JOURNALJOURNALhttp://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2012-04-29T03:10:37ZSquarespaceIt's been a year and a dayhttp://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2011/10/27/its-been-a-year-and-a-day.html[Your Name Here]2011-10-27T21:35:14Z2011-10-27T21:35:14ZSeriously. One year and one day since I posted last.  Much has changed and some has not but time has passed and I've seen green growth and big big trees.  I am feeling feelings again and looking them straight in the face-maybe then I give them a hug or just a nice pat on the head.  It's looking up around here.

]]>Tuesday, October 26thhttp://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/10/26/tuesday-october-26th.html[Your Name Here]2010-10-26T15:45:58Z2010-10-26T15:45:58ZHello!!  I've had some good things happen in the last few weeks.  There has been reason to celebrate.  Now, it's time for me to get back to the work of art making.  It's good work and I miss it.  I needed to be ready though.  I've been dabbling, but now I'm going to take a little bit bigger of a step.  I want and need balance in my life.  I'm ready for my artistic self to return fully to the scale.  I've been focusing on some other really important things for a while now, but I lost sight for a while of how much I missed living artistically.  Now, I think that there is art inside of us all the time and it comes and goes as it pleases in many ways.  However, I do know that there have been times when I have not given it the attention and nurturing that I believe it deserves.  I've been on hiatus with a few blips here and there.  Hiatus over.

]]>Todayhttp://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/8/19/today.html[Your Name Here]2010-08-19T15:03:54Z2010-08-19T15:03:54ZHello there!  I'm in the middle of a long work week and my head is full to boot.  I am working on these different songs and they are all stuck in various parts of my brain.  Two songs are ones that Tony sent me for Venus Hum.  I need to sit with them and soak them in-see what happens.  One is for a project with a friend of mine from Nashville.  It's more in the dance world.  I need to get those lyrics running.  Then I'm  working on a few for Anniversary Party.  Whew!  and Wonderful!  love it.  Next week will be the magic time to get into all of these.  Right now I'm just knee deep in chocolate world.  This Saturday however I am very pleased to be attending one of my friend's shows for the Fringe festival here in NYC.  It's going to be fantastic!  I'm sending love out there today, we shall see what boomerangs back. 

]]>Update!http://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/7/25/update.html[Your Name Here]2010-07-25T14:35:29Z2010-07-25T14:35:29ZI wanted to report that the Artists on the Brink show in June was our best yet.  It was so fun and tuned in.  I am very thankful.  What's been happening since then?  Well, I've been working a lot and writing a bit-more lyrics then melodies.  Kirk and I have a few more songs that are mere steps away from being finished.  Hopefully, we will be playing our next show very soon. 

The writing process is a complex one.  There are so many layers to it.  Right now, if you asked me to, I couldn't sing you a new song, but I could show you some journal entries or tell you about what I've been working out on my insides.  It doesn't sound like music but it ends up that way.  It is like a colorful kaleidoscope that when focused just the right way gives a thousand pictures of the same tiny detail.  If you look at it another way all you see is that tiny detail.  At the moment I am inside the kaleidoscope.  Perhaps in the next bit I will be the one looking in.

I can't wait to share new music with you.  I'm excited and curious to see what it will be.

]]>Artists on the Brink showhttp://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/6/5/artists-on-the-brink-show.html[Your Name Here]2010-06-06T00:42:18Z2010-06-06T00:42:18ZI am sitting here on the couch after a productive rehearsal with Kirk.  He is playing his guitar and looking for perfect sounds for our show on the 10th.  I'm so excited to play.  There are going to be many talented acts that night.  We plan to play more New York shows after this one.

It's been a hot day here in the city.  We went in looking for a pedal for the show.  Kirk found it.  Thank you Ludlow Guitars!  One day I will buy Kirk a double cut away White Falcon.  I've seen it and it's a beauty.

We are all creating all the time, though not always consciously.  I would like to consciously create more in my life and see (or hear) what happens.  Here's to new creations! 

]]>So, now what?http://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/5/23/so-now-what.html[Your Name Here]2010-05-23T14:10:34Z2010-05-23T14:10:34ZWell, to answer my own question, there are plenty of things coming up here in the near future.  I'm doing more work with the Blue Man crew which is always fun and Kirk and I have the Artists on the Brink show coming up.  I'm really excited to be a part of that. Also, it's the beginning of summer and that always makes me think something fun is going to happen.

Today,  Kirk is working on the show.  I am anxious to hear what he comes up with. 

I've been feeling like I need a shot in the arm, so I found this lovely book the other day to do just that.  It's called How To Be An Explorer Of The World (Portable Life Museum) by Keri Smith.  We shall see what new things I see through these practices!  Sometimes you just need a little boost, a bit of rearrangement through something even as small as a word or a picture (not small really at all).  Its weird to think that inspiration wanes at times, but it does and that's okay.  I've gone through different stages as far as my views of inspiration are concerned.  First, I didn't think about it at all, I just was rolling in it all the time-living on feelings and impulses (which may not be the same as inspiration all the time I'm thinking). Second, I thought it was a muscle that needed working, a discipline and force to keep from atrophy.  Now, I'm looking at it in a new way.  I'm combining the two extremes.  Go with the feelings and keep the muscle strong with regular exercise.  It's new, but I'm liking it.  Regardless, I'm always writing it down.  Even if it's boring.  Even if it's illegible.  Even if it's brilliant.

I hope you have a good day.  I'm thinking about posting some new videos and photos soon so keep your eyes open.

 

]]>Mother's Day...and Jonsi!http://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/5/9/mothers-dayand-jonsi.html[Your Name Here]2010-05-09T15:58:37Z2010-05-09T15:58:37ZI went to see Jonsi last night and it was amazing!  It was a very inspiring show.  My husband is home working on our album as we speak!  The visuals were such an important part of the show.  They were a stunning marriage to the music.  So good. 

I, since it is a major chocolate holiday, am of course at work.  I miss my mom, but will hopefully see her soon.  Yay for moms!  I am very inspired by my mother.  She is the one who first told me to write.  Without her I would never have begun to journal or write songs.  She is the queen of jotted notes on random pieces of paper.  I learned from the best.  I come from a long line of note jotters and storytellers. 

I am so excited to be working on this new record with Kirk.  It is really starting to show itself.  I will keep you posted and give you some snippets along the way.  I hope today finds you well and inspired, if not by your mom-by the air you breathe.  Have a great day!

]]>The day before Cinco de Mayohttp://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/5/4/the-day-before-cinco-de-mayo.html[Your Name Here]2010-05-04T14:56:39Z2010-05-04T14:56:39ZI love Cinco de Mayo.  I know it is not Mexico's Independence Day but a day for pride in Mexican heritage.  I have no Mexican heritage but I love Mexico.  Good things have always happened to me on Cinco de Mayo.  I also just think its plain festive and I love that!  I am thankful for another day to celebrate!

On another note, the Venus Hum live dvd, Mechanics and Mathematics, comes out May 11th.  You can go over to venushum.com and get it there or a variety of other places. 

Meanwhile, Kirk and I are stepping it up with our music making and should have a record done this year.  Yay!!! 

Have a great day!

]]>April 29thhttp://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/4/29/april-29th.html[Your Name Here]2010-04-29T21:10:40Z2010-04-29T21:10:40ZHellooo.  I hope today finds you well.  Thanks for posting comments on the site.  I have appreciated the feedback.

Today is gorgeous in the city.  Tomorrow we are going to see Johann Johannsson!

Kirk and I are getting ready for the June Artists on the Brink show and looking into booking a couple more of our own. I'm excited about all there is in the works!

I'll post more later!

]]>Good Morning!http://www.annettestrean.com/journal/2010/4/21/good-morning.html[Your Name Here]2010-04-21T15:06:21Z2010-04-21T15:06:21ZI was called yesterday for a gig with Blue Man Group in Orlando in May!  I'm so excited, I haven't sung "I Feel Love" in a while.  It's always fun to do.  Venus Hum also has a show coming up in Georgia in May.  Anniversary Party is playing here in New York in June at a benefit for Artists on the Brink.  I'll have more information about that later.  I am so glad to be singing in front of people!  I love singing anyway, and I do it all day long, but I also really love singing for a live audience.  I'm excited! It's going to be a fun couple of months. 

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