I absolutely believe in SPONTENAITY! I DO NOT, however, believe in "Coincidences." I know I wouldn't "come across" some of the wonderful finds if I wasn't spontaneous. As a Feng Shui Consultant in Long Island and New York City, I am often able after a Feng Shui consultation to enjoy MORE of the day in whatever area I happen to find myself in. I have passed this quality on to my daughter and fellow Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano--in short, we work well together and "play" well together!
After a Feng Shui Consultation on Sunday in the gorgeous town of Huntington Harbor in Oyster Bay Long Island, we decided to stop in Huntington first and then on to the camp where Laura had been to as a child and now is a counselor. It is West Hills Day Camp that both she and my son Adam attended for years-although I had visited most of the camps on Long Island when I walked into West Hills I was instantly enchanted---and still am! But that's in another post (and I DO have a point here :).
While passing the camp we saw there were people and decided to stop in. We found the owner and asked if we would be permitted to take photos and do a blog (which is upcoming) about West Hills and he graciously agreed. It was open on Sunday in support of a candidate and the band that was playing was phenomenal.
John Hall on Right
A GREAT concert--he's still the one : )
I was a little taken aback, however, when the leader of the band started speaking of "people stealing others' works-written or otherwise" and that one of HIS songs had been stolen. He said he finally had to send a Cease and Desist letter. I felt like he was looking at and talking to me after my post: Not "JUST" Plagarism Anymore--I've Become "The Blog Watcher" by Feng Shui Long Island & New York This was the lead singer from the 70's band ORLEANS and the song he was speaking of is "Still The One." His name? John Hall---although they don't look the same, apparently that's who it was! Before he became a Congressman he was the co-founder and lead Singer of ORLEANS.
Don't lose your spontenaity....if you don't have it, try it. We would have missed a wonderful concert!
John Hall is now a Congressman--and finally had to send a cease and desist to McCain to stop using his song "STILL THE ONE." McCain prompty went on to use ANOTHER popular song--
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island. Along with Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano, on site Feng Shui Consultations provided for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Workshops and lectures are also provided for small and large groups and companies. Distance Consultations always available as well. Please visit http://www.FengShuiLI.com
Just goes to show....some people just don't care who's stuff they use.... until they get caught. You would think that politicians cross their t's and dot their i's....hmmm.
I believe that it is more tempting than ever for people to 'steal' other people's work because it is so available on the internet. There is the idea that everything on the internet is 'fair game'. Stealing is stealing...whether you use a gun or a pen!
GBU, Carole!
hi Carole, that's incredible. What's more strange is that so many people think they can steal music, art, text or whatever and get away with it. Unfortunately a lot of people only learn the hard way so legal action can be necessary and profitable. ;-)
Carole, copying others stuff is just laziness, pure and simple.
Just think ... had you and Laura not decided to stop in you may never have discovered this wonderful concert. It's a shame that thievery is so abundant - but the internet has made it so easy for some people. It makes me wonder if we aren't hanging ourselves with a sharp wire.
Carole- I love the idea that after your consults you can enjoy the rest of the day...sometimes it is necessary to find something good to do to get your own balance back. Some Situations we find ourselves in can be very emotionally draining.....so for that reason, among others, not having a watch, and just being sounds great :)
As to Plagiarism....there are people that will always do as they choose without caring who owns the intellectual rights.
Carole...That a Big Ops for the Republican Presidential Candidate, I'm sure he was not aware, I hope he apologizes to John though.
Great Story, the New York Time will be watching you,and calling soon!
Thanks for sharing.
This happens a lot in politics. Unfortunately for those politicians, they depend on campaign staff to follow through with gaining the permission to use things and some people are under the impression that if a song has been around a while it is far game. Not true. Good post
Carol - spontaneity is wonderful ... it is amazing how many times we have stopped spontaneously at an event or location along our route to be thoroughly entertained or find something we have been looking for for some time
Sally, That's what I would have thought, the politicians would certainly know these laws and abide by them....guess not!
Mary, I didn't know he had become a Senator either! I had asked several of the people who the band was but they didn't know---I just knew they were terrific! And the mini-rant on stealing really caught me off guard :)
Elizabeth, So true but I would have thought they would stop it when asked....he had to send a cease and desist! GBU too my friend.
Marti, Aren't these people supposed to know the laws? Wouldn't someone they work with know? This is NOT setting a good example :)!
Gary, I know it is, I'm just astounded that the people that make the laws don't know them--how is that possible?
Carol, I know and I LOVE concerts! And actually until I met the owner I had not been permitted to write about this wonderful camp which I love--as soon as they fix whatever is wrong with my pictures I will do a post on it.
Kathy, Our "jobs" are not so different--I get calls from people sometimes with serious issues and you leave feeling so sad and wishing you could do more. It was a good day to stop there for sure.
Fred, They were aware, before they were sent the Cease and Desist they refused to stop using it! Unbelievable the lengths you have to go to to get someone to stop using YOUR work!
Paddy, After what happend to me recently, I thought he was talking TO me for a second :) Just goes to show anyone will steal and that's a sad thought.
Kathy, I can't believe some of the things I've run into--both in New York City and Long Island! I love those days when I don't have to rush home and never know what I will find!
Carole, I received a plagiarized email that was sent out as a mass advertisement from an agent in MY office. I told my broker and I sent the email to the rightful owner of the material. I know it was like being a snitch but copying is wrong and illegal, plain and simple.
Carole...what an interesting story. Were the Congressman and the guy playing the guitar supposed to be the same person?
Hmmm hair and a mustache do wonders!
Wow crazy! I do love your sponanaety and that you passed it down to your daughter, that is the best!
Hi Carole,
I'm having some internet problems this evening (I keep losing the wireless connection), so I'm going to try and answer quickly while I still have half a chance to send this!
I KNOW that you have been having major problems with plagiarism and I am also aware that songwriters/composers go through this quite often. Some people apparently believe that you can take someone else's words and change them up a bit to produce them as your own. The problem is that you'll always get caught...it might take some time, but it will catch up with you.
I truly hope that your plagiarist sees this article and the subsequent comments; perhaps a 'light bulb' will go off and that person will 'cease and desist' and stop trying to BE as eloquent as you!
Val
What a surprise story here! I love all those 70's musicians, so pioneering effective & original--- unlike politicians who pretty much have to fit a mold--- or sometimes turn into mold. :-)
Great post Carole on so many levels. Have to say, I never thought about "SPONTANEITY" vs coincidence. . . If politicians take short cuts with their ads, not obtaining permission to use a song, wonder what other short cuts they take?
Interesting experience. I agree with you, there are no coincidences. Unfortunately when you're creative and original it seems like there is always someone who feels the need to copy.
Carole-Your post is timely. It is unfortunate that so many people have no problem overstepping boundaries and taking liberty. Only this evening I found someone who has cleverly placed my name with inaccurate informtion on their website. I am now wondering if there is a way to protest this kind of abuse of the Internet.
Kevin & Monica, This was so interesting to find...our lawmakes don't know the law! To me it's unbelievable!
Eloise, Did you contact the person? Or their webmaster? I wouldn't want my name with inaccurate information on someone's site and I wish I could give you a better answer. Something else to worry about, apparently! I hope they rectify it for you.
Wow! This is not making a good impression. Only seven weeks left till the big day. He has a lot to recover.