Lesley Gore might not be an icon to a lot of people but she is to me. I grew up listening to her music and she touched a special spot in my soul. Not the best looking girl, but BOY, could she sing! Lesley Gore began her careeer in music in 1963 with "It's My Party" and stole my heart.

RIP Lesley. You brightened my life.

Catherine Linda Michel

Just finished watching a PBS special about 50 years ofPeter Paul and Mary and got thinking about all those years behind me. Mary, of course, died in 2009 but Peter and Paul are still going strong.

One of the very best IMHO acappella groupps around, Straight No Chaser. Please give it a listen. A version of The 12 Days Of Christmas that ISN'T boring.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxtLytp95gw The live versions are even better, although less in the sound quality, but superior, owing to the fact that you can see their visual hijinks as they perform.

Happy Holidays to you all.

Catherine Linda Michel

For some strange, unknown reason, sometimes I wake up with a song or music running through my head and I can't rest until I work out why this is happening. So this morning as I awoke, "Amazing Grace" was playing in my mind and, along with that was "America The Beautiful!"

After a few moments, the lyrics from "America The Beautiful" and the tune of "Amazing Grace" began to synch up and I suddenly realized that they match up completely! Certainly the tunes are different, but the lyrics from one DO match the melody of the other.

Nothing beats a nice bath with only a few candles lighting the room. Soft classical music playing just loud enough to hear and a nice book, the older the book the better;) its great until you lose track of time and fall asleep like I did lastnight. Saying I looked like a prune is an understatement on top of that the water got hella cold and I ruined a book. >:(

So today I spent the day with my 7Y/O cousin. She was a blast to be around. We started the day by making cookies and burning them, she thought that was hilarious, I felt really bad. She then treated me like a life size barbie doll and this is what resulted,

This year I was determined not to hear 'Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time' until the day itself. Sadly it first assaulted my ears on November 15th.

If somebody has already posted this I apologize, but listening to this has become a Thanksgiving tradition for me. So without further adieu, follow this link to hear Alice's Restaurant Masacree by Arlo Guthrie, with the lyrics as video.

Alice's Restaurant

Frank Zappa died of prostate cancer on December 4th 1993.

The BBC is reporting that Lou Reed has died.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24697765

I wonder how many people have been inspired by 'Walk on the Wild side?'

Here I am again, indulging in my usual late night indulgence of listening to music which transports me. Tonight it's Fleetwood Mac and the particular song that got to me tonight is "Go Your Own Way", probably my fave song by this group, written and sung by Lindsey Buckingham (with chorus by Stevie Nicks) when Lindsey found out that Stevie was having it away with Mick.

Listen to the pain,

Joanne

Here I am, fairly late at night, had maybe one wine too many, tears streaming down my face as I listen to Phil Collins' "Another Day In Paradise", a song that I love, but it always makes me feel so guilty.

The destitute woman pleads for help and the man pretends he doesn't hear and ignores her. Which of us at some time hasn't done the same? Ignored that desperate plea for help because it was too embarrassing or inconvenient, or too much trouble.

Thanks to Joani and her Facebook page here is interesting story. Its about a bunch of kids in Central/South America. Go to this address to see it: http://www.upworthy.com/watch-the-first-54-seconds-that-s-al... if this address don't get you there try this one instead: facebook.com/landfillharmonicmovie . Like it says just give 54 seconds and will be hooked. Richard

Working on the assumption that if even one user takes pleasure from these tunes then they were worth the trouble of linking to, here's a song for Richard Brookbank/Ruth Pattison and another for Peter Stokes's dad.

'The Cinema Show' is my favourite track of all time. If you haven't heard it before I warn you that at about 2:45 you may begin to experience emotions you'll never be able to communicate for the rest of your life. You'll know what they are, you just won't be able to tell anyone about them. I've tried for 40 years so I should know. Anyway, this is for Richard/Ruth.

A signature should be something that makes people think.
But I can't keep this to myself.

http://youtu.be/o5haDMqQnYw

Not when the mermaid smiled.

Strange things happen to you on this site. You read a story by a new author and you think hmmm, that wasn't bad. You read it again, determined to offer a detailed review because you remember the first time you posted something here and while it was nice to see someone say 'keep up the good work' you really wanted more.

If anyone happens to be in the Northern California region, come and see our production of a new musical theater adaptation of Francis Hodgson Burnett's "A Little Princess" at the Sacramento Theatre Company (in Sacramento, CA... if that weren't obvious). It's a wonderful story about never giving up on your dreams, about imagination and curiosity and understanding other people even if you don't agree with their choices. On top of that, it's a beautiful production with gorgeous music.

If you need more details on how to get tickets or find the theater, PM me.

Kristin Darken

Take a look:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/09/transgender-time-la...

Hugs to all,
Erin

RIP Jo Dunne guitarist with '80s Girlband 'We've Got a Fuzzbox n We're Gonna Use It' known in the US as 'Fuzzbox.'
Jo died of cancer at the weekend aged just 43.

I started my 'career' here with a story about a painfully shy transwoman finding love and life in a festival at Shrewsbury. She was engaged there, took her friends there, saw their own love break out from fear and misunderstanding...and it is this weekend.

There is a leave ban on. I have just finished work, and I was refused time off for the one shift I needed. The train companies also had a bike ban on, which they dropped on August 17th. I should be there, but I can't be. Next year....

[hint to self: shorter skirt next year. Wet grass...]

When you feel you are about to explode due the stress,
a good bubble bath relaxes excellent, try it
http://youtu.be/VfSYeXPQaQI

Wish You Were Here

Like waves to the shore
part of the ocean
the stars high above
part of the sky

Now I drift to you
I dream of a river
a water so blue
wish I could live there

Wish you were here..

Like the air that I breathe
U'll always be there
the wings that I need
when I wanna fly

Now I drift to you
I dream of a river
a water so blue
wish I could live there

wish you were here.. my loved soul mate !!!
Je t'aime

Blind of love

Everyone wants me to stay away from him
that he is the worst and he doesn’t love me ...
they say I'm blind of love that I can’t see
I don’t care if he has no money, no job or if he is strange
They say he is playing badly and that I’m his game

I must confess that when he kisses me
the world is spinning inside my head,
I close my eyes and I feel his breath,
my blood burning any negative thoughts.

and I trust, I trust, I trust him ..
I believe him when he says he loves me
I think his love will be eternal
I think he's the finest man in the world

Strani Amori

I'm sorry I have to go away
But I knew that was a lie
How much time lost behind him
What a promise and then never changes
Strange loves that bring trouble
But, in reality, we love each one

An expect to a phone call
the adventure of the illogical
the madness of the magical
a poison without antidote
the bitterness of the ephemeral
just because he is not there

Strange love, fragile
captives also accomplice
Strange love, problematic loves
as you do, as I do

I'm sorry I have to go away
But I knew that was a lie
This time I promised I'll do