Hey Mofos! Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know--I'm trifling as hell for not blogging but one time this entire year. A sista has been booked, busy, and well none of your biznass. So I figured, might as well do my usual end of year post right?
This year started out rough and ended well, not AS rough, but still rocky.
What you mean Meik?
I'm glad you asked! On January 2, my grandparents home was destroyed in a fire and luckily my grandfather made it out safely. So many of my friends and acquaintances came through and donated clothes, money, gift cards, prayers, food, any and everything to make sure my granddeddy was ok. I love you all for that and even today he is still so thankful as he sits in his new home at 90 years old. It is an absolute blessing for real! It brought my family closer together and I think my grandma is smiling from the heavens about this.
The year continued to unfold in some unexpected ways in my personal life--for the first time in YEARSSSSSSSSSSS--I mean damn DECADES--I uttered the L word--and felt feelings that I had no idea of what they were--hell for a moment, I thought I had the flu or some ish, but when you go thru some things with someone you start to realize how much they mean to you. Now before you scoot me on down the aisle, this is still a work in progress and my overthinking and anxiety is a problem :). That's step 1, admitting your own foolishness. I've learned to finally let go of the past and to live in the now and look forward to the future.
Anyhoo, this year started out on a high professionally and ended on the lowest of lows with me feeling like what's next for my writing career?? Is there a writing career? Several of my long-term contracts ended, editors left, outlets stopped using freelancers, and my pitches seemed to fall into the abyss of well hell, I don't know where they are, but it seemed like I just couldn't find my footing until I turned back to the local side of things and I have enjoyed writing about stories right here in my own backyard. I realized that writing about music was no longer my focus or passion, that telling the stories of people that have made an impact in our lives in some form or fashion is what I love. I love hearing about their journey to get to where they are now, and usually I take away a nugget or two to stick in my own journal for future reference and breakdowns. I love feature/entertainment stories (take note in case you are hiring! LOL). I couldn't and still haven't been able to land a full time gig, but thankfully God has allowed my part time job to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head. I even waltzed my arse down to the dealership and got a new car--now that's some big energy right there ain't it? It never occurred to me--how the f am I about to pay this car note?
But the pile of rejections from employers has done a number on the ole ego, so while I slide down the wall and throw a temper tantrum every week--I allow myself one hour okay---- maybe 4 to sulk--then I shake it off and get right back to Operation Meik Needs a Damn Career RIGHT NOW movement.
This year I had my first PAID speaking engagement. Yes y'all, someone paid to hear ole Meik Meik talk about pitching to the media and it was so much fun! I felt so important yet empowered speaking to a room of professionals about my experience in the newsroom and as a writer. I also spoke to more students and hopefully impacted their lives in some way.
2018 was my first year on the NC Music Hall of Fame Advisory Board and I threw myself into all things Induction Ceremony by editing bios, writing video scripts, and doing the voice overs for each video for 7 inductees. This process was so fun and I added another notch to my resume. It was so awesome sitting in the Gem Theatre hearing my voice on the big screen and being complimented by the artists--especially John Tesh! Yep THE JOHN TESH.
I of course kept up with interviewing some amazing people this year from Jody Watley, James Mtume, Ananda Lewis, Cynthia Horner, Melba Moore, Mara Brock Akil, Yvette Lee Bowser, and more. Ya girl even did a few Facebook Live interviews!
I almost crawled my arse back to TV News but then God intervened and said BUT GIRL... and I realized that won't make me happy and now that I've learned the joy of sleep, I'm not ready to give that up.
This year with lots of time on my damn hands, I've learned a lot about myself and what I will and won't tolerate. I've learned that you can't surround yourself with toxic people, because their negative thinking will rub off on you. I learned that I do know how to be there for someone and actually mean it and want to be there as support. I learned all about self-love and embracing who you are. I've learned that love looks different for everybody, and nobody follows the same blueprint. You do what works for you. Same as the career path--everybody's journey is different. It took me a while to get to that point. I might be growing up ya'll.
For 2019--I wish for a damn job and a husband, but I also wish for happiness, success, love, peace, and soullllll wait.. I admit I miss Soul Train, it slips out every now and again.
Happy New Year y'all. I can't promise I'll blog more in 2019, but we can pretend I will. :)
This year started out rough and ended well, not AS rough, but still rocky.
What you mean Meik?
I'm glad you asked! On January 2, my grandparents home was destroyed in a fire and luckily my grandfather made it out safely. So many of my friends and acquaintances came through and donated clothes, money, gift cards, prayers, food, any and everything to make sure my granddeddy was ok. I love you all for that and even today he is still so thankful as he sits in his new home at 90 years old. It is an absolute blessing for real! It brought my family closer together and I think my grandma is smiling from the heavens about this.
The year continued to unfold in some unexpected ways in my personal life--for the first time in YEARSSSSSSSSSSS--I mean damn DECADES--I uttered the L word--and felt feelings that I had no idea of what they were--hell for a moment, I thought I had the flu or some ish, but when you go thru some things with someone you start to realize how much they mean to you. Now before you scoot me on down the aisle, this is still a work in progress and my overthinking and anxiety is a problem :). That's step 1, admitting your own foolishness. I've learned to finally let go of the past and to live in the now and look forward to the future.
Anyhoo, this year started out on a high professionally and ended on the lowest of lows with me feeling like what's next for my writing career?? Is there a writing career? Several of my long-term contracts ended, editors left, outlets stopped using freelancers, and my pitches seemed to fall into the abyss of well hell, I don't know where they are, but it seemed like I just couldn't find my footing until I turned back to the local side of things and I have enjoyed writing about stories right here in my own backyard. I realized that writing about music was no longer my focus or passion, that telling the stories of people that have made an impact in our lives in some form or fashion is what I love. I love hearing about their journey to get to where they are now, and usually I take away a nugget or two to stick in my own journal for future reference and breakdowns. I love feature/entertainment stories (take note in case you are hiring! LOL). I couldn't and still haven't been able to land a full time gig, but thankfully God has allowed my part time job to pay my bills and keep a roof over my head. I even waltzed my arse down to the dealership and got a new car--now that's some big energy right there ain't it? It never occurred to me--how the f am I about to pay this car note?
But the pile of rejections from employers has done a number on the ole ego, so while I slide down the wall and throw a temper tantrum every week--I allow myself one hour okay---- maybe 4 to sulk--then I shake it off and get right back to Operation Meik Needs a Damn Career RIGHT NOW movement.
This year I had my first PAID speaking engagement. Yes y'all, someone paid to hear ole Meik Meik talk about pitching to the media and it was so much fun! I felt so important yet empowered speaking to a room of professionals about my experience in the newsroom and as a writer. I also spoke to more students and hopefully impacted their lives in some way.
2018 was my first year on the NC Music Hall of Fame Advisory Board and I threw myself into all things Induction Ceremony by editing bios, writing video scripts, and doing the voice overs for each video for 7 inductees. This process was so fun and I added another notch to my resume. It was so awesome sitting in the Gem Theatre hearing my voice on the big screen and being complimented by the artists--especially John Tesh! Yep THE JOHN TESH.
I of course kept up with interviewing some amazing people this year from Jody Watley, James Mtume, Ananda Lewis, Cynthia Horner, Melba Moore, Mara Brock Akil, Yvette Lee Bowser, and more. Ya girl even did a few Facebook Live interviews!
I almost crawled my arse back to TV News but then God intervened and said BUT GIRL... and I realized that won't make me happy and now that I've learned the joy of sleep, I'm not ready to give that up.
This year with lots of time on my damn hands, I've learned a lot about myself and what I will and won't tolerate. I've learned that you can't surround yourself with toxic people, because their negative thinking will rub off on you. I learned that I do know how to be there for someone and actually mean it and want to be there as support. I learned all about self-love and embracing who you are. I've learned that love looks different for everybody, and nobody follows the same blueprint. You do what works for you. Same as the career path--everybody's journey is different. It took me a while to get to that point. I might be growing up ya'll.
For 2019--I wish for a damn job and a husband, but I also wish for happiness, success, love, peace, and soullllll wait.. I admit I miss Soul Train, it slips out every now and again.
Happy New Year y'all. I can't promise I'll blog more in 2019, but we can pretend I will. :)
