Living by Design: Your Personal Vision and Mission Statement

Happy Holidays

Kate & Corey … You’re Gonna Like Them

Kate Shaffer and Corey Coleman have made a musical name for themselves.  In the last 11 months, they have gone from playing on the street in downtown Buffalo, making 300 dollars a month, to playing up to 6 times a week, at venues like the Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls, and Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, for a special VIP reception for Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts.

Simply Cupcakes, Simply Delicious

Ever since I received two of the most delicious cupcakes I’ve ever tasted for my birthday, I’ve been hooked on Simply Cupcakes of Carrollton! Being a lover of food and frequent restaurant reviewer, I can say I’ve eaten many cupcakes, including Georgetown Cupcakes.  Simply Cupcakes of Carrollton is  the standard by which all cupcakes should be judged, period!  The cake is light, moist and melts in your mouth.  The frosting is rich and creamy, far from heavy and dense.

The MS Concert for the Cure

Goyte: Mr. "Somebody That I Used to Know" is definitely worth knowing

Atlanta Prison Farm

Atlanta Prison Farm, a set on Flickr.

A defunct prison said to have been in operation from 1945 to 1995, Atlanta Prison Farm has been slowly rotting away. What remains of it now is covered in graffiti ...

The Art of Appreciation

Feeling genuinely appreciated lifts people up. At the most basic level, it makes us feel safe, which is what encourages us to do our best. It's also energizing. When our value feels at risk, worry becomes preoccupying.  This drains and diverts our energy from creating value.

Oddly, we are often more experienced at expressing negative emotions—reactively and/or defensively, without recognizing the corrosive impact on others until much later, if we do at all. How unfortunate, because the impact of negative emotions—specifically the feeling of being devalued—is incredibly toxic.

The more specific you can be about what you value—the more you notice what is meaningful—the more positive your impact is likely to be.

We are all more vulnerable and needy than we would like to imagine. Authentically appreciating others will make you feel better about yourself, and it will also increase the likelihood they'll invest more in you. The human instinct for reciprocity runs deep.

Lets face it, once the infatuation days are over, appreciation seems to get shoved into a shoe box under the bed! The power of appreciation is a very POWERFUL thing! The fact is, relationships take a lot of work. It’s all about the things we do to make the other person feel IMPORTANT.

It’s so easy to take each other for granted and to get caught up in a pattern of not expressing your appreciation of each other. So what can you do to really let your partner know how grateful you are for everything that he/she does?

The first step is to think about the special things your partner does for you … not just physical things like taking out the garbage, or making your favorite dinner, but the way that he/she is sensitive to your feelings, or makes an effort to be respectful to you. It’s all the little (as well as the big) things that count.

Once you have these things in mind, it is really easy for you to appreciate your partner, and to show him/her how much everything they do means to you.

Relationships are also about LISTENING. You can’t really appreciate anything if you never listen to each other, right? The gift of listening is one of the best gifts money CAN’T buy!

Never play the blame game. If you blame someone in a relationship and never stop to think about what you do wrong, you’ll never get anywhere. Remember, it takes two to tango, and it takes two to work together to build a lasting relationship!

A Southern Girl, a Legendary City, and an Excellent Adventure

Bonaventure, a set on Flickr.

I absolutely love Savannah.  It reminds me so much of my home, New Orleans.  One of my favorite places in Savannah is Bonaventure Cemetery.

During a recent visit, I had the pleasure of experiencing Bonaventure Journey’s Tour with Shannon Scott.  It was one of my best tours EVER!

Being an avid reader who loves history and details, I often find myself a bit disappointed with tours.  Not so with Shannon, his tour was engaging, informative, and full of details.  His delivery was full of wit and charm.  Another plus, at least for me, it was a small group AND it was after hours.  No crowds mean great photos sans tourists, and time for questions, yay!

The saying, “Here in the south, we don't hide crazy. We parade it on the front porch and give it a cocktail,” came to mind as I listened to stories of the infamous Savannahians who lay to rest at Bonaventure.  Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil lovers are in for a treat, too, but I won't spoil the surprise.

If you loved the storytelling in the movie Big Fish, you will adore Bonaventure Journey’s Tour with Shannon Scott.    Cheers ;-)

Preserving Democracy

On this Fourth of July, let us rededicate ourselves to the proposition of preserving democracy.  Let us resolve anew that this hallowed concept, bathed in the blood of heroic men and washed in the tears of courageous women, shall not perish by fault or default.

Democracy’s success rests with the people, and freedom’s preservation lies in its true purpose:  the freedom to do right which helps all, not a select few.

Please take a couple of minutes to remember the sacrifices of those who fought, and those who continue to fight for our FREEDOM!

In God We Trust, and may God Bless America ... Happy Independence Day!

The Buckhead Theater Belted “I’ve Got the Music in Me,” as the GA Music Awards Ceremony Came to Town

It has been called "The Beverly Hills of the East." Buckhead is, indeed, an exceptional place … a community that shines with vitality and vision. Saturday, June 16^th, was no exception, as Georgia’s music community gathered at the Buckhead Theater for the Inaugural GA Music Awards Ceremony.

Music legends and up-and-coming artists shared the red carpet for a night that will be remembered by all. 

Madison Shea

Woodstock’s Madison Shea, one of the winners in the Youth Music category told me her song, “I’ve Got a Secret,” was her way of telling a boy she had a crush on him.

James Murray of Blind by Sight, who was joined by his lovely wife, April, was thrilled, as his band had the honor of being the opening performers.

Tyna Q

Christina Quinones aka Tyna Q, who also won in the Youth Music category, is the first Latina to ever be nominated in any category.

R&B Male nominee Chris Cauley graced the red carpet with Cindy Brusco of Red Light Management.  You may remember Chris from season two of The Voice.  He was selected to be part of Adam Levine’s team after singing Grenade by Bruno Mars.

Winston Warrior, another R&B male nominee has a voice like silk, and is as kind as he is handsome.  I shared a table with him and his entourage while partaking in the red carpet activities.

Chicago Mike and me

Chicago Mike from Kool & the Gang, a seasoned professional, shared a pearl of wisdom.  He wanted the newcomers to know that “this is not a game.  Get rest and eat right to maintain a good performance.”

Comcast Xfinity Video of the Year nominee Chiedza Ponder, had an unforeseen emergency, so Herbert Bowens represented Chiedza in his absence. In chatting with Herbert, I learned that the name Chiedza means Bright Shiny One.

Paris Luna

Paris Luna and Ginger Fawcett were both winners in the Female Rock category.  Lucky me, I got to hang out with Paris Luna at a performance the night before.

The Inaugural GA Music Awards Ceremony began with the rockin’ sounds of Blind by Sight.  After the riveting performance, GA Music Awards co-founder Christi Chambers took the stage and welcomed everyone to the Buckhead Theatre.  She introduced GA Music Awards founder Omar McCallop, who stated  that after two years in the making, the big night was finally here … YAY!

Christi Chambers, Alan Walden of Capricorn
Records and Kimberly James

Omar and Christi thanked everyone who helped bring this “baby” to fruition.  A special thanks was given to Kimberly James, CEO of CBM records, for her extensive contributions and perseverance in “making things happen.”

Listed below are the nominees and winners (in bold):

Country Male: Chase Bean, Mike McCarroll, Chuck Courtenay, Ty Bates, Ricky Gunn, Tyler Reeve, Jared Ashley

Country Female: Abby Owens, Rachel Farley, Angela Reign, Lauren Ashley, Meagan Kerns, Faith Jackson, Jessi Scott

Country Band: Reluctant Saints, BadHorse, Runnin’ Wild Band, Allatoona, The Big Money Band

Youth Music Nominees: Rachel Starnes, Colt Chambers, Hunter Price, New Nerds, OMG Girls, Prince Newfew & Da Mill, Big Korey, Madison Shea, Cristina Quinones, Ynck

Rock Male: Mike Martin, Davin McCoy, Jason Lee Jones, Paul Warner, Erik Rodgers

Rock Female: Ginger Fawcett, Eryn Woods, Carly Kane, Seanna Turner, Paris Luna, The DollDaze

ThroatPuncH and Alan Walden

Rock Band: The Six Shot Revival, Life & Limb, Almost Kings, ThroatPuncH, Crane, Greedy White Citizens, Southern Mischief

Alternative Band: Blind By Sight, Vortex Park, Sexual Side Effects, Wesley Cook Band, The Symphony Crack Orchestra, Ben Lovett, Hannah Thomas

Americana/Blue Grass: Neil Cribbs, Evan BarBer and The Dead Gamblers, East Dixie Boys, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, Joe McGuinness, Honey Blue, The Train Wrecks

Hip Hop Male: Jalon Blac, GT Live, Syke Pachino, J Bar, King Malachi, Mykel Myers, Willie Hen

Hip Hop Female: J Misses, KaSwiss, Contanek, Enna Redd, Chi Chi Diva

R&B Male: Winston Warrior, Norwood, Chris Cauley, Xavier Lewis, Siergio, Steven Knight, Jovan Dais

R&B Female: Hanan, Samantha Falk, Susan Tedeschi, Tia Michelle, Sheryl Boyd, Te Char, Tocarra Hamilton

R&G Group: Lissen, Kazual, Allure

Producer: Mike Froedge, Clay Cook, Paul Diaz, Teddy Bishop, Mike Snoddy, Lazar Gray, Nick Chahwala

XFINITY On Demand Audience Award: Angela Reign, Honey Blue, Throat Punch, Chiedza, Kazual, Xavier Lewis, Mandy Gawley, Sexual Side Effects (All She Ever Hurt), Collier Daily, Clan Destined, Ben Lovett, Gareth Asher

Model of the Year:  Kansas Patrick, Ashanti Toi, Sarah Oliver, Wakina, Mei Ling Lam, Allison Collins

Trendsetter Award: Mr. Colli Park

Lifetime Achievement Awards: SOS Band, Alan Walden, and Dungeon Family

Gratitude overflowed, as names were announced and the winners accepted their awards. I was humbled to be in the midst of the talent-filled Buckhead Theater.

Congratulations not only to the winners, but also to all who attended … you are part of Georgia music history!

Taking Risks

Love can be risky. It is hard putting your heart on the line, because you never know what someone will do with it.  At times, you must take the lead, be brave, and put yourself out there. As you take notable risks, being courageous in making your way up the mountain of life is going to accelerate your place on the path in unthinkable ways.

Taking risks means making yourself vulnerable.  Opening the emotional gates of hope in your heart, enables you to tackle fear.   Knowing that, as you step into those spaces, ultimate strength will be found … ultimate strength lives in that space of vulnerability. As you experience your own sort of precipice, you will in turn be given the confidence to keep on climbing.

Remember, it is easy to take off your clothes and have sex; people do it all the time.  Opening your soul to someone, letting them into your spirit, thoughts, fears, future, hopes and dreams … that’s being naked.

Watch out world, your best is yet to come, but you must get naked first!

Memorial Day 2012

Memorial Day 2012, a set on Flickr.

Images from my visit to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens with Brian Harris.

Looking forward to many excellent adventures together ...