Remember a few weeks ago, I wrote about an Intro Guitar class my friend was running over the Internet? Well, I have been pretty busy, so my participation has been limited. But today I had a chance to add a new video. In the spirit of practicing what I preach and modeling behavior, here is me taking some risks and singing in front of you and the rest of the interwebz.
Would love if any of you would like to add something to another record of this song. Maybe some guitar or singing, some drums, whatever. If you are interested in joining me on the next recording of this song, let me know.
Here is the original:
Yeah, I know. Long way to go. But this is how we learn.....we do.
Showing posts with label model. Show all posts
Showing posts with label model. Show all posts
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
us all:
We are nearing the end of our poetry unit in grade seven, and while I feel we only scratched the surface there have been some amazing poems. I am very impressed with much of what I have seen. Watching you all write such heartfelt, open and authentic poems has reminded me that I too need to have a bout with the verse.
A few nights ago, I began to draft my I Am From poem. I was hoping to tinker and edit and play it with it some more, but every time I look at it I feel like it is done. I will release it into the universe now and see where it sticks.
us all:
I am from the quiet rooms of only children
and loving parents
who didn't know how to try any harder.
Lost in a new wilderness
Lost in youth-
no one said it would be this hard.
I am from blame and forgiveness.
shame and power.
I am from empty bottles and full ash trays.
all night labyrinths of political discourse
the bent record player needles:
crinkling and crackling over ridges
tracing the fortunes of countless stories.
I am from Sunday's by the creek
redwoods watching
water striders puncturing the surface
the tension.
the sun.
the bliss.
I am from all things
exposed and hidden.
I am from drunken love and drunken tempers
from the tight rope and the near falls
I am from the recovery
the endurance
the survival.
I am from pistachios and pomegranates
jasmine blossoms and saffron.
I am from compasses pointing east.
mumbled prayers
beneath her sheets and shrouds.
I am from revolution and exile
a broken culture bought and sold.
The price of oil is always high.
I'm from the hangman's noose and
Friday Prayers.
I am from single moms
and good intentioned dads
from car accidents,
hospital rooms and broken bones.
I am from the terror in the dark.
Left alone:
I'm from growing up too fast
and endless promises
bound together by faith and time
held together
for now.
I am from the middle class
and just barely enough
and from never fitting in.
I am from the effeminate
the not too macho:
tender born and resilient
I am from skin and bones and lashes long.
I am from songs soft and tubes of paint
burnt umber and indigo
smeared canvasses and stained hands.
I am from songs loud and hard
and drenched in rage.
I am from the art that saves us all:
poems and songs and unnameable things
I am from within you
as you are from me.
I would love to hear your thoughts. It has been a great experience to explore these rooms through poetry. I cannot wait to read your finished poems and hopefully see them set free for others to read.
A few nights ago, I began to draft my I Am From poem. I was hoping to tinker and edit and play it with it some more, but every time I look at it I feel like it is done. I will release it into the universe now and see where it sticks.
us all:
I am from the quiet rooms of only children
and loving parents
who didn't know how to try any harder.
Lost in a new wilderness
Lost in youth-
no one said it would be this hard.
I am from blame and forgiveness.
shame and power.
I am from empty bottles and full ash trays.
all night labyrinths of political discourse
the bent record player needles:
crinkling and crackling over ridges
tracing the fortunes of countless stories.
I am from Sunday's by the creek
redwoods watching
water striders puncturing the surface
the tension.
the sun.
the bliss.
I am from all things
exposed and hidden.
I am from drunken love and drunken tempers
from the tight rope and the near falls
I am from the recovery
the endurance
the survival.
I am from pistachios and pomegranates
jasmine blossoms and saffron.
I am from compasses pointing east.
mumbled prayers
beneath her sheets and shrouds.
I am from revolution and exile
a broken culture bought and sold.
The price of oil is always high.
I'm from the hangman's noose and
Friday Prayers.
I am from single moms
and good intentioned dads
from car accidents,
hospital rooms and broken bones.
I am from the terror in the dark.
Left alone:
I'm from growing up too fast
and endless promises
bound together by faith and time
held together
for now.
I am from the middle class
and just barely enough
and from never fitting in.
I am from the effeminate
the not too macho:
tender born and resilient
I am from skin and bones and lashes long.
I am from songs soft and tubes of paint
burnt umber and indigo
smeared canvasses and stained hands.
I am from songs loud and hard
and drenched in rage.
I am from the art that saves us all:
poems and songs and unnameable things
I am from within you
as you are from me.
I would love to hear your thoughts. It has been a great experience to explore these rooms through poetry. I cannot wait to read your finished poems and hopefully see them set free for others to read.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
ten things i know to be true
Thanks to Ms. Paula for reminding me to share my list of ten things with you. This is primarily for my grade seven students as we explore poetry, but might prove insightful for the rest of you as well. The idea of the list is based on Sarah Kay's amazing ted talk below:
1. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. Things that are easy are seldom valuable.
2. Everyone is broken in one way or another. We are all stories made from scars, which upon inspection prove to run deep and beautiful.
3. Music has been my oldest and best friend. My therapist, my guide, my savior and my family.
4. Nature is a wondrous and complex system that does not operate outside of us. We are nature.
5. Children and young adults are the key to the future and we should never devalue your voice. Young people matter and it is my job to remind everyone of this fact.
6. Anyone can be creative and express themselves when they see beyond their fear of judgement.
7. Human beings are naturally good. When given a chance they will prove this to you.
8. Nearly all conflict is based on misunderstanding and poor communication. We need to listen and emphasize before we speak.
9. There will never be enough time to do it all. Life is short so stay committed to curiosity and exploration. Make everyday about learning something new about the world or yourself.
10. Fear is the biggest obstacle. It must be overcome to move forward in anything.
1. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. Things that are easy are seldom valuable.
2. Everyone is broken in one way or another. We are all stories made from scars, which upon inspection prove to run deep and beautiful.
3. Music has been my oldest and best friend. My therapist, my guide, my savior and my family.
6. Anyone can be creative and express themselves when they see beyond their fear of judgement.
7. Human beings are naturally good. When given a chance they will prove this to you.
8. Nearly all conflict is based on misunderstanding and poor communication. We need to listen and emphasize before we speak.
9. There will never be enough time to do it all. Life is short so stay committed to curiosity and exploration. Make everyday about learning something new about the world or yourself.
10. Fear is the biggest obstacle. It must be overcome to move forward in anything.
cc licensed ( BY NC ) flickr photo shared by Intrepidteacher
Sarah mentions that our thoughts and ideas intersect, so where do you agree with me? Where do you think our lists connect? Would love to see your ideas in the comments below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)