Do You Need a Job to Get a Job?

I’ve read recently that some hiring agencies and human resource representatives are starting to require that applicants have a job before they even consider hiring them for a position. This seems cruel to me – what do you think?

On Craigslist, an ad for a purchasing manager warns, "Do not apply UNLESS you are currently employed."

Tito Puente Jr. Brings Latin Jazz to Charlotte

by Alicia Benjamin

Charlotte Observer

Spoken-word artist Lemon called Tito Puente "the Don Corleone of Latin Jazz" when he paid tribute to the late musician in "Def Poetry Jam on Broadway."

Puente, who played a major role in popularizing Latin music, gave us sizzling mambo, flavorful Latin jazz and the hit "Oye Como Va," which helped make Carlos Santana a superstar.

Now his son, Tito Puente Jr., who will perform June 26 at Symphony Park with the Charlotte Symphony, has developed his own twist on mambo and Latin jazz rhythms, with a dash of salsa.

On the Nature of Daylight and This Bitter Earth

The movie Shutter Island snuck up on me, made me a little anxious, and then I just enjoyed the ride. When I realized that the main character was just delusional, I wasn't so disturbed.

But the haunting song from the end credits got me as soon as I heard the first cello notes, and when Dinah Washington started singing her masterpiece, "This Bitter Earth," -- well, I was just mesmerized. The person who mixed these two songs, Robbie Robertson, has quite an ear and an exquisite taste in music.

Listen to this luscious blending of Dinah's juicy voice and the rich music of Max Richter, a classical composer:



Here's a very insightful blog post on Shine a Light that explores this pairing of the songs, "On the Nature of Daylight" and "This Bitter Earth."
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This Bitter Earth
lyrics by: Clyde Otis

This bitter Earth
What fruit it bears
What good is love
That no one shares
And if my life is like the dust
That hides the glow of a rose
What good am I
Heaven only knows

This bitter Earth
Can it be so cold
Today you're young
Too soon you're old
But while a voice
Within me cries
I'm sure someone
May answer my call
And this bitter earth
May not be so bitter after all

Arizona School Says "Lighten Up Their Faces"

Come on Arizona!!!

Altered mural fuels racial debate in Prescott
by Dennis Wagner
The Arizona Republic

A group of artists has been asked to lighten the faces of children depicted in a giant public mural at a Prescott school.

Reminding Myself: More Things I Do Well

-- Find great artwork

-- Braid my daughter’s hair

-- Comfort my daughter

-- Juggle several tasks at once

-- Encourage other people

-- Thrift store shopping

-- Teach

-- Perform

-- Direct

-- Write

-- Create

-- Smile

-- Laugh

-- Seek advice and counsel