Why Hummingcrow?
iPod (365x205) [2:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (175) Bigger (640x360) [2:44m]: Download (109)Heath asked about the source of “hummingcrow” the other night on Twitter, and I tried to answer, but I didn’t have a plan for answering. So below, I have to make some minor corrections and additions to what the video says:
- I said songwriting wasn’t encouraged in my family. That’s not exactly true. My mom encouraged pretty much anything I wanted to do, and she and I sang together all the time. She taught me how to harmonize. And my dad encouraged me to play music … for his drunken friends, which I did not find fun. So I kind of stifled it myself. It’s not my parents’ fault. Of course my dad pretty much told me I’d starve to death if I went into any kind of music professionally, so it’s a little bit his fault.
- The mean teacher was my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Cummings, from Squaw Peak Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona. She scarred me for life. I was very shy, and I spent the remainder of second grade terrified that I would start humming without knowing it.
- I don’t really feel that my youth was stolen. I did for awhile. How many people in the U.S. who are around 25 years old give up their friends and social lives to care for their elders? My relationship with my dad was a bit strained, and I didn’t enjoy living with him until we worked a lot of things out. Then we got to be friends, and I’m so glad for that experience. But I was awfully squawky for awhile there.
- I used the word “tattoo” to describe my moko because most everyone will know that means there’s ink implanted in my skin. But it’s not a tattoo, it’s ta moko; it’s much more than a tattoo because of what I did to receive it, and how it was given.
November 16th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
I liked this post a lot. It makes me feel like I know you better. Maybe a new theme (meme? I’m not really sure what this means) should be ‘Ask the vloggers what you have always wanted to know’ – Example: “Rupert, how do you keep those energy levels up?” or “Beth, what the fuck’s wrong with your hair?” or “Miss B, isn’t it difficult looking at people’s lady gardens all day?” I know these are things that I think regularly.
November 16th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
What a beautiful post. And what a beautiful crow. Keep humming.
November 16th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
very interesting…I always like getting to know the stories behind the stories, and I like you added text to enhance things it makes vidoe that much better because you are getting the best of both worlds. I kinda answered why I like Batman so much in this post here. http://tinyurl.com/34wjuq I’ve led an interesting life, that is for sure…anyway, I asked you one, so feel free to ask something back!
November 16th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
This video actually makes me a little sad. I met and spent quite a bit of time talking with you at Pixelodeon and only now, after this, do I feel I got to know you a little.
I should have really “spoken” with you when I had the opportunity.
November 16th, 2007 at 11:52 pm
Wonderfully expositive, Cheryl. I was curious, as well, about the meaning behind the url.
I have an affinity for crows, too.
In an upcoming post, I will describe the story behind our logo.
Vlog On!
November 17th, 2007 at 11:15 am
Ah great vlog. I *love* the idea of a chosen name … I should do a vlog about that too someday.
I tend to have a song running around in my head most times too … although I’d probably have to call myself whistlingsloth or something …
Anyhow great vlog!
- Dave
November 17th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
[...] hummingcrow: one squall voice « Why Hummingcrow? [...]
November 18th, 2007 at 2:07 am
It was very nice to hear your story.
November 18th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Beautiful story about a beautiful name. Every time I see a crow now I’ll think of you.
November 19th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
I’m so glad you answered Heath’s question… I wondered the same thing, but for some reason just didn’t ask. Funny how even with the ease of communication these days we still leave so many questions unasked!
Good to know you a little better, Cheryl.
November 19th, 2007 at 3:51 pm
I wondered about this too. What a beautifully expressed answer.
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:02 pm
Awesome to know the origins. I’ve always wanted to know myself.