WTF with CDJ Tita Cupcakedujour

The what, why, and how of who, where, and whatever.

I have been singing my entire life - certainly not always well, but louder when no one is listening ;)

Luckily a year ago, I was able to find someone who is an absolute expert. This person even gave me the confidence to try singing in public, which resulted in my adding my singing to this very platform.

Jill Samycia lends her talents to me in more ways than I can count, but if I were to try, our times together include listening, learning, teaching, mentorship, and friendship.

In episode 7 "The Resolution" I talked about how we can cheer ourselves on towards what comes next, no matter how wild or crazy it may seem to others.

I began working with Jill earlier that month and while I have since grown in my singing practice, I completed just two lessons before last year's recording.

In short, not only did I have less miles under my belt, my relationship with Jill was very new. I recall asking her if she was comfortable with me mentioning her in the episode, and even whether or not she would feel comfortable with me linking her pages to my post.

Truthfully I accept that the content I create, or works I have been a part of are not for everyone. I didn't want to assume she would be comfortable being affiliated with "a tattooed nude model".

Lucky for me - and lucky for all of us - not only did Jill give me permission to include her in my episode, she gave her enthusiastic consent!

As you listen to this month's episode you'll hear why her enthusiasm for guiding others to their singing goals is not only natural, but truly exuberant, joyful and authentic.

Though I often act independently, I love team work. That said, I'm still learning how to ask for help. At times I even struggle to take up others on their offers of support.

Jill truly loves what she does.  Her level of expertise is enlightened. Her offers of guidance and assistance are genuine.

I may not be going on tour any time soon, but I am making progress in ways that matter to me. So much of this is thanks to Jill and her undeniable talent.

While I have the incredible pleasure of working with Jill in person here in Vancouver, she has remarkable digital material, fantastic social posts, and also offers online lessons.

You know what that means...

Sing with Jill!

https://singwithjill.com

https://www.instagram.com/singwithjill/

https://www.tiktok.com/@singwithjill

Do you love it?!?

The what, why, and how of who, where, and whatever.

My conversations with Gracie Hagen are never linear, but they are always thoughtful. Somehow even our silliest takes - riffing on body cavities and billie goats, takes us somewhere meaningful.

In May we traveled to Washington state to make art and reconnect IRL. The resulting images are some of my favourite to date, and also include some images where a pair of goats stole the show.

Of course, none of this was unusual for Gracie & I. We have been finding our way into (and creating photo evidence of) adventures since 2012. What has changed in the intervening years is our ability to identify which parts are worth looking deeper into, and which ones are simply something we will do differently next time.

Tune into episode 18 of WTF with CDJ to hear more about Gracie's latest series, and a little tangent about Kevin Costner too.

Follow Gracie here:

https://www.graciehagen.com

https://www.instagram.com/graciehagen/

Do you love it?!?

The what, why, and how of who, where, and whatever.

Behind the booth, in front of it, or free from one completely - Shotgun & I have

attended (and outlasted) many conventions.

Tune in for part 2 of our chat for more of our thoughts on community, kindness, and comfort.

https://anchor.fm/tita-dujour/episodes/Episode-16-The-Interview---Shotgunlovesyou-e1ohk7u

Follow Shotgun here:

https://www.patreon.com/shotgunlovesyou

https://www.instagram.com/shotgunlovesyou/

https://onlyfans.com/shotgunlovesyou

Do you love it?!?

The what, why, and how of who, where, and whatever.

21 years after the launch of suicidegirls.com it turns out you can put two OG SGs in a virtual room and it ain't nothing new...

Find out what we have in common with The Girls Next Door, and why the Spice Girls helped Shotgun take "Girl Power" to a whole other level in episode 16 of WTF with CDJ!

Follow Shotgun here:

https://www.patreon.com/shotgunlovesyou

https://www.instagram.com/shotgunlovesyou/

And don't forget, you can catch the video companion to this episode on OF! 

Do you love it?!?

The what, why, and how of who, where, and whatever.

Tita X Gracie Hagen - the start of something...

Gracie Hagen & I speak almost every week. What began as a creative project designed to keep our pandemic possessed brains from turning to mush, has morphed into a long form conversation about the nature of creativity.

While our original idea remains a work in progress, the things we have made since 2020 - individually and together are a thing worthy of sharing in their own right.

Join us for a conversation about process and processing, production and procrastination - with a healthy side of "ignorance". (We hope you find it charming.)

Follow Gracie here:

https://www.graciehagen.com

https://www.instagram.com/graciehagen/

Do you love it?!?

The what, why, and how of who, where, and whatever.

If you can't bring a knife to a gun fight - you definitely shouldn't bring a figure skater to a boxing match.

Unless the ice skater in question is me, and the friend in her corner is Jessika Thurteenluck!

A talented singer, business woman, hair stylist and punk rock bad ass - "Big Bad Jess" knows how to make herself heard, and can't help but be known (as in recognized) in every venue in Vancouver.

Tune in as we talk about Ellismania, Vancouver venues, and wax about When We Were Young.

Follow Jessika here:

https://www.instagram.com/thurteenartistryinc/

Do you love it?!?