Carlita's Way!!!!

Esperanza Spalding: I Know You Know

2010-08-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

Here is my Song for the Day...When I first heard Esperanza sing (in Central Park), I was blown away! Not only can Ms. Spalding play the bass, but she has a WONDERFUL voice as well as a great NATURAL look. You can also look out for her soon in my top 10 Natural Divas....give her a chance, and JUST LISTEN to her song "I Know You Know."

Logic Pro..."I'll Be Gone 'Til November"

2010-08-10T07:34:00.000-07:00

Ok...So I'm sitting here, at my internship at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and I'm thinking to myself....I haven't really been able to spend time working on my comupter like I want to, but that is GOING TO CHANGE! Most of the time, when I am on my computer, I am working on a software called Logic Studio Pro...

I used to ALWAYS use GarageBand...and this is an example of how the finishing products would look like...

But...I found it a little more interesting to work with Logic Pro. There are WAAAAY MORE loopthat you can use, that are even composed as a whole song. I love the different instruments (used in all different countries) that are included in the loops and ALSO the voices that are added in to help complete the music that is being made. Okay, O.K. Ok...let me stop talking like I know EVERYTHING about this program, because I DON'T. I haven't even learned HALF OF the skills you can use throughout this program. SO.....I am saying ALL OF THIS to basically sum up...BETWEEN NOW UNTIL NOVEMBER, I WANT TO LEARN ALL THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT LOGIC PRO!!!! I want to learn how to control the audio, how to manipulate the music notes in certain loops, how to distort sound, how to use autotune (just in case...lol), I WANT TO KNOW IT ALL!!!!! Okay....there, I said it...lol

Hopefully, my computer screen will look something like this...

...and I will be able to explain EVERYTHING that is up there...HOPEFULLY!!! :-D

Graphics

2010-08-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

SO....my minor is computer graphic designs, and I am LOVING EVERY BIT OF IT!!!! During my second semester in my Jr. year, I took up two graphics classes. I am still learning, but I am noticing that I am getting better at it I'm learning how to use more of my skills through Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. I am surprised that I am starting to love graphics a tad bit more than my major, which is broadcast journalism. It's interesting that I am able to connect both my major and my minor together to spark up something SPECIAL lol...Here are some pictures that inspire me to keep up with the graphics...Enjoy!

...Off of a graphic design services site...

"DESIGN IS...to make a synthesis of Needs + Information + Colors in order to create something Greater than the Sum of its Parts. (and you can take that to the bank)" lol...I LUV IT

...Milton Glaser...

...James Brown Poster...

...Grpahic Design Magazine- Japan 1965...

Even though this is simply a picture of color, it ALWAYS REMINDS ME that color is what makes a picture POP...I like using color in my graphic work...

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..."Need I Say More?"...

"Good graphic design is the difference between a product being memorable and forgettable. As with most disciplines, there are rules that must be followed, and the difference between a good design and a bad one, is how well those rules are followed and implemented."

...LOVELY grpahic pic off of Wade College's Graphic Design Program...

...Steve Jobs Typography Portrait....WONDERFUL!!!

2010-08-07T21:35:00.000-07:00

...I want to start off by saying...it has been a LOOOONG time since I have been on here. I need to start writing again...

I've noticed a alot has been going on...through music, fashion, media, etc.

Here's my main topic of the day....RYAN LESLIE...

Well, what can I say about R. Les? He's very talented and many of you have experienced that by either going to his concerts, watching his video blogs, or just listening to him on the radio. I have to say that I am a BIG FAN of Ryan's and I support any music that he exposes to the public. I first heard of Ryan Leslie when I watched P. Diddy's "Making the Band." I learned that Ryan produced the Cheri Dennis song "I Love You," which was used in MANY dance rehearsals with Laurie Ann. Then I looked Ryan up and learned more about him, such as, he produced the New Editon song "Hot Tonight" and was working with a new upcoming artist, Cassie. Long story short, I used to watch ALL of Ryan's blogs and listened to him create, as well as, record songs, and I was pretty impressed and also motivated to practice making music.

Ryan's last cds went very well, but now I'm starting to get bored. I recently heard a new song from Ryan called "When I Think About Love," and I feel like he can do better with his music. I feel like he keeps making songs similar to his older ones. Its time to switch it up...I love R. Les, but he's gotta come harder then what he is TRYING to do. I feel like his studio hours and his music just don't add up...I know he'll BRING IT one of these days, but WHEN???? I'm sooooooo ANXIOUS!!!

Cydara Elise

2009-11-17T20:44:00.000-08:00

Cydara Elise is a talented artist...many people know here...and there are some who don't. I heard about Cydara...well I actually saw her in an ad and I thought I should check her out. So I check out her music...she is a talented artist from Detroit Michigan. She is currently located in Los Angeles, Ca. If you can't find her...she can be found on:

Facebook.com (just type her name in)

http://www.myspace.com/CydaraElise

http://twitter.com/CydaraElise

...here is a mini bio from her facebook:

"Cydara Elise knows what makes her blood flow. Just 21 years old, she is no stranger to performing – a trained dancer since age four, Cydara started teaching dance in her community at 13. Learning that fulfilling her dreams meant creating her own opportunities, she packed her bags and headed to Los Angeles.

Once in LA, Cydara became very involved in performing with non-profit organization Subject2Change. Known for wooing the crowd on stage, it wasn’t long till her talents were discovered by producer ISH (B2K, Christina Milian, Ray-J, Teedra Moses, Ne-Yo) who recognized that her combination of singing, dancing and model looks make her a triple threat.

Playing shows in support of her new EP 'Votron Entertainment Presents: Cydara Elise', Cydara is also in the studio working on her debut album to be released later this year."

...Songwriter 101...

2009-11-17T17:07:00.000-08:00

...So i joined this website called: songwriter101.com...

It's a great website for people who are trying to make it out there in the music industry. It is FREE FREE FREE..and if you join you will be able to connect and keep in contact with MANY talented people all around the country. Personally I joined because I like to write lyrics and I have found the website very helpful in connecting with many talented artists. Many people on the website are either producers looking for talent, artists looking for songwriters, or songwriters looking for people to hear their lyrics. There are forums that include several sections that are open to the users. I also love the website, because there are people on there that will help you through any problems you have, whether you want someone to guide you in writing your lyrics, or lead you in the right direction to help you find the right producers/companies to talk to. SO...IF YOU ARE MUSICALLY TALENTED...PLEASE JOIN!!!!!!

A TASTE oF CHOKLATE

2009-11-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

GREAT SOUL ARTIST...This Seattle, Washington soulful diva is making her move and needs to be heard.

Check out her website: http://www.choklatemusic.com/

I've heard of Choklate before and decided to hear her song "Suns Out"...she's very interesting. After listening to her song and seeing the video, I went and stalked her on Twitter lol...ok no I didn't stalk her, but I feel that's all people do on Twitter is stalk each other lol...but anyway Choklate has a great voice and wonderful music...

Some other songs that are my favorite are: "Wish I Hadn't Told You", "Incredible", and "Dedicated"...then again I'm a little funky myself...so how could I NOT like her :)

...don't SWEAT it...it's a BIG GIRL THING...

2009-11-12T09:16:00.000-08:00

Hey...so one important thing to know about me is...I am a VERY CURVY GAL! and throughout my whole life, I've had trouble finding the right stores that carry my size..Well the sad thing is...most stores don't carry the TRU Plus size...so I've been looking online and I've found some websites that have trendy PLUS SIZE FASHION...here are just a few for now:

Plus Size Fashion Websites:

http://www.maximumwoman.com/

http://www.torrid.com/torrid/index.jsp

http://store.alloy.com/browse.do?categoryKey=extended&gotoParamReplaced=cats.extended (surprisingly up to 3x)

http://www.bandlu.com/ (B&Lu)

http://www.alight.com/

...there are WAY more sites, but the ones in the list above caught my eye...check 'em out and see what you like...Of course the prices may be a tad bit expensive, but TRUST ME, you want good quality...and the PERFECT FIT :)

...Musically Challenged...

2009-11-12T08:17:00.000-08:00

Ok so I am addicted to music and I even like to write lyrics from time to time...hopefully you'll hear them on the radio SOON...hopefully lol...Ok so I sit at my desk trying to write and sometimes I feel like I have Writers' Block, my father keeps telling me "Don't say that!" lol but I mean c'mon, I should be able to recognize when I have a sickness called Writers' Block lol.

So for the past couple of days I've been feeling like I think it would be better if I had a beat already made for me...it would make it easier for me to come up with an idea of how I would want the lyrics to flow....but honestly that is no excuse for me NOT TO WRITE! I keep getting frustrated because I keep trying to sit in a quiet place and just write...but nothing comes out.

So being the person that I am...I said "eff it" I'm going to make my own beats...was that a good idea? No...I mean i'm no producer, but I did take the violin in kindergarten and piano lessons from 4-6th grade...so I know how the notes should sound. Ok but back to what I'm trying to get at...I have a Mac...and there's this software called GarageBand. I know many of you have heard of this before....there is a keyboard that you can buy to hook up to the computer in order for it to be easier to make your own music...Well...I left the keyboard at home in NJ and trust me...I WILL NEVER MAKE THAT MISTAKE EVER AGAIN!

Atleast GarageBand allows you to use your computer keyboard as a piano...it's called Musically Typing in GB terms :) it's kinda cool...YES I said KINDA, because when it's time for me to record, the notes are a second off beat and that just THROWS THE WHOLE SONG OFF...so no comment lol

...that's the least of my problems though...my BIGGEST PROBLEM is how to layer the drums...I watched a man on youtube show everyone how to put it together, but that was no help...besides he was OFF BEAT...so I advise everyone to get the actual instruments and to hook them up to your desktop/laptop using the USB cord...it saves so many headaches :)

First Time for Everything

2009-11-12T07:47:00.000-08:00

hold on...give me a minute...

..i'm listening to Amerie's new cd...what song? "RED EYE"!!! Honestly I'm a REALLY BIG Amerie fan and I'm glad she came back with another cd. This time, she's switching it up a bit. Like she said when she was on 106 and Park...she loves hip hop, rock, and um something else...sorry i forgot lol...but she definitely expresses a little bit of ROCK/BLUES in her on her song "Higher." But overall...not a bad cd at all...CHECK IT OUT!!! I'm always promoting her lol...but no seriously CHECK HER OUT!!!

Ok so back to this blog...so the title says First Time for Everything...due to the fact that this is my first time having a blog site. I mean I've written blogs on myspace like once or twice and a couple on facebook...but nothing I was really serious about. My field is Journalism...so I need to get on the ball lol.

So it's a Terrible Thursday...no school because of this HORRIBLE rain!!! so what else is there for me to do...CREATE A BLOG and SHARE IT WITH ALL OF YOU!! lol

You can also find me on Twitter...Lucki_One