Start over, every single day...

I'm goal oriented and I work to keep my priorities in order so my only real New Year's resolution is the one I tell myself everyday --  don't give up.  Still and all, that monthly assessment is in order. Here's what shook loose, off the cuff.

1. I have to physically wear myself out everyday or I'll go nuts.   It can't be any one thing, with the exception of boxing, which makes me very happy.  ClassPass could be the answer to my prayers.
2. I've made a lot of progress physically but I hit a wall after Thanksgiving. To climb over it, I'm going to combine RealAge and the Eat Clean Program as a birthday present to myself.
3. If I don't practice guitar every single day for a few hours, I'll forget everything I've learned in a matter of minutes. At least, that's the way it feels, so far.  I can't even talk about my banjo.  I'm getting a grip on all this by taking voice/piano/theory lessons with Nancy Marano, starting at the end of the month.
   

There are some habits I'm glad I never picked up, like smoking cigarettes (or anything else), recreational drugs or drinking copious amounts of alcohol.  There are other habits I'm glad I started way early, like slathering my entire body with sunscreen and moisturizer everyday. Monthly spa visits and a gym membership didn't hurt, either. Now it's time to surrender the rest of whatever it is that I'm holding onto for dear life -- but for the moment, I'll start with processed sugar, salt and corn, soy and wheat gluten.

Starting today, I've got 21 days to eat clean. Let the games begin. 

The NewSong Contest at Lincoln Center is 3 days away!!!

Lefty guitarist Ronny Drayton will accompany me on this one. For more details via Facebook, click here. 

WHAT: 2015 NewSong Music Showcase & Competition Finals at Lincoln Center
WHEN: January 7th, 2016 at 7:30pm EST

FREE SHOW! Seating is on a first come, first-served basis.

For over 14 years, the NewSong Music Contest has recognized truly exceptional emerging performers and songwriters from around the world. Entering the contest is a gateway to all of our programs, which include NewSong Recordings, our boutique record label and 'NewSong Presents,' our live music concert series that take place across the country.

After very carefully reviewing music submissions from all over the world, we have selected ten finalists to showcase and compete in the live performance finals at the David Rubenstein Atrium at New York City's prestigious Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. All ten finalists will perform songs for our panel of judges and a packed house... One music act will be crowned the winner.

Public Service Announcement of the Day: VOTE!

On November 6 of this year, 34 Senate seats and 435 House seats -- a total of 469 seats! -- are up for election.  For details, click here.

To register to vote online (it takes two minutes!) click here.

That Last Selfie of 2015...!

A photo posted by Queen Esther (@thisisqueenesther) on Jan 1, 2016 at 12:17am PST

Happy New Year!

This is the last selfie of 2015 -- I'm wearing Byron Lars, thank God -- and fittingly, I'm in the infamous Hampden-Booth library at at The Players Club on New Year's Eve, finishing up with soundcheck.  I always wanted to be a librarian. I'm constantly doing research.  And I love books.

May 2016 be "the" year, for all of us.  God bless us, everyone.