Friday, October 16, 2015

Karen's Kanvas: Reflections on Life, Public Speaking and dance ,

Its 2 days after my first speech at Toast Masters.  I have a day off and I finally was able to relax the other night and now, as I’m here to convey a message to you all.  I’m enjoying my coffee and reflecting on the experience.  It’s been a stressful few weeks, knowing that I soon would be speaking in front of strangers.  Public speaking for many, including myself is challenging and causes a lot of anxiety.  Many fear Public Speaking more than other things ( such as fear of heights, flying, or even cancer).

 

I’d thought I would write   my insights as well as compare Dancing and public speaking.

Most of the time, I post a piece of creative  writing here, usually something that I have easily and naturally constructed  in my mind, at least  portions prior to   those  thoughts written on paper, or here on the computer screen

I thought if I wrote poetically, it may not be as meaningful and   possibly not have the same affect on you, the reader. 

I have wanted to take public  speaking  for a long time, but never  did. I was enrolled in a public speaking  course in college.  However, a few weeks after the   class began, I had to take a medical  leave due to suddenly losing my sight for the second  time in 14  months. 

So, I never learned those concepts and skills then. 

Speaking  in front of strangers , even approaching   one stranger  and starting  a conversation  has  always been difficult  for  me.  Even at  3 years old I was shy around those I did not know.  Yet, I was a friendly child from what I am told and liked to talk  if I knew  the person and   the trust was  there.  Its  interesting  , the inner child within  us  is just a smaller  version  of our adult selves. 

I can  be extremely talkative when  its  someone  I am familiar  with or  if I am in a familiar setting. 

If I am not, its  out of my  comfort zone.  I was this way at 4 and  still today,at 51 . 

I  decided  its about time  that I work  on overcoming  that fear  as well as gain some leadership  skills. 

As said, I’m  quite  shy and  introverted and speaking   in front  of a group  of strangers elecits a ton of anxiety.  My stress the last few weeks   has been very high and there have been changes physiologically.  It’s been mentally draining too.  I have been a little more forgetful, heart racing, trouble sleeping, headaches, and stuff like that.

I noticed the other night once my speech was over, I   began to relax and unwind.  I felt changes within minutes after sitting down and listening   to the next presenter. 

Recently, I thought about   why, It is, so difficult  for me to not just  speak  in a formal setting like Toast Masters  but just, in everyday situations, out in the community. I don’t like strangers approaching me nor me, them.

It’s not like I won’t, talk to strangers, it’s just I’m less likely to strike up a conversation.  Since having dog guides it has helped and the dogs have been good icebreakers.  People will first ask about the dog’s training, talk about their dog, things like that and that often is how I have gotten to know strangers.

I know intellectually that some of these strangers would, could become   acquaintances and then eventually lead to a friendship.  Yet, getting to that, point is just so awkward for me.

As I said, I recently thought why it is that public speaking or talking to strangers has been so challenging for me. I do have a somewhat introverted personality this is true.

Not only that, I believe my experiences in school has not only somewhat shaped my personality but also my inability to feel comfortable in groups, make friends and speak in public.

My Family moved a lot when my sisters and I were growing up.  So, we were the   “New Kids”.  I also was legally blind, had some issues with my weight and had alopecia. 

Of course, if you are the “new kid” or appear different in any way, one’s peers seem to like to tease and make fun of those whom appear so different and weak compared to them.

For many years and no matter what school I had attended, it was pretty much the same.  Not all of my classmates  picked on me, but many, enough that it did  ultimately effect   not just my social  life but also my personality and who I have become  as a person.

I’d like to think  those experiences  were one of a few reasons as to why I  have  lots of compassion for others and I like to give others the  benefit of the doubt, get to know them  before I   come to any real conclusions on what they are  like as a person.

Though, I have forgiven   those   peers, “Kids” whom ridiculed me for years, I haven’t forgotten.  I’m sure most of those kids, whom are all adults   now are good people, have respect for others and have children of their own.   Perhaps, some feel    badly for how they behaved back then and maybe, even some of them I’d be friends with today. I’d like to think so.  I know we all were going through our own “growing Pains”. 

Despite all of this , it still has had this effect on me.  It’s not like I dwell on it. I just happen to have a very good Memory, a Memory like an Elephant (unless I am under stress).

And unfortunately and, fortunately, our perceptions and experiences doe’s effect and can alter our views and personality.

I was made fun of   in and outside of the classroom, and fortunately, only in the school setting.  P. E, Gym was my least favorite class, even worse than Math (and I am poor at Math).

If I gave the wrong answer when called upon in class, many of my peers laughed at me, teasing me    and doing other things, the typical   bullying stuff that you hear about. 

As a result, I think that is another reason    why I have lots of anxiety and feel so uncomfortable speaking in front of others. 

It’s interesting but I don’t recall bullying   being one of those social problems that got publicity like it does today.  Perhaps, I was just unaware of it.

However, it appears   that there are, more advertisements and PSA’s (Public   Service Announcements) on this major Social Problem.

I am glad to hear that they have these PSA’s and other ways that the word   is getting out about Bullying. It’s a real problem for youth. Maybe, some of these  PSA’s  will make others more aware and teach youngsters  not to  bully , have respect for others and  if he or she does observe a  classmate being  bullied to speak  up and help.

Recently, I heard some PSA’s on this issue, and noticed that I had tears in my eyes as I listened   to the announcements. I couldn’t believe that it elicited a reaction, an emotional response in me after 30 years, - but it did. Wow!  I have empathy for those children whom are being bullied now.

I was told as a kid, just ignore them and they will stop. You know what? that, didn’t help at all . I should have stood up to them

I appreciate my sisters Mary Beth and Tara   being there in some of these situations and standing up for me on my behalf. I can recall  a couple incidents  pretty clearly as if they happened yesterday and one girl  in particular ,one classmate  “ Jackie Bennett    who was one of my Bully’s  and My  sister Mary Beth had gotten into a fight with after school because of me and she did what she  could to try and stop the bullying.  Thank you Mary Beth and Tara. 

 I never intended to disclose something as personal as this,   to my Blog and on such a public platform.  Yet, I am writing about my reflections on public speaking and I have been feeling introspective.

Sorry I went down Memory lane. 

The   purpose of this Blog Post was to tell you my experience  I had the other  night as I presented  my first Speech at  my toast  masters Meeting.

I also wanted to compare   how dancing is like writing a speech.  This, could certainly be more interesting and entertaining than hearing about my childhood. 

 Fortunately, I chose a wonderful Toast Master’s Club “Socially Speakers” here in Tempe.

Toast Masters International has been around for 90 years and there are thousands of Clubs World Wide.

Each Club makes it a safe environment and teaches techniques to be a good professional speaker while providing support and encouragement along the way.  They do evaluate each speaker but they do it in a positive   and constructive way. 

My Club Socially Speakers also have social   activities outside of our Meetings: Hence, “Socially Speakers”

In November we will hike South Mountain and go to dinner.  In December one of the Members will have an Ornament/ Tree decorating party.    I am glad I joined this particular Club.

My Speech went alright the other night.   It wasn’t  as smooth as I’d like and I wish  I  had not been so nervous, voice  shaky from the starting gate  and the middle  slightly awkward ,where I, knew I  forgot  an   important  part of my speech, for me at least. The portion that mentioned all that, I could finally do at age 8, was an important part of my speech.

Age 8 was quite significant for me and a year I won’t, haven’t forgotten.  At age 8, things in my Brain finally clicked, both my ability to physically do tasks and mentally comprehend.  Things, just fell into place.

It was then, I could finally swim, run, and ride a bike. I recall being at the Montvale Swim Club in N. J (a Manmade Lake) and having my swimming test. I didn’t like being   with the little kids in the shallow end and wanted to be swimming with my sisters and the older kids, lol.

I couldn’t swim well but at least I could doggie paddle and I was able to swim from the shore to the diving board and back.    I was proud of myself. 

I also recall when I could finally ride my bike. Like many kids, I had training wheels on my Purple   shwin Bicycle (also had a cute white basket with purple flowers and a horn).    I was riding up and down  our street  in Upper Saddle River N. J with my Sisters and  Neighbor friends, speeding ,riding ,laughing  having fun  ,lol., I noticed, I wasn’t using  my training wheels  anymore, that it was just me  that was keeping the bike   balanced and  riding  without falling.  I was amazed and so excited!

Normally, I don’t like being the center of   attention as a kid, nor,   now.

Yet, then, I did, I said to my sisters and friend, look, look, at what I can do! Lol. 

Educationally, the pieces of the puzzle were also falling into place, I had a better handle on my subjects and concepts in school.  So, 1972, I won’t forget!

Here I go, digressing again, very sorry. Back to Wednesday Night’s Speech

I knew I forgot  that significant piece of my personal timeline, back peddled, and then continued  on, the rest  flowed more easily and the person  ,Dennis  timing me, told me I had a minute left and I was able to somehow   rap it all  up and tie  it all  neatly, slightly  awkwardly at the end  but I manage to do it and stay in my   7 minute  time window ,yay me! Lol.

It’s like learning and knowing how to stand and do a routine on the Balance Beam in gymnastics.

First, gracefully knowing where  and how  to   stand up and  plant  your feet  so  your balanced  enough to  walk and  perform on the beam with ease  . Then at the end   , do your dismount off the beam and land on both feet onto the floor so you look like a natural, lol.

Wednesday  night, I didn’t  quite do that  but I suppose  it’s not important , after all, it is, just the first  of many   Speeches  I will do in toast Masters .

The Important thing is, I joined Toast Masters, stood up there in Front of everyone, despite feeling extremely nervous and anxious, didn’t freeze, quit or faint. I managed to somehow  continue, even though, I had a big blunder,  laughed  out of nervousness ( have done that since a little girl ) ,had a huge   pause but went on to finish my  speech.  Thanks to the encouragement of my Club Members and my close and dear friend Jeff, I made it through to the end. :)

 This first speech is an “Icebreaker” Speech, about oneself.  This way, Members can get to know the new Member.

One would think writing and speaking about oneself would be easy and that one,   would feel comfortable to talk about him,  or herself. WE know ourselves better than anyone else.

Yet, for some of us, this was not, an easy task. I felt like I didn’t  have an interesting  story to tell or what would  others think  of me being born with  a brain injury and being on   patterning therapy for the first 8 years of my  life.

My family and close friends reminded me that I am interesting and that my story is worth telling.   Not too many people born with a brain injury go through patterning and, living life, succeeding, graduating College and   working full time, providing a service in Hotel and Tourism. 

I did get  some help  some ideas  as how to  go about this from my good friend  Jeff

First, I was told to have  an  outline , the key points, kind of a  timeline . Once I had that, then I could draft my speech.

Even that, was a little difficult. I added too much in my outline and had to narrow it down.

Once I had that solid outline, it was simpler to write the speech.

In fact, within a couple hours of writing my draft, I was done. Once I got going, it came with ease, the words just started to flow, the keys on the keyboard   quickly tapped in a rhythmic    manner. I had my beginning, middle and end and my story was   told on paper, a copy, in word.

Then, I needed to take those words and find a way to convey them through speaking in front of the group. This, was two completely different experiences for me.

It was easy to write, came naturally and I had no real difficulty nor anxiety writing my speech. It was smooth, fluid and more elegant then when I stood up there Wednesday night. I am like two  different people  and I wish  I were half the  speaker that I am  the writer . 

Writing and Dance are my, mediums of communication.

If you want to know about me visit my Blog, ask me to send you an e-mail or watch me dance. Its then, you will see   the real me, the   comfortable, animated, happy KarenJ lol

It’s true, I am a much better writer than speaker and I love dance.

Its there, on the dance floor that I am most comfortable. It feels natural and its loads of fun.

Even when I am taking  a new form  of dance, like tap or ballet I  am having fun ,learning, doing and not  caring if I am making a mistake  or what  others  think when I  don’t   have the steps down   .

And, I learn fast and I can always feel the beat, and have the  rhythm .  Even if, I am learning new  dance concepts, I can still feel the “ beat” and stay in rhythm and will eventually  I will learn the concepts  and the footwork  will   transfer  into my muscle  memory.

I noticed this last year when I took tap dancing after a few years. The concepts and   some of the   dance steps  I learned  in Ballet  decades  earlier stayed with  me and I found myself  doing ballet  in tap class. I would hear my tap instructor Mary say, Karen, this is not ballet, and here is how to do these steps in Tap .

Ballet was my foundation since, I began   taking   ballet around age 6 or 7 and had four years of it.

As I said earlier in this post, one can make a comparison of dancing to speech writing and public speaking

In Ballet one needs to Master  the first 5   foot positions  before  learning  more advanced    steps and  be able to execute   Plies and Pirouettes  and other things  first.

One needs  to know how  to position  their feet  so he or she can find their  ,balance and  move  from one  position  to  the next  where  they are on the floor  ,so they can leap,  turn standing tall, on their  toes , elegantly moving and dancing across the floor.

I was, going  to use Ballet   terms but since  the origins of Ballet are French and  Italian, I thought it may be  too  confusing to you the reader .

Besides, I don’t recall most, of the actual terms too   write about   it and have it sound intelligible.

I  do still  naturally, know  how to perform some of these  more advanced  ballet steps  but don’t know  the term for what I am doing, it’s just still there in my muscle  memory. And, even when I am waiting in line somewhere  or at my desk at work or at home  I will  do the footwork for both ballet and tap lol.(sometimes, combining  both ,doing ballet in tap  is not  easy and I have come  close  to falling as I have been in midair ,spinning coming back down  trying to land  on both feet,lol.

Of course, more advanced steps are not needed to express and compare dancing with writing.

As I said there are similarities.

When writing, drafting an outline for a presentation, one needs to have an outline, a theme, a subject in which he or she will expand on to write, convey their points or present on. 

Dance is the same way. 

One needs to have   a musical theme, to know the Melody, the harmony, understand concepts    and it does help, to have natural rhythm .

One needs to either be taught   a dance routine or choreograph one him or herself.  This would be your outline or draft for your Speech.

 

One needs  to  learn the basic  steps, like the first 5 foot positions in Ballet ( first, second, Third ,  one foot in front, one behind, or to the side for example).

One  needs  to know  how to point  or stand  on their  toes and position their  arms , out to the side, above their  head before  learning new concepts.   These would be your first sub headings and points in your speech outline, often the introduction.

Having access to the ballet bar and   full length Mirror if you are sighted is extremely helpful.

It’s there at the bar, where one learns   the basic exercises, the first 5 foot positions and also where they stretch and get limber. It’s much easier to dance when limber.

Again, this is like your draft and outline and your introduction of your speech. 

Once those concepts are understood and can be executed, one can move onto more complicated concepts and combinations that involve more fancy footwork.

These steps, would be like your body of your speech, the “meat “and core concepts of your speech and dance routine.

For instance, in tap, one needs  to know how to  do basics such as March in place, stay in rhythm , shuffle,    know the difference  between a flap and a   slap and do them correctly before  he or she even tries  shim shams and Irish’s, even cramp rolls and  ball and change . 

Once, the dancer has, those basic concepts down, he or she can learn a short routine and perform it on stage.  It takes   practice and coordination.

In writing, one needs to have knowledge of language, have vocabulary and understand basic grammar rules, punctuation and sentence structure in order to be able to write well.

The same is true with   formal dancing, like Ballet, Tap and Jazz. 

One needs that foundation and beginning classes and courses before moving onto more complex   dance moves, writing Poetry short stories and Novels

, before one will be accepted to a dance academy, become an instructor, or become a famous author or Poet. One needs to start somewhere, always the beginning and take baby steps.

Once one can master this and has their   foundation , they are ready to combine ,execute  more complex movement, more    developed plots ,with more interesting   Characters ,longer stanzas,  poetry verses ,more complicated ,difficult  dance steps  that look easy  pleasing to the eye  but are complicated.

These, are the    choreographed dance routines, the manuscripts, the novels that others want to see and read. It’s not, these corny,    semi developed, half baked, unpolished Poems (if you can call them that, lol) here on Karen’s Kanvas, that most, would want to see or  read here. I would love to find a way to learn to be a writer, a real writer  J

Once one  does   successfully master  these concepts, then completing   and reaching  the goal, being able to do the dance routine yourself, performing  the solo, standing up on stage  speaking in public , doing a presentation  from  beginning to end ,sounding professional,( not using  fillers  such as Umm,  uh, , ok, you know  and  others as you speak) , to somehow   guide  and direct  you, enable to keep going  till you reach  the end. This is, hard for many to do. In dance, it comes easily and pretty naturally but public speaking, is out of my league and comfort zone for sure! 

Once one does master and concord this, the clincher and   conclusion of their speech or routine are crisp, smooth and done with ease.

Others will want to see those individuals present again, perform on stage, write another poem, and sell another Novel. 

Maybe, I too, will someday be one   of those speakers that   will eventually overcome most of my anxiety, perfectionism and not be my, worse critic    and be a more polished professional speaker.

If, I  decide to take dance again, I hope in that medium ,I too, will be able  to get to the point  I can  choreograph my own  routine, that  it will  show  my own unique Karen style, have my own  interesting  flavor  to it.:)

Meanwhile I will stay in Toast Masters, learn, evolve   grow as a person. It will be a great opportunity.

All my family and close friends have been a wonderful support and encouraging me to do this! Thank you all!

I’d like    to give an extra special thanks to Jeff though.

Jeff has been a Member of Toast Masters for about 20 years. He is a natural! A real Pro at   Public speaking. He often has to make a presentation on his job   as well as as a Member and Leader in ACB. 

Jeff has been an evaluator and a Mentor in his own toast Masters Clubs over the years.

AS   his friend, he began just giving me tips on how to write this first “Icebreaker” speech.

However, just by accident, because we are close friends, he somehow took on the role of my Mentor for this first speech. It just evolved and happened.

Thank you Jeff, for all your help, for your guidance, direction and extra support and encouragement through this process.

As I said, not too many people would   spend all  that time, giving me  tips, listening  to my speech and sit  in on a Toast  Masters  Meeting, ( not their own Club ) and be  a virtual Guest and listen  remotely. That, was Awesome!, it was   appreciated and  didn’t go  unnoticed by  me and  the Members of my  Club , the Socially Speakers.  Thank you!

This post is now 6 pages, I can’t believe it! I didn’t intend for it to be so long and in depth.  There is a lot here, some very   personal thoughts and feelings disclosed from my heart as well as   my views on speaking, writing as well as   perhaps an interesting take on dance and public speaking.

I hope you made it to the end and if you did, thank you for reading this in its entirety. I am grateful and appreciative of the few readers I do have here on Karen’s Canvas. (Maybe someday I will gain more exposure and have more   readers). Hope you all found this post worthwhile and that you got to know more about me. It was the most personal piece I have written here since I began this Blog  in 2006.

Please visit again. You never know what you will find here. As they say   “life is, like a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get”. You never know what you will find here   on Karen’s Canvas.  I may write something humorous, something thought provoking, an   editorial type of Piece or something from the heart, like   this one.  I am mysterious and predictable, that’s good   lol.  Take care and until then, Happy Reading

 

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Karen's Kanvas: Thoughts on Last Night's Blog Post

As I sat, and reflected on my take on things,

I know, what kind of message this does bring,

And how it may seem, I’m over simplifying,

And some of you, this you may not be   buying.

 

Of course, this is a societal issue and quite complex   , a social problem that does exist,

Among the many others   on the list

Poverty, hunger, Homelessness, unemployment and discrimination, just to name a few

What, are we to do?

 

It’s all about Values,   how one was raised and respecting one another

Work   ethic, lessons learned in School and from your Father and Mother

Believing in the 10 Commandments and being involved in Community

Things like that, you see.

 

Despite all this, I know it’s easier said than done.   Not all are fortunate to have a family that invests their time, set Rules, provide Boundaries,

Lead By example, give them the Keys

Keys to communicate and love their Neighbor, like them self

 

I am not here to Judge, There are many issues and I have no concrete answers, that I hope you know,

If I had a solution, I’d be   raking in the dough,

People would be knocking on my door,

Calling me, wanting more,

Of my   advice and I’d be Rich,

This is just, my pitch,

My   take on Life and the News we read.

 

 

I understand why Parents may not have the time to invest,

They’re both working, little time to relax, get proper rest

Struggling to just pay the bills and put food on the table,

Playing videos, chatting online, watching cable,

Reading less, conversations few,

It’s been an issue for a long time, it’s nothing new.

 

I am more of a traditionalist, Understand Women needing to work and having a Career,

It’s really about Balance here,

I think Children need good role Models, Influence, teach, and lead

In a positive way,

At work, school and at play.

 

It’s just my 2cents for the day

For what it’s worth, which isnt, much, that, I know,

And I do need to go,

I am in need of caffeine and sleep too,

And I have lots to do before the day is through

 

I feel like I’m getting a cold, can’t have that, no time and don’t like   feeling like crap,

I need to put on my thinking cap,

 

I have to complete Board Minutes and   practice my first speech for Toast Masters,

I don’t want it to be a total disaster,

I wish I   spoke as well as I write,

If I did, it would go alright,

But, I am not, and I have a week, so I need to prepare,

I just wanted to share,

More thoughts on last night’s blog post today,

now, I need to get on my way.

 

I did notice that several months passed since anything was written,

I have dabbled in my  creative writing, it’s just nothing  was  fitten,

Or  seemed  good enough  to  publically send,

But this isn’t,the end,

I will do my best to write   and tell you what’s new

 

 

Monday, October 05, 2015

Karen's Kanvas: My possibly Unrealistic And Creative Take On News And Life

What Makes News?

 

Shootings, Murders ,kidnapping and   Quakes ,

Floods ,Fires ,bombings ,humans outrageous mistakes ,

Shoplifting ,car crashes ,Police chases and derailed trains ,

Infidelity, Embezzlement and Political  campaigns

 

World Affairs , Peace  Negotiations , ,

Unemployment and  inflation ,

What about more,  Human Interest Stories? ,Acts of Kindness ?  and Good  Deeds ?

What about rescuing  animals? , Mentoring children? ,saving the Planet? , going green?

We need more of this, you know  what I mean?,

 

What about People’s aspirations and Dreams? ,Could those  Be the  Leads?,

The headlines of the Day? And on the front  Page?,

More often than not,  its crime and stories of      Road Rage ,

And   subjects  mentioned above here ,

What about articles about  those we cherish and are  ,dear

To each of us?,

Rather than about The Plane that is MIA?  or all the  DustStorms that we in Arizona have  in the Summer?

What about   things that are   funner?,

Makes us smile and tickle our funny bone?

 To help  feel  United as A  Country?and not  Alone?

What about  stories to  give  us Hope and inspire?

In depth articles about People we admire?,

Stories of hope,make us laugh?, have gratitude?,

Not make us angry,cynical, or see our neighbor being disrespectful and rude?,?,

discourage, sadden us, or effect our moods in negative ways.

Let’s appreciate and value one another , Enjoy our Days ,

Rather then focus and read about Crime  and   Celebrity’s Relationships,Fortune  and Fame?

And more about  the College  Student  that Goals  he or she  obtains?

 Getting their  degree

Fulfilling  their dream?  In the Land  of the Free,

And the Home  of the Brave?

Many  want instant   gratification and things they crave

Making  more Money,want promotions and a raise

More time  to play with  I devices and vacation  days.

 

Stop! and take the  time to spend with the special people  in  ones Life. 

 Children, Friends,Husbands and  one’s  Wife

Neighbors,parents, Sisters  and Brothers

And  Others  that make us smile

Instead of watching  Netflicks, using an App or downloading a file

 

What about reading an ovel that is thought  provoking,has a moral to the  story , or improves our mood and helps us unwind

  Alters our view?,clears our mind?

 

The Media  will   report what   News gets the most ratings on air  and hits online

For   me, that,is not  Fine!

 

Yes, I no what  reality is, lol,  but wish it were   different and not the same,

But we viewers are all to blame

Even myself. 

 Its,definitely not, good for our physical and mental health,

Its all about  supply and Demand,Democracy,breaking habbits and forming New  ,

Its all about  what we  do

Actions we    take

Choices we make,

Or not

More of  us are reading  the news online and not listening to the Network channels  at  night,

Or before  work in the morning each day

Don’t know,what to say?

 

Its good  to be informed, aware of  all that is    happening in our  World and Universe,

And I know, this ,we can’t reverse,

It is  what it is, and human  nature and out of my control,

But,I’d  wonder  if  there was a poll,

And  one was asked,Their views of the News they do receive and read?

Would they  say, I want more  of what we get ? Or in the Quiet I need?

Would  they say, 8 of 10   Stories make you feel  good , lower     stress  and one smile?

I think not,so why do we  turn on the News,don’t change  that dial?

Read that  paper, visit that  site?

It will,  continue day and night,

Till the end  of time

I won’t change  anything as I sit   here  and write,

  this post to my  Blog,

I need to get busy with  my  day and spend  time with Joycie Dog

 

 

 

Karen's Kanvas: My possibly Unrealistic and creativeTake on News and life!