16 hours ago
Rest In Peace, Lady Summer
I grew up listening to Donna Summer. My mother would play her vinyls in our apartment and it was hard to get away from seeing her video “She Works Hard For the Money” on MTV (when MTV actually played music videos). Donna Summer was part of the very fabric of my childhood, and you don’t want to know how many times I’ve heard “Last Dance” at a karaoke bar. ^_^
Miss D, you’ve given us so much joy and broken a lot of barriers during your time, and I just want to say “thank you” for giving us all lots of wonderful memories through your recordings and performances. Your music was definitely part of the soundtrack of my life.
Rest in Peace.
Juicing Day 8 & 9 Double Play Video
Sorry I wasn’t able to post up day 8 & 9 separately, but I’ve been having issues with my internet. Thankfully I was able to put them up today.
By the way, because of the success my friend has had on her diet plan (she’s lost over 100 lbs thus far – it’s taken awhile, but I’m really proud of her), I decided to join the “myfitnesspal.com” site to see if it’ll help me on my goal.
Ultimately I want my goal BMI (Body Mass Index) to be anywhere between 20-22, which is considered a normal body weight. In scale terms, it would require me to lose approximately 100 lbs. I’m not expecting to do it overnight, but this fast is a great start.
In the meantime, here’s the 2nd to last video in my juicing saga. Thanks for all the support!
Juicing Day 7 – A Short Update
A very short update, now that this leg of my journey is coming close to it’s end.
Thanks to all of you that have been watching and have been so supportive.
Juicing Day 5 – The Halfway Mark
I survived the trip to the movie theater.
Went swimming and survived,
And I’m now on the halfway mark.
Just a little more and I’ll be done.
Day 3 – Cotton Mouth
Body is still getting acclimated, but I’m starting to feel some of the transitory effects.
I found out just how weak I really am on this, the hard way.
Day 2 – Cravings
Cravings are starting to kick in.
Some other interesting side effects I’ve started noticing after I filmed…
My tongue is starting to feel fuzzy. I had this same sensation when I was on the lemonade diet.
I’m also starting to feel hunger pangs, even if I drink water or more juice to resolve it. That was unusual.
Frightening though, for a moment, I felt some actual pain in my side and in my chest, but I’m not certain if this had anything to do with this.
I also think my body thinks I’m going into starvation mode. I may have dropped 5lbs, but my BMI (Body Mass Index) by 2 points. It’s still early and I really shouldn’t have weighed myself so soon. I’ll restrict myself to once a week. At least I didn’t try to measure myself.
If you have any questions, just let me know.
Thanks for checking-in!
-Janifer
Revelation: Habits – Last prelim day
The day before the fast and I’ve come to realize that it may be more than hunger or food addiction, but a fixation on chewing food that needs to be kicked…
Priorities
I’m going to unintentionally sound like an info-mercial during this post, just to warn you.
I’ve been overweight for as long as I can remember, and that’s not from lack of trying. I’ve been on diets, had personal trainers, on doctor supervised diets, cleanses, exercised daily for two years straight… needless to say, I’ve made the attempt.
In the past several months, I’d begun to resign myself to the idea of me staying this way for the remainder of my days, not excited about the prospect, but not seeing any way of making the change I wanted.
Then something interesting happened…
I was at home watching Netflix when I came across a documentary entitled “Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead” by Joe Cross, an Australian who went on a 60 day juice fast to reboot his body and cure himself of his skin disorder. The movie and the two stories (of Joe and Phil – both going through the fast) really inspired me.
I’ve fasted before, on protein shakes, on the lemonade diet, but nothing like this. After going through all the formalities, I made up my mind and decided to do it, so I purchased a juicer, some books on juicing, and joined an online community. To keep myself on track, I started a vlog and playlist for that vlog to follow my journey, which I am planning on filming daily. The video you see here was from yesterday, when I decided to put together my introductory video. I’m in the preliminary stages of the juice fast, incorporating them into my diet while I’m still eating solid foods, so as not to fully shock my system. To reinforce my resolve, I’ve re-watched the movie daily to keep my mind wired to the success this program has been to others and to help me stay focused on my goals.
My goal right now is 10 days, and if it’s successful, maybe longer, but baby steps right now.
My career has always been paramount to me, but my health needs to take center stage for a while, which is why I’m sharing this info with you. I’m not stopping my singing/performing/writing/recording, mind you, only taking more responsibility and a more proactive approach to what’s important. In other words, I will be continuing my vlog update as well, just to let you know.
I’m looking forward to sharing my success with you, as always.
If you have any questions, or would like to join me on my quest, let me know.
Love you all!
-Janifer
Update – We’re Getting The Band Back Together…
Got a video update for you… and it’s starting to remind me of The Muppets.
Then again, The Muppet Show was awesome, so what am I being weird about?
And below that is a recording of me singing Grace Potter’s version of Beyonce’s “Why Don’t You Love Me” with Jason Sprinzen on guitar. Once you watch the video, you’ll understand.
…and yeah, there’s a sliver of info about “The Voice”.
Let me know what the good word is, and thanks for watching & listening! ^_~
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Video Happy
Let me tell you a short story…
Last week I went and auditioned for “The Voice”. Ironically, the judge I got this time around was the same judge I got last season, and he gave me a “maybe”, just like he did last time. When I asked him what I needed to improve upon to make it to the next rounds, he said I had to stop being so “showy”. Upon further explanation, he said that I needed to be mindful of the size of the room and that I needed to do the exact opposite of what most people are told to do at auditions and pull back. He also made note that he loved my voice and loved my whole rock/soul thing, and that he could really see me on the stage with a mic performing it, but it was still going to be a maybe.
So… As a power singer, I’m supposed to pull back on my power chops for an audition regarding a show that has at least three power vocalists this season… two which are going to the live rounds…
…I’m sorry, but I really don’t think I can accept that response.
So I’ve decided to submit directly to casting in California.
Yeah, I can be stubborn like that.
Because of it, and the fact that I’m not able to travel to any of the other cities to try out again this season, I have recorded video of me singing with a couple of different ideas. You can check them out below. Please “like” them on youtube when you get a chance. ^_^
Thank you to The Human Karaoke Experience & Crash Course Karaoke for letting me film, thank you to Dancing Joe & Kristina for filming me, and thank you for watching!
Macy Gray – “I Try” with Crash Course Karaoke
U2 – “With or Without You” (Edited) with The Human Karaoke Experience
Allman Bros. – “Whipping Post” with The Human Karaoke Experience
Pat Benetar – “Promises in the Dark” with The Human Karaoke Experience
Roxette – “Listen to Your Heart” with The Human Karaoke Experience
Let me know what you think!
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Hanging with Dad
Due to recent events, my father flew up from Louisiana. I got to hang with him for a while before he flew back out. In a rare treat, I was able to convince him to go karaoking with me. He hasn’t sung in a while, but he’s still got it. Thought I’d share the video I took of him.
Enjoy!
Happy 600 Day
Today marks the day where I celebrate hitting 600 “Likes” on my facebook fan page! Thank you to all of you for making this happen! I definitely couldn’t have done it without your help. To celebrate, on Thursday, I’m going to be going out Rock & Rose after I hit the gym to sing some live band karaoke with Crash Course Karaoke, hosted by Brandon Bain, lead by guitarist Alan Bigelow, who incidentally became my 600th fan. The band was the same one who backed me on a recent video I posted (“I Want to Know What Love Is” – you can watch it above).
Through a suggestion I made a few weeks ago, they’ve added Heart’s “What About Love” to their song list and have requested me to come by and sing it, so in honor of Alan becoming #600, I’ll be stopping by Rock & Rose on Thursday night.
Some other quick news before I go:
- Just did an on-camera interview for a artist web series called Capsulocity, which will be debuting soon. I’ll keep you posted.
- “One More Time” is starting to get some serious interest in the clubs. Requests are starting to come in for a club mix and it’s not even on sale yet! Sale date coming soon!
- Show coming up on the 12 for Vinny Vella industry night, and it looks like I’m also being booked for a show this coming holiday. Yeah, they’re starting to come in. I’ll let you know which ones you can buy tickets for.
Thanks for helping me get this far. Let’s make the next 600 a cakewalk!
Love u!
Janifer liked this post
Ultimate Karaoke Championships present NY State Finals: Karaoke World Championships – Episode 5 (Janifer’s Episode)
Go straight to 8:25 for my performance and judges commentary.