Sandro Russo - Liszt’s Consolation no. 3 - performed on Liszt's 1862 Bechstein Piano

Play it again Sandro...

My chum, Sandro Russo, not so much tickles the ivories, more of a beautiful caress. :+>
Sandro sent me an email sharing two excerpts from a DVD he recently recorded on the historical 1862 Bechstein Piano which belonged to Franz Liszt. I in turn, wish to share it with you.
Visit Sandro's site and pleasure your ears:Sandro Russo

Events Speaker Terry Neason Communication Video

Events Speaker, Communication Coach, Humorist and Diva... a winning combination

Terry Neason & Karen Dunbar - Calum's Cabin 2008

Benefit Show on The Isle of Bute for Calum's Cabin

12 year old Rothesay boy, Calum Speirs lost his fight for life little more than a year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Brave Calum, a first year pupil at Rothesay Academy, died peacefully at home in Mountstuart Road on Friday 16th February 2007. The funeral service, much of it arranged by Calum himself, was held at the former High Kirk on Wednesday 21st February 2007. Calum was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour only a few days after the first symptoms were noticed last January- but he’s left his family with a host of happy memories from the 13 months since then. In the 13 months, Calum was an inspiration to all who knew and met him. Calum always laughed and smiled, and his priority was always to think of others.

Calums Cabin
Calum and his family had decided that they would like to keep helping others by having a Holiday Cabin in Calum’s name to allow other families who are dealing with a child with cancer to have a wonderful holiday on the Isle of Bute. Details of the proposed Cabin can be found on the Calums Cabin page

Funny Health & Safety video of Bricklayer Story told by Terry Neason

Bricklayer's Story...Hilarious Health and Safety tale

This bonkers story has been around since the 1950s. It's based on the old Gerard Hoffnung tale of an unfortunate bricklayer, who suffers from an attack of really 'bad planning'...he reports his incredible amount of injuries and places a claim, to Health and Safety, who come back with " You're having a laugh mate! ...explain!" so he does.

I first heard it read by Clive James, when I was entertaining at an Awards Ceremony. and I laughed till I wept! Seemed the only thing to do, was to pinch it....so I did and now I can say " I DID IT MY WAY"

Social Networking in Plain English VIDEO

Social Networking Success

Networking is a good way, to build relationships, socially as well as in business. Getting to know people, helps to build mutual rapport and trust...and with trust, comes friendship and with friendship, the possibilities are endless.

My pleasures are simple...and because this is so...I have many. These folks being one, as they really make me think and smile. This is what they had to say about this video.

"We made this video for people who wonder why social networking sites are so popular. We think one reason is because they help to solve a real world problem.
www.commoncraft.com/show

Deepak Chopra Video - Gratitude

This is a Heavenly moment on Earth...

I am excited at the prospect of reading Deepak Chopra's book, Quantum Healing...At the risk of sounding like an old hippy, I have to be honest and inform you, that I was seriously uplifted by this video. I do hope you share the sentiment. Enjoy.

Terry Neason - Nerves? Stress? Fight or Flight in Presentations BRING IT ON!

We need a little Nerves and Stress in life and business...BRING IT ON!

The next time someone makes the promise to eradicate your nerves, for when you are delivering a Speech or Presentation, think again!...We thrive on short bursts of stress and our mind and body benefits from the hormones which are released. It's even said to be good for the immune system.



A little Stress now and again does you good...so learn to control it...here's what I do when I'm nervous before I go on stage...

Controlled Breathing: Sitting or standing; make sure you keep your shoulders down and your arms relaxed by your side; Inhale through the nose over 3 seconds, then hold for 3 seconds and then exhale slowly through the mouth/ repeat 5 times then breath normally.
This oxygenates the blood and keeps you alert , yet calm. ahhhhhhh!

General info available online:
The human body responds to stressors by activating the nervous system and specific hormones. The hypothalamus signals the adrenal glands to produce more of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol and release them into the bloodstream. These hormones speed up heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and metabolism. Blood vessels open wider to let more blood flow to large muscle groups, putting our muscles on alert. Pupils dilate to improve vision. The liver releases some of its stored glucose to increase the body's energy. And sweat is produced to cool the body. All of these physical changes prepare a person to react quickly and effectively to handle the pressure of the moment.

Terry Neason - Active Listening whilst Networking

Don't yak! yak! yak!...Listen and Learn
plus a brilliant poem by Steve Kaye

Terry Neason - Career change after 25 years? I did

CAREER CHANGE

I realise that when we get to a certain stage in our lives, it can seem like an uphill struggle, changing the habits of a lifetime. But I never fancied being a GOW (grumpy old woman) as I'm sure none of you gentlemen out there, fancy being a GOM.

I changed career after 25 years. The roar of the grease-paint and the smell of the crowd ceased to turn me on anymore. Because I was unhappy in my work, I would be unhappy in my home,,,and full circle again, I would be unhappy in my work and so it went on.
The obvious choice was to change career and hold onto my core values...so I did!

Ok, I know I was in a lucky position of not having kids or dependents, so I could afford to walk close to the edge, but the thought was still scary. I couldn't eat my furniture, so I had to think of a new earner.
People and communication being my passion, I started my own communication coaching business, TLC Powertalk and the rest is...the future!
Friends, fans and relatives thought I was being a foolish meanie, not singing anymore. The hate mail started arriving ha! ha!...So now that I have a positive mind-set, I perform now and again, which is good for the soul, as well as my inbox...I post music videos...so everyone's happy...but most importantly...I AM HAPPY!!!

My advice...if you can persuade the family and friends to support you, don't be bogged down emotionally and frozen with fear, at the thought of change. You are and will always be, your own best asset. Change after 25 years??? You can bet your sweet butt-cheeks DO IT!

Here's a small video rant:
Publicity pics from previous shows, are by my good friend :Alan Crumlish

Terry Neason Edutainment - Funny song+stand-up about too much booze at the office party

Did you drink too much booze at the office party? and after throwing up over the boss, I think you can forget the promotion.

This is a clip from the conference Edutainment...Walk Your Talk. It has a great song and funny poem about the joys of 'selective memory'.




Arrangement: Brian Prentice
My Body and Me:by Mick Hanley
Office Party: Alison Chisholm

Terry Neason of TLC Powertalk is on a mission to rid the business world of Death by PowerPoint

Let's get passionate about the effective basics of communication...when life was simple and synergy was a shampoo...and there was life before Death by Powerpoint.
If you have any forthcoming presentations or business pitches, then it might be an idea to visit my 1-2-1 Influential Communication Skills page at: www.tlcpowertalk.com/one-to-one

Forgive this business rant on my fun blog but, wow! it feels great to admit to not being a fan of PowerPoint...and I don't care who knows it!...obviously, this will not come as a great surprise to my business clients.
Effective communication skills are a must for your next presentation.
FORGET THE PINGER POWER, or at least remember, less is more!

Star Quality...Top Ten Tips

Stop the crowd turning ugly

1. Always remember…Preparation is the key.

2. Refrain from drinking caffeine related liquid, as this only speeds up the nervous process and can cause the mind to race, as well as the heart.

3. Refrain from consuming dairy produce as this affects the mucous glands, and can cause you to constantly clear your throat.

4. Drink plenty of water and always have plenty on stand by.

5. Go somewhere private and warm up your voice and facial muscles.

6. Breathe deeply, evenly, and slowly for several minutes, as this not only oxygenates the blood, to keep you alert, but also helps you keep calm.

7. Go to a mirror and check out how you look, as you only have 5 seconds to make a first impression and only 90 to blow their socks off.

8. Make a positive entrance with good upright posture, as that shows confidence.

9. Make good eye contact.


10. Make them laugh, think and sigh…and you will make them listen!

Proclaimers Scotland's Story performed by Terry Neason LIVE

Scotland's Story performed by Terry Neason- LIVE in Concert

The Proclaimers are one of my favourite bands and it was my pleasure to perform this song. Brian Prentice, as always, did a fab track. This song reminds us Scots of why we should welcome the cultural diversity of our nation. After all, it's the wealth of nationalities that makes up Scotland, which enables us to impact on the World Stage...OK! quick! someone get me down off this soap-box!

Chasing Cars sung LIVE by Terry Neason-art video

Chasing Cars performed LIVE by Terry Neason

Brian Prentice did a great arrangement of this for me. We based our version on the Natasha Bedingfield cover. It's a song for lovers... slow and vibey. This is another song from our show... Secret Smiles and Love Songs.
I recorded all my own vocal harmonies and emailed the MP3s to Brian, who then bounced them onto the piano track...we felt it gave the song a different feel as well as loads of passion...ooooer! Also decided to make an art video for this one...I've alot to learn, but I'm getting there. :+>...Hope you enjoy the tune!

Terry Neason sings Whole of The Moon LIVE

A LIVE one for 2007...Whole of The Moon...and climate change.

I do hope you had fabulous fun-filled frolics over the festive season. I enjoyed happy times and headed to the land of my birth, Scotland...it was a pity about the New Year parties being shelved, because of the weather, but hey! that's El Nino for you... El Nino causes climactic havoc every 7 years apparently...plus a wee bit of Global Warming thrown in..oh! and let's not forget, we also have the affects of La Nina to contend with.
El Niño is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific.
La Niña is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific.

I'm rambling, so here's the amazing classic by Mike Scott, The Whole of the Moon...oh! and speaking of which, the moon also has an affect on things...DOH!...THE SONG.

Please check out Mike Scott and The Waterboys at : http://www.mikescottwaterboys.com/

Organic Food

Simply Organic...is simply the best!

I've been a Pescetarian now for over 20years......no! I'm not practicing some quaint ye-olde-Scottish religion; it means that I'm a fish eater. In certain households, it's easier to be known as a vegetarian, but that's usually for the benefit of friends who are not known for their cooking skills...simpler all round...I mean after all...you can't go far wrong with salad, pasta, rice or beans...hmm! or can you?..don't worry, I won't be naming & shaming anyone. But now you'll be able to buy these excellent meals and hopefully share them around.

Pure & Pronto Organic Food
Eureka! I'm thrilled to say, I've finally discovered an amazingly tasty range of posh nosh vegetarian TV Dinners that are good for you. They are also cheap as chips, if you pardon the expression. You can even pop them in the micro and the quality is as good as you would get in a great vegetarian restaurant. I'm also proud to announce that it's a Scottish Company run by 2 wonderful women in Edinburgh.

I highly recommend :

Mediterranean Vegetable & Bean Casserole
Mixed Bean Chilli
Moroccan Vegetable Tagine
Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables with Quinoa
Spiced Red Lentils and Vegetables
Thai Vegetable Curry with Green Lentils

Simply Organic was set up in 1998 by Christine Manson and Belinda Mitchell (Christine is on the left).

Check them out!!!
Simply Organic

Star Quality Public Speaking & Presentation...Top 10 Tips

Star Quality...Top Ten Tips

Stop the crowd turning ugly

1. Always remember…Preparation is the key.

2. Refrain from drinking caffeine related liquid, as this only speeds up the nervous process and can cause the mind to race, as well as the heart.

3. Refrain from consuming dairy produce as this affects the mucous glands, and can cause you to constantly clear your throat.

4. Drink plenty of water and always have plenty on stand by.

5. Go somewhere private and warm up your voice and facial muscles.

6. Breathe deeply, evenly, and slowly for several minutes, as this not only oxygenates the blood, to keep you alert, but also helps you keep calm.

7. Go to a mirror and check out how you look, as you only have 5 seconds to make a first impression and only 90 to blow their socks off.

8. Make a positive entrance with good upright posture, as that shows confidence.

9. Make good eye contact.


10. Make them laugh, cry and sigh…and you will make them listen!

Why Dogs Hate Hallow'een

In loving memory of Wee One

Let's start with something that's close to my heart...my love of animals. Their needs are so basic and their love unconditional. I'm so glad there are Animal Welfare groups who speak up on their behalf.

I had the pleasure of sharing my life with a little collie/spaniel called Wee One. I named my Theatre Production Company after her, Wee One Productions. She was my best Pal for going on 18 years. Her final resting place is a peaceful hillside overlooking Loch Lomond in Scotland. It's a place I go to enjoy quiet contemplation.

Our family always had dogs and when I was a child, I had a little terrier called Ricki. I'd dress him as a baby and pop him in a pram...he never objected, just sat there, waiting for his chocolate treat...probably thinking to himself...Grrr!...next time I'm coming back as a Wild Bear.

My very good friend Jaspre Bark, sent these pics to me. (Actually I'll introduce you to Jaspre later, he's a brilliant novelist/poet/journalist.) I'm ashamed to say, I did find them very funny, yet with a bitter twist...kind of cruel but compulsive...it's amazing what our little furry friends put up with, just to get a decent meal and a roof over their heads!




NOOOOOO! I can't believe that people would really do this to their best friend...

Oh jings!...I wish these didn't make me smile so loudly.

Och!...they've gone too far...Please never try anything like this at home.

For those who are true animal lovers...remember to make a donation to the RSPCA. Since its humble beginning in 1824 - as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - the RSPCA has worked tirelessly to promote kindness and prevent cruelty to animals.

Amazing Painters, Poets & Puppets

Amazing Painters, Poets & Puppets

PAINTER...Willow Cairn
I'm so pleased my chum, artist Willow Cairn, said I may post some of her paintings...though this virtual vibe doesn't quite capture the magic of her glorious talent.
You may enjoy other paintings of Willow's and discover more about this fabulous lady if you pop over to her Blog

www.wiz1willow.blogspot.com












POET...John Hegley
There are some amazing Poets out there...so just thought I'd name a few for your perusal. I'll probably add to this as I find a wee bit more time...However for now...there's one chap I just love and that's John Hegley, he's absolutely brilliant. I've had the pleasure of being granted the permission to perform some of his stuff in my show.
Check him out at:
www.johnhegley.co.uk


His Audience draw and send him loads of piccies like this cos, he has a special soul...seriously, check him out.



Also please check out the fabulous Elspeth Murray at:
www.elspethmurray.com

Here's the fabulous FLIP-FLOP poem for flip-flop fans

Flip Flotsam

This is the beach
where the flip flops come
at the end of their
flip flop trip.

And where does a
flip flop trip begin?

the floor of a flip flop factory;
on the shelf of a flip flop shop;
or the foot of a flip flop fan?

And what snaps the strap
of each flip flop
that finds its flip flop fate?

a flip too far;
a flop too fast;
or a slip that
flapped it back?

And what does the sea say
when she sees another flip flop fall?

Oh, flip flop and flotsam
fair and foul,
I'll freely float you all!"?

OR ...

Do the waters, wavey and wide
curse each clutch of clutter
that comes on each tide
and storm up the sand
with curses that worsen
at each

beach-tripping
strap-snapping
flip-flopping person?

Elspeth's hubby is an amazing puppeteer and had a HUGE hit show at the Edinburgh Festival this year 2006...Richard Medrington and he can be found at:
www.puppetstate.com

THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES

My music video from youtube

Well here's the video from youtube...though you can embed one of your own, as long as it already exists on the web. Just edit the HTML link into your post.
Handy Tip
Every time you edit your post on here and you have any video embedded, it always re-opens so don't forget to close the embed with a /embed at the end.(adding the < > where appropriate)

A very late night indeed...

I was working on some vocal tracks for a Producer friend of mine and I finally rolled home about 4am...he told me, "that's the best time to post a Youtube video"..."adds to the 'KOOL' factor" he said...och aye these young folks... what are they like!!!...so here I am...looking like a straggly posing twit. (gosh! I hope none of my business clients recognise me from this, or I'll never work again) :+>

Singing one of my own...Sheltered Love...includes a W.B.Yeats poem

World of Soft Toys, Soft Skills, Software

The World of All Things Soft
toys, skills, ware
(Wow!...this is an oldie... I've always had a soft spot for a furry toy...or maybe I was just perched on a teddy at the time.)

Pic by Alan Crumlish

SOFT TOYS spooky stuff
It all began with a photo-shoot...surrounded by toys for a publicity pic and before I knew it, I was hooked...or so many other people led me to believe.

I started with a very small lucky charm in the shape of a mini teddy, then someone spotted it in my dressing room at the theatre and in their infinite wisdom, decided to add to my collection. My boudoir then over-flowed with oodles of little furry folks. The removal of these invaders became more difficult as time went by, as they seemed to develop a life of their own...I went through a period when I believed everything had Karma. (I practiced Buddhism for over 3 years in my 30s)...I suppose I also gave into the soft-toy theory of harping back to childhood...free from responsibility...when all was simple, soft and warm. I'm better now!

SOFT SKILLS Say it as nature intended
Why can we not just hold onto the courage and confidence we were born with?

There have been many quotes over the years about walking and talking...this is a favourite adaptation and I use it often in my coaching work "We spend the first 12 months of our lives, learning how to walk and talk...and the next 12 years being told to sit down and shut up".Is it any wonder, so many of us never recover the sense of our own personal value.

SOFTWARE oh! ware have you gone
Finally...on the software issue...what baffles me is...how can individuals get so much pleasure out of infecting others with a virus???...surely it will most certainly be a case of what goes around comes around (did I mention I was a Buddhist in my 30s?) Goodness knows we get enough hassle from the bloomin' anti-virus companies!!! I downloaded some updates for McAfee recently and my lap-top nearly drowned...I would surf for a site...it would go under...then it would go phishing...then it would come up against a wall of fire...and in the meantime I would shower, make a cuppa, eat a choc and still the end was not in SITE!

Right! that does it...I'm off to see if I can find a decent security system other than McAfee...there's a couple I have in mind, other than Norton.

SecurityShield or ZoneAlarm ...all suggestions are welcome.