A little John Mayer. I played 'Your body is a wonderland' on my show this morning and I'm listening to 'Come back to bed' as I am posting this :)
John Mayer- Your body is a wonderland
I didn't realise how cute he is... Dare I say I dig him more for his music than for his looks?!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A wake up call
So today I received an email from my friend Bridget McNulty, who is by the way a very talented author- check out her book Strange Nervous Laughter. And she wrote something that really struck a chord with me. Then I went over to her blog saw a post on the same thing. The universe (and Bridget) are trying to tell me something LOL!
Hi. My name is Carol and I am too hard on myself.
I never thought of myself as the prettiest girl while growing up, so I thought if I couldn't be pretty I could be smart. Then I started thinking that I wasn't as smart as the other smart people, so I focused on my creativity. And once again there were people that I thought were MUCH better than me at the being-creative-thing. I eventually gave up on being better than anyone else.
Unfortunately as a result of my previous attempts at beating people, who weren't even running the race with me, I kept being hard on myself. Everyone around me could tell me how great my achievements are and I would think they were being nice and that I could do better.
Just recently I have discovered that there is a big difference between wanting to improve and constantly trying to win. For me an untidy house is a sign of weakness, not seeing something through is a sign of weakness, not doing things on time or quickly enough is a sign of weakness for me. That doesn't mean that I judge people who have untidy houses or don't finish what they started. I'm only THAT hard on myself.
It has just occured to me that there is nothing wrong with being weak, just as there is nothing wrong with being strong. I have to accept that I am perfect just the way I am. I have to learn how to take a compliment and pat myself on the back for all the great things I have done.
Bridget suggests being a little sweet to yourself. I'm going to take things slowly, exercise for a bit and take a soak in the bath for a while... Right after I finish up all my work ;)
Hi. My name is Carol and I am too hard on myself.
I never thought of myself as the prettiest girl while growing up, so I thought if I couldn't be pretty I could be smart. Then I started thinking that I wasn't as smart as the other smart people, so I focused on my creativity. And once again there were people that I thought were MUCH better than me at the being-creative-thing. I eventually gave up on being better than anyone else.
Unfortunately as a result of my previous attempts at beating people, who weren't even running the race with me, I kept being hard on myself. Everyone around me could tell me how great my achievements are and I would think they were being nice and that I could do better.
Just recently I have discovered that there is a big difference between wanting to improve and constantly trying to win. For me an untidy house is a sign of weakness, not seeing something through is a sign of weakness, not doing things on time or quickly enough is a sign of weakness for me. That doesn't mean that I judge people who have untidy houses or don't finish what they started. I'm only THAT hard on myself.
It has just occured to me that there is nothing wrong with being weak, just as there is nothing wrong with being strong. I have to accept that I am perfect just the way I am. I have to learn how to take a compliment and pat myself on the back for all the great things I have done.
Bridget suggests being a little sweet to yourself. I'm going to take things slowly, exercise for a bit and take a soak in the bath for a while... Right after I finish up all my work ;)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
My first radio interview!!!
Okay so it's at the radio station I work at and it's not a traditional interview.
I will be on Bravo Brava (hosted by Mixael de Kock) on Radio 2000, Wednesday night. The show starts at 8pm and ends at midnight. I've always wanted to do late night radio, but I have 2 morning shows... Bummer!
No excuses for people who don't have a radio because you can listen via streaming audio.
YOU BETTER BE LISTENING :)
I will be on Bravo Brava (hosted by Mixael de Kock) on Radio 2000, Wednesday night. The show starts at 8pm and ends at midnight. I've always wanted to do late night radio, but I have 2 morning shows... Bummer!
No excuses for people who don't have a radio because you can listen via streaming audio.
YOU BETTER BE LISTENING :)
Half an annoucement
ATTENTION ATTENTION, I have a few things to mention...
A while ago I said that I had good news, well I am going to shed a little light on the issue.
Whenever I tell people that I work at a Radio station and that I'm on air for 3 hours, they assume that is all I do: 'bump my gums' for 3 hours and then go back home and sleep. Ha! I wish that was all I did. I produce the show as well... But all that has nothing to do with that post.
The good news is that I am working on my book (yet to be named) and I will hopefully be on the second draft by May and that is when I will pass it on to either an Agent or a publisher. I am really looking for an agent/publisher who is on the same page as me and so far the experience that I have had with publishers has been less than pleasant. They all talk a really good game, but some of them are actually frikkin useless. I want to do this right :)
I had thought of self publishing, but I have WAAYYY too much on my plate for that, so my little publishing project will have to wait for another time. Will keep you posted with the book project.
MORE GOOD NEWS:
I am in the process of starting up an NPO and it's gonna be great. It's all about the kids and reading. That's all I can say now :)
Will keep you posted. I have been dying to share this with you.
A while ago I said that I had good news, well I am going to shed a little light on the issue.
Whenever I tell people that I work at a Radio station and that I'm on air for 3 hours, they assume that is all I do: 'bump my gums' for 3 hours and then go back home and sleep. Ha! I wish that was all I did. I produce the show as well... But all that has nothing to do with that post.
The good news is that I am working on my book (yet to be named) and I will hopefully be on the second draft by May and that is when I will pass it on to either an Agent or a publisher. I am really looking for an agent/publisher who is on the same page as me and so far the experience that I have had with publishers has been less than pleasant. They all talk a really good game, but some of them are actually frikkin useless. I want to do this right :)
I had thought of self publishing, but I have WAAYYY too much on my plate for that, so my little publishing project will have to wait for another time. Will keep you posted with the book project.
MORE GOOD NEWS:
I am in the process of starting up an NPO and it's gonna be great. It's all about the kids and reading. That's all I can say now :)
Will keep you posted. I have been dying to share this with you.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Throwback song!
When I was younger I used to stay up and watch low budget movies on TV... There was nothing else on TV. I watched a lot of Michael Dudikoff, Don 'The Dragon' Wilson and Cynthia Rothrock movies... LMAO!!
When I couldn't sleep (after the low budget entertainment) I'd watch music videos being played back to back and the song below (Travelling man) used to come on almost every night. That's how I knew that it was really late. Still love it and Mos Def is still so much fun to listen to because he tickles my music bone (that sounds nasty) and exercises my brain. NUFF SAID!
I'm leeeeeaaaaaaviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing....
When I couldn't sleep (after the low budget entertainment) I'd watch music videos being played back to back and the song below (Travelling man) used to come on almost every night. That's how I knew that it was really late. Still love it and Mos Def is still so much fun to listen to because he tickles my music bone (that sounds nasty) and exercises my brain. NUFF SAID!
I'm leeeeeaaaaaaviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing....
Guess who is in the studio?
I was visiting ybf for a minute earlier on today and I saw this and just smiled, because my 'Once Again' needs a rest ha ha ha. I can't wait to hear the new stuff.
PLEASE BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAY THAT I'M GOING TO WORK WITH THIS MAN IN THE NEAR FUTURE... I don't like lying, so watch this space :)
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The week that was
I just took an hour long soak in the bath while reading a book about financial success and the beliefs some people have about wealth. INteresting stuff!! I'm learning so much about some of the things that get in the way of better 'money management'.
So this week was very interesting:
- Had a great Valentines day.
- I started exercising... YAY!!!
- My little brother being here is fun and he is encouraging Marcee and I to exercise.
- Finally got a name for the book that I'm working on (will tell you more about it when I have more time).
- Cried my little heart out on Saturday afternoon at News Cafe. I had been feeling down, instead of dealing with it bottled it up inside. The sadness became too much and I EXPLODED... Haven't cried like that in ages. It did me lots of good.
- Started watching Season 2 of Heroes... Hmmm... Me Likey!
- Saw Kanye West's video for Flashing Lights. Uhmmm not so impressed with the half naked woman... I wanted more from the video, so I'm hoping Kanye has an Ace up his sleeve.
- The NPO is starting to 'come alive'. Will tell you more about it, when I have time. PROMISE.
- Missed my friend Bridget's tea party... Bummer. As I was on my way to make a late appearance she said things were winding down anyway. Just as well though because I was in a bit of a mood (due to bottled up sadness and 20 minutes after I made the u-turn I had my public cry at News Cafe).
- Watched a rather bad and morbid movie called Jekyll + Hyde, starring Bryan Fisher. It was incredibly painful for me to watch, but Junior didn't seem to mind it. Wow... It was bad. Note to self: do not let little brother go and hire movies by himself :)
- Found a new 'little spot' to go and have food at down the road. The vibe is not bad. It's called Fiesta. Cocktails were terrible though, so we will have to stick t drinking wine when we go there. Their Marguerita was sweet... DON'T ASK!!
- Actress Ashley Callie passed away on Friday, from head injuries sustained after a head on collision with another car. I really did think she was a good actress. At least she lived doing what she wanted. Which is more than most people are doing. Somehow people have made it okay to live a life that is much less than what they want.
That's all folks!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Valentines day 08
Okay, I've been single for a looooong time. I have chosen to be single, for many reasons I cannot discuss right now. But the 14th of February really means very little to me. I've never really celebrated Valentines day, so I didn't make any real plans for this year. I usually just buy Marcee something and we carry on with life.
Marcee with a drink in her hand... TYPICAL!!! 
Well this year was a little different...
In the morning I ran into Zolani and Aron from Freshlyground (they had an interview with the breakfast team) at work. They mentioned that they would be performing at the Armchair Theatre and I thought 'Oh what the heck'.
So after work (which was a little uneventful) I went and bought champagne, cholcolate and ingredients for supper. The chocolate was for Marcee because she is CRAZY about dark chocolate. Then I made supper for us 3 (including little brother) SINGLE people. It was very delicious and lots of fun because we spoke about EVERYTHING (including how much fun being single is).
Later in the evening we went to Obz to go watch Freshlyground and it was HOT HOT HOT!!! Zolani sounds the same live, as she does on the CD, which is great because I've heard international stars who sound crap live and she sounded WONDERFUL. We sang along to most of the songs and shouted and danced! I enjoyed Freshlyground before but now I'M A FAN!!!
Lots fun was had by all. We blasted John Legends 'Get Lifted' album on the way home. Hooweeee!!! Valentines day 2008 was FANTASTIC!
The band (Freshlyground)
Marcee with a drink in her hand... TYPICAL!!!
Did I mention how hot it was there?
GOOD TIMES, GOOD TIMES. I interviewd Aron (from Freshlyground) this morning on the show... That's how impressed I was :)
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
I feel like...
A little Nina Simone to soothe my soul, it's been a long day!
Been listening to 'I want a little sugar in my bowl' almost all day. BEAUTIFUL!!!
EP Diary - Skeleton of 1st track
I'm in such a good mood :
Today I met up with that producer guy (C.B) and he played me a skeleton of the 1st track that we started working on (the one about a singer)... WOW!! It sounds really great and we are still in the early stages. He added a few elements to it and it sounds great, we spoke about what other elements we could add and I'm TOTALLY IN LOVE with the song. When I heard it today, a part of me couldn't believe that I had actually written that song. I'm learning... I'm learning!
We did a rough vocal recording so we both know what works and what doesn't. I am so GRATEFUL to be working with someone so patient and talented. He really does just let me be me and he is not afraid to give advise and tips. I guess it's true that when you are TRULY ready and certain everything else just sort falls into place.
There is still much work to be done and I can't wait to do more.
The second track is also exciting, that is still in the early stages. I have chords, concept and lyrics. Now C.B just has to do his magic and then I do mine and then VOILA!!
Will keep you posted.
Today I met up with that producer guy (C.B) and he played me a skeleton of the 1st track that we started working on (the one about a singer)... WOW!! It sounds really great and we are still in the early stages. He added a few elements to it and it sounds great, we spoke about what other elements we could add and I'm TOTALLY IN LOVE with the song. When I heard it today, a part of me couldn't believe that I had actually written that song. I'm learning... I'm learning!
We did a rough vocal recording so we both know what works and what doesn't. I am so GRATEFUL to be working with someone so patient and talented. He really does just let me be me and he is not afraid to give advise and tips. I guess it's true that when you are TRULY ready and certain everything else just sort falls into place.
There is still much work to be done and I can't wait to do more.
The second track is also exciting, that is still in the early stages. I have chords, concept and lyrics. Now C.B just has to do his magic and then I do mine and then VOILA!!
Will keep you posted.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Yes I CAN (Obama)
I've been meaning to do this for a while, but I have been M.I.A because my little brother is here in CT and he is crashing in my flat so I have been a little busy with my fav little brother (I only have ONE, but that doesn't matter).
I saw this video somtime last week and I just had goosebumps because it was so beautiful. I especially love the part when Obama says:
"We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about HOPE."
The reason why I love 'Yes we can' so much is because a lot of the time I feel like celebrity's are endorsing products that don't really make a difference to the lives of the young people (who eat up whatever celebrities throw up). And for the first time in a long time I see 'popular' music making a difference. Whether or not you are an Obama supporter, you must admit that there is something positive about the message of his speech.
I like it. What do you think?
I saw this video somtime last week and I just had goosebumps because it was so beautiful. I especially love the part when Obama says:
"We've been asked to pause for a reality check. We've been warned against offering the people of this nation false hope.But in the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about HOPE."
The reason why I love 'Yes we can' so much is because a lot of the time I feel like celebrity's are endorsing products that don't really make a difference to the lives of the young people (who eat up whatever celebrities throw up). And for the first time in a long time I see 'popular' music making a difference. Whether or not you are an Obama supporter, you must admit that there is something positive about the message of his speech.
I like it. What do you think?
Talent always wins
And in this case it is Amy Winehouse, despite what she is going through, her talent spoke for itself at the 50th Grammy Awards on Sunday. (I was inspired)
REHAB won 'song of the year'... I was expecting it, if my mom and niece are singing the same song, it deserves to win!!!!!
Hopefully winning these Grammy's will give our girl the boost she needs :)
Our girl won:
Record of the Year: Rehab, Amy Winehouse.
Song of the Year: Rehab, Amy Winehouse (Amy Winehouse).
New Artist: Amy Winehouse.
Record of the Year: Rehab, Amy Winehouse.
Song of the Year: Rehab, Amy Winehouse (Amy Winehouse).
New Artist: Amy Winehouse.
Pop Vocal Album: Back to Black, Amy Winehouse.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: Rehab, Amy Winehouse.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: Rehab, Amy Winehouse.
5 out of 6 is pretty DAMN impressive!!!
Man of the moment
It's MR WEST!!! 4 out of 8 is not bad at all!!
He even sang 'Hey mama' for his mother... That is what made me make him the man of the moment on the radio show (Women on the move on Radio 2000). It's a pity our station does not play a lot of hip hop, so I had to play 'Heard 'em say', which made me a little mad because I really wanted to play 'Champion' because that is what he must have felt like!!
Won:
Best rap album for Graduation,
Best solo performance for Stronger,
Best rap song for Good Life and
Best rap performance by a duo or group for his collaboration with Common on Southside.
Note to self: make G.O.O.D music with Common, Kanye and John (Legend) :)
He even sang 'Hey mama' for his mother... That is what made me make him the man of the moment on the radio show (Women on the move on Radio 2000). It's a pity our station does not play a lot of hip hop, so I had to play 'Heard 'em say', which made me a little mad because I really wanted to play 'Champion' because that is what he must have felt like!!
Won:
Best rap album for Graduation,
Best solo performance for Stronger,
Best rap song for Good Life and
Best rap performance by a duo or group for his collaboration with Common on Southside.
Note to self: make G.O.O.D music with Common, Kanye and John (Legend) :)
A Patient man...
Common is one patient man.
This guy has been in the game for more than 12 years and has not received the acknowledgement that he derserves and STILL he keeps making beautiful music, without getting mad or threatening to leave 'the game'. He inspires me and reminds me that it isn't always about awards... As long as you are doing what makes you happy and inspiring people while doing it. And he is not doing badly either, because at the end of the day the bills still need to be paid :)
Won the Grammy for Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Southside (featuring Kanye West)
I admire this man immensely... Seriously! Okay, I do think he is all kinds of sexy, but that does not mean that I cannot admire him as an artists too. Our boy from Chicago: Rashid a.ka. COMMON got a GRAMMY for 'Southside' featuring our favourite rapper/producer and funny man Kanyeezy!!!
This guy has been in the game for more than 12 years and has not received the acknowledgement that he derserves and STILL he keeps making beautiful music, without getting mad or threatening to leave 'the game'. He inspires me and reminds me that it isn't always about awards... As long as you are doing what makes you happy and inspiring people while doing it. And he is not doing badly either, because at the end of the day the bills still need to be paid :)
WELL DONE MR LYNN!!!
Won the Grammy for Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: Southside (featuring Kanye West)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
EP diary - Changed direction
I had planned to be so diligent with EP updates... At least one update a week, but so far I have been TERRIBLE! Mainly because I have not been working on the EP (with new producer guy) as much as I thought I would be. This was making me v anxious and v unhappy. I was spending WAAAYYY too much time on 'day job stuff'.
So last week we got together and DISCUSSED what we would be doing in 2000 AND great. We spent way too much time conceptualising and looking at different directions. Which was very important, because we had never worked with each other before and we needed to be on the same page for things to work. Near the end of last year in December, we decided to take a break because we were both freakishly busy. Then we both decided that we would work on (baby) songs that I had written and make them proper (GROWN UP) SONGS.
Today was our first meeting and I am DELIGHTED to say that we made LOTS of progress. We started with one of my very own baby songs. I spoke about it last time: it was inspired by a certain singer that I admire.
I had written another song about love and lies and I played it for him. He went liked that one MUCH better than the one about the 'mystery singer'. He was so excited. Nobody, besides sweet marcee and piano teacher react that way to my music. So it was a bit of relief to find that there are more than 2 people (myself excluded) who believe in my talent. YAY!!!
These songs will be keeping C.B (producer guy) and I very busy, because we are thinking of actually getting a group of musos together to work on the songs once we know what we want from them. The songs are very 'organic' (don't I sound so clever?) so we are shying away from electronics for these two songs, but I am looking forward to working on some crazy 'electronic' stuff as well.
That is all I have for the update right now dear hearts. Very exciting news. I am meeting C.B on Monday and I shall have another update for you. Gooooooooooooooooooooo Team!!!
So last week we got together and DISCUSSED what we would be doing in 2000 AND great. We spent way too much time conceptualising and looking at different directions. Which was very important, because we had never worked with each other before and we needed to be on the same page for things to work. Near the end of last year in December, we decided to take a break because we were both freakishly busy. Then we both decided that we would work on (baby) songs that I had written and make them proper (GROWN UP) SONGS.
Today was our first meeting and I am DELIGHTED to say that we made LOTS of progress. We started with one of my very own baby songs. I spoke about it last time: it was inspired by a certain singer that I admire.
I had written another song about love and lies and I played it for him. He went liked that one MUCH better than the one about the 'mystery singer'. He was so excited. Nobody, besides sweet marcee and piano teacher react that way to my music. So it was a bit of relief to find that there are more than 2 people (myself excluded) who believe in my talent. YAY!!!
These songs will be keeping C.B (producer guy) and I very busy, because we are thinking of actually getting a group of musos together to work on the songs once we know what we want from them. The songs are very 'organic' (don't I sound so clever?) so we are shying away from electronics for these two songs, but I am looking forward to working on some crazy 'electronic' stuff as well.
That is all I have for the update right now dear hearts. Very exciting news. I am meeting C.B on Monday and I shall have another update for you. Gooooooooooooooooooooo Team!!!
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