The official blog of Denise M. Baran-Unland, author. Discover her books for all ages at bryonyseries.com.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Timothy Baran Sings "The Music of the Night"
Timothy and Daniel, my two youngest sons, both like Michael Crawford's renditions of Phantom of the Opera - and Daniel especially has a particular liking for Crawford's vocals in anything he sings.
In fact, the very first time Daniel sang karaoke, he sang Music of the Night at a pizza parlor.
Timothy himself has been working on The Music of the Night in attempts to imitate some of Crawford's style.
He did a great job here, I think. The higher notes are somewehat Crawford-ish and the lower ones have nice warm tones.
Enjoy!
Friday, July 10, 2020
Story Round-Up: Features in The Herald-News, July 4 through July 10
A baker's dozen of story links (all features) for you to scroll through and enjoy this morning.
The sound of rain is the backdrop to my morning, a serene contrast to the theme of yesterday. As "they" say, "If it could go wrong, it did!"
And if anyone has ever been frustrated by how the health care system can take a simple procedure and turn it into a complicated maze of missteps, please raise your coffee mug with me.
(Wow - that's a lot of coffee mugs).
On the other hand, it might make an amusing blog for next week.
Still, I'm hoping the only beast showing up on my horizon this weekend is a werewolf and even then, only in my computer.
Enjoy your Friday and beyond.
And happy reading!
Non-bylined features:
Search by topic (people, pets, A and E, faith, health, and food) at theherald-news.com.
Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.
Once a week, I do combine a week's worth into a single blog post.
Social media:
Daily updates: I do post the briefs on Twitter during the week, so you're welcome to follow me at @Denise_Unland61.
BryonySeries stuff: I post curated content relating to the BryonySeries at @BryonySeries. And assorted related content at www.facebook.com/BryonySeries.
And of course, please follow the adventures of Bertrand the Mouse on Instagram at bertrand_bryonyseries.
If you're a writer anywhere in the world, you're welcome to join WriteOn Joliet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/writeonminooka/?ref=bookmarks. We're based in Joliet, Illinois, but we love to meet and interact with writers outside our area, too.
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer with each year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
If you'd like to officially join WriteOn Joliet, we have two tiers of dues. We also have a marketing arm that's getting longer with each year. Check us out at writeonjoliet.com.
Upcoming BryonySeries events:
A full month of virtual events can be found at bryonyseries.com/fetes-and-feasts.
Books and Such
Information on my books (including where to buy) along with upcoming events is at bryonyseries.com.
Newsletters:
Sign up for the Will County Go Guide
http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//
Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter
http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/
Sign up for The Munsonville Times
https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times
Questions?
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Newsletters:
Sign up for the Will County Go Guide
http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/will-county-go-guide/#//
Sign up for the LocalLit Short Story Newsletter
http://www.theherald-news.com/newsletter/locallit/
Sign up for The Munsonville Times
https://www.bryonyseries.com/munsonville-times
Questions?
Email me at bryonyseries@gmail.com.
Thank you for reading The Herald-News. And for reading this blog. And if you've read (or plan to read) any of my books. Your support is greatly appreciated.
An Extraordinary Life: 'We. Enjoy. Being. Black'
Bennie Webb of Bolingbrook took pride in his heritage
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/06/30/an-extraordinary-life-we-enjoy-being-black/d8ersjl/
At 106, this Joliet woman is going strong
Harriet Stutz is in excellent health, her daughter says
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/01/at-106-this-joliet-woman-is-going-strong/atyiogz/
LocalLit book spotlight: 'Of Sojourners on the Narrow Road'
This first link gives an overview of the book.
The second is the review
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/01/locallit-book-spotlight-of-sojourners-on-the-narrow-road/ambvzoy/
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/07/locallit-book-book-review-of-sojourners-on-the-narrow-road/ahjmzmb/
Pets of the Week: July 6
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/06/28/pets-of-the-week-july-6/d2xc599/
A 65-day covid stay and then gall bladder surgery 4 days later
Ken White of NewLenox happy to be on the road to recovery
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/06/a-65-day-covid-stay-and-then-gall-bladder-surgery-4-days-later/auykdkm/
Tips for keeping kids safe from COVID-19 this summer
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/06/tips-for-keeping-kids-safe-from-covid-19-this-summer/apunbb/
Capri Sogno in Plainfield serves Italian cuisine at its finest
https://www.theherald-news.com/lists/2020/06/30/0f5fa3a8ff3c46698353aa496c06f257/index.xml?page=1
African Americans risk of dying from the coronvirus starts before birth
Expert says health care disparities didn't begin with the virus
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/06/30/african-americans-risk-of-dying-from-the-coronvirus-starts-before-birth/a4oaxyq/
Get back in tune with musical fun in the sun
Check out some upcoming, outdoor musical events in the Joliet area.
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/07/get-back-in-tune-with-musical-fun-in-the-sun/a1e8fo6/
"Whatever happened to baby Owen?"
Joliet toddler still waging the cancer war - and he's not even 2 yet
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/08/whatever-happened-to-baby-owen/aqjuntl/
ExxonMobil contributes more than $1.4 Million to Illinois colleges and universities
Employees, retirees participated in matching gift program
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/08/exxonmobil-contrbutes-more-than-1-4-million-to-illinois-colleges-and-universities/ay49bo2/
Racism, lack of education are 2 reasons why covid hits minorities hard
Solving health care, education disparities ‘not going to be a quick fix’
https://www.theherald-news.com/2020/07/01/racism-lack-of-education-are-2-reasons-why-covid-hits-minorities-hard/auj7ofi/
Illustration by Matt Coundiff for "Visage."
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Two Surprise Gifts This Past Weekend
This weekend, I received two surprise gifts from Timothy.
One is this very nice set of bluetooth headphones in my favorite color, although not quite my favorite shade. Still, the gleaming metallic makes up for it, and this photo doesn't quite reflect it.
My last pair broke earlier this week, so he sought out an upgrade.
In the meantime, Rebekah was very nice to keep lending me hers. I use the headphones as a hands-free device during interviews and other phone calls, but I can't imagine power walking without them, as music and walking go together for me.
The second gift was a surprise copy of this book. The author had attended the University of St. Francis in Joliet many, many years ago when it was the College of St. Francis.
Back when I still freelanced, the features editor at The Herald-News at the time asked me to interview her, as she had sent a review copy when the book was released.
I did, wound up reading the book, and then passed it onto Timothy because it was so good, and I thought he would enjoy it.
He initially thought, eh," flipped through it a bit and got hooked. He wound up talking with her and sharing how much he enjoyed it.
The book is about her life, dedication to the founder of one of China's foremost missile engineers Yao Tongbin (and how he was beaten to death outside their home by a mob) and an inside look at the Cultural Revolution.
An incredible book, one I plan to review for the LocalLit newsletter. But just try to get your hands on a copy. We lost ours in the move, and Timothy searched a long time for one at a reasonable cost.
One is this very nice set of bluetooth headphones in my favorite color, although not quite my favorite shade. Still, the gleaming metallic makes up for it, and this photo doesn't quite reflect it.
My last pair broke earlier this week, so he sought out an upgrade.
In the meantime, Rebekah was very nice to keep lending me hers. I use the headphones as a hands-free device during interviews and other phone calls, but I can't imagine power walking without them, as music and walking go together for me.
The second gift was a surprise copy of this book. The author had attended the University of St. Francis in Joliet many, many years ago when it was the College of St. Francis.
Back when I still freelanced, the features editor at The Herald-News at the time asked me to interview her, as she had sent a review copy when the book was released.
I did, wound up reading the book, and then passed it onto Timothy because it was so good, and I thought he would enjoy it.
He initially thought, eh," flipped through it a bit and got hooked. He wound up talking with her and sharing how much he enjoyed it.
The book is about her life, dedication to the founder of one of China's foremost missile engineers Yao Tongbin (and how he was beaten to death outside their home by a mob) and an inside look at the Cultural Revolution.
An incredible book, one I plan to review for the LocalLit newsletter. But just try to get your hands on a copy. We lost ours in the move, and Timothy searched a long time for one at a reasonable cost.
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Childlike Play
For my birthday, which was back in the summer, Rebekah wanted to sign us up for a local venue's painting event, which featured waterscapes.
But the amount of was out of her budget.
So she went to a craft store and picked up two children's paint kits and brought them home. We did nothing with them because we could not find several hours where both of us were free.
Until this past Sunday.
For most Sunday afternoons over the last two years, I've met with a woman in her mid-90s to listen to her stories and take notes, as I was hired by her family to write her memoir.
But last Sunday, she celebrated Thanksgiving with her friends. Rebekah does not work on Sundays.
So, finally, we painted!
We had no time pressures. No looking at our phones to check the time or messages.
We listened to music (because my art teacher in sixth grade always played classical music during art projects and because my sister and I loved to listen to music while we colored, hours and hours of coloring) and we painted.
We did not talk much, except when asking to borrow a color of the other's paint.
It was several hours of background classical music and brush strokes.
Here's Rebekah's
Here's mine.
But the amount of was out of her budget.
So she went to a craft store and picked up two children's paint kits and brought them home. We did nothing with them because we could not find several hours where both of us were free.
Until this past Sunday.
For most Sunday afternoons over the last two years, I've met with a woman in her mid-90s to listen to her stories and take notes, as I was hired by her family to write her memoir.
But last Sunday, she celebrated Thanksgiving with her friends. Rebekah does not work on Sundays.
So, finally, we painted!
We had no time pressures. No looking at our phones to check the time or messages.
We listened to music (because my art teacher in sixth grade always played classical music during art projects and because my sister and I loved to listen to music while we colored, hours and hours of coloring) and we painted.
We did not talk much, except when asking to borrow a color of the other's paint.
It was several hours of background classical music and brush strokes.
Here's Rebekah's
Here's mine.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
How I Addressed Last Weekend's Writer's Block
A huge part of writing fiction for me is immersing myself in another time, place, character's head, etc. When writing fiction with strong historical and paranormal elements, that flow of ideas is constantly being interrupted by researching facts, which considerably slows down the process. Obviously, any idea I wish to develop must first be checked for plausibility.
So having been stuck on Kellen's chapter seven for several weeks (which is a long chapter, and it's not like I haven't made any progress, I have) and getting more frustrated by the day, here's what I've done/been doing. Now I'm not really sure if any of it works or will work, but staring at a blank screen isn't helpful either.
1) Surfing the internet looking for visual or written cues to spark inspiration.
Wasn't effective this time, but I did try.
2) Music breaks.
Usually works like a charm. Not this time. Although Timothy and Daniel did turn me on to some new songs that I enjoyed.
3) Rereading all the previous Kellen chapters.
Did this on Friday night. Didn't help the writer's block, but I was extremely happy with what I've already written. I reminded myself all these other chapters were also slow in the making, which did encourage me, even if it didn't get the imagination flowing.
4) Stepping away to watch "Futurama" with Daniel.
Could have enjoyed it more, if I hadn't kept thinking, "Damn it, I'm losing the weekend."
5) Breaking down the chapter into manageable scenes and then into more manageable paragraphs, with ap promise to myself that I'd peck at it during the week.
That is where most of the production happened and subsequent writing happened, this past weekend and the two previous weekends. However, my brain is usually too soft at night for any fiction writing once I get back to Ellis Island. In short, I end up getting pissed off because I know I'm lying to myself even as I'm making the promise.
6) Giving some love to other creative endeavors that have little or nothing to do with writing.
That is the plan for this weekend. I'm on call, which can be an unpredicably light or heavy work weekend. So Sarah and I are planning to catch up on a visual project I began for a non-profit. Amongst these activities, I'm going to check out those paragraph breakdowns, give myself a deadline (I will write this section in the next hour) and then just DO IT.
If anything, maybe one of these ideas will work for YOUR writer's block.
So having been stuck on Kellen's chapter seven for several weeks (which is a long chapter, and it's not like I haven't made any progress, I have) and getting more frustrated by the day, here's what I've done/been doing. Now I'm not really sure if any of it works or will work, but staring at a blank screen isn't helpful either.
1) Surfing the internet looking for visual or written cues to spark inspiration.
Wasn't effective this time, but I did try.
2) Music breaks.
Usually works like a charm. Not this time. Although Timothy and Daniel did turn me on to some new songs that I enjoyed.
3) Rereading all the previous Kellen chapters.
Did this on Friday night. Didn't help the writer's block, but I was extremely happy with what I've already written. I reminded myself all these other chapters were also slow in the making, which did encourage me, even if it didn't get the imagination flowing.
4) Stepping away to watch "Futurama" with Daniel.
Could have enjoyed it more, if I hadn't kept thinking, "Damn it, I'm losing the weekend."
5) Breaking down the chapter into manageable scenes and then into more manageable paragraphs, with ap promise to myself that I'd peck at it during the week.
That is where most of the production happened and subsequent writing happened, this past weekend and the two previous weekends. However, my brain is usually too soft at night for any fiction writing once I get back to Ellis Island. In short, I end up getting pissed off because I know I'm lying to myself even as I'm making the promise.
6) Giving some love to other creative endeavors that have little or nothing to do with writing.
That is the plan for this weekend. I'm on call, which can be an unpredicably light or heavy work weekend. So Sarah and I are planning to catch up on a visual project I began for a non-profit. Amongst these activities, I'm going to check out those paragraph breakdowns, give myself a deadline (I will write this section in the next hour) and then just DO IT.
If anything, maybe one of these ideas will work for YOUR writer's block.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
"Ballade of Christmas Ghosts" by Andrew Lang
"The ghosts we all can raise at will...."
LOVE THIS!!!! ENJOY!
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/ballade_of_christmas_ghosts.htm
LOVE THIS!!!! ENJOY!
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Poetry/ballade_of_christmas_ghosts.htm
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
NaNoWriMo Day #9 and Sneak Peek at "Bryony" Music
Bryony Prequel, Section One, Chapter 8: check!
Word Count: 818
It's James Onohan Wednesday!
The official Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compostions of John Simons is released and available for purchase through James' website. Samples of all the tracks, including the Bryony theme song, are also on that site.
Even if you're not a lover of piano music, I think you will find James' music hauntingly beautiful. And if you do enjoy quality piano music, no further words are required. A recent reviewer of Bryony just emailed me and said the music sounds just like John. So while you're waiting for Bryony's release, check out this music and get a glimpse into the personality of Bryony's lead vampire.
To listen, visit http://jamesonohan.webs.com/My%20Life%20Bryony.html
Word Count: 818
It's James Onohan Wednesday!
The official Bryony CD, The Best-Loved Compostions of John Simons is released and available for purchase through James' website. Samples of all the tracks, including the Bryony theme song, are also on that site.
Even if you're not a lover of piano music, I think you will find James' music hauntingly beautiful. And if you do enjoy quality piano music, no further words are required. A recent reviewer of Bryony just emailed me and said the music sounds just like John. So while you're waiting for Bryony's release, check out this music and get a glimpse into the personality of Bryony's lead vampire.
To listen, visit http://jamesonohan.webs.com/My%20Life%20Bryony.html
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
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