Well, I just talked to Michele and it seems sheÂ’s sick with cold and in bed. She wanted me to relay a message of heartfelt thanks to those of you who sent her messages of support and gifts to cheer her up during this time. She also asked me to post something about the event, since a number of you have emailed her personally asking how it went. Well, IÂ’ll do my best but IÂ’m still in amazement of all that took place. To sum it up, it was a night of inspirational speeches that netted record donations, and had the most beautiful women IÂ’ve ever seen at one time under one roof! I could not ask for a better night.

First of all, let me just say that I was not the only one impressed with Michele dress, women were stopping her to complement her and ask who the designer was. She of course would tell them it was an unknown designer named Misha, the inside joke being that she used her nickname, since she was the one who designed it and had it made. Even though she was a bit under the weather, she was still charming, funny and was incredibly relaxed even though she was going to be speaking to over 500 people.

As for her speechÂ… she blew everyone, including me, away. And she did it from an outline folks. That's it! I have to admit, I was nervous because up until the event Michele had refused to rehearse her speech in front of me saying it would spoil the effect. As the event chairman, my reputation was on the line, but having had the opportunity to see her at work I knew she would be a good speaker. You see, sheÂ’s not one of those women who prattles on. She thinks about what sheÂ’s going to say and then she says it, quietly, nicely but directly. Well, IÂ’m glad I waited because she wouldnÂ’t have done it justice otherwise. It was a multi-media artistic presentation that incorporated sound (in the form of music and poetry) and visuals (in the form of still pictures & video) arranged in such a way that it engaged, attracted and captured everyoneÂ’s attention and imagination. In her speech she drew on her experience as a cancer and 9/11 survivor and how she has used the Fine and Media Arts in her healing. The thing that was most amazing is she didnÂ’t just share her experience, she showed us what has inspired her by sharing some of her favorite images, music and words.

She received a well deserved standing ovation as her last song played in the background. The standing ovation was a first in the history of that event. As the crowd continued to clap Michele simply smiled, blushed quite a bit, and simply clasped her hands together as if in prayer while slightly bowing in different directions to thank the crowd.

As she made her way back to our table she kept getting stopped by people who wanted to talk with her and express their appreciation for her presentation. At one point she looked at me with pleading eyes and I knew it was time for her to be rescued from the maddening crowd. Even while sitting at our table there was a line of people who wanted to speak with her about the music, the visual, or her speech.

By the end of the night she had been approached by a television producer, a radio programming executive, and a screen writer/director, all who were interested in her life story and who wanted to talk to her about how to develop it for television.

What was MicheleÂ’s response to all this attention? She thanked them, let them know that at present she was only focusing on her health and asked for their business cards so she could get in touch with them when the time was right. I was truly stunned! Anybody else, I even, would have immediately scheduled lunch with each one of them. I must say, I was terribly disappointed that she didnÂ’t.

This morning when I asked Michele why she didn’t even consider one of the offers, her response was: “I don’t want someone else interpreting or contriving my life to make it more appealing for the tv screen. I like my anonymous life. I had my 15 min of fame in my youth and hated the scrutiny. It’s now someone else’s turn. There are families who lose their loved ones in service to our country and go unnoticed for their sacrifice, as far as I’m concerned they are more deserving than I. They are true profiles of courage.”

And when she puts it that way, I dare say sheÂ’s right.
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I was forced to post this because Colin forgot his password.

Posted by: Michele at 07:00 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
Post contains 815 words, total size 5 kb.

The rest of you (mostly adults) please stand by unless you're interested in some cute family entertainment. This is essentially a modern day film/band version of the Partridge Family that was so popular in the ...?

For those of you who have been googling "Alex & Nat Wolf" or "Naked Brothers", and getting me, and God know what else in your search results instead, here are some links to help you get to the right place. Through the links below you can learn more about Alex & Nat, see clips of their movie trailer - The Naked Brothers Band, and even watch some of their music videos.

First up is their popular video from their documentary/mokumentary entitled: "Crazy Car" filmed at one of my son's favorite places, Coney Island in Brooklyn.

Next is a link to their official website where you can find more about them and their movie: The Naked Brothers Band

A suggestion to all of you who come here looking for info on Nat & Alex Wolf, please bookmark the links above, so you can visit them whenever you want to.

Also click through the following link and bookmark it, so you can search via Google the latest links/info on the Naked Brothers Band or you can bookmark the next link if you're doing a search for Alex AND Nat Wolf. If you have any links you want to share with others, please feel free to post them in the comment section below.

Thanks!

Posted by: Michele at 06:27 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
Post contains 257 words, total size 2 kb.

Your watch stopped five minutes after you did.
A year later I've brought it out its drawer
where your things languish in disrepair,
(eye shadow, cell phone and receipts,
a scarf to hide a head without hair),
placing it on my healthy wrist,
I'm forced to adjust its link, and think,
unlike you, I have time before I leave.
Then I wait, hoping that with each stride I've taken,
with each beating of my pulse and hand that's shaken,
it will receive energy and be brought to life again.

This morning I awoke and saw there was no change,
shaking it in anger once again, I will it on.
Nervous, I sat in a repair shop,
giving anxious glances towards the back.
The attendant, finally returns it and
with an air of disappointment and despair,
confirms your watch is definitely beyond repair.
"Somehow its coils and springs were tossed about,
pushing them all inside-out."
The news of this violence affects me,
tearing at my own mechanism greatly.

I hurry home, dead watch in hand,
saddened by its passing
and sit in wonder, how you,
struggled for 3 years
against time & frame of mind
to wrench some seconds
with great might
hoping in the end
you wouldn't lose your fight.

~ me 2/7/07
On the anniversary of my friend's death to breast cancer

Posted by: Michele at 11:52 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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It's Fashion Week in NYC, and for those of us who used to work the runway and were called "hangers", its simply a painful reminder of that life. I think this video encapsulates better than any post I could write, what it was like for me during that period. The lessons I learned back then: you can only live a lie for so long before it begins to destroy your psyche & soul. Self-love and inner peace can only be attained from within and not by wearing, attaining, seeking something outside of ourselves.

Having learned that lesson well, I will deliver a speech with confidence and a centered and calm inner spirit (as main speaker) during a gala dinner fundraiser this evenng. The other 2 speakers and presenter are a prominent TV personaility, a broadway actress and a tv/movie actress. [Colin owes me big time for this favor!] I met the movie actress last Fri during a dry run and she was a scared, insecure bundle of nerves, that kept seeking approval and wanted to be admired. I really felt for her because I've been there. It's an industry of externals which have to be perfect.

Anyway, the first 12 sec. of this video by Evanescence is an intro, not a gag, so please watch it, its only 3 min.

Posted by: Michele at 11:06 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 216 words, total size 2 kb.

I"ll be busy over the next few days so I decided to leave something up for your entertainment pleasure while I'm away. I came across this eclectic Music site where you can listen to new, rising, and independent recording artists share their incredible talents.

Two artists I reccommend you listen to are:

First there is Skye, who sings beautiful rhythmic ballads. My favorite is entitled Love Show which happened to be featured this past week on Grey's Anatomy. While you're at her site you should also listen to What's Wrong With Me Follow the "Media" navigation link at the top to get access to the songs.

Then we have the celtic beauty, Aya Peard, whose song, This Mess takes celtic music in a slightly different direction than most are used to.

Because I love music so much I thought I just might make this a regular feature here and dedicate the songs each week to a different deployed servicemen as a show of support and thank you for all they do. Let me know what you think!

My thanks go to Dazd & Confuzd for the idea. His playlist on this post, reminded me how much I loved being a DJ. I was lucky enough to be one of the few women in NYC, who actually had a following on Thursday nights at Danceteria. Dazd, those memories brought a smile to my face and inspired this section. If you still want to fulfill your dream of being a dj let me know and I can make a few suggestions on how you can go about it.

Posted by: Michele at 10:51 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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My battle weary body
collapses... tired.
Sleep escaping...
sad thoughts
circling,
torturing,
punishing,
like a train
aiming for
my brain.
more...

Posted by: Michele at 04:43 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Saluting a Hero & His Family

Posted by: Michele at 10:38 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Posted by: Michele at 12:44 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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