Ashley's Philosophy Corner

    "Those whose dying words are 'I love you' often inspire those left behind to make their living words 'I love you.'"

--Macy Adams

Wow. Just wow. This song which is so inspirational and beautiful by itself, sung like this...

Austin's Funnies Corner

   A writer:

When the classical music you're listening to on Youtube stalls, and you say "Yo, yo, yo! What up with that?"

   A writer:

"Yes, I tell the voices in my head what to do."

...

"No, they do not always comply."

...

"Yes, we do get into fights sometimes." 

"Who usually wins?" 

Silence. "Well, I have the power to make them suffer, but they have the power to make hundreds suffer." 

"But isn't that you who has the power to make both? Aren't you, in a sense, your characters?" 

"No. The world is my characters. I'm just writing down what I see." 

"So about the voices in your head..." 

"Oh, that? Yeah...I should probably see a specialist..."

  A writer:

What I imagine I look like when I'm writing:

How I actually look when I'm writing:

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

I still really like her. :)



Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

This song was written by a fascinating composer, and leader in the Expressionist Movement -the idea that there shouldn't be rules and regulations in composing such as has accompanied all previous musical eras, but that music should be free self-expression. It's very descriptive and kind of entrancing, and unless you really listen to it deeply, kind of disturbing at some points with its lack of conformity, and at the same time, so breathtaking as a whole. 

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

   "Beauty is so differently perceived, and it hurts when one is unable to share it."

--Macy Adams

Austin's Funnies Corner

    I spend hours practicing the cello part to the symphony. Then I go and listen to the actual song. And suddenly, my life makes sense.

    Ah, cello humor.

I love this show. Witty humor, inspiring innovation and intellect, and a song in every episode. :)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

The Grave and the Rose

By: Victor Hugo

The Grave said to the Rose,

"What of the dews of dawn,
Love's flower, what end is theirs?"
"And what of spirits flown,
The souls whereon doth close
The tomb's mouth unawares?"
The Rose said to the Grave.

The Rose said, "In the shade
From the dawn's tears is made
A perfume faint and strange,
Amber and honey sweet."
"And all the spirits fleet
Do suffer a sky-change,
More strangely than the dew,
To God's own angels new,"
The Grave said to the Rose.


This is such a beautiful poem, and of course it is by French poet, author, and philosopher Victor Hugo, who is someone I greatly admire and look up to.

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

I recently fell in love with this piece. It has such a melancholy feel to it, and yet it's so passionate. There's so much you can imagine with it.

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

"There is a great deal of truth not manifest in books or poems, in paintings or music. As much as I love them all, there is some truth you simply feel, you simply know -hard, and yet soft inside you. In the conquest of the artist, this is one of the deepest understandings you can gain, for it is that understanding that art -the very medium of understanding- is not necessary when within you there is truth found already."

--Macy Adams

"Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them, you reach your destiny." 

--Carl Schurz

Austin's Funnies Corner

What could be better? :)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

I watched these for a Geography Class. Extremely fascinating.
--In addition, the book -"The World Is Flat"- I just finished. Incredible, and highly recommended, (Similar to these the above.)

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

Love it!

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

This was an almost a life-changing quote from Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles's talk in General Conference.

"The famous Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn is quoted as saying, 'It is time … to defend not so much human rights as human obligations.' Latter-day Saints...recognize that qualifying for exaltation is not a matter of asserting rights but a matter of fulfilling responsibilities."

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-keys-and-authority-of-the-priesthood?lang=eng

Austin's Funnies Corner

Found this. Pretty nice. :)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

There is everything to love in this.

I also really loved this video, which surprised me, because I for the longest time have detested Vocal Point's version of this song because I thought it was too noxious and techno, but seeing it in this video, seeing so many modern young men singing it, was just so beautiful.

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

Just...watch.

I adore this song, and to see a young girl play it...so lovely. I look forward to the day when I get my harp, greatly.

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

"After all we do, everything we try, the magnitude of our efforts, the world will corrupt our children. Our job is only to reinforce them with enough good to give them the chance to take both and sort out the best person they can."

"Truth and perspective are such mingled, coiled ideas."

"Once you know you're shallow, you know you're not."

"Love is never something you should sacrafice. It's something you sacrafice for."

"The man who enjoys all subjects will be the first man who can carry on a good conversation with God."

"Better to die than to crawl. Either we stand or we fall."
--From the song "Once and For All" in Newsies

"Sometimes all it takes is a voice. One voice that becomes a hundred, then a thousand -
 Unless it's silenced."

--Bryan Denton in Newsies

"You can't break my spirit. Only I have that kind of power."

--All other quotes from Macy Adams

Austin's Funnies Corner

Witty humor. The best. (Above and below.)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

I heard the first line of this song in the BBC "Little Dorrit" a few years ago, and ever since my cousin watched it, we have been avid adorers of this song, (especially when it's done in a British accent :). Paired with these pictures -belle. (Beautiful)

I also sang a similar version of this in a little 4th grade show once, and have ever since loved this song as well. I am adding this lady to the long list of people I have 'met' on the internet and now admire. Beautiful voice -and her selections! Not to mention the harp...just, "if there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

I just discovered this crooner -Vic Damone. Can't beleive I hadn't before! Anyway, he sang "Maria" from West Side Story, and it is so beautiful and stirring. The song its self, but with him singing it...

Another video of my sister's choir in the really splendid cathedral place. The filming is not the best, but it works with the style of the piece, which is tres chouette (really cool), anyway. :)

This is also just such a beautiful, peaceful song, that fills you with that stillness and warmth that is well explained in the song. My sister, (ah, the infamous) also worked with this conductor once, who's world-renound.

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

I love romance. A lot. I think it is the most beautiful, and sweet, and wonderful thing ever. And so, I kind of went on a little craze...all three of these are exactly as described above, and this one has a moral and quote attached. :) 

Austin's Funnies Corner

I wouldn't necessarily call this one funny, but it's a more amusing, light-hearted romance, and a good contrast in styles/eras. (Great movie, by the way.) :)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner


This is just a really cool article. I especially love the wording.
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/why-religion-matters-salt-of-society?cid=HPTH051514140

This one's rather different, and it's interesting trying to think about it.

And to save the best for last. This is by far the finale. And knowing my different loves, you'll have to understand one of the big reasons is because it's in Paris, France. And not only that, but I just kind of see me as the girl. I'm not sure what her nationality is, but she looks Filipino to me. And she's living exactly what my dream is -to be an independent in Paris, wearing the kind of lovely clothes as she does, enjoying the artistic pleasure of being there, and most of all, getting the opportunity to meet up with strangers and help them, and of course, if a romance were to enfold, well...that would not be unwelcome, either. :) This video, in everything that it is, is my dream. 

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

    I'm going to say this is classical, but "Uncle Tom's Cabin."  A million words could not sum it up -the misconceptions, the philosophies, the ideas, the known effect on humanity and therefore history, particularly within America- all that we define it as, regard it as, and should be doing so as. Incredible, absolutely incredible book. (I have less than a hundred pages to finish it.) Any who haven't read...I shouldn't have to go on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7jYT_CW8ZM

We're singing this song in my choir. Love it so much! Plus these fellers do it with Italian accents, and at a jaunty angle, not to mention the piano solo. Jazz. That's all I gotta say. :)

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

Very intriguing. The moral is clear to make out, and leaves room for expanding. I love the way they portrayed it.

Austin's Funnies Corner

    Chuck Norris has already been to Mars. That's why there aren't any signs of life.

    Chuck Norris counted to infinity. Twice.

    

    Death once had a near-Chuck Norris experience.

    Chuck Norris can win a game of Connect 4, in only 3 moves.

    There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of animals Chuck Norris allows to live.

    Two excerpts:

"Dear Atticus Higginbottom,

I"ll write to you in English, since I know you must be a typical American who can only speak Americanese, and my English is, well, brilliant. My name is Sofia Pacini and I live in the pretty Alps in the country of Italy. do you know where Italy is? Probably not. You're too busy studying the Big Mac adn the Spider-Man and not world geography. Maybe you can learn from Sofia and be smart. I'm just teasing you, so please don't cry. :)

...

Your new friend, 

Sofia

P.S. You have a weird name, btw

Dear Tick, 

Someone needs to teach you how to answer a stinking question. I asked you many and all you did was write back asking me more. If I lived in the USA, I would smack your head with a pogo stick. I am a good, smart Italian girl, and so I will actually answer your questions. 

First, I have to tell you that I had a very hard week. Something is chasing me, and I'm very scared. I almost burned the letter five times. Well, no really. When a Pacini makes a decision, a Pacini never goes back. I made my choice, and I"ll stick to it like butter on a peanut, or whatever you crazy Americans say.

...

I joke a lot, and if we meet you will think I'm crazy. Last summer I beat up seventeen boys. Glad we can be friends. 

Ciao (that's Italiano, smart boy)

Sofia"

*Not trying to infringe upon copywritghts :) -From James Dashner's "The 13the Reality." Pretty good book. I would recommend it. But these letters are what really made it for me. :) Ah, too good.

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

This was just a little jewel. So cute, touching, and I loved the accents.

This is really awesome! Period.

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

May be Christmas -y, but who doesn't like Christmas music all year long? And anyway, these are pure smooth jazz, and you've got to love that. :) Aside from the first video, I highly recommend Sally's Blues, which is down the list a ways.  

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

    "The principle of revelation is the key which opens the mind and spirit of man to an understanding of the gospel. There is no other key to such knowledge. Thinkers have philosophized; poets have dreamed; and scientists have experimented; but only God speaks with a sure knowledge of all truth."

    "How much more dignified and noble are the thoughts of God than the vain imaginations of the human heart."

--Unknown

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

I just love Libera. A lot. I'm sorry. But, I played this song in one of my orchestras, and it was so beautiful then, but having them sing it....and it is actually a classical piece from Hansel and Gretel.

Ah, the Paris Ballet! Such precision,discipline, culture, and refinement. Let this lovely form of entertainment go on unvarnished.

(The above is the beginning, and the below the continuance.) 

 

Jazzing things up by putting them in a different order. :)

Austin's Funnies Corner

I suppose today is ballet themed. :) But I just really love these poor saps in the chicken suits in the beginning. Other than that...it's more than an hour, so all you really have to watch is the beginning. The romance starts at about 8:26 though, in case you wanted to know, which is also very amusing. :)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

http://grooveshark.com/#!/profile/Hayley+Mills+And+Maurice+Chevalier/22920945

So, I'm not sure what disney movie this is from, but I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE  this song. It very eloquently expounds upon the concept that France lives that I love so much and try to apply to my own life, not to mention it's just so pleasant and uplifting. Plus, it's a Frenchman, (Maurice Chevalier, 30s or 40s or so French singer and in one or two other Disney's) and a young English girl, (somewhat well-known Disney actress in old movies -Hayley Mills). But I love how it has both countries represented. :) Very good song.

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

Don't mind the...interesting freezed picture.  :) But this song, (more Libera), was just so uplifting and the message very good and true, I couldn't help it. I hope you enjoy it.

Austin's Funnies Corner

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

This is, again, is the description: Random, and really, really, REALLY awesome. SHE is really, really awesome. I am in complete admiration for her skill and talent, because....as you will see...wow. Just -wow. She embodies what an actress is, what an actress -truly is. Not a theatre kid with the annoying "let's disrupt the peace" and who lives for the funny and shallow, and the touching, and the weirdness....Not a showgirl, whose mommy has an in with some Broadway director and whose daddy has big bucks to pay for her private voice lessons and her expensive tour, who's every musical's lead and every theatre teacher's pet. She. Is. An. Actress. And when you watch the third video, (which hopefully you will watch in succession of the first two, for they are carefully placed, and I HIGHLY recommend each of them) you will understand what being an actress truly means.

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz



I just felt like putting a lot of gorgeous viola pieces. I don't mean to video-overload, but, well...I think I officially possibly have decided that its my new favorite string instrument. There's just something so unique and very different about viola, how its played in tenor clef, how its rarely played -period- being not quite a violin, and not quite a cello, but retaining the richness and passion and depth of both in its own individual sort of way. Kind of funny how its always the weakest section in the orchestra, too. Anyway, here are four videos, that have something or somethings to be appreciated in each. I hope you enjoy them!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C54Ka_VrSxU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjZ7BK0jbzw

  Ashley's Philosophy Corner

     “When we have peace in our hearts and minds, we draw peace into our lives. ”

--Inspirational speaker, Iyanla Vanzant

     "It is okay to take life so seriously that you find yourself taking it lightly. It is not okay to take life so lightly that you find you cannot take it seriously."

     "That is human. Good and evil. Wickedness and deceit and greed. Kindness and selflessness and love. That is human. To love -then to hurt. But overall to love."

     "Teach me about something or someone good, stick me in front of a group of reviling prosecutors and make me defend that something, then tape my mouth shut and tie my hands behind my back -like setting me on fire and asking me not to burn." 

      "When you're the youngest you live your life watching previews. When you're the oldest you live your life watching reruns.When you're in the middle, life is sure to be an interesting show."

      "Simplicity can be a difficult thing to decipher."

     "...'nice' isn't a sufficient quality for friendship, but it’s a necessary one."

--Pamela Duckerman

   
      "I am no longer afraid to look at a human passing by in the eyes. I am no longer afraid to sit next to a  human on a bench and give them a nice 'Good afternoon!' I am no longer afraid to hold onto another human passing by, to not let them pass me by.Why should I be? I am a human, they are a human. And I am no longer afraid to be one. For I've realized, it is not so great a thing to be human. And yet -to be human is so great a thing."

   
     --Other quotes by Macy Adams

Austin's Funnies Corner

     

     Half the people you know are below average.

     The leader of the vegetarian society just couldn't control himself anymore. He just needed to try some pork, just to see what it tasted like. So one summer day he told his members he was going on a vacation. He packed out of town, and headed to the nearest restaurant. After sitting down, he ordered a roasted pig, and impatiently waited for his delicacy.

     After just a few minutes, he heard someone call his name, and to his great chagrin he saw one of his fellow members walking towards him. Just at that same moment, the waiter walked over, with a huge platter, holding a full roasted pig with an apple in it’s mouth.

      “Isn't that something,” says the leader after only a moments pause, “All I do is order an apple, and look what it comes with!”

      What if there were no hypothetical situations?

Alex's Random Awesome Corner


So, I'm saving up for a harp. Yes, I don't know how many years it's going to take in consideration of the thousands of dollars and the car and insurance and college that has to be paid for...but, I am doing it. Anyway, I was looking up harp songs and...well, I came upon these two that are just absolutely beautiful! You feel like you're sitting in a cloud in heaven when you listen to them. And one of them also has cello, which I also play, so is also very gorgeous. Anyway, I hope you like them. You might need to go to the doctor's or something if you don't, because they are so universally beautiful, I should hope you do :)
http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=A+Silver+Lining+harp
http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/Sara+s+Dream/3g1Xi8?src=5

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

And, doing what I always seem to do as far as theming things, I will just share with you three more really beautiful harp pieces that are actual classical pieces by Debussy.

http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=Arabesque+No.+1+in+E+by+Claude+Debussy+harp
http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=The+Girl+with+the+Flaxen+Hair+Claude+Debussy+harp
http://grooveshark.com/#!/search?q=Reverie+Claude+Debussy+harp

     

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

Things That Never Die

The pure, the bright, the beautiful, 

That stirred our hearts in youth, 

The impulses to wordless prayer, 
The dreams of love and truth; 
The longing after something's lost, 
The spirit's yearning cry. 
The striving after better hopes; 
These things can never die. 

The timid hand stretched forth to aid 
A brother in his need, 
A kindly word in grief's dark hour 
That proves a friend indeed ; 
The plea for mercy softly breathed, 
When justice threatens nigh. 
The sorrow of a contrite heart, 
These things shall never die. 

Let nothing pass for every hand 
Must find some work to do, 
Lose not a chance to waken love; 
Be firm and just and true. 
So shall a light that cannot fade 
Beam on thee from on high, 
And angel voices say to thee,
These things shall never die.

    This poem by Charles Dickens has brought me to tears many times now. We're singing the song of it in choir, and while I don't think it's adequate (if adequacy in this case is possible), it is very beautiful. It's so difficult to describe the poem, and how it makes you feel, and I think it's different according to your own depth and understanding. But as I've realized, the reason why I have yet to be able to put it into words, is because what this poem talks about....there are no words, at least in this world, that you can use to describe. I could only describe it with feelings, if it was possible to make another feel what I do. If nothing else, I have come to understand now, what he was referring to. The depth of these....no eloquent words to to say what....but, will never die, because their depth is so that it pertains to the spirit. Our own spirits, which lived before they received bodies when we came to this earth, and will go on to live throughout the eternities when we leave our bodies behind. Just as our spirits will never die, these things shall never die. They touch us to our very core, because they touch our spirits. These things -shall never die!

    These things shall never die.

Austin's Funnies Corner

Funny. All there is to it. :)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

Speaking of singing in choirs, this is my sister's choir when they went on tour to New York City and sang in a cathedral. It's just so flawless and lovely! (Refraining not to prolong the continuance of the overuse problem I have of the word beautiful.:)

And...speaking of choirs that my sister's in -oh hey! Whaddya know? There's another video of them at that cathedral which is really beautiful, (I slipped :) and amazing and the accoustics are incredible, and...yes. Do feel free to watch now. :)

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

Well, this song is...classical....ish....but we're playing in my orchestra, and it is by far my FAVORITE orchestral piece. Well, along with Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers, Ravel's Pavane, and a few other songs... But, it's like everything you could ever want in a song, all rolled into one. The perfect adventure song! Incredibly awesomely cool! Enjoy!

http://www.jwpepper.com/sheet-music/media-player.jsp?&type=audio&productID=10066401

P.S. Don't mind the weird highlighted thing. Contraptions. Am I right? :)

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

   "I could never be so happy as you. Till I have your disposition, your goodness, I never can have your happiness."

--Elizabeth from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice 

    "The devil, who was clever, took to hating man. Man, who was more clever, took to loving woman."

--Victor Hugo in Les Miserables

    

Austin's Funnies Corner

    Everyone loved Priest John. He was a happy jolly fellow always willing to help or lend a hand. One time John was walking down the street humming a tune when he saw a little boy trying to reach the doorbell of a nearby house.  “Hey there sonny” said John “let me help you out”, and with that  John reached out and pressed the bell. “Anything else I can do for you,” asked John with a smile. “Yes” said the boy. “Run! We’ve only got a few seconds before they come!”   

    For a couple years I've been blaming it on lack of sleep, not enough sunshine, too much pressure from my job, earwax build-up, poor blood, or anything else I could think of. But now I found out the real reason: I'm tired because I'm overworked. Here's why: The population of this country is 273 million.

140 million are retired.

That leaves 133 million to do the work.

There are 85 million in school, which leaves 48 million to do the work.

Of this there are 29 million employed by the federal government, leaving 19 million to do the work.

2.8 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing Saddam Hussein. Which leaves 16.2 million to do the work.

Take from that total the 14,800,000 people who work for state and city governments, and that leaves 1.4 million to do the work.

At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals, leaving 1,212,000 to do the work.

Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons.

That leaves just two people to do the work. You and me. And there you are sitting, at your computer, reading jokes.

Nice, real nice.

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

This is awesome in a sad, sweet sort of way. But the kid's genuine, not trying to evoke pity, increase chances of stardom or anything of the sort -but just the simple talent in singing, and devotion and love he has for his mother, is what's so captivating and hear-warming. It makes me sad all the clapping and fanfare and how popular it's become just because I don't think he, nor his mother, would want this song that he wrote for her nor this precious moment of getting to share it, tainted. However, if it does good for people to see it, well, there's no harm in good. Anyway, not as an absolutely necessary part, but, excusing the Czech subtitles, :) a certainly worth-while and enriching suggestion for your experience. After watching this, they actually made a music video of I think him singing it, but it's all artistic and beautiful and it shows the grasslands and everything. If you weren't about to cry in the other one, after watching that, and then watching this, let's just say that will most likely not stay that way. Here's the link to watch it. (And I recommend that you do, because you will love it as much if not more.)  :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnSo-MuTQoc

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz Corner

I play cello for this piece. And then to add ballet -you can't get more beautiful and lovely than this, folks.  :)

Ashley's Philosophy Corner

There is little one can say about this video. 

    "An inclination towards happiness is only the slight removal of blindness."

--Macy Adams

Austin's Funnies Corner

Sigh -so true. In some ways, anyway... :)

Alex's Random Awesome Corner

I share this because I recently saw the movie. It's PG13, which I was wary of, but I found it's only so,  because of the subject matter of World War II, so it's definitely still wholesome. But THIS WAS THE BEST MOVIE I HAVE EVER SEEN, and I'm not just being dramatic, and it isn't because I don't get out much. I have seen A LOT of good movies in my day. A LOT. But this -this just exceeded them all. It was a beautiful and uplifting and inspiring and heart-wrenching experience. It touches your soul. When I left, my mother asked me if I had cried, and I told her quietly, that yes, I had cried. That I was still crying. And then as I walked, seeming to see the world with a whole new perspective, I could hardly speak. And throughout the night, I continued to cry every few minutes or so, remembering certain scenes. It looks pretty good, and that's what I thought, too -at first. But it is far better than that, I assure you. Far, far better than that.

Anna's All Things Classical and Jazz

This piece is absolutely beautiful. It has a way of lulling your soul into a reverie of beauty that you just find yourself lost in. We're playing it in my orchestra, and every time it just captivates you. Allow it to do the same for you -to truly depict the expressive dance of a princess. (It's a memorial for such.)

You don't have to listen to the whole thing, but there's a lot of good little moments, not to mention, ah -sweet jazz! Makes every night classier -the evening gowns, the fedoras, the glittering city lights, the ambiance -you just gotta love it. :)

And there's the -I LOVE- smooth and romantic vintage side to it, as well. That's the thing about jazz -about anything I suppose -is there are a LOT of ways to interpret it. And I love so many of them -so many aspects that the umbrella of jazz include. 'Cause it can really get distorted like a lot of other things, but this one -this one is wonderful, takes you back in time and reminds you of how wonderful and genuine life can really be.

And, for the last video -because this is after all, meant to explore classical and jazz- I have a link (since the video search up thing on here is kind of messed up and I can't seem to find the right one directly) to one more absolutely wonderful jazz video, from a wonderful musical movie that's has lot of FORMIDABLE (awesome in French) jazz in it. A 50s black society spin on Pollyanna -and a wonderful one, too. Anyway, I hope you enjoy -it's the most delightful little song, ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMeWaOZIzyw