Here it is years later and she has released a new song that will be an anthem for teens over the next decade I am sure. It is called Brave and is about everything we preach here at YPC. Finding your own voice, putting it out there and sharing it for others to hear. And if the song doesn’t have merit enough, the new music video is absolutely charming. She does not appear in it – but features a posse of young girls doing exactly their own thing with it. Guitars, keyboards, a mic, lyrics, singing along and then jumping into a pool at the end. Total Grrrl Power and infectious at that. Pass it on.

The new campaign frames itself in terms of a giant human question mark – which is where all quests for knowledge begin. Some are seen below. I hope to bookmark the site and continue to learn from the rich heritage they are so able to bring us – all for free in case you have never been! Bright colors, funky objects – and burning questions.

here is the link to check out: Seriously Amazing

Here is the list in random order.

The Little Prince – deSaint-Exupery
Where the Wild Things Are – Sendak
The Pushcart War – Merrill
The Sweetest Fig – Van Allsburg
Matilda – Dahl
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Twain
Dealing With Dragons – Wrede
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Carroll
A Wizard of Earthsea – Le Guin
Wonderful Wizard of Oz – Baum
Harriet the Spy – Fitzhugh
Half Magic – Eager
Peter Pan and Wendy – Barrie
A Wrinkle in Time – L’Engle
Wind in the Willows – Grahame
Madeline – Bemelmans
Where the Sidewalk Ends – Silverstein
The Phantom Tollbooth – Juster
The Giver – Lowry
House at Pooh Corner – Milne
Story of Ferdinand – Leaf
Charlotte’s Web – White
Lizard Music – Pinkwater
I Capture the Castle – Smith
Oh the Places You’ll Go – Seuss

How many families have made the choice to buy a piano for lessons that takes up a corner of the living room for the next two decades untouched until it finds a taker on Craigslist? Or what about the little girl that goes the direction of a flute because it is small when she really wanted to play a trombone? Critical choices huh? The article focuses on what types of instruments are most compatible for which learning types. Tactile kids do well with big instruments like cellos & tubas which need hands to maneuver them. A visual student can work easier with a keyboard where all the elements are visible right before them. And so on. Makes logical sense to me. Check out the article below.

Star Tribune

“I am a father of a three year old girl. She loves princesses, Dora the Explorer, Doc McStuffins and drawing pictures for people. Her favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly, cheese and pistachios. Even though she is only three, as a parent I have had those thoughts of my daughter growing up and not being the little girl she is now. It is true what they say about kids, they grow up fast…..  one day she will be a rebellious teenager that will more than likely think her dad is a total goof ball and would want to distance herself from my embarrassing presence.
……….
Recently I read an article that Victoria’s Secret is launching a line of underwear and bras aimed at middle school aged children. The line will be called “Bright Young Things” and will feature ” lace black cheeksters with the word “Wild” emblazoned on them, green and white polka-dot hipsters screen printed with “Feeling Lucky?” and a lace trim thong with the words, “Call me” on the front. As a dad, this makes me sick.
I believe that this sends the wrong message to not only my daughter but to all young girls.
I don’t want my daughter to ever think that her self-worth and acceptance by others is based on the choice of her undergarments. I don’t want my daughter to ever think that to be popular or even attractive she has to have emblazon words on her bottom.
……….
I want my daughter to know that she is perfect the way she is; I want my daughter to know that no matter what underwear she is wearing it does not define her. I believe that this new line “Bright Young Things” thwarts the efforts of empowering young women in this country. “Bright Young Things” gives off the message that women are sex objects. This new line promotes it at a dangerously young age.
I implore you to reconsider your decision to start this line. By doing so you will put young girl’s self-esteem, self-worth and pride above profits.”

What more can I say other than I agree!

** pps – I have since been told that this media hoax was originally part prank and ignited much heated conversations on both sides of the issue. Although VS may have some questionable marketing procedures – this particular product line was not one of them. However – I am excited to know that this blog is sparking interest and creating dialogue; heated or not. I encourage all of you to make it a larger conversation and put your opinions as official posts here so that we can learn from each other

1. “Stealing the show” is not a compliment. The ensemble is more important than your “moments”.
2. No, you can’t actually play forty and fifty-year-olds in your twenties. At least, no one will pay you to do it.
3. The stage manager always works much harder than you. And technically, you work for him/her, not the other way around.
4. Most people don’t get drunk on Opening Night…because they have a show the next day…idiot. Oh, and cast parties are more likely to be cast dinners.
5. Background film roles don’t do crap for your career.
6. When people said you would be poor thanks to your brilliant career choice, what they really meant was “completely destitute.” And that’s okay.
7. Auditions are on one level. Knowing the right people is a completely different level altogether.
8. Directors, casting agents, and producers care as much about how easy you will be to work with as they do about how good you are for the role. If not more so.
9. Don’t do every show. Seriously. Know when to turn something down. And believe me, you’ll know.
10. Most of the time, when you don’t get the part, it’s not because you suck, but because of some other (probably superficial) reason altogether. Unless you suck.
11. Don’t hide your “physical flaws.” Embrace them. And learn how to look at yourself objectively.
12. No matter how big of a star you were in school, in the real world you are just a part of a team. So act like it. And give credit where credit is due at every opportunity.
13. You are replaceable.
14. Rehearsals are a luxury. Don’t waste them.
15. Try not to get discouraged/cynical/jaded/resentful too early. This is a tough business. That’s just the way it is, and it’s not going to change any time soon. So be tough. Or get out.

The article focuses on sports and the NFL Combine where 100s of college prospects are brought in to be shopped for the major leagues. But just like American Idol or any number of other outlets – we get sucked in by the flash and it gives only an inkling of the shelf life after.

He points out the prime example of Ben Afleck and his recent OSCAR win. A few years back he was disregarded as a has-been actor who was granted too much too soon instead of looking at his genuine passions and talents that eventually led him to the podium a decade later.

Daniel recommends that we look for small signs of initiative, and celebrate them. Whenever a learner comes to practice with new ideas, or inquires how they can get better, or spends unexpected time working on their own to improve a skill, treat that as a big moment. Because it is.