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| Courtesy of Key Focus Photography.... |
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
A Tim Burton moment....
We are a Tim Burton lovin family. Always have been, Always will be.
About a year and a half ago, my ten year old daughter sent Tim Burton productions in Hollywood her favorite 'tim burton inspired drawings'. She's been drawing characters from his films ever since she can remember. Well low and behold, yesterday morning, while she was at school, (after a year and a half), a letter finally arrived from his office. Her father and I decided not to open it and pick her up from school with envelope in hand. We knew she would scream with joy and probably cry for whatever was inside.
That afternoon, before heading off to pick her up, we heard that Burton was in town for the opening of the Tim Burton exhibit at the new TIFF building. He would be signing autographs in the lobby from 4:00 until 5:30. It was incredible enough that we had just received something from his office and that he was in town, to add this moment to Jaidens day was too hard to resist.
So, 3:20 arrived and with opened envelope in hand (it ended up being a personalized autograph picture from Tim Burton with a mention of how much he enjoyed her drawings), some flowers from my store and a screaming, completely out of control ten year old, we headed off in the rain, to the TIFF building to try and meet Tim Burton.
When we arrived, there had to have been hundreds ahead of us in line already. We were told that we had to buy something recent of his in order for him to sign it, so I ran off to the gift shop inside the building while my daughter and hubby held our place in line. The lobby was brilliant. A large Tim Burton back drop... projections on the wall... a massive blow up of Toxic Boy floating by the signing table... it looked magical.
However, the additional line up inside the lobby was disheartening and I heard from some security folks that he probably wouldn't get to us in the time alotted. Rightly so, my husband suggested that we give up on getting his signature and that we just hang out in the dry, warm lobby to watch his arrival and the other fans gleefully getting whatever it was they brought or bought signed. The perfect vantage point was actually on the second floor, overlooking the signing table and it treats...
When Burton arrived the crowd went wild and my wonderfilled girl began to cry uncontrollably. The lovely woman beside us was really quite taken with her emotion and shared her own stories of hero's and inspirations. My husband began to tell this woman the story of our daughter ambitiously sending off her drawings to Tim Burton a year and half ago and how, oddly, we received his response today. today or all days. She was taken by its coincidence. Another woman beside her heard our family story and jumped into the conversation.... "my name is Leigha and I am in charge of Tim Burton's fan mail. I apologize for our delays, we've been a bit behind lately, but I remember your daugher and her drawings and how special her letter was." We all began to sob with joy. "Tim rarely signs an autograph to someone personally, but I impressed upon him how beautiful your letter truly was and he was more than grateful." Our daughter lost it as she answered... "could you take him these flowers... we've been waiting in line and we don't think we'll be able to get close enough" .... " of course" Leigha said and off she went flowers in hand.
We watched her walk down the stairs, push past security, wait for an anxious fan in line to leave and immediatly brought them to Tim at the table... Photographer and another kind soul, Vivian Ho has sent me the pics, i'll try and post asap.
The long and short of it is, we have always taught our daughter that 'anything is possible'. Take a chance, you never know what could happen. She took a chance and something happened. Sending him her drawings was a dream realized. She did it because he moved her, changed her perspective on life, made her feel part of an imaginative world, his characters are a major part of her life, always will be. He didn't have to send anything to her in return, but they did, and for that, as a mom, i'm grateful. The fact that he got her flowers, that fact that we did end up getting back in line to meet him, made for a perfect day. A memorable day. A magical day.
Thanks Tim, Thanks Leigha, Thank you Vivian and the lovely woman who asked for her story.
nite.
About a year and a half ago, my ten year old daughter sent Tim Burton productions in Hollywood her favorite 'tim burton inspired drawings'. She's been drawing characters from his films ever since she can remember. Well low and behold, yesterday morning, while she was at school, (after a year and a half), a letter finally arrived from his office. Her father and I decided not to open it and pick her up from school with envelope in hand. We knew she would scream with joy and probably cry for whatever was inside.
That afternoon, before heading off to pick her up, we heard that Burton was in town for the opening of the Tim Burton exhibit at the new TIFF building. He would be signing autographs in the lobby from 4:00 until 5:30. It was incredible enough that we had just received something from his office and that he was in town, to add this moment to Jaidens day was too hard to resist.
So, 3:20 arrived and with opened envelope in hand (it ended up being a personalized autograph picture from Tim Burton with a mention of how much he enjoyed her drawings), some flowers from my store and a screaming, completely out of control ten year old, we headed off in the rain, to the TIFF building to try and meet Tim Burton.
When we arrived, there had to have been hundreds ahead of us in line already. We were told that we had to buy something recent of his in order for him to sign it, so I ran off to the gift shop inside the building while my daughter and hubby held our place in line. The lobby was brilliant. A large Tim Burton back drop... projections on the wall... a massive blow up of Toxic Boy floating by the signing table... it looked magical.
However, the additional line up inside the lobby was disheartening and I heard from some security folks that he probably wouldn't get to us in the time alotted. Rightly so, my husband suggested that we give up on getting his signature and that we just hang out in the dry, warm lobby to watch his arrival and the other fans gleefully getting whatever it was they brought or bought signed. The perfect vantage point was actually on the second floor, overlooking the signing table and it treats...
When Burton arrived the crowd went wild and my wonderfilled girl began to cry uncontrollably. The lovely woman beside us was really quite taken with her emotion and shared her own stories of hero's and inspirations. My husband began to tell this woman the story of our daughter ambitiously sending off her drawings to Tim Burton a year and half ago and how, oddly, we received his response today. today or all days. She was taken by its coincidence. Another woman beside her heard our family story and jumped into the conversation.... "my name is Leigha and I am in charge of Tim Burton's fan mail. I apologize for our delays, we've been a bit behind lately, but I remember your daugher and her drawings and how special her letter was." We all began to sob with joy. "Tim rarely signs an autograph to someone personally, but I impressed upon him how beautiful your letter truly was and he was more than grateful." Our daughter lost it as she answered... "could you take him these flowers... we've been waiting in line and we don't think we'll be able to get close enough" .... " of course" Leigha said and off she went flowers in hand.
We watched her walk down the stairs, push past security, wait for an anxious fan in line to leave and immediatly brought them to Tim at the table... Photographer and another kind soul, Vivian Ho has sent me the pics, i'll try and post asap.
The long and short of it is, we have always taught our daughter that 'anything is possible'. Take a chance, you never know what could happen. She took a chance and something happened. Sending him her drawings was a dream realized. She did it because he moved her, changed her perspective on life, made her feel part of an imaginative world, his characters are a major part of her life, always will be. He didn't have to send anything to her in return, but they did, and for that, as a mom, i'm grateful. The fact that he got her flowers, that fact that we did end up getting back in line to meet him, made for a perfect day. A memorable day. A magical day.
Thanks Tim, Thanks Leigha, Thank you Vivian and the lovely woman who asked for her story.
nite.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Radio....
Behind the curtain, revealed.
I've heard you for years.
Listened, really listened.
I thought we were the only ones in love with the sound of your own voice.
I waited for each story to resolve, bought whatever you coveted as my own prize, oozed at your passion and associations and moments with the giants of your world.
But today, the curtain opened and just a man cleared his worn throat. just a man.
Shit, i hate having heroes.
d.
I've heard you for years.
Listened, really listened.
I thought we were the only ones in love with the sound of your own voice.
I waited for each story to resolve, bought whatever you coveted as my own prize, oozed at your passion and associations and moments with the giants of your world.
But today, the curtain opened and just a man cleared his worn throat. just a man.
Shit, i hate having heroes.
d.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I live that song!
Hey you, you old broadcasting coot! I see you snarling at me through that fake smile. You're wondering why I'M here at all. You don't think I deserve to walk through the same door as you, play the same tunes and speak about these players as if they belong to me.
25 years in this broadcasting business and never has anyone lacked such courtesy. I guess I've been pretty lucky so far, that is until YOU! Even as a young woman in the presence of the Betty Kennedy's, Carl Banas's and Alan Slaights of this world, I always felt welcomed. In their case, they chose to be mentors. With words of encoragement and advice. You just look scared. And I'm sorry for that.
Music is a gift that's meant to be shared by those who love it, not protected or limited by its generation.
25 years in this broadcasting business and never has anyone lacked such courtesy. I guess I've been pretty lucky so far, that is until YOU! Even as a young woman in the presence of the Betty Kennedy's, Carl Banas's and Alan Slaights of this world, I always felt welcomed. In their case, they chose to be mentors. With words of encoragement and advice. You just look scared. And I'm sorry for that.
Music is a gift that's meant to be shared by those who love it, not protected or limited by its generation.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Danielwell.com
the lovely alejandro has been helping me with creating a new danielwell.com. my hope is to build a home studio relatively soon and do some late nite podcasts.. just for fun.
i'll let ya know when the project is ready.
d.
i'll let ya know when the project is ready.
d.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Laid my mom to rest under a big old tree today.
climb above it all...
Happy Birthday Yellow girl...
oh how i miss you. today, your wish will be fulfilled. you'll be flying with the trees.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
oh how i have ignored you....
been busy with jaidenspetals.blogspot.com...
more radio stories coming soon... just thought of a good one about Hedley Jones.. oh Hedley,
I promise its not....
more radio stories coming soon... just thought of a good one about Hedley Jones.. oh Hedley,
I promise its not....
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
age..
i noticed you today.
i watched you, watching you in the mirror.
nice. your smile. it doesn't matter that it hides the things we know.
i can't see it all the time. i remember the character rather than what's there most of the time.
but, if you think about, for long enough, it will end.
i watched you, watching you in the mirror.
nice. your smile. it doesn't matter that it hides the things we know.
i can't see it all the time. i remember the character rather than what's there most of the time.
but, if you think about, for long enough, it will end.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
jazz is....
jazz is a conversation. not only within the musician but between the souls who have placed their heart in the notes or words.
jazz lies within ones' DNA. its partner, the player that places the notes out there in the air to hear.
jazz is rooted. no one can walk into its future without visiting its past.
jazz is the underground. it rarely fills your bank, but almost always fills a raptured soul.
jazz is ? .... (insert your words here....)
jazz lies within ones' DNA. its partner, the player that places the notes out there in the air to hear.
jazz is rooted. no one can walk into its future without visiting its past.
jazz is the underground. it rarely fills your bank, but almost always fills a raptured soul.
jazz is ? .... (insert your words here....)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
ok, enough family stuff. you want to hear about my escapades in radio....
One thing that never fails to make me smile is the jazzfm listener and his or her enthusiasm for having found this jazz oasis. i have received email from not only around the corner in parkdale, but around the world in the most unexpected places.
i hope joe doesn't mind, but i would like to share one email with you...
'Morning, Dani,
Just emailing to say hello from Tramore in Ireland - I enjoy Jazz fm Toronto on an almost daily basis. It's 1303h here and 9 degrees C. Just back from the fish-market with a gargantuan turbot...to look forward to, later on!
Good wishes for 2010.
Joe
a second email followed....
Good afternoon, Dani,
Imagine my surprise...there I was in the kitchen, preparing a desultory Sunday lunch...when I hear you reading my email. We gathered around to listen to you speak of Tramore, and thank you for the mention...and the music.
Serendipity brought me to Jazz fm Toronto. When I lived in London (UK, not Ont.), I used to listen to Jazz fm there. And with radio here so laden with depressing recession stuff, I googled Jazz fm one day and - as well as the London one - I saw the Toronto option.
"Hey", I say to myself. "I'll give that a whirl", and since then I am an almost daily listener. [I'm a sucker anyway for those mellifluous Canadian accents]
You can see more about Tramore on the town website www.tramoretown.ie<http://www.
Do keep in touch, and may good health attend your 2010 also.
Joe
PS The turbot was delicious
To me, this is magic. Of course I checked out Joe's beautiful world immediately on-line and then tried to imagine him, with his seaside life, what was i'm certain, a very delicious fish and jazz floating thru his day.
If i ever get to Ireland, I'm definetly dropping by...
i hope joe doesn't mind, but i would like to share one email with you...
'Morning, Dani,
Just emailing to say hello from Tramore in Ireland - I enjoy Jazz fm Toronto on an almost daily basis. It's 1303h here and 9 degrees C. Just back from the fish-market with a gargantuan turbot...to look forward to, later on!
Good wishes for 2010.
Joe
a second email followed....
Good afternoon, Dani,
Imagine my surprise...there I was in the kitchen, preparing a desultory Sunday lunch...when I hear you reading my email. We gathered around to listen to you speak of Tramore, and thank you for the mention...and the music.
Serendipity brought me to Jazz fm Toronto. When I lived in London (UK, not Ont.), I used to listen to Jazz fm there. And with radio here so laden with depressing recession stuff, I googled Jazz fm one day and - as well as the London one - I saw the Toronto option.
"Hey", I say to myself. "I'll give that a whirl", and since then I am an almost daily listener. [I'm a sucker anyway for those mellifluous Canadian accents]
You can see more about Tramore on the town website www.tramoretown.ie<http://www.
Do keep in touch, and may good health attend your 2010 also.
Joe
PS The turbot was delicious
To me, this is magic. Of course I checked out Joe's beautiful world immediately on-line and then tried to imagine him, with his seaside life, what was i'm certain, a very delicious fish and jazz floating thru his day.
If i ever get to Ireland, I'm definetly dropping by...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
what about you...
gabriel over collins
richards over jagger
lennon over mcartney
rotten over vicious
branford over wynton
noel over liam....
richards over jagger
lennon over mcartney
rotten over vicious
branford over wynton
noel over liam....
Saturday, January 16, 2010
a quiet love letter to my stefano.
its been very quiet lately. on the street, in the air, in my mind and on the blog. and thats good.
however tomorrow is my husbands 50th birthday. this, obvioulsy, cannot go unnoticed.
not that i'm planning some crazy party with tons of friends (he'd die of embarrassment, this is one
private man), noisemakers, great cheese, the best dark rich wines available and some nine inch nails in the air. no, this is the kind of soul that would prefer a quiet nite with my daughter and I, roasting marshmallows at our shack by the beach.
next month, we will have been together for 23 years. he pretty much moved in the day after i met him.
One couldn't have thrown two more completely different souls together. everyday, i find myself wondering how did this happen. we were raised vastly different. our perspectives on life often conflict. But, somehow... some magical way, it works. to be truthful, after 23 years now, we're very much alike.
he has the patience of a saint. his arms are loving and comfortable. he makes me laugh all the time.
i can still tell him anything. his concept of family is deep and respectful. he's my man.
and i love him. inside. he's in my blood, he's in my heart, he is part of my soul.
happy 50th birthday stefano, may the next 50 be even more wonderfilled than the last.
d.
however tomorrow is my husbands 50th birthday. this, obvioulsy, cannot go unnoticed.
not that i'm planning some crazy party with tons of friends (he'd die of embarrassment, this is one
private man), noisemakers, great cheese, the best dark rich wines available and some nine inch nails in the air. no, this is the kind of soul that would prefer a quiet nite with my daughter and I, roasting marshmallows at our shack by the beach.
next month, we will have been together for 23 years. he pretty much moved in the day after i met him.
One couldn't have thrown two more completely different souls together. everyday, i find myself wondering how did this happen. we were raised vastly different. our perspectives on life often conflict. But, somehow... some magical way, it works. to be truthful, after 23 years now, we're very much alike.
he has the patience of a saint. his arms are loving and comfortable. he makes me laugh all the time.
i can still tell him anything. his concept of family is deep and respectful. he's my man.
and i love him. inside. he's in my blood, he's in my heart, he is part of my soul.
happy 50th birthday stefano, may the next 50 be even more wonderfilled than the last.
d.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
question...
since i started this at the end of november, you have visited. sometimes once, sometimes once a day.
tell me, who are you? why do you come here? what is it that you'd like me to tell you?
forever, curious.
tell me, who are you? why do you come here? what is it that you'd like me to tell you?
forever, curious.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
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