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Post by cam83 on Mar 30, 2005 2:10:10 GMT -5
Hi Jim, The part about my being gay and contradiction...well, I have come to terms with it. It's not meant as an insult, but the way I have felt about it from time to time. But I believe everything in our life happens for a reason, and it is our job to learn from it.
Cam
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 30, 2005 22:47:09 GMT -5
??# ??# $&? Rick, Cam, Jim, Mariah, Mary Ann, Moe, Ken, Enigma, Mark et all - it is so wonderful for me to get to know each of you just a bit better through this great idea that Rick had. I have learned so much from you all - things I didn't have any idea about, and I thought I had a fairly sound knowledge base about Karen and Richard. But there are so many things I'm learning, and hope to continue to learn. Thank you all for sharing a bit about yourselves. Cam, you need to know you bring happiness to many through your incredible talents. Rick , you always have such insight -you're like a walking encyclopedia! Enigma, you look at something every way possible, and come up with some incredible thoughts to ponder...makes me think, and that's always a good thing. Jim, you have such a kind heart, and have a ??# plethera of knowledge. Moe, you remind me of me sometimes. When you post, it's almost spooky how I can have the exact same feelings, and you are able to say them so succintly. Mary Ann, I just love reading your posts, and Katt, you too. You make me smile - I look forward to signing on and reading everyone's thoughts. Ken and Mark, you've brought a whole new perspective to this forum, and man, I like reading your thoughts. Dave and Roland, I'm really looking forward to your posts on this subject. You're both just the best. Just wanted to tell you all that you're each so special in your own right - and that I hope I can add something to your lives as you have added to mine. Tim
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Post by cam83 on Mar 31, 2005 0:45:11 GMT -5
That was very sweet of you!! I am so glad we are like a family together...a family that adores Carpenters music. How special is that. We are all nutty and crazy and passionate! My thoughts, Cam
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Post by enigma on Mar 31, 2005 7:51:58 GMT -5
Tim I gotta say that was a beautiful post! I have a connection to everyone in here simular to my connection with Karen thats is I feel I know you all. This is a unique forum everyone in here gives more of themselves reveals more of themselves than in any other forum. I feel comfortable to be more myself than anywhere in cyberspace and outside my family you all know more about me than anyone. I consider you all like a second family if anything our love for Karen and Richard make us a family dispite different personalities, demographics, lifestyles, ages and even race and nationality and belief systems. This is the true spirit of the Carpenters universal appeal a uniting bind that would and should make Richard and Karen proud. This was a great topic Rick I feel I know alot of you better because of this topic. Y'all are a really great bunch! ??# ??% @& &^ *% BTW Rick your big hug gif doesn't work you get the dancing girl when you click on it.
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Mar 31, 2005 14:29:23 GMT -5
?x? Enigma, Cam - thanks. It came from my heart. It's almost the weekend!!! I can hardly WAIT. Best to ya, Tim
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Post by beaner on Mar 31, 2005 17:57:52 GMT -5
Thanks, Tim. That WAS very nice of you to say about all of us. I know, for me, it is so comforting to know that you are all here. If I come home from work and just need a friend, it's a good feeling to know that any of you would be there for me.
Thans again, Tim and to ALL of you!
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 1, 2005 4:11:50 GMT -5
Rick, Cam, Jim, Mariah, Mary Ann, Moe, Ken, Enigma, Mark et all - it is so wonderful for me to get to know each of you just a bit better through this great idea that Rick had. I have learned so much from you all - things I didn't have any idea about, and I thought I had a fairly sound knowledge base about Karen and Richard. But there are so many things I'm learning, and hope to continue to learn. Thank you all for sharing a bit about yourselves. Cam, you need to know you bring happiness to many through your incredible talents. Rick , you always have such insight -you're like a walking encyclopedia! Enigma, you look at something every way possible, and come up with some incredible thoughts to ponder...makes me think, and that's always a good thing. Jim, you have such a kind heart, and have a plethera of knowledge. Moe, you remind me of me sometimes. When you post, it's almost spooky how I can have the exact same feelings, and you are able to say them so succintly. Mary Ann, I just love reading your posts, and Katt, you too. You make me smile - I look forward to signing on and reading everyone's thoughts. Ken and Mark, you've brought a whole new perspective to this forum, and man, I like reading your thoughts. Dave and Roland, I'm really looking forward to your posts on this subject. You're both just the best. Just wanted to tell you all that you're each so special in your own right - and that I hope I can add something to your lives as you have added to mine. Tim Wonderful beautiful post Tim. You are truly a one of a kind. I think it's neat that our love for one singer Karen Carpenter has built this interesting community.
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Post by John in Phoenix on Apr 1, 2005 23:38:10 GMT -5
;D This is an amazing thread/topic people ! I hope you don't mind if I share in this. I generally lurk around here on a daily basis but don't post very often. I really should start adding my voice here a bit more because I just love being a part of this group of marvelous individuals and sharing in all of the common bond we have with the Carpenters, and now each other in a more unique sense. You people rock. So if I may spill my short blog-esque story, here goes. My name is Obviously John, and I live in Phoenix Arizona. I have always lived in Arizona , 44 years to be exact, less 2 years living in Spain as a Mormon missionary, and one year in Palm Springs California after my first husband died from AIDS. d**n disease. We need a vaccine deserately. Church. No, I'm no longer Mormon, LDS to be proper about the name of the church/Organization. I also share my life with my Hubby, Danny. We have a wonderful life together and it gets better all the tiine. There ! Now I'm out AND you know of my past association with religion. On the basis of religion, have you ever known and/or heard of a gay Mormon? Me either. So as for my religious affiliation: Agnostic is probably a close fit for me. Spiritual in a sense, but not tied to any church or organisation. Works very well for me. There must be a God/something that has given me such a full and wonderful life these days. Love is very cool. Yay ! I first fell in love with the Carpenters in 1970 after My fourth grade teacher played their music in our classroom while we studied. How great was that?! I also got to see them in concert in the Summer of 1971 in Tucson. Man what a night that was. Wonderful. I was living in Spain when I got word of Karen's death. Even though I was a Mormon missionary forbidden to listen to any music outside of church music, I had smuggled three Carpenters cassettes over there with me. I risked it because of the way that the Carpenters music makes me always feel so good. I can always count on Karens voice and Richards outstanding arranging to be my sanctuary. A safe place to be. I miss Karen very much. And I would love to meet Richard someday. Ah....dreaming. So, I know this isn't much, but I may revise this later and flesh it out or make it somewhat coherent. It's been a long hard workweek. Bleh. Happy friday night to all of you. I love this group. - John in Phoenix
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 2, 2005 10:40:35 GMT -5
Here's a topic which may prove to be interesting. Carpenters fans come from all parts of the world, backgrounds, beliefs and lifestyles. I thought it wamy be interesting to share some of our own specific traits. I am male - gee duh - who couldn't figure that one out. I was born on December 29, 1959 in Bakersfield, California. I work with contractors and home owners. I coordinate them with designers, installers and specialists who can redesign the interior and exterior of their homes and offices along with ordering and purchasing the products they need to complete their project. I very much enjoy the job I do. I consider myself to be an extrovert. I have quite a few friends. And even more aquaintances. When I want to be I can be very social. Most of my friends say I'm about the funniest person they've ever met. I enjoy bright sunny days and summer is my favorite time of year (although here in So Cal it's summer almost year round). Other than Carpenters I predominantly like classic rock and modern rock. Some of my favorites are Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Coldplay, Tree63, Poor Old Lu, U2, King Crimson, and Adrian Belew. I think of myself as being pretty easy to get along with, but I also have a side of myself that is tough and stern. I am able to run a good business because I am relentless in keeping the show running smoothly. I enjoy watching crime dramas on Tv. currently my favorite show is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. I really enjoy people who are slightly off the wall. I like people who are off-beat in their clothing styles, and have funny hair styles or hair colors. I've just always liked different people. I am Christian. I attend church on a regular basis (well okay not as much as I should at this point in time - but I still do have my church home and church family). I sang in the church's gospel choir for about four years. My favorite Carpenters/Karen songs are usually the upbeat ones because this reflects my personality more. but then again the deep dark songs are just outstanding and no one can ever top a song like "solitaire" or "Rainy Days And Mondays". I first heard the Carpenters in 1971 when a friend of my father's played the "Close To You" album for us in it's entirety. At that point it didn't really capture. I became a Carpenters fan at the end of 1971 when my elementary school best friend played "Bless The Beasts And Children" for me. I was blown away by this song. From 198? to 1993 I pursued music as a career having been the lead singer and songwriter of an alternative rock group first named GreenHouse and then later named Thunder Lizards. the name Thunder Lizards came from a poem written by Jim Morrison. I have since retired from the music business - by my choice. To fulfill my creative side I draw facial portraits. Most are abstract, some a realistic. I also write epic poems, which I read in front of my church. One poem generally takes me about two months to write. How about the rest of you. It would be interesting to hear about what makes you tick. Since so many of you have done such a wonderful job with your own personal stories I've decided to add a bit more to mine. I have been in five car accidents. the last one was in 1998. a guy ran a red light going fifty mile per hour. It was a terrible scary scary accident. I'm very fortunate to be here. Other than classic rock artists some of my favorite musicians/singers are. Donna Summer (she's my second alltime favorite female vocalist. Sarah Brightman (what an amazing voice) Joe Henry (an underated excellent musician) Norah Jones John Mayer Spock's Beard RPWL Ornette Coleman The Lads (one of my favorite Christian rock groups) *my two favorite Chritian rock groups are Tree63 and Poor Old Lu Blondie Roxy Music k.d. lang Moody Blues Paul McCartney and Wings I tend to like music with an edge. And the musicianship is as improtant to me as the vocals. So you give me a group like the Carpenters who are both musically and vocally superior and I'm in Heaven. My ideal social evening is going out to dinner with my friends and then ending up in a big shopping mall or store like Barnes and Noble. I also love going to the swap meet. That's a fun and social event and it gets you outside for a few hours. As for movies I enjoy action adventure. But also love a good comedy. such as I'm looking forward to seeing "Miss Congeniality 2". As Mariah mentioned I do not like any music that promotes racial or sexual hatred. I find that deplorable. Most rap and hip-hop I'm sorry to say I just do not care for. A lot of the musicianship is missing in hip-hop/rap. My favorite family memory happened on january 30, 1993 when my nephew Justin was born. He is a wonderful kid and I love him so. I have an adopted (or maybe I should say inherited) daughter. her name is tyler. she's ten years old. I have been her "Daddy Rick" since she was a baby as her dad has never been there for her. There will be more. Stay tuned... %?? %?? Note to John in Phoenix. thank you for your story. I enjoyed reading it. You are always wlecome to post on this forum. You're definitely a part of this family.
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Post by cam83 on Apr 2, 2005 13:25:01 GMT -5
Hi All, Well I guess I can add tid bits of my potpourri in my life, so here goes... My favorite take out is Kentucky Fried Chicken. I have a weakness for it. I could eat it every day. Yum. Well, I worked there when I was 18 to age 20. Although, and this is the God truth, when I was a child, due to extreme neglect and poverty, I was in a foster home around age 3 or 4, and I left the property, and went walking, probably running away, so I could find my way back to my mother Florence. And I was walking on this not so busy road, and I found this bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and all the trimmings laying alongside the road. Well I squatted down, and began to go thru it, and ate whatever was left. There was coleslaw, some rolls, cold gravy, and some chicken. But this was the norm for me. I was used to abuse in the foster homes. I was also used to the fact, that I was not "welcome" in the family. Their kids were treated way better, with love and affection. But soon enough, the Children's Aids' Workers would come and get me, and drag me away, screaming, because I didn't want to leave, the security of even an abusive place. Then, I would have to start all over again. I was so young. (thankfully, by age 5 I met a teacher at the school I went to, and the rest is history)... My favorite colors are...RED, BLACK, and BLUE....(oh, that sounds awful...but I like those colors!). Did I have happy teen years? No, not really. Being adopted into the Longo family, was a hard cross to bear in my life. Yes, we had plenty of food, nice clothes, went to Church regularily, went to private Christian School...but I was lonely. Lonely for a lot of things. I needed something to identify with. To love...to be loved by. And yes, my adopted Mother Fern loved me. For that I am so grateful. She was my angel. YOU NEEDED ME by Anne Murray is how I feel about her. But I had to be strong for her sake. See, since my Dad and Mom owned their own jacket company in Winnipeg, Mom would have to go to other provinces to see if various schools wanted jackets, take the measurements, send them to Dad, who would start making the jackets. Well Mom might be gone for 10 days. I would cry when she left, secretly of course. I always felt something would die within me. Because I knew what would always happen. My Dad would be nice to us kids for a day or two...and then his rage would come thru, and he would become violent towards us. For nothing at all, or for something trivial. And we would recieve bruises, and wounded hearts. And I would want to just die. Then Mom would finally come home, and that ray of light would come, and I would feel at peace...because at least we had some protection when she came. Or at least, we knew things wouldn't be "AS BAD" when she was around to kind of simmer things down. But she would come to us, individually and ask us how things were. She knew, and I knew, and I would always answer guardingly..."oh, it was okay...Dad got a bit mad but other than that..." and my voice would trail off. She would prod until she got a bit more out of me. I would always ALWAYS downplay what our Father did to us. Because I was scared she would go to Dad, and then he would come to us...and that was something I didn't want...finally in my Grade 8 year, in May, I discovered Karen Carpenter in a Health text book, and her music was heavenly. It soothed my troubled and sad soul. I could connect to her music, that voice. Which is probably the reason I love her sad, sad songs like SOLITAIRE, HIDEAWAY, ONE LOVE, CRESCENT NOON, ONE MORE TIME, TICKET TO RIDE and SUPERSTAR... I love to read and draw, write and sing. I usually love life and all the challenges it brings. I am busy with my family tree genealogy. In my adopted Mom's family, we can trace back her Mennonite heritage back to 1400 Holland. In my biological family, I can trace back our French heritage to the 1600's France and 1700's Scottland. And late 1700's to the Cree First Nation, as well as Saulteaux tribes which origionally came from the USA around the Great Lakes, but moved across the waters, as tribes were getting too big, so they left for Saskatchewan and Manitoba were lots of Saulteaux people live, who then would intermarry with the French and Scottish, creating a new race...The Metis. A true Metis is someone who can trace their roots back to the Red River Community in Manitoba, and I can do that, many times over. Greatest moments...When I was adopted in 1978, November 29 to Tony and Fern Longo's house in 123 Callum Cresc. Wpg, Mb.(the house is now sold)... When my adopted brother Sachia was born in 1982(Mom had had 3 previous miscarriages). When my adopted sister Cori Marie was born in 1985. Completing our family. Being baptized in 1991 at Trailview Alliance Church in Swift Current, Saskatchewan. Meeting my birth family in 1994 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Meeting my birth mother's twin sister, Auntie Rose. My birth mother died at age 33 in 1987 of lung cancer. When I found out of her death, I was devestated beyond belief. I was adopted during that time, and we found out about her death, in Jan 1989, 14 months after her death. I had only about 18 months left to search for her when I turned 18, which is the law. The course of my life changed, and had no desire to meet anyone in my birth family, as she was the only one I loved and remembered. She was a wonderful mother, for the first 6 years of my life. Doing her best, and protecting me from any harm, but she was inexperienced, and naive, and got into several bad relationships, which caused us kids to be abused, herself included, which is why we got taken away by Children's Aid. But then I found out she had a twin sister Rose, and I wanted to meet her so badly. I don't really have any other greatest moments I can think of... I got to meet Gospel Superstar SANDI PATTY in Oct 2004 in Edmonton, ALberta. She is awesome! What a voice!! In Christian circles, she is known as THE VOICE. She is tremendous. And a wonderful inspiration. My thoughts, Cam PS. Hope I haven't bored you.
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Post by karen69roland on Apr 3, 2005 11:01:44 GMT -5
Hi Carpenters friends.
My name is Roland Chayer..., aka Karen69Roland. I was born on February 20, 1969..., so, just like The Carpenters, I'm 36 years old. I live in Montreal, Quebec/Canada..., since I was born. I'm French Canadian.
My parents are still alive, but, are divorced since I'm 8 years old(1977). I have a sister who's 4 years younger than me..., she's a pharmacist. At this moment, I'm single and pretty much a loner..., I take care of my cat Mitaine who's 18 years old and very sick..., I cry everyday since a couple of months now..., he's everything to me..., he's my best friend since 1987, when he was a baby cat..., also the year Karen became my favorite female singer.
I've been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at age 26(1995), so, I have to deal with this chronic disease every day.
I'm a composer, arranger and multi-instrumentist musician(guitar, drums, bass, keyboards and vocals)..., I have my own recording studio.
Guitarist/composer Eddie Van Halen is my model since I'm 14 years old(1983), he made me want to do music..., that's when I picked up the guitar..., I play it for 22 years now..., before him my idol was hockey player Guy Lafleur of *Les Canadiens de Montréal*..., the biggest hockey star of the '70s. I was/am a pretty good hockey and baseball player, but, I can't play those sports anymore because of the disease(MS).
Karen Carpenter is my favorite female singer since 1987, when I was working in a music store at Christmas time, I was always playing the *Christmas Portrait* LP in the store(and played it at all Christmas time since then). I also had the tape #2 of *Yesterday Once More*..., I borrowed it from a female singer that I was auditioning back in 1991. I didn't know very much how Karen looked physically*, except for a couple of photos, and I didn't know that she was actually a drummer until I saw the *Close To You - Rembering The Carpenters* PBS special in early 1998..., then it hit me like a bomb..., from that moment on, I went and bought everything I could find on The Carpenters(imports CDs, magazines, TV Shows, LPs, Singles, made myself T-Shirts, resizing small photos into posters and laminated them, musical boxes, cups, made myself puzzles, etc...) ..., just everything I could find or create, I did..., I spent ALL the money that I had because of my love for them(around $8,000 to $10,000) in only two years('98-'99). My appartement looks like a little Carpenters museum..., well, now, with all the renovations I have to do I had to remove a lot of stuff on the walls, but, they'll be back up there again. I've almost completely stopped buying since then 'cause I had to put more money into my recording studio(buying a pro drum kit, pro mics, etc...)..., but, someday, I'll start buying Carpenters gems again.
*Earlier, I mentioned that I didn't know much how Karen looked physically except for a couple of photos..., well I do remember that special moment in 1989 after *The Karen Carpenter Story* movie played on tv..., they showed the *Voice Of The Heart* LP cover and I my heart went crazy, I remember saying : *That's the real Karen Carpenter?! WOW!! She's awesome!! She's much better looking than the actress.*
Karen is the woman I admire the most on this planet..., she's my *Idéale*..., all the girlfriends I had in my life were physically like Karen(brown eyes and slim) and they were very intelligent and funny like her too..., but, Karen is *The Ultimate Woman* for me. I'd really like to meet someone who makes me feel that kind of sensation..., but, I don't think I will. *Little note..., I met the girl I loved the most in my life the same day Karen died (Friday, February 4, 1983)..., I was with her for 8 and-a-half years(from 14 years old to 22 years old).
I also wanted to say that ALL OF YOU, Carpenters friends, have something very special in your personal comments/lifes..., very interesting.
Oh yeah..., I'm also a moderator at a very nice Van Halen forum.
So, my life is pretty much..., Music Music Music. ;D [glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]
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Post by YesterdayOnceMore on Apr 3, 2005 18:40:42 GMT -5
$&? Dave, Rick, Roland and Cam - great stuff - thanks for adding this information. It's so great to get to know everyone this way. I know I've said that before, but It's true - good stuff. Thanks.
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Post by Rick Henry on Apr 3, 2005 20:32:48 GMT -5
Roland, I am so happy to see that you included your story in this thread. I found it interesting reading. I was surprised to read that you once played hockey and baseball. I've never played hockey, but I love the sport as my nephew is a hockey player since age five, he's now twelve.
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Post by karen69roland on Apr 3, 2005 20:44:08 GMT -5
Cool... I started to play hockey and baseball at 4 years old..., this is a pic of me two days after my 15th birthday, in February 1984..., category Bantam AA.
[glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]
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Post by karen69roland on Apr 3, 2005 20:56:23 GMT -5
Here are two nice pics..., one of Dave with his family(I suppose it's in Houston??) and one of Tim with the Carpenters Star on The Walk Of Fame..., I'd really like to have one pic like that someday.
[glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]
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Post by karen69roland on Apr 3, 2005 21:29:38 GMT -5
This is me 6 months ago, October 2004.
* Note that my 80 Carpenters CDs are not in the shelves behind me. ;D
[glow=red,2,300][/glow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow][shadow=red,left,300]Roland Chayer[/shadow][shadow=red,left,300] [/shadow]
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Post by Ming on Apr 4, 2005 3:11:59 GMT -5
Hi! My name is Chau Cheuk Ming. I am a Chinese. Chau is my surname.I live in Hong Kong and I am 19 years old.
I start to listen to the Carpenters since I joined a singing competition with my classmates in 2002 Dec.The song we sang is 'Top of the World'. Karen has the most beautiful voice.
I joined this forum later and get to know all of you.You all are my best friends.I am very happy because I know so many people worldwide love the Carpenters.
I am going to continue to share the joy of listening the music of the Carpenters with all of you.
Thanks.
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Post by cam83 on Apr 4, 2005 3:51:55 GMT -5
I am Canadian and I cannot stand sports of any kind...okay, that's not true...I LOVE figure skating!! Actually my Dad loved sports too...unfortunately I was not the son he wanted. I was a Mama's boy, and would have preferred to be inside, baking and doing laundry. Instead I was forced to try and work on my Dad's car, fix broken things with his tools, do lawn work and do "manly" stuff, otherwise I would be punished. Or I had to be dragged to see NHL or Canadian Baseball league in Montreal.
Cam
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