Are We Missing out on Life’s Experiences With Screens?

Long gone are the days where simplicity, enjoyment, living life at the fullest extent, enjoying and experiencing life without the use of smartphones, tablet screens and so many more. Are we really missing out on life’s experiences? Everything in life has its limitations, and in today’s society, people tend to go overboard with posting everything and anything they see. They are not really experiencing life, they are merely trying to capture anything and everything to share on social media networks, capture photos and share them on photo sharing sites.

Long gone are the days where people used to go to concerts and shows where everyone’s eyes and attention was looking at the stage without wanding lights coming from smartphones and tablets. Now with thousands of people capturing moments with their devices, these concerts and these special events in a person’s life is being video taped by the videographer’s of the concert, venue, and even when people witness a wedding or a reception.

I understand that you want to keep your personal memories too, of which taking pictures and everything and that is fine, but always wanding a device isn’t really the same as actually witnessing something happen before your eyes. Some moments are meant to be lived without screens, and where down the road you can remember it in your mind, and the good times to remind yourself and those who you lived those memories with.

I mean yes, special and beautiful events such as babies when they are born, their actions, and everything else need to be documented and everything, and there are moments in a person’s life that should be kept private and not for the world to see. Do not worry if you tell someone what your child did, or said that they will not believe you. They will. You do not need to always have proof or a video of something.

You really do not have to be in competition with the world and join a popularity contest because you want to be the first ones to capture something and put so many hashtags, and post something for the sake of posting something. It should never be that way.

People have the perception that if they do not capture, video, then post it on social media, the internet, tweet about it, that some people think that they are lying without providing proof that things actually did occur. I think that everything has its limits and not everything should be published online. Some things should be kept a secret, things should be kept private. Unfortunately, privacy is non-existent in today’s world because of these devices.

When people travel and explore the world, people will always have that force of habit to document every moment with screens, but the world has become smaller and people are more familiar with everything because people do research and look up videos and get more curious to find things out all the time, but the important thing to remember is that it is not fair to capture something, and then the soon to be traveler going to that place will see what it is all about and then that person or person’s will not be surprised anymore. It will all be spoiled for them

Some things are meant to be left unsaid, some things are meant to be explored without having people always telling others about something. People need to experience and form their own opinions.

I am all for and support smartphones, video, cameras, tablets and other devices, and I have them as well, but there is a limit and a lot of people now have crossed that limit. Screens have become addicting and it is so on the rise, that some people cannot go 5 minutes without looking at their phone. They bring it with them to bed, they check messages before bed, waking up, during meals, at work, during cooking meals, tending to their families, even while driving. Nobody should have their phones or other devices while driving. That is not only dangerous but very ridiculous.

In the past before all these devices came out, how do you think people passed their time? There was twice as much homework to do after school for the students, school times were longer, there was no use of devices, people had to make their own games and toys to physically play with, not one of those gaming consoles, people were outside playing, enjoying the true essence of life, more love, respect and family time, people didn’t have the luxury of instantly finding information, where they had to jet off to the library to find books, encyclopedia’s without the use of the internet or software.

With all that being said, people need to put their screens down and look up to enjoy life more, to witness things, to observe, and to capture the beauty of the world with your eyes. Not with screens. They shouldn’t be your eyes. Be more social, talk, take a pen and physically write without the use of keyboards and keypads.

Think about it. Experience life, put down your device and do it right now.

CBC Music Contest – Vote for My Friend Tatevik Sarkisyan

Vote for Drellander – You can vote once a day.
Biographical Info — Copy/Pasted –  Credit to: CBC Searchlight competition – Tatevik Sarkisyan

Tatevik Sarkisyan is a singer/songwriter/producer/performer based in Toronto, Canada. Her main genres are pop and jazz but she also writes dance music, Latin beats, rock’n’roll and country.

Drellander was born Tatevik Sarkisyan from Armenian parents in Moscow. She began her musical journey at the age of 6 as a choir lead and piano performer at school concerts.

She came to Canada at the age of 16 and became known in the Montreal local community for performing a classical repertoire in 8 languages. At 19 she developed a passion for song-writing and presented to a small audience her first musical composition “Time”.

The singer/songwriter/producer now has more than 160 written songs behind her in a variety of styles.

Tatevik has received great reviews for her work including praise from tenor and McGill voice coach Franco Tenelli who says: “One of Tateviks greatest gifts is a beautiful voice that can be used in almost any style of music including classical and pop. In addition she is also a composer and excellent songwriter. This versatility is a unique gift itself and ensures us we have a real talent.”

At 24 Tatevik moved to Toronto and took on the artist name “Drellander” which sounds like “dreamlander”. In 2004 Tatevik collaborated with writer/film director Robert Wilson on a short film A Dying Fall that aired on CBC in July 2006 and won first place at WorldFest Houston. Tatevik’s multiple credits for this film include art direction, craft services, make-up and wardrobe, contract management as well as playing a small part in the movie. Tatevik worked with Robert at Tamerlane Productions until 2009.

In 2011 she recorded her song Oasis with indie music producer and Indie Week judge Dave Thomson of Digital Underdog Productions and released it on iTunes and Amazon via CD Baby. She also produced a music video for the song (directed and edited by Robert Wilson) that is now available on YouTube.

Tatevik launched Drellander Productions in 2012 and is currently looking for funding for her album. She secured a non-exclusive worldwide publishing deal for her songs with the Canadian publisher Jan Cooper Publishing after Jan Cooper represented her at Midem 2012 in Cannes. In the same year she had a performance at the prestigious Mod Club in Toronto organized by Landmark Media. Her song Oasis was promoted with a 2 week radio blast in Canada and US by Avala DSF (currently under Five2Eight umbrella). In February 2013 she was approached and signed with A & R Select to promote her music on radio, in magazines,TV shows, films and commercials in the US. The week of Aug 12, 2013 “Oasis” had spins on CBC Radio. It played on the CBC Radio programs “Mainstreet” (P.E.I.) and “The Bridge” (Windsor, Ontario).

Oasis is the first single from Drellander’s much anticipated debut album. As A & R Select says in their press release: ” Oasis is a metaphor for finding true love. Its message is inspiring, hopeful and creates a deep connection due to its relatable subject matter. This single has an arrangement of that of a movie soundtrack. It incorporates the depth of her skills, the passion of her writing, the beauty of her voice and has a mesmerizing effect on anyone who has the privilege to experience her music.”

In addition to being trained in music and having collaborated with some of the greatest classical voice/piano/composition teachers and performers such as Tamara Goulina (U of T), Eduardo del Campo (McGill, San Francisco Opera), Franco Tenelli (McGill, Metropolitan Opera), Vania Angelova (University of Montreal), Alexandre Solopov (McGill) and Nina Larionova Shishlova (Bolshoi Theatre), Tatevik has also studied science at McGill University and is a graduate of Touro College business school. She now teaches music and voice and her youngest student is 5 years old.

Tatevik is currently working on a few projects. Recently she co-wrote a ballad with producer/sound engineer Sean Michael Paddison called “I love you anyway” that is to be recorded and released this year. Sean has worked on a wide range of projects, including Grammy-winning, JUNO-winning, billboard charting singles and worldwide airplay. He is currently working with Chris Hau. Drellander also plans to record 3 of her original songs: a pop/classical duet “I can see a lifetime (when I look into your eyes)” with renown opera singer Franco Tenelli, a dance hit “Let the rain fall” with Montreal based producer/sound engineer Michael Makhin and another ballad “I’m so in love with you” with Toronto based producer/songwriter/manager/mentor Peter Linseman. Peter has written, produced & released dozens of national & international singles over the past few decades . He is managing the careers of TV Star/country pop artist Kate Todd and dance pop artist Stephanie Braganza. Peter made international history by writing/producing We Will Fly for Laure Shang, a successful single in China. He has also written & produced for Tanvi Shah (India – 2009 Grammy & Oscar Award winner for Jai Ho from Slumdog Millionaire), international dance pop artist Sarina Paris, international pop & Latin artist Rosita Stone. Peter is a Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) founding director, SIPO Foundation founding director and is an Accredited Juror for FACTOR.

Tatevik says: “I believe that my life purpose is to make people smile. Music is the perfect language to communicate emotions and share the love I have for people and life in my heart. Music is universal. It’s the language of feelings and it’s the only language that can break cultural barriers.”

This year Tatevik is participating in CBC Radio’s Searchlight Competition for Canada’s Best New Artist! Voting starts March 31st, 2015. Searchlight Link http://r3.ca/7lpK

Music Video for Oasis at http://www.youtube.com/drellander

Press Release & Demos: http://www.sonicbids.com/drellander Press/ Audio

Press Coverage http://www.drellander.com – Touro Mercury Article

Searchlight Link: http://r3.ca/7lpK

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/drellander

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/drellander

iTunes Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/oasis-single/

Jango Radio: http://www.jango.com/music/Drellander/?l=0

Influences: Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzerald, Nat & King Cole, Diana Krall, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Patricia Kaas, Modern Talking, Pet Shop Boys, Europe, Whitney Houston, Sarah McLahlan, Tori Amos, Mark Anthony, Laima Vaikule, Calibri, Brian Adams, Queen, John Bon Jovi, Belinda Carlisle, Lauren Christy, Leann Rimes, The Pretenders, The Righteous Brothers, Depeshe Mode, Roxette.

Favorite songs: The time of my life; If I could spend my lifetime loving you; Color of the night; Circle in the sand; I will always love you, You’re always on my mind, Yesterday, I’ll stand by you, Black Velvet, Mercy, Someone like you, Power of love.

In addition to being trained in music and having collaborated with some of the greatest classical voice/piano/composition teachers and performers such as Tamara Goulina (U of T), Eduardo del Campo (McGill, San Francisco Opera), Franco Tenelli (McGill, Metropolitan Opera), Vania Angelova (University of Montreal), Alexandre Solopov (McGill) and Nina Larionova Shishlova (Bolshoi Theatre), Tatevik has also studied science at McGill University and is a graduate of Touro College business school. She now teaches piano and voice and her youngest student is 5 years old. She is also trying herself as a life coach by sharing inspirational & educational messages & various self help techniques with her friends.

Influences

Celine Dion
Mariah Carey
Whitney Houston
Adele
Lady Antebellum
Mark Anthony
Regina Belle
Brian Adams
Sarah McLahlan
Leann Rymes

http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/Drellander

Tatevik will definitely appreciate your vote.

Thank you!