All Work With Little Time To Play

New York city is super expensive. I mean its nothing to burn through like a $100 bucks in an hour. I spend about $70 bucks a week on transportation alone. Food is a whole other story, because its New York City the price goes up for everything. Plus the city never sleeps so the clubs and bars on top of  catching cabs just makes for a life of bankruptcy (lol).Not only that but with the few auditions and submissions I have sent out with my head shoot and music have left directors and casting agents confused because clearly I don't look like the pictures. Which means new head shots.  With that being said I need money, as much money as I can get. Thankfully I am not a girl that's afraid of a little hard work so I've manage to not only get one job but three, yay me!!!, talk about a tired sista (lol). I am still working at the private bouquet style hotel in Chelsea , but I just recently got a part job at Steve Madden and then I am contracted out by my friend Ivory that works with the NBA for various stuff. I'm not sure exactly what Ivory does but what I do know is when she walks in a room everyone gets nervous and gets to work. She's really a Boss Chick.

The good thing about working three jobs is for the most part I like them all. On my first day of working at Steve Madden I got a free pair of shoes plus I get half off of everything in the store except for clearance.Considering I'm trying to save money this discount I'm getting could cause major interference(lol).

Working with the NBA rookies is so much fun. I mean how many times does a girl find herself being the center of attention among young millionaires, well with the exception of acrobatic strippers not many(lol). I just love the innocent compliments and flirting but I'm no fool. In as much as they are popular and rich they are also mostly big babies. After spending countless hours hearing them wine and cry about absolutely nothing I'm quickly reminded these future NBA heart throbs are more of a headache than my hearts desire, so I'll pass.One would think with all the money they are getting paid they would have less to complain about, but surely that is NOT the case. I kinda feel bad for them because not only has their lives changed but their entire family and a few friends lives have changed as well as.These kids are taking care of grown folks who they are not responsible for, tragic just tragic. Plus I really like my offensive guard. He's tall dark, handsome, and has really big hands and you know what they say about a man with big hands *wink*. To be honest I have no idea what "they" say about a man with big hands but I'm curious to find out (lol). I would much rather be tackled by him in a game of tongue of war than play hide and seek with a grown ass kid (lol). Who knows if all goes well I just might hand over the love of my life Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson to my dear friend Robyn....I'm sure she'd love that, but I digress.

The hotel is my full time job and its not so bad. It just sucks that I have to work the night shift, but even working nights has its perks. There's a really popular bar/ lounge within the hotel that a lot of famous people frequent often. When I say famous people I'm not talking about your black list B listers that live in the ATL shawty but Oscar winning, A list super stars. I mostly see them at their ultimate worse, usually drunk and hungover coming out of our private bar/ lounge no where near ready for the red carpet. My favorite is when super star athletes try to flatter me with unnecessary compliments  for a hookup on a room for them and their one night stand. I'm not naming any names up a popular defensive back came in the night before a preseason game and wanted a room for him and is lady friend. Now he was already gonna be fined like $10,000 for breaking curfew, when I told him the price of the room he said to me "I'm about to bust a $375 nut, I said no sir this nut is about to cost you $10,375 (ROLMBO)... Now will that be debt or credit gotta love the night shift.

With all these jobs being up for 24 hours has become a norm for me. Its nothing for me to hop on a train heading to one of my part jobs early in the morning only having to go to the hotel and work the night shift . My mornings have become my nights and my nights have become my mornings. There are some days more like most days I feel like I'm way in over my head. On those days I pray "Dear God, why have thou forsaken me?!?!. Then some how some way I find the strength to keep going, fighting for my dreams. The little time I get to play I spend sleeping or playing truth or dare with new crush. Did I mention I really like him, I think I did.(lol) The one thing about working is when I see people on facebook and twitter  out and about having a good time, living it up and I'm stuck behind a desk or on a sales floor ,its not fair. All I can think about is how their grass looks so much greener then mine. But then I have to remind myself that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. I'm sure most of the people I see on social media living the good life probably don't have jobs and should be using their energy to find one but who am I to judge. I know working the way I am right now is just a means to an end and this to shall pass.

To my friend who spends most of their time working, hang in there. This wont be us forever we just got to keep our eyes on the prize and know that in the end it will be worth it.I know it's tiring but our day of rest is just around the corner.

Til Next Time
Simply Lola

Pushing With Passion

There's a popular open mic spot called the Village Underground located in Soho, downtown New York. Many well respect musicians come out nightly and basically jam. Cheryl Pepsii Riley is the host on Monday nights. Cheryl was hot in the early 90's but most people remember her from Tyler Perry stage play "Diary of A Mad Black Woman" and from Full Force Unsung.  Anyway, many independent artist come out and perform with the house band to gain exposure. Rumor has it that a lot of major record executives come out looking for the next hot thing. Of course this rumor is told practically everywhere there’s an open mic so you never know. Since its New York I feel like it could be some truth to it so I signed up this past Monday for the show. Being that its New York and the host isn't some random chick that can barely hold a note I was a little nervous. This was a new environment for me with people I have never seen in my entire life. At least in Dallas and Atlanta I would know at a few people in the audience. Especially in Dallas, my friend Lauren always has my back and shows support but she’s not here. Monica's my only true close friend here in the Big Apple and besides her there's not even so much as a distance cousin nearby.  It’s a scary thought but I am literally out her by myself. Since this was a new spot I didn't want to go alone. Monica has one of those real corporate jobs that actually require her to produce work, which means she works like a million hours a day (lol). To ask her to come out and play wouldn't be ideal so instead I begged my friend Daylon from Dallas who was in town for work to come and be my support team. Daylon's job is fun work that requires him to enjoy himself and entertain others (lol). I'm sure there’s more to his occupation but whatever that "more" is doesn't demand him to be up before 11am (God, I envy him, lol). Thankfully Daylon agreed to go with me. However I'm not sure if he agreed to go because he felt sorry for me or if it was because we would be right around the corner from his old friends Heathcliff and Clair Huxtable house from the Cosby Show. I'm guessing it was a little bit of both (lol).

The show started at 10:45 but I had to be there at 9:45.  We were warned at the door that due to the large crowds seating is limited and people are seated at the various tables for crowd control. My thoughts were great not only do I have to worry about if I'm singing the right song tonight but I might have to make small talk with a group of strangers seated at our table, OMG the pressure is on. As we sat there waiting for the show to begin I had knots in my stomach because I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was first impressions were lasting impressions and failure was not an option. The longer we waited the more anxious I became until finally the first artist of the night was called to the stage. He was an Asian guy singing Ribbon In The Sky. When I first saw him I thought hmmm, this might be interesting and sure enough it was. This guy was terrible, I mean Lord have mercy, Jesus keep me near the crosee this guy was a HOT Mess. If Steve Wonder was there he would have found a way to see this clown make a fool of himself.  Needless to say I relaxed a little because even if I didn't do a great job I definitely would do a much better job than him.

Relieved that the worse had already been done, I thought I'd do just fine. I was finally called to the stage and my song of choice was Crazy by Cee-Lo Green. The band and I started the song out mid tempo with a real sexy groove (it was hot) and I ended it with a bang. I hate to brag,... no I don't, but I killed it in a good way. I put Dallas on the map in the NYC. The Asian guy wasn't a hard act to follow but clearly I was (lol). I made such a good impression on the lead drummer that play for the house band stopped eating his chicken wings and got up from his table and joined in on our set. My first impression was not only a lasting impression but a very good lasting one (all smiles).

My friends and family are always telling how proud they are of me. I always say thanks but in the back of my mind I'm always thinking why are they so proud of me I mean I haven't done much since graduating from college but move from pillar to post as my grandmother would say. But in Hine sight I guess there is something for them to be proud of. Here I am living in a city with one friend and no family still pushing with passion. It takes a lot of guts to do a lot of things in life but it takes faith to have the guts to do your hearts desire.

To my friend still pushing with passion keep pushing and just to let you know I'm proud of you. We may not have changed the world by curing cancer but we are concurring our fears of failing through faith

Til Next,

Simply Lola