Digital Storytelling

new vlog!

I now have a vlog, check it out!


Image Capturing

Technical Difficulties

I've tried many many times but for some reason my music is not uploading to eye spot. I recorded my voice on Odeo...and I got all of my video together...but eye spot is not uploading the sound....so I can't put it all together. Laurien mentioned something about it depending on what server you use...but I've tried a few different servers already and no luck. I will keep trying.

Paradise!

So I decided to create a music video containing various images of beaches, sunrises, sunsets and I even incorporated some personal images from when my friends and I went to the beach. The images are accompanied by a song called "Music of the Sun" which is by Rihanna. The theme of my blog is obviously based on music and so I wanted to fuse my two loves together. As you can see from my profile page I have a beach image in my profile picture. I'm extremely passionate about the tranquality and the serenity of the beach. I simply cannot get enough of it. My perfect "city" would be an Aquacity hence the title of my blog homepage. Everyone no matter where they are living needs to experience the beauty of the ocean....the aqua waters. Enjoy and don't forget to dance to the music of the sun.

The Life of an entertainer

Have you ever imagined what it might feel like to be an entertainer? To be away from your family and friends? To constantly travel from city to city performing for the crowds, pleasing the people? Goodness, no wonder Britney Spears is in rehab. No wonder many entertainers resort to drugs and alcohol. I personally don' feel like I could stand the pressure myself. The exhausation, the speculation, the extreme lifestyle associated by being an entertainer would probably break me down. There are a few songs that I feel convey the lifestyle of an entertainer, which are associated by distance, rumors and the celebration of fame itself.

I really enjoy Michael Buble's new song Home because it gives the listener insight on what its like to be an entertainer and to be away from your home, family and your friends. I mean..consider having a long lasting marriage and being an entertainer? Is the constant demand of work and travel the reason why many people in Hollywood dont have lasting relationships? Who knows. But this song is a great one. Its very passionate and very emotional.


Another song that helps to depict the lifestyle of an entertainer is Lindsey Lohan's song Rumors. It's unfortunate that the celebrity world is based on a lot of rumors and speculation but when you are in the media's eye, anything can be said about you.


On the flip side of things, the life of an entertainer is in many ways I'm sure very glamorous, exciting and rewarding. As we have seen on American Idol or The Search for the Next Doll, the new reality show featuring the Pussy Cat Dolls as well as other shows, we as viewers are in awe of the possibilites of being that ultimate winner. Kelly Clarkson sings passionately in the song A Moment Like This as she shows us her excitement about becoming the winner of American Idol. Despite the potential scandal that she may endure, despite the distance between family and friends, she knows that fame will forever change her life.

Gwen Stefani from No Doubt to solo artist

How does everyone feel about the "new" Gwen Stefani? I've noticed that she goes through phases. When she was with No Doubt her music style was considered to be Ska. She then went through her Reggae phase, her Harajuku phase, now her Swiss phase where she yodels in the song "Wind It Up". In corrolation her music went from substantail, quality music to something more mainstream and "entertaining". Her new song Wind It Up is a strange song. The yodeling is horrible and unnecessary. This song is purely nothing more than a potential dance song. It has no real value, no real passion like her older songs.


When it comes down to it, I prefer Gwen's older music. Give me some Don't Speak or some Sunday Morning to reminisce on the past.

Dont Speak is such an emotional, passionate song. The listener hears a song about two friends who are slowly loosing grip from each other. One friend is attempting to explain to the other about what is going on. However the pain behind this explanation causes so much hurt that the explanation in itself is better left unsaid.

Sunday Morning is an uptempo song about a girl who is reflecting on the person that she used to be. She's a bit confused and conflicted because she thought she knew herself when in reality she is unclear about who she really is.


If I were Gwen, I would venture back to my older roots where Ska was her influence. I miss that passion, those messages and that style.

Mary J. Blige-Getting Better With Age

We've all heard the stories. You know, the ones about the misguided child who lives in poverty, experiences numerous hardships and yet rises up and surpasses all barries. Well here is another one of those stories-the life of Mary J. Blige

Like fine wine, Mary J. Blige has developed into something more appreciated over the years. Born on January 11, 1971 Mary began her life in the housing projects of Yonkers, NY. Her rough life in Yonkers contributed to both physical and emotional scars. Mary dropped out of high school during her Junior year as she spent time styling hair and hanging out with friends.

Mary J. Blige was discovered for her musical talents after she recorded herself singing Anita Baker's "Caught Up in the Rapure" into a karaoke machine at a local mall. She began working with Sean "Puffy" Combs who took her under his wing and allowed her to release her first album in 1992 called "Whats the 411?" This album was innovative and groundbreaking because it was something few artists were doing. Mary combined both R&B and hip hop elements into her songs.

Following the success of her first album, Mary J. followed with another in 1995 entitled, "My Life". This album was characterized by ideas revolving around a "ghetto" logic intermixed with Mary's own personal pains and struggles. Her unstable and rocky relationship with a member of Uptown Records, shone through clearly.

Later in 1997, Mary released a hit cd "Share My World". This cd debuted on the Billboard charts due to its more conventional sound. However, familiar to her previous album, Mary still sings of struggles with drama, fate and terrors of love.

An expressive singer in 1999, Mary J. Blige came out with her self titled album "Mary". This album unlike the others before, it displayed Mary's maturity and the full power behind her vocal abilities. Mary's sound became more soulful, more polished and less gritty than her others albums.

Yet again in 2002, Mary released a new album, "No More Drama". This album is one that definitely shows the progression of Mary J. Blige. Her upbeat outlook on life is present in her songs "Beautiful Day" in which she expresses her optimism about life and love. At this point it becomes apparent that Mary is fed up with all of the obstacles and the baggage trying to consume her. She is definitely ready to make a change. This album allowed Mary to become a song writer and reflect on her own personal emotions and joys.

In 2003, Mary reunited with old producer Sean "Puffy" Combs to produce the album "Love and Life". Even from the titles of the albums themselves, it is apparent that Mary is progressing in life. These titles reflect happier emotions.

In 2005, Mary released "The Breakthough", which became her biggest success. Mary poured all of her vocal and songwriting abilities into this album. She shows us that she has experienced life's up and downs and yet she is comfortable having experienced both emotions. She acts as a mentor to troubled women in her song "Good Woman Down". In her song "Father in You" she expresses the ways in which her current husband teachers her things that her absent father did not.

Finally in 2006, Mary released her current album, "Reflections-A Retrospective" This album was also a huge success. Debuting at #1 on the Billboard charts and selling 727, 163 copies in its first week, this album was established as a way for Mary to gie back to her fans. It gave Mary the opportunity to reflect on her life and her career, noting her progression.

As you can see from the photo's and the gradual success of her albums. Mary J. Blige has definitely crafted her self into a noteworthy individual. Just recently at the 2007 Grammy awards, Mary J. Blige took home 3 Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album, Best R&B Female Vocal Performance for "Be Without You" and Best R&B song. This was definitely an accomplishment for Mary J. Blige who stated, "For so many years I have been talked about negatively but this time I'm being talekd about positvely by so many people...This i a great night for me.".

Indeed. Mary has faced criticism throughout her entire career. By initially being viewed as a street-tough, bad girl who was absorbed by drugs and bad relationships, Mary J. Blige has truly had a breakthrough. She is more positive than ever....more thankful then ever. By reinviting herself and her career, Blige made a great decision by shedding her "bad girl" image and habits.


Mary in 1992.
Mary in 2007.


Mary's story is truly one that young women and men can gain hope from. With hardwork, determination and positvity, one can succeed. Despite one's initial upbringing or environment, life still works in mysterious ways. We are not branded by the image that we are born one. There is a potential and possibility to change...to improve...to succeed. Congratulations Mary J. Blige.


Check out Mary's Grammy Award Winning Song, "Be Without You".

3 interesting blogs

It took me a while to find blogs that seemed decent to me in relation to my interest...music. However, I found 3 sites that are more or less appropriate. The first blog is entitled Throwback Terrace which basically provides information about music that's popular now along with some old music as well. The music in this blog is pretty universal. The reason why I like this blog is because the creator provides so much media. Not only does she incorporate images, but she also provides an ample amount of videos as well. She allows the reader to gain insight about the artist, provides information about cd releases and like I mentioned before provides an incredible amount of visual media. This blog is pretty satisfying, so I would not change too much about it. The next blog is called TURBO CITY. This blog is basically a review of music ranging from hip hop to neo soul to jazz. This blog like the other contains a lot of visual media. However this one gives more information on cd song selection and provides websites for the various artists listed. There is a larger presence of biography in this one, which helps me to become more familiar with the artists. This one is appealing to me because there are actual artists on here who I have never heard of, so it allows me to broaden my musical knowledge. Lastly, music is art is the last blog that caught my interest. Visually this blog is exquisite. The template is amazing and called my attention right away. This blog is different than the other two because it is a fusion of music and art. A lot of the artists and musicians on this blog are unknown to me, so it will be refreshing to look at this blog.

The 411

So here it goes:

Neo Soul: aka Nu Soul is a genre of the 1990s and early 2000s that combines contemporary Rhythm and Blues with the soul of the 1970's, jazz as well as elements of hip hop. Ahhh...what a great great combination...eh? Neo Soul has brought about artists such as Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, India. Arie, Dwele, Corinne Bailey Rae, Anthony Hamilton, RES. Mmm...all of my FAVORITES! I do admit that I am a girl who loves to dance my heart out to music. I definitely love to have a good time on the dance floor. I also love to RAWK out when the time is appropriate. But when it comes to calming me down, bringing me inspiration, providing with an insight to a world that is either too familiar or not even close to being familiar...and also giving me the power and the opportunity to sing my HEART out...Neo Soul is my answer. Neo soul is my answer during the stormy times of my life. It is my answer during the most blessed, joyous times. It my my answer during my motivational, righteous...times. It never fails me.

Aren't they fabulous?



Wow...I got a bit carried away there. But as you can see...I am completely absorbed by this type of music. Never fear though...I am a LOVER of MUSIC! So, I will be talking about other forms of music as time progress, concerts that I've gone to, music reviews, etc.

Musiq is essential

Often times I reflect back over the years and I wonder..."When did I fall in love with music?". That question alone makes me kind of laugh, because if any of you have ever seen the movie "Brown Sugar", then you will remember the saying..."When did you fall in love with Hip Hop?". I do have a love for hip hop, but more importantly I am a universal lover of music. I'm not sure what it does to me. It brings about a feeling, a passion that I cant even put into words. When you truly LOVE something, it is hard to incorporate those feelings into word...thus I can say that I do LOVE music.

If you ever see me walking around campus, in my room, at the computer, etc...I am ALWAYS listening to music. Some might even say that I have a pair of headphones glued to my ears. It has become a continual stream of sounds, vibrations, lyrics, and beats for me. In many ways...I am not a critical lover of music...I definitely know what is my favorite TYPE of music. This type of music that I whole-heartily am head over heels in love with is neo soul. Ahhh..the passion I feel for thee. For all of those that are not knowledgeable about this form of music, let me break it down for you :).

Video's

1st

Relay For Life

2nd



click here to download


3rd

You Tube

Link
We are learning HTML right now, even though I already know it.

...Interesting.