Grey LA

Even overcast and gloomy,
LA is a vibrant city.
Everywhere you look tan people casually stroll along in their neon colored skinny jeans, bold patterns and over-the-top designer sneakers...
It might be; "fake" "trying too hard" or "ridiculous."
But it sure makes me smile when the sun won't!
I love LA!

Motivated!

I woke up today with a renewed motivation!
New projects on the horizon,
Plenty of work to get done.
Staying focused and positive is always the way for me...
I'm proud of my past, grateful for my present and excited about my future!

Travel Days...

Up too early,
I NEED coffee ASAP!
Meet in the lobby,
Waiting for the stragglers...
Airport: TSA... Don't even get me started.
Boarding group 5?!
Which is really 10 after First Class Executive EVERYTHING.
Can't wait to get back to LA!
I HATE travel days.

Utah

Gorgeous mountains capped in snow,
Blue skies stretched as far as the eye can see,
Friendly faces smiling bright-
No alcohol anywhere!

An Orchestra At Night...

Fire alarms ringing every fifteen minutes,
Car horns on Sunset blare so loud-
Helicopters hovering and circling the skies.
I want to go to bed,
But all I do is cry.
No sleep!

Back To Yoga!

Breath in and out,
Bend and stretch,
Release life's shit and really cleanse.
Mind, body, soul-
Yoga is my happy place in LA.
After a busy month,
I'm so glad to get back on the mat!

Productivity.

Active,

Creative,

Focused,

Driven,

Determined,

Relentless,

Multitasking,

The ability to get things done, in unlikely circumstances.

Results take action!

Remember:

Gods plan in bigger than yours.

PAID!

The glorious feeling I get from paying bills.
That wonderful moment when you realize you don't owe anything...
At least for the 16 days before the next bill cycle!
Money coming in, makes money going out, a little easier to swallow.
Work, work, work... Bills, bills, bills.
That's life!

Flip Flops

Light and easy,
They're so chill,
Summer's near and I feel like getting my feet ready...
So I'm wearing them with my light weight dress pants.
Deal with it!

Early!

Up too soon.
Not enough sleep-
Work all day and night.
This is going to be a three Starbucks day!

Media Madness!

Nothing to report,
Yet every channel had Breaking News!
Lies, speculation, interviews with "former friends."
Hype, hype, spin, spin.
Oh what a terrible world we live in.
The media is NOT helping.
Rather than make up stories for money, advertising and the "inside scoop."
I wish they'd report REAL news when they know for sure!

Dance!

Twirling,
Contracting,
Twisting,
Lunging,
Leaping,
Soaring-
Watching Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre last night reminded me that dance can have many interpretations, but in the end, the utlimate goal is to be moved!
And I was!
Pure joy!

East Meets West

Dinner with dear friends from New York and LA-
All of us raising a glass for the first time together;
I've worked with him, he's worked with you, you've worked with me...
But we've never been at the same table, at the same time!
Two coasts collide, with plenty of food, laughter, stories... and of course champagne!
Cheers to lifelong friends!

Dinner With Friends

I love having old friends visit.
Laughter. Reminiscing.
And with dancers, a lot of reenacting, eating and drinking!
Last night one of my best friends from NYC and his partner took Jeff and I to a delicious, hip new restaurant in West Hollywood called, Laurel Hardware.  
In the grand tradition of Los Angeles eateries, Laurel Hardware had a gimmick...
Can you guys what it is? ...That's right, the restaurant is a located in a former hardware shoppe on Santa Monica Boulevard!
But all gimmicks, hipsters, model/actors, gorgeous (hidden) outdoor patios, pimped out interior and vibe galore aside...
The food was spectacular!  Seriously, there wasn't one course
from the simple, yet adventurous 4 No. menu that wasn't truly tasty!
The entire evening was a success!
I highly recommend Laurel Hardware for your next dinner with friends.

A Blast From the Past!

A visit from one of my closest friends from NYC;
We spent our 20's dancing around the Great White Way!
I moved to LA to continue my career-
He stayed in New York to soar with Alvin Ailey!
The company is performing in LA!
I can't wait to watch him twirl!!!

Addendum

My trip home also gave me the opportunity to spend quality time with the rest of my family;
Particularly, my sister, niece, mom and dad.
I'm so proud of my sister-
She is raising a magical little girl. Kellyn is smart, outgoing, creative and has a huge personality!
(I'm not just saying this as a love-crazed uncle...)
My sister has survived cancer and continues to fight illness, while renaming strong and active. She is a warrior. I love her, and I'm gratified that we continue to build on our bond.
My mom is a bright light- always supportive, excited and positive about my achievements. She has been my cheerleader and confidante. Our friendship continues to soar. I'm most grateful for our "coffee talks." She's always dropped everything to come to my aid.
Dad- is my hero. He continues to be the constant force in my life. Reminding me, by example, that we can always give, love and do more.
Each trip home, my connection with my sister, mom and dad grows deeper.
I am blessed.

The Aftermath...

My visit home was (at times) very difficult, heartbreaking and overwhelming.
Thankfully on the last day, I was able to gain a fresh perspective and achieve some sense of peace-
Gram was having a very good day, so I took the opportunity to share with her my deepest gratitude, love, respect and admiration.  I managed between fighting back tears and snot, to inform her that she was (and continues to be) my number one driving force, inspiration and role model.
I would not have accomplished half of my achievements in life, had it not been for her unending support.
I told her what a brilliant mother and grandmother she is, and that I will never forget her spirt.
When she replied, it was articulate, sensitive, gentle, loving, humorous and emotional.  (Everything my grandma had been before Parkinson’s took over her body.)
We embraced for a long time, and I asked her if she could still dance with me.
“Of course” she replied. Grabbed my waist and held on as her feet began to step touch and sway side to side.  I was delighted.
We danced, I cried.
She then stopped, looked down at her leg and started shaking it rapidly,
simulating the movement that takes over when she’s having and episode,
“See, it even helps me dance!”   she said, referring to the disease.
She started laughing and I joined in.
That’s the most inspiring thing about my gram, she never lets life get her down!
I love her so much.  I have great hope and faith that we will have many more dances before the music ends!

A Trip Home- Day 5

The time has come for me to leave,
A lot of uncertainty.
Despite the painful truths of life I enjoyed spending time with my family.
I got to spend quality time with my mom, dad, sister and beautiful niece on this trip which doesn't always happen.
Visiting with my cousins, aunties and uncles...
And of course my BOTH of my gram's and grandpa.
It's brutal to realize the facts of life-
Especially when illness is a factor.
It's hard enough to accept that everybody ages...
Time does not stand still!
Ultimately, I'm so grateful for the time I got to spend here.
There were brutal moments, no doubt.
But I know I've been blessed with a loving family, and I trust in Gods plan.

A Trip Home- Day 4

I've been working away from my family for 16 years with the goal of manifesting my passion into a career.
I'm so close to achieving my greatest dream, and that moment of accomplishment may not happen in time to share with the one person who has had the most faith and influence on me.
I am so drained. My heart & mental health are exhausted and there is nothing I can do.

A Trip Home- Day 3

Nothing could have prepared me for this...
The physical symptoms are minor compared to the mental and emotional anguish.
I have so much love and respect for my dad;
courage, patients and faith.
I have so much sympathy for my gram-
She knows the disease is taking over.
I have such disappointment in myself.
I thought my love would make it easier, but I have been tested and failed.
I will try harder tomorrow.

A Trip Home- Day 2

Grateful I get to spend time with family.
I forgot how much fun and laughter we share!
I always try to do too much when I come home,
Running around trying to squeeze in everything.
Then:
Parkinson's Disease is ugly and unfair!
I'm frustrated with my lack of patients!
I love my gram more than anything-
Some days she fights;
She is not the same.
Then without warning she's back!
Laughing, smiling, happy.
Her stubbornness never leaves!
I'm grateful for my time home, I just need to work on my tolerance.

A Trip Home- Day 1

I love spending time with my family.
In some regard it's as if time stands still between visits,
And then there are the moments of complete realization-
I've been gone for 16 years.
It happens so fast!
The hardest part is accepting that I made a choice to follow my dream,
Which meant missing out on so many wonderful occasions.
Thankfully, I still have the highlights.
My Gram's diseases is not one of them.
It is taking over her body;
Uncontrollable shaking,
Uneasy walking and speech.
A really bad tremor can last hours.
I can see her mind fighting it.
Her frustration builds.
Her heart and spirit remain unaffected-
That's the hardest part for me to watch.
I cannot change the past,
Nor can I change the situation...
But I can be present and remember to enjoy the positive aspects of the time I have here-
At home, with family and on earth.

Doubtful...

When you remove the element of doubt, all you’re left with is certainty.

I’m sure if I was on trail for a crime I didn’t commit, I’d PRAY that my lawyer could cast a shadow of doubt in my favor-
Aside from that, I have no room for doubt in my life.

In fact, my entire career has been based on the conviction that I could not fail.

Of course I’ve been unsuccessful at achieving every obstacle I’ve set out to conquer...
Nevertheless, I continue to operate on the basis that if I release the fear (or doubt) I will triumph. 
...and with that kind of attitude, it’s DOUBTFUL that I’ll fail!

Being Gay Is Okay... Even if you're an All-Star!

"No openly gay players in the ranks of pro- football, basketball or baseball?"
Is the first thing I hear this morning when I turned on CNN..
Does that shock you as much as it shocks me?
The year is 2013 right?
It's time for some of these athletic "heroes" to bring their balls out of the closet!

Back On The Road...

A line at TSA,
A line at Starbucks,
A line for the restroom,
A line to board the plane...
My life is full of lines!
Thank God I'm good at choreographing FAST formation changes!
Back to the glamorous life of dance competitions!

The Aftermath...

Day off yesterday;
Beach, fun, food & booze!
Unfortunately today, I just want to SNOOZE!
The escape was nice while it lasted,
But l've got shit to do!
...and a lot of bills to pay.

Random Day Off In the Middle of the Week!

The sun is out and skies are blue,
LA palm trees sway gently in the spring breeze,
Birds are chirping and Starbucks is calling my name...
This calls for an impromptu trip to the beach!

Not The Dentist!

Shot, shot,
No sting-
Numb mouth,
No pain!
Hear the drill,
Smell the burn.
Going to the dentist isn't that bad,
Plus I get to leave with a nice bright smile!

ReconNEcT Working! Week 12 & 13

Okay, so sue me!
I'm a little behind on posting my networking updates..
Nevertheless, I have been keeping up with my 2013 goal of sending good ol' fashioned letters.
The past two weeks have been more focused on Passover and Easter, I thought it made sense to reach out to family members.
Last week I reached out to my dads wife, she has been an incredible help taking care of my grandma, and I wanted to share how much that means to me.
This week I'm sending a note to my cousin Shelby for her 20th birthday!
I know she's a different generation, so I imagine a written letter will come as a shock! I'm pretty sure her idea of communication comes in short form Facebook and text message emoji!
Have no fear, I'm optimistic that US mail will never die!
Not on my watch.

April 1st

It's April 1st,
But I'm no fool-
I won't be tricked into believing I just won the lottery or that something magnificent happened to one of my friends or family members...
Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go pack for a 6 week cruise around the world!