I've been obsessed with Pop Divas ever since a I was a little girl. I wanted to be one. I would buy their cassette tapes and learn every note, swoop, and run they would sing! I wanted to be one! Now, I'm a classically trained singer.
One of my biggest heart breaks was being told by my college voice professor, I was never going to be one. Also, she pointed out, she was NEVER going to train me in that style. See, one of my fellow college students had ratted me out to her, telling her I wanted to be a pop diva. (And whoever that was, jeese, thanks!) So, I remember we had a whole voice lesson where, I was lectured that it wasn't going to happen!
Now, that I'm older, I see, I probably should have found the money for an actual vocal coach. One that would have actually, trained me how to sing and belt properly. But I didn't.
So, I've been training myself.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
9/11/01: Where was I?
I, of all people, woke up early. I had nowhere to be. I turned on the Television. I soon realized, something terrible was happening. There was smoke billowing out of one building, and the news anchors were describing that a plane had hit the building. I sat there watching the events unfold. At some point, my roommate Justin came in and said, he was going to class. I told him what had happened, and he just looked at me like I was overreacting, said, "OK," and left. About that time, the second plane hit the second tower, and every second of it was shown on television! I sat there as long as I could, watching things unfold. This is when, the news anchors started announcing, the United States is under attack! Reports started coming in of other planes that were having issues. Then, all flights were grounded.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the music department had blocked at time for convocations and recitals at 11:00am. I walked into the recital hall that day just a little before 11am. It was really quiet. No one was talking. Finally, Dr. Todd Sullivan came out and stated something. I don't really remember what he was trying to say, because I was in my own head at the time. I'm sure all of my fellow students were, also. His statement was something about staying calm. We were all going to be just fine. It all seems so trite now. I have no clue what the recital was that day. I know I sat through it. It may have even been a vocal recital, now that I think about it.
Afterward, the men of Phi Mu Alpha were having one of their cookout fundraisers out in the back of the Center for Performing and Fine Arts, the CPFA. We all went out back to eat, and finally started talking to each other. Some people were scared. Some people were angry. Most of us were just confused. Why? Why would someone do this? Why would they attack buildings in New York City? Why the Pentagon? Why kill so many innocent people? The questions just go on and on.
I'll be honest. Seeing all of these people saying, "NEVER FORGET!" really annoys me. This is why. How could I ever forget? All of us that were alive on that day, and over the age of 5, will always remember. We will never forget the friends, the family, the coworkers, the firefighters, the EMT's, all of those people that died.
Then, there was the war that came from it. All of the men and women that have died to fight for our freedom. The freedoms to be religious or not. The freedoms to love who we want to love. The freedoms to vote how we want to vote.
How would I ever forget?
The problem is not forgetting. It's teaching the next generation about that day. As soon as the generations that were alive die out, then, the forgetting begins. Teach the children about freedom. Teach the children love.
It shouldn't be, "NEVER FORGET!!!"
It should be, "Teach the children!"
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the music department had blocked at time for convocations and recitals at 11:00am. I walked into the recital hall that day just a little before 11am. It was really quiet. No one was talking. Finally, Dr. Todd Sullivan came out and stated something. I don't really remember what he was trying to say, because I was in my own head at the time. I'm sure all of my fellow students were, also. His statement was something about staying calm. We were all going to be just fine. It all seems so trite now. I have no clue what the recital was that day. I know I sat through it. It may have even been a vocal recital, now that I think about it.
Afterward, the men of Phi Mu Alpha were having one of their cookout fundraisers out in the back of the Center for Performing and Fine Arts, the CPFA. We all went out back to eat, and finally started talking to each other. Some people were scared. Some people were angry. Most of us were just confused. Why? Why would someone do this? Why would they attack buildings in New York City? Why the Pentagon? Why kill so many innocent people? The questions just go on and on.
I'll be honest. Seeing all of these people saying, "NEVER FORGET!" really annoys me. This is why. How could I ever forget? All of us that were alive on that day, and over the age of 5, will always remember. We will never forget the friends, the family, the coworkers, the firefighters, the EMT's, all of those people that died.
Then, there was the war that came from it. All of the men and women that have died to fight for our freedom. The freedoms to be religious or not. The freedoms to love who we want to love. The freedoms to vote how we want to vote.
How would I ever forget?
The problem is not forgetting. It's teaching the next generation about that day. As soon as the generations that were alive die out, then, the forgetting begins. Teach the children about freedom. Teach the children love.
It shouldn't be, "NEVER FORGET!!!"
It should be, "Teach the children!"
Sunday, September 9, 2012
A New Opportunity, and it involves music!
I'm going to be the new choir director at Crooked Creek Baptist Church! I'm really excited to take on this position! The people at this church are amazingly kind and generous. They do so many things to try to help out their community. They have breakfasts and lunches where they make sure that people in the community have enough to eat. They let community groups meet in their building, which is where my choir meets on Thursday nights!
I visited their music library, and it's actually in pretty good shape! I can't wait to meet the people and get started!
If you'd like to sing in a choir on Sunday mornings in the Indy area, contact me! I know a great place to do that!
I visited their music library, and it's actually in pretty good shape! I can't wait to meet the people and get started!
If you'd like to sing in a choir on Sunday mornings in the Indy area, contact me! I know a great place to do that!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Conversation About Google Wallet
Coworker: I read an article in Time magazine about how, sooner or later, no one is going to carry a wallet. It's all going to be on their smart phone! Well, what about all of those people that don't have smart phones!?!
Me: That generation (the ones that don't want smart phones) is going to die out sooner or later! I mean, no offense!
Coworker: But they're so expensive! I refuse to pay for that!
Me: You can get a smart phone package at Walmart for $30!
Coworker (Completely changing the direction of this conversation!): Well, then, people on well fare are going to be buying Smart Phones on my dime! I don't want that to happen!
WTF?!?!?
So, you are more worried about people on well fare buying smart phones, and trust me, they already do, than, figuring out that you should get one yourself!?
One of those moments in life when I stand there with a gaping jaw.
*My niece E. and I will tell you, WTF? stands for Where's the Food!?
Me: That generation (the ones that don't want smart phones) is going to die out sooner or later! I mean, no offense!
Coworker: But they're so expensive! I refuse to pay for that!
Me: You can get a smart phone package at Walmart for $30!
Coworker (Completely changing the direction of this conversation!): Well, then, people on well fare are going to be buying Smart Phones on my dime! I don't want that to happen!
WTF?!?!?
So, you are more worried about people on well fare buying smart phones, and trust me, they already do, than, figuring out that you should get one yourself!?
One of those moments in life when I stand there with a gaping jaw.
*My niece E. and I will tell you, WTF? stands for Where's the Food!?
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Nails... Maybe I'm a Little Vain
I have this weird obsession with my nails. They are brittle and flimsy. This comes from years of biting, which I don't do anymore, and playing the violin, which I don't do any more, either.
I want them to GROW! I manicure them, file them, paint them, try new treatments and lotions that claim to "Strengthen!" and it never happens!
I love the way a good clean french manicure looks, but my nails never really grow long enough that a french manicure looks OK on them. I'll get them all to a good length, and the start bending over the edge of my finger and breaking. It gets really frustrating!
I used to get acrylics all the time in high school and college. My orchestra director loved that! The woman that did them in high school worked at the Natural Way Nail Shop. It was a business she and another woman ran out of a home. They had random pets every where, like a huge glass cage with an iguana! She would do the most beautiful hand painted designs, even with french tips.
The last time I had them done was for a wedding in August of 2009. That woman did a horrible job! The last time I drove by that shop it was closed. I still have one nail that won't grow in correctly after that experience.
Right now, I can barely spend the money to get hair cuts, let alone have my nails done.
It's soothing to do them myself, but I always mess up the paint somehow. They never look perfect.
I want them to GROW! I manicure them, file them, paint them, try new treatments and lotions that claim to "Strengthen!" and it never happens!
I love the way a good clean french manicure looks, but my nails never really grow long enough that a french manicure looks OK on them. I'll get them all to a good length, and the start bending over the edge of my finger and breaking. It gets really frustrating!
I used to get acrylics all the time in high school and college. My orchestra director loved that! The woman that did them in high school worked at the Natural Way Nail Shop. It was a business she and another woman ran out of a home. They had random pets every where, like a huge glass cage with an iguana! She would do the most beautiful hand painted designs, even with french tips.
The last time I had them done was for a wedding in August of 2009. That woman did a horrible job! The last time I drove by that shop it was closed. I still have one nail that won't grow in correctly after that experience.
Right now, I can barely spend the money to get hair cuts, let alone have my nails done.
It's soothing to do them myself, but I always mess up the paint somehow. They never look perfect.
Monday, September 3, 2012
My Political Statement I posted on Facebook
I had another friend on Facebook say this. If you are going to post
political posts to the point of annoying, I'm going to unsubscribe to
your posts until after the election! Unless, you rather I start posting
my view on your page every day! I'm only going to say this once: I love
President Obama. He may not be perfect, but he is our President. I
hate seeing a person being treated by such HATRED! If you are really a
true Christian, you would talk about love, and praying for the
President, not TEARING HIM DOWN. The new Health Care Plan is not called
Obamacare! It's real name is The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act!
If you're going to insult it, LEARN THE REAL NAME! (And once you lived
without insurance for three years after a real health care issue, you
can complain to me about health care!) I think people should get to
CHOOSE if they want a marry a man or woman. I think gay marriage should
be legal. I believe in separation in of CHURCH AND STATE, especially
in MARRIAGE! I have a lot of other opinions! But guess what, I DON'T
SHARE THEM ON FACEBOOK! I don't share them at WORK! I don't ARGUE with
people about them! I just VOTE! Feel free to unfriend me, or
unsubscribe from me over this, but that's my OPINION! You don't have to
listen to it/ Read it! (And who knows, this may or not be the last
time I post my opinion!)
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Splashers...
Dear Women,
When you wash your hands in the restroom, please, flick your hands dry over the trash can and not over the sink, especially if there's a person next to you! You have more than likely just splashed water all over the person next to you!
Sincerely,
The Annoyed Splashed Person Next To You
When you wash your hands in the restroom, please, flick your hands dry over the trash can and not over the sink, especially if there's a person next to you! You have more than likely just splashed water all over the person next to you!
Sincerely,
The Annoyed Splashed Person Next To You
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