Happy New Year, everyone! It's 2010, and boy, am I glad! In a way, I feel like I don't have much to show for myself with the passing of 2009. I survived it; that's about it. Sure, I had my small successes and some moderately good deeds, but overall, I feel the best is yet to come. And who wouldn't want to feel that way, anyway?
But first, I should take a moment to review, reflect, and reconsider what success can mean:
Those of you who have read my other entries know that for the better part of 2009, I was living in New York City. Living and working and singing and eating and working out and and and...
If I take a minute to remember details, which as of late, I have discovered is a challenge for me, I see the tiny, insignificant moments of everyday as a large part of my success for the past year. Examples? Every time I caught the 6 train heading downtown and actually found a seat. Or, remembering to bring my umbrella and wear rain boots when it was going to pour.
If I take a minute to remember details, which as of late, I have discovered is a challenge for me, I see the tiny, insignificant moments of everyday as a large part of my success for the past year. Examples? Every time I caught the 6 train heading downtown and actually found a seat. Or, remembering to bring my umbrella and wear rain boots when it was going to pour.
After moving away from the city and temporarily into my aunt's place outside of DC, I realized quickly that making a to-do list on a daily basis would help me feel better about life in general. I wasn't working and had to focus on auditions. There were days when I didn't even go outside. I needed an agenda. My list usually went something like this:
- Wake up before 10.....check, well, mostly check.
- Brush teeth...check.
- Eat something...check. (yes, I put that on the list...)
- Practice at some point
- Clean up room, maybe
- Return emails
- Exercise
- Eat something else
Checking off the simplest things made enough positive impact to get through a day and feel productive. If you haven't tried this, I highly recommend it. I'm sure Oprah would agree.
Audition season, Sept-Dec, was a success in that I showed up and did my best every time. I've expounded on this in previous blog entries, so I won't go into detail. But, I will put it on the "yay for me" list for 2009.
Holiday time rolled around, and I came home to Mississippi. For the first time in years, I was truly Home for the Holidays. We, my Dad and Mom and I, made the trip by car from Virginia to the MS Gulf Coast. (I grew up going on long car rides and road trips, so I wasn't surprised that this would be our mode of transportation.)
Holiday time rolled around, and I came home to Mississippi. For the first time in years, I was truly Home for the Holidays. We, my Dad and Mom and I, made the trip by car from Virginia to the MS Gulf Coast. (I grew up going on long car rides and road trips, so I wasn't surprised that this would be our mode of transportation.)
Shortly after somewhat settling in with boxes and clothes and stuff, as I have done so many times in different places, I was able to organize a few holiday musical appearances.
The first was the annual Singing Christmas Tree at my home church. What I learned: apparently I have no idea how to sing with a microphone in my hand. There was no class in college or grad school entitled Classical Vocal Technique and Sound Systems 101. Who knew it would be so different? Seriously, I felt like I couldn't sing with my trained voice because of the mic. I'm sure it was completely psychological. Even so...I'll work on that.
About a week before Christmas, I went on a local radio show.
Margaret Cooper's "Looking around" (on WOSM 103.1 FM) features local artists, musicians, people in ministry, and just your everyday folks from the area. This time made my third guest spot on her show, the first having been New Year's Day 2009.
What I learned: The host can ask whatever she wants, so when you are "on the air," you better have something to say back. Also, since I am a live music act in the studio, I should have more than enough music prepared. I only officially had 4 pieces worked up for the show. Since I was the only official guest that day (she usually has 3 or 4 at least), I had to fill time. As a result, I got to play and sing one of my original songs! AND I got a party gig for that very same evening. Also, I learned that it is important to have a strong promoter with you (Dad, in my case) to remind you what to talk about. Doesn't hurt that he also plays piano and helped me out with a jazzy Jingle Bells number that we improvised on air!
Two days later, still before Christmas, I received emails regarding results of two auditions. They joined the many that have come before them in the pile of NOT NOW, NEVER (YEAH RIGHT), NEIN, NOPE, NO NO NO NO NO!
Needless to say, this was not a great early Christmas present, especially since I had felt so great about my performances in both of these auditions.
What I learned: it is much easier to deal with anticipation of results than when they actually come in as what you didn't want to hear.
Fortunately, I had a Christmas Eve service to look forward to. As the soloist for the night, I sat in the front of the church in my red and green taffeta gown next to Reverend Anna Fleming, who is, yes, my sister.
Before the holidays, I kept telling myself (and everyone else) that I would "regroup" after the holidays. Guess what! No more stalling...
So what now?
Stay tuned for the next installment:
New Year, New Start, and the "N" word...Part II: what to do when all I hear is "No!"
The first was the annual Singing Christmas Tree at my home church. What I learned: apparently I have no idea how to sing with a microphone in my hand. There was no class in college or grad school entitled Classical Vocal Technique and Sound Systems 101. Who knew it would be so different? Seriously, I felt like I couldn't sing with my trained voice because of the mic. I'm sure it was completely psychological. Even so...I'll work on that.
About a week before Christmas, I went on a local radio show.
What I learned: The host can ask whatever she wants, so when you are "on the air," you better have something to say back. Also, since I am a live music act in the studio, I should have more than enough music prepared. I only officially had 4 pieces worked up for the show. Since I was the only official guest that day (she usually has 3 or 4 at least), I had to fill time. As a result, I got to play and sing one of my original songs! AND I got a party gig for that very same evening. Also, I learned that it is important to have a strong promoter with you (Dad, in my case) to remind you what to talk about. Doesn't hurt that he also plays piano and helped me out with a jazzy Jingle Bells number that we improvised on air!
Two days later, still before Christmas, I received emails regarding results of two auditions. They joined the many that have come before them in the pile of NOT NOW, NEVER (YEAH RIGHT), NEIN, NOPE, NO NO NO NO NO!
Needless to say, this was not a great early Christmas present, especially since I had felt so great about my performances in both of these auditions.
What I learned: it is much easier to deal with anticipation of results than when they actually come in as what you didn't want to hear.
Fortunately, I had a Christmas Eve service to look forward to. As the soloist for the night, I sat in the front of the church in my red and green taffeta gown next to Reverend Anna Fleming, who is, yes, my sister.
Before the holidays, I kept telling myself (and everyone else) that I would "regroup" after the holidays. Guess what! No more stalling...
So what now?
Stay tuned for the next installment:
New Year, New Start, and the "N" word...Part II: what to do when all I hear is "No!"
Thanks, as always, for reading.
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