more karaoke fun (y'know....there's an app for that?! part 2)

As you may recall, I have found a karaoke app that I adore (mostly) -- Smule Sing! Karaoke -- it's a virtual karaoke setting that allows you to sing with others from all over the world, or pay to be able to sing alone (or you can utilize a free trial offer - which I did!).

If you download the app, use your ear buds - trust me! :)

Also, add me -- @kokojo2k15 -- we could make beautiful music together ♫♪♫♪♫♪

There are some cool filters for your voice too – I rarely use them, but sometimes they come in handy ;)

Remember – you’re singing with ear buds and NOT seeing the person you’re singing with in real time – it can be tricky and probably won’t sound wonderful, but it’s FUN! ;)

Also, there are ‘bad versions’ of songs, just like at times at karaoke when there are 2 or 3 versions of a song and one goes with the beat, one doesn’t…you just find the version that works best for you ;)

Here are some additional songs that I have recorded -- in no particular order

Bust a Move -- I'm the female part (of course LOL)
http://www.smule.com/recording/young-mc-bust-a-move/132758694_704796280

Jolene (acoustic) -- I'm the 2nd female voice; solo around "your beauty is..."
http://www.smule.com/recording/dolly-parton-jolene-acoustic/187544031_704807355

Skinny Love -- I'm the female, of course LOL
http://www.smule.com/recording/birdy-skinny-love/217684346_711649062

Pour Some Sugar On Me (some background noise - and a less than stellar partner, but it was fun!)
http://www.smule.com/recording/def-leppard-pour-some-sugar-on-me/766879134_714266303

You Know I'm No Good (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/amy-winehouse-you-know-im-no-good/581172328_494578581

I Touch Myself (solo) **
http://www.smule.com/recording/the-divinyls-i-touch-myself/581172328_494567767

** WARNING: these lyrics are rather racy and sexual (you've been warned LOL) **

y'know....there's an app for that?!

So, maybe I'm late to the app party - having only upgraded to a smartphone capable of utilizing apps in 2013 when I purchased my Samsung Galaxy.  Then, in 2015 (maybe...?), I updated to an iPhone.  Sweet Baby Jesus!  I have a love/hate relationship with this device.  I admit it, it's mostly love, but there are quirks about the device that drive me INSANE! *lol*  I hate that my ringtones can't utilize free ringtone apps like Zedge without jumping through multiple hoops to get them on and off and on again via iTunes.  I hate that my memory is so fleeting (the device memory folks, but hey...if the shoe fits...and it does most days...by all means, lace that bitch up and flaunt it!).

Anyway, I have found an app that I adore (mostly) -- Smule Sing! Karaoke -- it's a virtual karaoke setting that allows you to sing with others from all over the world, or pay to be able to sing alone (or you can utilize a free trial offer - which I did!).

If you download the app, use your ear buds - trust me! :)

Also, add me -- @kokojo2k15 -- we could make beautiful music together ♫♪♫♪♫♪

There are some cool filters for your voice too – I rarely use them, but sometimes they come in handy ;)

Remember – you’re singing with ear buds and NOT seeing the person you’re singing with in real time – it can be tricky and probably won’t sound wonderful, but it’s FUN! :)

Also, there are ‘bad versions’ of songs, just like at times at karaoke when there are 2 or 3 versions of a song and one goes with the beat, one doesn’t…you just find the version you like ;)

Here are some of my songs I have recorded over the past 6 months or so -- in no particular order

If You See Him/Her --
http://www.smule.com/recording/reba-mcentire-brooks-dunn-if-you-see-him-if-you-see-her/490108650_591705936


Move It On Over --
http://www.smule.com/recording/hank-williams-sr-move-it-on-over/392504963_562246876


Then You Can Tell Me Good-Bye
http://www.smule.com/recording/then-you-can-tell-me-goodbye/392504963_562243604


Give Me One Reason (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/tracy-chapman-give-me-one-reason-2/581172328_504158621


Get The Party Started (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/pink-get-the-party-started/581172328_504146472


Come To My Window (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/melissa-etheridge-come-to-my-window/581172328_504136953


I've Still Got My Health (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/bette-midler-ive-still-got-my-health/581172328_504080622


Black Horse & Cherry Tree (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/k-t-tunstall-black-horse-and-the-cherry-tree/581172328_504072331


Some Kind of Wonderful (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/grand-funk-railroad-some-kind-of-wonderful/581172328_504053767


If I Could Turn Back Time (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/cher-if-i-could-turn-back-time/581172328_494592606


You Know I'm No Good (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/amy-winehouse-you-know-im-no-good/581172328_494578581


I Hate Myself For Loving You (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/joan-jett-i-hate-myself-for-loving-yu-joan-jett/581172328_494561619


I Love Rock & Roll (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/joan-jett-i-love-rock-n-roll/581172328_494553347


Knock Three Times (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/tony-orlando-knock-three-times/581172328_494547852


Nobody (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/sylvia-nobody/581172328_494514890


Sway with Me (duet with another female - I'm the 2nd voice - a little lower than her)
http://www.smule.com/recording/dean-martin-dean-martin-sway/226252511_494505216


Black Velvet (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/alannah-myles-black-velvet/581172328_494499155


Dreams (solo + video = I was being a little goofy)
http://www.smule.com/recording/fleetwood-mac-dreams/581172328_494484403


Let's Make Love (duet with male -- I'm obviously the female voice "Faith")
http://www.smule.com/recording/faith-hill-tim-mcgraw-lets-make-love/588477637_494472527


Stay (solo)
http://www.smule.com/recording/sugarland-stay/215947734_485930724


Keep Your Hands to Yourself (duet with male - I'm obviously the female voice)
http://www.smule.com/recording/keep-your-hands-to-yourself/132758694_485916724


Cake By The Ocean (duet with the group - being silly - way out of my comfort zone LOL)
http://www.smule.com/recording/dnce-cake-by-the-ocean/649527559_485911320


Girl Crush (duet with another female -- I'm the 2nd female voice to come in to the song)
http://www.smule.com/recording/little-big-town-girl-crush/187544031_485900405


You Oughta Know (duet with another female - I'm the 2nd female voice to come in around "you seem very well...")
http://www.smule.com/recording/alanis-morissette-you-oughta-know/292463746_485893891


Hand In My Pocket (duet with another female – I come in 2^nd “I’m High but I’m Grounded”…)
http://www.smule.com/recording/alanis-morissette-hand-in-my-pocket/292463746_485885282

La Isla Bonita (duet with another female – I come in 2^nd “young girl with eyes…”

http://www.smule.com/recording/madonna-la-isla-bonita/52047006_485880878

Wonderwall – Acoustic (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/oasis-wonderwall-acoustic-version/506552647_485873191

I’ll Be (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/edwin-mccain-ill-be/506552647_485869569

Daddy’s Hands (duet with another female – I sing 2^nd – “I remember Daddy’s Hands…”)

http://www.smule.com/recording/holly-dunn-daddys-hands/482551799_459838788

Somewhere Over The Rainbow (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/israel-kamakawiwoole-somewhere-over-the-rainbow/506552647_459809628

When I Was Your Man (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/bruno-mars-when-i-was-your-man-acoustic/506552647_459795503

What Might Have Been (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/little-texas-what-might-have-been/117823482_459781598

Take It Easy (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/the-eagles-take-it-easy-cover-the-eagles/392504963_459774973

Can’t Feel My Face (duet with male – I have a techno type filter on my voice – and he’s a little off key)

http://www.smule.com/recording/the-weeknd-cant-feel-my-face/209085877_459767399

Zombie (duet with female – I’m 2^nd – I come in “But You See…”)

http://www.smule.com/recording/cranberries-zombie/292463746_453457023

Part of Your World (duet with male – my voice cracks a bit – whoops LOL)

http://www.smule.com/recording/the-little-mermaid-part-of-your-world/506552647_453448038

Need You Now (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/lady-antebellum-need-you-now/506552647_453442229

End of the Road (piano – duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/boyz-ii-men-end-of-the-road-piano/506552647_453436031

Try (acoustic – duet with male – I come in on chorus and then sing alone)

http://www.smule.com/recording/pink-try-acoustic-piano/390032649_453429205

Baby Blue (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/george-strait-baby-blue/32450234_453419548

Neon Moon (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/brooks-dunn-neon-moon/226648004_341355277

Thank You (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/dido-thank-you/533917917_341345867

Losing My Religion (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/r-e-m-r-e-m-losing-my-religion-piano/117408632_341326994

Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/bryan-adams-have-you-ever-really-loved-a-woman/117408632_341323810

You Got It (solo)

http://www.smule.com/recording/roy-orbison-you-got-it/340960662_341312104

Sharp Dressed Man (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/zz-top-sharp-dressed-man/117408632_341303439

The Hanging Tree (collaboration with other singers – I’m in there somewhere LOL)

http://www.smule.com/recording/jennifer-lawrence-the-hanging-tree/457923099_340036813

Chasing Cars (duet with male – I’m a bit pitchy at first but I love the chorus)

http://www.smule.com/recording/snow-patrol-chasing-cars-acoustic/506552647_341293447

Part of Your World (duet with female – I’m part 2 “Look at this trove”)

http://www.smule.com/recording/the-little-mermaid-disney-part-of-your-world/262933400_341286037

All Out Of Love (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/air-supply-all-out-of-love-acoustic/506552647_341282058

Whiskey Lullaby (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/paisley-krauss-whiskey-lullaby/117823482_341272255

Hero (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/enrique-iglesias-hero-acoustic/117823482_341258968

Build Me Up Buttercup (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/the-foundations-build-me-up-buttercup/533917917_341254784

Drops of Jupiter (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/train-drops-of-jupiter/83886271_341251080

You Are My Sunshine (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/you-are-my-sunshine-open-mic/392504963_326768412

Locamotion (duet with female – I come in mainly on choruses)

http://www.smule.com/recording/locamotion/516099901_326762808

Oops! I did it again! (duet with female – I come in on choruses and “You see my problem is…”)

http://www.smule.com/recording/britney-spears-oops-i-did-it-again/631014608_326758778

Seven Spanish Angels (duet with male)
http://www.smule.com/recording/willie-nelson-seven-spanish-angels/83886271_326744469

A Picture of Me Without You (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/george-jones-lorrie-morgan-a-picture-of-me-without-you/478106091_326741010

Two Sparrows in a Hurricane (duet with female – I come in on chorus and “Baby Cryin’ and One More…”)

http://www.smule.com/recording/tanya-tucker-two-sparrows-in-a-hurricane/146293134_326736588

Cups (duet with female – I come in “2 bottle of whiskey” – we change off)

http://www.smule.com/recording/anna-kendrick-cups-when-im-gone/631014608_326731768

I’m Coming Over (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/chris-young-im-comin-over/226648004_326721054

Crimson & Clover (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/tommy-james-and-the-shondells-crimson-and-clover-tommy-james/243810895_326714729

When I Said I Do (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/clint-black-lisa-hartman-black-when-i-said-i-do-harmony-split-up/226648004_326709147

Baby Got Back (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/sir-mix-a-lot-baby-got-back/506552647_326703198

The Whiskey Ain’t Working (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/travis-tritt-the-whiskey-aint-workin/392504963_326692825

Desperado (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/desperado/394222820_326684392

Hero (piano – duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/enrique-iglesias-hero-piano-cover/506552647_326680912

People Are Strange (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/the-doors-people-are-strange/188442857_326675742

Summer Nights (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/grease-summer-nights/533917917_321335904

Otto Titsling (from Beaches – duet with female – I’m 1^st voice – we change off; she has more of an echo)

http://www.smule.com/recording/bette-midler-otto-titsling/242580793_321316501

Please Forgive Me (duet with female – she has more echo -  I come in with “first time our eyes met…”)

http://www.smule.com/recording/bryan-adams-please-forgive-me/242580793_321301530

Sugar (acoustic – duet with male – he is a bit high pitch – I come in with “when I’m without you…”)

http://www.smule.com/recording/maroon-5-sugar-acoustic/209085877_321295931

At Last (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/celine-dion-at-last/243810895_321291746

Somewhere Over the Rainbow (duet with female – she has an echo – I come in on 2^nd “Somewhere…”)

http://www.smule.com/recording/martina-mcbride-somewhere-over-the-rainbow/516099901_321287350

Blue Christmas (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/elvis-presley-blue-christmas/533917917_321282163

Just To See You Smile (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/tim-mcgraw-just-to-see-you-smile/533917917_321280342

Chandelier (duet with female – I’m 2^nd voice – she sounds like broken English perhaps)

http://www.smule.com/recording/sia-chandelier/457923099_320099242

Just Give Me a Reason (duet with male – I sing Pink’s part – first/female)

http://www.smule.com/recording/p-nk-ft-nate-ruess-just-give-me-a-reason/529189426_320094767

Marvin Gaye (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/charlie-puth-marvin-gaye/506552647_320085134

Cry To Me (duet with female – I’m 2^nd voice – she has a distinct echo)

http://www.smule.com/recording/solomon-burke-cry-to-me-dirty-dancing/516099901_320080773

Love Is Strange (duet with female - she has a distinct echo)

http://www.smule.com/recording/mickey-and-sylvia-love-is-strange/516099901_320077565

Sway (Michael Buble – duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/michael-buble-sway/506552647_320072536

I’ll Make Love To You (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/boyz-ii-men-ill-make-love-to-you/533917917_320067886

Don’t You Want Me (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/human-league-dont-you-want-me/533917917_320063689

In The Still of The Night (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/boyz-ii-men-in-the-still-of-the-night/533917917_320056946

Creep (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/radiohead-creep-setneupm-remix-rainy/117408632_314444007

Big Girls Don’t Cry (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/fergie-big-girls-dont-cry/533917917_314434942

Crazy (duet with female – I’m 2^nd voice – she has a distinct echo)

http://www.smule.com/recording/patsy-cline-crazy/516099901_314430436

Unwell (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/matchbox-twenty-unwell/533917917_314426684

Break Down Here (duet with female – I’m first voice and again on choruses, etc)

http://www.smule.com/recording/julie-roberts-break-down-here/429287023_314423849

How Will I Know (duet with male – he’s a bit high pitched)

http://www.smule.com/recording/sam-smith-how-will-i-know/209085877_314420921

Dancing Queen (duet with female – I’m 2^nd voice “anybody could be that guy” – she has a distinct echo)

http://www.smule.com/recording/abba-dancing-queen/516099901_314418408

Say Something (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/a-great-big-world-say-something/188442857_314412451

When I Was Your Man (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/bruno-mars-when-i-was-your-man-acoustic/506552647_314409413

Forget You (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/cee-lo-green-forget-you/533917917_314404172

Love Me Like You (duet with male)

http://www.smule.com/recording/love-me-like-you-do-piano-male-key/506552647_314401356

Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’ (duet with female – I’m 1^st voice – she has more echo to her voice)

http://www.smule.com/recording/journey-lovin-touchin-and-squeezin/452769284_310604322

'dem bones, 'dem bones...

It's been a while since I have last updated -- same 'ol, same 'ol really -- port flushes, scans and follow ups with the medical oncologist (Dr M and CNP LT).  I had a rash at my last visit, coupled with swelling and pain under my right breast and arm -- the docs decided it was most likely lymph fluid building up and settling and aggravating scar tissue (and the right side is more susceptible to rashes and such since the fluid doesn't flow like it should) -- but they ordered an ultrasound and mammogram to rule out any other culprits for the current conditions.  I admit it - I was nervous.  Shit, I think I'll always be nervous when I go for a scan anymore.  Once you hear that C word, how can you NOT be nervous?  It will always be there -- that pesky little "what if". 

So, off I went to the Magee Imaging Center at UPMC St Margaret on January 21st.  Thankfully, I had my gal (JAC) by my side to keep me calm and be there for me if the results were less than optimal.  We were supposed to start with the ultrasound and move to the mammo (if deemed necessary) -- however, we started with the mammo -- right side only (which was ruled as clear) and followed with the ultrasound to get a closer look at the underarm and lymph nodes -- just in case.  Thank God, both were viewed then and there by their resident doc and ruled as clear.  *whew*  I do go back in April for my annual routine mammo -- but at least for the time being, I know my right side is clear.

I returned to the Magee Imaging Center at UPMC St Margaret on January 25th for a DEXA Scan.  Yep, a bone density scan.  Because I'm POST menopausal (thanks to the hysterectomy) at 36 years old.  Because I've been through chemo and radiation treatments.  Because I take Arimidex (which can affect bone density).  Because of family history (mom has osteopenia, pap has osteoporosis).  Because...because...because.   

Thursday, January 28th I received a call from the UPMC Cancer Center in Natrona Heights.  I thought, "Oh, Crap!  They're calling with results -- this can't be good!"   I spoke to CNP LT.  And guess what?!  I too have osteopenia!  At 36 years old, I have the precursor to osteoporosis.  Reviewing my medication list, we know that I already take calcium + vitamin D every day, twice a day.  The next step is to do a blood panel to check my levels of vitamin D to see which direction to go with medications and how to get my body to better absorb the calcium so that I can stave off osteoporosis (indefinitely, if not just for a few more years).

Today I am heading to UPMC Cancer Center in Natrona Heights for my blood draw.  Thank goodness I like those gals in the lab -- the nurses are awesome (even though I do miss a few lovely ladies from the Tony Teramana Center in Steubenville).  I also go for a screening for physical therapy to return to regular visits for my lymphedema in my right arm, breast and trunk. 

Wish me luck!

xo