Shadows

Sometime ago, I was thinking about the suffering of mankind and I wanted to write something about it. Music being the best way I express myself, I decided to pen down the words for a sad/contemplative song. The image of a suffering little girl to me epitomizes the heartlessness that mankind can lay upon itself, also women and children especially young girls bare the brunt of the adversities afflicting humanity.

The words are:

Patterns in circles (There are)
Stories in lines (There are)
Everywhere I go I see these shadows on the wall

She leans on a shattered wall
Half-light on her face
Mother, Father, Sister and Brother
Lifeless on the floor

A painful tear on a tender face
Whose eyes have seen the worst of days

From a place of emptiness:
Is there a chance for hope to stay?

I have solicited the help of an amazing pianist Afshin Toufighian- http://www.afshin.us to work on the song.
From the little we've done, he gets the emotion behind the imagery. We've not decided on what to do with the song once its complete apart from making it available to people in some form.
If you have ideas please share. Your input is highly valued.

Shade of Blue

Shades of blue, shades of green, shades of emerald blue
Velvet clothe in white, bathe by the sun in yellow tan
Blazed red magenta highlights that shade hidden in the shadows of blue.

Salue!!!!

It's been a while since I penned a few words. I have been busy trying to get myself back up and running. For those who are healthy please appreciate your health and take great care of yourself. Be Healthy, be Happy and live life to the fullest.

I my recovered yet? No, but there are great improvements and I hope I find out what is going on. However I am learning some interesting abilities of my body.

How grateful and thankful I am to those who've been and continue to be of tremendous support and encouragement is beyond words. May your lives be filled with abundance and great blessings.

Looking forward to sharing with you the latest projects:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/gbphaay
(The music CD collaboration with Ali Youssefi and Pam Hill)

"Isn't She Something?"- The novel which will be available soon,sometime in June.

Wish you well and let the charms of Happiness Grace your lives.
Salue!!!

Update on Gustaff's Health

Update on Gustaff’s Health

Beloved Friends,
Good day!!

First, let me extend heartfelt Thanks for your continued prayers, support, and best wishes for my recovery. I am truly grateful.

After many tests, we’ve not determined the cause of my illness. At this point I am turning to alternative medicine for some solutions, more on that on the next update.

Most of the symptoms have improved. I am able to go for walks everyday (30-45 minutes), exercise at the gym three times a week, and spend about 10- 15 minutes on the computer without irritation as was the case before.

I still suffer from total exhaustion and fatigue. Mental concentration is much improved but not to optimal.

As the shortness of this note indicates, I still cannot type as fast as I used to and it takes me longer than usual to do anything from brushing my teeth, taking a bath or helping out.

I am glad for the improvements thus far and pray that I learn, be strong and come out of this a transformed person with a better appreciation for Health.

Additionally there has been tremendous progress in the production of the new CD and Book I had been working with some friends and I am looking forward to sharing those with you very soon, hopefully by the end of the month for the CD and sometime in May for the book.

I am in Florida recovering.

Please do keep me in your prayers and I truly cherish your Loving Support.
-Gustaff Besungu (http://www.gustaffmusic.com/ )


PS. For those who did not know I was sick herewith are some of the symptoms I had been under since October 2008

-Muscle weakness, from lower to upper extremities (could hardly walk)
-Skin irritation, rash on my hands
-Fatigue and exhaustion
-Poor Vision, could not read for more than ten minutes without feeling weak
-Coughing, shortness of breath, panic attacks, sleeplessness
-Frequent urination.
-Irregular diarrhea, upset stomach and constipation
- I could not do anything without the assistance of someone e.g. putting on a jacket.
-Holding a cup of tea was a task
-The feeling of loss of sensation of certain parts of my body, especially on the left side.
All these after I was diagnosed of acute bronchitis and took some medication for it.

Tiny Planet

When you hear the words Tiny Planet, what comes to mind? You might think of actual planets, those spherical things that rotate on their axis in space right? Nope! Maybe? Yeah?

Anyways! In my world, Tiny Planet is an eclectic, vibrant, Art Loving place, and a Musician's dream hang out. Its home of Kelly Snook transformed into a music venue where people enjoy Music and Fellowship in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

We were blessed to have been invited to play at her place in DC on September 13th 2008.
Ali Youssefi, Pam Hill, Nasim Youssefi and I rocked the house in gentle ways through uplifting music inspired from Sacred Writings (mostly from the Baha'i Writings), the poetry of Hafiz and cultural everyday life.

The house was packed. Imagine over 90 people in a studio apartment in DC, steaming in music,perspiring in joy and being elevated in spirit, after a delicious meal and heartwarming conversations.

So much encouragement poured over us, appreciation and to a greater extent admiration of our efforts in putting together a unique kind of music, which does not only blend African, North and South American musical influences splendidly, but also portrays the charming musical power of having Violin, Classical guitar, Djembe and Vocal harmonies in a balanced musical weave.

All in All, I had a wonderful time and felt so blessed to play for those fun loving, music aficionados and great supporters of the Arts. God Bless Y'all.








Ali on Guitar, Nasim on Vocal Harmonies, Pam on Violin and Gustaff on Djembe

Native America to the Natural State

She smiles and I smile in her beautiful home, where I woke up to the sounds of ducks playing at the huge pond, where the greenery of North Eastern Arkansas stretch before me for miles upon miles. A home where I ate delicious meals mostly Cameroonian dishes full of reminiscent flavors and memories. A time of quiet relax and good times. This is at the home of Aaron and Jacky where I spent the last week.

Before all these I had the bounty of playing with Sahar and Ciara- daughters of Chester and Sayena Aruk-Bissong. It was a great time being with the girls. They are as gorgeous as ever. Growing up fast.

Below are photos of Jacky and I at her office.

Garden of the God's

Panoramic view, rocks that get your attention in a popular park, an on the spot attraction to tourists and visitors of the Colorado Springs area.

It was a hot day, but when we arrived at the park known as The Garden of the God's, the clouds were up, and a little breeze made it so pleasant to walk around with friends. It was a nice walk, a picture taking moment and just a fine way to spend the afternoon with friends.