Sunday, November 29, 2015

Love of the Dance

My friend Vincent surprised me with tickets to the Nutcracker this weekend and I loved it. This was the third time I’d seen the show but probably the first time I truly enjoyed it. To be fair, I was a kid the other times and I have never enjoyed wordless entertainment. Also, I think I appreciated it more because I too am a dancer. My mother put me in dance classes when I was five because she thought the exercise would solve the problem of my skinny legs. She was wrong, but my love of dance was born. I’ve danced in recitals and later in life in clubs. However, my appreciation of dance and dancers didn’t really come to life until I had to entertain an audience. I know what it feels like to worry about my wig being on straight or if my moves are on point. I know the exhaustion and the exhilaration of being on stage and figuring out when I can take a potty break while still in costume. There’s a lot you have to do to present perfection for an audience. Too many times dancers don’t get credit for all they do and all they inspire. The Nutcracker has reminded me that no matter its form, dance speaks to something in my soul. To be able to express oneself with arms and legs and facial expressions is a gift that I don’t want to take for granted. And I certainly don’t want to take it for granted in other dancers. Thank you Nutcracker for bringing me so much joy. What a way to start off the holiday season!

Sunday, November 22, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving Yall!

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, hands down. You’d think it was Halloween since it is my birthday and I love ghosts, or the Fourth of the July for the fireworks and barbeque or even Christmas with all of the pageantry that comes along with it. But none of them can hold a candle to Thanksgiving in my heart. The simplicity of breaking bread with those you love, appeals to me. It warms my heart that as a nation we have this one meal in common. I adore the idea of someone spending hours slaving in the kitchen to create a perfect meal for those dear to them. I love the fact that we focus on what we are thankful for and that there are no presents to take the focus off friends and family. Heck, I love the food! I hope this Thanksgiving you have the chance to spend it with someone you love and that you have something for which to give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

I am a Writer

Those of you who read this blog know that many times I use this blog to make confessions. So here goes another, I haven’t been writing consistently for a while. Like a long while. And when I say consistently, I mean hardly ever. Yup, I’ve been committing the sin of being a writer who doesn’t write. I don’t think it is because I don’t like my work in progress or because I don’t have the time. It is just so hard dang it. I was supposed to have completed my rough draft by the end of the summer. It is now mid-November and I’m still far far away from that goal. Rats. Most days I come home from work and all I want to do is lay in my Lazy Boy, watch some TV and read a good book (oh the irony I know). On the weekends I’ll think about my book , think about writing my book and before I know it, Sunday night has rolled around and all I’m doing is dreading the beginning of another work week—it has been one of those years. Going to my romance writers’ meetings are very inspirational and tend to light a fire under me, sadly the fire tends to die out by the end of that day. But I became inspired at my last meeting. I knew that NaNoWriMo was coming up and I wanted to participate, so I set that as my goal at the meeting. No, I’m not writing non-stop for hours every day, but I have committed to writing every day from October 24 until November 30. Let me tell you, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve battled tiredness, frustration, a weekend get-away, my birthday and a court summons. And yet I’ve kept my commitment to myself. Many days I only write three sentences (the minimum I’ve committed to) and sometimes I’ve written pages but through it all this experiment has reminded me that in order to be a writer I must write. After posting this blog I’ll be off to put in my pages for the day. My name is Mila; I am a writer, so I must write.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Happy Anniversary The Love She Wants!


It is the first year anniversary of The Love She Wants. I thought in celebration I'd post the scene from Moulin Rouge that helped inspire the tango scenes. I hope you enjoy!