Wednesday, September 12, 2012

United PEOPLE of America (September 12, 2001)

I think back to September 12, 2001. To the day after. I think about how united the people of the United States were. At this point in history there was many different emotions going on. Fear, frustration, anger, confusion and doubt. But one thing was sure, we were all united. On this day we didn't see race, religion or difference in politics. The majority of the nation was in constant prayer and were hoping that the casualties were minimal.

I remember looking in the sky and seeing no streaks left from planes flying by. I thought how odd that was because since I was a child they were always up there. How the day before changed our lives forever. NEVER FORGET was our new motto. But have we forgot?

With elections coming up just look at the political ads on the TV and listen on the radio. We are back to business as usual. Let's blame others, let's not take the bull by the horns and steer (pun intended) it in the right direction. Let's quit our bickering on facebook and blocking people just because they have a different belief than we do. Let's get back.

I ask everyone, today, to remember how you felt on September 12, 2001. Let's be united again. Let's not just be the United States of America and become what we were on that day, the United PEOPLE of America. Say a prayer today for our country and our people, we can be the melting pot we were that day. As in the words of John Lennon,"I hope someday you'll join us, and the world can live as one" The world starts in your own back yard.


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Friday, January 27, 2012

The Terry Fator Experience

I love going to Las Vegas. There is just a certain excitement going on there and even though they call it "Sin City" I think you can have a lot of fun without sinning at all. One such types of fun is The Terry Fator Show at the Mirage. I had the opportunity yesterday to experience Terry Fator and his vast array of characters.

My experience started at around 7:00pm where I met Terry's assistant Randy outside the theatre where he handed me a backstage pass and took me through the back of the stage where we came to a door with Terry Fator's name on it. As I walked in to the right was Terry and his beautiful wife, Taylor and her mother. Behind Terry were small boxes built into the wall with various ventriloquist puppets in them. On the side wall were various picture frames including an autographed Bill Cosby record and other autographed items and pictures.

It was great talking to Terry, if even for just a few moments, about ventriloquism, the conventions and his passion for ventriloquism. As I talked to Terry I mentioned that I've been doing ventriloquism about as long as he has but haven't yet made it to the level he has (as if I ever will!) To which he replied, "Well, America's Got Talent really helped me get to the level I am today." Very modest. I know many ventriloquist's but Terry is not just a ventriloquist, he is also a great impersonator and singer. I think, somehow, even without AGT, Terry would have made it.

After a couple pictures and an autograph Randy took me to my seat which was about 7 rows back right in the center. As the show started I knew I was in for a treat and I felt blessed to be at the show and have the opportunity to meet Terry and his family. I will not go into detail about the show just to tell you that I have never been to a show where so many people in the audience said things such as "WOW!" and "HOW DOES HE DO THAT?" You would think he was performing magic with the comments that were being said and, in a way, he was!

About three quarters of the way through the show Terry said he wanted to recognize a few people in the audience. "Not very often", Terry started' "Do we have a ventriloquist in the audience but today we have a ventriloquist visiting us, Daniel Robison where you at." WHAT?! He had me stand. After verifying how to pronounce my last name he said, "Daniel runs the website ventriloquist.org so when you get a chance be sure to check it out." Then he recognized all of the troops and mentioned that a percentage of all merchandise sales goes to our troops.

Near the end of the show Terry sang a song he wrote called Horses In Heaven. If this song does not become a hit I would be surprised. This song is now available by going to the website http://www.horsesinheaven.com Terry also mentioned that the proceeds of this song will be going to Saint Judes Hospital.

As Terry concluded the show and thanked the people that participated in the show he looked my way, pointed at me and smiled as if to say thanks for coming and I love what I do. I thank Terry for affording me the opportunity to see his show and get together with him as well as his recognizing me in the audience. Terry is first class, talented and above all, humble. If you're ever in Vegas be sure to catch Terry's show at the Mirage. You will laugh as well as be awestruck and will be happy that you just had a touch of The Terry Fator Experience.

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Location:Las Vegas,United States