I'm a "10" for sure!

Yayyyyyy I am a 10!  I reached the milestone of 55 on April 18th and in looking at the cup half full, I recognized that I'm finally a 10.  In 1979, the movie "10" starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore and hit the big screen, and forever after gals wanted to be scored a ten in looks.  

I may be taking liberties with my own definition of being a ten (55 years old:: 5+5=10) but there is so much to be thankful for, I reckoned why not.  My personal benchmark may be different than others, yet they are mine alone:

1. I'm happily married to a wonderful man who to this day makes me appreciate him and the life we have formed together.
2. Through blending our family, we have four awesome kids aged 21, 23, 25 and 27 where the eldest, Kyle, has been working at the same corporation for 8 years, Des is solid in her career and engaged to be married this year, Chantal is finishing up her 2nd year of university and Kelsey is off to make her fortune in Vancouver with a great job in a law firm and with the man of her dreams.
3. Ones own happiness is often defined through motherhood and my kids are happy, healthy and really great people.
4. I am working for an excellent Canadian corporation that sets the bar in many ways.
5. I have discovered my love of writing and blog as often as I can.
6. I have found balance with work, life and love.
7. I am a fashion forward fashionista where even the young gals where I work often comment on my ensembles.
8. I have my mom who is 81 years old and still there for me with love, support and an example of how healthy living can carry you to a longer life still able to travel, dance and be true to herself.
9. I have a beautiful home which I am continually redecorating and improving.
10. I have an adorable pet dog named Buddy who makes my day every day.

I guess those are pretty basic to most.  Yet, we should stop every once and a while and just appreciate what we have to be thankful for and give gratitude to those who make our lives meaningful.  I am lucky to have a few great friends whom I've known for years and years.  

Aging is all about continual improvement, seeking more knowledge, being satisfied with what we have while still stretching ourselves towards new goals.  

Material things and money are easy targets for setting goals, however, the simpler things are sometimes harder to appreciate.  Certainly, when I was in my 20s, my list was fairly long.  I've experienced great success, great disappointments, periods of sadness or melancholy, and times of money.  

At the end of the day, what makes me the most content are:

•  spending time with my kids, family dinners and playing games like "Heads Up" or having a backyard fire pit just hanging out and talking.
• sharing time with my best friend and her husband whom Rob and I really enjoy hanging out with.
• talking on the phone with my mom or sister, to discover the quick hello evolved into an hour.
• my youngest daughter calls me almost every day from Vancouver, although I miss her tremendously, I love talking with her on her updates, news, happiness.
• my stepdaughter, her fiance and my son drop in often just for a visit and sometimes a sleep over.
• My older brother Greg and I get to go have dinner when he is in Calgary on visit.
• My sister and I have been on vacations together to Mexico three times and there are wonderful memories that I would like to add to by going again.
• My husband and I have been able to travel on tropical vacations, we like just going for drives in the beautiful country surrounding us, meandering through garage sales, or me just sitting on the driveway soaking up the sun while he putters around on our "Getaway Car".
• While so many are unemployed, I have a job with a great company and have learned that my job title no longer defines me.
• I have Buddy to take me on walks with, snuggle up with and who protects me faithfully.
• We have a beautiful home that can accommodate our kids and their friends, hosting get togethers and celebrations.
• I love working on my garden and transforming it year after year into a haven of beauty to be enjoyed not only by us but those who walk back the green belt pathway that goes along our back yard.

Sure, I wouldn't be me without some things we call bucket list as we grow older, transformed from goals:

• a dream job doing marketing or maybe even dabbling in sales again
• my writing starts to generate an income, for the extras in life we want:: travel first and foremost
• I'd love it if my writing were to evolve more into reviewing items geared towards the female 50s crowd, with samples arriving from Brands who value my opinion and a following that trusts it.
• My mom and sister are always telling me to write a book.  Humbly, I think everyone wants to write a book or thinks they can.  To be any better would be egotistical.  I recognize one just has to "do it".
• I'd love a chance to go with Rob to Seattle to watch a Seattle Sea Hawks football game.  So strange for a Canadian hockey fan to put an NFL game on her list ... eh?
• It would be fun to be invited to help decorate a show home or a room to stretch the imagination and challenge myself.
• See if my painting hobby of re-purposed objects could actually be sold as art :: more designed for the garden.
• Maybe get a second dog, smaller, for a companion for Buddy, like our teacup poodle Coco was before she passed on at 13 years old and who will trot after me as I putter in the garden (Buddy is too busy running around and playing bodyguard to follow me).

It is safe to say I am able to stop and be grateful for what I have and yet energetic enough to want to stretch farther and reach higher.  I am content for the most part yet still have a restlessness to want to do more.  The next decade is going to be interesting to see what unfolds.

Spring 2016 makeup for a 50s fashionista

Spring is my favorite time of year!  It is all about new beginnings, flowers peaking out of the soil to reach the warm beams of the sun, and, of course, it is my birthday (I turn 55 on April 18th).  Granted,  I am  a bit biased.

One of the things I like to write about on Meanderings are interests based on being a 50s fashionista (or wannabe) grappling with the challenge that we shouldn't try to dress like our 20-something daughters, nor should we age before our time with our mother's elderly good looks.

Then we have to toss in our body types, and any of the challenges we may have to adapt to changes happening.

"Aging gracefully is one thing, but trying to slow it down is another." 

                             ~Courteney Cox

Nothing says that we can't embrace bright colors, florals, patterns or hip looks, we just have to make sure it suits us.  We should be able to understand what makes us feel good :: and that usually goes hand in hand with makeup and beauty.

One thing I'm proud of is I come from great stock :: both my parents always look/ed years younger.  So I really appreciate it when the youngsters tell me I look like I'm in my late 30s or early 40s :: I think it all comes down to what I said :: finding your zone in beauty and fashion, and being able to pull it off.

At 4 ft 11, or rounded up to 5 ft, you're right to think that I would have fashion challenges of my own.  I've always liked the "chic" look and try to stay true to that.  So, to help others, I will share what I have adopted as my own Spring 2016 look.

It all starts with the eyes.  Studies say that people usually are drawn to the eyes first.  I was blessed with green ones and tend to focus on that wonderful feature.  I don't go for the dramatic eyeliner and you've already read about my lash extensions drama. I just happen to have taken a photo of my eyes just for this emphasis.

Go ahead and laugh at my creative license :: fooling around in Microsoft Paint is fun!  I use a moisturizer to start always after cleansing.  Having sensitive skin, I have learned that I have to stick with something that works because when I try something new, too rich in oils or perfumes, I break out.  (There goes the myth that you don't break out in zits once you pass menopause).  I rely on my fail-safe Oil of Olay for sensitive skin:

To define my basic look, I do sponge off of magazines and beauty counters for inspiration.  It isn't that difficult to find nude colors this spring :: it is everywhere.  I'm chomping at the bit to try Urban Decay after watching an INC. video interview of Sandy Lerner, founder of Oracle.  (I want to do a blog about redoing her look with a few modifications so that she gives up that 70s look that she seems to be holding on to).

I have already gravitated to nude as my eye base color for the simple reason that it brings out the green color of my eyes.  I would think it would suit any gal in her 50s.  (HINT :: just because you've survived menopause doesn't mean you should boycott makeup!)

I always use the lightest of light tones for my eyebrow bone (far left) and then a soft, lighter color for the lid (right in the middle).  I have the heaviest hand on the lid because I don't want it to fade as the day progresses.  I find that eye makeup with a bit of frost to it tends to adhere to the skin more successfully.  I define the upper lid with a muted softer yet darker tone for definition (7 from left).  Then it is mascara, mascara and more mascara.  

We can still learn from the young.  My stepdaughter always has thick lashes that seems to coat the mascara on.  My lashes are longer and finer, so I can avoid that thick, clumped on look.  I still swear by my recent discovery ::  L'Oreal's two step mascara :: a white base, then a black mascara :: when that dries, I then apply my Clinique mascara, followed by the butterfly effect mascara by Maybelline.  This has been from trial and error repeatedly to find something that works.  My makeup regime takes 5-10 minutes at most.

However, let me not forget the crowning glory of eyebrow brushing to finish for a polished look.  Given I have lighter eyebrows, it is a must for me.  I do battle with the temptation of fake lines and heavy handedness.  Instead, I use a complimenting eyebrow liner to give distinction, it closely matches the color of the eyebrow mascara :: MAC is the best I'm convinced.   Au natural is my focus.

When too much is just too much.

Yes, some ladies think this doll looks good??

Safe to say :: I am not battling my age :: I am glorifying my God given gifts and attempting to show that you can be both subtle and classy.  I'm not a fan of heavily caked on makeup that screams defying age tactics.  If it works for other gals, it is fine for me.

I almost forgot ::  the lipstick!!  It is the final touch to your canvass.  I absolutely adore my latest find :: Colorblur by Maybelline's "lipstudio" ::

Two colors I have already :: one for evening and one for Spring days.

A liner, lipstick and sealer all in one in an array of spring colors.

This discovery is fantastic.  You put it on and it lasts for hours, even while drinking coffee!

 If you have to insist on the old fashioned way, I did find among Google's treasure trove, instructions on how to properly do your lipstick.  (Seems like a lot of work to me now that I've found utopia with Colorblur) ::

Here is an ode to mature beauties who are hitting their stride while maintaining status as beauty icons, embracing their 50s in 2016::

Robin Wright celebrated her 50th birthday April 8th

Janet Jackson turns 50 on May 16th

Halle Berry turns 50 on August 16th

Salma Hayek turns 50 on September 2

There you have it :: style mavericks who are still dancing to their own drum.  What do they all have in common?  To me, they're not disguising their age nor are they caking on the makeup or trying tricks or the latest tactics :: they seem to know what works for them and stick to with it.  They appear graceful and poised :: ready to take on the next decade.

"Stop whining about getting old.  It's a privilege."                               

                                                                     ~Amy Poehler

An #OscarsMakeover event

Oscars magic is on again.  The hoopla, ceremonies and after parties (which I would add to my bucket list, except the rule is it has to be realistic), the fashion, styles, fashion 9-1-1 that it brings.  

Me, along with millions in audience joined to celebrate the #bestofeverything in MOVIES' biggest question it asks me of this night?

"What movie will it entice me to see first?"

Rapt with anticipation millions in I began surfing on the net ::: long before social media platforms and media stand were beginning to stand ready ::: I discovered that minuscule morsel that would begin to react in mere minutes...

A hashtag to be noted to give praise and honor not only the winners, but the nominated for their talent.

Charlize Theron ::: best theatrical makeover for MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

The biggest makeover  of years before  ::: not a person but a symbol ::: of movies, excite-ment, media buzz, or dresses.   Floating out to the net was the best story I found from The Daily Mail  was that the infamous statue had a makeover for this year (2016)!!

We peruse and wonder who hasn't won yet? Right, Leonardo Dicaprio hasn't.  Will he finally be restituted to the kingdom of the gifted for a generation?  Hardly, it's a snap for him this year in his portrayal in Re-something filmed outside a Canadian city that blasts fumes from the money from its oil billions to only ruin the environment?  Uh-hem, he became an expert by just experiencing our unique Chinook mild weather miracle in our parts called Calgary.

What are Chinook winds you asked dear Leonardo?  Why they are a weather phenomena unique to our climate near the greatest city on the earth:  Calgary.  I bet you didn't know that the warm west winds we all adore, written by our own Calgary Herald at the turn of the last century:

“Those who have not the warm, invigorating Chinook winds of this country, cannot well comprehend what a blessing they are. The icy clutch of winter is lessened, the earth throws off its winding sheet of snow. Humanity ventures forth to inhale the balmy spring like air. Animated nature rejoices.” (1900–Calgary weekly Herald)

Sidetracked as usual I am to return to the drool of glamor and stunning dresses.  I began my journey, with thoughts erupting in my head, and spoke to me: 

“Na-uh honey, thatz pose ta be only da one shouldr”            ~Andra Day

 

“fly-e-EYE-iiiiiiiiiii like a bird …..”                                      ~Cate Blanchette

 

“No, you’re right … I wasn’t sure what look I was going for.”      ~Olivia Wilde

 So far my favorite gown is: pulled adorned from her makeup, to her hair to beautifully fitting gown ::: Sophia Vergara :::  proving that a woman in my mind's age can shine over those 20 years her junior:

 Sophia is 43 years old! GASP!   We should all celebrate how wonderful she looks!!

via INSTAgram photos 

Here's leading up to the last moments before 

@LeoDiCaprio could no longer say he hadn't 

won an #Oscar

The movies I would most like to see after watch-

ing the Oscars:::

1) The Reverent

2) The Big Short

3) The Girl in the River ::: a documentary

Best Oscar moment ::: Musical perfor-mance by Lady Gaga:

Best Oscar acceptance ::: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy:

Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy stands out as a Humanitarian 

What an outstanding #Oscar acceptance  by Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy’s  for "The Girl in the River" 

Earlier in 2012, Chinoy had won the Oscar for her documentary film ‘Saving Face’ that focused on Pakistan’s another grim issue of disfiguring of the faces of girls and women by men on various pretexts by throwing acid at them.

‘A Girl In The River: The Price Of Forgiveness’ was among five films which were nominated for this year's Academy Award in the BestDocumentary-Short Subject category.

On February 22, Sharmeen’s Oscar nominated documentary was screened at a programme held at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. On the occasion, Premier Nawaz Sharif had said thegovernment is set to formulate legislation to put a curb on thekillings of women in the name of honour.

Sharmeed Obaid Chinoy holds a rare distinction of being among the nine women film directors in the world to have won Oscars for non-fiction films.

Biggest Oscar erruption ::: when Sam Smith upsets Lady Gaga 

Sam Smith's Writing's on the Wall is the first behind a long list of talent to be finaly named for its first Oscar.  I wrote about this song a few months ago for how wonderful I found it when I wrote about it on my blog Meanderings called; called:  

Best movies watched before Oscar night ::: Before I even cared about winners in order of favorites:

1) Straight outta Compton which I had watched, thought incredible, and wrote about long before the Oscar's white out controversy.  You couldn't fail to notice whatever was missing in nominations were presented in FULL COLOR by presenters from past winners like Whooppee Goldberg, Denzel Washington, Quincy Jones.

  

2) Amy:::  a documentary about Amy MillHouse, shed light on not just her musical talent, but also her challenges, showing she was snuffed out to wayyyy toooo early.

3) Spotlight:::  about investigative journalism and the men and women who dedicate themselves, regardless how earth shaking and controversial it may be, need to be told for the victims.  If for nothing else in the world.

 Cuteness reigned and knocked out several adorable Imagineered characters, of the likes of  The Room's Jacob Trembley:

Guest mischievious The Minions were there

Will Jason Tremblay avoid the traps of so many former child stars?
Become a sad second acts having trouble as grown ups.

Lil bit of attitude

"Oh, my, this one has attitude!" exclamed the delivery nurse.  Who may have been saying "here's another one" to the tired, adrenaline-rushed parents of this newborn creation ..... of theirs.

 A mixture of disbelief and amazement as this gaze upon this near perfect little human girl.  Minutes from being in a warm, comfortable womb.  Indignant at the harsh introduction she hadn't anticipated she let out a howl.

This little beauty grew and grew:  and sang "take me out to the Ball Game" at a mere 16 months.  As a party favor, she blasted through the adults polite conversation, as their jaws dropped and gaped open at a special experience unfolded.  Discussion began.  How amazing is it that a little burst of energy could sing to the rafters, in such abandon, glorying in the musical flutes her own tonsils gave. Oblivious to the expressions of anyone around her.  She liked bursting out and singing.  Her abandon to anything akin to self-conscious expression.  The audience crossed between envy and awe.  How could such a little thing stand up, be so proud, and sing with such abandon?  At ONLY 16 months.

The parents who were always ready with a video camera were stunned into inaction.  The musical notes combined with gusto and self-exuberance.  How could they have created such a ... umm... creature?  Alas, it was a daughter.  They should have had their seat belts tightened.  Yet they didn't do anything. Why should they?  They weren't puppeteers, merely creators.  

They wondered, however, how can they take credit for such a beauty with such a powerful voice? 

As the little girl developed and continued to grow became as ever a sight to behold.  At 2, this confident, clever,  creation would insist that she was a princess.  Her hard-working mother and father fascinated, would wonder:  how could a princess be born and insist she was one.  They  were, although not average folk, wondered how they could be responsible for this envisioned little lady?  

Then, one day, when the father was away at work, slagging dragons called life and career, the mother bent over a captive keyboard for job.  A nanny, on call, living out, ever present, vacuuming the castle always to shine, was focussed on leaving a tread in the carpet, hadn't noticed her charge, who had transformed into an escapee to her mother's home office.  Sneaking in, quietly, taking and absorbing every last detail.  Alas, the mother noticed the scamp in her midst.  The little joy did ask: "Mommy, what are you doing?"

Lest the mother cause disillusionment of the responsibility of working and career, she tenderly said:  "I am working.  When you grown up, you will likely work too.  What is it that you think you'll do too?

The predictable reply did unfold "why, when I am grown up, I will be a princess!" Said with such convincement, less mortal men or mothers would never argue.  However, the mother did sigh.  She then glanced around, realizing that the King was not home nor was the princess' guard on command.

She did try to dispell the disillusionment which chance had burst, said to her darling daughter with such thirst, for life, for dreams, goals and confidence:  "why Sweetie, you will be princess when I am a queen!"  Rationalizing that being realistic of drastic importance.

Then to her utter dismay her daughter did respond:  "Why mommy, I didn't know that you were a queen!!"

The days grew onwards and upward the girl grew, when tragedy did brew.  The media, the news, the television, no matter how one flew, protested the death of a princess many thought they knew.

When dinner one day, was being prepared by her mother.  As the news and the television broadcast the cover:  A princess died while so many fed .. on the photos, paparazzi with the princess photos they led.  How sad to have such a wonderful soul cut short, would end up causing this young four-year-old lady to retort:  "That is so sad to hear about the princess."

The mother, astonished, that this little girl wisdom, attuned to the news and the stories that bloomed.  She asked her daughter, in parenting skills on high alert, how do you feel about this story?  The daughter said "Sad".  The mother now curious, nowhere near mad.  Asked her little one why would she say so.  When the gem said "well, I am a princess, so this one I should know".

This is a reflection of a mother, rediscovering the journey she started with her daughter.  She has just turned 23, in second year of university, dedicated to  fine arts, art history and philanthropy.  

A mother's pride never diminishes with age.  If anything, it flourishes as cheerleading captain of her daughter's journey.  

Happy Birthday sweet, beautiful daughter O mine.

Do we know it's Christmas?

When I woke up today and reread what I posted yesterday, it reminded me of the phenomena that began 30 years ago, 1984, when I was an optimistic, confident 24-year-old young lady, with the world at my doorstep, filled with that "anything was possible" and "can do" vigor.

Granted, I was already married, but without children at the time.  My then husband and I spent our Christmas holidays usually on a bus filled with 15 year-old hockey players going on a trip to Spokane for a tournament.  My husband was a co-coach of a Bantam AA hockey team made up of a crew of dreamers and believers that they could reach for the impossible.  In 1984, we celebrated Christmas per usual, Christmas Eve Mass and then on to Boxing Day, where we had to take down our tree, pack everything up so we could take the road trip.  That was the basis of Christmas:  giving of one's self for others.

That year a phenomena was revealed in Britain that would be remembered every year since at Christmas Time:  Source Wikipedia:

Band Aid is a charity supergroup featuring mainly British and Irish^[1] musicians and recording artists.^[2][3][4] It was founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-poverty efforts in Ethiopia by releasing the song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for the Christmas market that year. On 25 November 1984, the song was recorded at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, and was released in the UK four days later.^[5][6] The single surpassed the hopes of the producers to become the Christmas number one on that release. Two subsequent re-recordings of the song to raise further money for charity also topped the charts. The original was produced by Midge Ure. The 12" version was mixed by Trevor Horn. In November 2014, a new version of the song was recorded by artists under the name of Band Aid 30.^[7]

The opening footage is startling, lest we were to forget the reason this emblem of hope was established.  

How was the idea born?

Bob Geldof was deeply bothered and moved by the flight of starving children Ethiopia.  He decided to leverage his contacts from the UK, Ireland, to raise money to help these unfortunates by creating a unique song, enlisting major the talent of the day, to record a song that all proceeds would directly go towards raising funds. 

The vocalists featured the best British and Irish talent: 

Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & the Gang) Bono (U2) Pete Briquette (The Boomtown Rats) Adam Clayton (U2) Phil Collins (Genesis and solo artist) Chris Cross (Ultravox) Simon Crowe (The Boomtown Rats) Sarah Dallin (Bananarama) Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama) Johnny Fingers (The Boomtown Rats) Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats) Boy George (Culture Club) Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17) Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet) John Keeble (Spandau Ballet) Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet) Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet) Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran) Marilyn George Michael (Wham!) Jon Moss (Culture Club) Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)

Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran) Francis Rossi (Status Quo) Sting (The Police) Andy Taylor (Duran Duran) James "J.T." Taylor (Kool & the Gang) John Taylor (Duran Duran) Roger Taylor (Duran Duran) Dennis Thomas (Kool & the Gang) Midge Ure (Ultravox) Martyn Ware (Heaven 17) Jody Watley Paul Weller (The Style Council) Keren Woodward (Bananarama) Paul Young Additional spoken messages on B-side: Stuart Adamson, Mark Brzezicki, Tony Butler, Bruce Watson (Big Country) David Bowie Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood) Paul McCartney Musicians: Phil Collins – drums John Taylor – bass Midge Ure – keyboards and programming

Originally recorded in 1984, its re-release in 1985 after "Live Aid", caused it to soar in popularity.  An emblem of the Holiday Season, it was very successful worldwide, selling over two million copies and raising more than $24,000,000 (US).  It became the benchmark for celebrity musicians inspiring actions of charity.

One of the biggest talent at the time was "WHAM!" fronted by George Michael and Andrew Ridgely had the #1 Hit in 1984 with "Careless Whisper" topping Billboard's Top Song.

Followed by "Wake me up before you go go" became a No# favorite in 1985 in countries like the US, Canada, Australia.  So, it wasn't surprising they'd be one of the first vocal standouts on 

In fact, Wham's "Last Christmas" became the highest-selling single to ever peak at #2 in the UK charts, remaining #2 for five weeks, when "Do They Know It's Christmas" surpassed it.

Joining the chart toppers to lend vocals were from the best names of the 84-85s  like Boy George (Culture Club), Spandau Ballet, and Duran Duran.
_________________________________

Fast forward 30 years and I'm a parent of kids of similar ages to what I was back then. Another "Do they know it's Christmas?" was released 2014/15 thirty years after the original.

It comes as no surprise that UK sensation  One Direction softly vocalizes the first words acapello. They are a favorite of my daughters 21 and 23, not so far off of my own age 30 years earlier. 

Band Aids 30 years lifted off the Billboard charts at No. 1.  (Source:  Billboard )

The Band Aid 30 line-up on the new version of the single, which is raising funds to fight the Ebola virus in West Africa, includes such stars as Bono, One Direction, Rita Ora, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith,Ellie Goulding, Emeli Sandé, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Seal,Sinead O’Connor and Roger Taylor of Queen. “Do They Know It’s Christmas” has now topped the U.K. chart in all four of its incarnations, including the multi-million-selling first version at Christmas 1984 and subsequent anniversary editions in 1989 and 2004.  The 1984 original re-charted yesterday at No. 61.


Similarly to WHAM in 1984/85, One Direction is certainly a chart topper, and adored by Millinneal girls and minus.  Billboard recognized them as the "Artist of the Year" for 2014, when the 30 years later tribute was launched, they represent the first lyrics and melody, while girls swoon over Harry.  (Source:  Billboard )

Wise anthem for the Millennial generation:

Today Millinneal Ed Sheeran sings for his generation topping the charts in 2015.    (Source: Billboard):

Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England in 1991, Sheeran released his first EP, The Orange Room, while still at school, and his first two albums, his self-titled debut and Want Some, by the age of 16. After moving to London to gain more live experience, his performance of the self-penned "You Need Me, I Don't Need You" on YouTube channel SB.tv gained half a million viewers and attracted the attention of actor/R&B star Jamie Foxx, who invited him to appear on his Los Angeles Sirius radio show.

His new record debuted at number one on both the U.S. and U.K. charts, reached gold or platinum status in 15 countries, and the singles for "Sing" and "Thinking Out Loud" both topped the British charts.

 I hope you enjoy the music and videos selected to emphasize how impactful charity can be, whether famous or not.  Enjoy the spirit it brings.