Banana Goes Visiting

A few months ago we spent a weekend at grandmas and we had some fun with filming in her backyard. Sasha wanted to create something starring her fave monkey Banana, so we gathered footage of him making his way here, there and everywhere.

Once I finally got around to editing the randomness into a bit of a story sequence, we created a quick script and recorded the voice over. A little more tweaking and here we go:

Banana Goes Visiting. A Sashaland Production! :)



The process was a little bit backwards trying to piece things together, but we learned a lot trying to work together on this quick and easy piece to practise with.

Now she is busy writing scripts for plays and movies she can make with her friends. I shared with her that one lesson I've learned while trying to develop skills to create a documentary, is that editing is much easier if you know what you're filming first! lol

Song for a Cloudy Day

While we walk to school, or anywhere actually, Sasha often makes up songs as we go. She is really good at off the cuff rhymes and melodies. However, we never remember them.

"Sunshine Song" is one easy little ditty she wrote when she was about 4 years old that stuck, and we sing that often. I should post that one one day...but here are the lyrics:
Sunshine sunshine
Shine in the morning
Sunshine sunshine
Shine at lunch time
Sunshine sunshine
Shine in the afternoon
Sunshine sunshine
Now you set

The other day it was a particularly cloudy morning, so naturally the song she started making up was a cloudy day song.

This time there was one line in particular that totally embedded itself in my head. As I walked to work after dropping her off the tune repeated in my mind over and over. Then a follow up line came to mind. I shared the 2 line combo with her when I picked her up and we determined we had a nice chorus for a song!

We have many musical friends in our life and I thought it might be fun to invite them to help her finish a song. I asked her if she would like to try a collaborative music project with some fellow creative folks who can add a line and continue building on the tune she started. She thought that was a great idea!

So, here's what we've got so far with our "Song for a Cloudy Day":



Sasha's line that started it all is:
Yes, there are grey clouds over the city
and it's about to rain

My addition was:
but when you live in a rainforest
why bother to complain

We welcome all of you to add a line, create a verse, show us how to play this tune on the guitar (for me) or piano (for her), funk it up, rock it up...play with it however you feel inspired to and then share your contribution with us! :)

Then I'm going to compile all the bits we receive from folks to edit the final "Song for a Cloudy Day" video with Sasha for her to share. I will work with her through the editing process so she can learn from it, and also share her own amazing and imaginative ideas.

Sasha says she will share updates on what she learns on her blog, and if you want to play along with us on this collaborative musical adventure, here's the link:
welcometosashasworld.blogspot.ca

(July 25 - noticed that Mark has added a new verse on Sasha's blog. Now it's your turn!)

why smile :)

The day I took this pic was a beautiful sunshiney day and I was strolling along the seawall, feeling a whole lot of happiness. Finding this little golden nugget only made my smile even bigger. :D

Later on that same day I had an interaction with a homeless person looking for spare change near the skytrain. I said hello as she passed me by, even though I didn't have any money to share that day. She turned and I looked at her and smiled, though I felt that pang of guilt to not be able to offer her something. 

Her response was to grab my hands in gratitude. She thanked me for not only looking at her, but also for smiling at her. "I'm lucky if people acknowledge me. No one ever smiles at me anymore. Thank you! You have made my day!"

There have been many times when I have luckily smiled at the right person at just that moment they needed it. The power of a smile or small act of kindness is amazing. It is the only power I know I have that is easily shared. So I share it. I smile and acknowledge everyone I make eye contact with, because for me that is the gift of being human. We are all here together. And yes, every smile can make a difference for you and those you smile at.

Don't wait for people to smile at you first - create your own ripple that starts a wave of happy! All energy is contagious, so are you spreading grumpy vibes or positive ones?

My life is full of reasons to smile, something I am grateful for every day. Family, friends, community and a good home with good food to nourish us. 

I'm also lucky to work at a community centre I love, so it's easy to smile when I'm there too. The best places to work have always been the places where the team of people around you are good at lifting each other up by lending a hand and supporting each other. No matter what the job, when approached with a positive attitude it will always be more enjoyable. Cheesy but true. ;)
 
When I was a server at the Keg I had an awesome co-worker who would sing the Smile Song when we got in the weeds which always helped me laugh and get over the stress. (and the song still brings back memories of her adorable smiling face!)  
Happily, Sasha has become a fan of singing this song too! Enjoy, and be sure to spread a little happy with your own gorgeous smile today.  :)

"A smile costs nothing but gives much.  It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give.  It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.  None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.  Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.  Some people are too tired to give you a smile.  Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give."  ~Anon