Deb’s House Concerts

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10 posts in the last 23 days.

Remember “Lean In For A Kiss” is still available free on eFolkMusic.

Click here to get the music

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Check out Nathan Pacheco!

He’s going to be a worldwide sensation.

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Rock On, Robin Roberts April 22, 2008

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The Country Bunny Crossed the River Jordan and Came Back With Essential Salts From the Dead Sea April 22, 2008

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Talent, Violin, Juilliard, Paranoia, Rage, Trumpet, Untreated Mental Illness … the story was on NPR’s Fresh Air today April 22, 2008

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Day of Silence April 25, 2008 - Watch Larry King’s Public Service Announcement April 24, 2008

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Top Three Today - Posts, Searches, Most Active April 24, 2008

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Gay PDA on 20/20 … compares public reactions to pda by straights and gays (man-woman, man-man, woman-woman) April 28, 2008

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More Must-See Videos: Stroke/Jill Bolte Taylor, Civil Rights/Dare Not Walk Alone, Self Portraits/Elephant Artisans, Documentary/Story of Stuff, Ellen/”This is personal to me.” May 3, 2008

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And to think I thought that when I moved to North Carolina I would miss the constant wind in Oklahoma. May 9, 2008

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Nathan Pacheco: The Man With the Beautiful Voice Writes and Performs With Yanni May 9, 2008

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Minstrel Boy’s Great Blue Heron May 11, 2008

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See this Great Blue Heron over at Minstrel Boy’s place.

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Last night I turned on the computer, hoping for a quick read of email and web pages, and I could not get a good connection. “Server could Not Be Found” was all I could find. I wondered if the problem was somehow related to an overhead fan, imagining some electrical distubance might be interrupting the internet access.

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After turning off the fan, I turned my attention to the electrical and rain storm outside, and I wondered if that could be interrupting the service. The sounds of thunder, flashes of light, and beating of rain on my roof and awnings were compelling. It was the kind of storm that’s great for watching and sleeping. But, I just wanted to check my mail first. It didn’t happen.

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About 1030pm, the lights went out. Within moments, they were back on again. Then, off and on again. Then, off. Not having prepared for a power outage, I was pretty much out of luck in the light department (other than the light from my cell phone and non-internetted battery-fueled computer). I closed them both, and opened the curtains in order to enjoy the rest of the storm.

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I had thought I was wide awake, and would just lie there for hours in the dark. But, I was wrong. After a few moments of watching the flashing sky and listening to the falling rain, I was asleep. When the power returned and the lights came on about 230am, I woke up briefly. At 430am, I awoke again, closed the curtains and tried the internet again. And, here I am. (Yes, I have a little insomnia problem tonight.)

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In the process of logging into email, I saw this news story title:

“Tornado blows vehicles off highway in N. Carolina, kills 1- By JAY REEVES, Associated Press Writer“

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I read the story and was quickly reminded that I don’t have to miss all that wind in Oklahoma. We have plenty of it right here.

A tornado touched down late Thursday on the outskirts of Greensboro, N.C., blowing three tractor-trailers off Interstate 40, authorities said. One person was killed and two were injured in the freeway accidents, and a third was hurt when a wall collapsed.

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Two businesses and one house were damaged in Guilford County, said state Department of Crime Control and Public Safety spokeswoman Patty McQuillan. Two houses collapsed in Clemmons, probably because of high winds, and more than 32,000 were without power, officials said.

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[UPDATE: More on this story, posted 9:30am May 9, 2008
Tornado knocks vehicles around in N. Carolina, kills 1]

[UPDATE: 00:45 May 12, 2008 A family member told me that trees beside I-40 were snapped in half for a distance of about 1/2 mile near the GSO airport. The local newspapers showed photos of damage, including an airplane that was blown onto its side, with one wing tip touching the tarmac.]

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Talks Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight

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Dare Not Walk Alone

“The civil rights story they don’t show in school”

…We’ve all seen the text-book version of the civil rights struggle, the stock news footage of people marching behind Dr. King singing songs of freedom. But what about the price those marchers paid, the beatings and the backlash their community suffered? Black children arrested for attending a white church; black youths attacked in broad daylight for stepping onto on a ‘white’ beach; white students cattle-prodded by police for supporting the cause of racial equality: this is our history America, this is Dare Not Walk Alone.

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Starving Elephant Artisans

Can your elephant paint? Watch this elephant, rescued from abusive treatment in Burma, now paint an amazing self portrait. You’ll be amazed at how his talent unfolds.

So touched by their horrific backgrounds and loving personalities, ExoticWorldGifts.com now supports, “Starving Elephant Artisans” by selling their paintings so they can continue to have a new life in Thailand.

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What is the Story of Stuff?

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

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A Tragedy That Should Never Have Happened

Ellen talked about 15-year-old Larry King who was murdered by a classmate for being gay. If you would like to volunteer your services to help gay and lesbian kids who are being harassed and bullied or if you are having difficulties because of your sexual orientation, here are some wonderful services that can help.

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project operates the nations only 24/7 crisis & suicide prevention helpline for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. If you or a friend are feeling lost or alone call The Trevor Helpline. There is hope, there is help. The Trevor Helpline: 866-4-U-TREVOR.

PFLAG -­ Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity.

GLASS - Youth & Family Services
Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services (GLASS) is a private, non-profit 501(c) (3) social service agency dedicated to providing a wide range of social and health care services to children and youth who are in foster care, on probation, or who are homeless. We provide these services in safe, loving, supportive, non-judgmental living environments, while providing full access to all of the educational and vocational opportunities to which these youth are entitled.

GLAAD - Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.

GLSEN - Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
GLSEN, or the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students. Established nationally in 1995, GLSEN envisions a world in which every child learns to respect and accept all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. More than 3,800 Gay-Straight Alliance student clubs nationwide have registered with GLSEN. GLSEN also sponsors the National Day of Silence on April 25, which this year will be held in honor of Lawrence King.

Remembering Lawrence
Vigils in memory of Lawrence King, calling for an end to violence and harassment directed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in schools, are being organized in communities across the country. This website lists future and past vigils across the country and allows organizers to register vigils in their area. The more events we organize, the louder our collective voice. Please help make sure that what happened to Lawrence never happens again.

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I meant to watch this.

I’m glad someone snagged it and posted it on YouTube.

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Watch this.

Larry King PSA for Day of Silence

Now, send it on to everyone you know.

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Day of Silence Posts:

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Robin Roberts removed her wig on Good Morning America. She played a song by India.Arie. that voices her feelings. “I am not my hair. I am not my skin. I am the soul that lies within.”

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Robin Roberts has been appearing in public without her wig in recent weeks, but she had not been appearing on Good Morning America without it. Now she has chosen to remove the wig permanently.

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Thank you, Robin, for sharing your experience with cancer and for inspiring those who know you, watch you and love you.

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Tubing … okay, okay, YouTube-ing … April 5, 2008

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What Sort of Life Will This Child Have? April 8, 2008

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The Day of Silence Will Soon Be Here - April 25, 2008 April 11, 2008

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Day of Silence - April 25, 2008 April 11, 2008

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For the Procrastinators in the Room … April 15th is Right Around the Corner April 12, 2008

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Hate Crimes and “Special Rights” April 13, 2008

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A Heartfelt Letter, Beautiful Flowers and A Song April 16, 2008

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My Friend Will Be Walking in the AIDS Walk in Charlotte, N.C. Saturday, May 3, 2008 Please Visit His Page and Donate April 17, 2008

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So Sorry Sally Sullied $$$ Opportunities for Oklahoma City Oklahoma April 17, 2008

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Dear Sally Kern,

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I just finished reading this post (and comments) over at Pam’s House Blend: Sally Kern’s bigotry is sinking Oklahoma’s economic ship. Please step back and think about the damage you are doing to the state of Oklahoma.

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Our entire country is experiencing economic problems. Oklahoma is experiencing economic problems, too. If Fortune 500 companies choose NOT to relocate to Oklahoma after hearing about your very-public comments (and the standing ovation you received from your partners in law-making), then you and your colleagues have contributed to the continued economic troubles experienced by the people who elected you to represent them and make their lives better.

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Please try to see Oklahoma through the eyes of people who see it through your words and attitudes. And, please try to see the very real need the people of Oklahoma have for jobs and food and shelter. (These are very basic needs we all have.) And then, please look at how your representation of the state may very well be causing economic harm to the people who chose you to represent them.

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Please think of your constituents, and all the people of Oklahoma, and recognize that your view of the definition of sin is not what pays for food and shelter for your constituents. But, your loud and frequent pronouncements of your definition of sin may be what takes away the possibility of new jobs in Oklahoma.

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You don’t have to stop believing what you believe. But, please stop saying it so loudly that you drive away companies that could help the people you were elected to serve.

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The Journal Record - “OKC Chamber: Kern spooks big biz relocation consultant”

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For Anyone Who Cares (In Case You’re Curious)

The WordPress.com stats for this site are as follows:

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Deb’s House Concerts

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How is it a “special right” to have your murder listed as a hate crime when the people who murdered you did so because they did not like who they thought you were? I have a problem with the anti-gay groups who say it is a special right for lgbt persons to be legally protected (by hate crimes legislation).

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Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin wrote about a gay man who lived in a small town. He was brutally murdered by three men, yet his death did not show up in the hate crime statistics. The circumstances of his murder indicate that he was murdered because he was gay.

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Jim said this murder was one hate crime that fell through the cracks in the reporting system. This is not breaking news. It happened two years ago. But, I believe it is still relevant. You can read the story and, for a moment, honor the memory of yet another good person who was brutally murdered by people who thought he did not deserve to live simply because he was gay.

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The Hate Crimes Act of 1990 requires the FBI to compile and release an annual summary of hate crimes in the United States… Unfortunately, the law doesn’t require local law enforcement agencies to participate in the reporting program, nor is there any funding to offset the costs of collecting and reporting the data.

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To those who use the equation “homosexuality = sin + perversion + wickedness + abomination to God (plus more of these words)”, try to imagine that the person being brutally attacked is your much loved child, your much loved sibling, your much loved parent, your much loved friend or teacher or neighbor or minister. That’s who you are diminishing with your words. That’s who you are refusing to protect when someone uses your verbal attacks as motivation and justification for physical violence.

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Experts have noted that hate crimes based on sexual orientation are often more brutal than the typical assult. Gay bashings … are often characterized by “overkill”, indicating a higher level of emotional reaction on the part of the attacker. This is one distinction which makes hate-motivated crimes different from ordinary crimes, and it partly explains why thirty-one states have hate crime laws which cover sexual orientation.

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Read about Daniel Fetty. As you imagine what happened to him, imagine the same attack happening to someone you love. Is this what you want for your loved ones who happen to be gay or lesbian or bisexual or transgendered? There is a good reason to include sexual orientation in hate crimes legislation. Accurate reporting of hate crimes based on perceived sexual orientation or gender expression would help show that basic protections and equal rights under the law are not “special rights”.

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My middle name should have started with ‘P’ for all the procrastinating I have done in my life. I’m still not over it, I still read articles like this one. If you have the same affliction, happy reading. The links to the individual selections are below. The full article is here.

Twelve Tax-Time Tips for Procrastinators

• File for an extension
• Pay what you think you owe
• Get copies of missing documents
• Set aside time to do it right
• Take baby steps
• Use a checklist
• Get professional help
• Go high-tech
• Ask a friend
• File electronically
• Plan to do better next year
• Strategies to avoid

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