Shift Happens The Climb -1

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THE CLIMB PART 1

Please be patient with any grammar or spelling mistakes, and please be gentle when pointing them out my muse buses easily.

THE CLIMB PART 1
Dreams do exist but in an ephemeral world devoid of physical form.

,

To hold them in your hands.
You need to put invest a lot of
blood, sweat ,and tears.
Then they can become real

Misha Nova

picts the climb.png

Internal Dialogue Michele's mind.

I had to accept that my friends were being honest with there appraisal of my abilities. I trusted Ma Ma Cat and Dannie with my life. The rest of my work friends , though, individually they were a bit flaky , together they were wise.

The unexpected person was Seala, she was betting a lot on me, being a lot more than I ever dreamed I could be. She was the opposite of Ebeneezer Scrooge's spirit of Christmas yet to come, Seala pointing to my rebirth , not my grave.

I answered the Goddess of creation.! Yesss! yes I want More Please!. just help me to be strong enough to survive my blessing. Now I need to do the work to climb, up, and reach for my future. That is what this story is about.

Monday day 1 Week 1


Scarey beyond all belief.

I was scared out of my mind, and it was only 10 AM in the morning and there I was outside of Seala's studio waffling about what today was. I was at a loss if this was an interview, or play time. Before I made a fool out of my self or worse blow a great opportunity, I had better find out. Buzzing the door bell I was sweating if I was dress too little or too much. I was not phased by blood, gunshot wounds, traumatic injuries, oh and the odd life or death decision , but trying to sing in front of others, that really wound me up. Thankfully Seala just then came out to let me in, before I got too panicked an ran away.

“ Hi lady good to see you welcome to my studio, please come on in. Your looking like you are dressed for an interview rather than to play. And what's with the anxiety ?”

“ I am a bit edgy, I was uncertain what was meant by play. So I dressed for the worst, an interview, and hoped for the best, play time.. The anxiety I guess it's just new unknown situation nerves, I would be normally be at work and not playing hookey. I am just worrying about being busted by the ' Adult Behavior Police' for impersonating a kid ”

“Damn Ma Ma cat and Dannie have you pegged, on this one They both told me you would arrive this morning white knuckled and so up tight you would squeaking like new lederhosen.”

“ Sheila I love and hate to admit this, but those two know me better than any brother and or sister. But to my credit, I am also nerved because I feel like Friday night was a fluke, a once off lucky shot. Truthfully I have always kept my singing a secluded hide away for me alone. It is where I am emotionally free and safe from worry from what other people say or think. Sharing that sanctuary is scary hard for me.! ”

“ No way that was just blind luck Misha. I know talent, and I see it all over you. Please this is a no stress day , you are suppose to be on vacation. So today I just want you to relax, lets play, and have some fun. Then maybe during this week I can help you find your talent. Listen lady, this weekend I discovered a new talented singer, so I would love to have the chance at getting to know her better. Come on now let's have a cupa , and a nosh. This will gives us some time to talk. Don't sweat the time Greta is using the practice studio for some teaching now. ”

Seala was leading me past the reception and office block then into the studio proper. I followed her as we chatted our way into the what she called the green room/ break area. Taking me to a nice alcove, with comfy over stuffed chairs, and a table. She gestured for me sit while she chatted on..

“ I really want to tell you how much fun I had at your party, especially our time in your play room, that song you did for me was great. Then later when all of us girls did that tight work together, the great sound brought tears to my eyes.

Oh and Scottie, my audio maven, was impressed with how you created such a high end studio from hand built and repaired equipment, He was very impressed that you would understand sound so deeply. He would love for you to showing him, all your studio. He has such love for the old stuff, it's something he collects and uses in his “play room”.

I was a bit embarrassed by all the praise so I had to give credit where it is due.

“ The party was for me, but some one else planed it. It was a bit of a conspiracy, by friends and the best surprise. That party was wonderful, and eye opening into my real world. I never knew that so many people were connected to me I was under the impression that Dannie and Sam were it, as far as my real friends. Having all those people show up and the great gifts was so much more fun than I have had for to many years.”

“It takes things like that to let you know Wolf Girl just how big your pack really is. Just stay put, get comfortable while I git us some refreshments.”

Being called wolf girl by Seala sounded like she is making a request to be a friend. This time last week I thought I was a lone wolf, and not a part of any pack, now suddenly I have some one sounding like they wanted to know if they could be my friend. Maybe this is a change in direction in my life.

The alcove was defined by a set of wonderful floor to ceiling window looking into a nature scape central court yard, that was open to the sky above, this allows birds to flutter around. The view was relaxing and took my mind into a good place.

Soon Sheila reappeared with a small cart nicely dressed including a tray of tasty treats, a carafe of boiling water, with the makings for either coffee or tea. As I made my self some English style tea while Seala continued.

“Here we go love, here's a tablet so you can access our music data base, so take your pick, and for gods sake relax and breath.”

Now knowing what the expectations are, I was able to relax and enjoy our time today. I asked Seala just what type of music she was interested in?. We decided on a few dozen songs that we could jump around on to see what's my vocal ranges, we also and explore each others capacities and abilities.

I was surprised to find another person who has as eclectic of tastes as I have. We both agreed on that the music needed to have real emotion to it. Be that joy, exuberance, melancholy , love ,or anger but it had to be real, not cardboard or sugary candy.. Seala asked me about what I experienced during my performance Friday night.?

“ Being totally honest, Seala between the drinks and all the fun everyone was having, how I was able to focus enough to give a real performance is surprising. . I guess I forgot it was a contest so I reached a place inside of me that I didn't care if I won, or lost I really just wanted to do my best at have fun.”

“ Quietly giggling Sheila told me, Gosh when you opened with Spinning Wheel you floored me with your power, and punch. It was the perfect opening song for you, right then I knew you were seriously good. With the River of Dreams your style, and sincerity, I was completely blown away.”

It was totally enjoyment being able to talk to real pro like Seala about my musical experiences.

“Following you Seala was scarey very scary. But it was, in a strange way, powerfully liberating,. I had no hope to beat you, so I just had fun and did my best.

Then after I finished I was over joyed that you the champ wanted to share the the stage with newbie me, it was like wow. “

“ You are stunningly good Michele, and you so earned my respect Friday night After my first song I was forced to step back to see someone, I never meet, with ease become real competition. Then with the same ease you just took to the duets like a seasoned pro. No ego getting in the way of just pleasing the audience. You became my perfect partner, and from my experience, in the music world, that is so rare, and special. “

Seala shook her long black hair out of her eyes.

“Michele you worked with me like a finely rehearsed pro, totally out of instinct. Believe me girl that it would take any one else a lot of time and work to develop. You just dove in and flowed with it. That's why I am saying, what you did on Friday night wasn't a fluke. It was the hatching of your talent, that had been hiding until the right time, and that time is now. So my Michele my friend it's time to strike while the iron is hot, so lets make some sparks.”

After we talked for a bit longer Sheila went into her office to see if she had some sheet music for a couple of old songs, not in her system, for us to work with. In looking at the Tablet displaying various music I saw a listing for the song Memory from Cats, I just had to cue it up, because it was one of those songs that I fell in love with at first heard. I didn't have to work at the song because it “spoke to my condition” so it came from deep in my heart. The music from the tablet began and the acoustics of the alcove was just right for me to softly join in with the song.

Song: Memory By Elena Page
From Cats

Daylight
See the dew on the sunflower
And a rose that is fading

Roses whither away
Like the sunflower
I yearn to turn my face to the dawn
I am waiting for the day . . .

Midnight
Not a sound from the pavement

Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight
The withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan

Memory
All alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again

Then I was joined by a middle aged women along with a high school girl who came into the the break room singing the harmony's to the melody.

Every streetlamp
Seems to beat a fatalistic warning

Someone mutters
And the streetlamp gutters
And soon it will be morning

the young girl started singing the soprano portion. Her voice was clear and expressive.

Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I musn't give in

When the dawn comes

Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin

The older women took over

Burnt out ends of smoky days
The stale cold smell of morning
The streetlamp dies, another night is over
Another day is dawning

All three of us sung together this last part.

Touch me
It's so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun
If you touch me
You'll understand what happiness is

Look
A new day has begun

As I had guessed that the older women was Greta, and she introduced the younger women who was her student Bailey who was taking lessons to for a slot in her high school musical Cats .. The three of us chatted for a bit before Beth, Bailey's mom, came to retrieve her, Greta asked Beth if she had some time for Bailey to get some experience singing as a group with other more experienced vocalists.

“ Sure Greta that would be fine, there is plenty of time. I was just going to work on my tan anyway. So can I watch from the control booth? “ Beth gave me a closer look before smiling and asking” Your the person that was in the in YouTube video singing with Seala? You look quite different from the performance? when you were all dolled up, gosh sorry that didn't come out right .” .

Everyone giggled at the comment,

“ Wow Betty I never would guess that YouTube video would get around so fast. Did you just spot it on the net?

“ No my husband did, he works as a talent scout for the music companies. Scanning the net for fresh talent is something he does for his work. When he spotted Seala's name he checked the video out then called me in to watch it. You two were amazing to watch separately and together, to be honest we put
you on our DVR so we can watch it some more on our big screen.”

Bailey was shocked she did not recognize me at first but was really happy to sing with us just for the novelty of it. The most important thing was we needed to have fun, a whole lot of fun .


Your that one.

When we went into Seala's studio I was stunned, it was radically so much more than I ever seen before. I was thinking it looked like science fiction set compared to my “ stone spears and skins” studio being manufactured in the 1960's when Vacuum tube ruled. Before transistors got there foot hold in recording equipment. Seala took Bailey and myself in to the main performance room while Greta, Arthur,( Scottie } Seala's sound maven , and Beth went into the control room.

Seala and I re-performed our own performances from Friday night so that our experts could get a better feel for my range. Seala and Bailey performed some Lady GAGA. The three of us worked on the Andrew Sisters Boogy Woogy Bugel Boy of company C. I was pushed my full three and three
quarters honest octave range. After a break for water and a breather. We went on to singing some simple tunes show tunes, Wandering star from Paint Your Wagon, Wash that man, from South Pacific, a couple of Peter, Paul, and Mary, some tight barber shop quartet then, I lost track of the rest . We had been playing for about three and a half hours, and I was getting punch drunk having never sang this much non stop. So when I was singing “Time goes by” (by Herman Hupfeld 1931 ) I slipped in a couple of my impressions to stir things up. First I slipped into Cindy Lopper then jumped into Granny, Tweedy Bird and finished with Marlene Dietrich, At the same time there was an explosion in the monitor speakers from the control room. Scot was the first to speak up , “Where did that come from” “ Seala still chuckling chimed in” Samuel never warned me you did impressions. “ When Greta rejoined the land of the breathing with her comment that was the funnest with , “ You dogs want me to coach a Parrot how to sing,.” I jokingly answer Greta by singing the line from the The Eagles “I Can't tell You Why”. And on that note Seala interjected.

“ Michele, Bailey Lets call this a day you both looked flushed, and your voice's sound a little raw, Lets go for pizza my treat.”


Who What Where When

Seala

Betty cornered me about Michele's particulars before we left because she was as curious as a cat about Michele. I had indicated to Michele on the way over to the restaurant it would be a good Idea for her to cultivate this acquaintance by being less reserved and more outgoing. I needed to convey this before we got to the Pizza Palace.

“ Michele my dear I did not expect that this would happen so rapidly but I need to talk to you about one of the secrets of the music world you need to get use to. Networking with the people you encounter is really important in the world you are entering.”

Avoiding a jay walker I continued.

“ Every one has a message, so you just need to be attentive and really listen . Use your intuition it will help you sort out the wheat from the straw. But this requires you to be open and a bit vulnerable, I am not saying weak just less armored, briskly and more approachable.”

Michele had been listening in silence then suddenly she got a surprised look on her face.

“ Seala this sounds like something the best hunters of our village,in Peru, was trying to tell me. I asked him how did he find the food he hunted for He told me first he gave Thanks for the food that will sustain his family. Then he would see in his mind his family gratefully eating that food.”

It was like Michele was looking inward with her eyes closed.

“He then told me that when he went into the forest he would allow his feet to go where they wanted to go, and as his feet wandered he would just be aware of the beauty around him and he would find the signs of an animal near by. A broken branch, scat, pieces of fur or loose feathers, chewed fruit or seeds, smells, sounds and sights all added to the picture in his mind of what he would find for his family. “

Excitedly she turned to me

“ But his overwhelming emotion through out his life was gratitude for his life his family. We only went hungry a few times because the food always showed up, resources were always found. “

Michele shook her head.

“ I always knew what they were talking about was truthful and important but until this moment with what you were saying it did not make sense. I was to young to really grasp that concept. “

Michele paused and stared into space then slowly speaking as in a trance in a far away voice.

“Now is the time that I was told that things would change over night, and in a snap my life would be lived in a new reality. The two elders told me that I had to follow the current like a fish to survive because fighting it would kill me. I was also told that they made it so that when this process started I would remember what was told me long ago”.

“Michele are you OK please talk to me.”

We just arrived at the restaurant when Michele shook her head commenting.

“ Sorry Seala, it's complected but I am alright. I am really hungry, and it's Pizza Time, we can talk about this mumble Jumbo later. “

“Michele my grand mother is a scary mystic. I was raised with stuff like this, so relax I have seen a lot. Lets eat, and see how well you speak smooz with the music lady.”

The rest of the evening was great fun eating drinking root beer telling funny stories about our lives, getting to know one another. Michele must have figured out what I was talking about because she became miss congeniality. Latter Mr Laurence, Baileys dad, joined us and the evening really took off. Pizza Time was built in an old style bar and grill that had at one time entertainment. There was a small stage including an old karaoke machine, that was so dusty it could have come out of a ancient tomb. When Mr Laurence noticed this he talked to the owner Ralph who, in a flash, cleaned and set it up.

There was a lot of classic Dean Marten, Carpenters, Dionne Warwick, and that era of music on the machine along with Disco, and classic rock and roll from the 1960 and 70. Soon everyone was hamming it up and having a ball. Then the place became flooded with people from the neighborhood who passing by noticed the music and dropped in for a beer and snack, according to Ralph the owner this was the most business he had had on a Monday night in years. After a quick vote from the audience he decided to have a karaoke night on Monday to see how things worked out. He even offered Michele and myself a free giant special pizza and all the pop we could drink, to stop by and get the audience singing.

Michele

I was working on my being open, and available style while Mr and Mrs Laurence were chatted with Seala and myself, we agreed they could visit Seala's studio next week to talk. It was getting later, around 10 pm, and I was really tired but totally excited with all that had happened today.

In the car home Seala asked me.

“Hay Michele how are you doing girlfriend a lot of excitement for one day?.”

“Ya and we are spreading center ,of the rebirth, of Karaoke who would have thought. What did Baileys dad want us to do for him?.”

“He always is looking for new talent doing singing for commercial work . And there is a piece of business I can do with him recording the voice tracts, doing jingles, and commercial use of songs. Are you up for a little light work.”

“Good grief ,that was quick, sounds like it would get me some experience and exposure. All with keeping our clothing on“

“ Remember Michele this was what I was explaining earlier. People you meet today will be the people who have work for or with someone, or knows some one that has. This can lead to a commercial tomorrow, a night of backup singing, after that some voice over work. Allowing You to build up a body of work that people can reference to.”

Seala chuckled to her self .

“ I agree, you are not mistaken, I think we will become a part of a Karaoke revival. For as long as this lasts, it will get our names, into the spotlight. I will get more business for the studio you get some important experience and exposure. Believe it or not, you may have just gotten the break that some people wait for years to get and it delivered it's self in you lap. I think the universe is trying to make a point to you. And yes we can keep our clothing on.”

“So Seala am I becoming the Singing Nurse The side kick of the Singing Nun. Here's a theme for your ruptured spleen, or here is something mellow for your broken patella o. “

Laughing Seala just shook her head looking at me saying

“ Only you Michele would come up with that. “

About then Seala drove up to my condo.

“ Michele be ready to come in about noontime tomorrow and rest your voice until then. No midnight singing in your play room just rest because I think tomorrow will be eventful.”

I bid Seala a good night and went to my entrance. Waving at Seala from my open door to let her know I was in. I watched her pull away before shutting the down stairs door.

Seala

I was driving home smiling quietly to my self; being aware of things I know about, that the Wolf Girl doesn't , about the roller coaster ride she is on. Things are moving so fast I can only guess at how interesting things are about to become for us. My job as her friend is to help her deal with the titanic forces coming into her's and my life. When you have been in this business for a time you gain a sixth sense about the world you inhabit. And mine senses are telling me this women and I are heading someplace special in the music scene. I am aiming at a bull's eye we can not even see yet. But from experience I know it is there, my instincts tell me that. Like William Tell or a zen archer knows, the two of us can and will some how hit it. She is the arrow head I am the arrow shaft and fletchings. . Our passions and love of music propel us forward. Our friendship will make it possible to keep each other safe. I couldn't ask for anything better than this. What ever happens it will be a wild and cray ride for the both of us.

Tuesday Week 1

Michele

Seala picked me up at 12 Pm sharp and when we got to the studio, she set me up in an isolation booth B. This phone booth size space I sarcastically called Small Closet Bottom Shelf studio, a joke about my favorite web site. This small space had every thing I needed to work independently of the main control room , allowing me to get my voice ready, with out needing Scottie's services.

. I then worked in toning to a Gregorian chant I used my old clunky head phones that allowed me to sing a counter melody . Around 12:45 am I could hear things in the monitor speakers that told me some one was in the control room. Tabbing the intercom switch I let who ever know that I was in Isolation studio B.

Scots voice answered back “ Wow here I thought there was a heavenly host singing me home. Good gravy Girl you are a early bird, so what's up today”

“You need to talk to Seala or Greta, they haven't told me yet. She just told me to warm up so I am loosening up and awaiting for whats next.”

“Michele relax we are going to have a blast working together so relax and do that Hodoo you do so well. We will let you know whats next. “


Ready Set.

The wait wasn't long before Greta had me singing scales in all manner of ways. She was analyzing how I did, what I did, what I could or could not, or had trouble with. After a strenuous ninety or so minutes I was called into the control room to learn how I did. My stomach was filled with hairy moths all fluttering around. But when I got there everyone was all smiles.

Seala was not stretching the truth about Greta's sense of hearing, it was spooky great. Greta picked out, in the short time, all of the little tricks, and cheat's I used to increase my feminine range. All in the short time she has been working with me . A lot of those tricks became off limits, because in the long term they would turn my voice box onto hamburger. From that time on all Greta had to say was “burger” and I knew something was wrong in my technique.

We worked steadily with a couple hydration breaks until six PM, when Greta had to call it quits to head off for another appointment. Seala gave me a ride home, telling me to get some sleep. Being home this afternoon was such a release, I was emotionally, and physically spent so only able to eat a nuke it till it glowed dinner as that was short, sweet, and easy to eat. I was taped out and wanted only to go to bed. As I made my way to my bed room I had a funny thought about just when did going to bed early stopped being a punishment.

Wednesday Week 1

Seala picked me up early so I started at 10 am with warm up exercises, I moved to Ear and Voice work,

then working on songs that were teaching me certain technique. If asked most of the adult population of the world would not consider singing all day work. I can personally tell you, if you are doing it correctly, it is exhausting work, you can really burn through calories and water. I was drinking three to four liters of water daily with out fail, and I was still thirsty.

Greta continued holding my tonsils to the fire, she made sure that I was not cheating on my technique, falling back into my burger girl habits. We worked steadily until about Two pm when we took a break to eat something, and to rehydrate.

Seala joined me looking a little worse for wear nibbling on some celery filled with something. Giving me a wry smile she opened with a simple question. “Are we having fun yet.” To which we both went into a giggle fest. Greta came into the room and asked were we having fun yet, yet which created a another peal of laughing. When we were able to come up for air Greta told me and Seala we were punch drunk.

“ The two of you need to get out of here for some unwinding time, Seala you have been grinding all day keeping us afloat , and our rising star here has been working like a Trojan wombat. You need to rest that voice of yours Michele you are working and picking up all this new stuff so quickly I am honestly amazed at your progress. If half of my clients worked with as much concentrated effort, and were as motivated as you are, my teaching life would be smooth as glass.”

I thanked her for the compliment and she had to go to handle another client.


Deeper and Deeper

Shelia

We were relaxing a bit with some herbal tea in the break room when I touched Michele's arm

“ Michele I know this has to be very stressful for you to deal with all these changes at one time, how are you doing with that, I don't want to break you Sam would kill me. So please let me know if we are pushing to hard. “

“ Seala, hard is a ward full of complaining whining adults all wanting everything now.”

“ Sam told me you grew up in South America then he told me some of the things you have lived through, but he made it clear you needed to finish the story when you were ready. From what little he said it sounded like it was a really crazy brutal hard time living and growing up down there. Do you feel comfortable enough, to please, talk to me about that. I really want to have a better feel for who you are, and what drives you? . You just keep chugging along not complaining, so I do not know if I a pushing to hard.”

“ Seala it is just how I am, short term stress is easy to deal with for me. It's the life and death every day long term stuff that's the killer. If I had to deal with that all the time, I would fold. In trauma, recovery we have occasional bad days, that's hard enough. Working in the ER Trauma reeving would be too much like home during the war. I lost a lot of friends and family down south.”

“ Being raised in South America, must have been a mess with all the fighting.?”

“ The raising part was really good. We had an entire forest to run around in, lots of friends, and things to play with. Until I was 4 or 5 I did not wear many cloths. I had a lot of pets, and mom told me I was even the pet of an older big female jaguar who , for a while, took me as her cub,. She also adopted the settlement as her's. No one messed with me or my playmates. Several times she kept us out of trouble, by keeping us out of the village when bad people were present. So the raising part was really good.”

Michele's voice got a bit more somber.

“It was the razed pat that I hated. Being trapped in the no mans land between several waring groups of
nasty people,who are shooting at everything that moved. That is the shit that traumatized me. I hate loud noises especially the sound of fire works. Too much like mortar, gun and cannon fire. I can't stand the Forth of July. I would go somewhere so I didn't need to listen to it. One time I was hiding deep in a cave spelunking with a friend who was a nurse in the Vietnam war surviving the Tet Offensive so she felt the same way, . You never forget being bombarded.

Mortar rounds were really hard to deal with. You would hear the hollow sound of launching of the smaller ones because they lack a lot of range. But the larger ones could be hidden some distance away, and for some reason, the Shining Path Gorillas in our area north of Lima did not use noise makers on the rounds. The governments big 105s howitzers screamed in on there target from several miles away. And the airplanes dropped bombs regularly on villages trying to drive people into the bigger cities. Then there was the Drug people who mainly used automatic guns and a lot of bullets.

There was a couple of months we moved three or four times a week to keep out of reach of the Federals, Drug people ,and or the Shining Path who . All of the contestants were totally nuts, and taught from birth they were the chosen ones and to hated the First People population, so we were all expendable. It wasn't until we got really deep in to Peru's mountains that we had some peace.”

Michele sounded cold and strangely emotionless telling this.

“We hunkered down in a small village which had been partial deserted because of people running from the fighting. I was about 11 and Dr with out borders came to help where they could. We as a missionary's and part of there family chipped in the effort to keep people alive. There was times during a a government campaign that I had to do 2 or 3 jobs, so I learned a lot fast. This is where I first became interested in nursing. I gave shots, stitched up minor cuts, disinfected the areas we had to work in, I learned French as many of the doctors were French. Later it became very intense where I held lights for, and handed interments to the doctors at work. By the time I was fifteen I had the skills to qualify as a field trauma nurse. It took my diploma to be legal in the states, but in the bush of Peru no one would sue me, they were thankful to be alive.

But the biggest lesson I leaned is that when the shooting started all the labels and flags meant nothing. They were just masks for crazy men wanting to hide there desires to kill people, just for the sick sport of it. There were just a few rebel groups who cared about the people. The government and there US advisers, the Shining Path, drug dealers, then the all wanted to target us and the rebels who wanted to end the war.

We soon discovered the US advisers with there mercenaries body guards were who kept the mess going. They messed with every one especially when they found villages. They were physically giants compared to the locals and very brutal to every body, there excuse was we needed to be pacified.”

She had to take a long raged breath before going on.

“ This was the time that several Nuns were gruesomely slaughtered north of us. Elder men and women were regularly made to disappear, even 13 year old girls were raped and some moms who were pregnant were raped then butchered by all sides involved. What was finally reported in the states was only the tip of the ice-blood-burg of those who died. because we as not native we hid, so not to be noticed. If we had been caught we would have been killed along with the entire village and no one
would ever know, or cared, I was small and tanned so I at a glance looked like a local kid, my dad had dark skin from being in the sun, my mom was the one who stood out. She was extra vulnerable because everyone's gun was pointed at women especially educated ones. In some villages near Lima and Cuzco there were no women or children, the men sent there families especially the girls and women elsewhere to protect them because the rich people organized hunting parties that would hunt poor people down. Those mountains ran red with the blood of Innocent people. That is what American tax dollars purchased. That is what was done to make America safe from the democracy's in South and Central America. I was there and I have seen this with my own eyes. The world press and there reporters stayed away from this theater, because they were killed. Sometimes before they got out of the city.”

Michele looked at me and I was captured by her deeply soulful eyes I never knew before this just how insane things got.

“Michele I don't know what to say. What a trip being so young and surviving so much. Sam warned that I needed to let you open the subject. To change the subject to a lighter vein can you tell me just where Samuel got the nick name Ma Ma cat.”

“ Sam is a good soul, he knows more about what I went through than any one else. Before He was a nurse he worked with some Canadian government agency. Somehow after I started to work for him, he found out some things about what was happening in Peru during the time we lived there I have a lot of respect for Sam because both of us have been there and back. Sharing that created a lot of respect for what we bring to the table..”

Michele looked like a a kid about to tell a juicy secret.

“ As for Sam's nick name, it came from when he was playing hooky from his government day job. He was on a 'walk about' trying to wrap his head around some big personal problems. That's when He met Danny traveling with six other friends. Dannie and company were hiding in Cambodia's, wilder lands, close to Thailand. All of them were running for their lives from the Camera Rouge, who were in power at that time. The Khmer Rouge were the ones who murdered hundreds of thousands of teachers Dr, engineers any one with an education. Those nut cases also hated the alternative community fearsomely. There guide had just ran away, so Sam took over the job. because as he said “I had nothing better to do.”, so he lead them to Thailand and safety. Sam refuses to say in the first place why or how he was vacationing in a war zone . Danny told me all of the girls called him Ma Ma Cat because he was so gentle, protective and firm with them, like a Ma Ma cat. That is where Danny and Ma Ma Cat totally fell in love with each other. There is nothing that can come between them and nothing one would not do for the other. ”

Looking wistful Michele continued.

“ So there you have it the, Lives of the beautiful and the Shell Shocked. The three of us always have each others backs. Nothing will ever change that.”

I looked deeply into Michele's eyes, again.

“ I need to agree with Danny and Sam, What ever glues the universe together, is the same glue that holds you together Michele. They dealt with there shitty stuff as adults. You had to deal with it as a kid and in spite of all that hell you have grown up to be a strong, compassionate women. Your a person all of us respect you for where you have been and what you survived.”

“Thanks that's sure sweet of you Seala, , but I really am no different than any body else, there were so many good people that did not make it. I am just very lucky to be alive, My dad told me I was stupidly stubborn like a buffalo. Once I set my hoof's into the turf it's not easy, moving me. Most people give up, rather than try. “

“ No Michele that's not what exactly I mean. There is an inner source of gravity, under that beautiful skin of yours. You know what is right and what is wrong, and that holds you together with a sense of certainty that is unshakeable. Irregardless of what you are hit with, you stay the path and stand your ground. To be sure you are the most solid person I have ever meet. So stop trying to duck it you have earned my respect and friendship. And after we go do some therapeutic shopping. I am sending your tired ass home to take it easy tonight, “


Who Let the wolf out.


Michele

The afternoon was lovely, working our way through some of the local Boutique shops in the area. I was able to find some divine skin cream at a health food outlet. It was scented with a cactus flower called the Night Blooming Cyrus. It has a faint but complex fragrance which is haunting. We then came to a Victoria Secret which appeared to be out of place in this kitschy district. Having wanted to go there for forever, I could not resist, going in. When we emerged some time later, my bank account was $175 dollars lighter, and I was humming, yes again!!. Walking a bit farther then Seala took me to a very fancy confectioner, who had chocolate covered strawberries, and Hazel nut Brittle, both I adore. Seala found some dried mango dusted with chilly powder, Pecan Brittle. And some sort of sesame seed and honey candy. At the register was Seala was chatting with the manager who's name tag read “Nicole head nut/cracker”. Snickering at her name tag I grabbed a couple of business cards which to my surprise was also labeled in Braille, when I payed her I told her how much I respected her inclusive gesture.

She smiled at my observation.

“ If one sense is compromised the others become sharper. Nicole told me, "Many of my sight impaired customers have extremely well developed senses of taste and smell , so they can be my better customers.”

“ I noticed that when I record audio books for the sight impaired, by using some vintage microphones to simulate age, and special effects to simulate depth of separation from one voice to another, my publisher informs me that they get a lot of comments about all of the work I do to bring things alive for my audience.”

Nicole gave me the curious once over like she was looking into me not just at me. She pulled out from under the counter a device that appeared to be a large ancient flattened top covered with carved symbols and some ancient script.

“ Any friend of Seala's has to be a good person please give this a spin and let me see your candy Karma energy, this might reveal a secret taste passion you do not know about yet.”

Spinning it it remained balanced for a very long time before coming to a rest on one side. Nicole smiled then taking a couple of small sample bags she added a couple of this and that, labeling that there were symbols on each chocolate to tell them apart. Before she was done there were a couple of these sample bags added to my order, and a smiling offer for me to return any time to sample other Items

“ Seala tells me your new to our shop so when ever she brings me a new customer I like taking the pain out of spending money on experimenting with unknown food. So I gave you what I though you might be interested in for the future. “

While Seala payed, for her products, both of us exchanged pleasantries with Nicole before we left. Seala then directed me to a local land mark which was a stand alone antique horse drawn snack wagon . We purchased some delicious crepes, and a really fine cup of express. Sitting at a small table enjoying our treat when it occurred to me that this was the same stye of wagon I remember seeing in Aspen Colorado years ago. It was parked near a restaurant called the Soup-er sandwich and soup restaurant, The wagon was correct in every detail I could remember from the steam pop corn popper to the brass framed beveled glass for the windows. I shared this with Seala who told me that it is one of several replicas the owner hand built, before donating the original to Smithsonian.

This had to be the most relaxed I had been for an incredibly long time. Seala was smiling a knowing smile while glancing at me. I smiled to my self realizing that again I had been helped to find my bliss. I had not question the fact I felt no compulsion to eat and run. I was happy doing nothing, except enjoying my cherry cream cheese crape, and my espresso, when my fork hand was gently jostled, drawing my attention to the large nose of a huge dog . Following the nose back to the face I was amazed to see the face of a smiling wolf who was intently looking at my bags on the table.

“ Well hello, who's puppy are you ? “

Which only got me a disdainful eyeball from the wolf.

“Michele that is no puppy that is one hell of a big dog”

Our 4 footed friend now shifted his gaze to Seala who eeped a bit looking him in the eye.

“Seala I do not think Mr Wolf thinks much of being called a dog.”

Seala replied “Well Ms smart ass he doesn't like being called a puppy either.”

“Seala Ill keep him conversing here while you ask the vender if they have noticed him beforehand. May be he is a companion to one of the shop keepers around here.”

“That's fine and good but wont he just chase me.”

“Not if you don't run but walk confidently over to the stand, wolfs are cursorily meaning they only chase frighten things that run.”

“OK Ms scientific I pray you are right, or you may be the nurse stitching us BACK TOGETHER ,”

Seala gently got up and started to quietly walk to the stand. Then our wolf just started to stare at my bag of candy very intensively. Like what ever he wanted was in my candy bag. Moving slowly and deliberately I opened the bag and one by one removed one of the contents. Each bag the stare was the same until I retrieved one of the gift bags. This earned me a gruff vocalization that I understood as yes that one. Strangely one of the samples in that bag the scent of roses coming from it. I put one of the business cards into the bag.

“I do not know big guy I think chocolate is not good for your tummy or your Poo Poo wheel, so I don't want to make you sick , at that he danced and gruff-ed some more queuing me to guess May be is this for your companion your friend maybe.?”

I got a positive feeling from his growling on that one. I gently gave him the small bag, commenting that I would be disappointed with him if he ate it and would not feel bad for him If he got sick. He looked at me and wined a little then trooped off down the street, daintily carrying the bag in his front teeth. The view was so funny I had to just giggle to myself because the discontinuity of a great wolf daintily carrying a small bag of high end confections down the street like a butler. I followed his progress to where he was near the end of the street when the wolf sat down in font of a park bench occupied by an olde women holding a white cane. The women looked to be wearing first nation clothing from the South West US. After an affectionate nudge she accepted the package from her wolf friend.

Seala told me that the wolf was thought to be a dog, would show up every now and again, and had been seen to accompany an old first nation women. We both giggled at the image. Odd we would run into the local color like this. I wonder who she could be, just then a small wren landed on our table grabbing a fragment of my crape then took off . Grinning at this I commented to Seala that I thought we just witnessed a fly by wren-ing. When I looked back the women and her wolf were gone. I just made a note in my mind that every day signs show up and I needed to remain on my toe's. Keeping my eyes and heart open to all the possibilities. Cleaning up and disposing of our trash,we walked down the street laughing as we chatted about nothing in particular.

Thursday week 1

Down to Brass Tacks

Thursday was a good day at the studio. Greta had really worked hard with Scot analyzing my voice print. From that spectrum she pulled out where my ranges were the weakest, and where I was forcing my voice in a bad way. Now I started to really drill and exercise my voice correcting mistakes and smothering out the transitions along my singing range.

Let no one tell you singing is easy work, its not. Yes we breath all the time but to control your breathing easing it out, and then sucking it in silently around the tone you are producing is draining for the green horn like me. Then there is the emotional expenditure from projecting your emotions into your singing over and over again as you polish what you are doing. This was fun and as the day progressed my lessons were taking effect and I was beginning to see the results of what Greta was working towards.

Then there was my first few bad attempts at Ceylon Deon and Marie Carry where my voice shattered not just broke. Then Scotty just had to play a wolf howling sound over my appalling attempt. Scot interrupted my laughing fest with Seala.

“Michele it's your date wanting to know if it's too early to pick you up.” .

Then and there we knew my range was solidly contralto any thing higher would just be burger time.

Thursday night week 1


Home Alone

Adrenaline can only take a body so far before you get just so tired, that your body stops working on it's own. Seala dropped me off at my house about four PM instructing me to just take it easy. When I got into my home, I suddenly felt the effects of the day, there was a moment of quiet, after I shut the front door. Leaning against it's solidness, feeling safe, and shielded from the demands of the out side world.

After a few moments all indecision as to what I wanted to do to do this evening vanished, and a peaceful certainty settled it. I had been moving so fast during the last three months I had not spent any quality “me” time, with out any outside distractions ,just taking care of my self . I had been working double shifts, spending time at the Residential clinic on the Rez, and the odd bit of training at the DO-JO, all trying to distract my self from the big empty inside of me.

I recorded a comical message on my phone machine stating. “The Diva is in retreat with her Muses, thus out of communication with this world. She can not be reached so do not try until further notice, or the year 2025, what ever came first. Please leave a message in the mail box of your choice.”

Having set my audio Do No Disturb sign I armed the alarm system and closed down the front of the house sealing out the world, for the night. If I could have I would have rolled a big rock in front of my door.. This was my Home Alone Night


Rules Of Home Alone Night.

Rule one; Of “ Home Alone Night ” is that I must not leave my homestead or bring in any thing from the outside. The outside did not exist for me right now.

Rule two; no communications in or out. So I am cocooning my self in from the outside world. This would give me the space to let go of the built up stress of being to much with the world.

Recipe for an evening

Step one

Go to my freezer and get out my dinner and start the oven warming, then set my wine cooling,

Step two

Start the whole house sound system playing my favorite musical Scrapple program which assembled Andean, Celtic, cool jazz, Classical and what ever else fit the program play list. The sound system was my Aunts install to make her at home life cushy opposed to the rough living conditions when she was out on an archeological dig, she called this her Laura Croft mode.

Step 3

Soak Tub time.

Step 4

Dinner with candle light ,wine ,.and music.

Step 5

What ever else that soothed my soul or spirit as entertainment. Then early to bed.


Ready set relax ????

I popped my lasagna in the low oven and popped my self into the shower before I slipped into the soak tub. The music was beautiful and went along way in setting the mood to relax. My mind went back to the the dynamics of the last week. The humor of the first day prank with my imitations, the exhausting breathing exercises. The excitement of learning how to really use my voice. I am now being trained by an expert in person. Not a talking head in a video, or words in a text book.

Having all of the bits and pieces running around, my mind was messing up by not being in the present moment. So a bit at a time I just stopped thinking, about all of it . Bringing my mind to a stop, was one of the best skills, I discovered to let go of the stress, and allow my small voice within to grace me with it's wisdom. I just needed to remember to do this. The messages were not spoken words, but a combinations of thoughts melted into feelings, and images which came in flashes. All of this was mixed in with forgotten pieces of scenes, which played like a jumbled movie. A montage of my senses and experiences were woven together at the same time creating a multiply level experience. I was aware of my tension slowly dissolving into the hot tub.

The steam was very thick reminding me of the time when I had just turned sixteen when Mary took me to some ceremonial vapor caves. I had been called to go to Mary”s home and I was surprised to finding my mom there. Mary was one of the wise women of the village, and the leader of what my dads parents called the “ woman's black lodge” they dealt with the energies , law's, customs, and ceremonies of being a women. My mom pleasantly told me to go with grand mother Mary and do what she told me, but not what or why.

The two of us walked some distance up into the mountains before she led me into a group of hills in a high valley. As we walked Mary quietly told me that there were some very important things she wanted to share with me but I had to wait until we arrive at our destination. When we reached the hills I was surprised to find the mouth of a cave where three of the biggest strongest men of our village came out of the underbrush to greet us. When we went into the cave the men closed the opening by rolling a huge round stone over it. In the dark I was a little disturbed but grandmother Mary reassured me all was OK, then instructed me to open my senses like when in the forest at night that way I will know where she was.

The floor to the cave was smooth and we walked slowly in silence for some unknowable distance making our way slowly into the mountain. I lost track of my thoughts because I had to concentrate on followed her sounds of walking, sounds of her clothing and the scent of a cactus flower who's perfume she wore today. My sense memory of this event played out like a immersion virtual reality. I was totally into reliving this experience feeling my self walking trance like aware of everything around me. We made a couple of sharp turns with the last opening into a large room that was torched lit and had a woven round hut with steam or smoke coming out of it near the center. The two of us joined six other women in the room so we joined them sitting around a small cooking fire. The smoke wafted upwards and through several cracks in the ceiling and a small wafting of fresh air came from the opening on the other side of the room. The sacredness of this space filled me to overflowing I was comfortable and at home with these people who I have known all my life. Grand mother Mary took her place in the center of the circle then I was covered with a robe and helped to sit, I was given some leaves that had food I never seen before that I was told to eat. The elders took turns chanting blessing the circle, and me then Grandmother Mary again told me that they had some very important things to share with me.

“ Child we have watched you grow before our eyes since you were but two years old, you are as much a part of us as is possible. You have shared our hopes and fears, you have seen our blood and have fought for our lives. We now need to help you find your place with in your self.”

“Grand mom's sister Anna took over. “ You have more to you than most people could ever see, and you need to experience your completeness.”

“My completeness what's that?” I asked.

Mary inquired

”Have you noticed Misha any changes recently in who you are close to, we have noticed if you haven't. We see changes in the people you associate with and the things you like to do.”

“Mrs Mary what changes I am still friends with everyone I have ever been friends with. I just have been helping my mother and the other mothers and there kids recently. There has been a lot of work to be done and they needed help.”

“Yes they have and you have been an enormous help, but you have avoided going out hunting with the boys for some time. You still hunt but you have become recently a lot more in tuned with your nurturing receptive energy showing your other side which appears to be stronger in you than your male projective energy.. You are special in this world Misha you are what is called two spirited. You were born a boy with a girls spirit. Until now those two energies were very much the same, but your body is

now maturing. You are becoming more female in appearance and in how you relate to other people ”

Grandmother Mary took over then .

“Misha You have both sides of humanity with in you and you need to understand both to be best prepared for what life has to serve to you. You need to balance being rigid and flexible. And that would be true weather you are a boy or a girl both must seek a balance in either. However it is our opinion of knowing you that your path will carry you to eventually embrace your female talents and form.”

I was startled that I remembered it so clearly. The after glow went on reminding me that this moment of my life something came into focus. It was a moment of crystal clarity where all of my emotions and experience came together to a pin point of certainty. The most trusted people of my life told me what was my internal experiences were truthful.

The purity of that moment brought me back to this time and place where I was sitting in my hot tub listening to Andean flute music. I was toning to the music singing in tones not words there came a feeling of freedom as I sung my songs but again the shadow of fearing failure, of letting other people tell me I am wrong haunted me, of being discovered and hunted down.

Then a flash of insight, what about letting myself down, by believing people I did not trust, confuse me into not even trying. As each little darkness came to surface I was able to see through it as if it was just transparent, and not ordaned certainty, but rather a shadow on my confidence. ,A shadow that evaporated as my confidence grew brighter each time I solved a problem or avoided a situation that I was projecting inside of my mind.

Then a whisper soft and gentle in my mind occurred to me Why not try to live, with out mindless fear? Why not heal my wounded soul?. What is the cost of just being and leading your self. Others may follow your example and do the same. Some times just doing this alone makes you a champion, and a leader, Especially for those, who do not have the eyes to see these things, or who need to be reminded they exist.


Another country heard from

Growl rumble rumble went my stomach. This coming fast on the heals of such a deep and personal inner message struck me as really funny. The humor of the juxtapose two messages caused me to let louse a full grafa of laughter that evaporated the seriousness of this bath. It reminding me that I needed to feed the body as well as my soul.

Pulling my self out of the golden space was always a little bit of a downer, but it also gave me the physical touch me time I lacked in my personnel life. That may be the reason Jamie's touch and kiss set me on fired. Blotting off I discovered some rough skin that needed lotion and the fact I needed to remove some excess callousing on my feet I stopped for a moment realizing that I had not taken good care of my self as well as I have since my blossoming wow I am finally gotten to be really girly.

Then donning a hair wrap, my fuzzy bath robe then my Wolf head stuffed slippers I was ready for my dinner. Setting the small table in the kitchen with some flowers and a candle I said my grace thanking Grand Father Great Spirit the Creator for all that I now have, then quietly enjoyed my home made

lasagna. My grace given I enjoyed my dinner savoring each mouth full eating slowly, and thinking just how correct the Elders were the basis of a happy life is gratitude. .

My selection of wine would make a serious wine person shutter, but it suited me. Give me a box of sweet Sangria and I am a happy girlfriend. Finishing dinner I freshened my glass of wine then retired to my recliner in front of my fireplace.


Coming INTO FOCUS

Setting up in front of the fireplace I was now prepared to give thanks for all of the bounty that has come my way over the years. My aunt unexpectedly when she passed, willed me her home and the guardianship of the library of notes and dairies left over from her years as a working field Archeologist. My cousins ' her children, were 100% behind my aunt's decision as they could not be there to take care of her, and I was able to. My aunt sponsored me and took me in when I left the states, and I became her personal care giver for the last ten years of her life. My aunt Jessica was a world class archeologist who specialized in ancient Egypt of the early dynastic eras. . But she was better known for her work in the study of the Roman colonies of Spain. Jessica would not stop working so she died from an incident of heat stoke left her sick with no one to care for her on her last dig in Egypt. She had a passion for the Egyptian people and there culture but related well with the modern people there as well. She had just announced her retirement telling her professional friends that before they burred her in one of her digs she thought it was time. I was against her going but she always lived her life on her terms. She had just sent me her last days field notes that I found this after I got home from work. I had been keeping her personal files for a while so it was normal to receive this. But this time it contained a good by message telling me she wanted to pass with her boots on and not in a nursing home, she went on to tell me how much she loved her kids which included me. The second I read this time last year I placed an emergency call to her Egyptian office but was greeted by a tear full answer which told me she was just discovered to late to save her, it is so hard to believe it has been a year. I was granted title to the condo and was elected to be the librarian / guardian of her extensive field notes. I became very wealthy in a very short time all with her other children's blessings.

This was such a contrast to my very humble childhood. There were times as a kid I was happy for the fruit and the cold water of my mountain home. But there were also times of hunger that we shared with the village. We could have kept and eaten our rations but didn't because it just would not have been acceptable with every one else hungry. So we shared everything we had with everybody as was the social norm of the mountain people, and in my parents faith it was a sin in the eyes of Jesus, selfishness is one of the deadly deadly sins. , When you had more than your needs of something someone else needed, you shared. Full stop.

I remembered catching a big tree snake once and giving it to the elder of the camp, as they had not had any meat for a bit. After it had been lovingly prepared by the daughter of the elder. My family was gifted with a small portion that my parents tried to refuse. It was explained to them that generosity had to be repaid or the village would not find any more food. That was the way the spirit of the mountains worked. 4Beings my Father was a respectful man we ate the snake portion. It was the best tasting food

I can remember that the very next day a government supply truck hauling live pigs, was hit by a random falling tree letting loose about thirty pigs. We woke up, to the excited squeals of the children having sport chasing the pigs through the settlement, I was told the spirit of the mountain lead them our way. So in there logic that original snake became legend as the snake who fed the village twice.

Having enjoyed a couple of small glasses of Sangria I loosened up a bit more and started to tone with the Celtic music being played. Using the skills I had been learning, the solid tones and range I was now able to produce made me very comfortable in this newly chosen path . Suddenly the words to the
musical theme to Paint Your Wagon started to run through my mind.

Where am I goin'?
I don't know

Where am I headin'?
I ain't certain

All I know
Is I am on my way

Why exactly my mind flashed to Paint your Wagon is beyond me but it was worth a good laugh. My life had been put on a totally different path this week and I found it fun and enjoyable. Even with all of the changes and hard work this was less stressful than even a quiet day at work with Ma-Ma cat. That was food for thoughtful examination,

Friday week `1

The day before the night

The Friday of the first week, was a busy day at the studio. Seala was working with some clients on a new project, so I was alone with Greta in the practice room. I had made a lot of progress during the first week, so Greta was very happy with me. She estimated that my amateur home study taught me seventy to eighty percent of what I needed to know. Greta was filling in and correcting the missing fiddly bits. That was fantastic to hear, and now hearing just how much my singing improved over this week. I was itching to see what I could do tonight, at the competition .

Greta asked what I was thinking about doing and my first choice was “Black Velvet,”as performed by Alana Mills. Then I told Greta that I wanted

to do a song from new group I have been seeing on YouTube, its an independent group named Starlight Butterfly. They have a vocalist called Angel and she has written performed this one recently and I fell in love with it, I email the group and received permission for non commercial performance and a special music only tract karaoke copy of Angel's song”

“I love new stuff Michele let's hear it. “

Being in the practice room was snug but the space was large enough for what I needed. Using a small mp3 player as back up I performed for Greta. After I was done there was only a couple of changes

Greta suggested. Like lowering the key by a small amount to work with my voice better, and to not rush or push the pacing of the song. The song needed to flow to express what was being expressed.

The song required a minor music edit or two to accommodate me singing it solo. Greta then asked for Scottie to first add some fill in keyboard work, then he did a little drum sample work to patching the edited parts of the song together. Scottie commented about the energy of the drummer and how tight the groups performance was. So I had my two solo songs making the only things left to do was asking Seala what our duet's would be, and putting on the dog , or wolf in my case, for our performances.


Friday Night week 1


To nights the night

By Friday night I needed to cut loose so the gang and I went down to “our” club to have fun. This time I ate more and drank far less. The crowd were pumped to hear what was going to happen this week. Most of the opening acts enjoyed them selves being very silly and having fun. Then there were about eight serious competitors, before it came down to Seala and myself.

Seala opened up with “True colors”written by songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was on the second project project released by Cyndi Lauper's, Seala's Her delivery was fantastic I felt even better then the original artiest. I was in tears just listening to the deep emotions the song spoke of.

My opening was Black Velvet written by Canadian musicians David Tyson and Christopher Ward, and recorded by Canadian singer Alannah Myles. I love this song with all of its smokiness and quiet sensual power. I used everything I had learned this week and only had a small rough spot I thought I covered with style.

Seala's second song “ I am Still Standing” by Elton John. It's a poppy and fun chair dancing, sing along song. The audience loved it stomping and cheering there approval. Having to follow Seala tonight was a very daunting experience

My second song was I Believe. by Starlight Butterfly There lead singer Angel had an edginess to her, that could rip your heart out. Her band mates had a lot of chemistry with Angel extending the performance dynamic of the group. It was clear this was a team effort with everyone merging there talents created an energy could light a big city for years. I just followed the original arrangement and style using Angles opening of being a wistful-sounding pop tune because it worked so well. . I was smart enough not to go for Celine Deon so I went for a Whitney Huston, Toni Braxston Stage style of singing. I may not personalty know Angle, but I can hear that she sings from her heart, and soul. I dedicated the song to Seala and Greta.

Angel
Starlight Butterfly
I Believe.

“Never thought I could dance…”

“Never thought I ever be asked…”
“Oh…ho…oh…and the lights are bright and I’m up here on the stage…”
“Never thought it could be me…”
“Never thought that I could sing…..”
“But you pulled me free and told me I could fly…!”

The opening expressed my emotions perfectly.

“They told me I was nothing….!”
“They told to just fade away…”
“Broke me down every night and day….”
“Until I wished that I had died….!”
“But you came to me and with that kiss you saved my life…!”
*Chorus….
“You made me believe….!”

“You took me out into everything…”

“Showed me that life’s not all grey.”
“Warmed my up in a brand new way.”
…………….
“And you showed me I could fly
…………

(I hit a long note here.)
“That I could reach out and touch the sky….”

I reached deep inside of my self and increased the dynamic power.

“That I could be me…”
“The me they said I could never be…should never be…”
“Oh! You made me believe…!”

“They told you that you were nothing…!”
“They tried to make you fade away….”
“Broke you down every night and day…”
“Made you wish you weren’t alive…!”
*Chorus
“Oh…never thought I would dance.”

“Never dreamed that you would ask.”
“Couldn’t dream of what you’d seen in me…”
“Never dreamed of the possibilities…”
“I never thought I would sing…!” (I’m belting this line out.)
“I never thought I could dream…”
“I never though of the what could be’s…”
“I never believed in destiny……..
” (Another long note at the end.”

There was a brief pause of silence before the applause started and in that time I considered that I botched the last song. But the power of the song and the performance was gauged by the amount of noise people were making.

Seala and I did a couple of fun songs to finish off the night “Love will keep us together” Captain and Toni Teneal's song . then “Your nobody till somebody loves you” a great song from 1944, by Russ Morgan, Larry Stock, James Cavanaugh

. Because it was the end of the evening I gave a big plug at the end of the performance for “Starlight Butterfly” telling people where to find them on YouTube strongly suggesting that Starlight had a lot to offer on there Internet site.

“Folks it is ultra important for all of us to support the Indimusic scene. Because the performers there live off your finical support and feed back, they fly with out a net and need us to keep them performing . If you love good music, that speaks to you; this is where you are most likely to find it. So please show your support.”

Seala added

“Now please give everyone who added there talents to tonight entertainment a round of applause.”

The Disk Jockey announced that it was time for the voting for the winner of tonight's contest. It took a few minutes for the votes to be tallied by the Bartender and after some deliberation there was announced that tonight there was a tie for first place with Seala and myself coming in with the same number of votes, even figuring in the Bartenders and owners tie breaker votes. My God I could get use to this.

coming next
The Climb week 2.
Higher and Higher

I want to thank all of you on BCTS for your support. I am still learning the physical structure of just how this art interacts within me and my talent. So sometimes I need to experience things in life before the pieces of this puzzle fall into place. The next portions of the Climb are nearly written so I hope to
have a shorter turn around time. Also I have a second project in the works “ Havens Salvation “ soon-to-be-expected here on BCTS..

Huggles
Misha Nova

Credits
www.curiositiesbydickens.com illustration poster credit.
Quote from Unknowned

Opening Quote Misha Nova

Song credits.

Memory ; From Cats Andrew Loyd Weber
http://youtu.be/4-L6rEm0rnY

“Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” Performed by the Andrew Sisters. Written by
Don Raye , Hughie Prince http://youtu.be/VKEow5ONQyo

“ Im on My Way” “ Wandering Star” from Paint Your Wagon, 1951 stage musical by Alan J. Lerner (lyrics) Frederick Loewe (music)
http://youtu.be/8dDhO4wS-0k http://youtu.be/xnbiRDNaDeo

'Wash that man,' from South Pacific, Rodges and Hamerstine

“Time goes by” (by Herman Hupfeld 1931]

“I Can't tell You Why” The Eagles.

“I Believe” Starlight Butterfly. / Angel / Bailey Summers

Black Velvet Canadian musicians David Tyson and Christopher Ward, and recorded by Canadian singer Alannah Myles

“Love will keep us together.” Captain and Toni Teneal's song

“Your nobody till somebody loves you” 1944, by Russ Morgan, Larry Stock .James Cavanaugh.

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Comments

Wow...there's so much here to love.

I really enjoyed Michelle's rendition of I believe and Angel and the girls will love getting covered too. Angel will also love the sentiment of the whole Indie music scene too.

Now I loved the candy store but and the little spirit wheel thing too and even the native elder lady.

Really, really great stuff honey and I loved the different POV's plus a serious touch on Michelle's past and the shining path stuff as well.

*Great Big Huggles.*

Bailey Summers

nice to see

some more of this. thanks for sharing it.