Posted by Joe Burnett on Friday, August 31st, 2007 at 6:42 pm
So here’s a nice story to start your Labor Day weekend.
Imagine yourself picking up the daily newspaper and reading an article about a widow (with no credit history) and her nine children that are soon to become homeless because the mom is about to lose the house to foreclosure.
Now, imagine yourself doing something about it.
That’s just what Brent Berger, a business owner from Fairfield, Maine did. Unable to explain what compelled him to help the family out, he nevertheless went out and refinanced the house for the family and is now coordinating a community project to raise the money, obtain the materials, and solicit volunteer labor to renovate the house for them! Talk about making a huge difference in the lives of others!
There is even a website devoted to getting the word out about the project. The Nine Days for Nine Children site gives more detailed information and even allows you to meet the family.
This story reminds me of one of my favorite quotes written by Mark Twain:
“Let us endeavour to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
I have a feeling that Mr. Berger might just be familiar with that quotation as well…
Category: Inspirational | 1 Comment »
Tags: generosity, kindness, making a difference, Nine Days for Nine Children
Posted by Joe Burnett on Wednesday, August 8th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
The debut album by Paul Potts has finally been released in the United States! I announced the pending release of his album in a previous post, and I can honestly say that this is the one CD that I am glad Michelle and I own.
Now I’m definitely not what you would call an opera connoisseur, however I have loved classical music almost all of my life.
One of my favorite opera songs (and probably one of the first I ever heard) is Con Te Partiro (Time to Say Goodbye) as performed by Andrea Bocelli. Paul serves up an excellent rendition of the piece on track 2 of his album, and brings his own personal style to his performance of the song.
While reading various articles about Paul on the web, I came across one comment from a fan posted on the website Paul Potts UK that says this of Paul:
His voice has a tone somewhere between Pavarotti and Carreras, his technique is only good, his phrasing is bit less than flawless, but all the pieces together don’t make an explanation for the sweetness and charm he conveys. He is the quintessential anyone you cross by in any street, until he starts singing.
My absolute favorite song on the entire album is an operatic interpretation of Everybody Hurts by REM. It is different, haunting, and quite moving. Paul described in his numerous television interviews about being bullied when he was young, and I believe this song is probably the one that he and most other people will be the most moved by. Listen for yourself to just how beautiful this song is!
Click to play button below to hear a short sample clip of Everybody Hurts from the album Paul Potts – One Chance:
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Do yourself a favor if you haven’t already – buy this album! If you’re not an opera fan, I promise that after reading Paul’s story and listening to this CD you will be!
Category: Inspirational, News | 1 Comment »
Tags: One Chance, Paul Potts album review, sample clip
Posted by Joe Burnett on Monday, August 6th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
I’m sorry for the lack of blog posts during the past few weeks. I’ve been very occupied with things going on in my personal life. For once my work hasn’t been what is keeping me from posting on here, although I would rather it be work than what actually has been going on.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: Inspirational, News | 2 Comments »
Tags: breast cancer, Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, surviving cancer
Energy and persistence conquer all things.
- Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)