For Wrigley

About a month ago Chris Thompson, also known as SupDaily on YouTube,  that I watch regularly, lost his dog when she got hit by a car while they were out at a park.  Her name was Wrigley and she was a Chihuahua/Beagle mix, or as Chris likes to call it a Beauhuahua.  She honestly was just the cutest dog I have ever seen!  I never got the opportunity to meet her, but I know if I did I would have fallen madly in love with her!  Hell, I already did just seeing her on Chris’ YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat!

Wrigley was also known as Chris’ adventure pup, so he decided that he would embark on a three month road trip all over the United States to spread her ashes in places that he was planning on taking her to and other places that he thought she would like.  Along the way he is having meet ups to get donations to take to animal rescues in the cities that he is visiting.  So far it has been a big hit!  He has taken hundreds of pounds of food to the few animal rescues that he has visited.  He’s already visited, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle.

I wanted to write about this, because this is something that I fully support and want to help out with in any way that I can.  Please watch Chris’ YouTube video about it below:

So I have an idea:  If you feel led to donate anything to any of the rescues please do so! if you don’t live close to any of those areas but still want to help out feel free to email me and I can help you out in the best way I can.  I am going to go to Chris’ meet up in LA in August so if you want to donate something and you don’t mind it waiting until August I can hand deliver it myself while I am at the meetup.  You can also reach out to Chris at ForWrigley@gmail.com as well.  Also, if you could also share this post or just Chris’ video to get the word out, that would be amazing!  Chris is also looking for different dog Instagram’s to connect with as well, so don’t be shy!

Thank you all!

#MusicMonday-When Doves Cry

Music Monday is back!  Sorry that it has been gone for a while.  I didn’t have a chance to post anything because school and homework took over my life for a while there. Back to the music!

This week, the music world as well as many music lovers lost a legend. The artist known as Prince was found dead in an elevator.  No one knows how he passed yet, but a week before his passing he checked into a hospital in Illinois because he had been dealing with the flu for many weeks prior.

I chose the song When Doves Cry because I think it is safe to say that doves there were many doves crying this week after his passing.

If for some weird reason you do not know who Prince is, he is a singer, songwriter, actor, plays all the musical instruments, and his genres of music range from funk, R&B, rock, soul, and pop.  He was the main character (The Kid), in the 1984 movie “Purple Rain,” and wrote all the music for the movie including When Doves Cry, as well as the song Purple Rain, based off the movie.  He was a very spiritual and private person, and lived out of the spotlight most of the time.  He was born in Minneapolis, where he stayed his entire life and career.  

I have never really been a Prince fan until a few years back.  I heard his music growing up, but never really got into it because it was not the type of music I listened to.  However, over the past few years, my musical taste has grown and I have grown to love and respect his music.  I love how Prince always made the music about the music only and not all the politics surrounding the music and the business.

Like I said, the world lost a legend this week and the music world has a huge gaping hole that will never be filled again.

Rest in Purple, Prince! I hope you are up in Heaven rocking out with all the other great musicians that we have lost over time!

Image found on Google Images

#MusicMonday: La La Land

Happy Monday!

This week I decided to share a song that, in my opinion, tells and shows how the entertainment industry can be.  That song is “La La Land” by Jax.

If you have never heard of Jax, you are probably living under a rock.  Seriously though,  she came in third place on last seasons American Idol.  Coming from New Jersey, she wowed the judges with her rendition of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles.  To no one’s surprise, the judge’s loved her and she headed on her way to Hollywood.  She seemed to breeze through every week on Idol thanks to amazing performances, as well as her fans, better known as  the JaxPack.

Jax wrote this catchy pop song about her time on the show and with the message that “everything ain’t always what it seems.”  While the show is a great thing to be on and has great exposure, it also comes with it’s negative pressures as well.

I agree with everything Jax sings about in this video.  The industry is not all glitz and glam.  Honestly, there is actually a lot more pressures that come with being in this business.  It can be very stressful and cause a lot of different emotions all at the same time. When you read or see something that claims to be true in an article, my advice is to take everything you see with a grain of salt because everything may just not be as it seems.  This is why I have said, and will forever say, that this business is not for the faint of heart. So enjoy this song and I dare you not to get it stuck in your head.

Speaking of American Idol, if you live in the U.S. be sure to watch this Thursday, yours truly will be in the audience.

 

#MusicMonday: My Name is Blurryface

This week I chose the song “Stressed Out”by twenty one pilots,

Twenty-One Pilots are a band that I just recently heard about after this song started playing on the radio.  They have actually been around for about 5 years.  The band, which consists of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun, hail from Columbus, Ohio.  “Stressed Out” is their third single off of their album “Blurryface.”  To me, their sound is unique.  A mix of hip hop, mixed with alternative with a pop feel.

You might be wondering why blurryface and what does it mean?  Trust me, I was wondering the same thing too.  Well, according to this interview here, blurryface represents the insecurities that the lead singer feels.

Honestly, I think this represents people in my generation.  I believe that a lot of people my age have the same insecurities.  I will be the first person to tell you that I also suffer from these types of insecurities.  Being an adult is overrated.  I wish that I could go back to childhood where there was not a worry in the world.  I wish I could go back to the day where it didn’t matter what I wore,  what I looked like, and back to the day where I didn’t need to worry about job hunting or paying bills.  When I was growing up I was always greeted with, “Go for your dreams!” “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t accomplish your dream!”  Is it just me, or was it the previous generations that taught us this powerful lesson?  However, if we do that, we are labeled as rude and disrespectful as well as greedy and lazy.  See the problem here?

This is just an idea, but maybe our dreams look different then people in previous generations.  Nothing is wrong with that.  Different dreams include different ways of achieving them.

That’s just my two cents.  What about you? Do you agree? Disagree?  Why?

#MusicMonday: This Is My Fight Song

This weeks song that I chose was Rachel Platten and her song “Fight Song.”

If you haven’t heard of Rachel Platten, she broke out into the music scene last year with this song and it was an instant hit.  It seemed like everywhere I turned, or every radio station that I turned on was playing this song every hour on the hour.  She just recently released her first full length album “Wildfire” at the first of the year and is continuing with hit songs like “Stand By You.”

This song really speaks to me and about my life here in Los Angeles and being in the music industry.  Like I have said about a thousand times before, living here in LA and being in the music industry is not easy for anyone, let alone being disabled and pursuing a life in the music industry. It takes a very strong willed person to keep pursing and fighting every day.

My dad came to visit me a few weeks ago and he finally got a glimpse of what my life is like here in good ol’ Hollywood. I was excited to see him, and am very happy that I got to spend some time with him.  I know my dad loves me unconditionally and supports me in anything that I want to do with my life, but I sometimes feel like he doesn’t understand why I decided to move all the way to LA to pursue a job that probably has the most unstable job market out there.   Yes, it is not the most stable job environment, but it keeps me on the edge of my seat most days.  But want to know something?  I wouldn’t have it any other way. For example, a wise person once said that if there is something else that you are good at, and pursuing music isn’t your only option, go do that because the music industry is no cake walk.  I have never been one to settle down with a 9 to 5 job. To me that is way to boring.  I want excitement.  I want something new to happen every day.  This is why I am pursing a certificate at UCLA in their Music Business program.  This is why I go to tapings and concerts and network with people from all around.  I am learning every day, and yes, there are days where I have no idea what the hell I am doing, but it’s all a learning experience. This is why I always ask people to trust me.

I am a fighter and I don’t give up easily and when I set my mind to something I make sure it is accomplished, come hell or high water.  Because like the song says, “I still gotta fight left in me.”

 

A Year Can Pass By In A Blink Of An Eye

A year ago today, I posted my first blog post with this post right here, and little did I know my life would never be the same.  I started this blog with a mission in mind to stop stereotypes that are put on the disabled unnecessarily.  I can honestly say that while the problem is still out there, I have made an impact in people’s lives to be more mindful of the stereotyping that happens.

I have also shared a lot of stories and things I have gone through throughout the year as I live in the craziness that is known as Hollywood as I pursue my dream of working in the music industry.

Crazy how much can change in just one year, and how fast one year can go by.  I have learned a lot in many different ways over this past year, including by all my 245+ followers and I look forward to connecting and learning more from all of you in the next year(s) ahead. So this is my huge thank you to all of you that have put up with me these 365 days and here is to many more days and years together.

Changing from a Hobbyist to a Career

Lately I had been feeling lost with what I wanted to do with my life.  I have been living in Los Angeles for a little over a year and a half pursing jobs in the music industry.  But as time has gone on I have found a new found love for writing (hence the blog). I was starting to think that I wanted to switch from music to writing.  After talking to a good friend though, I realized I could do both.  The problem though: I have a hobbyist view on music and writing, meaning I am more passive and more of an observer with others instead of making my own content, as well as with my blog, and need to change my thinking to thinking about it as a career.  I honestly do not know how to change my thinking with that, and I know I need to in order to fulfill what I want to do.

My question to all you wonderful readers out there: Do you have any advice on how I can do this?  Have any of you had a similar issue?  If so, how did you change your thinking?  How do you become a successful content creator?  Lastly, how do you get yourself in the right mindset to become a content creator?

The Roller Coaster Day at The Happiest Place on Earth

On Saturday, my friend and I went to Disneyland to see the 60 year Diamond Celebration they were having.  Of course, we decided to go on probably one of the hottest days that Los Angeles/Orange County has had in a while.  It was almost 100 degrees, but we were determined to not let that stop us from having fun.

I decided that I was going to forgo a wheelchair or scooter and walk the entire day.  When I told other friends or my family about it they were skeptical but supportive, which I will say that I completed successfully 14 hours and almost 8 miles later. I was so tired and sore by the end of it and the next day, but it was so worth it.

There are days when I really love being disabled and will pull the disability card and anytime I go to Disneyland that is one of them.  Because of that, I get to skip the lines, get a time to come back (which is usually about 20 minutes) and be first in line to get on the rides.

However, there is also a downside to this as well.  It seems like some people will see the walker and see my physical limitations and assume that I must have some mental limitations as well. Words cannot describe how much this upsets me.  Let alone people thinking my friend was my mother because they don’t think that I can take care of myself.  I know I look young for my age, but that does not mean that I can’t take care of myself and have some normal fun with friends.  Normal is boring anyways.

Even though all that happened, my friend and had a blast going on the Radiator Springs ride, California Screamin’ (which gives me anxiety every time I go on it because of the loop lol), Soarin’ Over California, and The Little Mermaid ride.  My favorites were the ones that were indoors because of the air conditioned rides.

After that we headed over to Disneyland and had lunch at Cafe Orleans.  Their food is so good!  I didn’t realize how hungry I was because I ended up having not only my food, but some of my friends as well, and of course A LOT of water.   After lunch, we hit up the Pirate of the Carribean ride, The Haunted Mansion, The Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, and Big Thunder Mountain.  After all that was done, it was going on 9:00 and the park was getting ready for their big Paint the Night parade.  This is when the night started to go downhill just a little.

First off, my friend and I wanted to go into Fantasyland, but were unable to because they closed everything off for the fireworks that were going to be happening right after the parade, so we ended up going to Main Street and did some shopping while that was going on.  Second, it was so crowded and people kept running into me and my walker.  I was getting so annoyed!  I think everybody was feeling that way though especially with the weather and having it be a long day.  This is where a security guard assumed that I was younger than I am, gave me stickers, and said that my friend was my mom.  First of all, my friend is near my age, and does not look like she is in her 50’s at all and once again, I know I look young for my age, but that does not mean that I cannot take care of myself and if people actually got to know me they would see how intelligent I really am, as well as a sarcastic smart ass half the time.

We finally made it to Fantasyland after the fireworks and hit up the Snow White ride, Mr. Toads Wild Ride, and after waiting about an hour because people who were working the Peter Pan ride didn’t know how to communicate with one another, we finally headed off to Neverland.

It is tradition that every time my friend and I go to Disneyland we get ice cream afterwards, which we did.  This is where my patience with people got even more thin.  After we got the ice cream we were looking for a place to sit, and there were a couple of people taking over 2 tables with 4 seats each.  They did not offer any of the other chairs to us (they were by themselves with no one else with them) and my friend and I ended up having to find seating outside, which was a struggle in itself.  People were running into me as I was trying to steer my walker and hold my Coke float at the same time and no one asked if I needed any help.  My friend couldn’t help me because her ice cream was melting and falling apart so much it was going down her leg.  It just frustrates me how inconsiderate people can be sometimes.

While the Disneyland trip had some rough parts, I had a great time nonetheless, and I am glad that I went.  I am especially proud of myself for walking 8 miles, and in the heat too!  And yes, I drank a lot of water!

Visiting Home Does a Body and Soul Good

There is always something about visiting home that is so refreshing and helps put things into perspective for me every time I visit.

While I was home I spent a lot of time with my parents.  I did not really see a lot of friends while I was there unfortunately, but then again I was only there for 10 days and family always comes first.

It hovered around 99 to 100 degrees for a huge portion of my trip.  Anyone that has been to Oregon knows that it rains a lot there so to have it be extremely hot like that is unheard of. and completely disgusting in my opinion.

I have noticed the past couple of times that I have gone home, my dad and I end up getting closer and end up having some really great talks.  It makes me feel good knowing that I can go to my dad when I need advice or just somebody to be there.

Speaking of my dad, I got to meet his girlfriend while I was home.  I absolutely loved her!  She is so sweet, and she makes my dad happy, so I can’t complain about that!

I got to spend some quality time with my mom as well, but it didn’t feel like a lot just because she had to work.  BUT I did get to spend 4th of July with her and some family friends.

I didn’t get to see any fireworks because we all ended up taking care of our dogs because they were scared of the fireworks and barking at them.

My mom recently started a new job within the past couple of months, so while I was home she took me to see the place and meet the people she works with.  It was great to see her in her element. My mom is a very out-going friendly person who will make friends with anyone and I could tell that this job just shows those traits of her very well.

I also got to see my sister as well.  She lives about two and a half hours away from my parents so it was really good to see her, even it was only for a night.  Believe it or not, my sister and I used  fight all the time growing up, but now I would have to say that she is one of my best friends who I can go to for anything if needed.

I will admit that I did work while I was home.  I got bored after a while needed something to do.  It also didn’t help that my dad also had to work and since he works from home, it made it that much easier for me to want to work as well.  Plus, I’m a Capricorn, and we can sometimes be known as workaholics so it  just comes naturally I guess.

So to sum up my trip I would say that it was refreshing.  I was able to come back to craziness more refreshed and ready to attack work and everything else that LA has to offer, which makes me thankful to be home.

Honey, I’m Home!

It feels so nice to be home for the next 10 days visiting family and friends, but holy shit is it hot!  Just in the two days I have been home it has been almost 100 degrees.  I miss Oregon’s cold winters right about now.  I have found myself to be inside most of the time because it has been way too hot to do anything else.

I was super excited to see my dogs Mollie (a yellow lab) and Chloe (a chiweenie), when I arrived into town yesterday.  Mollie looked confused for a minute when I walked through the door and once she figured out who I was, she started jumping and barking.  Chloe ran laps around the whole house for about five minutes.  Those two are part of my family and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

As much as I love being at home and visiting my family, I will admit that I miss LA and miss going into work everyday.  I am really enjoying it and I am learning a lot everyday.  Plus, I get to be around dogs all day so I’m not complaining.

Still not too sure what I am doing for the 4th yet.  All I know is I want to go watch fireworks somewhere!

As much as I love being at home and visiting my family, I will admit that I miss LA and miss going into work everyday.  I am really enjoying it and I am learning a lot everyday.  Plus, I get to be around dogs all day so I’m not complaining.

I guess I should get off here and actually socialize with my family now.  I hope you all have a fun and safe 4th of July!