What a Wonderful World : How Music can Transcend Diversity
Hello everyone, it’s been an eventful few weeks to say the least. Especially last week I’m sitting here writing this thinking that this time last week I wouldn’t even be awake for another hour and a half. Seriously, after eight hours of driving with only a few breaks, it was some much-needed rest. Not that I’m complaining of course. I made these plans and chose to have these endeavors. And if I was complaining, that would totally contradict the point of this entry.
I am speaking specifically about the topic of my last entry (which was actually the press release I wrote, with a few corrections) the Annual Bravofest show I have been helping put together to help raise funds for the Veteran's Charity Homes For Our Troops by holding a music festival with some of New York's & New England's best independent bands. I will include some pics and all, but I will keep it brief since I do plan to make more entries about these events.
I was thinking of this topic a month ago (to the date to be exact, big time lapse between now and when I started writing this. What can you do?). After the anniversary of September 11th, more commonly known to people as 9/11. But as you know, Life seems to get in the way of doing things that we had planned. And then people are forced to focus on what we all be grudgingly refer to as “priorities”. Well, at least I feel that way because most of the time I hear people saying that it’s just another bullshit excuse to leave people hanging or not doing things they had promised others they would follow through with. I did cover this in my other entry, simply titled the Promise. But then again, I’m guilty of this as well.
Having been old enough to remember all the events of that day, they will never leave me. I’m sure I’ve spoken about it here in someway or another. That morning I was walking on QUEENS Boulevard on the way to work and saw some fire trucks coming out of their house. I didn’t think much of it, even as a few others had sped past me. But when I went inside my job, we had heard about what had just happened. Luckily, I was able to catch a ride with one of my coworkers back to my house. I later got the news that Two people from my hometown, including a family friend(Who once lived in the house I grew up in) Had died that day, Mike Zinzi. It was confirmed after a few days, since there were a lot of people that were missing, and I was asked to call up a few hospitals to see if he was there. Although I didn’t attend his services, my mother told me that they played his favorite song that day : “What a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong. I made it a tradition to post this song in tribute to Mike every year.
Originally, I was going to write about something else I was thinking of with the passing of summer. Totally different topic, totally different attitude or what a character on a show I just discovered called Square Pegs would say "totally different head". Which I highly recommend by the way, especially if you're a fan of 80's teen sitcoms or Sarah Jessica Parker. Who I have met and was very friendly. Ironically through one of the worst paying jobs I've ever had. Just an example that good can come from almost any situation. Think about it, many people who have been through some tragedy and/or their families end up being advocates in some way or another to help raise awareness.
My apologies, I drifted off again onto an entirely different topic(I'm sure if you're a regular reader you weren't surprised by that). I chose this song and the subject to write about because of the message it carries. It's quite simple, or is it. Another reason I chose this is because of everything that has been going on that distracts from the fact that it is a wonderful world. Think about everything that has been going on in the world just in this month alone. I'm sure most of the things you have seen on the news were about some tragedy. And it's simple, that's what keeps people watching. For weeks after the events of 9/11 all we saw on the news were crews cleaning up on Ground Zero. If it was any other place and circumstance there would be never so much news coverage of people that type of work. I also remember one time a friend had bluntly pointed out the same point when two girls we had visiting from out of town and us were planning to go to New York City. The Mother was reluctant to allow them to go because she had heard bad things about the city. My friend said "of course she heard bad things, you think they will say on the news "Four kids went to the city today and had a good time? no because nobody cares". It's hilarious because it's true, but also kind of sad in a way. Sure they mention things about people being rescued or awarded for major accomplishments. But most of the stories people absorbed are those with something involving a deadly situation or worse. I'm sure you're thinking what could be worse than death, but I will leave that up to your own interpretations.
Having very little knowledge of the Man's work(actually one of the first things I heard about him was in band class as he was renowned for his ability to do so much with the least amount of notes, go listen for yourself. It's well worth it) After looking up how "What a wonderful World" came to fruition, the songwriter George Weiss was quoted that he wrote this song specifically for Louis Armstrong's for his ability to bring people of different races together. It goes without saying those times were different and just a few years prior to it's release it was even legal to discriminate people by color and ethnic backgrounds (ie signs posted in businesses that said "Irish need not apply" etc.).Despite this, folks of all backgrounds used to pile into clubs and ballrooms to see Armstrong and many other greats of the time performing. Think of that black & white footage where people are all decked out and the performers in the center of it. Just from that footage you can feel how much he loved performing. It just goes to show you that despite all the bias, segregation and division that music was able to transcend that and bring everyone together. Those involved in creating "what a wonderful world" felt it was a much needed to put forth message at the time because of all the things that were going on in the world at the time (the late 60's). It seems like we need to be reminded of that now as well. For example , There are still wars being fought, leading to large death tolls. They are just being fought by different nations on different fronts ,but mostly for the same reasons.
Like I said, it is extremely hard to focus on all these good things with everything we are being shown on the news day in and day out. Hence one reason why it's called "programming". I think that it's no coincidence that people in the age group who watch the least amount of Television (if any at all) are more open to new experiences and less inhibited. All the negative things we absorb on a daily basis impact us more than we think. On the other hand, positivity is more powerful than we can possibly imagine. People have been cured of diseases and many more positive life changes thanks to it. It's not possible to explain this in depth here but if you do want to learn more, see some more info and videos from Robert Zink or look for a book called the Power of Your Subconscious mind by Joseph Murray. I'm sure the powers that be are fully aware of this and that's why they inundate us with so much much negative things. Knowing we are worn down by our day in day out activities, we are easy prey for this "programming". That's why it's always best to take a moment and think, or even make it a point to set aside time to reflect in some way. I just saw a post from a new friend that said our days should be divided into 3 parts : 8 hours of sleep,8 hours of work & last but not least : 8 hours of wellness. And I don't think that means laying in a bath tub for a 1/3 of that day. And I'm sure this is hard for most people to the point where they see it as impossible. See how these mental traps get us so easily?
If we did take for wellness, we would live better lives. More people would be meditating without even realizing, finding more grounded solutions to problems instead of acting on impulse. After all, when we put time into something, it usually comes out better. And as more people practiced this, the better this wonderful world would be.
Thank you all for reading this, I would like to dedicate this entry to the memory of Louis Armstrong and all the Brave Men & Women who sacrifice so much to defend our Country.
Thanks once again,
Nate, xoxo
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There's something happening here : the curve is dividing us
Nate Dal Cais Information and Records Management 175 E Old Country Road Hickville NY 11801 516 545-4513 Nathaniel.DalCais@nationalgrid.com From: Nate Dal CaisThere's something happening here : the curve is dividing us
Hello everyone, it’s been an eventful few weeks to say the least. Especially last week I’m sitting here writing this thinking that this time last week I wouldn’t even be awake for another hour and a half. Seriously, after eight hours of driving with only a few breaks, it was some much-needed rest. Not that I’m complaining of course. I made these plans and chose to have these endeavors. And if I was complaining, that would totally contradict the point of this entry.
I am speaking specifically about the topic of my last entry (which was actually the press release I wrote, with a few corrections) the Annual Bravofest show I have been helping put together to help raise funds for the Veteran's Charity Homes For Our Troops by holding a music festival with some of New York's & New England's best independent bands. I will include some pics and all, but I will keep it brief since I do plan to make more entries about these events.
I was thinking of this topic a month ago (to the date to be exact, big time lapse between now and when I started writing this. What can you do?). After the anniversary of September 11th, more commonly known to people as 9/11. But as you know, Life seems to get in the way of doing things that we had planned. And then people are forced to focus on what we all be grudgingly refer to as “priorities”. Well, at least I feel that way because most of the time I hear people saying that it’s just another bullshit excuse to leave people hanging or not doing things they had promised others they would follow through with. I did cover this in my other entry, simply titled the Promise. But then again, I’m guilty of this as well.
Having been old enough to remember all the events of that day, they will never leave me. I’m sure I’ve spoken about it here in someway or another. That morning I was walking on QUEENS Boulevard on the way to work and saw some fire trucks coming out of their house. I didn’t think much of it, even as a few others had sped past me. But when I went inside my job, we had heard about what had just happened. Luckily, I was able to catch a ride with one of my coworkers back to my house. I later got the news that Two people from my hometown, including a family friend(Who once lived in the house I grew up in) Had died that day, Mike Zinzi. It was confirmed after a few days, since there were a lot of people that were missing, and I was asked to call up a few hospitals to see if he was there. Although I didn’t attend his services, my mother told me that they played his favorite song that day : “What a wonderful world” by Louis Armstrong. I made it a tradition to post this song in tribute to Mike every year.
Originally, I was going to write about something else I was thinking of with the passing of summer. Totally different topic, totally different attitude or what a character on a show I just discovered called Square Pegs would say "totally different head". Which I highly recommend by the way, especially if you're a fan of 80's teen sitcoms or Sarah Jessica Parker. Who I have met and was very friendly. Ironically through one of the worst paying jobs I've ever had. Just an example that good can come from almost any situation. Think about it, many people who have been through some tragedy and/or their families end up being advocates in some way or another to help raise awareness.
My apologies, I drifted off again onto an entirely different topic(I'm sure if you're a regular reader you weren't surprised by that). I chose this song and the subject to write about because of the message it carries. It's quite simple, or is it. Another reason I chose this is because of everything that has been going on that distracts from the fact that it is a wonderful world. Think about everything that has been going on in the world just in this month alone. I'm sure most of the things you have seen on the news were about some tragedy. And it's simple, that's what keeps people watching. For weeks after the events of 9/11 all we saw on the news were crews cleaning up on Ground Zero. If it was any other place and circumstance there would be never so much news coverage of people that type of work. I also remember one time a friend had bluntly pointed out the same point when two girls we had visiting from out of town and us were planning to go to New York City. The Mother was reluctant to allow them to go because she had heard bad things about the city. My friend said "of course she heard bad things, you think they will say on the news "Four kids went to the city today and had a good time? no because nobody cares". It's hilarious because it's true, but also kind of sad in a way. Sure they mention things about people being rescued or awarded for major accomplishments. But most of the stories people absorbed are those with something involving a deadly situation or worse. I'm sure you're thinking what could be worse than death, but I will leave that up to your own interpretations.
Having very little knowledge of the Man's work(actually one of the first things I heard about him was in band class as he was renowned for his ability to do so much with the least amount of notes, go listen for yourself. It's well worth it) After looking up how "What a wonderful World" came to fruition, the songwriter George Weiss was quoted that he wrote this song specifically for Louis Armstrong's for his ability to bring people of different races together. It goes without saying those times were different and just a few years prior to it's release it was even legal to discriminate people by color and ethnic backgrounds (ie signs posted in businesses that said "Irish need not apply" etc.).Despite this, folks of all backgrounds used to pile into clubs and ballrooms to see Armstrong and many other greats of the time performing. Think of that black & white footage where people are all decked out and the performers in the center of it. Just from that footage you can feel how much he loved performing. It just goes to show you that despite all the bias, segregation and division that music was able to transcend that and bring everyone together. Those involved in creating "what a wonderful world" felt it was a much needed to put forth message at the time because of all the things that were going on in the world at the time (the late 60's). It seems like we need to be reminded of that now as well. For example , There are still wars being fought, leading to large death tolls. They are just being fought by different nations on different fronts ,but mostly for the same reasons.
Like I said, it is extremely hard to focus on all these good things with everything we are being shown on the news day in and day out. Hence one reason why it's called "programming". I think that it's no coincidence that people in the age group who watch the least amount of Television (if any at all) are more open to new experiences and less inhibited. All the negative things we absorb on a daily basis impact us more than we think. On the other hand, positivity is more powerful than we can possibly imagine. People have been cured of diseases and many more positive life changes thanks to it. It's not possible to explain this in depth here but if you do want to learn more, see some more info and videos from Robert Zink or look for a book called the Power of Your Subconscious mind by Joseph Murray. I'm sure the powers that be are fully aware of this and that's why they inundate us with so much much negative things. Knowing we are worn down by our day in day out activities, we are easy prey for this "programming". That's why it's always best to take a moment and think, or even make it a point to set aside time to reflect in some way. I just saw a post from a new friend that said our days should be divided into 3 parts : 8 hours of sleep,8 hours of work & last but not least : 8 hours of wellness. And I don't think that means laying in a bath tub for a 1/3 of that day. And I'm sure this is hard for most people to the point where they see it as impossible. See how these mental traps get us so easily?
If we did take for wellness, we would live better lives. More people would be meditating without even realizing, finding more grounded solutions to problems instead of acting on impulse. After all, when we put time into something, it usually comes out better. And as more people practiced this, the better this wonderful world would be.
Thank you all for reading this, I would like to dedicate this entry to the memory of Louis Armstrong and all the Brave Men & Women who sacrifice so much to defend our Country.
Thanks once again,
Nate, xoxo
You may also like these posts :
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