stricken<– the PDF Score

Link to MP3 Song Page for “Stricken”:
http://johnpaulsharp.xanga.com/audio/1205e3694286/

EXERCISES FOR COMPOSERS ONLY

1.  Set the following lyric.

Time does not bring relief; you have all lied
Who told me time would ease me of my pain!
I miss in the weeping of the rain;
I want him at the shrinking of the tide;
The old snows melt from every mountain-side,
And last year’s leaves are smoke in every lane;
But last year’s bitter loving must remain
Heaped on my heart, and my old thoughts abide.
There are a hundred places where I fear
To go, –so with his memory they brim.
And entering with relief some quiet place
Where never fell his foot or shone his face
I say, “There is no memory of him here!”
And so stand stricken, so remembering him.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

Thoughts??  Any help appreciated!

JP

I think MySpace is horrible.  It became so inundated with spam that it took me 10 minutes just to see if I had any real messages.  That could be my fault.  I dunno’.  It’s too music-driven.  Too commercial.

Facebook is great, but it’s more like a bulletin board to me.  Most of the time, stuff that you post there sticks around.  I mostly connect with friends and family and post pictures and videos.  Take quizzes.  Waste time.  Whatever.

But Twitter is of the moment.  It’s hot.  It’s now.  It’s fleeting and magical to me.  You never know what kind of fabulous people you’ll run into.  I love the fact that people are mostly discovered through referrals.  It’s people connecting people.

Twitter is a little safe-haven for me.  I love #samesexsunday because it’s a way for me to go take a smoke break at work and see what’s going on with other people that I know are cool.  People I know that aren’t homophobic or racist.

And one of the best, most entertaining, coolest, craziest Tweeps out there is @GaySkyHooker.

Gay Sky Hooker on Twitter!

It takes me a moment to come to the right words to describe this gentleman on Twitter.  His name is Tom Gaylord and he lives in Ireland.  He struggles with his mental health (like many of us do in some form or another) and currently attends daytime inpatient treatment at a hospital.  He has a boyfriend named Monkey who is quite a character all himself.  They enjoy fist fucking and doing poppers and well, having a great fucking time! …   ERRRRRR!

Ok, so a couple, maybe many of you are like, “Woah.  Hold your horses.  Fist fucking and poppers?  Yeah, that’s a great image for #samesexsunday.”  But, stay with me here for a moment.

So much of the daily oppression we have to deal with in our lives is based on judgment.  That air of someone who thinks they have some type of knowledge that should deny the existence of another.  Sure, poppers are bad for you and many people look down on extreme forms of sexual pleasure, saying that it has health risks/problems associated with it.  Some people might think these types of behaviors add to the stereotypes many straight people have of gay men.

But you know what?  Fuck ‘em!  Remember the Draq Queens of Stonewall?  They ignited our movement!  Sometimes you have to embrace the extreme to appreciate the norm.  Sometimes, we all need to just chill out and say hey — DO YOU. DO YOUR OWN THING!

And Thomas does do himself!!  With his brand new 18″ black dildo!  Don’t believe me?  Name it yourself!

I personally think that the world needs and should honor and appreciate a #GaySkyHooker.  What he brings to the online world with his blog is a spirit of innocence and shamelessness!  When I go to read his blog, I get all giddy and excited because I know I’ll be reading and SEEING some naughty-naughty stuff!  I get to feel like a kid again for five minutes.  And what, my friends, is wrong with that?

Here’s some sensationalized information about some recent sightings!  Put up your legs and enjoy!

Dy'Ari on Twitter!

So I woke up this morning, smoked a cigarette and drank some coffee and I decided to check my GayMusicRevolution page.  I knew I had some friend requests.  There are some cool people on that site!!

I am constantly impressed and amazed with the amount of gay music talent coming out of New York City right now.  The more I hear about great artists there, the more I keep thinking I want to move there!  *ugh*!  lol  But I love Denver!!  ANYWAY …

I stumbled upon an artist named Dy’Ari.  I’m completely moved!  This guy is a super-star in the making!  His voice is gorgeous, his image is beautiful and his spirit is stunning!

As I attempt to write and describe my opinions on his videos and music, I become like a star-struck fan, speechless and searching; a deer-in-headlights! LOL  I have no idea what to say, other than the fact that my boyfriend might get jealous and *I* might get myself into a world of trouble if I were to say anything more.  <grin>   So, perhaps what I’ll do is post the videos and let you think for yourself. What a concept!

This next one is *bound* to get your heart racing.  I don’t care what your sexual orientation is!!!  I lose my breath watching this!  I can barely think about it!  LOL  Oh wait.  I was supposed to let you guys think for yourselves.  <ahem>  Sorry.

I think this last video inspires me the most.  For being so new to music, Dy’Ari sure has the right principles going into it.  I feel a journey through music and general artistry is one of communication and learning.  It’s about reaching out into your community (whatever community that might be) and touching people’s lives.  It’s about making a difference in the world.    ::::motions to Dy’Ari as he reads this:::::  …And listen!  If I can find a way to get over this fan-crush, I would love to musically collaborate with you sometime, Dy’Ari!!  If you want to sample my voice or write lyrics or do whatever, I am DOWN!

I asked him three questions:

JPS: What has your musical journey been like?

Dy’Ari: It has been one of a very short time. I started recording in October of 08′ and I did not debut myself really until the beginning part of the summer of 09′, so all of this is relatively still new to me. It has been tough and rewarding all at the same time, but it’s an experience that will never go unappreciated it. Inspiration is everywhere for me, in a movie title, to a couple holding hands, etc. My musical journey has just started, but I believe that it will have longevity, and I hope to bring the masses along with me on my journey and have them experience it all first hand just as I am doing.

JPS: Who inspires you to be great?

Dy’Ari: I am inspired to be great by the people of whom will hear my words, my story, my music and be touched by it. My music comes from my heart, but it is intended for the hearts of others.

JPS: What messages, if any, do you have for other people put there who think they may want to become a performing artist?

Dy’Ari: Never Compromise Your Individuality! There are times when things may come into question about what to do, what not to do, but at the end of the day, you are the one that has the vision and you are the only one that knows how to make it visible to the world. So, my advice is to stand fast in your talent, your hearts desire, and your vision. Don’t let anyone or anything challenge your ability to be GREAT!

So follow @musicaldyari !  Have a great weekend!

Dy’Ari’s Sites:
Official Site
On YouTube
On GayMusicRevolution
On Myspace
On Facebook
On Twitter

I mean, I just graduated from college last May and I’ve been hired to be a film composer for a series of digital documentaries about Colorado history.  I’ve acted in one show and have started rehearsals for two new shows.  I’m busy as heck!

But I’m glad.  I’m grateful because I know many other people who graduate from college and twiddle their thumbs for months on end until they find a job they don’t like.  A lot of people end up working in a field that they never went to school for.  I seem to be working in all types of artistic fields and they all tie into my education.  I’m a lucky son of a gun!

So speaking of all those great new jobs I have … I’d better get busy working and preparing for them!  So I’m keeping it short today.  Have a good weekend!

JP

No, I’m doing #wildwednesday from here on out.  And this week, like every week, I’ll just write about whatever the F I want!    hahaha

Today was 9/9/9.  I say that because I left my apartment at 5:30 this morning and I just got home around 7:45 this evening.  So, my day is done.

I started my first rehearsal of Bunnicula.  I’m playing Chester the Cat.  I am coming into this show about three weeks late.  Apparently the first Chester was a little scared about the music.  It’s not too bad.  I’m more anxious about the staging and lines!  But mostly, I can tell this show is going to be a freakin’ blast!  It’s time to get to work, alright!

Tomorrow I plan to write my blog, work on Bunnicula and record some new music!  I also have to go the weekly production meeting for the film project.  What a wonderful life I live!  I just hope someday I can afford it! 

I was missing my sister today.  She died a few years ago.  Not much else to say about that, other than I miss her sometimes.  Her birthday is coming up.

I need to call my dad.  I never call my dad enough.  I guess I feel like we always talk about the same things all the time and I’m worried that he will feel guilty or try to explain why he didn’t see the musical.  I don’t really care about that anymore, but I hate talking about it, so I guess I kind of do.  I guess that story is not resolved.  But I need to man up and just call the guy.  He’s my father after all.  What’s a phone call.  It doesn’t have to feel awkward and strange.  It doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.

I’m feeling confessional this week.  I can’t help it.  I want to spill my beans.

The restaurant wants to scan my fingerprint for their new computer system.  I am totally freaked out by this.  I’m so uncomfortable with getting my fingerprint scanned, I can barely think about it anymore.  Why am I so against this?  What difference does it really make in the long run?  The problem is, is that I’m afraid of what difference it could make.

I know it’s a stretch and there’s only been a few random negative consequences from biometric security.  One guy had his finger cut off once so that thieves could steal his Mercedes.  That’s not going to happen to me at the restaurant.  But, what could happen?  What kind of information is kept about you that’s so special? …

I’ll have to answer these questions later.  It’s an hour later and I’ve been catching up with my man.  I gotta full day tomorrow so I should crash!

JP

The Sun by CherrieB

What a gorgeous, vibrant artistic interpretation of the Sun card!  Really, it’s just so colorful!

To me, The Sun card is a card of realization and confirmation.  It represents that moment in your life when you see that everything you need to make you happy is available to you, within you.  Remember that strong, innocent inner child that I spoke about last week in reference to the Six of Cups?  Well he’s still here, playing around with us and soaking in the sun.

This week, take some time to appreciate just being you.  The Sun card does not ask you to question or reflect or mire in anything.  It’s all about positivity and good vibrations!  Just relax!  Enjoy yourself!  Do something you love to do that you haven’t done in a long time.  Find things to feel good about.  Just be.  Shine. 

If something’s bothering you, don’t worry.  It’ll come around.  Just do you and the rest will follow.

But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working on anything.  Haha.  I wrote a piece of music for the singers to record for the Dying Cemeteries digital documentary I’m involved with.  Good times!  I can’t wait to hear how they learn it, but I have to admit, I’m nervous for the recording session.  That takes some real ‘CEO’ type action.

Anyway, I’ve been asked to come up with a 20 second theme song.  This is more difficult than you think.  20 seconds is a reaaal short amount of time.  I’ve asked an old classmate of mine, @DoreTaylor to play guitar for me.  I’m not sure how I’m going to do it, but what I want is to be able to musically refer to the State Song so that it is recognizable to someone who knew it, but modern sounding enough to match the tone of the documentary series.

Until I can get you some new original music from me, here’s three videos from three albums I’m listening to right now!

I Look to You by Whitney Houston is amazing!  The whole album is great!!!

Imogen Heap’s new album, Ellipse is also of equal quality.  Her music inspires me to do better at my own.

Finally Kate Earl.  Her album is simple and poppy and refers back to several decades of the past.  It’s fun.  It’s light.  Enjoy it.