New beginnings
Money, Money, MONEY!!!!
(Before I get started I’ve started a new blog page at tianastarmusic.wordpress.com if you also want to follow that! Thanks!)
It does seem like it’s all about money sometimes (or all the time). I KNOW that money can’t buy you love (as The Beatles so aptly sang), and that money is no replacement for anything that really matters and fills our hearts. However, we do need money for necessities like food, water, clothes, shelter, gas, cars, and so on and so forth. Let’s not even go there about things we don’t need!
In these times of economic hardship, it seems that money and saving money is on everyone’s minds. Some try to cut expenses out of necessity, and others to be wise and frugal. My family and I are no different. I’ve been learning to coupon (www.TheKrazyCouponLady.com) and cut out a lot of things like memberships, cable, and whatever else we can so that we can get by and pay our necessity bills.
I also know that being an American, and having enough food, water, clothing and a place to live, not even counting my bicycle, a car, a cell phone and my other non-essentials that I’m blessed to have, make me one of the richest people in the world.
I found this amazing and informative article on Yahoo! Finance by Laura Rowley titled “You Might Be Richer than You Think.” I was shocked to hear some of these findings she cited.
(http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article/moneyhappy/204898)
Here are some excerpts from the article: 1. Are you planning a sumptuous dinner today? More than 1 billion people – nearly a sixth of the world’s population — are faced with chronic hunger. 2. Did you spend more than $2.50 on the ingredients for your Thanksgiving menu? More than three billion people — almost half the world’s population — live on less than $2.50 a day, according to the World Bank. 3. Can you turn on the faucet to fill the water glasses for dinner, and be confident that clean water comes out of the tap? According to the World Bank, 1.2 billion people lack access to a reliable water source that is reasonably protected from contamination. 4. Are the kids relishing a little time off from school? More than 70 million children of primary school age in the developing world were not enrolled in school in 2005, according to a United Nations Report. 5. Will someone in the family read a holiday poem or blessing before you dive into the feast? Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names, according to a UNICEF report.
After reading the above article, I hope it changed your perspective, as it changed mine. We focus so many times on what we don’t have, or even let the fear of losing it all ruin our lives. But life is so unsure anyway, we should be thankful to have another day of life and for all we do have.
(My sister Linnea volunteering at an Orphans’ home during her time as an Art Teacher in Tanzania, Africa)
Thank you for reading, and as always, please feel free to comment and perhaps share how blessed you are and any ideas on how we can help others, or even a story about how someone helped you when you needed it!
To Give or not to Give…Up
To Give, or Not To Give… Up
Sometimes I feel like giving up, on so many things. On my friends that never call me first, I always have to call them first and hope they’ll call me back or write me.
I feel like giving up on always trying to lose weight. Am I not good enough the way I am? When will it be good enough? Don’t I need to love myself. I mean it’s one thing to eat healthy and exercise on a consistent basis. But am I not allowed to have a chocolate bar once or twice a week? COME ON!
But then, I remember and think about so many people in the world who don’t have enough to eat. Who don’t even have any family or friends to lean on when they’ve lost everything. People who have been sold into slavery. 1.2 Million children are trafficked every year throughout the world. (Source: Various, Noted by UNICEF)
I then think. I CAN’T GIVE UP! I may have my problems, we all do, but the truth is that living in this country, and with a loving family as I have, my lowest points of life may never even be compared to some people’s daily lives. When faced with the way that most people live, these things I often worry about don’t seem as important.
I look at my sleeping 2 year old son and my amazing husband who loves me very much. I think of my mother, father and sister 70 miles away who just drove to visit us today.
I realize even if my friends don’t call me back. Even if I gain 10 lbs, stay the same, or lose weight. Even if I lose my health and all my looks. I do have people who love me and would do anything for me. So many people on this earth have never had that, and may never have that.
So. I WILL GIVE UP my selfishness and my pride that thinks I know why my loved ones aren’t calling me- perhaps they’re going through a harder time than me and I need to keep reaching out.
I WILL GIVE UP feeling bad about myself if I don’t lose a pound this week, or even if I gain one. Because I am exercising and eating healthy, and that’s supposed to be the point, right? And more importantly, I’m trying to be a good person!
I WONT GIVE UP trying to give a voice to those who don’t have one.
I WONT GIVE UP loving even when I don’t feel loved, because our feelings often betray the truth.
AND I WON’T GIVE UP on me. I will remember “every day is new with no mistakes in it yet” as said by one of my favorite fictional characters ever- Anne of Green Gables. (Books by L.M. Montgomery)
And I WONT GIVE UP on my dream to adopt one or more children because Anne was an orphan, my mother was an orphan, and there are so many orphans in the world that I just know there’s one or more made for my home, and there’s definitely a lot we can all help even if it’s just through a letter, a donation, or our homes and hearts!
I WON’T GIVE UP trying to right any wrong that I can be a part of righting!
I WILL GIVE UP all things that keep me from being a light in this world.
Extreme Couponing and Amazing homemade Iced Coffee Secret!!!!
Ok, so I had such an exciting thing just happen that I had to get on here and write about it immediately. You may be wondering… what is so important to me that I have to write about… COFFEE!!!! And not just any coffee- Homemade Delicious Iced Coffee!
If anyone else is like me, I’ve been on the search for how to make the perfect iced or ice-blended coffee. You’d think it wouldn’t be that difficult. But the difficult part isn’t stirring water, coffee, cream and sugar together- it’s finding a GREAT coffee taste that doesn’t have floating pieces in it! You KNOW what I’m talking about!
So yesterday after going into Coffee Bean for my twice weekly treat of getting a latte from them, I noticed (as I’d noticed many times before) their Coffee Extract for sale. I FINALLY picked it up to see the directions on how to make Iced Coffee at home. Well, all you do is add water- so I thought. Well, might as well give it a try. I LOVE COFFEE BEAN Coffee and to my taste, it’s one of my favorite coffee tastes ever. So, I was hoping that the coffee in this would be the same.
Well, just 10 minutes ago I was having my afternoon sleepy moments and said “It’s time to try that coffee extract!” So I followed the simple directions of putting 3 oz coffee extract with 4 oz cold filtered water (They said put ice in first, but I know better than that- you need to stir it with no ice- trust me- I actually worked in a Coffee Shop for a few months, and have watched the Baristas at coffee shops as well). I then added a couple tbs lowfat creamer and 1 packet stevia, stirred and then added ice to the top!
WOW!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY HOMEMADE ICED COFFEE THAT TASTES STOREBOUGHT AND AMAZING!!!!
So here’s the MONEY SAVINGS for doing this instead of a latte out each day:
That container of coffee extract can make 10 cups of coffee. It was $12. so for the month it’d be $48 instead of $4x30 (if you go everyday and get one latte)…= $120. A savings of $72 dollars!!!! $72x 12 months= $864!!!! OR a plane ticket to Europe!!!! lol (I measure my money lost or saved by travels!) I’m 29 and FINALLY getting it together! :)
SO OH YES! A treat for my mouth and my pocketbook! :)
And speaking of other treats for our pocketbooks…I’ve recently been inspired by the TLC show Extreme Couponing. Now, I’m nowhere near as Extreme, BUT I will tell you..In the last few months by shopping smarter and following THEKRAZYCOUPONLADY.COM and now having my own Coupon Binder I’ve literally saved hundreds of dollars in just a few months. I’m not kidding.
Go to that website- check out the beginners and how to make your binder. They explain it all! The real secrets are in their book, though, which is SO affordable to order through their website (NO I’m NOT PAID to say any of this) but I know in these hard economic times a lot of us are trying to figure out how to save money! (or just pay bills, right!?!?)I was so thankful someone told me about this site (the author is one of the ones featured on the show) and I just wanted to spread the love!!!!
I’m telling you, this has CHANGED MY LIFE! Please do yourself a favor- put aside what you think couponing is-
1. Go to THEKRAZYCOUPONLADY.COM.
2. Get on their mailing list
3. Check it dailly/weekly for deals
4. Make your own binder
5. Buy their book
6. Follow their rules!
7. Coupon, Go Crazy, and save lots of money! YAY!
IT WILL CHANGE YOU and help you so much, I promise!
So, sit on down with your homemade coffee like me, start couponing (or keep it up) and say HOORAY! for taking control and still enjoying life! WOO HOO!!!!!!
Video Release Party with ECPAT- INSPIRING!
So, I wanted to write about my Video Release Party before I forget too much. Today was one of those days where you are just in awe that you got to be a part of something so so special.
(After The Show with LtoR: Jasmine (Director of Video), Helen (Producer of Video), Carol Smolenski (Director of ECPATUSA), Eeefy (TV Host), Tiana Star)
The room was filled with people who not only love me and my music, but were there for something bigger. We all came out, perhaps for different reasons, but what we got was inspiration and hope.
The event started out with a lot of getting to know each other, as half the crowd was texting and letting me know they were running late because of the usual L.A. traffic. So, that was actually very nice as everyone was chatting and munching on goodies in the very uniquely decorated and painted Coffee Gallery Backstage.
I ran in and out saying hello to our guests and then talking/texting to people on the phone trying to wait as long as we could because the event was going to be short, and didn’t want people to miss out if possible!
While my family helped decorate and watch my 2 year old son, and fans were arriving, I had the pleasure of FINALLY meeting Carol Smolenski, director of ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking). A woman I’ve been in phone and email contact for almost 2 years after writing my song “I AM MY OWN” inspired by their charity, and giving proceeds from the song to them.
Well, she walked in during my sound check and I recognized her immediately. She has such a glow and beauty about her that I yelled out her name and she just laughed! I got along with her so well. We got to chat for a few stolen minutes over a cup of coffee and dream up more things we could do together! She is such a CHAMPION for human life and saving children and young adults from unthinkable crimes!
(Some of my awesome friends that drove 40 miles to be there!)
Finally almost everyone was there and it was time for the show to begin. Thankfully using my new TC-Helicon VoiceLive Touch went well (it harmonizes with me and adds amazing effects- check it out online!) And the whole crowd was quiet and listening to me. I can’t tell you how good it feels for people to be feeling what you wrote and are feeling and getting it! It’s just one of my favorite feelings ever.
After my 6 song set, including ending with I AM MY OWN of course, it was time for the real honor to begin- Carol Smolenski took the stage. She told us her story of how she got started in Children’s rights and how we’ve not come nearly as far as I’d have imagined. She says there’s more hope now than there’s been- but out of all our airlines and all our hotels that they’re asking to be held accountable for Child Trafficking going on- only 2 businesses in ALL of the US have signed their petition! We couldn’t believe our ears! Internationally over 1,000 businesses have signed the pledge to train their employees what to look for, and not to blink at seeing young girls (and boys) in suspicious situations being let into hotel rooms (or airplanes). And yet here in our own country- only 2 have signed this!
With that said, though, Carol went on to explain how we all can help. She told us when we board airplanes and when we stay in hotels- that we could ask what they’re doing to protect children being exploited- and she even gave us all postcards we could fill out to hand in or mail out in case that made us more comfortable (here’s the link to take action: http://ecpatusa.org/take-action/promote-the-code/ )
She was so upbeat and eloquent in her speech that she made us all believe the TRUTH- that we can ALL STAND UP AND HELP END THIS! That we CAN’T be good people who JUST SHUT OUR EYES! We have to take a stand for this to end. I totally believe that!
At the end of her speech, several people asked her questions and she continued to give thorough, and informed answers that once again inspired us all to take action once we left. SIDE NOTE: I WILL be having petition and postcard mailing parties for my friends, fans, and family. COMING SOON!
After we all clapped and clapped for Carol- we didn’t know what else to do- what else can you do but pray for and hug this amazing women doing so much with such awesome people trying to make a difference- not just talking about it- but DOING IT!
Well, after all that, it was time to introduce the Music Video. I had the crew that was in attendance from the making of the video: Jasmine (director), Helen (producer) and Tiffany (actress in video), come to the stage to introduce them- so everyone would see these beautiful women and how much they’ve helped!
The video was shown and it was over in a second (it seemed) Everyone clapped and clapped and the room was silent during the film. It was an interesting thing to be watching myself on screen with everyone else- but in a way natural- because mostly it was about bringing awareness to this issue that NEEDS to be talked about.
Afterwards, everyone was going up to Carol privately and asking her what they could do, and asking questions that needed answers. It was so amazing. Everyonewanted pictures and to stick around. I’ve never had so many people stick around so long. I think we all were drawing on this loving and positive experience and arming ourselves with this passion to move forward to remember to keep it moving!
Then as the last of us were about to get into our cars, an ice cream truck pulled up and I shouted “STOP THAT TRUCK” because my little 2 and a 1/2 year old sweetie pie son had never had ice cream from an ice cream truck (and I wanted one too). Well then- everyone all got ice creams too, young and old- and we took more photos! It was awesome! (I got a Ninja Turtle pop) :)
(My son West getting his first ice-cream from an ice cream truck!)
So, as you can see, it was just one of those amazing days. For anyone that is reading this that attended- thank you so much for being there and I’m so honored to have been in everyone’s presence, as each soul is equal and important and it took a lot to get all the way out to Altadena for every person there, and I’m so grateful.
I hope that those reading who aren’t aware of Human Trafficking will please take the time to get aware. Remember to buy my song I AM MY OWN as proceeds go to ECPAT and we’re trying to spread the word- through donations and money, ECPAT pays for victims healthcare that isn’t covered by medicare, and a billion other things to help these poor victims and to get them FREE!
To Close, I remember when I was a little kid and I read about Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad. I remember saying “I would’ve done that, I would’ve helped those slaves” and thinking “Even if I died, I would’ve helped”.
I ask you- Will you help these slaves? These children with no voice, no home, no help, no FREEDOM? Will you help! I WILL! Remember the voice of Edmund Burke
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”
WE MUST DO SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!
If you don’t know where to start- start at ECPATUSA.ORG and see how you can take charge. Email me- booking@tianastar.com with any questions as I’m arranging events soon to all work together. And BUY MY SONG “I Am My Own” for only .99 cents on iTunes as the proceeds go to ECPAT who know what to do with that money to help others!
Thank you for reading, and I hope you’re as inspired as we are!
Tiana’s song in movie, One Way Ticket (by coffeeshopgrrr
TourDiary2011 (by coffeeshopgrrrl)
Fresno and Kings Canyon Tour Diary 03/11
I wrote this tour diary while on tour last week! I hope you enjoy. It’s definitely longer than usual. But sometimes so much happens in a short amount of time. We just had such a fun trip and side trek to the beautiful and relaxing Kings Canyon high in the mountains
********* Tour Diary March 2011******* Fresno, CA and Kings Canyon, CA***********
Fresno and Kings Canyon Tour Blog
Wow! What a few days it has been! Now, I’m up in the middle of the beautiful nowhere in King’s Canyon, CA! There is 14 feet of snow outside and all around! It’s crazy! I just played in 75 degree sunny weather just 60 miles away in Fresno a few hours ago! How did I end up here? I will tell you!
Well, Tuesday morning (3/8/11) we (mom, my son West and I) started out the journey to Fresno, CA as I had booked a College gig there for 3/9/11 about 3 months ago. We had wanted to leave Tuesday after rush hour traffic to head up and stay the night, since the gig was an early one (arrival at 11 a.m. and perform at 12 p.m. during college lunch hour!)
So, that’s what we did! We loaded up the car again, our 3rd tour together since last September. All 3 of us! It’s always a journey when you’re in the car with your mom and 2 year old! We get to not only explore our surroundings, but also our relationship! But I think it’s only good when you can come out on the other side of a disagreement still loving and wanting to go on the next trip! J
So, a little off track…
Well we headed out to Fresno! It seemed like it took FOREVER to get out of L.A. It was just one of those days (which if you’re from the area, you know happens quite frequently). We finally got north of the city around 11:30 p.m. and took our first pit stop at McDonalds for my son to get a happy meal and play in their playground! Oh what fun!
Then we got loaded back in the car (that was also loaded down- but definitely nothing compared to our 10 day Colorado trip/tour in the mini mini van!) and headed up. Getting closer to Bakersfield we saw the sign for a Sonic! Well I try to stay away from fast food in general for health reasons-but with not many Sonic’s in the SoCal area, whenever on a road trip and a tiny bit hungry, we stop for Sonic! Unfortunately it was not our best Sonic experience- but West had fun running around, and I must confess we changed a diaper on the table- so remember folks, always wipe down a table, especially one outside, before eating on it! Lol. (This probably seems grosser if you’re not a parent, but you’d be surprised how few places actually have changing tables- I’m just keeping it real!) Here’s a pick of me stooping down to try to hear the speaker. :)
Loaded back up again- next stop FRESNO! And it actually was! We made it to our hotel just 10 min after check-in time! I had to leave in less than 2 hours (at 5 p.m.) to drive to the Tower District of Fresno (a very artsy part of town, reminded me of Belmont Shore in Long Beach) and set up and start a show by 6 p.m.
The awesome drummer that I hired to perform with me at the College gig, Aaron Wall (with the band 40watthype.com) actually booked us a last minute gig the day before- so instead of just rehearsing that night together- we got to play at this amazing theater/coffeehouse. It was the most unique coffeehouse theater I’d ever been in! SO beautiful! (check my youtube for my live performance there- called the Revue).
I made it to the show and we performed an hour set at The Revue. It was one of those gigs that there wasn’t much of a built in audience, but there were a few locals around- and the ones that stopped in bought one or more of my CD’s and were super nice! So, it was a great experience and I’m so grateful for people like Aaron taking initiative and not only booking me the gig, but setting up all the stuff and helping me load in! If you’re ever in need of a percussionist/drummer in the Fresno area (or recording drums long distance with wav files) He’s your man!
Well, once we got done and all loaded up it was time to finally go to the hotel and get a good nights rest before my big college show the next day at Cal State Univ. Fresno. My little son was so happy to see me and I was so happy to see him and remember why I take him on tour with me! It’s not the same without my little guy giving me hugs everyday!
So I put him down to sleep, and mom and me also fell asleep before 9 p.m., we were all SO tired! Then around 4 a.m. I woke up and could not go back to sleep. I heard mom playing on her iPhone and knew she was awake too. I tried to relax, do deep breathing, and get back to sleep, but nothing was working. Finally I was like “Mom, are you wide awake too” and she’s like “Yep”. So we chatted off and on for the next couple hours and I finally fell back asleep from 6-7:30 a.m. to my relief!
Well- then it was time to start getting ready- starting with BREAKFAST! Unfortunately the buffet breakfast was out of all the hot stuff by that point, so we had cereal and I am grateful they had decent coffee.
Then, as usual before a gig, the time got away from us and it was almost time to go. So we all got ready and loaded the car in time for us to even drive through STARBUCKS!!! Ok I’m a total fan of Starbucks, especially while traveling, because you don’t have to wonder what your drink is going to taste like! It’s awesome. Then I dropped mom and west at an outside mall, as they’d have more fun there than spending 2 hours watching me load and then mom trying to keep west from the stage and getting to me! Lol. They had a great time, and when I came back to pick them up, West was all wet from the fountain and with some new cloths and flip flops on! You can always count on a Grandma!
Well, while they were shopping and playing in water, I was busy setting up and talking with my awesome contacts at CSU Fresno. I had met the bookers for the college back at a big College Booking Conference in November, and they had wanted to book me then, so the time had finally come! They were SO kind and helpful! Gave me great directions, had parking passes waiting for me and Aaron, brought down the cart, pushed the cart- and unloaded the cart with my gear for me! They were so thoughtful and kind! Believe me- this isn’t how it normally goes down! So, I was very very grateful!
It was the PERFECT day to have an outside performance. I set up on this really cool stage that you go down stairs to, so there’s people below you (it was a cement stage about 5 feet high) eating their lunch, then there’s people behind you on the sidewalks, and people in front/above you on a balcony level that’s from the other walkways that connect people to other buildings. So, a very cool setup!
Well, the gig went smoothly and awesomely thanks to everyone involved. A special thanks again to the talented Mr. Aaron Wall. As mentioned I video recorded both gigs and check my youtube.com/coffeeeshopgrrrl site for the videos from The Revue and CSU Fresno!
Once again, after the gig, the awesome staff at CSU Fresno loaded my cart, walked me to my car and unloaded with me! WOW! I’m impressed! I drove off with a smile on my face (and a nice check, which felt awesome!). I picked up my wet son and my happy mom and then another adventure awaited us- and how beautiful and dreamy, we had no idea!
Before we’d traveled up here I’d booked us a lodge for that Wed night near King’s Canyon because it was only a little out of the way of going home (by little- compared to going all the way to Yosemite) and we wanted to have one extra night to just relax and enjoy nature.
Well, on our drive out we started to realize just how beautiful this part of the trip was going to be! The drive out on the 180 hw was just breath-takingly beautiful. The whole drive the snow capped mountains were in front of us, and thousands of blooming trees and wild flowers were beside us! It was just incredible!
As the drive ascended into more of the windy mountain climb, it was still just so so gorgeous. We’d roll down the windows and turn the music up to take it all in. At one point going up, Weston was saying “mommy mommy look down” because he wanted me to see how high we were it was so cute!
A few miles before we got to King’s Canyon- we turned off at the last overlook. I’m so GRATEFUL we did! This view was just extraordinary!!!! All around us was God’s beauty! Even across the hwy was water falling down over the huge boulders! The smell of Fresh air, clouds, blue sky, warm sun, and our smiling faces. It’s a moment I want to always remember and be grateful for!
Well we finally dragged ourselves back into the car because we wanted to get to our lodge before it got dark. Thankfully the sign said only 6 more miles! West had been such a trooper and was ready to be done with the car- and so was I!
The drive started taking us into the mountain instead of on the edge and the trees got bigger and taller immediately! Also- the snow started piling up. The closer we got the more snow was there! When we stopped at the pull off it was literally sunny and at least 70 degrees- just a few miles later it was around 35 degrees and when we pulled in – 14 feet of snow!!!!
We couldn’t believe our eyes! We’d arrived in a Winter Wonderland when all before had been like summer! The snow is literally as high as the buildings!
So that’s where we are- in this gorgeous gorgeous place where all we see are Tall trees, white snow, green pines, and smell the fresh air. There’s nothing like it! I just love when a place goes away above and beyond your expectations! It’s so awesome! Our lodge room is on the 2nd floor and has the view of these trees, a half frozen creek, and all the snow and wildlife!
We are still deciding if we are going to stay another night. We desperately want to, but we’re on such a tight budget, it’s hard to justify financially. But the truth is- I need a day off. Although we got here this afternoon, we’re finally loaded in our room and resting- I want like a WHOLE day of this! We all work so hard all the time, and although it may strain financially- we’re already here, you know? So must of the expenses and time it takes to get here again- it’s already paid for…am I talking myself into this? Probably. I’ll let you know- as we have to decide by check-out tomorrow !
My mom in this amazing fallen tree that my son was in love with and called “The Tunnel” :)
Either way, I’m so grateful to be here in this moment. To be smelling this fresh air, to feel the clean air, mountains, snow, trees all healing my spirt, and even body! I can’t explain it- but if you’ve ever felt that feeling leaving the city and getting into nature- you know what I’m talking about. It’s almost like your whole body exhales and feels cleansed! I’m loving it!
(We ended up staying an extra night and having a whole extra day of amazing memories!!!)
Goodbye King’s Canyon. We hope to see you soon!!!
Mommy Life and the continual “Artist Struggle”
I’m sitting here on a Wednesday morning in my pj’s, on the couch, sipping a warm cup of coffee, with my 2 year old son watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and playing with his IKEA train set. And of course- on my laptop writing this blog and ceremoniously checking emails and trying to “Get ahead”, brainstorm, and create/record music.
Life is such an interesting journey. My son is the most important person in my life, and I just love him so much. Part of me wants to get on the ground and play with him (which I often do) but part of me wants to stay right here just so grateful that he’s now playing by himself and I can get a little work done!
I find everyday a tedious balance between getting work done I need to get done, songwriting, recording, teaching music, personal bible study time and prayer time, working out, eating healthy, housework (that’s at the end of my list on purpose!lol), etc etc- and then somedays we just say WHATEVER and get in the car and go to a park, see horses at the local stables, get a coffee to go (for me, not for him…well, ok he does ask for a sip!)
Being an independent musician and also a “Stay at home” mom is such a funny thing. The whole independent “artist” thing can be TOTALLY consuming, especially with the internet! There’s always another song you could write, another email you could send, another phone call you could make, etc etc etc..AHHHHHHH.
Having a child has actually brought more balance, not to talk about love, fun, my heart being full everyday- to my life! I think it’s helped me take the time to do the things I need to do to help provide for my family, as well as say no to things, I probably should’ve said no to before (unpaid gigs, stupid meetings with people who say they’re something but not that I should’ve researched, and so on and so forth), but because I didn’t have my precious little one at home and a loving husband- I just did those things because I could.
So, now I have to make very exact lists of what do with my time, when I actually get the time. Specific calls to make to booking agents, venues that PAY, managers, and all sorts of industry folk that I need to speak with to get ahead. But now, when the little guys are sleeping, I make my lists for the next day, copy and paste the numbers and emails I need to call the next day into my calendar. I think I’ve actually gotten it TOGETHER!
When I go out for a gig, I have a suitcase I roll that’s loaded with everything I’ll need from merchandise, to cables, mics, and a baggie of things I may need like black tape, bungee cords, scissors, markers, and lots of other goodies! It’s not that I never had those things in my gig bag before- but now they’re all in one little place and I’ve finally organized! I can’t tell you how much easier it makes my gigging life!
On top of that for gigs I have to take a sound system to (which is most of them), I also have a rock-n-roller cart- this thing is MY BEST FRIEND at gigs, and better than my best friend in the sense that it can hold up to 1000 lbs! lol. (although there’s nothing like a best friend at a gig, because although they can’t carry as much in one load as my cart, they can carry me through a lame gig where no one shows up or claps!lol). So seriously, if you’re a gigging, or want to be gigging musician- you NEED this cart! Best $100 I ever spent!
So, I’ve actually gotten all this stuff together since having my adorable 2 year old son and buddy! So although I definitely have less time on my hands to do my music stuff, when I do do my music stuff (don’t you love saying do do as a mommy), I think I do do it better (twice in one sentence- that’s amazing!).lol
On top of all that, I will say that sometimes in the past I was a bit flakey as a music teacher. I would cancel, even if it was legit, but parents would get frustrated. Now that I am a parent, I totally understand why! So being a mommy has really helped me be more consistent in that aspect as well. You now understand what moms and dads have to go through just to get a kid, let alone any other kids in the car with them, home, let alone to an appointment!
Well, I better get back to checking emails and changing the video on the TV to Handy Manny so that Weston keeps playing! :) Well he’s on my lap. No more time to write! :) But it’s ok, he’s sitting on my lap and just leaned in to kiss me! :)
I’ll leave you with a video of exactly what it’s like to try to get a video recorded while home with the little guy! (Note: I jut redid my music studio and it’s now video friendly not the mess in this clip)
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