Who knew!!!! Blarting Again!
March 15th, 2008
Who knew?
Who knew when the idea first cropped up last October of H4PJ possibly participating in Song of Peace www.songofpeace.org that it would turn out to be one of the highlights of many peoples’ lives?
Who knew that we would ever be able to hold our “first annual” event at the Morton H. Meyerson Center?
Who knew that we would have a legend, Dr. Maya Angelou, as our keynote speaker and first recipient of the Voice of Peace Award?
Who knew that we would fill the hall to overflowing – from one end to the other, and top to bottom – and literally raise the roof with 2,000+ people singing for peace?
Who knew that we would have such an overwhelming outpouring of support for this event?
Who knew that when all was said and done, we would have over 400 people on the backstage security list? These were all people who had volunteered their time, their talent and their hearts to make a difference. This included the 200+ singer Voice of Peace Chorus, New Texas Symphony Orchestra, Male Chorus from the First Baptist Church, Hamilton Park, stage crew, box office crew, security, store volunteers and much, much more. Did you read that? There were over 400 people who volunteered and even paid money themselves to make the event the incredible success it was.
Well, I can tell you for sure that we at H4PJ didn’t know. We did not have a clue that so many people would want to be a part of this event – and become a part of H4PJ as well.
When we began, we didn’t know we would have an incredible sculptor (Deborah Ballard) give of her time to craft a bronze award for Dr. Angelou. We didn’t know we would have 9 year-old Dalton Sherman give a speech that would bring the house down. We didn’t know we would have the opportunity to sing Happy 80th Birthday to Dr. Angelou as Samantha Rush from Rush Patisserie rolled out the huge cake with the award replicated in sugar on the top! We didn’t know that Shawn Northcutt and Paul Taylor would work their video magic and that Gary Floyd and Denise Lee would bring the audience to their knees in tribute. We didn’t know there would be an incredible new brochure for H4PJ created by Brand-Agent and gorgeous stage design by Daryan Design. We didn’t know there were be an overflow chorus and the gorgeous sounds of New Texas Symphony Orchestra and Russ Rieger on the Meyerson organ. We didn’t know there would be people fly from all over the U.S. to be a part of the event.
All of that was serendipity.
But most of all, we didn’t know (at least for sure) that the afternoon would be life changing for all of us. There is never a guarantee of such things – they are things we hope for, of course, and plan for, but can never guarantee. This time it truly happened.
The “first annual” Voices of Peace event was beyond all of our wildest imaginations. If you were there, please write us your experiences. If you were not there, don’t tell anyone! Just make your plans to be at the 2nd annual Voices of Peace – March, 2009.
Tim
Smart people listen to NPR
February 20th, 2008
That is what my daughters told their mother many years ago. It was their interpretation of my explanation about why our radio was tuned to Public Radio during our drive to school every morning. I’m pretty sure that isn’t exactly what I said, but I probably did try to explain that my listening habits were the result of my wanting to be as fully informed as possible about world events as I started my day.
Today as we drove the news was largely about politics and the elections. The girls were trying to sort out the differences between the candidates. Their summary understanding was pretty insightful but their conclusion pretty depressing. They assumed that either our next president would be an African-American or a woman. Their only concern was that it would have to be one or the other. I had to remind them that there was also an older white man in the race who might also get elected. They said “Really, what is his name?”
So much for their education or how much they pay attention to NPR… My oldest daughter concluded, “Well, he must not have much of a chance because everyone I know is supporting either Hillary or Barack.” I tried to explain to her that she lived in an urban area, attended a performing arts high school, went to a liberal church and, well - had a unique family. Even listening to NPR gave her a far different world view than if her family listened to say, Fox News every day.
It is a fascinating year in U.S. politics. While both Democrats share essentially the same values and advocate the same policies, Americans will be offered two starkly contrasting visions of the future. When one of the girls asked who I thought would ultimately get elected I said, “Well it depends on if people vote based on their fears or based on their hopes.” I might have also said, “It depends on if people who listen to NPR all go and vote, or if people who listen to Fox all turn out.”
Stop the Insanity!
February 18th, 2008How many people must die before we stop our infernal obsession with GUNS???
“Three Dead In Louisiana Classroom Shooting”
“Six Shot at Missouri City Council Meeting”
How much more blood does the fear-mongering NRA et al need on its hands before Americans rise up and if necessary amend the damn constitution. I do not believe this is what those who wrote it meant but even if they did, it is not sacred scripture. Many times more innocent children are killed by guns each year than are protected by them. It is well past time to stop this madness!
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