Day 65 Tuesday and drama

So band rehearsal was canceled today on account of drama. I don't really need to get to much into details, just people being immature mostly. Its frustrating because I'm trying to somewhat build my life around a band of people that can barley make it to shows, let alone help with all the other little things that go into making a band successful. Well, I shouldn't say little, because they all add up to a lot of things that make a band successful. Its really all about promotion.
I got a call for an interview for a job. I was excited until I though, wait only night shifts, when am I going to work? I have the karaoke job Tuesday and Wednesday, Monday night class, Thursday is with Shay. That leaves weekends I can work, but the weekends were supposed to be reserved for the band. This is crazy.

Day 64 - wake up-work out

The plan today; wake up and work out. I find that its super hard for me to work out as soon as I wake up. I have been steadily learning how to get my body to wake up earlier though. I figure when I get used to be up early then It will be easier to get a work out in. I have decided that dancing around my room for an hour, perspiring at a intense rate, equals a work out and will count that on my chart.

day 63 - discombobulated

This past week I was almost guaranteed two jobs and turned them down. One was to help my drummers mom care for the elderly and the other was at a friend's bank as a teller. Both positions are what people would consider well paid. Am I being to picky now in hard times? Perhaps. A job is job someone would tell me, but my heart would say, no, that's not right. I've worked at jobs my heart wasn't in and everyone suffered. I don't want to have another Cheesecake Factory experience, a year of hard work with no reward. I mean I got to pay my bills and eat out all the time, that's kind of a reward.
Midterms and tons of homework due this coming week. I am, as usual, overwhelmed. Also, I am late to go meet my mother. Just know my faithful readers that I'm not going down without a fight.
As far as fitness, I am far from it lately. I have succeeded in not eating as much, or as much crap, but that's hardly going to get me to my goal weight. I don't care what any magazine says, its hard to become fit because its a lifestyle change. I do believe getting up earlier may be a success secret. I don't like it, but its true in my opinion. I read somewhere the other day that people who eat breakfast have a healthier weight. You have to be up in the morning to have breakfast. If your going to be eating small meals all day, better start early...

Day 62 - Battle of the Bands

Day 56 and 57 - Pulling something out of nothing

Me and my girlfriend went princessing. We pulled money out of thin air. Well sort of. We went and did face painting and balloons at the carnival where my band did the photo shoot the other day. We would have made bank, but they made us move from our money spot. The carnival security was like, your taking our money and oh, like, its a insurance risk. Blah, blah, blah.
Anywho. I have all this little gigs coming up. MAMA needs cashola, or at least a steady stream of income. Come on! Employers give this girl a call, so I can get back to enjoying what I love.
I have not been to the gym today, but I went for a walk. I wish I could walk to school more often. It was nice.

Day 55 - photo shoot

We are all very excited to see how the carnival Last Valhalla pictures will look! It was a fun shoot. We have a show next Saturday that's a big deal, studio time coming up, and festivals to book for in the summer. I'm going to be busy this week. My mind is in a million directions, but I can't shake the fear of not having steady income. Soon it will be April and I don't have regular work yet. Honestly it wouldn't be hard to make $500.00 a week doing odd jobs, my normal pay from Cheesecake, but it would be stressful. I'm trying to wrap my mind around all of the possible ways I could earn at least enough a month to cover my bills and do music more than I did while working at Cheesecake Factory. I just feel overwhelmed. I can't do much about it tonight though.
You would think that because I got to work today for Magic Princess, my first gig in three months, I would be more excited. I think I'm down because I know I can't rely on MP to help me earn regular income. I miss my old schedule of working like crazy on the weekends and doing school during the week. However with that kind of schedule I couldn't perform with my band as much as I would like. Its a hard balance. I think the goal is to find a restaurant I can work at 2-3 nights/days a week that will let me make a couple hundred bucks and pursue music on weekend nights.

Day 54 - Trading vocals for guitar

I have a new friend that is taking vocal lessons from me. In exchange for dollars, he is giving me guitar lessons. I'm excited, but I don't own a guitar yet. Maybe Chase or Aaron from my band will let me practice on their smoke breaks at practice. I will have to find a way to practice. I'm stoked. I need more students.
We did a partial photo shoot for Last Valhalla at the carnival in the mall parking lot today. My friend Stacy Kaiser is doing kick butt photography for us. We are so excited about it! Tomorrow we will finish the pictures and my band will have some REAL pictures. Not that are pics from the shows aren't fly, but we don't have a really clear, professional shot of us yet. I think the carnival setting is so, "us".
After I went with Stace to the Cheesecake Factory. I haven't been there since I lost my job. It was weird, but good for me. I was only mildly uncomfortable, plus I know everybody and love everybody. Everybody loves me. It was partially like a re-union. I'm not sad I left, but envious of those with a job.
I finally got some work from my second job gigging as a children's entertainer! It's been three months and tomorrow I have a gig! Things are slowly turning around for everyone in this country I think. Its only a matter of time.
Learning guitar is a lot like learning to work out. You should have a coach and commit time to working at it every week.

Day 52 and 53 bumped up together.

I'm discovering that if you want to do anything consistently, not only do you have to plan to do it but plan for it. Its too easy to get up and get busy with your regular to do and bypass something new that isn't exactly fun like working out. If your not used to going to the gym, its essential that you make time for it until its as much a part of your day as brushing your teeth before y you leave the house. Part of my challenge has been to get up earlier. Now, I realize that getting up earlier will allow me to go to the gym right away. For the duration of this challenge so far, I have not wanted to wake up and go to the gym. I am an extremely grumpy person when I first wake up and it takes me a while to get acclimated to being out of bed. I have always loved sleep. Always. I have to find a good balance for me that still satisfies my sleep appetite. Every person has this challenge when they first start working out, whether it be that they love eating too many sweets and have to find a way to curb it or sleeping in and avoid the gym. I happen to have a few things that are conflicting with my goal. I find when I work out though, I'm more apt to want healthier foods. I also read somewhere that because we burn calories when we eat, that at times when our body is actually craving exercise it will tell you to go chew but we hear the message as Macaroni and Cheese at midnight. Sometimes our bodies are tired and we had too much sugar or caffeine earlier in the day so our brains our energized and we avoid sleep. Then the cravings for more sugar and caffeine happen to re-energize a tired body. Its a vicious circle. I think its hard especially for entertainers, restaurant people, and anyone else that works in the late night industry because our internal clocks are all whacked out. When your used to going to be bed at 3 or 4 am, than getting up at 10 am seems early. Any who, I am set on getting to bed by midnight when possible and getting up no later than 10:30 am. I will be more apt to getting in a work out earlier and not missing out because of my daily to do.

Day 51 - Tuesday Realism

I continue my hunt for work. I realize that ALOT of people want jobs, and they will take any job. I may be running a karaoke rig part-time, I may get back into "Princess-ing" as a children's entertainer, or maybe work as a server in a fine dining environment. Its hard to tell with all the interviews I've been going to. I'm just trying to make it happen. You know, I'm just trying to secure enough income to pay bills. This time though, I'm not going to get caught up on the money. This time I'm really going to make music my second job, earning me money for my hard work.

Day 50- Came and Went

That work out yesterday about killed me. Not really. It had been just too long since I had been in the gym. I am hopeful this week. I feel horrible physically today and I doubt I will be doing to much. My class was good and I got a lot of work done regarding music this past weekend. I'm looking forward to the week.

Day 49 - Sunday before day 50

I finish the reading required for my first homework assignment of the evening and realize I don't even know what time it is. The whole day-light savings time has me a bit thrown but excited to see the sun more. I love the long, bright days of summer. I realize I still need to go to the gym and its nearly 10pm. I am glad that I finished my reading first as the online assignment is due by midnight and I would have been stressed to finish it if I had gone to the gym first. I am realizing in order to achieve my 160 day challenge goals, it is imperative that I get up earlier in the day. I have always been a bit of a procrastinator. Its helpful to examine why your putting whatever it is off and decide that its just a silly excuse, because it often just is.
God, or whatever you want to call that great spirit hovering all around us that we don't understand, is definitely messing with me. I mean messing with me in the sense that the old adage "ask and you shall receive" is biting me in the butt. I asked, in a prayer, to guided to what I was "supposed to be doing" and here I am jobless and stressed trying to figure out my life. I'm only 23! My aunt says I don't value jobs. Your darn right I don't value having to work for someone else for the simple necessity of paying bills. Who wants to do something they hate everyday? I do think maybe I'm spoiled in the sense that I am so rich in dreams, thinking there has to be a way out of the rat race for me. My friend Gene applauds my new found freedom, saying he's excited for me to take a leap. Great.
I'm so happy for you my friend. Its depressing feeling rejected for jobs when you feel overqualified isn't it? But, on the other hand I know the answers will come. I feel like God is saying, "you want to work at something you love? Well, hold on it's going to take a minute". And for God a minute could be months, after all Earth was created in 7 days.

Day 48 - Bailing on Your Band Mate Is Like Pouring Out a Delicous Hefe in Front of an Alchoholic

Dude, don't get your band mate all hyped up that your juiced to go learn from her how to book a show, have her put her plans aside, and then bail because you forgot it was your girlfriend's, uncle's birthday you forgot about. That's not cool.
I had a whole plan for my night and I put other responsibility aside to put together an awesome press kit. I am a major perfectionist. At least now that I'm not rushed I can really focus on it.
Absolutely have to get back in the gym tonight too. Its been I think...two weeks. I'm not going to get anywhere like this. I looked at some pictures of when I first started dating my current boyfriend and some recent ones. WOW. I have definitely gained weight. Its funny how at first its only a little bit of gain and then, wham you can't fit into any of your clothes. Even my "fat" jeans are tight! Its very frustrating and motivating at the same time.

Day 46/47 - job interviews

I have made several plans to go and apply for work in WC. Somehow something keeps me up the night before and I don't get up until its too late. For instance its Friday and in restaurant world you can not apply on a weekend. The hiring staff doesn't come in until a few hours before their shift and they are busy. Now I have to wait, again, on Monday. So this time I would have to make it a priority. Up until now I've kind of been floating. I could go check out the local breakfast place down the street. Honestly I know why I'm not trying that hard. I don't want to go back to serving unless I'm going to learn a new skill or become better at an old one. I want to bartend or manage, after four years of serving I want something different. I have almost been hired at three jobs. It's strange to me to not be hired after a single interview since that's what I'm used to. I will admit that I haven't valued my jobs so much. In fact at times I've hated working for someone so much it was definitely obvious I was unhappy. I'm not sure how I got away with it for so long.
I think when I find something now, I will know enough not to put my whole heart into it. I wear my emotions on my sleeve alot and I think that can be a perk or handicap.
I have been neglecting my challenge for the past two weeks. Grandma has been remodeling the bathrooms so me and Shay have been living either partially upstairs or downstairs, going back and forth between rooms. I haven't been in my room to have my chart stare me in the face every day when I wake up. It helps alot to have something to remind you of your goals right in front of you when you wake up.

Day 45 - Regarding Afton Ticketing/Big Time Entertianment

Afton ticketing, formally known as Big Time Entertainment is not a scam. However they will take close to 80% of your profit.
You have to be careful with companies like these because they are only half clear about pay. READ EVERYTHING THEY SEND YOU. Unfortunately they are not doing anything illegal but they are unprofessional. You will not know any details about your show until last minute. Its impossible to get a hold of anyone live and they rely on bands doing all the footwork for their shows. If your a band playing in one of their shows, your basically paying to produce the show. If your ok with doing all the work, not being compensated properly, and you don't mind playing for next to nothing, go for it. Some bands don't mind playing for free, others look at the entertainment industry as a business and expect compensation.

This was an expensive lesson on our part. When I spoke with a lawyer about this whole thing, he was very sympathetic to our situation. Many bands go through this kind of thing. I'm mostly upset with our bassist who got us into this whole mess. I, of course, am the only one dealing with it now. We worked our butts off to sell the necessary 29 tickets to keep the show and we did it in two days. That was $290 we planned on using for the rest of our copyrights, or a monitor for me. The positive side is, we know we can sell 30 tickets at $10 each and get people to drive an hour and half out of their way to see us. That's good. Only getting paid $58.00? Bad. I called my bank and reported the company. What else can I do? I could rent out my own venue and do what they did myself. Hmmmm.....interesting

I think this blog may get an over-haul in the next few days. One section of my post will be devoted to health/workout advice, another to band advice, and the last to looking for work. Maybe that will be more interesting. Although to me all the drama in my life is a good read...like a soap opera where you have to watch daily otherwise you'll have no idea what's going on.

Day 44

Are you serious? I'm still in bed sick. Uh. Oh and that show at the Avalon and that Afton nonsense. Let me tell you, we got the check today and it was a lot less than $290.00. It was $58. You have got to be kidding me. $58.00 for selling 29 tickets at $10.00 each. You know I understand if a show incurs expenses, I mean duh, but boy were they shady about it. I'm going to go over every email they sent Aaron, my bassist and see if maybe he just misunderstood.
I really would like to go to the gym instead of laying here all day doing homework. Its crappy.

day 43

Show went well, a little chaos at the after party and more craziness than normal. Other than all of us being sick last night, it was a killer show. I feel like that all the sweating I did to make it a kick-butt rock show may have helped my cold. I felt like death last night.
I reiterate the point of; thank god for online classes. I finished half of my homework and got it in on time without having to leave the bed today.
I am a little disappointed though because I was planning on hunting down a job today. I may be doing a karaoke gig. Not a lot of money, but it could bring clients for my singing lessons Shay says. I think he has an excellent point.
As far as the gym? I haven't been there in over a week! I know. I think I got sick from not working out and not sleeping, add in one sick boyfriend your kissing equals recipe for what I feel today. I have been eating healthier and I am noticing a difference in my waistline.

Day 42 - lost a couple

I lost half a week on my blog. I'm in bed sick and I have a show tomorrow. Come on Vit C do your job!

Day 39

I love online classes. I mean I can't write an essay, eat ceviche, and have a glass of white wine in a classroom. Well, I could, but I'd have to put the wine in a water bottle like an alche and lord knows that it all wouldn't smell so fabulous.
I woke up feeling crappy, under-the weather.

Day 37 - Monday can be such a big day

I've been waiting all weekend for Monday. It's here and my allergies are saying...ha ha. Ya very funny allergies. I'm grumpy, tired and wish I hadn't watched a scary movie last night.
Today the hunt is on. I will leave mid-afternoon and pursue work in WC. I have a list of to do. I noticed I neglected to put the gym on my list. I better find a way to squeeze that in. Its so easy to say later...I can't stress that enough. If you want to become healthier, stop saying "later".
Last night, I saw a magazine advertising how Kelley Osbourne is "skinny" now. The article boasted revealing diet secrets. The joke is on them. We all already know the secret. The secret is healthy diet and exercise. Two words we've heard a hundred times. Its an understanding of those two words that can change your life forever.