Deflated:

The front passenger side tire looks like a rotting Jack-O-Lantern.
There’s no sign of damage; still it slowly seeps a steady stream of air.
Much like my spirit for Halloween festivities, my tire is deflated!

Note To Self:

When you’re performing creative tasks just to quickly get through them and cross them off a list;
The motivational exercise is broken.
What was born to inspire, has lost its effectiveness;
It’s time to find a fresh creative path to encourage and deepen the artistic journey!

The Freeway:

More appropriately the: “Your tax payer dollars paid for this massive stretch of road that spans eight lanes and still feels like a parking lot for the majority of the day in LA.”
Seriously, I left my house––like I always do––thirty minutes earlier than I know I need to, in case I get stuck in unexpected traffic.
Naturally, I sat in aforementioned jam for an forty extra minutes; proving that the only thing you can expect from LA driving patterns is to anticipate illogical road closures, stupid accidents––that SHOULD have been avoid, but happened due to texting––and drivers who don’t pay attention to life.
Arriving safely at the studio with just enough time to write this blog, means it’s time to let go of the gridlock and get into the day!

Monday:

My yoga mat is calling.

Standing tall in Mountain pose I remember my purpose;

Meditation and mindfulness to welcome the sun!

Brunch.

The pancakes were unnecessary, but delicious;
The sparkling Rosé was necessary.
For what is Brunch, if not an opportunity to drink during the day?

Old Bones:

We were invited to a Halloween bash last night;

I drank the Vampire Punch like I was a cast member of the reboot of True Blood 2.Ohhhhhh there’s red wine and tequila in this?

Pumpkin carving, Thriller dancing, and killer conversation.

I was ready to pass out—I glanced at my watch—it was 9:45PM.

How are these people so awake? Then it dawned on me; they’re 28!

I bit the apple and forged on; home by 1AM.

Today, my bones ache and my head is pounding; I’m too old for hipster Halloween parties.

I’m haunted by my past: those days are gone and I’m okay with that!

FriYAY!

When you come to the end of a long week and you remember that you have the full weekend to do whatever you want. . .
ZZZZzzzzz;
Yoga;
Beach;
Repeat!

The Art of Amazon:

Try it on in the department store;
Find it on Amazon;
Buy it for less.
Not great for the local economy, but fabulous for the bank account.
I wonder what kind of residual effect this will have on society?
I'm sure we'll be okay. . .
#Sarcasm

The Calm Before The Storm:

I sit quietly in the studio;
Soon the room will be alive with vibrant artists, eager to deliver their lines.
I devour the moment of silence, an opportunity to collect my thoughts and experiment with ideas before they manifest into action!

A Conversation with Dad:

Nothing has change since I was thirteen;
Two loud, opinionated, Italian guys who always think they’re right.
A pleasant morning check-in, turns into a war of the minds;
Who can outmatch whom?
My dad calls them “Fun facts”, in Trumpnation, I think we call them facts.
Made up lies based on half truths to prove a point.
Either way, I’m so grateful that my dad is alive and well;
Who else will I dispute “big government” with?
I am, my father’s son!

Monday:

In the stillness of the morning;
I am connected with the present.
I hear the birds calling;
Drowning out the rush of traffic on the freeway in the distance.
Los Angeles is coming to life;
I breathe in yoga––grounding myself for a creative day;
A fresh perspective for a new week!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Your decadent velvety texture stimulates my mouth;

Creamy, sweet, pumpkin sips satisfying my tastebuds!

I feel like I’m drinking a pumpkin pie;

It’s Thanksgiving in a cup!

Saturday in LA:

Sleeping until 10AM, it’s such a luxury;

Lily sits next to me in bed, staring at me with her sad puppy dog eyes, “Please daddy, I need to go for a walk.”

Off to Starbucks, journal in one hand and leash in the other.

There are doggies everywhere, Lily is excited to socialize. I’m excited, too! … . For caffeine!

The vibrant blue sky feels more like a set, it’s the perfect day in LA!

Early Yoga:

Down on the mat at 6AM;

A balanced day.

Yoga reminds me to breath and trust that this moment will provide the support for the next.

My posture is grateful, too!

Audition:

Thirty men in a sweaty dance studio;

Gorgeous bodies isolating;

Fast grounded transitions;

Stylized, classical movement;

I’m proud of myself, at forty-one years old, I can still crush an audition!

Gratitude:

When the drive-thru line at Starbucks has less than five cars;
You rejoice!
When your favorite parking spot on a studio lot is free––saving you a massive hike up hill;
You celebrate!
When you get to rehearsal and everyone is happy;
You have gratitude!
I love my job.

Six Word Essay on Perspective.

The valley is dark; climb up!

Blank Page:

I keep a daily journal of my thoughts, creative ideas, fears, dreams, doubts, and motivational messages to myself.
Yesterday, I reached the last page in my journal;
Today, I faced a new book of blank pages just waiting to be filled.
As I sat staring at the empty white page, I invested a bit of time reflecting on the past year.
The empty white spaces was a reminder about perspective; some might look down and feel overwhelmed by the emptiness.
For me, I remembered the endless opportunities and adventures that await.
Every moment is like my new journal––an open space limited only by what I tell myself.
I took advantage of this fresh chapter.  I released the negative energy and self-doubt that I’ve been collecting over the past ten months and I refocused my thoughts, dreams, and energy toward the present.
When life presents an opportunity, take it.
When life exposes a setback; work through it.
Remain open to the blank page found in every moment.

Sunday in LA:

A Sunday in Los Angeles with my husband and my puppy is as rare as a unicorn and a mermaid sharing cocktails in a bar on Maui.
When these golden photo opportunities happen, I must make the most of it!
Sleeping, mass, yoga, brunch, a movie, laundry, couch-cuddles, and a bath.
All in a day’s work.

Polished:

Shiny buffed nails;

Crisp tight haircut, styled with care;

Tailored Lulu Lemon yoga shorts.

I’m a Dandy and proud of it.

My outer appearance is a direct reflection of my inner being: Vibrant, polished, and happy!

Let Go:

When the rainbow track wheel on my Mac starts to spin endlessly;
I know to walk away.
Like in life, sometimes you have to let go and accept the out-of-control twirling is part of the ride.

Living The Dream:

Yoga;
Conference call;
Production meeting;
Rehearsal;
Dinner at 10PM;
Living the dream!

Pumkin Scone

The scrumptious velvety pumpkin flavor burst in my mouth;
The icing on top. . . is everything!
Dessert for breakfast; absolutely.

Perspective:

In darkness, the wooded landscape is frightening;
In the light of day, the same path is warm and welcoming.
Positive energy is a powerful flashlight.

Monday on My Mat:

The comfort and familiarity of the firm, supportive mat, welcomes the weight of the world—my universe.

I breath in the welcoming idea of new beginnings and release the repetitive patterns in my mind.

I am not my thoughts; nor am I defined by what I do.

The present reminds me that I am: Here.

Snoring Into Sunday:

I slept for nine hours last night;

That might be a new record for me!

A delicious and much needed sleep;

I purposefully did not set an alarm clock;

Thankfully, my snoring woke me up!

Confused Shih Tzu

The watchful eye of Lily, my Shish Tzu, silently judging me.
She sees the bag packed near the door;
It’s no use trying to hide my luggage anymore, she can sense it.
Daddy is going out of town––again.
If only dogs understood the currency of life;
I wonder if she thinks that dog biscuits just grow on trees?!

Free Friday:

No alarm set;
No meetings on the books;
No pressure to finish a project or return an email;
Just pure relaxation.

Through Darkness:

The evil hides in the darkness my mind creates when I surrender to the insecurities that were designed my ego to prevent me from living my true potential.
Without inspiration my passion and faith diminish;
Only the light will guide me back to my path of trust, acceptance, and action.
Greatness is not achieved through doubt;
Lack of motivation will not lead to victory;
Nothing brilliant is ever born out of negative energy; rather it’s accomplished by releasing that energy and embracing the unknown.
I’m ready to jump;
A lifetime of dancing reminds me that the earth will always be there when I land.

Today's Guilty Pleasure:

An everything bagel toasted with butter;
Because carbs and saturated fats remind me of my childhood;
Missing my Italian grandma!

Teach Me:

I used to have all of the answers;
Now, I know: Nothing!
I guess this is what people mean when they say, “Wait until you're forty.”
Nevertheless, I focus on the path in front of me; ready to learn new lessons.