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Immortality
by Gary ~ February 15th, 2009
Hi there!
There is something special to me in creating a thing so wonderful that it will outlast your own mortality. I refer to people like Shakespeare and the great painters like Renoir, Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Co and the great musicians like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Bach and so many others. Then we have the great actors – John Wayne, Greta Garbo, Paul Newman, Vanessa Redgrave, Audrey Hepburn etc, etc. And all the wonderful authors and sculptors and other artisans throughout history.
These people are immortal. Their memory lives on long after they have gone.
I talk about the lady in this You-Tube clip a lot. I believe she has a most angelic and haunting voice.
[WARNING - ADULT CONTENT: The Gazz-Man becomes rather amorous and canoodling when this song is played... heh, heh I had to self-censor and delete the bit that I had written after that. I do have SOME decorum, not a LOT, but some - LOL! I know that kids are now reading my "stuff" so I gotta be a bit circumspect. Darn!]
The truth is – I JUST WANTED this great song and film clip on my blog! And I have now conjured up a way to do it. (I love it when I can do that!) IMHO it is one of the greatest love songs of all time, and I understand Phyllis Nelson also wrote it too. Pretty special, huh? This is what can happen when a person taps into a power beyond the reach of most. She only did it ONCE – with this song – but ONCE was enough!
Anyway, check out Phyllis Nelson singing “Move Closer”…
I was so sad to learn of her death in 1998. BUT… her beautiful song lives on. Do YOU see what I am getting at? If you are interested, here is some more info on this lady: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllis_Nelson
Now, the point of this post – you KNEW I would get to it sooner or later, didn’t you? – is to ask you who YOU admire and why. It doesn’t have to be a singer or a painter or a composer or an author – and they haven’t had to have croaked it either – it can be anyone.
So, WHO stirs your emotions and why?
PS: I should let you know that this mortality-immortality thing is leading somewhere. I am just LAYING A FOUNDATION HERE. Everyone who comments on this thread is gonna get something very special from the Gazz-Man… COMPLETELY FREE! [not immediately but when the thread that I have planned goes up - I just need to pick an appropriate time in between everything else that is going on]
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February 15th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
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February 15th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Hiya Gary
Perhaps we should each choose only one, or we won’t finish in time for the next webinar…
I’m choosing Sandy Denny, who died in 1978, for her lovely voice and her poignant song “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”.
There is something inherently tragic in the passage of time; something hard to define, something I think Thomas Hardy managed to convey in some of his poems.
Sandy’s song not only conveys it, but stands up against it, with a calm yet
defiant dignity.
For each of us, time’s ultimate victory is inevitable. But courage, creativity and love can transcend mortality.
Sandy sang her song many times, but I have chosen this early demo version because its unpolished nature reflects its, then recent, creation.
youtube.com/watch?v=vbpURBJA4uA
Best wishes,
James
February 15th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Hi James – You know, I have NEVER heard of Sandy Denny. I’m gonna make that link you gave live and then follow it to have a listen.
Now, just imagine if she had never followed her singing career for fear of failure or embarrassment. We wouldn’t be talking about her at all and her memory would be lost to all but her loved ones.
I’ll come back after I check her out on the Tube.
Gary
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February 15th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
James – I listened to it. Very nice indeed. I also noticed that somebody had said this:
Whoever wrote that comment was thinking along the same lines that I was.
Thanks for this.
Gary
PS: I see the Fairport Convention connection. I hadn’t heard of Sandy Denny but I have certainly heard of FC. This reminds me of that amazing singer Kate Pierson of the B52’s. What a talent she is. Looks like we’re back on a music thread again – LOL!
February 16th, 2009 at 4:40 am
My mother. Why? I could write a book. When she was 13 years old, her mother died in childbirth. As the eldest girl, she quit school to raise her 8 siblings, including a newborn. Her father was away at war. (WWII) When child services came to take the kids after her mother died, she met them at the door with her Dad’s shotgun and told them they’d have to kill her before she’ll let anyone take her sisters and brothers away. At 13, she kept the family together until her Dad returned from the war.
Mom raised 8 of us kids, and countless foster babies. We were a “safe home” for children taken from homes where they were being abused. They always found a safe place in Mom’s arms. When my oldest sister was old enough to babysit the little ones, mom went to night school and got “her high school” because she didn’t think it was right to tell us it’s important to be educated if she wasn’t. At 30+ she finally got her high school diploma.
Mom has worked for charitable organizations as long as I can remember. I grew up wrapping gifts for “the poor” even when we could have counted ourselves among those. She insisted that as long as we had a roof over our head and love in our hearts, we were not too poor to help someone else.
Today, at 81, she does volunteer work 7 days a week. She lives in a senior’s apartment and gets up at 6 am to start her rounds and make sure all the “old people” are okay. For some, it’s a quick good morning. Others she helps to dress and eat before she moves along. She does not think she’s an old person yet.
When Mom had her 80th birthday, the sheer number of people that showed up at the hall was amazing. Media, newspaper, radio DJs — even city council members showed up to say Happy Birthday to the little lady with the big heart. If I can be half the woman she is, I will feel I have done something right.
February 16th, 2009 at 5:18 am
Linda – that was very touching. I had a bit of a tear in my eye. Wonderful. Thank you. I hope somebody shows your mom this.
Hello Linda’s mom!
Gary
February 16th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Hi Gary,
Hard to pick out one individual but I reckon the self improvement ‘Guru’ Tony Robbins certainly offers a great message for those willing to listen.
It certainly resonates with me and I admire him for getting his powerful message out to many 10,000’s across the world. Here’s a video of him in action.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKvWo0XP24s
In the end, what he teaches is a theme that has run consistent through many posts in both your site Gary and my own. One of taking action, taking responsibility and basically not making excuses.
Garry
February 16th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
@ Garry – Oddly enough I watched several Tony Robbins videos on You Tube last night. They were quite enjoyable.
Yep – action and responsibility. That’s where it’s at. But that is not where most people are at. Very little action and NO responsibility is the order of the day these days, unfortunately.
Gary
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February 16th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Is it wrong that I’m having difficulty with this?
Particularly after reading Linda’s response above. That was very moving and uplifting.
Going off to think. Need more tea first.
Nix
February 16th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Nix – Get yourself a NICE cup of tea, sit down and have a think. There’s gotta be someone! An author, an artist, a singer, an actor, a circus clown? Maybe Immodesty Blaize, or whoever that person is on your 25 list (no I haven’t clicked on that purple link yet – but I will).
BTW, I have commented for you – nothing you wouldn’t expect from me… if you read between the lines.
Gary
February 16th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I’ve already read & enjoyed your response over at the Lair. Off to put the kettle on now, fancy one? I know how you like it.
Nix
February 16th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Nix – You know I always like entering your lair. It is just so purple and inviting there. Yes, I will have one please. You certainly know how I like it.
Gary
February 16th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I didn’t think you’d say no, particularly when it was an offer from me in the first place. Come to think of it, not many people say no…
February 16th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Well Nix – you know I find it very HARD to say NO to you.
February 16th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Likewise, you know I love making it hard for you so that you’re unable to say no!
February 16th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Indeed you do!
February 16th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Well, it’s just one of my many talents!
February 16th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Yes, making tea is something that you are VERY good at.
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February 16th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
I’m very well practised at that particular skill!!
PS – check your timings for later, remember what happened last time!
February 16th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Oh I know!
Yes interruptus.
February 16th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Ignore me, I’m being special. Call is at a different time to the normal webinars, so your timings are sorted. It’s only because I remembered last time you’d got up too early – and much as I might like to you be up and about & entertaining me, sleep is also important!
Need more tea. Yes, more.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Oh, it looks like I’ve just missed her… I’ve just been over to the Purple Palace, but of course, I should’ve tried here first!
Anyway, Gary, I answered your “Who stirs your emotions” question, but not “Who do you admire?” (Present company excepted, presumably!)
Of course, there are many, but I find that I keep unexpectedly coming across references to Benjamin Franklin, and I can’t help but admire him for his many achievements.
As for the living, in the World of Webbery, I would choose Dr Mani.
( http://www.niche2.com/testimonials.php )
He’s managed to become a Web 2.0 marketing ‘Guru’ in his spare time, in between raising money for childrens’ heart operations and performing them himself in his capacity as a surgeon!
And back in the ‘real world’, I’d choose Tim Smit, for his vision, energy, organisation and amazing talent for ‘leveraging’ everything available – money, time, other people’s enthusiasm and expertise, business sponsorship, publicity, everything – to Get Things Done. As a result, his greatest achievement so far, the Eden Project, in my native Cornwall, is spectacular, educational and inspirational.
As for Immortality, I’ve always liked Woody Allen’s quote:
” I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work. I want to achieve it through not dying. ”
James
February 16th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Gazza Man,
I sing a few bars in this immortal movie ~ and even give YOU a cameo role.
http://www.stephenbray.com/masscontrolkern-and-thegazzman-in-nudist-beach-fiasco
Lots of love ~ you truly are an inspiration
Stephen
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February 16th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
@ Nikki – How can ANYone ignore Your Sparkling Royal Purpleness? I know you like me being up and about and entertaining you and the feeling is mutual. I just left some “nice” comments at your Purple Lair. Thank you for endearing the Gazz-Man’s pad with your lavender miasma.
@ James – All worthy people. I was reading something in an email the other day from Mark Joyner and he was speaking, I think, of Benjamin Franklin. Mark always send out cryptic clues and comments all week, including famous quotes etc and reveals who his featured person is on Fridays. But I am sure it is Benjamin Franklin that he is hinting about this week. I actually have a very old copy of Franklin’s autobiography called – wait for it – “Franklin’s Autobiography.”
Regarding Dr Mani – yes he is known to me from my days at the Warr*or Forum. He seems to be highly respected and I reckon he deserves it for what he does.
Ha! That Woody Allen quote is very clever, as many of his are.
@ Stephen – I have been to your blog and made extensive comments about your “interesting” video – NUDE beach. Really!
Gary
February 25th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Hi Gary
I know that it is a while since you posted this, but the thread has been on my mind for some time so I have come back to it now.
As you know Lizzie and I were discussing this and felt that often we liked some of what people had done, but as we are all human there are things they did that we didn’t like so much.
One person that I admire for a variety of reasons is Richard Branson. Just as I was starting this course I read an older version of his autobiography and there were certainly things in there that I didn’t particularly admire.
However, for what he has achieved, particularly in view of his dyslexia (which you know I have a special interest in) I think he has great qualities that we can all learn from.
I ordered a couple of books from Amazon the other day, one of which was a Quick Reads book by Richard Branson called “Screw it, let’s do it – Lessons in Life”. It is 106 pages of a quick run through of his philosophy behind what he has achieved.
I have been off work today and read it in less than a couple of hours, but I was really impressed by his whole attitude:
Chapter 1. Just do it!
Believe it can be done
Have goals
Live life to the full
Never give up
Prepare well
Have faith in yourself
Help each other
That is how page one starts and the rest of the book continues. I’d certainly recommend it as a way of getting a quick affirming boost of what we are doing.
Now I don’t think that I will ever have a Virgin-type empire (not sure I really want one!) but the principles behind what he has done will stand us all in good stead.
Other people I admire those (often women) who get on and get things done, even in really difficult circumstances, cf Linda’s comment about her mum.
These people are often unsung but deserve our recognition for the fact that they are out there.
So I’m off to “Have fun, work hard and money will come” (start of chapter 2).
Hilary
February 26th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Hi Hilary – I’m glad I spotted this as you have made some very nice points.
Richard Branson is one of those very special individuals who come along only once in a lifetime. He will certainly be remembered LONG after he dies. The goodness that he spreads is legendary – and there is a message in that for all of us. Bill Gates is the same type of person.
These people are wealthy beyond belief for the benefits that they bring into other people’s lives.
As I sit here replying to you I am listening to my favourite love song (Phyllis Nelson above). It always fills me with a mixture of joy and sadness listening to this song – (a) because I love it so much and (b) because her most beautiful creation lives on without her (she passed away in 1998, as I wrote above). I know that I bung on about this sort of thing but she KNEW she OWNED that song. Watch the clip. Here is somebody in total control. Watch her body language and her face and the way that the song just pours out. When a performer can do this they are at the very TOP of their art.
Back to your comments – after being side-tracked yet again – everybody is fallible. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Richard Branson is no different. It’s just that his goodness is so vast and famous that it appears to outweigh whatever faults he may have.
Linda’s comments about her mum were borne out of her great love and admiration for her and I am fine with that. We don’t have to have “famous” heroes. Often, our heroes can be pretty normal to anyone else. But we KNOW something about that person that elevates them in our mind.
Regards
Gary
March 1st, 2009 at 12:04 pm
[...] Immortality [...]
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