Idol Dreams

YouTube - Ysgol Glanaethy: O Fortuna - Last Choir Standing Final - BBC One


So what does "Idol" have that these young people don't? There are things they may have in common... a love of music, singing and performance. But what this choir has that I haven't seen in the idols is a depth to their music and performance. Singing in a choir means they're not just imitating someone else's style or sound, but they're really learning music, developing an ear, a sense of pitch, a total musical understanding -- styles, repertoire, and a sense of teamwork. Knowing that each one of them is a part -- a vital part -- of a whole choir, a community.

There's comeradery, responsibility, energy and love in that community. These singers raise their own bar, daily, not to make themselves stand out, but to make the whole group better. There is power in this. And there is humility in this.

Our nation worships idols on many levels. The castles of pop stars and their producers speak volumes. We tithe billions to the temples of sports teams. Parents push their kids from the earliest ages to "participate" in sports. I use the word "participate" loosely here because really, it is all about winning. We've been conditioned to want the victory and nothing else. Admit it. It's just not fun if you don't win.

But what if we enter a world where the boundaries of victory are stretched as wide as the equator. Where subjectivity rules, and decisions (favorites) are based on a whim, a mood, a smile, a look, an emotion. Scary thought? Yet this is the world of music and art -- a world that has moved and inspired populations, eras, regimes.

Yet our culture denies its importance.

1000 things

Today I begin a journey of 1000 steps..... a list of 1000 things I am grateful for. I'm aiming for a list of 100 each day for the next ten days.

It seems appropriate and needed at this juncture of my life, and in our world.

Chicago Weather Whys

For those who live hear, it needs no explanation. For those that don't, let me explain that we have, in my opinion, about the worst weather/seasons in the nation. The winter is long, grey, extremely cold, filled with ferocious winds. Even fans of winter admit that when we do have enough snow cover for sledding, or ice for skating, it's most often too bitterly cold (10 degrees or less) to send adults or kids out for any period of time. When it's slightly "warmer", the snow melts into a wet, dirty slush. So we stay indoors, heated.

And just when you think spring has finally sprung -- Wham! Another 6" snowfall, frozen tulips & apple blossoms. Fall and spring are sometimes (most often) non-existent. It's not unusual for temperatures to go from 70s to 30s overnight... and back again. So we plan for things indoors, because you just never know.

Summers (which are my favorite) are filled with complaints about the extreme heat and humidity. (I actually like 90 degrees, even with humidity.) And again, too hot, too humid, ozone warnings... don't do extreme physical activity... cooling centers... don't let your kids get dehydrated. So we stay indoors, air conditioned.

Planning outdoor activities in Chicago is a bigger gamble than the stock market. At least there you can take educated guesses. Here, things can (and often do) change in a few hours. Dire weather predictions pass without incident. Sudden storms break out with little or no warning. Personally, I depend on my head (sinus headaches) as a more accurate indicator than the weather reports.

And really, even as I peruse my Facebook friends this morning (another 6" predicted), EVERYONE is complaining about the weather, and hating winter. So why do we live here? Personally, I've been trying to find a way to move for 20 years. Really. First it was family & friends keeping me here, then they all moved. Then work. Then it dried up. Then, just when I think I've got my ducks in a row, my house ready (it's taken me 7 years to finish the rehab on what I'd hoped would be a better investment than stocks & give me the foundation to set up in a new place).... crash, boom, bang. Anybody want to buy a gorgeous, move-in-ready, great location, house in Oak Park? Anybody???? The weather isn't that bad... really.

How to Market Yourself

I'm currently working on a seminar series that will put all the power and expertise of a creative marketing professional with 20 years of experience in the hands of small to medium sized business owners -- at a fraction of the cost.

Why?

Because over and over I have potential clients contacting me who are drawn in by my website (www.sherrilasko.com) or a referral who really want to work with me, love my samples of what I've done for other companies, but don't have the budget. Even more often, they don't have a realistic expectation of what true professional expertise should cost in terms of marketing, design or website. Nor do they know the importance and value these services can bring to their business.

As yet another phone call today testifies to: "we've been in business for 10 years, but getting a professional logo designed has always been on the back burner."

After biting my tongue (and thankful this is a phone call and they can't see the expression of shock on my face), I graciously accept this as commonplace. I wish it weren't so.

As important as your name, your business image conveys -- in an instant -- what level of professional you are, your credibility, whether you know what you are doing, and whether you care enough to attract people who will respect you and take you/your services seriously.

For those thinking of starting a business, image is a crucial part of your business foundation. For those of you who've been in business a while, ask yourself "Can I afford not to look as good as, or better than, my competition?"

Mr. Obama Goes to Washington

"Change You Can Believe In"

A wonderful Inauguration day. Full of high expectations, high hopes and relief that "Ding, Dong, the Wicked Witch (ie: Republican Party) is Dead".

Yet... we have a cabinet full of political friends, cronies, paybacks, former Clinton administration appointees.

Where's the change, Mr. Obama?


Accountability??
A bailout plan (which is only needed by the CEO's who have their multi-million (or billion) dollar salaries at risk lacks any accountability -- even worse, it carries millions in pork barrel promises. Even the million to replace the sod at the Washington Monument as a direct result of the crowds at the inauguration. Hm. When I don't have the luxury of spending on new seed & water (which I never do -- green lawns are one of the most anti-ecological and economical expenditures in this country), I let my lawn go brown. Proudly.

Wonder how many people THAT million could directly help?


Where is the change, Mr. Obama?

Green nation??
see above. And where are the infastructure, ecology-promoting programs "WE" must embrace?

Where is the change, Mr. Obama?

Politics as usual. Paybacks, bargaining, games, payoffs. As usual.

So what can I believe in now?

Trickle-down theory

So I just finished watching a recent episode of "Wife Swap" (it's my weakness, forgive me), and there's a young-ish couple parenting two children who self-admittedly value appearances/looks above everything else. They even have their kids in beauty pagents -- both of them. The youngest is 13 months old & "competing" since she was 3 months old.

Ok, sick enough.

But during the course of the show, the father is questioned "do you want your daughter to just grow up and be someone's accessory?" (like his wife is to him?). His answer shocked me: "I fully expect my daughter will grow up and be someone's accessory."

That should be enough to re-awaken the spirit of women's lib in and of itself. Talk about a wake-up call! What are we doing to our country's daughters?

Growing up in the 60's & 70's, I watched the demise of "Barbie" and "GI-Joe". One small step for wiping out stereotypes... one giant step for humankind.

I watched the "girlie" frills, lace, big hair, big make-up, low-intelligence expectations, role-stamping of housewife (that word should be banned), subjective feminity diminish.

But it's back -- and with a vengeance. When? How?

And it isn't a matter of having it all. ie: you can be ultra feminine and a corporate power-house. Nope. Girls today are programmed to like clothes, dolls, bling, and not appear too smart. Boys must be aggressive, warlike, hyper-active, beer guzzlers who live in camo. Oh yes, I forgot, there's pink camo now.... my, haven't we progressed.

More than ever, it appears we continue to be a society which values, looks, money, prestige, celebrity, winning, and popularity much more than inner beauty, compassion, integrity, fairness, courtesy, humanity and the welfare of our own people and earth.

Is it any wonder we have arrived at this place? Talk about trickle-down theory.
Take a trip to Pakistan where men rule the home.... and women are mutilated and tortured for even suspicion of non-compliance. Look at Afghanistan and the price women pay for just having a female (un-touchable, un-lookable) body. Check out the statistics for female abortion and female baby murder/abdonment in China.

And then ask any woman who has risen to the higher ranks in the current business world what she has witnessed and been subjected to in the still very much alive "old boy network" of executive America.

Envisioning

photo of Lake Superior from Chapel Rock, UP MI, c. 2009, Sherri Lasko

I'm currently engrossed in the book "The Vision Board" and working on expanding my mind and my visions for myself and my life purpose. There's a great statement in the opening of the book:

"Now is the time for you to suspend your disbelief -- to believe that anything is possible in your life -- and to embrace change. Be brave and take the leap -- what comes next will amaze you."

Don't know about you, but that sends chills down my spine. And contemplating that statement makes me realize just how small my vision for myself and my world were. This year, 2009, will be a year of grand gloriousness. It has to. The world needs a vision more than ever, and those who are willing to take the challenge to dream big, and begin to act, will catapult us into a new era of world prosperity, awakening, and, peace.

"For without a vision, my people perish."

Join me in dreaming big. Now bigger. Oh... come on now.... even BIGGER!