Step Aerobics & Self Doubt
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I have muscles in my ass I didn’t know existed!
That is a 12 foot ladder you see, the place is N.I.C.A.B – Northern Illinois Classic Auto Brokers or aka – Custom Muscle Cars
Saturday May 9th, NICAB is hosting an open house – this is a facilty that I have passed on Rt. 12 many times, but knew little about.
I was hired to do an American Flag for them, I 
questioned myself over & over about this job. I am not the most “graceful” person on the planet and envisioned myself dropping pints of paint from a top the ladder and watching it crash down onto priceless cars below me.
Not to mention the glass cases that are entwined throughout the facility housing Elvis, Beatles and 
many pieces of rock memorabilia.
I even contemplated at 1:00 in the morning the day before about canceling, freaking myself out for all sorts of reasons. Self doubt can really play havoc on your mind!
It was about 2 in the afternoon, when it took a little more time to climb those 12 rungs, and I didn’t
have as much get up and go when I realized, this was coming together!
Here is a situation that I was second guessing myself. I am self taught, and usually go on gut. I thought about sketching the entire drawing out on the wall in pencil to begin with, but when I got on the ladder to start. It just came to me. I saw the picture in my head, and knew how to get it done. Done to the point, the owner of NICAB – Tony Begley – asked what I would put on one of the last blank walls in his establishment. Looking at it – I had the idea for 2 large checkered flags.
He wanted me to come back the next day to finish up, since the opening was a week away. Am I glad I told him I’d let him know if the next day would work, or a day next week would be better.
Because, there was no way I could even walk, let alone climb that ladder again. I was well done. I had no idea the effects of going up and down a 12 foot ladder for 8 hours would have on my body.
This gave me new meaning of step aerobics, to the pathetic point that I hobbled around all Saturday realizing that I was well out of shape!
Well, yesterday I reached that finish line, I added some final touches to the big American Flag, outlining the NICAB logo in red to make it stand out and putting a bit of shadow work underneath the red stripes.
I then added the checkered flags to bay 2 and was delighted at the outcome. I think more so because of Tony’s excitement, it will be neat to see the whole place put back together.
Self doubt is destructive and if I would have given into it, I wouldn’t have learned what I can accomplish when I knuckle down, slow down and take my time to feel the vibe. I would have cheated myself out of something that gave me a really awesome drug free high, a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Taking and listening to Tony’s vision and what he saw in his mind’s eye and turning it into a reality with paint and watching it come to life gave me an incredible sense of accomplishment.
Cutter Brandenburg-Alive & Well
By · CommentsApril 25th, 2009 – For those that are worried about Cee/Cutter – He is alive and fielding many phone calls from folks that received an email yesterday that he died in his sleep.
This email was a cruel joke and had many saddened. Cutter’s/Mr. Cee’s words to me – Well I woke up this morning to many emails and messages on my phone. I think Im Ok , I seem to be OK.
It saddens me that there are people out there that would take the time to break peoples hearts, make some cry, or just think that this type of behavior will not go unpunished. If not in this life, in the next.
Finding Love Again
By · CommentsLife partners, lovers, friends, companions – they all have different names through out our lives. No matter which stage of life we find ourselves in, we all seek companionship of one kind or another.
So, the story goes..
You have lost a spouse from a terrible disease or a tragic accident, someone you relied on each and every day for even the smallest of things. Someone who captured your heart and made it go pitter patter. Someone who was the peanut butter to your jelly.
I imagine you wonder if you would ever be happy again.
Some years later, along comes someone, an old friend, someone reliable, kind and someone you are comfortable with. It’s like your batteries have been put on a charger and zap… you smile, not just a simple smile, but one of those curling toes and goose bump smiles.
You feel alive again, you feel needed, wanted and loved in a way you questioned if it was possible ever again.
A beautiful story – finding love again.
So, now I wonder, how can family members on either side be angry, hurt or upset. Kids, Grandkids it’s time to take a back seat.We can not be everything to our parents or grandparents, nor should we look at it as our parents or grandparents replacing someone.
What is being replaced is emptiness & lonliness, what’s being replaced is a tear of sadness for one of joy. I could never replace either of my parents, ever, ever, ever, they have been married since 1951 – and have taught me alot about life.
But, I wouldn’t want either of them to be so lonely that you could hear it when they spoke, see it in their eyes when a special holiday rolled around. Wouldn’t you want them to bloom like spring flowers and thrive in the sunlight of finding love again?
Peace
Dan Fogelberg – Virtual CD Tour
By · CommentsI was asked to host a virtual cd tour promoting Dan Fogelberg, well, I am a music lover – but that was a name that hasn’t been in my current music repertoire… I remember his name, but could I tell you a single song title? no…
I figured this was being sent to me for a reason, I was supposed to listen and find some lesson here or was it just to find another set of good songs to listen to on a warm spring morning.
Dan Fogelberg was interviewed by Fred Migliore and speaks about on a personal level kind of a behind the song… I loved that concept. Dan succumbed to prostate cancer in 2007 and yet another musician went to play next to Jesus, Mary & Joseph….a musician that so many know his name, but perhaps don’t know the history.
We look into the faces of the famous musicians that get us through difficult times with their music, but do we ever realize their tough times? What makes them tick? What’s behind the song?
One of the clips on the cd Dan speaks of the emotional involvement… “not knowing he would touch so many people so deeply...”
Musician’s touch us on a daily basis, I can’t recall the last time I ever listened to one of his songs, I had to do my research and was surprised to find he was from Peoria and was as well a session musician.
I asked Fred Magliore a few questions about his experience with Dan Fogelberg -
Susie – I have gone written about several musicians and have drawn them, I often wonder of their lives.. you had the chance of sitting with Dan and learning about his life.. and him personally..what would be one thing that you learned about him, that surprised you?
Fred – I think his gift of being open to receive, and paying attention to the things around him that many of us are to busy to notice. I don’t mean on the physical plane either but more on the matters of the heart and soul. Thus a lot of the songs he wrote were channeled through him “like Souvenirs” as he put it, “frozen moments in time” that amazed him.
Fred – I hear what your getting at and there have been many times over the course of the hundreds of interviews I’ve done, where there were questions I wish I would have asked. But not with Dan. There was this feeling of closure that both of us had, when we finished the interview and I think it’s very apparent upon listening to the interview.
I wouldn’t say I am star struck, but always thought it would be truly fascinating to sit down with someone famous and learn about them.. learn what touches them, what brings the song into their life, this is the opportunity for Fogelberg fans to have another glimpse, another memory and keep his music and the man alive.
There are about 45 minutes of “lost segments” from the CD which have never been & WILL likely never be released to the public!
As an added bonus - post a comment during this tour and you will be entered in a drawing to win a free copy of this one-of-a-kind CD with the remainder of the interview!!!
The most unique, insightful, special comment will be chosen to win a copy, in addition to the random drawing winners!
The tour started early on in April – check out the other blogs that were involved. You can purchase the CD from as well from – FM Odyssey
Thursday April 2 – Cheryl Malandrinos http://www.thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/ Review
Friday April 3 – Steven Bradley – http://stevenbradley.blogspot.com/ Review of CD, quips from interview, banners, possible interview questions (posting on 10 blogs)
Monday April 6 – Shelley Tucker http://thiseclecticlife.com/ Review of CD
Tuesday April 7 – Joyce Anthony http://joyceanthony.tripod.com Review of CD
Wednesday April 8- Dyan http://blog.voiceoftheangels.com/ Review of CD
Thursday, April 9- Joyce Anthony http://joyceanthony.tripod.com
Friday, April 10- Linda Merlino http://www.gooddaysnodays.blogspot.com CD Review and Shelia Goss- http://sheliagoss.com/blog/ mp3’s clips & review
Wednesday, April 15- Marta Hoelscher http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/ & http://inhishug.blogspot.com/ CD Review
Thursday, April 16th – it is me here at soul-to-soul.com & my husband over at Bucks Guitar Modifications.
17th- Robin Epstein is a lover of Dan Fogelberg’s music for a long time & will submit a review http://aroundtheisland.blogspot.com
22nd- Susan Wingate: http://www.susanwingate.com ; will review the CD
29th & 30th- Marvin at: Free Spirit blog at http://inspiritandtruths.blogspot.com/
AND
Hippie Days blog at http://tiedyedtirades.blogspot.com/ will review the CD
Roy Orbison – You Got It
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Every time I look into your lovely eyes,
I see a love that money just cant buy.
One look from you, I drift away.
I pray that you are here to stay..
Topping out the charts on April 15th, 1989 was You Got It – posthumously – Roy Orbison, 24 some years after hitting it big with Pretty Woman in 1964.
Roy passed away in December of 1988, I remember hearing the news and could hear his voice resonating and thinking, yet again, we lost another great.
Every time I look into your lovely eyes… followed up by.. you got it.
Do we get it? Or have we forgotten it?
Remember after 9/11 when a compassion emerged from the American People, one that made time stand still, a time when we were all grateful for the people in our lives, when a stranger held the door open for you, when someone helped you pick up your fallen groceries.
We don’t “got it” anymore – and it’s really not that hard to “get” back either, but no one seems to be willing to take the time to get back to basics.
Orbison is remembered for his many songs of “lost love”, let’s hope we can learn from Roy Orbison, the feelings that are buried within us, the compassion that we know others deserve and let’s get back to the basics.
Let's Put Some Laughter In The Day
By · CommentsThink about that good old belly laugh the one that makes your face hurt. Do you remember the last time you laughed like that?
Let’s put some laughter in the day, share your stories of gut busting laughter! (mine is below)
Just Smile! It increases your face value and releases endorphins.
We go through life with the weight of the world on our shoulders, and forget that we need to laugh and make others laugh.
Let your hair down, and take off your hat. This moment in time can never be relived.
No wasted time, we’re alive today
Churnin’ up the past, there’s no easier way
Time’s been between us, a means to an end
God it’s good to be here walkin’ together my friend.
By: Doyle Bramhall
Stevie sang these lyrics on The Sky is Crying, no wasted time, we’re alive today.
Stevie had one of the most vibrant smiles and facial expressions – so I decided to share this image of him, with his hat off, the sparkle in his eye and a huge smile. If you are not aware of his crazy alter ego – Brady – I will have to share that some day as well.
I don’t recall the latest gut buster – but hope you enjoy the story
I was 17 – drove a car with no air conditioning, came out of work, got in the Sunbird, and wiggled – at that time I could easily wiggle out of my upper undergarment, and the girls were free. I threw the undergarment in the passenger seat, and was off on my errands. The local grocery store was the first on the list.
What an ego boost when a bunch of guys whistled at me onto my way in the store – I strolled through the grocery store, and as I went to pay for my purchases.. just guess what was hanging off my purse straps.. yeah..that easily wiggled out of undergarment, how do you explain that to the cashier!
The Black Pearl Dance Team
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Since little of on, she danced.
This is my niece, Nicole and the catch phrase “Watch Me, Watch Me” still stands true, and now she has plenty of people watching her.
She danced her way into the Chicago Luv-a-Bulls, Chicago’s Adrenaline Rush, Schaumburg Flyers and now she is responsible for putting together The Black Pearl Dance Team for the Peoria Pirates.
Nicole put together an astounding 2009 Black Pearls Calendar, her talents go beyond dancing, she designed the calendar and has an eye for flair and perfection.
The Pirate’s football season is kicking off down south of us, why not join the fun and get into the action, hey Rent A Pirate Costume for the Next Peoria Pirates Game and put your game face on!
The Black Pearl Dance Team was honored by MLN for being among the top Minor Leaque Dance Teams quite an accomplishment.
Dance as if no on is watching, live like there is no tomorrow and love as if you have never been hurt!
I am proud of you Nicole!
Color or No Color – You Be The Judge
By · CommentsSeveral months ago I was contacted by a “mom” that wanted a special gift for her son for his anniversary. She was quite passionate on presenting a special gift for a special day. This particular mom got the privalage of officiating at the ceremony that joined her son with his new wife. The event happened on March 21st, 2003 and it was the first day of Spring.
Well, spring here in Chicago today is non-existant and we are gearing up for another snow.. My thoughts on that sentence is.. filled with $%^&W#$^$^% explicit language.. but my problem, not yours.
Anyhow, after going back and forth with Jan – the mother of the groom – we decided on a photo.
The only thing collectively we really couldn’t decide is whether to add color to this, I have been successful adding a slight coloring to a grey scale drawing. I did Tommy Katona and When It’s Shinin’ Blue and it turned out pretty well from what I am told.
But this particular scene, came on a chilly Maine Morning, the color of the ocean was deep yet the blue’s still shone through, the color of the sand, was a dark amber, but where it began to dry was a lighter peach. So, the story goes, Jan and I communicated back and forth as the drawing was developing.
The final outcome, with color, was not as she expected, and I have not a single issue when folks are not completely pleased, so I decided that I would re-do it, completely in gray scale. The jury is still out on my favorite and Jan is framing them both.
Someone makes you smile
By · CommentsWhat makes you smile? Have you ever really thought about that? Yeah, of course, rum makes Buck smile, a cold Corona will make me smile, but really, what makes you smile, what gives you a warm & fuzzy?
I shared a story somewhere online ages ago, but couldn’t locate it, and it falls into this category, of what makes me smile.
Leon makes me smile – he is a worker for Lake County Public Works Department in Northern Illinois, all I know about him is that.. his name and his job….. he works in the area where I grew up, where my parents still live and where I pass through on a weekly basis..
Leon is African American in a predominately white area, when he looks up from whatever task he is performing at the time, he has a smile and a wave for passing cars… I always made sure that I would honk my horn when I passed by, and his pearly whites would show through an ear to ear grin. A calloused hand would always flutter in the air.. until.. one day.. I was side by side with Leon, and he said.. to me..
“I am so sorry, I can no longer wave to you, someone called in and complained that I seemed “to friendly, it scared them, and if you don’t see me around here, it is because they are going to transfer me out of this area.”
I sat in my car as the light turned green..and couldn’t comprehend what Leon just told me.. I told him to please pull over so I could understand this.. that is when I learned his name…
Leon
My husband is a Public Works Employee.. and trust me, I have heard stories.. I would hope someone would give him the pleasantries of a smile and a wave.. so I had a bit of compassion for this situation. I wrote to the county, and I wrote from my heart, how asinine could that be, they would punish someone for doing his job as a public servant. Wouldn’t you much rather deal with a happy public servant, than one that’s copping an attitude..
Well.. Leon is still in the neighborhood, and after this, he asked me to pull over.. and explained the story, I carried a copy of the letter I wrote in my car for a few months, and I got to give it to him. I got a big hug, and a thank you… I saw Leon today, we passed in different directions.. but he made me smile..
His smile and his attitude is infectious, and as I drive through Leon’s territory, I always look forward to seeing his bright yellow truck and hearing a honk.. knowing, this person and I, even though we don’t know one another on a personal level, our lives have crossed and we find a smile.
As the sun sets tonight, think about… what makes you smile!
Pride and Joy Stevie Ray Vaughan
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Well you’ve heard about love givin sight to the blind
My babys lovin cause the sun to shine….
Well who would have guessed there was a picture of Stevie that I hadn’t seen..this was a commissioned piece for Barry in New Jersey, and after doing the pre-lim concept, I realized that I was drawing the wrong dang picture.
Getting so fired up because I found a fellow SRV lover, I didn’t read the fine print.. if I would have, I’d have realized that the Album “In Step” was re-released and held other photo’s.. after running to the library, Best Buy, Walmart, and countless other stops along the way, I have to thank to my friends at Musician’s Plaza & The Stratocaster Forums, for sending me the picture from the re-issue of In Step…Barry sent one, but it was to grainy to see the detail.
This drawing was a pleasure to do, In Step has the song “The House is A Rockin”… one of the best lines is…
Walkin up the street you can hear the sound
Of some bad honky tonkers really layin it down
Not knowing the man, but knowing some that did, we could all learn from him the lesson of love.. he says in Pride and Joy…
My babys lovin cause the sun to shine…
Put into perspective that we all are here on loan, not knowing when that loan will expire. There are little annoyances that happen to us on a day to day basis, there are struggles and issues, no matter who we are.
If we learn to live within our means, and within our boundaries, we will be a much better person and the music that we create from being here, will cause the sun to shine. It will make an impact on someone, you may not get instant gratification from it, but your memory, kindness, legacy and the music that you created within someone’s heart and mind will forever “dance across their soul”