"The Elephant Diet" Day # 74 Scattered Thoughts

I have so many thoughts today.......scattered!

Taking a last-minute trip to Nashville?

Thinking about making a quick trip to Nashville next week when they track 3 of my songs.  I can Skype in on the recording session if I want to, but somehow it feels really important to me to be there.  What if this is the only Christmas CD I ever get to make?

I know that my producer is fully capable of capturing great takes, but these are my babies.  Somehow I can't quite imagine not being there on their first day out in the world.  But there are some dilemmas.....

• What about my husband's bandaged hand and recovering thumb?  (I've been helping him with many things)
• What about the doctor appointment my Mother is supposed to have next week?  (She needs someone with her) Who will take her to that?  Or can we reschedule?
• Anyone have relatives that would 'put me up' for one night near Roanoke VA? - (that would be about half-way to Nashville from home).  It would help cut costs for me!

Stage Manager???

Made a phone call to a friend today who I think could be a good stage manager for the show.  I haven't heard back from the other person I called yet - of course I will try them again, but this other person's name keeps coming to my mind and so I decided to give him a call and ask him to pray and think about it.  He is trustworthy, attends well to details and is very dependable.  We would have to create the description of his role together, but it feels like a good step.  We'll see where it goes.

Needed Inspiration

I listened to another podcast today as I drove to take my Mother out to lunch.  I have listened to Music Business Radio with David Hooper for years and his show always inspires me.  Today was no different.  It's a great interview with a singer/songwriter Matt Brouwer and a great producer, Michael Omartian.  If you want an inside look at the process, this is a great interview.  Podcast interview.

Taking Time Out

This morning I was able to make headway on an upcoming booking that I have in NY in April.  I'm supposed to speak on "Help Lord, I'm stuck".   Boy, can I ever relate to that!!!  As I spent the morning working on this message it started coming together well.  Because of that, I decided to take time out and go be with my Mother.  I took her to Olive Garden (used up part of a gift card).

It's amazing how spending time with someone you love can trigger so many things.  My mother and I are very different, and yet, we are so much alike.

Many people in the music industry will tell you that you can't listen to your mother when it comes to pursuing music because everyone's mother thinks they are great and you need people who will be more objective about your music to keep your head on straight.  That has never been my problem.  I've never once heard her say that she is proud of me (that I can remember).

My mother doesn't really 'get' what I do and what's in my heart.  She took me to piano lessons week after week, gave me time and space to practice the piano so I was ready for my lessons and helped me pursue that aspect of my life....when I was young.   Now as I'm older, it's not quite as simple.

She loved her 5 babies.  I have no babies.  Well.....mine are a different type of baby.  They are my songs.  It's not that I don't wish for a baby sometimes though....but I have my own journey now.

She loves to cook.  I would rather have a butler, maid and chef.

But this doesn't mean that I don't love her.  We are just different.

She's 90, I'm 46.
When she was 50, I was only 7.   At that age, my brother died.  That's a lot for a mother who is 50 and a little girl who is only 7.  I still have some residue from that in my life.  It shows up in my writing and I'm afraid it shows up in other areas too.

It's amazing how we still have to learn how to navigate relationships even into our adult years.  I debated all the way home whether to write honestly about this struggling relationship.  But after hearing again from someone who is reading this blog and sometimes thinks I am writing about them (which I am not!!!) I realized that this is about journaling my life and welcoming others to walk with me.  If you find yourself in my shoes, than it is encouraging because we really shouldn't walk alone.

For those out there who follow your dreams even when your parents don't 'get' it, know that you are not alone.  We can do this.  It's not about being against THEM (your parents).  It's about growing BECAUSE of them.   May this struggle make me stronger and more compassionate.

Wow........as you can see - I am scattered in my thoughts today.

My Mother and I at the Olive Garden

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 73 Five Things

The sun is setting. The fire in the woodstove is heating up and I am curled up under a blanket with a cup of hot tea sitting next to me. The cats are settled in for their evening naps.

I have a long list of things to do yet, but it's been another busy week and I'm feeling rather tired tonight. Taxes, bills, bookwork, starting fires in the shop and in the house to keep us warm since Tom is unable to do much of anything with both of his hands not functioning very well, details for upcoming bookings in NY and CO that needed tending to and doing all the regular things that need done in the course of a week, plus 20 hours at the church.

Is it Friday yet?

I sent another check today toward the recording of the CD. They will be doing 3 songs next week at       Sunset Blvd. Studio.  I'll be able to Skype so I can see and hear what they are doing.

I also made connection with a creative person who is willing to sit down with me and help me come up with ideas for a video about the show.  Progress continues.

I close with 5 things I am grateful for today.

1.  Someone who came to help Tom in his welding shop.  What a blessing!
2.  Chocolate ice cream for dessert tonight with caramel and pecans.
3.  Talking to my mother on the phone tonight.  I haven't been able to reach her all week.  Nice to finally connect.
4.  A night at home by myself.
5.  Hot tea.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 72 Creating a Theme

"Take Another Look".

It's the theme that I'm rolling around in my heart for the Christmas show.

The holidays can be full of wonderful memories and moments.  They can also be full of disappointment and loneliness.  I've experienced both and I've written many of the CD tunes based on those experiences.  It's all based around one particular Christmas when I stepped back to "Take Another Look" at the holidays, the Christmas story, and my own expectations.  It was a life-changing year for me.  Now I want to put my story into an art form for others in the way of a CD and a show.

I need someone with a creative brain to help me put together story boards in order to create a short video that will capture the essence of the show.  The video will become part of my crowd funding project with Rocket Hub.  I heard a podcast recently from an on-line mentor of mine who used Rocket Hub instead of Kickstarter to fund a creative idea she had.  I've done research and have discovered that they seem like a better organization than Kickstarter for what I need.

I made a phone call tonight to someone who I believe could help me put together a video for Rocket Hub to help me raise funds to do this Christmas show.

It's just one more step.

RocketHub

Hear the interview about Rocket Hub with Ariel Hyatt and Bob Baker.  (Episode # 75)

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 71 Stage Manager

Tonight I made a phone call to start the process of looking for a stage manager for the Christmas show. Unfortunately I got the answering machine, but at least it's a start.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 70 "Ellie"

This is Ellie.  She's a beautiful glass, pink elephant, given to me by another friend who is coming along side me on this journey.  She told me "I hope when you look at her, you will always smile and know your journey is worthy every step."  I will!

It's Day # 70.  This is a milestone as far as I am concerned!

I can't believe I've kept at this so steadfastly.
I can't believe how far I've come by just doing a little bit everyday.
I can't believe the kindness and support of you who read this!

I decided that though my to-do lists are increasing, tonight I will take time to stop and celebrate.  They say that you should do that when you reach a goal.  I'm heading out to spend part of a gift card with a girlfriend and share dessert together while we chat and laugh and dream.  It's the best way I know of to celebrate Day # 70.  No work tonight.  Just play.

Thank you Father for wonderful friends and for the fact that You've brought me this far.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 69 Resources

Monday will be day # 70.  Seems like I should celebrate somehow.   Have to think about that......

For now, I am blogging today, Saturday, because so much happened today.  It has been a day of discovering more resources for this  'one bite a day diet'.

I met with Dr. Dennis Ritz and his wife Barb in their quaint home in Shippensburg.  The house 'ticked and tocked' with amazing clocks while we 'sipped and talked' about all that is involved in doing a show.

When I first met with Dennis and his wife, I came away sensing that he had many more talents than just conducting or arranging.  His years of experience provided me with more options and resources for my journey.  I am so grateful they have come into my life.

Because of my past experience with trying to do 'shows' similar to what I have in mind, I already have an idea of what I need to do, but he made it more concrete for me.  (More to-do lists ahead!)

Task Deadline Calendar

Design a Task Deadline Calendar listing all tasks involved and the date they need completed by
(I am already well on my way because of my business plan in place, but it needs to become much more detailed)

Assign Tasks

Decide who can do what tasks, contact them and give them a deadline so they have clear direction (the deadlines can always be changed)

Task Manager

Find a person to manage the task calendar for me so that I can stay focused on the show itself (this does not mean they do the tasks, it just means they delegate tasks to other capable people, but make sure the tasks get done)  This alleviates the stress that can come from doing a show.  All tasks are accounted for and done on time so that there are minimal last-minute details that cause stress.

Stage Manager

Find a Stage Manager - a person who will make sure everything that's supposed to happen on stage the night of the show will happen as planned - this was the missing link to my past show years ago when a number of things went wrong (bad memories!)  Dennis was able to recommend someone for this and give me their contact information.

Concert Master

This is the person who I would use for an orchestra if I end up not needing a conductor.

I learned that not every orchestra needs a conductor.  It depends on the music.  Even a 100 piece orchestra does not need a conductor depending on the type of music.  This was something I didn't know.....and it wasn't the first piece of new information for me today.  I learned so much in one sitting with this wonderful couple.  Of course, Dennis had a name for this person too and it's someone I already met at the Ballet in December where I first met Dennis and his wife.

We talked about many other things and at the end realized that this project is an evolving project with lots of variables.  Fortunately, he is flexible enough that we can find our way through this together and I can call on him when the CD is closer to being finished.  Once that piece of the puzzle is in place, many other pieces will come together.

Dr. Ritz doesn't listen to music much.  He's been a music educator for a long time and at the end of the day, he would rather be gardening.  But he became animated when he started sharing his website with me that he uses to teach his music students at Shippensburg University.  Since most students don't know all the instruments, he has put together his own site of youtube clips to demonstrate each instrument and the masters who can play them!  He came alive as he pointed out the warm tones and controlled vibrato of the cello player.  It was obvious that he loves music.  http://webspace.ship.edu/dwritz/youtubes/youtubes.htm

As you can see. This was an amazingly profitable day. It's a long post, but this is becoming a log for me on so many levels. It's a daily record of my progress.

Now it's time to get that stuffed chicken out of the oven and enjoy a wonderful dinner with my doubly 'hand'icapped husband. He's learning how to maneuver without his thumbs.

"The Elephant Diet" Day # 68 Filling in the blanks

Today, between taking Tom to the doctor (2 different times), I was able to fill in some of the blanks in my business plan. There are plenty more blocks to fill in, but slowly, as I gather information, everything becomes more clear one step at a time.

I was supposed to meet with a sound company today to talk about the show and gather information about that, but because of the doctor visits and a husband that's not feeling up to too much running around, I postponed it.  It's ok, this is all in God's hands and so I just try to go with the flow of things.

Goals are great, but they must also be held loosely when more important things come up - like caring for your family!

Tomorrow I meet with the conductor.  This is our 3rd try.  Hopefully it will happen!

Below is an updated business plan (only page 1) where you can see the cost of the album itemized.

Things are coming together.