I used to dance. I used to teach dance. I used to be a choreographer. But not any more. Unfortunately, an injury to my back has left me with a permanent limp in my left leg. I can walk without help, especially if I concentrate, as I have been known to randomly lose my balance. Running is not advisable, and neither is dancing.
This is a very sad thing because for most of my life, dance has been a passion. I love it as an art form, a way to exercise, and mostly as a way to have fun and relieve stress. I can sort of bop around now, but truly busting a move is a difficult thing. And usually ends in tears from the pain. So I have done the adult thing and given it up. But I still love it. Which brings me to today's topic: Excellence in Dance.
Surfing through YouTube is a great way to see what is going on in the world of dance, and I have found a few outstanding examples of dance that have brought joy to my soul this week for a few different reasons. If you feel like taking the time, please watch these videos and leave a positive comment, because really, excellence should be celebrated.
1) The Naked and Famous - I Kill Giants. I love this band, their music is always good. This video is now one of my permanent favourites. When I would teach, and when I worked as a choreographer, I always tried to tell my dancers that it is not enough to portray the emotion on your face. You have to become that emotion with your whole body. This song is about losing someone to cancer, and these dancers become all the emotions of what it feels like to watch someone die. I've been through this and it's pretty spot on. Check it out here.
2) I love tap. I know that a lot of people say that it is boring. Watch this and tell me that's boring. I could watch this all day. It makes me so happy.
3) One of my all time favorites. It's amazing what this guy can do with his body. He's simply brilliant. Watch him move.
And finally, the dance group I founded still exists. It is now run by my most awesome former assistant, Brittany. Some of the members have left, but the core group remains the same. To those ladies I would like to say this: You are beautiful. You are talented. Dance is art, and the world likes to put labels on art. The world likes to criticize art. Don't listen, and don't accept any label that tries to attach itself to you. Only you know your purpose. Only you know your calling. Stay true to what is in your heart. Protect it. Nurture it. Let it out to breathe. And know that you are loved. Always. By me.
If you would like to see examples of what these ladies do, they have a YouTube page. Check them out and show them some love. People brave enough to post their talent on YouTube deserve some love.
P.S. I am participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). I'm making a Herculean effort to make some real progress on the novel I've been working on. Which will prove to be a challenge with all the travel I have scheduled for this month. What that means for you, dear readers, is that these blog posts might get a little wacky. But you should be used to it by now. See you next week.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
Fiction Friday, Post 1
Dear 2.5 people who read this blog,
Sorry for not posting since the 9th, but I've been dealing with a number of tricky situations, none of which I can blame on the aforementioned Squirrel with a Death Wish. As I mentally scrolled through the list of reasons why in order to create a clever post about them, I realized that none of them were really "blog worthy" reasons. They all deal with the mundane ins and outs of living a normal, ordinary life in a normal, ordinary town. They would all bore you, dear readers, to death. So instead, I've decided to declare today Fiction Friday, and tell you a story about a little blue fairy. (Legal note: I retain all rights to this story and any resemblance to other stories or people, living or fictional are purely coincidental and unintended, blah blah blah)
Once upon a time (but it was really four weeks ago) there lived a little blue fairy (Don't worry, she's still with us. This isn't one of THOSE stories. No tissues needed) Now the blue fairy had a very important job to do. Her job in the spring and summer was to go around all the flowers in the field and tell them how beautiful they are, so that they would raise their faces up and shine for all the world to see. And in the fall she would sing them to sleep and whisper to the trees to change their colors and drop them to cover the ground with brilliance. In the winter, she crafted icicles and snowmen. (In other words, she worked in social media)
Now one day, as she was whispering to the flowers and trees, she noticed that she was developing a strange itch on her ankles. "Oh my," she thought. "This is unusual." And she thought no more about it until she woke up in the middle of the night with the feeling that her legs were on fire, so itchy that nothing could relieve. She lay awake all night and cried, poor thing. The next morning, she tried wrapping her legs and arms (as the itch had spread) with healing leaves and attempted to go about her work as usual. But the itching continued.
After a week, and several dips in cups of chamomile tea, she thought it best to consult the Green Fairy Queen, who was knowledgeable in all ailments and remedies. The Green Fairy Queen reassured her that this was nothing to be concerned about, that she was making it worse by stressing out over it. The Green Fairy Queen recommended that the little blue fairy continue doing what she was doing and maybe try to relax.
So the blue fairy did just that, for two more weeks. Toward the middle of week three of the dreaded rash, she noticed that her eyes had begun itching. The next day, they were slightly swollen, but didn't seem to get much worse. Until the morning of the start of week four .....
That is when she awoke with her eyes so swollen that she could barely open them to see. Oh what dismay this brought to our sweet little blue fairy. Oh how she did cry. "I'm cursed!" she would exclaim. The Green Fairy Queen was quite concerned and insisted that the little blue fairy go on a fast, consuming nothing but water and pure juice for the next ten days. The little blue fairy complied and the next day the swelling in her face, though still very noticeable and painful, was a little better. The little blue fairy was still not feeling well, and was in need of a friend, so she called the red fairy, who lived in a far away mountain, to chat.
"Oh my little blue fairy, I am so sorry for you! This cannot be anything good! I wonder, though, if you haven't been holding in something. Something that is painful, something that is causing you stress and making you sick."
The little blue fairy thought about this and then replied "Yes!!! The Zombie Apocalypse is coming and all I have is soy sauce packets!!!"
*This post is lovingly dedicated to my hubby who has been amazing in nursing me back from the worst allergic reaction I have ever had, and who thinks all you need to save the world is soy sauce packets.*
*And for Nicole, who is always on the mountain, ready to tell me to get my **** together.*
Sorry for not posting since the 9th, but I've been dealing with a number of tricky situations, none of which I can blame on the aforementioned Squirrel with a Death Wish. As I mentally scrolled through the list of reasons why in order to create a clever post about them, I realized that none of them were really "blog worthy" reasons. They all deal with the mundane ins and outs of living a normal, ordinary life in a normal, ordinary town. They would all bore you, dear readers, to death. So instead, I've decided to declare today Fiction Friday, and tell you a story about a little blue fairy. (Legal note: I retain all rights to this story and any resemblance to other stories or people, living or fictional are purely coincidental and unintended, blah blah blah)
A Bad Day for the Little Blue Fairy
Once upon a time (but it was really four weeks ago) there lived a little blue fairy (Don't worry, she's still with us. This isn't one of THOSE stories. No tissues needed) Now the blue fairy had a very important job to do. Her job in the spring and summer was to go around all the flowers in the field and tell them how beautiful they are, so that they would raise their faces up and shine for all the world to see. And in the fall she would sing them to sleep and whisper to the trees to change their colors and drop them to cover the ground with brilliance. In the winter, she crafted icicles and snowmen. (In other words, she worked in social media)
Now one day, as she was whispering to the flowers and trees, she noticed that she was developing a strange itch on her ankles. "Oh my," she thought. "This is unusual." And she thought no more about it until she woke up in the middle of the night with the feeling that her legs were on fire, so itchy that nothing could relieve. She lay awake all night and cried, poor thing. The next morning, she tried wrapping her legs and arms (as the itch had spread) with healing leaves and attempted to go about her work as usual. But the itching continued.
After a week, and several dips in cups of chamomile tea, she thought it best to consult the Green Fairy Queen, who was knowledgeable in all ailments and remedies. The Green Fairy Queen reassured her that this was nothing to be concerned about, that she was making it worse by stressing out over it. The Green Fairy Queen recommended that the little blue fairy continue doing what she was doing and maybe try to relax.
So the blue fairy did just that, for two more weeks. Toward the middle of week three of the dreaded rash, she noticed that her eyes had begun itching. The next day, they were slightly swollen, but didn't seem to get much worse. Until the morning of the start of week four .....
That is when she awoke with her eyes so swollen that she could barely open them to see. Oh what dismay this brought to our sweet little blue fairy. Oh how she did cry. "I'm cursed!" she would exclaim. The Green Fairy Queen was quite concerned and insisted that the little blue fairy go on a fast, consuming nothing but water and pure juice for the next ten days. The little blue fairy complied and the next day the swelling in her face, though still very noticeable and painful, was a little better. The little blue fairy was still not feeling well, and was in need of a friend, so she called the red fairy, who lived in a far away mountain, to chat.
"Oh my little blue fairy, I am so sorry for you! This cannot be anything good! I wonder, though, if you haven't been holding in something. Something that is painful, something that is causing you stress and making you sick."
The little blue fairy thought about this and then replied "Yes!!! The Zombie Apocalypse is coming and all I have is soy sauce packets!!!"
The End
*This post is lovingly dedicated to my hubby who has been amazing in nursing me back from the worst allergic reaction I have ever had, and who thinks all you need to save the world is soy sauce packets.*
*And for Nicole, who is always on the mountain, ready to tell me to get my **** together.*
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
A Girl Can't Think Under These Conditions
Reasons why I can't get much writing done:
1) The squirrel with a death wish in the back yard. The dogs come in and less than 5 minutes later want to go out to chase said squirrel with death wish. This happens All Day Long. I believe it is an evil plot on behalf of the squirrel. Unfortunately, squirrel is faster than all three dogs.
2)Twitter and Facebook. Do I really need to explain this? Although I admit that my day job requires me to be on Facebook and Twitter as I run the social media accounts for my clients.
3)Tumblr and YouTube. I have no excuse for Tumblr. I blame that on my obsession with Doctor Who. YouTube wastes my time with this, this, this, this, this, and sometimes something like this. Don't try and tell me this is a problem unique to me. I know the interwebs!!
4) Did I mention the squirrel?
5) Occasionally I get lost in Knithacker's world. It's an easy thing to do.
6) Blue Byte Technology Solutions. Otherwise known as the day job. But since I own the company along with my husband, I guess I should do something every now and again. But my office is located in the home, so pajamas are sometimes acceptable under the dress code.
7) We've discussed the squirrel, right???
8) The desperate call for coffee and or tea at any given moment. I really dream of the day that the stuff makes itself and magically appears in front of me.
9) Actual writer's block. The paralysing realization that you've got nothing else to move the story forward. I have yet to figure out a decent way to deal with this. Right now, it's just frustrating.
And the Top Ten reason:
THAT BLASTED SQUIRREL!!!!!
1) The squirrel with a death wish in the back yard. The dogs come in and less than 5 minutes later want to go out to chase said squirrel with death wish. This happens All Day Long. I believe it is an evil plot on behalf of the squirrel. Unfortunately, squirrel is faster than all three dogs.
2)Twitter and Facebook. Do I really need to explain this? Although I admit that my day job requires me to be on Facebook and Twitter as I run the social media accounts for my clients.
3)Tumblr and YouTube. I have no excuse for Tumblr. I blame that on my obsession with Doctor Who. YouTube wastes my time with this, this, this, this, this, and sometimes something like this. Don't try and tell me this is a problem unique to me. I know the interwebs!!
4) Did I mention the squirrel?
5) Occasionally I get lost in Knithacker's world. It's an easy thing to do.
6) Blue Byte Technology Solutions. Otherwise known as the day job. But since I own the company along with my husband, I guess I should do something every now and again. But my office is located in the home, so pajamas are sometimes acceptable under the dress code.
7) We've discussed the squirrel, right???
8) The desperate call for coffee and or tea at any given moment. I really dream of the day that the stuff makes itself and magically appears in front of me.
9) Actual writer's block. The paralysing realization that you've got nothing else to move the story forward. I have yet to figure out a decent way to deal with this. Right now, it's just frustrating.
And the Top Ten reason:
THAT BLASTED SQUIRREL!!!!!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Coming Signs of the (Zombie) Apocalypse
I think that everyone can agree that these are strange times that we live in. The evening (or 24 hour) news is full of bad news. Governments are using chemical weapons on their own countrymen, gunmen are opening fire in schools and malls, terrorists bomb buildings and sporting events and our children cannot ride down the street on their bicycles anymore. Even the local news in my small town is full of murders and home invasion robberies. There is no such thing as safety anymore. The media tells us that our world is a ticking time bomb until The. Worst. Happens.
So what do we do to prepare for the worst case scenario? What should my husband do to keep his family safe from harm should we be under siege from unknown sources, no gas, no food, our lives in danger? Should we stockpile food, water, medical supplies, warm blankets? What does my husband, in all his wisdom do?
That, my friends, is his answer. Soy sauce packets from the Chinese take away. He says it will ward off zombies. This is his stash. I should also mention that there are three bottles of soy sauce in the refrigerator. So, that's one apocalyptic scenario covered. I feel so much safer now, don't you?
So what do we do to prepare for the worst case scenario? What should my husband do to keep his family safe from harm should we be under siege from unknown sources, no gas, no food, our lives in danger? Should we stockpile food, water, medical supplies, warm blankets? What does my husband, in all his wisdom do?
That, my friends, is his answer. Soy sauce packets from the Chinese take away. He says it will ward off zombies. This is his stash. I should also mention that there are three bottles of soy sauce in the refrigerator. So, that's one apocalyptic scenario covered. I feel so much safer now, don't you?
Friday, September 20, 2013
Silence, Part 1
So, I haven't been posting in a few years due to the fact that the tech company I own with my husband has been growing by leaps and bounds and that I have been spending my extra time working on my first novel. Look for that to be published some time next year. :)
But in the meantime, my friend Josh Petrillo has published on his blog a little spoof piece I wrote for him a few years ago. Even if you don't know Josh, you may find it funny. Give it a go.
Wonderbox - The Lost Years
If you are a deep thinker, you may enjoy his blog. And he's a great guy, addiction to Swedish Fish and Mike and Ike's notwithstanding.
As for me, I will be posting more frequently. Twice a week for now. And I may be giving you some sneak peeks at what I have been laboring with for so long. So for the two people who actually read my blog, today's your lucky day. Or not.
See you soon!
abc
But in the meantime, my friend Josh Petrillo has published on his blog a little spoof piece I wrote for him a few years ago. Even if you don't know Josh, you may find it funny. Give it a go.
Wonderbox - The Lost Years
If you are a deep thinker, you may enjoy his blog. And he's a great guy, addiction to Swedish Fish and Mike and Ike's notwithstanding.
As for me, I will be posting more frequently. Twice a week for now. And I may be giving you some sneak peeks at what I have been laboring with for so long. So for the two people who actually read my blog, today's your lucky day. Or not.
See you soon!
abc
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