Houston Press
February 06, 2008
Wed Feb 06, 2008 at 12:51:20 PM
The next time you’re at a party or out with friends and feel like bringing the conversation to a standstill, try bringing up the death penalty. It’s the rhetorical equivalent of announcing you’ve got the Hanta virus or, you know, maybe Osama bin Laden isn’t all that evil. But Dallas-raised Austin folk-pop singer Sara Hickman wants to change all that.
For the past five months, Hickman, one of the few performers with loyal followings in both children’s and adult music, has teamed up with the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (TCADP) on the “Music for Life” concert series, which combines music and discussion in one Texas city per month. Hickman and native Houstonian Trish Murphy bring the tour to Houston today with a 6:30 p.m. performance at the Station Museum of Contemporary Art, 1502 Alabama at La Branch. Tickets are $10 or $5 with a valid student ID. Waiting for her flight at the Washington, D.C. airport, Hickman called Houstoned Rocks yesterday to discuss this extremely sensitive, rarely brought up issue.
Houstoned Rocks: Tell me about this tour.
Sara Hickman: Last spring, TCADP called me and asked if I’d do a benefit concert, and I said, ‘Well, let me think about that.’ And then I invited them over to my house and said, ‘I could do a benefit concert and you’d make $1,500 or $2,000 or whatever, but what if we did something bigger? What if we did a yearlong tour where I went to a different Texas city and you brought speakers, and we got another musician, two musicians and two speakers, and we started a dialogue across Texas about the death penalty.’ They were like, ‘Whoa!’
I find it disconcerting that we execute so many people, and yet people in Texas are either one way or the other way. It’s a pretty hostile conversation, and it seems to me there should at least be dialogue about it. So once a month we go to a city and I play, and a speaker comes up for ten minutes, and then we open the floor to the audience to ask questions, and then we have another musician come up and they play for a little bit. Then we have a break and I sing again, and the second speaker comes up, same format, and that’s it.
HR: What cities have you been to so far?
SH: We started in Austin, and then we went to Huntsville, Corpus Christi and San Antonio, so tomorrow will be our fifth city.
HR: What sort of dialogue have you been able to get going?
SH: Well, when we were planning this, I had it in my mind there would be more hostility. I envisioned there would be, perhaps I should say more combativeness, but really, I think the majority of the people that come have already decided they’re against the death penalty or have questions about it. Which is good, because really I was hoping we’d get the middle-ground people, who are on the fence or don’t know enough about it or have questions. We haven’t had anybody show up that is terrifically for it. We haven’t had anybody come with bullhorns and disrupt it. That was kind of a pleasant surprise. I was expecting some of that.
In San Antonio, one of our speakers was the prosecutor for the State of Texas, and he was probably the most conservative speaker we’ve had. He came to speak not for moral reason, but because of economic reasons why the death penalty is wrong. He got engaged in a question with a woman who want him to understand he should also morally oppose the death penalty. That was touchy. They were getting a little heated. He stayed pretty calm, but she was getting emotional. That’s exactly what I was hoping for. I was hoping there would people of different opinions talking so that others around them would get invigorated or see that there’s different opportunities to discuss this issue.
HR: What sort of questions are people in the crowd asking?
SH: Well, it depends on the speakers. In Huntsville we had Rev. Carol Pickett, who was the death row chaplain and witnessed the execution of 92 inmates. So people had a lot of questions for him about what was that like, were the inmates scared, what did you say to them, what was it like as they were being put to death, how do you feel about it now compared to before you took the job.
Another speaker we’ve had, Linda White, who’s also going to be at the event tomorrow night, she’s the mother of a daughter who was murdered, and everybody was pretty much speechless after she spoke, because she said she never for one second wanted the death penalty, she never wanted the two boys who murdered her daughter executed. So she gives a really compelling story about her feelings and why the death penalty is a myth because it doesn’t bring closure to anyone and extends the pain to the families of those who are executed, so the violence just continues.
HR: As a musician, what part do you play in this dialogue?
SH: Well, I think my music has really come from a spiritual place, so my role I guess – I kind of just felt like I was the spark to get this thing ignited. I think I just felt frustrated, not just about the death penalty, but about dialogue in general in the United States. It seems like it’s just really dumbed down. Like I said, people are pretty violent about whatever issue they’re talking about, whether it’s education or it’s political, people running for office, or it’s abortion, anything. And the death penalty to me is the biggest hot-button of all because nobody wants to talk about it.
HR: Moreso than, like, abortion?
SH: Well, I think abortion gets talked about a lot. You hear about it a lot, really, but you don’t hear people in coffeehouses debating the death penalty, or people on the streets. Honestly, when in the last week have you talked about the death penalty except with me, probably? It’s not something people just casually bring up at a cocktail party. And not to say that abortion is brought up casually, but I think that there’s more people on fire speaking out about this issue than there are about this issue, which is costly, not just economically but in terms of lives, so I guess I just really wanted to be an instigator and get people talking. And I’m enjoying my role.
HR: Why do you think this issue is not discussed very much?
SH: One thing, I think people are tired. I think the economy and the war and people who are parents working just to make ends meet, they’re tired. This is a very volatile issue in that people don’t want to talk about it – they think that if someone’s in prison, they probably got their just desserts, they’ve done something violent and if they get put to death, well, an eye for an eye. But I think how it eats away at the moral fiber or moral fabric of this nation is that a) of course, many innocent people have been executed; and b) the death penalty doesn’t really bring violence down.
In fact, in the states that have the death penalty, violence is up, and it costs for the legal ramifications for someone to appeal the death penalty versus having life in prison. I mean, I could go on and on and on. It’s a complicated issue and like I said, people are tired, so they might not feel like they want to go spend a Wednesday night hearing somebody discuss the ramifications of the death penalty, but the people who have come have a lot of questions and they’re very impassioned about it and want to put this thing to bed, so to speak. I think New Jersey ending the death penalty was great.
HR: That does seem to be a trend elsewhere in the U.S., people reconsidering the death penalty. Do you realistically think Texas might ever actually take that step?
SH: I’m going to say yeah. I know we’re a really yee-ha cowboy state, that’s what people think of us, but I think that’s changing. I think there’s a lot of youth and vivacity moving to Texas that’s changing its perimeters. It’s not a big oil/cowboy state anymore, it’s become a lot more international, and that’s exciting. I think with the internationalism comes more thought, more debate and more dialogue. That might be because I live in Austin. But there’s a lot of conservatism in Austin, but there’s also a good, lively dialogue. I have a lot of hope for Texas. I think in the next five, ten years, we’re going to abolish the death penalty. That’s what I’m going to say.
HR: Have you ever written any songs specifically about the death penalty?
SH: I have. I have a song in conjunction with the Virginia Tech shooting. When I was watching the news when it happened, and how violent and disconnected Cho was, I really couldn’t see where music was. I couldn’t see a song in that. It’s sad. Then I overheard somebody talking about Cho’s mother, how she’d had a nervous breakdown and was in such pain, and that’s where I made the connection.
I’m a mother, and how overwhelming that would be to get a phone call that not only had 32 people been murdered but that my daughter had murdered them and then murdered herself, blown her face off, and I could never hold my child again or say goodbye. So I wrote a song from Cho’s mother’s point of view, and I sing it a cappella at the events. I’ve had a lot of people come up and say ‘That really opened my eyes and made me think twice about the death penalty,’ and I’m really glad. It’s probably the most powerful song I’ve ever written in that it gets right to the heart of it really quickly. – Chris Gray
posted by Sara Hickman at 12:45 pm
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Jammin’ Java
FEBRUARY 14th…Ok, even though I live in Austin, it is a hard, hard nut to crack…so, if anyone is here and wants to come out to hear some lovin’ love songs, please come to Momo’s (above Katz’s Deli) and hear me and Kristin sing to you….8 pm show! How’s that…so romantic. I’ll dedicate a song to you and the love of your life/choice/dreams
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:33 am
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Tequila on the Tip of the Tongue: LIVE POOR DAVID’S TAPING…but wait! There’s MORE!!!
February 02, 2008
The crowd was so quiet, I thought, “Crud! What’s wrong?” but then when I asked, someone yelled out, “We’re trying to be quiet!” And I was dumbstruck!
Of course! Only my audience would be THAT considerate!!! So, I had to say, “No, no! You’re SUPPOSED to be here! You’re SUPPOSED to react!” and then things
got under way. Cuz I messed up “Living In Quiet Desperation” by going to an F# instead of the F, and I think I might have saved that nano-second, but in my artistic mind, of course, I was SUNK, and after that sung, I fessed up to messin’ up, which, of course, then turned into a comical farce because I realized my new guitar teacher, who shall remain nameless until he gives me the thumbs up to announce him to the world, was sitting DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME, and then I just went into Carol Burnett meets Robin Williams mode and COULD NOT GET OUT OF IT, especially when that Wisconsin couple starting channeling through my mouth! Where do they COME FROM? How do they get into MY BRAIN like that? I could NOT stop talking like I was from Wisconsin! By then, we were all giddy and I started heckling my teacher and introduced him as Henry Higgins and immediately burst into “Just you wait Henry Higgins….Just you waaaaaaaaait!” in my best English flower girl accent, but that turned into Shakespearean Old English and I just could not turn the pony around! We played two and a half hours, I think. So, let’s see. That would be three songs recorded live and 800 minutes of my incessant babbling about politics, sex, the state of my bra, old boyfriends, you name it. I said it. All on tape (and film.) Ok, you have an idea of what is headed down the pike towards you at 600 miles an hour! Of course we’ll edit! Thanks to Kristin for hanging on and letting me tell her what I needed to tell her after that miniscule tongue touch to the tequila (I hadn’t eaten since two, and let me tell you, who wants Tequila on an empty stomach? Maybe John Wayne, but alrighty then, I’m not the man!) Secrets on stage rule! Girls gotta have fun when they are the only two up there jammn’ out the jams for the masses!
Thanks to all the life long friends, new fans and happy faces. It was a kickiddy- assidy show!
KOLANOWSKI HOUSE CONCERT
Ok, Greg and Kim. What can I say? Here, I’ll say it. They rule. I mean, just hand over that first prize ribbon right now! Yes, that one. The one you’ve been hoarding.
Give it up, I say! Give it to the Kolanowskis cause they totally treated me like I was Chrissy Hynde. Or Babs. Or some singer that would expect to be given the red carpet treatment. I’m used to Astroturf, and hey! I’m fine with that. No need to mow!
But as I walked into this amazing home concert… voila! I was in tears in about two minutes because Greg and Kim had made a SPACE for me. A backdrop, a big comfy chair, a side table replete with lamp and an authentic, handmade tiger tea cup!… and a stool….and lighting, filtered so I would have just the right glow, and rows and rows and rows and oh my gosh who knows how many rows of black seats, all lined up in a half moon with an AISLE. I was expecting a bevvy of ushers to pop out at any moment. It all felt so… classy….! And I thought, “Wow. This feels GOOD. This feels RIGHT!” And even though my head was full of cedar fever and swollen membranes, I gave my all, best I could, because I really loved the care and thought that went into their presentation of….me! Perhaps I’ll call my next cd, “Red Carpet Treatment” cuz, hmm, now I like it!
No, no, I’ll call it “The Day The Kolanowskis Brought Me Home From The Zoo.”
I liked it so very much that I suggested a five night house concert run this summer, a house concert TOUR, if you will, of the concert series in Houston. Bruce’s Loft, Rouse House, the Kolanowskis, and two others.
The audience was awesome. The food was first rate. The time spent with Zac, the K’s nephew, after the show was just terrific. Zac is a fifteen year old bagpipe/guitarplaying/unicycle riding kid who has big, smart eyes and a wicked smile that makes you think he might eat your cake if you turn your head
for twenty seconds! What a nice guy. We sat on the set and he played guitar and I made up songs and I said, “Hey, you’re like Jack in the White Stripes and I’m like Loretta Lynn!” I’ll see if I can post the vid that Greg took of these magical moments.
TODAY
I am off to do a surprise baby shower and then hitting the road to run to the airport to get on a plane to D.C. for a private show for Josh Cohen (awesome…he and the Kolanowskis should meet!) and then Jammin’ Java on Monday night. Please come out, if you live in the D.C. area. I promise to kick it. To be in high gear. To sing like a songbird. To hug you. To pick that lint off your sweater.
SUPER PAL UNIVERSE
There is so much going on here my head is spinning. I will try to write about all the wondrous stuff these kids are up to, but suffice it to say that Marty is the best friend a woman could ever hope to have cuz he is engineering this record, and thank God for Joe McDermott for being music director…but mostly thanks to the kids for forming this band and wanting to make a cd and for working hard towards the pilot and for my not exploding into 7200000 fragments of joy! Not yet, anyway!
posted by Sara Hickman at 10:31 am
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AUSTIN CHRONICLE AWARDS
January 19, 2008
NOW’S YOUR CHANCE! Thank you so much!!!
Here are catagories you could vote for:
Best kids band (majority of the members under the age of 18): SUPER PAL UNIVERSE
Best song: COMFORT’S SIGH
Best album: MOTHERLODE
Best producer: SARA HICKMAN
Best label: SLEEVELESS
Best acoustic guitar: SARA HICKMAN
Best folk artist: SARA HICKMAN
Best acoustic room: CACTUS CAFE
Best family club: RUTUMAYA
You can find a ballot in the latest Chronicle and also on-line at http://www.austinchronicle.com/musicpoll
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:19 am
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Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys
January 09, 2008
My booking agent, Charlie Dahan, is picking up this new client whose album/cd comes out today. Her name is Amanda
Shaw, she is a 16 year old fiddle player, and this is her first release on Rounder.
http://www.myspace.com/officialamandashaw
She’s really talented and cute to boot!
Enjoy supporting another musician with a big smile!
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:32 am
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Dad Labs Performance #2
January 08, 2008
Part 2 of your interview is up. It’s on the homepage today. Here is
the permalink:
http://www.dadlabs.com/home/2008/1/8/246-the-lounge-singing-and-drinking-with-sara-hickman.html
These are really fun to watch! Looking forward to the next time…
Cheers,
Clay
Clay Nichols
Chief Creative Officer
DadLabs Inc
http://www.dadlabs.com
posted by Sara Hickman at 10:06 am
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Orpha
January 04, 2008
I was just informed that a young lady I walked with down the runway at a cancer event for children has passed away. She was 18 years old. Because of my music, I get to meet many people, sometimes only briefly. But some people stick with your heart, your memory. This is a person who had a lot of depth, a lot to offer the world. Here is my quiet attempt to say “goodbye”.
A Poem For Orpha
Just like her name
She was unique
She kept a smile close to her chest
And like most children struggling
With what they cannot understand:
She did her best.
Quietly smiling
Smart as a whip
We walked together
Letting secrets slip
Knowing this was all that
Just might be
She stood tall next to me
The faces seated down below
Gazed upwards as the time came
For her to walk down the runway
Following the sound of her name, then
Sensing who knows where or when
She knew none of us can really
Know our end
She stood with grace
And bowed to no one
Courageous to the core
And though some may think
That she has left us
She is even stronger than before
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:35 pm
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One of my Favorite People in the World
January 03, 2008
posted by Sara Hickman at 10:10 am
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Me on “Dad Labs”, a tres cool site
January 01, 2008
I use two “dastardly” words. Otherwise, I would like to say I don’t really drink beer, but I sure had fun trying it!
Especially at 10 am on a Friday.
Happy New Year!
http://www.dadlabs.com/home/2008/1/1/242-the-lounge-sara-hickman-part-i.html
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:38 pm
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And now some lighthearted reading: An essay I wrote for “Austin Monthly”
December 21, 2007
I’ve learned a plethora of things since I’ve moved to Austin. I’ve learned that my heart can actually ache for home when I’m out on the road. I’ve learned people will return your wallet if you lose it. I’ve learned what “H.E.B.” stands for.
So, here’s a list I’ve compiled to help anyone new to Austin understand what’s worth fighting for, talking about, standing up on behalf of, speaking out about and singing over, why signing petitions is important, how lighting candles can bring people together, and how to walk the walk while you herald the talk. Think of this as a top ten list…only I just couldn’t stop at ten.
SARA HICKMAN’S LIST ON AUSTIN
(Feel free to cut this out and add on)
AH, NATURE!
Visit the Greenbelt, although be aware it can have intense cotton mouth or it can be swollen with raging waters.
Make sure you hike it when it is neither.
(Unless you’re one of those uber muscular folks with the rock riding bikes or a kayak.)
Where else but Austin can you have a raccoon use your doggie door to come in for a snack?
Cheap thrills: For $6, you can canoe on Town Lake, where you can reach into the water, catch the turtles, and take them for a ride.
WARNING: they will pee on you. Also, the swans will glide right over, almost resting their delicate heads in your hands.
For best man-made internal caves to crawl around in with your kids: go to the Austin Nature Center or Book People (second floor).
Our ZIlker Park “Trail of Lights” is a gorgeous wonderland, right across from the infamous Zilker Christmas tree, both which go up only in December.
Zilker Park also has a miniature train running right through it, but it seems to be hibernating during the coldest time of the year.
So check that out in the spring. It is also inexpensive and relaxing!
I hear there is a place where people can get naked. It is called Hippie Hollow. You will never see me there, but it might be just the thing for you.
IN THE MOOD FOR FOOD?
Austin is worldly. You have Momoko on 24th for Japanese Bubble tea with sushi (they also have cool hand made stationary, funny cuddly toys and tiny tee-shirts). There’s Veggie Heaven for veggie Thai food; Pho for Vietnamese; Taco Express for Maria’s one of a kind Chimichuri salsa complete with a giant 20 foot tall statue of her likeness (dressed according to her mood); French, Italian, Ethiopian, Soul Food…you name it. We’re food central. Especially with Whole Foods and Central Market providing the makings for your own homemade schmorgasbords.
Taco Deli (hidden back on Spyglass). A delicious, creative Tex-Mex + All Good Looking Men All the Time= Mmm good! In my book, they make the best
guacamole jalapeno salsa. Unbelievably creamy and spicy.
Flipnotics: UPSTAIRS: start off your day with the best coffee in town
DOWNSTAIRS: pick out a one of a kind outfit for lunch, then march back upstairs for quiche and salad, march back downstairs for evening attire,
return to the top for live music. All for under $75. What a deal!
I learned that a true donut store will be open twenty-four hours. We call it Ken’s Rock-n-Roll donuts. Go there immediately. Rick Perry will pick up your tab.
Did you know that if you have three sips of a margarita from Baby Acupulco
you can not pitch a softball game afterwards? (see following category for more
info.)
I’ ve learned my neighborhood has a lot of moms who bake casseroles or homemade cookies in honor of newborns, birthdays, even divorce.
There are also lots of kids with lemonade stands. I’m a big fan of Little Jimmy Hightower, who down the street, come rain or shine, has a stand for
Justice Juice: his concoction consists of two parts satire to every four parts truth. Very tasty! They also carry it in the Austin Chronicle. Get some today!
I’M NOT INTO SPORTS BUT HERE’S SOME FEEDBACK ON IT:
If you want to listen to sports, you have Jeff Ward and Ed Clements on KLBJ/AM. I don’t even like sports radio,
but these two have me actually tuning in to find out why NASCAR men can behave like Neanderthals
stuck in a cerebral tar pit. Their banter is hilarious. I would like to start an
I LOVE JEFF & ED fan club, just for the ladies. I think the two would approve.
Especially Ed.
Speaking of someone who should stay away from any NASCAR event, Leslie can stand on a corner in a thong, high heels
and a glittery top while talking with a group of business men in ties about politics. If you don’t know of whom I speak, you
are probably imagining a lovely girl who has escaped the grips of Hooters. No. I am talking about a man. A local lo-cal skinny man.
Anyway, I find it puzzling and charming at the same time. It doesn’t really have to do with sports, but it was a nice segueway. Plus,
it will prepare you for the next time you are stuck in rush hour traffic at the corner of 11th and Congress.
When you go to a UT game, you better be utilizing burnt orange underwear, eye shadow, breath mints, and cow bells. There is no fooling
around. You are BURNT ORANGE, my friend, or you better be sitting on the far side. Like in Jersey. I stopped in at the official UT Salon on my way
into my first game (UT vs. New Mexico State, 2003—-no, you shut up!) and had my hair dyed a lovely shade of UT (permanent, of course!) just so
I’d fit in and feel part of the gang in those extra large, comfy stadium stands. (This is where the breath mints come in to play.)
Did I mention I can’t pitch a softball game after a margarita? But I did play on the Flames one year, and you can, too! The city has lots of intramural
softball and soccer teams. Austin cares about your health!
There are people in this town who have tennis racquets pierced into their ear lobes. Huge netted dream catcher like things. I never saw these before
I moved to Austin. I don’t have anything against them, but I have to control my urge to yell, “ Deuce!” whenever I see them. I worry about these guys’
lobes when they hit 80. Will their lobes need slings?
NO IMMUNITY FROM OUR COMMUNITY!
People care about each other in Austin—-from Hands on Housing to Any Baby Can, folks get out in the community and try
to make life better for one another. And we grieve, too. Once a year you can come to the House the Homeless Sunrise Service on Town Lake
(November 18, sunrise) where we read the names of those who have passed away on the street.
I’ve protested against the death penalty and spoken out against the war.
Both by candlelight. Both with large groups of people swaying, singing and praying. My children were always with me, and I never felt afraid.
I felt like I had the right to voice my concern and I wasn’t treated like an idiot. Even while in front of the governor’s mansion. I love that about Austin.
People can speak out about racism, homelessness, joblessness, Barton Springs, developers… You name it. Sometimes action is slow, or a result is not
what I would prefer it to be, but it feels like democracy in action. There’s something to be said about the freedoms we still have in this country
and how the people of this city will not sit idly by and let freedom be chewed up and spat into the sewer.
If you want to understand local flavor, read John Kelso or watch Jim Swift.
I have the feeling they actually founded Austin because they always know
that the “small “ stories are the biggest.
I’ve learned they are shutting down the South Mary post office. Yvonne , Dieter and Jamie will be moved to the Congress location.
Let me just say: please visit these folks before they move. Walking into this post office is like visiting
a small hometown memory. And it is a mico-cosmic overview of Austin’s most interesting characters.
Did you know this fact: Austin has more readers than any other city in the United States. I learned that from Half Price Books
while drinking some of their free tea. I go there at least once a week with my seven year old for tea and reading. Or, as she might say, ”Read and teaing.”
For kids, Austin is a slice of heaven. Did you know we have over 62, 031 moms groups, 2700 lactation consultants, and more childrens musicians
than any where else in the world? Even the bats can’t compete in number! We have Carl Anderson, the best Santa, and the Austin Children’s Museum;
a quaint zoo (check out the tigers during feeding at 10 a.m. any day! If you like watching someone really enjoy their food, go tomorrow morning), great public
and private schools, stay-at-home dads, more parks than sticks, and if you stand in the middle of the star in our state’s capital and sing “My Favorite Things”
with twenty four children, no one complains! They find it charming. Even when legislation is in session. Which isn’t very often, so go! Sing! Sing LOUD.
MUSIC, MUSIC EVERYWHERE
I like a town where everyone knows the musicians by their first names:
Eliza, Jimmie, Joe, Ray, Charlie, Shawn, Bob, Ruthie, Terri, Matt (he’s an electrician, too)… It’s so homey, homey!
Austin City Limits. I learned that those stars aren’t real, but who’s really looking at the stars in the sky? And the ACL Fest is
the best festival in the U.S., hands down. Get your tickets now because it’s just going to get crazier. Or you can get in with
me and my possee next year. We’ll form a choir!
Todd Wolfson has taken every local (and international) musician’s photograph at least once over the last twenty years. And he still decided to stay.
What other city has local musicians singing about cars, mobile homes, parks,
and perched precariously on a gazebo? Austin uses it’s musical resources
locally and nationally.
Say…I didn’t even get a chance to talk about our film makers, authors, illustrators, SXSW, Amy’s Ice Cream, Waterloo, Uncommon Objects,
our great public and private schools, the diversity of religions and thought…or my highest bowling score. Poop. Next time.
Well, you know, since it closed, I’ve heard people talk about Les Amis as if they’ve just paid the bill. I’ve also enjoyed the roar of an
Armadillo World Headquarters crowd from the stage, even though I never had the opportunity to be on it. My friend, Pauline, lives over by Matthews Elementary
and tells how she used to stand on the hill of an empty field and holler with friends to her momma from across the tracks. Legend has it LBJ and Ann Richards both
went to my church, First United Methodist, across from the capital. To sum it up , these are the things I love about Austin: the passion for history and storytelling,
the love for community, and the drive to preserve our authenticity and small town feel.
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:15 am
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What you give, not what you get
December 20, 2007
the time you get.
What a different world this would be.
Instead of kids writing lists to Santa that said, “I need a bike. I need a doll,”
kids would learn to write,
“Dear Santa:
This year I am going with mom and dad to the shelter. We are going to sing
Christmas songs and take thermal underwear to all those we meet.
Could you please bring some thermal underwear so we’ll have plenty to take?
Love,
Erin”
It became cool to be involved in your community, to be aware of social justice,
to have kids growing up realising they have the power to change the world!
And office parties…all the food and drink would be taken to the shelters when folks were finished
at the parties, and served with love to those who don’t have Christmas parties.
And people would visit retirement homes and recognize the need for the elderly to
have year round visits, so it wasn’t just once a year.
And you know what is great about this idea? Is that it is an idea that is already ALIVE with many people!!
That Christmas isn’t about getting, it is about giving. That action DOES create change.
Giving hope.
Giving love.
Giving TIME.
Giving expertise.
Giving voice on behalf of those who can’t speak out for themselves.
Because Christmas isn’t a time of year, it is a way of living. It isn’t a a day where gifts are given,
it is a way of gifts being lived.
Ok, just thinking about all this and wondering how to sway the tide of consumerism into a tidal wave
of consciousness about the moments we have to be on this earth, and how we will use our time here
to benefit one another and those in need.
posted by Sara Hickman at 10:14 am
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The Service of Christmas
STORY # 1 —-I NEED IT
Walgreens is right up the street from us. I like having a neighborhood pharmacy, where I know
all the people who work in the store, people who are a sort of extended family to us because you learn to
trust these folks over the years, you can learn some of who they are…
and I can grab some toothpaste or get some lotion for mosquito bites.
Last week, I ran in to get some moisturizer, and as I was walking down an aisle, I heard a tiny little voice say,
“Mommy, I need this!”
I rounded the corner and there was a two year old girl, short blonde, curly hair, wandering over towards something
at the end of a display case. The mother was following behind, responding with,
“Show me what you need, honey…”
The little girl pointed at something and answered,
“This. I need this.”
The mom looked at whatever it was and said,
“Oh, you don’t need that. Let’s find something else you need.”
Well, my heart just about broke in half. I was tempted to start a conversation with the woman about how
the little girl didn’t “need” that thing, she “wanted” that thing.
But I kept it to myself and decided to ponder on the difference. I could put a list of “needs” and “wants” here, but
I think you can see what I mean. Maybe this will make you consider the differences, as well.
STORY # 2 —-THE BUS STOP
This morning, I was headed toward ARCH (Austin Resource Center for the Homeless) with some donations, when I spied a young man
sitting outside on the ground, crosslegged, rocking himself back and forth in front of a bus stop.
I kept driving my van, but that eternal voice came to me, “Go back.” I drove another block until the voice was
so strong, I followed it by turning around and heading back.
I parked in Peter Pan Putt-Putt’s parking lot, walked to the back of the van and grabbed some oranges, poured a glass of
apple juice, gathered some brownies. I headed over to the young man. He was drooling quite heavily.
“Hello, ” I said. “I brought you something.”
“No thank you, ” he rocked.
“Are you thirsty?” I sat down on my heels near by and looked him in the eyes, with a calm, laid back demeanor. I’ve always find
if you are approaching a stranger, it is best not to act like a stranger yourself.
“No, no thank you,” he looked me in the eye, and I could see he was calm, too. He had something else in those eyes, though. It
looked like “forgotten”. He was covered in age old filth, but his clothes were relatively clean.
“Do you need blankets…?”
“No, thank you,” was how he replied, again.
“I will be thinking of you, ” I said respectfully.
He nodded, and I walked back to the car, and headed towards the ARCH.
STORY #3——THIS MORNING
On the way to the ARCH, I saw another long line of homeless down the street, and decided to deliver the food to St. David’s,
instead.
Parking on the side of the building, I was just trying to figure out how to carry all the goods, which came from the school
Christmas party* yesterday, when a fellow in camouflage came running around the wall,
“Miss, I can help you miss!”
I don’t even know HOW he knew I needed to carry all these supplies, he couldn’t have seen me unloading, so I decided he
was my morning’s angel!
He carried a giant chocolate sheet cake while I carried cookies, apples, oranges, grapes, jugs of juice, cups and a serving knife and plates.
We were feeling quite jolly!
He started to take it inside the building, but I stopped him.
“Let’s serve it outside, where all the people are…”
He smiled, “Oh, certainly!”
Immediately, there was a buzz through the line of about sixty people, and we were swarmed
with expectation.
“What’s in the bag?”
“I want cake! Give me some cake!”
“Can I get some for my husband, too?”
Immediately, I was sitting on the sidewalk with the young man and we put together our makeshift
serving line… putting plates together of grapes, cookies, oranges, apple slices, and I was rapidly cutting the chocolate cake
and plopping the slices onto plates appearing around my face from people hunched over, ready to eat, worried
they wouldn’t get some of the food. You could feel the worry in the air.
Amazingly, there was enough cake for everyone, and a request for more oranges and tangerines.
I promised to bring more by.
One man said, “You know what they say about chocolate! It just makes me happy! Thanks for all the chocolate!”
My angel started to gather trash and I reached over to take it all to the car, but he insisted on carrying it for me.
“Did you get some cake? I saved a piece for you,” I said.
“No, thank you. I have a little bag of cookies, ” he smiled back at me.
I handed the last plate of cake to the chocolate man.
Everyone was so grateful, “thank you for coming!” and “Thank you for thinking of us!” and “Bless you!” and I was hugging people,
touching arms, smiling at everyone.
We got to the car, the angel and me, and I asked him his name.
“Michael, ma’am. Michael Gonzales.”
I told him he was my angel for the day, and I hugged him goodbye and got in my car.
My hands were covered in chocolate frosting, sticky. I found a bottle of water under a seat,
and leaning out the driver’s door, I poured water across my hands, as the man who loves chocolate
walked by.
“MMmmm, remember what they say about chocolate!”
“I’ll just have to bring you some more,” I laughed. He laughed, too.
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:41 am
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I am Spreading the Word. Can you?
December 19, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBo4E77ZXo
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:42 am
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Dan Fogelberg’s Legacy
December 17, 2007
I practiced learning every song on that album, alone in my room,
dreaming that someday I, too, would be a leader of a band, or tour, or make records.
I never got to meet Dan on the tours with him. He had other people do his soundchecks, and he always arrived right after I had finished my set.
He’d come dashing in from the car, go straight to his dressing room (if there was time), and then straight to the stage. Usually it was straight to the stage, where he would sit down at the piano and start to play.
Trust me, I wanted to meet Dan. I wanted to say “Thank you” for his encouraging me to become a singer/songwriter, even though he had no idea how he had done so. I wanted to tell him what an honor it was to sing before him night after night, for him to share his listening audience with me, for all the love I felt as I sang along in the audience to every word of every one of his songs.
I don’t feel bad that we didn’t ever meet. There are forces bigger at play here then me meeting a childhood idol. In his heart, surely he must have known that there were thousands of kids like me who grew up to make music because of him? Or, if not, then he certainly knew that his music was loved and revered, and I didn’t need to be one more
voice reminding him. He seemed to be very private, and I respected that.
So, I will say it out loud now, at my computer, for his spirit to hear:
Thank you, Dan. Thank you for giving me the gift of a dream, one that is being carried on, now, through my daughters’ love of song, too.
Songwriters/singers/musicians like you are the storytellers of our lives, and you capture those moments that we wish to reclaim, anytime we choose, simply by putting
your music on the stereo… instantly we are transported to those times of laughter or tears.
Should old acquaintance be forgot….and never brought to mind…
I think not, Dan. You’ll never be forgotten.
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:16 am
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a little morning poem
December 12, 2007
upon the word of human breath
is a gentle reminder of things that must be said
before each passing moment’s death
sara hickman
december 12, 2007
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:15 am
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Save the Whales…I Mean, C’mon..I’ve been talking about this since I was Nine Years Old
December 11, 2007
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:29 pm
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THIS IS SO FANTASTIC!!! HOORAY! SUPER PAL UNIVERSE: THE LEAD STORY ON KEYE NEWS!!!!
December 05, 2007
You can see the kids, hear some of their music….and see me fall on the floor with happiness!
Love,
Sara
(What’s Super Pal Universe all about? Find out at http://www.superpaluniverse.com …)
posted by Sara Hickman at 05:27 pm
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We’re on KEYE News Tonight at 5 pm!
Video probably won’t be up until after it airs at 5 today, but here’s
text and the placeholder for the story:
http://www.keyetv.com/content/news/topnews/story.aspx?content_id=283ffb1e-91fc-412d-bc19-4dab6585e2cb
So you’ll be able to see Super Pal Universe practicing and meet the kids.
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 01:55 pm
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The Dialogue Leads to Thought and Thought Leads to Writing and Writing Leads to This
went so far as to write this terrific piece to me. I asked him if I could share it with you on my blog, and he said, “Yes…”
but only after much serious contemplation and the wish to remain anonymous.
I want to share it with you because this is EXACTLY why people in the U.S. (and around the world) MUST engage in
dialogue, whether about the death penalty, abortion, war, domestic violence, God….you name it. We human beings
must start utilizing the mystical and awesome gifts of our brains.
So, I’d like to thank Marc for this gift of his mind. I hope it will lead to further discussion and that it helps you
create dialogue with your friends and family…and, perhaps, help you to recognize what your feelings are on the death penalty,
as well.
Love,
Sara
My Question to Myself:
What is the Purpose of Punishment?
I asked myself: What is the purpose of punishment for
a crime? I came up with five reasons for punishment,
and I will focus on imprisonment first.
REASON NUMBER ONE</em>
The first reason for imprisonment is that it allegedly
serves as a deterrent. When a person knows if they
break a law, the result will be jail or prison, then, hopefully, this person will not commit the crime in the first place. This concept works, at least for a large percentage of the population (I have no official statistics - I’m just going by what I feel is correct). But to some, it is no deterrence at all - which leads us to reason number two.
REASON NUMBER TWO<em>
The second reason for imprisonment is as a corrective
measure to prevent the person from committing the
crime again. After spending time in jail or prison, a
person will very likely decide that they really don’t
want to be incarcerated again and will make sure that
they don’t commit the first or any other crimes.
Now, I could get totally sidetracked on the
subject of our horrible prison system and how it is
not at all designed with this purpose in mind and how
it often creates more hardened criminals than
rehabilitates them. But that is a different topic.
So, assuming prison serve this function, then this is
the second purpose of imprisonment. It will correct
some but not all of the individuals that got past the
first gate. For those for whom this second purpose
fails, we are led to reason number three.
REASON NUMBER THREE</em>
The third reason for imprisonment is to remove
dangerous individuals from our society - individuals
who will not and cannot reform. As I mentioned above,
I don’t think we really try to reform inmates in the
first place and I think we could make lots of progress
if we truly tried - but that’s the other topic again.
Assuming that we have a decent court and prison
system, I believe that these first three reasons for
imprisonment are valid and just reasons.
REASON NUMBER FOUR
The fourth reason for imprisonment is to obtain Justice. What does justice mean in this case? The philosophical concept of justice has been debated through the ages and has taken on many forms and
definitions. But what I think it boils down to in this situation is two-fold:
1) an attempt to recover the losses experienced by the
victim due to the crime and
2) the punishment of the perpetrator of the crime.
In an ideal world, if someone bumps into you causing you to fall and break your arm, the fair and just action would be for them to apologize, help you seek medical attention, pay for that medical attention, and then ask you if there was anything else they could do to help recover any other losses as a result of this incident. This would be considered a just and fair response.
In the real world, they might just run away or try to avoid their responsibility. Therefore, society has evolved various law enforcement and judicial organizations to ensure that “justice is done”, or delivered, in these cases. (It is interesting to
note that after a criminal trial with sentencing, there is often a civil trial necessary in order for the victim to obtain an equitable compensation for the losses of the transgression. If the criminal has
no money (the usual form of compensation in our society), then the victim is out of luck. Furthermore, recovery is rarely perfect.)
In this hypothetical case of the broken arm, what if you permanently lose some range-of-motion in the affected arm? A large financial settlement might sound desirable but it will never replace the loss of your ability.
When it comes to the loss of life for the victim, there is no equitable compensation for that person. No amount of money can replace a life, no punishment or length of incareration can bring back the dead: in short, nothing can be delivered to friends, family, or society to alleviate or compensate this permanent loss. So justice is often reduced to the concept of punishment and punishment is where I began with my question.
REASON NUMBER FIVE<em>
Which brings us to reason number five - the most
controvirsial reason and the one which I have had the
most difficult time through the years convincing
others to understand. The fifth reason our society
uses imprisonment (and other forms of punishment)
boils down to this: revenge or vengeance.
Revenge and vengeance are purely emotional reasons for
punishment and, in my mind, the most ineffective,
useless, and wrongly exercised reasons for punishment.
If we are totally honest with ourselves and really
explore our feelings, hopefully we will
realize that the fifth reason feels like it will
justify our own emotional and self-serving purposes. The problem is that revenge does nothing to positively affect the law-and-order aspect of society (except in how it may apply to the first two reasons). It also is not very effective psychologically or spiritually at helping us (the victims) deal with the loss and pain that we, as individuals or as society, may feel as a result of the crime.
Because of my idealistic desire for a perfect and just
world, I have spent a lot of time imagining how I
would react if some criminal came into my life and,
let’s say, killed a loved one for a few bucks in a
wallet or pocket book. If I am really honest with
myself, I would not only be dealing with the loss of
the loved one but I would also be dealing with the
incredible amount of anger that I would feel for this
criminal due to the pain that they had caused in my
life! I’ll be honest, I would seriously want revenge!
I wouldn’t care at what cost or what happened to my emotional well being.
And, I admit, that part of me would want this fiend to
be sentenced to death for the crime he or she
committed. I, myself, might even want to “pull the switch”. These would be my feelings, at least,
initially. But I also have a cerebral cortex that would remind me that this solution is not the definitive answer, as hard and difficult a realization that this is. I truly believe this is not the correct answer.
Through the years, books, journals and my own personal experiences have taught me to understand that
the best thing I can do for myself mentally,
emotionally, and spiritually is to come to terms with a crime, and then learn to grow through and let go of my anger and revengeful thoughts toward the person, or people, who committed the crime.
I have talked with many others, and this concept is the one most have the hardest trouble grasping. They can’t imagine letting go of these emotions - and I completely
understand why. It is a very, very difficult thing to do.
Vengeance is an emotion. I don’t believe it is a
legal, constitutional, or even a spiritual platform.
It is a human emotion! And, as an aside, I don’t
believe it shows up in the rest of the animal kingdom.
We humans are, supposedly, the ones who can utilize
thinking minds, We have the capacity to see, or
know, the bigger picture, to recognize right from
wrong.
I have a friend who strongly believes in the
death penalty. He says he is a Libertarian and he is
not the religious/righteous type. I tried to get him
to explain to me his justification for capital
punishment. It goes something like this:
“It is important in a society for criminals to be held
accountable for their crimes - and for heinous
crimes, the death penalty is just, right, and
necessary. If a person willfully and purposefully takes the life of another, do they really deserve to have life themselves?”
This is a good question and one that I struggle with. But I could turn the question around. In my mind, anyone who takes another life has, at least for a moment (and sometimes with good reason, i.e.
self-defense), a break with reality - a temporary insanity. The cold-blooded murderer is more seriously insane. The seriously insane often suffer from a mental illness related to either the environment in
which they were raised (abused), a biochemical imbalance, or perhaps a brain injury or disease. So my reversed question is this: Don’t these victims (who become criminals) deserve at least our understanding of
their plight and perhaps a chance at recovery through therapy and medications (and who knows what else we may discover in the coming years)?
I still think my friend’s response boils down to an
emotional reaction to crimes and an ineffective and
misplaced attempt at dealing with them.
Look at it this way. As in the previous example, assume you have been pushed down and as a result your arm is now broken. If the perpetrator flees
the scene you would become very angry at them, you would want them punished, and you might curse them for the rest of your life.
If, however, they stay and help you, you might be somewhat angry with them but you probably wouldn’t want them severely punished and you might even come to respect them and honor them for being personally responsible in their committed response.
These are two entirely different emotional responses to the same scenario. Now I know a broken arm is entirely different than the loss of a life. But what I am trying to point out is how much our emotions factor
into our sense of justice.
The bottom line is this: Our American constitution established a free democratic society, one that is life affirming, where there is no place for vengeance in the legal system (just as justice is supposed to be blind).
This idea is especially true when considering capital
punishment. I think if we, as a society, can
acknowledge and then remove this emotion from the
discussion on capital punishment, capital
punishment no longer makes sense. Especially in light
of the fact that revenge just doesn’t correct or help
anything, a fact that is slowly but surely coming to
light in the scientific/psychological arena - but one
that spiritual masters throughout time have been
trying to teach us all along.
And I’m not saying that we need to ignore all of our feelings; we do need to listen to the inherent ones. Emotions based on fear and hate are toxic and can lead us, as a society, in the wrong direction. Feelings and
emotions that include love and compassion make a much better compass.
By the way, one of the unfortunate side effects of
letting our immediate emotional feelings drive our justice system is that certain communities with power (e.g., elected officials, law enforcement, district attorneys, the media, etc) get so caught up in finding the perpetrator(s) of heinous crimes in an attempt to quell their emotions, they often go after any
innocent, convenient scapegoat.
It has been proven time and again that not only do we
incarcerate innocent people, who sometimes lose 20
years or more of their lifetime in prison, but sometimes, their lives are completely ended, as in the case of capital punishment.
I recognize in myself that there is an emotional part
of me that is for capital punishment. But when I am in a calm place and reflect on the idea from an
intellectual and spiritual point of view, I know that
capital punishment is not valid. It doesn’t even begin to address what our society and its individuals need in
the way of healing after a crime (any crime) has been
committed. And as for the idea of closure, this is a myth. Executing an inmate does not bring closure in the loss of a loved one, especially when that person has been ripped from us in a violent way. The pain for victims’ families may never go away, but in the execution of another human being, the cycle of victimization continues with the family of the death row inmate, too.
I think the way to reach out to people when discussing
this touchy subject is to let them know that you
recognize in them what I feel in myself. Ask them to
try and separate the feelings from facts and then ask
them how to best deal with the feelings. Ask them
questions that get them thinking. I have
found that asking people thought provoking questions
is more effective in leading them in a certain
direction than by trying to tell them what to think.
To end…Here I am telling you what to think . . oh well
just my thoughts!
—Marc
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:47 am
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SUPER PAL SUPER PARTY GALA GALORE AND MORE!!! Dec 9 3-5 pm
December 02, 2007
Join Sara Hickman and her new project, Austin’s own tween-age band phenomenon, the Super Pal Universe!
WHEN ?
Sunday December 9th , 3- 5 pm
Alamo Ritz at 302 6th St
Austin, TX
WHAT ?
A fun-fundraising event. Sara and the SPU band will put on a non-stop entertainment extravaganza featuring live music, video, fun and surprises! Along with the fun family entertainment, an amazing set of auction and raffle items will be available to help raise funds for the kids’ first CD release!
TICKETS?
Visit the Alamo Drafthouse website: http://www.originalalamo.com/Show.aspx?id=4994
WANT TO BE A SUPER SPONSOR FOR CREATIVE KIDS?
Help us out and get premium seats and recognition! For
sponsorships, contact John Rodriguez at
- Community Sponsors, $100: 2 premium seats, a “Thank you” in the event program and a signed SUPER PAL tee shirt!
- Super Pal Sponsor, $250: 4 premium seats, a “Thank you” in the event program and the SPU website, a signed SUPER PAL tee shirt and a signed cd from Sara!
Thank you, everybody, and come out to celebrate some super kids!
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:57 pm
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Uncle Calvin’s Tonight
November 30, 2007
Dallas back in the early days of Uncle Calvin’s.
Robin—-this show is for you.
XO
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 11:25 am
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This Voice In My Heart
I may have mentioned it on this site before, but now that I am becoming friends with the Burundi (who are Hutus)
family here in Austin, it strikes an even deeper chord for me.
Gilbert, who is a Tutsi, now lives in Austin and teaches running clinics. He is an amazing person to have survived so much.
If you want to know more about the devastating conflict between the Hutu and the Tutsi tribes, you will learn about it first hand from Gilbert’s stunning
account.
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 11:21 am
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Blast from the Zippity Do Dah Past! Little Blue Man!!!
November 29, 2007
I had the good fortune of interviewing you for a morning radio show I
used to do in Monticello NY about a million years ago.
While cleaning out the garage a couple of weeks back in preparation for
a garage sale I came across a cassette of that
Interview from 11/6/1990. I had recorded it off the air on a $10
walkman knock-off so the quality is suspect at best.
Anyway…as I ramble…I thought you might like to hear an excerpt from
that interview. It refers to your “secret song” on your then latest album. Hope all is well.
http://www.tonyimpieri.com/sara.htm
Take care,
Tony Impieri
posted by Sara Hickman at 11:08 am
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World AIDS DAY December 1
This 10th annual Austin area World AIDS Day Service of Remembrance and Hope will be held on Saturday, December 1st at Gethsemane Lutheran Church , 200 West Anderson Lane at 7:00pm.
The greater Austin community is invited to gather for this tenth annual World AIDS Day service of remembrance, which marks World AIDS observances for 2007. This service also provides a vivid reminder of the need for renewed awareness of the extent of the HIV/AIDS pandemic here in central Texas . This year AIDS quilts will be displayed in memory of those who have died from AIDS complications.
The mission of The Care Communities (formerly Interfaith Care Alliance ) is to provide practical and compassionate support through care teams, for people living with serious illness. Our vision is to have a caring community where no one will face a serious illness alone. The website is http://www.thecarecommunities.org
Thank you for your time and consideration. You have any questions, Please call Roger Temme , Outreach Coordinator at 512.459.5883 or e-mail at
posted by Sara Hickman at 10:41 am
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sarahickman.com | Bio | Music | Shows | Press | Store | Community | Zooks
Copyright © 1993-2007 Sara Hickman/Sleeveless, LLC | 297454
Whether you've learned about Sara Hickman through her music, her family, her causes, or her films, you know that her originality, creativity, and enthusiasm bring a fresh meaning to the well-worn phrase "living life to the fullest."
What makes Sara tick? What has she been up to since she first hit the ground running (well, at least crawling in the early years)?
Read a complete bio at sarahickman.com.
Visit Start the Dialogue
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Here's the 2006 list.
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Motherlode
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Faithful Heart
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Big Kid
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I Am Going On A Journey: the DVD
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