Well, if that doesn't sound like the title to a really bad porno flick, then it's good I've got a day job!
In November, I officially started a career with a company that hands out payroll and a W-2 for hours worked. I hear tell they call that "a real job" - but it's been so long since I've had one, I'm still a bit skeptical.
In fact, I hardly ever call it my job. Family and friends ask me how I like my new job and I look at them like they're speaking Mandarin. Perhaps it's an avoidance strategy. I call it "my strategy", "my biggest client", and even "my Sugar Daddy" since it keeps me fed, clothed and financially square. But calling it a job? Well, that still feels weird to me. Although, I do like calling my boss "the boss-man" and "fearless leader" - which I'm not sure he's too keen on yet, but he's a good sport about it.
Here's a rehearsal clip of the stars of Christmas Unplugged - an a cappella holiday show put together by me and Jen Harris.
Pictured from left to right: Kasie Johnson, Jen Harris, me, Ryan Johnson and Steve Harris.
I have to confess feeling a little like a 5th wheel with these two wonderful married couples surrounding me with their beautiful voices. And this is Ryan's FIRST-ever public appearance. We're so proud of him!
We're doing 2 sets during ArtWalk in Flint this Friday at The Lunch Studio - 6:30pm and 8pm. Hope you'll join us (it's FREE!).
"Dirt and dust - that's where it all begins. Digging in. Digging in.
You've got to lay a strong foundation before you make it to the ground floor."
- from "The Ground Floor" by Lisa Robbin Young
I'm writing lyrics again. It's been about (more…)
I was perusing the webosphere during my lunch break today. It's been about 10 years since I've had a corporate job. As an entrepreneur, "lunch break" usually meant "working lunch" or "lunch meeting". The "break" part was sort of ignored - at least for me.
Since I've started working for someone else (my official start date was last Saturday), I'm appreciating why we have those breaks.
I'm still learning how to actually TAKE a break, since I was perusing the web, but that's another topic for another day.
Today though, I wanted to talk about unfulfilled dreams.
It was a sermon given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., about a month before he was killed. In it, he talks about how David was blessed by God just because he had a vision in his heart (to build a temple) and did his best to see it through - even though it wasn't realized in his lifetime.
Several things came up for me that I want to share with you:
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David Stanley is a friend of mine and a musical connoisseur without equal in my world. Earlier this year, he joined me in the studio for one of my 300 songs: "This Masquerade" by Leon Russell. A lot has happened since I started that project, but I still wanted to complete this video (and one other you'll see soon). When I dug up the footage, I saw our first run-through, and thought it would be cool to post it, so you could see the "before" as well as the "after".
I remember in jazz class they call it "woodshedding" - where you start learning a piece, rehearsing it, and getting your parts down. We clearly don't have our parts down here, since it was our first rehearsal of the piece and I was sight reading the music. We spent a goodly amount of time in the wood shed before we recorded the final track.
So here's essentially the "first draft" of the song. You'll see where we went with it in a future episode.
I really enjoyed the time I spent this year in "the studio" - aka my living room working on songs and learning the ins and outs of the recording equipment. My BHAG of recording 300 songs this year, however, went by the wayside for some very good reasons.
First, I had some major family issues crop up - that we were completely unaware of - that led to serious legal stuff. We're STILL dealing with the legal stuff, and the fallout from the legal stuff may take years to deal with. Family care and safety are top priorities for me, so naturally, I had to make room for those priorities. In the face of the safety of my kids, 300 songs pales grossly in comparison.
Second, we had some wonderful surprises come up. New jobs, new directions, and new opportunities I never could have planned for. That means making room for them if I want to experience them. Again, those 300 songs just weren't as appealing as the other opportunities.
But then, judgement sets in. And I start to think I'm somehow "less than" because I didn't meet my goal. Today's video uncovers the BS of that sentiment.
After a long drive yesterday, I managed to squeak into Wisconsin just as the clock struck midnight last night - or thereabouts. And my body clock was just getting used to the daylight savings turn-back and now I'm in a new time zone.
The things I put my body through. 🙂
At any rate, I got on the road for Eagan and once I had lunch, we were busy bees getting things ready for an event my friend and colleague hosts every November. So, I thought it was fitting to take one of the lessons I've learned from her and share it with you today.
Where do you find yourself getting stuck and "judgemental" about what you can or aren't able to do? How do you navigate it?
I made a promise. After we gave away more than 1000 copies of The Secret Watch during our Amazon promotion, I figured I needed to keep my word and do a backflip.
Well, I don't know HOW to do a back flip - yet.
But I had my first lesson on Sunday:
That was as far as I got by the end of the night. Not quite a back flip, more of a backflop. 🙂
Pretty close, but didn't get my legs in fast enough. The landing kinda hurt, and I'm still wearing a heat pack today. But I'm encouraged. Who knew I could throw myself over my own head like that? I sure didn't!
And my coaches, Matt and Allison were super helpful. LOVE YOU GUYS!
