Reinventing Joy

I am less than 24 hours away from finding out if I've gotten an internal job I've been pining for. I am giving it another go inside the company. I applied in May and it's almost July.  It's killing me!  I got word from the hiring manager that he's "still working it through with HR." I'm not sure what that means.  Some have said it's nothing and to wait and see.  Others have said it could be a compensation thing.  All I know is that waiting has never been a strong suit for me.  My mom says I entered this world 3 months early at 2lbs 10oz.   I can't wait to find out!  I want to either drink a bottle of champagne to either celebrate closure or a new beginning.  I am anxious and hopeful too.  I just want to kick this weekend off with some type of relief.  Getting this position would be right in my leadership and learning/development wheelhouse.  PS I would be back on the road and seeing the ...

I have been working on a few projects that have been chugging along at a reasonable pace.  I am starting my own business. I want to be a life/career coach. I do it everyday and I think I can earn some extra money doing more work on the side. It is actually the only part of my hellacious work situation that makes me happy. I have registered for my business license and LLC. I have also gotten my taxID. I have been slowly getting the DBE(minority owned business) application completed. That is one intimidating application. I have to declare that because I am a woman and I'm Black that I have been disadvantaged for doing business.  Cray! I am finally getting Joyel and The Side Hustle rehearsed!!! (That's the new band name-you like it?!) It was like hearing cats, pulling teeth and waking up the teenage son I don't have for school all in one! Bands take work. To get them motivated when there are no gigs lined up is really hard. But we have our 2nd rehearsal set for tonight.  My ...

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 ...