As I reflect on this past year--the ups, downs, and unforeseeable and often unbelievable events and challenges I've faced--I realize that I have gained valuable new insights, and climbed to new heights of perseverance. My strength has been restructured and renewed. I have learned who my real friends are; albeit, this is undoubtedly a life-long lesson. I am proud of the accomplishments and growth that has ensued following some particularly annihilating trials. I am grateful for the good, the bad, and the ugly, and look forward to disclosing it in my up and coming book.
That being said, I welcome 2012 with open arms, and delight in the heightened levels of awareness that are already unveiling themselves to those who see with more than their two eyes.
***Our generation is facing an array of tumultuous problems, and it is inevitable that these problems will progressively worsen if we continue to live in a state of ignorance--with the majority of our government exhibiting the current general lack of initiative at finding sensible resolutions.
I pray that these problems will soon cease to be ignored and solutions will be sought after with diligence and heart-felt dedication to salvaging our Mother Earth.
I pray that the people on this planet, as a whole, begin this new year with pure intentions, and positive, high hopes for the future--for the combined energy of all of our Earth will manifest into a more beautiful, harmonious planet for all.
2012 can, and I believe will be, a year of new beginnings. I encourage all of you who've heard of the prophecies surrounding 2012 to read a little more into them; I believe you will find that we are not nearing the end of the world, we are simply about to face what we've sown. Big changes are among us.
All of the planets will align in our galaxy for the first time in over 26,000 years. Line yourself up with your ideals and you can make your dreams your reality. Now is the time. You are what you think. Our world is the manifestation of our thoughts. Choose your thoughts wisely.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Victoria's Secret - Recent Photo Shoot
I just thought that I would share a sneak peak from a recent photo shoot I did, a Victoria's Secret lingerie shoot.
Behind the Scenes:
Evidently, some thought this video should be age-restricted, so you will have sign in to confirm you are 18 years of age & mature enough to watch it: "Victoria's Secret Lingerie - Sexy Behind the Scenes"
Behind the Scenes:
Evidently, some thought this video should be age-restricted, so you will have sign in to confirm you are 18 years of age & mature enough to watch it: "Victoria's Secret Lingerie - Sexy Behind the Scenes"
Define Friendship
"Some friends slip away because they don't agree with the path you are taking, and this is fine, it is all a part of growth, as change is the only thing that is constant. But, if you are able to grow closer despite having alternate-perhaps opposing-perspectives, I believe this will only add to the richness of both of your lives.
If, however, you grow bitter or resentful of someone for changing, maybe you weren't friends with them for the right reasons. I would try to practice a little more selflessness, and have a little more faith in humanity. Know that people are wise enough to know what's good for them, and maybe look a little deeper than surface level. There are methods to madness too, you know." -Norell
One response to this that I received was,
"Maybe, it's not the change we see in our friends that causes distance, but rather them straying from who they truly are, (the person that had qualities and ideas that made you like them in the first place), that makes some people distance themselves, because it hurts to see the person that was their friend slipping away, trying to be someone they're not, or just turning into someone you would have never been associated with in the first place....."
My response to this?
"Thank you, because this is my point exactly. Perhaps what you see in
them is but a projection of how you would like them to be. A selfish want
for someone to match the criteria you've set for expectations in
friendship. The ideal friend, a perfect friend, who does not stray from the definition we have filed them under in our database of others.
Imagine this, we call someone a friend but then later decide that they no
longer possess the qualities that attracted us to them in the first place,
but that we base this decision soley upon a new path he or she may be
taking-one that wakes us up, freeing us of the illusion we created with our minds, the illusion that we know exactly who that person is... Weren't we
being judgemental-even unfair-to them for placing such limitations and restrictions upon them in this so called friendship? We judge them because
they dare to take an unfamiliar path and challenge certain viewpoints and thereby stray beyond what you thought you had them figured out to be?"
Thoughts?
If, however, you grow bitter or resentful of someone for changing, maybe you weren't friends with them for the right reasons. I would try to practice a little more selflessness, and have a little more faith in humanity. Know that people are wise enough to know what's good for them, and maybe look a little deeper than surface level. There are methods to madness too, you know." -Norell
One response to this that I received was,
"Maybe, it's not the change we see in our friends that causes distance, but rather them straying from who they truly are, (the person that had qualities and ideas that made you like them in the first place), that makes some people distance themselves, because it hurts to see the person that was their friend slipping away, trying to be someone they're not, or just turning into someone you would have never been associated with in the first place....."
My response to this?
"Thank you, because this is my point exactly. Perhaps what you see in
them is but a projection of how you would like them to be. A selfish want
for someone to match the criteria you've set for expectations in
friendship. The ideal friend, a perfect friend, who does not stray from the definition we have filed them under in our database of others.
Imagine this, we call someone a friend but then later decide that they no
longer possess the qualities that attracted us to them in the first place,
but that we base this decision soley upon a new path he or she may be
taking-one that wakes us up, freeing us of the illusion we created with our minds, the illusion that we know exactly who that person is... Weren't we
being judgemental-even unfair-to them for placing such limitations and restrictions upon them in this so called friendship? We judge them because
they dare to take an unfamiliar path and challenge certain viewpoints and thereby stray beyond what you thought you had them figured out to be?"
Thoughts?
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Occupy Wall Street = Good Cop, Bad Cop
First of all, Happy Holidays everyone! Thank you for taking the time to follow me!
Please check out my IndieGoGo campaign. If you are unable to make a contribution (every dollar counts, PLUS there are rewards for every donation!) then please pass it on to your friends--maybe they will know someone who knows someone who can help out.
http://www.indiegogo.com/norell-project
I'm currently working on a book, titled, "High Seas Heaven Through Hell", as well as some more original music.
I have a slew of songs I'm developing, but one in particular has had my (almost) undivided attention, being "Good Cop, Bad Cop", which was inspired not only by the corruption of the law in response to the ongoing Occupy Wall Street movement, but also in everyday life.
I'm sure everyone has either witnessed some shady policework or knows someone who's fallen victim to it, and it just isn't right.
So anyway, this is what my next song is about, just kind of calling those crooks out. They're supposed to defend the good not harm them.
Please leave me a comment sharing any experiences you've had, or someone you know has had regarding Occupy Wall Street, good and bad policemen and women (tell me why you thought they were good and/or bad), as well as any questions, comments, inquiries you may have for me.
Blessings!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Letter to Ellen DeGeneres
Dear Ellen,
Before I begin, I'd like to remind you of who I am, besides professing my adoration, love, and appreciation of and for you. :)
When you were visiting Minneapolis this summer, I was one of the first people waiting to see you by the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicollet Ave. Here is a picture of me with the first three people there:
The package I am holding in the picture is the same package I gave to you before you left for the WCCO station. I noticed that I was one of maybe six people who was able to give you fan mail from the audience of over a few hundred people. But before this magical day (for me), I had sent you packages to your show, as well as writing in to you for years.
Recently, a little over a week ago, I mailed you a package and tweeted you (from @MaryNorell) the images of what to look for. I hope you got my package with the music video on DVD & my CD of cover songs I burned for you, as well as the poem I wrote you. :)
You are such a huge inspiration for me and had a very strong positive influence on my life.
Here's a little about me:
I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on September 25th, 1989. When I was five, my parents moved me up north to live with my grandfather (due to some poor choices they made in NC).
Both of my parents made poor choices, and they divorced when I was seven years old. I spent most of my time around other kids trying to feel like I had a normal life, or running away to avoid being the scapegoat of why their marriage failed. I was told awful, awful things about the kind of person I was (there was abuse and alcoholism and misguided energy for traumas that were never coped with properly) and growing up wasn't easy.
Although I raised myself, as I had to be self-sufficient from a very young age, I feel like I did a pretty good job. I learned from the mistakes of others, as well as my own, I put myself through college with independent status, & I graduated with honors, receiving my degree in Communications in May of 2011. I was on the Dean's List of the University of Minnesota every year after I transferred there from a private school, Northland College, in northern Wisconsin.
My philosophy on life:
I do believe that there are blessings in hardship. Although I didn't have much of a childhood, because I didn't have parents who raised me and was essentially an orphan, I am very mature and carry a great deal of wisdom with me from the hardships I've endured. I'm a believer of the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," however I firmly believe that it has its limitations. What doesn't kill you CAN make you stronger, but only if you let it. It can also define you and destroy you, and I feel blessed that despite the hell I've been through, I am not bitter, and I'm kind to everyone I know. I try to help others as much as I can, even if I am barely able to help myself.
Similarly, I find inspiration in anyone who has been through a very traumatic experience, one or many, and who doesn't let said hardships define the kind of person they are. I have a number of close friends who have also been through some very terrible experiences, and we help keep each other strong. It strengthens our belief systems, our philosophies on life, knowing in our hearts that we didn't add to the problem, but instead chose to live our lives trying to be the solution, trying to set an example.
What it all comes down to, for me:
Music is my life. It has always brought me comfort and I'm not sure I would have gotten through any of the hardships I've not only survived, but gained strength and learned perseverance through, without music to help me through them. I have been singing all my life, I was born to sing & somewhere there exists a tape from when I was a small girl, as I've been told by my godfather and my late grandmother, as well as other distant relatives, that I was born with the voice of an angel. It has truly been my saving grace in many life circumstances. I have healed myself through my voice, and now I wish to heal others with my voice.
I strive to be the best person I can be always, and to be a good influence, a good source of inspiration to others. If I were to sign a record deal, your label, "eleveneleven", would definitely be high up on my wish list. Thank you for everything.
Love,
Norell (Mary Norell Jackson)
Before I begin, I'd like to remind you of who I am, besides professing my adoration, love, and appreciation of and for you. :)
When you were visiting Minneapolis this summer, I was one of the first people waiting to see you by the Mary Tyler Moore statue on Nicollet Ave. Here is a picture of me with the first three people there:
The package I am holding in the picture is the same package I gave to you before you left for the WCCO station. I noticed that I was one of maybe six people who was able to give you fan mail from the audience of over a few hundred people. But before this magical day (for me), I had sent you packages to your show, as well as writing in to you for years.
Recently, a little over a week ago, I mailed you a package and tweeted you (from @MaryNorell) the images of what to look for. I hope you got my package with the music video on DVD & my CD of cover songs I burned for you, as well as the poem I wrote you. :)
I sent you the only physical copy I owned of either one of my music videos that were up on the Youtube channels, karen24alloy and CalabooseCustoms. There have been some technical difficulties with my music videos & since they were not on my channel to begin with, I created a photo collage from my portfolio to go with my song in the meantime. I hope you like it. I recorded this song on GarageBand on my MacBook, & will eventually add some instruments to it, but wanted it to be completely raw & a cappella for it's introduction into the world. <3
Here's a little about me:
I was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on September 25th, 1989. When I was five, my parents moved me up north to live with my grandfather (due to some poor choices they made in NC).
In a nutshell, I raised myself & have no real familial support, at least not from my parents. Rather, I lived with and took care of my grandfather for a number of years, all throughout high school & for my first two years in college before transferring. I did all the grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, baking and more while going to school, and sometimes working up to four jobs, as well as singing in the choir, participating in drama with an occasional play, and playing on the soccer team in high school and in college. My Opa, as I call him, means a great deal to me, and I know I've made him proud over the years.
Both of my parents made poor choices, and they divorced when I was seven years old. I spent most of my time around other kids trying to feel like I had a normal life, or running away to avoid being the scapegoat of why their marriage failed. I was told awful, awful things about the kind of person I was (there was abuse and alcoholism and misguided energy for traumas that were never coped with properly) and growing up wasn't easy.
Although I raised myself, as I had to be self-sufficient from a very young age, I feel like I did a pretty good job. I learned from the mistakes of others, as well as my own, I put myself through college with independent status, & I graduated with honors, receiving my degree in Communications in May of 2011. I was on the Dean's List of the University of Minnesota every year after I transferred there from a private school, Northland College, in northern Wisconsin.
My philosophy on life:
I do believe that there are blessings in hardship. Although I didn't have much of a childhood, because I didn't have parents who raised me and was essentially an orphan, I am very mature and carry a great deal of wisdom with me from the hardships I've endured. I'm a believer of the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," however I firmly believe that it has its limitations. What doesn't kill you CAN make you stronger, but only if you let it. It can also define you and destroy you, and I feel blessed that despite the hell I've been through, I am not bitter, and I'm kind to everyone I know. I try to help others as much as I can, even if I am barely able to help myself.
Similarly, I find inspiration in anyone who has been through a very traumatic experience, one or many, and who doesn't let said hardships define the kind of person they are. I have a number of close friends who have also been through some very terrible experiences, and we help keep each other strong. It strengthens our belief systems, our philosophies on life, knowing in our hearts that we didn't add to the problem, but instead chose to live our lives trying to be the solution, trying to set an example.
What it all comes down to, for me:
Music is my life. It has always brought me comfort and I'm not sure I would have gotten through any of the hardships I've not only survived, but gained strength and learned perseverance through, without music to help me through them. I have been singing all my life, I was born to sing & somewhere there exists a tape from when I was a small girl, as I've been told by my godfather and my late grandmother, as well as other distant relatives, that I was born with the voice of an angel. It has truly been my saving grace in many life circumstances. I have healed myself through my voice, and now I wish to heal others with my voice.
I strive to be the best person I can be always, and to be a good influence, a good source of inspiration to others. If I were to sign a record deal, your label, "eleveneleven", would definitely be high up on my wish list. Thank you for everything.
Love,
Norell (Mary Norell Jackson)
Monday, October 17, 2011
Updated IndieGoGo & More!
Sorry for the confusion, there has been some technical difficulties with my music videos. So, in the meantime, I created a new video for my first single, "Adaptation", with a collage of images of me, taken by various photographers.
You may view the video on my YouTube Channel for lyrics and more.
Please check out my IndieGoGo Campaign, which I've updated recently. Thank you all for your friendship and support.
Love,
Norell
You may view the video on my YouTube Channel for lyrics and more.
Please check out my IndieGoGo Campaign, which I've updated recently. Thank you all for your friendship and support.
Love,
Norell
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Help Shape My First Album & Tour!
Following my debut performance at the X Fashion Show at the Lounge Nightclub in Minneapolis on Friday, September 30th, 2011, I created a campaign on IndieGoGo to help draw attention to what I'm trying to do and to offer rewards for anyone interested and able to help me reach my goal!
Please take a moment to view my page and read about my campaign on IndieGogo:
IndieGogo - Norell Project
Special thanks to Paloma Cardoza for making the first contribution to my campaign!
I would also like to thank everyone who was involved with the X Fashion Show, Jacob Alexander Figueroa, Karen Alloy - Spricket24, Christopher Reder, Oliver Kriston, Johnny Jiron, Mai Vang, Laura Buske, Danielle Sheridan, Paloma Cardoza, Emily Pruitt, Lucy Ford, Kathleen A La Mar, the Nightstalker, Mach Fox, Anne Marie Beier, Brian Bell & all of the staff at the Lounge Minneapolis!
Furthermore, I would like to thank everyone who came out to show their support, especially Justina Flones, Ray Minneapolis, Wendy & Emma Thorpe, as well as everyone who was there in spirit!
Please take a moment to view my page and read about my campaign on IndieGogo:
IndieGogo - Norell Project
Special thanks to Paloma Cardoza for making the first contribution to my campaign!
I would also like to thank everyone who was involved with the X Fashion Show, Jacob Alexander Figueroa, Karen Alloy - Spricket24, Christopher Reder, Oliver Kriston, Johnny Jiron, Mai Vang, Laura Buske, Danielle Sheridan, Paloma Cardoza, Emily Pruitt, Lucy Ford, Kathleen A La Mar, the Nightstalker, Mach Fox, Anne Marie Beier, Brian Bell & all of the staff at the Lounge Minneapolis!
Furthermore, I would like to thank everyone who came out to show their support, especially Justina Flones, Ray Minneapolis, Wendy & Emma Thorpe, as well as everyone who was there in spirit!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
"Adaptation"
I have two music videos for my first single, "Adaptation".
"Adaptation" - Version 1:
Edited by Karen Alloy; Filmed by Johnny Jiron & Karen Alloy; Directed by Karen Alloy & Jacob Alexander Figueroa.
"Adaptation" - Version 2:
Edited by Christopher Reder Media; Filmed by Johnny Jiron; Directed by Jacob Alexander Figueroa.
"Adaptation" written and performed by Norell.
© Mary Norell Jackson
Vocals recorded in GarageBand on Mac.
"Adaptation" - Version 1:
Edited by Karen Alloy; Filmed by Johnny Jiron & Karen Alloy; Directed by Karen Alloy & Jacob Alexander Figueroa.
"Adaptation" - Version 2:
Edited by Christopher Reder Media; Filmed by Johnny Jiron; Directed by Jacob Alexander Figueroa.
"Adaptation" written and performed by Norell.
© Mary Norell Jackson
Vocals recorded in GarageBand on Mac.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
THIS FRIDAY, 09/30/11!
X Fashion Featuring Emmy Winner Karen Alloy, Norell, the Nightstalker & More!
What are your plans this Friday? How about:
Seriously. What could be better than witnessing beautiful body painted babes, including the charismatic bombshell, Spricket24 Karen Alloy, sparkling on the runway, and then mingling with all of them following a surprise performance?
Hmm, not much that I can think of.
Not to mention that there will ALSO be video magic by Mach Fox, and music by the Nightstalker.
AND
I will also be singing a tribute to Amy Winehouse as well as debuting my FIRST single, "Adaptation".
What are your plans this Friday? How about:
Seriously. What could be better than witnessing beautiful body painted babes, including the charismatic bombshell, Spricket24 Karen Alloy, sparkling on the runway, and then mingling with all of them following a surprise performance?
Hmm, not much that I can think of.
Not to mention that there will ALSO be video magic by Mach Fox, and music by the Nightstalker.
AND
I will also be singing a tribute to Amy Winehouse as well as debuting my FIRST single, "Adaptation".
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