Category: Creativity

May 28 . Issue #92

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date May 28, 2021

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvellous to be understood…
Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers.
Let me keep company always with those who say
‘Look!’ and laugh in astonishment, and bow their heads.
– Mary Oliver –

Hello all and welcome to my weekly journal. This week is all about reading. I provide you with a link to get some free children’s Ebooks. The JUNO Awards announce the 2021 lineup, some great documentaries and more…

1. Promises kept, my promotion for my new children’s Ebook Samba in Brazil, now available, but only for a limited time. The promotion is part of a group of 19 children’s Ebooks. Free kids Ebooks for your Holiday Library.

2. When the stars align and the super moons come out to shine. Have you experienced any synchronicity? I have. During this week, while putting together my most recent book promotion, my writer’s group featured the same book, Samba in Brazil. Thank you WCYR.

3. The 50th Annual JUNO Awards, honouring Canadian musicians will be going forward on June 6th and will feature live performers.

This JUNOs jazz session, hosted by 2019 JUNO winner Laila Biali, features nine legendary musicians nominated in the three jazz categories at the 2021 JUNO Awards. From traditional to vocal, from group to Latin, the showcase has all the jazz stylings covered.

Featuring performances by Andrew Downing (Florian Hoefner Trio), Hilario Durán, Junior Santos, Kirk MacDonald, Larnell Lewis, Laila Biali, Matt Dusk, Pat LaBarbera, Sammy Jackson.

Stream the event for free at cbcmusic.ca/junos, on CBC Gem or CBC Music’s Facebook, YouTube and Twitter pages on Wednesday, June 2 at 8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT.

4. For my literary joy this week I have started reading, The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way Written by: Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.

Every moment in our life happens only once, and if we let it slip away, we lose it forever, this is an idea captured by the Japanese phrase ichigo ichie.

This saying is attributed to a sixteenth-century master of the Japanese tea ceremony, or ‘ceremony of attention’, whose intricate rituals allow one to focus on the present moment.

5. My viewing pleasure this week has been all about documentaries. The ones that jumped out at me; Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir.

An intimate portrait of the awesome author Amy Tan, about her life and her career. Did you know that she is the lead singer of the Rock Bottom Remainders? A rock group that includes Stephen King and Scott Turow.

Another interesting documentary, Little Miss Sumo.

Women in Sumo! I had no idea that women did Sumo wrestling. British documentary filmmaker Matt Kay produced Little Miss Sumo, because he wanted to challenge gender inequality in the world of Japan’s national sport of sumo wrestling.

Thank you for reading. If you think someone you know would enjoy my newsletter please share it with them. If you are looking for a great children’s book check out my new book, Samba in Brazil; Paperback version, on sale for a limited time.

Or one of my other books, Samba on a Snowy Day or the Brazilian/ Portuguese version Samba em um Dia de Neve.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Creativity Entertainment Writing

April 30 . Issue #88

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date April 30, 2021

“circles of trust — are a rare form of community –
one that supports rather than supplants the individual quest for integrity – that is rooted in two basic beliefs.
First, we all have an inner teacher whose guidance is more reliable than anything we can get from a doctrine, ideology, collective belief system, institution, or leader.
Second, we all need other people to invite, amplify, and help us discern the inner teacher’s voice.”
– Parker Palmer –

Hello all and welcome. This week I share with you some great music, my take on the Oscars, the movies worth watching and more…

1. The Oscars; the 93rd annual Academy Awards happened on Sunday and it made history. Some notable firsts included the first all-Black producing team nominated for best picture. The first time two actors of Asian descent got the nod for best actor and the first year two woman were nominated for best director. For all the details: read about it at Oscar Central.

2. The above quote from Parker Palmer resonates with me. I have listened to his podcast and like what I hear, An Undivided Life.

3. My children’s creative writing workshop went well. There were about twenty-five children and they were super engaged. I had them creating characters, settings, themes and plots. The children came up with some fantastic ideas.

I came up with a couple of ideas for stories. Combining my reading of the Samurai and the Dragon King and the inspirational comments from the kids. My next book is in my head, with some key points on my notepad.

My next workshop, May 6th, 4:30 – 5:30 P.M put on by East Gwillimbury Public Library.

This workshop will give children an opportunity to come up with some ideas for their own stories and they can submit them to the library as part of the EGPL annual Write On, 2021 – competition.

The workshop is open to all children between the ages of 7 – 12. Email: sharrison@egpl.ca to register.

4. What I was watching this week, more of Oscar winner Francis McDormand – no, not Nomadland — Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. It is a movie I had not seen and McDormand shines.

I was thrilled about the animated film from Pixar, Soul– a winning film; three Oscars, best film, best sound and best music. Yea, for my man Jon Batiste for the excellent music.

5. I have completed my marketing course, Starting From Zero by David Gaughran. I recommend the course as it gives you some good ideas, insights and techniques to help you sell more books. I used the information in the course to set up my first Facebook ad for one of my books.

Or one of my other books, Samba on a Snowy Day or the Brazilian/ Portuguese version Samba em um Dia de Neve.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Tags David Gaughran, EGPL, Francis McDormand, Jon Batiste

Art Creativity Karate kids Martial Arts Reading

February 26 . Issue #79

Post author By Paul Yanuziello
Post date February 26, 2021

“Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.”

Salvador Dali (11 May 1904 – 23 January 1989)

Hello all and welcome; in this weeks newsletter, surrealists, antiques, karate and more …

1. Dali is one of my favourite surrealist artists and one of his most popular paintings is his rendition of the last supper. This article from artnet.com reveals some interesting details on his design technique.

For more Dali, you can visit The Dali Theatre-Museum, take a virtual tour. I found it fascinating.

M.C. Escher is another favourite surrealist artist of mine. The featured painting or in this case print hangs in my recreation room, home-dojo. A gift from a close friend.

2. I taught karate all this week, 4 different children’s classes and about 3 hours each day. Great fun, good exercise and a chance to do something different for a change.

How martial arts, especially karate, can improve your child’s life according to this report in Psychology Today Magazine.

Wednesday, February 24th is Pink Shirt Day and I did my part to help with anti-bullying during my karate class. The dojo-kun is a good start.

3. Press releases, advertising campaigns, virtual book tours, book readings and promoting my new books. Books, yes I have two new books that I released this month. Samba in Brazil and a translated version of Samba on a Snowy Day entitled Samba em um Dia de Neve.

4. Have you noticed antiques are not what they once were. It used to be solid wood, old furniture, could hold its original value.

My partner Nina and I have put our dining room suite up for sale. Some folks are giving them away. The age of downsizing.

We have relocated temporarily to Toronto. Now we are walking the beltline and it is a new extraordinary experience.

5. My reading this week a couple of children’s book. Great fun! More Harry Potter and something new. Milo and Cat, Right Before Sleep by Miro Tartan.

Thank you for reading. If you think someone would enjoy the newsletter please share it with them.

If you are looking for a fun children’s book check out one of my books. Samba on a Snowy Day, Samba em um Dia de Neve or my new book, Samba in Brazil.

Stay safe, stay well, stay strong and keep going.

Tags Pink Shirt Day, Psychology Today, Surrealists