2012 turned out to be even more eventful than 2011!!  2011 was all about career - independently releasing my debut album, "MEDICATED AMERICA" kept me incredibly busy.  One could definitely conclude that 2012 was just the opposite - all about personal/home life.  

2012 started out still very focused on career.  I was trying to finish what I'd started the year before - or at least continue it.  I wanted to make my attempt at marketing the album that I worked so hard to create.  I decided to travel to one major USA city each month and perform at Open Mic Nights, trying to reach new audiences and get my music out there.  So, this was supposed to be 12 cities in 12 months.  The "Open Mic Tour" took me to Nashville, Chicago, St. Louis, and New York.  

By May, I started to realize how quickly my wedding was approaching and that I still had LOTS of planning to do.  So, I decided to focus my energy (and funds) on this "BIG DAY."  I do not regret the decision to put off my career and focus on my personal life for this time.  My sweetheart of 6 years, Billy and I tied the knot at the Vegas Wedding Garden on 07/21/12.  We drove across the country with a caravan of 3 cars for the event.  It was absolutely unforgettable!!

They say, "First comes love, then comes marriage, then..." - the day after we returned from Las Vegas, I discovered that I was already pregnant with our first child.  So began the 8 weeks of morning sickness (all day nausea and lethargy in my case), which I spent laying on the couch, watching all 8 seasons of "Desperate Housewives" from start to finish.  No kidding.  I NEVER thought I would watch that show, but as I perused our Netflix catalogue, utterly miserable and stuck at home, it seemed all too appropriate.

Once I entered my 2nd trimester, I began feeling revitalized.  I purchased a Prenatal Pilates DVD, and have managed to work out 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week with this video - keeping me healthy and lean throughout this (mind and) body-altering experience.  I am very proud to boast that my extra 15 pounds is ALL BABY - so far so good.  By the way, we are having a girl, and she is due in March.

I rang in the New Year during the first week of my 3rd trimester.  I am 28 weeks, or 7 months pregnant.  If you do the math, 40 weeks is actually 10 months - I don't know why they tease us with the notion of 9 months gestation!!  So, yeah, I still have 3 months to go!!  

I guess it's sort of weird to be blogging about all this baby stuff on a website that was set forth to house my music, and all things "Cybele - the artist."  But, part of Cybele the artist is now a wife and mother.  I hope these wonderful life changes will inspire some great music that I will share with you in the years to come.

My first masterpiece was an album called "Medicated America."  I am working on my second masterpiece right now.  Her name is Lola Pepper and she kicks IN RHYTHM, believe it or not!!  In case you're wondering, I do have plans for a third masterpiece.  It is a sophomore album called "Muse." Most of the songs are written and ready to record, I'm just...a little pre-occupied for the time being.  

For those of you who are local, thank you so much for your continued support - and, keep in mind that I will be on maternity leave from 03/01/13 - 05/01/13, so get your song requests in while you can!!  Below are some wedding photos, as well as a few images from the 3-D ultrasound that we had on 01/02/13.  Enjoy!! 

Have a happy and healthy 2013!!

GREEN TIP OF THE MOMENT: If you have live, fresh herbs that you keep in pots on your kitchen window sill and you live in a cold climate, only keep them in a SUNNY window sill during the daylight hours. I was wondering why my basil hasn't been doing so well.  First of all, it is far too cold in the window sill at night.  On top of that, when I close my curtains at sundown, the plant receives no air flow, which is almost as important as sunlight and temperature.  It also helps to TRIM LEAVES OFTEN, so that the plant doesn't have to work as hard to keep so much foliage in tact.  This gives you an excuse to cook up some yummy herbed dishes, which will surely keep you warm all winter long!!    


  

So...I haven't written in a while!!  What can I say?! Some periods of life are so action packed, there is hardly a moment to share!!

CAREER
I recently performed at THE COFFEE POT in Greenville, OH.  This town was so lovely, I am just dying to go back.  There is nothing like playing to a room full of new faces!  Thank you to Amber Garret for finding me on the web and inviting me to play!!

This past weekend, I also played a few gigs with my partner, Craig Wilson at 
Belterra Casino & Resort. It was soooo nice to play on an actual stage, in an actual theater!!  There was even a "techie" (sound/lighting guy), a greenroom, a stage load-in entrance, etc - it was sublime!!

PERSONAL
I GOT HITCHED!!!!!  I am now officially Mrs. McGazi, loving wife of Billy Ray McGazi.  I actually married Billy McGuire, but we created our very own "hybrid" last name, fusing my mother's maiden name - Gasi (pronounced in Italiano like GaZi) and his mother's maiden name - McGuire, to make McGazi.  We are an Irish-Italian entity.  I think the whole idea started, because people have been referring to us as "CyBilly" for the past 6+ years.  So, now, we are (appropriately) named "CyBilly McGazi."  

I GOT PREGNANT!!!!!  Yup.  The baby is due March 26th and the McGazi family couldn't be happier!!  This is part of the reason why I have not written in a while.  I have been taking it easy, dealing with all the "wonders" of the 1st trimester.  When I first found out, I was thinking, "I'm gonna work out at least 3 times a week, blah blah blah..." hahahaha...NO!!  There was a good 5 week span where I was nauseous and tired CONSTANTLY.  I have been queen of the couch.  I can't help how out-of-it I feel sometimes! Now, I am thinking to myself, "I don't even feel like the same person!"  I am loving this baby inside me, don't get me wrong.  But, I have definitely also thought, "How the heck did humans become so over-populated?!!  Pregnancy is not fun!!"  I know it will all be worth it in the end :)

GREEN TIP OF THE MONTH: 
You can plant some seeds for next spring NOW!!  Grass seed is a good place to start, if you want to experiment.  Some people say this helps the seeds to sprout early enough in the spring to avoid pests who haven't yet emerged.  Technically, this is the way nature intended, and it can make for a stronger, healthier plant.

Thanks for reading!  Enjoy the crisp air of the changing season!!

This month was not so action packed! 



OPEN MIC TOUR



I was supposed to go to Detroit on Sunday, May 27th.  Plans changed when
I realized that there weren't any Open Mic venues that seemed worth while. 
So, I decided to go to Cleveland instead.  I thought it would be nice to
see the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame - no better way to close out the Open Mic
Tour.  Unfortunately, I was not feeling well during the Memorial Day
holiday weekend, so we did not travel anywhere.  Thus, I have no news to report!!!  

I will not be continuing with these monthly trips.  I feel like I've done what I set out to do.  Typically, when a new artist is signed to a major label, they go through a period which is called "artist development."  During this period, the artist may play at state fairs, corporate events, and small venues as an opening act.  The goal is to condition the artist to become comfortable on stage in any setting.

Clearly, I do not belong to a major label or any label at all, for that matter.  And, although I play music in front of an audience four nights a week, it is in a very controlled setting that I am used to, and almost TOO comfortable with.  Playing the same venue night after night, year after year, seeing the same faces, etc...has been a privilege and has prepared me on many levels.  But, when it comes to performing songs that I have written, in a new room, before strangers to whom I must prove my worth - it is a horse of a different color.  This is why I was hesitant to just dive in and book myself around the country.  I was terrified!

I got the idea to do the Open Mic Tour, because it would allow me to perform in other cities, without the pretense of being a pro - so if I suck, it's no big deal, because nobody has to sign a check over to sucky me.  This was my independent version of "artist development," and it WORKED!  When I did the first Open Mic in Nasheville, I was so nervous I was literally sick to my stomach - couldn't eat and was constantly in and out of the bathroom all day.  I thought my heart would beat right out of my chest when I was called up to the stage!  By the time I got to New York, I had become accustomed to the process.  It was like the voice in head went from saying, "Mayday!  Mayday!" to saying, "Alright, I get it, I'm nervous - who cares!  I'm gonna rock it!"    

RECORDING

I recorded a jingle with Tuneplant Music Productions this month.  It was for an Australian race horse company called Grand Syndicates.  This puts my singing in two other countries now - Italy and Australia.  So cool!!!!  Thanks to Chris Seal for bringing these opportunities to my doorstep, and for being such a talented and savvy composer!

THE FUTURE

From here on out, I will not be updating you with monthly emails.  I will continue to write the newsletter, but it will be on a quarterly or as-needed basis.  It is a joy for me to share myself with you through writing, whether it be in song or email.  I just want to make sure that I am offering something worth your time.  

I have some exciting performances coming up in late 2012/early 2013 that I can't wait to boast about, so don't worry, I'll be around!  I also plan on shooting some music videos, and you will be the first to know when these are ready to be viewed. 

GREEN TIP OF THE MONTH - Get yourself some reusable shopping bags.  I am happy to report that I've noticed more and more people toting these sustainable totes.  I find that it is waaaay easier for me to carry my groceries in, because these bags hold more - instead of me trying to grab 18 grocery bags (some of which are double and tripple bagged to prevent breakage), I can grab 4 (but, yes, it's still really heavy).  If you have pets, get the recycled plastic kind, because the cloth bags will get fur all over them when you are unloading your groceries at home, and you might cause the kid bagging your groceries to sneeze next time you shop!

THANKS FOR READING!!  HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!!!!