my blog to inspire you

Hello again everybody.I know this post has been a long time coming and I apologise….but i’m back

In this post I want to compare renaissance art to art of the baroque era. I’m sure all of you have heard of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and maybe even botticelli but how many of you know work by or have heard of artists such as Bernini, Borromini, Carravaggio or Rubens??? Maybe some of you have but personally I was not familiar with these artists before I began a class in Baroque art history.

I was already familiar with baroque music from Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Bach, to Handel so I thought it would be interesting to learn about the art of that time also. I learned that many people disliked Baroque art some said there was no good art created inthat time and that it was all nonsense.

I disagree and to explain why I disagree Iwant to show you two statues of David. One well known sculpture by Michelangelo and one by Bernini.

Michelangelo   http://graphics.stanford.edu/dmich-archive/images/david.jpg

Bernini   http://slog.thestranger.com/files/2008/10/bernini-david.jpg

As you can see from these two links there are multiple differences between the two. These are both sculptures to represent the legend david before he went to kill the giant Goliath. Michelangelo’s David remians calm and composedas if he does not have a giant to kill. Bernini’s David on the other hand is different.His face displays true emotion and feeling and any observer can get the true meaning and can see the determination in his face. This idea was the main focus of baroque art. Artists wanted to involve the viewers in the action of the sculpture or painting.

So tell me which would you prefer..to do nothing but stare at a painting of still figures or be able to feel as if your looking on as the figures are mid movement and going about there business at thetime of action?????

I’ve just been informed that I’ve won the Ballyfermot.ie Blogging completion and have won a brand new Dell Laptop. I’m also set to get my photo in the IT Forum Christmas newsletter of the handover!

So keep an eye out for the newsletter if you’ve got a @Ballyfermot.ie email account

Throughout my blog i now feel its my duty to inspire people.  I like to encourage others to enjoy and experience things they may not have considered…

 This is me hoping to inspire you all to take an interest in music, dance and acting through the otherworld that is c&s.  You may think it’s strange that I say other world but having previously been a member and followed this group through the years i think it’s safe to say that they are not only in a league but a world of their own…Yes they’re that amazing!!

 For those of you unaware of the talent of c&s here’s some background info…

Directors, producers and coreographers: Kieron Shortall and Kim Rice
Assistant: Jeni Rice
Dance Captains: Lauren Shortall, Seanagh Rice, Niamh O’Reilly & Chloe Cody

C&S was established in Ballyfermot May 2000, Since then the Group have gone from strength to strength winning MiniTops 2001, runners up this year and reaching semi finals numerous times in between.They have been really successful with students been selected for TV Adverts, Films & pantos..There are over 80 students taking classes in Tap, Drama & Musical Theatre.Their main aim is to build students confidence & self esteem & help give them the knowledge they need to progress in showbusiness.

A lot of people not involved in the culture in performance may consider this to be a bunch of kids dancing around on stage but I can guarantee that these are the best bunch of kids for miles around. Check out their bebo page if you don’t believe me. There you can find video clips and pictures and you can see their outstanding talent for yourself. http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=1379905747

Their most recent dazzling performance occured on sunday 23rd in the Olympia theatre. This was part of the competition showbizkidz. out of ten groups c&s came in second place next to centre stage but not without bagging adjudicators awards for best production and coreography. They wowed the packed auditorium with their spectacle of song, dance, charisma and style…hence the name c&s. The Olympia was the loudest I’ve ever heard when the directors, Kieron and kim were called to the stage for the results. The audience really showed their well deserved appreciation and respect to those who without whom the show would not be possible….                         

So why is it that a song that first appeared in 1981 on Journey’s album ‘Escape’ is extremely popular and well known today?? Almost everybody can relate and straight away recognise:

Just a small town girl, livin in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin anywhere

What once was the making of what some may call a power ballad is now a well known tune sung by many at pubs and clubs. Back at the time it was released it may only have been popular with Journey fans and those who liked that sort of music but now anybody who’s anybody knows the song.take this for example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDBvjVr1wk0&feature=related So why the change? and one thing i’ve noticed, it’s almost replaced the national anthem as the last song to be played!! It was almost a tradition at the likes of 21st’s and 40th’s for the national anthem to be played and thats when people knew when to start leaving but now people are satisfied and ready to go as soon as don’t stop believin’ is played.

Now don’t get me wrong it is an amazing song but its a mystery how this song resurfaced and gained much more popularity then when it was first released. This maybe due to the multiple appearances of this song in films and tv shows such as, The wedding singer, family guy, scrubs and south park.

The reason im writing this post aswel is the fact that it is an inspirational song. It goes through the story of a lonely girl and boy who are encouraged never to give up and to keep on believing. The song is almost like a mantra to follow your dreams.
To see Journey in action singing this song go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip1zsUIosoA

I would be glad to hear anyone’s views or ideas on why this song is so popular now.

I’ve noticed a lot of my posts contain mention of change or things inspiring us to do something.  So I’ve decided to bring up the ever changing on-going arguement of nature versus nurture.  To quote the musical wicked again of course ‘are people born wicked or do they have wickedness thrust upon them’.  This statement to a certain extent is the cause of this everlasting dispute.  To define the two words, Nature refers to a natural world that exists independantly of human interference.  To nurture on the other hand is to support, encourage, develop and bring up somebody or something.  So do we create our own personality or is it created for us through who we intereact with and how we live?? Which is more important for human development??

Personaly I think both sides have valid arguments. For children, nurture plays a very important role. Children look up to their parents (we hope) for encouragement and support. For example if a child is willing to take their first steps and their parents aren’t bothered, well in turn the child won’t be bothered and will carry this laxadazy attitude with them through their development. Nature aso has its points. As children get older they begin to distinguish between right and wrong and have to make choices in everyday life. Things like ‘will i clean up the milk i spilled?’ or ‘will i be mean to my friends?’. The choices the child makes will go towards the make up of his/her personality. I suppose looking at them both in that way brings up the fact that they are both important depending on where your are in your life. Children depend on people around them to be nurtured whereas as people get older they don’t want to be told how to act or what to do..Therefore rely on their innate feelings and thoughts. Some people will argue that it will be the way they were nurtured that causes them to have these feelings…Who knows..????

I am unsure personaly which is more important as I can see valid points of each. I would value your opinion and comments to see what other people think about the situation. So I think the conclusion for now is the fact that there is none and there won’t be for a very long time.

As promised, here are some beautiful inspirational lyrics to inspire all to love and appreciate music. Here you can find chosen lyrics from chosen songs. Also who wrote and performed them and if your interested I also gave the link to you tube for each song..Enjoy

Find your guiding inspiration In a place where dreams are made
With a lifetime’s preparation It’s no time to be afraid                   
Put our difference behind us While we shine like the sun           
See what we’ve all become Together we are one  - Together we are one written by Guy Chambers, Delta goodrem and Brian Mc Fadden.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNsrzw8T4U4                    

 There can be miracles When you believe
Though hope is frail Its hard to kill
Who knows what miracles You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will You will when you believe - When you believe written by Stephen Schwartz, performed by Whitney houston and mariah carey. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LDEvCf6Xwc

It’s my life  And it’s now or never
‘Cause I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just want to live while I’m alive - Its my life written and performed by Bon Jovi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOi9FkR1Nk8&feature=related

You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold
You gotta be wiser, you gotta be hard
You gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm
You gotta stay together  - You gotta be written and performed by Des’ree http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhpZfltbnAQ

It’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance
It’s the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance
It’s the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live  - The Rose written by Amanda McBroom made famous by Bette Midler. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYWAYLZWZBg

And my personal favourites to that inspire me to get by day-day:

Dont Stop me now-Queen

Eye Of the Tiger-Survivor

Aint no Mountain High enough-Marvin gaye

True friendship is an amazing thing. Friends come and go all the time but true friendship lasts a lifetime. True friendship can be felt within the heart and this creates a special bond between two people. When we are children we make new friends all the time including imaginary ones. But it is when we are growing we develop special friendships with very special people. I know many people but have only few relationships which I consider to be true friendships. These are people that I love and share my life with. I have one very special friend that makes me laugh,keeps me strong,encourages me to achieve my goals and contributes to make me the person who I am today(he knows who is is :-)). Friendship is almost like an antagonistic progress. If one of the two are sad the other cheers them up and vice versa. There are many songs that acknowledge friendship and show how it works both ways. For example:

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong, and I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on, for it won’t be long, ’til I’m going to need somebody to lean on.” ~ Lean on me

And my personal favourite which holds many emotional meanings for me,it still brings tears to my eyes when I hear it. It.s a song from the musical Wicked called For Good.

I hope you like this song I feel its a truely magical song that really depicts the true meaning of friendship. To hear it as part of the musical go to http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=MOxbNhB5dqg

I’VE HEARD IT SAID
THAT PEOPLE COME INTO OUR LIVES FOR A REASON
BRINGING SOMETHING WE MUST LEARN
AND WE ARE LED
TO THOSE WHO HELP US MOST TO GROW
IF WE LET THEM
AND WE HELP THEM IN RETURN
WELL, I DON’T KNOW IF I BELIEVE THAT’S TRUE
BUT I KNOW I’M WHO I AM TODAY
BECAUSE I KNEW YOU…

LIKE A COMET PULLED FROM ORBITAS IT PASSES A SUN
LIKE A STREAM THAT MEETS A BOULDER
HALFWAY THROUGH THE WOOD
WHO CAN SAY IF I’VE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER?
BUT BECAUSE I KNEW YOU
I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD …

IT WELL MAY BE
THAT WE WILL NEVER MEET AGAIN
IN THIS LIFETIME
SO LET ME SAY BEFORE WE PART
SO MUCH OF ME
IS MADE OF WHAT I LEARNED FROM YOU
YOU’LL BE WITH ME
LIKE A HANDPRINT ON MY HEART
AND NOW WHATEVER WAY OUR STORIES END
I KNOW YOU HAVE RE-WRITTEN MINE
BY BEING MY FRIEND…

LIKE A SHIP BLOWN FROM ITS MOORING
BY A WIND OFF THE SEA
LIKE A SEED DROPPED BY A SKYBIRD
IN A DISTANT WOOD
WHO CAN SAY IF I’VE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER?
BUT BECAUSE I KNEW YOU…

BECAUSE I KNEW YOU…

BECAUSE I KNEW YOU
I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD…

AND JUST TO CLEAR THE AIR
I ASK FORGIVENESS
FOR THE THINGS I’VE DONE YOU BLAME ME FOR

BUT THEN, I GUESS WE KNOW
THERE’S BLAME TO SHARE

AND NONE OF IT SEEMS TO MATTER ANYMORE

LIKE A COMET PULLED FROM ORBIT/AS IT PASSES A SUN
LIKE A STREAM THAT MEETS A BOULDER/ HALF-WAY THROUGH THE WOOD

LIKE A SHIP BLOWN OFF ITS MOORING/BY A WIND OFF THE SEA
LIKE A SEED DROPPED BY A BIRD IN THE WOOD

WHO CAN SAY IF I’VE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER?
I DO BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR THE BETTER

AND BECAUSE I KNEW YOU…

BECAUSE I KNEW YOU…

BECAUSE I KNEW YOU…
I HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR GOOD.

Here are some links to personality quiz’s I found interesting….

1. http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourbloggingpersonalityquiz/ A quiz to tell you what kind of blogger you are (im philosophical)
2. http://www.blogthings.com/whatpatternisyourbrainquiz/ This one informs you of your brains patterns (I have a dreamy mind full of fantasy)
3.  http://www.blogthings.com/whatseasonareyouquiz/ This will tell you what season you are (im autumn)

Theres loads more out there too, these are just a few quick and easy ones I found on www.blogthings.com . there’s also much more detailed ones for example if you want to find out if your an opptimist or a pessimist go onto

    4.  http://www.queendom.com/tests/access_page/index.htm?idRegTest=709 Theres 47 questions in this one. I havnt yet completed it.

Theres also a good site  www.personalityquiz.net for quizes to find out what your hand writing says about you or how shapes you like determine you pesonality.

  Hope you enjoy

Here we have two classic stories in relation to childrens literature, Lewis carrols ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and L.Frank Baums ‘Wizard of Oz’. These two stories provide detailed acounts of fantasy worlds, when alice falls down a rabbit hole and when dorethy is whisked off to the magical land of oz. What our parents failed to explain while reading them to us is the hidden adult nature behind some of the meanings of these stories. Im taking a class in childrens literature in college and my fantasy world was crushed :(  

HARSH TRUTH….

• The reason Dorethy and her friends ‘fell asleep in the meadow of flowers’ is because they were drugged by the drug opium symbolised by the poppy flower.Also other people believe when the munchkins hand Dorethy a lollypop it represents the drug pushers of the world giving their people free samples.Last but not least The Wizard of Oz himself represents drugs by means of the word Oz in his name being an abbreviation of the word ounce which is of course how drugs were measured. You can imagine how i felt in my class,me being  a lover of fantasy and imaginary stories, being told a whole knew meaning behind my favourite story..

Aswel as the wizard of oz, Alice in wonderland also contains some hidden meanings(or so my lecturer says)

Apparently as Carrol was not a religious man he used many jokes about christianity within this story.In the story Alice comes across two parcels, one is a bottle sayin drink me, the other is a piece of cake saying eat me. carroll used this to display his views on this religion as if people are ordered around.There is also evidence that he experimented with drugs around the time of writing the story so all the information of alice’s images and hallutionations can be brought back to represent how carroll may have been feeling himself

Before I get carried away with fully ruining everybody’s love of these stories I don’t want to disencourage you to read them. They are fantastic stories and should be and will remain popular for decades to come.So….enjoy

  Think you know the true story of the wizard of Oz??

You aint seen nothing yet!! Of course everybody can recall the hurricane, toto, the scarecrow, the tinman, the lion, the wizard, that damn blue dress and of course the witches……..what they forget to mention in the film is what happened before Dorethy dropped in. Thank goodness Gregory Maguire wrote a book to tell us

Maguire wrote the novel of the untold story of the witches of Oz and this resulted in the masterpiece of a musical…. “Wicked” What began as a show in broadway spread around the world reaching the west end in London. It was in London where I witnessed this spectacular show and as my blog is to inspire others i recommend you see it……

Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked witch of the west and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch. Their friendship struggles through their opposing personalities and beliefs, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard’s corrupt government, and, ultimately, Elphaba’s public fall from grace. The plot is set mostly before Dorethy’s arrival from Kansas, and includes several references to well-known scenes and dialogue in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.