Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Victoria

Can you keep a secret?



I used to think I'd go crazy without the gift but now it seems like I'm going crazy because of the gift. I played today but it just didn't feel the same and I don't know what to do with myself (or the gift, now). I used to play because it simply felt so good. It didn't matter what the circumstances may have been. I played. Now I play when I have to and that's it. I even try to avoid playing actually! I never thought it would be me but that's me. I don't even mention my gift most of the time (obviously aside from the times I've mentioned it on this blog). When I do talk about it, I speak of it in past tense or refer to it in the same way one would an afterthought.
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As selfish (or silly) as this might sound, I feel like it used to be "my little thing." No one knew how special it was to me. I couldn't walk by a piano without at least touching it (literally, no exaggeration). I used to love the instrument. I'd put in my favorite CD and play along. I seamlessly went from one tune to the next. I'd play for hours if uninterrupted. That is, until the word got out...
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So. Now, I sing when I'm alone and think no one's listening. But shhhhh!! Don't tell anybody!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Accepta-phobia

As I was sitting in the big chair staring at the plaques and degrees on the wall, I realized I was doing it again. This is a pattern. It's no different from me telling everyone I wanted to major in Biology and become a doctor when I graduated from high school because it was the acceptable thing. It is just like the way I agreed to play for the church because it would have been unacceptable to decline. I always find myself making the acceptable decision only to later regret it--only in my head, of course, I would never let on that I am displeased with the acceptable. I like to pride myself on being honest and genuine but, here I am, lying to myself. If I try the acceptable and it doesn't work out, it's 'Oh. It wasn't your fault. Try harder.' But if I gamble on the not-so-acceptable and it blows up in my face, it's 'I told you that wasn't gonna work. You had no business trying that foolishness anyway. What are you gonna do now?!'

And that's a good question. What am I gonna do now? The beauty of mistakes is the lessons we learn from them, right? So, what have I learned? I have made this mistake before. Do I value acceptance more than my happiness? When those closest to (and around) me are not happy, it is hard for me to be happy but on the other hand, no one seems to notice my unhappiness. So. I'll pose the question again.

What am I gonna do now?

Live In Concert


After Maxwell's performance last night, my simple reality just is not enough. I didn't realize that was humanly possible. I was so engrossed in his performance at one point, I think I almost fainted. I know I sound like a groupie right now but I'll be that. The man is a beast! He puts all these other "artists" to shame. His range is ridiculous and his showmanship is out of this world! He did everything from splits, kicks, and spins to hump the stage. He dropped to his knees and put his falsetto to work. He came down off the stage (less than two feet from me) and I almost lost my mind. My brain was telling my feet to move but I was frozen. There's no telling what I would've done had I made contact. It just doesn't make any sense for one man to exude that much sensuality, masculinity, charisma, and just plain sex. In the same breath, it is more than just sex appeal. He appeals to your psyche.

He just made it that much harder for a man to attain my attention. I feel for the next guy that tries to approach me because I now, know for a fact that the man of my dreams does exist. I am not saying that Maxwell is the man of my dreams but a man like him would suffice. I'm sure he has his personality flaws just as the rest of us do but his on stage persona embodies everything I wish my man would be. I'd already promised myself I wouldn't settle for anything less than the man I felt was designed perfectly for me. But now I am sure that it is possible. There is a man designed in perfection just for me.

...And his name is Maxwell...lol I'm only kidding but wouldn't it be nice?

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Nostalgia...Things I Lost Along the Way

I hate when I get like this. There are millions of words racing through my mind. I never know where to begin but I started this blog just so I could get them out. So, please forgive me if this post seems a little jumbled and senseless. These are my thoughts at the moment.

We all have our own family history that shapes us into the people we are. We are affected in one way or another by the things that have happened to us. We all develop various defense mechanisms and coping skills. I avoid with humor or I simply change the subject. These are only short term solutions so these things that I avoid only fester (and manifest in some other way I'm sure). I always find myself searching for meaning. I rarely ever take things at face value. I just always think there's more to the story. I'm not sure why I am this way but...I am. There has got to be a reason that despite the fact that I have all ten fingers and toes, 20/20 vision, hearing (though selective at times), and a few talents, I am not happy.

I talked to my father today. I hadn't talked to him since uh, I don't remember. I'm not sure how to describe our relationship (and I use that term loosely). I don't remember much about my childhood or anything else these days for that matter. That's also a defense mechanism/coping skill (or whatever you want to call it) that I've developed. I tend to forget the unfortunate or force it into "the sea of forgetfulness" as my mother would say. So, I'm not sure if the fact that I don't remember much of what happened to me before middle school means those times were so "unfortunate" that I've blocked them out of my memory or I simply have a bad memory. But when I see little girls with their fathers, I find myself feeling nostalgic. I do remember watching boxing with my dad. He would straddle the piano stool in front of the big screen and eat bologna sandwiches while I sat on the floor at his feet asking questions. I still don't understand the sport but every now and then, I catch myself watching it (boxing) or rather staring at the tv screen in a daze while I reminisce.

I also remember one of the times my (half) brothers came from Connecticut to visit. I don't remember how old I was but I was a young girl. My brothers may have been in high school so I was probably in elementary school (first grade, maybe even kindergarten). Anyway. They rode the bus so my mother and I went to pick them up from the Greyhound station but we couldn't find them once we arrived. I looked out of the bus station window to the Burger King across the street and there they were sitting outside eating burgers. I always seem to remember the most seemingly insignificant things. I drive past that Burger King on my way to work and I think about that moment everyday.

I remember dreaming. I went through the entire set of encyclopedias and "dog-earred" every article about whatever musical instrument was on that page. I read them all for enjoyment. I taught myself to play the recorder and harmonica just because--period. No reason. Just because. I don't know what happened and I'm only 23 but sometimes I feel like my life is spent. My dreams have been dreamt. But sometimes...

...if I try hard enough, I can remember...

...happiness.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Heavy...Had to Get It Out

I'm so flustered the words won't come out. No one understands but I can't clarify. Even I don't get it. He asked me why I sound so down, I had no explanation, and I didn't even realize I sounded that way. I go through this EVERY week. This is not healthy. Could the timing have been any worse? I was just beginning to accept what life had become. Why can't I focus? Distractions, distractions, distractions. This makes no sense. I just want to disappear for a second--tie up the nikes and run. I just want to go away. This is the first time I've ever actually wished I had no musical inclination. I resent the gift. (I feel so ungrateful for saying that but...) I feel like I've been mollywhopped with a brick. I didn't even see it coming. I just wanted to play-- nothing more, nothing less. I'm not even sure I want to do that anymore. It's never enough. If I do this, I'll have to do that and that leads to more of this. This cause effects me negatively. Everytime. I let the devil steal my joy. It used to be such joy. It was my hiding place but I've been exposed. I HATE ROLLERCOASTERS. I don't want to ride. I want off!!!

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Shooter

Dates a rapper b/c he plays with words but chooses the drummer b/c he beats it up and stays in pocket.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Fat Girl

So. I play (usually not good enough for me but others seem to like it). I played my first Sunday in five years yesterday and I feel like a new person today. I feel as though I'm finally doing what I was made for. Obedience feels good! No more rebellion. Okay, that's a stretch but I mean, not so much. How 'bout that? It's okay to submit my will to that of Him (with a capital "H" meaning God, not some man). I still reject everything "mainstream" and so what if everybody else does it?!?! To hell with that! I think I may be getting a little carried away with this whole blogging thing but as I was saying,...to hell with that! There are two digits in my size and in the words of Ms "5head" Banks, 'Kiss my fat...' You know the rest. I don't really feel that way. I kind of just wanted to say 'Ms "5head" Banks.' I'm pretty durn cute for a fat girl. And even though fat ain't always fun while shopping, I don't mind the extra 'X' that much. And I fill out my clothes better than some of you "skinny b****es" (MoNique's words not mine). If you don't believe it, ask your boyfriend. Lol and jk (laughing out loud and just kidding, for those of you residing under rocks). I don't mean that either. Well, I meant all but the skinny b's part. Some of my favorite people are skinnies! I mean nothing by it. I suppose I just got carried away as I often do when given free reign. Um, can someone go over the concept of discretion with me again, please??

...I can sing, dance, and play five instruments (at least). And no, it's not because I'm black. Believe it or not, some of us have no rhythm and couldn't carry a tune in a bucket! And to add shock to injury, I don't really like fried chicken and I wish my parents hadn't been so creative when deciding on baby names. A simple 'Mary' would have sufficed. But being one of Charlie's angels isn't so bad. The whole constant mispronouncing and mispelling gets a little old but the confused expressions on strangers' faces at the sight of my name make me giggle a little bit.