America Really Does Have Talent September 19, 2008

I have to say that I really don’t like the show America’s Got Talent because there’s already too many reality slash talent TV Shows on right now, but I just so happen to catch the semi-final performance this week just at Nuttin But Stringz got on stage.

I’ve seen violin performers before…there was duo that performed at Oakland University but I don’t recall the name, the guys that performed in the Alicia Keys video, and then the school age kids I saw on the subway while living in NYC.

Nuttin But Strings is absolutely dynamic. Who knew that the violin, originally and solely used as a classical instrument, could be used as a Rock, Rhythm & Blues, instrument. The brothers have made it into the Top 5 position on AGT with the finale scheduled for Oct. 1. I’ve never voted for the show because I don’t even watch…I actually turned to something else after their performance…but I gotta vote for these guys.

They are worthy of their own VEGAS show. I’d go see them and buy the album.

BIO: From NBC.com

“Damien, 21, and Tourie, 23, Escobar are Nuttin But Stringz from Jamaica Queens, N.Y., whose classical violin training infused with the rhythms of New York City produce a sound unlike anything you’ve ever heard before. They have been playing the violin for over 15 years, starting at the tender ages of seven and eight in a mandatory school program. Showing raw talent, they went on to study at the Juilliard and Bloomingdale schools of music in New York City where they learned classical methods. They credit their passion for music, along with the support of their mom and aunt as their ticket out of the rough streets of Jamaica, Queens. Their goal is to inspire as many people as possible with their sound and to let the world know that it’s cool to play the violin! The greatest gift that Damien and Tourie have ever received is their mother. Their mother is a schoolteacher and raising the two of them by herself, while going to school, was no easy task. She always made sure that they were out of trouble and doing the right thing. Her dedication to keeping them focused has given them the inspiration to follow their dreams. Every success they have is because of her.”

Check out their performance:

Pontiac Northern Celebrates 50th Anniversary September 10, 2008

Jose Juarez/Oakland Press Photographer

The Oakland Press Report

On Tuesday evening the 50th anniversary of Pontiac Northern High School was celebrated with an open house. In addition to the celebration people donated used musical instruments and book bags and signed up to volunteer at the school. PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the PNH marching band and cheerleaders fire up the audience during an open house.

As I reflect over the four years that I spent at PNH 1994-1998 it saddens me that my class was not able to celebrate our 10-year reunion. There were some good times and stressful times and some people who made me laugh, got on my nerves and that continue to be lifelong friends.

Some of my most memorable moments include:

• Listening to Coach King yell “I forgot, I forgot” whenever someone failed to bring their gym clothes
• P.S. I was one of the students that sat out in the hall the entire class because I forgot my gym clothes
• Watching one of the Mojet twinz beat the crap out of this boy in the hallway near Tiesha’s locker
• When Angelo Taylor crossed over to the darkside and went to play basketball for Clarkston High
• Waking up at 5:45 a.m. in order to catch a bus that came at 6:45 a.m.
• Laughing in Math and English class while LaQuenta and Terrance cracked jokes on each other
• Almost going to the prom solo but being really happy with the silver dress my mom made
• Going to Oak-Tech for Ms. Caldwell’s desktop publishing class and eating wing dings on Thursdays
• Participating in Upward Bound right before 10th Grade and meeting some interesting people
• Favorite Counselor: Beatrice Wright helped me get a ton of scholarships

What are your most memorable moments from PNH??? (Post your comments)

Since we can’t reunite officially in-person at least we can reunite online…

Now this is truly the saddest thing I’ve heard about since graduating:

America’s Toughest Jobs September 9, 2008

Contests Gold Mining in Alaska

This fall NBC is airing yet another reality TV show. Initially I thought the concept of challenging 13 contestants to train and participate in some of America’s Toughest Jobs was sort of absurd, but after watching the first three episodes I’m truly amazed.

On the first episode the contestants went Crab Fishing on an Alaska crab boat. The temperatures were well below freezing and sleep was not an option. You couldn’t pay me to do what they did…

In the second episode the group learned how to drive 18-wheeler trucks in the Northern Canada bush and Alaska. The icy roads and steep hills are considered one of the most dangerous treks in the country. Learning how to shift the gears going up hill and down hill was very tricky for many of the contestants. I might have tried that, but again it was freezing cold so maybe not…

In the episode I watched last night the contestants went Gold Digging in an Alaskan River…and yet again temperatures were sub-freezing and in addition to wading through ice cold water, rocks and mud for pieces of gold smaller than the tip of a finger, they had to set up their own tent and sleep and cook outside. I definitely wouldn’t have done that…

But what inspired me to write about the show was the affect the experience had on the contestants who were voted off. Senta, a receptionist from California, was voted off after not being tough enough to handle Crab Fishing. After the show, she decided to return to Alaska and work for a National Wildlife Preserve. She said she learned that there were people in the world who were living a life closer to what she wanted to do. Senta took the opportunity, experience and connections and made it happen.

Phil, who was voted off last night after an unsuccessful gold mining attempt, returned to Alaska to accept a job offer as a truck driver. The truck driving experience in episode 2 proved to be much more fulfilling than his previous work as a pharmaceutical sales rep.

As I approach 30 years old, I am very inspired by the fact that those two individuals were willing to drop everything, relocate and change jobs in the pursuit of happiness after only spending a few days working a job completely different than anything they’ve ever experienced. I’m at that point in my life and would love to have a wake up call like that. I would love to find fulfillment in an unlikely job in a foreign place and have no regrets. That’s something you wouldn’t have to pay me to do. I’d do it for free…