Gaia Community: RainbowBright's Blog

World-Changing Days Ahead!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 02:33:05 GMT

Greetings, brilliant ones! :-) Here is my most recent update! I'm out of practice of recording these videos - but I'm committed to doing them more often in the coming weeks and months ahead. I already know that there will be lots of exciting news to report! Love and Light, -Audrey

Tags: RainbowBright, Vision Force, Boot Camp, Change Agents, Making a Difference, Improving the World, An Inconvenient Truth, Environment, Global Warming, Speaking, Birthday

Standing for the Planet

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 17:58:40 GMT

Happy New Year to YOU!!! :-) :-D ;-)

Below is my latest Vlog! I just finished spending my first few days of 2007 in Nashville with former Vice President Al Gore (yes, that's the back of my head... before my haircut!) and 200 brilliant people from across the globe who are all taking a big stand for the planet. We were trained by The Climate Project (www.theclimateproject.org) to deliver the slide show from the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." It presents the science proving that global climate change IS happening - because of *human* impacts, educates audiences about how we can slow its progress, and illustrates the need to act NOW.

If you have any questions for me, or if you'd like me to come speak to YOUR group, please send me a message!

Love and Light, Audrey :-)

Tags: The Climate Project, An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore, global climate change, global warming, planet, environment, taking a stand, improving the world, making a difference, education

I'm Coming Out of the Closet!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 05:06:00 GMT

...and I'm NOT going back in... it's stuffy and dark in there!! ;-) Here I am - in all my glory, for all the world to see/hear/experience! This is a big announcement for me... my hope is that you will hear me and find something of value in my message for yourself. If you accept the challenge I put forth at the end, please post a comment and share about it! Cheers, Audrey :-) PS - My thanks to all who have emailed me and wondered where I have been over the last two weeks... I have been busy - evolving, working/playing, living, and loving. It's great to be back here on Zaadz now, though... I love this site!!!

Tags: RainbowBright, closet, announcement, visionary, humanity, improving the world, possibility, love, exploration, evolution, vision

Our Rainbow Dash Through Life

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Tue, 07 Nov 2006 04:59:06 GMT

.
Hi there! :-) I just recorded a deep video blog entry - - and must admit that I really like the way it turned out. It's a big topic, with big perspective, and big positive intention. I invite you to click and watch! And since I truly do want to make a difference and improve the world, if you watch this and get something positive out of it, please consider posting a comment. (I love comments!) :-) Join me in using our voices and putting ourselves "out there". What if *your* comment was the one to reveal something valuable to someone else? That would make a difference...

Love and Light,
Audrey :-)

Tags: Rainbow, dash, poetry, life, vision, Vision Force, improving the world, making a difference, visionary, environment, creating

I do NOT want to record this Video!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 01:54:16 GMT

... And you can't make me! NO! I will not do it! I REFUSE! Leave me alone! Go away! Shut up! I DO NOT WANT TO RECORD THIS VIDEO!!!!!! Well... Okay. Actually, yes I DO want to record this video. So here it is: Please post a comment if you can relate. (Comments make me SO happy I can hardly STAND it!) :-) Love and Light, Audrey

Tags:

So Many Men... So Little Time!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 02:45:24 GMT

HI THERE, you glorious critter! :-) Thanks for stopping by! Check out my latest video blog. You'll see that it's obvious that I've got MEN on my MIND!!!! Take a look and see for yourself... And please post a comment (if you're brave enough, of course!)...... ;-) I dare ya! Love and Light, RainbowBright :-)

Tags: Men, love, relationships, appreciation, gratitude, vlogging, family, father, brother, friends, life

A Singing Rainbow...

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 02:21:21 GMT

Greetings, Earthlings! :-)

Yes, here I am... singing! CLICK HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxOC0smO0Xo And I've stayed true to my promise I made in my first video blog - whatever comes out, whether it's good or bad, I post it to the web. Because if I allowed myself to re-record these things to make them "perfect", well, I'd never post ANYTHING! :-) I watched it and know I can sing better than this... but hey, I guess this just means I have room for improvement in my next singing-blog! :-)

Love to all,
Audrey :-D

Tags: Singing, music, songs, movies, people, knowing, understanding, Vision Force

Buy Yourself Some Swirls!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:37:45 GMT

How YOU can make a difference:

Hi, YOU! :-) If you haven't already replaced the incandescent lightbulbs in your home or apartment with compact fluorescents (swirls), do it this weekend! Seriously! Go to Wal-Mart and buy yourself some CFLs. The money, electricity, and power plant emissions you can help reduce REALLY CAN make a difference and improve the world. Check out this article for more info if you don't believe me, or if you just don't know what I'm talking about:
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/108/open_lightbulbs.html

Love,
Audrey :-)

Tags: make a difference, energy efficiency, light, bulb, improving the world, environment, saving money

Sticking Out My Tongue!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 00:27:11 GMT

Hi there!!

Here's my next video blog entry!
CLICK HERE TO WATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAThP9j5vwU
Sassy, fun, and with lots of TONGUE!!! (Hm... That sounds kinda sleazy, huh...?)

Thanks to all who are watching my videos!! Have they inspired you? Are you thinking of starting your own video blog? Are you "hearing" me? Are you gonna go stick out YOUR tongue??? Like this- :-P

Stay tuned for my next video entry... I WILL sing for you finally!! I've gotten several requests, and it's been something I've wanted to do, but I've just been really nervous about doing it (I'll go into that later...).

Please enjoy YOUR weekend to the FULLEST, and keep helping me spread some rainbow colors into the WORLD!!!
-RainbowBright :-)

Tags: Tongue, society, marriage, kids, advice, choice, vision, power, love, improving the world, writing a book

Rainbow Brainwaves: Surf's Up, Duuude!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Tue, 03 Oct 2006 04:00:12 GMT

Hello, all you beautiful Critters!!

Check out my most recent video blog - - but beware... once you get inside THIS brain.... there's nooooo going back! ;-) [ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: To reduce the risk of a head injury while watching this video, we strongly recommend that you wear a helmet. Of course, if you are one who obeys such disclaimers, you're obviously in need of getting some sense knocked into you somehow... So nevermind. Just go ahead and watch the video!! ] :-)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVb1Q-P5gVc

Love,
Rainbow :-)

PS - For some reason, when I've tried to embed my first two videos here, it hasn't worked... they don't load. Does anyone have any suggestions?? Thanks! :-)

Tags: Rainbow, video blogging, brainwaves, power, mind, perception, reality, depression, college, reunion, improving the world

A Hearty "Thanks", plus This Weekend's Adventure!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 04:39:18 GMT

Oh, man.

I am HOOKED on this Video Blogging thing now!!! :-) Oh, the FUN I'm going to have!! I'm still quite terrified that I'm OUT THERE on the WORLD WIDE WEB... but hey, I also want to put myself OUT THERE in the ACTUAL WORLD so I can IMPROVE IT! So I guess it kinda fits, huh? :-)

You ready to see what I'm gonna get myself into this weekend?? Course you are!... so check this out! Love, Rainbow :-) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJtTJwBhjs

Tags: Vlogging, gratitude, thank you, inspiration, inspiring, improving the world, rainbow, colors, zaadz, Austin, North Carolina

My First-Ever Video Blog!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 04:39:01 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1d4_e0FUnw
Hi EVERYONE!!!

This is completely crazy! I just recorded the first-ever video blog of myself! Unscripted, unplanned, unrefined, and unSTOPPABLE!!! :-) Lol...

I haven't posted in a while... lots of big things have been occurring... I hope ALL of you are WELL. Life is precious...

Tell me what you think!! Forward to your friends! Join me in the big, wide world of video blogging!!! :-)

Love and Light,
RainbowBRIGHT! :-D

PS - I've also created the discussion group I blogged about last time.... Oooooh, how incredible THAT is! I'll talk about it soon. Adios! :-)

Tags: Video Blog, rainbow, colors, vision, life, work, creating, improving the world, inspiring people, love, vlogging

Coming Soon...

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 22:16:09 GMT

Hello, WORLD!!! :-D

So much is coming soon... I'm in the process of bringing all sorts of things into existence, and changing things, and recreating things, and learning things, and exploring things... There is just SO much that is coming soon! I almost didn't stop right now to write a blog entry... then I realized that I want to at least let the world know what I'm up to... Wat if it will inspire someone? Awaken something in someone? Give someone something interesting to read?

1.) This Monday evening is the first weekly meeting of the new discussion group I'm forming (read about it below!) I'm thinking about how I want it to go, and feeling nervous, excited, and impatient! :-) I'm expecting that this first meeting will be nice and small and intimate - with a great opportunity for the group to grow and blossom... which I see the first of us working together to do!

2.) I'm starting a video blog! I don't know how, or exactly when, or where, or what yet... I just figure, if 16-year-old kids are out there video blogging, then I sure as heck can figure it out! :-) I'm looking forward to putting little video messages out into the world, in which people can see my eyes, hear my words, and get to know me... Yikes! Exciting and terrifying, and I get to create it however I want!!!! :-)

3.) I'm drafting the outline of my book. I received some truly moving, kind words from one beautiful soul - letting me know that he sees that I really can make a difference and be heard. Letting me know that he does know I have a story to tell, and believes in my ability to tell it and have it "land" in people's minds in the positive way in which it's intended. And he even offered to help with reviewing, editing, and suggesting improvements as I write it... Wow! :-D

4.) My day job has been keeping me super busy - and I LOVE IT! I work a LOT and put a LOT of energy into my work - and still, it doesn't feel like "work". Someone I met recently asked me what I do for fun, and I just looked at him with a blank stare. This question used to make sense to me - back when I had jobs that FELT like work! HA! As I find myself truly loving my job, I find myself NOT feeling like I'm working... not feeling like it's "keeping me" from what I want to be doing. Because it IS what I want to be doing! I promise I'm not bragging here. I really want more people to experience this phenomenon... so I'm letting YOU know that it truly IS possible.

5.) There are SO many people I want to call on the phone and catch up with... AH! I am choosing to only call a few this weekend - as I want to make progress on my other projects. I hope they will understand I'm not ignoring them or devaluing them. I think of ALL of my friends SO often, and wish them SO much love and happiness. AND, right now, I'm choosing to work on the projects that are calling me the loudest right now, and therefore deferring calling them.

Man! I'm BUSY! :-) I've been recognizing how amazingly capable we humans are at CREATING time for the things we really, really, really want to do... We are incredible at finding ways to MAKE things happen that we value immensely. Conversely, when we really do NOT want to do something, we are downright mind-blowing at our shrewd ability to find reasons why we "can't" do it...

Reminds me of the quote by Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't... either way, you are right!" Hm. So what CAN you do today??

Me? I'm gonna go have some FUN... and develop my vision for what I'm going to create... and improve the world! ;-) Yay!!!

Love and Light... and I'll catch ya on the Flip Side! ;-)
-Rainbow :-D

Tags: creating, discussion group, writing, book, video blog, job, work, play, fun, friends, busy

New Discussion Group Here in Austin!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 23:20:01 GMT

Hello, world -

I want to let you all know about the new discussion group I'm forming here in Austin for "young, smart women who want to improve the world". I've been hanging up flyers in coffee shops (and other wise places) throughout the city, and I've posted an ad on Craigslist - here: http://austin.craigslist.org/grp/205182463.html

I've gotten a few responses, and want to get more! If you know of anyone in Austin who might be interested in joining, please let them know about it!

One young woman asked me for a little more detail than the ad said - why am I starting this group? And who the heck am I? Here's part of my response, in case it can shed some more light on it for others:

===========================

Let me give you a little background on me. The basics: I'm 25 years old, originally from the 'burbs of Houston, and I currently work for an environmental consulting firm based in Austin. Most of my work time is spent helping school districts in the state manage their use of resources (electricity, natural gas, and water).

I've always had a passion for helping the environment... and for people. I love interacting with people, discussing, learning, growing, helping, supporting, etc. I think we all know the difference it makes to have a group of peers who inspire us and who make us feel understood... and I think that a lot of young women who genuinely want to make a positive difference in the world feel kind of alone. Most people don't aspire to improve the world because it's too "crazy" or "difficult" or "idealistic"... or whatever else they label it.

I see that this group could provide a valuable forum for young women to come together and be heard, seen, understood... and get inspired to keep going - regardless of the specific issues, actions, or causes we choose to pursue. Of course, we can definitely choose to work together on certain local projects, etc.! I just don't want to make the group issue-based... more based on the common thread of wanting to change the world. The concepts I'd like to discuss are subjects like WHY and HOW we decide to keep going - despite the mountain(s) in front of us seeming so darn tall. How can we support each other, inspire each other, and find the strength and courage to play even bigger? Go further? Make an even bigger difference?

======================

Invite women to join! Please help me get the word out!

Love and Light,
Audrey :-D

PS - Thanks, Michael Skye and Vision Force... this group would not be getting created if it weren't for your body of work. I now can see so much clearer just how much is possible to create - AND I can go out and actually ACT on my vision, in the face of all my fears and reasons why I "shouldn't".

Tags: Discussion group, Austin, smart women, improve the world, environment, managing resources, make a positive difference, inspiration, strength, courage, crazy

What's so funny 'bout Peace, Love, and Understanding?

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 03:15:47 GMT

I love that song. It's so interesting that for years, I've sung along with it, and only recently have I actually HEARD what the words actually ARE! I mean REALLY - what IS so darn funny about peace, love, and understanding?! Why does our society laugh and brush off those things so quickly? We label them "hippie-ish", or "touchy-feely", or "idealistic", or a slew of other words. No! Really, peace, love and understanding can improve the whole freakin' world! Truly. And that's as serious a topic as we can get.

That's the power of lyrics in songs. They will NOT be heard every time by every listener... they will only be heard when the listener is ready to hear. AND, to go even further, the same lyrics can mean totally different things depending on what the listener is feeling, experiencing, expecting, and seeking in the moment of hearing. So when we say, "I've heard that song" or "I've seen that movie"... I say that's irrelevant! I can hear the same song over and over and see the same movie over and over, and I CAN have, and have had, completely different experiences of them each time. Art is alive. It is received by beings that are continuously in a state of evolution. How incredible...

So I spent quite a while today putting all of my favorite quotes up on my Zaadz profile! (Go check 'em out!) And this one, I've decided, is my all-time ultimate favorite (only in this moment, of course!)

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." - Marianne Williamson

Feel free to substitute "Nature" or "Source" or "Allah" or "whatever" in for the word "God" if it makes you more comfortable. One way or another, I hope everyone reading this will choose to HEAR the message in that quote...

The other thing I want to make absolutely perfectly clear is that when I talk about the crazy things I'm doing, and act happy, and sound excited, and am enjoying life, and am really LIT UP about whatever it is that's going on in my mind at the moment.... I'm doing exactly what this quote is saying. I'm letting my own light shine as brightly as it can. I'm not trying to hurt others or make them jealous... I'm trying to inspire people. I'm not trying to show off or whatever. I'm trying to call others to live large and have fun and be adventurous too! Develop YOUR vision for the future, and go out and ACT on it! The wonderful secret is that *I* can shine brightly *AND* everyone *ELSE* can shine brightly *ALSO*! There is no shortage of shining... :-) Oooh! That reminds me of another quote that I have NOT added to my Zaadz quote list.... yet!

"A candle loses nothing if it is used to light another one." -Anonymous

This Zaadz community, I believe, understands these concepts quite well. I just really, really want the REST of the world to "get it" also! Each of us can choose to be jealous and angry when we see that someone is doing something we wish we were doing.... or we can choose to be inspired and called into action. The choice is always ours.

Good night, loving Zaadzsters! Please post a comment! You have no idea how much I enjoy reading COMMENTS!!! :-)

Love and Light,
-Rainbow Bright! :-D

PS - I'm thinking about starting a video blog soon... I have so much I want to say to the world... and, alas!, only ten fingers on a keyboard! They're starting to cramp up! Doh! :-D

Tags: song, lyrics, music, art, movies, evolution, love, peace, understanding, touchy-feely, improve the world

Labeling Myself

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 19:30:30 GMT

Good Saturday afternoon to you all!

Oh, I am SO excited - I got my Zaadz Ambassador package from my mailbox last night and absolutely LOVE the T-shirt, the manifesto, and the handouts! Wow... I now have a new label for myself: Zaadz Ambassador. I love this community of people. So creative, loving, curious, seeking... I feel so at home in this lovely "oasis", as founder Brian calls it. I've found that when I've had a tough day, I come in here, read some things people have posted, and read some new profiles, and get really inspired and happy again. Like magic!

I have a couple new projects I'm in the process of getting started on as well... I'm SO excited!

The first is a new weekly discussion group I'm forming here in Austin, for "young, smart women who want to improve the world"! No offense to boys or men or old(er) people... I just reeeally want to provide the kind of group of women that I've wished has existed for the last ten-plus years! I want to discuss some of the revolutionary and evolutionary topics I've discovered and explored over the last eight months since discovering Vision Force and learning how to live as a visionary. Holy moly, if I'd learned this stuff sooner than now, there's no telling what I'd be doing today! I want to get this information OUT to the people I feel called to help the most: young, smart women! I have to go finish up the fliers so I can put them up all over the city!! Another new label for myself: Revolutionary Discussion Group Creator/Leader. :-)

The next new project of mine is writing my book! I'm going to start putting together the skeleton so that I can go back and flesh out the sections as I make the time to do it... I want to tell my story. My hope is that it can inspire other people - and especially young women who've struggled with the same things I have. I want to tell my story openly and brutally honestly - nothing held back. And I'm glad I've let this idea "percolate" in my mind for the past few months... I've gotten some great insights into how I want to write it that wouldn't have been there if I had started writing sooner. And another new label for myself: Author!

I just got off the phone with a close friend from college who's actually going to audition for American Idol as WELL! She lives in San Francisco and is auditioning in Seattle a week from Tuesday! Wow... it's so awesome to be able to give her advice and let her know she's not as crazy as she feels right now. I also told her that she MUST tell everyone in her life that she's auditioning, as that yielded the most amazing outpouring of love and support I could've imagined! She has the most incredible voice I've ever heard in my life... I'm so excited for her!!! Perhaps another label I hadn't even thought of: American Idol Auditioning Consultant. :-) Lol...

Labels are important. If I choose to see myself as "Lazy, Boring Girl", I'm more likely to act like that. If I choose to see myself as "Zaadz Ambassador and Author and Discussion Group Leader and Entrepreneur and Environmentalist Extraordinaire", I'm much more likely to act like THAT! And the labels of "Visionary" and "Superhero" are really inspiring and fun, too.... I think those are my favorite so far! :-) With those, possibilities abound.... and I love infinite possibilities!

What are some of YOUR favorite labels for yourself? Please comment! I love reading people's comments to my blog posts... Makes me feel like my messages are being heard!

I have to go play! I mean work. Wait... they're the same thing! HA HA!!! Life is fun...

Love and Light... and Fun with New Labels,
Audrey :-)

Tags: Labels, Zaadz, Ambassador, discussion group, Vision Force, visionary, revolutionary, American Idol, superhero, possibilities

"Messing Up" --> Growing Up

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 05:31:47 GMT

Everybody knows messing up is hard, right? And so is growing up. It's such common knowledge. Well, for me, I linked the two (again) today. Messing up yields Growing up.

Something happened this afternoon that made me feel like I had "messed up" earlier this week. My actions had affected someone I care deeply about and caused them pain. That hurt me. I really don't like causing people pain.... and I never intended to cause pain in this instance.... So then the question came. Wait. I feel like I messed up, but did I really "mess up"?

If I walk up to someone and tell them I like their shoes - because I actually DO like their shoes and I want to make their day a little happier - and then THEY decide to interpret that as me making fun of their big feet (which they have a complex about, while I didn't even notice their feet were bigger than normal), does that mean I've done something mean or wrong? Have I actually "messed up"? Their feelings are hurt because of my words... isn't that the definition of doing something wrong? I think most people would agree with me and say "no", that's not messing up. It's an extreme example with a zillion ways to apply it....

I was always taught intellectually (through people's words) that I shouldn't feel badly if someone takes something I say or do the wrong way. AND at the same time, I was taught operationally (by people's actions) that I AM supposed to feel badly if I hurt someone's feelings - EVER! ...Even if it's just them misunderstanding something I meant in a positive way.

So tonight, I really had to sit with this difficult inner struggle. My intentions were pure and good. And pain for someone I care about still was the result. I felt guilty for a little while. I felt sad. I beat myself up for a bit (not literally!). And then I pulled myself together. Hey! Hello! All I can do is go out into the world intending to do good and improve the world. If someone else is expecting to see grief and strife and evil and meanness, then you know what? That's what they're going to see... in everything, including me and my well-meaning words. It's not that the person is "wrong" or "bad" - - it's just that the framework that person chose in that moment is rejecting or overlooking my positive intention. (I suffered from depression in college, and I know how strong the mind is at creating the reality it wants to see... if we intend to see evil and crap and negativity, well guess what? We will. Our minds and our wills are so incredibly powerful...)

I think this is the sort of conversation that one has with one's self and doesn't typically share with other people... much less the world wide web. Am I right? Hm... Well, my intentions are good here. If people reading this choose to judge me as weird or crazy... or judge this post as boring or silly or whatever, then well, so be it. It's not my intention to cause that or elicit those responses. My intention here tonight is just to discuss something that could help someone else through something difficult they may be battling. So maybe they can let go of feeling guilty and confused, recognize that other people have struggled with similar stuff, and have an inner shift to a better mood and frame of mind... so that then maybe they can go out and do something fun! :-D

Yeah, I did a little more "growing up" today, thanks to feeling like I had been "messing up". It hurt a bit and wasn't fun at the time! That's how I know I learned something valuable... and that I'm alive...

Love and Light,
Audrey :-)

Tags: messing up, growing up, judgments, misunderstandings, intention, reality, inner shift, fun

Rockstar Speaks Out, World Listens :-)

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 04:38:05 GMT

Update! Oh wow! Update!

Here is the news update you've all been waiting to read! It is this: I had an absolutely incredible weekend, went waaaay outside of my comfort zone, became one with my "inner rockstar", had some unbelievable experiences, met some inspiring characters... AND signed a contract that said I won't talk about the audition process or reveal the results. :-) So I won't! You'll just have to read this blog post, draw your own conclusions about whether or not I could be the next American Idol, and watch the show in January to know for sure!

What I CAN tell you is that I had a TRULY awesome weekend! Wow! On Friday and Saturday, I received more loving emails and voicemails and text messages and blog comments and positive thoughts and energy from so many amazing, supportive, excited, truly wonderful people in my life - and even several from total strangers. Really. Loving, touching, caring, and truly supportive! It was the craziest thing - up until now, I was always terrified at the idea of auditioning for American Idol... What would people SAY?! What would my family and friends and co-workers and clients think of me if they found out? Would they think I've lost my ever-lovin' mind?! Would they think I have a superiority complex? That I'm a materialistic, self-centered, Britney Spears wanna-be? It would be so gosh-darned *uncomfortable*!

Well, all those fears were just simply that: FEARS. The reality of the situation was that my crazy-ass decision to audition ("crazy-ass" is a technical term, by the way!) ended up really inspiring people. A LOT of people - of ALL ages and from ALL walks of life! Get this: Several people who are very close to me, and who have heard me sing, told me they could actually SEE me going on the show, and winning the entire competition! (Please recognize the magnitude of that statement!)... Holy cow! Lots of friends said they wanted me to go out there and show ‘em what I've got - that really pumped me up! My BOSS told me he was rooting for me (even though if I become the next Idol, I'd probably have to quit my day job!) - wow! Some folks gave me loving advice to help me stay focused and minimize nerves - thank you! And bunches of people sent me good old-fashioned love and good luck... And that's just downright valuable. And to think, I had been AFRAID of doing this?! Hmmm. Perhaps kinda maybe there's a tiny little lesson to be learned... (http://www.visionforce.com/)

My friend and I arrived in Memphis at 3 p.m. on Friday afternoon, took a cab to the FedEx Forum, and I got my wristband and ticket. We were told we had just missed the crowd - literally thousands of people had been standing in line since before 6 a.m. that morning, and a large percentage had been camped out overnight. (Whoa!) Good thing they still had wristbands and tickets! Line-up Sunday morning was scheduled for 5 a.m... so we had a day and a half to relax and enjoy Memphis! Although I had never been to Memphis before, and I really wanted to go exploring, a substantial portion of my free day and a half was spent sleeping! My job, my recent pace of life, plus my nerves about auditioning for American Idol had me feeling pretty darn tired...

I did go out a little bit, though! Beale Street in Memphis felt a lot like Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Lots of blues, lots of jazz/blues musicians playing awesome music on sidewalks, lots of drinking and partying in the streets, etc. And you know what? Waiters at restaurants, folks in the hotel, and total strangers kept wishing me luck! And they actually meant it. They asked my name, asked me what I was going to sing, asked me where I was from, and told me they'd vote for me if I made it on the show. And nobody thought I was crazy - they thought it was fantastic that I was willing to go way out on a limb and fly to a distant city for a big, crazy dream!

Sunday morning at 3:30 a.m., the alarm clock went off. Boom! Like a bolt of lightning, I was out of bed, in the shower, humming my song and feeling like a champ! (Very glad I had slept most of the day Saturday!) And then the nerves kicked in. Again. Oh geez. Am I actually going to DO this?! Oh geez... What if I do something stupid? What if I screw up? What if the whole world sees me on TV and thinks I've lost my mind?! Maybe it's not too late to just change my mind and NOT audition. Wait. I think I HAVE to audition. Because now I've told the whole WORLD I'm doing it. Audrey, you can't stop. You MUST do this. Oh no... Oh YES! I'm doing it! I want this! Yes! I can see it happening! I am a ROCKSTAR! I'm going to DO THIS! (That really is the type of conversation that goes on inside my head... Am I the only one?) :-)

We arrived at the FedEx Forum at 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning, and there was already a line of about 6,000 people. Yes, you read that right. Six THOUSAND people outside of the arena already. I got in line feeling like I'd missed the boat. How in the world was I going to audition now?! There's six THOUSAND people in front of me...

We sat in line, on the ground, in the dark, with all the others... and passed the time by chatting and meeting the people nearby. A sweet, beautiful high school senior and her mother from a suburb of Atlanta - - she loves music, and she's following her dream, and her mother is being completely supportive. Then a fun-loving, genuinely kind, outgoing young woman from Nashville with a very sparkly top and a delightful "twangy" southern accent. Then a sweet college guy who'd driven in through the night by himself from Baton Rouge, where he's attending LSU. A young mother who brought her daughter's big stuffed bunny rabbit to remind her how much she's loved. A light-hearted guy whose friend handed out free egg McMuffins after they realized they'd bought many more than they could actually eat. In other words: These people were friendly. These people were supportive. These people were fun, and NORMAL. These people were hopeful, and respectful. It felt incredibly safe. And you know what? Everybody was nervous. And everybody was excited. A lot of people had traveled from afar - one girl had driven in from Alaska! Everybody was aware that this was something pretty crazy to do... It was an experience one does NOT experience everyday.

Okay, so the actual auditions I legally can't talk about... I signed a contract saying I wouldn't! You have to watch the show in January!! What I CAN tell you is that there were over 18,000 people in the arena, which means that over 9,000 of us actually auditioned! Can you believe that?! There were a LOT of VERY talented singers there. The weirdos and people completely out-of-touch with reality were in the VAST minority.

Sunday evening, once I finally left the arena, I partied like a rockstar! I got quite happily drunk at dinner, had a big ol' brownie sundae for dessert, talked about all the exciting things that are next, thought about the people in my life and how awesome each and every one of them is, felt super-duper happy, and danced on the street like nobody was watching! It was faaaantastic!

I would like to offer up a deep, true, hearty THANK YOU to every single person who sent me well-wishes and good vibes this weekend! I felt them... and they were strong and beautiful, and they absolutely did pay off!!! There is so much connectedness and love in the world when we just open ourselves up to it... and we're all a LOT more similar than we tend to want to recognize on any given day or in any given situation...

I hope this crazy story inspires YOU to get yourself out there and do something "crazy" as well! It's FUN, people! I hope you get a crazy idea, seriously consider doing it, feel the fear, and then just go do the thing anyway if it's what really calls to you. I hope you listen to your brain, listen to your heart, and then GO with your gut. I hope you find the courage to step up and FIND your next adventure! Life is short... What if it really could be exciting, and meaningful, and inspiring, and FUN? What if people began insisting that it MUST be all of those things?

What if...??? Stay tuned...

Your Rainbow Rockstar,

Audrey :-)

Tags: Rockstar, American Idol, support, love, thank you, fear, singing, audition, Memphis, inspiration, crazy

American Idol? Oh YES, I AM!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 02:52:41 GMT

Everybody better look out! I'm pulling out all the stops. I'm going for it. Big time. No holds barred. I'm going "all in" in this poker game of life... And no, this is NOT a joke! Tomorrow morning, I will be boarding a plane to Memphis, Tennessee... to audition... for American Idol! Go ahead - make the sound! *AAAAHHHHH* :-) This thought has been percolating in my mind for literally YEARS, and has been majorly weighing on my mind as something I HAVE to do since the end of May. I took a deep breath and went ahead and booked this trip about a month ago. Honestly, I thought I was going to keep it pretty much secret from *everybody* until after the audition... Well, I have changed my mind - actually, I have swung in the complete opposite direction. I'm telling the entire WORLD here on my blog! :-) Hey world! I'm auditioning for American Idol! You might be thinking: Wow. That's BIG. Yes, it is. I'm totally aware of that! Most people don't do things like this... Yes, I'm aware of that, too. And you know what? It's been calling to me for years, and it's something I must do! In fact, I literally refused to watch the first many seasons of the show because anytime I would, I'd get SO DARN ANGRY. I knew I could sing better than the people they had on there, and deep down, I really wanted to BE on the show (hence the anger!). I've been singing all my life... and I am very talented (not being egotistical here...). I've competed, sung all over the place throughout the years - including professional and school choirs, high school solo competitions, college A Cappella group, weddings... Sigh. Holy cow. This is really BIG! AH! Why in the world am I doing this?! Because I'm called to. I feel it. I see myself being able to get through to people, inspire people... and let my "inner rockstar" out to play in the process. :-) (I really do have one, you know!) The actual auditions are on Sunday (Sept 3)... and I have no idea what to expect, really. (Ah!) The show makes everyone sign a contract that says they may NOT discuss the audition process OR reveal whether or not they made it on the show before it airs in early 2007. Wow... that's going to be TOUGH! I'm going to want to TELL everybody! Now, there IS a possibility I may not even get a chance to audition this weekend - if the line is so long I can't get in... In that case, I'll post a blog entry this weekend saying that I'm going to be flying to SEATTLE in two weeks to catch the audition THERE (and make sure I start waiting in line earlier). One way or another, I'm GOING to audition! :-) If I DO get to audition this Sunday, as I plan to, then I won't be revealing anything about it... I don't want to violate the contract! :-) So just check back here periodically! If I don't post anything until Tuesday, it means I DID audition this weekend, and I can't reveal the results! :-) Oh holy moly! This is so EXCITING! Can you imagine having an American Idol who cares about the environment, and energy efficiency, and inspiring people, and improving the world?! Oh wow. I see it... and I'm going to make it happen! You just watch me! Wish me luck, everybody!! Send me some really big, positive brainwaves on Sunday - it really will help! And please, hope to NOT hear from me on this blog until next week... :-) You'll all vote for me *when* I make it on the show, right?? :-) Wahoooo!!! Time to attempt to sleep despite these big fluttery butterflies... Love to all, Audrey :-)

Tags: American Idol, audition, music, singing, solo, environment, improving the world, inspiration, exciting, vote

Big Announcement Coming Tomorrow!

http://RainbowBright.gaia.com — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 02:32:17 GMT

Attention, World Wide Web!

Audrey has a BIG announcement she's going to make tomorrow night - - right HERE on her blog. [Begin wondering what in the world she could possibly be up to! Really, you have NO idea...] At this moment, she is extremely tired from an already long and very fast-paced week of work, and is going to bed early. Ahhh....

Tune in here tomorrow night for all the news and excitement. You really won't want to miss this!

Good night,
RainbowBright :-)

Tags: big announcement