And today I learned...

...that I haven't changed that much in the last few years. I still confuse being nice with being stupid. Think I'm gonna get a tattoo in my arm never to follow "instructions" from a drunk, or crazy, or workaholic, or neurotic person again. 

Easier said than done.

Wish me luck! 

Forever Friendzoned

Well... It's quite clear, isn't it?

For every bastard/bitch...

When you live in a country like Venezuela, you could be tempted to believe that we are all bad people: ignorant, intolerant, short-tempered, narrow-minded, lazy, opportunist, truants... Etc. Having lived so many years in a different country, it's easy for me to say that I have nothing of that and I have no time for these time-wasters.
But then again, I met a lot of horrible people in England, too. So, how come I conveniently forget about them when I compare it to Venezuela? Because I remember even MORE amazing and fantastic people than bad ones. I could easily say that for every bastard/bitch that I met there, I knew at least 5 great people.
I now move the theory to Venezuela and it's the same!! You can actually see it when you are in a friends or work gathering. Count how many people you dislike (or describe as one of the adjectives far above) and how many people you think are great. The good ones win by miles!
Lesson for today: Give your time and energy to the nice people in the room and simply ignore the scumbag in the corner. If they notice they are being left out, they might change their ways and you have rescued a soul. If not, ah well... Life goes on.

PS: If you are ever in a room with more "villains" than "heroes", get out of there, quick! Evil can be contagious.

Why I never perform for my parents.

This week I wanted to listen to the album I recorded in college and remembered that I gave a copy to my family.
I looked for it amongst my brother's CDs. Then in my parents' collection... And nothing. I asked my brother where could it be, and told me that maybe it was in my dad's office. Last year we had a fight because my brother used to take CDs (including mine) to the office and leave them there. They had to move office twice in the last year, so I went there today hoping to find my album. I didn't. Asked my dad and said "There's lots of CDs over there. Have a look!". Don't wanna sound 'diva-ish' but shouldn't he be keeping it in a safe, special place as it is his daughter's work?
On my birthday, my friends asked me to sing for them, and I did. My cousin was very impressed and later in the week told me that I was fantastic and that he wanted to help me get some music work in Colombia. In that moment, my mother enters the conversation and my cousin asks her if she knew I was that good (he he). She answered "Yes". And continued " I just never say it. It's just the way I am. I'm different from other (bragging) parents". I'm absolutely sure she's convinced that's the right way to act when you are proud of your kids. God doesn't like people that brag. But I'm her daughter. I kind of need her to brag a little bit. I've given her plenty of reasons!!
So, that's why it's almost physically impossible for me to perform in front of my parents. All the photos with famous people, albums recorded, TV shows, videos, etc., are just anecdotes for them. They still don't realise THAT'S my job!! And that's why I'm forgetting it too, now.
I love my parents, I do. They just can't be part of my music life.

When in Venezuela...

Mediocrity rules this land. It baffles me how people in this country chooses the product of lesser quality in almost every aspect of life.
As an English teacher, students' first question in a new class is "how much do I need to pass?". Some of them really don't care if they learn or not. They only want the paper that says they do.
Customer service is almost inexistent in this part of the world, and do you hear anyone complaining? No! Lots of whining, yes. But actually doing something to change the situation, never.
No wonder we have the current government. It seems it's just very comfortable for many not to change things.
In the music business is pretty much the same. There are lots of new bands and artists, but are they good? Well... Plenty to argue there. But the thing is, how can you make an attractive product if people are not likely to like it? I'm always thinking about getting into the circus ring with a bang, not doing any kind of music but something that sounds great and that I enjoy doing it.
While I get my way round it, others simply do it. Good or bad, they just do it. And even though I think is mostly bad, they do it.
My lesson here is that people in Venezuela take mediocre things because it's the only thing they can find and provide, not because they actually like it. Therefore, my lesson is to do things, no matter the outcome, but always taking into account that it will eventually improve and hope that I never lose sight of what is good and bad.
I'll never be able to tame the lions if I don't get into the circus first!
Wish me luck!

Wake up!

Haven't written in a while... mostly for lack of time, but also lack of necessity. I have both right now.

They've told me time and time again that I wasn't doing anything for my music career since I arrived to Mcbo. But I insisted that it was because I didn't know people and the people that knew me didn't want to help me, bla bla blah...

Well, today I realised that yes... I've been stuck in a rut and been blaming everyone for it. Yes, music business is tricky here and everywhere. Yes, some people I trusted didn't respond as I expected. But the worst thing is... I stopped trying.

If I had given up the first time LIPA said no to me, what would have happened? What is actually happening right now.

I'm no Mariah Carey or Whitney or Celine Dion... but bloody heck! I'm a better performer than XXXX!!!! Why do some people get opportunities while others more deserving don't? They don't stop trying... I did. 

December is decision time... brace yourselves!!