Think about it.  Your favorite quotes are probably good guidelines for how you live your life–or would like to.  Mine tend to be about movement, possibly because I hate standing still, hate stagnation, and feel I need to keep moving. They also tend to be about journeys and blazing my own trails regardless of popular opinion.

1.  Traveler, there is no path.  Paths are made by walking. — Antonio Marchado

I don’t mind being the first to try something.  In fact, if I can be first, I prefer it.  There’s a thrill in making my own path, and if others follow the precedent I’ve set and it makes life easier for them, that’s great, too.

2. If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much room. — African Proverb

I like the idea of living life with passion, and that’s what this quote says to me.  Push the envelope.  Try new things.  Intensity!

3.  If it’s something I want, then it’s something I need; I wasn’t built for comfort I was built for speed.  –”Bad for Good” by Jim Steinman

This was my mantra early in my career and when I was first known as an uber-reformer in my job.  Pushing the envelope meant making some people uncomfortable because most people are comfortable with things as they are and don’t want change even when it’s a good thing.  I streamlined and reformed and got things done both well and quickly, and when I wanted to make something happen, it became a necessity for me to see it through.

4. Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?– The Book of Job

This is a reminder to me not to listen to negative and unhappy people, even friends and family I love, because often they don’t really know my motivations or the depth of my emotions or speak out of their own fears.  It’s a good reflection of my daughter’s golden words to me when well-meaning people were driving me crazy:  Don’t take advice from unhappy people.

5.  There are no statues to critics, only to those who are criticized. — various, including Timothy Ferriss, The Four Hour Workweek

I’ve always heard that it’s easy to criticize and hard to create, but sometimes it’s disheartening to create something and have negative people harp on what they don’t like about it or why it probably won’t work or how things like that never do well and then tell you they’re being “realistic.”  I’ve never encountered anyone who said he was being “realistic” who wasn’t actually being extremely negative.  So this quote is a reminder to me to push forward and do what I need to do and not to worry about small-minded naysayers and fault-finders.

6.  In the middle of the journey of our life,  I came to myself within a dark wood where the straight way was lost. –Dante

If the journey of our life is around 72 years and Dante was in his mid-30’s when he wrote this quote, then I think it makes an excellent mid-life crisis-slash-transformation reminder.  At around 40, you meet yourself in the Dark and have to shine a few lights to get rid of some of the shadows that have built up.  It’s a time of re-assessing, and you can only see the path you’ve been on when you stop and look back at it, especially when the way ahead feels more unknown than ever.

7.  Jump or be pushed, the Universe said.  It’s your choice.  –Lorna Tedder

Okay, so this is a quote of my own, but it sums up that feeling of a breakthrough, when you know things cannot go on as they have and you must decide to take action.  And if you can’t take action, the Universe will make things bad enough that you must take action.  It’s your choice to take the leap or let the situation push you into it.  Looking back, I’ve discovered that the leap or the fall is usually to prepare a way for something much, much better.

8.  Be bold, and mighty forces shall come to your aid. — Goethe

I’m not a shy person, but I do tend to be a quiet person in face to face situations, partly because I’m very soft-spoken and not a yeller.  I’m easy-going and unabrasive, mostly.  Sometimes I have to remind myself to be very assertive, aggressive even, to make myself heard.

9.  Two roads diverged in a wood, and I– I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. –Robert Frost

It’s fundamental to my nature to do something different, to live life on my own terms.  The last thing I want is to be like everyone else.  That was hard to adjust to in middle school and a few times since, but I’ve come to relish taking unique directions, especially with unique people.

10.  I never saved anything for the swim back. – “Gattaca”

In the movie “Gattaca,” the genetically engineered-to-perfection brother is bigger, stronger, better, everything, than his flawed older brother.  A turning point in the movie is when the flawed brother outswims his perfect sibling and saves him from drowning.  Years later, he reveals how he managed the feat–he didn’t save any energy for the way back to the safety of the shore.  This  quote has been very meaningful to me in the past few months, highlighted for me by two different men who’ve come into my life and noted this quote as one of their favorites at the exact moment I spoke of it.  That’s how I’m trying to live my life now–not saving anything for some future project or relationship but spending all of my energy and passion on what’s here now.

What are your favorite quotes?  And what do they say about you?

Monday Inspirations—Here are 3 weekly ideas for song lyric, poems, instrumental titles, photos, video, short story or anything they inspire you to create.  Use the title if you like & make something!

Met this cutie in a driveway. I was carrying a bag of groceries & he was getting his accoustic guitar out of the back seat of his girlfriend’s car. While I cooked, he strummed & sang in the next room. He talked about his music & I asked to take his photo. I felt like this was a meeting of two artistic pilgrims. What a wonderful afternoon.

It is Songs2Share’s goal to video some quality artist interviews. We bought a HD Video Camera for the project and are now learning to use it. This little video of Johnny was taken on my Flip Mino which I just happened to have as I take it along most places. Very small & convenient video camera. Highly recommended.

Found this post on cafemom- Reposting

What’s going on? A potent download of cosmic energy with three eclipses have been affecting us all. Opening ourselves to new energy brings up big change at the cellular levels. Many of us have been feeling very strange. Having moments of fever and achiness and sometimes digestive problems on and off; fever, nausea, aching backs, aching arms and joints, feeling disoriented and lightheaded, feelings of inertia, panic, deep grief and sleeplessness. Some are experiencing extreme anxiety, panic, sleeplessness. This is part of the experience of the expansion.

Many people are feeling like they no longer know what to do with their lives – they know that things are changing and they don’t know exactly what to do but that they want to do something different. Others, after feeling this way for the past year, have found their paths and are moving forward with conviction and commitment. This includes people who a few months ago felt completely lost and unsure of what they wanted to do. Everyone is at their own place in Divine timing of the evolutionary process.
As you ride the waves of change, trust your instincts. Trust your guidance, trust your “gut.” Trust in your ability to discern what is your highest path and purpose. And when you don’t know, do nothing. Many are diving deep into their beings to experience the heart of their soul. We see relationships changing as people can no longer hide from the truth in themselves. This can create much confusion and upset, but know that the path within is paved with love.

Tree of life center me. Enlighten me. Give me wings to fly~

Lily Allen,

Radiohead on

opposite sides of the

heated British file-sharing debate

September 21, 2009 |  2:35 pm

A file-sharing debate in England that could have wide-ranging effects on how music is distributed via the Internet is getting heated. Lines are being drawn between artists, with pop singer Lily Allen taking to the Internet to question the stance of the Featured Artists Coalition, a not-for-profit lobbying group that aims to educate and protect the rights of artists.
 

Allen had expressed support for proposed legislation backed by Lord Peter Mandelson, which could ultimately suspend users’ Internet accounts if they were deemed to have engaged in illegal downloading. The FAC, which counts Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason, Billy Bragg, Annie Lennox and Radiohead among its members, released a statement today that said talks with record labels to reach a compromise had broken down.
 
“We have negotiated in good faith with the labels all week, but they remain wedded to the idea of suspension of accounts,” the coalition said in a statement. “We remain steadfast in our belief that making threats against individual music fans is not an effective way to resolve any problems associated with file-sharing. So while we will willingly collaborate together on many levels of our business, in respect of this particular issue, we have agreed to disagree.”

Allen, meanwhile, is rallying in support of the government. In a post on her recently launched blog It’s Not Alright, she notes today that she is not looking for a fight with the FAC, yet still questions the group’s argument. Writes Allen: “The FAC seems to be viewing the government’s proposed legislation as an attack on freedom and liberty, but stealing’s not really a human right, is it?”

She continues, “What the government is proposing is the temporary suspension of the Internet accounts of people that are repeatedly downloading loads of music through unlawful P2P file-sharing – as a last resort after they’ve been sent warnings.”
 England is not the only country to be debating such a proposal. France appears closer to passing a “three-strikes” law. The latest draft of the French legislation would fine offenders up to 300,000 euros ($441,000) if they continued to download content after an e-mail warning and a registered letter, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

The proposed French law, however, is significantly scaled down from what was originally presented. Initially, it was argued that repeat offenders should have their Internet connections cut off for a year. It was rejected, and the Journal writes that the latest copy of the law would ask a judge to decide on whether Web access should be terminated for any period of time.
 
The FAC argues that artists, in addition to fans, would be hurt by the legislation, which it says would “reduce the civil liberties of every one of us in the country in order to afford a disincentive threat to a small minority of ‘egregious offenders.’ ”

“The focus of our objection is the proposed treatment of ordinary music fans who download a few tracks so as to check out our material before they buy,” The FAC continues. “For those of us who don’t get played on the radio or mentioned in the music media — artists established and emerging — peer-to-peer recommendation is an important form of promotion.”

Allen, an artist who reached global fame by promoting her music on MySpace, counters that, “Artists should be in charge of how their music is distributed – not some file-sharer who decides they deserve everything for free, just because they know how to steal it.”

Allen’s blog has statements of support from James Blunt and Matt Bellamy of Muse, as well as e-mailed comments she’s received from the likes of Bat for Lashes’ Natasha Khan. “I am actually in the middle of researching both the points you’ve mentioned in your e-mail,” an e-mail Allen posted from Khan reads. “Regardless, [I] agree that file sharing is a huge and complicated problem for emerging artists, myself included, and for the future of music.”

A story in the London Times writes that many in the British music industry now believe the differing opinions between major artists will ultimately derail any proposed legislation.
– Todd Martens

Photo: Lily Allen. Credit: Getty Images

Source: LATimes

Wednesday, September 23, 2009 

Music Dealers Call For Blues, Folk, Rock, 60s - 70s Songs Category: Music Songs2Share just submitted songs by 5 of our songwriters to the www.MusicDealers.com call for songs.  If you have any of the above genres, you can upload your submissions right at their website.  Or, we will represent your music. Due Date Is TOMORROW! ~ Roberta S2S

                                                                    S2S 

   Write ON! Writing Contest~

  THE SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE: GETTING TO KNOW YOUWrite On! Online is pleased to announce our latest series of contests, designed to encourage you to give those
writing muscles a workout. There will be an exercise for both the non-fiction and the fiction-writer … and a
winner in each category. Since any exercise can do wonders to get you in writing-shape, I encourage the fiction writers to try the non-fiction exercise and vice versa.GETTING TO KNOW YOUNon-Fiction: Choose someone you see frequently, but do not know very well: your mail carrier, a local store owner, your significant other’s best friend. Spend a few minutes, interview him or her, and write a 300 - 400 word profile. It can be personal or professional. Just take the time to learn something about that person and share it through your
writing. This is also a great way to practice interviewing skills and interpersonal communication.

Fiction: Choose someone you see frequently, but do not know very well: a bank teller, the barista at your favorite coffeehouse, your new neighbor. Study this person, and then write a 300 - 400 word character
profile based on what you see - or what you think you see. Who is this person? What does the body language tell you? What’s his or her story? Be as conservative or outrageous as you’d like. Just be creative and have fun! This is a wonderful way to create characters for use at a later time.PRIZES1st Place: Both winners will receive a medium-length (or 21,000 word) one-reader iScript, and have their stories published on Write On! Online 2nd Place: Both winners will receive a copy of

Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript by Chuck Sambuchino, compliments of The Writers Store 3rd Place: Bookkeeping Basics for Freelance
Writers by Brigitte A Thompson (Non-Fiction) Save the Cat !® by Blake Snyder (Fiction)  Submit your 300 - 400 word profile or character study in the body of an email to writeononline@yahoo.com by
Wednesday, September 30. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, in the
October Write On! Newsletter.

Welcome new songwriters Maddi Simmons, Simay Dilcan from Turkey who
e-mails “Sorry I only have 3 songs in English, all my others are in Turkish…”  We’ll just have to post a turkey song or two!!!  It’s coming on turkey time again.  And soul full (his song has Soul in the
title…) Gary Koehler from the US of A.Thanks to Phylis Marconi for keeping me inspired.

Thanks to the Melvin
Community Center for
donating all those cups.Thanks to the Suazo family for helping our S2SMelodic Director have a place to live in the USA.

RAVES & CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION

*Christopher Coppola, whom we met while making a MobiFlick at his PAH Fest Chicago 08, has been nominated to The
Huffington Post as  someone who uses New Media to change the world in a positive way.  Because of him, I now know how to edit video, have a Flip Mino that I use religiously and bought a HD camera.  He deserves Raves & Celebration!!! *Singer/Songwriter Sarah VonderHaar was chosen to be one of the artists included in a rewards program for Gogurt.  At www.gogurt.com you can download her songs All Mine &
Everything I’ll Be. 

*Our own Maestro Schroeter had his co-written song titled Heaven On Earth win 2 songwriting contests & the song will be performed at the second annual New York Peace Festival.*Ruth L. Ratny celebrates the 20th year anniversary of her Reel News newsletter out of Chicago.  A great read.  She also had her full length screenplay place as a finalist in the Chicago Screenwriters Network’s 1st Annual Screenwriting Contest.  Thanks for keeping us posted as to the film scene & KUDOS on the win!

*My own query letter won a 3rd place in the Teleplay category at the Write On! Query Letter Contest.  Thanks again Debra for the book & card.  Everyone send in a submission to the above writing contest.  Let’s give Debra, a Chicago native out in
California who is doing a good deed for us writers, a flood of submissions.

 The 12 Most POWERFUL WORDS To Use In Writing Copy:1. YOU 2. MONEY 3. SAVE 4. NEW 5. EASY 6. LOVE7. DISCOVERY 8. RESULTS 9. HEALTH 10. PROVEN11. GUARANTEE 12. FREEThese 12 words contain 10-100 times more value and
more ‘punch’ than almost any other word in the English language.  It’s communication with an IMPACT!

So when you write your band newsletter, promote your latest tour or CD or song—put these words in the headlines.

We need Holiday songs.  Please visit the website, LOGIN and
upload your holiday songs.  We’ll e-mail you upon receipt.www.Songs2Share.com  ~ Roberta  

eMusic Subscribers

Picking Albums

Over Singles…

The last decade has been tough on the album, and the CD tailspin is alive-and-well in 2009.  Consumers have chosen cherry-picking, though an older, music-focused crowd at eMusic is showing a different preference.  According to information shared this morning with Digital Music News, nearly 3 out of 4 dollars earned by eMusic over the past year have come from albums, not one-off singles.  Specifically, eMusic noted that 72 percent of sales were from complete albums.

Actually, the company bumped that average over the summer with cut-rate album pricing.  Since July, 2009, albums accounted for 75 percent of sales.  Since 2006, albums accounted for 69 percent of total sales.
Of course, that runs counter to most trends - the physical album is tanking, and digital albums are a smaller percentage of overall download sales.  But eMusic data is best treated in context - instead of a-la-carte purchases, eMusic offers music within monthly subscription packages.  And, the eMusic crowd has traditionally been older and more music-obsessed than the mainstream.

That is why eMusic has been putting so much focus on curating content.  “Although the majority of our customers are over the age of 25, we encourage them to buy more music with subscription and album pricing and offer more musical context than any other service,” said Danny Stein, eMusic President and CEO.

Source: Digital Music

New Music Award

The UK’s biggest and most exciting music prize is back with £50,000 on offer to make new music

                      *  DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES: 8 January 2010  *

http://www.prsfoundation.co.uk/newmusicaward/index.htm

New Music Award 2010

Open for entries today, the New Music Award offers £50,000 to realise a ground-breaking musical idea. Sally Taylor, our Chairman, said: “We are thrilled to launch the third New Music Award, which is set to be bigger and better than ever. It is an exceptional award which takes risks by encouraging creators to push the boundaries of their artistic practice and extend the possibilities of music regardless of which genre they work in. We really do encourage anyone with an inspired musical idea to apply.” The deadline for entries is Friday 8 January 2009. Find out how to enter What would you create with £50,000? The 9 proposals shortlisted for the two previous New Music Awards showed the huge spectrum of musical innovation from the UK’s music creators - from beatboxing, samples of weather systems and African operetta to cathedral bells, bicycle bells and a choir of bats. We look forward to hearing even more creative ideas from you again this time. Jem Finer, who won the first New Music Award with Score for a Hole in the Ground in 2005, welcomed the return of the award and the support it provides for creators who often find funding difficult for visionary musical projects. He said: “Winning the PRSF New Music Award enabled me to make a piece of work I never really imagined I’d find the resources to complete. It was a wonderful opportunity and I remain deeply impressed by the PRS Foundation’s commitment to steering away from more traditional and safe choices in their funding.” Find out about the previous shortlists and winners What do you think? The New Music Award has been dubbed “the Turner Prize for music” but we think it’s more exciting (as well as offering more money!) We also think that new music should be as much in the public consciousness as contemporary visual art. What do you think? Join our discussion on Facebook and Twitter (using #newmusicaward)

Could the all-you-can-eat option work for the music industry?

Canadian songwriters are pushing unlimited legal downloading as a solution to their woes

Mike Doherty, Weekend Post  Published: Friday, September 11, 2009

Joe Raedle / Getty Images Some songwriters in Canada think the business of making money off of music would be better served by charging for access to online libraries, versus the traditional model of selling copyright.

Last weekend in The Observer, High Fidelity author Nick Hornby celebrated the great availability of music on the Internet, sparing only an afterthought for the plight of musicians “in a world that’s increasingly beginning to expect everything for free.” His solution? “My best guess is that being in a band will become a version of national service or the Peace Corps; something you do for a couple of years before knuckling down to a proper job.”