Friday, March 11, 2016

5 Websites That Must Be Checked Out



Photo © Source


Everyday, I come across astounding people doing an extraordinary job or they are seriously on top of their game or I find an interesting website or service that is diverse and not mainstream. I like to notify others to check them out because finding specific things online can be a daunting task. 

Here are my five for this week: 

1. Madalyn Sklar - yesterday I was part of an online seminar regarding how to #TwitterSmarter and it turned out to be beyond fruitful and I ended up connecting to like minded people who are real and serious about the content they provide to the public whether that be personal or business related. Madalyn was fantastic at coordinating this, as well as being a wonderful human being.

Website: http://www.madalynsklar.com/

Twitter: @MadalynSklar


2. Micropoetry Society: As a writer, my thoughts are often random and cannot be used in a story or poem and I find myself just writing in the moment. This website is perfect for such writers, freethinkers, artists. 

Website: http://micropoetry.com/

Twitter: @pssms


3. Patrick Mundus: For a daily dose of "wake up", inspiration, real life writing, and general well being feel good truth, he is the one to connect to. 

Website: http://www.coachenmetjehart.nl/blog/
Twitter:
@PatrickMundus



4. gruvology: All kinds of jazz and blues and diverse styles of music, do not go further, these guys are ever progressing.  They are a consistently changing group of varied styles of music that causes them to be absolutely beyond talented. 

Website: http://www.gruvologyjazz.com/
Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/walter-kemp-iii/faithfulness


5. National Park ServiceThe National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

On the website, you can search for: nature, employment, data, education, news, photos, history, direct involvement, resources for educators, children and yourself, landmarks, environmental consciousness, taking action, volunteer work, everything. I adore nature. This website is only one immense resource. 


Website: http://www.nps.gov/index.htm

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Please check out previous sites below: 



Have fun! 

Peace. 

 

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

A Special Gift in Observance of International Women's Day



ON WGRZ



In observance of International Women's Day, Leslie Jean created a series of images, to feature on her Instagram account, honoring women, whom she has been inspired by, taught by, loved by and loved in return, mentored by, motivated by, humbled by. 

You can view the entire album starting HERE on Facebook

#PledgeForParity
#InternationalWomansDay
#IWD2016
#March8th

Thank you Leslie! Such a beautiful, selfless, healing project and KUDOS to you for showing the rest of us how to be. 


Tuesday, March 8, 2016

What Happened, Miss Simone? [Book Review]






Written by Alan Light, this book was inspired by the Academy Award-nominated Netflix documentary What Happened, Miss Simone? about the legendary life of Nina Simone, who was first a classically trained pianist and evolved into a chart-topping civil rights activist.

I preferred the documentary to the book. While the book is good, one cannot possibly capture the magnetic presence of Miss Simone merely in pages.

The biographical film directed by Liz Garbus opened the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and showed, rather than attempted to tell, the beauty, power, the struggle, and the indefinable presence of Nina Simone. The documentary combines previously unreleased footage and interviews with Simone's daughter and friends.

The title of the film, as well as the book, is from an essay written by Maya Angelou. The quote in its entirety goes:

“Miss Simone, you are idolized, even loved, by millions now. But what happened, Miss Simone?"






Nina Simone [born Eunice Waymon] changed her name when playing nightclubs in Atlantic City. In the photo above at Carnegie Hall, Nina played 18 pieces, an eclectic set list ranging from Israeli folk tunes to a Leadbelly song.

She was the first black female soloist to appear at the legendary theater. Released in 1963, Nina Simone at Carnegie Hall was beyond triumphant and became one of her finest albums.

Nina was well aware of her stage presence and referred to that as "mass hypnosis . . . a spell you cast."


This is how I like to think Nina was most at peace, at her piano.




"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."