Two Videos Posted to my YouTube!

1. Two videos just posted:

Listen to Us!

The May 2016 gathering of Bridges-Over-Barriers in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. This time we were seven adults from around southern Ontario with messages also from two more distant members, Tim in Antigonish and Kevin in Petrolia. We all use supported communication as we cannot speak with our voices because of our movement and sensory differences. We meet to share news, challenges and strategies and this time exchanged ideas about how we can ensure that it is really our words that are heard. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYjEWaSBw7E

 Music for my Body, Mind and Soul

As a man who lives with complex health challenges and movement and sensory differences, I talk about how music and rhythm help me. I made this video for my friend Dr Sunyoung Kim who organized a jazz concert in Seoul, Korea on 25 January 2017, at which some of my poems, set to music, were performed. 

This video was also seen at the concert but I gave its name afterwards. 

You could view one or more of the 15 video files from the concert, including Andrew’s songs set to music, by cutting and pasting this search into your browser:

<2017 Music Therapeutic Story Concert "Autistic Poet Andrew's music story">

Link to my short film:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jluvDkoePvg&feature=youtu.be

If you enjoyed the videos, you can Subscribe to  my YouTube channel 😄

Some Concert Photos

Just received these photos from my great music friend in Korea--of last week's jazz concert in Seoul that was inspired by our music relationship.

Some New Poems

I had a good conversation over the weekend, typing to talk my thoughts. Though my head felt in a fog to start with, I was able to express myself and brought out two poems that have been waiting in my head for some time. They are inspired by our work with colours as well as my relationships with different friends.

My eyes are my camera to the world

AB 28 January 2017

My eyes are my camera to the world:

I see what my senses are allowing me.

The sight is just of ways I actually see:

I need my whole body to make it focus.

When my body is in turmoil

my sight is unclear

and it is like a fog.

When I am balanced and feeling my best

my sight is clear and bright.

It takes all of the energy I have

to use my senses together.

Red, green, orange, yellow, purple and blue

are bright and happiness is felt.

Grey and black leave me with doubt.

White is clear and empty and unfinished.

It is a good day to see the bright colours and it gives me joy.

I need all of these colours to make my life choices.

I need the grey and black colours

to give me gratitude for the bright days.

It is through the ears and nose and mouth

and also my fingers

that I truly can see through my eyes.

It is a big film

taking place in my mind

before I have this sight.

This is a camera of many different lenses.

I see life as I sense and feel it.

It is a series not a one-time film.

My friends are the heartbeat of my home

AB, 28 January 2017

My friends are the heartbeat of my home.

Each one brings a different tone and rhythm;

together they make an orchestra.

I have the bold and triumphant

who bring the new ideas and loud change.

The soft and slower moving bring

a calm and soothing  tune.

I feel the song come to life as they enter my home.

Each of my friends is a gift with different tunes to sing.

It reminds me of different birds.

Sometimes are the tunes are bit fast and confusing

while others are relaxing.

It is always a nice song each day brings

with new and old friends entering my home.

It is a beautiful song to hear when we are together.

A Tribute to my Friends

I am fortunate to have some wonderful friends around the world, and to be connected to their friends as well. My friend Sunyoung KJim, whom I call Sunny, recently completed her PhD in Korea with a dissertation based on our collaboration while she lived in Guelph. She is now planning the 4th in her series of:

Music Therapeutic Concerts: Andrew's Music Story in Kimhae on January 25, 2017.  

Sunny will be a storyteller of the concert, and 7 old friends will be introduced.  

1st: Andrew Bloomfield  

2nd: Vibraphone (Vibist), Jazz Drummer Minsu Lim  

3rd: Jazz Drummer, Music Director for this concert Yeojung Heo  

4th: Jazz Guitar, Vocal Hongseok Kim  

5th: Blus Guitar, Vocal Dalim Kangheo  

6th: Jazz Bass, Contrabass Byunghun Lee  

7th: Jazz Bass Wooyoung Lee 

The musicians are all Sunny's longtime friends and associated with the Seoul Jazz Academy. They are really famous musicians and all teach at Korean universities.

Bulk Microgreens

Good afternoon friends. Here is an update on my microgreen hobby. I have now started to make it a little more large scale. These are sunflower microgreens. For those interested, there are so many various microgreens that you can grow. And they are often more nutritious than their mature adult version. I recommend trying some, you can really cut back on the produce you buy in stores!

Sunrise

Sharing a photo of me with MAX at Sunrise Equestrian. At present, I groom and feed Max organic carrots. I also muck out some stalls. Some time I would like to ride him. Max is 25 years old.

Horse and man

13 Jul 2013

The long and colourful body

is a strong and powerful force.

The mind of the gentle soul

is a clever one.

The kindness seen in the eyes

is a voice that whispers hope to me.

The touch of the body is warm

and I feel the beating of the heart.

It looks like it could walk right over you

but it is so kind it never would.

It is soft and a colour that soothes the eyes.

I am feeling the softness

and the rough tickle

at the same time.

When the brush touches the hair

it gives the horse a gentle rub.

It is rough but it gives a soothing feel.
I love the brown and white strong colours.

I see the thoughtful ideas of the horse

in its eyes and body.

It wants to run free

and be open to new things.

It needs the care of the man

to be healthy and keep safe.

A New Video

Sharing with you all a new video in my words, about my hopes for my circle of support in keeping my good life and home going into the future. Our Bridges group is mentioned. Made by film maker Josée Boulanger, it is being shown for the first time this coming weekend at a retreat for caregivers in the Ottawa area. https://vimeo.com/189787285