Friday, April 30, 2010
As much as I seem to live on airplanes you would think that I'd be a better judge of character. What I've come to realize is that even in travel you have the good, the bad and the ugly. It's pretty sad when you look at your fellow passenger and you wonder if they are wanted for murder somewhere.
I actually like to travel, but also love my space. I like a spot on the beach just for me so I can shoot beautiful sunsets and meditate by the ocean side. Crowds sometimes make me crazy. I'm a loner, but I am not anti-social.
I'm on my own path in life and I feel just fine about who I am and where I am going.
Friday, April 16, 2010
We all have it, just some people perpetually live it I think. Personally I find it highly annoying when someone speaks to me in psychobabble, I'd much prefer Pig Latin or Afrikaans in lieu of language that seems full of filler and ego. People who write Gone With The Wind, when a simple sentence will describe the same thing drive me nuts. They think they are communicating, when in reality they are creating confusion and mixed messages. I'm more of a "get to the point" or "bottom line this for me" kind of a person.
Traveling can be so darn hard. Since early March I've flown roughly 14 times and have amassed almost 80,000 airmiles. I picked up a cold at Chicago O'Hare where I was stranded a week ago. I call it the "Creeping Crud". When I laugh I sound like Mutley the cartoon dog. O'Hare is the worst airport to be stranded. Thank goodness it pays to complain as the airlines are more than accomodating especially when you are a very frequent traveler.
Two more weeks of this flying insanity and then I will have a break. In May I am actually going to spend some time in Hawaii for more than a few hours. I think I've earned a vacation. I can't wait.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Somehow accepting a package with all those 666's in it felt rather creepy. I was warned it was coming and instructed my staff to hire a priest to scare off any demons and refuse the package.
I will never understand why people think that shoving
materialistic crap down someone's throat is just what the doctor ordered. It's fine what someone believes, but don't try to recruit me into your 4 agreement cult. I am not interested in anything that encourages people to pass judgment, to slam dunk people emotionally and not take ownership for your own faults and behaviors.
Sure seems to me that some people like to hide behind something symbolic of a mother's skirt or umbilical cord. Time to face reality and face your own demons without hiding from the truth.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
My life has always had a funny way of turning out o.k. for me. I've always taken negatives in my life and turned them into positives. Karma really can come back and bite you. I've always believed in taking care of the planet and in harvesting great relationships with everyone I meet.
Lately, I had wondered if I was doing something wrong. I'm very glad I made my trip to L.A. as I met some very wonderful people, discussed my options with my agent and made some critical decisions for myself in terms of health, emotional well being and what I hope to do with my music and writing.
When I landed in San Francisco, I had to change planes to get back home, I felt very peaceful.
Karma is something I will never mess with. Next to Karma the Goddess Pele is high on my list of forces never to piss off.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Have you ever met someone who could care less how you feel? That your feelings not only didn't matter to them, but they honestly expected you to agree with them and their perceptions of you?
Compassion is not something these people have to show anyone. They are so focused on the "me" in their lives, that they can never see the "we". When I reach out and touch someone, it's a sincere gesture of friendship. It's not often I put myself out there because I'm a little gun shy from past experiences. I tend to be too trusting and tend to open my heart up to people who don't have a clue as to what I am all about.
The great thing is some of my greatest writing comes from these very experiences. I've already decided to title my album "Illusion" and will be working with local musicians to make it a reality. I've also continued working on my book.
Tuesday I fly to Los Angeles to meet with an agent who wants to represent me. He saw me in "Flight From Death" and "Penn and Teller Bullshit Season Two Death Inc", but he mostly heard about me through locals and has seen me perform here in Dallas. I'm certainly not a rock star, but folks have been encouraging me to both share my songs and poetry. I've decided to go for it.
I'm a person who can create just about anywhere, that includes Starbucks, on a plane, sometimes just walking or taking a shower.When the inspiration hits, I have a pen and pad nearby so I can jot down lyrics or a melody. In the last two days I've written an instrumental song called "Sweet Chili Sauce" and a new song called "White Trash Diva".
I am not about to let heartache stop me from being who I am, but I wish the world had a few less sincerely insincere people in it.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
I wrote three songs while on a trip recently, here are the lyrics to one of them.
The song is called "Illusion"
Imagine by a chance of fate,
You met a dream face to face
She waltzed in and then walked out
Leaving you with little doubt
That it was just an illusion.
And when you woke, what might have been
Some things are never what they seem,
Dreams may come, but then depart
Lessons learned from the heart.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Social media is great for promoting your music, your writing, but it can be extremely scary for someone who is trying to use it as a means of "connecting" with others. When I joined an email list a few years ago I became the subject of some very vicious gossip. There were women who supported me, but there were also a few who were so determined to out me as some sort of fraud, an insensitive human being, the scum of the earth. For some time I have tried to avoid people who are negative, unfortunately they have found me on Facebook.
I apologized to the list some time ago, as I am not perfect and I do make mistakes. Some were willing to accept my apology, others have continually beaten me down.
People who do love and care about me often want to know why I've been so fearful of letting people into my life. I think now they fully understand why I tend to be guarded.
I just recently returned from a trip only to find in my Facebook file a few notes from some folks who have advised me that there are some derrogatory comments about me being circulated through Facebook messaging. I hope that those of you who do know me will consider the source and those of you who don't know me I hope you will try to see through it all.
I am not a perfect person, I have made mistakes in my life, but I also try to make right when I commit a wrong. I'm being unjustly crucified and it's killing me inside.
Monday, March 08, 2010
To whom it may concern, traveling twice the speed of sound it's easy to get burned...
Graham Nash
I've always loved that song, especially now since it seems to apply to my life so well.
I'm just not sure what to think of anything at the moment. I am taking off for who knows where to just think, write some music and poetry, and just get away from everyone. I can't give any more than I have and I feel like I let people down all the time. I find solace in flying, in escaping to peaceful and tranquil places. I have a right to peace of mind.
I'm so tired of not being good enough, of not giving enough.
And I'm scared to death that when I do open up my heart, that it's all just a dream. That those connections we have that come unexpectedly are just something we've imagined.
I'm tired of hurting, tired of feeling inadequate, tired of feeling like I've failed people.
I've always been a loving and giving person, but I have needs, too. For just once in my life I would like to feel that I'm good enough at something.
Thursday, March 04, 2010
The following can be sung to "Santa Claus is Coming To Town".
Yes I wrote it!
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
You better do me and do me right,
Pickle me any day or night,
Make me rigid, hard and pretty.
Oh do me with class, don't laugh at my ass
Make me look real, relieve me of gas
Make me rigid, hard and pretty.
And when you do my viewing I hope that folks will say
She looks just like a million bucks cause that's what they'll have to pay.
Oh you better do me and do me right
Pickle me any time of day or night
Make me rigid, hard and pretty.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
The lyrics to the Mash Theme Song keep running through my head today, especially the refrain which is:
"that suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please."
Two years ago today a gentle, young man, full of promise and creative genius stepped onto tracks and ended his life. I knew his pain well. I know what battling depression is like. I also know how hard it is to fight off the demons that are within your soul.
Giancarlo Colombo reminds me to stay in touch with my own feelings, to be gentle with myself and to have compassion for others. He continues to lead by example and from the heart.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
I wanted to update everyone on my house situation as I've been away for some time. I don't wish my situation on anyone. The fact that my homebuilder is playing stupid, the flood remediation company (ServPro) trashed my life and then put a lien on my house because I had issues with their work, have not made my life any easier.
Fortunately a good attorney can get you through the hell. I plan on starting a website about ServPro which will include my story and photos of my house and how they left it.
The good news is I had the good fortune to find the most beautiful rustic and carved Mexican furniture. Some of it was delivered today. It's nice to feel like home is coming back together.
For over a month my chihuahua and I had to live in a Motel 6 because the water was shut off to the house. There were two pipe breaks, one outside and the big one inside. Everything has been fixed, but I'm trying to decide what I want to do with the concrete slab. I'm inclined to not put carpet in again and have my floor stained and sealed.
My pets and I slept on an air mattress for a month until I could start to replace furniture. We had to sleep in the kitchen. Needless to say my pets loved the air sofa (that's what they call it) and we have managed to survive this ordeal.
It's been so weird to realize how much I lost, I've had to replace everything from the lawnmower to my cancer meds. So much was tossed out, so much that could have been saved.
Oh well...you pick yourself up and dust yourself off.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
I've just been really busy and then all of the sudden my house floods. Thank goodness I handed off the Bluelips project to Karen because right now I'm spending all my time just trying to figure out what to do with my home.
For those of you considering buying a Choice Home please don't. I've had foundation issues and my house kept popping. Now my plumbing blew up.
It looks like I might lose my home. But you know what I've wanted to move on for some time now. Who knows maybe this will end up to be a good thing.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
A couple of nights ago some jolly guy in a fat suit showed up on my doorstep in the middle of the night. Said he was doing a test run and need a place to crash for a couple of nights. Problem is he doesn't fit through my doorway, so we ended up greasing him up and letting him slide down my chimney. He's got eight reindeer who are generating a bunch of poop in my yard. On top of it all he's got this sleigh, has had to double park and all my nosey neighbors are wondering who the new man in my life is.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
That's how I've felt about forums for a long time. I never wanted one on Bluelips, but Karen my business partner said it was something we should offer.
I still am not big on forums, but I do thank Karen for her saavy as it has been successful and it's got some interesting characters there. I do hate it when it does down, but it now appears that they've worked out the bugs and other than some enhancements we are waiting for it's very stable.
I've posted a link to the forum so you can sign up. Just look at our links section. It's free, we don't charge for air, forum participation or laughter at Bluelips.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Every now and then someone waltzes into your life when you least expect it and even though you may not have much time with them you bond. Shanta sought me out from a breast cancer support list we were both on. She had many questions about death and dying and sought me out for answers. In the process we became good friends. We only saw each other in person once and that was to go for tempura for lunch. Shanta picked me up in her husbands BMW and I was in love (with the car mostly). Shanta was able to out eat me 2 to 1 that day. We had to laugh because we were both undergoing treatment and yet we were ravenous. The food was amazing. That day I decided to give her a special ring tone on my cell phone. I played it for her and she really loved it. I could never get rid of it so I have now assigned it to her husband, Dennis. Shanta went with me for wound care and met my oncologist. I had hoped she would entrust her care to my oncologist, but she kept looking for the perfect doctor and by that time it was too late.
Shanta and I shared many thoughts through emails and I called her often to see how she was doing. We had originally planned to do tempura once a month, but she became more ill. I now wish I had done take out and gone to see her. I've never quite known what to say to someone who is dying.
As Shanta and I hung out that day she decided to teach me how to be Afro American. She knew I was interested in learning everything about cultures and the differences in people. Shanta had me put my hands in the air and she told me to "raise the roof". I kept pushing on the roof of her BMW and she was laughing hysterically. She finally showed me how to "raise the roof" and told me that I was going to take a lot of work. She endeared herself to me forever for being color blind and for allowing me to be silly with her.
Shanta also raised my awareness of the magnitude of breast cancer in Afro American women and the increase in death rates.
At Shanta's funeral I placed my survivor button in her casket. She always told me that she learned a great deal from me, but in the end she really ended up to be my greatest teacher.
She fought the good fight, she stayed the course and she kept the faith.
Thumbs Up Beamer!
I've never ventured beyond US borders much except to go to Tijuana, Mexico. The process of getting my passport and planning for my travel was exhilarating and tiring. I was well prepared for anything they might throw at me. Not bad for a gal who is 53 and has wanted to see something other than Texas Stadium.
I was bumped up to First Class for my flight to London which thrilled me. There is nothing quite like having long legs and not knowing what to do with them. Fortunately United offers 5 extra inches in coach for some of its seats. I call it "Legs Plus". As I am not flying daily anymore it's always a treat to be bumped up.
Heathrow was a bit of a nightmare, the moving walkways did not move, the smoking section might have well not existed because smoke was everywhere. Getting from the arrival gate to my connecting flight was frustrating at best. Heathrow is huge, I thought O'Hare was huge, but Heathrow is much bigger. The one thing that I did love were the hats the flight attendants wore on British Midland.
When I arrived at Schipol airport it was somewhat confusing for me trying to figure out how to meet up with my friend. I just kept walking and hoping I was going in the right direction. I eventually saw the passport booths they have and handed them my virgin passport. They didn't stamp it, I was heart broken. Going home though the young man who had looked at my passport when I arrived smiled at me, stamped my passport so I was no longer a virigin. He saw how happy that made me and I did my happy dance.
I had a wonderful time in Amsterdam. The women I met there are all survivors of breast cancer and I had a very productive week. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will say that I would love to go back. Once I learned what coffee houses really were for, why I was called "klootzak" by an angry woman, and got lost in the Red Light District I thought I'd found paradise.
And when I landed at Dulles and had to go through customs the drug dog peed on one of my bags. Ah, there is no place like home!
Friday, May 26, 2006
Giancarlo Francesco
One Year In The Light
May 30, 2006
Music means different things to different people. Some of us find our music in a wave upon sand and the sea on the shore. For others it is in the clear sound of the lark or in the beating of drums or perhaps in the tapping of feet in the flamenco. Different sounds appeal to each of us in different ways. Giancarlo and I shared a love of jazz. I never knew Giancarlo, but I’ve had the privilege this past year of learning about him from his mother and his friends.
Perhaps that is why musicians are so popular. Maybe it’s because they play on our hearts' chords as they play on their instruments.
So it was with Giancarlo. His music called each one of us in a different way. Giancarlo was a sensitive musician. He loved his own kind of music of course, but he had a respect and admiration of all other kinds as well. He enjoyed nothing more than an informal session with fellow artists, playing simply for the kick they got out of their songs and tunes. He loved to improvise to play something in a new chord, a different key. Giancarlo spent his whole life, it seems, looking for that famous lost chord.
Giancarlo leaves a legacy of joy in the music he shared with others, of long chats with friends, of his insight into the world around him. He was a deep soul, a passionate person, for him perfection was the goal in life. What life had yet to teach him was that none of us are perfect.
Giancarlo was lively and light-hearted. He was always happy to meet new people, add something new to his life. Yet he had his quiet moments when he withdrew into himself and into the music he loved so much. He was a feeler, all of the great creative masters had deep feelings. He was among the best.
Giancarlo has traveled many hearts. He has touched so many lives even in his passing that he will never truly be gone.
There is a saying that says “music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life”. So it was with Giancarlo’s music. His passion became our passion, his joy our joy and even his pain is now our pain.
Giancarlo, though, was also a person who had other attributes that had nothing to do with music. He was kind and generous and he enjoyed a laugh. He was always willing to do you a good turn. He had a genuine interest in people and what they did with their lives. It didn't really matter to him whether they knew a b flat from a c sharp. He was good with children and loved making a difference in the lives of others. Giancarlo always believed that if you were lucky enough to have a gift you should share it.
Yes, the loss of Giancarlo has affected us deeply, even I am moved by this young man and inspired to create a better world for others. Many years ago, when I was a young woman, I also, demanded a lot from myself. Life seemed to come at me and I sometimes felt at a loss with my feelings. I wasn’t sure which direction I should go in. I’m grateful that someone reached out to me and showed me that there was light beyond the darkness. I wish I could have done that for Giancarlo.
He’s no longer with us physically, but he’s in every balloon you send off, every tear you shed, every laugh you share and every hug you give.
And when you look up at the sky at night he’s standing out from all the rest, he’s the guiding light home, he is lighting the path we all should follow.
We love you, Giancarlo. Thank you for all the lessons you’ve taught us.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Some people think that all cancer patients are going to look like holocaust victims, gaunt and lifeless. Some of us are quite lively given our situation.
I have good days and bad. Zometa treatment I think is making me toxic.
Nothing quite like feeling like you are being turned into a Nuclear Waste Dump.
I'd be happy if cancer=smaller butt.