so i'd like to tell you a little story....

(as per request).....

 My tale of becoming a DJ.


 Ohh that's my logo. Oh I'm fancy, huh? Oh maybe...Jazzy, huh?

Warning: this tale contains an untrackable amount of hard work, dedication, blood (?), sweat, tears, headaches, heartaches, and love. Unconditional love.

Ill try to make this the short version. No guarantees. 

One night, a looooonggg time ago, I was on Facebook chat with a my dear friend of mine, Rachael, discussing how to up my hip-hop quotient. (enter jokes here..) I had just moved to Burlington, woohoo! and I needed to find a niche. We had been going out a lot (helloooo ladies nights !!) and I loved the scene. Then again what 24 year-old newly single girl wouldn't?? We were gabbing about how much I loved sneakers and WHAM! just like that I said "Well I'd be the flyest girl dj with high top Nike's on rockin the clubs" (or something to that extent ....cant really remember but it DID involve Nike's and Deejaying).

Right at the instant,  I left our convo and headed over to "The Lab's" website (The Lab was a Dj and music production school on Church St. run by two amazing men that I forever owe my life too), called the phone number and another WHAM! Lessons were scheduled! Just like that!

I never knew really what I was getting into. I knew I loved music. I knew I wanted to be part of the "scene". I knew I needed to find a hobby. And man those Deejays make it look SO easy! So I signed up.

 To make a seriously LONG story short, fast forward 2 years. Two years of numerous classes with my beloved teacher Zj , numerous practices, numerous begging of other Deejays to help me/teach me/let me practice on their equipment, numerous nights out watching each DJ and their style, trying to find my own. I made hordes of deejay friends, each one of us trying to live our dream. We would live in The Lab all weekend. Wanting to make sure we made our teachers happy with our progress at our next lesson. It was my life. Ask anyone.

             ( Big Rye, Zj and I before a prom)


We had classes, practices, recitals, guest DJ visits. We had Church Street events, clothing store events. We had beat making classes so we could Deejay our own music. We did anything and everything that we could. This was the time.

 But we still couldn't have our own gigs. We weren't ready. We practiced on vinyl, to prove ourselves. No using of computer equipment until AFTER you graduate and were worthy we were told time and time again. Talk about them apples. Old school style.

One day, while walking about the Church Street Marketplace (this will sound familiar), I stumbled into Zinnia's to look at all the pretty jewels. Something caught my eye. A wish necklace? Hmm...I could use a wish or two. So I bought it. It was so pretty. Had the cutest little wishbone hanging from a black string. I made my wish, placed it around my neck, and went about my day.

         (my big bro and I before my dads wedding)



The  necklace over time, turned into a bracelet due to poor managing of the little string, and I wore it for about a year, day in and day out. You can see it nicely in the above picture.

Fast forward again. I had just finished a lesson at The Lab, and was getting into my car when my phone rang. It was ZJ. Weird, I thought, I had just left him.

 "Janet", he says, "I have GREAT news for you!!!!" "Rj's (a local bar) called and they want to do a trial run for a weekly DJ night with Lab kids, and since you and PWYLD (Patrick Wyld, my DJ partner), are over 21, you guys got the spot!!!!"

 I stood there unable to move. What! Wait! Did I just get a gig??!!! Wait. What. How did that happen?! Am I even good?! HOLY S$%$^$^*$*$*!!!!  I screamed! I jumped! I screamed again. He went on to tell me the details...but to be honest I don't really remember, I don't even know if I was listening. I just knew I GOT A GIG!!!!!!!

Phew. Ok. Calm down. I had to get Rachael (yes, the same one from before, ironic), I was house sitting and had to get back. So I drove to pick her up and of course the minute she got into my car I screamed the entire story to her! This was monumental! The best news of my life! I just couldn't contain myself.


____________________________

I still remember the exact moment I realized my bracelet was gone.

We were at an intersection getting on the highway chatting and carrying on about my new-soon -to -be famousness, and in an instant I had remembered that one day, a long time ago, I had made a wish. A wish that would mean more than anything if it ever came true.  A wish to become a DJ, and DJ (once and for all) outside of the Lab.

 I looked down. It was gone. I drew a deep breath. Ok, it HAD to be here somewhere, nope. not in the car. not in the house. not in my sweater. gone. We looked everywhere. gone. A tear fell and said a prayer.

____________________________
I still get goosebumps telling this story. I never found that bracelet. I didn't always believe in fate, or god, or crazy things, but after that moment, I did. Things happen for a reason. Yes, I worked my tail off for that gig. Yes, I spent roughly 1000 hours in that one room learning. Yes, you can say what you want. But that wish came true. My bracelet was gone. Facts are facts. Jazzy Janet was born. The rest is history as they say, and...photos! Welcome to my journey!

Thanks again to all my friends and family that have supported me, gone to everyone of my gigs, and held my hand :) Much love and respect. xoxooxox

oh the joys.

So I went for a run.

I know what you are thinking: "Woah!! Thats Great" "Good Job" "High Five".
(and I thank you for that!!!)

But what you probably don't know is for me to say those words, hell had to be moved, frozen over, whatever you wanna call it. For the close few around me, only they know how sick I have been lately. (please dont start to feel bad.. :)) Unfortunately, the joys of my job(s), the insanity of my life and my go-go-go attitude have finally taken a severe toll on my body. I actually went home sick (gasp!) from work and followed that up with a mental day off. Shocking to me because in all my years working retail I have NEVER taken one single day to myself (minus my granted and lovely 1 maybe 2 days off a week).

My body was done.

I was dizzy, lightheaded, couldn't really focus, walk, talk, look at anyone without wanting to fall over and die in the corner. On top of that, one of my eyes was revolting and decided it was allergic (another gasp!) to my beloved kitty. Thank the heavens for Benadryl!

After almost 2 days of self refocusing, I have come to the conclusion that one cant not be beautiful on the outside without hard work and determination for making the inside just as beautiful. I have been working SO hard on making a career for myself, for proving myself (don't ask to whom....because I dont have the slightiest clue), attempting to find a pathway to figure out my CP and stop its effects,  that I forgot actually FORGOT about me. How could this happen? I have no idea.

Fortunately for me, I was stopped in my tracks. You cant not attempt, believe, or push yourself to utter exhaustion and think that you will still go on, that's crazy. I was running on empty. Below empty. It was the same everyday, work ALL day, go home, attempt to sleep, worry about work, wake up, still worrying about work, go to work, work, and repeat....this cycle has been going on the 3 months. It makes me tired just thinking about it. So, I stopped it. Plain and simple. goodbye. goodbye insanity. hello Janet.

For those who truly know me, this should be an eye opener. When have I ever cared enough to stop working? .....never. But I am now. I am turning the big 30! eeek! And as cliche as it is : Life is too short. YOLO. Carpe Diem. So on and so forth.

So I went for a run. and I RAN! (with the help of Usher....swoon) up and down the hills of Burlington. Ridding my body of this hate that I have caused to build up inside me. Ridding myself of the exhaustion and dependency on coffee to make me function everyday. I ran hard. and I almost fell to the ground. But I was happy. I was alive. and FROM NOW ON: no more hate. no more unneeded stress. no more living life to make a name for myself while killing myself. Goodbye negative. Hello Positive.

been a few days.....

So its been a few days...ok..Ill admit it...weeks now since I have written. But let me tell you my passion has not at all decreased, I'm happy to admit. Actually, it is quite the opposite.

 The other morning I had the opportunity to take a walk downtown with my lovely best friend and meander through the local shops! Oh Joy! We stopped at a jewelry store that I try to  avoid walk thru and gaze without buying anything.....trust me its quite difficult. Of course, this day was no exception. All the gorgeous necklaces, rings, bracelets, headbands, colors, textures, taunting me from every direction knowing all the while that I probably would never wear them once I brought them home, isn't that always the case?

But, to make a hideously long story short, I actually ended up leaving with a purchase that will forever cement my journey in... silver? A "key to success" necklace. It is one of those that after your wish comes true, it will fall off since..well your wish came true AND it is made nicely out of string. I know what you are thinking....Ummmm those don't actually work...well friends....I am here to say they DO! (Sidenote: ask me about my DJ tale). So I purchased another glorious necklace, made my wish, and placed around my neck my daily reminder of my journey.