently! When I went into the room she looked like a scene straight outta The Exorcist. (And Yes, I am still traumatized!)

We can joke about it now but at the time we were really worried about her.

We've been teasing Felicia ever since (and I have to admit she has been a great sport because we haven't shown her any mercy whatsoever! lol)

As a result I did this parody...check out the video and the lyrics follow...Enjoy!

Friends shouldn't let friends do shots, because friends WILL make a video about you!

WE LUV YOU FELICIA! :)

* Please note that Felicia did consent to the making of this video :)
** This is for entertainment purposes only and does not condone excessive alcohol consumption.

Lyrics:
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum (What's wrong with me?)
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum (Why do I feel like this?)
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum (I'm going crazy now)

No more earl-ing in bed
Can't even think about it
And I fell off the bed
Can't even speak about it
I'm alive nearly dead
Don't wanna think about it
Feels like I'm going insane

It's a thief in the night
To come and grab you
It can creep up inside you
and consume you
A disease of the mind
It can control you
It's too close for comfort
NO!

Put on the brakes next time
No more Tequila and Walker
They don't play nice
Watch out, you might just go under
Better think twice
Your train of thought will be altered
So if you must do shots be wise

Your mind is in disturbia
It's like the darkness is the light
Disturbia
Am I scaring you tonight
Disturbia
I ain't used to what you like, like
Disturbia

Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum

Thought Michelle was by the wall
It's like she's talking to me
9-1-1 you'll have to call
I can't even think
I gotta get out
Or a lung will come out
 It's to close for comfort
OOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH!

Put on the brakes next time
No more Tequila and Walker
They don't play nice
Watch out, you might just go under
Better think twice
Your train of thought will be altered
So if you must do shots be wise

Your mind is in disturbia
It's like the darkness is the light
Disturbia
Am I scaring you tonight
Disturbia
I ain't used to what you like, like
Disturbia

Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum
Rum rum beat that bum bum be dum dum

Release me from this strectherrr I'm in
Trying to escape but I'm struggling
If you can please just let me go
I think I'm gonna ER ER ER ER EAAAAAAAAAAARRLLLLLL

HAPPY BDAY LEOS!!!!

My birthday cake with my fire sign LEO!!

I had a BLAST for my birthday!!!! 

My son serenaded me first thing in the morning with a "Happy Birthday Mommy / Mandy" and yes he sang "Mommy-slash-Mandy" smh...

...then my god-daughter Z called me and sang "You Are My Sunshine" followed by HER very dramatic rendition of "Happy Birthday" (she'll be 4 in a couple weeks and she already counts herself in before she sings....Ann, you would be so proud....World, you are not ready for her! lol) 

I was surrounded by family and friends and I laughed until everything hurt and I practically lost my voice!

"When hours feel like moments you know you're with great friends"

Bday girl posing for papparazzi lol

Just1Touch was in the building doing what they do best: INCREDIBLE MASSAGES

Special shout-out to Will (left) and Robert (on the right, Mogul or Master hands rather, behind Just1Touch)

Bday shout-out to all Leos especially our Prez himself, President Barack Obama, Cornelia, Zakkiyyah, Natalie, Mari, Dirk, Khori's baby girl, Karim, Lynn, Maria, Jaime Lee, Alyssa, Ken "homeboy" Chiu, Maris, Ryan, Mich, Gale, Leti, Isaiah, Ari, Mr Jimmy Norman, Mindy, Greg, Briz, Michael, Mohammed, Rob, Noelle, Kyle, Z, Marlon, and Joshua.

Ooh la la...

Monday night I headed to The Red Lion to see some of New York's finest musicians perform. I made it just in time (no hassle for parking either :) and thanks to Lady Ann (Ruckert) I was fortunate enough to get a seat right up front.

Skip Brevis, Galia Arad, Jake Holmes, Kirsten Thien, Chris Tedesco and Bruce Gordon all played and sang on that balmy night in NYC.

From left to right: Chris Tedesco, Kirsten Thien, Jake Holmes and Galia Arad

Skip Brevis & Bruce Gordon (fellow Leo :)

I particularly enjoyed Jake Holmes' monologue about getting or being old; too funny.... and Galia's "missing the city and you" song which had me all teary-eyed.

 

Jake Holmes during his monologue

Galia ~ beautiful inside and out

Chris Tedesco plays a violin as though he's actually playing heart strings...absolutely beautiful!...here he is on guitar however, performing with his wife (and baby in tow :)

There was also the young L.B. Winter.

An excited little girl with absolutely no sign of stage fright and a promising career ahead of her.

I was sitting there smiling, tapping my foot and thinking "what could be better than summertime in NYC, enjoying great music and company?", when my thoughts were suddenly broken by someone calling my name "Mandy, get up there!"
It was Ann...and before I knew it I was up there, onstage, singing along for the finale with these same musicians whom I love and admire. At that moment, it had just gotten better :)

Here's Ann, who hosts the SGA circle...

...and who as Skip says, "Kicks our a**" to make sure we strive to be the best musicians we can be.

On my way home I listened to Galia's new cd "Ooh la baby" which I FINALLY got my hands on, and trust me, you should too!

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/GaliaArad1

Vajazzle my vajayjay???

Today I learned about Vajazzling. Ever heard about the Bedazzler? Well apparently Vajazzling is the same concept, but instead of putting rhinestones on jeans and accessories etc, you can now have Swarovski crystals, designs and even tattoos DOWN THERE!!!!
Where????
YES DOWN THERE!!! You'll LITERALLY be able to call them ' the family jewels'.

At first I thought the girl who told me was kidding, then I googled it, and low and behold there it was...SEVERAL links about Vajazzling! Jennifer Love-Hewitt apparently is a big fan of this and there was even a "How to" video on Youtube!
As I was trying to wrap my mind around this, the girl continued her story and told me about a salon in NJ that actually does this (that's where SHE first learned of it)...and get this....THERE'S A FULL MENU, laminated and all! She said there's a variety of ways to design your 'goods'. You can get the fully monty (lol) rhinestones from your navel alllll the way down, or just accent certain areas.

So my next question is "WHO invented vajazzling?"
Who sat there and decided one day that their genitalia should have dye, or glitter, or rhinestones for that matter? And ok, one could think that somehow this might be interesting to explore, you know, jazz up your sex life, be creative and all that........ but then what?
Firstly, how do you walk into a salon and order that? "Hey yes, good morning, I'm here for a pink mohawk with some glitter and oh yeah one side of the rhinestones all around it please...thnx!", or do you say "I'd like a #3 with a 5, 6 and a touch of #7"...I mean how DO you do that?
And what about the vajazzlers? I thought OBGYNs had it bad, but how do you break the news to mom and dad? to anyone? "yeah I design vajayjays for a living"...how do you complete a form, a job application, a medical record.... under occupation? Vajazzler!
How is that even comfortable for your vajayjay? How do you wear underwear with all the rhinestones? SHOULD you wear underwear with it? And if you don't, did you have it designed for show and tell? "Hey look what I had done today?" (raises skirt, sparkling and proud).

I suppose being a vajazzler is an honest living (BRUTALLY honest if you ask me) and apparently people out there think their vajayjay should have as much bling as Paris Hilton's pooch, but my visits to the OBGYN and trips to Victoria's Secret are about all the extra special treatment MY vajayjay is ever gonna get!

When it's okay to be a TWIT...

If you're like me and you've recently entered the world of Twitter, you might feel like a complete TWIT! How do you spell lost? M-A-N-D-Y!
My friend, Ana, tried to convince me that it only seems complex at first, well as I write this I still haven't figured out exactly how to "tweet" at best, but I am going to learn how to use one of the most main streams of social media today.
Almost everyone you know is using some form of social networking: Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TweetDeck and so much more. I even saw it on the news! The NEWS NETWORK itself said "find us on Facebook". Clearly this is the stage we're in with technology.
I attended a seminar that dealt with all different avenues online. The featured speaker was Mitch Meyerson. He has been a guest on Oprah, author of 9 books (the most recent which I purchased is "Success Secrets of the Social Media Marketing Superstars") and was really loaded with a wealth of information for Online Marketing etc.

Facebook, Twitter and even Youtube are such a big deal these days that a part of the seminar was dedicated solely to those!

With Mitch Meyerson at the seminar

So while you check out Mitch's website, http://www.mitchmeyerson.com/, I am heading over to my Twitter account.

Remember, you can find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mandyjb1

Check me out on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/mandyjoseph

or......drum roll please.....FOLLOW ME ON Twitter: http://twitter.com/mandyjbennett1

See ya there! ;)

When a storm is approaching...what do YOU do?

"When a storm is approaching, an eagle senses it and flies to some high place to await the winds. As the storm hits, it spreads its wings so that it catches the wind and is lifted above the storm. As the storm rages, the eagle soars. It does not entirely escape the storm, but it uses it to lift itself higher. When the storms of life come, use them to lift yourself up and soar like an eagle."

I don't know who wrote that but I thought it very profound. When YOU go through storms in life, what do you do? Do you get tossed about in the winds and break down? Do you anchor yourself rigidly in place hoping you do not break? Or do learn life lessons and move forward?

What do YOU do?

The Tooth Fairy

This morning as I read my sister-in-law's blog about my niece losing her tooth and being paid by the tooth fairy, I was reminded of MY dealings with the infamous fairy.
When I was younger I couldn't WAIT for my teeth to fall out so I could get PAID! I could care less about how I looked running around toothless, I was getting paid!
My son on the other hand is a totally different species. When HIS teeth fell out he wanted to keep them! (Clearly not my kid!)
I never wanted to feed into all the myths of Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and all that stuff, but it's hard to evade those things when your kids go to school or you have family members who love it more than the kids themselves. When you see YOUR kid looking forward to the fat guy sliding down the chimney, or the bunny that lays eggs, you don't wanna be the jerk who disappoints them. So what did I do? Yup you guessed it!
His first introduction to the Tooth Fairy was in pre-school. He excitedly told his teacher that morning how he'd lost his tooth (proud of his rite of passage) and before I could gag her and throw her in a closet somewhere, she said those deafening words "So you're gonna put it under your pillow for the tooth fairy?"
I....WAS...MORTIFIED!!!! I wanted to say 'no, I'm gonna hold YOU under a pillow!" but at that moment I had to focus on the confused look on my son's face and gasp, explain about the Tooth Fairy!
That night we put the tooth under the pillow and he woke up in the morning to a wrinkled $5 bill (hey it was all I had on me at the time ok?) But my son was upset! Where had the tooth gone? Why did he have this money? HE was mortified! I figured by the time he got to school and heard the other tooth fairy stories he would be alright. Of course as soon as we walked through the door the same teacher sachays up to us again (as if she HAD to follow up on the tooth!) and asks "so did you get money for your tooth last night?" which upset my son all over again as he explained what happened. Meanwhile she's telling me about inflation because back in the day HER tooth fairy didn't give her "no 5-dollar bill!"
So that night he put the money BACK under the pillow for the tooth fairy to bring back his tooth. I have never seen a child so happy to redeem a dried up crusty old tooth, but like I said CLEARLY not my child!

Fast forward to 2010 and we go to the movies (I won't say which one in case you haven't seen it yet) but in the movie they discuss the tooth fairy, and then he asks "Mom, are YOU my tooth fairy?"  I actually felt the wind knocked outta me. What do I say? Perpetuate the lie?  Just tell the truth? I mean he's old enough to know...but wait! What if he runs outta the theatre crying, or worse GOES ON OPRAH AND TALKS ABOUT HOW I'VE LIED TO HIM AFTER ALL THIS TIME!!!! I take a deep breath and say "Shh let's watch the movie honey, we'll talk about this later"
Thankfully he hasn't remembered....yet!

Summer Summer Summertime!

Hey YOU!

How's your Summer so far? Tried anything (or anyone) new and exciting? Just relaxing and enjoying lazy days? Reading? Travelling? What have you been up to? 
Well so far mine's GREAT! I mean my hair is notwithstanding this humidity and my body is certainly not beach ready (unless a dumpling in a 2-piece swimsuit is the new trend) but hey, I am so enjoying my Summer!
Family and friends in town for the 4th of July brought laughter, love, late nights sharing stories and most importantly GOOD FOOD!!!!

Some of the fam pictured here

On my way to a cookout

And the HEAT?? I asked for it and I sure got it! Two days ago we experienced 102 degrees; yesterday we had a record high of 105! Ok so I wanted a hot Summer but that was a little TOO hot, even for me! (My friend, Mich, would keel over after reading this, not only from the heat, but also because it is never hot enough for me! lol)

And what's part of Summer fun? Boys!!!
Here's mine with a nice bruise on his forehead after he fell outside while playing...Aye Dios Mio!

Summer's only just begun!

Finally saw FELA!

Ever since this play hit Broadway I've wanted to see it. The rave reviews and the fact that Jay-Z and the power couple Smiths are Producers, sparked my interest.

Well I FINALLY saw it and in a nutshell, FELA is PHENOMENAL!

The choreography is electric, the set design transports you right into the heart of the play and the music?? All the flavors of Africa, the Caribbean and more. You will wonder when your hips got a life of its own!

It's an incredible story about the life of Fela Kuti and a MUST-SEE!

Bill T. Jones (choreographer extraordinaire) was right there in the audience too...have I said how much I heart NY?

This holiday weekend was supposed to be the last of the show but it has been extended till 2011, so guess what people? YOU STILL HAVE A CHANCE TO GO SEE IT!

Sunset on Broadway

AKeys performance on GMA...

Here's her performance from Good Morning America. My sister swears she sees the back of our heads around 4:10/ 4:11 in the video, but uhm, I think the heat and excitement affected her that morning because I sure as heck don't see us lol

My love affair...

...with New York!

"No place in the world that can compare..." Great music, great people, great vibe...it's all here in New York !

This week I had the pleasure of meeting a blast from the past. I went to R Bar to support my friend, Regi, and not only did I meet other musicians and interesting people but I also ran into Adair Frey.

Adair Frey at R Bar

When I first met Adair, she wasn't quite sure of her sound or herself. Pretty, slightly reserved, a few tattoos which hinted that maybe there was a "bad girl" hiding somewhere in there. We both studied music together in the city and one day it seemed as though Adair just fell off the face of the Earth.

But fast forward to June 2010 and here is Adair. I didn't recognize her at first, but something about her was so familiar. Her raspy voice, her name kinda rang a bell, THEN it all came back to me. ADAIR!

Now she's found her sound, her look and her style, and I am VERY happy to see her evolve and become the artist she wants to be. To hear her music check out truthasadair.com.

Here are some of the other performers at R Bar that night...

Kimberly Korn and her band

My friend, Regi, doing his thang!

Cutie Guitarist Zack rockin' out

And just when I thought I was having such a great week, it got even better. A friend called me to ask if I wanted to be on the VIP list to see Alicia Keys perform live in Central Park on Good Morning America....WHAT KINDA QUESTION IS THAT???????? OF COURSEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! I had to restrain myself from screaming, after all I WAS at work when I received the call! lol

That was the highlight of my week! My sister said it best: "Breakfast in Central Park on a beautiful day with Alicia Keys singing to you? The Best!"

And yes, she DID look our way, pointed and sang DIRECTLY to us (maybe it was because I was jumping up and down screaming "Alicia I LOVE YOU!" while shamelessly wearing one of her t-shirts? doesn't matter, Alicia sang to me! lol)

Here are some pics from that day...

My sis and I waiting for Alicia Keys

Alicia hits the stage

They told her she pulled the LARGEST CROWD EVER for the GMA Summer Concert Series!

You go Alicia!

Sexy mama with her cute baby bump

Beautiful, talented, fierce!

Ahhh I heart NY!

These are a few of my favorite things...

Flipflops and tank tops and cute summer dresses,
driving on the highway with the wind through my tresses,
parties and barbecues and cool fruity drinks,
these are a few of my favorite things.

Alicia and Usher and Lady Antebellum

blasting the music till it hurts my eardrum
noone to interrupt me in the car while I sing
these are a few of my favorite thiiiiiiiiiiiiings

When the Fall comes, and school re-opens
then I'll be so saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad
but in the meantime I'll savor these fun Summer things
so I won't feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel
baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad

Cookouts and roadtrips and Summer vacations
Ice-cream...martinis... just pure relaxation
the heat of the sun as it beams on your skin

These are a few of my favorite things

Sending a shout-out to Sharon and Anya
Ellen and Janette and Kathy and Esha
They're all June babies so let us all sing
Happy happy birthday and the best of everythiiiiiiiiiiiiing

When the Fall comes, and school re-opens
then I'll be so saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad
but in the meantime I'll savor these fun Summer thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiings

so hope it's the best UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU haaaaaaaaaaaave!

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER EVERYONE !!

"The Greatest Ears In Town"

So it's late, and I really should be in bed but I HAVE to tell you about this amazing film/ documentary that I saw today called "The Greatest Ears In Town: The Arif Mardin Story".
It's about the life and career of 12-time Grammy Award winning producer, arranger and composer, Arif Mardin. He seemed to be such an incredible man, not just a genius in music, but also a charming personality and what a sense of humor! Some people are just born with that "je ne sais quoi" and he certainly had it.
He worked with countless people (Chaka Khan, Jewel, Norah Jones, Aretha Franklin, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones, Bette Midler, Randy Brecker; and that's just to name a handful...the list goes on and on and on) but the common thread was his heart... his ability to make everyone feel special. (I'm sure it didn't hurt that he made a mean martini as well :)
I loved his relationship with his wife, and how she understood that he couldn't help but to make music... or the intense passion he had for music, so much so that he did it literally until he passed away.
It's a great film and I highly recommend! I don't wanna give it all away, you just HAVE to see it.
After the screening there was a panel discussion with other Grammy Award winning producers and engineers who worked with the legend.

From left to right: Joe Mardin (Arif's son, whom I had the pleasure of meeting. He is absolutely pleasant and he also co-produced the film), Phil Ramone, Frank Filipetti, Russ Titelman, Michael O'Reilly, Doug Biro (film's co-producer) and Jimmy Douglass.

Joe Mardin and Phil Ramone during the panel discussion

Phil was teary-eyed after watching the film (you could hear sniffles throughout the auditorium; there couldn't have been a dry eye in the house) and he said he missed his "best friend".

Doug Biro spoke about Arif's incredible love for music and how he truly felt that "the music kept him alive" because Arif was in his 70's with failing health yet he was STILL working on music.

Russ Titelman regaling us with one of his Arif stories.

Jimmy Douglass who spoke about Arif's integrity and what an honor it was working with him.

After hearing so many people talk about what a wonderful man he was, it makes one wonder "who are YOU when all is said and done?"

Ok about to fall asleep to "All My Friends Are Here" (Composed & Arranged by Arif Mardin)...get your copy of the cd now (available on itunes...ithink...and a portion of the profits will be donated to The Jazz Foundation of America (which I firmly support), The Lustgarten Foundation & MusiCares).

Special thanks to The Recording Academy for coordinating this event and to Candace Jones for being such a joy at the front desk... it helps to see a friendly face after you've been dealing with NYC traffic. 

Nite nite! 

DON'T tell me you're TOO BUSY...to read this!!

Words are powerful! I've learned that, and I would think by now I'd know, but lately I made the mistake of saying 2 dreadful words
"I'M ..............BUSY!!!!" (insert gasp and dramatic music here)

Yes! Well guess what happened? Just that...I have been busy up the wahzoooo!

And it's not the kinda busy where I'm consumed doing the things I REALLY wanna do, NO, it's just little annoying STUFF. And I wondered, how did I get so BUSY all of a sudden??...lightbulb!! BECAUSE I SAID I WAS!!!

I've been "too busy" doing this or that and finding myself squeezing everything into my schedule when that really isn't how it should be.

That's when I reminded myself that words are very powerful. I've decided to be much more aware of what I say and how I utilize my time. So, how are you professing YOUR life today?