I have two projects going for youtube videos. One is for Darfur and one is for my other passion: Heath Ledger. I am waiting for some collaboration with Mohamed Suleiman for the Darfur video project, so I started the one for Heath a couple of days ago with some focus. I have spent a week working on thinking of a song I could use for it. But the real journey for a song is finding one that won't be banned in the USA or Germany. So I test them out by uploading an incomplete video with a son... Read Full Story

To enlarge image, click on it."If we care, the world will care.If we bear witness, the world will know.If we act, the world will follow." Barack ObamaApril 30, 2006And is this true?If we don't care, the world won't care.If we don't bear witness, the world will know. If we don't act, the world won't follow......or lead.With respect,which one will it be, President Obama? "If only words could heal ~ and they can play a part,but we need our leaders to have the political willand moral integrity t... Read Full Story

TO USA CITIZENSDOMESTIC BIGOTS ARE NO BETTERTHAN FOREIGN TERRORISTS I have plans to write another letter to President Obama, expressing my feeling of being let down by his not matching his words and actions since President to before he was President - regarding genocide and the extreme situation for the Darfuris and southern Sudan. Then I saw this on television tonight:...............................................................Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about ... Read Full Story

and COLOR . . . imagine a world of only black and white I LOVE BEAUTY in any form~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~RAFA UPDATE:Novak Djokovic defeated Rafa Nadal in the semifinal in ParisSaturday, November 14, 20092-6, 3-6Photo credit of all pictures here should read (if copied):Sandra Hammel, Rhode Island, 2009All of the photos of my front yardwere taken this afternoon,November 15, 2009, Sunday, around 4:30 p.m................................................................................................ Read Full Story

ParisBNP Paribas Masters BercyTennis TournamentQuarterfinalRafa Nadal defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga7-5, 7-5 todaySemifinalRafa Nadal vs. Novak DjokovicSaturday, November 14, 2009Paris time 2:00 p.m.USA EST 8:00 a.m.DrawOfficial Site Tennis/Live/EventWatchMenWatch it Live for a FeeYou might try these links for free viewing:www.atdhe.netwww.channelsurfing.netRafael Nadal of Spain prepares for the start of his match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during the ATP Masters Series at the Palais... Read Full Story

Click to enlarge the photoNovember 11, 2009From my back yardPhoto credit should read:Sandra Hammel, Rhode Island, 2009Rafa Nadal update belowHeath LedgerI can't understand it. I don't care that I can't. But there is some strong connection that makes me feel so powerful about Heath Ledger and his leaving us so soon. Sometimes the feeling of mourning takes me over and I have to fight being overwhelmed by sadness. And yet there is something reassuring about this - to know that we have this... Read Full Story

If you come here periodically, you know I don't just write about genocide, although it is the most important issue that I do write of. Or Native Americans, which is also a vitally important issue to me personally on moral and justice grounds. Or politics, President Obama. Or social justice and important issues of our country and world are other subjects I include frequently. Some examples: When Wrong Is Taken As RightIgnorance is not bliss. It is just ignorance. And it can be deadly. J... Read Full Story

To enlarge image, click on it.Dear World,Are we humane human beings? Do we care about people being eliminated based on the group of people they are? And would it matter to us, if we were the group? We care about what happened in recent history on September 11. We felt the target based on who we are.The history of genocide began before the world manufactured the word genocide. This country, the United States, was built upon stolen land while killing the people who were living here before ... Read Full Story

Today, a comment waited for my moderating to be posted at one of my past blog post. I have copied the comment below my introductory remarks, here.I have been an activist to prevent and end genocide since 2004. And because I believed Presidential candidate, Barack Obama meant what he said in regards to Darfur, for the first time in my relatively long life, I went outside my comfort zone to knock on doors and phone bank for him last year. And during that time, was asked to introduce Senator ... Read Full Story

MEMORIES WORTH REMEMBERINGMusic is my Refuge..............................................................................................................It's May ~ Robert Schumannn's Art Song ~ Paul Warren Allen, Conductor ~ North Central CollegeUploaded by me ilovemylifesblogThis text is from my Youtube sidebar:This recording was done in the spring of 1968 in Naperville, Illinois, outside of Chicago at North Central College. Three years later the college eliminated the music department.T... Read Full Story