Will you?

After my Dad died I realized it’s important, no matter what age, to have your death wishes somewhere. I sat down and wrote just that. When I told a few people I got the, “wow, that is dark” vibe. And I agree. Death is grim. Death is also a reality, not for the dead, but for the living.

I don’t want people to be frantically looking up usernames, bank info, death wishes.

That’s why I’m going to post it all on my blog…minus my username and passwords.

Musical Instruments Given to:

Taylor 814 CE: Jeff Berkley

Gibson J-200: Lindsay White

Ibanez Artist: Becca Paoni

Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville: Sarah Wood

Piano: Theresa May

Funeral requests

I do not want to be buried in the Church

No traditional prayers to be prayed. Poems, thoughts, intentions are welcomed

Karaoke at the celebration

Karaoke Song Requests:

Total Eclipse of The Heart, Humpty Dance, I Don’t Know Much But I Know I Love You

What to do with my ashes (this might be a team effort)

Spread ashes in:

Byers, CO at the house/in a wheat field

Fort Collins, CO on Horsetooth Mountain

San Diego, CA at my home on myrtle ave

Bainbridge Island, WA at The Miller’s home

Lacey, WA at Jess Mckimmie’s cabin

Olympia, WA by Olympia coffee roasters

*If any body parts can be donated please do so

Grim or not, I think this is a great way to alleviate some of the stresses that might fall on our loved ones.

Ok. I’m dying to end this blog.

Rock and a hard place

This weekend I will be taking a lead role at Ladies Rock Camp in San Diego. It's all about empowering women through music. A lot of these women have never touched an instrument and by Sunday early evening they will be performing as bands at Queen Bees. 

The theme this year is "Enough." Taken one of two (or both) ways. We are all enough and we've all had enough.

I realized these camps are designed to push and challenge the limits of the rockers. What I didn't realize is it pushes my own limits. The limits I put on myself.

Will I give them what they need? Will I say the right things? Will I try to take too much control? Will I be enough for them?
 

Enough of that. It's time to step into my own power and be an example to set other humans on fire in their own power. 

I've taken a teaching role in much of my adult life. And what I've come to realize is it is the place in which I learn the most. More than I learn when I am a student. 

SO we are gonna plug it in, rock it out, and feel the love! I'm so fortunate to be a part of such a thing and I am proud of myself for taking this leap.

Time to rock hard.

Look both ways

I have a situation in front of me. Or actually nothing in front of me at all. Playing to another empty room. I can look at this two ways:

1. A. Being a musician sucks. B. You have to pour your heart, soul, mind, and money into something that doesn't seem like a safe bet. C. You work hard and for what? You've been doing this for years and still feel like you haven't made any traction. D. People are constantly telling you how to do it better and you just end up feeling overwhelmed. E. You give up.

2. A. Being a musician is awesome. B. You get to pour your heart, soul, mind, and investments into something that is risky. Something you actually believe in. And living outside the comfort zone in risk is when life really happens. C. You work hard and for what? For new connections to people you wouldn't have met otherwise. To that person in the room that comes up to you in tears after a show saying a song made them feel. Made them reconsider doing something stupid. You've been doing this for years while others are sitting behing the counter of a convenient store, in a factory, in a 40-hour/week job that doesn't feed them in any way. You are so fortunate. D. People are constantly trying to help along the way with suggestions because they believe in what you do. E. You give up your expectations and go for it.

My mom once said, "If you don't play you can't win." Before I cross the next intersection I'm going to look both ways and turn toward the choice that makes me feel good. Either way my situation is set. It's my mindset that can set me free. My circumstance might be an empty room, but my voice, my music, my passion will fill the entire space.