Life Happens or You Happen

Hello!

So I didn't follow through with my post plan but I'm here now :) I've had an emotional couple of weeks and I could really use community right now. One week ago we took my 15 year old dog, Baby, to the vet. She was really old and not in great shape when we took her. Unfortunately my family and I had to make the decision to  put her down that day. My heart is broken. Not a lot of people can understand the connection between a girl and her dog but I grew up with mine. She accepted me quirks and all. I loved and cared for her in return. I've been on this roller coaster from deep sadness to happy highs.

Through this negative experience a creativity has been sparked. I've been writing songs and creating art but I still have the issue of....I'm creating but I'm not sharing. Part of me feels like I'm fighting against my own success.There's this voice telling me that what I'm creating is no good. It wants to crush any sort of productivity I have and it's confusing. I don't know if 25 feels like this big confusing mess to everyone or if it's just me. I feel like I should be in a different place but I'm not and I feel like what if I'm waiting my entire life for that light bulb moment that will never happen....

I'm not sure where to go from here or what to do. I don't have my own space so it's not exactly the best space I have here for creating...But than maybe that's an excuse. I don't know.

In Pursuit of Greatness: Music Edition: Part 3

I spent most of today listening to Taylor Swift's new album "1989". Listening to her music got me thinking about her image and the media's attitude toward successful and famous people. One minute the media and your fans love you the next they're criticizing you on your life choices. I wont be a hypocrite and pretend I haven't bought into or come about some of my own opinions on celebrities (including Taylor) but at the end of the day I don't know her nor do most of her fans or the media.  You guys must be wondering where I'm going with this. Criticism is what I'm getting too.

Taylor seems to be the kind of gal who's learned how to deal with the backlash she's faced with. I admire that she does it with humor and keeps true to who she is. It's so easy to get lost in other people's opinions of what you do or don't do well. She uses all the negativity to fuel and create kick ass songs! You may not be a fan of her voice or her dance moves, but if there is one thing she can do better than most people is speak her mind and turn it into a hit! Part of being great doesn't mean you have to be strong or deal with things graciously but I admire that (in my opinion) Taylor does.

Remember:

• Stay true to who you are.
• Criticism and haters come with being a musician or whoever you want to be.
• If you can deal with criticism with grace and/or humor, you'll be okay.
  
  
  
  When all else fails just "shake, shake, shake" lol

In Pursuit of Greatness: Music Edition: Part 2

Hello!!!

They key to success is CONSISTENCY. Last night I took to the internet in search of the musical journey's of some musicians that I most admire. I want to know how they did it, especially, without a record label. That brought me to delving deep into the life of singer/song-writer Kina Grannis. If you're a Youtube addict as I used to be or can be, you've probably heard, seen or have been a fan of Kina Grannis since her humble Youtube beginnings. 

      Kina started Youtube as a way to share her music with her family and friends in order to get votes for a Super bowl songwriting contest. The prize for the winner would be a recording contract. Kina made an agreement with herself that she would post a video everyday until the Super Bowl contest was over. If you don't remember at the time musicians on youtube were just figuring out that this was a perfect way to market and share their passion. Most people didn't have the intention of fame and fortune but it did find quite a few people.

       Long story short, Kina won the Superbowl contest and the recording contract. When she finally met with the label she wasn't satisfied with the direction they wanted to take her so she parted ways. Miss Grannis DID find something through her consistency in posting videos. She gained a community of fans. There was this giant group of people who started following her and the rest is history. If you don't know where she is now google her. She's been on world tours and has recorded her second Major album. If you haven't seen her live...please do it's an experience you wont regret.

To end this post and to keep myself accountable. I want to set my goals. I AM a musician and this is the road I want to follow.

1. I will post a video AT LEAST once a week.

2. I will write a blog or do a vlog post at least 3 times a week.

3. I will write at least 4 pages worth of lyrics/music a day....No exceptions....It doesn't have to be good (got this tip from John Mayer) 

This is how I will stay accountable. In the words of Yoda. "Do or Do not there is no try."

In Pursuit of Greatness: Music Edition: Part 1

Hey There,

If you've been following my blog you know that for a few years now I've been pursing music and art hand in hand. If you know ME you know my heart leans a little harder toward music and song-writing.

In order to keep me focused I'm start a new music series of blogs on what makes music great and how I can attain that in my own music, writing and instrument. The title is "In Pursuit of Greatness: Music Edition".  I don't know if I'll find the answer but I want this to document my musical progress and journey. I'll also be vlogging in the process and sharing music I think captures what I look for when I write a song or when I listen to a song. There is such a rainbow of music out there but some songs move me more than others. This week I'll share John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room"...For years that intro has got me... :)