Well, I talked to the kid about her coming here and booked her flight! We are going to have a great time! This is the week before my worldwind week of shows and I'm so sick. I'm tired half the time.  My head is heavy and I can hardly breath but I've been good to work at the airport regardless.  Luckily since it's a holiday my posts have been inside.  I need all that sitting down. I only have today left to work after being there and sick for the last 3 days. I'm going to the emergency room tonight after I get off since I have the rest of the week to recover.
  My voice has been so gone that I have been able to vocally rehearse one time. I have back to back work next week! June 2, Brooklyn X Factor!  June 3, Apollo Theater semi finals. June 5, The Wiz Auditions for the play and June 6, The Wiz Audition for the TV show. Why did I agree to go to work on the 2nd and 3rd? Oh, because I desperately need money.  SMH. I do have something else to look forward to, A possible apartment in Harlem! I need to find the deposit of $875 stat! All I have is my rent for this month at the house.  I néed a quick loan. Time to make some calls and see if I can get some help. I have money coming in soon just have to wait for it. This apartment won't wait long though.  HEEEELP

I was so worried about how to tell my goddaughter about me not coming home. I am thankful that I have amazing friends that help me keep my wits about me. So in preparing her for the news I got the brilliant idea to bring her here to New York as a graduation and birthday gift for a few days! I called and spoke to her mom (my ex best friend) (long story) #shutup and it just so happened that she and her husband were in the car together.  I asked if it was cool with them of I bring her here and I wasn't coming.  So glad they had no problem with it! I asked her mom not to mention it to her because I wanted to tell her myself.  I couldn't wait to get off work!  I was working at the airport and didn't wasn't planning on getting off till 7 and her mom said she should be home by then. I got off early!  I was off by 5:30pm! I couldn't wait to call but still kind of dreading it. My Co workers aid not to phrase it as "bad news". He said to say "I've got some good news and I've got some goooooood news, which do you want to hear first "? I did it just like that. (still nervous). So I told her of the amazing opportunities I had lined up right around her graduation and that it could be big news for me but it also meant that I wouldn't be able to make her graduation.  She got quiet on me so I quickly added that to make it up to her I am flying her to NYC for a few days.  She brightened up then! First thing she said was, "when "? LOL.  I wanted to shoot for before school starts but she surprised me with she's going to FL for a month! In July!  Now I asked her mother if the girl had any plans and she said no so that irritated me a bit but I moved on quickly from it. Looks like the kid will be here in June!  I'm thinking the last week for about 3 days. I told her that we'll talk about it specifically soon. I could here how happy she was. Made my day! Things looked up from there!
  That call was last Thursday so of course I went to my happy place! The Sugar Bar was packed as usual.  I made my rounds of hellos and talked to two of the most stylish hostesses I know. They are going to help me get myself together for Brooklyn X Factor!  Shinuh and Sha are very talented ladies in fashion and makeup. Shinuh is also an artist like myself plus she models! They are now my team! That had me super geeked! I sat at the bar in the upstairs "Cat Lounge " and waited for my name to be called for open mic. The amazing Chandler and his wife Karen were hosting this week.  Karen has given me a lot of advice on my performance.  I totally adore her!
  By  the time they called me down I had decided to dust off my jazz and sing "All of Me". When I say on fire! I mean the crowd was HOT! There were people actually dancing in their seats! I felt it! So much joy from my heart! Karen had never seen me like that before.  Mostly because I get nervous singing in front of her because she awes me. She was on her feet! Cheering for me?! Then I heard someone yell "Do another one"! Then a few other people said it too! I'm sure one of them was Alan Fox.  LOL He's been a big support to me since my first night there. It was his birthday so I dedicated the song to him. I sung "If Only You Knew " to honor him. He is the president of Mrs. Pattie Labelle fan  club after all. I was so high from the ovation I could have flown home on my own arms! LOL!  By the time I thanked everyone and made it back upstairs Mrs. Simpson was at the bar having her dinner.  She said to me "I love it when you sing that song"! She told Terrell at the bar to give me a drink,  on her! I wasn't gonna drink at all but oh well! LOL! After speaking a little more I jokingly said I would love to have a night to myself there and she said to speak with Jimmy (her brother that does the booking)  and do it. I could have fainted!  My roommate Jacob was with me and he was excited for me and with me! There are no words!  I mean NONE! Last week was epic to me!
This week is all about planning!  Today is another Thursday. I was informed on Tuesday to that there is going to be an audition for The Wiz put on by Faison Firehouse Theater! I'm getting ready for that one! This morning I am learning "Be a Lion". I'm going to be Dorothy.  Wanted to my whole life! Hell,  I feel like I am now "in this brand new world".  On top of that I must sell a lot of tickets (30) for the Brooklyn X Factor.     They are really pressing.
Tickets for Brooklyn X Factor

Brooklyn's X Factor Finale is soon upon me. June 2 at NYSEC in Manhattan!  The very next day June 3rd is the semi finals for Apollo Theater!  But right before it all is my first Goddaughter's high-school graduation back in GA! I am torn! I so want to go back home and be there for her but I have so much to do and it's cutting things very close. My birthday is also that weekend on May 31st.  I don't want to spend it alone in NYC.  I'm in knots trying to make the right decision. My goodness!  She wants me to see her graduate as much as I want to witness it! I don't want to let her down. This contest has become about money in the end.If I win it's $5000 but I have to sell 30 tickets at $29. I also want people to come support me at the Apollo the next day. I really don't think anyone will do both so what do I ask support for more? The Apollo Finals (should I make it that far) will be 10 grand in October. That is HUGE! Especially since I won't be getting the apartment under the housing lottery.  I'm so stressed out today just thinking of it all. But in case you're reading this, buy a ticket to the Brooklyn X Factor to come see me.
TICKETS TO SEE BURGANDY

Ok I need to catch yall up again. As it turns out, I was a bit too paranoid. That last show was better than I thought.  I threw in the towel needlessly.  I was told the next week that I was coming to rehearsals for the Finals and to pick out my songs! I was also told that I came in first place evwn though I had left. (egg on face) I learned a very valuable lesson about believing in myself.  I have never freaked out before like I did.  No idea why now. The following week I and the other contestants opened for Lyfe Jennings!  This dude was so cool! He even photo bombed me! His album releases in June. I will be sure to get it.  I have definitely been on a roll.
  I promised a guy I know that I would do his fashion show. By do, I mean sing at it. I'm no runway model. Now this face on the other hand! LOL I could do print. LOL  His show was titles "Don't Judge Me " and it was a hit! There were many designers and different plus size and outlets from makeup to magazines!  I had no idea there was so much of a world for plus sized women!  It was magical and beautiful!   I even got a few great contacts and possible gigs from it.  I,  being the fool that I am tried to model walk and almost twisted my ankle on my pant leg. Had to twirl to try and play it off. LOL If you see the  picture of me. I styled and made up myself.  That Orange piece was from Andre! May he forever rest in love. I will add a link from my Facebook and Instagram account so you can see clips. Aside from that I've been working. A lot.
  I'm doing split shifts between the airport and world trade center.  Last weekend I got off from the airport from an overnight shift at 6am and made it into work at the World Trade Center by 8am. Can you say pressing on?! In eight shades of tired most days but I have been pushing it really hard and my body isn't in agreement with it. I've had to miss a few amazing events because of sheer exhaustion. I also started working out with the roomy in the back yard.  This asthma is working against me though.  I may have to move it indoors.  Wish me luck!
Promo for Brooklyn X Factor