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John Braheny is interviewed on YouTube.com by Michael Laskow, CEO of TAXI.com about some of the things that Taxi song screeners look for in a well-written song …

Check it out!

Here’s a photography show, at the Von Lintel Gallery in New York, that really makes its point.

Hopefully, it will be put on tour … but for now, you can see some of it here.

The show is called Running the Numbers, An American Self-Portrait, illustrating the quantities of things we consume … awesome!

The artist is Chris Jordan.

Enjoy!

Among the variety of classes at The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena (California), they teach how to research and illustrate quantifiable data.

Students usually design and execute charts, graphs, or 3-D art to demonstrate their findings.

Here’s a particularly good one that a student (who will remain anonymous) designed and built.

Cardboard stove emits a small burst of steam, accompanied by a sizzling sound, each time a burger is flipped.

Some of the text …

“How many flipped burgers does it take to pay for everyday expenses…”

“The average worker needs to flip 118 burgers to earn one hour of Federal minimum wage.”

“45,825 burgers [need to be flipped to pay] for health insurance”

“916 burgers … for gas”

[Other categories included: college tuition, rent, toilet paper, Top Ramen, diapers, etc.]

“1,700,000 minimum wage workers are currently working at or below the $5.15 hr. Federal minimum wage.”

[P.S. Don’t know where the student got his/her data.]

Years ago, my mother took me by surprise when she revealed that she would have loved to design and build cities. I think she would have been very good at it.

If only she’d had this fun little game … CityCreator.com.

There are 3 choices: Medieval castle, snow scene or future city. I suggest you choose a background first and then choose and place the roads or walkways. (Each segment is drag & drop.) Then you can go from there … choosing commercial buildings, houses and so on. When you’re done, you can save and send to a friend.

Enjoy!

Here’s a list of some excellent writing tips from successful entrepreneur/writer, Paul Graham.

Several of them, you already know, but it’s handy to have them in a list form.

One that jumped out at me is, “Imitate writers you like.”

Whether you’re writing stories, or a novel, or songs … this still applies. I know that John Braheny has taught a class “Anatomy of a Hit” where students would bring in their favorite hit songs.

John and the class would pick them apart (the songs, not the students) to learn what specifically helped to make this song successful and how structure, dynamics, lyric content, etc., contributed.

If you’re playing in a cover band, you’ll absorb some of these things just by learning and playing these songs over and over. So, it becomes a process of osmosis, rather than deliberate learning. Learn while you earn. (smile)

Enjoy the list of tips!

Last weekend (June 9) was the first in a series of competition concerts hosted by the WineryMusicAwards.com. The next ones are: July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 15, and Oct. 7th (2007).

John Braheny was one of the (highly esteemed!) judges and remarked that it was a tough call, as each of the performers did so well.

It’s a terrific event … and you can attend any of the shows, as they are open to the public. Included in the price is a “flight” of wine tastings, a delicious catered dinner plus the music, of course!

Tickets for each elimination round are $40 person. For the final competition and awards presentation, tickets are $60 person.

Sorry to say, if you want to enter the competition, you’ll have to wait until 2008, as the entry deadline for ’07 was a month ago.

Each event is held at a different winery/vineyard in the Central California area of Palo Robles. Several notable sponsors participate to make each event the best it can be.

Put it on your schedule … we hope to see you there!

Hooray for another marvelous online archive! You’ll bookmark this site and visit often…

Folkstreams.net is described as:

“A National Preserve of Documentary Films about American Roots Cultures, streamed with essays about the traditions and filmmaking. The site includes transcriptions, study and teaching guides, suggested readings, and links to related websites.”

If you’re into folk music, or the blues, this one’s a keeper.

[Photo of John Braheny’s well-loved guitar that has traveled with him since college.]

Many people ask me about journal writing. And I’ve posted about this subject before. I’m a huge fan of keeping a journal, and usually respond to them enthusiastically with “Yes, just do it.”

I recall starting my own recounting of daily activities, with brief hand-scrawled notes. It was my 10th birthday … a new era.

Someone with insight (can’t recall who, most likely my mom) gifted me with one of those small but thick blank books. Each lined page had a date printed on it, imposing itself on me not to be left blank.

I can’t recall if it was leather or leatherette (?) but it was dark apple red with gold embossed letters, announcing “My Diary.” It had an attached flap with a lock and little gold key dangling from a red string. The lock was supremely welcomed as I had (still have) two older brothers. And you know how snoopy those can be.

Anyway, I’d have to dig deep in our garage today to see if, in fact, I still have that diary (haven’t seen it in so long) but the point is that it is what got me started … or should I say addicted.

From there, I fell in love with letter writing … and figured if I spent the time (well, it took longer back then) to write to my dear friends or relatives about what was happening in my life and how I felt about it all, I may as well keep copies. So I did. And those are in boxes in the garage for sure.

What’s funny is that I’m just now, lo these years later, taking the time to go back through some of those early writings … and I’ve learned a few things. What an understatement.

In fact, what I’ve learned about myself just recently, is how much more skilled I am in handling whatever life throws at me … good or bad. I’m teetering on the brink of saying that I actually feel I’ve gained some wisdom! So, for me, the idea of journal keeping, and/or letter writing (if you tell the truth in your letters, that is) is definitely a “Yes, just do it.” There’s no better way to assess your personal journey, for better or worse, whether you keep a daily diary, or a periodic correspondence, or just a collection of your written impressions …

And if you want some help getting started … check out this site, Writing the Journey which is chock full of diving boards to help you jump into the pool.

[My photo: Two kids giggling at their funny reflection in a mirrored ball, Butchart Gardens, near Victoria, British Columbia, 2006]

Enjoy!

Artists, Musicians, Writers:

I just read
River People vs. Goal People, an exceptional article by Chuck Frey (InnovationTools.com).

He describes a major difference in how we maneuver through our lives.

He offers an image of “goal” people, as those who envision goal posts in a football game. Some people set those up for themselves and remain focused specifically on them … which is how they accomplish things … and how they know what they’ve accomplished. It works for them. Solid markers.

But others are “river” people … those who seem to step into a flow (some of them dive in) and expect the river to take them places, toward their goals, that they never before imagined. They also value the info learned along the trip. River people often find themselves much further along their path than they ever could have ever predicted.

Which one are you?

Enjoy!

[I took this photo: River in Olympic National Park, Washington State, 2006]

I know, I know, I know … I should alert you to these events before they happen, but heck, I’ve been too busy going to them, and forgot to post them! Darn. This one happens again in October…so set your calendar.

[If you live in the Los Angeles area, and want to subscribe to a wonderful e-mail list, check out Doug Welch’s WelchEvents. He tends to highlight events that are ‘free-to-cheap’ including nature hikes, kids events, and arts/crafts festivals.
Just click: “Join this group” at this link: http://groups.google.com/group/WelchEvents?hl=en]

We hadn’t attended this art show in the past couple years (we were out of town a lot) but it’s definitely one of our favorite local events: The Beverly Hills Affaire in the Gardens Art Show.

We’re always impressed with the variety of sculpture made from new materials (resin? plastic? melted glass?) and also award-winning presentations ranging from classical-style paintings (landscapes, bowls of fruit) to “ultra high design” (i.e., modern impressionists), plus amazing jewelry and wooden crafts (handmade furniture) of all types. The craftsmanship is jaw-droppingly good. If you are interested in buying, do bring your entire bank account. (OK, it’s not THAT bad, but still pretty pricey.)

The outdoor show covers 3 blocks of the park alongside Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Heck, if you still need more stimulation, you can always visit the chic boutiques along adjacent world-famous Rodeo Drive, where Elizabeth Taylor buys her diamonds, or used to.

Oh, and the dogs people have with them…a show all unto itself.

Enjoy!