Late Night Cable News

I’m a guilty addict;
Another political cycle glued to CNN;
Falling asleep to the sound of Anderson Cooper––his nerdy, intelligent voice lulls me to sleep––which is good, because I have to teach in less than five hours.

Mesmerized by Insanity:

The orange blob repeating idiotic statements in the hopes of making them true;
Barely speaking English, whilst mocking those seeking safety;
Tragically uneducated and egotistically condescending;
I can’t stop watching in shock––people actually support this lunatic; I’m related to a few. . .

Watching Fox News:

Is like watching a soap opera in the 80s;
Lies, scandal, forced drama, and blonde “leading ladies” (AKA co-hosts) standing up for abusive, cheating, racist men.

Back on the Road:

My second home is the airport;
It might not be where the heart is, but it’s absolutely where the cash is!
The life of an artist on tour. . .

That's The Breaks. . .

When the light goes off on the dashboard of your fancy-pants luxury vehicle, you panic.
Then, you schedule an appointment at your trusted neighborhood mechanic and face the facts: you need new breaks––and because you decided to buy a car that is out of your league, you have to replace the rotors, too!
That’s the breaks!

Awakening

On our airplane ride to Maui my husband and I sat next to each other,
but felt a world apart.
On our return home, we sat rows apart, but never felt closer.
Our vacation in paradise was the perfect retreat into ourselves.
Relationships evolve in two ways: together or apart.
That journey depends on the willingness of the parties involved.
After seventeen years, I’m grateful that I found a partner that is willing to do the dirty work––even on vacation––to laugh through the stormy skies and cry in the sun.

Hawaii Day 7; 2019

In the serene stillness of the sunset;
we connected; again.
Finding our way back to light;
Just as the darkness set.
Our trip to Maui was the ‘reset’ we needed.

Hawaii Day 6; 2019

Sometimes you disagree in paradise;
The heat from the sun and Lava Flows can cause the body to feel exhausted;
Communication breaks down––and tempers flare.
Thankfully, there’s a tranquil ocean to dive in and cool off.
It’s really hard to be upset in Hawaii, but it happens, and that’s okay, too.
The key is to release the negativity and welcome the healing energy of the sea!

Hawaii Day 5; 2019

Fancy hotel cocktails are delicious;
You can feed a family of four at Olive Garden or enjoy an adult beverage on Maui.
Hypnotized by the rolling sea;
I drank, too many Lava Flows in Hawaii.
My bank account and midsection will punish me later. . .

Hawaii Day 4; 2019

Surrounded by the richest blues and greens floating in the water;
Above me, images from childhood, visions of my future, and gratitude to God for the clouds sailing past and off into the horizon.
Vibrant, fragrant flowers filled the air with the scent of paradise;
I’m in Heaven;
I know my time here is short, but for now, back to the present.

Hawaii Day 3; 2019

Last night we tried a restaurant, which came highly recommended from a yogi friend of ours; ironically, when we Googled “Best Happy Hour’s on Maui”, Monkeypod Kitchen was number 1.
So, we drove the (less than) one mile from our condo to the hotspot we’d never heard of and cozied up to the bar.
Firstly, all of the food is farm-to-table fresh, and EVERYTHING––with the exception of the flour imported from Italy and the olive oil imported from California––comes from the island of Maui and is prepared daily in their kitchen!
The food was melt-in-your-mouth and make-a-mess-in-your-pants, DELICIOUS!
The drinks were equally well-crafted, specific, and sensational.
Whilst we were enjoying our dinner, we made small talk with the straight couple sitting next to us. We briefly swapped raves over the dinner and took photos for each other.
When the couple got up to leave, they shook our hands and wished us a happy vacation.  We thought nothing more of it. . . .
Until we went to leave and asked for our bill.  Our server explained that the couple next to us and picked up our check!
That, is Hawaii.  The energy, love, generosity and spirit of life is everywhere.
We left full and feeling blessed!
Now, we’re off for another day of reading on the beach and soaking in the healing waters!
Aloha.

Hawaii Day 2; 2019

The morning started with a sunrise coffee talk; the birds decided to join in the conversation.
Meditation, journaling, and making out postcards to our loved ones; who doesn’t like receiving Aloha from Hawaii?
Walking to the beach, I found joy in the present.
Lying on the beach reading my historical novel; the sound of calm, rolling waves  lured me in;
Floating in the healing waters, I felt recharged.
Now, a blog post and a nap.
Tonight, who knows?  I’m sure I’ll go wherever the Lava Flows!

Hawaii Day 1; 2019

Waking up to the chipper songs from the birds in the trees;
Coffee with a side of journaling and Eckhart Tolle on the balcony;
Couples conversation––checking in for positive change;
A walk to the beach: sun, sand, a new novel, floating in the crystal blue sea;
The lavender farm for a photo shoot, tea and scones, and an abundance of essential oil;
Back to the condo for a quick trip to the pool––we had to watch the sun go down somewhere!
Now: Netflix and a Lava Flow;
Hawaii is my home-away-from-home!

Packed

My bag is stuffed with shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits, sunscreen, and books;
My vacation begins following a calm yoga class;
Headed to Hawaii with my bug:
One week; no work; no stress; just heavenly island bliss… .
Bring on the Lava Flows!

Brunch On Sunset

The socked in marine layer hovering just above the city skyline on a breezy Sunday morning provides the perfect backdrop for Norman, who is sitting on the terrace of the impeccably styled restaurant connected to the elegant ArtDeco Sunset Strip hotel.
It’s Father’s Day, so naturally our friend’s father offered to take all of us out for brunch.
Isn’t if funny? Dads never catch a break.
Their wallet is like the bank account that charges no interest and expects no return on payment.
Happily laughing, conversing, consulting, and encouraging; dads offer support and wisdom––unconditionally.
It was a joyous, delicious, brunch.

Getting Down on my Weekends:

. . . . Downward dog, that is.
As a child I spent my weekend mornings watching cartoons, whilst shoveling massive amounts of cereal loaded with granulated sugar.
As a teenager, I was held captive in a dance studio all weekend long––working on my technique, whilst hiding from my sexuality.
As an adult, I enjoy the peaceful meditation I find in my yoga practice, whilst working through the issues from my childhood and teenage years;
Evolution, ya know?

Overload:

Writing,
Emailing,
Posting,
Promoting,
Training,
Meditating,
Reminder to myself: I need to breath more,
Haircut,
Packing,
Re-reading my manuscript before it goes to press,
Taking care of my puppies,
Yoga,
Seriously, Matthew: Breath!
Submit proposal for next year’s classes,
Pre-production for Matilda,
Phone calls,
Post office,
Find a puppy-sitter,
I’m in full meltdown mode. . . .

Folding Laundry:

Depending on my mindset, folding laundry can either be a Zen meditation or a criminal interrogation.
As a teenager, laundry was one of the chores given to punish me––although my parents would probably disagree with that declaration.
In my twenties, I spent hours at a laundromat––and hated every sweaty, dirty, moment of it.
Now, I have my own house with a washer and dryer; I can do fluff-n-fold whenever I please; still, I’m tortured with stacks of smelly yoga clothes.
I guess I found the one downside of practicing yoga daily.
Namaste.

Lazy

Lying in bed; still.

Awake, but enjoying a guiltless, lazy day.

Zero guilt; I’m refueling my creative energy.

Yes, I feel blessed.

That Gorgeous Feeling:

Crossing off every item on your “To Do” list before noon;
It’s like saying, “Take that––day!  I conquered you! I know you’ll be back tomorrow with twice as many demands. Guess what, I don’t have to think about  that now, because I practice yoga!”

One Word:

Diversify!

Heavenly

Mountain air cuts crisp against my skin; pine infused exfoliation—nature’s facial.

The skies are a shade of blue that exists in paintings—or a technicolor soundstage—utterly awesome.

Surrounded by beauty; everyone walks with a smile on their face.

This is heavenly.

Pride:

Waking up without fear.

Trusting that who you are, is enough.

Knowing that normal, is not reality; we’re all unique.

Accepting yourself unconditionally.

Living life with purpose, integrity, compassion, and love.

Awareness:

Mindfully acknowledging what is;

Sharing positive energy with the people who occupy the space around you.

Conscious of the unconscious!

Radiant Light

Energized by the rays pouring through my bedroom window, I rolled out of bed.

Lily—our Shih Tzu—was waiting at the front door; time for a walk to Starbucks.

Even dogs understand the power of radiant light.

Some Days. . . .

You just walk away from everything;
Casually strolling down a path––ending unknown.
Releasing expectations;
Embracing what is.

Life Hack:

When you wake up sad; head to YouTube and Google search: “People falling.”
You’re welcome.

Fear

It’s that time of year, when I allow other people’s insecurities into my head and enable doubt to take over.

My new book, Dancing Out of the Closet is coming out soon, which always invites questions; (a good thing), but encourages me to overthink my game plan.

I did my job: I wrote a book from the heart and poured every ounce of honesty, humor, and healing thoughts; it found a publisher; it’s evening printed and distributed; there is nothing to fear… .regardless of the outcome, I shared my truth and sold my work. That is the path of an artist.

Out of Darkness:

Light; to clear the path.
Freedom; from fear.
Presence; to make the right choice.

Rage:

The toxic energy fills your body;
Causing you to live in a state of perpetual negativity.
Sad, angry, disappointed, powerless, betrayed, helpless;
All understandable, yet unchanging.
The only power or control we have is to let it go and move on; trusting that this moment is meant to teach us something that we will be prepared for in the future.
I’m made as hell, but that won’t change the circumstance––and yes, I’m furious that someone is getting away with something so egregious––but that’s life.
On to the next!