Jadis gloom

Hello to all you lovely mailing list folks!

Hope that all of you are having a good Feb... no, it's March isn't it? Honestly one day is blending into another lately, so I'm a little disorientated. Hope your February was great - Valentine's Day is a mixed bag for a lot of people isn't it? I've been trying to post to Twitter a bit more this past month (@JadisGloom) and the "Songwriting Wednesday" segment on Periscope lasted for three weeks before I temporarily canned it. The songwriting wasn't a problem, but I'm not great at responding to comments live (I have foot-in-mouth syndrome, I'd rather hide behind a computer screen and type).

Well into my second month of sobriety now. Collecting a two month chip on March 13th. Hard to believe this is the longest stretch of sober days in a long time. I'm going to keep it up, one day at a time. The fog is lifting, and songs and poems are streaming out in rapid succession. You can listen to some of my new songs that aren't on Soundcloud on my Twitter account. Also check out my industrial collaboration with artist 'Not a Side Project' there ("Insight Output"). We found each other on Twitter and he challenged me to write some vocals to a track - I took him up on it. The final mix sounds a lot better than my original clunky Garage Band version. He's a great artist - check out more of his stuff on Soundcloud and Twitter if you have the time!

What else? Potentially planning a trip to Taiwan in April. Just got to get over the flight nerves. I don't know how you guys find air travel, hopefully you like it. Maybe it's terrifying for you, and if it is I sympathize. I experienced some turbulence in 2003 over Iceland (the kind where the plane "drops" and buffers around like popcorn in a popcorn machine) and flying's been nervewracking ever since. I made some progress after taking a fear of flying course last year, but it seems I've lost my nerve again just in time for another trip.

I'd ask for some Ambien from the doctor, but I've heard some crazy stories of people sleepwalking and doing other uncharacteristic stuff under the influence of that stuff (see: (expired link)) and knowing what a train wreck I have been drunk in the past, I'm a little afraid of what Ambien would do to me. But I have to figure out a better mode of travel than rocking back and forwards for twelve hours, gripping the armrest and repeating my mantra of "safe and smooth.... safe and smooth.... safe and smooth".

I used to deal with flight anxiety by getting wasted before going through the gate. Then I'd do other stupid things, like calling people and saying goodbye or falling asleep on strangers. The flight attendants got used to my once every half hour journey to the back to slur a request for another beer or wine. The funny thing was, as inebriated as I got, I still felt insanely terrified - except that now I was a terrified wreck and hammered.

The last time I made a journey to the UK, I made it sober. I listened to audiobook of "Alice in Wonderland" three times over and stared at the in-flight map the entire way.

This time - I don't know. I guess I'll just try to sleep. Maybe listen to a Mandarin teaching app. Learn a few useful phrases like: "Do you want to play chess?" or "where is the coffee?"

The door is open. I just have to go through it. :)

Wishing you a happy St. Patricks Day this month, however you celebrate it (if you do) and all the best for March! :)

JG

Hello you!

I want to thank everyone whose messaged me the last couple of months to say hi or give feedback on my music. I really appreciate it.

It's been a snowy winter in Vancouver, and more so in the rinky dink suburb where I live. The snow is finally melting here and I have to say I'm excited for the first flowers of spring.

Had a bit of a metamorphosis spiritually and interpersonally in December. Thus all the music that keeps coming. Feels a bit like being on a rollercoaster a lot of the time: but the highs are worth the lows! I wonder if anyone can relate...

Anyway, I'm still looking for places to perform in Vancouver or surrounds - ideally paid gigs, but honesty I'd play for coffee or in exchange for the exposure right now. So if you hear of anything around town, please let me know.

When the weather improves, I'm going to go back to busking. I've always loved playing in the wild and as soon as the weather is warm enough that my fingers don't bleed on the fret board, I'll be out again. If you're interested, my busking blog is here:

(expired link)

One day I want to have busked everywhere in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. To make a kind of MLS or Lonely Planet guide to busking all over Vancouver.

If you have any questions about the music, or just want to say hi, feel free to send me a message. Otherwise, have a happy rest of January and all the best for February!

Kate (Jadis Gloom)