SO...I'm sitting here at midnight on a Tuesday evening watching the Oscars on Hulu Plus. Congratulations to Hulu for creating such urgency for me to sit here and watch the awards show in it's entirety simply because you said "only one day left for viewing".

Well, here I am blubbering and smiling for all the winners. I do this because for me, all awards shows bring such inspiration. I love these shows. Even the ones with terrible hosts, technical difficulties, and... when my favorites don't win.

I've been beaming for Adele. It's not because I think that her song Skyfall is the best song ever written. Nor is it because I think that she is the greatest singer. Although, I can say without a doubt that I really appreciate the gift of her voice. She is remarkable. What I saw tonight was a young woman who stepped out and took a chance to follow what her heart was leading her to do.

I gotta say...I, at different times tonight, went from elated to super pissy. I was so inspired to write and sing and compose that I got all excited and anxious. And then...it started to spiral.

I'm just going to throw this out there. I'm really frustrated that I haven't put any music out in a record or single or even freaking cassette tape. I'm frustrated that I feel like I'm waiting. And waiting. And waiting. I'm frustrated that I see so many of my musician friends recording all the time. HOW DO THEY DO THAT? How are they able to get the people together to learn the music, to go to the studio, to do their part. How come I can't seem to pull my shit together enough to make this thing happen. For crying out loud, I don't want to be a superstar. I just want to write songs and let other people sing them and become superstars. I'm angry.

Then it hit me.

People might crap all over what I have stressed over and poured over and cried over and shared from my guts. And then I tried crawling back in my shell. What the hell. I realize that this is just a stream of thought but follow me.

It's not about people not liking my music, my voice, or my songs. I already know that not everyone is going to like my stuff. Every time I try to write or sing, I hear the voice of a childhood friend tell me that I "shouldn't quit my day job". I know that even some my closest friends aren't going to like it. It's just the way things are and I'm really okay with that.

It's about where these things come from....my life, my experiences, my emotion. Raw and visceral. By sharing any part of yourself, whether it be acting, music, writing, painting, blogging, you name it ...when you choose to share this part of you, you lift a veil. You lift a veil that so perfectly encompasses your ugly, dark, beautiful, and bright self. You are no longer protected by what shields you. This scares the shit out of me. And I mean this in every sense of the phrase.

Vulnerability. Being vulnerable. What a tragically horrifying and beautiful thing.

So, Mr. Oscar, you are a statue of sweat, tears, triumph and vulnerability and if I ever get to place my hands on you, may it be because you have frozen my very self into your being.

Yes.

Allow me to define it for you.

yes - adv. : It is so; as you say or ask. Used to express affirmation, agreement, positive confirmation, or consent.

1. An affirmative or consenting reply. 2. An affirmative vote or voter. tr.v. yessed, yes·sing, yes·es To give an affirmative reply to. interj. Used to express great satisfaction, approval, or happiness.

Here's my thought: I've been knocking around the idea of new ventures for years now but I've become quite complacent with my job and content with the security that comes with it. Back in the day, I thought that I was a super hero of sorts and because of that, took on adventure after adventure without ever having blinked an eye. I thrived on adrenaline and the "sport" of travel. Before I was 25, I had discovered 13 countries for myself and lapped up every cultural morsel the world had to offer.

After returning to America, I took on my first dream job and worked as a minister for 4 years (I know, I know...I was a Rev. and some of you are giggling). After realizing that I didn't fit into the ministry culture, I resigned that position to work at my next dream job...graphic designer. Here's the dealio, I've been doing graphic art for 12 years and moved into an Art Director position 8 years ago. I freaking love it. In the midst of doing this graphic design stuff, I became a member of an indie rock band called Eric and the Adams. That was four years of adventure, travel and creativity all wrapped into one. Crazy town.

The last 6 years of my life, I have become happily engaged, bought a home, was the drummer in a rock band, had a child, raised money (not because I'm amazing but because my friends are) for a solo album, worked on tour with a phenomenal musician - learning the hard work of a stage hand, and now....

Well. Now what?

The message of what I'm trying to convey is that all these humbling opportunities came to me and I had to make a decision. What do I say?

"Angel, would you like to travel all over the world?"

"Angel, would you like to come work for me as a graphic artist?"

"Angel, would you like to be the drummer in my new band?"

"Angel, will you record your music?"

"Angel, will you marry me?"

YES! I said, "Yes."

Things have been a little strapped because of the way the economy has fallen and I have found myself scrambling to make ends meet. With that and the very real fact that I mentioned earlier that I just don't fit the culture of where I am. I realize more everyday that I don't fit into the traditional role that a patriarchal socially structured environment would want me. I need to redirect my path.

I have been looking for a way to open doors for myself so that I can step into a new phase of life.

Not too long ago, I was given an opportunity to take a class at a community college here in Tulsa. It was a radio class. The class was paid for...all I would have to do is enroll and show up. If any of you have known me for long, you know that I really enjoy entertaining (when I was younger, I would practice my award speeches out in the yard - I've accepted countless Emmys, Tonys, Oscars, and Grammys). Here's the sad part...I got wrapped up with too many things that don't matter, instead of focusing on the stuff that will get me on track. I didn't say, "Yes". This class would have gotten me on track. It was my next step and I missed it. Have you ever done that before...a few weeks later you wish you could go back in time and slap yourself out of your slumber? Things change for me when I say yes. No more missed opportunities...

SO, I'm in full preparation of a new chapter...a new "dream job". I'll work diligently at my 9-5er until I can fully step out on my own but let me tell you this...it is not without fear, anxiety, adrenaline, and hope.

My partner and I have a running joke from a familiar cliché.

The cliché? "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it". Our variation? "We'll jump off that bridge when we come to it."

I'm lucky to have a partner who supports my ever growing need to push the boundary, break the glass ceiling, smash socioeconomic class, and jar the mindset of poverty. I'll happily jump off this cliff. I've jumped off of so many and it has taken me to places I've never dreamed. My way of opening doors for myself is to say, "Yes".

SO, I say yes to the things ahead.