Mood:  special

Do you belive in magic?

Magic happens every day, all around us, all the time. The trick is to be able to recognize it when it happens.

It was this time last summer when I experienced one of the most magical, life changing events. I thought it was just me. I figured that for everyone else, that event was just normal. But now, a year later, I'm finding that other people had the same reaction that I did.

Our town has a party to celebrate Independence day. This year, we are having fireworks on July 2, which is a Tuesday. Last year's party was amazing. It was a celebration of a community, coming together in fun and spirit, freedom and peace. For a few hours, the problems of the world lay outside. We had fun and food, kids games, music and dancing, then we ended the evening with fireworks.

I was hosting the show. But, along about dusk, I'd run out of entertainment, and we needed to fill some time before full dark and fireworks. We'd had cloggers dance during the show, and so, to fill that time, I said into the microphone--"OKay, kids, you've seen the grownups dance. Now it's your turn to show us what you've got!"

I hopped off the stage, microphone in hand, and wham! I was surrounded knee-deep in kids. We turned on some dance music, and we danced on the tarmac.

There was only room for happiness in my heart. I once read that in a person's lifetime, there maybe only be five or six times when there was room for only happiness in one's heart. That was one of those times.

I've remembered that day, for a year now, and still remember how special it was.

But, as I've been putting together entertainment for this year's show, I've mentioned last year's show to several people. They have all talked about last year, and what a magical night it was--and how happy and special it was when those kids were dancing on the tarmac.

Perhaps what made it so special was that it wasn't planned. It just happened. 

If you go into an experience with an expectation, the experience is somehow a letdown. I've tried so hard, this year, to not expect anything magical again. But who knows? Lightning can strike in the same place twice--why not magic?

Best wishes for a safe, happy, peaceful, ...and magical Independence Day celebration! 

Mood:  special

It's been a big week. Sometimes everything in the soul is asleep. It just needs time to think, to rest, to breathe.

But when it wakes up. When everything is firing on all cylinders...when it's "on"...it's like nothing else--ever.

I signed my 4th publishing contract. I will have a book coming out this summer. It's sooooo cool when that happens--when someone "gets" your work and offers you the validation of a contract.

But what's even more amazing--and this is the truth--is the reaction of your friends and family. Truly--they are more excited than I am. I see these as steps on a journey. Each step takes you one higher rung up the ladder. Each step is important. But I see all this as a journey. When my friends or family just freak out, their excitement is soooo contagious. It makes me stop and think, "Oh yeah. I DID do something that's pretty special."

I "maybe" figured out enough photography that things click now. I can read and study, but it's like another language. Maybe...yesterday...maybe I found my photography rosetta stone.

I'm working on a freelance article about women in film.

I have an acting gig next weekend. It looks to be a huge amount of fun. I can't wait to get in there and see how the producers manage their gig. Each film set is different. These producers tell me that the first goal is to have fun with the character. Well, that sounds like a good start-off point. I'm having fun thinking up makeup schemes and costumes. I live in such a small place, that I don't get to be around creative people enough. It'll be so nice to get to meet these actors and hear their stories. I can't wait to see what happens with the project. It's a spoof on a sci-fi series.

I've submitted for 2 or 3 more acting gigs. Who knows if anything comes of of that or not? I'm not the "type" for what most productions around here seem to be looking for. Acting is fun. Since it's not my be-all and end-all goal, I can look at it as a life experience.  

 We took the day off yesterday to go see the new Star Trek film. I'm still digesting. But, right now my opinion is...fantastic movie. It may be the best Star Trek movie ever. I won't give away spoilers, but ....just go see it.

The music's been asleep in me for months. I think it's waking up. I want soooo bad to get in the studio and lay some music down. I've been playing the piano more, lately. There's nothing like some good jazz, ya know?

I hope you, too, are having a good week and accomplishing your goals of making all your dreams come true.

Mood:  happy

Yesterday I had one of the most pleasant experiences of my life. I went off to make major motion picture.

How many people get to do that? How many people get to experience that level of creativity? It was amazing being in that place, with other actors and creative people. For once I was just one of the crowd, and not that weird girl who's always talking about music, books and movies.

The movie is called Pearl, and it's about Pearl Carter Scott, who was an aviation pioneer. She lived in Oklahoma in the 20s and 30s, and the feature movie is being filmed in Oklahoma. I worked as an extra in the cafe scene, which was filmed in Guthrie.

Of course, it'll be along time until the movie is complete and available for viewing. But based on what I saw yesterday, it will be a success. That was one of the most relaxed sets ever. The principles were friendly and easy to approach. Everyone on set, and there were probably 100 people there, had the same goal in mind, and the level of work and committment was exquisite.

To the producers, director and casting director: thank you for letting me be a part of such an experience.

To the filmmaking community at large: Oklahoma is a booming place for the film industry. The resources and level of activity in the film industry in this state are astounding.

 To the filmgoing public: See the movie Pearl. It'll be a good one.

Mood:  mischievious

Most people seem to have the attitude, "I can't". What is it to have the attitude that anything is possible?  What is it when you can't see the end of something, because you don't live your life by the conventions set up by everyone else?

What is it to consider any eventuality and to try to make it happen? To go to a place so far beyond your comfort zone that you don't even recognize it? To accomplish the impossible? To be that alive?

What is it when you live a life so far "out there" that most people will never recognize it, understand it, or understand you?

That's where I live my life. It can be super lonely. You get really tired of people looking at you like you're nuts. They can't journey to the places that you go, for one reason, and the one reason is that they won't let themselves. They'll use any excuse, but the barrier and boundary is in their own minds.

 I can't  NOT do this. I was born to create. I just wish that the people I encounter in my everyday life could understand it--just a little.

Is that too much to ask?