What Have You Heard Lately?

No TV tonight. I wanted to use my senses and my mind to enjoy my "free time". I am finding I have so little of it, (free time that is) that I want to use it wisely and not "veg out".

So I reviewed my music collection and listened to songs from one extreme to the other - rock, classic, pop, reggae, jazz and opera - some songs I played three times to hear all the lyrics, to hear the background instrumentals, to anticipate the crescendos...to experience the song fully.

There is such emotion that is experienced in music...it's a great release.

I must have listened to Nessum Dorma - well - I won't admit how many times - and each time, I was moved to tears. It never gets old. I remembered telling a friend years ago about this and she couldn't quite understand this but wanted to. What's there to understand?

Just stop and listen.

You can do this any time and you will be surprised what you can hear - wind blowing, the ruffle of leaves, birds chirping, dogs barking, cars in the distance -- -- your own breath. It's all music.

Take the time to hear. The world is a symphony.

Big Sky Countries Summer Fundraiser

What a great event!

I had to post an entry to congratulate Nicole Blackburn, the founder of Big Sky Countries.

My friend, Paul, had invited me to the "Morrocan World-Market" Benefit that took place at a private house in Manhattan Beach that was transformed into one of the best fundraisers I've been to in a long time.

Great people - a fun, interesting crowd. Lots things to see and try from tarot readings, live music (and my favorite Hawaiian version of "Over the Rainbow), to artists creating live art with attendees as the subject matter, a silent auction, cocktails and food....Fun. Fun. Fun.

The cause? Big Sky Countries has a wonderful mission.- donating large-scale murals to children's facilities around the world. Since 2006, murals have been painted in Thailand, Ireland, the Philippines, Bolivia, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. These children's facilities include elementary schools, orphanages, children'shospitals and youth centers. All children, faculty members, and well, everyone is encouraged to paint.

Nicole's next project? You guessed it - Morrocco.

I wish I could join her.

Lunch at Terranea

Last week a friend and I decided we wanted to have lunch at Terranea at Nelson's. I had heard it was a new hot spot and being that it is right in my backyard in Palos Verdes - I was eager to try it.

Terranea was packed. What economic slump? The valets couldn't keep up with the volume of cars and the lobby was buzzing. Map in hand, my friend and I explored the property. The family pool was filled with splashing kids and the adjacent patio restaurant was full. The view from the lobby balcony of this scene, coupled with the backdrop of the private beach was really wonderful. It was great to see people laughing and having fun.

Next - a quick walk through of the spa - large yet inviting - with intriguing and inviting pieces of art - a terrific retail area - spa bar and outside dining - and quiet adult pool for spa clients only. The fitness center was small and compact - by this time - we were eager for lunch.

There was a line for Nelson's - but it was worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed my lobster roll and beer but my friend - a chef - said his fish sandwich was just so so.

Would I go back? Yes. There were so many wonderfully planned sitting areas and nooks for socializing and enjoying the fabulous views.

Camille at the Kurotel

I have finally launched a blog about my travel experiences at the Kurotel Longevity Center in Brazil.

If you enjoy first-hand account travel writing, I invite you to read it!

http://camilleatthekurotel.blogspot.com/

When You've Been Googled

I'm always curious to see where my readership is coming from and what key word searches are conducted to route them to my blog. For some reason, I'm surprised when the key word search happens to be my own name.

Over the last couple days, I have had an avid reader from Oak Park that read all of my blogs. Interesting. Who do I know in Oak Park. Hmmm. I can name at least 3 people I know of that live in Oak Park off the top of my head.

During a business lunch and the gentleman I was meeting openly mentioned that he had googled me to have an understanding of who he was establishing a relationship with. That makes sense to do your due diligence.

A couple months ago I met an interesting fellow on a flight from Brazil. We exchanged emails and in our exchange I learned that I had been googled. I had forgotten that I had briefly mentioned him in my blog which upped the ante so to speak in our mutual interest.

I guess in a way, I find being googled can be flattering and/or a little bit creepy depending on who is doing the googling. Realizing, I am the one putting myself out here and making my thoughts and experiences accessible to cyperspace, I pause and wonder.

I'm pleased when the articles that I write and the work I have done are sought after or when one experiences that I have written about have gotten some good play.

As to my own name being searched...that is food for thought.

Shout Out To Katie Wagner

Way to go Katie Wagner!

That's my niece in the picture. Read on and you'll find she's a very special person. Smart, beautiful, always cheerful and always willing to lend a helping hand. Goooooo Katie!

Released 16 July 2009
Seventy-five interns from the ExxonMobil Foundation partnered with the Volunteer Center of North Texas to hold a field day event for 200 boys and girls from Salvation Army centers in the DFW Metroplex.The event was organized by the Exxonmobil interns and was held at The Salvation Army in Pleasant Grove. Boys and girls enjoyed face painting, relay races, carnival games and open-gym activities.The ExxonMobil internship is an eight-week paid internship program designed for interns to gather exposure to the non-profit sector, and help develop skills necessary for their future career.

ExxonMobil intern, Katie Wagner, co-chair for the ExxonMobil Intern Field Day event, hands Case Garther a bag of popcorn. Wagner, a student at the University of Kansas says, the event was a very rewarding experience.

Andrea Bocelli at the Hollywood Bowl