Serendipity

I often speak of the concept of serendipity...finding a surprise treasure when you are looking for something else!

This morning, serendipity brought me to Anna Nalick's myspace page. Anna had the hit song "Breathe (2 am)" in 2006, and has just completed an EP with the following song on it.

"Shine" at first, sounds a little like "Breathe, part 2". But then, this lyric just made me jump out of my seat in the realization that the song was speaking DIRECTLY to me....

"Isn't it time you got over
how fragile you are
We're all waiting, waiting on your supernova,
'cause that's who you are
You've only begun to shine...."

myspace.com/annanalick

I've had conversations with no fewer than 5 friends over the last few days who said pretty much those EXACT words to me. "We're just all waiting for you to jump out there and DO it". I don't think I completely grasped it until just this moment. I am scared, I am shaking, but it is time.

Hooooo boy. Thanks, Anna. Thanks, friends. I needed that.

The "Get Through It" Mentality

Every once in awhile, I have to check my state of mind for what I call the "Get Through It" mentality. It seems I've been in one of those for a couple of weeks now.

Rather than looking forward to things, events, challenges, etc. - I start focusing on "well, when I get through THIS...I'll be back to normal". And "this" can be anything from a meeting, an event, a visit, a task, a project, a phone call....whatever.

So, my whole life becomes a series of things to "get through" rather than to experience or enjoy. It's horrible, really. I tend to get like this around the holidays in particular, and it's just not a good state of mind.

So -- herewith -- in honor of my revised thinking -- is my list of things to LOOK FORWARD TO AND BE HAPPY ABOUT!

-- my family's visit in May
-- another birthday!
-- a whole host of new work challenges that will be really rewarding when accomplished!
-- the AFB Radio show in June
-- having the opportunity to see more friends and family over the next few months
-- all sorts of new opportunities in TV and Film for my songs
-- more co-writing, and getting the chance to sing a bit
-- every day I get to spend with the "babies" - however annoying they can be, I realize that they are a gift!
-- the pool is opening this weekend!
-- the remarkable Spring foliage and colors - one of my favorite times in GA.
-- keeping my house looking as good as it does right now, LOL.

Well, on that happy note...I am off to vacuum something and then get to work. Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend!

xo
~lis~

Le Chat Noir, Paint and Spackle

The semi-annual "inspections" at Glen Lake always get me in gear to clean up. After 9 years, my walls are in REALLY bad shape (Al and the birds contribute to that as well), and so I went to Home Depot and bought some paint, rollers, brushes and spackle.

My one wall turned out so good, I decided it needed some new artwork. So I took a vintage french poster that's been in its roll-mailer since Christmas, and framed it myself. It looks like Mag, and looks really good on my new wall. The painting went so well, I just might try to do a little more. I have lots of guests coming over the next few months, so it will be nicer for them, too.

Some new plants rounded out the room for a very serene effect.

Let's hope I can keep it that way for awhile!

xoxo
~lis~

Words

So, here's the thing. Whenever you put yourself out there, in the public eye, you are subject to criticism. In the wake of the conference I spoke at this past weekend, there was some feedback I received after the fact along the lines of "well why haven't WE ever heard of you", and "why should we listen to YOU about songwriting?". That sort of thing. Rather than get defensive, I simply outlined my (very real) credentials and also explained that I've been kicking around in this business for nearly 40 years, with varying degrees of success. Take it or leave it.

What I'm getting to is that, prior September 2006, words like that would have just torn me apart. I would have become upset, angry, defensive, insulted, and just plain petulant. But I had an experience around that time that forever changed and strengthened me. I was involved in a war of words, of sorts, regarding a message board I was running for a band I follow. It got incredibly ugly, and my name and reputation were slammed on an almost daily basis. Ugly lies got told, things I said were completely misconstrued, and I cried all the time. But do you know what? There is almost nothing anyone can say to me today that will destroy me like that again. I truly grew and learned from that experience, and developed the tough skin I need to survive as a songwriter. So, for that, I wish to thank everyone involved in that process.

"At the end of the day, no matter what they say, they're only words".
~lisa torch: "words" ~

Wacky Wednesdays

It's hard to believe we're at mid-week again! Time is simply flying by. Does this mean I am having fun? I'm not sure. Let's call it that, for argument's sake.

Hope everyone has a really good day, and I will post something pithy when I get less bogged down with stuff (like after this weekend, hopefully!)

'Til then, I leave you with this treasure from 1983:



Be good -
xoxo
~lis~

AFB Radio - Save The Date - June 4th

Hey everyone! Save the date....

You can listen to me talk and play some of my tunes live on the Georgia-Country.com show on AFB Radio (www.afbradio.us) on Wednesday, June 4th - between 8 and 10 PM.

AFB Radio is broadcast worldwide to provide home-grown entertainment to our troops overseas. Please tune in on June 4th and send some shout-outs to our troops - and please help spread the word!

More info as the date gets closer -

xoxo
~L~

Georgia Country Music Seminar-Tomorrow!

Come on out and hear me squeak (I mean, speak!!!)

This Week's Hot 100

New Madonna Single

This track is GUARANTEED to get you dancing. Loving it big time. Enjoy!

On The Subject of Fear

Yesterday, as I was unloading my car, a neighbor of mine informed me that she was robbed at gunpoint two nights ago...as she was getting out of her car (just a few hundred feet from my door). She said that the apartment complex would not issue a memo or notice about it, because they didn't want widespread panic. So she was taking it upon herself to tell the neighbors.

As a woman who frequently comes home late at night, this was a real wake-up call for me. Last night, before I got out of the car, I called Alan and made sure he was watching me walk to the door. I practiced unlocking my Glock and made sure it was clean and ready to fire. I think I will go to the range this weekend.

This complex used to feel very safe. It no longer feels that way, and that makes me very sad.