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Rockettes Unleashed: Secrets to Their Legs, Kicks

 

 

 

 

Il Canto degli Italiani Italian National Anthem

Words by: Goffredo Mameli
Music by: Michele Novaro
Adopted: 1946

The anthem was written in 1847, the lyrics by Goffredo Mameli, a young poet. As such, the song is often known as L'Inno di Mameli (Mameli's Hymn). Beginning in 1861, when Italy became a united nation, the song was known as the "March of the House of Savoy" and it became the official Anthem in 1947 when Italy finally was proclaimed a Republic.

There are different versions of how Mameli actually came to write the anthem. One reports that Mameli took the anthem to the musician Michele Novaro a friend, who lived in Turin. Novaro composed the music, and Mameli returned to Genoa where he presented words and music to his friends. Shortly thereafter, "Fratelli D'Italia" (Brothers of Italy, another common name for the anthem) was played for the first time, at a popular assembly. The tune gained popularity throughout the peninsula, in defiance of the Austrian, Bourbon and Papal police.

The other and equally persuasive story goes that one evening in 1847, in the house of the American consul, the center of discussion was the uprisings of the day. Urged by many of the consul's guests, Mameli improvised a few lines on the spot and later wrote the rest. A few days later a friend took the poem to Turin and read it aloud at a nobleman's party. The composer Michele Novaro who was a guest at the same party, tried a few notes on the piano and then, went home to compose the song. The anthem was sung for the first time the next day by a group of political exiles in the Caffè della Lega Italiana of Turin.

"Il Canto degli Italiani" (the official title) was chosen on a provisional basis in October, 1946 as the national anthem, however, the choice was never officially confirmed or re-examined, so officially, the anthem has been the "temporary" anthem of Italy for over 60 years!

There are slight differences between Mameli's original poem and how the anthem is sung today. The song is usually sung with the first verse repeated twice then the chorus repeated twice. (If subsequent verses are sung, they are only sung once, this is how the lyrics are presented below). It is also customary to end with "Sì!" (Yes!), perhaps to match the last note of the song.

There is talk lately of replacing the anthem, firstly because the music is not up to the standards of Italian classical music tradition (ironically, some of Italy's greatest composers have composed anthems in this tradition, which are used by Central and South American countries, giving birth to the term "Latin American epic anthem"), and also the lyrics refer to specific events that were familiar to the Italians of the time that the anthem was composed, but bear little to no resonance with today's Italians. However, "Il Canto degli Italiani" is very recognizable in Italy and would be hard to replace.

http://www.nationalanthems.info/it.htm

İstiklâl Marşı The March of Independence

Words by: Mehmet Âkif Ersoy
Music by: Zeki Üngör
Adopted: 1921 (lyrics), 1932 (music)

The "İstiklâl Marşı" was officially adopted as Turkey's national anthem on March 12, 1921. 724 poems were submitted to a competition organized to find and select the most suitable original composition, and a poem written by the poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy was adopted unanimously by the Turkish Grand National Assembly. There are ten verses to Ersoy's poem, but only the first two are usually sung as the national anthem.

Twenty-four composers participated in another competition arranged for the selection of a musical composition for the National Anthem. The Council, which was only able to convene in 1924, due to the War of Independence adopted the music composed by Ali Rifat Çagatay. The words of the National Anthem were sung to this music for eight years. Thereafter, the music of the National Anthem was changed to an arrangement written by Zeki Üngör, conductor of the Presidental Symphonic Orchestra, and the words of the National Anthem have been sung to this musical accompaniment ever since.

The anthem of Turkey is also used in the Turkish areas of northern Cyprus.

http://www.nationalanthems.info/tr.htm

France La Marseillaise The Song of Marseille

 

 

 

http://www.nationalanthems.info/fr.htm

Hockey player dies after snake bite, two-kilometre run

Karl Berry on the left with his dad Ian in the middle and brother Martin on the right. Photo: Supplied

A hockey player has died after being bitten by a king brown snake at hockey fields in the Northern Territory.
Karl Berry, 26, was at Marrara Hockey Centre in Darwin on Tuesday evening when he picked up a snake, thinking it was a python, and threw it into bushes.
The snake bit him on the hand, but he did not seek medical help because he thought the snake was harmless.
He then went for a two-kilometre run – which ambulance officers said was one of the worst things he could have done as it pumped the venom through his system – and collapsed when he returned.


The captain of the A-grade team of Commerce-Pints Hockey Club was rushed to hospital but declared dead on Wednesday night in the Intensive Care Unit after being put on life support.
Karl's father Ian said his son was a sports-mad bloke who loved his work as a service station manager.
"We'll get there," he said, when asked how he was coping.
"We've had better weeks."
Mr Berry said his family was keeping Karl's body on life support so his organs could be donated.
St John's Ambulance Operations Manager, Craig Garraway, said Mr Berry was conscious when paramedics arrived and it took up to 15 minutes for him to mention he had been bitten by a snake.
"He had gone for a two-kilometre run which pumped the venom around his system much faster," he said.


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/hockey-player-dies-after-snake-bite-twokilometre-run-20130426-2iixu.html#ixzz2Rci0h1ol
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/hockey-player-dies-after-snake-bite-twokilometre-run-20130426-2iixu.html#ixzz2RchnMAiB
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/hockey-player-dies-after-snake-bite-twokilometre-run-20130426-2iixu.html#ixzz2Rchf2YF2
Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/hockey-player-dies-after-snake-bite-twokilometre-run-20130426-2iixu.html#ixzz2Rcfj93QQ

Anniversary Poem

This, I wrote for my fiancée as our 1 year together 'as a couple' gift. We get married in 3 days! With all the wedding planning He and I decided not to go spending money on the "One Year" that we could be putting into the ceremony and reception, but I still wanted to make it special, so deep within my heart - I searched - and seeing him, I found the inspiration and motivation to write this beautiful poem.

Happy 1st Anniversary, My Sweet Love!

© Amanda Higgins

Happy Anniversary my Sweet Love!
For you, I thank the Lord above
You’ve given me hope, inspiration and truth
Because of you I feel never-ending youth
When heavy storms have come our way
Your love has always made me stay
Each morning I wake and see your face
I know in you, I’ve found my place
Our bond is extraordinary, beautiful, and real
It’s remarkable how wonderful you make me feel
We belong together, you and I
That, the world cannot deny
Never in my life will I find another man
Who could ever fulfill me the way you can
The life we’ve shared this past year
Has proved forever it shall persevere
I will love you forever in every way
That will remain constant until my dying day.

Source: Happy 1st Anniversary Poem, My Sweet Love! http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/happy-st-anniversary-my-sweet-love#ixzz2RTZWgoDP
www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

Alone Poem I Wish I Wasn't Alone

Alone Poem

Loneliness... It can destroy people. People pass you in the street and won't look twice. This poem is for those who ever have, or do feel alone inside.

I Wish I Wasn't Alone

© Jo

Once when I was little
I was happy and carefree
I used to run around laughing
Until it was time for tea

I used to play games
And smile all the time
I used to feel on top of the world
I used to feel fine

It's amazing how things change
When people let you down
And how that once happy face
Turns into a solemn frown

You search and search
For someone who cares
Anyone who understands
Anyone who dares

Loneliness, it hurts
It kills you deep inside
It makes you feel empty
It stops you in your stride

You cry yourself to sleep
Hugging your pillow tight
Wishing for someone
To hold you through the night

Once when I was little
I was happy and carefree
Now my life's full of sadness,
Pain and misery

Once when I was little
I was never on my own
But now I pray at night
''I wish I wasn't alone''

Source: Loneliness Hurts, I Wish I Wasn't Alone, Alone Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/loneliness-hurts-i-wish-i-wasnt-alone#ixzz2RTS1eitw
www.FamilyFriendPoems.com

An Arts Alive Poetry Month Contest!

No doubt about it, spring has sprung in Southern California! The warm sunshine, melodious bird songs and technicolor  flowers could make poets of us all. Maybe that's why April was named National Poetry Month. Here at KUSC, we love to celebrate all forms of great art: from the sonata to the sonnet and we know our listeners are incredibly creative folks. That's why I'm happy to announce that Arts Alive is joining this annual celebration of poetry with a very special contest for you, our listeners.

We want you to write us a poem! There is only one rule. Your poem must incorporate two themes we all hold close to our hearts: Southern California and music. Not bad subject material!

You have until 5PM on April 30th to email your poem toartsalive@kusc.org. Just one poem per person and it needs to be in the body of the email (no attachments please).

We'll post a few of our favorites on the Arts Alive Blog starting Monday, April 29th and I'll pick one to read on Arts Alive on Saturday, May 4th.

Mature Monkey

Just curiosity.

Boston Marathon 2013 Winners

Boston Marathon 2013 Winners: Lelisa Desisa Benti and Rita Jeptoo

Hiroyuki Yamamoto and Tatyana McFadden won the men’s and women’s wheelchair races.

By Kaitlyn Johnston | Boston Daily | April 15, 2013 11:59 am

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The Boston Marathon Winners: Lelisa Desisa Benti and Rita Jeptoo. Men’s Elite:Lelisa Desisa Benti, of Ethiopia, wins the men’s marathon with an official time of 2:10:22. Micah Kogo, of Kenya, finishes second with an official time of  2:10:27; Gebregziabher Gebremariam, of Ethiopia, finishes third with an official time of 2:10:28; and American Jason Hartmann finishes fourth with an official time of  2:12:12. Women’s Elite: Kenyan Rita Jeptoo wins the women’s marathon with an official time of 2:26:25. It’s her second time winning the Boston Marathon. Meseret Hailu Debele, of Ethiopia, finishes second with an official time of 2:26:58; Sharon Cherop, of Kenya, finishes third with an official time of 2:27:01; and Shalane Flanagan, a native of Marblehead, finishes fourth with an official time of 2:27:08.

Tatyana McFadden Wins Women’s Wheelchair Race. McFadden wins in 1:45:25, and the Globe‘s David Ryan has a great photo of McFadden crossing the finish line.

Hiroyuki Yamamoto Wins Men’s Wheelchair Race. Yamamoto is the first to cross the finish line, winning the wheelchair marathon with an unofficial time of 1:25:32 (and with a margin of 2 minutes).

More Marathon Reads:

The Misery of Running the Boston Marathon. “I should be sharing in the warm fellowship of those who even once finished running the 26 miles and 285 yards,” writes Juliette Kayyem. “But looking back, I have to admit it really was horrible. Painfully horrible. I don’t remember most of it, and I have blocked large chunks of it out.”  [Globe]

A Kind Gesture While Training on Heartbreak Hill. C

رقص جامد للكبار فقط

رقاصة جامدة فى فرح شعبى اخر مسخرة ملهاش حل

Phyllis Sterling Smith Poetry

EVE'S LAMENT FOR EDEN It's not the perfumed flowers that I  miss,
juice-heavy fruits on every tree.
No, I miss Wolf, his head upon my knee
and brush of wings as Sparrow pecked a kiss.
Remember Lion beside us, purring bliss?
Hyena on her back, paws waving free?
The friendly bleats and growls surrounded me.
For one forbidden sweet I lost all this.
Even the sneaky snake would deign to speak.
  He lied, but then he didn't cut us dead
    -- a metaphor -- not as the beasts now do
in bloody fact.  Hoof-slash and rending beak
  they rip each other's flesh;  their fangs drip red.
    I sinned; but, God, must they be banished too?
          Phyllis Sterling Smith


http://www.dragonhaven.net/My%20Poetry.html

Poems Sherif Monem

http://www.poemsabout.com/poet/sherif-monem/page-1/

Poem Candy Candy Candy Marilyn Lott

You’ve heard the expression many times
About a kid in the candy store
But there’s a place I’ll tell you about
That has every kind of candy and more

The containers of candy go way back
To retro styles of such fun
Candy from your childhood too
You’ll no doubt find every single one

A soda fountain graces the store
Oh my, sure takes me back
Way back when I was a teenager
Yes sir, that’s simply a fact

Cherry red stools to sit upon
As you smile and make your choice
Of delicious enticing concoctions
You just plain want to rejoice

So maybe someday you can be
As lucky as we were to see
A store that’s filled with delicious
Candy, candy, candy!

Marilyn Lott

كارثة طبيعية على المباشر .. شاهد واحكم بنفسك

Superstorm Sandy $2 billion in disaster loans was approved by the U.S. Small Business

 

The Powerful Nature

More than $2 billion in disaster loans was approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration to those affected by Superstorm Sandy, the agency said Friday.

About 32,500 residents and businesses benefited from loans in what the agency called the third-largest natural disaster in the U.S. that it has responded to. The tropical cyclone struck in late October.

The Demise of GeoCities Yahoo shut down Geocities’ U.S. service back in 2009

Yahoo! GeoCities is a Web hosting service, currently available only in Japan.
GeoCities was originally founded by David Bohnett and John Rezner in late 1994 as Beverly Hills Internet (BHI), and by 1999 GeoCities was the third-most visited Web site on the World Wide Web. In its original form, site users selected a "city" in which to place their Web pages. The "cities" were metonymously named after real cities or regions according to their content—for example, computer-related sites were placed in "SiliconValley" and those dealing with entertainment were assigned to "Hollywood"—hence the name of the site. Shortly after its acquisition by Yahoo!, this practice was abandoned in favor of using the Yahoo! member names in the URLs.
In April 2009, approximately ten years after Yahoo! bought GeoCities,^[1] the company announced that it would shut down the United States GeoCities service on October 26, 2009.^[2][3][4] There were at least 38 million user-built pages on GeoCities before it was shut down.^[5] The GeoCities Japan version of the service is still available.^[6]
GeoCities remains a popular website two-and-a-half years after it was shut down by Yahoo!, ranking among the top 7,000 websites in the world.^[7]Remember Geocities, the 90s-era webpage builder that you probably used to host your “About Me” page in 6th grade computer class? Yahoo shut down Geocities’ U.S. service back in 2009,

Ostrich Carriage

"Ostriches arrived in Southern California in 1883 when an English naturalist named Charles Sketchley opened a farm devoted to the tall, flightless birds near Anaheim, in what is today Buena Park." (Buena Park, incidentally: now home to Knott's Berry Farm.) The farm was actually a fashion thing--there was big trend at the time for "ostrich feathers for muffs, hats, and boas," which normally had to be shipped from Africa (the first flock at Sketchley's farm came in from Cape Town and "nine out of every ten birds that boarded the ship" didn't make it across the ocean). Inadvertently, the ostriches attracted a crowd and within six months, "100 to 150 visitors from across the region were touring his farm each day." Clever Sketchley started charging 50 cents for admission.

Lasted until 1953>>

In 1885, Sketchley ditched Buena Park "and partnered with Rancho Los Feliz landowner Griffith J. Griffith to open a new ostrich farm on the banks of the Los Angeles River," in what's now Griffith Park--they built the Ostrich Farm Railway "to transport curious sightseers back and forth from downtown Los Angeles." Even at the time, the whole thing was pretty weird; the Chicago Daily Tribune and New York Times both bemusedly covered the farm (wonder if they made cracks about traffic and yoga back then too).
The success begat more ostrich farms and by 1910 there were 10 in Southern California. One of the most popular was Edwin Cawston's, which moved from Norwalk to South Pas in 1895. The Los Angeles Ostrich Farm, next to the California Alligator Farm in Lincoln Heights (a story for another day?), was also a favorite. While the fashion market collapsed, tourists kept ostrich farms going for decades--the LA Ostrich Farm didn't close until 1953.


An ostrich carriage being stopped by the police for crossing the speed limit. Los Angeles around 1930