#decision

Dena's Blog

Well, the plan originally was to blog about the process of dealing with the tumor in my throat.. things change, right? Now, although I'll write considerably less (I hear your sighs of relief!), I'm still going to be writing because I have learned .. that I am, above all else, a mere human .. and so are you and we might share more than you could imagine .. so I'm going to continue sharing my life .. whistling in the dark and listening for a responding whistle confirming that I'm not as alone as it sometimes feels!

Breakout or Breakthrough?

Okay .. lets try this blogging thing again and see if I can actually post it BEFORE I accidently delete it! Tonight at midnight the new CD drops for radio programmers and reviewers. Then in two weeks it drops to the public and goes on sale. That calls for a giant GULP!! It’s an interesting thing .. you pour your heart, your time, your money into a project and you want whatever it is to be seen, heard AND accepted but it’s really scary. Yep, I know a lot of the people who hav

Uh .. the fun part is done .. what next?

The new album was done before the surgery to remove the tumor in my throat. We wrapped the vocals the day before I entered the hospital!! So the song selection was driven as much by my emotions (potentially the very last recording work I'd ever do!!) as the music. “You’ve Changed .. Me Too!!” is my musical trek from my beginning as a country singer through the blues and jazz work. Oh, hush .. I definitely hear snickering out there!! I never wore a fringe leather jacket .. wai

La Brea Dinosaur Dena or How I Fell Into the Tar Pit!!!

Well, I sure didn't see THIS coming!! Depression!! HOLY CRAP .. really? Right now? Apparently so!! And at the worst possible time, of course .. Like so many people .. I live with depression! And, like so many people, I try to hide it – disguise it – ignore it – blow it off – scare it away with anger .. so many ways to try and live with it or, at least, distract myself from it. And always trying to protect myself from the judgment many people are so quick to exercise and shar

Oh .. THAT was fun .. NOT!!!

A neighbor generously gave me a ride to the hospital. I’d never met either he or his wife but I posted a request for some help on a neighborhood group. He offered and I gratefully accepted. It was nice to have someone to talk to and to distract me .. we talked about – what else? Music!! So I’m there the requisite 2 hours early and sat in the waiting room alone and nervously tapping my foot and watching the clock. It kept ticking and I kept waiting. How is it that when you’re

Sigh .. decisions .. decisions ..

Tests done – check, consultation with primary doctor – check, find surgeon – screeching brakes!!! Sometimes I really question my decision making skills. In 2014 I hired two different “publicists.” The first one easily revealed what a mistake I had made .. right off the bat and while somewhat expensive, it obviously wasn’t expensive enough because I turned around 5 months later and made another very poor decision. Anytime someone is rude to you, run! Disrepectful? Run! Aren’t