Reinventing Joy

Things I've Done in 2013: Reprised a role I played in college-Crystal in Little Shop of horrors  Performed for 3 Nights in Vegas at the Rouge Lounge at MGM Grand at my 2nd Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp Performed and recorded with Sammy Hagar Twice!!! Was coached by Vic Johnson (guitarist with Sammy Hagar) Performed with Guitar God-Steve Vai Coached by Lita Ford! And she made a shout out on FB Performed in Piccolo Spoletto doing my 1st staged reading "Love Loss and What I Wore" FB friended by American Idol finalist and local artist-Elise Testone Performed in numerous venues in the Charleston area Was in a band-Shrubbery Transit and knew when to back out when it wasn't working  Played out on guitar for the 1st time at The Windjammer!  Attempting to start several music projects (Band with Bobby Plexico and Wedding Band with Madden Bros) Actually heeding two month vocal rest and healing up so I can sing out more.  Bought my 1st electric guitar! Made it through my 1st year pla...

Keeping in touch is something that I strive to do daily. Connecting in some way to make sure that my family and friends know that I love them comforts my soul and I hope they know that they are on my mind often.  I am sad to lose my Aunt Sonia today but I am happy to know that we connected on some level on the regular. I know she loved me and I told her I loved her every chance I could. She didn't know this but I thought Aunt Sonia was a movie star.   She had this awesome song to her voice as she told great stories and owned the most wonderful menagerie of crystal animals that I love to look at and not touch. She would have all of my favorite foods to eat at her house. How did she always know?! I'll never forget when I got my tongue stuck on a Banana Jello Pudding Pop at her house. It was terrifying but the crisis was easily averted by placing my head in the sink under hot water.  I would visit her and my cousin regularly and love to live the New York lifestyle in their B...

These last few weeks have been hectic to say the least. I have been knocked down and dragged around by the ravages of work, I went out on 4 dates with 4 different men in a week (separate post to come) and I pitched my last ditch effort to strive for one of my passions at work- one last time- and got what I've been fighting so hard for.  Why? Because I held on to hope.  For about 9 months, I have been working on a special training project with a different arm of my company. It was a terrific collaboration. I loved working with the team and they greeted me with open arms.  I reached out to the Director and told her what an awesome experience it was working with her and asked if she was open to exploring an acting role with me on her team. She jumped at the chance!  Her team wrote up several business cases of how I would be fully utilized. One Manager even wants to teach me how to develop curriculum which is a skill I need to master to be a well rounded Learning and Dev...

This is going to be a quickie.  I'm in bad shape. I'm trying to move into a progressive and positive funk but I'm allowing my work sound to make too much noise.  Last week I rushed to urgent care with severe abdominal pain. They ruled out appendix, gallbladder and found a new to me issue a fibroid which isn't the culprit. They "think" possibly it could be an ulcer. How pray tell did I get an ulcer? I'm allowing myself to internalize my unhappiness with not following my heart and what I'm truly passionate about and it's literally making me sick.  I know I need to change. I know I need a new work gig. Now more than ever I need to draw from my daily meditations and take action. My resume has been polished and I'm starting to apply for other positions. I believe that platform training is something I'm really good at and can pay my bills. What I really want to do- sing professionally for a living. Realistically, I need a corporate gig because I...

Today, I was approached by my guitar teacher to sing in a band with he and his brother. They recently decided to move to new venue and gig out.  I told them I was very interested but November and December were booked for the plays I have lined up.  I was assured I'd have plenty of time to learn about 20 songs(6 of which I need to play and sing on). Freaking out commenced after my lessons today.  Later in the evening I got a text that said we have a gig in 3 weeks!!!  I have been Rusty McRusterson for the past 3 months. I have avoided the guitar at all costs and forced myself to prepare for lessons. Now, BOOM the rubber has met the road. Motivation started.  I started freaking out about whether I'd be ready vocally and if I get cleared by my doctor to sing. I am honestly afraid to even do my vocal exercises for 10 minutes a day.  What if I re-injur my chords?! I can't do more vocal rest. I'll use the mic more.  I chose songs that aren't super über blow ...

This weekend I have the honor of witnessing my friend Brian celebrate the union of his beautiful wife to be- Karen. I met Brian at Rock Camp and we became fast friends over a year ago. He instantly filled the role of the big brother I've never had. This couple is so beautiful and sweet and fun. I anticipate a whole of fun this weekend and so far they have delivered. Rock Camp revisited. I am staying at their beautiful house in Fountain Hills, AZ and they were kind enough to pick me up at the airport. We will be singing and playing guitar at the reception.  Brian already knows I can only sing ten minutes a day total as part of my vocal ramp up therapy. Actually, since I've been off total vocal rest, my voice teacher advised that I'm only to sing Amazing Grace for 5 minutes a day with forward resonance. Last night as soon as I got in after a long flight we were singing the night away. It felt like slipping into an old comfortable pair of shoes. It was delicious. The music...

So today, is Day 8 of my total vocal rest.  I've managed to go to happy hour and still have fun thanks to my friend's pad and markers! I went to the beach on a whim.  I also started to meditate.  I am quite proud of myself that I was able to accomplish this feat for so long.  It feels longer than 8 days.   I managed to get food poisoning twice this week from bad lettuce at two different restaurants.  What are the odds with that?  I'm supposed to be eating better and I'm avoiding produce like the plague.  Hell, it gave me the plague! Keeping it light and starving!  Not the best way for weight loss at all1  My mom told me that there's a "thing" out there that is tainting the lettuce and killing folks.  That made me feel so much better!  And I'm eating salads like a friggin' rabbit because "thinner is the winner" has been my mantra for quite some time now.  But death by salad is not the way I'm going out of this world. ...