A little gift for you crafty folks out there...I've been experimenting with creating mobiles lately. To recieve the Fall Colors Mobile, just click on the "free mobile" patch on the sidebar. You might see some Eric Carle influence in this creation, (it seeps in without you knowing it.)
Also, I've started my first singing lessons. It is an attempt to a) try something new, and b) work more directly with my voice (for speaking as well). I'm not interested in becoming a fabulous singer (although I am hoping to improve somewhat), but rather to learn more about technique, breathing, and projection. What I've learned so far is it's harder than it looks! After one hour of doing scales I am left winded and exhausted. We had our first group session on the weekend (usually the lessons are one on one), and it felt so great to just sing with other women. (And we learned a few great English pub songs to boot, so I now feel I could confidently travel to England and hold my own while stopping for a pint.)
In the past I never felt confident signing in a group, but being in the musical last year really changed that. On the few occasions I had been to church (weddings, funerals), I always sat in the back and mouthed the words. I think I've learned that if you do anything often enough it becomes second nature and the fear is dissapated. I'm hoping that this also applies to public speaking. I so admire people who are natural and comfortable in front of a crowd or a camera. Why is it that the presence of a lens pushes me into an instant state of panic?
One thing that has come out of the singing lessons is that I find I am singing all of the time now. I even do it in public places without realizing it, sometimes blushing in embarrasment. My goal is to do it regularly without blushing.
Posted by kerismith at September 24, 2003 12:45 PMI just found your website and have spent the last hour devouring it. I printed out the mobile and can't wait to work on it with my kids tonight. I have put a link to you on my page - hope that's okay - Keep singing!
Posted by: mattie on October 3, 2003 10:44 AMi sing in public way too much and yes people do look at me like i'm crazy.
oh well, maybe they're right!
Posted by: madge on September 26, 2003 09:54 AMHa ha! Let's start a "sing in public" movement! I've always avoided it because people tend to think you're crazy. But when I see someone else doing it I actually think, "wow, they are so confident. I wish I could do that."
My mom used to sing everywhere. I remember being in the grocery store and a song she liked would come on the loudspeaker and using her real singing voice she would belt it out. I would hide behind a large cracker display flushing with embarrasment. Now I'm doing it!
Posted by: keri on September 25, 2003 03:08 PMI once read an observation from an elderly man who said that the thing he notices most about life now is the absence of people singing, whistling, or humming to themselves while out and about. He observed that the air used to be filled with music - and I have wondered, how & why have we lost the music? So you keep singing as you walk down the street, Keri - I just know you're lifting people's spirits there, and I'll be doing my best to do so here in California! :)
Posted by: Carole on September 25, 2003 02:59 PMamanda -- take the class! kingi, who gives them, is a sweetie, and peach berserk is a great place to get your creative juices flowing ... doesnt hurt that they sell my purses too. ;)
and keri this is my first post but whenever i read about you doing something new, i'm always so proud of you ... and it always makes me feel proud of myself too. it's easy to forget the little risks we take everyday which might not seem like much to some people. but we know how tough they are.
so bravo and keep singing. it's the #1 most funnest thing to do in the world! something about all those vibrations going through your body? i dunno. but when i sing i feel like i can do anything. and i firmly believe that anyone can sing, even if she thinks she's tone deaf. it just takes practice.
xxoo and thanks for your site
madge
way to go keri!!!!! i'm always so afraid to try something new.......no wait, try something new on my own.
there's a fabulous woman who owns her own store on Queen St, Peach Berserk, and she offers one day all day silkscreening classes! i've been thinking about taking it for a while but i find i'm always asking people if they want to take it with me. i've decided that's silly, i'm signing up tonight....alone!!!
thanks for the inspirational shove keri!
Posted by: amanda on September 25, 2003 08:10 AMYay! to trying new creative forms! I've just started a life drawing class and am horrified by my beginner status... I think its very good for my ego. My main 'form' is documentary film which is very different!
I printed out the mobile, am working on it, and blogged about it! I LOVE it! Mahalo for sharing it*:)
I think I need to make one for my niece!
Ps..I think singing is the best stress buster!
Posted by: pt*:) on September 25, 2003 01:05 AMyou have given me an inspiration to give singing another try. i have always wanted to do voice lessons but was hesitant because i really sing out-of-tune (well, i think that's exactly why i should take up the lessons right?)
anyway, thanks. you've given me something to think about again. :)
way to go!
Posted by: jing on September 25, 2003 12:37 AMway to go! i used to be deathly (well, not really) afraid of singing, but was all too aware of the fact that i can't carry a tune. i decided to get over it, and now i sing all the time! who cares if i don't sound good? it makes me happy!
Posted by: kate on September 24, 2003 07:48 PMwow, i would love to take singing lessons but never did find the time. i really should. people say i should too.
thanks for the fall mobile, it's so cute :) and i love love love the colors!
sing it, keri!
Posted by: stef on September 24, 2003 07:29 PMOh that is so awesome for you! Yay! I love love love to sing but am a dreadful singer. There is a jazz club in Chicago called The Green Mill and it is my dream to learn one song well enough to sing it there for my husband. I am sure I never will though. So GOOD ... FOR ... YOU!!!
Posted by: Lena on September 24, 2003 05:04 PMI sing on the side and it is one of the greatest feelings in the world to practice a song, get it perfect, and hear it come out of your mouth. Sometimes I hear myself and wonder, "Is that me?!"
Singing in a group is one of my favorite things to do, so I hope your confidence grows in that area. You will learn so much from the other women, and feel a bond.
I wish you luck with your singing, and I hope you'll belt out showtunes with confidence the next time you're walking down the street. :)
Oh dear,
Sorry about that. It was a margin problem. I think I fixed it now. Let me know if there are any other problems.
K.
aw, i don't see the mobile link anywhere. am i blind? i want my mobile fun.
(if you're ever in LA you can join me and rama for a karaoke party!)
Posted by: christine on September 24, 2003 02:44 PM