New Years Day...2013

Happy 2013! I spent most of New Years Eve in solitude in a beautiful backyard in Florida, staring at the stars and fireworks through beautiful oaks draped with spanish moss. It was very magical and something I've never done before. It's been a while since I had some time to just be in the moment, by myself. I started thinking about my life, the new year, my goals and dreams, how grateful I am for all I have right now enjoying the peace and occasional silence. (floridians love their fireworks)I did a champagne toast with Jim at midnight, which was nice. ;)

Every New Years I want to do something special, be at a cool party yet almost always fail at it. The best new years yet was with my parents about ten years ago, they came to visit from germany and we went to a friends party, we dressed up, drank, danced and laughed all night long! It was very special to me since both of my parents worked their entire life in the restaurant business, working every holiday, I never got to spend NY with them as a kid.
This may have been my second favorite new years eve as far as I recall.

Had to get up super early (5am, but overslept & got up at 5:45am) to get back to LA with a stop over in Nashville, didn't sleep much. The flight was scary, lot's of turbulences, the pilot seemed a bit crazy....both landings were pretty rough, yet I found all of it extremely amusing. As I started talking to the guy next to me, it turns out, he's the original drummer from Paramore, that was super cool. I saw it as an omen for the new year, great things are coming!

Back home now, LA seems like a ghost town and I love it! Unpacked most of my stuff, cleaned the house, got thai food, my health nut boifriend choose pizza. (yes, I'm being sarcastic);P I cuddled with my kitties, gave them some love, they were happy to see us, the cars battery was dead, had to get a jump start from a dear friend to get the car back up and running; picked up the last member of my little family, my dog "BOLT". He jumped all over me ,gave me hugs, showered me with kisses, and made little whining noises, like tears of joy. it felt awesome! If anyone out there seeks affection and unconditional love, adopt a dog....just saying. He was really excited to be back home, I didn't expect that. I think he actually missed the cats also. Not sure if they missed him though....;)

I'm exhausted and probably will be in bed way before midnight. I'm still on eastern time. Overall, I had such an amazing time spending the holidays with my family, something I should do way more often! I'm very grateful and looking back to 2012, it's been a great year, it actually ended fabulous! Now it's time to step it up to a higher gear, get moving, create momentum! I'm excited to get back to work, crack out some badass music! The beauty of it is, that it never feels like work. It's a drug and I can't get enough of that kinda crack!

As far as New Years Resolutions go: (in general)

-Let Action Speak!
-Risk More!
-Step Outside The Box!
-Re-Invent Myself!
-Express Myself!
-Be A Leader!
-Be Independent!
-Financial Freedom!
-Be Happy
-Act From Place of Love, Always!
-Stay curious
-Have FUN
-Don't Take Life So Serious
-COLLABORATE
-Learn, Grow, Expand!
-Follow My Instinct!
-Live In The Moment
-Be Adventurous
-Be Spontanious

Let's see how consistant I can be with my blogs this year :)The plan is to write a little something every day, my progress with the music and life in general. Hopefully a ton of cool stories, discoveries and adventures will surface but...let action speak! Cheers to a fantastic, kick ass 2013!!!!! xoxox JVB

Digging through the pile

There's so much I want to share, the Grammy's, the news about PinkStar and Otto's Daughter.

I'm finally back in the flow.

I have to write 27 songs for my music library due February 15th, besides that I have to finish our EP and do a photo shoot. AND, I could not resist so I signed up for a challenge to write 14 songs in 28 days (which is easy for me).

At first glance it may seem like I'm putting too much on my plate but in reality, nothing comes more natural to me than writing music. Today I worked on 5 tracks, sent 3 out. Another 3 will be going out tomorrow evening.

Magic happens when you make a commitment. I'm fired up and inspired as hell. Find your passion and set yourself on fire!

xoxo
JVB

Let it rain....

The rain and three cats purring on my bed make it really hard to get up early. I managed to get out of bed around 9:30am, got my workout in and even had breakfast before my 11am student.

Pretty good accomplishment before noon! I like that. Something about accomplishing little things early in the day turns my whole mood and motivation up a notch, makes me feel great and want to do more.

After all, we were meant to be productive, have a purpose and go for what we want and love. That doesn't mean going to a job you hate (that's not productive, that's actually soul-drenching)

I made some phone calls, sent some e-mails, learned a few new things about some plugin's; took care of some more important business and received a very pleasant call.

Let's just say that certain people are meant to be in your life and always will be part of your life and it's a very good thing (because it's our choice). That phone call had me even more fired up, I got extremely inspired and excited about the possibility of some future collaborations. Something I've been wanting to do for a while.

I had some computer problems which turned my creativity to null. At first I got kinda frustrated since I really wanted to finish at least one of the 30 tracks I have to have done by February15th but than I realized, I'm just not in a creative flow at the moment and it's okay.


I'm one of those who can't write anything for a week; than bursts out 5 songs at once. I learned to be okay with that and just go with the flow rather than beat myself up and try to force magic. it just doesn't work. After my 5pm student someone took me to Little Tony's for some real italian food and a glas of Merlow. How can I say no? Hahahaha


I watch it rain, wash away, the road is clear and clean and ours to take!
Raindrops & LightingSparks
JVBlossom

Zip It!

The Universe does guide us!I came across an article published by Derek Sivers a while ago talking about the announcement of intentions. I really needed to read this. Do you?



I used to announce my intentions, a) I'm excited, b) I'll really have to do it, since I announced it right? Well, luckily, results speak louder than words. Truth is. NO. I hardly ever finished what I had announced. Now I know why. (or at least have found an excuse, lol) Have fun reading it, it makes a ton of sense; so from now on, let us "shut it" till it's complete! Than share it with the world.

http://www.sivers.org/zipit

In the Fast Lane

One thing for sure, when you are on the road, you somewhat lose touch with a lot of things that are important to you; it's a whole different world, there's the road, the shows, new faces, stories, sleep somewhere in between, different places you stay, sometimes you have access to the internet sometimes you don't. I wanted to work on music but that didn't happen. There's so much to share and blog about, I will have to organize it or maybe just randomize it ;)



Now that I'm back home, I realize how many projects I've put on hold; I really have to make some major decisions about my priorities and time management. Doesn't that sound like a ton of fun-less tasking? A little bit however, I decided right now that I can handle it all and that it is OK to delegate and ask for support!
After all, I am in control of me. I run my life. None of that autopilot nonsense.



Crack the Whip JVB, it's time to get producive and create miracles!
I shall return soon.
xXx
JVB

Summer Solstice

Where does time go? Really? It's summer. It's hot in LA. My pool feels good.;) I guess it's time to post another chapter of "The Adventures of ..." lol.

The music, blogging and writing and Zrii is keeping me busy; in a good way. Not stressed or overwhelmed, just busy. Every day another piece of the puzzle falls into my lap. Just the way I like it.

Life is great!
xoxoxo
JVBlissful