Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

Kristian Dambrino’s history reads like a script for a CW or even ABCFamily drama; girl competes in pageants, can’t handle the pressure and struggles with alcoholism; succumbs to image discrepancies (who she is v/s who everyone else wants her to be), etc.  I naively expected her to have a weak voice at best and an album full of auto tune and Britney Spears’s reject songs.  This debut, however, is anything but weak, and there’s nothing about this record that screams cutting room floor leftovers.

Dam Brino has a rich voice and a beautiful tone.  I loved that her lower register is just as luxurious as her higher notes, and the absolute best quality about her singing is that it is all so unexpected.  It’s not just that her immense talent is shocking; it’s the fact that she is so very different.  The narrow scope of a CW writer couldn’t have dreamed her genre up; she doesn’t fit into any one of them, and she’s least of all a cheap cliché.  Sometimes, she has something old fashioned about her, whimsical and romantic like in “Kissing In October” and “Good Night White Knight” and other times she is closer to mainstream like in “Leave the Light On” and “One Foot Out the Door.” The other songs on the album are anything in between, but there is nothing to pigeon hole here.

The self-titled debut begins with “Good Night White Knight” which features whistling and the line “You had me at goodbye.”  Wanting to develop an image that told her story, Dam Brino “wanted to create a character that was a more satirical version of myself…sort of a reincarnated rebel queen who maintains vulnerability and self-effacing humor.”  And in the process, she reveals a depth and strength needed to rebuild and move on.  While “Swallow the Key” explores the fact that she doesn’t feel at all lovable and even reachable, she has discovered by the last song, “One Foot Out the Door” that there’s victory in leaving what otherwise would destroy her.  Whether she realizes it or not, she’s telling all that will listen that it is herself that will make the decisions to save her and that there is no reliance on someone else to do it for her.

Favorite lyrics were found in “Original Face” (everything that she sings) and “Kissing In October.”  Questioning a relationship that ends as the leaves fall from the trees, she sings, “Do I have a great future behind me/Or is the past still present with me?”  Absolute favorite song was “One Foot Out the Door.”  The entire song is so honest and beautiful, but the chorus captures a realization that determines a future, “I can’t stand here/With one foot out the door/And the other in sinking sand.”

There’s a lot to love here.  The only gimmick used is her voice, which is flawless.  And while there’s a little bit of a character drawn up here, it is her own creation, with her rules…or the lack thereof.  And while some of it might be a joke to poke fun at herself, I believe the old proverb that many a truth is said in jest.  Dam Brino reveals what she wants to about who she is, and I admire her strength.

Dam Brino will be available for purchase on March 30.  Please visit www.dambrionmusic.com for more information.

It used to be that the art of picture taking was something only hobbyists and professionals worried about, but today most cell phones and smartphones have built-in cameras that border on the quality of the top cameras of only a few years ago.

So, basically, everyone has gotten into the act. Judy Holmes and Greg Baer think most people could use a little help. Okay, in some cases, a lot of help.

“Taking good pictures is about so much more than pointing and shooting,” said Holmes, a 20-year veteran professional photographer. She and co-author Greg Baer have just written the friendly, no-nonsense, how-to book That Picture Stinks! (www.thatpicturestinks.com).

“While there are many things that make a bad picture, there are three things that jump to mind: they’re too light or dark, the composition is poor or people don’t use the flash enough,” added co-author Baer. “The results can range from lousy to boring to, well, embarrassing. With just a few basics, people can dramatically improve the quality of their pictures and ensure that they capture memories worth preserving in a manner that’s worth showing.”

Holmes’s and Baer’s tips include:

• Too light or too dark – Too many people see the program mode or auto mode on the camera and think, “That’s for me!”  It isn’t.  The auto mode should be the last mode anyone thinks of using.  If you want that beautiful sunrise or sunset to be all it shouldn’t be, or that winter wonderland to look more like nuclear fallout, by all means use the auto function!  Otherwise, learn where to point the camera to “fool” it and give you the perfect exposure. Hint: Want the sunset deep and dark? Baer says point at the lightest area. Want the snow nice and bright? Point at the darkest area.

• Photo by Godzilla – Sometimes people take bad pictures of their kids, and they know the shots are bad, but they can’t put their finger on why they’re bad. The primary reason kids’ photos turn out bad is that, as grown-ups, we usually take pictures of our kids from the angle of looking down on them. After all, they’re small and we’re tall. As a result, we create all kinds of shadows, awkward poses and perspective issues that make it look like Godzilla is towering over them, grabbing a shot of them with our iPhone for a Facebook page.  If you want to take consistently better pictures of your kids, get down. Really, get down on the floor and take pictures head-on from their level. You’ll get more of them in the shot, their eyes won’t be squinting from looking up at you into the sun, and the perspective will show a normally proportioned child (instead of this tiny creature with a huge head, skinny arms and feet that poke out from under their pants). Do the same with your pet pictures for an “Ahh” reaction instead of the normal “Ugh” one.

• A little more light please – Adding a flash to outdoor photographs, especially with people in them, is one of the quickest ways to look like a genius.  Taking pictures in the bright sun can cause horrible dark shadows on your subject or worse, make them squint so they go blind.  Turning the flash on instead of “auto flash” will help in these situations.  It can help to lighten the shadows and balance the picture and if you move your subjects into a more shady area, using the flash will light up their faces.  If you think that’s cool, just wait until you show off that picture.  Then you’ll really see their faces light up!

“There are a lot more ways people can improve the quality of their photography, just by tapping on a few icons on their point and shoot,” Holmes added. “However, if they can follow these three basic rules, they’ll produce a lot fewer stinky pictures!”

About Judy Holmes & Greg Baer

Judy Holmes has been a professional outdoor photographer for 20 years, specializing in capturing nature’s motion and magic, often in extreme weather. Her particular emphasis is on simplicity of style and equipment. That Picture Stinks! is her fourth photography book.

Greg Baer has been a professional photographer for over 15 years. He has been published in magazines, calendars and cards. For the last 10 years, he has been running Corporate Cards using his photography to provide a novel way for businesses to communicate.

Pose, The #1 Mobile Style Community,  Launches App for Facebook Timeline, Allowing 800 Million Users To Discover Fashion & Express Their Style With Friends

Pose is launching a new app that style lovers can add to their Facebook Timeline, making it easier than ever to discover style and experience it with friends. The Pose mobile app (available for iOS and Android) enables people from all over the world to visually communicate an expression of personal style through what they’re wearing and through the looks that they discover on the Pose platform, and bring it all to their Timeline.

Sharing fashion and style is an inherently social activity. With Pose, people can create personalized style experiences and connect with friends through what they’re wearing, as well as what’s inspiring them on a daily basis. Pose allows anyone, anywhere in the world, to share authentic images of their personal style and fashion discoveries, which creates rich visual content that is a compelling addition to one’s Timeline.

Pose’s Timeline app enables people to discover and engage with new styles by allowing them to explore the details of looks from around the world.  With Pose’s outfit tagging system, photos are tagged with multiple category and brand details, allowing people to interact with dynamic content and increasing opportunities for brand discovery.

“Pose is the best way to share what you are wearing and to discover style across mobile and social platforms. We are excited to have Facebook recognize conversations about style as a large part of people’s social experience. Our integration with Facebook Timeline today takes this to the next level,” said Pose’s CEO, Dustin Rosen.

Visit [https://apps.facebook.com/pose-app/] to get started and add Pose to your Timeline today.
Visit [http://ge.tt/9yrr9RC] for hi-res Pose Timeline app assets.

Pose is a mobile platform for real-time discovery and sharing of fashion, beauty, make-up and hair. Pose’s mission is to create a global, social platform for self expression, where users share and discover style and interact with their favorite brands in a meaningful way. Pose is funded by GRP Partners, True Ventures, Mousse Partners and Founder Collective. Pose is available as a free download on iPhone and Android. Pose is headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif. For more information, visit http://pose.com/.

Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.

• Two nominees from each of the more than 1,100 Kohl’s stores nationwide will win a $50 Kohl’s gift card.
• More than 200 of the store winners will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward post-secondary education.
• Ten national winners will be awarded a total of $10,000 in scholarships for post-secondary education and Kohl’s will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on each national winner’s behalf.

Written by Mary Beth Hills

Ever have those nights where you have tons of homework you have to do, but you just can’t stay awake or can’t focus? How are you supposed to get anything done when you’re feeling so sluggish? Instead of drinking espresso shots or other caffeinated beverages, reach for one of these super foods to boost memory, strengthen your brain, and improve focus.

Eggs: Eggs used to have a bad reputation, but nutritionists are changing their minds. Eggs are an inexpensive food chock full of protein (around 6 grams per egg). They also contain 12 vitamins and minerals, including choline, which stimulates brain development and aids your memory.

Nuts: If you prefer something salty and crunchy, forget the chips. Instead, choose your favorite kind of nut. Nuts are full of omega-3 and omega-6 acids, vitamin B6, and vitamin E. Like eggs, they’re a great source of protein. Studies have proven eating nuts improves mood and fuels your brain.

Tea: A zero calorie beverage, sans caffeine, that boosts brainpower? It sounds too good to be true. Green tea is full of catechines, which keeps you focused enough to power through a study session. It helps to refocus your brain, improve memory, and prevent mental weariness.

Spinach: If you’re having trouble concentrating, it may be in part due to low iron. Low iron can cause thinking processes in your brain to slow down and not-so-great concentration. Iron makes sure your brain has enough oxygen to function properly. Beans, red meat, and fortified cereals are also excellent sources of iron.

Berries: Sweet and small, berries pack a big antioxidant punch into a little package. They are full of water and fiber, which stabilizes your blood sugar and keeps you full so you can focus. Blueberries have the most antioxidants while strawberries contain fisetin, a flavenoid that strengthens memory.

Eat up!

Sources:
http://www.onlineuniversityrankings.com/2007/08/20-foods-that-w.html
http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/10-everyday-super-foods?page=2

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

photo by Corey Hayes

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Simon’s album since I asked him a few questions in November.  While I may have been inspired by his thorough answers that told me this isn’t a fly-by-night pop singer who just wants to enjoy fifteen minutes of fame, it really was the strength of the lead track, “Liberate Your Love,” that had the name Simon Spire within easy reach at the back of my mind.  I wanted his music right where it belongs:  easily accessible on my iTunes list.

“Liberate Your Love” is ear candy that is enjoyed from the very first listen.  And while the pop hook makes it evolve into the ear worm that you can’t dislodge no matter how hard you try, the lyrics aren’t fluff that you’d be embarrassed to sing out loud.  While it may be easier to live a life in the shadows, that’s far from how we are intended to live. The right thing and the easy thing are hardly ever the same thing.  While I would normally highlight my favorite lyrics, I’ll refrain this time, because I’d be writing them all out.  Plus, it’s the music and Simon’s voice that sells this so well.

The rest of the tracks weren’t a disappointment, either.  “Knocking On an Open Door” appears twice on the five song EP, but I didn’t get tired of hearing it.  It’s another one of those songs that it is difficult to hear enough of, and the message is universal.  We’re all looking for something.  We all have that longing.
“No Solid Ground” and “The Blue Pill” are the two slower tempo songs, both introspective and searching.  “No Solid Ground” begins with lyrics hinting at a desire for stability, but as the song progresses, it transforms into a song about being comfortable with who you are.  “Even with all I want to be I might just end up me.”
“The Blue Pill,” with its childlike piano notes sprinkled throughout, makes this song about honesty interesting to examine from different perspectives.  Realizing that the truth sometimes hurts, Simon comes to the conclusion “And one day you will finally see/That you don’t really want to be free/So much nicer instead to be happy/So why bother?”  That, in fact, would be the biggest lie of all.  Even if this song contains the heavier lyrics, and a sad heart that comes with knowing that while people say they want the truth, they don’t always mean it, there is also a feeling of doubt.  He’s lying to himself and he doesn’t seem to like it enough to want to continue to believe it.  If he did, after all, it would be completely straying from the person he’s looking for in “No Solid Ground.”  Truth is a bitter pill indeed.  But lies are even harder to swallow.
With his heart on his sleeve, thoughtful and creative lyrics, and enough originality to stand out in the world of mainstream pop, Simon’s No Solid Ground has enough substance to hold onto.  While the energy and the positive messages are the most attractive thing about this EP, the thoughtful and relatable lyrics are a sturdy foundation that can maintain a long term career.
Be sure to download from iTunes and visit www.simonspire.com for more information.

Living in Compassion

by Crystal Kelly

There are many opportunities to live out the compassion that Christ calls us to. We must never forget that we are also recipients of this very compassion. Compassion is defined as a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Is this not a beautiful picture? Is this not the very thing we needed Christ to do for us as we were steeped in the blindness of sin where pain and despair ruled our lives? In answering these questions to ourselves should we not look out and see where we could exercise this kind of compassion in our world.

We do not always have to go looking to help in another country, although this is a good thing. There are many opportunities for compassion right in the arena of “your own backyard”. Compassion is an act that has lasting effects. It touches not only the person you have exercised it upon but it touches you in a way that you would never be able to imagine. Compassion can be displayed by reaching out to the new student, by being a friend to the one who has none, by counting yourself among the unpopular in the name of treating everyone equally.

As individuals we all have opportunities to leave lasting marks in the hearts and lives of those we encounter. We must choose if we will be the ones to float quietly along the way or the ones who will stand up and make the mark of compassion a trend to not only be admired but copied as well. You are a generation with the ability to make changes, to make impacts. You do not have to wait until you are a certain age, you can start now. You are the trendsetters. Live your life in a way where the actions of Christ are apart of your very fiber.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

According to their face book biography, Garden Window was created with two purposes.  The first was to merge all their influences which include, but are not limited to, Blonde Redhead, Sigur Ros, and Radiohead.  Their other goal was to reflect on who they are as people and let what surfaces describe who they are and what they believe in.

Regarding the first purpose, O’Brother succeeds victoriously at making a record that escapes the walls of genres.  Sometimes writhing with anger like Metallica, sometimes ambient and illusive like Sigur Ros, and sometimes simply satisfying rock, they excel at being unique.  I don’t even begin to understand how they make this work.  But it does.  And while they strive to be the “loudest band ever,” don’t be fooled.  This isn’t a mess of noise thrown together.  It is anything but.

As for their influences defining who they are and what they believe in…this is not so easily explained or understood.  The album begins with “Malum” where they demand, “How great is my debt that my penance should be endless?”  The very question saddened me, the perspective that life is nothing but trials and tribulations and can be considered nothing more than a “penance.”  They respond to their own asking with the repeated vow, “Lo, my eager eyes will behold the truth.”  The song then softens somewhat into a more upbeat “Lo,” the mood transitioning from one of wrath to one that is a little more eager, as if they are searching with more urgency rather than with so much despair.

That search and the questions they have for God are never far from their focus.  “Lay Down,” appearing almost halfway through the album, has the chorus that repeats, “So abba, father, are you sleeping/As we toil through your gardens keeping/I’ll lay down and begin to grow/Right beneath your garden window.”  Coupled with the music and the vocals, this is a band that doesn’t question God’s existence.  They question His abandonment.

In the last song, aptly titled “Last Breath,” they have yet to come to any real conclusions.  They label G.O.D. as an acronym-giver of damnation and then demand to know why He has even bothered with human existence.  As a Christian, it hurt to hear this, for obvious reasons.  And often times, it felt personal.  When they finish the song with the lyrics, “You are the only thing I hope is real in a dark world,” all I felt was confused.  While they acknowledge that sin is rampantly running amok, their picture of God for the entire album is this entity who has become despondent and isolated.  If O’Brother’s real vision of God is something they hope they will see in the end, they’ll open their eyes to a different perspective.  He is alive and around us, and while sin is out of control, He is the light to the believers that makes it all worth it.

This, really, is my opinion and my perception of an album that is very wide open to interpretation.  And, I accept a questioning, even doubting reflection every now and again.  But, as my thoughts wondered, the music encouraging my own exploration of what I think and believe as this album is so much more than their philosophy forced down the listener’s throat, I often felt defensive and even angered.  Not by their vision, but by their overall conclusion.

He is not sleeping.  We are.

If the music alone was being evaluated and recommended, I would say O’Brother’s Garden Window is one of the most creative albums that I’ve heard in awhile.  The lyrics, however, and the darkness of what they believe, shed very little light on what I believe.  In essence, it only weighed me down.

Written by Ellen Marie Hawkins

As a teacher at my church, I was asked recently where I find love.  What makes me feel lovable?  Who do I feel lovable with?

When I think of the word love, I hear John Mark McMillan in the back of my mind, discussing what he was going through when he wrote the song, “How He Loves.”  He brings up the fact that we often misuse the word love.  We apply it to everything from how we feel about cheeseburgers to God’s love.  That’s such a huge expanse for a little word.  It’s made me more conscious of how often I say it and to who or what I apply it.  I enjoy my car, but I don’t love it.  I like chocolate.  But I don’t love it.

People, however, are worthy of love.  It’s funny, though, how difficult it can be to love others when we’re relying on only our version of them.  And even how we feel about ourselves can be askew and off kilter.

There have been many times in my life when I didn’t feel lovable at all.  I was an obese child while growing up.  Not chubby.  Not a little overweight.  But fat.  And the kids around me didn’t let me forget it.  The girls didn’t want to be my friend because being fat has never been cool, and the boys mercilessly said what was on their mind.  I lost track of how many times I was asked what time I had gotten up the previous night to raid the refrigerator.  And the memory that stands out in my mind is being compared to the Statue of Liberty.  I’ll never forget the time in class when we were discussing our national landmark, and someone asked how much she weighs.  Someone was kind enough to remark in a whisper loud enough for me to hear, “I’ll bet she doesn’t weigh nearly as much as Ellen.”

My parents loved me.  God certainly does.  But I never looked in the mirror as a child and thought to myself, “I love me. I am worthy of something.”  In fact, there have been times in my life when I believed that God died for everyone except for me.  I could apply the word to how I felt about a television show, but I didn’t know how to apply it to myself.  And every time I didn’t do well at something, I figured that those kids had it all right about me.  I was a loser.

But as loud as those taunts and jeers were, as much as they became the voices in my head, I had another constant in my life that spoke just as loudly.  The Bible.  Between the cover are a million promises to me that contradict everything that those bullies ever said.  On a bad day, those voices still win.  But only because I allow them to.  For those days when I’m open, His word changes my perspective.

My favorite verse of all time is Jeremiah 29:11-13. (“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.  They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days, when you pray, I will listen.  You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.”)  God has a purpose for me.  He has a reason for me to get up each day.  Some mornings it’s a mystery to me what that plan may be, but in opening up to the possibilities that He has rather than closing myself down with insecurity, I find hope.

God’s love is transforming.  I read that He loves me enough that I eventually came to believe it.  And if I could accept that truth and apply it to myself, I discovered that I love others just as effortlessly.  It goes beyond my comprehension or my wealth of understanding, but I truly feel alive when I am kneeling before a troubled child who doesn’t yet grasp the concept of God’s Love.  It is a blessing beyond measure to look her in the eye and tell her she is loved more than she can possibly imagine.  And know, in my heart without a shadow of a doubt, that it is true.

His love is all inclusive.  He loves.  Every. Single. One. Of. Us.  Even if you don’t feel loved, that doesn’t mar or change the truth.  He died for you.  He gave you life for a reason.

He is Jealous for me.
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me.

-John Mark McMillan-“How He Loves”

Written by Mary Beth Hills

Tour guides love to talk about their school, especially to prospective students and families. When you just begin college visits, you may think, “I don’t know what I want to know, so I’m just going to listen to what my tour guide has to say.” There are some things you should know but your tour guide may not think to share. Here is a list of ten questions to ask on your next campus visit:

Why did you choose this school? Students are proud of their colleges, and they love to share why they chose their particular school over others. They may have had trouble deciding between a large and a small school or struggled with moving away from home. Their reasons for choosing a college may help you make your decision.

What has been your favorite class and why? Get excited for all the fun classes college has to offer! This question will reveal popular classes and excellent teachers.

How many kids were in your biggest class? Intro classes and general education classes are notoriously large. Class size makes a huge difference in how well you learn, but colleges rarely advertise the size of the largest class they offer. Get the scoop from a real student.

How many kids were in your smallest class? Sometimes small classes aren’t all that small. This is a great indicator of how much individual attention you’ll receive at a school.

What’s the longest walk? Instead of asking how many acres your campus is, ask for something a little more practical. At a smaller school, the longest walk cross-campus may be 15 minutes. At a larger school, it may take 15 minutes to run from one building to another between classes. This is also a good time to ask if students ride bikes, drive, or take the bus.

What kinds of scholarships are available? Some schools are great about giving out scholarship money, and some offer next to none. Your tour guide may not know how many students receive financial aid and/or scholarships, but she’ll know if the college is generous with scholarships or not.

Are there opportunities for new students to work on campus? On-campus jobs are a great place for freshman to make money because they typically don’t require a car and they are very flexible with your class schedule. Ask your tour guide where and when you should look for on campus job opportunities.

Is it possible to graduate in four years? More and more liberal arts colleges are requiring students to take a number of general education classes, like freshman writing classes and courses from different disciplines. Your tour guide may not know an exact statistic, but she’ll be able to clue you in to how many of her friends are on track to graduate in four years.

What on-campus activities are you involved in? Chances are, your tour guide was hired to give tours because she is widely involved on campus. Ask her about the activities she is involved in and you’ll get a good idea of activities the college offers.

Do most students stay on campus on weekends? School is only part of the equation when it comes to college. You’ll want to know if there will be things to do on campus or nearby when you’re not in class. Sure, class and homework is important but it’s important to get to know the surrounding area as well.