Cha-cha-cha-changes

It's pretty sad that we practice 'change for change's sake'. Unfortunately change doesn't always indicate improvement. Just look at websites... they often are updated just to show they're current and progressive. A good deal of the time change was not even needed (and the new design actually is a step down).

Be wise, cautious, and discerning when making a change.
Know when it's actually needed... and when it's possibly a detriment.
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WWJD

Thirty five years ago, if you were to go into my grandfather's modest home, you would see 'WWJD' stickers scattered all throughout. If you know what that means, it indicates you're viewing it with today's knowledge, since back at that time hardly anyone had a clue what his messages-to-self meant. He didn't have too many years left on this earth but he really had his act together about what was most important.

By asking WWJD, we're basing our decisions as high as possible.

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Raising Kids

If the thinnest, prettiest woman in the room grew-up as an overweight child, guess what? That's the way she still sees herself!

The way you encourage and support your child makes a life-long impact.

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Demographics

The person who can make demographics work for them is the person who can rule the world.
Unfortunately, it's frequently the wrong people who realize this principle and make it work for them.

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'The Seasons'

The Alpha & Omega Suite was begun in 2000 and nine years later was completed in 2008. Though heavy on lyrics, the compositions were also written to stand on their own as an orchestrated instrumental.

After taking a two year hiatus away from the music, at the end of 2010 I returned to the compositions and started notating and scoring. The new variation on the Suite is referred to as 'the Seasons'. Each season will contain a different 'take' on the individual pieces, for instance Autumn emphasizes strings and orchestra, Winter is heavy on piano, Spring will be more hard/electric, and Summer is not determined yet.

I am randomly scoring the individual pieces separately as I feel inspired. So far the 2-1/2 parts I've completed have each taken 5 to 6 weeks of endeavor. The Psalmists Sonata, though number 12 out of the 35 pieces was the first I wrote the sheet music for. It is a piece which when first written back in 2004, was immediately 'stuck in my head' as a heavy string arrangement. These strings are also a part of the first recorded version with lyrics.

Promises Fulfilled was the first song written for the Alpha & Omega Suite... back in 2000. It has always been dear to me and became the second piece notated and scored the first month in 2011.

At the slow rate I'm putting these songs to sheet music, I probably won't complete more than six or seven songs a year. So... I'm asking you to be patient and sit back and wait as each new composition is added. Hopefully, you enjoy them as much as I do and you will feel it is worth the wait.

Let the season begin.

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Promises Fulfilled - Autumn

"Promises Fulfilled - Autumn" is complete as of this week. It is already being posted onto various music websites and stations.

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Use What You Have

As an artist, the most exciting creative tool to appear in my lifetime is definitely the computer. In my middle age years, I've adapted to it and have been able to create visual art, videos, and especially music... achieving a quality like I wasn't able to reach prior. I don't look at it as a 'easy fix' or crutch, but as a tool to be used according to my creative abilities.

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Condiments

Condiments, such as ketchup, can compliment food or they can cover-up food. Do you compliment or cover-up? Three ways of telling are: (1) Do you use so much ketchup that it's taste becomes the dominant taste? If so, you must question whether you really enjoy the food's taste at all. (2) Do you use the condiment on specific foods that are normally not associated with it? Most people don't associate a lettuce salad with ketchup, so there's probably a good reason they don't. (3) Does the food and the condiment work in harmony with one another? Are they compatible or are they at odds. Again, ketchup and chocolate are not considered to be a good team.

So what kind of condiment are you? Do you compliment or do you cover-up?


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Say it Ain't So

I have more respect for people than what is justifiably healthy. For instance, when somebody says something totally ridiculous, mean-spirited, wicked, or arrogant, I naturally spend a couple seconds pondering what they said... to evaluate whether they might have some validity.

Some statements just aren't worth spending any time contemplating.

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YouMe

Though the difference between self-confidence and self-centeredness can be as thin as a fine hair, it can also be as wide as a vast chasm. The divider is in the motive: is it only for self or is it to benefit others equally or more-so? Sometimes we easily recognize the true motive, other times we don't see it so clear.

We should take a fine look at our self as discerningly as we do at others.


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History's Greats

History is filled with truly great people who everything they did was exceptional, faultless and pure.

Several easily come to mind. There was... no. What about... no, not really. But then there was... probably not. How about Gan... no, not from what his family shared. Of course there was Jesus. That brings to mind Moh... no, too many character flaws. Surely Joh... well, at least his music was good. Several holy men, such as... hmmm, too much has been reported on them.

Maybe I better lower the standard and then add some more to the list.



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