Things up with which I will not put......2013

So. I find myself unable to gig at the end of 2012.  After a relatively illness free year, I have flu in October followed by (what I suspect to be) laryngitis. Unfortunately, like a violinist who breaks a wrist, or a runner who strains a muscle, a singer is unable to sing if the equipment she uses in unable to move as it should.  No manner of pills and potions have helped, and I can only try to get a doctor's appointment after the busy new year.

Other people's attitudes towards singing never cease to amaze me.  Everyone has a voice (unless they have some form of problem in that department), and so everyone thinks that singing is just a matter of opening your mouth and making a noise. I suppose it's handy that we can carry our musical instrument with us at all times, but the downside to this is that it cannot be replaced with a new one should it develop a fault.  And it takes a fair amount of training to sing well without causing any damage - warming up and warming down are essential to my vocal health.

Anyway, if a singer cannot sing, there is nothing we can do.  We have to take time to recover, no matter the time of year.  We put ourselves under such pressure, which does no good and can exacerbate the problem. 
So next time you book a singer and they call off sick, spare a thought.  We don't want to let you down, and we probably could do with the money to pay for all the usual household bills etc (we have to live, same as you).  

Right that's out the way.

So it's 2013..

There are hundreds of "Happy New Year!" messages on my facebook wall, some of which are just simple messages of hope for the new year.  Some point towards a desire to change behaviours for the next 365 days through "resolutions".  Well if you need a day to make 'em, I suppose there's no better one.  Or is there?  Maybe a daily resolve to be a better person should be first on our list of things to do today. 

I recently posted a list of resolutions for my life in 2013, but they were really a list of continuing promises to myself and those around me.  

1.I will not bullshit  
2. I will always be straightforward,
3. I will not lie, 
4. I will never mess people about
5. I will never say that I'm ill when I'm not.
6. If you book me for a gig, I will not cancel for a more lucrative gig. 

Nothing changed from 2012 then.

Good friends and others who are in the same situation as I am will totally understand.  
Those people who do not trust others, and think everyone has some form of agenda will receive short shrift from me this year.  In my 42nd year on this planet there are things up with which I will not put.

So, some interesting blogs on the way for 2013....

look oot, world

xxx

Joanie