Artist struggle

I was thinking about art for three reasons. One, I was playing piano tonight and it was with a crazy sound. 

I snapped this pic really quick because I didn't want anyone to notice I was taking a selfie and we were about to start. 

Two, my mom texted me today about buying one of Ryan's paintings from a long time ago. 

It wasn't this painting but that's close enough. And finally, when I got home, I found out that there is a gallery fee for his next show of $350 and he's concerned that nothing will sell, making his venture into art meaningless. 

While, I don't know his specific struggle, I do know mine. I'm not amazing at the piano. I don't practice like I should. I just dabble a couple of times a month. I'm not at a place where I want to spend more time on it. Time is precious. 

Anyways, Ryan has a show in June and I've got to do my part to sell paintings. I see a lot of talent and I enjoy having his paintings hung around the house. I assume others will too. 

These things take time. Developing skills, relationships, connections. At times, I wonder if I fail but I'm not ready to give up yet! My goal is to get another show booked and I pray that enough art sells to cover for that fee. 

P.S. All the art, except for the second piece is available for sale on his website. The link is the sidebar. 

Out of focus

As I was running the pack pint run tonight by myself, I pondered on how best to split my time. 

It was a gorgeous run, by the way. It was wet but worth it! I was trying to decide which is more important to me: running or the piano. 

I decided the answer is both and I need to find a healthy balance. Maybe right now, running will take up more time but I can't stop playing the piano. 

My beef with the piano right now is that I don't practice. I know. I need to practice. My chops aren't what they used to be. When the time is right, I'll get more practice in. 

The case of the missing toenail is healing smoothly. The other thing I have to carve time for is brewing beer. I've done two batches and I'm itching to do a third very soon!

Music and half marathon training

Please enjoy these unrelated photos from the weekend.

As a musician, it's difficult to improve because it's my hobby. I've been playing since I was a little kid but I get overwhelmed easily even today. I think it's also hard because I'm not a genius or virtuoso. In an attempt to improve, I've been listening to the radio. Any and all music that I can find. 

My goal is to listen to more music to inspire me and give me ideas and recognize more patterns. It's good ear training. What I've listened to has been interesting. 

In other news, I got my hair colored after I rocked 6 miles. Woohoo!

Swimming with the pigs and meeting the CEO.

Photo
I instagrammed the photo of me and the CEO of Sandals (its a photo of a photo and that's why I couldn't upload it to the blog.) I was quite pleased with myself. He actually hugged me twice but I only have the one photo. Being a part of reunion week, meant that there were extra special activities. One of those activities was an off-site beach party. Not knowing what to expect, I signed us up figuring it would be lots of fun.

The day was not bright and sunny, in fact it did rain on us but that did not dampen our fun. There was a boat taking guests out to the other island where the swimming pigs live. I had to be on the first boat of course. I was so excited for the experience and I've read about them. 

The sun wasn't shining and that made the water look less aquamarine than usual. There were little piglets too! I refused to swim with these animals because they were large and unpredictable. My husband went out and took photos for me.

After that, we had drinks and ate from the sumptuous buffet of Bahamian food. We explored a cave and Ryan snorkeled off shore. There was music playing the entire time with a DJ and towels available for those who decided to swim. The entire off-site party was exceptional and I know why. Sandals is the best at giving you a good time.

Motiontraxx review and The Biggest Loser

I had plans of running outside in the freezing temps but when upon arrival I found the run was cancelled. I still helped myself to a bagel. Then I went to gym and busted out 4.4 miles in two minute speed intervals. This whole week I've cheated myself out of the really good sweaty workouts except for today. It was great! 

Repeated photo. I need to get some more photos.

Today, I listened to my favorite podcast: motiontraxx. The music has a certain bpm and its continuous for the entire 60 minutes. There's a slight break in the middle when DEEKRON THE FITNESS DJ tells you its the halfway point of the mix. I love how the music keeps going and it slowly changes to different sounds but it never stops. There's always something. He has free mixes and premium mixes that don't cost much. He has a bpm of the month club and you'd get a new mix once a month set to your preferred bpm. This music keeps me going on the race course and the treadmill. If you haven't heard of him yet, download a free mix and let the beats take you to the finish line.

I'd like to weigh in on The Biggest Loser controversy. Its so typical that a former athlete would win but honestly I didn't think that Rachel looked unhealthy. She looked like an athlete and she put in the work to win. She deserves congratulations and not comments that she doesn't look healthy. I would expect that she would gain some weight back to be in a more normal BMI range but I'd say kudos to her for doing a good job.

That's it for today's post. Tomorrow, I'm sharing how I stay on top of my favorite blogs.

Two things: the piano and weight loss. Lord please help me!

Very often, I find myself struggling with something and I come here to talk it out. It gives me a chance to think things through thoroughly and perhaps move the right direction. I am working on two unrelated  things: the piano and my weight loss. Clearly there is no relation between the two but I'm spending a lot of time processing both.

Currently, I am playing the piano at church for the junior high and high school students. I've committed to playing every Wednesday since September. There's been some highs and a lot of lows. I struggle with low self confidence because I don't know all the songs, don't play the way that the leaders would like and don't know all the keys all that well. (There's only 12 keys but I have yet to master them all.) One new leader has been added and soon we will have bi-weekly dress rehearsals. I'm for the dress rehearsals but I'm still pondering how I can break this knowledge barrier. I've asked for assistance and heard crickets chirping (perhaps they will reply to my email and perhaps I'm forgotten.) I've taken up flash cards to brush up on the basic music theory. I've watched a few youtube videos. I am a classically trained pianist that needs to know how to finesse music with nothing more than a chord chart. What really burns my fire is that I am playing the right notes but I'm not playing the way leadership wants. Playing chords is easy but adding that flare is not in my repertoire. Not yet anyway. All that I have left to do is to keep pushing forward and trying new things. Maybe someday I will break through and play fluidly with pizazz. 

Dear Lord, please give me and my fingers the wisdom to praise You as You deserve!

Secondly, I have lost weight successfully numerous times but I've struggled with maintenance. I am spending lots of time thinking of what workouts I need and my nutrition. I know that if I relax and stop focusing on this issue, the weight will come back. I can't let that happen. Losing weight is not hard but it takes dedication and if I can't maintain the weight loss, this would mean I don't have the dedication. I'm planning to start a weight loss group for my friends at work, church and the gym. I've been pondering a book as well. I will probably write the book on my blog, to help organize my thoughts. If I can help others lose weight, that will keep me dedicated to maintaining my weight loss. So as the thoughts come. I will be blogging my weight loss journey.

I have a review for a workout podcast coming up for tomorrow.

Thoughtful Thursday and the Piano

Thoughtful Thursday 

I've come to realize that I eat way too fast and I'm not mindful of what I'm eating. This means that I'm not enjoying my food. Good food deserves attention and should be savored. In high school, I had 30 minute lunches and some of my jobs were the same. I think that's the root of this bad habit. Starting right now, I plan to enjoy my food and eat it slowly. Smaller bites that are well chewed will be much better for me.

I have been playing the piano for over 20 years and I still get frustrated! I constantly question my knowledge and abilities. Should I be able to play better than I do? Will I be able to learn and improve? In high school, I learned how to play chords for the purpose of playing for the youth group worship. Rote memorization was the key and I learned the basics. Later I learned the anatomy of a chord but still it was basic. Today, I am wanting to play more than chords. I want to be expressive and add depth to the worship experience. That is not possible playing chords. The music director at church is trying to teach me but his primary instrument is the bass and drums. This process has been so difficult that I've taken to youtube to try and make sense of it all. The conclusion is that I'm back at the beginning, learning more basics: all the 12 keys and the tones, and how to hear the key of a song and compile the chord progression of that song. Truthfully, I have no idea how this basic music theory will help me to be more expressive. I must move forward to find out.

Music Monday

To Pandora or to Spotify.

I am here to share my thoughts.

I love music and having a quiet night will always be accompanied by tunes. I have both apps on my iPhone and iPad but there is one I've chosen over the other.

Spotify is the winner!

I've chosen Spotify for one important reason, there's a free version and it remains free no matter how long I listen. I have maxed my Pandora and been told to pay but Spotify hasn't done that yet.

If it remains free, Spotify will be my go to music app.

So what's your favorite? Is there another music app I don't know about?

 

Silly Sunday

We are a band with a piano, electric guitar, bass, harmonica, and acoustic guitar. Playing an acoustic set is not physically possible. Yet, the owner of this bar expected us to play all acoustic. Perhaps it's the margaritas, or the fact that this place is called margarita island but I don't think the "noise ordinance" will be a problem. I do find it odd that the bar owner didn't know we have amplified instruments and that this is a biker's bar. 

Noise ordinance? No problem.

Amazing margarita. 

The grass skirt floating in the breeze. 

Perhaps, me and the margarita find today hilarious. You can join in if you want.

Make A Difference Monday

The COPA Reefers band had two gigs this weekend. I play keyboards for the band. Depending on the song I'll use steel drums, strings, and a rock organ. I do use the regular piano sound but the steel drums seem to be more popular. In a sense this makes me a percussionist, an assessment that I'm ok with. I did play auxiliary percussion in high school. My history with music is long and varied. Such a blessing! At times, I'm surprised at my muscle memory and memory of chords. The years of rote memorization and practicing has paid off. I never would have expected that.

In other news, we raised $200.00 in tips to donate to COPA Cares, the local parrothead 501 c 3 non profit, which will help club members who were devastated by the tornado. 

Other news, severe weather is predicted for Wednesday. I'm starting to panic now because I don't know if that will be a tornado or not. It could be a tornado. Eek! Please stay tuned for travel Tuesday!

Thankful Thursday: letter edition

Dear Lord,
Thank you for blessing me with your gift of music. I love to praise and worship You. I will give glory to You and serve when it's my turn. I am humbled by Your grace, which I do not deserve. How do you put up with my millions of flaws? Your gifts are my blessing and I happily accept.
Thank You!

Thankful Thursday

Dear friends,
Welcome to thankful Thursday! There's so many things to be thankful for. Today, I'm thankful for music. I have played piano for most of my life and I believe it's a gift from God. When I was younger, I did as little practice as possible. In high school, I focused on memorization. I memorized around 20 chords and I played for the youth group worship band at my church. Since I have played for church a couple of other times. Now, I am playing in a band here in Oklahoma City. It's challenging and fun. I find myself getting upset when I hear the wrong notes. All those years of piano lessons must have sunk into me. We will be playing Friday night at Bill's Island Grill and Saturday at Thunder Alley. If you live in Oklahoma City, come listen to island inspired music. I've always wanted my music to be more portable and I'm praying about voice lessons. I know I can sing but I will sound much better with lessons. That will be a blog post for another day. Please stay tuned for High Five For Friday: Restaurant Review Edition.