Tag Archives: singing

A Tribute to Alan Menken

When the Academy Award nominations were announced a few weeks ago, I discovered some surprises in the “Best Original Song” category. Two songs from “Princess and the Frog” made the list. I didn’t hide my lack of enthusiasm for Randy Newman’s work on Disney’s latest animated feature. I found nothing particularly repellant about the songs in the movie, but almost more importantly, I especially didn’t find anything memorable about them. As I said before, I couldn’t recall a single song from the movie even as I walked out of the theater minutes after the credits rolled. Do I just have … Continue reading →

More Simple Tips for Hosting a Christmas Party

If your spouse is happy to help with cooking for a Christmas Party, it can be fun to make it a family time of cooking but if it’s not their thing, don’t force the issue. You’re better to do it on your own. Another way that works well and certainly cut down the cost, is to ask each person you invite to bring a small dish, nibbles, salad, dessert, etc. Put the emphasis on small or otherwise you will end up with way too much food. This is the way parties are often organized amongst our friends. Husbands are usually … Continue reading →

The Return of the Jonas Brothers

If you have tween or teen girls in your house, you’d better plug your ears: the Disney channel has renewed both of the Jonas Brothers’ television series. “JONAS,” the hit sibling band’s sitcom-style series, will return mid-2010. Meanwhile, season 2 of “Jonas Brothers: Living the Dream,” will debut earlier in 2010. “Living the Dream,” the Jonas Brothers’ short-form reality series, is likely returning earlier because it can be filmed while the brothers focus on other projects, such as their current European tour. Gary Marsh, President of Entertainment of Disney Channels Worldwide, says of the show, “We can deliver something to … Continue reading →

DJ AM Dead at 36

I came home from a night out with friends and read the headline that DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. Friends reported not hearing from him for two days and police broke the door down to find his lifeless body. Great, Ted Kennedy, Dominick Dunne, and now DJ AM – the death in threes theory continues! Yes, the same guy that seemed lucky to survive the fiery plane crash in South Carolina last September is dead at the age of 36. He was found both unresponsive and unconscious in his apartment on Friday afternoon. The … Continue reading →

More on Music and Medicine

More and more researchers are looking at the relationship between music and the human body. Here are a few recent developments! At the Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute in New Jersey, patients who undergo surgery are accompanied by music during recovery. The heart tends to fall into rhythm with music — the beat helps the heart maintain a smooth, steady pace. Music is also used in the recovery room immediately after surgery to help quiet anxiety and promote feelings of peace. A study from the University of Maryland Medical Center found that hearing your favorite song can be a big benefit for … Continue reading →

How to Save Money on Entertainment

Sure, checking our movies through Netflix or the library can really save you money on your entertainment costs. But if you are tired of staying home and just want to save money on the entertainment you used to enjoy before, take a look at the following tips. You’ll learn how to save money on entertainment. Theater and Concerts Waiting until the last minute can really save you money on tickets for the theater, musical concerts and other shows. Close to show time, tickets can go for a bargain price. This is because the theater would rather sell the seats for … Continue reading →

The Legal Woes of Courtney Love and Maradona

I was reading today about how Courtney Love has been sued because of her online rants. Oh no, I thought to myself! Maybe I should be more careful when blogging because I know at times I can be harsh. But, then I read exactly what Courtney had been saying and I think I am doing okay. Love is being sued by fashion designer Dawn Simorangkir, aka the Boudoir Queen. Simorangkir is seeking damages for libel, invasion of privacy, intentional interference with her business, infliction of emotional distress and breach of contract. Simorangkir also says that Love has never paid her … Continue reading →

A Special Gift of Love

Sometimes the most special gifts of love can be time given over to do something for your spouse. This is what Mick has been up to lately. In our house we have a collection of 78s (For those younger one among you – these are the highly breakable records that came out many, many years ago) I’ve had this collection of 78s handed down from my mother. They’ve been packed and carefully moved from house to house each time we moved, and then carefully stored again, because I couldn’t bear to part with them. But the problem was they never … Continue reading →

The Joaquin Phoenix Circus Continues while Bret Michaels Opens Up

Joaquin Phoenix is in the news again and as you might suspect, it is not in a good way. The actor turned rapper has puzzled everyone with his new bizarre personality and looks, but no one really seems to know if it is all an act or just a frightening public breakdown a la Britney. Phoenix was performing at the Fountainbleau’s LIV nightclub in Miami Wednesday night when he experienced a heckler (and if you’ve hear his “music,” that is completely understandable!). It was around 2 a.m. when Phoenix, who had exchanged barbs with the heckler, decided to take matters … Continue reading →

The Influence of Music

Have you ever noticed the power of music to influence your moods, attitudes and actions? It’s no wonder experts have discovered music therapy. Last week at church we sang two songs. One was, ‘To live is Christ.’ That song has encouraged me and challenged me throughout this week to look at how I respond to what is happening in my life. Am I responding as Jesus would? Am I showing Christ to the world in the way I speak, the things I say and do? ‘No matter what price I pay, I choose to give this life away.’ Notice it’s … Continue reading →