Reinventing Joy

Just had wine with 2 other G.I. Joe exes. Awkward-no. Delicious and validating as to why I dumped his ass- yes!

So... It's been 20 days into the new year and a lot has changed! We open Little Shop of Horrors in 5 days. I was called to audition for one of the most popular Broadway shows in history -"Book of Mormon". The audition went well but who knows with these things. I was invited to be in a band with a very unique name and sound- Shrubbery Transit. Our first gig is on the same day as my first guitar gig at the famous music location -The Windjammer. 1/26 will be a challenging day. But I can't wait. I am doing everything I've ever wanted. I just have to reserve a bit of energy for work. I need to be at the office at 7:30 each morning. Ugh! So far so good. My sound is frazzled but content. Busy with things I love to do = happy.

2012 had a lot of adventures! My challenging December has thrust me into the new year a few weeks early. I plan to make next year the year of new beginnings- a doorway into a new chapter in my life. My theme for next year: Changing The Scene in 2013! Things I did in 2012 Passed the PHR exam!!! Went to Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp at the Playboy Mansion and met my idol Steven Tyler. Rocked out with legends and was validated as a great vocalist. Made new friends and reconnected with old ones Went to my first 2-Day Jazz Fest in FL Did my first Shakespeare play "Much Ado About Nothing" with a new theatre company Went Skydiving Flew to LA and auditioned for the Voice in person Went to my 1st Springsteen Concert in Chicago Took a chance with my heart, briefly explored cohabitation and ultimately stood up for my happiness and didn't try to change someone I really cared about. Moved to a new townhouse Interviewed for a job I didn't think I had the chops f...

I'll make this brief. I didn't get a really awesome promotion the same week I realized that my relationship with GI Joe had run its course and ended it. To cap off this magnificent week, I had two weeks to find a place to live, pack and move out. I'm not there yet to see the sunshine. Being cursed with a nickname like Joy, I just can't have more than one bad day at least in the eyes of my Manager at work. I am running on emotional fumes. I am hollow. I am tapped out and I've given all that I have to give. Being around large groups isn't fun and this is a huge sign to me that I'm not there. I'm trying not to eat my feelings because I've lost 12 lbs so far and am on my way to losing my final 10 lbs. I just don't want to get out of bed bit I have to in order to pack and give extra stuff to Goodwill. I still have a few items to donate to the kidney foundation pick up. I know logically that it will get better but I wish people would allow m...

I think it's time for me make time to take time. My boyfriend has hinted that we don't need to run around every waking hour of the weekend. I also want to make the most of my time with him because life is too short and I am up for two different job pursuing different passions of mine. One job is training in Irvine, CA and the other was a last minute invite to fill a PR mentor of mind's position in NJ. Both jobs would mean moving away from my haven in SC, new life, friends and my boyfriend. Then to add to the stress, my landlord just reduced the rate of the home I'm living in and the interest is picking up. I may have to move out without our previously agreed 2 months notice. My tenants are acting shady and were seen removing lots of bags from the home into a van but insisted that they were not breaking my 6 month lease extension. They have been paying rent late and oddly inverting the address on the envelope too. Are they trying to skip town too? My solace i...

So I've been on an exercise hiatus and blog vacation. How lazy of me! I really had no earth shattering things to share. I returned back to NJ for the first time in 2 years. It's like visiting a planet. Things look different and odd but familiar. As soon as I landed the homecoming tour began. I was whisked away to the shore to sing with my voice teacher at a gig. It was exhilarating! It was my first time singing out in NJ. I have done it tons of times in SC but in my hometown it was something else especially with my voice teacher. Then I saw more friends and then went to church to learn the whole Catholic mass had a remix and wonder why the drastic changes? More singing at a rehab center for the elderly who were so sweet and sang along with me. I was so moved I almost cried. It was a very proud moment. I'm grateful to be able to share a gift I enjoy so much with others. I have been craving to play the guitar all week. It's funny when I'm at home I have to make my...

I haven't blogged in a million years. Ok it's been a month or so but I haven't been up for blogging. I have been running around quite a bit chasing my dream of being a rock star. I audition for The Voice this Saturday in L.A.  I just heard this amazing song that I shazamed in the car and then flew home and learned how to play it on the guitar. I love it so much I think I want to sing it this weekend at auditions. Gavin Degraw's Sweeter. It has enough soul and rock/pop sound that spoke to my soul. It's rare that a new song hits me like that because I have the musical tastes of a 50 year old white man. But this really sang to me. Forgive the pun. So I sang the first two verses and chorus through until I felt really good and I really think I am going to add this to my audition selection. That and either Proud Mary(safety song) and Etheridge's I'm the only one. I still can't believe how much I have followed my dreams to sing this year! I have really found...