Time is of the Essence...Or, What Rachel Brice Taught Me

There are days when I wake up and think of all the wonderful things I need to accomplish that day.  From yoga, to choreography, to practice and drilling, and costume creation time.  Then, there are the everyday things...laundry, work, blogging, reading, raising an incredibly active one year old (a workout in and of itself and my most joyful and challenging activity!!), and the whole shebang. And then, the day sets in.  I lose all the joyful and end up just barely accomplishing some of the everyday.
Time management used to be my forte.  I had calendars, white boards, lists...
I call this time B.B.B.
Before Baby Boy.
The other days I wake up and try my hardest to not get caught up in the everyday.  The frustration.
As a bellydancer, or any kind of artist, inspiration isn't always enough.  Perfecting and practice are essential.  Thinking about drilling or costuming isn't enough.  It can help...keeps the mind engaged and inspires us.
One of my biggest inspirations is a person.  In my circles, she somewhat of a goddess...we giggle like fangirls and share our favorite youtube moments, choreographies, and memories.
Rachel Brice. 
And now, we have Datura Online to feed our obsession. 
But, this isn't just about that.
Last week on Facebook, Datura Online had an hour of Office Time with the Professor herself.  Ask a question and get your own slice of the wisdom pie. 
So, I logged on, thinking to just lurk and learn.  But, as I read the q&a, I became anxious.  I knew that I wasn't dedicating the time I desperately needed not only for my dance but for myself.  I saw no way to get in the impossibility of practice when there was someone who needed me and other everyday tasks that also demanded my limited time.
And so I asked.
Honestly, I didn't think I'd get an answer, but, figured, what the hay.  At least I would try.  A step in the right direction.
But an answer I got.  After the giddiness sunk in and I stopped squeeing, I smiled.
Simple and easy.  In a way. 
You see, I needed someone to tell me to take time for myself and my dance.  Practice isn't the only way to perfect your art.  You need to plan.
And so, now I plan.  With a cup of tea.  While ze bebe naps.  Then, I dance!!!!
Thanks Rachel.  Here's to month one.  And dusting of my trusty planner. And a pencil.
YIEP!!


Check out Datura Online and the awe inspiring awesomeness for yourself!!!

Five Things I Love About Comic Con

I admit it, I've spent most of this past weekend either pouting like the sad little fan girl/geeky mess I am over not being at Comic Con this year.  But, thanks partially to twitter (um, Wil Wheaton and his gorgeous wife, Aspen Comics, the Nerdist, Felicia Day, and many, many others!!) I at least felt like maybe, just maybe I could have been a somewhat blind and semi-deaf fly on the wall.
Especially considering that the Whedonverse opened its loving arms to the ten year anniversary of Firefly...

So, in lovingly somewhat pouting deference to all things Comic Con, here's Five Things I Love...Comic Con style.

1.) Costumes.  The best (or at least most memorable for me!) group I ever had the pleasure of experiencing happened just as I was entering my first San Diego Comic Con.  What could be better than a whole family making their way in, complete with Imperial Soldiers, a Jedi Knight, and...wait for it...two little Jawas!!!  I squealed and knew, one day, that this had to happen for me.  (Second was the actual life size Wolverine.)  Sadly, I  missed the picture opportunity.

2.)  This is my most favorite experience.  Ever.  Chicago Wizard World a few years back...the panels were all sold out (free tickets, but you get the picture), but my husband, being the awesomeness that made me marry him (and give him grief when I feel the situation is dire!), snuck us in to a Joss Whedon panel just in time to hear the unaired episode story that to this day, makes  me tear up.  Let's just say it involves Buffy, some gorgeous leather boots, Willow...and Tara.  Oh, and saving the world.

3,) Done the Impossible...the DVD that chronicles not only Serenity's fan driven passionate following of all things shiny, but documented the fact that I was, in fact, at San Diego Comic Con,  Right behind Joss Whedon.  (I'm in there somewhere...giggle.)  This leads me add the whole fact that geeks (this is a complimentary word, I assure you) can gather and feel totally amped about a cancelled show.

4.)  This year, it was the Firefly Ten Year Anniversary panel...and the tweets that allowed me to sniff back those tears along with the rest of you...

5.)  Being able to geek out with your favorite artist/creator/geek/actor.  Connection on a level that only happens when the Comic Con beckons.

This list is far from complete, and I'm sure I could add more, but I forced myself to pick five.  For now...

New Review...Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

From the back cover....

They're here.

They ride.

The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse.

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday...or let it ride...

Immortal Rider

Sexy, powerful, and immortal, Limos is on a crash course with destiny. She's been marked as Satan's bride and her jealous fiance wants her all to himself. The only way this Horseman can keep herself-and everyone else-safe is to keep her distance.

Arik Wagner knows the saying "love hurts" better than most, yet he never thought stealing a kiss from Limos would land him in Hell. Literally. It takes all his military training to survive the demon torture, but once he's topside, Arik realizes that the agony has just begun. With the Apocalypse looming and Satan demanding his bride, will Arik and Limos surrender to the desire smoldering between them? Or will giving in to their passion unleash hell on earth?

Missing your favorite daytime drama? I have the answer for you!

There are no shortages of hot steamy scenes (you know the kind...just imagine your favorite soap hero/heroine accidentally coming out of the shower only to see the one person he/she hates yet secretly longs for and will do anything to protect, even from the nasty mistakes they've made in the past that they've hidden from everyone they love that could now ruin their lives forever?)

You may think that soaps are cheesy, and I admit they can be...however, they are one of my absolute favorite guilty pleasures. Until Larissa Ione.

And I'll tell ya why. Each storyline in a soap somehow ends up repeating itself, even if its only partially. Yep, there's that one evil character who seems to be every one's daddy, and everybody hooks up (well, almost everyone) eventually. And every character has lied and cheated and is keeping secrets. This is where Ione sets herself apart.

Maybe it's the demons. Or the angels. It's most definitely the Horsemen.

Finally, a heroine I can sink my teeth into. Not only do I love Limos in her sassy ways, she has a great big ol heart thanks to her bros. Did I mention I'd love to crash at her pad? Sigh...always a soft place in my heart, those Hawaiian Islands. She's tough when she has to be, saucy when the time calls for it, and lays it on the line when the moment arises. Like any young immortal being, she has made her mistakes in the past. And, just like any immortal being, when you grow up, things catch up with you.

Arik sees the tough side, accepts it, and pushes past it. A tough military guy with connections with the Guardians and super secret military faction. Who gets in a bit of trouble over a little kiss. Scorching hot kiss, but if her only knew how that kiss would make things end up. Or where. Sigh...

There is a nice crossover with the Underworld General Hospital (demons and a hospital? Paranormal Soap Opera HEAVEN!) and we get a visit from some old friends as well as a look into the other Horsemen. Not to mention Harvester and Reaver...

If I had one complaint, it's that Satan himself is the Big Bad but doesn't make much of an appearance...something I'm hoping will show up as the series progresses.

Now, I'm left waiting and totally wanting for Thanatos' book.

Soap Opera? Nah, so much better...

Finally, the WINNER of Alien In The Family!

Sorry for the drawn out anticipation...as many of you may or may not know, I've been slowly recovering from an ankle injury (great for a bellydancer, let me tell ya) while expecting. A family illness pushed everything a little over the edge...

But, on a happier note, the winner is....

Jen B! I'll be emailing you to get your info!

Thanks for all of you who entered! It makes me happy to know that books still make us all turn into silly messes in a bookstore, or that a little Sam and Dean makes our day, and that a good ol comic book still does a little something!!

Here's to all of the Fan Girls out there, no matter what your passion may be!!!!!!

Alien In The Family Giveaway, Comic Geek Girl Style!

"Never piss off the comic geeks-girl."

If there's anything a comic geek girl loves, it's the ability to happily geek out while enjoying one of her other loves. The two collide, and geeking out occurs...This phenomenon, while rare, is truly an interesting sight to see...or hear.

So, imagine my utter happiness when my favorite amazonian warrior had a reference in one of my new favorite series, "Alien In The Family" by Gini Koch. (Yep, squealing that some might say only my gorgeous golden retriever could hear. But, what can I say?) What can I say, I totally had Wonder Woman Underoos. TMI, anyone? Anywho, in true geek girl fashion, the reference is used and corrected by the other secretly (or not) geek characters to truly embrace the true nature that is Wonder Woman. (Go fan boys and girls!!!!!) Now, where did I leave my lasso? Never mind...

(Side note, the picture above is beautifully rendered by Michael Turner, and is undoubtedly of my favorites...no copyright infringement intended! Check out Aspen comics and get inspired to geek out, too.)

Now, I've always had a thing for Iceman from Top Gun..and Goose...and Slider...and I could go on and on. Hmm...*shakes head* Thanks, Gini *grin* for all the fun times! (Hello, beach volleyball, anyone?)

Down to the business at hand. Up for grabs...a copy of Alien In The Family for one lucky winner, thanks to KLB Virtual Events.

To enter, answer one easy peasy little question...

What makes you geek out? Be it comics, a movie, your favorite new pair of shoes...Leave a comment below, contest ends May 18th.

Good luck, y'all! Open to U.S. and Canada only...