405 Freeway of Life

  If you're reading this and not from So Cal I need to explain the 405 freeway to you. Think of a parking lot, one that you have to park in on a semi-regular basis...but no matter what time you pull in, be it 6am or 10pm it's always full...and not only full, but there are lines of cars waiting to get a space (kinda like a mall parking lot during Christmas time). Got that picture in your head? Well that, my friends, is the 405 fwy. On a good day I've been able to spend a short time on the 405 trying to get to my destination, on a bad day I've spent hours (literally) trying to get 5 to 10 miles (and there's no point in getting off to take the streets). I'm talking about the 405 because I realized that it's the perfect description for my journey in life right now.
   In yesterday's message Pastor Jude said that God likes the scenic route. We need to understand that God's not going to get us to the goal quickly, he's going to take his sweet time...stop to smell the roses and look at the trees and he won't let us get off this "fwy" to take a faster "street" path. It, of course, made total sense to me because it's exactly where God and I are. I'm stuck in the center lane of the 405 not moving, begging him to make the traffic go and he's taking pictures of the clouds and buildings...playing with the radio and instagraming, tweeting and facebooking...not giving my whining a lick of attention.
   I've been stuck in this "traffic" for about a year now...with nothing moving the way I thought it would and every question I pose being seemingly ignored. My patience is gone...I want answers, I want to move, I want to see what's next (or if anything is next) for me. I want to know...something, anything. I don't even think it's a quick thing...nope...because of the things I've been asking God about, one in particular I've been seeking an answer for all of my adult life. 14 years is a long time in traffic. Right now, in my spiritual life I'm not going anywhere, I'm just sitting in traffic with only terrible music to listen to.
   Yesterday's sermon reminded me that I still need to muster some patience and wait because He's not going to move me until He sees fit, which I knew. The sad thing is I'm starting to feel like that day will never actually come and that I'll be sitting in a car in the middle of the 405 listening to Justin Bieber for the rest of my life. And by golly that's not a life I want to live...unfortunately, I think that's the one God wants for me...

   Until Next Time.
   ~m

I Think She's Lost It

'I got the total package you know, the curves, the rhythm, and the voice. I'm just the best"

  The above quote is from Miley Cyrus. She did an interview with a magazine called LOVE and in it she said that Beyonce was done and its now her (Miley's) time to be on top. She said that Beyonce has lost her focus and her body since having her child and that now she (Miley) is stepping up to take over....
   Okay, so before I get started let me say this. I'm not writing this post because I'm a huge Beyonce fan and feel like I need to defend her. In truth, I don't really care for Beyonce. I like some of her music and think she is a great entertainer, but I'm not a fan. I'm also not a fan of Miley, but she's just starting to bug the crap out of me. Also, let me say that I understand this is part of her "marketing" campaign/gimmick to keep people talking about her and in writing this post I'm falling right into the trap...oh well, I'm going to write and post this anyway.
    I don't care how much I don't care of an entertainer I will admit when they do something well. Beyonce does what she does well. At this point in time she is probably the best at putting on a non-stop thrill ride of a live show. She does the singing, dancing, costume changes, hair whipping and fan crazing all while wearing 5 inch heels...there's no one, right now, who can come anywhere close to that. Certainly not Miley. Here's the thing about the quote above...she only has no of the things she's claiming she has. That's the voice. Miley Cyrus can sing. If you don't believe me, that's fine. But if you take anyway the bad music and ridiculous lyrics and give her real songs to sing you'll see that she has a lovely powerful, even compelling voice. But she has no curves to speak of and as far as I've seen she ain't got no rhythm either. And that's what makes the quote all the more ridiculous.
    She wants to compare herself to Beyonce and say that she's ready to take the throne from her...but she can't hold a candle to Beyonce. I don't care if Beyonce is on stage with Blue Ivy in her arms she's still going to put on a better show and have more curves and rhythm).
    Before I wrap this up I want to say that earlier this month Beyonce released a surprise album. No one knew it was coming there was no build up, no advertising, no commotion. She just released an album one morning (alone with 17 new videos) and let go do it's thing. As far as I know she still hasn't do any interviews for it. You know what, that album went to Number 1 in a matter of hours worldwide...who else can do that. Not Miley, that's for sure.
    So Miley, please stop. You're embarrassing yourself. Beyonce is still on the top of her game baby or no. Her music is still selling, her shows are still slaying and her body is still banging...all you have is a bad haircut. So, just stop....please!

    Until Next Time
    ~m

 

It was different

  I spent a week at my parents house and during that week was asked to sing a special song at my former church. I said yes (only because it was a song I've been looking forward to singing for a few years), but something weird occurred to me once it was all said and done. Although I miss singing, its not the singing I missed, it was the preparation. Because I've honestly been listening to and mentally preparing this song for a few years I didn't spend as much time with it as a song I didn't know. It was only a few hours, but the process was the same and I enjoyed it. Performing or "presenting" a song is always a bit stressful, but preparing it on my own is nice.
  It went well in both services and many people told me they enjoyed it, but that wasn't what I cared about, it never has been. I am blessed that God uses me to bless others, but the true magic is in the moments when I'm just trying to make it right so that people don't see or hear me, but they see and hear God...if I prepare correctly, I know that He'll take care of the rest.
  All that being said, I'm not ready or in a place to sign up for the worship team. I'm not saying never, I'm just still, very content with sitting in the congregation and participating in worship without having to worry about all that comes with leading it.
 
  Until Next Time,
~m

Back in the Business

 I haven't sang regularly in over two years (probably more like 3 going on 4). But the other morning on the way to work, I was listening to Chester Bennington (of Linkin Park) on Kevin and Bean. Something about his interview stirred a longing in me. A sense that I haven't felt in a very long time.

 When I started my sabbatical from singing I told myself that I would only truly go back to singing at church when I really missed it, really needed it again, when I really felt the longing and the pull of it in my soul. That morning that is exactly what I felt. It's time for me to start sharing my gift again...so I contacted the worship leader and told him I'd like to help out on an emergency basis. I have to ease my way back in...I don't want to be overwhelmed I want to enjoy it.

  What's God doing...I'm not sure, but whatever it is I think it's been a long time coming. I'm ready for the changes I can't see, but changes I'll know they'll be....big ones.

Smile

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the light come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
hide every trace of saddness
although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just Smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile


                                                            By Turner, Parson and Chaplin

Did Adam Lambert Go Too Far?

Now, I only watch American Idol the first two weeks of the show...that's when all the bad singers are on! After that I'm done, I don't watch or worry about it in any way or form! I wouldn't know who Adam Lambert was if it hadn't of been for my cousin who loves him and watched American Idol hoping he would win it all! Well he didn't, she said it was rigged...it went to someone else, whatever!

Still I didn't care, couldn't give two cents to care...until my brother showed me his album cover (which is totally ripped off from Boy George) and I was mildly interested in what this guy was gonna come up with next! But not that much because I could have watched him on on the American Music Awards last weekend, but I chose to go to sleep instead!

The next morning I wake up to the knowledge that he pulled off some kind of inappropriate performance full of sex, violence and risque behavior not suitable for kids, Dick Clark Productions or the House of Mouse (owner of ABC). I couldn't believe what I was hearing and I couldn't watch it on the net, so I asked around...only one person could tell me what it was about and I agreed with her...inappropriate! The next day, I heard more about it in the media and I decided to look for in on the net...it's since been taken down. So I haven't seen it....but I did see something in a headline...why are we getting so up in arms about Adam Lambert in 2009 when we didn't care about Britney and Madonna and Christina a few years ago?

I surely didn't care then and I don't really care now, but I know that if I was a parent of a teen or preteen I would have been appalled that this form of entertainment (remember I haven't seen it, this is all from what I've heard) was available for my kid during a very superficial award show.
But I'm not a parent and I didn't see it....so all I have is hear say from all over...so like the title of this post I have one question...Did Adam Lambert go to far?

What's your opinion? How do you feel about the whole situation? Did he indeed go to far or am I and the media making too big a deal about it?

When I find myself in times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

For though they may be parted there is still a chance that they will see, there will be an answer. let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light, that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be.

I wake up to the sound of music, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, .....

CAPTAIN E.O.

So they day Michael Jackson died one of the first things I said was....they better bring back Captain E.O. at Disneyland! I mean, what better way to show the man a tribute...I truly believe that he should be celebrated for his contributions to music, dance and frankly most of our childhoods....whatever happened in his life is between him and God, but we have the opportunity to so our gratitude and respect for his greatness (which was given to him by God).
I was reading on Perez Hilton that Disney is set to announce that Captain E.O. will be brought back to Disneyland in January as a tribute to Mr. Jackson. Of Course, this came on the heels of an outcry from both MJ AND Disney fans asking that it be brought back.

Now as someone who worked a Disney, I know that they won't bring it back without making sure they are restore it (or even make it better) to it's original form. I'm sure they may even enlist the help of the original director Francis Ford Coppola!
I'm very excited and happy to hear this news...I'm glad that Disney has seen fit to bring back this great show (which was an event back in the late 80's) back for a new generation to see it! It may look dated and some may not go see the showings, because of what they "think" of him, but I WILL! I only got to see it once as a kid, but I remember being enthralled by it. It doesn't matter how long I will have to wait in line...I will seen Captain E.O. again in all it's glory and thank God for giving us the brilliance that was Michael Jackson!

Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)

Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:

Singin: dont worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. dont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing - I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right - I wont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

My Heart by Paramore

I am finding out that maybe I was wrong
That I've fallen down and I can't do this alone

Stay with me, this is what I need, please?

Sing us a song and we'll sing it back to you
We could sing our own but what would it be without you?

I am nothing now and it's been so long
Since I've heard the sound, the sound of my only hope

This time I will be listening.

Sing us a song and we'll sing it back to you
We could sing our own but what would it be without you?

This heart, it beats, beats for only you
This heart, it beats, beats for only you

This heart, it beats, beats for only you
My heart is yours

This heart, it beats, beats for only you
My heart is yours
(My heart, it beats for you)

This heart, it beats, beats for only you (It beats, beats for only you)
My heart is yours (My heart is yours)
This heart, it beats, beats for only you (Please don't go now, please don't fade away)
My heart, my heart is yours (Please don't go now, please don't fade away)

(Please don't go now, please don't fade away)
My heart is yours(Please don't go now, please don't fade away)
My heart is yours(Please don't go, please don't fade away)
(Please don't go now, please don't fade away)

My heart is...

With or Without You by U2

See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side
I wait for you

Sleight of hand and twist of fate
On a bed of nails she makes me wait
And I wait without you

With or without you
With or without you

Through the storm we reach the shore
You give it all but I want more
And Im waiting for you

With or without you
With or without you
I cant live
With or without you

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you giveAnd you give
And you give yourself away

My hands are tied
My body bruised, shes got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose

My hands are tied
My body bruised, shes got me with
Nothing to win and
Nothing left to lose

And you give yourself away
And you give yourself away
And you giveAnd you give
And you give yourself away

With or without you
With or without you
I cant live
With or without you

With or without you
With or without you
I cant live
With or without you
With or without you

Had a Concert, it went pretty well...

Hi All,

As I previously posted I had a concert as part of the Songs for Sudan series at my church to help raise money for our Sudanese project. Well I have to say I think it went pretty well!...Well, at least that's what I keep hearing.

I'm always my harshest critic, so it was completely up to my opinion I would say it was okay. But I've heard from a few people (personally) and I'm pretty sure that my mom interrogated every single person there! And all the reviews are good the whole thing was very received!

I did 8 songs, the names of which i will post below. They were all different genres and I had some cool guys backing me up. Reuben K, Jeff and Charles J. and Anthony M. played with me and I'm so glad they did! I couldn't have pulled it off without them and all their help and support.

The whole crowd seemed to enjoy the show while it was going on, and I was even able to get them up to dance and sing with me.

So all in all a good show. I had fun, the guys had fun and from what I hear everyone there had fun too and isn't that all you want from a concert!

Well Until Next Time....


Oops, here's the set list!

Syrup and Honey by Duffy
Flat on the Floor by Carrie Underwood
Blackbird by Third Day
Indescribable By Chris Tomlin
Sunday Bloody Sunday By U2
Melt My Heart To Stone By Adele
Undignified By David Crowder Band
Nothing Compares to You By Sinead O'Connor

Songs for Sudan

Hey Everyone,

I've mentioned before that my concert is very active in the country of Sudan. Well we've been putting on a series of concerts to raise money towards our efforts and well, it's my turn to step up and use my God given talents to help out with this cause.

I am putting on a concert at Marina Christian Fellowship in Culver City, Ca on July 18, 2009.
The tickets are $15 dollars and they are available online at the follwing links.

www.vocalstylings.com/schedule.htm

www.marinachristian.org/songsforsudan

I hope to see you there!

San Diego

So a couple of weeks ago Amber and I went down to San Diego to see No Doubt in concert. We planned an overnight trip going down on Friday for the show and coming home on Saturday. But since it was the long weekend we turned it into a weekend trip. Now, since we were going to stay longer we decided to go on a city tour and take our cameras so that we can get some cool shots of the area. We also decided to change hotels (thanks to Paul), and move from the first hotel, which was in Chula Vista close to the concert venue, to a hotel in San Diego close to the Gaslamp district, cause that's where Amber wanted to go hang out on Saturday night.

So we drove down on Friday and stayed at Best Western. Then on Saturday we drove from Chula Vista to San Diego and checked into the Westgate Hotel (pictures above). This hotel was very nice, we got a free upgrade and had a step-out balcony with a view of the harbor and mall. We decided not to go on the city tour...partly because we asked the concierge about it and she told us it sucked and suggested a different one, partly because we just didn't want to leave the room.

We did, however, go across the street to the mall and look for a movie to watch (cause the price for a movie at the hotel was 12.99), but we couldn't find the movie we wanted, so we walked around the mall for a while and then around the block and we stopped to get lunch. On our way up to our room the elevator stopped at a ballroom full of wine and champagne (seriously). When we got off to our floor we decided to take some pictures and as we where doing so a couple got off the lift with a dolly full of boxes of wine. Well they happened to be our room neighbors and Amber made a comment about having a party and they gave us some of their wine. Not only that but they came back and asked if we would want Champagne too, then went to go get it and brought it back to us. We drank and lounged most of the afternoon, deciding to do a different city tour that would pick us up by the mall the next day.

We went out to the Gaslamp and walked around ate and did a little shopping, the next morning instead of getting up we lounged some more (neither one of us wanting to get out of bed) we didn't actually talk until the movie we were watching was almost over. When it did end we got up and sadly checked out. Went and got coffee and hit the road again.

That drive was unexciting except I did think I got on the wrong freeway for a minute. We stopped at DAIRY QUEEN in Mission Viejo for lunch and got back into LA about 3pm. I dropped of Amber and went home to sleep.

All in all I had a great weekend, even though we didn't do what we set out to do, it turned out to be pretty perfect!

No Doubt in Concert!!!

Tomorrow at this time I will be driving down to San Diego with Amber to see No Doubt at the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater. We will be spending the whole weekend down there taking in the sights and sounds of the city!

I'm so excited not only for the concert but also because I don't have to go to work tomorrow! I think it'll be good!

Have a great weekend everyone.

Adele...

I could only wish I sounded this good! Makes me want to cry!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y34we6OP30

Songs for Sudan

Hola folks, as some of you may know I'm part of a music group with some friends of mine (and my dad). We haven't played together in sometime but we are getting together to help raise money for a good cause.

My church, Marina Christian Fellowship, has started and continues to develop and sponsor a school and orphanage in Sudan. I believe we currently have about 60 students attending school and we have about that many picked out to enter housing as soon as it's completed. Over the last few months the church and different artists have been putting on benefit concerts to help raise money and awareness for our cause. So this Saturday, January 10, 2009, it's our turn.
The name of the band is What is Love? we are one of two acts performing that night, the other artist is Rachel Rodriguez. Tickets for the event are $15 and unfortunately we are not selling tickets at the door you have to purchase them prior to the event. Which actually helps, if you think about it, the money goes to the cause whether you show up or not! But I hope you come.
You can go to the church website which is www.marinachristian.org and look for the Songs for Sudan section. There you will find all the information regarding our concert and future concerts planned for this year. Also, if you'd like to give a flat donation and not attend a concert, that is also appreciated.
Thanks so much for your help in this project. I hope to see you there!!!!

Dedication to you!!!!

This is one of my favorite songs from the WICKED soundtrack...it's the story of the witches of OZ. Before and somewhat after the arrival of Dorothy. This is a song that Glinda and Elphaba (the wicked witch of the west) sing together. And I wanted to dedicate it to those of you in my life who've made an impact on me...here it is.





GLINDA

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:


Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good


ELPHABA

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you:


GLINDA

Because I knew you:


BOTH

I have been changed for good


ELPHABA

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for


GLINDA

But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share


BOTH

And none of it seems to matter anymore


GLINDA (ELPHABA)

Like a comet pulled (Like a ship blown)
From orbit as it (Off it's mooring)
Passes a sun, like (By a wind off the)
A stream that meets (Sea, like a seed)
A boulder, half-way (Dropped by a)
Through the wood (Bird in the wood)


BOTH

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
I do believe I have been changed for the better?


GLINDA

And because I knew you:


ELPHABA

Because I knew you:


BOTH

Because I knew you:
I have been changed


For Good.

the picture below...

is of the two brothers from a band called Tokio Hotel. They are a German Band, that I first saw on the MTV Music Video Awards...I thought he was a she but then he started talking.

I put this picture up simply to get a response from people. Thanks for playing along.


Kristi don't worry, I'd never heard of them before September. You're not out of the loop