Cher is often credited as the first artist to popularize Auto-Tune with her 1998 hit…
Tag: believe
-
Your Weekend Playlist: New Music To Listen To This Friday
When commuting to work, I do a lot of people watching. Call me creepy, but in New York City, there’s not much else you can do besides be hyper-aware of your surroundings. And that includes taking note of the three main different types of commuters.
There’s the insufferable worker: has a classic novel folded as they lean against the subway rails, barely cognizant of the fact that they could be launched onto their neighbor at any moment. Yes, they’re waiting for someone to ask them if they truly enjoy the discourse of the Charles Dickens book they’re toting.
Then there’s the head down, hating-the-world commuter who just needs to get to their destination in one piece. Do not make eye contact, you’ll turn to stone.
…And then there’s me: the off-duty DJ. At any moment, I’m hoping someone stops and asks me what song I’m listening to for their TikTok’s. I’m bobbing my head, there’s a little skip to my step, and I’m rocking out at all times. I like to think of myself as the pedestrian version of Baby Driver.
Music gets me out of bed and helps me hype myself up for work. It’s the background noise as I get ready to go out each weekend. It’s also part of my job. I should have a black card Spotify membership at this point.
So, as we know, I spend the week gathering up all the new music that’s released every Friday and compiling a playlist that is so irresistible you’ll spend the weekend replaying it. If you’re looking for new music, well, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve got another week filled with fresh tracks you won’t wanna miss. Without further ado, let’s get listening!
“Saturn” – SZA
GRAMMY award winner, SZA, is fresh off her SOS album: a thrilling sophomore addition to her no-skips, no-miss collection of music. She’s gearing up to release the deluxe reissue of the album titled, Lana, and “Saturn” is her first submission. It’s your classic, dreamy SZA sound with ethereal beats and longing vocals.Singing about how she doesn’t belong on this planet, how life is better on Saturn – where none of this matters. It’s about the sheer feeling of escapism that overwhelms you from time to time…and it gets us excited for what comes next.
“Planet” – Aidan Bissett
Aidan Bissett has a unique way of combining rock and pop to create an earworm-worthy single. Alongside his EP, Supernova, Bissett releases “Planet” – a song about finding inspiration in the most unlikely places. Written after being ghosted, he touches on real-life experience to produce yet another banger in his already impressive discography.
Begging for someone to “come back down to this earth”, Bissett bursts into the chorus lamenting how he’s wasting his time and unable to understand his partner…so she must be from another planet. It’s a softer edge to Bissett that works just as well as his upbeat songs.
“Proud” – SERGIO
When interviewing SERGIO a while ago, you could tell he was someone who had two things figured out: his sound, and how he wants to stay true to making music he loves. You can see this reflected in his new song, “Proud”, which emphasizes all the hard work he has put in to get to where he is now.
SERGIO’s voice is smooth, clean-cut, and soothing, gently guiding you throughout the song filled with catchy pop sounds and passionate lyrics. “Proud” is a perfect example of how SERGIO can make a song both relatable and unique all in one.
“All I Want” – Simi
Simi is a star in her own right: an actress, a songwriter, a singer, and a performer. She owns her own label, Studio Brat, which is where she’s releasing her next single, “All I Want” – and it’s every bit as fulfilling as the rest. An upbeat, encouraging song that is dedicated to finding love, Simi makes it all feel possible with this new single.
“All I Want” is her follow up to last year’s ballad, “Stranger”, which is an exemplification of her vocal range and songwriting ability. It’s rare to have someone who can do it all, but Simi seemingly does it with ease.
“Believe” – USHER
Fresh off a Super Bowl Halftime performance, USHER has had himself a year. An extended Vegas residency that draws A-list crowds (my roommate sat next to the Kardashian’s table), and now new music as the cherry on top of it all. “Believe” is everything you love about USHER: his traditional R&B sound, littered with vocal runs and sensual sounds.
“Believe” is your reminder that USHER isn’t going anywhere, any time soon. He looks as good as he did when he was performing “Somebody To Love” with Justin Bieber, and he sounds even better.
Jai Phillips
Source link -
Austin Pets Alive! | Our 2024 Promise: We will be vigilant for…
Last year was extremely challenging for animal shelters in the US, and Austin was no exception. The Austin of yesteryear found tremendous pride in leading the country in No Kill during a time when shelters struggled the most to save the lives of even half of the pets who entered their care. In this new era of humane struggles, where pets are guaranteed not to be killed while other pets are left on the streets, some living in crates for too long, and people struggle to keep their pets without support, our city must take the lead in progressive, lifesaving solutions. Austin Pets Alive! has been relatively quiet about these issues on public platforms as we wait for the much-needed shelter audit to bear fruit, and I regret that choice. APA! has been given a microphone for pets in our community over the last 15 years, and we need to help be the voice of animals in need both publicly and behind the scenes.
-
Top 35 Tyler Perry Quotes That Inspires You To Believe
Tyler Perry is an American producer, actor, writer, director, and comedian. Tyler is rated as the highest-paid man in entertainment, earning up to $130 million each year. Tyler was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has three siblings. He’s discipline and punishment were so much that it would be considered as child abuse.
According to Perry his father’s answer to everything was to “beat it out of you” In order to escape his fathers beating, he went so far as to attempt suicide. He was raised as a Christian, his mother always took him to church each week, and anytime he went he felt content and refuge. Perry changed his first name fro Emmitt to Tyler in order to distance himself from his father, who he later found out was not his biological father.
Growing up, Perry was molested by his friend’s mother and three random men. He did not complete high school but he earned a GED
In his early 20s, while watching an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, he heard someone say that in therapy, the act of writing can enable the author to work out his problems. This inspired him to start writing letters to himself. Those letters became a foundation for his first movie, a musical ‘I Know I’ve Been Changed’.
Perry became a successful actor and producer. He created and performed the Medea character who he portrayed as a tough black woman. He produced several shows and currently has his own studio, ‘The Tyler Perry Studios.’ Here are top 35 Tyler Perry quotes to inspires you to believe.
Inspiring Tyler Perry Quotes
“You can never be upset with the people who forced you into your dream.” Tyler Perry
“We can do anything.” Tyler Perry
“It doesn’t matter if a million people tell you what you can’t do, or if ten million people tell you no. If you get one yes from God, that’s all you need.” Tyler Perry
“People ask me all the time, how did you make it? I say it in press all the time but people cut it out…it was nothing but the grace of God.” Tyler Perry
“If I had not had faith in my life. I don’t know where I would be right now.” Tyler Perry
Read More : Top 30 Quotes That Inspires The Artist In You
“My brand is faith.” Tyler Perry Quotes
“I work three months really hard, nonstop, and then I take a month off. Then I do do it all over again. I work hard but I give myself four breaks a year.” Tyler Perry
“When you haven’t forgiven those who’ve hurt you, you turn your back against your future. When you do forgive, you start walking forward.” Tyler Perry
“I’ve never chased money. It’s always been about what I can do to motivate and inspire people.” Tyler Perry
“Everything that I write about, I write from my own experiences. There are bits and pieces of everything that’s in the very fabric of who I am, that help me tell a story.” Tyler Perry
Also Read : Top 30 Inspiring Dwayne Johnson Quote To Success
“It’s not an easy journey, to get to a place where you forgive people. But it is such a powerful place because it frees you.” Tyler Perry
“Sometimes we try to hold on to the very things that God himself is trying to tear apart.” Tyler Perry
“I don’t think dreams die – I think that people give up.” Tyler Perry
“There will be rough nights but joy really does come in the morning.” Tyler Perry
“Yes, God is real.” – Tyler Perry Quotes
“Life is sometimes hard, and you have to laugh your way through it.” Tyler Perry
“Love is stronger than any addiction.” Tyler Perry
“I live my life outside of the box.” Tyler Perry
“We all have the power to be a point of light.” Tyler Perry
“Developing a good work ethic is key. Apply yourself at whatever you do because that work ethic will be reflected in everything you do in life.” Tyler Perry
“My biggest success is getting over the things that have tried to destroy and take me out of this life. Those are my biggest successes. It has nothing to do with work.” Tyler Perry
“Stay in your lane and do what you’re supposed to do.” Tyler Perry
“What I’ve learned is you treat women right.” Tyler Perry
Also Read: 20 Inspiring Angelina Jolie Quotes to Be Courageous
“You beginning never dictates your destination.” Tyler Perry
“You too can make it.” Tyler Perry Quotes
“For me, there is a guiding compass that just lives inside of me. Every time I’ve gone against it, something bad has happened. As long as I stay in line and honor it, it has really been life-changing.” Tyler Perry
“The key to life when it gets tough is to keep moving. Just keep moving.” Tyler Perry
“Focus on one thing, make it your priority, and stick with it no matter what.” Tyler Perry
“Fear is a spirit that really can stop you from living.” – Tyler Perry
“I didn’t have a catharsis for my childhood pain, most of us don’t, and until I learned how to forgive those people and let it go, I was unhappy.” – Tyler Perry Quotes
“What I have learned in this life is you can never be ashamed of where you come from.” – Tyler Perry
“Never wish to be somebody else.” – Tyler Perry
“You can get a thousand no’s from people, and only one “yes” from God.” – Tyler Perry
“You give away your power when you don’t forgive.” – Tyler Perry
“Don’t wait for someone to green light your project, build your own intersection.” – Tyler Perry
“Heartbreak can make you hard! But don’t let it make you bitter.” – Tyler Perry
“We didn’t have much, but we had love.” – Tyler Perry
“You can’t build your life around hurts from the past.” – Tyler Perry Quotes
“If it had not been for The Lord on my side I don’t know where I would be.” – Tyler Perry
“Prayer really can change things.” – Tyler Perry
More like this;
Anthony C. Ejiogu
Source link -
Austin Pets Alive! | Quiet Young Kitten Needs a Cardiologist so She…
Nov 17, 2022
Kesha 21 is truly an Austin Pets Alive! kitten. This 3-month-old kitty
was born in our care, and raised in the APA! nursery program. She’s what
we call a “neonatal graduate”—and yes it’s all right to picture her
sweet self in a teeny cap and gown.But when Kesha 21 got her spay surgery, our veterinarians discovered some heart issues that she’d likely been born with. Further examinations led our vets to believe that Kesha 21 has advanced pulmonic stenosis—a rare condition in cats.
Having this condition means that one of Kesha 21’s heart valves is too
narrow, making it hard for her body to get blood to her lungs. It’s not
just affecting her health. Kesha 21’s personality is affected, too.
She’s gotten a little more quiet as her heart issues have progressed.The veterinarians say things will get worse for Kesha 21, if she doesn’t begin work with a cardiologist. The
blockage of blood flow is putting extra strain on her heart, which
could cause Kesha 21 to faint or even go into heart failure.
She will get short of breath, and exhausted, from the ordinary playing
and running that most kittens are able to enjoy. We don’t yet know if
the pulmonic stenosis will affect Kesha 21’s lifespan.
A cardiologist who we’ve partnered with before to correct animals’ heart
problems can consult with Kesha 21 and give her the specialty treatment
she needs. Kesha 21 may be a candidate for surgery, or her condition
could bemanaged through medication. After initial treatment, this young
kitten will likely need more monitoring still, so we can keep an eye on
that tiny ticker and keep Kesha 21 as healthy and well as she can be,
for as long as we can.Kesha 21’s care is going to be very expensive. Just the initial cardiac consultation will cost $5,000.
While some shelters would give up on a young kitten who needed such
expensive care at such a tender age, we know our community is with us in
believing with all our hearts that Kesha 21 deserves the opportunity to
live, and to live well.With a woof, a purr, and a thanks,
The APA! Team
-
Austin Pets Alive! | We Need Government Animal Services That Work
Oct 06, 2021
There is one day left before we know whether the city council has taken action on our APA! Resolution by adding it to the next city council meeting agenda.
What keeps rising to the top of criticism of our resolution from council offices is that they don’t understand why Austin Pets Alive! should be allowed to help communities outside of the greater Austin metro area. They see and hear about animals having long lengths of stay at Austin Animal Center(AAC) and the kennels being overcrowded there. Some believe that Austin Pets Alive!’s primary function, in addition to keeping Austin a No Kill City, should be to relieve the pressure at Austin Animal Center for the city staff. Some also believe that Austin Pets Alive!’s practice of helping animals outside of Austin is actually causing the overcrowding at Austin Animal Center.
The problem with this line of thinking is that “relieving pressure” is not something the City of Austin compensates APA! to do nor is it in line with our mission. APA! has used the Town Lake Animal Center for the last 10 years to keep Austin No Kill by pulling animals from Austin Animal Center who will die if we don’t. The city council has awarded Austin Animal Center with enough funding to relieve their own pressure.
So then why is Austin Animal Center constantly crowded?
It’s because Austin city leadership has given little credence to research and data that clearly shows that Austin has, and has always had, more than enough adopters to take in every single animal at Austin Animal Center AND to adopt every single animal that gets help from APA!, Austin Humane Society and the hundreds of rescue groups who take in animals from across the state.
We believe that the reason that credence is not given is that it is much easier to say “there are not enough adopters,” which implies that increasing adoptions is outside the control of the shelter director and reinforces poor performance.
We believe it is incumbent on us as shelter professionals, and we include Austin Animal Center leadership in that, to look at data when making any decision. We thought, but now realize we might be wrong, that the city manager and the city council also used data to drive decisions. If AAC leadership, and city council members, did that, they would be able to say “I see a problem with too many animals living at AAC at one time” and then connect that to the thought of “what can I do to make this better”. We have said it before but it’s worth repeating: adoptions don’t just happen. They are the result of resources, time, and strategic planning to ensure that the animals housed at AAC are getting opportunities to meet people and to be seen.
To put it in perspective, over the last five years, the city has increased Austin Animal Center’s budget by $1M per year. Tellingly, every single category of programming has benefited from that increased funding EXCEPT “Pet Placement/ Pet Outcomes” which actually fell by 30% in budgeted monies. Why isn’t anyone in leadership, at any level, examining and correcting that instead of strongarming APA! into making up for it?
Austin Pets Alive! has never been interested in being the City of Austin’s “overflow” for a system that lacks oversight, lacks critical thinking, and continues to make poor decisions and we are standing by our mission to save lives.
As individual citizens and as a private nonprofit, we have asked and asked for the government animal shelter to be run well because it is critically important to Austin’s animals and to APA!. That has not worked. We hope this final attempt to wake up our city council will work and we, in partnership with the City of Austin, can finally focus on forward momentum. To keep the support strong through this final day of city council consideration, please keep emailing to express your support for the APA! resolution.
Even if you already have sent an email, we need to keep the message top of mind. Thank you!
-
Austin Pets Alive! | Angelo’s Heroic Rescue
Sep 27, 2021
Sunday mornings are Bart and Rocio’s only day to sleep in.
Sunday, June 27 started like any other Sunday morning. Around 9 a.m. the couple decided to attend the early church service rather than their usual late morning service.
Driving down windy roads just northwest of Austin, the couple was coming down a hill when they spotted Angelo. Rocio slammed on the brakes when she saw a small animal in the middle of the road. As they got closer to Angelo, they could tell it was a dog — a severely injured dog.
With one look, it was painfully obvious that Angelo had been on his own for weeks. With ribs and backbone showing, his malnourishment was evident.
“The worst part was the massive wounds to his face,” Bart said. “I consider myself to be a bit of a tough guy. I have taught martial arts for over 30 years, but at that moment I could not stop the tears. My heart was torn out of my chest as I wondered who would leave a dog out here. Why? As I looked at Angelo’s massive injuries, all I saw was a sweet, loving, beautiful dog.”
Rocio rushed to get food, water, and blankets while Burt sat with Angelo, stroking his back and letting him know he was safe. “No more nights alone in the woods,” Bart said.
Once Rocio returned with supplies, Angelo attacked a bowl of water as if he was dying from thirst, but refused to eat anything. Rocio and Bart knew Angelo needed emergency medical care.
After arriving at a local animal hospital that did not take emergencies, Rocio and Bart drove around town desperate to find a vet that could care for Angelo.
At an emergency vet clinic, Rocio and Bart said that they would claim responsibility for the expenses of Angelo’s care. After examining Angelo for 30 minutes, a veterinarian came back and said that because Angelo was not their dog and his care would cost thousands, the clinic could not help.
“My heart sank,” said Bart. “We could tell [that the veterinarian’s] hands were tied.”
In the parking lot of the clinic, Bart asked someone for advice on where to take Angelo. The person led the couple to Austin Pets Alive!.
“She said that was the place she would go, even though she knew APA! doesn’t take dogs from the public,” said Bart.
Bart and Rocio pulled up to our Town Lake Animal Center location and met with a vet technician. She also shared that we do not take animals from the public and recommended Emancipet, but warned they have a 24 hour waiting period. Bart shared that he didn’t believe Angelo would make it another 24 hours without care.
This response prompted the technician to come and see Angelo. After spotting the wounds on his face, she hurried him inside the clinic.
“Up to this point, we were not sure where to turn. It had been such an emotional morning,” said Bart.
The technician came out and said that the veterinarians and APA! had agreed to save Angelo.
“We offered to pay what we could and [the technician] said, ‘You already have. You saved Angelo.,’” Bart said. “We both believe that we were put there for a reason that morning, and that reason was to be there to help save this beautiful creature.”
Thanks to our incredible P.A.S.S. (Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender) program, we’re able to take in emergency cases like Angelo and continue to act as the safety net for pets in need right here in Austin and across Texas. We’re happy to share that Angelo has received treatment and is in a loving foster home until he gets adopted.
Aleia and her son (who you may recognize from our episode of “That Animal Rescue Show”) are currently fostering Angelo.
“I was reached out to by the clinic and [they] asked if I would be willing to help out with him because he is a special needs case,” said Aleia. “We do a lot of hospice fostering and palliative care. It worked out well. He has assimilated into the home, no problem. He’s good with cats, good with dogs. He really just wants to be on his blanket sleeping most of the time, that works out really well. He’s just a sweet guy which makes it very easy.”
You can meet Angelo yourself here!
Austin never would have reached 10 years of No Kill without everyday heroes like Rocio and Burt. If Rocio and Burt hadn’t decided to attend the early service that Sunday morning, Angelo may have never gotten the chance to find a loving home. We need you to join Rocio and Burt to fight for No Kill to stay in Austin so pets like Angelo get the same chances as healthy pets by making a gift today.
With our No Kill future at risk more now than ever before, these stories remind us of why we do this work. Why we save the animals that have nowhere else to go.
-
Austin Pets Alive! | Angelo’s Heroic Rescue
Sep 27, 2021
Sunday mornings are Bart and Rocio’s only day to sleep in.
Sunday, June 27 started like any other Sunday morning. Around 9 a.m. the couple decided to attend the early church service rather than their usual late morning service.
Driving down windy roads just northwest of Austin, the couple was coming down a hill when they spotted Angelo. Rocio slammed on the brakes when she saw a small animal in the middle of the road. As they got closer to Angelo, they could tell it was a dog — a severely injured dog.
With one look, it was painfully obvious that Angelo had been on his own for weeks. With ribs and backbone showing, his malnourishment was evident.
“The worst part was the massive wounds to his face,” Bart said. “I consider myself to be a bit of a tough guy. I have taught martial arts for over 30 years, but at that moment I could not stop the tears. My heart was torn out of my chest as I wondered who would leave a dog out here. Why? As I looked at Angelo’s massive injuries, all I saw was a sweet, loving, beautiful dog.”
Rocio rushed to get food, water, and blankets while Burt sat with Angelo, stroking his back and letting him know he was safe. “No more nights alone in the woods,” Bart said.
Once Rocio returned with supplies, Angelo attacked a bowl of water as if he was dying from thirst, but refused to eat anything. Rocio and Bart knew Angelo needed emergency medical care.
After arriving at a local animal hospital that did not take emergencies, Rocio and Bart drove around town desperate to find a vet that could care for Angelo.
At an emergency vet clinic, Rocio and Bart said that they would claim responsibility for the expenses of Angelo’s care. After examining Angelo for 30 minutes, a veterinarian came back and said that because Angelo was not their dog and his care would cost thousands, the clinic could not help.
“My heart sank,” said Bart. “We could tell [that the veterinarian’s] hands were tied.”
In the parking lot of the clinic, Bart asked someone for advice on where to take Angelo. The person led the couple to Austin Pets Alive!.
“She said that was the place she would go, even though she knew APA! doesn’t take dogs from the public,” said Bart.
Bart and Rocio pulled up to our Town Lake Animal Center location and met with a vet technician. She also shared that we do not take animals from the public and recommended Emancipet, but warned they have a 24 hour waiting period. Bart shared that he didn’t believe Angelo would make it another 24 hours without care.
This response prompted the technician to come and see Angelo. After spotting the wounds on his face, she hurried him inside the clinic.
“Up to this point, we were not sure where to turn. It had been such an emotional morning,” said Bart.
The technician came out and said that the veterinarians and APA! had agreed to save Angelo.
“We offered to pay what we could and [the technician] said, ‘You already have. You saved Angelo.,’” Bart said. “We both believe that we were put there for a reason that morning, and that reason was to be there to help save this beautiful creature.”
Thanks to our incredible P.A.S.S. (Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender) program, we’re able to take in emergency cases like Angelo and continue to act as the safety net for pets in need right here in Austin and across Texas. We’re happy to share that Angelo has received treatment and is in a loving foster home until he gets adopted.
Aleia and her son (who you may recognize from our episode of “That Animal Rescue Show”) are currently fostering Angelo.
“I was reached out to by the clinic and [they] asked if I would be willing to help out with him because he is a special needs case,” said Aleia. “We do a lot of hospice fostering and palliative care. It worked out well. He has assimilated into the home, no problem. He’s good with cats, good with dogs. He really just wants to be on his blanket sleeping most of the time, that works out really well. He’s just a sweet guy which makes it very easy.”
You can meet Angelo yourself here!
Austin never would have reached 10 years of No Kill without everyday heroes like Rocio and Burt. If Rocio and Burt hadn’t decided to attend the early service that Sunday morning, Angelo may have never gotten the chance to find a loving home. We need you to join Rocio and Burt to fight for No Kill to stay in Austin so pets like Angelo get the same chances as healthy pets by making a gift today.
With our No Kill future at risk more now than ever before, we need your help TWICE as much to keep Austin No Kill. Give today and double your impact for pets in need just like Angelo.
Do you have an incredible rescue story like this? Keep up with our social media for your chance to tell us your story!
-
Photo App Lets Parents ‘Catch Santa’ In-the-Act
iCaughtSanta photos are keeping the magic of Christmas alive.
Press Release
–
updated: Dec 20, 2018
NORTH POLE, December 18, 2018 (Newswire.com)
–
iCaughtSanta is celebrating its 10th anniversary by giving away free photos of Santa “caught in the act.” Parents can download the app for iPhone or Android here and start creating their very own keepsake memories right now. A unique photo of Santa in your home is sure to be shared and treasured by kids and parents alike for many years to come! A new free feature lets mom and dad personalize letters from Santa, adding to the Christmas morning surprise.iCaughtSanta apps have been downloaded more than half a million times; bringing smiles to children all over the world. Every year, parents craft stories and leave “evidence” to add to the excitement. A photo of Santa caught in-the-act doing what he does best is the ultimate proof!
It all began ten years ago when Steven and Heather Lockhardt forgot about the milk and cookies. Thankfully Steven jumped out of bed at 5 in the morning for a quick snack before his kids awoke. It was at that moment that he turned to his wife and said, “How cool would it be if we could give them a picture of Santa caught in the act in our very own living room!” She loved the idea (first time ever), and iCaughtSanta was born!
Don’t delay, catch Santa today! Download the app to add a little extra magic to your Christmas this year!
Merry Christmas!
https://mysanta.pics/anniversary
Source: iCaughtSanta
