Monday, July 07, 2014
Wednesday, April 02, 2014
April brings more than showers...
I read an email message today. It was from one of my friends, saying that for the first time, she saw a video that I'd made. The video was of my niece, laying in a hospital bed, smiling and chatting. I made the video because I was elated. And in shock. You see, this video was made only days after she nearly died - because she had been misdiagnosed for months. She was 3 years old.
8 years ago, this month, my precious niece was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Through several close calls, over 2 years of chemotherapy, with complete hair loss, body bloat, excruciating pain and needing to live at Ronald McDonald house for 8 months, she fought for her life, along with the staff at Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. For her courage, determination, and fearlessness, she became a hero to us all.
Today she's a healthy, happy 11 year old, with more hair than anyone I know. She doesn't like to talk about cancer, and for her sake, I resist talking about it to anyone she knows. It's her story to share with her friends, if she so chooses.
In responding to the message from my friend, I watched a couple of videos again, for the first time in years. Now, I find myself in tears of joy for her survival and the fact that both she and her big brother (God bless him for being such a wonderful support and source of love for her, despite his only being 2 years older) are thriving. It was a very difficult, and terrifying time for my family. But we made it! I'm simply overwhelmed with gratitude...
Thank you...
8 years ago, this month, my precious niece was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Through several close calls, over 2 years of chemotherapy, with complete hair loss, body bloat, excruciating pain and needing to live at Ronald McDonald house for 8 months, she fought for her life, along with the staff at Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. For her courage, determination, and fearlessness, she became a hero to us all.
Today she's a healthy, happy 11 year old, with more hair than anyone I know. She doesn't like to talk about cancer, and for her sake, I resist talking about it to anyone she knows. It's her story to share with her friends, if she so chooses.
In responding to the message from my friend, I watched a couple of videos again, for the first time in years. Now, I find myself in tears of joy for her survival and the fact that both she and her big brother (God bless him for being such a wonderful support and source of love for her, despite his only being 2 years older) are thriving. It was a very difficult, and terrifying time for my family. But we made it! I'm simply overwhelmed with gratitude...
Thank you...
Friday, March 07, 2014
Prince takeover
It's been a while since I've written anything in my blog, but this experience requires that I spend a few moments ruminating on the day's events.
Prince took over the Arsenio Hall Show this week! The show aired on Wednesday, March 5, 2014.
I arrived at work 45 minutes early so that I could program my keyboards, and already, the excitement in the air was palpable. Purple was everywhere. Musicians were everywhere. Fans (meaning everyone in the building, from staff to security to crew to Posse 2.0 - I mean, who's NOT a Prince fan???) were everywhere. I had been practicing keeping my calm for the previous several hours before arriving on set. Didn't help. I still reverted to being a 13 year screaming fan, at least on the inside.
You see, my very first concert was a Prince concert. My father took me and my BFF and we lost our minds, passionate Prince fans that we were. It was an amazing show, and left an indelible impression.
Fast forward to 2010, and Prince joins Stevie Wonder on stage at Stevie's concert in Paris, performing "Superstition" with the full band. Sharing the stage with these two very important, influential, iconic artists was surreal, breathtaking, exciting, fun, and amazing and filled me with a tremendous sense of gratitude and joy. I didn't get to meet Prince, but I was on stage with him! WOW!!
Fast forward to this week, and Prince comes to the Arsenio Hall Show and puts on an absolutely fantastic performance, reveals more of his personality in the interview with Arsenio, and jokes around with the audience (all of which can be found on Arsenio's website). Arsenio clearly made Prince feel at home, and as usual, conducted the interview in such a way that it felt more like eavesdropping on a couple of incredibly fascinating, good friends having a casual conversation - which it actually was. Prince was articulate, charming and engaging. He reminded all of us, yet again, why we all love him and his music, and that he is a musical genius.
Every musician in Prince's cadre was phenomenal (including 3RDEYEGIRL, Liv Warfield, NPG Horns, Cassandra O'Neal, @therealshelbyj), and they all inspired Posse 2.0 to play at our highest level (we were on fire...if I do say so myself...). I was spellbound watching Prince and his musicians perform, and honored to finally meet him. Genius. Icon. Inspiration to multiple generations of musicians.
Rock on, Prince!
Forever your fan...
Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL light up the show with their performance of "She's Always In My Hair."
Prince took over the Arsenio Hall Show this week! The show aired on Wednesday, March 5, 2014.
I arrived at work 45 minutes early so that I could program my keyboards, and already, the excitement in the air was palpable. Purple was everywhere. Musicians were everywhere. Fans (meaning everyone in the building, from staff to security to crew to Posse 2.0 - I mean, who's NOT a Prince fan???) were everywhere. I had been practicing keeping my calm for the previous several hours before arriving on set. Didn't help. I still reverted to being a 13 year screaming fan, at least on the inside.
You see, my very first concert was a Prince concert. My father took me and my BFF and we lost our minds, passionate Prince fans that we were. It was an amazing show, and left an indelible impression.
Fast forward to 2010, and Prince joins Stevie Wonder on stage at Stevie's concert in Paris, performing "Superstition" with the full band. Sharing the stage with these two very important, influential, iconic artists was surreal, breathtaking, exciting, fun, and amazing and filled me with a tremendous sense of gratitude and joy. I didn't get to meet Prince, but I was on stage with him! WOW!!
Fast forward to this week, and Prince comes to the Arsenio Hall Show and puts on an absolutely fantastic performance, reveals more of his personality in the interview with Arsenio, and jokes around with the audience (all of which can be found on Arsenio's website). Arsenio clearly made Prince feel at home, and as usual, conducted the interview in such a way that it felt more like eavesdropping on a couple of incredibly fascinating, good friends having a casual conversation - which it actually was. Prince was articulate, charming and engaging. He reminded all of us, yet again, why we all love him and his music, and that he is a musical genius.
Every musician in Prince's cadre was phenomenal (including 3RDEYEGIRL, Liv Warfield, NPG Horns, Cassandra O'Neal, @therealshelbyj), and they all inspired Posse 2.0 to play at our highest level (we were on fire...if I do say so myself...). I was spellbound watching Prince and his musicians perform, and honored to finally meet him. Genius. Icon. Inspiration to multiple generations of musicians.
Rock on, Prince!
Forever your fan...
For those who missed the show, check out these videos on ArsenioHall.com:
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