Beware of Spooky Strangers

Hey People - whether you're an Artist/Performer or not, be careful and safe out there in both cyberworld and in person. Remember there are those ppl, with no good intentions, who prey upon us. Stay alert, ask questions, require recommendations, do background checks, go to meetings and appointments with an assistant or bodyguard, carry protection/weaponry, etc.... whatever you need to do to keep yourself safe.

Lots of Beefcake Action...

So...we all are inundated with the effects of global warming...from the extreme weather to the bleak predictions for our grandchildrens'grandchildren.  Some of us feel a pressure to make a few changes, maybe recycle something or whatever we can come up with. Others sit back and say 'oh life is short anyway'... it'll work it's way out....'they'll be living on some other planet [hopefully]' - I considered that last one myself. Every little thing we do is making some carbon footprint, huh. I volunteered once at a recycling plant...dirty and busy. I even got some cool stuff hehe. It can be a job in itself just to find out where and how you can recycle many things. After my enlightenment as a volunteer, I attempted to recycle EVERYTHING that would normally go in the trash. Ah, that was ridiculous with all the cans, boxes, bottles, etc. I had more in the recycling bin, than in the trash. It was quite a responsibility, so I reverted back to recycling in moderation. I guess they get most of what is usable out of the garbage, anyway...and somebody recycles it.

But, who would think that a visit to the local recycling plant would yield so many fine specimens of men. I was a bit caught off guard by the local beefcake up in there. Sure, the majority are recycling for much needed cash, not because they are treehuggers ...but you have to give them credit for putting such efforts toward our environmental future. From young to old, short to tall, every ethnicity, language, in khakis or dirty jeans... I gotta give a shout out to the recyclers. There were only a handful of women. Hey Ladies, let's not be shy! Join the fun. Yeah, so that old refrigerator or ugh scrap metal, ain't your thing. Get your neighbor, boyfriend, brother, or even girlfriend to lend a hand and make it happen!

xoxo
Suga

http://soundcloud.com/sugalane/cries-r-broken-ma

Checking Out Fresh Graphics

If you or someone you know might have some ideas for fresh graphics for an EP cover, let me know. You can just comment and post sample. I'm thinking about a new look for the cover for Ride It Remix. Thanx ...

xoxo
Suga

Some Clutter Keeps Calling....

So my mind feels a little mushy after working through the math required of tax forms. One minute I'm on a it, getting it done... this form, then that one, then oops, oh I missed that line...redo. Anyway, between snacking on fruit and frozen pizza, I lost any inspiration to finish this s%&% "stuff" and now it's really becoming quite a drag.

As 2011 gets cranked up, I know a lot of us are clearing out the clutter in our lives. It's such a great feeling to get rid of junk. Whether you need to clear your closet, your garage, your desk, your colon...or your heart - don't be scared, go for it. I gathered up a ridiculous amount of stuff for donation. I was so embarrassed when I realized exactly how much stuff I had sitting around unused and useless. I had enough for my own little thrift store. Ridiculous. Just stuff wasting space. I reflect on the possibility that there's someone out there who can use some of the stuff I'm holding hostage here. Some items are easier to get rid of than others. Some may talk back or put up a little fight..or even continue to call you, or email.... but find peace in knowing that when you clear out the things that no longer serve you and your purpose, you're actually making space for something new and better. Also, once those blockages are gone, you can have a clear view of the stuff you really want to use.

Starving Artists and Nickels

So as an update to my CD Baby rant/review, I did seek out and find where my song "Ride It-Changin' Lanes" was hiding amongst the digital distribution companies. As an independent artist, serious about perfecting the art of songwriting, I am like Bambi wandering through the woods of distribution looking for food. I did locate my debut single on several sites. I had no idea they had it up a few months ago [check "review of CD Baby"]. Anyway as an excuse to rejoice [or lament, depends on how you look at it] there was a financial report of my first nickel earned from a few ppl streaming the song at Zune and Rhapsody in December 2010. Cool,... I think. Well, the song's 7 streams on those 2 sites = .05, you do the math. I can't speak for all songwriters and/or recording artists, but for me, I write songs because I have something to say deep down and I'd like to touch someone somewhere. Maybe make you laugh, maybe make you cry, maybe make you feel a little sexy. ..And even though I am a struggling single mom, and a nickel won't buy the baby formula or diapers, one of the greatest payments for me came to me like this: I was out at a local spot [this past summer], checking out some tunes, incognito, and a girl comes up to me in the bathroom and says hi. I didn't recognize her at first b/c she'd changed her hair, then she started singing this song. It was a song she'd heard me working on with her bf, a local producer. She said how she loved that song and she had a special sparkle in her eyes as she sang it. She asked me to sing it for her friends...I declined, I hadn't heard it in a while and it was late hehe, I didn't want to scare them...but anyhow, that is what makes it all worthwhile.

ITunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ride-it-single/id395357899

CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sugalane1

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ride-It/dp/B004581N2W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1294728323&sr=8-1

Last.fm: http://www.last.fm/music/Suga+Lane/Ride+It

Zune: http://social.zune.net/search.aspx?keyword=suga%2520lane

Rhapsody: http://www.rhapsody.com/suga-lane

Emusic: http://www.emusic.com/search.html?mode=x&QT=suga+lane

Napster: http://music.napster.com/artist.htm?id=13377634

Coffee Addiction?

So I actually slept a bit this morning. For the first time ever I awoke to find my baby sitting there playing contently with her toys, watching me sleep. What a magical moment! Wow , she was having fun and I was actually resting for the first time in weeks. I don't even know what time that was, but when I awoke later...ie a few minutes ago, it seemed like a dream. She's asleep again and I am starved and considering some coffee. There's coffee in the house, but I'd love to get a few things from quik trip. My car is parked on an incline and shuffling snow ain't my thing. So as I listen to the snow slowly start to break off in pieces...I wonder when will we be getting out and about again...and yes, I do have longings for a warm beach somewhere due south.

Loving the Atlanta Snow and Sweet Potato Pie

I can't remember the last time we had this much snow within less than a year's time. Can you? It's pretty and a great excuse to be inside with some cocoa. I think I have chocolated and coffeed [is that a word] myself beyond the regular confines of day and night. Wait what day is it? What time? Oh it's already 10 pm, hum, feels like 10 am...of the next day. I'll have to cut that guilty pleasure back out of my diet this week. Check out  "The Natural Baby Show" for more guilty pleasures. Oh yeah, makes me think of one that I wish I had right now - either my sweet potato pie or even Mickey D's. I discovered McDonald's sweet potato pie a few months ago, um almost like homemade. I believe it was discontinued at the McDonalds near me...and how do I know that...well the last few times that I happened to stop by in the middle of the night, hoping to get one, they politely let me know they didn't have any and that I could get an apple pie instead. Those are good too, but when you have your mind and stomach set on one thing....it's a bummer. I gotta go find something sweet and ah healthy..NOW.