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Friday, July 25, 2008

Moodstream

A new brainstorming tool called Moodstream was just released by Getty Images. It has a really slick interface to allow you to choose pictures, movies, and songs that convey a particular feeling, or emotion. Their goal is to "help guide your creative towards inspiring and unexpected directions." I also love scouring their other stock photo site iStockPhoto for pics that convey real meaning and depth.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Hi 1. Bye 2

A-O! Queen @ Live Aid = "Greatest Live Gig Ever"


In quintessential Queen style, singer Freddie Mercury's presence is so powerful there is no doubt who is in charge or what he's communicating. Watch to see how he leads the audience, all 72,000 of them at Wembley Stadium in London. It was at this moment for me as a teenager that music started speaking to me and since that time sparked a love for music and performing. Out of all the performances by all the artists, this was the one performance that would never be topped. I remember sitting up to watch in amazement as the crowd (not a Queen concert crowd, mind you) was so in to each song, each other and most of all the moment. Oh to have been there!! Pay particular attention at 5 minutes and 23 seconds, when you can really see the entire audience clapping to Radio Ga-Ga. I still get chills watching that performance and listening to others describe how pivotal this performance was to the success of Live Aid and catapulting Queen's legacy into the stratosphere. How can one person, singing one song lead so many? What would possess people half a mile away to sing and clap along to a song? What qualities does he and others possess to inspire his audience? What and who inspires you? How do they do it? What is their message and what is the medium?
You had your time, you had the power
You've yet to have your finest hour
Radio
Watch in full screen-mode and crank up the volume. With little transition between songs 'Radio GaGa' and 'Hammer to Fall', watch and marvel at how Freddie uses a couple of syllables to charge the crowd up even more.


Here is a great news piece on Queen's rehearsal prior to Live Aid.


Queen (set list) - "Bohemian Rhapsody" (part), "Radio Ga Ga", "Hammer to Fall", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", "We Will Rock You" (part), "We Are the Champions"

"Having autism doesn't mean you can't live your dreams,"


By the now, the story of Jason McElwain from nearby Greece Athena High School in Rochester is well known. And here is the rest of it.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

"Work for the rest of your lives" to get better

Katee and Will nail this performance choreographed by COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet co-Artistic Directors Desmond Richardson & Dwight Rhoden. Nigel later states that the one little mistake in their routine should be a reminder to always work to achieve higher goals in your life.


L'il C (Guest judge)
“Dancers have the most difficult task because you guys are the mediators and intercessors to communicate and manifest what the choreographers see so that there is such a burden to have on your shoulders and I feel like you guys danced with SO much commitment, and SO much passion, and vigor, and fervor, just conviction all the way around that nobody cannot get it. Like it’s not oblivious. You guys delivered.”

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Murderball becomes Wheelchair Rugby


The loud thud of colliding chairs and the competitive juices of athletes battling for the Canada Cup...this is 2008 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament We want our teachers to look at their students abilities and what they can accomplish. This sentiment is echoed throughout this ESPN clip of the only full-contact sport for athletes with a disability.