2020 has been a tough year and my heart goes out to those who have endured challenges that I never had to encounter. Even though we prepare for the changing of the calendar we are far from being finished with this pandemic so all we can do is wait for the light at the end of the tunnel.
I have no shame in saying that I experienced many moments of sadness as regular disappointments became a part of my life. Still, I had to move on instead of dwelling on things that I was unable to control. On many occasions I would ask myself: what can I actually do right now while I am stuck at home? Yes, I am someone who rarely needs any sense of motivation but these difficult times made it hard for me to even want to get out of bed. Thank God for the people in my life who encouraged me when I really needed it because without them I don't think I would have made it.
So as I start this review of 2020 it is very important for me to keep that on the front burner because my accomplishments could not have happened without their support. I believe in my heart that they were there by the grace of God.
HCD (Humana Corpus Dignitate)
As many of you know, 2019 was the year I co-founded a Catholic ministry with Angel Delallana called Humana Corpus Dignitate. We had a great start as we had been going back and forth between the Los Angeles and Tucson areas leading retreats and talks at various Catholic parishes and schools on the dignity of the human person. The beginning of 2020 was actually an exciting time for us as we led some Confirmation retreats in the Tucson area before attending and doing a lot of networking at the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA.
Then the shut down occurred and like everyone else, we hit a wall while experiencing many losses along the way. We had a big week planned in the Los Angeles area as we were scheduled to lead multiple talks at St. Philomena Parish and School in Carson, CA before capping it off with a day long retreat at Pauline Books and Media in Culver City, CA. We tried to hold out as long as we could but as expected, each event was cancelled.
This would not be the last of our disappointments. We were scheduled to attend the Catholic Marketing Network Momentum International Trade Show & Conference in Dallas, TX and while that event did go virtual it also meant that we would not be able to personally meet and network with other people in the world of ministry. Later, the Arizona Marian Conference, which was an event I had attended multiple times before to sell my books, was also cancelled.
It was hard, especially when the cancelled dates arrived on our calendars. We would use some of that time to either talk about what we were feeling or to just pray together. Once the sadness disappeared it was time to get back to work.
First, some of our previous networking efforts allowed us to accept an invitation to appear on Jesse Romero's Jesus 911 Radio Show where we talked about the Pornification and Sexualization of Our Culture. This was right up our alley because we had the opportunity to share a lot of what we discuss during our presentations with a wider audience. Jesse is a passionate person who is also a straight shooter and he along with his listeners were also able to see that we have a similar approach. https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/jesus-911/04-jun-2020-the-voFQ_91jxVB/
Recently we were invited to appear on another Catholic podcast called Sewing Hope where we talked with Anne DeSantis and Bill Snyder about our ministry as well as some of the things we did to stay busy during the pandemic. They were both amazing to speak with and very supportive of what we are doing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23l2nm0xVHc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2F283G6Zqht4REpzIk1DczQ3eT3HFoB2uqrzhq-KfdV2WmPWTakNorEiM
Angel then did a total overhaul of our website and her amazing efforts gave a better presentation of all that we have done thus far as well what we can do virtually and in person. Everyone who has seen the updated website have praised her work, which is well deserved because she is very creative and talented. https://www.hcdtalks.com/
The website features our blogs as well as conversations that we had with some amazing people who are also in the world of ministry. We were honored to not only share the efforts of these great people but also learned so much during each conversation while also being inspired by all that our guests do for the Kingdom of God.
We also had some opportunities to lead talks and short retreats over Zoom in both parish and school settings so we were grateful to continue our work even if it was not in the way that we were accustomed to doing it. It was a great opportunity for us to learn how to adapt to these changing times while also giving us ideas on how we can employ technology once things level out.
As we continued to work I received some good news that will only help our ministry move forward. Prior to the creation of HCD I submitted an application to the Catholic Speaker's Organization. This past spring I was invited to join their roster of featured speakers. Once this happened I directed them to HCD and they were very excited to see what we were doing. Now they are reviewing Angel's professional and ministry background to see about adding her to their speaker's roster as well. Meanwhile, I am starting to receive inquiries for talks via Zoom so I am thrilled to be starting this new chapter of my life. https://catholicspeakers.com/profiles/carlos-solorzano-2
Soon after joining Catholic Speaker's Organization I finally received my certification through the Theology of the Body Institute so I can add that along with my college degrees and teaching experience in terms of what I bring to my background as a public speaker. On top of that, we can also add Angel's extensive medical education and experience as a medical professional along with her experience as a Nursing and Catechetical instructor.
This is very exciting time for us but we also know that it is a time for prayer and more learning, which is why we signed up for the Foundations Seminar on Science and Religion through the University of Notre Dame. Right now we have started the preliminary assignments that we have to complete before attending this conference that is scheduled for July of 2021. So far, it has been an amazing experience.
Sun Mirror Productions
About a month into the pandemic I was hit with some other disturbing news. My book publisher was going through some financial hardships so they made the difficult decision to allow authors a chance to sever their contracts. I spoke to Angel about this and inquired about the possibility of re-releasing my books through our ministry due to the fact that they all have a faith based theme. She was immediately taken by the idea and that's when she shared an idea with me: she wanted us to start our own production company!
This led to the creation of Sun Mirror Productions, which is an entity tied to HCD that would oversee the release of a variety of creative projects. Aside from my work in ministry and writing I also write my own original music and have been leading drumming Master classes for years. Angel is also very creative with her crafts and is now working with me on story ideas in order to create fictional scenarios that fit the message of our ministry. In looking at all that we do along with our ability to work well together it only made sense for us to assist each other with the distribution of these products. https://www.sunmirrorproductions.com/
Our first decision was to make some changes to my books. Thankfully, I Am His Mother didn't need a lot of work other than changing the name of the publisher on the product. That allowed us to get a product out there almost immediately and once that happened we got to work in terms of promoting it. As of now we are currently negotiating with some distributors about the possibility of getting the book in places where it is currently unavailable while working on an audio version of the book that will be released sometime in 2021. https://www.amazon.com/Am-His-Mother-Carlos-Solorzano/dp/B088BJLMC6/ref=tmm_pap_title_1?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Through Time & Eternity and An Early Apocalypse needed some work. Our first decision was that each of them would go back to using the original covers that were made by the brother in law. We also decided to go through the stories again in order to keep them closer to the way they were originally written. Through Time & Eternity was re-released on Halloween of this year while we plan to re-release An Early Apocalypse sometime during Lent in 2021. Meanwhile, we are starting to brainstorm on what will be the final book in what is called The Angelic Conspiracy. https://www.amazon.com/Through-Time-Eternity-Angelic-Conspiracy/dp/B08M2FXYNC
The final bit of writing that I was able to review and update was my music memoir titled A Speck in the Sand. The year 2021 will be special for me as it will be my 30th year of being a professional performer. So, I decided to commemorate that year with an updated version of this book that will include new pictures, updated reflections of past experiences along with reflections on events from the last five years. I am very pleased with all of the updates and excited for this version to be re-released sometime soon.
Finally, I have also had the privilege of watching Angel showcase her creativity as she has been making a number of beautiful Rosaries and other religious items. Many of these items are available on her Angelicrafts Etsy page and will also be available at Catholic conferences that we will be attending along with other HCD and Sun Mirror products once things level out. https://www.etsy.com/shop/AngeliCraftedinFaith
Music
The most obvious disappointment were all of the cancelled performances. Prior to the shut down my group Badlands had just come out of the gate and in the midst of a nice four month run. We were starting to gain some momentum when we had to face the reality of staying home for what seemed like a long time.
During our down time we reviewed our set list in order to solidify the sound of the band, did some rehearsing and then added another member who brought even more to the sound and energy of the group. Eventually things opened up again and even though there were restrictions we were still excited to be able to perform again. Each show has been a blessing for us and those who enjoy live music.
I did not want the lost gigs to weight me down so the last thing I did at home was sit around and think about it. After all, the life of a musician is more than performing in public. Right away I had made the decision to do some serious practicing on my drums while working on a lot of new musical ideas. It was during time that I was able to complete a few musical projects, which in turn expanded the number of products offered by Sun Mirror Productions.
First, I was already in the process of finishing what would become my second solo album called Beneath the Surface. Angel was the one who came up with the title and then made a beautiful cover before we released the music on my birthday of all days! This was an exciting time for me as this album allowed me the chance to share my other musical abilities and not just what I can do as a drummer. Aside from that we also decided to redo the cover for my Desert Drummer album, which allowed Angel to showcase more of her visual creativity. https://www.sunmirrorproductions.com/music
Second, I had developed a number of drumming exercises over the years that I use during my practice sessions so I decided to compile them into what would become my first drumming book: Precision Drumming: Exercises for Accuracy and Endurance in Common Time. Once again, Angel made a beautiful cover from a picture she took at a Master Class that I did in the Los Angeles area in the summer of 2019. I am very proud of this book and am most pleased with the reaction I have received from many local pro drummers in my hometown of Tucson, AZ along with some other high profile players who have also praised my work. https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Drumming-Exercises-Accuracy-Endurance-ebook/dp/B08C2543GH
Aside from that I was also given the chance to have a little bit of fun. I was very surprised when I was invited to take part in an online series called 10 Questions for Tucson Musicians. It gave me a chance to talk about my musical background, my love for some of my favorite musical groups while also having a few laughs, which I really needed at that time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKyCYDBtxMc&feature=youtu.be
Me Time
One of the joys I had during this pandemic was watching the Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA title and then watch my favorite sports team from my favorite sport ever win the World Series. I must admit that I never thought I would see it again but The Los Angeles Dodgers, after a 32 year wait, finally won the World Series again. Yes, I live in Arizona but I grew up in the Los Angeles area so I am down here living in the heat and taking the heat for loving two sports teams that most people hate. As of now I just say, don't hate, congratulate.
To see the Lakers tie the Boston Celtics with the number of NBA titles won by a franchise was something I had longed to see and now our stacked team looks like they have a chance to compete for another title next season that we hope will put the Lakers on top once and for all. We know that the Celtics won't take this lightly so I look forward to the upcoming NBA season.
I grew up watching and playing a lot of baseball and the Dodgers were always my team. I had many heartbreaks in my life but was still blessed to have witnessed their World Series victories in 1981 and 1988. While it took longer than any of us wanted we finally got our victory and the wait was worth it. I have watched the season and playoff highlights numerous times as it never gets old.
I don't know what's going to happen next season but my sports thrills from this year are forever. No asterisks, no exceptions. Every team had the same circumstances and challenges as the NBA and MLB did the best they could to give the teams a chance to play and the fans a chance to watch them play. How is that a bad thing? And for those who complain about the spending habits of both teams: Sorry if some billionaires will actually spend money to give their teams a chance to win while others prefer to sit back and complain. If anything, the Dodgers have shown that spending big bucks does not guarantee anything as the players still have to deal with the pressure of winning (that and cheaters like the Houston Astros & Boston Red Sox). So with that being said, give the players the credit they truly deserve.
Aside from the enjoying the most recent basketball and baseball seasons I also purchased several books about past Laker and Dodger seasons and have enjoyed the chance to relive some special memories. Of course any team from the Los Angeles area will have an interesting story to tell but this also gave me something interesting to do while remaining at home.
I also continued to pursue my passion for record collecting. Since I spent so much time at home it was time to search for musical treasures that needed to be in my collection as well as the collections of those close to me. It was great to find some things at a decent price while also surprising some of my loved ones with things that had been on their radar from quite some time. Just another example of how it's the little things that matter the most.
Looking to the Future
After my last gig of the year, the latest COVID-19 spike (which forced me to cancel a business trip to California to do more work with HCD....ugh, more disappointments!), as well as having my own COVID-19 scare (thankfully, I tested negative) I decided that it was time to stay home for the holidays and just chill out with my family. It's going to feel great to just be in my little desert oasis living the simple life.
I believe in hope but hope requires everyone to do their part to create a better future. I am not oblivious to this new normal that everyone is talking about so as always, it's about working hard while adapting to our ever changing environment. It's not like I haven't dealt with this before, which is why I live by this code: Tell me what I need to know and I'll deal with it.
Yes, I continue to feel the pain and struggle that has plagued our world this past year. Yes, there are still those days when I feel like giving up but that's when I rely on those who have encouraged me along with the determination that has driven me over the past several years. More than that, I don't want to waste the gifts that God has given to me.
Live! Love! Endure! Do the things that make you and others happy. Explore new opportunities and don't be afraid to share your gifts with the world. That is why I have been using this hashtag at the end of many of my posts:
#LiveYourLife
Yes, live your life! That serves as a word of encouragement to others as well as myself because no matter what, life is always worth living.
God bless you all!
@csolorzano18
IG:desertdrummer
https://www.reverbnation.com/carlossolorzano
