September 2008
Aruba, Aruba, ooo, I wanna do ya...
Monday, September 01, 2008
I made it to Aruba
Oh....my.....gawd. It is SO....FREAKIN....HOT. But that's what I get for coming down in September. Everyone here is telling me this is one of the hottest, most humid months on the island of Aruba . Since the hurricanes don't really come here, the worst they get is that their trademark tradewind isn't really blowing. Uh huh - not enough breeze. So the air is still and hot. On top of that, it's almost NEVER humid here - they average 8" of rain per year - except in September. So I feel safe and warm....really, really, really warm. But just like last time, I'm sure I'll get used to it and not be quite as affected in a week or so. Time will tell.
Otherwise, it's beautiful! I moved in to my apartment today (see pics) and I have a lovely sun-facing balcony - too bad it makes the apartment 9,000,000 degrees. *Sigh* The A/C is in the bedroom (thank goodness) and I already have a fan blowing it out into the rest of the apartment...it helps, but it's probably 85 degrees in here right now as the sun goes down. Sounds like I'll be drinking LOTS of water this month as I'll be sweating pretty much constantly! lol
On to other things....the club is totally cute! Though there's not much A/C in there either - it's open air, basically, and they have the A/C on but it doesn't do all that much....it helps but it just can't keep up. Gee, do you think I'm a little obsessed with the heat right now? HAHA
Ok, tonight is my first night playing so I'll tell you all how the gig is going in a few days.
Ciao for now!
~Jen~
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
So far, so good
Ok, I'm feeling a little better....at least I'm not sweating 24/7....just every night at the club, which is what I do anyway! You all know I'm a sweaty mess on stage...lol
Anyway, the staff are all great! I gotta get pics of the girls tonight but there are new pics of Derrek & Bradley, the boy bartenders. Then there's Kathy & Luoi (pronounced "Lou-ee")....and Martyn, my Dutch boss. I gotta get a snap of him too. But the point is everyone is great...having good people to work with makes SUCH a difference, right?
So I went to Arashi beach yesterday...it was gorgeous, of course. There's more of a breeze at the water, so that helped, but the water itself isn't all that refreshing. I mean, again, it helps, but it feels like a warm bath. Seriously. But it's just lovely. There are a few areas on the beach that are barricaded off (see pic). It's for sea turtles that have made nests. If anyone sees activity like this they are to report it so that the area can be protected. I hope I see a sea turtle....
The club is going very well. I'm surprised to be making JUST as much money as I was in January in St. Maarten. Maybe I just work the crowd, maybe they just want to give me all they've got. tee hee - I'll take it. No, seriously, I've had wonderful people in already and I expect more of the same...in a good way! I'll have to start taking some pics with fans to post.
So there we are - 3 days in and everything is going great. More later!
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
update & Italian story
So I was going to upload some more pics and write another blog last week....but I ran into a snag. The camera battery was dying. So I went to my closet to find the charger...nothing. I looked in my suitcase....nothing. I checked in the desk drawer where I have the cords for my phone, etc....nothing. DAMMIT! The only thing I forgot was the charger for the battery. Ok, no problem, I think. I'll go downtown and hit up an electronics store and get a replacement charger. I went to three - yes, three - different electronics stores....they have universal chargers for Sony, Samsung, etc. Nothing for HP. that's right - NOTHING!! AAARRRGGGGHHHHH!! So I'm having Mercer (my roomate) send me the charger for $50 via FedEx. Consequently, I haven't taken pics since last Thursday and I can't get the other ones off yet either! Leave it to me to get a camera that won't charge through my computer, only via the proprietary battery charger that I can't seem to find to save my life. SIGH
Anyway, all's well. The staff and I are having a blast....the patrons and I are having a blast. Everyone is having a good time, which is all that matters.
So I met some Italians from New York & Philly and they asked if I could do something italian: Frank, Dino, whatever. I said I didn't do any of those artists and they were flabberghasted! Joe from Philly had a $20 in his hand and was saying "But you work at Soprano's! What do you mean you don't know it?" He promptly put that $20 back in his pocket and walked away from the piano.
I took a break 10 minutes later and went over to their table. I introduced myself and when Joe told me his name, I shook his hand and said "Piacere", which is "nice to meet you" in Italian. I knew if I spoke the tiny bit of Italian (and more importantly Italian-American) I knew, I was going to be in. So I gave them my list of songs and asked them to please take a look and see if there was anything else I could do for them. They chose Bon Jovi, by the way, which is fantastic. Joe was very appreciative of the fact that I came over to try and work something out. That's what I do!! I try to please everyone....I know I can't always do that, but I try, dammit!
That's my story of the week - Ciao!!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Some people are so clever...
So, I often end up getting a shot or two during my show, as most of you know....I take that opportunity to do dirty toasts. I always tell the crowd that when I drink, you drink. So we raise our glasses together and I say something terribly gross but ultimately funny....anyway, that's not even the point of the story.
So, it was my 2nd or 3rd night here and I told the crowd I prefer Redheaded Sluts (my favorite shot, for those that don't know)........I ended up with about 6 shots in a row!! (part of the reason I love the redheaded slut, other than it's my namesake shot - haha - is that its not too strong) Still, 6 songs and 6 shots later, I said:
"Alright...now, you know I love shots but I need people to put money in my jar now so that I can go buy some food...I need groceries!"
On my last break, I had just met this very tall, thin Dutch man named Ivo, pronounced "ee-vo" (pics to come...I just received my camera battery charger shipped from home!). Well, Ivo disappeared when I said that and I went on and played another song. No sooner had I finished the song but Ivo comes up to the piano and drops a loaf of bread in my jar....everybody cracked up, including me!! Some people are so clever.....needless to say, Ivo and I are great friends now.
That's my story for the day....I'm off to the supermarket to get ingredients for my fabulous potato salad....there's a barbeque at Martyn's house (the manager at the bar) on Sunday and that's my contribution.
Ciao for now!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
so much drinking...
I wish I was kidding when I say that I have been drunk for like 8 days straight..... I'm sure I'm getting all soft and mushy just eating and drinking all the time...this is part of the reason I can only do 1 month at a time!!
I've been meeting some lovely folks from all over the place....and a few who are talented! Eileen from the east coast played guitar and sang a few numbers... Vanessa from Ireland sang two beautiful traditional Irish songs to her husband....then there's Chris who did some insane, nasty version of "Like A Virgin",complete with tying up his shirt so his stomach was exposed....and he's not gay. TOO FUNNY
I've actually met quite a few gay people here in Aruba ....nice to feel a little like home as I'm generally in GLBT company in some capacity back in Chicago . I've had a few twenties to do "Go Cubs Go" - and GO CUBBIES!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed....that's all I'll say about that.
Ok, so my funny story from last week....There was this guy, John, who tried to walk in and run the room. You know that guy....he wants to rattle me, get attention, etc. Older gentleman but good looking and clearly a strong personality. :) So he gives me sh*t a couple of times and I tell everyone that we used to be together and I know about his "little problem".....I can't give all the lyrics here but basically the song is called "itsy bitsy" (if you've seen Chicago Dueling Pianos, you probably know what I'm talking about) - he came up and gave me $20 afterwards and says "Ok, you win....you win". You're damn right I win - it's MY room, it's MY house, it's MY show. Good times....he came back 3 nights in a row.
Ok, I'm gonna eat so I can drink - again. Bye for now!
~Jen~
Sunday, September 28, 2008
what a week...
It's been a whirlwind week here in Aruba ...except there's no actual wind. Yes, still hot...but I'm used to it, even though I sweat still (you know me).
I started out with a rousing crowd early in the week-lots of $20 tips, etc. We had a great time! Then on Thursday a big crowd from the east coast came in with a few birthday parties...they threw me a couple $100s and were buying shots like crazy. At the end of the night, all drunk and singing, Mike (the ringleader of the group) says he wants to buy a shot for the entire bar....so we pour about 60 shots and have at it. How lovely! This generous man is taking care of a round for the entire bar! It warms my heart to see that kind of generosity...but wait....it only gets better....
So Friday my friends from Chicago, Julie & Bill, arrived. Julie told Bill the only thing she wanted for her birthday was to see me sing....so he booked a week in Aruba ! Could that be any sweeter? They wanted to buy me a bottle of champagne for the night, so I said (TWIST MY ARM), ok! Man, it was a good evening...they also tipped me about $100....again, true generosity revives my faith in the good nature of humanity....they also asked for several of my songs (they have all my CDs), which is also very flattering. I drank most of the bottle, had a few red headed sluts (as always), and proceeded to remain drunkenly going out with Ivo & the crew from Soprano's until 5 in the morning.
So I've already had a stellar week at this point....so now it's Saturday night (last night), and I see Julie & Bill. I tell them I can't handle another bottle tonight...I said they could buy my beers, etc. Well, that worked until about 10:30p when they were looser and feeling generous again....and I see another bottle come up to the stage. I give them a chastising look and take a deep breath, ready to do it all again....when I see the east coast group coming....like 30 people at once and I've already got a pretty full bar at this point....but now I know the night's about to get a lot better....I didn't realize how much better though! So Mike and his brother are competing to see who can take better care of me, basically, and towards the end they were slinging me $100 PER SONG. I said I had to stop at 1:00am and they gave me another $100 each to play another few songs....so already I have about $900 in tips for the evening - a record in and of itself!! But here's the kicker: when they paid the bill, Mike gave me an extra $1,000 tip and the bar staff $500......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I had just about a $2,000 evening.....in tips..... What a lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky girl I am. Both my wallet and heart are bursting - YIPPEEE!
I don't think I'll be able to top this story....but you never know. I'll certainly never forget my first time in Aruba . -------------------------------------------------------------------
January 2008
Entry #6: Ah, St. Maarten, Netherland Antilles (Caribbean)
  
January 2nd
I arrived safely in the islands yesterday afternoon – and so did my luggage! HOORAY! I’m waiting for the Federal Express package I sent to myself with some things for the month: soap, Octavia Tea (www.octaviatea.com - I don’t go anywhere without it!), guitar strings, etc. That should arrive today. I’m all settled in to my tiny, island apartment (see pics). I walk down the driveway and a few feet on the road and – voila! BEACH!! I can’t hear the surf in my apartment (there’s 3 buildings. between me and the ocean) but when I get home from my gig in my P.O.S. car (the roads here are not that well-maintained, so a crappy car is the way to go – mine’s provided by the club for a mere $300 for the entire month) I can see constellations in the sky and hear the surf crashing against the beach. Loverly…
I played my first night last night and it turns out I have Sundays off, not Mondays as I thought, so I only have a 5-day stretch this first week. I hope my voice holds out! I know this first week will be the hardest as I’m not used to 5-hour shifts every night. It went well last night, though, and I made good money in tips. The funny thing is that most people use US dollars, but Euros are accepted as well…so I got some of those too….and also some British Pounds – I’ll have to just save up all of my “other money” and turn it in when I leave.
I haven’t done anything cool yet….stay tuned.
January 3rd
Everyone I talk to says this is the best time of year to be here in St. Maarten. The Christmas trade winds (as they call them) make for a temperate time here in the tropics. It’s 82 degrees and a bit humid, but the breeze off the ocean….ahhhhhh.
So far, I’ve met folks from Wisconsin, Florida, Boston, New York & New Jersey (several groups from the latter)…and England, Italy, Mexico, Finland, France…I love the multi-culturism here! The island is both French and Dutch owned (I’m on the Dutch side), but over 80 nationalities are represented in its people. Maurice, the manager & singing bartender (he’s got a great voice!) at Soprano’s is Dutch. I heard a great version of Tom Wait’s “Old 55” in Dutch from his ipod. I told him he’s gotta sing that one. So far, he’s performed “Walkin’ in Memphis” about 6 times in the past two nights. Everyone loves it & goes crazy for him when he sings! He’s a great guy and I’m really enjoying working with him. Sometimes the staff & the boss make all the difference, don’t they?
There’s also other musicians that stop in and jam with the piano player….like Papi (pronounced “Poppy”) – he’s French and performs here on the island as well. He sings and plays guitar and harmonica. He came in last night and jammed – I had a blast! I’m so glad that other musicians come and jam – it makes it that much more fun. Maurice tells me there are a few other musicians I can expect to meet that come and jam – I can’t wait! I certainly miss my band already, but this is gonna help a lot…plus, it allows me to save my voice a tiny bit more.
Jordan & Kamelia, my friends from the Underground Wonder Bar, arrive today and stay for 2 weeks. Whoopie! I’m sure we’ll do some cool stuff, so I’ll write about it when it happens. J
January 5th
Jordan & Kamelia arrived safely – Kamelia said she could hear me singing as she came up the stairs to the second level of the Sonesta Maho Plaza (where Soprano’s is located). It’s really great having some close friends with me – I get work done when I need to but typically, we’re hanging out during the day and when I go to work at night, they go out and find new spots to hang out. We made a lovely dinner of tacos last night (see pics). I set the timer on the camera I finally purchased. I haven’t owned a camera since I was about 12. Other people documented my life for me! Okay, I’d buy a disposable here and there to take pics on trips, like my hiking trip a few years ago…but until now, I didn’t have much reason to own a camera. Well I’m having a blast with it.
So far, my voice is holding up! I actually didn’t feel hoarse until today – and that’s partly due to the fact that now I have friends here so we’re talking, partying, staying up even later, etc. I’ve got one more night and then tomorrow I have a day off – hooray! I gotta shut up tho – I think we’re going to go snorkeling – I won’t have to talk at all! Perfection…
We’ve had a few problems at the apartment – nothing major, but things like the toilet tank leaking, the cabinet door falling off….so our maintenance man, Dolf and his sidekick, Joe, have been to my place 3 times in the 5 days I’ve been here. They are really nice guys and today they took the shots we offered (at 1p, mind you – see pic) :)
Jordan won a hundred at the casino last night – yes, friends, we’re on the Dutch side of the island, which is the “happy” side, as the Dutch residents call it. The French side is the “sad” side because they don’t allow gambling or drinking and driving or strip clubs….and yes, all of that is possible here on the Dutch side. You can drink and drive, drink and walk, drink and sit on the beach, take that drink you just bought in the bar and pour it into the plastic cups they leave by the door for that very purpose…drink, drink, drink….luckily, I have a job so I have a reason to say no to the constant day drinking that I’m witnessing. No wonder everyone I spoke to that’s been here said my liver would be severely damaged after a month on the island! Good times….
Oh yeah…and I already had what Jordan calls a ghetto celebrity moment…I got recognized yesterday at the little market we went to for some groceries…after all of 3 days…and a few people have stopped in to the bar saying they heard I was great and that they were told to come see me…word travels fast on a 40-mile island. :)
All for now – hope I’ll have some pretty scenery pics for you next week after my day off. Ciao!
January 6th
Saturday night, Jordan & I went to the dance club after work & closed the place – 6:30am, by the way. Needless to say, we didn’t get up too early on Sunday. But when we did, we headed over to Mullet Bay Beach (see pics). Bigger surf over there, so more waves to play in – but that ocean is EVER so powerful! Gotta be careful with high surf days, I’ve heard. We drank coconut milk out of the coconut and got some sun. On our way home, we stopped at the Sunset Beach Bar to have a cocktail, watch the sunset and the planes land. It’s a popular spot because the jets are RIGHT there! (see pics) We also entered a crab race on the beach (pic) – you bet $5 that your crab will race out of the circle first. We didn’t win, but we got a free T-shirt – lol.
January 7th
We went over to Pinel Island, off of the French side, and sunned, swam & snorkeled all day. I finally see tan lines! I’ve been VERY good about wearing SPF 30 or 45 all the time I’m out on the beach – especially on my very white – *eh hem* - chest (not everyone does it, but topless is acceptable, so when in Rome, as they say J). We had a wonderful lunch of Old Wife Fish (never heard of that before!). It was a fresh catch & was grilled and skinned and served whole – DELICIOUS! The snorkeling was not bad but apparently, there are better spots for that. Jordan & Kamelia have begun their SCUBA certification – I don’t think I have the energy to be in class for 3 days, 8 hours a day, and then go to work. So it’s good – I’m getting some blogging and work done today & they’re in SCUBA school.
I met two musicians that live upstairs, Chris & Les – check out their pages – great guys! We’ve been hanging out a bit & jamming here and there.
Another musician I’ve been hanging out with is Pops (see pic). He played on Sunday night, my night off. REALLY nice French musician – I’m loving this place!! Every time I sing Sweet Home Chicago I keep saying I don’t want to go back! LOL – I do miss home, but not that much at the moment. J More to come….
January 9th
Last night, after work, I headed out with a group that works at the Sonesta Maho Resort. Two of the guys are Dutch, one is Italian, and the other is from the Dominican Republic. The diversity is so wonderful!! We had a great old time at the club (see pics). I rolled in about 7 am – the sun was coming up and the roosters were all crowing. I can hear the surf as I quietly sneak into my apartment so as not to wake my guests. They have to get up early for the SCUBA classes for a few days. So today I didn’t actually get up until about 2 pm, did some work (yes, people, I’m in paradise but I gotta keep my business going!) and went out to the beach. Les, my musician neighbor, came and hung out and played guitar on the beach as we all sat chilling out with the sun setting (see pics). Now I’m about to get ready to go to work. So far, its working just as I thought it would. My first set is very chill, the next 2 are raucous, and the last set can be a bit chill to wind everyone down. I’m pretty much a little hoarse all the time, but I’m trying to up my water intake. As you all know, I sweat a lot when I play….imagine being on a tropical island and doing manual labor for 5 hours – I seriously soak my hair and my sweat rag every single night. So I have to compensate for that lost water by drinking even more than I normally do. Thank goodness I’m not one for day drinking. I’ll have 1 beer on the beach some days, but the hydration is something that’s very important for my voice…that and enough sleep, which I’m getting. I definitely want to do more of these gigs. :)
January 10th
So I just got the news from my booking agent – I’m confirmed for January of 2009! He’s also offering me gigs on Aruba and Barbados. I think I could get used to this REALLY quick. J At least more of you can make the trip next time, should you so choose. Jordan & Kamelia have gone to Anguilla, one of the neighboring islands for a few days, so I’ll have a little alone time. I do love them to pieces, but I cherish my alone time as well. This really is a paradise and I’m definitely glad I’m finally doing this. I’m looking forward to doing this more often, that’s for sure. I’ve met some great folks so far and I’m sure there’s more good times to come. More later!
January 13th
We went to Uncle Harry’s for dinner tonight and had the BEST surf and turf on the island! Everyone had recommended this place for lobster & filets and they were so right. Four of us went to dinner and all decided to get the surf and turf. The waiter recommended getting a 6 lb. lobster for us all to share. I was a bit skeptical, because as I know from eating lobster on the east coast, the bigger ones can have tougher meat. BUT, this one passed the test – it was so delicious! (See pics)
Then we went over to The Alley to watch the Jukebox Heroes, one of the most popular bands on the island. These are the musicians that live upstairs from me and we’ve been hanging out a bit. So we went to their show and I sat in on a few tunes – even on my ONE night off I end up going to the bar and singing! Thank goodness I love my job. It’s proving to be just what I thought it would – I’m a little tired and hoarse all the time, but I’m not suffering, so it’s good!
Mostly, I’m not doing too much cool stuff cuz I really have to be ready for my night of work. It’s still the best gig I’ve done. J
More later when good stuff happens…
January 15th
This morning, I did a radio interview on Island 92 with Bogart, who’s actually from Illinois originally. We had a ball and I’ve been asked to return to do one more interview on Tuesday, January 29 th at 10:30a (8:30a Central). I think you can tune in online! Check it out… In any case, we talked about several parts of my career, jamming with other musicians, and he played “Get Out”. I left a copy of “Moving On….” (my 3 rd album, for those that aren’t familiar) & “It’s About Time” (my 2 nd album) for them to play. As I said before, I’m booked for next January here, so the press is all good. I’m working on a newspaper write-up as well in the Daily Herald.
January 16th
I made a tip last night that was a $100 casino chip from the casino across the street – I guess it’s a sign that I should gamble it! I can always just go over to the casino and cash it in, but I feel like it’s a sign…I’ll gamble it when I get a chance to go over there again Jordan & Kamelia & I went one night for about an hour and I only changed $50. I left with $55. That’s good enough for me – free drinks and a little fun! We played Black Jack, which at least I know how to play. I’m not much of a gambler, but every once in a while, it’s fun. I plan to keep the majority of my money though – I’ve really only spent my money on groceries and party supplies (heh heh). Otherwise, I’m here making way better money than I would in Chicago in January. Everyone’s tapped out from the holidays and it’s cold – I saw on the Weather Channel it’s going to be a high of 9 degrees there on Saturday – luckily, the high here will be about 85. I’ve got two more weeks in paradise…this time. I keep telling people that it’s my first time in St. Maarten but it certainly won’t be the last.
January 18th
So Jordan & Kamelia have left and Rich is now here! He’s so happy playing in the water….he even found a playmate! This cute little French boy (see pics). Just as my guests have changed over, my crowd has changed over. For two weeks, I had Frank & Leslie and Larry & Janice. Every night or every other night, I would see familiar faces, talking, laughing, enjoying. Now, they’ve left and a new crowd is coming in. It’s interesting seeing the changeover and also feeling like I miss my old regulars! It’s making me miss home folks too – though I’m not missing home too much. It’s a wonderfully simple life here. I’m partying just as much as I ever do, but I get to relax on the beach in between. The stress just melts away with the sunshine and the water. The sand and salt exfoliate so well!
January 19th
So as I said, the new crop of folks is in. I had a group of about 10 30-somethings that just whooped it up and had a grand old time singing along with me. I love that I keep meeting so many interesting people from all over the world, though many are Americans and many are from the east coast here. Anyway, I wanted to talk about a new couple that’s in for a few weeks. They look like they starred in the movie Cocoon…so sweet and kind…very amicable older folks. So they’ve been coming a few nights in a row being very complimentary. Since I don’t play standards too often, I always worry about grabbing the attention of the older set. These folks, however, threw my ageist theory for a loop. They were browsing my set list and wrote a request…it was for Tenacious D’s F**k Her Gently. I laughed and asked if they knew the song. They said no, but they really wanted to hear it. It was late enough in the evening for a bit of debauchery, so I said ok. They freaking LOVED it! So now they ask for it every night. I’ve had to tell them that they have to wait until later in the evening when those of fainter constitution have run off to bed. Everything I know is being challenged right now and I’m just basking in the expansion.
January 24th
Rich & I went up to Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island. I love that there are mountains AND ocean here….it’s the best of both worlds, in my mind. In any case, Pic Paradis, on the French side, just past Marigot, the French side capital, is a gorgeous 1,400 ft above sea level. The views were amazing! (see pics) Then Rich & I found out about a company that runs a zip line course. For a mere 35 Euros ($50), we spent an hour in the trees, zip lining around, climbing, monkeying…I was so happy! Those of you that know me know that I LOVE to hike so this was a perfect day! Se manifique! (See pics)
So I went to do a newspaper interview with Rajesh Chintaman of the Daily Herald over in Phillipsburgh a few days ago. Today the paper came out and he did a VERY nice write-up of me! There’s also a few pics of me with customers at Soprano’s here: http://thedailyherald.com/outnabout/467
I’m so proud to have taken this place by storm a little bit. I mean, ghetto famous is super fun – I get recognized out at the club, I know the press people (Island 92 Radio, who also posted a few pics of me on their website: http://island92.com/photo4.htm) and I’ve met so many wonderful people that work here as well from all over the world. I’ve definitely made some great friends who I’ll miss when I leave at the end of next week. It seems to have flown by, though I am looking forward to having a slightly less hectic schedule for February….and I’m still working on booking some gigs in Colorado during the first week of March. Mostly, I want an excuse to go skiing. J Yes, I miss winter but only a little bit….I see it’s 12 degrees in Chicago on my desktop weather program. Yeah, I’m still glad to be soaking up the sun.
January 26th
Last night, Roger Sanchez (international DJ) was spinning at Bliss, one of the clubs here on the island. I went over to meet Rich & my island friends after work. We partied like rock stars, of course! It was a blast….since I didn’t go to sleep until about 8:30a, I’m a tad tired…but this is the day we booked massages on the beach. Christianne, the masseuse I met on my beach the 3 rd day I was here came out to work on Rich & I for an hour each. It was just the kind of bliss I needed the day after the club. What could be more relaxing than getting a rub down under the palm trees, feeling the breeze, hearing the surf crashing in….on top of that, she did really great deep tissue work so I feel like a new woman! Thank goodness Saturday nights can be slower at the bar because it’s moving day. Everyone is either just coming in or getting ready to leave, so Friday is the busy night. We were quite busy last night so a good time was had by all. One more week to go and I return to the frigid winter….ah, Chicago. My sweet home, Chicago, I’ll be back in your arms before you know it.
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June 13, 2007
Entry #5 - Lucky, lucky, I'm so lucky
 Girl Scouts' 95th Anniversary Sing-Along
That's right - I'm back from another Girl Scout Anniversary - and I'm still riding high from the elation of being a part of such a wonderful, monumental (excuse the pun) event.
To read about my first experience, scroll down to Entry #2.
I had the distinct pleasure of sharing the stage with some amazing performers, like The Chantels, Michelle Shocked, Julia Nixon, Katy Benko, Melinda Caroll, Sunny Sumter & Teresa.
I had the even greater honor of singing with The Washington Mystics WNBA team, Patricia Shih, Harolyn Blackwell & Kathleen Herles, the voice of Dora the Explorer!! We sang together on the National Mall in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC with over 200,000 Girl Scouts!! Thanks to all who made this unprecedented event come together!
I cannot tell you how moving it is to feel your soul as it is enveloped by voices. I've been struck with how BIG this really is! Not only that, but I realized how important Girl Scouts are. They're not just a service organization or a social club. They are a way to raise strong, courageous girls that turn into powerful, intelligent, courageous women. If I hadn't had Scouting as a kid, maybe I wouldn't be on the path that I'm on right now. With that, I really want to provide more of my time and energy to the cause of Girl Scouts.
I also realized that these songs are the roots of my musical career. Seriously, when I was 3 years old, my Mom took me with her to Girl Scout Camp in Chippewa, Wisconsin, and I was leading songs even then! (She's got pictures....I gotta get those from her and post them!) She would teach me the harmony part, or the 2nd part, or we would just sing in a round......this is where it all began. Before I even began taking piano lessons (age 5) I was singing with Mom & Girl Scouts.
I thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience...how LUCKY I am to say I got to do it again - and I hope to be invited to the 100th Anniversary in 2012 - can we hit 300,000?!? I can't wait to find out...
After a luxury stay, limo shuttles to and from our location, and being whisked back to the airport in the black town car, I'm back to reality: 5-7 nights a week STILL SINGING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS....and many years to come.
PS - Some of you know that for the first Sing-Along I attended back in 2002, I was SO NERVOUS!!! It was the biggest crowd I'd ever played for! I knew we had projections of about 150,000 this year but I'll tell ya, I just never really felt that nervous. It's the same way with National Anthems...the first time I sang for 40,000 I was so nervous my leg shook the entire time! But now, I just get excited. I'm a lucky girl. NO, I'm a strong, courageous, independent girl who goes and gets what she wants...thanks in no small part to Girl Scouts & my Mom.
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December 21 , 2006
Entry #4 - Doing What I Love For A Living
Yep - I love my life. I get to meet other great artists, I get to meet wonderful fans, I get to meet people that are doing what they love as well. It's like nothing else in this world to have the confidence and ability to make a living at something you love.
I'm turning 32 today - I can hardly believe how fast everything seems to be flying by! I never really noticed that time sped up until I hit 30. Incidentally, that's also the age that makes you TOO OLD for American Idol (sniff). But that's ok with me - I'm more of an artist than a karaoke singer. Besides, I'd want to play my own instruments and sing my own songs and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't get to do that on that show.
The point is that I never knew in my youth that I could make a living at music and NOT be famous. I guess I just didn't have examples of people in my life that were doing just that. (Sorry David Salk, I just didn't really know you well enough in youth to get that influence from you) So, I went to college and got a degree in English & Communications. I've worked several day jobs and loved them. I mean, all jobs have their issues - even the one I have now, which is music - but I really did get to work for some great companies. If I hadn't done those day jobs, I don't think I would've had the know-how to run my own business, like I'm doing now. I look at my last entry there in 2002 wondering if I would make it: and here I am, MAKING IT! I truly believe that this is success - I get to do what I love for a living! Not enough people get to say that, so I know I've got it good.
Just remember: life is hard. Life's not fair. Life is so many things that you have to remember to stop and look around once in a while or you might miss it (almost a direct quote from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"). I realized the most important thing, which I'll end with:
SUCCESS IS A JOURNEY, NOT A DESTINATION. I'm totally along for the ride.
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November 6, 2002
Entry #3 - Can I make a living at what I love? PLEASE?!?!?
Well, I've taken a big step towards making a living at what I love: making music. I'm working part-time now instead of full-time! I feel like I'm starting to get my sanity back, just a little...what sanity I had to begin with, that is. In any case, I have more time available to me to write more, sing more, practice more, rest more, read more and enjoy life a little more! This does mean that I will make less money though so I need as many people as possible to buy my CD! Okay, you can listen to it first. Actually, that opportunity will come at the end of the month with the Listening Party. Come down and hear it before you buy it!
That's not all that's been happening...as some of you have already witnessed, I've been performing with a band more often these days. It's still only a few shows but I plan to continue this trend and play with the guys more often. It's much more fun to have a group of guys around who play well, sing well, feel well, and enjoy my music, maybe as much as you (dear reader) and I do! Watch for more dates with a band on the Upcoming Events page. So far, the next show with a band is at the House of Blues Hotel Kaz Bar on December 13th. I can hardly wait! We're REALLY gonna have a blast...and there's no cover! Hope to see a good turnout that night.
Not long after that show, on December 21st, we'll have the band back again to play for the CD Release Party...and my birthday! Yep - I'll be...uh...22...okay, 28. All it makes me is too old for American Idol (I've got news for ya, AI: I write my own songs AND play an instrument so you prob'ly wouldn't want me anyway, even if I was young enough to be part of your stupid contest!)
So things are movin' along, that's for sure. The new album is almost out. I've taken it down a notch at my day job so that I can concentrate on developing my music career. I'm feeling like I'm in control of my destiny and I like what I see at the end of the tunnel. I gotta just keep pluggin away!! June 10, 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry #2
Tales from DC...over 120,000 Singing Together
What a thrill....what a joy....what a completely AWESOME event I was honored to be a part of! I can't really describe the feeling of standing there on stage, looking out over the sea of people, hearing the cheers and shouts of the girls up front and seeing the ones in the back waving their arms and saying,"Are you gals ready over here? (right)...how about over here, are you ready to sing? (left)...how about way back there at the monument, are you ready to sing? I can't HEAR YOU!! Are you ready to sing???!!!" And the response: OVERWHELMING. I didn't eat much that day for fear of being too nervous: but I wasn't. I felt good - I felt right. I felt like I'd done it before, though I most certainly have NOT performed for so many people in such a well-known spot.
I led 3 folk songs, including a few where I was joined by my Mother (I'm a third generation girl scout - how 'bout that?), who was THRILLED to be onstage with her daughter, singing, clapping, and making merry. It was such a moving experience to be on stage with my Mom singing songs that she had taught me before I was even old enough to to know what the words meant. So this event was REALLY full circle for me!
Then I did my own tune - Your Child. I sat at the piano, explained how I'd written the song for my parents, and played the first notes. I wanted to relish that second as long as I could: and then I launched into the performance.
While holding out the first long note (near the end of the tune), the crowd erupted into cheers and screams. "They're really digging this," I thought to myself. "This original song of mine is really going over well - the band is with me, the crowd is with me and I want to do this FOREVER!"
And YES, I told everyone to go to JenPorter.com for more details on the second album, which contains Your Child....
As I finished, I went to the front of the stage and grabbed/shook hands all the way across. When I got offstage there was a throng of people at the gate and I can hear "Jen! Jen! You're awesome! Jen! Will you come sign my shirt?? Jen - Over here! Jen! Can you please sign my book? Jen! Can I get your album? Jen! Over here!" My heart soared though I had a huge lump in my stomach from all of the adrenaline that had just coursed through me. The only feeling I can relate it to is being at the top of a mountain. If you've ever climbed - muscles burning, sweat in your eyes, lungs straining at times for enough breathe - then you have an idea of how it felt to be cheered by - well, over a hundred thousand people at once as I worked my muscles, sweated, and pushed out with the most full breath I could!
Then it was time for all of us - Odetta, Harolyn Blackwell, Michelle Shocked, Melinda Caroll, Sunny Sumter, Julia Nixon, The Chantels, Katy Benko, Patricia Shih, Myrh and Karen and I - to return to the stage and all sing together. I picked up the tamborine and played and sang as we all joined in This Land is Your Land and God Bless America. As we walked off the stage, I realized how proud I was to be a part of this. How exciting it had been and how much I appreciated the talents of the strong women around me and out there in the crowd. 43 states were represented and 120,000 girls left NOT ONE TRACE of garbage (of course).
All in all, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will never forget! Wait a minute...that's not true...because they've already asked me back for the 95th Anniversary in 2007!! Hopefully, by then, I won't be the unknown underdog like I was this year. I got GREAT feedback from the fans, the producers and the other artists - I think everyone was surprised that an "unknown" like me could have such a powerful voice and a strong presence. But it's you, dearest friends and fans, that have given me the strength. You that support me regularly. You that buy my albums. Your support helps me go farther and farther each day! Word of mouth is the best advertising of all!
Thanks again for all of your good vibes - they lifted me up and gave me strength in a moment when I wasn't sure I'd be able to rise to the occassion. But with your help and strength, there I was, empowering girls, making lasting memories, and getting just of taste of what I want my life to be: onstage, performing, giving joy and receiving joy so I too can create my own happiness in life. NEVER STOP FOLLOWING YOUR DREAMS cuz this was a dream come true.
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March 27, 2002 Entry #1 - The Beginning
At a show the other night, a fan asked me why I don't write a journal and keep it here, on the News page. "That's a good idea", I said. So here it is. What do you want to know? My thoughts on life? Love? Probably not. You already know them from listening to my music. I'm so clearly apparent - is that an oxy moron? Clearly apparent? It's a great line.I'll have to put it in a song. Sort of like a line I wrote recently "You think it's obvious but obviously it's not". Something about repetition of thought - seems to make it stand out. Hmmm. Is this what you want? How I write songs? I wonder how to be when faced with the knowledge that there are.well.eyes upon me. I do love the spotlight - too much sometimes, I think. That in itself makes me need to write, need to allow myself many moods, many times, many reasons, many thoughts. I suppose for me I imagine a journal writing to be pure consciousness. Not that I don't stop and think sometimes - I do. But most often, I just sort of type away and realize that I'm letting things out without even knowing it. That's exactly how my songs are written, actually. So there you go. Something somehow "flows" out of me and when I look at it, and put it all together, there's so much cohesion that I wasn't even aware of.it's scary. Maybe I should ask you what you want to know. Ask me something. Anything. I can't promise I'll answer it, but if it's something I think I can write about without getting into too much trouble, I'd love to say what you want to hear. So give me a topic and I'll tell you how I feel. Send me email I'll post questions and answers for a bit.see how that goes. Good? Good. |
