It's a brand New Year! What are you going to do with it?

Happy 2013!!!  2012 is now a memory and you have a brand-spanking new year in front of you.  What will you do with it? Perhaps you'll find a new job to replace the one you dread going to.  Hey, if you get a headache just driving into the parking lot, it's probably time to find a new way to earn a paycheck.  Maybe this year you'll finally get yourself organized and throw out all of the old stuff you've been hanging onto in case you need it one day.  Seriously, if you haven't needed it during 2012 and all of the previous years, it's doubtful that you'll ever need it again.  Will this be the year you become an entrepreneur, work the kinks out of your invention, go Hollywood or just get that divorce you've been wanting? Whatever it is that causes your heart to beat a little faster or your mind race at the thought of doing it, I truly hope that 2013 will be your year!

Many of us did not accomplish all of the important things we had on our "To Do" lists, so you are in good company there.  However, none of us wish to stay in that sphere.  We all want to be successful, clear that list of things to do, and do a George Jefferson --- move on up.

With the economy kicking our butts at every turn - rising prices and falling employment opportunities - it will not be easy to remain positive.   And, of course, any failures of 2012 could continue to dampen our enthusiasm and make us hesitate to jump back into the fray.  Sitting on the sidelines won't make things any better; to accomplish anything, we must do the work.

So, what's on my list that I haven't done?  Well, it has quite a few items but there are two major things that I want to finish this year.  The first thing that I'd like to scratch off of my list is finishing my first novel that I began six (yes, 6) long years ago.  Why didn't I finish? Well, it wasn't writer's block but more like life block .  I could give you a long list of reasons, excuses or what have you, but it was simply life.   We all have obstacles in life that effectively keep us separated from some level or form of success we're hoping to achieve.  I was unable to remove the obstacles - and believe me, I tried my damnedest.  Consequently, I failed to finish my novel even though I am almost done. But we all know that almost doesn't count.  So, 2013 arrived at midnight to find Yalaena Live!  still incomplete.

The next item on the list that does not have a line drawn threw it is making a demo so that the fantastic lyrics I write can be pitched to an established producer like Vincent Herbert, Andre Harrell, L.A. Reid, or Corte Ellis.  My dream as it pertains to the music business is to hear my songs being sung by Mariah, Mary J, Tamar, Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, etc.  It's as though I can hear what you're thinking - do I really think my lyrics are that good? I absolutely do. My lyrics have depth. They are not the fluff being played these days.  My songs are for people who really blow, baby!  So, why haven't I made a demo?  No music to accompany my lyrics and no funds for studio time.  Sounds simple enough but these are hurdles that must be jumped and I can't seem to clear them.  You guessed it... 2013 found me with my songs incomplete.

One thing that the new year found me with is faith.  I still believe that I can finish Yalaena Live! and find a way to get my music done.  I've been struggling for many years now to defeat the problems that have been plaguing me but that in itself could be the problem.  The answer could be as simple as finding a way around the obstacles instead of trying to completely rid myself of them.  There are some things that cannot be eradicated but they can be bypassed or maneuvered around.  You can't move the mountain, but you can climb it.   You can't remove the river, but you can find a way across it.  You get the idea.

While the new year does not bring with it a new, clean slate, it does bring the opportunity to get back to the task of making your dreams come true.   Work on it, no matter what "it" happens to be,  every chance you get.  When fear and/or doubt intrude as uninvited and unwanted guests, cut their visit short and keep working.   Become just selfish enough to make your projects priorities instead of options.  Do the necessary to obtain the elusive.

2013 is our year!  I'm claiming it for me and especially for you!

With love,
Sunida

Ryan Leslie - "5 Minute Freshen Up" In-Studio

I wish I could compose music as effortlessly as Ryan Leslie makes it look. Epic talent! I almost forgot to mention how gracious he is to surprise a fan just for tweeting him back. Cool.

90's R&B group Intro

My friend Yolanda and I were reminiscing about our days at Ft. Bragg when she told me that Intro's lead singer, the late Kenny Green, was in her unit and loved to sing to her all the time. I thought I'd see if there were any videos on Youtube and I was in luck. Greene had crazy talent (singer, songwriter, arranger, etc.) Click on the Youtube link to watch other videos and view their first interview with Donnie Simpson on Video Soul. Enjoy! 

Sy Smith - Conflict

Sy Smith, a background singer on American Idol, chatted with Mo'Nique about her CD, Conflict, and performed Fly Away with Me. Check it out along with The Art of You.  Your ears will thank you!

Andre Pitre

I just saw this fine brother, Andre Pitre, on The Mo'Nique Show on BET. The "Southern Gentleman" says he's single ladies. Mo knows that chocolate this smooth and delicious will keep the sisters coming back for another bite. Yeah. Check out the video for his debut single, Your Name.

Kutiman - 03 - I'm New

Jennifer Hudson - If This Isn't Love

Reggie Watts

I just stummbled across this guy on Youtube. He's unique and has MAD skilz!!


Out of Control



It's Over

What Soothes Your Soul?

A really good friend of mine called me because she had come to the end of a surprisingly dreadful day and she needed to talk. Butter Bean, as she is affectionately called by some of her friends, was more upset than I had ever known her to be. She was not the type to be rattled easily, so I listened intently to her recount of the day's events leading up to her despair.

The next day, I called her just to check on her mood. I was hoping that a good night's rest had lulled her back into the calm place I was so used to finding her. As soon as she answered the phone, I knew that I had hoped in vain. This time, I decided that I would be the force that would lift the burdens that had recently attached themselves to her shoulders. So, after listening to her for about fifteen minutes, I began making silly jokes. She didn't laugh. I allowed her to talk and pout and sigh. In the spaces between the talking, pouting, and sighing, I threw in a downright stupid comment and a nervous giggle. I had every right to be nervous because she still didn't laugh. The Butter Bean I knew had been chased into a hole and she wasn't coming out.

By day three, I was not looking forward to calling her because I just did not know what to say. Sometimes just listening works but I instinctively knew that this was not one of those times. No way! Butter Bean needed a jolt to shock her back into her usual jovial self. Undaunted by the fact that I had no clue as to what would accomplish that, I dialed her number. As the phone started ringing, a silly little ditty suddenly formed in my mind. When she answered, I broke into song.

Butter Bean, Butter Bean! Why do you have to be so mean?
Butter Bean, Butter Bean! Why do you have to be so mean?
You know that man was just looking out...
But you had to scream and shout.
Butter Bean, Butter Bbean! Don't cha be so mean!
Whoa, Butter Bean! Don't be so mean!


She was really quiet the whole minute that it took me to get that out so I thought that I had failed again. But as my voice trailed off, I heard a familiar sound. It was a chuckle. I had done it! Butter Bean was laughing! She said, "You'd better write that one down." We shared a few more laughs that evening. She reminded me to write the silly ditty down one more time before we hung up. Butter Bean knew that if I didn't, I'd forget it. I still forgot, but the lines above are what I can remember.

It really didn't matter what I sang. The point is that music was the one thing that soothed her soul. I should have known that since it has always been the thing to make me feel better no matter what had put me in a foul mood. The genre doesn't matter and I could care less who's singing it as long as I like it. Let me make it clear that I am a terminally devoted Patti LaBelle fan but I listen to a wide variety of others. So far, no one has come up with a song that I like to blast when I'm in a bad mood better than "Victory" by Yolanda Adams. After all, one can't go wrong when you have "the victory in Jesus."

What soothes your soul when life has unexpectedly dealt you a difficult hand to play? Maybe it's a day at a spa, a long walk, getting lost in a good book, a long soak in a hot tub with a glass of wine or a drive along a scenic route. Whatever it is, as long as it works for you without adding to your problems and it is not detrimental to your health, indulge yourself! I'm pretty sure that it will always be music that does it for me.

Be blessed!