My Life In Music: Soundtrack to Me 2014

It's that time of the year! The time when the end and the beginning are oh-so near. The time for great food, great friends, resolutions, and reflections. I do it all through music which speaks to me. As is my annual tradition; I, generally, review the year through the songs that have spoken to me, touched me, hugged and squeezed and held me close at some point during 2014.

Indulge and enjoy!

MY LIFE IN MUSIC: Soundtrack to Me 2014

• Beyonce - Blow
• Jamie Holden - Hard To Let Go
• Reba McEntire - So Far Away
• Melanie Fiona - Wrong Side of a Love Song
• Antonique Smith - Hold Up, Wait A Minute (Woo, Woo)
• Sam Smith - Restart
• Alice Smith - Fool For You
• Paulo Nutini - Let Me Down Easy
• Angie Fisher - IRS
• Whitney Houston - So Emotional
• Jennifer Hudson - Dangerous
• Nicole Renee - Ain't Nothin' Changed
• CeCe Winans - Come On Back Home

As I always say, to me music is a therapy: it relaxes me, it inspires me, it becomes my voice to express myself when I cannot find the words. Put your life to music. Which songs capture you?

With love,

Xx



 
 
*Not included in video playlist

Podcasting: Putting Myself On-Air

Yes, I am co-hosting a podcast called The THRST. For those unfamiliar, a podcast is essentially the modern-day equivalent of a radio show, except most aren't broadcasted live and are available for you to download and stream anytime and anywhere you get the chance to listen.

With the incomprehensible advances in technology, one can do pretty much anything they want to do -- at affordable prices while maintaining complete control. Want to produce a music CD? Not a problem. Want to shoot a (short) film? That can be done, as well. Is it possible to produce your own radio show? A piece of cake!

I never thought I would actually do a podcast or radio show. I've always wanted to host a television show, but never thought I actually had a chance, because -- you know -- I speak to quickly, I speak too softly, and my Southern accent has a tendency to make an appearance whenever it wishes. Those three things are definite NO's in the public speaking world. At least in the "old" days, but not today.

I am going to say the journey, officially, started with my interest in voice acting. A few years ago, I started attending a voiceover workshop where I learned skills for radio and television commercial voice acting and eventually acquired the equipment I needed to record and submit audition pieces. Then, one day, I was walking with one of my friends and we're having this ridiculously funny conversation and realized we should have our own reality show. That was a bit much, but I realized we could do a radio show (or a podcast) and I already had the equipment. We discussed it for a few weeks and then just did it. The THRST was born!

No sugar- or cream-added, enticingly evil, wickedly funny conversations between two friends on life, dating, pop culture, and every issue in between.  It's humor, attitude, shade, and opinionated-truth!

I'm extending a personal invitation for you to hang out with us: follow up on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and join the conversations. You can listen to us via the player below or subscribe and download us via iTunes and the other networks listed beneath the player.

FIND US HERE:

• iTunes
• Stitcher
• Spreaker
• Blubrry
• TuneIn
• Blackberry
• Microsoft (Windows Phone/Xbox/Zune) 

See, it's possible. No more waiting on others to grant you access or to tell you yes. What do you want to do? Go.Get.It.Done!

"Bring snacks, the tea is on us!" (click to tweet)

My Journey to the Alter

When: December 2013

What: The realization that friends were getting married. Friends were moving away. Friends were making and birthing babies. Friends. Not me.

Thanksgiving was a dinner for one. Christmas was celebrated on the couch. The new year was brought in while watching The Bodyguard -- I always love my moments with Rachel Marron (Whitney Houston) and Frank Farmer (Kevin Costner), but this seems to have become tradition. I'm not mad about it, but it is a tradition that could possibly be enhanced by sharing it with a special someone. Possibly; provided they don't smack, chew with their mouth open, or chat (God forbid snore) during the movie.

I, also, realized that a Gentleman-Of-Interest (GOI) typically enters my life every other year. 2013 was the year, but it didn't happen. That added fuel to a friend's argument that it was time for me to get boo'd-up on the penthouse level. Enter...Married By New Year's.

As one of my all-time favorite movie quotes sums it up:

"I'm not your average 24 year old girl who's waiting to sit around and count the days. I'm 33...and I still look good!" - Whitney Houston as Savannah Jackson (Waiting To Exhale)

My ultimate 2014 social adventure: 365 days to find Mr. Right (For Me) and get married. 12 days in and it's already a journey; an interesting one nonetheless. I love that it's inspiring me to me more active and present in meeting new people; it's also causing me to sit and think about the small aspects of dating and socializing that people often neglect -- like body language and signs of openness.

Feel free to follow me on my journey, offer suggestions and tips, and introduce me to some eligible bachelors.

2014...we're doing this!

Keep Up With The Journey:
Married By New Year's Blog
Follow Me on Twitter