A Whale of a Story

Occasionally I have the urge to post nothing but complaints on my blog.  I guess this is a natural urge that most people have and I am no exception.  In fact my first blog was nothing but bitching and complaining just about everything in my life.  Needless to say my blog postings were not well received.  I felt better because I was venting, letting steam off.  What little feedback I did receive on those blog postings was always negative.  It really wasn't a feel good blog.  And I have to admit that with all my bitching, I really didn't feel any better.


So I took a break from blogging for about year.  Then when I got back into blogging in 2005 I only did one post that year and that was about putting my house in Pennsylvania up for sale.  I managed to hit head first right into the Great Housing Crisis and was so consumed with just trying to survive and not fall into a financial abyss that I didn't post anything else that year. 


When I finally got back into blogging big time in 2007 at the urging of my non-blogging friend Bob C., my aim was to keep my blog posts positive and keep the bitching to a minimum (I wouldn't be me if I didn't bitch).  


With my aching back (which is better by the way) for the past few days I've been having that urge to post a blog of my whole litany of complaints.  But I held off.  I'm glad I did because someone (who I don't know) sent me this story today by e-mail.  This is just the type of story that I'm glad to end the week on.  It is a story of human kindness, grace and inspiration towards one of our fellow creatures here on this planet that we all share.  I love this kind of story and I hope you do too:

The Whale... If you read a recent front page story of the San Francisco Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

 A fisherman spotted her just east of the  Farallon   Islands  (outside the  Golden Gate ) and radioed an environmental group for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around as she was thanking them.

Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives. The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

 May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who 
will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you. And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

I pass this on to you, in the same spirit.
 


It's a good life

Ted Williams | Homeless Announcer with Golden Radio Voice

This makes my day.

Susan

“Then Susan opened her mouth and sang. Her voice was so powerful, so achingly beautiful, and so full of yearning that even the usually heartless Simon Cowell was blown away. As were the other judges, and audience, all of whom gave Susan a standing ovation. And now online and elsewhere, Susan’s voice and the story of her triumph on that stage are known throughout the world. (Dennis Palumbo 4-16-2009)

As most are aware of now I am referring to the You Tube sensation Susan Boyle, a 47 year old, unemployed, plain looking, woman who lives alone with her cat “Pebbles” in a small village near Blackburn, Scotland who appeared as a contestant on “Britain’s Got Talent.” I just finished watching her video again. It touches all my emotions. Joy in listening to the pure beauty of her voice. Inspiration in knowing that even someone from such humble circumstances as Susan can break free of the societal imposed rules that only those who are attractive enough and have the right connections can succeed in this world.

Already I have read comments from some that say “Well she’s good but she’s no Beverly Sills.” Say what? I have heard Beverly Sills sing. I guess she was a good singer. I don’t remember and the reason I don’t remember because there was nothing memorable about her singing. One could say that Barbra Streisand is a good singer too. Not to me. I don’t say she is a bad singer but to my ear, she’s too sterile. Too manufactured. When I hear someone like Barbara sing all I can think of are peculiarities. Not so with Susan Boyle. A pure soul with a voice of an angel.

I have since heard Susan sing "Cry me a River." She recorded this song for a charity back in 1998. It is simply the best rendition of this song I have ever heard. Susan Boyle has a beautiful voice. The only voice I have ever heard before from a female singer that even comes close was Dinah Washington. They both have a unique sound to their voice which makes it a pleasure to listen to them sing. And that what singing is all about? The pure pleasure of listening beautiful sound.

I hope Susan Boyle is around for a long time. I cannot wait for her first album. And please folks, don’t make her over. She is perfect just the way she is. Now excuse me while I watch her video again. I cannot watch it enough.