Songwriter at work

If you are a fan on FB this will be repetitive, but I just really like the pic. Jeremy took it while we were working on a song. (Our 8th song is now complete.)

My Hometown

Links to info about my hometown. Enjoy!

http://cincinnati-oh.gov/

http://cincinnatiusa.com/

http://news.cincinnati.com/

Some of what I remember:

Writing at Ault Park- it felt lofty and dreamlike when I was there alone. Also, on a whim, a limo ride with friends and a snowball fight, there at night (so naughty)- costly, but completely worth it for the memory. Eden Park and the Krohn Conservatory. Neon Lights frozen yogurt with my sister, Graeter's ice cream, Cincinnati style chili, Montgomery Inn. The "cheap" theater at Forest Fair Mall. Running up Spooky Hollow Road while listening to Green Day's Dookie album. Soccer at Stephan Field. My first speeding ticket received on Loveland-Madeira Rd, dressed as a witch for Halloween and the football game that night- I played in the pit for the marching band that year. Seeing bands at Bogart's (where I saw Toad the Wet Sprocket) and free concerts (where I saw Self and Better than Ezra) at Sawyer Point. Coffee at Kaldi's. King's Island. There's really so much. I miss it because it was home and it is where I'm from, and the people and events there helped make me who I am, of course.

Carpe Diem

We all experience tragedy in one way or another. On grand scales, such as the way the earthquake and tsunami have effected Japan, to the death of our favorite poet/artist/musician, to the suicide of a friend or relative, tragedy strikes and we all have to find some way of dealing with the aftermath. Though I am not in Japan, I cannot help but feel emotionally overcome by families losing their loved ones through the awesome and overwhelming power of nature. And though I have donated some money to help, and though I have been a shoulder to lean on to those effected by deaths of loved ones, I feel that I am powerless to truly help. I cannot fix it. It is frustrating to feel powerless.

By the way,

Vienna Teng and Alex Wong produced a great song that can be downloaded to support the relief efforts in Japan (link: The Breaking Light), which is amazing and awesome. Just another reason to love what they do musically. They have a fan base and know that people will download it, and know that there will be money going to help.

How have you tried to help during this tragedy? Or in other tragedies?

Reflection on how short life is, truly, and how often I felt I was merely getting by, drifting through my days hardly noticing their passing, is why I have started to try to complete these artistic endeavors. I am under the impression that my celebrity will be on small scales, but it is personally gratifying to feel like I am now participating in life. I hope that this participation also, in some small way, helps others get through their lives too, either reflecting with me through the lines of lyrics and poetry I have written, or merely by the entertainment I might bring.

Before tragedy strikes me down, I want to live life to the fullest. Live with me! If I can do nothing else, I will at least be there to help us have fun with the short lives we have to live.

Carpe diem!

Hello, world!

Have you ever "googled" your own name to see what would come up?
I used to do so with my maiden name and my married name and hardly anything would appear that actually related to me. And now when I google my married name it comes up with my blog, with links to my book, and with links to youtube videos. It feels like I am out in the world! Even if right now I am not much of a celebrity, it does feel like I am a bit more of a someone than I was even a few months ago. And being a Leo it's wonderful to feel just slightly more limelighted.

What comes up when you "google" your name?
What will come up in the future? What will be your future accomplishments?

Let me see your blog...

What do you blog about?

Post your blog link in the comments. I'd like to see what everyone else is up to.

:)

Charcoal Dust

Here's a taste of our music (please keep in mind this was recorded in one take during the kids' naps):

Jeremy and Heidi Van Dolah - Charcoal Dust

My channel is called hidroseable on YouTube and you are welcome to subscribe if you are interested in seeing what we are up to musically, etc.

Today I feel like having confidence in my book. Today I feel like having confidence that it is worth reading, that it was worth publishing and that people will like it. Today I feel like feeling like it is okay that I do.

E-Book Now Available

The E-Book is available from Amazon as well as Barnes & Noble:

Kindle

Nook