The Story Behind The Song: Natural Light

Composed, arranged, performed & produced by Teduardo; drums and mix by Chuck Alkazian.

This series delves into the origins of my muse, and is in answer to your queries as to where to find my music - if you like what you hear, or simply want to support an independent artist (thank YOU!), please download and enjoy!

For February I'm selecting a song written in the grip of winter, February 1999.  Professionally, I was in limbo; I'd left off the band circuit the year before, somewhat burnt out from a steady 10 years on stage and in studio.  I was working at my alma mater, but hadn't yet made the leap into full audio immersion that would come the next year with the creation of a home studio.  Natural Light was one of the first songs produced in the flurry of creativity that followed in 2000.  For me, the song evokes late February, the listlessness of the dark months and desperate hope for spring, taking whatever sunlight I could straight on the chin in hopes that the literal light would drive away the figurative darkness, of winter, of limbo, of life.  Special thanks go to Chuck Alkazian of Pearl Sound Studios who played drums on and mixed the song.

2011 Reads

I love to read, and get through a book a week on average.  As a general rule, I prefer to read fiction, and listen to non-fiction in audiobook format when available.  In 2011 I allowed myself to do something I rarely do; that is, re-read books I've already read.  Generally, there are so many books I want to read that I feel guilty "going back."  However, it had been about eight years since I was introduced to Neal Stephenson's masterful Cryptonomicon, and after rereading it, I just had to reread his "Baroque Cycle."  I can honestly say that I enjoyed all four books even more this time around.  These rereads (and their historical settings) led me back to the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey-Maturin novels, which I've just started again.

A brief note: I'm a member of Shelfari, a social networking site for book lovers; I use it as a place to host books I've read, am reading, or plan to.  You can find overviews, details and reviews of just about any book there, as well as add your own.  So I'll refrain from posting links to each individual book and encourage you to explore my shelf (get it? Shelf + Safari = Shelfari!), and hopefully join, on your own. 

My chronological reading list for this past year (notables in bold, with brief notes):
1. The Street Lawyer, by John Grisham
2. Xenocide, by Orson Scott Card
3. A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule The Future, by Daniel H. Pink (audio)
4. Everyday Immortality, by Deepak Chopra (audio)
5. The Algebraist, by Iain Banks
6. Children of the Mind, by Orson Scott Card
7. Destiny of Souls, by Michael Newton - the followup to Journey of Souls, a thought-provoking book that challenged my conception of the after-life and, ultimately, our purpose for being
8. Black Elk Speaks, by Black Elk & John G. Neihardt
9. Celestine Prophecy, by James Redfield (audio)
10. Surface Detail, by Iain M. Banks - Mr. Banks' Culture Series is a favorite, and this latest novel explores the digital striation of reality into virtual "hells" at the behest of technologically advanced, yet moralistic and corrupt, interstellar civilizations
11. Muse of Fire, by Dan Simmons
12. The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family, by Patrick Lencioni (audio)
13. Diamond Dogs, Turquoise Days, by Alastair Reynolds
14. Rework, by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson
15. When Giants Walked the Earth, by Mick Wall
16. The Starfish and the Spider (audio)
17. The Lost Symbol, by Dan Brown
18. I Don't Want To Talk About It, by Terrence Real
19. Conversations With God: An Uncommon Dialogue, Book 1, by Neale Donald Walsch (audio) - a big, bold statement of spiritual solace when I needed it most
20. Cryptonomicon, by Neal Stephenson (reread) - on my favorites list. This, my introduction to the brilliance of Neal Stephenson, is still his most complete work; all 928 pages of its epic, genre-jumping excitement
21. 50 Success Classics, by Tom Butler-Bowdon (audio)
22. Feeling Good, by David D. Burns, M.D.
23. Life After Loss, by Bob Deits (audio)
24. The Bridge, by Iain Banks
25. Lincoln On Leadership, by Donald T. Phillips (audio)
26. Transition, by Iain M. Banks
27. Protecting the Gift, by Gavin de Becker
28. The Testament, by John Grisham
29. Hope for the Separated, by Gary Chapman (audio)
30. The Runaway Jury, by John Grisham
31. The Gift of Fear, by Gavin de Becker (audio)
32. Ender's Shadow, by Orson Scott Card
33. Way of the Peaceful Warrior - A Book That Changes Lives, by Dan Millman 
34. The Partner, by John Grisham
35. Quicksilver: Book 1, Quicksilver, by Neal Stephenson (reread)
36. Quicksilver: Book 2, King of the Vagabonds, by Neal Stephenson (reread)
37. Quicksilver: Book 3, Odalisque, by Neal Stephenson (reread)
38. The Now Habit, by Neil A. Fiore (audio)
39. The Confusion, Book 4: Bonanza, by Neal Stephenson (reread)
40. The Confusion, Book 5: Juncto, by Neal Stephenson (reread)
41. Ender in Exile, by Orson Scott Card
42. 50 Psychology Classics, by Tom Butler-Bowdon (audio)
43. Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes, by William Bridges (audio)
44. The System of the World, Book 6: Solomon's Gold, by Neal Stephenson (reread)
45. The System of the World, Book 7: Currency, by Neal Stephenson (reread)
46. The System of the World, Book 8: The System of the World, by Neal Stephenson (reread) - for the entire Baroque Cycle: sprawling, sensational, superlative, a masterful tour-de-force of imagination, adventure, and hilarity.  Historical fiction like none other.
47. Darkness Visible: A Memoir of Madness, by William Styron - As one who has battled depression, I include these most eloquently descriptive quotes from the author in their entirety:

"And this results in a striking experience - one which I have called, borrowing military terminology, the situation of the walking wounded.  For in virtually any other serious sickness, a patient who felt similar devastation would be lying flat in bed, possibly sedated and hooked up to the tubes and wires of life-support systems, but at the very least in a posture of repose and in an isolated setting.  His invalidism would be necessary, unquestioned and honorably attained.  However, the sufferer from depression has no such option and therefore finds himself, like a walking casualty of war, thrust into the most intolerable social and family situations.  There he must, despite the anguish devouring his brain, present a face approximating the one that is associated with ordinary events and companionship.  He must try to utter small talk, and be responsive to questions, and knowingly nod and frown and, God help him, even smile.  But it is a fierce trial attempting to speak a few simple words."

"For those who have dwelt in depression's dark wood, and known its inexplicable agony, their return from the abyss is not unlike the ascent of the poet, trudging upward and upward out of hell's black depths and at last emerging into what he saw as "the shining world."  There, whoever has been restored to health has almost always been restored to the capacity for serenity and joy, and this may be indemnity enough for having endured the despair beyond despair.

E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle.

And so we came forth, and once again beheld the stars."

This is a short yet insightful, and very personal, document.
48. The Brethren, by John Grisham
49. Authentic Happiness, by Martin E. P. Seligman (audio)
50. Master and Commander, by Patrick O'Brian (reread) - and so it begins (again)... this first of 21 immersive historical novels set on the sea of the Napoleonic Wars. A great introduction to the series, and the basis, melded with a few of the other novels, for the Russell Crowe film that, thankfully, does the series justice.  If you've ever wanted to dive into the late 18th-century British Navy, start here!

Teduardo's Music Mix 2011

I'm a musician, and as such, a music lover.  Every year since 2000, I've assembled an annual mix of music that's had an effect on me during that year.  My listening tastes diverge somewhat from my own creative output or performance repertoire, and for the most part I prefer listening to electronic, downbeat, cinematic and symphonic styles as opposed to the rock, funk, hip hop, acoustic and soul that I'm generally involved in musically.

So, for your listening enjoyment, here's Teduardo's Music Mix 2011 - if you find something you like, please buy the mp3 or album and support independent artists:
1. Light Through the Veins (9:18) by Jon Hopkins | from the album Insides (2009)
2. Reach the Sky (5:59) by Eddy Meets Yannah | from the album Just Like... (2005)
3. Reach the Sky (Reel People Main Mix) (7:32) by Eddy Meets Yannah | from the album Reach the Sky - EP (2005)
4. Our Secret Garden (4:56) by Sine | from the album Cool Off Chillout, Vol. 2 (Bonus Track Version) (2009)
5. Electrik Lotus (5:30) by Eso Eso | from the album Illuminate (2009)
6. Clowns (4:08) by Goldfrapp | from the album Seventh Tree (2008)
7. Peppergood (3:09) by The Samps | from the album The Samps - EP (2010)
8. FSOSF (5:05) by Bassnectar & Maximillian & Maximillian | from the album Underground Communication (2007)
9. B: Mine (4:49) by Jimpster | from the album Domestic Science (2002)
10. Under Pressure (5:31) by D.Batistatos | from the album Klassik Lounge - Nightflight, Vol. 3 (2009)
11. Symphony No. 3, Op. 36, "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs": II. Lento e largo (8:53) by Henryk Górecki; Yvonne Kenny, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra & Takuo Yuasa
12. taming content (4:00) by transient | from the album green butter ep (2010)
13. Clearing the Past (6:44) by Chris Zippel a.k.a. Genuine | from the album Nu Ambient Grooves (1999)

Art as History, History as Art

A reporter writing a story on what history museums are doing to stay relevant in the current economic climate recently contacted me.  Our discussion spoke directly to the vibrancy of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History as a preeminent historical institution, but also having a wide array of educational and performing art programming that makes it more of a "hybrid" organization, if you will, in reflection of the living tapestry that is African American history and culture and its manifestations in the present.

"The Wright Museum ties black history to other cultural events, including recent performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem, subject of a featured exhibit and the highlight of a September gala that raised more than $400,000 for the museum, spokesman Ted Canaday said.

'You can't just say, "We're a history museum'' and only push the historic aspect,' he said. 'You have to show people how the history impacts people right now, how it impacts the choices they make, and one of the best ways to do that is through the arts.'"

Little did I know this small, upstate New York newspaper’s story would be picked up by the Associated Press and end up in dozens of papers including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal.  Nevertheless, my contention that history's relevance in the present can well be illustrated through the arts was borne out by two incidents this past weekend.  The Wright Museum presented a follow-up performance (to their September 9 Gala appearance) by the Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble at the nearby Detroit School of Arts, which quickly sold out all 750 available tickets.  The performances were stunning, including excerpts from The Joplin Dances, a modern piece entitled Episode, and DTH's famed Return, set to the music of James Brown and Aretha Franklin, which of course brought the house down.  But it was the world premiere of the Christopher Huggins-choreographed In the Mirror of Her Mind, a meditation on a woman haunted by the men from her past, that absolutely floored me.  Admittedly, I’ve never been much of a ballet enthusiast, but am now in awe of how Dance Theatre of Harlem has taken an art form codified in 17th century France and masterfully imbued it with a multicultural context while becoming one of the storied companies of our time.  Having been exposed to its history through the exhibition, Dance Theatre of Harlem: 40 Years of Firsts, and the artistry and discipline so obvious in their performance, has opened my mind and heart to it.  In other words, I've gained an appreciation for the art through its history.

So moved was I by In the Mirror of Her Mind that with some Internet sleuthing I was able to track down the haunting piece of music the ballet was choreographed to; that of contemporary classical composer Henryk Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Opus 36, 2nd Movement (excuse the pretension, but I was a music school geek), which is written around the words a teenage girl etched into the wall of a Gestapo prison cell in World War II.  Listening to (and watching) this performance, filmed at the site of the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp, brought me to tears as I imagined the innocence lost and weight of human suffering that has wracked history since time immemorial.  This was an instance of art transporting me to a particular moment in history, and that history brought harrowingly home through art.  Furthermore, I felt its emotional resonance, something the arts can do with more immediacy than any other medium; so, an awareness of history through art. 

History and the arts are inextricably intertwined, as are our collective stories and experiences as human beings, and to see them as separate is folly, and speaks to dichotomies that exist only in the mind.  A divine piece of music, written by a Polish composer and inspired by the horrors of the Holocaust, then forms the basis of a modern ballet for a distinctly African American-inspired dance company, the subject matter of which is heart-wrenchingly poignant in its portrayal of an individual's recollection of love and loss.  The arts, and the histories they explore and represent, have that crucial ability to transcend boundaries of race, gender, and even time, and in the same token, unite us in the universality of human experience.  Truly, the richness of that experience is a deep and luxurious quilt whose threads cannot easily be separated.

In Search of a Design Maven

Could this be you or someone you know? If so, please send 'em my way:
 
Digital Media Designer
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Communications Department

You're a design maven and can bend Photoshop and Illustrator to your will as if physical extensions of your being.  You are all things digital - Adobe, Google, Flash, Final Cut - and though perhaps not an expert on each, you are willing to dive deep when a project demands it, and in fact welcome an excuse to explore.  Your online portfolio establishes your experience and credibility instantly with professional yet cutting-edge creative work.  You're social - Facebook and Twitter may even seem passé, but you're nevertheless totally connected and have more "friends" than you know what to do with.  Though highly visual, you can wax eloquent with the written word and understand the power of language.  You're excited by the prospect of contributing your creative energies and expertise in the service of humanity and non-profit work.  You're entranced by the arts, museums and cultural institutions.  You're awed by history.  The idea of working at the world's largest museum of African American History ennobles you.

Well here's your chance!

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is looking for a talented, multi-faceted, experienced and intensely creative individual to become our Digital Media Designer. This full-time position reports to the Director of Marketing & Communications and helps conceive, create and produce high quality, rhythmic and consistent branding, PR and marketing materials to promote the museum, its exhibitions, events and services for dissemination across a variety of channels including print, web, email and social media.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Conceive creative concepts for marketing materials with a strategic understanding of brand and communications goals, and minimal direction
• Produce design concepts for print and online materials, and incorporate art direction feedback in revising design materials
• Produce completed, detail-oriented design deliverables for print and online needs
• Prepare email blasts and perform website updates and graphic refinements to online properties

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
• Bachelors Degree or equivalent experience in graphic design, advertising, or related field
• 3 - 5 years of demonstrated graphic design experience in a professional capacity
• Broad-based understanding of communications fundamentals, and an unwavering eye for detail
• Deep knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite products
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office products
• Strong knowledge of web design fundamentals; working knowledge of CMS platforms, especially Joomla, a plus
• Knowledge of and some ability with Adobe Flash, Final Cut, AfterEffects or equivalent video and animation software
• Must be actively engaged on online social networks
• Must be Web 2.0 savvy
• Must have a strong interest in online and mobile media technologies
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Effective project management skills
• Ability to multi-task
• Must be able to work independently
• Be highly motivated and energetic
• Willing to work hard, but able to work smart
• Ability to interact professionally with clients, and have good judgment.

PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The position involves minimal physical exertion, except when assisting in the production of a special event or promotion.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Primarily work in the office and outside of the office via meetings.

Applicants should email cover letter, resume, and links to online portfolio and social media profiles (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) to ted@chwmuseum.org.

Black History Month Museum Marketing Musings

February is Black History Month, and a good time to draw attention to the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the world's largest museum of its kind.  Indeed, this is traditionally our busiest month of the year, and one of heightened attention to our mission, programming and overall awareness.

With that focus, and the direction of our new Director of Education, Malika Pryor, the museum is featuring some stellar event programming over the next few weeks, including poetry performances by 5-time Night at the Apollo champion jessica Care moore and world-renowned poets Dr. Haki Madhubuti and Sonia Sanchez, a blues tribute concert with Detroit's own Thornetta Davis and Memphis' Queen of Beale Street Ms. Ruby Wilson, and what will surely be a spectacular African drumming and dance celebration with the Washington, D.C.-based performing arts company Farafina Kan.  We've also rolled out a custom Facebook app thanks to our good friends at Taza Interactive, and been steadily optimizing our online presence and building momentum with regular rich-media content creation and curation.

Being tasked with marketing for a major cultural institution is a fascinating endeavor.  One the one hand, not a day goes by that I don't receive unsolicited advice about what, where and how we should be marketed (or to be specific, advertised - usually questioning why we're not spending money we don't have on advertising, whether on someone's favorite television or radio stations, or why we should be by the relentless sales reps themselves). On the other, during times of naturally heightened awareness about black history (MLK Day, Black History Month, Kwanzaa), the attention and media coverage come easily, and so does the praise about what a great job the communications department is doing!  Of course, we stay abreast of the latest research and best practices as they relate to marketing overall, but a lot of what we do is based upon common sense and the tried-and-true: making sure our communications are of high quality, regular rhythm and relentless consistency.  And so we keep the machine running: the comprehensive annual reports, the quarterly membership newsletters, the monthly eZines, the weekly email updates, the daily social media posts, and the continuous flow of press releases, blog articles, community calendar and website event updates.  Though we'd like to take special credit for those times of heightened interest, all we can really accept kudos for is keeping the engine churning so that when the public or media look our way, they find everything they need with ease.

The proof is in the earned media: during the past few weeks alone we've been on television, radio and print media dozens of times, not only because of the steady stream of information we put out, but also by being available when the media calls.  Inevitably, the unsolicited advice and criticism will return during our slower times when arts, culture and history aren't as prevalent in the media's mind.  But for now, we'll take the praise!

2010 Reads

Having reached the end of 2010, I'd like to reflect on the books I've read, nay, experienced, this past year - since those best books give so much more than just a "good read."  I love to read, and get through a book a week on average.  As a general rule, I prefer to read fiction and listen to non-fiction in audiobook format when available.  In 2010 I came across several books that were life-changing and/or landed on my favorites list: a great personal year for literature, if you will.

A brief note: I'm a member of Shelfari, a social networking site for book lovers; I use it as a place to host books I've read, am reading, or plan to.  You can find overviews, details and reviews of just about any book there, as well as add your own.  So I'll refrain from posting links to each individual book and encourage you to explore my shelf (get it? Shelf + Safari = Shelfari!), and hopefully join, on your own. 

My chronological reading list for this past year (notables in bold, with brief notes):
1. The Shadow of the Torturer, by Gene Wolfe
2. 50 Spiritual Classics, by Tom Butler-Bowdon (audio) - I just loved the format: 10 minute overviews of spiritual classics which gave just enough insight to encourage deeper reading into the originals themselves
3. 50 Self Help Classics, Tom Butler-Bowdon (audio)
4. Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu (audio)
5. Anathem, by Neal Stephenson - one of my favorite authors, I still think Stephenson's "Cryptonomicon" was his best work.  "Anathem" is another of his 900-page wonders, and though at times long and grinding (like most of Stephenson's books), the ideas and concepts presented are fascinating, novel and thought-provoking (again, like most of Stephenson's books)
6. Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill (audio) - I don't think I'll ever get over the narrator's voice and his pronunciation of "riches"
7. Autobiography of Malcolm X, by Alex Haley
8. The Power of Intention, by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer (abridged audio)
9. A Deepness in the Sky, by Vernor Vinge - one of the most sweeping, exhilarating, disturbing, and grandiose science fiction spectacles I've been absorbed into yet.  The character development, dramatic arc, and exploration of good, evil and alien is immense, intense and amazing to behold.  Breathtaking in its scope.
10. The Miracle of Mindfulness, Thich Nhat Hanh, Mai Vo-Dinh
11. The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle (audio) - this book changed my life
12. The Power of Myth, by Joseph Campbell (audio) - an absolute treat to hear from this great professor and scholar of myth
13. Rainbows End, by Vernor Vinge
14. Good to Great and the Social Sectors, by Jim Collins
15. A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle (audio)
16. Journey of Souls - Case Studies of Life Between Lives, by Michael Newton - made me reexamine my beliefs about death, reincarnation and our ultimate purpose in life
17. The Wealthy Barber: Everyone's Commonsense Guide to Becoming Financially Independent, by David Chilton - remarkable not for its at-times strained storyline and dialogue, but the absolutely practical advice contained within.  Had I read this years ago I could've avoided many financial pitfalls along the way.  My children will read and learn from this book.
18. The Rainmaker, by John Grisham
19. The Art of Happiness, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama (audio)
20. Claw of the Conciliator, by Gene Wolfe
21. Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - Informal Talks on Zen Meditation and Practice, by Shunryu Suzuki and Trudy Dixon
22. Excession, by Iain M. Banks
23. The Seat of the Soul, by Gary Zukav (audio)
24. The Wheel of Time - Shamans of Ancient Mexico, Their Thoughts About Life, Death and the Universe, by Carlos Castaneda
25. Abundant Peace, by John Stevens
26. Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (abridged audio)
27. Inversions, by Iain M. Banks - Mr. Banks and his Culture novels have become a serial fave of mine, with their space-operatic exploration of the intersections between an advanced, utopian civilization and those less developed.  "The Player of Games" is still my favorite, but "Inversions" comes close by exploring this dynamic from the inside out
28. The Golden Ocean, by Patrick O'Brian
29. How to Know God, by Deepak Chopra (abridged audio)
30. The Eastern Way, by Joseph Campbell (audio) - for those of us who wished we could've been in Mr. Campbell's classes, audio recordings of them are the next best thing
31. Look to Windward, by Iain M. Banks
32. Lord of Light, by Roger Zelazny
33. Becoming Enlightened, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama (audio)
34. Practicing the Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle (audio)
35. Creating True Peace - Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World, by Thich Nhat Hanh (abridged audio)
36. Galileo's Dream, by Kim Stanley Robinson
37. Training the Mind, by His Holiness the Dalai Lama (audio)
38. Sword of the Lictor, by Gene Wolfe
39. A View from the Wolf's Eye, by Carolyn C. Peterson - an intimate and loving portrait of a better part of a lifetime spent on or in the service of Isle Royale National Park, and a spiritual and familial counterpoint to her husband's long-running wolf-moose predator-prey research
40. Citadel of the Autarch, by Gene Wolfe
41. Magical Mind, Magical Body, by Deepak Chopra (audio)
42. The Sabbath - Its Meaning for Modern Man, by Abraham J. Heschel
43. The Power of Kabbalah: The Art of Spiritual Transformation - How to Remove Chaos and Find True Fulfillment, by Michael Moskowitz (audio)
44. Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card - What an incredible book.  A truly amazing work of fiction, all from the viewpoint of a small child.  Thanks for the recommendation Mandy!
45. Patterns in the Sky, by Julius D. W. Staal
46. Inbound Marketing: Get Found Using Google, Social Media, and Blogs (audio), by Dharmesh Shah and Brian Halligan - a great overview of the new marketing environment and practical tips for transitioning into
47. Sundiver, by David Brin
48. Matter, by Iain M. Banks
49. Speaker for the Dead, by Orson Scott Card - the sequel to "Ender's Game," and an even more amazing book.  This was immediately added to my Favorites List because of its depth of emotion, humanity and character development
50. The King of Torts, by John Grisham
51. The State of the Art, by Iain M. Banks
52. V for Vendetta, by Alan Moore & David Lloyd (graphic novel)
53. Book of Secrets, by Deepak Chopra (abridged audio)
54. Charlie Sanders' Tales from the Detroit Lions, by Charlie Sanders with Larry Paladino
55. Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius - deeply moving and profound.  Even though I read this over the course of several months and two separate wilderness sojourns, it still feels I did myself a disservice by trying to read it cover to cover.  This is one to take in just a page or a paragraph at a time, and dwell upon; as meditations.

Reading this list makes me want to go back and reread several of these!  But alas (or thankfully!), there are so many more wonderful books to explore.  Onwards to 2011!

Teduardo's Music Mix 2010

I'm a musician, and as such, a music lover.  Every year since 2000, I've assembled an annual mix of music that's had an effect on me during that year; often they are pieces that aren't of that year, that's just when I discovered them.  My listening tastes diverge somewhat from my own creative output or performance repertoire, and for the most part I prefer listening to electronic, downbeat, cinematic and symphonic styles as opposed to the rock, funk, hip hop, acoustic and soul that I'm generally involved in musically.

A movie that really hit me this year was Inception, and I purchased the soundtrack, something I do very rarely (other notables include Shaft, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, The Harder They Come, Blade Runner, Purple Rain, and Garage: A Rock Saga). I've included what I call the "Inception Suite," a series of pieces from the soundtrack that capture the play of emotion, perception and consciousness that the movie evoked.

So, for your listening enjoyment, here's Teduardo's Music Mix 2010 - if you do find something you like, please be sure buy the mp3 or album and support independent artists:
1. Antifreeze Overdose (Original Mix) (2:17) by Aerotek | from the EP Azul Impacto (2010)
2. Bleed (7:18) by Shiloh | from the album Bleed (2006)
3. roll call (4:13) by Pablo | from the album Fenetik - the Sounds of Music (Vol 2) (2002)
4. Low Sun (6:57) by Chicane | from the album Behind the Sun (2000)
5. Truth Is / Alt's Camera (5:16) by Chris Zippel | from the album Genuine Horizon (2007)
6. Is There Knowledge Left (4:39) by Jeff Bennett's Lounge Experience | from the album Ancient Keys (2005)
7. Half Remembered Dream (1:12) by Hans Zimmer | from the soundtrack to Inception (2010)
8. Dream Is Collapsing (2:24) by Hans Zimmer | from the soundtrack to Inception (2010)
9. Old Souls (7:44) by Hans Zimmer | from the soundtrack to Inception (2010)
10. Dream Within A Dream (5:04) by Hans Zimmer | from the soundtrack to Inception (2010)
11. Time (4:36) by Hans Zimmer | from the soundtrack to Inception (2010)
12. I Like This (6:25) by Quant
13. The Daydream (4:11) by Tycho |  from The Daydream/The Disconnect (Digital Only) (2007)
14. Make Sense and loose (Ulrich Schnauss Remix) (4:52) by I'm Not a Gun | from the album The Chillout Lounge Vol.4 - More Downtempo Grooves for Late Night Lounging (2010)
15. Gravity (5:09) by Lusine | from the album A Certain Distance (Bonus Track Version) (2009)

Nine Months

It's my pleasure to belatedly announce the launch of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History's new website, the centerpiece of a revitalized marketing and communications platform that's the result of the past 9 months' effort.  Created entirely in-house, the site features a vastly improved visual design and layout; two sets of navigational tools and a site-wide search feature; exhibition, event and news information available right from the homepage; an integrated social network; and a "floating footer" containing the most crucial information (hours, admission prices, contact and social icons) that's always present, not matter where one is on the site.

Nine months, the time of human gestation, the length between my joining the museum's staff and the launch of our new website.  The serendipity's made more apparent when paralleled with another intensely creative and cultural period in my life: Black Bottom Collective's first residency at the fabled (but now, sadly, closed) Fifth Avenue in Royal Oak, November 2002 - August 2003, which resulted in stellar performances; drawn-out jams on hip-hop, soul & rock; and a set of material that would form the basis for our second, award-winning album, People Mover. 

Creative tangent aside, the larger accomplishment has been threefold: to raise the quality of the museum's marketing to reflect its stature as the world's largest museum of African American history; to introduce steady communication rhythms on an annual, quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily basis; and to hit these rhythms with relentless consistency.

We couldn't have accomplished these goals without the team that made them possible, including Edd Snyder, former executive director of corporate communications for General Motors, who came out of retirement to lead our department, and Keith Hearn, a new media aficionado with several years of experience at the museum.  It has been a privilege working with them, both from whom I learned much over the past 9 months.

Most recently, in the past few weeks we've been mentioned in both The New York Times and The Washington Post, and on July 5 Juanita Moore, the museum's president & CEO, participated in a roundtable discussion on National Public Radio.  National exposure is wonderful, and always hoped for from a PR perspective, but I'm actually more excited about the foundational online work we've completed.  And now, I'd like to engage in a bit of jujitsu on this desperate economic climate and use this time to rebrand and launch the museum's first long-term institutional awareness campaign.  Dollars may be tight and marketing budgets small, but our vision must be anything but.

The Transit Less Traveled

This may be blasphemous coming from a dweller of the (metropolitan) Motor City, but when my car lease ran out at the end of April, I'd been mulling over whether I needed a car at all.  Before you think it was all high-minded environmental idealism, I have to admit the catalyst for leading my thinking away from automotive dependency was primarily financial – as the sole provider for my family, I just couldn’t justify two car payments – especially when an alternative means of transportation started two blocks from my home, and ended two blocks from my place of employment: the Smart bus!

“Bussing it” – like I used to, back in elementary school, has become a 2 – 3 day/week reality for me, a thirty-something marketing professional traveling to and from Detroit.  I catch the 420 (“4:20, brah!”) each day to the Cultural Center.  I won’t say it’s the most comfortable form of transportation, but it has its advantages: 1) financial: I’m saving hundreds of dollars a month with one less car payment, plus the roller coaster pricing of gas; 2) environmental: these diesel behemoths are running anyway, so at least I’m removing a car from the carbon matrix; 3) intangible: there’s something communal about riding the bus.  Maybe it’s the idea that in utilizing mass transit, I’m doing my small part towards making it relevant in this region.  Maybe it’s the ability to let my mind roam, to get some work done, even to meditate during the ride, as opposed to having to concentrate on the drive.  Maybe it’s the rare honor of giving up my seat for a lady when the need arises.

As for the downside, well… it easily takes twice as long to get anywhere than it does by car.  Certain busses don’t seem to come equipped with shocks, and there are days when the energy level onboard can easily bring one down.  The schedules are limited, and I have short windows of time within which I have to plan my travel each day.  But c’mon – there are folks that take 2 or 3 busses each way to work or school, to visit friends or support their families, to even be able to travel outside of their immediate neighborhood – so I'm definitely not complaining.  And though I’ve waited in the wind and rain, I’ve yet to endure a winter taking the bus.  I’m not even sure I will.  But for now, I’m fine bussing it.