Shine On Us CLICK HERE

This morning I get to sing at my church. I will start the song, then Brian and Ken will join in then the congregation.
Nervous, excited, hopeful!!

Answered prayers!!
============================



IT WENT SO WELL!!! Truly! I rehearsed, but then I just said "Ok God, you take over, guide me on this" and HE did!
It was truly wonderful. I got so many wonderful responses and feedback. I got out of the way and let the music flow through me. So, SO grateful!
Thank you God and Marble and Ken Dake!!!

Quest For Love CLICK HERE

Last Thursday at work we had a talent contest at work. I sang an original song, "Quest For Love". I thought it would be good since it's a power ballad, builds to a high note and soars.
Well, there were 12 contestents. I did well enough. In hindsight, wardrobe and song choice are key. I have a hard time just standing still and singing, but that is what they preferred.
The guy that won sang "The Impossible Dream".
We all ended up winning though as the company awarded us $150.
Still, live and learn. Try!
We only had 3 minutes so I started the song at the second verse.
"Quest For Love" written by Barry Stich.

Happy Birthday Dad and Grandma Hammer

Claflin, Kansas in front of Mary and Lou Hammer's home. You can see Mary Ann Frenzyl's legs under the laundry on the line to the far right.
***********************
Dad and his mother Gladys at our home in Springfield, VA 1965

Dad at 6 months. Cheryl still has the little ring he has on his finger.
Today would have been/is the birthday of my father and my mother's mother Mary Hammer. Ironically, they didn't always see eye to eye, but maybe that's because they were both crabs, Cancer!
Still, they both were wonderful people who taught me much.
Today I remember them, as always, with love.
Happy Birthday Dad
Happy Birthday Grandma Hammer!

NYC Anniversary Lucky #7

Looking towards Ground Zero and the Freedom Tower from Tribeca, July 4th!

The Stage Door for WICKED at the Gershwin. Also where I got Angela Lansbury's autograph when they were doing SWEENEY TODD.
Where I live on. Nassau Street. The first arrow is the entrance the apt. building. It's comprised of 3 different buildings. The arrow to the far left is where I live, but on the 2nd floor in the back of the building.
**********************************
Today marks my 7th year Anniversary of moving to NYC and living!
On July 11th, 2004 I spent my first night along in New York City. My brother Randy had helped me move up here and stayed a couple of days, but he left that day to return to VA and that night I spent my first day along here!!!]
Ironically, a year earlier, July 11th, 2003 was my last day at Maple Drive Restaurant. I had worked there for 3 years, but they combined my position with another and let me go. Which turned out to be a blessing. God had a plan!
I went to Kansas that weekend to help my Dad celebrate his birthday on July 13th!
In early November I was working part time at Mossler, Deasy & Doe, across from Maple Drive, when I got the call that my father was dying, so I flew to Kansas to be with him.
Because I wasn't working full time, I was able to stay there and be with him when he died, then stay with my stepmother Dolores and help her transition. It was the hardest time of my life, but I was able to do it with God's help and the help of so many friends.
I wasn't sure whether to stay in LA. I tried, but couldn't get a job.
I decided to try both NY and DC. My friend Steven Zeidman emailed me that he got another job but had a 2 year lease on an apartment and didn't want to lose the security, so asked if I wanted to take it over. I was afraid, but prayed and a series of events, surrounding WICKED the Musical, led me there. I checked out the apt, loved it, found out I could audition for WICKED, did so (didn't get cast) but it showed me I was good enough to make it here. So, within a month, I was here.
I have had some amazing experiences, many of them recorded on here!!! Thankfully!
I have some wonderful friends and a great church!! This morning the Choir Director asked me if I'd like to help lead a song at the end of the month!! AND, my company is having a talent contest here at work this week, so I'm going to sing one of my Demo songs!! QUEST FOR LOVE!! Winner gets $1,000! HOPE.
So, life is good and life is God.
Funny yesterday I was walking around Greenwich Village with my friend Phil. It's so different then it was in the 80's. I remember walking on Christopher Street with Bobby and Andy and it was NOT pretty. Nor was the waterfront.
Now, it is all lovely!!! Clean and beautiful.
Funny, when I lived in VA, DC was nasty, but in the course of living there, they really cleaned it up.
When I moved to LA, Hollywood was run down!!! In the course of my living there, they really cleaned it up.
NY was ahead of the game, Guiliani cleaned it up before I got here!
Now, I live 2 blocks from Ground Zero, one block from Broadway!! The Freedom Tower is rising above!
Thank you God!
Thank you Steven Zeidman!
Thank you Dad!
Thank you David B and New But West.
Thank you Joe P for introducing me to both!
I Love NY!!!

Wish Me a Rainbow

A friend of mine, Glenn Connor, sent me this pic. What a memory blast. I had one of those.
In the summertime I would go visit my Grandmother Mary Hammer, in Claflin, KS. Every night I had to take a bath. I had longer hair and it took forever to dry, especially in the humid night air. She didn't want me to go to bed with wet hair, lest I get sick/catch a cold. So, she finally relented and bought me this. It took forever to dry and really didn't do the job, but I had it for a while. I think it was one of the first "hair dryers" for MEN!.
And, to this day, I don't go to bed with wet hair, for the very same reason.
Miss you Grandma Hammer!!

More 4th of July Walking Photos

Ft. Clinton

I took this yesterday on my walk. It's down in Battery Park across from where you can see Lady Liberty!

Walking Along Freedom Row

Yesterday afternoon I went out, walked along my street, Nassau, till I got to Wall Street. The New York Stock Exchange and the statue of George Washington, two historic places, right in my neighborhood.
I walked my usual route along Water Street, over to Battery Park, where I spied Lady Liberty in all her Glory! I proceeded up along the Hudson River, where many people were gathered to watch the fireworks. I didn't feel like sitting out there waiting, so I did my walk then came home and watched the fireworks on TV. My walk provided me with the Gratitude...we are Free because so many Brave men and women have given their lives in battle. Never take it for granted.
I try not to, on a daily basis.
I am Proud to be an American.

Happy Birthday America! CLICK HERE

Let Freedom Ring!!!

Friends from MCA Universal Home Video

Mark Hassen, who now works at Disney. A great guy and always a wonderful co worker.

Dawn Huber, Kirwan Rockefeller and Dawn's granddaughter at an event. Dawn and Kirwan were wonderful co workers and have remained friends. We had so much fun!!

Better Thankfully!

Well Strep is almost gone. Thanks to antibiotics, bed rest, LOTS of fluids and time.
Thanks everyone for the well wishes. They really do help!!
Half day at work today then 4 day weekend!!
Celebrate AMERICA!!!