The winter season is especially challenging for anyone who sings in public performances. When going out to do my costumed character act, I must usually prepare to acclimatize my voice. The changes in temperature and humidity from inside my car to the home or office venue can be considerable. I try to work in as much time as possible for the adjustment to be made before beginning my routine. Sometimes even with all the best preparation, surprises still occur. I then work it into the act as well as possible. When playing a chicken or gorilla there is a little more room for improvising. That saves the day in most cases. Preparation helps me reduce the stress that can sometimes accompany a performance.
Have you faced this situation? How did you prepare? What were the results?
Leave a comment.
Singing benefits the mind, body, and soul. It helps melt away stress.
•Reduce stress and improve mood
•Lower blood pressure
•Boost the immune system
•Improve breathing
•Reduce perceived pain
•Improve a sense of rhythm
•Promote learning in children
•Forge comforting memories
•Promote communal bonding
•Provide comfort
•Motivate and empower
Read more at
bellaonline.com
10 easy ways to cut stress
10 practical ways to reduce stress
Managing stress while singing
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Overcoming troubles with courage - a poem
This has been a year of stark changes and challenges for me. I reflect back on the lessons I've learned, the promises I made, the friends that helped me through it all. There have been pleasant discoveries and surprising victories. May these upcoming holidays bring opportunities to you for living a courageous life. Turn your stresses into stepping stones towards a higher purpose. Live the life you have dreamed.
Enjoy this poem.
As you travel through life
There are always those times
When decisions have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.
There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.
So pack up your troubles and take a step forward
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead
If you have courage enough!
There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!
Perhaps you'll find friendships
That spring from new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,
And so many ways you can grow!
Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!
Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.
Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.
So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
and taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road
Don't look back! You're not going that way!
Enjoy this poem.
As you travel through life
There are always those times
When decisions have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.
There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.
So pack up your troubles and take a step forward
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead
If you have courage enough!
There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!
Perhaps you'll find friendships
That spring from new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,
And so many ways you can grow!
Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!
Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.
Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.
So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
and taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road
Don't look back! You're not going that way!
Friday, November 19, 2010
Amazing Unshavings - Mustaches/Moustaches, Beards - Celebrate Facial Hair
Movemeber.com
Moustaches at Squidoo
Handlebar Moustache Club UK
Beard Community and Moustaches
Why do people wear such things on their faces? This lens is committed to raising the issue of the moustache as a window on the soul, and as a device for expressing personal identity.
Since the first humans had a choice between having hair on their upper lip, or cutting their upper lip off with a flint, the way they have worn their 'hair up there' has helped to define who they are. Famous individuals, groups and societies, cultures and social movements have used the moustache to announce their intention to not be ignored, to stand up and say 'Yes, I look silly, but dammit, at least I look silly the way I want to.' They do not allow their detractors to choose a weak point in their physical appearance, they hand it to them on a plate - "I have a ludicrous moustache - please mock me for it". It is only the truly strong of character who can offer such opportunities to their enemies.
Moustaches at Squidoo
Handlebar Moustache Club UK
Beard Community and Moustaches
Why do people wear such things on their faces? This lens is committed to raising the issue of the moustache as a window on the soul, and as a device for expressing personal identity.
Since the first humans had a choice between having hair on their upper lip, or cutting their upper lip off with a flint, the way they have worn their 'hair up there' has helped to define who they are. Famous individuals, groups and societies, cultures and social movements have used the moustache to announce their intention to not be ignored, to stand up and say 'Yes, I look silly, but dammit, at least I look silly the way I want to.' They do not allow their detractors to choose a weak point in their physical appearance, they hand it to them on a plate - "I have a ludicrous moustache - please mock me for it". It is only the truly strong of character who can offer such opportunities to their enemies.
Monday, November 8, 2010
This guy is one of my inspirations for performance arts. Enjoy the dangerously funny videos by Remi GAILLARD
Name:GAILLARD
Channel Views:14,966,203
Total Upload Views:510,532,624
Style:Clown
Age:35
Joined:July 03, 2007
Last Visit Date:15 hours ago
Subscribers:426,980
Website
This channel contains dangerously funny videos created and produced by Remi GAILLARD.
A french hidden camera show which differs from most other in the aspect that gags are surreal and very visual.
You don't need to learn french to understand, so get ready to laugh hard !
"C'est en faisant n'importe quoi qu'on devient n'importe qui"
It's by doing whatever that one becomes whoever...
Channel Views:14,966,203
Total Upload Views:510,532,624
Style:Clown
Age:35
Joined:July 03, 2007
Last Visit Date:15 hours ago
Subscribers:426,980
Website
This channel contains dangerously funny videos created and produced by Remi GAILLARD.
A french hidden camera show which differs from most other in the aspect that gags are surreal and very visual.
You don't need to learn french to understand, so get ready to laugh hard !
"C'est en faisant n'importe quoi qu'on devient n'importe qui"
It's by doing whatever that one becomes whoever...
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Funny and Clever Answering Machine/Voice Mail messages I've Collected
After the tone, leave your name, number, and tell where you left the money. I'll get back to you as soon as it's safe for you to come out of hiding.
Concatenation of events preclude our coming to the phone. Please speak freely, with magniloquence upon occasion of the tone.
Greetings, you have reached the Sixth Sense Detective Agency. We know who you are and what you want, so at the sound of the tone, please hang up.
Hello, and welcome to Answering Machines of the Rich and Famous! Sam can't come to the phone right now because he's spending the week in his beautiful summer home on the French Riviera.
Hello, this is Ron's toaster. Ron's new answering machine is in the shop for repairs, so please leave your message when the toast is done... (Cachunk!)
BEEP Hello, this is WVKE, you're on the air.
Hello, you've reached 555-1552, the Apartment at the End of the Universe. Please leave your message, name and number at the sound of the tone. Keep your hands, feet, extremities, and obscenities inside the car at all times. Enjoy your ride.
Hello, you've reached Jim and Sonya. We can't pick up the phone right now, because we're doing something we really enjoy. Sonya likes doing it up and down, and I like doing it left to right... real slowly. So leave a message, and when we're done brushing our teeth we'll get back to you.
Hello. I'm not at home right now because I'm out making changes in my life so leave a message and if I don't call you back, you're probably one of those changes. (BEEP)
Hi, this is Ed. I'm secretly replacing Jane and Bob with dark sparkling Folger's Crystals. Leave your name, number, and a brief message and they'll call you back when they're nice and percolated. See if you can tell the difference.
Hi, this is Jim. Thanks for calling during my pledge drive. A basic membership is only $30, and a $60 pledge gets you an "I love Jim Shea" T-shirt. Please wait for the tone, and thank you for your pledge.
Hi, you have reached Jerry McGuire. Show me the message! Show me the message!
Hi. Do you ever feel, like, your head is full of sand, not your regular loose sand mind you, but compacted sand, and there were like, I dunno, bugs or something jumping up and down on the compacted sand? Well, sometimes I do. Bye.
Hi. Now you say something.
I can't come to the phone right now because I'm down in the basement printing up a fresh new batch of 20 dollar bills. If you need any money, or if you just want to check out my handiwork, please leave your name, number, and how much cash you need after the tone. If you're from the Department of the Treasury, please ignore this message.
I know you're out there. I know that you're afraid. You're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don’t know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end, I came here to tell you how it’s going to begin. I'm going to hang up this phone, and then I'm going to show these people what you don’t want them to see. I'm going to show them a world, without you. A world without rules and controls. Without borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there, is a choice I leave to you.
Thank you for calling Soviet Embassy. No KG... Er, no diplomats are able to answer phone, so at sound of capitalist tone, leave name, telephone number, and short description of secrets you wish to sell.
These words are lovely dark and deep, but I've got promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, so leave a message at the beep.
This is not an answering machine -- this is a telepathic thought-recording device. After the tone, think about your name, your reason for calling, and a number where I can reach you, and I'll think about returning your call.
Vancouver Coast Guard, may I help you. (Caller thinks they dialed long distance.)
We're not in cause we're out LOOTING! Leave a message and we'll call you back and tell you what we got.
We're sorry. You have reached an imaginary number. Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and try again.
(Theme from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in the background:) You've reached the residence of Jill and Tom. We can't come to the phone right now, because we're cleaning the refrigerator. Please leave your name and number, and we'll get back to you.
Concatenation of events preclude our coming to the phone. Please speak freely, with magniloquence upon occasion of the tone.
Greetings, you have reached the Sixth Sense Detective Agency. We know who you are and what you want, so at the sound of the tone, please hang up.
Hello, and welcome to Answering Machines of the Rich and Famous! Sam can't come to the phone right now because he's spending the week in his beautiful summer home on the French Riviera.
Hello, this is Ron's toaster. Ron's new answering machine is in the shop for repairs, so please leave your message when the toast is done... (Cachunk!)
BEEP Hello, this is WVKE, you're on the air.
Hello, you've reached 555-1552, the Apartment at the End of the Universe. Please leave your message, name and number at the sound of the tone. Keep your hands, feet, extremities, and obscenities inside the car at all times. Enjoy your ride.
Hello, you've reached Jim and Sonya. We can't pick up the phone right now, because we're doing something we really enjoy. Sonya likes doing it up and down, and I like doing it left to right... real slowly. So leave a message, and when we're done brushing our teeth we'll get back to you.
Hello. I'm not at home right now because I'm out making changes in my life so leave a message and if I don't call you back, you're probably one of those changes. (BEEP)
Hi, this is Ed. I'm secretly replacing Jane and Bob with dark sparkling Folger's Crystals. Leave your name, number, and a brief message and they'll call you back when they're nice and percolated. See if you can tell the difference.
Hi, this is Jim. Thanks for calling during my pledge drive. A basic membership is only $30, and a $60 pledge gets you an "I love Jim Shea" T-shirt. Please wait for the tone, and thank you for your pledge.
Hi, you have reached Jerry McGuire. Show me the message! Show me the message!
Hi. Do you ever feel, like, your head is full of sand, not your regular loose sand mind you, but compacted sand, and there were like, I dunno, bugs or something jumping up and down on the compacted sand? Well, sometimes I do. Bye.
Hi. Now you say something.
I can't come to the phone right now because I'm down in the basement printing up a fresh new batch of 20 dollar bills. If you need any money, or if you just want to check out my handiwork, please leave your name, number, and how much cash you need after the tone. If you're from the Department of the Treasury, please ignore this message.
I know you're out there. I know that you're afraid. You're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don’t know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end, I came here to tell you how it’s going to begin. I'm going to hang up this phone, and then I'm going to show these people what you don’t want them to see. I'm going to show them a world, without you. A world without rules and controls. Without borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there, is a choice I leave to you.
Thank you for calling Soviet Embassy. No KG... Er, no diplomats are able to answer phone, so at sound of capitalist tone, leave name, telephone number, and short description of secrets you wish to sell.
These words are lovely dark and deep, but I've got promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep, so leave a message at the beep.
This is not an answering machine -- this is a telepathic thought-recording device. After the tone, think about your name, your reason for calling, and a number where I can reach you, and I'll think about returning your call.
Vancouver Coast Guard, may I help you. (Caller thinks they dialed long distance.)
We're not in cause we're out LOOTING! Leave a message and we'll call you back and tell you what we got.
We're sorry. You have reached an imaginary number. Please rotate your phone 90 degrees and try again.
(Theme from "Raiders of the Lost Ark" in the background:) You've reached the residence of Jill and Tom. We can't come to the phone right now, because we're cleaning the refrigerator. Please leave your name and number, and we'll get back to you.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Guides for manly style, skill, shaving and image.
A Man’s Guide to the Trench Coat
How to Smell Like a Barbershop
A Man’s Guide to Sweaters
How to Buy and Restore Vintage Shaving Gear
A Man’s Guide to Style Transition: 6 Steps to Start Dressing Like the Man You Know Yourself to Be
How to Build Your Wardrobe: Part III-Men’s Hats, Watches, and Other Accessories
More great reading at Art of Manliness.
100 Must Read Books: The Man's Essential Library
How to Shave Like Your Grandpa
100 Must See Movies: The Essential Men's Movie Library
How to Tie a Tie
9 Ways to Start a Fire Without Matches
Bringing Back the Hat
Stop Hanging Out With Women and Start Dating Them
10 Worst Products For Men Ever Created
Do More Than One Stinking Pull-up
Rediscovering the Barbershop
Find your best Shaving Gear for the perfect shave everytime.
I like these three and the Art of Manliness. If you have a good experience and rapport with others, please comment.
Amazing Shaving
Shave Blog
Lees Razors
Monday, November 1, 2010
Find your voice with professional training and coaching programs.
In my search for the best schools and programs for voice training, I found this excellent team of coaches and production experts. If you want to raise your performances to their very best, maybe this is for you.
Industry Leading Voice Over Training
Introductory Classes, Demo Development and Production, and Voice Evaluation from the industry experts at Voice Coaches.
All Voice Over Training programs are one-on-one, all-inclusive, and presented by our exceptional team of industry professionals. With experts in broadcasting, voice acting, film, communications, speech language pathology, audio production, and marketing, our Training and Production Team delivers tremendous individualized industry preparation coupled with personalized, long-term support to provide confidence, fun, and continued industry success.
See feature videos of voice over talent at the voice coaches blog:
VoiceCoaches.com Blog
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