Well, imagine my surprise and delight to find an e-mail from Rick Henry in my mailbox last night, and when reading it, finding out it was about yours truly! I was quite taken aback, I can assure those of you who are reading this post.
Thanks, Rick. I appreciate your featuring my websites, and my doodlings. I have enjoyed very much getting to shout my little opinions and ideas to the world, and I've made some outstanding friends along the way. To say that I'm winding down would be far from the truth - and in fact, I find myself involved with more and more things.
I'm not "employed" during the daytime - that is, My HR Director position at TEMCO came to an end with the end of last year, due - of course - to low business volumes. Unfortunately, part of my job during the last year and a half was to assist in the involuntary termination of many employees, most of which were in our California office, due to budget limitations. And of course, sometimes it hits home, too - which is what has, again, happened to me.
I'm not concerned at the moment. I'm doing more with my music than I have before, having made connections with a studio in Chicago, the studios here in Springfield, of course, my work with Fred at Tiki and other related avenues like teaching, singing concerts at various churches, weddings, funerals, etc. More music - less 9 to 5. I'm all for it. PLUS, I am currently recording my own album. I'm delighted to be doing so, and though it may take a while before I'm able to get it out of the can, as they say - I am working on it, and having a ball.
Another new task for me is an actual website....I've taken control of The Musical World of Palma Pascale, though I have not done anything with it as of yet. I was sent all the files just last week, and I am learning what I need to do to expand it, and improve it. I have a lot of new information I want to include on it.
Also, Rick mentioned my other websites - blogs, etc.,
www.martinis-musings.blogspot.com is the first site I started, and I am in the final stages of a rather extensive blog about Palma's last contemporary Christian CD, THIS MUST BE HEAVEN. Once I get that written, I will need to start on her final CD, one filled with songs of worship, piano/vocal only called I WORSHIP YOU, now available, and soon to be available through cdbaby.com.
Besides Martini's-Musings, I've got three other blogs that I keep up with -
www.RamblingsRegardingRendo.blogspot.com about our fellow Avenue member, Frank Rendo -
www.timsanpaolo.blogspot.com which is about anything and everything, and
www.notesaboutnivera.blogspot.com which I have, sadly, let go for some time and need to update. That one is about the talented "Concert King" of the Philippines, Martin Nievera. I hear from Mart often and he understands that since last summer, and specifically since last September I have had my hands full with many other things. But the time is right to return to writing for Martin - one of the "good guys."
As Rick mentioned I do have a MySpace account, and I also run the MySpace account for (The Late) Palma Pascale. I have a Shoutlife page, and maintain Palma's Shoutlife page, as well. I also have a page at Worship The Rock, and so, is it any wonder I don't get over here to Carpenters Avenue nearly as much as I'd like to?? I wish I could spend a lot of time here, and introduce new topics, etc., but alas - only so many hours in a day.
Besides all of the above, I am the Publicist and Public Relations Director for Frank Rendo, and I enjoy that very much. A lot of what I do, then, is centered around Frank's schedule of shows, new albums, etc. So, besides maintaining the many websites I have now, I also maintain Frank's schedule, and post it in as many places as possible (Facebook, MySpace, Shoutlife, Twitter, Worship The Rock, ReverbNation, etc.) and that all takes time!
And ... I'm writing a book. Won't give this one away, but between writing a book and making my own album, doing all of the recording, editing, mastering, mixing etc. myself, it's time consuming, but my friends, how fulfilling.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to get past Palma's death. I think of her so often, and everything I am doing has her stamp on it. My life did truly change when we met. I've said that before, but now I believe people are more able to see for themselves that my life took a new direction and it continues in that direction, since having met our dear Palma. Nearly every day I am involved in something that has to do with Palm - selling, orchestrating, writing, singing, cataloguing, etc. More and more and more, and I love it, believe me.
I love it here at Carpenters Avenue, and I apologize for not making it over here more often. I did get by to wish Rick a Happy Birthday, and was happy to know it was a good one for him.
Do stop by any of my sites, and leave a comment - say hello, and listen to the music I've learned to be able to provide you on my blogs, etc. I think you'll enjoy yourself - I really do!
To each of you who I have long considered my friends, and certainly my family of Carpenters fans, I wish you well. I would love to hear from you, and know what it is you're doing. You can leave that information right here in Tim's Corner - Many of you are not as "chatty" as I, and that's fine - but to know you're doing okay, and the things you're now involved in, and that keep your days filled would really be great to know.
I wish every single one of you nothing but the very best. Rick - thanks for the very kind, very nice words you said about me in your e-mail to The Avenue members. I was surprised, and not surprised. I appreciate this site very much, and have for a very long time. I'm happy to still be considered a part of things, and to be able to continue to shout my praises for the Carpenters, and in particular, that warm, chocolate-like voice of Karen. Mmmm...mmmmm......good!
So to each and everyone, as I always do,
I wish you all the best from here in my corner,
Tim