3/3/2015 8 Comments Day Before The APOLLOI think I'm ready! My wonderful friend back in Atlanta bought a Groupon pass for an hour massage! Twenty minutes into it and the guy says, "you need more time. I need to use the entire hour on just your back". He was right. I added 30 more minutes to it. Imagine the knots I have from 7 months of stairs, bags and shotty beds. Smh. I've been needing a butt massage like no tomorrow! Don't get me started on my calves and thighs. My body has been one big ouch! Thanks Nicole! I love you so much!
I do not, however love the snow. It started again today! Little icy pellets just falling into my pockets. Somehow I managed to walk out of the house without a scarf and without gloves? Who does that? I had planned on getting a pedi but that extra time on the massage killed that. I bought some polish remover and made it home. That took forever, coming home. The train put us off early because of some trouble further up the rail line so I had to wait for another packed train. When I got off to catch the bus there were so many people waiting I decided to go find a restroom. Shame that the only time I go into a McDonald's is to pee. I used to love their food. Now my body refuses to process even the fries. What's in there now? #Yuck By the time I came out another bus was there but yet again it was a super long line so I shopped in a near by store for polish remover. Since I was in no hurry to go home I got a bite to eat at a Chinese place. Still not had a good place to eat yet. Another long line but it was way to cold to stay out there any longer. Lucky me! An extra bus rolled up! I was about 20 people back in the line! Almost slipped coming down the sidewalk by the but made it inside the house. Apparently I can't do nails because now that I've painted them, I realiz I should have paid for it.
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3/2/2015 2 Comments I Got Some, NerveWhere have I been? How dare I miss two months of posting! Well, it's like this, shut up! LOL I agonized daily about not posting. I have had some really irrational moments lately. #crazy I have even narrated my life in my head like in the old shows on TV or "Grey 's Anatomy " of which I LOVE! So you have missed a lot but not so much that I can't catch you up really quick before I reach my stop. (I'm on the bus this morning headed to work)
I finally had the table read with an amazing writer Corey Brooks and his play 4 H.E.R. in Brooklyn back in January. It happened in the auditorium of his church. The cast of ladies were great! Especially his wife Ming Dunn a.k.a Peaches! I really hope he gains funding to bring this work to life! I convinced some of the cast to come hang out with me at Sugar Bar too! We had fun. After that, things went slowly. I continued to work part time at the World Trade Center. I got snowed on A LOT! I have come to the conclusion that my journey is better than my situations so I must endure it all. It took forever but we finally worked our why o wasn't working at the airport! Paperwork was missing for my security license and now I have that. (months later). Turns out I didn't fully read my letter from AMDA. I didn't get a full scholarship. It was a partial. What did I learn? Read what you see, not what you want. Now I need a Co signer and I'm waiting on my uncle to make up his mind. So no, I am not in school and will have to wait for summer if he agrees. I have auditioned for a band in the Village! House band of Cafe Wha¿ The manager told me he would call me to come to rehearsals. For now club is closed for reconstruction. That wonderful lady Kim Lovering has given me one of her gigs with a different band. I'm to work with them March 14TH in Harlem! So geeked about that! This is the week of the Apollo again for me! In two days I hope to be all in that number one spot! The Sugar Bar people have been so wonderful to me. Many are saying they will attend and some are helping me prepare! The host offered to style me for that night! Another patron has hired me to sing at an even for his bar! And on top of that, I'm booked at another church event! I'd say that this year has been awesome so far. My band audition second audition 1/10/2015 0 Comments Bring Thursday Back!Thursday was my second day working last week. It was a terrible cold and windy day. Thank goodness I only had to work 8 hours instead of 12. Had it been any other day but Thursday I would have showered and immediately went to bed. Actually, I did just that! I took an hour long nap After my very warm shower. There was no way I would miss the first Thursday of the year at Sugar Bar! It was closed for the last two Thursdays because of the holidays and I missed it a lot. Thursdays are always special to me because I get to touch a microphone, woo a crowd, feel the lights and revel in applause. I'm starting to think I may have an addiction. It's the only thing my short attention span will allow. Lol my friend Renee from the shelter and our Japanese friends we're coming to support me. I was excited because my new Japanese friends had never seen me on stage before. I really did not want to disappoint them.
It was far too cold at night for me to wear heels so I wore the boots that Gerald's mother gave me. No they weren't fashionable but they kept me warm. I live too far away to try to be cute in the cold. When I entered the bar one of the first people I saw was Carol who was also a regular patron at Sugar Bar and I finally got to really talk to her at Mr Faisons party. I knew it would be a great night because it was her birthday! She invited me to sit with her party downstairs and she said she would introduce me to the singers she knew who were coming to celebrate with her. Mr Faizan last after I told him that I had company meeting me upstairs. He said "not anymore you don't"! LOL! Is that wasn't a mandate to sit my tail down I don't know what was! Lol. I went upstairs to apologize to my Japanese friends and later to Renee and told them that business awaited me downstairs and that not being there was not an option for me. Thankfully they understood and still stayed to see me sing. I decided to sing a song by Celine Dion "because you loved me". It was not the best I don't think. I was later informed that I should bring the words two songs people may not know because the wonderful people that's a my background we're a little lost. I think that made me a little nervous as well because I don't think I performed my usual best. Fortunately the singers that I wanted to see me we're not there to witness that, just the kind hearted patrons of the bar. Being there kind of feels like an episode of Cheers "where everybody knows my name" and I like it that way. Its the only time I don't feel invisible in a sea of people. I got to sit it at a table within Carol's party with her husband Peter. I swear he sang every song that came on that stage. There were flute of champagne on every table and balloons around every side. It was so festive and the energy of the place was joyous. I was introduced to quite a few of her friends you she told me would be beneficial for me to know. The people that sing that night were stupendous! Carol said she had fun singing friends and she was not lying! An amazing lady named Kim Lovering tore up the stage! After her came Karen and her husband which rocked the room for at least 15 minutes! There was another lady whose name escapes me but she was phenomenal from the moment she opened her mouth I wanted to faint. Oh my goodness I can't wait to start taking lessons again! I guy named Peter Guns rapped on stage with the band. I am not too familiar with a lot of rap artists names but I did know his work. This was the guy who wrote/produced for Jay Z! I am in the R&B world a lot musically and I don't watch a lot of television, especially not reality TV but I was told he was on Love & Hip Hop. This was the level of showmanship I do not believe I have reached but I aspire to exemplify. After the open my closed we were invited to go up stairs for a night cap with Carol before the bar completely closed. Upstairs we drank (water for my light weight ass) danced and talked until the light came on and the place was closing. A lot of Latin music was played and I couldn't help but dance but someone called my bluff and made me dance with him . I do not know how to dance with a partner! That did not stop him between another lady I met named Tara (also on Love & Hip Hop I learned the next day) and this very tall rapper named Cisco I learned a few steps! I haven't been this much since my birthday! I made a new Instagram friends with Tara and a new contact with a wonderful singer named Songbird. Karen gave me a valuable piece of advice when it came to performing. She said "let go, don't worry about what it sounds like or who he is it just do it and enjoy it". I am going to put more of an effort to doing just that, after I take a few vocal lessons. I have got to work out these insecurities. Smh . I did not get home till 530 in the morning! I feel like such a New Yorker ! I spent the rest of the next day in bed until it was time to go to rehearsal in Brooklyn for the reading of the play, "For Her" on Sunday. I still felt sluggish a bit and fell asleep on the train for a couple of stops but it was worth it. Our rehearsal Friday night was a success! Not bad for the end of the week. Check out the links I attached to see for yourself Kim Lovering at Sugar Bar: http://youtu.be/In1sucT2clo Peter Gun @ Sugar Bar: http://youtu.be/DLX42N2tf5k 1/7/2015 2 Comments ShiversSo, today I finally get to work. It's been 3 weeks and not one call to come in! The only reason was to fill in for someone because today it snowed. I brought a lot of stuff with me! I had and extra jacket to go under my coat and over my hoody. I brought 3 pairs of gloves and two packs of hand warmers. Not to mention one skull cap and a ski mask. I did forget my scarf though. In another life I would have enjoyed the fall of flakes on my nose and eyelashes but these is my least favorite thing.
The good thing is, I was only out there from 7-12! I had a follow-up with the ENT Dr. He said my tonsils and throat looked really good and we would follow up in 3 months.I was so scared before that I would lose my voice or needed my tonsils removed but I just had to take meds for acid reflux. Now that I've also changed what and how I eat, I should be good from now on! I'm ready to sing! I finally finished my Fasfa! The IRS hung up a lot but the counselor accepted my late paperwork because I sent it before the deadline. That saved me because they were closed until the deadline date. Now I'm awaiting to hear the last details before I start school! To top off that bit of good news, I was invited back to sing at the Apollo Theatre in March! Now, if I can just stop this snow. 1/4/2015 1 Comment Bad RoommatesOf the four males I live with who would have thought that the old man would be the nightmare? Today he cooks a dinner of ox tails, rice and beans for us to eat with his family and lady friend (at twenty something chic) He invited his daughter and his granddaughter along with his sons son. I added asparagus to the meal for some green stuff. All is going well! There is a huge bottle of Ciroc and Hennessey on the menu as well.
I stayed in my room for the majority of the evening and only came out to get more food or water. Around 8pm I'm invited to stay in the kitchen to socialize with them. I'm bored so sure. These guys were obviously drunk and tipsy so there was a lot of laughter until we were gonna all go out. Old man's grandson was too drunk to go anywhere so we put him to bed. Old man's girlfriend was also very drunk but was gonna go with us but couldn't find her purse. (Old man has a small room so I really dont see it being lost). Old man goes into his room and starts yelling with her which woke up drunk grandson.(who was laying in old man's bed next to his girlfriend sitting next to him) The grandson woke up on edge from all the yelling. Old man got paranoid that she was and grandson was trying to hook up. (due to grandson's earlier jokes about sharing her). The yelling matches really kicked off then. I went back to my room to change back out of my go out clothes because clearly we weren't going anywhere now. Everyone was trying to calm down the drunk grandson because he felt he was being attacked. Old man then actually tries to attack him while yelling "imma fuck you up! Get out of my house! Calm down. You're just like your father! I'm your grandfather"! Meanwhile his teenage granddaughter (who is dang near 6ft tall) is crying because of the mayhem and wants to go home. She is asking her mom "please let's go home"? His daughter and crew made it to the car after a lot of back and forth from the drunks trying to claw at each other while we all wrestle them back. Smh (I'm tired) I'm thinking it was about to be over but the grandson won't get into the car! He's yelling "fight me", and claiming all kinds of gang affiliations! "I ain't afraid to die! Who fight his own family? Leave me alone "! Ahkim (I'm sure I'm spelling it wrong) the muscled roommate is literally holding the skinny, tall grandson in a bear hug to keep him from running back into the house because he refused to get into the car. Skinny dude was screaming loudly and I'm surprised the cops weren't called by the neighbors. This is such a quiet area. 1/2/2015 0 Comments Happy New YearI had the bright idea to go to Times Square and sing for a couple of hours and stay there until the ball drop. It sounded great in my head but in actuality not so much. It was super cold outside and there were so many people that there was little room to set up. There were so many police officers and blockade around that it made me nervous. Because of so much tension around New York surrounding the police I cannot comfortably be near them. It may sound ridiculous but I can't shake the feeling of unease. I did however love the excitement of all the people around me. I stood in the crowd and listen to all the accents. I have never been around so many people from so many places besides an airport. I totally loved it.
I even met a guy, but he was from a dating site. His name is Saadia. We met at Times Square and walked to Bryant Park and had hot chocolate and tea. It was nice to just simply meet. After we parted I was going to find a spot to sing but the place was already occupied. The life on my phone was quickly dying. For some reason I started to feel alone in the crowd of hundreds So I decided to go home and change clothes, charge my phone and come back out later. I figured I had time since it was still early. (2pm). By the time I got home it was after 4 p.m. I change clothes and talk to my roommates for a couple of hours while waiting for my phone to charge. They didn't think I would make it in time to see the ball drop. They kept saying I waited too late to go back out. Mind you, it was only 8 o'clock by then I knew I had more time left before midnight so why rush? I caught the end 9:47 bus to head back to the train station. I made it back to Times Square in good time! It was after 10 p.m. When I got there. Unfortunately the guys were right about me not being able to get to the center of Time Square. Most of the side streets are all blocked off. I could see it but I couldn't reach it. Police had barricades at the ends of all the side streets and only permitting people with hotel cards or passes up the street leading to Times Square. Further streets away from the epicenter were open for line pass holders but they were filling up so fast that it was hard to find a way to 7th Avenue. I finally found the street that was open to motor vehicle traffic! I got the bright idea to take a cab and get out closer to or at 7th Avenue, that way avoiding the police. it worked! I ended up near 7th and 54th Street but I made it to the center aisle. By that time it was almost midnight and everyone was in great spirits. I was surrounded by so many different people celebrating, laughing, smiling, drinking that I was no longer annoyed and having to walk for so long and being turned away. There were guys behind me that kept trying to start a wave of Cheers. The group of us would start cheering and listen to see how far it would travel up or down the street. That seemed to be the game of the night until the ball dropped. It's crazy that I have waited my entire life for this! While I was in my room earlier I contemplated not coming out because I didn't want to go alone then I realized that I have already conquered my fears and that I would no longer hold myself back for any reason and that's why I left Georgia. So leaving my room was much easier. When the ball dropped the confetti and shears from the crowd traveled from 42nd Street all the way back Columbus circle 59th Street and Central Park. There was an amazing show of fireworks coming from Central Park.! The fireworks were in so many shapes and colors that all I could do was stare like a child in all and happiness. Its funny to see so many people taking videos and pictures while I am taking videos and pictures. So many of us unknowingly apart each others experience there caught on film forever. I took the time to video message my family and my friend. I Love New York! Here's to an exciting future! Happy new year! 12/25/2014 1 Comment First Worst XmasI was so preoccupied with my sadness that I missed the Party Mrs. Kathy invited me to. It was from 12-3pm. I'm sitting ony bed listening to Motown Christmas songs and didn't pay attention to the time. Sigh. Mr roommate Jacob had a wonderful surprise of family all morning. I awoke to laughter and happy chatter. (scared the crap out of me) At least someone was not forgotten today. I guess I'll get back into bed and cry myself back to sleep.
12/24/2014 0 Comments Ho Ho NoIt's Christmas Eve and I have yet to receive one hug. I have no religious affiliation but I miss family time. The smells of food, the stories of years passed and kids laughing and arguing. I miss watching my older cousins get drunk and argue of the same stuff I've been hearing since I was 6. I miss my grandma, Rosa Mae Truitt, may she rest in peace. I have been feeling empty for the last couple of days but really trying to ignore it. I'm hoping that the party I'm invited to tomorrow will ease my holiday blues. At least I get to video chat with 3 of my siblings. I will have to wait on those hugs.
12/22/2014 0 Comments And Then That HappenedI've had many days of wasted nothing while waiting for work to start back for me. I've been in limbo waiting for my state certification for security guard for almost a month. I had high hopes to purchase my first laptop during Xmas sales in order to be ready for school in February. That's not happening. I've only managed to get in one full day of work last week and nothing this week you know today is Monday the week of Christmas. I did however get to go to George Faison's birthday party at the closing of "Ain't Misbehavin".
I really needed that kind of fun. I ran into Jackie Jeffries who was the lady who introduced me to George. For some reason I thought she was darker. I sat and chatted with her the entire time telling her about my road to Broadway and how I came to be at Sugar Bar. She was amazed at what I've done and what I was going through and was very encouraging. She also said that I was in the right place with the right people. She introduced me to some Broadway legend in choreography and performance. I was asked to seeing happy birthday when the cake was brought out. After that I was asked to sing another song and because George choreographed the Wiz I saying "Home". I meant to have someone record it for me I was so nervous I forgot . By the time I finished singing Mr Faison was in tears sitting on the side of the stage people were recording me that I didn't know and they was a very long applause. About my thanks to the crowd and his face on and went to sit down only to be stopped by LaChanze. She admonished me for not accepting all of my applause. I told her it made me nervous. Lol. I SAT and talked with her for awhile about how I came to be at the party. She is a really nice person. Jackie kept telling her and other people that they should take me under their wing and groom me and be my mentor, which I thought was really nice of her to do. There was a lot of food there and people trickle in and out of the party. After some young men were introduced to they did spoken word through a very loose rap. They were apart of Mr Faisons out reach programme where he support young talent. After they performed they were supposed to dance but the music stopped working for a while and in the interim I was asked to sing another song. this time Mr . Faison pick the song and asked me to sing "And I am Telling You". He reminded me to watch the ending because it was messed up the last two times I've sung it sugar bar. I was ready for it though. By the time I finish singing there was a mountainous applause. LaChanze held her hand up as if to say stay but I was not moving already. It was so hard to stand there while they kept applauding but I did it! when I got off the stage I told her "see I'm a quick learner". We both shared a laugh and I hugged her. When she came back to where Jackie and I were sitting, she and Jackie were talking about passing the time to the next generation and Broadway And she told me I was it! I think it's funny that no one can guess my real age but I guess that will take me far in this business. I was asked to go to another party that night but I really didn't want to leave. I stayed and danced with the dancers from Mr Faison's dance company. They were nice enough to indulge my dreams of being a dancer by letting me join in their sporadic choreography. I had the time of my life until my feet gave out. Lol. I left around midnight and I was so excited that I couldn't even sleep on the train even though it was an hour long ride I'm looking forward to many more nights of greatness and great people! 12/17/2014 0 Comments How It GoesOne moment up in the next I'm back to real life. I finally got called into work at my new position in security. They tell me I have to be in by 630 so I'm up at 4 a.m. To make sure I'm early. I signed in 6 :14 and they have the nerve to tell me I can't work! I'm being told that my security license is not in the system so now I have to go home. WTF! There is no way I'm going home after getting up so early and traveling all this way through Queens New York. I told them I will wait for the supervisor to come to work and try to work something out. The site manager shows up around 730 and create a job for me for the day. I literally spent all my time in a very large storage closet organizing uniform and inventory. The good part is I got paid to work inside for a change. The bad part, that was the last day I will be working this week. They tell me the system doesn't update until next Monday and I can't officially start work until then. On the bright side, I still have a paperwork to file for school and paperwork from jury duty in Georgia that I have to find and send back. So I do have something to do it just won't bring me any money. Come on Thursday!
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CategoriesAll Auditions Diary Performances AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. |