Post by Arnold on Feb 5, 2011 22:11:53 GMT -5
Dear Sabrina,
Today, I found out what a "hoya" is. All my life, I've heard "Georgetown Hoyas" now and then and never knew what a Hoya was. Today, I said to myself, "You know, I don't know what a 'hoya' is or why anyone would name a sports team after it."
So, after all these years of not knowing, I looked it up.
(Georgetown) Hoyas - The team name is derived from the mixed Greek and Latin chant, "Hoya Saxa," (meaning "What Rocks") which gained popularity at the school in the late nineteenth century. The name Hoyas came into use in the 1920s.
Well, now I know what and why "Hoya".
I've known about you for a little over a year and it has been fascinating, and educational, watching you grow as a singer and a performer. I still recall the "Proud Mary" video -- it was the first video by you that I watched. Your singing was pretty good but it was your sure-footedness that impressed me. You seemed
very confident on your feet as though you knew exactly where you were going. Of course, the reason it seemed that way is because you most certainly did.
I have always admired people who bring something new to life. I see them as the lifeblood of humanity, those who create wonderful things that did not exist before. It could be a painting, a sculpture, a great novel -- or a great performance. Some performances are simply great entertainment, then others somehow impart something to us that in important ways enhance our lives.
That's how I see you. I know you are helped in your endeavor by others but it is you that is front and center on that screen. All the finest camera work and audio technology in the world will not put a born performer on that screen. Many want to be there but not many are truly gifted to be there. You not only belong there, you own it when you are there. There is no mistaking your talent nor your potential. You've already created a legacy of work that some well-established stars would envy and yet you show no signs of letting up. It is that enduring energy coupled with that giant talent that is going to make you a very successful person.
You probably tire of me referring to it but the very first of your videos to astonish me was "Black Velvet"
I had to play it again and again because I was very much surprised at the level of your performance. I showed it to a friend or two to get their reaction -- they thought you were fantastic, too, so I knew it wasn't just me. I'm not that easily impressed but you sure blew me out of the chair with "Black Velvet". And it did not stop there. Video after video, you showed not only your incredible versatility with song but a mastery of showmanship that can only be from a prodigy in action.
So I, along with so many others, have discovered you and followed you over the months and you have never failed to produce something new and exciting even with classic songs. And when a singer like you can come along and steal away a song like "Crazy Train" from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne it gets almost surreal. But you are not an illusion, you are the real thing.
I know there is a difference between the performer as a public figure and the private person. I only know you in the public sense but somehow I know you are just as golden in private as in public (and if you're not don't spoil my illusion by telling me). One can sense a strength in you that I think is there even when the camera is no longer rolling.
And which brings me back to 'hoya'. I don't want my praise to deflect you from learning all that you can learn. I learned something new today and I seem to learn something new every day. You will, too, and I hope you will always strive to perfect your talent. You are incredibly talented -- I can't imagine anyone disagreeing with that statement -- but you will learn even more over time.
I've never met you but I like you and I truly wish the very best for you. I have no doubt you are headed for great, great things.
Arnold
Today, I found out what a "hoya" is. All my life, I've heard "Georgetown Hoyas" now and then and never knew what a Hoya was. Today, I said to myself, "You know, I don't know what a 'hoya' is or why anyone would name a sports team after it."
So, after all these years of not knowing, I looked it up.
(Georgetown) Hoyas - The team name is derived from the mixed Greek and Latin chant, "Hoya Saxa," (meaning "What Rocks") which gained popularity at the school in the late nineteenth century. The name Hoyas came into use in the 1920s.
Well, now I know what and why "Hoya".
I've known about you for a little over a year and it has been fascinating, and educational, watching you grow as a singer and a performer. I still recall the "Proud Mary" video -- it was the first video by you that I watched. Your singing was pretty good but it was your sure-footedness that impressed me. You seemed
very confident on your feet as though you knew exactly where you were going. Of course, the reason it seemed that way is because you most certainly did.
I have always admired people who bring something new to life. I see them as the lifeblood of humanity, those who create wonderful things that did not exist before. It could be a painting, a sculpture, a great novel -- or a great performance. Some performances are simply great entertainment, then others somehow impart something to us that in important ways enhance our lives.
That's how I see you. I know you are helped in your endeavor by others but it is you that is front and center on that screen. All the finest camera work and audio technology in the world will not put a born performer on that screen. Many want to be there but not many are truly gifted to be there. You not only belong there, you own it when you are there. There is no mistaking your talent nor your potential. You've already created a legacy of work that some well-established stars would envy and yet you show no signs of letting up. It is that enduring energy coupled with that giant talent that is going to make you a very successful person.
You probably tire of me referring to it but the very first of your videos to astonish me was "Black Velvet"
I had to play it again and again because I was very much surprised at the level of your performance. I showed it to a friend or two to get their reaction -- they thought you were fantastic, too, so I knew it wasn't just me. I'm not that easily impressed but you sure blew me out of the chair with "Black Velvet". And it did not stop there. Video after video, you showed not only your incredible versatility with song but a mastery of showmanship that can only be from a prodigy in action.
So I, along with so many others, have discovered you and followed you over the months and you have never failed to produce something new and exciting even with classic songs. And when a singer like you can come along and steal away a song like "Crazy Train" from the likes of Ozzy Osbourne it gets almost surreal. But you are not an illusion, you are the real thing.
I know there is a difference between the performer as a public figure and the private person. I only know you in the public sense but somehow I know you are just as golden in private as in public (and if you're not don't spoil my illusion by telling me). One can sense a strength in you that I think is there even when the camera is no longer rolling.
And which brings me back to 'hoya'. I don't want my praise to deflect you from learning all that you can learn. I learned something new today and I seem to learn something new every day. You will, too, and I hope you will always strive to perfect your talent. You are incredibly talented -- I can't imagine anyone disagreeing with that statement -- but you will learn even more over time.
I've never met you but I like you and I truly wish the very best for you. I have no doubt you are headed for great, great things.
Arnold
OMG that was so sweet thank you so much Arnold! I wish I could write as much to say thank you 
