Wednesday, February 27, 2013

WED.NES.DAY.

I've been so productive today!
I've cleaned just about my whole apartment!
Wiped down the counter tops, bookshelves, couch, tables, stove top, keyboard, keyboard chair, etc.
Hung up the laundry, ran the dishwasher, took out the trash, and went to the gym!
AND I practiced some guitar.
Trying to learn some new covers for my next youtube video.

Today is a day-off from work, but I ended up working a bit anyway because of some mishaps last night.
Last night we got our new product and location assignments and then we had to go to the storage unit to get our inventory and THEN set up our booth at the location.
Missy (sweet, 50something, Kappa Kappa Gamma coworker) and I got to the location in Murfreesboro and realized we were missing like 3 things that severely hindered our setting up.
For instance, to put up our big sign behind us, we needed to put together the poles for the sign holder.
But, of course, the tool box with the screws and screwdriver to do that wasn't anywhere to be found.
And strangely enough, the staff at the Sam's Club didn't have one to lend to us.
We ended up being there until after 11pm when we were only supposed to be there til 10 at the latest,
and Murfreesboro is 25 miles away from my apartment.
So, a good portion of setting up had to be done this morning as well.
I didn't really have to go, but Missy needed by help. Who am I to leave her high and dry?
So, I went to the storage unit to look for the things we were missing with the help of a coworker named Steven. Still couldn't find the tool kit, but we got the other stuff.
So, we were forced to be creative in terms of coming up with a way to hang the sign.
Steven and I created a plan.
I met Missy at the Sam's Club and we executed the sign-plan and IT WORKED!
Steven and I saved the day!
I had to give 1 hr out of my day and about 50 miles onto my car, but it feels good to help out.
I'm working Thursday, Saturday and Sunday this week.
Kinda not happy about doing weekend stuff. But, I won't be done too late those nights anyway.
So, if I wanted to, I could still go out and do stuff after my shifts.

My boss, Alexis, has an interesting vocab that I've been picking up on.
Alexis-isms: pt 1
1. "Getting negged out" - becoming unmotivated/sad and thus losing your positive attitude. Letting negative vibes in.
2. "Juice?" - "Got it?" or "understand?"
3. "Juice!" - a response to #2: "yes, I understand and I am excited about it"
                   a response to someone saying they understand: "Awesome!"

My hair is dirty, and the products I'm working with tomorrow are 100% ceramic flat irons and various hair products. So, I probably should make sure my hair looks good.
Blow drying my hair takes so much of my energy......I hate doing it.
I gotta fit it in soon since It's almost 6 and I have to cook/eat dinner and I have an internet date with Wesley at 8pm.
I can't be up too late tonight because I have to get up at the butt-crack of dawn tomorrow.



Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I promise I'm still alive

For the past week, I've been out in Cookeville for work.
It was great to get so much work experience in such a short time (my training is just about done).
I'm much better at sales than I thought I would be.
But, it was exhausting.
   1. I was on my feet for many hours at a time
   2. my coworker who I shared the hotel with SNORED in all capitals. I thought I was going to burst an    eardrum by pushing my earplugs so far into my ears. And I put pillows over my head. It was kind of impressive on her part that I could still hear her. lol
   3. I got sick from Sam's Club food on my second to last day.
I'm so happy I am back in Nashville in my own apartment.

I hope I don't have to travel very much because I came to Nashville to actually be in the city.
If I have to go 80 miles away every other week, I'll miss out on music stuff.
I really like the people I work with though

Some fun stories from my time promoting products all week:
  1. I got proposed to by a man in his 60s with an epic white handlebar mustache.
      It was cute when he first started complimenting me, but it soon got creepy.
      And he didn't even buy anything!
  2. I all but got offered a job by a man who works in the medical marijuana industry.
      He thought I was a good salesperson.
      He told me that even though it isn't legal in TN (he was visiting from FL),
      TN grows the 2nd most weed in the country next to California. Mind blown.
      And he didn't even buy anything!
  3. There was a crying boy (probably around 4 years old) in his mother's cart.
      Wailing so loudly, it was bothering other shoppers.
      So, I walked over and put a free sample in his hands and said "free presents!"
      and he stopped crying! And, his mom didn't even buy anything!
  4. A 6 year old red-headed girl told me I was pretty and I responded with
     "You're pretty too! Us red-heads have to stick together!" and it seemed like
      her day was made. :) And yes, her parents bought something!
  5. My southern accent really came out in Cookeville. Southern people have the best sayings.
      For instance, I overheard a Sam's worker say something like:
       "So good, it'll make you smack your mama!" about some sort of food.

Last Monday, my show at Belcourt Taps went very well and like 6 people from work showed up!
That was so nice to see people from work come to support me even though I had just started.
I played at Belcourt again last night with my friend Tanya and it was so much fun.
I hadn't heard Tanya live before and she was really good. Really sassy.
And the other player, Clint Freeman, was very good as well. He had the perfect country baritone
and his songs were romantic in a humorous way.

Next week the American Idiot National Tour comes through Nashville, and I know three of the
lead characters. Two of them I went to college with and one I used to do Theatre with as a child.
I need to buy tickets, but I won't have the money until a few days from now.
I'm so glad February is a short month.

My uniform for work is black pants and a black shirt, and I only have so many of those.
So I really need to do some black laundry today. But, I don't have any change.
I hate how my apartment complex's public washing machines don't take credit cards or cash.
Just quarters.
So, I need to go to Kroger and get some food and get change from customer service.
And since I have a 4pm conference call, I need to do that now.
   
 



Monday, February 18, 2013

Is it over halfway through February already?

I had a great Saturday.
I got to go to a Vanderbilt vs. Texas A&M basketball game with one of my mom's best friends (Becky) since before I was born, her son, her friend Laurie, and Laurie's son.
Vandy won, and it was very fun.
Their sons are 15 and 16 so they are starting to get interested in college and the future.
So, they visited a few colleges on a road trip, including Vanderbilt.
It was 30 degrees the night. Soooo cold.
Even in the afternoon I saw snowflakes falling but melting before hitting the ground.

We went to dinner at Sunset Grille near Hillsboro Village. Yum.
I had been there once before and was seated really close to the door.
But, it was very busy when we got there (we had a reservation)
So, they led us to the other side of the restaurant....which showed that the restaurant was HUGE.
It just kept going. lol.
Had some great food and great conversation.
I was worried I dominated the conversation too much. I have a tendency to talk a lot.
I wanted to give the boys a lot of advice about college and stuff.
I mean, I used to be a peer counselor at UM for freshman.
Granted they were freshman in the Bio program. But, general college and life advice applied.
I also gave them the "Greek life rocks" pitch.
The next morning they left on the road back to Ohio.
I'm so glad I got to see them.

I had to be at work this morning at 8:30am. (Technically 8:45ish, but I like being early).
And I was only there until 10:30, so when I got home I took a nap.
I love taking naps, but they never work out the way I plan them.
If I want to sleep for an hour, I end up sleeping for two hours.
I had to teach back some of the stuff I learned last week
when they taught me some marketing principles.
I'll have to teach more tomorrow since I learned more today.
The office is a really chill work environment.
I just need to get used to getting up early.

I got an interesting opportunity to get some "in the field" experience before my training is over.
I'll spend the whole week, starting tomorrow afternoon, in Cookeville, helping to promote a product.
I'll stay in a hotel with another employee, so I'm sure I'll really get to know them over the week.
Should be fun, interesting, and hard work.
The uniform is black shirts with black pants.
So I need to wrangle all my plain black items and pack em' up.

Playing a show tonight at Belcourt Taps & Tapas!
8:30pm writer's round.
My supervisor from work might be able to come see me.
I hope she can.
I might debut "That's Lonely" live at the show.

Now that I think about it, I should do more practicing at the moment and less blogging.


Thursday, February 14, 2013

That's Lonely

Been a little while.
Decided to do a valentines day entry since it's not like I'm spending it with my fiance.
So I might as well write about the last few days.

Saturday: The Charities Bash
The warehouse was decorated beautifully with different booths for the different charities.
TJ Martell Foundation, American Red Cross, and more.
My shift was 9pm-1am, volunteering.
But I arrive around 8pm so I could enjoy the party and my two drink tickets (every volunteer got two).
So, I drank, and danced, and ate doughnut covered corn dogs and flavored kettle corn.
Delish.
Just before my shift started I got a glass of wine for no drink ticket by a cute bartender.
EGO BOOST.
Nice guy, let's call him B. With a goatee.
Not that I was interested, but it's nice to know I'm not invisible now that I'm engaged.
(Did anyone else see that How I Met Your Mother episode?)

So, I spent about 3 hours at the VIP bar, making sure that the people going in had the right wristbands.
I got to interact with some funny drunk people.
Some people danced on the way into the VIP bar while making serious eye contact with me.
One guy even offered me a cigarette even though there was No Smoking in the venue.
And I'm pretty sure that guy was with some woman.
Feel bad for the woman if he's just offering up cigarettes to random stranger girls.
Another woman asked me if I was having a good time while a VIP Bar guard.
I said "sure" and she handed me her drink. Smelled like whiskey.
I asked her what it was and she said "just drink it, honey!"
Needless to say, I didn't.

After the party was dying down and I danced to "Don't Stop Believing" with a work friend and one of her audio engineer friends, B the Bartender came over to talk.
He said his friend bet him he wouldn't ask me out to dinner.
I was flattered, but of course, I'm taken.
So I told him that he was cute and sweet and I appreciated his interest, and informed him of my relationship status.
He took it really well, which made me happy.
Because some guys get really offended.
I feel bad for girls who aren't even in a relationship and just aren't interested.
I probably would've enjoyed a date with him
But, for a few years now, all guys (even attractive ones) are pretty much eunuchs to me.
I probably won't ever see B the bartender again.

The day before the party I uploaded a new video. A vedera cover. I hope the Vedera lead singer sees it and likes it, considering she follows me on instagram (and I her). So far she hasn't commented. Oh well. Just wanted to show her how much I love her old band. She's now the new lead singer of Flyleaf. Crazy.

I love being a red-head.
I definitely want to be a blonde again for my wedding.
But, I still have plenty of time before I need to start transitioning back to it.


Monday: Cowriting session with a BEAST
Brian White, SB21 music publishing, produced my EP in the late summer of 2011 (back when he was with Sony Brentwood). Ever since I'd moved to Nashville, I'd wanted to write with him.
#1 because he's so experienced
#2 because I need more co-writing experience
#3 because he seems to believe in me

So, I met with him at the building on music row and spent 3:30 to 6pm writing with him.
I was so nervous and intimidated (considering he's had number one hits). But, Brian's so easy to work with,
he melted my nervousness away. It was so casual and fun.
And I understand why Brian makes the big bucks as a songwriter.
He is a freaking lyric/chord progression machine.
We started out looking at some concept ideas I had. And decided to write a song about loneliness.
It's sad, but mid-tempo, with a good melody. And it's called "That's Lonely."
AND it's a country song.
I've never actually written a straight-country song.
AND I love how it can be sung by me, but could be easily pitched to someone else.
I'm very proud of it, and I can't wait to write with him again.
I hope his publishing company wants to put it on their catalog.

Lyrics have always been difficult for me as a whole. I can come up with a great line here and there.
But, to write lyrics for a whole song takes a long time for me on average.
Melody is my thing.

Wednesday/Thursday: Legacy Events Center
Heard back from LEG, the marketing company I interviewed with.
I GOT THE JOB!
I heard on Wednesday and started today. A nice valentines day start date.
I only worked from 8:30am-11:30am, but it's in the training stage.
I'm anxious to get through the training stage so I can actually get into the field.
There were more people around my age than I thought.
And out of like 10 people, there are 3 redheads (though I'm the only fake one....).
Everyone seems so nice, motivated, and hard working.
The only thing I'm worried about is the hours they expect from me.
I told them when I interviewed that I was only interested in part time (25 hrs/week ish)
But, looking at the schedule stuff, it might be more.
So once I'm done with training and in the field, I need to make sure they know what I'm interested in.
I'm sure they know. But, just in case.
Wish me luck.


For valentines day, my beloved Wesley got me a bright pink version of the black Panache sports bra he got me a few weeks ago. Pink for love! As a top-heavy person, I've worn two sports bras at a time while working out for the past 7 years. NOW I don't need two! And it's actually comfortable. Yay for healthy massive breasts.

My sister recently posted something on facebook about how Kate Upton isn't a good example for healthiness. My sister is an amazingly beautiful fitness model who cheers for FSU. She blows my mind sometimes considering her body and muscle-y-ness. But, she says that Kate Upton is "gross, end of story."
But, it really does nothing for her to put down another model. And though Kate Upton may not have a 6 pack or wear a size 0, she is gorgeous and closer to "normal" women than most models (even though it's still a big difference).
Saying that K.U. is "not healthy" or "gross" is incredibly offensive to people. She does a lot of exercise. And exercise looks different on every body! I have a BMI (a bullshit measurement) of 21.5, which is lower than the majority of women I know. So I can only imagine how insulting my sister's facebook status was for my friends if it was offensive to me. And to think my sis was going to use me as an example as "a girl with big tatas and isn't muscular who still looks like she works out." I have cellulite. More cellulite than Kate Upton. But, I am skinnier by a little bit in terms of measurements (39-26-36). I work out 3-4 times a week.
These are a few things concerning weight/health that I truly believe in:
1. you CANNOT judge someone's health by their weight
       (I may be 5'3" and 120 lbs, which is "healthy" but I have severe allergies, fibromyalgia, and hypothyroidsim. I might just have worse health than a "fat" person.)
2. You can't judge someone's activity level by their looks. I know plenty of supposedly overweight people who work out 3-4 days a week. Some "skinny people" never work out and eat crap food. While some "fat people" eat healthily and work out but never lose weight.   It's on an individual basis.
3. PEOPLE CAN BE "FAT" AND HEALTHY. THE END.
4. Skinny does not equal "healthy."
5. Health needs to be judged on and individual basis.


Rant over......:/




Thursday, February 7, 2013

Thursday is as Thursday does

I had that interview I mentioned in the last entry.
I enjoyed it and I think it went well.
It was a 2-part interview.
The first part was in the office and the second part was out in the field (a Sam's Club in Franklin).
It's a marketing event company.
They're the people who put out those huge booths at trade shows dept. stores and show you cool demonstrations about products that aren't normally available in stores.
The second interviewer was a Kappa Kappa Gamma alum!
So, naturally, we went all "sorority girl," and did the secret handshake.
It's always so nice to randomly meet sisters (of all ages). Like, in the airport or at Starbucks or at a show.
It reminds me how I'll be part of something forever.
Sorority life was empowering for me.
And that's coming from someone who was totally anti-sorority before college.
If I had never rushed, I wouldn't have accomplished almost all of the things I'm most proud of.

Anyway, the interviewer and I enjoyed talking to each other.
She said her only concern was that I had a very minimal retail experience.
So, who knows if I'll get the job? I guess we'll see.
I have a shit-ton of marketing/PR and media experience.
But, my only retail job was at a jewelry store on Park Ave in 2007...for 5 months.
Then the owner's son died, and the store closed soon after.

I'm not like in love with marketing
But, I really need a job right now that is around 25 hours a week and still making decent hourly wage.
And I'd prefer that job to be people-oriented.
And the job I interviewed for today fits these descriptions.

I also applied to another job today.
Gibson in Nashville is looking for a social media person.
Now, that would be extra cool.

Saturday night is gonna be kinda crazy.
A big mardi-gras themed "Charities Bash" party is being thrown by Music City Tents & Events.
The money from it goes to TJ Martell Foundation (the company I'm with right now) and The Red Cross.
I'll be volunteering on behalf of the former and my shift is from 9pm-1am.
But, the whole thing starts at 7pm. So I can party a bit before starting my shift.
I also get 2 drink tickets. Free booze!
I'm really hoping I get assigned to "band hospitality."
I wanna meet the entertainment and get my name/music in their ears while getting them drinks.

I've been taking hot baths a lot.
It just helps with my back issues a lot and I've been having some stomach aches this week.
It's really nice partly because tenants don't need to pay their water bill at my apartment complex.
It's completely covered. So, I take advantage.

I got my check in the mail from my work as an extra on Nashville.
They took out almost 20% in taxes on a check for less than $100! That's just evil.
Don't they know I'm a starving artist?
Episode 13 is on next week.
Look for me drinking alone in the Bluebird cafe during a Scarlett/Gunnar scene.
I'm wearing my black leather jacket and a floral shirt.

I'm writing with Brian White on Monday.
He produced my EP. Such a great guy.
I'm really intimidated though since he's this huge amazing songwriter millionaire person.
And I'm having writers block issues (that are getting a little better...slowly.)
So, I have lots of ideas.
Hopefully he can help me make the good ones better and a great one into a hit.
*does a rain dance to call for inspiration*

I think my sleep schedule is finally back to normal.
I went to bed around 11:15pm and woke up at 9am.
For a while now I've gone to bed around 2am and woken up after 11 (sometimes as late as noon on the weekends). Oversleeping just makes me feel unproductive and still tired.
I've found that when I work out regularly, my sleeping normalizes.

I can't find my capo and it's hurting my soul.
I have a song idea, but it's capo-ed on the 2nd fret.
I can't fully realize it without hearing it in it's actual key!


Well, guess what I'm gonna do?
Take a hot bath!
(I have such a hard life)






Saturday, February 2, 2013

Mom Weekend

My mom came to Nashville from Thursday morning until this morning for business and partly to see me!
It was really fun. I hadn't seen her in a little less than 4 weeks, and it felt like longer.
So, after she was done with work on Thursday, we walked around the 21st Ave S shops for a while.
Got a cream cropped leather jacket at Fire Finch.
It was really cold all day. So, we warmed ourselves up with some great Mexican food at Chuy's.
My friend Tanya is a waitress there. So, I requested her.
Great food. Great company.

Afterwards, we went back to my mom's hotel and chilled. We watched a really awkward movie called "Hope Springs" while sharing a bottle of okay-wine. The ending was cute, but the middle was very uncomfortable. Lots of old people talking about their sex lives (or lack thereof) and marriage problems. I always enjoy Meryl Streep though.

Got a text from my friend Moira saying "Umm, SNOW."
So, we looked out the window and sure enough, it was SNOWING in Nashville.
My mom and I wanted a picture but didn't feel like lacing up our only shoes (boots).
So we went out barefoot for like 5 minutes! frozen feets!
Awesome for a Florida person like me.

The next day, I had a phone interview for a really cool paid marketing internship. I have an in-person one next Thursday. Wish me luck.

My mom and I met up again later and went to Green Hills to shop around. Ended up getting a cool wall decoration that says "Keep Calm and Drink Wine" on a large wine-bottle shaped tin sign. It was perfect for my apartment and my drinking habit.
My mom had scheduled massages for us around 6, and we had a dinner reservation at 8.
My mom has been having really bad pain in her lower back, and I've always had upper back and shoulder issues. So, the massages were sorely needed (pun intended).


My mom and I drove by the Bluebird just to see what was up tonight.
Of course the 6:30 and 9:30 rounds were both sold out. And like 30 people were lined up outside the door in the lightly snowy coldness.


We met with Moira at The Firefly Grill in Green Hills and had a really amazing dinner!
None of us had ever been there before.
I chose it because I wanted to go somewhere unique to Nashville that I had never been to before.
I highly recommend it.
I had a spicy Indian soup and risotto with scallops.
Moira and my mom both had the grouper.
Delicious.
My mom said I could invite a friend to dinner, so I invited Moira because she's a blast to be around.
I knew my mom would enjoy meeting her and knowing I had a friend like her in Nashville.

So we parted ways with Moira, and my mom stayed at my apartment last night.
I cut her bangs for her. They turned out really nice. I was worried I'd mess it up.
The last time I cut a family member's bangs, I was thirteen and didn't have very much experience.
Thus, my sister had horrible bangs for a little while when she was 12.
I think I have a lot more hair-cutting experience after 10 years.
My mom also dyed her hair like a shade darker. I really like it.
She doesn't seem to ever like her own hair color.
After she left this morning, I noticed she had gotten hair dye on my bathroom wall, my sink, and my sing cleaner container. She must have not noticed she made such a mess.

Tonight I'm just gonna hang out alone.
I'm excited for tomorrow because we're tracking bass on a project I'm working on with some awesome MTSU students.
Yay music!