Dawn C Khan Arts, Music, Cultural Entertainment...

Bringing Mr Khan Home Emergency Fundraiser

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:07:00 +0000

Why are we hosting an Emergency Fundraiser for Bringing Mr Khan Home: http://www.gofundme.com/HelpBringMrKhanHome

Here are details. We are trying to raise money to help FLY him home in the coming weeks, and avoid losing my house. Both conditions are emergency and due to unexpected changes in the immigration process. We are not looking for charity, we are looking to identify resources to help us bring him home, and then we intend to either pay back, or donate to charity, but certainly to bless the lives of others that helped us when we needed it..

Mr Rasel Khan is my husband. He was my best friend for 5 years, but fell critically ill in 2009, and was in a coma for 2 months, that doctors said he would never survive. Rasel has an extreme sensitivity to cell phone and computer emissions, and he worked in Service Management (similar to my job at Sun Microsystems), a job done primarily on computer and telephone.

March 14, 2011. Our Immigration Interview at Dhaka Originally

The news of our immigration setback was so devastating we cancelled all celebration of our anniversary where we planned a romantic evening at the hotel we were celebrating in at marriage to try to plan how we would live, and to prepare for a bit longer YET apart.. Cell phone stopped working due to excess overage trying to call US Government to identify workarounds and change air travel. Rent was late and NOW dependent upon refund and upgrade charges required to rework travel for me.

March 8, 2011. I arrive in Dhaka Bangladesh the day before my birthday March 9.. It would be the first time my husband and I saw each other in a year and it was so sweet to see him again. March 14 we planned on going to the immigration interview, and then checking into the hotel we celebrated our marriage in one year prior.. We arrived at 7 a.m. for our interview we waited until 1 in the afternoon for our interview.. It was approved, but NOT as Congresswoman Suttons office expected. They said Rasel would be able to travel in 24 hours , we learned that afternoon that we would still have to wait 2 weeks to 2 months more for him to come home.. I had scheduled our flight together for 2 days later to give us time.. We are raising funds now, because the unexpected demands, and airline policy to be 2-3 billing cycles before they refund travel.. suddenly many things were scheduled for disaster.. I could not transfer his travel, so I had to eat the half the ticket and wait for a refund for months, gone were 2 months of rent.. coming soon eviction from my home if I couldnt raise the funds, PLUS the challenge of buying a new ticket again!

Processing Immigration would cost thousands of dollars, a years personal labor, working almost full time sending and resending documents and trying to understand when the interview would be scheduled.. In the end it was scheduled for exactly ONE YEAR after our anniversary.. Because of his illness, for that past year we survived a difficult time, and him with much pain , talking only 3 minutes a day, with an occasional skype conference when the pain got too much.. I was having immigration night terrors, and he tried to come online when I was hurting too much. I had filed for medical/humanitarian exemption first with the embassy, and US CIS, it was denied on the basis of not understanding enough about his illness, it wasnt as straight forward as cancer. My CIS case was done, then it was off to the National Visa Center.. Congresswoman Sutton's office advised this was fairly fast, but after a few weeks discovered it wasnt and then I filed for expedite with congress, same result as before, only this time I am not to note that the decision is final, if he is suffering but we dont understand it, and nothing new is happening, you dont get a new hearing.

March 2010. Cleveland > Chicago>Japan>Thailand> Singapore > Dhaka.. Days I spent sleeping on airport benches to get to Bangledesh to meet Rasel, I arrived on the night of my birthday, March 9, 2010. We celebrated my birthday the next day.. we visited with family, married on March 14, 2010 the day I was to fly home.. I missed my flight, and we got to spend one extra night together!!

February 17, 2010. "OK I have permission, when are you coming?" said Rasel. Oh goodness I did not expect this.. Rasel I still dont have the money and my house probably wont sell until the summer.. "Oh I love you so much... Please come as soon as possible, summer seems too long. can you come by March?" he asks.. I still dont have the money, but THAT DAY preparing my taxes, the way was given me... I was going through file folders and found I had 110,000 UNUSED frequent flier miles from United. I checked United and yes I can use them, but only for the flights that they say are available, and Dhaka flights were HIGHLY limited! We checked flight options for February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September of the coming months.. ONLY ONE FLIGHT WAS AVAILABLE, ariving on the night of my birthday!.
February 15, 2010. Rasel contacted me for the first time in months. "Honey your status in Facebook says your single. I hate it! Lets fix that! Would you marry me? " Rasel there are some fundamental problems with that, first you dont have permission to marry.. I dont have money to return there until my house sells.. you get permission and then we will talk about it!

November 2009. My first trip to Bangladesh intended to meet him for his birthday to tell him that whether he lived or died, I loved him! He was my best friend at the time.. We talked daily over our friendship of 5 years until early 2009 when he fell sick.. He came out of a coma in October 2009, I did not have much money, I had been laid off my job, and was living alone, in the midst of a massive divorce, but I traveled to Bangladesh quickly coordinating with his brother, because we did not know if he would live or die, but regardless, I needed to tell him he was so important in my life and whether he lived or died, he was loved.. I spent 10 days in Bangladesh hoping to deliver this message, it was the ONLY reason I went, and yet, he had fallen ill again hospitalized in his village 4 hours from me... as it was the trial of the century Bangladesh Mutiny Trials of the century, (and there were terror alerts and in fact, snipers on the roof of the building right even with my hotel room) when I was there, it was very unsafe for me to travel to him, so I did not get to see him. He was allowed to talk on the phone only 3 minutes a day every week or so, and in December I was able to talk to him 2 times, but I cried through most of the call, hating to miss any conversation but unable to control the emotion.

Raise Money Online

ThaElite: Pikhana memorializes Dhaka, BD Feb 25, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 19:05:00 +0000

Music is more than something to dance to.. it is at the heart of meaningful living, and sometimes its about more than that.. Music represents the windows to our soul, expresses our deepest hearts, our sorrows, and the stories of our life.

Today DHAKA BANGLADESH rap duo, ThaElite, released Pilkhana Video in honor and memorial of the February 25, 2009 Bangladesh Mutiny a tragic important milestone of pain in the history of Bangladesh. Remembered here in the song PILKHANA by Dhaka Bangladeshi rappers Yalmai Kazi and Mahdi Ahsan Sharod who form the duo ThaElite performing on Neel Noksha.

Neel Noksha is a significant and truly global musical collaboration of artists in many areas coming together to create a meaningful collection of "deshi" music. That of itself is a great story, it is an incredible mix of Rap, Hip/Hop, Rock n Roll and RnB stylings.. NEEL NOKSHA has following in part of the U.S., UAE, UK and Bangladesh, a following that is expected to continue to grow.

Pilkhana: Translation (Note rhyming is done in Bangla for song> translated to English)
1st verse:

chk 25th feb/ I woke up at morn

exams knockin at door/I go for the coaching

I have to go to DHANMONDI/ I seek for bus

I'm walkin along the road/street is empty

In front of central Plaza, I see a loaded mortar

all the shops are closed/ people closed those shutters

BDR mutiny/ I hear the Gun Screaming

some civilian shot dead along with blank fire!

"DARBAR HALL's program"- planned Death ambush!

No one knows what is going on inside PILKHANA CANTONMENT [that is in dhanmondi]

Soliders killin these officers for no reason

57 golden officers died/ May be Bangladesh Army lost its backbone!

After a BIG drama/ soldiers surrender

the country is silent/the cantonment gate open

I smell blood in air/ I see officers family are dying to see 'em.

hook:

25 th feb/the black letter day

I can hear bullet's sound

WE couldn save U/ its our failure!

2nd verse:

Dhaka CMH, I just enter in

I see dead/ melted /rotten body

Talk of the town is MUTINY

Is there any 1 who can listen to me?

Is there any 1 who can get the lives back?

The country is crying!

annex-

BDR- Border Guard of BD

BDR cantonment - situated in Dhanmondi

CMH- Combined Military hospital

~ Written by : Dawn C Khan: about.me | twitter | facebook | linkedin

Happy Valentines Day: Love that SAVES!!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:52:00 +0000

My friend Yeasin inspired this thought from a post he made on Facebook.. and its heart felt VALUE touched me as the PERFECT Valentine.. SMALL change of focus can make a BIG difference!

If you love me, would you let that love give life and sustenence to another? Perhaps shelter from the elements? If you love me, would you love those around me who suffer far worse then us?? Let us love, let our love build a bridge, a home, a school, or at least a meal that gives life and well being to the world around us..

Let us create something far greater than that bouquet that will die within 2 weeks.. Perhaps our love can impact the lives of hundreds, thousands, maybe millions, what if we can save a life, this we do in the name of love of one another and the places that we live.

THIS IS DEDICATED TO THE LOVERS: ALL THE LOVERS AROUND THE WORLD!

TO THOSE WHO HURT THAT THEY ARE ALONE THIS VALENTINES:
TO THOSE WHO LOVE, CAN YOU LOVE AROUND YOU EVEN MORE?

COSTS AND POSSIBLE BENEFITS:

Average Costs of Dinner for 2: $50 plus tip. For $30 a month, you can feed 2 starving children for a month!
Range of Cost for Roses from $20-60. You can feed 1-2 more children for a month here.

WHY DOES THIS LOVE MATTER NOW?

1.4 billion people worldwide are living below the international poverty line.
Over 1 billion people lack access to life sustaining clean water.
More than 1 billion children and adults will go to bed hungry on Valentines Day.
Some of them will not wake up. More than 24,000 children die from preventable causes like poverty, hunger, and disease.

LOVE, FOCUSED: Alternatives to giving the gift of LIFE giving LOVE in MY NAME:
IF you want to feel connection to a real value, volunteer in a local soup kitchen and donate money. OR Sponsor a Child, so you can see where your money goes.. Programs like Feed the Children let you do this. Here are some other ideas of LOVE, FOCUSED and beautiful in its ability to restore lives, and do good.

LOVE, ROMANCE, AND THE FIGHT AGAINST EXTREME POVERTY: Smart GIFT giving for Valentines Day, where the giving of a gift offers a GREAT gift and Saves LIVES TOO! Check this blog for fairtrade Flowers, Chocolates, and distinctive gifts that do good for giving and receiving.
FEEDING AMERICA TRIBUTE GIFT: A gift of $25 feeds a family of 4 for 2 weeks. A tribute gift is a meaningful way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, holiday or the memory of a loved one. Your secure online donation will help provide food for families, children and seniors facing hunger.
Share your special gift with your honoree by sending them a Feeding America eCard. For your donation of $25 or more, we’ll mail your honoree a HOPE honor card or memorial letter on your behalf. Here you can also find a local soup kitchen for donation or volunteering with your love.
GOOD GIFT CARD: from Network for Good: Looking for that perfect gift? The Good Card is a gift card with stored value that can be redeemed as a donation to any of more than 1.2 million charities. Send it via email or print it at home today; it is quick and easy, but also meaningful.
CAPITAL ONE NO HASSLE GIVING CARD: provides matching for charitable giving so you can buy a Good Gift Card, and pay for it with a Capital One card for even more good.
WORLD VISION: Sponsor a child.
ONE.ORG. Volunteer to help create a world with NO child born with HIV by 2015. Join on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/ONE and TWITTER:

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER: http://www.facebook.com/ONE#!/actionagainsthunger

SAVE THE CHILDREN : http://www.facebook.com/ONE#!/savethechildren

Dawn Christine Khan About.Me | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Valentines Day: Long Distance Dedication Songs to MY HUSBAND

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 04:17:00 +0000

Here is my Valentines Day List of Meaningful songs for MY HUSBAND..

Where You Lead .. Carole King

If Anyone, makes me happy..

You're the one who can...

Where you lead,

I will follow..

Any Anywhere..

that you tell me to.

If you need..

You need me to be with you...

I will follow,

where you lead..

Sweet Love.. Anita Baker
Missing You.. Black Eyed Peas
Im Gonna Be 500 Miles .. The Proclaimers

Someday Someway Together We Will Be Baby

Through many trials, near death, and now life, and a year of love... At last we soon will share so much more... But there were many days to be down.. You are my only, you wont be lonely, even if the sky is falling down!

Down .. Jay Sean and Lil Wayne

Love Like This .. Jay Sean
Love Story.. Taylor Swift
At Last .. Etta James
Aint No Other Man .. Christina Aguilera

This song was so much our song it pained me to listen to it while you were ill. After we were married I still missed you so deeply but I KNEW you were going to live, and we were going to be together.. I could hear the song again.

Here Without You.. 3 Doors Down

Then there is the Hindi Version of being here without you Tere Bina

Wouldnt It Be Nice .. Beach Boys
Melt With You .. Modern English

I love you More than I Can Say!

Tomar Jonno
Tomay Ghire Eto Gulo Raat Odhir Hoye Jege Thaka (I have spent many nights awake looking at you)

Oh but So many good things await us..

O My Love

Valobasha Jibone

Everywhere I Go.. Ozone (The Band)
We Belong Together.. Mariah Carey
Nights are Forever .. England Dan and John Ford Coley
Mama's Song.. Carrie Underwood

Make You Feel My Love .. Adele

For ONE year apart we have talked for 3 minutes a day.. YOU have been strong and encouraging and taught me much.. I have learned greater patience, FROM you and WITH you.

Patience .. Guns N Roses

Coming Home.. Diddy
Never Gonna Be Alone.. Nickelback
Get Here.. Oleta Adams
Mine.. Taylor Swift

RIP: Leslie Nielsen February 11, 1926 – November 28, 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:49:00 +0000

Remembering Leslie William Nielsen (February 11, 1926 – November 28, 2010). A Canadian Actor/Comedian born to a strict father who worked as a Royal Canadian Mounty.

"Doing nothing is very hard to do...you never know when you're finished.” ~ Leslie Nielsen

For your viewing pleasure a few of his best:

Police Squad (1982)

Airplane: 1980 Trailer

The Naked Gun (1988)

Dawn's Facebook Friends and National UnFriend Day November 17

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:10:00 +0000

Facebook Friend limitations restrict us to 5,000 Friends. As a professional in the business of helping people, my business network exponentially exceeds the restriction.. Not all business contacts would also be in a friends list, but there are many I am open to and enjoy friendly networking with. I dont believe in collecting people, but I do believe people matter, and expanding our capacity to get connected and share with one another is good for all involved, so I want to be connected with professionals who think and feel the same.

Jimmy Kimmel inspired and declared November 17 National Unfriend Day.
As someone who treasures her friends, I wanted to think and learn before playing.. I believe in the ricebowl notion of getting really clear on what you do want to be in your life experience.

http://linkedinhfcngroup.blogspot.com/2010/11/facebook-friends-on-november-17.html

For MY Facebook Presence at the start of the day, here is my tale of the tape.

You can find me on Facebook. I have many "friends" on Facebook that I value, and as an open networker, with rules, I also like to make and meet new friends. I help alot of people, and have a large global network so really only a fraction of my business network is on Facebook.

I maintain a Fans page where I highlight and introduce friends who inspire and enrich the lives of others and really shine in business and in life.. A Jobs and Career Success Group which is an open place for jobseekers and career professionals to connect. HFCN is a business networking oriented page celebrating social networking companies and thought leaders.

Dawn Christine Regular Page: 4,754 Friends Facebook Grader 99.8% effective reach.

Dawn Christine Fan Page: 55 Friends Like. 181 Friends Like This. 30 Active Users.. Many Personal and Professional friends news, events, and specials are highlighted around birthdays, successes or business events here.
Jobs n Career Success: 1,198 Members (social graph). OPEN network to support Jobs and Professional Development resources, strategies, and events. NOT for MLM or get rich quick networking. We welcome recruiters, resume writers, and career coaches to share here, we wanna create RICH interaction and resources that help our members to feel connected, inspired, and being their best.
HFCN Fan Page: 227 Friends Like. 487 Friends Like This. 24 Monthly Active Users. Celebrate Professional and Business News, Thought Leaders, Social Networking Strategy, Tools, events and specials.

My LinkedIn Network and Twitter Networks will also be cleaned but not using the same methods.  I am an open networker.. I LIKE diversity and learning different things. Linked In for open business, Twitter with a different method.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/DMular :   9,568 Connections.  158 Business Recommendations.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DMular :   Followed by 15, 056.   Twitter Grader 100%.

My Goal for November 17 UnFriend Day is NEITHER to shrink or grow my total friends list. My goal IS to go through and identify those who are not engaged or interested in being a friend or business colleague. Its not that I wouldnt value them for business, its just that with so few seats for my total network, I want my connections to be those who inspire, engage and are fully interested in the swing of life.. I dont like the idea of deleting people who are going through hard times, or making them lap dogs, who are removed for not entertaining... for me its about choosing and being our best.

STORY OF MY FRIENDS:

Who's your "longest REAL LIFE FRIEND" whos in your friends list? Pam Olson (friends since Kindergarten)
Who did you reconnect with in your REAL LIFE FRIENDS? Dora Mendoza (dearest friend in high school, she moved away in mid school year, reconnected on FB 2 decades later) and Jana Hanci (dear friend from Colorado Help Desk Institute), reconnected after many life changes.
Who's your most admired VIP (Entertainer, Musician, Author, BusinessLeader) in your friends list? "The Secret" Movie, Author/Artist/ Law of Attraction bros- Mike Dooley and Andy Dooley
Most celebrated news from your FB Friends? Kari Boyd- My best friend being clear of cancer and totally in love. Kev Jones who showed me a real castle on a roadtrip from England to the Netherlands, beating serious brain cancer... but I am still waiting to take him to the Rockn Roll Hall of fame when he announces to me his visit to Ohio from Europe!
Who are your "friends online becoming best friends forever"? Vincent Wright, Tracy Lewis and Sunny Cervantes.
Who gave you your happiest Facebook Friend story? Taufiqul Alam Rasel

FACEBOOK UNFRIENDS LIST: We Can't Break Up, if We Never Even Said Hello. So we know who you love.. What do you value? Who would you unfriend from your friends list to make room for more people you do want... OR to just really FOCUS on the friends and experiences and moments you choose?

What type of person drives you CRAZY in your friends list? My Friend or Faux is here in detail.

NO tolerance for tags or topics of hate, cruelty, violence, and torture.
Dont tell me you need help doing a job.. I am a recruiter, not a mobster. You really drive me crazy with that.. I want is to put people to work not play whack a friend.
You disrespect, ignore or become insulted if I cant give you my full attention when I am on the phone and not responsive to chat and insist on attention even after I explain the situation.
You come on strong and stay that way.

What type of people do you just "delete" immediately no questions asked? Inconsiderate, demanding, rude, violent cruel people who post or support values of hatred and discrimination or violence.
What was your craziest Facebook Fan story? ALL around my "single or in a relationship times" things got strange:

A new friend, of a friend proposed marriage to me by commenting on many of my photos asking me to marry him. I explained I was not interested, was, married, and he continued through email after I removed him, and until I learned to block him.

Has your "Friends" policy changed over time? yes doesnt everything. I used to accept everyone openly until they offended. Then I became more cautious. Because I was friendly they often took it incorrectly, so I needed to define that... and then because I helped people, suddenly they flocked to me asking me to help them find spouses, laptops, business counseling, and much more.. I help when I can, but keep business hours and values.

John Lennon

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 03:16:00 +0000

In honor to what would be his 70th Birthday: Some of my favorite John Lennon Works:

My Top Songs Representing USA on Independence Day.

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 03:04:00 +0000

Note that this is NOT a list of songs that include the USA alone or were written in the USA. But this list is my vignette into the songs that represent the United States of America on Independence Day.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!!

America the Beautiful - Ray Charles
America - Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
Born In the USA - Bruce Springsteen
City of New Orleans - Arlo Gutherie
American War Songs Medley - Pete Seeger
This Land is Your Land - Woodie Gutherie
Star Spangled Banner - Jimi Hendrix
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - Joan Baez
Freedom - Panther Soundtrack (inc Queen Latifah, TLC..)
40 Hour Week (For a Living) - Alabama
One Love - Bob Marley
Imagine - John Lennon
Mosh - Eminem
The Hands that Built America - U2
Give Peace a Chance- John Lennon
Freedom - Akon
Songs of the Patriot - Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash
American Idiot - Green Day
Back in the USA - Chuck Berry
The Battle Of New Orleans - Johnny Horton
America The Beautiful - Neil Young, Willie Nelson
House of the Rising Sun - Odetta
Working Cowboys - Neil Young, Willie Nelson
God Bless The USA - Lou Greenwood
What a Wonderful World - Louie Armstrong
Oh Freedom - Odetta
Washington Peace March (Blowing in the Wind, Give Peace a Chance) -Peter Paul, and Mary
Some Gave All - Billie Ray Cyrus
Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash
Country Roads - John Denver
Freebird - Lynard Skynard (Thanks Bob Douglas! )
Song of Democracy - song by Howard Hanson (Thanks @cclookingup)
Philadelphia Freedom- Elton John (Thanks @pschow)

Michael Jackson: Remembering The Legend

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 01:19:00 +0000

Michael Jackson

Was born August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana

Died on this date, June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California

Tributes:

Entertainment Weekly EW.com - Top 10 music videos by MJ of all time.
People- Michael Jackson Remembered.
Rhapsody has an incredible tribute
My 6 year old Daughter, Caitlyn honors and loved Michael Jackson.

My TOP Favorite List of Michael Jackson Songs

Favorite Train Songs of all time.

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:56:00 +0000

Photo of Isle of Wight Railway train

The Isle of Wight Railway is 9 miles long and uses Class 483 ex London Underground trains built in 1938 for use on the Bakerloo & Northern Lines. This train is pictured at Ryde Pier Head on a foggy day in March 2005. The colour scheme is 1938 London underground.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

We asked the question on social networking:
What are your Favorite Train Songs of All Time?
Answers follow:

Freight Train Jerry Garcia/ David Grisman
Freight Train Peter Paul and Mary
Night They Drove Old Dixie Down Joan Baez
Orange Blossom Special Johnny Cash
King of the Road Roger Miller
Marrakesh Express Crosby Stills Nash and Young
Hobo's Lullaby Woodie Gutherie
It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry Grateful Dead orig. Bob Dylan
I Heard That Lonesome Whistle Blow Hank Williams Sr.
Last Train To Clarksville Monkees
Legend of John Henry Johnny Cash
Long Train Runnin' Doobie Brothers
The City of New Orleans Arlo Gutherie
The City of New Orleans Steve Goodman
The City of New Orleans Willie Nelson
Nighttime in the Switching Yard by Warren Zevon
Train Train Blackfoot
Big Rock Candy Mountain Burl Ives
Midnight Train To Georgia Gladys Knight and the Pips
Chattanooga Choo Choo Glenn Miller
Groovy Train The Farm
Hear My Train a Comin' Jimi Hendrix
Folsom Prison Blues Johnny Cash
Texas Trilogy Stephen Fromholtz
Train Trek Robert Earl Keene
Chicken Train Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Last Train Home Pat Metheny
Rock Island Line Lead Belly
At the Station Joe Walsh
Runaway Train Soul Asylum
People Get Ready Curtis Mayfield
Zion Train Bob Marley
Downtown Train Rod Stewart
Stimela (Coal Train) Hugh Maskela
Wabash Cannonball Roy Acuff
The Wreck of Old 97 Boxcar Willie
Locomotive Breath Jethro Tull
When Love Comes to Town U2 & B.B. King
The Train Kept a Rolling Beck, Page, Wood
Bummin an Old Freight Train Flatt and Scruggs
My Baby Thinks He's A Train Roseanne Cash
Peace Train Cat Stevens
Petticoat Junction Theme Flatt & Scruggs
The Rail Song Adrian Belew
Train Kept a Rollin Aerosmith
Trains and Winter Rains Enya

Thanks for sharing ideas:
From Twitter: @SaraThurston @ozonetheband
From Facebook: Raphael Ryan, John Casey, Micheal Sizemore, Audrey Chernoff, Barbara Siegel, Maxine Hedges, Micheal Yehle, Greg Anderson, Seine RabbiSeine, Kirk Franks.

Happy Fathers Day: Mahlon Lewis Simmons

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 12:23:00 +0000

Happy Fathers Day, Dads! Today I will introduce you to my dad, Mahlon Lewis Simmons. Dad taught me my work ethic; how to be a good neighbor; resilience; and that we can do anything we want, if we work hard enough! I love you Dad.. Miss my Grandpas... Grandpa Eacret and Grandpa Simmons!! We come from hard working stock on paternal and maternal side.. My Grandpa Eacret a tougher than nails farmer that treated ME like a princes... and Grandpa Simmons who played music and games, built toys.... like a big kid... with a beautiful spirit.

Hmm what kinda name is Mahlon? Well the heart was in the person behind his name, not the meaning of his name.. My Dad was named in honor of one of my Grandpa Simmons friends, Mahlon Morris, who died in a plane crash before Dad was born.

My Grandpa Delaine "Simmie" Simmons, was a beloved grocery store owner and total lovebug. Talent runs deep in my family. Grandpa Simmons would work all day in the grocery store and then we would come to visit and his garage was full of toys and occaisionally a musical instrument he made to delight US.. Grandpa's garage smelled of pine wood, that to this day the smell of pine wood is such a great memory for me.. Grandpa was a dear.. he would play organ with us and sing big band and my favorite to play and sing with him was a Roger Miller song.. "King of the Road. OR he would play "Go Fishie" with us for hours.. At night we would eat vanilla icecream while watching Walt Disney on their tv.

Our family comes from deep music tradition, instilled from my Grandpa Simmons and my Dad continues the tradition! To this day, Aunt Mitzi Carr's family STILL have jam sessions in Hudson IL..

TODAY: MY DAD is the oldest member of the Dickinson College Marching and a proud member of the Dickinson College Jazz Band. When he is in our hometown, he also plays with the Pontiac Municipal Band, and just marched in the Pontiac Memorial Day Parade. NO doubt the person I am today was solidly formed by the values of my Dad! My son calls Grandpa the muscley-est man in the world.. My dad is strong of will and just a GREAT example.

My Dad worked harder than any other man I knew. By night, Dad built the home we were living in WHILE we lived in it, and AFTER he worked all day in the Pontiac Caterpillar Tractor Manufacturing plant. Dad was a process engineer for Manufacturing.

An engineer, Dad has experimented with science and mechanics to solve problems forever. He has designed robots that Caterpiller used to create product or built parts that were no longer in construction for his vintage farm tractor..

We had much more than people realized growing up.. We can build, repair, and bring new life into many things because of Dad's example. Our home was humble, but built almost SOLELY by his hands, with occaisional help from neighbors (and us) primarily out of recycled material in a time where this notion of green building was not fashionable, but the decision was financially practical.. We didnt have alot of money, but , my dad is resourceful and knows how to make something magnificent from nothing... Dad has SOOO much music in him, and HE introduced me to the importance of songs with REAL meaning-- folk songs and the blues.

Throughout the years in addition to all the hard work, Dad was in a number of bands, pop, dance, country, dad was even the only gringo in a mariachi band! He played with the municipal marching band and jazz band.. Dad would make plenty of time to encourage us and teach us of the really important elements of music. I played piano then flute. Correy played saxophone. Travis played drums. Dad plays... freaken EVERYTHING!! EVERY wind and stringed instrument including bagpipe and balalakei.

Some of my favorite songs that I learned with and from Dad:

Woody Gutherie - John Henry , This Land Is Your Land
Buffy Sainte Marie - Soulful Shade of Blue
Odetta - House of the Rising Sun
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Shenandoah
Leadbelly - Cotton Fields
Hank Williams Senior - Long Gone Lonesome Blues, Jambalaya
Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special , Walk the Line , Ring of Fire
Peter Paul and Mary
Pete Seeger - Little Boxes , We Shall Overcome
Johnny Paycheck - Take this Job And Shove It

Post Show Wrap: Ozone at Legends Sports Bar (Green OH)

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 06:20:00 +0000

During the first set's break, a new fan to Ozone said:

"Hmm when you said you were gonna sing (a cover of The Commodore's ) "Brick House", I thought you BETTER KNOW what you are doing! Every band does that song and few do it right.. Well You rocked!

Ozone the Band.. IS Rock n Soul, Funk n Roll

___________________________________________________________

Legends Sports Bar and Grill in Green (Uniontown, OH) was a perfect venue! The people were awesome! They loved music in general, and loved to dance, sing and enjoy good times! We opened the show at 9 and played until midnight.

The sound of our 9 piece band was great, stage was awesome with lighting and affects, a REALLY great dance floor, and an adjoining outdoor patio that will be great for large crowds to enjoy the music indoors or out! It was raining a bit tonight, so much of the crowd was IN and on the dance floor!

Legends Pub in Green

Directions to 1840 Town Park Blvd Uniontown, Ohio 44685-

Phone: (330) 896-4433
Fax: (330) 896-4020

Open: M-Th 11-1 F-S 11-2:30

They have a great Menu, but the thing that seemed most popular were the "fire" hot wings. I am on a diet now.... or I would have eaten an EXTRA large order.

___________________________________________________________

Whats NEXT FOR OZONE?

Newton Mark Akron Metropolitan... http://akronperforms.com/
BRING THE FAMILY FOR THIS EVENT IN THE PARK!!

Friday, June 11 at 7:00pm

Legends Sports Bar and Pub (Medina) ...925 North Court Street Medina OH
Saturday, June 19 at 9:00pm

We are available for events nationwide.. whereever people go who love music with personality to match their event and location.. so long as its got some love or Rock n Soul, with Funk n Roll!

Ozone - Music That DOESN'T Come from a Can

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Happy Birthday: Konvicted Demonic (Kazi Yalmai)

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:21:00 +0000

Happy Birthday to Konvicted Demonic (Kazi Yalmai)!

He's a business student at North South University in Dhaka Bangladesh, by day, and in his "free time" an incredibly talented musician with roots in his own unique blend of RnB style Rap-- all the back beat of Rhythym and Blues, the hard driving lyrical rap flow, but with a sound uniquely his! Yalmai is a solo and collaborative performing artist and founder of Demonic Records.

Baby Gurl

My Favorite of his original songs is this one.. One of my friends said about this, "Wow this is a nice global tune.. Like you can expect from a Linkin Park.." appeals to everyone everywhere: http://www.4shared.com/file/195359122/606f5b12/BABY_GURL_DemonicNorwester2

and BREATHE - http://www.4shared.com/file/147492695/1bde5fbf/BREATHE__DEMONIC.html

Other Noteworthy Konvicted Demonic Songs:

Amader Bangla FlyOLogy

Code of The Streets

Move It

Keno Bujho Na

Mukhosh (Valentines Day)

Take You Away

Tha Elite
Tha Elite is leading the movement and is undoubtedly defining the NEW breed of Bangla Rap. Yalmai and Norwester (Sharod) collaboration is the musical powerforce performance on the songs BabyGurl (Yalmai) and The Code Of The Streets (Norwester) - each with a different sound. Their group is "Tha Elite",. the two make an incredible combination of musicality and flow.

I met Yalmai with his partner Norwester (Sharod) in the musical center of Dhaka RD1-Beatz, at dhanmondhi metro mall- where music flows all day every day.

Konvicted Demonic Mahdi Ahsan Sharod RD1 Beatz

Odell Lyde.. Lead Singer of Ozone

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:11:00 +0000

Odell Lyde is the lead vocalist for Ozone. Odell's the man, he's got talent, depth and roots in entertainment, music and sports, so its no surprise the energy and anticipation around the Ozone original power house song, "Witness".

Ozone is a totally unique vibe-- a brilliant 9 piece ensemble band based in Akron, Ohio. Imbued with the powers of funk and roll, and rock and soul this group was formed to help protect us all from the dangers of cosmically sucky music. Ozone, with permission from the Cleveland Cavaliers began production of "Witness" a Cleveland Cavaliers focused sports music video to be played during a Cav's home game.

Cleveland fans are dedicated in all times, and the positive local music is all about celebrating our home, our home team, and the importance of our friends... Witness is a positive message about the importance of friends in tough times, with reference to King James and Shaq-Diesel. The video also features Cleveland Fans and some hot classic cars at LeBron James highschool, St Vincent's.

Witness Excerpt Lyrics: "Times are hard, and theres no where ta go.. LeBron's
the man, and he runs the show.. He's got his friends to his left he's got his
friends to the right.."

Ozone Facebook Twitter

MUSIC VIDEO "Girl is bad" is from the Album "Many Sides To A Circle" Song By; Odell Lyde Video by; Odell Lyde

Band booking and "Witness" Media kits available by request to Odell Lyde (330)633-9978 E-mail- odelllyde@msn.com OR Dawn Mular (866)256-1227 E-mail - dawn.mular@helpingfriendscareernetwork.com

Ozone - Music That DOESN'T Come from a Can on Facebook

History of Hip Hop n Rap

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 22:58:00 +0000

Here is a brief history of Hip Hop and Rap.

Who do you feel is most influential to the rap movement?

What songs are most important to represent the movement?

Who has has the most positve and reaching influence with their music?

Characteristics of Rap in the Hip Hop Movement:

Music- Rapping (laidback 4/4 time, often with triplet at the beat) & emceeing- DJ sampling (turntablism, beatboxing, instrumentation)

Dance- Breakdancing- breaking, freestyle, lock, pop, tecktonik.

Art- Tagging/Graffiti

Fashion - Style Profiles of Hip Hop - East Coast, MidWest, Gangsta, Conscious, Battle Rappers.

Timeline

2000- World. Snap. Electronic/Crunch. Glitch Hop/Wonky.

1990- World. US West Coast. US East Coast.

1980- New School. Golden Age. Gangsta Rap. West Coast Hip Hop.

1970 - Disco

RESOURCES:

About.coms Best 100 Rap Songs of All time.

About.coms Most embarrassing moments in Rap History

EZTracks History of Hip Hop and Free Rap Music

Rap Dictionary

DJEmir Hip Hop History

About.com's 25 Worst Rap Lyrics Ever

Top 50 Hip Hop Producers

FASHION: UrbanVenom

Hip Hop Dance Online Shopping Guide

VH1's 100 Most Influential Hip Hop Songs

YoRapper

Dawn Mular

Facebook Fan Page

Twitter

LinkedIn
MySpace

Simmons Family - My roots in Musical Heritage..

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:42:00 +0000

My Grandpa Delaine and my Pops, Mahlon Simmons

I grew up with a deep music tradition, instilled from my Grandpa Simmons and my Dad continues the tradition! To this day, my Aunt Mitzi Carr and her family STILL have jam sessions in Hudson IL.. My Dad who introduced all his kids to a rich culture of music, has continued his musical advancement too.. He can play practically every wind instrument and even has an original Scottish Bagpipe! He built and gave my son the clarinet he is now learning to play..

My grandpa was Delaine "Simmie" Simmons, a beloved grocery store owner and total lovebug. Talent runs deep in my family. Grandpa Simmons would work all day in the grocery store and then we would come to visit and his garage was full of toys and occaisionally a musical instrument he made to delight US.. Grandpa's garage smelled of pine wood, that to this day the smell of pine wood is such a great memory for me.. Grandpa was a dear.. he would play organ with us and sing big band and my favorite to play and sing with him was a Roger Miller song.. "King of the Road.

TODAY: MY DAD is the oldest member of the Dickinson College Marching and the Jazz Band, he plays for is getting ready to play a swank holiday event tonight. Dad shared a deeper sorta soul.. My Dad, Mahlon Simmons, like Grandpa worked harder than any other man I knew. Dad built the home we were living in WHILE we lived in it, and AFTER he worked all day in the Pontiac Caterpillar Tractor Manufacturing plant. Dad would work all day at Caterpillar (he was a process engineer for Manufacturing, like I was a process expert for IT). When he got home, he'd change clothes and begin the next shift-- building our house.. Our home was built primarily out of recycled material in a time where this notion of green building was not fashionable, but the decision practical.. But Dad has SOOO much music in him, and HE introduced me to the importance of songs with REAL meaning-- folk songs and the blues.

Throughout the years in addition to all the hard work, Dad was in a number of bands, pop, dance, country, dad was even the only gringo in a mariachi band! He played with the municipal marching band and jazz band..

Dad would make plenty of time to encourage us and teach us of the really important elements of music. I played piano then flute. Correy played saxophone. Travis played drums. Dad played... freaken EVERYTHING!!

Some of my favorite songs that I learned with and from Dad:

Woody Gutherie - John Henry , This Land Is Your Land
Buffy Sainte Marie - Soulful Shade of Blue
Odetta - House of the Rising Sun
Tennessee Ernie Ford - Shenandoah
Leadbelly - Cotton Fields
Hank Williams Senior - Long Gone Lonesome Blues, Jambalaya
Johnny Cash - Orange Blossom Special , Walk the Line , Ring of Fire
Peter Paul and Mary
Pete Seeger - Little Boxes , We Shall Overcome
Johnny Paycheck - Take this Job And Shove It

Ozone, the Band.

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:50:00 +0000

OZONE is a totally unique vibe-- a brilliant 9 piece ensemble band with the powers of funk unstoppable roll and rock, with soul. Don't underestimate the power of a local band.. these guys have a sound, that is totally theirs, rich, strong, and positive sound.

I met lead singer Odell Lyde at some dark gas station on a Saturday night, when I was LITERALLY out of gas and lost in downtown Akron going to see my friend Marc Lee Shannon play with the MidLife Chryslers at the Northside Grill. Odell has a stage presence and energy NOT to be missed.. EVEN at the local gas station... its not just canned music, its funky soul and heart..

NEW song is The Girl is Bad

http://band.to/ozonetheband

Ozone - Music That DOESN'T Come from a Can

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Ozone's Contact Information: Odell Lyde - Contact # (330)633-9978
E-mail- odelllyde@msn.com Website- ozonetheband.com

Bangladesh Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:46:00 +0000

The country, Bangladesh is nearly two times the size of Ireland. Capital city, Dhaka, local population is predominantly Muslim. Bangladesh, a country steeped in its recent struggles for liberation and bolstered by a steadfast focus on rising business.

The purpose of my 7 day visit to Bangladesh, was to investigate viability of Bangladesh Business R2 Trading International as a potential outsource partner for data records management. For a fraction of the labor costs, as a small business owner, this was a winning notion to explore!

My Bangladesh experience was immediately impacted by the warmth and friendliness of most people, counterbalanced by a radical poverty, so overwhelming I could not photograph it, but had to feel it..

Itinerary: Included a 7 day stay at the Sheraton in Dhaka. As an obvious foreign woman I was noticed immediately and never left the hotel unescorted. I did no independent exploring within Dhaka, as I customarily would like to do. The experience was not at all compromised however, I was introduced to the real day culture, business, and life of a Bangladeshi professional.

Transit: Chittagong University student Mohammad Anisuzzaman Sarker's editorial in The Daily Star on OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM underscored the need and pressure for lack of reasonable transportation, and its affects on working professionals and urban progress. While there were plenty of traditional cabs and cars, transit is loud, agressive, and not equal in Bangladesh, and my escorts had a very different experience and had to negotiate for the little baby cabs when the cab drivers would see me with them.. There seems to be a local/traveler sliding scale. Really in Bangladesh, the smartest form of transit is in public transit, NOT in car ownership. On the roads is a mix of traffic gone insane, no seeming rules of the road, slow and fast, all moving honking and jockeying, in a dance that seems to make most sense to the experience drivers there. I will let them do the driving thanks.

There were many forms of transit, and by far, my favorites were the simplest Rickshaw, particularly at night and in the day time, small 4 seater baby cabs, kind of like gas powered golf carts. The buses seemed completely overwhelming-- beat up, packed to the gills with people in the buses and on top on the roof, hanging out the doors and the back.. There were traditional cabs and cars, but the whole time I was them I wondered WHY.. I was pleased to hear that even the Prime Minister's Office supports green business and leads by example, with electing some green option travel by rickshaw.. REALLY that seemed to be the best way for short distance travel to communicate, enjoy and appreciate Dhaka.

Accomodations: Dhaka Hotel: I stayed six nights at the Sheraton Hotel, a very friendly hotel with reasonable price, great security and excellent staff accommodations. My room was at the executive level, and thus secure entry to the floors, a decision I think was well worth the time.. They leased internet to the rooms. Free wireless existed on the seventh floor Executive Room and the first floor lobby.

Cuisine: I really loved the whole culture... and any place that serves a spicy curry, dal and potatoes for breakfast is ALRIGHT by me. Traditional Bangladeshi Food I had while visiting was the BEST. Spicy, delicious, and sheer magic served family style and eaten utensil free by your right hand... I loved it, and didnt end up wearing too much of the food. My favorite spot was Star Kabab. I WANT more recipes though so if you have them.. SHARE!

Visit Highlights: The Bangladesh experience was heightened by the excellent hosting of Sazid Khan and Wazed Jitu, when visiting the Bangladesh National Museum. The pride for country and heritage becomes immediately evident, and the foundation of Bangladesh, defined by its 7 key struggles for independence, its agricultural, cultural, and economic roots was clearly defined, and even better appreciated because of their kind hospitality!

We toured the impressive and expansive University of Dhaka an institution established in Ramna on 600 acres of land originally established with world class educational focus on education in Art, Sciences, and Law.

Do not be mistaken this is a university dedicated to education, but also steeped in social progress, and woven into the culture and community, the University of Dhaka is far more than an institution al hall of education.. as its students and faculty share to this day of the central role of the university in all national movements for democracy and autonomy including the language movement of 1952, the autonomy movement of 1966, the mass upsurge against the autocratic rulers of 1970, the elections of 1971, the anti-autocratic movement of 1990. In the War of Liberation, fourteen University of Dhaka teachers, one officer, twenty-six employees, and a few hundred students of the University lost their lives.

It was my pleasure to have toured the university and met Law and Economics professionals and students who were working very hard to study, to prepare and be involved in the creation of a new business future! One of the highlights of the visit for me was visiting the University of Dhaka faculty art show- rich in contemporary arts with a folklore heritage story behind it.. Very nice.

Outsourcing activities: As a small but national business owner of Helping Friends LLC, I had reservations about exploring outsourcing. However I also have been experiencing uncommon demand that IF I were to discover a cost effective solution, I can be more effective for my national clients and U.S. based jobseekers.. Well I found the breakaway business value in this place, where it was my pleasure to have met with R2 Trading International and established a low cost with great benefit to both our companies, I can get some much needed data administration that will allow my U.S. operations to focus on high value add employment and placement services, while non critical data administration is managed according to my specification and business needs.

TECHNOLOGY: Plenty of Fortune 500 United States based companies currently see business advantage to doing business with Bangladesh, but with the majority of businesses in the United States being small to midsized business, and technology as a limitation in Bangladesh, there is SOOO much more that could be done with sound focus on business and IT advances. As a whole Bangladesh is in earlier stages of technology advances as a business advantage, Noble laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus has notably emphasized the importance of Bangladesh advances in Information Technology to support an emerging business prosperity. Local government can do much to foster trade by advancing infrastructure and supporting local businesses who are innovating on a global scale, all this is good for economic condition and jobs creation.

The IT gaps and needs having been identified, the response is in the initative of Digital Bangladesh an intiative meant to produce leading technology leadership by the nations independence anniversary, in 2021.

Best example I have heard of for local IT creating global influence was that of Tiger IT. Its founder and CEO Ziaur Rahman was featured in The Daily Star the day I heard of his company during breakfast with business executives from Motorola. Tiger IT was awarded the leading technology interoperability standards by National Institute of Standarda and Trades (NIST) is a United States based organization dedicated to produce common national and global technology standards that advance trade, security, innovation and jobs.

CAN I TELL THIS? There were some elements of Dhaka, so raw, so shocking I could not capture with a camera, it felt bad to capture it, and worse to tell it, but every day, and every person must feel the depth of its intensity as part of their being: never ending traffic, noise, and the sheer number of humanity on the streets is uncommon.. the contrast of radical poverty amidst progress also evident in a country that only 38 years ago fought for its independence and the battle is still evident, while progress is as well.

Truth be told, it was the hardest thing for an empath to experience radical poverty as I saw without wanting to immediately try to 'fix it'. But the more I experienced it, the more I appreciated the strength of character of the professionals I was meeting with.. who were so productive and gave themselves completely to their work, their community and their country, despite sometimes overwhelming obstacles. Those who read the news or try to understand from a distance can not appreciate the beauty and promise the people of Dhaka represent.

Business contrast experience was the "Brickfields", where bricks are made from the native red clay, dried in the sun, then fired in the chimneys shown in this photograph.

The finished bricks are carried from the field in giant baskets or directly on a laborers head then loaded on rickshaw to be ridden out by heavily laden bicycle operators. All the work highly manually intensive, so much that the American thought of workers compensation would not even cross ones mind!

In Summary: For travel or business, my trip to Dhaka Bangladesh was wonderful and eye opening. I wish to go again, I also wish to see Bangladesh's success on a local scale multiply as that rising tide could raise and benefit so many others. Refreshing to see a people so proud and yet realistically balanced, about their culture.. Pleasing to note that despite all obstacles a new business model emerges as does Dhaka.. There is progress, and you can feel it in the air. There is competitive advantage to knowing where you are and daring to move to where you might go, through sound business, collaboration, and communication.
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http://helpingfriendscareernetwork.com/

Tis the Season...to Rock n Charitable Goodness.

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:29:00 +0000

Whats the buzz? Hot 19 track seasonal release of the best North Coast Musicians sharing classic and original holiday songs. THIS Holiday season some good music can go along way, so buy one to keep and a few for friends... a gift of great music that helps the local charities in time of great need.

Here are just a few.

Michael Stanley

Alex Bevan

Bob Pelander

Marc Lee Shannon

Danny Powers

Great music from some exciting bands, for the holidays, with benefits to the community- a portion of the proceeds for sales of TIS THE SEASON will benefit Feed-A-Family, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital.

HFCN Fan Page on facebook highlights business and professional success.

HFCN

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Laura Tried To Heal Her

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:03:00 +0000

Laura Luann Utterback

April 14,1966 - October 28, 1982

Beautiful, smart, kind hearted.. Died too soon.. But now 27 years ago on this night. I remember when the phone call came of her death.. It had been a cold and rainy night when Laura died in the truck coming home from band class. Numb for days.. Heart aching..

Earlier that Summer she ran for Livingston County 4H Queen.. My favorite memory of the fair was a beautiful photo of the "raggedy ann" "Im gonna Vote for Laura" sign I made -- Laura was tying this on our "lil" Barlow.. I remember Marilyn and Susies Shockey, Laura and I laughing uproariously at the 4H fair moments...

Life was confusing for me as child with strong psychic intuition.. Pontiac IL is a community of folks very close and caring for one another. And I was fortunate to be born into a family with longevity-- 10 grandparents when I was born-- but they would start to die when I was 9 years old or so, and always come to me to say goodbye-- even if I didn't know who they were, I would wake agitated at the exact moment of their death.

Laura's would be the first death I experienced where the spirit did not come to say goodbye and she was like my closest confidant at the time.. My best friend and she didn't even say goodbye.. However Laura was loved by all as far as I know.

Fact is I was very sick at the time and Laura was a loving friend, NOT ashamed to be seen talking to me or the funky way I walked. She also never stopped caring about her friends or family. It would be one of my friends, who had a dream where Laura visited her in a park, and said "Dawn is having a rough time and I want you to help her.

It would be years before I had the visits with Laura.. always in a most beautiful park, I was always walking and she was ahead of me.. She and I would talk about what happened as if nothing ever happened.. and then I would say, "Laura but we cant really be talking, because you died.. " She smiled and said nothing. "Whats it like Laura..?" No answer again.. Smiled, beamed even.. said nothing. It would seem I could ask her anything, but what its like now.

And when my daughter was born, I named her after Laura (Cailtyn Lauryn), hoping to carry on the tradition of kindness, Laura offered me.. May I do this, in her honor.. May Caitlyn come to learn its importance. AND TODAY FOR THE MOST PART, I think of Laura, laughing for the memories, not crying.. I KNOW she would want it that way..

I cried at Laura's death-- I went to the visitation, sick and numb-- I don't remember a thing.. And I do remember the trauma too great to go to her funeral.. That trauma would last 25 years, as it was just 2 years ago that I visited her.

Here is the art work I drew... to try to heal from the pain I was feeling at the time..

Laura Tried To Heal Her, originally uploaded by helpingfriends_careernet.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Tribute

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:11:00 +0000

In my experience, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber is the good magic of broadway, producing some of my favorite musicals of all time. He is my ideal of the perfect life artist, with wealth and interest in music, rich investments in the arts, and talent that seems unstoppable.

Let us send healing energies to the incredible talents of Broadway Composer and Musical Legend, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who was diagnosed at the age of 61 with prostrate cancer. A lifetime of incredible music, Lloyd Webber began composing at 6 years old! He purchased and created London's dominant theatrical district in 2000.

My favorite: Cats, is an adaptation from a T.S. Eliot's story "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" (T.S. Eliot happens to be a favorite author of mine too). This play is the longest running play in the history of Broadway!! I had a cat named after this show after I saw it in Chicago, IL. The play began, as an uncommon burst of energy with incredible settings, more incredible music, and most exotic cat like costumes and cat-like choreography.. they began the play with cats running through the aisles of the theatre and up to the stage.

I liked Macavity the Mystery Cat; the Magical Mr Mistoffelees; and of course the rock star quality of The Rum Tum Tugger;

Welcome to the Autumn of my reEmergence

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:32:00 +0000

Autumn is here-- my favorite season! The air is crisp and cool the leaves-- green just a few weeks ago are now splendidly dressed in gold, in red, and yellows..

Welcome to the Autumn of my re-emergence. Divorce is not easy, redefinition is even harder.

Today was difficult.. My heart hurt too much too venture out.. Too much to work.. At 10 a.m. I took meditation to try to still my mind, I know darned good and well that law of attraction that says what we think about we bring about... And yet my emotional set point was so very lonely.

Maybe if I returned Renee's call I would feel better, but I could not deal with the fact that my heart hurt so much I couldn't place the call, not even to my best friend since college. Yes perhaps I am preparing for my hibernation but it feels more like I am readying myself to live.

I never really spoke or stood for who it was I really am, I just accepted that together we would share a commitment to let love be. This assumed that I had a partner that really responded to live enough like me that we understood and complimentd one another. I have from my marriage 2 beautiful children with the most loving tender hearts. I am grateful to have a good communication with their Dad... All in all I wish us ALL the best. Its tough to admit in life you were not good enough. I was not good enough, but I am still very much a believer in love.

I can represent my best self as I reemerge from years of not being good enough. Stepping out of serious personal body issues, fears, sorrows, and concerns, is a lover, a mom, and a business professional with a determination that can not be beat. I will not be beat, but I may require a heck of a lot of hugs, naps, and gentle resets as I reset and reclaim who it is, Ms. Dawn Christine Mular-- mother of 2, CEO, and resilient life artist who loves to travel and dance..

MUSIC INSPIRING ME NOW:

Im Like A Bird Nelly Furtado
Leaves that Are Green Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel
Here Without You 3 Doors Down
So Far Away Carole King
The Heart of the Matter India Arie or Don Henley
Survivor Destinys Child
Irreplaceable - To The Left Beyonce
You're Only Lonely J.D. Souther
These Boots are Made for Walkin' Jessica Simpson or Nancy Sinatra
Jai Ho (You are My Destiny) Pussy Cat Dolls

RECIPE: Dawn welcomes Autumn Cranberry Beef Curry

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:08:00 +0000

I dont measure.. but for stews and curries, I think that is part of the art... This is a great meal of itself.. I like it in the autumn right out of the pot in bowls with a side of English muffin or Naan n ghee.

This fills a large crockpot with comfort food goodness. You can change it up in days that follow... Adding more and different veggies or spices.

INGREDIENTS: Layered in crockpot

1-2 pounds of stew beef (cut in cubes or steak format, this cooks until it breaks down into melded flavor)
2 yellow onions diced.
Korean HOT Red Chili sauce (2 TSPs)
tear up a little fresh basil or if using dried, shake the dried herb across the top of the beef
2 whole packages of baby carrots
fresh gingerroot juice OR a few (3-4 shakes of dried gingerroot powder)
1 whole package of fresh spinach salad (just the spinach leaves flat, clean and ready to use)
sprinkle dried cranberries in a medium cover over the spinach so that some green of spinach peaks through, but the red of the cranberries is primary.
4-5 quartered russet potatoes
5-6 cloves of garlic (okay I loves me some garlic)
Dried Curry Power 4-5 shakes PLUS dash of Fennel and red chilis
Cover with whole pack of Beef Stock

After 5 hours of slow cooking thicken stock simply by sprinkling liberally the top of the stew mix with potato starch and stirring through... MIXING all ingredients together. Serve as you wish. Mix it with some coconut milk and green chilis over Jasmine rice in the days that follow.. OR add some garbanzo beans or kidney beans and more red chili seasoning to give it new life. :D

Dawn Christine Mular | Create Your Badge

Remembering Patrick Swayze

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 05:05:00 +0000

Rest in Peace, Patrick Swayze who has relief from his long suffering with Pancreatic Cancer. Patrick died Monday at 57 years of age. 1952 - 2009. eOnline did a very nice tribute to his life and career.

Movies color our lives and create memories within the movie and beyond. My 5 year old and I just started sharing Patrick Swayzes movie Dirty Dancing , a movie I always enjoyed with my college room mate, Renee Steffens-Ponsonby. Caitlyn who loves dancing anyway watched the movie 6 times over the coming days, after our first viewing.

I was born in a small town... in the words of John Cougar Mellencamp.

Pontiac IL is known basically for 2 things, a maximum security prison and Grandview U.S.A. When I was in high School, a team of actors, film production crews, etc descended upon Pontiac, IL for the filming of the movie Grandview U.S.A. starring Jamie Lee Curtis, C. Thomas Howell, and Patrick Swayze.

Happy Birthday Caitlyn!!! Today you are 5!!

noreply@blogger.com (Dawn Christine Khan) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:41:00 +0000

Caitlyn Lauryn Mular

June 24, 2005
Louisville Colorado

Caitlyn's middle name, Lauryn, is a tribute to Laura Utterback.