When Preparedness meets Opportunity

    Anyone go through periods of time where you are not regressing, but you are not progressing? 

Perhaps you have a game OR a performance where you made plays or sang notes that you shocked yourself with.  Not that you doubt yourself... but for whatever reason the "IT" factor came together in that few hours.   One of my voice teachers mentioned a great quote to me years ago.... when preparedness meets opportunity..... that is when success happens.  

So what is preparedness?   It's different to everyone I believe and it is based on what exactly it is that person is trying to achieve or contribute in life.  So what level of preparedness am I talking about?

Let's talk Hockey first.  How many times have you personally had that moment as a player when that little black disc zeros its eyes directly on you and makes a beeline for you?  I have had it many times,  more than I can count.  And so many times due to lack of practice and thus lack of confidence.... nerves and over excitement take the place of focused execution and decision making.  Suddenly you look behind you and someone else has your puck!   I had to do this drill above 50 times to score.  But just because I practiced in this one session does not mean I am prepared!

Its the same with live stage performance, especially in audition situations.  This is your 5-10 minutes to show them a world in which YOU are the star and thus why they should hire you.  Usually you are a different space every time, though sometimes you will return to the same audition spaces.  Different set up, different people and many times different pianist creates an unpredictable vibe.  The fact is you've sung that aria a zillion times... right?   But just like in hockey, the variables during play can very much challenge your solidarity and confidence... ending in lack of focus.  I rehearsed this opera above for 7 weeks to get this one moment perfect... it paid off.  But, could I go back and do this right now and be totally prepared?  No, because I have not continually rehearsed this after the show closed and am not totally ready!

So what are we doing here?  Are we prepared or are we not?  Lately I have felt behind in the preparedness battle in LIFE.  Like I am watching from the sidelines sometimes while others are playing their hearts out.  Ever feel like that?

 Like that puck coming at me... I know I can one time it hard.  I've done it in practice.  But how many times?   It is the same with singing.  You really have sing an aria into your body and into your voice for it to become part of you.  Then you are offering a piece of YOURSELF.  And isn't that what you are trying to sell?   On your hockey team, are you not striving to be that player that is dependable and makes plays?   How many times does it take to get something into your body?  Is my body core strong enough to take a bump or a hit and stay steady and stay on my feet?

Is my soul core strong enough to lay myself open emotionally and deliver a dramatic moving experience for someone watching me sing?

The answer is different for everyone.  Some are more talented at singing than others.  Some are more talented skaters than others.... some faster... some have great stick skills.... some have incredible dramatic interpretation in any moment.   But I've seen more amazing talent wasted because they were not prepared.  I've experienced this and missed the boat in the past.  I don't intend to do that again.





The answer here:  BE HONEST with yourself.  What are your best attributes?  What are your weak spots?  How many times does it take YOU to get to that place where you are prepared to make that game winning goal?  To make it every time???  Is your confidence lacking and in need of an overhaul?

In the end, knowing yourself fully and honestly and facing that person will be the only way to actually make progress.  Lie to yourself?  Not so much.

Just look at  RAW  you in the mirror and start making that list of TO DO's you will need to check off one by one. The day we stop improving or striving for better.... that's the day we die inside.   Months from now..... you will see your hard work come to fruition.

This blog was meant for ME especially.  I just love to share my battles especially when I know it can help others.

That's yours!!!!!  Dig in some deep edges and accelerate to it!

That is MY moment!  Fight for yours too!!!!!

Diva bustin off the cobwebs for the big game!

I giggle at this pic because while I am learning how to shoot a wrist shot and knowing I shouldn't even attempt a SlapShot until I learn the wrist shot (thanks Chad Woollard for this advice!) I am stubborn and silly sometimes and need to feel important as a female wanna be hockey player.... so I did it anyway.  

Ashamed lol.  Because I can't seem to find enough time during the game to even PREP this shot before someone finds me and attempts to steal the puck! 

So, alas...... No "dramatic pause" for the Diva that she is accustomed to on stage.   But hey,  this looks cool!

I had not skated in 3 weeks having been out of town coaching and learning new roles for my career.   I knew I had to skate and get some drills in so as not to be completely useless!  Thanks Greg Davis for kicking my butt those days before the game!  And thanks Jason Blake for showing on Friday even though you weren't feelin well.  I love hockey peeps.

After skating on Thursday and Friday I felt confident I could be good to go.   So my pre game face was..... Well....  The "come and get me" kind..

After having my rear handed to me by some fantastic players on the Wildcards....although I DID hand my own rear to number 14 in a butt check that made him go airborne......  This was my post game face.   At least my make up performed admirably!!!!!  I needed some work hahhaha

 

This was the team PRE game.  We were nervous but exited and felt ready.

So what have I learned?  I look slim in black.... Pink skate laces do not bring luck.... And my rear can be put to excellent use on the ice.  And I still need to learn to play hockey!

TRADER Joes or TRAITOR Joes?????

This last weekend, our Average Joe's game got postponed.  I was SO bummed because I am headed out of town for a bit for auditions and gigs and such.  It was the LAST game this season I could have played in so I was left GAMELESS for the last weekend I could be here!  Well...enter the team where I did most of my growing.... LOS CHUPACABRAS!!!!!

Basically they had a week where not many of the regular team could make it so I, at GREG DAVIS' suggestion, wrote and begged to sub for them.  Apparently, the schedule had the Chupacabras VS the Above Average Joes!   So I guess Davis thought it would be funny to have me play against my OWN nation!  (Even though I am an  D4 AVERAGE JOE,  not a D3 Above Average Joe)  Still.... it's my JOES NATION and I was going to play against them!  For the first time this season I donned a bright orange Jersey with a different name on it! 

 

I WAS SO GRATEFUL TO BE PLAYING.... but a little part of me felt like a TRAITOR!!!  At the same time I was comforted by the fact that I got to join up with my GALS Susie Rain and Laurie Brewer again from Chups days!  Love those gals so much!

 

 

                                        Here is Susie and me, AND Susie's BEVERAGE!!!!

 

                 Here Patrick's beautiful daughter with the stunning eyes!  She is precious and such a love to everyone!!!

 

                              MY BROTHER IN LAW!!!  I just call him my BROTHER.   We started playing together several years ago on the MUD DUCKS....and we moved to the CHUPS together...Now were ARCH ENEMIES....  Just kidding.  Bro... you rock.

 

I was prepared with my OLD Chups jersey for the game... but ended up wearing the new ones they have.  They looked great!  But I'll always have this one for memories.  GREAT ones too.

 

 

 

THE ABSOLUTE MOST GIGANTOR JERSEY I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!! I'm so glad I did not get stuck wearing this... but poor Logan did! I don't know how he played so well in it! And he did play well! If he had spread his arms... he could have flown off of a building and landed safely!  Thats Busby holding it up.  He's going to be out for months due to having a reconstruction on his knee..  MAN... you will be missed.  

 

 

I was also fortunate enough to have the beautiful Katie Beth braid my hair for the game!  I mean.... SALON SERVICE  right in the locker room!  Now THAT is DIVA style!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Here was DAVIS' response to me being in the opposing locker room.  The point of this pic is that the CHUPS Jersey put him right to sleep.  WHATEVER!!!!!! 

 

PS... He also should have been IN THE BOX for what he did to me during the game!  I think he was just looking for an opportunity to dog on me so he suggested I play for the opposite team!!! 

 

ABUSE AND PENALTIES on the DIVA by DAVIS

 

A supposed back check which really consisted of grabbing the back of my hockey pants and jerking me back and forth until I went down!  Even the REF saw it and laughed even though he KNEW he should have put him away for it!

 

A drive by water bottle explosion into my face shield thus disrupting the perfect humidity level in my mask.... creating continous fogging for the rest of the game.

 

Attempted tripping.  (of course this is on my word only lol)

 

 

In the end DAVIS did get the winning goal in Shoot out.... it was impressive I will say AND I was happy because the JOE's won, but I was a Chupacabra in that game and that just rubs me the wrong way!  HAHAHA

 

To quote one of my other favorite players on the Joes.... Brandon Gerst :

"Be thankful you're a JOE." 

 

I AM.  

 

 But I was ever so happy to skate with my old comrades and catch up a little.  Had a GREAT time and very grateful they made space for me to play that night!

 

Thanks CHUPACABRAS for a truly fun game!

 

 

 

PS.... Check out my PIMS on league lineup everyone! I'm a GOON! (And somehow I've never seen the inside of penalty box)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE "FRET" MINDER IS BACK!!!!

This is THE FRETMINDER's (BOBBY MICHAELIDES) first game back in net since a big rib injury in September!


I remember the first time I saw Bobby in net.  I was walking into the ice complex to get suited up for one of my games when my glance was uncontrollably drawn to a colossal mess of long black "rocker" hair flowing wildly out of the backside of a goalie mask.

I said to myself "Who is this dramatic looking character in net for the Paddles?"



I played against him a few times and never got one in on him.....he's good!!!     







I remember we connected on FB and I discovered that Bobby was actually a guitar player!  He's been playing since he was 15 years old.  He actually studied music at Berklee College of Music which is a prestgious school. He played the music scene in Philly for a while and was with "Spoiled Brat" signed with Arista Records!  YES folks, there are talented folks out on the ice with you!  He played with "Buff Daddy" which led him to the share stages with the likes of Brett Michaels, Ratt, Dokken, George Lynch and yes folks... Quiet Riot!  His firey string playing can be heard on all kinds of recordings all over the world! 




There HE is!  Thats the ROCKER BLOCKER!!  I love making nicknames for him!  It's so easy!



Finding out about Bobby's musical gifts and training was literally music to my ears.  I'm thinking I'm strange for being a professional opera singer and playing hockey.  And I'm thinking surely there aren't any other professional musicians on the ice at any given time.   Boy was I wrong!   And I am thrilled about it!  And there are others too!!

Bobby is one of those ever so cool characters that seems to make friends with everyone.   If there is such thing as an enemy of Bobby.... I question the character of the enemy.  That's how cool he is.  And his wife Lisa is the freeking BOMB!  She plays on the Blazing Paddles with Bobby.   Honestly, I don't have many female friends as I've mentioned in previous posts.... Just an occupational hazard and that I grew up with dudes as my friends..... But Lisa would be one of those gals I'd bond with.  She's that cool.  So together it's like Bobby says "I run a dojo of coolness."   They are ÜBER cool.  Ok, I think you get the point.  COOL.



Here they are!  TEAM COOL


Bobby didn't start playing hockey until he was 30. He started out playing roller hockey when his buddies would rent out a roller rink once a month and asked Bobby to be in net. After a year on the roller floor he got talked into playing on the frozen surface!  He never went back, winning a  Gold in the Can Am Tourney in Montreal and several Beer League Championships! 16 Years later here he is having the time of his life in Texas with his NYTEX family, working for General Motors and basically loving it.  

His injury came in Sept of 2012 when he fell into a repair pit at General Motors. He fell 8 feet down on his side directly onto a steel rail and broke 3 ribs in the process.  The pain was beyond intense and he could hardly breathe or sleep without emphasized agony.  He sat around in the healing process because thats about all you can do with injuries like this... packed on some weight from sitting around for 5 months and knew it was going to be a long and difficult journey to sports again.  Did I mention Bobby LOVES playing sports??????

He healed.... then he dropped 30 lbs and got back out there!  He took a lot of shots in this game and I was frankly impressed.  He told me he had ZERO pain! 

Bobby was lean and mean coming back after the injury!  I actually assumed he would be slower, having not been in net for that many months.  I have tried goalie gear before in an hour lesson.  It was ridiculously hard and extremely taxing.  Bobby came back like he had never left! In fact Better!

Aside from his seeming new handicap of being so much lighter that he had to adjust his thrusting power from side to side to not OVER do it, he was awesome!   I laugh at calling it a handicap because the next pic shows Bobby letting in a goal for that very reason!  He was so much lighter that he had not adjusted how much LESS thrusting power he would need to push his body from side to side and he overthrusted!  He moved like lightning but was way off net hahahaha!  He was smiling at me when he turned around to tell me about it through the glass.  I guess this is a GOOD problem to have!!!!  Bobby looked GREAT out there!   Here is that moment I just told you about!!!

Bobby told me that I needed to clean the lens on my camera because there is a black speck inside the net that did not look right.  :))))))




I ran into Bobby in the parking lot before the game and he was happy to mug for the camera.  Thank God because some just don't like doing this!  Bobby's a performer though... I had a feeling.




Here he is getting ready for the game!


This is a HAPPY DUDE folks.  I have not seen him much without this look on his face. 



He even let this adorable kid shoot on him after the game!  I mean... CLASS ACT!

Bobby, don't ever lose this kind of BLISS!  Others should take example from you!






SO I decided to try and up my own coolness by doing some "comparison shots" using pics that I have of myself next to Bobby's cool pics.  Here goes nothing:


Bobby Works the shades and hat, slight attitude lip pucker lolol

What do ya know???  So does the DIVA!!!! hahahaha

 

Here is Bobby's Band!

Here is the DIVA's Band!

 

 

HERE is a FRAYED, MISUNDERSTOOD, DARK and MYSTERIOUS MUSICIAN PIC of BOBBY

                                       HERE IS DIVA's VERSION OF THE SAME

 

 

 

HERE IS BOBBY ROCKIN OUT!

                              HERE IS DIVA ROCKIN OUT!!!!

  HERE IS THE AUTHENTIC ROCKER BLOCKER!

HERE IS THE HALF BAKED DIVA VERSION

 

 

 

This is all I had in response to that one.... It's my If I were a ROCKER CHICK look.

 

BOBBY plays with his band called BLACKOUT

Visit their website at WWW.BLACKOUTROCKS.COM


HE also plays with the BLAZING PADDLES Hockey Team at NYTEX SPORTS CENTRE

If you see this guy around,  don't be thrown off by the wild hair.....it translates into TOTAL AWESOMENESS as a person... as an artist... as a hockey player and I can confirm... AS A DEAR FRIEND.  

PLUS !  HE says my Opera performances are EPIC!  So I like him even more.... Opera is an aquired taste!   HEHEHEHEHEHEEH


WE HAVE PLANS TO PERFORM TOGETHER! YEP!  WERE GONNA DUET!!!
I WILL POST WHEN THAT COMES ABOUT!