allegrasings...and writes

Information for KEEP IT SIMPLE Release Event!

2012-02-06T14:15:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

Here's the info. I hope you come out to the party. It's gonna be huge!

When?
Friday, March 2nd 2012 - 9:00pm

Where?
Humphrey's Backstage Lounge - Shelter Island, San Diego

Tickets?
Keep It Simple - The Release Event

21+

Rooms Available?

Any Other Questions??
Email Me: allegrabarley@yahoo.com, or leave a message right here at Allegrasings.com!

OR check out my Reverbnation page!

See you at the release!!

A BIG P.S...
If you are a KICKSTARTER Backer who's reward included a ticket to the show, do not buy a ticket! Your name is on a list at the door :)

Two Years Down, 38 Days To Go...

2012-01-24T14:42:00.000-08:00

It's the middle of January, the year 2012...already.

It's hard to imagine the childhood days when we couldn't wait to get older; to be mature, make our own rules, be the boss, have no curfew, make our own money...
Now, many years and countless experiences later, no matter how much I savor every fleeting moment, the years just won't slow down.

BUT...there is good news.

Although days are fast, and the occasions we look forward to for days, weeks, months and years finally come...and then are gone in a heartbeat, each day, each moment, each second that we do choose to savor, however fleeting, leaves us with a memory. And interestingly, sometimes the memory holds an even better sensation then the moment itself. And the beauty part is, the memories last forever. They don't have the expiration date that moments do.

My album release date is rapidly approaching and it's definitely one of those occasions. I've been planning and looking forward to this for the last 2 years and already, it's a mere 38 days away (and counting!)
I'm so very excited, and although it will be here in a blink of an eye, I know it's going to be a night that will be in the memory bank for as long as I've got the capacity to remember.

SO...are you going to be a part of it?
Are you going to help me make some serious memories??

I hope so.
And here's the info you'll need:

THE DATE: March 2nd, 2012
THE TIME: 9:00pm (Doors at 8)
THE LOCATION: Humphrey's Backstage, Shelter Island
                                2241 Shelter Island Drive
                                San Diego, CA 92106

THE PRICE: $12.00 presale through Ticketmaster.com (tix on sale February 2nd)
                      $15.00 Door
(every ticket includes an Album!)

THE STATS:
21+
Discounted rates on rooms at Humphrey's available!! (more details to come)
Merchandise (digital downloads, CD's, hoodies, keychains, koozie's) will be available for purchase

Check out my handy dandy new QR Code! All information will also be posted on my Reverbnation Artist Page :)

Another end...followed by another amazing beginning!!

2011-12-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

It's happened. December is almost over. 2011 is rapidly becoming the past and the future of 2012 and beyond is knocking at my wreath laden front door. As I sit in my living room with twinkly lights on the walls, mistletoe in the doorways, snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, garlands over the windows and a pine tree in the corner, I can't help but feel a little warm and fuzzy remembering what a tremendous year this has been, how much I am thankful for, all the amazing people I'm blessed enough to call friend and family and everything this wonderful life has in store for me.

Tis the season to be thankful, right?

So here are a few end-of-the-year thank you's to some folks that have really inspired my life in 2011...

0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0

To my Kickstarter family,

Wow. I didn't believe that it was possible to have such outstanding support. I always wanted to believe, but until I took the jump into Kickstarter, my wanting was only that. Thank you, each and every one of you, for making 2011 the first year of the rest of my music life. You have refreshed my passion for what I create, and you've reminded me that I really do make a difference. THANK YOU!

To my friend and producer Alex Dausch,

It has been such a pleasure to come through this album process with you, beginning to end. You are one of the most passionate, creative and driven people I've ever had the pleasure of working with. You have such a thirst for music knowledge, and it's clear in seeing you work how much you really do love what you do (which is the epitome of inspiration in itself). Thank you for Keep It Simple, for working with me, for the laughter, your incredible talent and for nurturing my love for songwriting, recording and performing.

To Jazzercise,

In 2011, not only did I become an instructor and start getting paid to exercise (amazing), but I feel healthy, energetic, fit and most of all emotionally stable and happy! Thanks for keeping me sane.

To Joe,

It been in this last year that I have come to a much stronger understanding of what it really means to have a partner for life. You are my steady rock and best friend. You manage to see my strength even when I'm in a miserable sobbing heap of high heels, necklaces and makeup on the sidewalk after a gig that practically brakes me...and when I do break, you repair me. Thank you for your limitless love, humor and strength. Thank you for making me shine. I love you and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you.

0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0

BIG BIG Things are going to happen in 2012...can you feel it??

Check it out!

January 1st: 8:00pm-9:00pm

What to do: LISTEN to 102.1, KPRI Homegrown Radio

I am the lucky artist to be the very first LIVE INTERVIEW on the new Homegrown Hour in 2012!

So if you tune in, you'll hear me rappin' with Cathryn Beeks (the show's host), you'll also hear me play a song from the upcoming album, and you'll hear a song off the album recording. Pretty awesome...spread the word!

January 13th is gonna be a great day too...WHY??

I'm honored to be singing the National Anthem for SEAL Team ONE in Coronado for their 50th Anniversary Celebration. What an amazing experience!

Other dates that you might need to know? Sure...here they are :)

January15th - The Wine Lover, 7:00-9:00pm

3968 5th Ave, Hillcrest

It's a showcase and it's a GREAT space and a GREAT show. So bundle up in your scarves and jackets and come drink some wine and listen to some music :)

January 18th - Jolt'n Joes (JJ's) in the Gaslamp, 7:00-9:00pm

0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0...o...0

Ladies and Gentlemen.

We are coming frighteningly close to booking the DATE and LOCATION for the Album Release Party for Keep It Simple...so keep posted...

Are you as excited as I am??

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a very, very happy and healthy New Year!

2012, here we come!

Allegrasings

The Gigs in November!!

2011-11-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all!

I know it's been awhile, and for that I apologize, but I also want to emphasize how much I've missed blogging with you while I've been to busy with other business....

Last time we spoke, I told you about all the excitement happening in my life currently:
   My recent engagement
   My completion of my Kickstarter Campaign
   My Jazzercise Instructor Certification

...and NOW I've got even more great news for you! I'm playing around San Diego a bunch this month (and teaching 6 jazzercise classes a week if you're interested :)) and I want to see your face out at at least one, be it a show with original material, or even one of my cover gigs...AND because I've got some of both this month, I'll let you know below which is which :) You likey? I thought you might!

November Shows and Gigs:

footnote: Original Show = OS
                Cover Show = CS

ALL FRIDAYS in November:
CS - Playa Grill & Margarita Bar
        7:00-9:00pm
        All Ages
        HH Specials til 7:00 (get there early!)

Saturday, November 5th
CS - Gordon Biersche, Mission Valley
        9:00-12:00am

Sunday, November 6th
CS - Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock
        11:30-2:30pm
All Ages
        DELICIOUS Brunch!

WEDNESDAYS, November 9th & 23rd
CS - Playa Grill & Margarita Bar
        6:00-8:00pm
        All Ages
        HH Specials til 7:00

Friday, November 11th
OS - Hard Rock Cafe, Gaslamp
8:00-12:00am (I'm in the 10:00pm Set)

The Cathryn Beeks Appreciation show!!

*** This is going to be a fantastic night, celebrating the workings of one fantastic woman! Check out the event link and poster below!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=141452662620474

Saturday, November 12
CS - Offshore Tavern, Bay Park
        7:30-11:00pm
        All Ages
        Food's delish, and music's delish-er

Saturday, November 19th
CS - Baily's, Temecula
        6:30-9:30pm
        All Ages
        Make a day of it! When was the last time you got to wine country?

Sunday, November 20th
OS - The Wine Lover, Hillcrest
         7:00pm

Lovely little place, and a great mix of music!

That is it for November, my lovelies!
As for more news to shoot your way, ATTN: ALL KICKSTARTER BACKERS!
Thanks to you, things are really getting a move on as far as this album goes...
I JUST had a fantastic photo shoot with Sharisse Coulter and SCP (http://www.sharissecoulter.com/) and now have the images needed to really get the graphic ball rolling. ALSO, just last week, my producer and I finished recording ALL THE SONGS for the album!!
So now what needs to be done is mixing, mastering and reproduction. YAY!
(the release is scheduled [tentatively] for January 28th, 2012)

Good news, great friends, awesome music...it's a wonderful life.
See you at the show!

Allegrasings

Engaged...in big, big things!!

2011-09-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have not already heard the news, along with

KICKSTARTER reaching it's goal of $10,000 (www.kickstarter.com/projects/allegrasings/keep-it-simple-a-brand-new-album-a-brand-new-pop-s )[WHOOHOO!!],

                        My brand new Jazzercise certification completion and teaching going fantastic,

                                                     And all around GIGs aplenty (check 'em out below...)

                                                                              I'm ECSTATIC to announce that I'm ENGAGED!!

Basically, what I'm saying is that LIFE is GOOD.
And I'm in the mood to CELEBRATE!

Check out my upcoming gigs below, and be ready for a CD release party that's gonna knock your socks off!

TONIGHT - Offshore Tavern @ 8:00pm
Tomorrow (Wednesday, 9/28) - Beaumont's, Bird Rock @ 8:00pm
Friday 9/30 - Playa Grill & Margarita Bar @ 7:00pm

Come out to a gig and help me celebrate what is truly the best week of my life! Thank you all for believing in my talent, keeping constant in your support and friendship and overall just BEING LOVE!

Allegrasings

The Schedge, the Gigs and Songwriting

2011-09-12T12:06:00.000-07:00

For the past few months, I've been putting lots of my time and energy into becoming a Jazzercise Instructor, and it's been great. It's really kept me active and in shape. And this coming weekend will either mark the end of my quest or the beginning of my instructor-hood. I'm auditioning on Friday Evening in Carlsbad, and once that happens I'll either be accepted to the Instructors Workshop or told to try again next time.

I'm not too nervous about it. I feel prepared and excited, but at the same time I'm just ready to move into phase 2. For as much as I love Jazzercise, and as big a part of my life it's been for the last three years, I feel that with all of this movement forward in the fitness field I've been sitting stagnant in the music field.

This past month I realized something...there are a slew of people out there that have no idea that I write songs. I've been approached recently by three separate individuals, two offering to write for me, and one asking me if I write.
And as much as I dig collaboration, I LOVE writing songs myself and evidently I've slipped into some chasm where my original songs have stopped being heard. What is this black hole?...
The answer: Cover Gigs.

Don't get me wrong - I am incredibly grateful that I GET to perform for a living, and Cover Gigs are what have made that possible.
But during a gig where plates are clacking, drinks are flowing, and happy, loud conversation is in full effect, far be it for me to attempt to get the audience to listen - and I mean really listen - to original songs they've never heard before.
Cover shows are such a success because they allow people to sing along, request well known tunes, recognize (while splitting focus with conversation/food/friends) the song selection and feel like they have even moderate control of what they're listening to - and all the while being entertained by a real live person.

I am a song writer. I love lyrics. I love rhyme. I love rhythm. I love word play. And I know that if people get the opportunity to listen to my originals, they will like or even love them.

To paraphrase my good friend Lindsay White, "You Have to Listen to My Music to Like it."

And soon you'll be able to! As long as this kickstarter campaign is a success, I'll be putting out my album later on this year...a big ol' party, a big release. I'm doing it right this time around. And I'm gonna make sure EVERYONE gets a chance to hear my original music, and really know how much I love what I do :)

On the Kickstarter note, a HUGE thanks to all who have pledged to my campaign! Without you, there would be no album. And that's no joke! We've got $2812 left to go to make my new album "Keep It Simple" a reality and I hope you can all be a part of it :)
Here's the link, for those of you that haven't pledged yet, but are giving it some heavy thought!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/allegrasings/keep-it-simple-a-brand-new-album-a-brand-new-pop-s

And as for Cover Gigs, here's the schedge for the rest of the month of September!

Wednesday, September 14th: 6-8pm @ Playa Grill & Margarita Bar
Friday, September 23rd: 7-9pm @ Playa Grill & Margarita Bar
Sunday, September 25th: 11:30-2:30pm @ Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock
Wednesday, September 28th: 8-11pm @ Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock
Friday, September 30th: 7-9pm @ Playa Grill & Margarita Bar

If you know of any gig opportunities, email me! I'm always looking for new places to play :) allegrabarley@yahoo.com

Thanks, friends. Be Love, and I'll see you at a show :)

Allegrasings

Kickstart my heart!

2011-08-06T17:00:00.001-07:00

My Kickstarter Campaign is up and running, folks. We've got 59 more days to fund and release my new album, KEEP IT SIMPLE! here's the link. GO THERE!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/allegrasings/keep-it-simple-a-brand-new-album-a-brand-new-pop-s
See you at a gig (or on kickstarter :))

Can't wait to get your pledges and get this project rolling!!
Allegrasings

August Shows, Album News, THE VOICE and more!!

2011-08-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome again, my friends, to ALLEGRASINGS! This months first blog/mailing is going to include the following items, so get ready to get educated!

-Album news
-Kickstarter news
-The Skedge (August Shows)
-THE VOICE - upcoming audition

Album News:

I and my phenomenal producer and friend Alex are nearing the end of the recording/production of my upcoming album, Keep It Simple and I'm starting to get pretty excited! We're just wrapping up song #8 of an 11 song album that (as of now) looks to be due out in October (let's keep our fingers crossed).
I will keep you posted!

Kickstarter Campaign:
For those of you unaware of what Kickstarter is, I urge you to check out the website and have a look around (www.kickstarter.com). It is essentially HUB dedicated to funding and following creative projects. My upcoming campaign is going to be 60 days long in where I will be raising 9,000 for my upcoming album.
Kickstarter is basically a pledge and reward program. You pledge a dollar amount to my project, you get something really nifty from me. The bigger your pledge, the bigger your reward!
SO check out the site and all the cool projects already campaigning, and get ready to be a part of my upcoming album, Keep It Simple! My campaign is raring to kick off in less than 10 days!

The Skedge:
Tuesday, August 2nd - Mystic Water Kava Bar, 3811 Ray St, just south of University Ave. in North
                                       Park @8:45-10:30pm - This should be an awesome couple hours (very
                                       different and mostly original tunes in a REALLY neato atmosphere!)
Wednesday, August 3rd - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00-8:00pm
Friday, August 5th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 7:00pm-9:00pm

Saturday, August 6th - Offshore Tavern 2253 Morena Boulevard, Bay Park @ 7:30-11:00pm

Sunday, August 7th (DOUBLE HEADER!!) - Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock @ 11:30am
                                   Sunday Brunch @ one of the best brunch spots in town! Come for the Bacon
                                   Bloody Mary's and Coast Toast (!!) and stay for the tunes :)

                                   -AND-

                                   The Wine Lover, 3968 5th Ave, Hillcrest @ 6:00-9:00pm (I'm on at 8:10)
                                   This is gonna be a FUN show! Again, ALL ORIGINALS in an intimate,
                                    lovely new setting :) Check out the site :) http://thewineloversd.com/
Wednesday, August 10th - Eden, 1202 University Ave @ 7:00-9:00pm (if you haven't been here,
I highly recommend it, if not for the music, for the amazing atmosphere, super
delicious food and drinks and really cool staff :)
Thursday, August 11th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00-8:00pm

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 (Richardson/Dailey Wedding, PB...CONGRATULATIONS!!)

Wednesday, August 17th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00-8:00pm

Friday, August 19th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 7:00-9:00pm

(and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister Angela!)

Wednesday, August 24th - Eden, 1202 University Ave @ 7:00-9:00pm

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26th-MONDAY, AUGUST 29th - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BOUND!

(and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the love of my life, Joe!)

THE VOICE - upcoming audition

On the LAST DAY of this month (Wednesday, August 31st) I am headed to LA to Audition for NBC's THE VOICE (with hosts/coaches Christina Aguilera, Blake Shelton, Ce Lo Green and Adam Levine)

So keep the good JUJU flowing in my direction as I attempt to wow the nation with my song :)

So thumbs up for Rock and Roll everybody, and I'll see you at the show :)

Allegrasings

2011-07-07T20:16:00.001-07:00

Well, I may not be playing in PB anymore, but that just means my next step in music is ready to be taken...so let's go!

July Gigs, and Album News

2011-07-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th of July!
I hope everyone had a really great and safe time yesterday celebrating Independence Day. Last night, I'm pretty sure i watched more fireworks displays then I have ever watched in one sitting before, and it was glorious!

I'm 6 songs down and yet to go on my album production with the wonderful and talented Alex Zander of Studio Studios in South Park, and we're having a blast. I think the toughest thing is picking what songs to go on the album. The release (as of now) is scheduled for late August/early September...but that's if everything continues according to the time line (If any of you have ever set yourself a tentative deadline, you know what I'm talking about)!

Now for JULY SHOWS (drum roll, please...)

Wednesday, July 6th: Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00pm
Friday, July 8th: Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 7:00pm
Saturday, July 9th: Offshore Tavern, San Diego @ 7:30pm
(Great place on Morena Blvd, with some good grub and grog!)
Wednesday, July 13th: Eden, Hillcrest @ 7:00pm
Friday, July 15th: Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 7:00pm
Saturday, July 16th: The National Anthem @ The San Diego Sea Lions Soccer Game, 7:30pm (http://sealionsoccer.com/)
Wednesday, July 20th: Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock @ 8:00pm
(Come for dinner or just drinks, good company and music!)
Friday, July 22th: Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 7:00pm
Wednesday, July 27th: Eden, Hillcrest @ 7:00pm
Friday, July 29th: Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 7:00pm

Busy month, Folks. I hope you can all make it out, because I love seeing every single one of your faces supporting my music career in our little corner of the world. HAPPY JULY, and see you at the show :)

Allegrasings

Keep It Simple

2011-06-07T16:46:00.000-07:00

June's Schedule AND New Lyrics - Keep It Simple

2011-06-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

June's here, my friends. And that means there's a whole month more of gigs that you can come out to, which I hope makes you as excited as it makes me.

Wednesday, June 8th - Tavern at the Beach, 8:00pm-10:00pm
Friday, June 10th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Thursday, June 16th & 23rd - Brewley's Pint, 10:00pm-12:30am
Friday, June 24th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, 7:00pm-9:00pm
Saturday, June 25th - Offshore Tavern, 7:30pm-11:00pm

There will be more gigs coming up, and I'll keep you posted as soon as they arise!

Now, for some awesome news. My Creative Rut is OVER! I wrote a song - the first song i've written in over 4 months. And it feels fantastic!

Here's the lyrics, and the video will soon follow:

Keep It Simple
I've always tried to keep my thoughts away
Keep my overactive mind at bay
All the thoughts so complicated
Everything I've loved or hated
Always find some clever thing to say

[Chorus]
But lately I have learned to keep it simple
Attempting now to set a small example
Learning now to let it rain
Enjoy the love but feel the pain
To get upset a little less
Give up the hurry, get rid of stress
And 1000 other ways to keep it simple

I've always had a habit of saying yes
Overbooking, making life a mess
Accommodating everybody
Made my days confused and muddy
Never leaving time to decompress

[Chorus]

Keep it simple
Just Keep it simple

[Chorus]

Be thankful for the things I've got
Be who I am, not what I'm not
And take more time all by myself
But give my love to someone else

And smile a lot, but let sad be sad
Spend some time with mom and dad
And smell a flower, and feel the breeze
Just strum the chords, just play the keys
And 1000 other ways to keep it simple

I'm learning 1000 other ways to keep it simple

It's been a long time...

2011-05-07T11:49:00.000-07:00

I realized last night (aka 1:30 this morning), when I was drifting off to sleep that I haven't updated my blog this month. I also realized last night (and every day for the past month) that I haven't been writing at all, and it's downright annoying to be in a creative lull (the most creative I'm getting these days is words with friends on my smarty-pants phone).
I really miss my words.
And i well know (being that this is the umpteenth time i've gone through a dry spell) that these stints happen and not to worry...they ebb and flow just like everything else in life. Writing is a roller coaster of catastrophic capacity (if that makes any sense...). What i mean by that is that when i don't write for such a long time as i've currently been void, i start to feel an overwhelming sense of uselessness.

Now, of course, I know I'm far from useless, but I also know how alive I feel after I've written a new song, blog, poem, letter; text messages and email responses, though they get the job done, just don't cut it.
So this is good. a good step. I large one right off the ground and back onto the horse.
I'm gonna go ahead and say that a new blog is the precursor to a new song, and thus the exit from this dry spell. I can feel the creative juices starting to flow.

So there's that. If you've read this far, and you're still with me, maybe you'd like to read a bit further, and check out an article that was written about me in La Jolla Patch! It's a lovely little piece and it makes me look pretty cool, so i like it :) http://lajolla.patch.com/arts
I hope you like it too, and I hope you're as excited as I am to hear some new songs come out of the Allegra factory.

So here's the gigs this month...Enjoy, love, laugh and have a LOVERLY month of May!
Allegrasings

Sunday, May 8th (Mama's Day) - Brunch @ Beaumont's, 11:30am-2:30pm
                                                      (Make some reservations and bring mom down!!)
Wednesday, May 11th -                The Tavern on Garnet Avenue, 8:00pm-10:00pm
Friday(s), May 13, 20, 27 - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, 6:00pm-8:00pm
                                                      (HH 3-7pm, 1/2 Price Alcohol & Apps!)
Wednesday, May 18th -                Brewley's Pint on Garnet Ave, 9:30pm-12:30am
Thursday, May 19th -                   Beaumont's Eatery, 8:30pm-11:30pm
Saturday, May 21st -                    The Forget Me Nots @ 7170 Rock Valley Court, SD 92122
                                                      Doors @ 7:00pm, $15 donation, RSVP (858)459-1539
                                                      For those of you unfamiliar, The FMN's are a four part vocal group
                                                      I'm involved in, singing lovely, old timey tunes! It's unbeatable :)
Wednesday, May 25th -                Portugalia, Ocean Beach, 8:30pm

Okay, so that does it, and I'll see you at the show!
(for any private party booking, email me: theallegracollective@yahoo.com)

April's Upon Us!! Which means spring has sprung, sucka!

2011-03-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

And that means that it's time for more gigs and big things coming up :)
Here's the calendar for April, so check it out and mark it down. It's gonna be a good and busy month, headed toward an even busier summer.

The News:
I'm currently working on song #4 for my upcoming album, due out this summer sometime. So get ready, because it's gonna rock and roll. Fo' real.

The Skedge:
Friday, April 1st - 102.1 KPRI Stage w/ Ballast Point Brewery @ The SD Crew Classic!
                                4:00pm-6:00pm (listen to 102.1 for more details)
                                If you can make this, MAKE IT! It's gonna be a great afternoon at
                                one of the biggest annual sporting events in San Diego.
Sunday, April 3rd - Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock @ 11:30am
                                   Sunday Brunch and (I'm fairly certain) one of the best brunch spots in town!
                                   Come for the eats and the Bloody Mary's, stay for the tunes by yours truly :)
Thursday, April 7th -Brewley's Pint, Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach @ 9:30pm
Friday, April 8th -Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00pm
Saturday, April 9th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00pm
Friday, April 15th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00pm
Saturday, April 16th - Baily's, Old Town Temecula @ 6:00pm
                                      (If you're up for the drive, this gig rocks. The crowd is awesome,
                                      the food is great, and obviously the wine is delicious!)
Wednesday, April 20th - Brewley's Pint, Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach @ 9:30pm
Friday, April 22nd - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00pm
Saturday, April 23rd - [Wedding in Carlsbad. Congrats Scott and Bernadette!]
Friday, April 29th - Playa Grill and Margarita Bar, Mission Valley @ 6:00pm
Saturday, April 30th - Baily's, Old Town Temecula @ 6:00pm

There will be more live shows, articles in local publications, radio play, new album news, etc. coming up later this month, but I hope the above schedule at least whets your appetite for Allegrasings :)

Update to March Madness Calendar :)

2011-03-02T18:12:00.000-08:00

Added gig!!

Thursday, March 10th - Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock @ 8:30pm
(Come for dinner [delicious] or just drinks, good company and music!)

Check my post "March Madness" to see the rest of my scheduled shows this month!

Til next time :)

March Madness!

2011-03-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone.

So, as many of you know (and probably many of you don't know...) My boyfriend, the absolute love of my life, is coming home from his deployment to Afghanistan in 9 days.

This is a month I've been looking forward to for quite sometime.

I've got some lovely time set aside this month for the two of us to spend together (including a little stay-cation here in SD and a road trip [hopefully] all the way to NY!)

SO that being said, my gig schedule this month will be just a tad different. I'm taking a little time off, but for the gigs that i am playing, I am fully prepared to rock your socks off.

Here we go!

Thursday, March 3rd - Brewley's Pint, Pacific Beach @ 9:00pm
(Great space, great sound, and super central for those of you in the beach areas :))

Friday, March 4th - The Ideal Hotel, Downtown SD @ 9:00pm
(This one is super special...it's my other band [With the lovely and talented Veronica May, Lindsey White, Kristine Vandenberg, Jeffery Joe Morin and my dad Woody Barley] called The Forget Me Nots, and it's going to be a GREAT show! Check out the page on Facebook @The Forget Me Nots)

Saturday, March 5th - Baily's, Old Town Temecula @ 6:00pm
(If you're up for the drive, this gig rocks. The crowd is awesome, the food is great, and obviously the wine is delicious!)

Wednesday, March 9th - Portugalia, Ocean Beach @ 9:00pm
(Delicious food, cheap drinks, good company :))

All the rest of the month is TBD, & i will keep the information comin' at ya as soon as I get ahold of it!

So that's that, folks. See you at the show, and keep on movin and shakin~

Allegrasings

February Gigs 'n Such...

2011-02-02T11:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks to all of you who got out to a show in January...can you believe that it's already February, 2011? This is insane.
BUT exciting. Time is just soaring by, and I'm just so excited about all the wonderful things around the corner.
My start to the year was a bit rocky, but eye opening. I think most of the good things in my life can be attributed to all the bizarre, unfortunate, interesting, upsetting, and woeful chances I've taken and choices I've made.
Country artists Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker have written songs fairly recently about just that (you should check them out), with lyrics such as "God blessed the broken road that lead me straight to you" and "Every stop light i didn't make, every chance I did or I didn't take...thank God for all I've missed, 'cuz it lead me here to this"

Man, what truth.

Well THIS, for me, is February, 2011. I've got the love of a magnificent man, friends that inspire me and love me no matter what, a family that is more constant to me and beautiful than the glorious San Diego sunset, a career that is on the up and up, an album on the way and I am lucky and blessed enough to live in arguably the most gorgeous city in the world.
So hazah!

And now, for the Giggles. I hope to see you out this month. I've got new originals, new covers, new(ish) venues, and some of the old reliable places :)

Thursday, February 3rd - Hennessey's Tavern, Pacific Beach @ 9:00pm
(This one will be great if you're aching to see me perform with a group...I've got a trio together!)

Sunday, February 6th - Hennessey's Tavern, Pacific Beach @ 6:00pm
(Directly following the Super Bowl...come out and celebrate a victory [or drink away your sorrows]!)

Thursday, February 10th - Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock @ 8:30pm
(Come for dinner [delicious] or just drinks, good company and music!)

Friday, February 11th - Offshore Tavern (NEW VENUE!), San Diego @ 7:00pm
(Great place on Morena Blvd, with some good grub and grog!)

Saturday, February 12th - Baily's, Old Town Temecula @ 6:00pm
(If you're up for the drive, this gig rocks. The crowd is awesome, the food is great, and obviously the wine is delicious!)

Wednesday, February 16th - The Tavern, Pacific Beach @ 8:00pm
(Close to home and some good drink specials :))

Sunday, February 20th - Hennessey's Tavern, Pacific Beach @ 8:00pm

Thursday, February 24th - Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock @ 8:30pm

So there you have it. Happy February, have a fantastic month, a wonderful Valentine's Day, keep positive and continue pursuing great things!! I'll see you at the show :)

Allegrasings

Hey Soul Sister COVER (Idol Reject)

2011-01-27T18:13:00.000-08:00

Hey! It's me singing a Train song. If you want me to do other video covers, let me know, and I'll do them. JUST for you!!

Allegrasings

GIGS GIGS GIGS!! (Starting 2011 with a bang!)

2011-01-01T21:00:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of gigs coming up Ladies and Gentlemen, and I thought you all should be the first to know about them.

I'd love to see you out at one, two, three, ALL of them?

So...MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Sunday, January 2nd - Henessey's, Pacific Beach, 8:00pm-11:00pm

Thursday, January 6th - Breweley's Pint, Pacific Beach, 9:30pm-12:30am

Thursday, January 13th - Beaumont's Eatery, La Jolla, 8:30pm-11:00pm

Sunday, January 16th - Henessey's Pacific Beach, 8:00pm-11:00pm

Thursday, January 20th - Breweley's Pint, Pacific Beach, 9:30pm-12:30am

Saturday, January 22nd - Baily's, Old Town Temecula, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Monday, January 24th - Henessey's Pacific Beach, 8:00pm-11:00pm

Thursday, January 27th - Beaumont's Eatery, La Jolla, 8:30pm-11:00pm

SO there is the schedule for January, Folks. Mark it, know it, love it. I would really love to see you out at a show this next month!
I'd also like to tell you all that (drum roll, please...)

I am FINALLY in production for my new upcoming album!!! THAT'S RIGHT! Yeeeehaw! It is scheduled for release sometime this coming spring, so keep coming back for more information, and until next time keep those new years resolutions, stay happy, healthy, safe, and continue loving life!

Allegrasings

At Home

2010-11-30T13:50:00.000-08:00

Be Good (ORIGINAL)

2010-11-16T13:17:00.000-08:00

Allegra on the TV, RADIO, and LIVE!

2010-11-03T13:43:00.000-07:00

Just a side note...I don't know if everyone else shares my sentiment, but I couldn't be happier that there will now be no more mud-slinging political commercial infiltrating the air waves. THANK GOODNESS.

Now for the good stuff...

LIVE GIGS!
Thursday, November 4th
Brewley's Pint, PB (Garnet between Fanuel and Dawes)
9:30pm go time
21+, no cover :)

Tuesday, November 9th
House Of Blues, Downtown
Local Brews and Local Grooves
(Voodoo Stage)
7:30pm go time
all ages, no cover, drink/food specials

Thursday, November 11th
Beaumont's, Bird Rock
8:30pm go time
DELICIOUS foods and drinkies!

ON THE RADIO!!
That's right, friends!
TUNE INTO 102.1 KPRI on Sunday, November 7th
During the 8:00pm hour to hear

"LOVE SONG ('Til the End)"

OTHER RANDOM MUSIC NEWS! (just for fun)
Not sure if you can find it anywhere, but i sang yesterday morning on San Diego Living, an hour show on the San Diego CW, Channel 6, and it was fun-tastic. Maybe you should call channel 6 and say "hi, I saw that girl Allegra sing a song on Tuesday morning...you should really have her back for a full interview/set!"(or something along those lines :))

See you at the show!

GIGS GIGS GIGS!!

2010-10-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

Hey Y'all.
Now that I'm back in the Saddle, I'd like to extend the invitation to you all to the gigs I've got going in the upcoming couple of weeks. So here it is :)

Hennessey's Tavern

Sunday, October 24th
4650 Mission Blvd.
9:00ish (whenever football ends)
Solo acoustic, feel good tunes
21+

Beaumont's Bird Rock
Wednesday, October 27th
5662 La Jolla Blvd.
8:30pm
Acoustic rockin' with the help of some friends :)

Brewley's Pint

Thursday, November 4th
1261 Garnet Ave.
9:30pm
Possible Band-age...
21+

I want you there. I do. I want you there bad.

Sooo...see you at the show!

I hit it tonight. I hit it hard.

2010-10-13T23:33:00.000-07:00

The open mic night, that is.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen. After years and years of working diligently to move ahead in this music industry of today's pop culture and whatnot, after finally making my money solely through paid shows, after moving up and up and up, I made an appearance at an Open Mic night tonight; the first I've played since 2007 when I first moved back to San Diego.

And I'm gonna be honest.
It was awesome.
I wasn't sure it would be, but lately (taking into account my most recent chain of life events) I've been feeling quite down. Haven't been writing, haven't been recording, haven't been singing. And it's made me lose a little bit of that feeling of self worth that I'm in a daily struggle to uphold.
(as I'm pretty sure we all are)

It felt good to get in front of a crowd again, even though I wasn't getting paid. It felt good to hear music come out of my guitar instead of just listen to it collecting dust at my house. It felt really good to sing in front of an audience. It felt good to make people feel good.
I helped in making people's lives feel good tonight, if even for a split second, and that was awesome.

I've spent a lot of time worried about succeeding/growing/progressing monetarily/being financially secure through music. And I forgot in the meantime how much I really just love performing, and love singing.

Maybe this minor setback is just what i needed to get my engines running again. Maybe it's just what i needed to re-feel the passion that sort of got swept under the rug for a minute.

I'm back, folks. I'm ready.

Let's do this.

The good, the bad, the situation

2010-08-16T19:52:00.000-07:00

I am now and have been at home in San Diego and off the ship for the past two weeks. I left the Carnival Paradise with vocal issues on July 30th, unable to sing, practically unable to speak and quickly approaching what would've been my second bout of Laryngitis.

It was then that I made an executive decision: It was time to take a closer look at what was going on in my voice box. After all, up until then (and since being on the ship), my voice had been raspy, unhealthy and never above 70% of it's best. So I approached the Ship Doctor who, after bearing witness to my frequent visits and evident and ongoing vocal un-health, gladly sent me to San Pedro to visit the ENT.

It was then that I was diagnosed with a microscopic vocal nodule on my right vocal cord and severe swelling of the larynx, due to overuse and exhaustion.
The doc prescribed me two weeks vocal rest off the ship (meaning little speaking and absolutely no singing or performing).

At that point, i thought two weeks was all i needed, so i was confused as to why they made me clear out my room, close out with the MSA (administration) and collect from Paymaster. But I didn't make a stink. All i wanted to do was get away from the stage and rest my vocal cords.

After a week and a half of being back in sweet home San Diego, I was scheduled another appointment with yet another ENT in order to give me the 'Medical Clearance' that Carnival deemed necessary in order to get me back on the Paradise and back to performing.

However after he looked at my cords (through the nasal passage…it was comfy cozy) and I practically pleaded with him to let me back on the ship to sing, perform, love life and finish out my contract, he said, "i'm sorry, i just can't recommend that you keep performing at this time. If you want to sing for ten more years, which i assume you do (and he was right), you need to see a speech pathologist."

Who knew that i would ever need vocal therapy? Because I hadn't the slightest idea that was in my cards.

But here it is, three weeks off the ship and one appointment with the Speech Therapist later…and although there are a lot of negatives i could rattle off about my current vocal and emotional state, I really have to thank my lucky stars that i locked it up and asked to leave the ship when i did.

THE PRESCRIPTION (for up to 6 weeks of therapy):

-No talking [especially phone talking](unless ABSOLUTELY necessary)
-No singing. Period.
-No coughing/clearing the throat (this is a toughie for me)
-No caffeine
-No alcohol
-No Life.

Okay, that last one was not in the line up, but earlier today that is exactly how i felt.

It's a rather jarring and scary feeling when all of a sudden, all of the things you do to de-stress/take the edge off/relax are swiped from underneath your feet.

And it has forced me to reevaluate what i need to do in order to stay alive and sane during these next few weeks. (Jazzercise twice a day, reading, writing verse, watching all the movies/tv series' that i've not caught up on…spending a lot of time alone)
Because, let's face it: I love to sing. I love it more then anything. It makes me feel alive, connected, special, real, human, honest, happy, whole, unique…

AND i will do absolutely WHATEVER it takes to get my voice back.
If you know me, you know that it's more than just my voice. it's my soul.

Cheesy, maybe, but true.

SO wish me luck! And if you're in San Diego, and you ever want to have a silent lunch or a quiet dinner…well, you know where to find me :)

Allegrasings

I take it back. (Shiplife!)

2010-07-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

So remember in my last blog (if you've been constantly reading) when I said that my voice is getting stronger?
Well, I was wrong. I thought I was on the up and up, but it turns out it was a fluke. My new found vocal health seems to have been the calm before the storm.
My voice has fallen into dire straights. I've spent the morning not speaking, drinking hot liquids and totally psyching myself out by watching youtube videos about vocal nodules.

I think that I've come to a point where I need to look into getting off the ship to see a specialist. And I'm gonna go ahead and expect the worst.
That way, any news is good news.

But we shall see.
If anyone has the best remedy ever for an overused voice, please, by all means, let me know!

Here's what I've been doing:
Hot water/lemon/honey
Ginger Tea
Water water water
Tetracycline gargles
Throat lozenges

I'm thinking about sitting in the steam room for awhile tonight. What do you think about that?
I'm just really looking for anything and everything that might help the state of my vocal chords.
So that's that for now.
Talk to you soon, hopefully with great news of health and healing!
-Allegrasings

Back to the ol' drawing board. (Ship Life!)

2010-07-16T15:28:00.000-07:00

i am becoming better by the day at being a part time friend, however it's getting no less exhausting. I just finished yet another four day cruise to Catalina and Ensenada and, because of all the part time friends I so readily made this last week, all i want to do now is sleep. And sleep some more.

But alas, there's a three day cruise boarding for the weekend as we speak: three more days filled with 2,000 more strangers that i will win over, entertain, laugh with, assist in any ways i'm able in the fantastic-ness of their weekend getaway and see them off with a smile on Monday morning, ready to fall into four day friendships with yet another group five mere hours later.

It's great to know that people at home know Allegra when she's not Allegrasings...the no makeup, hair undone, wine and cheese loving, board game junkie, dog park frequenter, jazzercise regular who loves nothing more than her morning routine of Bird Rock Latte and Union Tribune crossword.

On the ship, I often forget what I look like without makeup, heels and formal wear.

But I'm halfway there. First contract is as good as under the belt. I've made it halfway and I can make it the other half. If this were a mountain, I'd be at the peak; it's all downhill from here.

One major positive of this whole experience is that my voice is actually getting stronger. I do sing 30 hours a week, and up until recently, I've been worried about my vocal strength weakening. However on this past cruise, I soared through four days of singing, feeling almost better on the last night then i did in the beginning.

All this singing is starting to finally work for me!!

Hallelujah!

I do so love all the cruisers i meet. I love everyone's smiles, excitement, enthusiasm, kindness and i know that even though they see Allegrasings, it's still me. It's just one aspect of me that I've luckily made into my career. And it's a good aspect (i think)!

When I'm performing, I'm elated. The constant smile on my face is real. There's no pretense in my performance, and I think that's why this job of part time friendships is so easy (albeit exhausting) for me because although it's not all of me, it's still the real me, and i think people see that.

SO if you're ever stuck in your situation thinking that you're not showing all of you, just make sure the part that you are showing is genuine, 100%, honest to goodness you. People will respond. Honest.

So til next time,
-Allegrasings

Such things as passion, love and miracles.

2010-07-10T01:42:00.001-07:00

I've got this incredibly strange and amazing feeling coursing through my veins right now.
I didn't get invited to a birthday party for an employee on the ship who i believe I'm a friend to. Not that i won't be okay that i wasn't invited.
I'm fine, quite frankly, with spending the night just how i would've before i'd found out about said party: bottle or Mark West Pinot Noir, pajamas, a mound of sliced cheese and cold cuts with tomato, and Scrubs: The Complete First Season…maybe littered with some light journaling.
I'm finding, especially after today, that i'm quite alright with being alone…for the time being.

Now don't get me wrong. I LOVE being around people. Friends, in particular. In fact being social is a key ingredient in my general and overall well being. But i do like being alone. What i don't like is being lonely. And today, in face, I'm going to find being lonely extraordinarily difficult.

Today I rediscovered a love that i wasn't sure existed anymore for me in my life. In fact I've been quite sure lately that I will die sad and alone. But today, a lovely man who has been there for years standing by, with a quiet and perfect dignity, watching me make my mistakes, "do my thing," fight my battles, live my crazy, wild "artists life" and still, without so much as a flinch, never once question the way he feels about me made me think differently.

I've gotta admit, it's a strong man who will put up (and then some) with my crazy artist acrobatics.

This past December when he and I broke up, catalyst of the ordeal was "lack of passion" and other such issues.

…

I've now come to realize that passion without love can be quite empty.

In fact, Passion, without Love, is nothing.

It's the love that makes the passion worth it. It's love, compassion, understanding and comfort that makes something such as passion all that it is.
I finally understand that passion is so much more than what I was searching for…

It's sitting in the passenger seat of the car, looking out the window when, without provocation, you feel the warm, gentle touch of a hand on your knee

It's the daily call or email or text message just to say hello and let you know you're on his mind.

It's the excitement to travel together and see everything and go everywhere...with you.

It's the enormous bouquet on the dresser when you wake up, for no reason other than he knows you love flowers.

It's the laughter.
It's the tears…

...
It's the man who's leaving for Afghanistan in a week and turning his world upside-down and backwards and still makes sure his last few days in America are spent driving hours by himself, in what is mostly horrendous traffic, just to see your face, to look into your eyes and assure you that you are loved and that he will be safe and come home in nine months in one piece, still loving you.

If that's not passion, i'm not sure what is.
And I'm the lucky fool that gets to sing about it.
All in all, it's what makes being alone so bearable. With a promise of passion, with a promise of love no matter what, with a promise that i'm not, in fact, so alone although i may physically seem so…
It's not so bad that i wasn't invited to a birthday party.
It's not so bad that i am here tonight by myself with my thoughts, words, wine, cheese and Scubs episodes.

Have a wonderful night, keep searching for the real passion, and if you've already got it, don't let it go.

-Allegrasings

Dig4Gigs.com and other news...

2010-07-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

I'm trying out a new site for my my music. It's called Dig4Gigs and I've posted 4 audio tracks on my profile, available for purchase! One of the songs, "Love Song" is fully produced and the others are basic vocal/guitar tracks, but i figure if i've got them to give you, why not give them to you!

SO check out my profile (Allegra Barley or Allegrasings) at www.dig4gigs.com and let me know what you think! And as soon as I've got a video to share (that's bigger/better than just me sitting in my room with my guitar and computer!) it will be on there, as well as my new songs that i've written during this stint on the ship - as soon as i get decent audio files!

Another video journal is coming at you soon :)
But until then, enjoy your life, and i'll talk to you soon!

-Allegrasings

Naps and Flooded Bathrooms: Ship Life!

2010-07-02T10:18:00.001-07:00

Do you ever find in life to have your heart exceptionally set on something, but no matter how much you crave the thing, you're unable to obtain it because exterior circumstance keeps keeping you away?

All i wanted today on the ship was sleep. I was off to Catalina on the first shore boat in the morning in order to get work done on the internet, have breakfast and come back to the ship at an hour that would allow me a decent amount of rest before my 5 hour set tonight.

Upon reaching my hallway I was walking rather fast, eager to do nothing but nestle my face deep into my pillow and wrap myself in my warm, plush throw blanket and fade far into the remains of the day (or at least until 5:00pm), but i was stopped dead in my tracks. Behind me, I heard my name being frantically shouted and i turned to see my 6'5" jamaican room steward Gregory running after me, flailing his arms.

His news for me was that my bathroom (along with two units adjacent) had flooded. In a room that doesn't exceed 11ft by 11ft (including the bathroom), a flooding due to backed up drain cavities of ship water and whatever other smut you can imagine is far from desirable…and even farther from equating to a nice, comfy, quiet, non-stinky sleeping arrangement.

So i am out of my room, out of sleep and out of a place to get ready for my gig tonight. Luckily I'm only one day deep w/o shower, because one of those babies is (obviously) out of the question.

My friends Emily and Joe came to Long Beach on Monday after a Joe had undergone a 30 hour drive from Minnesota, returning to San Diego at 4:00am…he came to see me at 8:00am that day. His favorite phrase for the day was "you can sleep when you're dead."

Maybe I should subscribe to that.

But i don't know. I do so love my sleep. I love being awake and alive when i play music. And i've also noticed (particularly recently) that i get awfully emotional when i don't get enough sleep. The most ridiculous things get me upset - even downright sad.
And for what?
The answer is nothing. The answer is that i need my sleep.
And i think that ship life makes more sleep even more necessary…

I mean here I am, surrounded constantly by vacationing people; people consistently in the best of moods, having the times of their lives, living it up for three or four days on a cruise ship wanting nothing but smiles, laughter, happiness, good music and good times. And rightfully so. However that being said, it really doesn't allow me any time to complain, bicker, moan, vent, stress about loneliness, whine about my lack of a love life, or any of the such actions that become much more easy for me when I'm lacking sleep.

Point of the story: Sleep is crucial to a happy, healthy existence both as a functioning member of a society (ship-side or otherwise) and as a musician.

So take a look. if you are ever feeling irritable, more sad then usual, edgy, short-fused or grumpy, maybe all you need to get back on track is some solid nap time.

So that's that, and i'll talk to you soon, hopefully with some great new songs to share :)

-Allegrasings

Video Journal 6-23-10

2010-06-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

Here It Is…Here I Am (Life at Sea)

2010-06-17T00:54:00.001-07:00

So I've got laryngitis.
In 29 years of loving to sing and heavily relying (for my sanity and well being) on my voice and my vocal health, I've never (that I can remember) had laryngitis.

But when I woke up this morning unable to swallow or speak, with a sore and swollen rod running down the right side of my throat (so swollen that it was visible in the mirror five feet away) I knew that I was no longer healthy…vocally.

Now, after a day of drinking water (both bottled and hot w/ lemon and honey), gargling tetracycline, popping cephalexin and anti-inflammatory meds, sucking on lozenges and (my favorite) having an injection granted to my hind quarters which was described to me as a steroid for the inflammation in my throat…oh, and crying quite a bit…I'm exhausted, confused, stressed, angry, miserable, stifled and lonely.

Without my voice, I feel powerless and oh so very alone.
And, may I admit it, scared.

Of course, in my uber-volitile state, my emotions are running at a record high allowing my mind and heart to jump to intense (albeit unreasonable) conclusions:

What if I never sing again?
What if the damage I've done to my voice in this mere two months is irreversible?
What if I have to jump ship?
What if no one will love me anymore because my voice was what made me Allegra?

Granted, I know I will sing again. It is my lifeblood. I know that this rest I will be taking in the next few days is absolutely necessary. I know that I am and have always been a pleaser, and if something was going to get me to back off, stop saying yes, stop overworking out of fear that people will stop liking me and take some time for myself, this had to be it.

I feel honestly crazy sometimes. And being trapped (on practical lock down) in my 11ft by 11ft windowless cave below the sea, unable to relate, share, explain, talk, cry on anyone's shoulder or have a genuine laugh with a close friend…is making the crazy come out and play.

THE BRIGHT SIDE:
(if you were waiting for it)

This, too, shall pass.
I wrote a song awhile ago called "Let it Rain"
What I was experiencing when I wrote the song didn't even begin to compare to what I'm feeling right now, but it's these times when I know I've gotta look back, heed my own lessons and take my own advise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let It Rain
Feeling whole is difficult - when you're working with an empty shell
Smiling isn't easy - when you're going through a little hell

[Chorus]
So just remember…
When the sun breaks through after the rain
That you'll never know the joy without the pain
So let it rain, let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain…Let it rain

It's hard to find a reason - when everything is going wrong
It's hard to find the answer - when you're feeling like you don't belong

It's hard to move ahead - when your feet are nailed to the floor
It's hard to live a moment - when your heart is running for the door

[Chorus]
So just remember…
When the sun breaks through after the rain
That you'll never know the joy without the pain
So let it rain, let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain…Let it rain

(check out my youtube channel to hear the song :)) www.youtube.com/allegrasings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So tell me. When was one of your really bad times? Yesterday? Last year? When you were 5? When did you genuinely feel like that was that, and you could barely find the strength to keep living, loving and charging forward?

And where are you now? Did you make it through? (I'm going to guess 'yes' if you're here with me at Allegrasings right now…)

In conclusion, I'm gonna let it rain.

The sun is going to shine again. I will love life again the best i know how. I will sing and laugh and enjoy my moments again sometime very soon.
So until then, live it up, my friends. And enjoy yours.

Allegrasings

Please, Someone Please (Original, 6-16-10)

2010-06-16T17:18:00.001-07:00

If i could speak, I would say I'm in pain
If I could speak, I would sing to you again
If I could speak, I can promise I wouldn't be crying

It's not just a voice, it's what keeps me sane
It's not just a voice, this is not just in vane
It's not just a voice, for without it i feel like i'm dying

[Chorus]
So please, someone please
Tell me you know how i feel
Please, someone tell me you know this is real
I need a connection - i need a release
A comfort - a friend who can give me some peace
So please, someone please
Just tell me you know how i feel

I'm feel so alone - i don't know what to do
I'm feel so alone - the sensation is new
I'm feel so alone and my heart is now quietly aching

I just want to shout but i can't find my voice
I just want to shout - and be part of the noise
I just want to shout but my silence has left me forsaken

[Chorus]
So please, someone please
Tell me know you how i feel
Please, someone tell me know know this is real
I need a connection - i need a release
A comfort - a friend who can give me some peace
So please, someone please
Just tell me you know how i feel

Your Call (ORIGINAL, 6-11-10)

2010-06-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

Save as Draft

New Song!! "Your Call"

2010-06-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Your Call (ORIGINAL, 6-11-10) **Video up shortly!!**
It comes down to you - and the things you need
This is the truth - it's the life you lead
If you won't make a choice - too afraid to fall
Well this is your life
It's your call

It comes down to a chance - into the great unknown
This is the choice - it's up to you alone
If you never want to hurt - too afraid to fall
Well this is your life
It's your call

[Chorus]
No one's gonna live it for you, you see
No one's gonna wake up every morning
And remind you who you need to be
It's up to you - you've gotta risk it all
This is your life
And it's your call -
It's your call

It comes down to a smile - so let the good times roll
This is your life - you gotta take control
If you can't stand up - too afraid to fall
Well this is your life
It's your call

[Chorus]

Sadness (or something like it)

2010-06-01T12:35:00.000-07:00

My friend Joe (those of you who know us, you'll know he's one of my closest) came to visit me in Long Beach this past Monday. We had a great time. We got coffee/orange juice in the morning, we went shopping in Long Beach and had delicious Mexican food and Coronitas for lunch at the pier (i haven't had delicious Mexican food since i left San Diego...i was jonesing for it). Then he came back to the ship with me and i showed him around all the guest areas and all the crew/behind the scenes areas. We laughed, caught up, drank tropical beverages and he watched me perform.

Then, when 4:30 rolled around, it was time for him to leave the ship.

The previous Monday, when my mom and sister came to visit and they had to leave, i felt pangs of sadness (or something like it) but i thought it was just that day, or just the company...

But I felt the same sadness when Joe left yesterday and I went up to Deck 9 and watched the ship leave the port of Long Beach.

What I've now felt two weeks in a row is a really impossible sensation to explain. I try to pinpoint it. I try to put into words exactly what it feels like inside me, and i can't.

Having someone that reminds me of home come to visit me in my temporary ship home and then leave...and then for the ship to leave land and take off once more into the wild blue ocean, far and completely away from anything familiar - it's sort of nostalgia and heartache meets expectation and fear of the unknown meets love, loss and wanderlust.

A mish-mosh of feelings all tossed up in my soul, like wild ingredients that I've never even heard of, thrown eccentrically together to create some new, exotic feast that I've never tried before.

I think if I had to pinpoint the most overwhelming of everything I felt yesterday, it would be loneliness.
I really didn't have any idea of how lonely i would be working on a cruise ship.

I have come to a place where I spend most of my time alone. I do a lot of writing, a lot of thinking a LOT of sleeping...

I LOVE SLEEP.
In fact, I've discovered that i love sleep so much that i become a raging beast when people try to take my sleep time away from me.

I make sure i write "Sleeping" on my door when I don't want to be disturbed...and usually it works quite well :)

That's that for now. I'll talk to you soon ~
Allegrasings

New Songs...from the Ship

2010-05-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Tonight (work in progress)[Original - May 29, 2010]
I don't wanna be alone
But i wanna be alone tonight
And even though i don't wanna be alone
Tonight, tonight I wanna be alone

Even though i wanna cry
I just don't think i wanna cry tonight,
Maybe I just need to cry, but
Tonight, tonight I don't wanna cry

I don't wanna sleep,
But I think I need to sleep tonight
I don't wanna sleep, but
Tonight, tonight I think I wanna sleep

[Chorus]
It may be crazy - or maybe just real
But tonight i just don't wanna feel
The way i wanna feel
It may sound simple - not a big deal
But tonight I don't want feel
The way I wanna feel

I wanna kiss your face
But I just wanna be alone tonight
I know I wanna feel your touch, but
Tonight, tonight I wanna be alone

I wanna have a dream
So I think I need to sleep tonight
I wanna drift away, so
Tonight, tonight I think I wanna sleep

[Chorus]
It may be crazy - or maybe just real
But tonight I just don't wanna feel
The way I wanna feel
It may sound simple - not a big deal
But tonight I don't want feel
The way I wanna feel

I'll Wait [Original - May 3, 2010]
Can't fake the butterflies, Can't feign intrigue
Can't just create the thing we all call chemistry
When it happens, it happens
When it's real, it's real
I won't pretend my body feels what it doesn't want to feel

[Chorus]
So I'll wait - As long as it may take
I'll wait - That's something I won't fake
I know - There's loneliness at stake
But I'm gonna hold out 'til I feel it
I'll wait

I won't give into physical when my heart is not attached
I won't give into passion when it's just a one night match
When I mean it, I'll mean it
When I care, I'll care
I won't convince my soul to feel a love that isn't there

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
I need extraordinary
To live my life less ordinary
That's why...

[Chorus]

Video Diary 5 of 30 - Ship Life!

2010-05-28T10:35:00.001-07:00

Slacking off on the Videos but loving life!

2010-05-26T12:28:00.000-07:00

I feel a new song coming on.
I feel like I've been sitting stagnant for awhile and it's definitely time to start writing again. I talked to a friend of mine and he said that he has been writing a song a day and that, to me, is fantastic and incredible. I can barely eke out a song a week.

Maybe my mind has just been otherwise occupied.
I must say, though, I am really enjoying myself on the ship.
If you have not been up to the moment on my facebook status, I am pleased to announce to you now that I received "Employee of the Month" on my ship...which is totally awesome.
I get a bonus, a picture/plaque, fancy shmancy dinner with the Captain and a great recommendation for my next ship (hopefully the Spirit which travels out of San Diego!)

Last night's gig was filled with young men telling me how they wanted to marry me (I kid you not, I counted at least six)...it was kind of hilarious and at the same time I really do get how they feel...I know that they don't really love me, and I know that they don't want to marry me, but they're filled with something that they can't express any other way...

Has music ever hit you in a way that you cannot even put it into words?

Has it ever gotten to your soul in a way that your insides literally hurt because you cannot (with any of your human senses) describe how it makes you feel to anyone else?
Well, i think that's how these guys felt last night. For some reason what I was playing was making them feel lots of something great inside, and the only thing they could muster to say was (over and over again) "I love you! Will you marry me??"

haha.

A question i get a lot on the Ship is, "Why are you on this Ship?"
To which i reply, "well, if you know a big time producer that's ready to make me famous and give me a huge record deal, by all means, let me know!"

You see,
It's a process: this whole being a full time entertainer thing.

You listen to any legitimate entertainer on any talk show/magazine article/commentary at the end of a movie/recorded backstage at a huge concert and you'll hear that they didn't just fall into fame.
They all worked. And worked hard.
It's all about taking the necessary steps...climbing that ladder.
"He who will learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk. One cannot fly into flying"
...that is not mine, that is Nietzsche. (Coming to America)

But seriously. I'm happy where i am. I get to play for a living and make people's days.
Which is not to say that I'm not progressing. I am indeed. I'm always ready to take the next step in my success. I can't wait for what's to come :) I'm actually really pumped!

When I look back at what I was doing two years ago at this time, I was a concierge, playing open mics for free and writing mediocre songs.

If that's not progressing, then I don't know what it is to progress.
It takes confidence, it takes talent, it takes drive and it takes TIME.

And I'm okay with that. In fact I'm more than okay. I'm fantastic.
There is a time for everything, and, evidently, this is my time to rock some socks off on the M/S Paradise out of Long Beach, CA.

Loving every day, cherishing every moment and learning from every experience...I'll talk to you soon :)
Allegasings

Video Diary 4 of 30 - Ship Life!

2010-05-23T12:11:00.001-07:00

I think i'm getting the hang of this!!

Video Diary 3 of 30 - Ship Life!

2010-05-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Video Diary 2 of 30 - Ship Life!

2010-05-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

Video Diary #2! Hope you enjoy :)

Video Diary 1 of 30 - Ship Life!

2010-05-21T12:13:00.001-07:00

Here's the first video of my 30 day series, people! Enjoy :)

Cruising - Chapter 7: The Fire Inside

2010-05-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

When things go wrong in my life, I shut down. I disappear and remove myself from regular life's equation. I'm figuring out more and more that, although people might see this as unhealthy, it is the only way i know how to function and pull through.

I think it's because I like being a good energy in other's lives. When people think of me, i want them to think "man, allegra makes us laugh and forget about the bad stuff in the world" or something along those lines. Or more along those lines than "man, allegra's a total downer."

Because as happy, blissful, full of energy and life as i can be, i get really down in the bad times. When i'm feeling blue, it's the polar opposite of my positivity. Deep, impassioned, sad sad sad.

And why would i ever wish that on someone?

Then of course people say "but it's not a bother, Allegra. When you're sad, we want to talk to you and help you through and be there for you...that's what friends are for"

And that's true. That is what friends are for. For sharing the bad times as well as the good.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) for them, that's just how i roll. I cry by myself. I hide away. i feel badness run it's course through my veins, i take a lot of long showers, I stop wearing makeup, i write, I sing, i cry more and then I finish dealing with it. I return to equation smiling, laughing, refreshed and ready to give people the best of me.

How do you deal with sadness in your life? Do you bottle it and pack it away until, like an erupting volcano, you eventually explode? Do you hide? Or disappear? Do you party and get drunk? do you surround yourself with people and things?

What works?

And what doesn't work? And if what your doing isn't working, then what about that?

Ponderings...just some things to think on.

Love life.

Embrace your sadness in whatever way you need to in order to get through those valleys.

Embrace your happiness in whatever way makes those peaks the most worthwhile to climb.

Laugh, cry, shout, sing, dance when your alone.

See you next time

Allegrasings

Cruising...Chapter 6 - Credit Cards and other miscellaneous...

2010-05-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

I was so excited today to get off the boat in Long Beach and see some very needed familiar faces. Two of my closest (Joe and Lindsay) came from San Diego to see and spend some time with me. And seeing them was spectacular.

Unfortunately, right at the beginning of my day in port, I checked my yahoo account.

Usually, this is a pleasurable experience. However today it was not so. I had two emails from my bank telling me that my account was overdrawn.

(Mind you, i had more than enough money in my account to get me though at least a month or so of financial issues.)
SO, when i got these 'overdraft emails' i was perturbed to say the least.

Turns out, while in ensenada, my credit card was stealthily stolen from under my nose and charged with over the amount that i even had available in my account.

OY.

There are logistics and details, and when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, i will get my money back and everything will be fine.

It's a shame, however, that i'm not even concerned with the nitty-gritty.

I am concerned with the mind power/soul power/stamina/smarts/intelligence that was lacking in the entire situation.

I left the boat in Ensenada to have lunch with one of my friends. When we finished lunch, I wanted to check my email. I didn't have any cash on me, so we made the detremental decision to stop by the ATM.
Two men were standing about it and although i felt awkward about their presence, i decided to use it anyway.

Bad idea #1.

While trying to figure out this very complicated ATM (which happened to be in spanish) one of the gentlemen intergected and said "here, let me help." He grabbed my card and stuck it in the ATM for me.
Now, mind you, i was flustered and confused that a stranger should have such a privileged attitude that he could come and grab a strangers debit card so freely, but, stupidly, i let it happen thinking "okay, Allegra, don't freak out. This is just someone trying to help you out."

Then the card fell on the floor in the fluster of hand grabbing...
And i finally said, in quite a distinctive tone, "thank you, i'm okay!"
I grabbed my card back, tried it one more time. It didn't work, i felt uncomfortable and my friend and i left.

On the way back to the ship, i looked back and said to my friend "I don't like this. I don't like what i'm feeling about this situation."

Denying my instincts and thinking that i was overreacting, we went back to the ship, boarded and forgot about the ordeal.

Today, in Long Beach was when i got the emails.
I was stunned, turned pale, started sweatin' and immediately called my bank. While on the phone, the claims department asked me if i physically had my card. I said yes, and went to reach for it and give her the number.

The chase card i had was not mine. In fact, the name on it was "Homberto Gonzalez"...

I was had.
Duped.
Taken.

Unfortunately I had more confidence in my own stamina to believe I couldn't ever let something like this happen to me.
But it did, and so here i am.

I did contact the bank in due time. I will get my money back. I will not be in serious debt for an extended amount of time.
However...
it totally sucks.
It sucks to be violated.

Have you been violated? If you have, I really feel for you.
And as a human being, creative, understanding, compassionate, realistic...i know it will get better.
It will get better. It will always get better.
Thank god i've got friends and family to turn to when things go south (namely to Ensenada)
...
There's that. It's my newest and most detailed (i think) blog i've written.

Think on it.
Follow your instincts. Follow your heart.
Usually when something seems really wrong, it's really wrong.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, I'm okay. I wasn't hurt. I get to perform still. I still get to do what I came here for. I get to play and effect people and sing and laugh and enjoy my life.
When it comes down to it, it's only money.
I know that I'm smart. I know I'm streetwise. I know that i've got talent and stamina and a good head on my shoulders.

ONE MISTAKE IN JUDGEMENT DOESN'T MAKE ME STUPID.

Don't ever judge yourself too harshly. That helps noone. Give yourself some slack.
Take it easy on you, because you're your own worst critic.

Take that from the biggest critic there is.

Peace and have a lovely day!
Allegrasings

Cruising. Chapter 5: Time is on my side

2010-05-05T13:30:00.000-07:00

I have always been a person that likes to give myself more than enough time. I plan backwards when there's an obligation i've got to get to. For example, say I had to be at a gig at a bar downtown at 6:00pm and you asked if we could meet for coffee that morning. in my mind, this is how i would plan...

okay, 6:00. That means i've gotta be downtown looking for parking by 5:15, which means i'm gonna have to leave my house by 5:00...to be ready to roll by 5, I've gotta be home and showering by 4:00, which means if i wanna go swimming, i've got to leave the pool by 3:45...so to give myself enough time in the sun i'll want to be at the pool by no later than 1:30, which means i'll have to get all my errands done by 12:45 so i can have enough time to get home, change, put sunscreen on and get to the pool...but to get my errands done by 12:30, that means i've gotta leave my house at 10 to start the errands, because of all the driving...10:30 tops. SO...since jazzercise is from 9-10, i guess i can't meet you for coffee.
How about next week?

Neurotic? Perhaps.

I'm exaggerating a bit (because anyone who knows me knows that i'd never pass up my morning coffee and crossword), but you get the idea.

Well...on the ship, I keep forgetting that my gig is not downtown, it's right up the stairs and less than a 30 second walk away. I forget that the mess (cafeteria/cafe/eatery) is even closer than that. I forget that to run my errands, i've never got to go farther than 50 yards in any given direction. I forget that to go to the bar or the pool or the gym or the doctor i don't have to factor in drive time.

It's nuts. I'm actually still adjusting and in that process, giving myself way too much time.
It's kind of cool, just different.

The long and short of it is that i've got time to kill. I've got lots of time....lots and lots of time...that i've never had before and it's giving me the opportunity to do a lot of self evaluation, soul searching, writing, thinking, catching up with me, relaxing with my thoughts.

Scary, but good.
So how are you spending your time these days? Is there any room to relax? to slow down? Hell, it took me getting on a ship to realize that's what i needed.
So take it easy...take a break. I think this cruise is making me realize that we've got more time than we think we've got, so let's enjoy it, shall we?

Till next time,
Allegrasings

Cruising...Chapter 4

2010-04-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

When it comes to ship life, as lovely as it is most of the time, sometimes i feel as though i'm stuck in a prison. Now, what i mean by that is simply that i cannot leave the ship. Sure, i can get off and explore the ports, i can take off for the day and futz around in Long Beach, but when 4:00 rolls around, i better be back on that ship. I'm getting more and more pangs of homesickness and nostalgia for land-living. Yes, it's only been three weeks, but then again, i feel certain that this is just about the time when most crew newcomers start to feel this way.

And i'm also quite certain that it will run it's course. It will pass. It will get easier. I know all this, and you know what? In the timeless (and quite poignent) words of GI Joe, knowing is half the battle.

On the bright side, I've finally gotten a sense of what I must do with my voice in order for it to keep functioning at the top (or at least on the upper rungs) of it's game.
On the ship, I play anywhere from 1-5 hour sets 6 afternoons/nights a week. And the way I typically sing, that can take a toll.

What I've been doing lately, however, is dropping songs 1/2 steps, playing a lot more guitar and singing a lot less. I'm lucky enough to take a 20 minute break to every 40 minutes that I play and I utilize that. When my alarm goes off for my breaks, I'm out of there.

So today in Long Beach I discovered the Public Library. I got myself a library card and now I am able to use free internet every Monday and Friday. This is an excellent thing, seeing as how the internet on the boat is $20 for 200 minutes. I think I've already spent an entire paycheck on internet fees...so the library is a godsend.

As far as friends on the ship, I've met (and continue to meet) a ton of really great people. Every cruise is new and different and each group of cruisers has their own energy seperate from the cruise prior or following. It keeps things interesting and enjoyable. And the crew is fantastic as well. I think I'm finally coming into my own here on the Paradise. People who I work with are finally starting to call me by name without looking at my nametag first as well as (at least it appears) starting to understand my humor/happiness/m.o./love for life and passion for my career.

Apparently I've been getting good reviews as well, because just recently I was asked by the Cruise Director to play a crew event in May, which should be a lot of fun.

I think what it boils down to is that no matter how lonely I get, how much I miss home, how I wish I could leave the ship sometimes, I'm able, blessed and lucky enough to balance that out with the fact that I get to do what I love for my living. I get to sing. I get to play guitar. I get to be onstage. I get to meet new people every day.

It's the yin and yang of cruise life and slowly but surely, I'm getting the hang of it, and I'm finding the delicate balance, as i hope you are with your own push and pull :)

So thanks for reading and until next chapter,
Allegrasings

Cruising...Chapter 3

2010-04-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

I think i learn at least on new morsel of information every day I'm on the ship. Such things as I am allowed to lay out on the lido deck with the guests. Or if I tip the guy who cleans my room, he'll give me a comforter instead of a boring blue blanket. Or I can drink at guest bars. Or the way to make it through a five hour set with flying colors is to make each song i play ten minutes in length just by jamming on the guitar for six extra minutes.
I'm starting to make friends, I'm starting to really get my sea legs and I'm really starting to see how people can make life long careers out of shipboard life.
I was talking to my mom this morning when we ported in Long Beach, telling her that I am really enjoying myself, and I'm not sure why. I'm not quite sure why i don't get bored on board. I'm not sure why the days go by so quick. I'm not really sure why I love my cabin...but i do. Every day is free and easy. I like it that way. I like that i get to do what i want when i want (of course with the occasional setback [aka not being able to dine with guests in the main dining room on short notice]) I love that each cruise there is a whole new group of faces that are all smiles and in full love-my-life-vacation-mode. People on the ship are rarely upset or in a bad mood (or course the cruising guests but also the staff and crew). Everyone loves what they're doing, loves the boat and seems to enjoy every second.
It's a weird world. And I feel as though I'm slowly but very surely falling into my nitch. I'm getting my footing - my sea legs. I get to visit Catalina every week. I get to go to Mexico twice a week. Yes, there's a lot of alone time...a lot of time to think. A lot of time to write in my journal...
But it seems that there is this delicate and wonderful balance on the ship between that time and the time shared with friends, guests and coworkers.
With that, I'm off to play some music for the new four day cruise just boarding. I'll play on the Lido deck by the pool in the sunshine today and then again tonight when everyone's got their party shoes on.
Another good day for me. How's yours?

Allegrasings

1 week down, a million years to go.

2010-04-23T14:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a week now since i've been on the Carnival Paradise and i have to say there's a lot in a week's work. I feel like i've already been on the ship for an eternity.
Singing close to 30 hours a week is exhausting, but definitely enjoyable. I've met some really fantastic people and already, within a week, had some crazy and amazing experiences.
I started out my first week singing at the top of my lungs every night, like i do on land. I quickly realized, however, that belting my face off for thirty hours a week is absolutely impossible. SO, with a nice, seasoned, rasp-tastic voice i finished out the week bringing every song that i sing down at least a half step, and choosing set lists consisting mostly of Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz and Amy Whinehouse.
Now, i know that sleep and hydration are the two key ingredients to a healthy voice, but i found when i slept the day away before my nighttime gigs, my voice wouldn't even be audible until maybe the second hour of my set. So, lesson #1: Sleep is great, but don't wake up and go directly to a gig. A singer should always allow herself at least two hours of awake time prior to singing for a five hour set. The last day of the four day cruise that just ported, i decided to stay awake all day, and keep myself busy (as opposed to going to my cabin and hybernating) and miracle of miracles, my voice was practically back to normal. I think it was a combination of the waking hours and the previous caution that i demonstrated with lower, slower tunes.

PS, i really apologize if this blog is boring you to tears. It's not one of my most exciting...

SO, in closing, if anyone of you wants to come to long beach on a monday or a friday and have some breakfast, lunch, see a movie, go shopping, get on the Queen Mary, go to the aquarium, etc, just shoot me an email. I'd love to see you and i will indeed try to keep as current as i possibly can on my blog, assuring you all that i'm still alive and well and i haven't fallen overboard.

Love and miss you friends,
Allegrasings

Living in an Earthquake...

2010-04-16T19:53:00.000-07:00

Right before i got here to the ship, everyone kept asking me what i was going to do about sea sickness, to which my constant reply was "dramamine...hahah just kidding. i don't get sea sick!"
So here I am on the Ocean so big and blue, on a large, LARGE boat, and it feels constantly like there is a rolling earthquake under my feet. I've felt dizzy and disoriented most of the day.
It will go away and then creep back and then go away and creep right back, just like the rolling ocean underneath my feet is seems...

In other news, I'm on a boat.

In even more news, I must admit, i had no idea what to expect. I feel scared and nervous and alone. I feel like i'm an alien on a foreign planet where all of the native groundlings are staring at me in awe and disbelief, wondering what far away place i've come from. I spent most of the day today tucked away in my cabin (which is actually pretty awesome), putting my clothes in the closets and droors, hanging jewelry, placing perfumes and lotions in a neat and tidy rows, putting up pictures, organizing the bathroom, wishing i had an area rug and watching School of Rock with Jack Black (by the bye, i've got my own cabin, my own bathroom, my own double bed, desk and tv with cable...all very cool things)

...BUT, i still feel quite solitary. Everytime i look at my phone and want to make a call, i realize i can't. My only real connection to San Diego (as of now) is Facebook and blogging.

I know i will make friends (in fact i've already been invited to a crew party tonight [i think it was a pity invite, but i'm gonna latch onto it!]) but i know it's gonna take more than 8 hours. Unfortunately, i'm not one used to 8 hours of not knowing/communicating with a soul.

It's GOOD FOR ME. I know i'm going to love this. In fact, there are already a ton of things that are piquing my interest and making me excited to be here. It's just going to be lonely for a while. And different.

But hell, when have I not loved different?
Bon Voyage, my friends! Until next time :)

Allegrasings

Been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time.

2010-04-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

I just realized that i haven't written a blog since March 30, and that's just plain unacceptable. SO here goes the infos....

GIGGITY GIGGITY GIGGITY

I've got quite a few gigs coming up, so I hope you can make it out before i ship out...to sea!
(for those of you who are unaware, i just booked a 6 month contract with Carnival Cruise Line, playing guitar and singing my way around the world...rock.)

WEDNESDAYS (April 14th, April 21st, April 28th)
5-8pm (prime sunset time :))
Prospect Bar and Lounge
1025 Prospect Street, La Jolla 92037

THURSDAY, April 15th & SATURDAY, April 24th
9:30-12:30pm
Hennessey's Tavern
4650 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach 92109

FRIDAY, April 16th
6-8pm (Happy Hour)
Double Deuce in the Gaslamp
528 F Street, San Diego 92101

THURSDAY, April 22nd
8:30-11:30pm
Beaumont's Eatery
5662 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla 92037

FRIDAY, April 23rd
7-9pm
Sidebar in the Gaslamp
536 Market Street, San Diego 92101

SEE YOU AT THE SHOW!! (And more info on where/when i'm cruising, and where/when the Bon Voyage Allegra Party is happening to come shortly :))

Allegra's Schedule for March 30th-April 2nd, 2010!

2010-03-30T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hey All!

Just a heads up for this weeks shows :)

Tuesday, March 30th
TIKI Bar
Garnet Ave, Pacific Beach (between Dawes & Everts)
10:00pm-1:00am

Wednesday, March 31st
Prospect Bar
Prospect Ave, La Jolla (next to Sushi on the Rock)
5:00pm-8:00pm
All Ages!

Thursday, April 1st
Beaumont's Eatery, Bird Rock
La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla (between Forward St. & Bird Rock Ave.)
Full Band Show!
8:30pm-11:30pm

Friday, April 2nd
Double Deuce, San Diego
F Street, San Diego (on the corner of 6th)
6:00pm-8:00pm

See you at the show!
Allegrasings

Next Up...The Climb

2010-03-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

First, i'll be climbing the mountain to Big Bear and boarding (finally!). It's the first day of spring and i haven't gone snowboarding yet this year. Boo. SO, that's happening tonight (Sunday) and Monday, and I couldn't be more excited.

When I return home, I'll be climbing into my Scout and climbing up Mission Hills into a studio where I will be attempting the recording of one of my latest songs, "Is What It Is"...I haven't been in the studio for quite sometime so I'm really looking forward to it.

After recording Tuesday evening, I'll climb up on stage at the Tiki House on Garnet from 10pm-1:00am and rock some serious socks off.

Then I'll climb into bed.

Wednesday, I'll be climbing the escalator at 1025 Prospect Street (Prospect Bar) to take the stage from 5:00pm-8:00pm (prime sunset/cocktail time) and sing my little heart out once again.

Thursday, I'm gonna climb out of my shell, put on some makeup, stilettos and good lookin' duds and head to a photo shoot with Alfonso De Alba, because an album does not come by song alone, but with all the additional bells and whistles that make it not only audibly stimulating, but visually as well :)

All in all, I'm climbing this week. I'll be climbing even more in the weeks to come. And pretty soon, I'll get higher and higher, until I'll finally get to see the tremendous view from the top.

...oh, and the music video's on it's way, too!

Peace and see you at the show,
Allegrasings

if i (fill in the blank), would you (fill in the blank)?

2010-03-20T23:32:00.000-07:00

I was having morbid albeit meaningful thoughts today. I was walking through Balboa Park in the darkness with my guitar and equipment in hand, heading toward my car and away from a wedding celebration wondering (and i'm dead serious), "i wish something tragic could happen to me...then i could see who my real friends are."

Has this thought ever ever crossed your mind? even once? what about a thought similar? Am I a complete nut for thinking such things or is it normal? regular? everyday?

Does everyone have problems figuring out who in their life is real and who is there with ulterior motive?
I'm full of questions after a day of celebrating really beautiful things...

My friend Lisa had a baby shower today for her upcoming bundle and my friend Amy got married today and i was lucky enough to sing at her wedding.

So where does this darkness come from? Is it stemming from the fact that I'm unmarried and childless and those things (according to upbringing/society/the world) are what makes a woman worthwile, or is that not it at all? My mind is moving a million miles an hour and all i want to do is sleep and forget about all of these questions.

So i pose them to you. Think about them. And please, let me know what you come up with.
I'm tired.

Allegrasings

Changing...

2010-03-13T19:17:00.000-08:00

I'm turning over a new leaf.
I'm moving onto greener pastures.
I'm getting a grip.
...getting a clue.
Figuring things out.
Realizing what I'm worth.
Realizing what I need - what i want
Figuring out the details
Reading between the lines...
Taking the next step.
Taking control.
Taking the reins.
...just saying no.
Just saying yes.
Being the person I want to be
Becoming the person I need to be
Believing in something bigger
...for myself.
...for you.
...for anyone who wants to live a better life.
...for everyone who believes in themselves.

I believe in myself.
I believe in you.
I believe in love.

Peace :)
Allegrasings

Who's this girl think she is? Some sorta wise packer, eh?

2010-03-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

Two weeks away, one carry-on bag. I think that's pretty talented, don't you?
Well, the people on my last flight did. In fact, I was taken aback by the response from strangers after helping me get my bag down from the luggage rack...
it was an overwhelming "WHOA!! Great Job!"
It was like packing for two weeks in a carry on was some sort of enormous accomplishment.
I found it amusing and wonderful that everyone on the plane was so nice...and they were all headed from San Francisco to Phoenix...

Does that mean that people from the Bay Area are friendly, or people from Phoenix are friendly?
Maybe both are friendly and it was just a delightful mix.

I'll tell you one thing, though. People (namely my dear friend Emily) in Albuquerque are the friendliest of all.

I got here, greeted by a warm hug and a genuine smile, was brought back to Emily's lovely house and asked what she could do to make me more comfortable. She showed me to my room which was complete with a gift basket (shower poof, body wash, delicious smelling lotion, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and bath salts), smelly candles, 'welcome to our home' greeting card and itinerary for my stay. WOW!

I felt like i was royalty...in a five star hotel...and the fact that I was actually coming into the comforts of a home made it even better!

After my half hour holiday shower and room organizing i came out to the living room where she had laid out a Nosh Plate for me, complete with crackers, salami, brie and mustard.

I ate, we caught up, laughed and chatted, and then proceeded to fall into a deep and glorious sleep until 11am this morning.

Emily's always been a gemstone, but this was amazing...just what i needed after a full day of travel.
I hope everyone is lucky enough to have amazing friends like her in their lives like i do.

Good friends are really what make the world go round...
This trip has been full of them...in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Tahoe and now here in Albuquerque.

I'm way too damn blessed and lucky. But hey, I'll take it.
I think we should all do something nice for a friend today...whether it just be a phone call or text, a suprise visit, a gift or even just a kind word.

Because let's face it. It's all about relationships.
Thanks for mine, friends!

Allegrasings

Goodbye San Francisco, Hello Tahoe!

2010-03-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

Last night I woke up after having a few ridiculously vivid dreams to the sound of raindrops on the gutter. In my half waking, half sleeping hays, I couldn't decide if it was actually rain I was hearing or the next door neighbor soft-shoeing into the wee hours of the night. Eventually I decided it must be rain, but by then I'd laid awake for about an hour wondering about the tippy tappy sounds.

I don't know why I had trouble sleeping last night. Perhaps it was because change was on it's way. Or perhaps i was filled with anticipation for tomorrow (now today) to come...sort of like a little child on Christmas Eve. Only, as an adult, the lack of sleep the night before something anticipated loses some of it's charm. I need my 8 hours.

I'm leaving San Francisco in just about one and heading off to the Mountains of Lake Tahoe. I've already been here for a week, and the week is over. Man, that went quickly. It's like I just hopped off the plane from San Diego.

Is it just me, or does time move quicker the older you get? I feel like we didn't even have a 2009. And it's already March, 2010. It's like we were in such a rush to get to the next big thing as children (Sweet 16, 18, the big 21...) and now, finally, when I don't mind waiting, time is flying...

So I guess that means I'm having fun.
Okay, so I'll take it. I'm glad my lifetime is so fun that I want it to slow down.

And what about you? Are you having fun? I hope so, because you've only got one life!
Allegrasings

Music Video Anyone?

2010-03-01T10:29:00.000-08:00

I've come across the opportunity to make a music video and I'm pretty darn excited about it. However, I don't have the first idea of what song I'd like to use...what about you?

If you don't know my songs at all (which would mean you're clearly interested in the breathtaking prose of allegrasings.com and nothing more), or you ever would like to revisit them and get a clearer, more up-to-date idea of what it is I do, go to www.youtube.com/allegrasings or www.facebook.com/allegrasings and take a look at my videos.

I'd love your feedback! Tell me which of my songs you think is most video friendly, which one you think is least video friendly, which one tugs at the ol' heart strings, if you feel something while listening to any song in particular or if you've got a great idea for video composition, I'd LOVE to hear it!

Have a happy day, and i'll talk to you all soon.
Allegrasings

San Francisco: Day Five - "You Win Some..."

2010-02-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday i received a telephone call from the people responsible for booking me the Holland America Cruise Ship audition in LA this past week. Unfortunately it wasn't the call i was hoping for, however it was the call i was expecting. I didn't book the cruise.
I was sad for a minute, then got a grip pretty quickly. I need to be that person who practices what she preaches, and when I'm busy talking others through their hard times, I tend to preach a big game; lots of "everything happens for a reason," "there's a time and place for different opportunities in our lives," "you win some, you lose some," you get the idea.

Good thing I really believe all that. I do believe that things happen in their time. I don't think that we all would've made it this far had things happened when they weren't supposed to.

I'm not supposed to be on Holland America. Hell, i might not be destined for a cruise line period. This opportunity could've been something for me to look forward to, simply for the joy of being able to look forward to something.

I love looking forward, looking up and climbing. It's great to set goals. It all sounds a little like emotional, inspirational garbage, but you know what they say: one man's trash is another man's treasure.

So here's a treasure for you to think about on this Saturday morning.
Time being spent feeling sorry for yourself is time being wasted.We've all got too much to give to let others (and circumstance) dictate our happiness.

So get on it. Find your happiness today, and I'll talk to you soon :)

Allegrasings

San Francisco: Day 3

2010-02-25T12:06:00.000-08:00

Yesterday turned out to be really beautiful weather wise. The sun was shining, the air was crisp and the wine was delicious.
If you don't know this about me, I'm a wine fan. I am in love with wine (and cheese, but that's a whole other story). And yesterday, at Cafe du Soleil, my glass of Pinot Blanc was paired with an open-faced, grilled, goat cheese, roasted red pepper, tomato and pesto sandwich. It was delicious and I inhaled it. After lunch i came back to the pad on Hayes Street and went to the rooftop with Bryanna, and then proceeded to write half of a song...and a good one, i think (we'll see about that).
I then took BART to Oakland, walked a mile in heels (because that's always a great idea) to Piedmont Ave where i saw, and took a picture of, a store titled "The Bee's Knees"...i knew i had come to the right place.

That photo sesh was closely followed by more wine @ a delightful Spanish bar/restaurant whilst writing in my journal, and then a meet up with my dear friend of (going on) 15 years, Bianca. We headed to an awfully divey dive called Cato's where we shared a burger, some laughs and some fantastic catching up.

Bianca is one of those friends that I consider myself really very privileged to have in my life - the kind of friend who I can go years without seeing or even talking to, and the moment we reconvene it feels as though we just spoke yesterday.
That's a true friend.
...and on a side note, i think i laughed off a million calories last night. Might i say again, thank god for laughter.

SO, when Bianca drove me back to the city today, we took part in something they like to call "Casual Carpool" here in the Bay Area...fan. tastic.

Here's how it works: You pull up to a curbside right before the freeway in Oakland (or wherever your East Bay pickup area may be), sit there in your car and wait until a total stranger hops in with you. Yes. The point? To get everyone who needs to get to the city to the city without paying bridge tolls and being able to whiz by all the Bay Bridge traffic using the carpool lane. It turns out with Casual Carpool there are Casual Rules as well...some as casual as "you needn't feel obligated to engage in conversation with your carpooler"...it's actually a really cool and fun thing and if you're in the bay area, it's a great way to save money: http://www.ridenow.org/carpool/

So that's my plug for the day (which, by the way, is another gorgeous and sunny masterpiece). Hope you liked the read. It wasn't funny or clever, but hey, at least it's something :)

Here's the newest lyrics!
"Smile"(Original, February 2010)
Be my glass of white wine
On a sunny San Francisco afternoon
Sitting at the corner cafe
All I wanna do is see you, smell you, taste you

Be the sun on my face
At a window-side table in the city
Staring at the leaves blowing by
All I wanna do is feel your warmth around me

And I smile
When you come to mind
I can laugh, I can breath
And I smile
So just know you're always in my mind
You've been there for awhile...
And I smile

Be my cozy loveseat
On a chilly, dark and lonely winter night
Curled up by the glowing fireside
All I wanna do is melt when you hold me tight

Happy Thursday!!
Allegrasings

San Francisco: Day 1

2010-02-23T23:12:00.000-08:00

So here i am, wrapped in the comforts of Bryanna and Daryn's lovely apartment in San Francisco: glass of red wine in hand, belly full of tortellini with tomato/basil marinara, blog page on the laptop, raindrops tippy-tapping quietly on the window...wrapped up in a warm, cozy Snuggie. Sadly, the weather in San Francisco pales in comparison to the sunny, beautiful skies i left behind in San Diego earlier today. And as my plane landed in a cold, wet, hazy SF, I couldn't help but question if good weather assists a good attitude?

I think yes...at least for me. I love the sunshine. I love it, and i love what it gives me. I love how i feel when during the middle of the day i have absolutely no desire to stay on the couch, but instead get outside, soak in the sunshine and smile a lot.

That may sound a little dumb, but honestly feeling awake, alive and inspired (for me) comes hand in hand with beautiful weather.

Not to say that this trip to San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and Albuquerque will be inspiration, life and smile free. There will be a lot of that. BUT it will say that it will come with a different kind of energy than that of sunny San Diego.

What's in store...i don't know. but i'm looking forward to it. It'll be different. It'll be new. It'll be full of cozy nights in with red wine and snuggies. And that's okay with me. And maybe 'okay' is exactly what i need from this trip.

More tomorrow, but for now, sleep tight
Allegrasings

I would go to 1000 Oaks, but that place is shady.

2010-02-21T08:47:00.000-08:00

I've decided that the people who tell the dumbest jokes are more often the most intelligent people. It really takes some rocks (and brains) to tell (and tell well) a joke that you know is nothing but a Velveeta loaf.
Does anyone else find this to be true?
I think there is some pure greatness in being able to laugh at yourself and know that being 'serious' is overrated. If you can laugh at yourself, you allow other people the opportunity to laugh with you. And who doesn't love to laugh?

I do.

I LOVE to laugh. I will laugh at any opportunity I'm given to do it safely and appropriately. What I mean by that is that when I say any opportunity, i don't mean laughing at someone else's expense.

But chew on this...if we all could laugh at ourselves, then no one would ever be "laughed at" because they'd be laughing too.

Hm. Interesting. Well, something to think about, I guess. Happy Sunday :)

Allegrasings

Easy (ORIGINAL, 2/16/10)

2010-02-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

Here's my newest lyrics...hope you love them :)

when it feels easy, I like it
when it's worry free, I feel great
when there's no hassle, I'm happy
when there's no drama, I'm okay

so take it easy - take a break
take the space you've gotta take
and give me easy - nice and easy
some sweet and breezy, some nice and easy
so when you see me I hope you see
nice and easy

when it's simple, i love it
when there's no issue, i can smile
when there's smooth sailing, i'm relaxing
when it's a clear day, i see for miles

TONIGHT:
Prospect Bar and Grill
1025 Prospect Ave.
All ages
5:00-8:00pm

TOMORROW (Thursday, 2/18/10):
Beaumont's Eatery
La Jolla Blvd.
21+
8:00-11:00pm

See you at the show!
allegrasings

Jazzercise and the Art of Scout Maintenance

2010-02-14T13:18:00.000-08:00

I am happy to announce that I no longer have to get into my car via the passenger side door. It had to get to that level until I actually got frustrated enough to do something about it. I thought, initially, that I was going to have to take off my door and go to town on it's guts, however that was not the case. All I had to do was replace two washers that had, over time, become corroded and non-functional (i was about to say that the washers were dysfunctional, but I didn't want to judge).

Driving a 1972 International Harvester Scout II is so much more than having point A to point B transportation. It's a gasket replacing, oil changing, smelly chemical fluids coating, nuts & bolts-ing, wheel repairing, drum break exploring, wheel tightening, 10 miles to the gallon gassing, running out of gas (fuel gauge that doesn't work) on the highway-ing, transmission fluid leaking, carburetor replacing, fume inhaling, fantastically frustrating but twice as rewarding, amazingly educational journey.

The way I see it, if I can know a 345 V8 engine well enough to asses it, form coherent sentences and thoughts about it, know when something's wrong and what exactly it is and be able to fix it...the world is my oyster.

...it's the same feeling i get from Jazzercise. When all of a sudden I've got both people who see me every day and perfect strangers coming up to me and complimenting the way I look and the energy they're getting from me, asking if I've lost weight, telling me "whatever you're doing, keep doing it" and the like, it makes me feel like i can move freakin mountains.

When it comes down to it, FEELING GREAT FEELS GREAT.
Feeling smart feels great. Learning new things feels great. Feeling pretty feels great. Feeling fit feels great.

So let's all get out there and start learning new things, putting plans into action, striving toward amazing, working on our physical and emotional wellness, being the best and brightest we can possibly be...and feeling great.
Because, as they say (and i might be paraphrasing), Life's not the destination; it's the journey.
And i'm pretty stoked i get to take mine in my '72 Scout.

So a sceptic walks into a bar...

2010-02-11T09:40:00.000-08:00

Sceptic: a person who mistrusts people, ideas, etc., in general
...

While i was walking my dog, Duke, this morning, thoroughly enjoying the crisp air, morning sunlight and Moroccan Mint green tea latte warming my gullet, I (accidentally) started thinking. Damn it.

I always do that. Just when everything seems flawless and good in my world, i have to screw it up by thinking...and thinking and thinking. And judging and thinking. Thinking about last night, thinking about tomorrow and about next week and next year...thinking about how I'm too trusting in some scenarios and therefore am becoming a sceptic, or about how I'm not trusting enough in other scenarios where i should be and am therefore pushing people/ideas away...
Then i start rationalizing and telling myself that it's all good; that i probably am doing it just as it's supposed to be done and that my heart is a delicate little baby that needs my protection from the big, bad world. And then i judge that and throw it out, making claims (however irrational) that I'm this amazingly strong, highly self sufficient, independent island of a person who doesn't need/subscribe to all that sensitivity crap.

But no man is an island.

As independent as i may be, i'm coming to vast conclusions that i actually want to depend on others. When someone else is helping me stand, I feels stronger. When i don't have to go it alone i feel like i'm part of something bigger. Yes, there is the whole "well then you just leave yourself open to getting hurt" mentality, but the more i think about it, getting hurt isn't really such a bad thing.

When it comes down to it, i think we need a little rain to enjoy the sunshine more fervently. We need some gloom to really savor the clear blue sky.
Life's all about letting go and letting love. All the b.s. in between is there to make us stronger. Yes, it's alright to be judgy and sceptical to a point. As long as those questions and lack of belief don't leave you alone, thirsty, without a canteen in the middle of your own personal desert.

Yes, i should think as I do. Yes, i should question. But I should also believe in the goodness of people. I should also trust where trust is due.

SO...things to work on.

Happy Thursday :)

COME TO THE RADIO ROOM TONIGHT!!
Doors @ 8:00
$5.00 Cover
21+

Breakfast of Champions

2010-02-10T15:17:00.000-08:00

I woke up today at 8:00 to my dog, Duke, relentlessly licking my face until i got up to take him for a walk. After the walk i tried convincing myself to make it to 9am jazzercise. However i wasn't very convincing. In fact, even in the midst of talking to myself out loud, saying things like "you really need to go" and "you're still in time" i knew that i wasn't going anywhere but back under my covers. And that's what i did until 11:00.

It was the sangria and the wine from the night before that did me in. So delicious going down, so awful the day after. But really, who can stop drinking in the midst of wonderful company, good energy, charming conversation and great music? So i rationalize. So sue me.

When i eventually kicked the headache and got out of bed at practically noon, i popped open a bag of pop chips and proceeded to eat the entire thing. It was delicious. All in all i was able to make some progress today. I did laundry, I worked on my resume, I drove downtown on an errand, played with my dog, visited my sister at work, checked facebook about a million times (it's sick)...not half bad for a half day's work.

But unfortunately I've still got that post-drinky grogginess going on. But even that usually dissipates around 5pm. Just in time for Prospect Bar tonight.

See you there. And if not, then see you when i see you...

A week in time.

2010-02-08T12:38:00.000-08:00

So I've got some gigs coming up this week, and thought I'd share them with you because, let's face it, if I don't then you won't know and therefore won't come out. It's just that simple.

Wednesday, February 10th
Prospect Bar and Lounge
1025 Prospect Street
La Jolla, CA
5:00-8:00pm
All Ages

Thursday, February 11th
The Radio Room
3519 El Cajon Boulevard
San Diego, CA

Black Cherry Music Group Presents
www.radioroom.com
With True Stories, Lindsay White, Eddie Jason Coven and the Better Days Band

Friday, February 12th
Double Deuce in the Gaslamp (6-8pm, corner of 6th and F)
AND

Benefit for Haiti!!
Cafe Libertalia on 5th Ave in Hillcrest (across the street from Which Wich?)
FANTASTIC SHOW!! With Rob Deez, Nicole Torres, Veronica May, and Steph Johnson & spoken word by Molly Williams!

ANTHOLOGY (and my public apology)

2010-02-05T10:29:00.000-08:00

Well, I know it was late in coming, but Anthology finally got my name up on their website for TONIGHT'S Performance. Better late than never is what I always say (actually I don't always say that...although I should. It's poignant) .
What about things I do always say? There's the ever present "dummy" and "gem" as well as "the ditto" (referring to my little dog, of course) I've also got quite a few other words in my Frequent Usage Box of Vocab..."crumbs", "herro", "jazzercise"...the list goes on.

I will now construct a sentence (or three) utilizing all of the words above for your viewing enjoyment:

Unfortunately, I was a dummy and didn't make it to jazzercise today: I had to walk the ditto and go to the doctors office. Crumbs. But aside from my morning frivolity, i hope you will be a gem come to ANTHOLOGY tonight at 9:30 and say herro. I'd love to see you.

...that was quite possibly the dumbest thing i've ever publicly posted. I'm sorry you had to go though it.
Oh well. Even a genius can have a momentary lapse of rapier wit.
...and i'm not even a genius. So i can definitely have one.

On that awkward note, happy friday and i hope to see you at the show!

COME TO ANTHOLOGY TONIGHT!!
9:30pm (doors open)
21+
$10.00
www.anthologysd.com

the good, the bad, the thursday

2010-02-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

When I'm doing work on the computer, my right hand is constantly freezing cold. It's out there on the desk, all on it's own, mousing around and click, click, clicking while my left hand is nice and toasty warm, being utilized as my chins resting place, in close proximity to my warm breath. Man, my left hand is lucky.

And speaking of luck, I'm excited that I'm lucky enough to play ANTHOLOGY tomorrow night. Woot.

And now that I'm on the actual Anthology Calendar (granted, they call me "Allegra Grasings"...) it's super duper official. I think they made that mistake because my website is "allegrasings" so they just figured that was my first and last name. Oh well. Mistakes happen. The important thing is that I'm playing a Friday night show at the best music venue in San Diego, and it's gonna rock socks.

But for now, Thursday.
I think i'll go get some coffee and think about a new song.

Sugar, Old Spice, and everything nice.

2010-02-03T13:37:00.000-08:00

Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you're stuck needing to use someone else's various and sundries? For instance, you're away from your own routine, your own products, your own soap, your own devices yet you are in desperate need of a shower?

Well, I smell like Old Spice body wash. It's a far cry from my Dove Cream Oil body wash (amazing, by the way), but at least it smells delicious.

I guess at the end of the day, soap is soap is soap. Circular reasoning?...maybe. The truth?...absolutely.

So here's to cleanliness (i hear it's next to Godliness), fragrant soaps and friends with products they don't mind sharing.

SHOWS THIS WEEK:
Tonight (Wednesday) - Prospect Bar, La Jolla
1025 Prospect Street
5-8pm
Featuring guitarist extraordinaire Drew Webb

Tomorrow Night (Thursday) - Java Joes @ Cafe Libertaria, Hillcrest
3834 5th Avenue
8-10:30pm
Alongside Veronica May and Rob Deez...do you need anymore reason to come?

Friday Night (Friday) - Anthology in Little Italy
1337 India Street
10-Midnight
Playing for KPRI with Guava Belly and The Donnis Trio! (the show will also be aired live on 102.1)

Stop....shower time!

2010-02-01T12:02:00.000-08:00

Is it just me, or does everyone come up with their best, most concise, most brilliant and amazing ideas in the shower? Every time I get in, my mind just starts working like a steam engine (?). I think I've come up with close to 30 melodies while showering, not to mention lyrics galore. And I'm going to venture to say it's because the shower (aka any real bathroom time) is and has always been time where you are able, willing and expected to be alone. It's the one area of our lives as humans that (unless you're feeling frisky) it is assumed you're gonna fly solo. And my mind's got a grip on this fact. SO, when my feet hit that porcelain, ideas start a-flowin.
And not only great ideas come in my showers, but keen, witty, intelligent conversation pieces as well. You see, i talk to myself an awful lot (as I suspect everyone does), but in the shower I have full-on conversations that I've been meaning to have with others...with myself. It is only then, in the shower, when I'm the only one listening that I tell it like it is. Then when I'm actually confronted with said conversations and others, I turn into an inarticulate hillbilly; words don't work, sentences are broken and interpersonal communication feels like a foreign language...

Why is it so much easier for me to express what I'm feeling when I'm nekky, covered in suds, pressing a razor to my right calf and waiting three minutes for the conditioner to set?
I can't tell you. But I will say that my 'shower self' is something I'm constantly striving to achieve in my real-life life (interpersonal style).

And now, time for a shower.

The way i see it...

2010-01-31T11:29:00.000-08:00

So it's Sunday, and there are two for-certains on my plate today: Recording another project onto soundcloud.com and brunch. Not necessarily in that order. I'm really starting to tap into this whole internet thing. About time, right? Well thanks to some fantastic people in my life who are constantly pushing me to do better, I'm finally stepping up to the plate and being more pro-active in this whole "I wanna be a singer when I grow up" thing. And I must say it feels good to get things done. It feels great to record videos and upload songs and share, share, share.
Because the way I see it (although a recent re-realization, I've known this for awhile) if i don't stop doing, i will get it done.
In other words, it's all about the process and the energy you, yourself put in to being 'successful' (whatever your version of that word may be).
As far as my process goes these days, I'm having a great time. I'm getting out there, singing constantly, booking gigs, and (most importantly) producing songs like my life depends on it.

...i haven't written this much in...well, I've never written this much.
So there. it's awesome, I love it, and now I'm going to go love some eggs benedict and mimosa.
Happy Sunday!

...art show ponderings

2010-01-30T01:31:00.000-08:00

As I was sitting in the 3rd floor gallery of the Brokers Building tonight and enjoying a cheese-on-cheese (melted brie spread on cabot...really? Yes. Really.) delight with a delicious glass of art gallery wine, after previewing, viewing and reviewing the fantastic art so carefully hung throughout, I had a second to sit and unwind my mind...which felt good, as my mind was wound tighter than a spool of elastic thread (?)...

After the gallery (and the cheese) [at this point, allow me to interject...I'm in love with cheese. Always have been and always will be. It's no crime...until i have too much, at which point I feel ill and violated] we were able to escape for a quick second to a bar up the street, where at one point we realized that all 6 people in our group were simultaneously deep in interactions with their cell phones. I hope someone got a picture.

Then came the joy of the necessary and delicious late night Carnitas, two episodes of Glee, banter, laughter and limp limbs (the kind i tend to get when I hastily proceed a sleepless night with a way-way-WAY too active day).

And with that, my friend, it's time to take these limbs (et al) to the comforts of my boudoir.
Goodnight, and until tomorrow...

and by the way...

2010-01-29T15:46:00.000-08:00

If you ever want to reach me, see my videos, listen to my songs, see where I'm playing next...well, there's quite a few places you can go.

www.vimeo.com/allegrasings
www.twitter.com/allegrasings
www.youtube.com/allegrasings
www.facebook.com/allegrasings
www.soundcloud.com/allegrasings
www.reverbnation.com/allegrasings

...you get the picture :)

Awake at night, asleep at noon

2010-01-29T15:01:00.001-08:00

Here i am on a Friday afternoon, with a sneaking suspicion my day has no direction to go but up. After having sat at a bar in the midst of quite a few obnoxious drunks last night, writing two complete songs (because who doesn't get their jollies from writing in crowded bars), making some new and highly entertaining friends and drinking cheap beer with a splash of oj until 3 in the morning I found it necessary for both my sanity and my headache to sleep away the better part of the day.
But now I've got to blow-dry, makeup, dress up, wake up and get my tail to my Friday-nighter downtown. Two hours of playing music in front of the usual crowd: a colorful mix of rusty old cowboys, stock brokers and scantily clad ladies on their 'girls night out.' Not to mention service men, vacationers, cougars, hecklers, mechanical bull enthusiasts and the typical downtown special.
Truth be told, it's a great gig. Although i might be a jukebox, I love that I'm able to do what I love and get paid for it. Not many people these days can say that (and mean it).
As my first blog, I'll keep it short and sweet. Happy Friday.