Eight Minutes

As a bellydancer, the best advice I ever received to keep my practice a part of my every day life was the rule of eight minutes.

Sounds simple right? And eight minutes really that long. Right?

Wrong. It is. Especially when you're doing glute shimmies for eight whole minutes. Eight long agonizing minutes. But, let me tell you, it works.

That simple little work out keeps my muscle memory, gives the inspiration to want to do more, and fits in to my hectic life.

Find the perfect songs, and you are on your way. Put on the tunes, and shimmy away.

With this time alotment, I either drill one move (ie glute shimmy, oblique shimmy, arabic) or a drill of combined moves.

Now, this means my muse and I are on the same page and we get a little time together every day.

Flexibility

When to read, that is the question.  And when to dance. 
I've had to learn flexibility all over again, not just for my body, but for my time and mind.
Make the effort, or the time will just pass on by.
Why do we feel we have to wait for things to happen?  This is the silliest thing, yet we all do it.
Things that I will no longer wait for...
Eight minutes of drilling.
Sun salutations...what a beautiful way to greet the day.
My book vacations.  Especially when the beautiful garden and sunshine are cooperating. And there are soooooooooooo many books I'm dying to get through (hello, Larissa Ione, you kill me!  And don't get me started on Lothaire staring at me and begging me to get on with it!!!).
Enjoy my beautiful life, that is full of so many blessings.
And last, but not least...this blog.  Update and reviews...now that I've finally getting my balance on.

Anyone have a book they can't wait to read, or is the best they've read so far this Summer?  OR, is your list like mine?  So much to do, so little time.

To Read, Or Not To Read

It's still there, lurking and waiting. Sometimes, it looks at me with longing. Other times, the feeling generates guilt. I know it's mad at me or feels abandoned.
The It? My TO BE READ pile. Or, as my husband calls it, the collect dust while everything else speeds on by pile.
Truly, I'm not sure the culprit is as simple as a reading slump or as complicated as I have a life changing event coming in a little over two months.
I have a feeling it's a bit of both.
To be honest, I'm overwhelmed with everything I have to do to get ready for my lil bundle of chaotic joy. Even the everyday simple mundane tasks seem overwhelming. (Don't even get me started on the kitchen remodel that keeps getting stalled. Oy.)
So, to get myself out of my slump, I pulled out an oldie but a goodie. Okay, maybe not that oldie.
If you've visited me in the past, you know the love I have for Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series. After a few months of overwhelming (are you sensing a theme here?) feelings, I knew the only thing that could pull me out of this funk was Irial. And Niall. And Seth. And Ash..and Donia...and I hope you get the point.
So, five books later, I've finally picked up something new...partially to help my brain take a break every now and then. I'll let you know how it works!
And, I've decided to let the parts of the brain that can't seem to let go have its own voice on a lil blog I've started. If you want to check it out, great. If not, that's cool. But I hope you'll stop back.

Where Oh Where Have I Been?

Ever have a moment when you, in the blink of a moment, say "How in the world did I end up here?" (Mostly because you don't remember getting on the super duper fast train that has led you to this spot in a loud screeching stop!!!!)

That's been my life...in a blur of sorts, in the last few months.

My whining, you've no doubt, seen on my Twitter. The ankle. Yep, it's still there. My advice to y'all...if you ever get a boo boo, don't put off getting it looked at. Sucking it up works well in some situations, but in one such as this, it can seriously mess up your life...almost permanently. (I've been told a break would have been better.)

Because, I have a complication. A happy one, yet still a complication.

Yep, I'm expecting a little pumpkin! Now, this may be the only mention you'll see around these parts...but, the little one complicated the whole healing process. Not to mention the insanity of the day job. Nine hours on your feet five days a week on marble sucks, as I'm sure some of you know. Add to the whole shebang doctors telling you about the weight that you will be gaining (happily, but still...), and not being able to have any sort of meds save tylenol. Might as well give me just a glass of water and a sugar cube...And frozen ankle syndrome? *Shudders*

But, finally the healing has begun...the sleepless nights, morning sickness (stupid name, by the way!), the aches, the tears are becoming a memory. Not quite distant, but soon, I hope! With hard work and little faith in myself. And maybe chocolate. Or strawberries. Both?!

And with that, even as I haven't danced in such a long time or even logged on here, I'm slowly coming around.

So I look forward to seeing you all again...

Midnight Musings...Missing My Shimmies!

The hardest part of any injury is the healing. Its incredibly and undeniably easy to injure yourself, sometimes so much so that you haven't even realized the severity until its, well, that severe.

And it sucks even more when you're a bellydancer.

The moment the EVENT (as I call it now, and not fondly) occurred, I honestly just stood up and brushed myself off and went on with my day. Not much slows me down, and I figured it was only a tad sore.

Looking back, I was an idiot. We all do it, forgetting to put ourselves and our wealth fare first.

So, here I am. Almost two and a half months, six x-rays, tons of anti-inflammatory meds, an air cast, countless icing sessions and one cortisone shot later. Still miserable and on a slow road of physical therapy and wondering if I'll be able to actually stand in the morning or even walking by the end of the day. And, barely twenty minutes of actual bellydance activity in that entire time. (I can kinda couch bellydance...real cute, let me tell you.)

Tonight, my girls and I have a benefit for a children's hospital, which I've been to committed to since November. And I desperately want to do. it..even if I have to fake it.

Here's to the Universe...you certainly have a way of making me remember what I really truly should be worrying about. And while it may no be okay for some people to be mean or just miserable when I'm at my job, its most definitely okay to miss doing the things you love. And to work hard to get back to them.

(While break a leg might be appropriate, I'll just send out a nice loud YIEP! and positive thoughts...coupled with some kick ass couch shimmies!)

Winners...Better Late Than Never

Sigh...

Let me tell you, the Holidays were actually much easier to deal with this year than I have ever experienced. Because, it was the days after that killed me.

Sadly, I lost the first man in my life a few days after Christmas. (My kitty Drew has been in my life longer than my husband. Which, seems like there's never been a time when I haven't had him around to lovingly torture.) Tore me up.

And, to add insult to injury...literally...it seems I have an ankle issue that has made me grumpier than a certain dwarf with a huge yet adorable sniffer. Finding a good doctor is a journey I do not envy anyone.

Which brings us to today (quickly, because Shadowfever finally got left at my door!!!!!!!!! *dances giddily* The following lovies won my Holiday Celebration (chosen by my pumpkin of a niece who wishes I had more contests she could help me with!)

Ahem...

A Highlander for Christmas....Stephanie!

Christmas CD and Larissa Ione swag...Debbie!

Goddess of the Sea...Cathie!

Devil to Pay....Dren!

(Be on the lookout for an email!!)

Tuesday Musings (with a twist)

Sigh...it's Tuesday, and last night was a rough one.

This week is a little hectic, mostly because I have vacation at the end of the week. Which translates to settling any and all problems that will invade work when I'm gone, getting the house ready (i.e. cleaner than ever) for the house sitter/puppy playmate, and (GULP) packing.
Gone to the wayside only slightly is my beautifully hatched idea to keep a schedule around here.

The cause? I blame Not Really Southern VampChick (wink) and Carolyn Crane (wink wink)...

"Most people think happiness is about gaining something, but it's not. It's about getting rid of the darkness you accumulate."

(Justine, Double Cross by Carolyn Crane)

You see, I came home last Monday after a grueling crazy day at work to find a one way ticket on a thrilling roller coaster ride. This little package was one of the most eagerly anticipated book to jump ahead my TBR pile for the year. I knew, without a doubt, that Double Cross would be devoured in less time than it takes me to glue my next bellydance costume together. Settling into my comfy pillows, the devouring began. Then, I realised what my week looked like....I have two ebooks waiting for review, this new sched....(you get the picture). But, the hooks were in.

Double Cross, you and I decided to have a lingering and respectful relationship. Because, while I didn't always like you (in fact, I yelled a few times...an entirely fabulous thing), I always respected, and yes, loved you. Stretching out the experience for almost a week (I worked a ton, in my defense...plus, its hard work to entertain the boy when he has time off with me!), last evening was the pentacle. And yes, my lil friend Collette egged me on to finish. (Thanks for helping me torture myself.)

When my eyes scanned over that quote, I knew I was in trouble. Because nothing could be closer to the truth...

Midnight Musings...October, The Monster Month!

Hmmm, when I set on this adventure, I told myself, like so many do, it would be easy. Who doesn't love to share their favorite new book and feel that rush when someone else feels the same way (especially after you've bugged them incessantly about your newest bookshelf addition--or in my case, book box, desk, another book box, AND bookshelf edition!).

Ahh, then that pesky little thing called life enters the picture. And you realise how insane your schedule really is. (Especially this month---I mean, really, who knew October was such a fun insane raging monster of a month?)

There are so many must reads I've crossed off my list in the past few weeks, that to review each and every one separately would: A.) Take entirely way too much time leaving none for puppy (not an option because she won't allow it), no bellydance (also a non-negotiable), and no fun time with the other half (which he already eyes the Droid as competition). LIGHT BULB!

So, here are my midnight musings encompassing the must-reads I've finally gotten down and dirty with (not really dirty, but you get the gist!) and a quickie review/drooling/ugh. Enjoy!

Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane....All this talk of Terrible Fever?!??!! What's a girl to do? Book pimpers, this one's all one you. My biggest issue? The drugs threw me off (I actually felt sheltered and confused *hangs head for a moment*) and made me leery. A different spin, and one that I found to be imaginative as well as pushing the envelope in the direction not many would go (our heroine is am addict, the dark brooding afore mentioned Terrible is named, well Terrible). And it works. While I don't entirely have Terrible Fever quite yet, here's to joining y'all on the journey. I already have the next one lined up....

Sin Undone by Larissa Ione...Seriously, pure genius to take the two sexiest creatures of paranormal hotness in the form of the darkly sexy vampire/alpha yummy werewolf Con. Seriously...enough said.

Fallen by Lauren Kate...Cover art alone sold me on this book. Unfortunately, it took me quite awhile to actually get it into my hot little hands! There seems to be a trend leaning towards angels in my reading cue of late, and this was the first to jump into the fray. A little slow for me at first, but then I hit a point where I couldn't put it down. There are threads to be unraveled (some of which I'm positively itching to uncover!)...and luckily for me, Torment is now available. (Sigh...the only question is, when? Have you seen my pile?)

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick...Patch, you evil little bugger (I mean that affectionately, I assure you). Fate stepped in, because I believe if I would have read Hush Hush before Fallen my opinion of Luce and Daniel would have paled in comparison to Patch and Nora. My favorite YA authors have always been the ones who aren't pulling back or dumbing down their work for their audience. The respect them in such a way that it only makes the story telling that much better for it. Perfect example.

And with that, I have to say my words are jumbling and not quite cooperating. Til next time!

Adventures at Wizard World Chicago...Giveaway!

Is there anything better to a fangirl than Stormtroopers, Slave Princess Leia, Batman, or even Harley Quinn rubbing elbows with you as you search for the first issue of Danger Girl? Yep. When its in Chicago!

Every year, the awesome man I married and I take a road trip to Wizard World Chicago in Rosemont. Crazy as we are, we actually drive to Chicago just for the day (5 1/2 hours there, and the same back) to get our fix on all that is comic greatness. Sometimes, its epic. (Take the year we snuck into a Joss Whedon Panel to hear the most deliciously Joss tale of Buffy, her new shiny boots, and Willow...priceless!) Seeing the entire Top Cow Universe and the amazingingly talented artists who bring it to life (and the first time I saw Michael Turner in person...), making my friend get Amber Benson to sign my Buffy card because I knew it woul dmake him blush.

There is nothing like getting to Chicago, parking in that parking garage (most of garages scare me, but not this one...its a portal to that which awaits!) and walking in to see Marvel, DC, Top Cow, Aspen Comics, Zenescope, Dark Horse....I could go on and on.

Except for this year. Sadly, there seem to be no major companies coming to hype up theirw new releases penned by the hottest artists, all in a row. More like a ghost town than a comic convention. Just a little disappointed in this department.

Instead, this year was an invasion. By the final five cylons (Hey, there, Hot Unccle Cooper), Buffy-ness (SPIKE! Glory! Xander!), the Captains Kirk and Picard, Adam West (da da da da da BATMAN), Terminator royalty, and wrestlers old and new. Although, the Slave Princess Leia was none other than Adrianne Curry. Wow...I only had to wonder how many fan boys had a fab day thanks to her hotness. Go Fangirls!

No Captain Tightpants. Sadness...

Alas, although I begged to take both Sam the Cylon (cough, cough, Michael Trucco) and the bloody awesomeness that is James Marsters home as souveniers to share with y'all, the husband wasn't having any of it. And so, I instead share this with you:







Imagine my supreme fangirl giddiness that transpired in the middle of the convention floor as I squealed and gushed over these lovelies. And let me tell ya why...the covers of both are by one of my favorite artists, J. Scott Campbell. (All the single ladies, if you want to get in to a conversation with a cute tatted up hunky fanboy, get yourself JSC's 2011 Calendar. Picking up will ensue!)




To celebrate all that was this comic con trip, I've decided to give away the first issue seen above (not only to give you some vampy-ness, but to suck you into the world of comics *evil laughter*!) and another goody from Chicago to two lucky winners! To enter, please just leave comment below, include email address (or if you're shy, send me an email with it) and tell me who you would dress up as at comic con. Open to U.S. and Canada...



Contest ends September 10th...

Where have I been?

Here's to hoping this lovely lil update doesn't mysteriously disappear (which, my dear friends, has happened twice since my life has slowed down enough for me to actually to sit my booty down and get to typing!!). One of which I really liked....sigh...



And, now, we're off!!


So, as you may or may not know, my little belly friends and I had a marvelous time at the coffee shop (which has turned into a semi-regular shindig). We have a benefit for autism coming up, which is a wonderful opportunity to give something back (so cliche, yet true). Plus, I am now teaching beginner's tribal fusion. Which also means more practice time for me (LOL if I only knew!) And that's just the beginning...


(Here's a little peak for you...right before my hip scarf shimmied its way to the floor!)














The good news...my little 63 pound baby girl (err, golden retriever bundle of playfulness) had a few weeks of health issues. She's all good now, but a puppy with a sprained "wrist" is a ton (well, maybe not that big, but I did have to carry her everywhere, including outside for her to...you get the picture) to care for. Which wore me out...


Work...I can't even tell you. Grrr. But, we all have that problem, in one way or another, don't we?



But, I missed you so much....promise!!


So, now what?


Well, getting ready to post my first ARC review...even though it's out already (I think I was low on the totem pole, but...well, you'll have to read to find out!!!) This may sound silly, but I was incredibly excited to finally get my grubby hands on an ARC. What can I say? It's the little things sometimes. So, thanks to Monica Burns and Angela.


I am now off to review...see you soon!!