Lincoln Logs of Life: Part 2

Being a musician really is a lot of fun. OR ”Once we get a lot of money, then our happiness will come.”

If there’s one thing I learned in Lincoln about being a musician, it’s that if you can do it – it’s a whale of a time. I met some cool guys who are recording and playing music, and they’re making a living at it. In the 2 days I was there (and after hearing their music and realizing it is awesome) I could honestly say that what they get to do with their days is nothing short of a good time.

But there’s a flip-side. How many of us get to be that lucky? “Once we get a lot of money, then our happiness will come.” When I hear that I think, “haha. yeah right.” Except, if you think about it – it’s kind of true. At least to the degree that needing to support oneself with an income is a undeniable part of doing what you love. 

So what I learned is, some people make it work. What I haven’t quite figured out yet is, am I gonna be able to make it work for me? I stand by my early belief, however, that whatever does or doesn’t happen in the next year of my life – all of this is only a part of the bigger story.

Lincoln Logs Of Life: Part 1

You’d have thought I would catch on. OBSESSED with blogging about the weather, wishing for snow, thinking I was somehow “special” for living in one of the most unique climates in the nation. You’d have thought that blog complaint equates a less than love.

Turns out it doesn’t.

Last week I had the privilege of visiting the state of Nebraska for the first time in life EVER, and on the way up I entered a pretty crazy snow storm. No skin off my back, right? I’m an ALASKAN. But driving 30 miles on the freeway for 3 hours in basically white out conditions is a stressor to anyone, I would assume.

Oh those are just some semis that slid off the side of the road. And that car in the far left of the last picture? It’s stuck in the snow. How I loved my Element on this road-trip (and every other. Am I right? Right?) Let’s nevermind the fact that I was taking photographs while driving in a snow storm.

Anyhoodle, when the threat of death subsided and I’d finally made it to Lincoln, the 2 feet of snow on the ground was like a warm blanket for my cold feet. And the 7 degree temperatures actually made me HAPPY. So weird, right? One can only conclude that I was made for the great white north. 

AND THAT IS WHY I NOW LIVE IN TEXAS.

The End.

Things I Learned In Lincoln: A List

1. I LOVE snow. And I even love cold weather. How did this happen?
2. Being a musician really is a lot of fun. 
   
3. “Once we get a lot of money, then happiness will come.”
4. Not everything that is awesome is always new. But some things definitely are.

It might be a short list, but just you wait until I elaborate… It’s a little something special I like to call the “Lincoln Logs of Life: Things I learned while on the road.” 

Wait for it….

Arrived

For the record, I am in Lincoln, NE. When I have access to a real computer I must regale you with stories of my drive up. I mean it was a doozy, Suzy..

For now you’ll be happy to know that I’ve been blessed with a fantastic place to stay.

And tomorrow? Tomorrow is when it all goes down. I’ll have to let you know exactly what that means once it does.

I’m just learning as I go here, people.

The Most Exciting News I’ve Heard All Week

You guys! I won a songwriting contest.

It. Happened.

I entered “Changing My Ways” into a contest called “Tune My Life.” (You can listen to the song I entered here.) From their own website, here is some more information about the campaign:

Music Moves. 
If you’ve ever wanted to do good with your music, to move someone with your lyrics, here’s your chance. Through the power of song we want to help young women and men make better choices. Define goals and reach their potential. Live healthier lives. Through this creative effort, we can speak to these young people in a way that should inspire change. That should empower them to take control of their lives and their futures. That should make them recognize that the time to tune their minds, their lives and their relationships is now. 

Tune is a movement about self-adjustment and self-awareness. A shift in how young people take care of themselves today and in the future. Just as an instrument was never meant to be played out of tune, our lives and bodies were never meant to either. The time to Tune starts now. 

They selected 8 winners for their campaign to begin in 2010, and I am one of them!

I will have the opportunity to spend a couple days in Lincoln, Nebraska, record my song with producers and studio musicians there, and be interviewed about the song and the stories in my life that influenced it. And bonus? This spring when the campaign is in full effect I will probably have the opportunity to do some live performances and radio interviews. 

All I’m saying is, WAHOO!!! Thank God! It is so encouraging to have the chance to use my music for good, to have the flexibility to enter contests such as this one, and to experience new and exciting opportunities in the music realm.

This is exactly why I’m here.

It Snowed This Morning In Texas

Despite my personal mandate to blog at every possible second, I’m finding it difficult to be creative these days.

Was I not supposed to admit that?

I’m attempting to be intentional in regard to reflection and meditation, and would love to spend more than I have in songwriting and refining my skill. But I’ve been filling my time with computers and job searches, phone calls and potential connections. The business and logistics and ideas and “feet to the ground”-ing it of all of this are sucking away my time.

And my vitality, if I were honest with you.

Suffice it to say, it is a practiced discipline to have faith – to do what is possible to do and still focus on the joys and privileges of “now.”  To trust that it won’t do me any good to attempt more than is possible anyway.

I’m not the one who determines what happens with what I do during this time. I think I’m so worried about squandering that I hold too tightly to things I cannot control. And isn’t that so much like life sometimes?

These are the things I’ve been thinking about lately…

This Calls For a Gift Exchange!

Some things in life require second chances.

Relationships

Sports Teams

Hilary Duff

My world is no exception. 

Ladies and gentleman, I told you WEEKS ago that I now have a website. And I do. But my website was like a clunky old car. Functional, necessary, but s l o w, and not that nice to look at. So I took matters into my own hands.

For the second time (because technically ’twas mine own two hands which built the clunker, as well).

As a result, the internets have made way for a newer, sleeker model of marijkejane.com. 

And bonus? I’m giving away a FREE MP3 from my newly released album to anyone who signs up for my email list. (I’ll send a monthly newsletter on how the music “biz” is going, and updates if I’m playing music in your town.) Click on the link above and enter your email address in the left hand bottom corner.

It’s simple. It’s easy. It’s painless. And it’s fraught with benefit.

Reflections On Being In Texas: A List

1. I used to think that Dallas was so spread out that it just takes forever to get anywhere. Since being back here, I’ve come to the realization that WHERE I LIVE is just really far from everywhere. Shoot…
2. All I’m saying, is that I have driven next to more semi trailers in the last two weeks than in the last four years combined. And I didn’t miss them.
3. Remember how I used to use this blog as an outlet for my Alaskan Weather Woes? Don’t think for a minute that just because I no longer live in Alaska I’m not still going to point out that it’s still cold there. It’s still cold. As in negative 10. And I think I moved to Texas at the perfect time of year.
4. The journey of this year? The changes I’ve been anticipating and experiencing? All of the unknowns? In case you were wondering? None of that has changed…
5. I love living in a place where everything is so new and yet so familiar. I am in such uncharted territory, and yet I feel so at home. 

One Day At A Time

But seriously, folks? Sometimes an unpredictable life really is a challenge.

I woke up yesterday in a funk. Just a plain old, ‘I can’t muster the courage to try very hard today’ funk. Was it because I stayed up too late again? I don’t know. All I know is…  I had only one choice.

I stayed in my pajamas. I drank coffee. I worked on my bible study and I told God exactly how I was feeling. And in that process, do you want to know what words came out of my mouth?

“Life is so much easier when I don’t have to be so dependent on you.”

How’s that for profundity?

I’ve been saying that I need to take this one day at a time, and it has never been more true. I can’t predict my courage from one day to the next. I don’t understand my anxiety or peace from hour to hour. I just know that I’m still figuring out the balance between being diligent and trusting God for the rest. Am I doing enough? How could I ever know? But I’ll know I am doing too much when I feel the stress of trying to control situations that can only be left in God’s hands.

He has called me to this. Only He can make it happen.

And every time I turn around I am encouraged by the supportive words of others. Friends who are sharing my music with those around them, family who raves about what they hear, a mother who reminds of the truth of God’s care for my life.

Yesterday was about trusting in God and His plans for me, and not in my own ability. And that was enough for one day.

Book On Tape

It’s a driving day, people. You know what that means? I am rocking, for the first time ever, a book on tape. Or more appropriately named these days, an audio book. I have never successfully listened to one before. But I figure driving 14 hours on my own is a perfect time to start. It’ll be like reading with my ears instead of my eyes. How awesome does that sound?? (no pun intended, teehee…)

Do you want to know which book I picked? It’s ridiculous really, because I’ve never read a book by this author, and I usually think the movies are kind of mushy. But I wanted something with substance (unlike my normal teen fiction reads), I wanted it to last through the many hours of driving, and I didn’t want to listen to something I’ve already read or or seen the movie.

I present to you…  The  Last Song.

 

I hope it is good and not just sappy, because heaven knows it will be sappy. But perhaps it will still be good. And if I like it, I can see the movie when it comes out. Because I know it will.

I expect a full report by Tuesday.

She says to herself.

Wait….

 

Happy Road Trip Monday.