Voice is the reflection of Yourself

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Tontenn | Permalink 1

Tonight I did it. I realised another goal. It wasnt one that takes 1500km to achieve or extreme exertion combined with sweat to emulate. It was just something I had been wanting to do for years and never either found the time or right moment to do it.

Yes

Tonight

I had my first singing lesson.

And the funny thing was, there wasnt a lot of singing involved.

The main reason im doing this is I have always been a great shower singer or a car singer and probably annoyed the hell out of neighbours and housemates alike for years, but I want to actually learn how a voice works and what is needed to hit the right notes in the hope that I can at least sing in tune.

Anyhow, the lesson was devoted to learning all about vocal chords and how they form the noise that comes out as singing.

I also learnt that singing needs to be controlled and done in a speaking voice rather than a deep, back of the throat, voice. I also now know I need to “sing from my balls” rather than from my chest. Its all about “Breathing like a fish”, not having fish breath.

And…….. I learnt to do scales by blowing “bubbles”.

All sounds a bit crazy and weird but its the first step in learning what my own vocal chords can do and then teaching them to sing correctly. (Not like Jimmy Barnes)

But then, it was over…… and just homework to prepare for next week.

Taking it to the next level !!!!!

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Washington DC – Make a B-Line

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Tontenn | Permalink 1
Washington DC was my next stop and this was always going to be a whirlwind. Monuments, museums major American buildings, this city has it all. Many said its just like Canberra hmmmmm they haven’t been to Canberra. DC is vibey, busy and has that international/cultural feel about it.
I think most Australians leave it off their trips but I would say make a b-line for DC you cant go wrong. In fact I ran out of time. There is so much to see and do 5 days just wasn’t enough.
The disappointment was also the most exciting. Seeing the White House for the first time was someone special. I remember it so clearly as it was just on dusk on a Saturday night in DC and there were a few people around, not many but you still knew you were standing in front of a very special building. I say dissappointing not because of the building or the surrounds but for the fact Australians are not able to go in and do a tour of the White House.
White House in Fall

White House in Fall

Sine September 11, stringent security checks  have been put in place for visitors to most DC buildings particularly The White House. As such any tours need to be arranged through your country’s embassy in Washington and unfortunately the Australian Embassy has decided its all too hard and will not organize tours for Australians. I saw a tour come out one day and everyone looked so excited about what they had seen. Maybe one day the embassy will get off its bum and make it possible again.
I was able though to see all the monuments in the mall. That’s the open parkway between the Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Hill. The Lincoln Memorial is just like you see on tv only ten times larger and more amazing. A truly stunning sight of Abraham Lincoln sitting on his seat looking over his subjects. Something the Chinese or the Egyptians would do well. The World War 2 memorial is stunning as well. A massive large fountain with walls for each of the America States and a wall of stars each one representing 1000 Americans that died in WW2.
World War 2 Memorial

The Wall of stars at the World War 2 Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

The Washington monument towers over he city and up until the recent earthquake you could actually scale it inside but it is dwarfed (not in height as they are actually the same size) by the towering presence of Capitol Hill at the far western end of the Mall. One of the most famous buildings in America if not the world, it’s the seat of America, home of independence and truly a stunning building.
I just sat in awe some nights at its structure but also the feeling of who is in there and how much power they have over the world. Just like the Reichstadt in Berlin it’s a parliament house to devour.
Capitol Hill
Plenty of museums to see in Washington. Most of the Smithsonians are here. The air and space one is great but don’t be fooled like I was, the one that houses space shuttles and full planes isn’t based in DC but in Virginia out at the Dulles airport so make sure you have that on your list as well. The American Museum and Natural Museums are good too. And even take time to see the White House museum. Lots of great stuff there.
All in all DC is a great place to go….  Stayed out in Pentagon City and commuted by metro each day. Very easy and convenient and plent of shopping centers and restaurants nearby to suit everyone.
Highlights
  • Public transport -clean efficient and not over cvercrowded. You seem to be literally only one block from a station at any one time. And very inexpensive
  • Capitol Hill – what more can I say. Do The tour as well as it explains a lot about the building and how it came about.
  • National Mall – this huge piece of parkland right through the guts of the district reminds me so much of the Champs Elyesses in Paris. In fact designed by the same guy. You could spend days just admiring everything along here.
Capitol Hill at night

Capitol Hill at night

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San Diego – The Jewel of SoCal

Posted on December 4, 2011 by Tontenn | Permalink 0
I was lucky enough to get to spend a night with my friend Dave who is on exchange to San Diego State University from Sydney which meant a driving trip to San Diego from LA. Well learning to drive on the other side of the road scared me to death and to this day I don’t know how I did it but gee it becomes natural and is a lot of fun.
Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach

In turn I drove down the coast through Orange County and places like Newport and Laguna Beach and saw some breathtaking homes and lovely scenery. The beaches were a little flat and disappointing but it was a cloudy day in the middle of the week.
San Diego - Downtown

San Diego - Downtown

San Diego on the other hand was the surprise packet of the trip it is the Jewel of Southern California. America’s eighth largest city it survives off the back of the US Navy and the Mexicans that immigrate across the border which is only half an hour away and is full of fun people and great sights.
I was a little spoiled by Dave who had been in the city for almost a year and knew all the great places to take me to get a view or see what the city had to offer. A beautiful Harbour, great restaurants and nightlife that is fun for everyone I would certainly go back to SD again.
San Diego State University

San Diego State University

And I was also lucky to get a tour of the university by Dave and this was your typical American college. It looked just like what you see in the movies and the campus was huge. The stadium they had built for basketball even was large enough for Lady Gaga concerts etc. truly spectacular.
SDSU Stadium and Concert Hall

SDSU Stadium and Concert Hall

The best thing of the college tour was seeing the football teams going trough their paces at practice. It’s such a unique and different game, just to see practice was a sight. Pity i didnt get to see a game by definitely on my next trip.
Football Training at SDSU

Football Training at SDSU


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