Too Soon

Cover of The Bodyguard (Special Edition)

Last night while I was watching the NBC music talent show, ” The Voice“, I saw what looked like a breaking news annoucment saying that singer Whitney Houston was found dead at the age of 48 in her hotel room in Beverly Hills, CA, USA. How ironic in all of this is while I was watching a tv show about finding new music talent, a very talented music voice from my days as a young adult, Whitney Houston passed away suddenly. What also was very ironic is that now, as an aging member from the baby boom generation, this was like a punch in my stomach.

Also Ms. Whitney’s death comes at a time in my own life when I am confronting the reality that now that I am in the second-half of my life, my own body is also starting to do its own breakdown in the breakdown lane of this life. First my right knee with ostroarthritis, then a tooth going bad with abscess, forcing me to go to the University of Connecticut Medical Center in Farmington for emergency dental treatment. Late last October, after seeing a spot in my right breast area during a regular yearly mamagram and ultrasound having a hard time picking up what that spot is, I am as on February 27 will be undergoing a breast biospy procedure. I PRAY that it does not end up having me being told I have breast cancer. Just being able to talk about my own health issues was never all that easy, let alone blogging about the health problems of the rich and famous. Being one that tries to have my own self-respect

Having said all of this, I now get back with dealing with the death of Whitney Houston.

Early this morning, which is a Sunday, I do not blog at all, and I try since this is the Lord’s day, to avoid blogging as much as possible. Today with the sad passing of Ms. Houston, this was the exception. Even then, I was still very much surprised by Ms. Whitney’s passing. I have been hearing that she has been fighting drug addiction for a number of years, coming out to admit in 2003 to Oprah that she was smoking crack cocaine. From the UK Daily Mail Online website: “She cancelled a string of concerts and talk shows as she struggled to cope. In a chat show with Oprah in 2003, the star admitted the scale of her addiction to smoking crack cocaine.”It was every day, every,’ she said. ‘I didn’t think about the singing part of it any more.” Even reading in the Daily Mail UK online website was a BIG EYE OPENER for me to the extent of the addiction that Ms. Houston had been dealing with. Truly I will never in full come to the full understanding of what she was dealing with. But what Ms. Houston was dealing with, the down side of what comes with being both rich and famous is an ongoing lesson that both wealth and fame are always, always fleeting.

While Ms. Whitney’s music will live on in my mind and in the minds of her fans and music listeners alike, my two favorite songs being her wonderful singing of the United States of America‘s national anthem, “The Star Spangle Banner“ before the start of the 1991 NFL pro football Super Bowl and the song from the movie and soundtrack, “The Bodyguard“ “I Will Always Love You.” Truly those two songs will burn in my memory. Tonight I will be watch “The Grammy Awards” and check in to see the musical tribute to Ms. Houston. Today I had aged a bit more in my middle-age. 

The sad reality of it all is, Ms. Houston died TOO SOON.

Thank-you Ms. Houston for the memories in your music. RIP Ms. Houston.

Image via Wikipedia

With MANY THANKS To Both Normahoj And YouTube. Watch Video Here:

With MANY THANKS To Both SneakyGuy33 And YouTube. Watch Video Here:

With MANY THANKS To Hugo Gye, Rick Dewsbury, Louise Boyle, And The Daily Mail UK. Read More Here:“Whitney Houston’s Daughter Rushed To Hospital After Star’s Death As Photos Show Distraught “Lover” Ray J At Hotel Where She Drowned”

“Whitney Houston – Super Bowl XXV (1991) – The National Anthem of the United States of America

On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston was found dead at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, in Beverly Hills, California, of causes not immediately known.

Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 — February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. Houston was the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records. Her list of awards includes 2 Emmy Awards, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among a total of 415 career awards as of 2010. Houston was also one of the world’s best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide.

Inspired by several prominent soul singers in her family, including mother Cissy Houston and cousins Dionne Warwick and the late Dee Dee Warwick, as well as her godmother, Aretha Franklin, Houston began singing with New Jersey church’s junior gospel choir at age 11. After she began performing alongside her mother in night clubs in the New York City area, she was discovered by Arista Records label head Clive Davis. As of 2011, Houston had released seven studio albums and three movie soundtrack albums, all of which have diamond, multi-platinum, platinum, or gold certification.

Houston was the only artist to chart seven consecutive No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits (“Saving All My Love for You”, “How Will I Know”, “Greatest Love of All”, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All”, “So Emotional”, and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”). She was the second artist behind Elton John and the only female artist to have two number-one Top Billboard 200 Album awards (formerly “Top Pop Album”) on the Billboard magazine year-end charts. Houston’s 1985 debut album, Whitney Houston, became the best-selling debut album by a female act at the time of its release. The album was also named Rolling Stone’s best album of 1986, and was ranked at number 254 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Her second studio album, Whitney (1987), became the first album by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Houston’s crossover appeal on the popular music charts as well as her prominence on MTV, starting with her video for “How Will I Know”, influenced several African-American female artists to follow in her footsteps.

Houston’s first acting role was as the star of the feature film The Bodyguard (1992). The movie’s original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single, “I Will Always Love You”, became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history. With this album, Houston became the first act (solo or group, male or female) to sell more than a million copies of an album within a single week period.[7] The album also makes her the only female act in the top 10 list of the best-selling albums of all time, at number four. Houston continued to star in movies and contribute to their adjoining soundtracks, including the films Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher’s Wife (1996). The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack would go on to become the best-selling gospel album in history. Three years after the release of her fourth studio album, My Love Is Your Love (1998), she renewed her recording contract with Arista Records. She released her fifth studio album, Just Whitney, in 2002, and the Christmas-themed One Wish: The Holiday Album in 2003. Amid widespread media coverage of personal and professional turmoil, Houston ended her 14-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown in 2006. In 2009, Houston released her seventh studio album, I Look to You.”

“Whitney Houston I will always love youWhitney Houston takes Dolly Parton’s song and makes it completely her own in this amazing cover.Lyricsf IShould stayI would only be in your waySo I’ll goBut I knowI’ll think of you every step ofthe wayAnd I…Will alwaysLove you, oohhWill alwaysLove youYouMy darling youMmm-mmBittersweetMemoriesThat is all I’m taking with meSo good-byePlease don’t cryWe both know I’m not what youYou needAnd I…Will always love youI…Will always love youYou, ooh[Instrumental / Sax solo]I hopelife treats you kindAnd I hopeyou have all you’ve dreamed ofAnd I wish you joyand happinessBut above all thisI wish you loveAnd I…Will always love youI…Will always love you[Repeat]I, I will always loveYou….YouDarling I love youI’ll alwaysI’ll alwaysLoveYou..OoohOoohhh_______________________________Whitney Houston sings I Will Always Love You in this amazing cover for the movie The Bodyguard with Kevin Costner. It was Kevin Costner himself who discovered this song for “the” song of the movie.I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston Video The Bodyguard”

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• Did Ray-J and Whitney Houston Quarrel Before Her Death? [Whitney Houston] (jezebel.com)
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After Two Years, Keep On Keeping Going

Today marks two years since I have begun this blog. Considering that late last year was difficult because of dealing with personal health issues, and it affected my ability to be able to blog. Neverless, another year of blogging has come and now I am going into the beginning of year number three.

The highlight of this second year was being able to get a lot of videos into the blog, and in a special way, on current events, faith, women’s issues, dealing with challenges,  and animals.

Tonight I will be taking it easy and enjoy my University of Connecticut women basketball team go up against the women of Syracuse.

Last night, during my night of silence of now tv or radio in regards to President Barak Hussein Obama‘s SOTU speech, I ended up falling asleep instead.

I want to THANK all who have come to visit and to read my postings. I will in turn work even harder to continue interesting blog entries.

Japan Disaster Hits Tech Supplies

“Prices for key technology components extend gains, as damage caused by Friday’s devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan threatens to disrupt the global manufacturing chain longer than many had expected.”

With MANY THANKS to both Reuters and YouTube. Watch Video Here:

Homeless Man With The “God Given Voice” (1,000 “Anne’s POWER SURGE Blog” Posting)

If we are reminded that the year 2011, a new year also brings about brand new beginnings, it is in a Columbus, Ohio, USA homeless man who goes by the name of “Radio Man.”

Because of a YouTube video which has gone viral over the internet which demonstrated the very extraordinary radio voice that he has as he would begged on the streets of Columbus, OH.

The man’s name is Ted Williams.

From the Radio Television Digital News Association or RTDNA website:”Looking for a second chance in life and in journalism, a Ohio homeless man got more than he probably ever expected when a video recently posted to YouTube demonstrated his extraordinary radio voice as he begged on a Columbus, Ohio roadside and turned him into an overnight sensation.

The man, Ted Williams, is known by locals (including police) in Columbus as “Radio Man.”

Originally trained to be a radio announcer, Williams said he turned to drugs and alcohol and ruined his chances of a journalism career.”

Now clean and sober for the past two years, and to the credit of the person who made the video, “Radio Man” has been receiving a number of jobs including a dream job with the Cleveland Cavaliers and a free house.

From the New York Post website:”The Cleveland Cavaliers just offered me a full-time job and a house! A house! A house!,” repeated a stunned Williams, 53, on local radio station WNCI.

A caller to the show who said she represented the Cavs offered Williams, who shot to stardom after local newspaper the Columbus Dispatch on Monday posted video of his perfectly pitched panhandling, a full-time job doing voiceover work for the team and parent company and a free home in Cleveland.

The Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, native trained to be a radio announcer before drugs and alcohol ruined his chances at a career, and he was reduced to begging on the side of a road in Columbus, Ohio, before the newspaper found him.

Local police would refer to Williams as “Radio man,” when chasing him from his usual begging spots, Williams said.”

This news story about a man who has a voice that is a radio voice and with a help of a YouTube video, is a reminder that in this nation, the United States of America and in these first few days of a new year, 2011, people can and do have new and fresh beginnings offered to them.

Also this “Anne’s POWER SURGE Blog” marks the 1,000 blog entry since my very first blog entry on January 25, 2010, which was also the feast of the conversion of the Apostle Saint Paul. In the nearly one since this blog got started, and with many thanks for the inspiration and the good word of support given a few months back, my friend and mid-morning talk radio show host Jim Vicevich’s “Sound Off Connecticut” and of the “RadioViceOnline Blog” who has shown that having a successful blog. Also I thank the good God for the help of His mercy, grace, and blessings of His help as well to continue to make this blogging possible. Last, I want to THANK all of you who come by and take the time to read this blog as well as comment. Truly it is appreciated each day.

With MANY THANKS to both itnnews and YouTube. Watch Video Here:

With MANY THANKS to both Helsel and the New York Post. Read More Here:

\”Homeless Man With \”Golden Voice\” Gets His Chance (Video)\”

With MANY THANKS to both Ryan G. Murphy and RTDNA. Read More Here:

\”Ohio Homeless Man Earns Second Chance With \”Golden Radio Voice\”

 

 

 

My Day At Hartford Business Journal, For “Disability Mentoring Day”

Today, I had the golden opportunity to spend this morning with a wonderful group of people, who work for this local weekly downtown Hartford, CT, USA, based newspaper. As part of the “Disability Mentoring Day”, which matches people with challenges or disabilities, to people in the business community who work in the different career fields, the latter as mentors. Today I became a mentee today as I had spent an enriching experience in the main office of Hartford Business Journal.

My learning experience began at 8:30 AM this morning as I had entered the Hartford Business Journal location on Lewis Street. I had met Sarah Brooks. She had begun the introduction by showing me how the process of putting out the weekly business newspaper begins, which includes introducing me to the staff of the graphic design department, as well as those who report for this newspaper and the editor herself. As the morning goes on, I see how computer graphics that is used, including the newer desktop publishing program now used, called “In Design”, by Adobe. I call it, because I see what reminded me of “PageMaker” and “Quarkxpress”, and in a special, the former, as “PageMaker all grown up”. I am very impressed by this new program and IMHO, it has taken desktop publishing and computer graphics, to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL in excellence. Also I was told, now “Go Live” has become “Dreamweaver”. Another lesson is that I must also get to know these two new programs.

The day ended with having a pizza party luncheon and a coffee table book gift of thank-you given about the city of Hartford. Truly a day that has rekindle my love and interest for graphic design.

With MANY THANKS to Hartford Business Journal, Connect-Ability, and CT Business Leadership Network.

\”Hartford\’s Weekly Business Newspaper\”

\”Connect-Ability\”

\”CTBLN Website\”

“Businesses Are Engines Of Growth”

Well, well, I see that the USA Labor Secretary Hilda Solis who was interviewed early this morning by CBS News Harry Smith for this early morning presentation of the CBS Early Edition show for Labor Day. This brief interview in which Ms. Solis was asked in regards to the unemployment issue and in a special way, to the long-termed unemployed or underemployed. She goes into details about President Barak Obama’s plans to help those who are in the two above groups.

Well I have an idea that I could pass along. If “businesses are the engines of growth”, using these words you have said in quotes, for GOODNESS SAKES, President Obama’s White House and the Democrats MUST stop killing private business with TOO MUCH TAXES and REGULATIONS! With MANY THANKS to both CBSNewsOnline and YouTube. Watch Video Here:

Do These Tea Party Videos Look Racist To You?!

Early this afternoon, in response to an angry blog post response by a reader which read like an out-of-control rant, which very much took me by surprise. Just reading it, which shows a reader who is just is in screaming panic, knowing that a movement to pushback reckless spending and out-of-control government regulations is creating a just angry backlash against the radical socialism of the President Barak Obama White House. Even President Obama’s base of support among Democrats and liberals are not only are in “panic meltdown mode”, but are even are abandoning the sinking ship called the Obama White House, which IMHO is TRULY A FAILED PRESIDENT.

Also one of the signs the liberals are in “panic meltdown mode” is the wrong accusations by the NAA(L)CP of the tea party movement, a movement based on the grass-roots of this country. The tea party movement WELCOMES Americans of all different backgrounds. This false accusation by the NAA(L)CP shows an organization which is a shell of its former self. This attack should send a message to ALL FREEDOM-LOVING AMERICANS that in the next couple of months ahead of the 2010 Mid-term elections, the Democrats and liberals will safe to say, go into attack mode. Stand up not only for positive American principles, as well as be focused on the issues, but BE READY for baseless attacks.

Before I finish, I have a simple question. Take a look at a number of these tea party videos, do they look racist to you?

With MANY THANKS to both ameribornnews and YouTube. Watch Video Here:

With MANY THANKS to both Channel1images and YouTube. Watch Video Here:

With MANY THANKS to both PalinSmith and YouTube. Watch Video Here:

Last, this video of all the videos, is one of my favorites from past tea party days. This one is from my friend and mid-morning local conservative talk radio show host, Jim Vicevich, with MANY, MANY THANKS as well as THANKS to YouTube. Watch Video Here:

This is the end of my response, I want to move on. Have a good and blessed day. =^..^=

Neil Cavuto: Living Life To The Fullest

I have nothing but admiration for Neil Cavuto, who is dealing with MS after having dealt with cancer. As a person who has had to deal with learning disabilities, this is TRULY an act of courage. Lesson here: LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!!!! With many THANKS to my friend Jim Vicevich. =^..^=

What Was Rahm Emanuel Thinking?

As a person who, when she was growing up as a child and then as a teenager, having been both in Special Education classes and in Special Olympics, I was taken very much aback early this week with the remarks that came from Rahm Emanuel not only saying the “F” word but using it with a word that has been the source of hurt to so many who have this challenge or are involved in the lives of those who have this challenge: “retarded”.

Being taken aback is REALLY PUTTING IT MILDLY. For the second time in less than a year, after what President Barak Obama had said about Special Olympians, I would be outraged AGAIN by someone in the Obama White House and who KNOWS first hand what it is like to have a CHALLENGE and to have to deal with name calling and to just to be able to make it through all twelve years of school, being in Special Ed full-time for the first six years and part-time the last six years, plus having to deal with state agencies, workshops, and then going on to community college and in 2001 getting my AS Degree in Graphic Design/Multimedia. I have hope to in time get my next degree down the road in the above major. How dare Mr. Emanuel say what he said, what was he THINKING!?

Now that I had gotten that out of my system, as a Christian and as a person, I will forgive Mr.Emanuel from my heart. Bear with me, I needed to get that out of my system for the sake of my blood pressure, which I have to keep it managed for I have now high blood pressure.

It is good that the Special Olympics Chairman Tim Shriver on behalf of those with this and all other challenges accepted the apology from Mr. Emanuel. Thank-you Mr. Shriver for standing up and with a number of disability advocates accepting and forgiving Mr. Emanuel as well.

Also I am very happy that Mr. Emanuel meet with six disability advocates. The six disability advocates came out with a joint statement saying the Mr. Emanuel, “sincerely apologized,” for using the word and has promised “to sign an online pledge to end the use of the word” it was also added.

For too many years, people with challenges, and in a special way, learning challenges and developmental challenges had to suffer ridicule and other injustices for so many years. It is time for this to stop and for this country to learn that EVERYONE is SPECIAL and have GOD-GIVEN GIFTS to give to this country.

Read more here:
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0210/Special_Olympics_Apology_not_accepted.html

Cat Predicted Up To 50 Deaths In RI Nursing Home

Oscar the cat at the Steere House and Rehabilitation Centre in Providence,Rhode Island, which cares for patients with severe dementia. Oscar, who was as a kitten was adopted by the nursing home, is generally not a social cat, has often proven the medical staff at this New England nursing home wrong over which patient was close to death.

Dr. David Dosa, who has kept tract of this special cat, has written a book about this cat’s adventure in “Making rounds with Oscar: the extraordinary gift of an ordinary cat”, says that Oscar, like many dogs who can smell out not only bombs and illegal drugs, but even cancer, to detect ketones, a distinctly-odoured biochemicals given off by dying cells.

No matter, for the family relations of those patients in this nursing home whom Oscar was there when they passed on, it gives them comfort knowing that someone was there when their dears passed on from this life. Oscar is a special hero. =^..^=

Read more here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7129952/Cat-predicts-50-deaths-in-RI-nursing-home.html