It's amazing, no matter how tired I am, when I'm playing in an energetic show, I just can't sleep after. Show #2 with Beyonce was on fire tonight! It's good to be back after my hiatus. I missed the energy that only Bey could transmit. What a beautiful person, inside and out.
2 more shows - it's been a whirlwind. I've barely slept, we've rehearsed nonstop, and I am thrilled to be a part of history yet again - how many times am I allowed to say that in my lifetime? Because I really am thrilled and honored to have been a part of so many wonderful events. My head is spinning.
So it's now 2:30 am. Last night I didn't go to sleep until about 4, but I did go out with the girls and get my dance on. Tonight I thought I'd drift to sleep after a nice little salad. I guess eventually I will, right? I have to, rehearsal and glam and show tomorrow! And the next day!
Ok, the computer is going to be turned off, and I'll meditate until sleep finds me. No matter how exciting your life is, find the [...]
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I've been in Atlantic City for 2 weeks now. Rehearsing. Rehearsing. Rehearsing. Today is our first show - but of course, we'll be rehearsing before (and doing lots of *glam* - hair, makeup, wardrobe...) I'm exhausted and excited! 4 big shows, looking forward to sharing the stage with a whole bunch of talent - most of which I have already experienced on this or other gigs in the past. I'm honored to be a part of such vibrant energy! And, my chops for the most part have been behaving!
http://www.beyonceonline.com/us/events
When I get home I'll be running for YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities with my family. Please consider making a donation for the cause, they really are a wonderful organization that TRULY helps folks out. I know this for a fact.
http://support.yai.org/site/TR?px=1231841&fr_id=1130&pg=personal
I'm not much of a runner, more of a "lifting heavy things" kind of girl, but my family loves running so I'm going to do my best! I know we'll have a great time! [...]
Unbelievable vibe this weekend with the Geneseo Jazz students! I had a wonderful time upstate with some really talented young musicians. I can't believe how fortunate I've been this year - being able to work with folks like this is a real blessing. I learn so much from them. And I hope they pick up a little something from me, too.
I'm still somehow jet lagged from Alaska - no recovery time, and then allergies... but right now, I'm home, enjoying the sounds of the rain, playing a few long tones before preparing a little family dinner.
I love stepping back and looking at my life. How far I've come not only musically or career-wise, but in my choices. Who I choose to be with. Who I work with. How I can make the best of any situation instead of panic or complain about it. And it seems, the more I embrace happiness, the more I find. Even when I'm tired, or sick, or sick and tired, I know the truth about this life I've been given. And I can always find a smile and a sigh. Usually a giggle, [...]
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WOW! Fairbanks is pretty gorgeous. Not to mention - the Thai food was surprisingly good. Go figure!
3 airplanes which seemed to take forever - NYC to Fairbanks - landed me at about 2am in a gorgeous place. I expected freezing weather. Packed a down jacket, my city Uggs (not the squishy ones - those make me look fat, I swear!) a wool scarf and an amazing hat I borrowed from my daughter - and I didn't need any of them. I did wear my boots because the snow was melting like crazy and my Chuck Taylor's just wouldn't cut it. But wow, what a gorgeous place!
After a well deserved rest, I had a workout and then met with the directors and some musicians for a lovely Thai lunch. For real - that place was better than any joint in NYC I've been to. I believe it was called Lemongrass - if you happen to be out there riding reindeer, shearing muskox, or simply climbing gorgeous mountains, go find it!
Anyway, I tried to go to Santa's house in North Pole, AK, but it was closed. I guess Santa was in Hawaii. [...]
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Tonight was my first experience with infrared sauna. I usually only end up in a sauna when I'm on the road and have the rare opportunity to work out a long time and then detox a bit in the hotel sauna. It doesn't happen often.
I tried the infrared for the first time tonight in a boutique spa. It was strangely blissful.
First, natural oils were applied - if I remember correctly, it was grapeseed oil with rosemary and oregano oil. Then I was basically cocooned inside a sheet and then in an infrared sauna wrap. Lights dimmed, muzak playing, and the rest went like this:
Warm. Nice. Relaxed. Drifting in and out of meditation.
Hot. Nice. Relaxed. Meditation.
Hot. Uncocooned arms to get sip of water. Relaxed but slightly unsure.
Repeat.
Still Hot. Another sip. Happy. Back to meditation.
When it was over, it felt as if it were either 20 minutes, or 5 hours. I felt like some sort of a champion. An hour of sweating profusely in a high-tech space bag was way different than 20 minutes in a [...]
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