The Lady and the Country Boy

I love lots of things – food, music, boxes, chocolate, American Idol, youtube, myspace, my newest fascination – "america’s best dance crew", blah blah, yes yes. And yet, when it comes right down to it, one of my most favorite "guilty pleasures"? Country music.
I LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC. A little Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks (still the man!), Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, Craig Morgan...

Now I’m not saying I love ALL country music, but still – most of it is pretty damn good. Take the other day, for instance. I was driving home and heard the song, "Ladies Love Country Boys" by Trace Adkins. LOVE that song. After the first 20 seconds, I was car dancing and I swear if I didn’t need both hands to drive my stick shift Honda, I would have been clapping along, too (because you know you can’t really enjoy a country song without clapping ). So there I was alternately singing, car dancing, and laughing over how true the lyrics are. Because simply put – ladies DO love country boys.

But why is that true? Why IS IT that ladies love country boys? Like Trace Adkins, for instance. I mean, he’s not insanely attractive, nor does he have the best voice, and yet he’s just so very cool. Like Viggo Mortensen, you know? (I know Viggo isn’t exactly a "country boy", but he’s still uber cool. Plus, I read he’s a great horseman, but I digress…)

But just WHY are country boys so cool? Is it the farmer’s tan? The slow southern drawl? The tight jeans and 10 gallon Stetsons? The big ass pick-up truck with trailer hitch that just makes you want to ride shotgun, wherever the hell that might take you, despite the fact that you dont’ know the guy and he might be a serial killer, but at least he looks good, could live off the land for freakin’ days with nothing but a box of chewing sticks and some beef jerkey, and drives a Dodge which means he must have a job and fairly good taste? (wow, that was revealing...)
Is it the smirk and confident swagger that pretty much says, "yea, you know you want some of this" that intrigues most women? Is it because they play rough and aren’t afraid to get dirty, which makes them seem kinda dangerous? (grrrr )
And for all that is rodeo-licious, will somebody please explain to me why a plaid collared long-sleeve with shiny shiny buttons is so damn hot on a cowboy?? Because that shit is just plain fug on anybody else.
Yes. It. Is.

But my point is that for some reason or other, there is some massive appeal to the country music scene. Maybe because it’s not just teens or older fans that are buying this stuff up, but a pretty much straight across the board demographic fan base. If that weren’t true, country music wouldn’t be as incredibly popular as it is today. I mean seriously – if an American Idol turned country diva (Carrie Underwood) can sell 14 million CDs in a few years, something big is goin’ down….(go, Carrie!!)

Personally, I am quite happy to be on the band wagon because country pretty much rocks. And even though I will pass on the boots (too damn hot here), and wearing plaid (see above reference), I could be one of those women "riding in the middle of his pick up truck, blaring Hank Jr., yelling "turn it up!"
Yes. I. Could.
Because for whatever reason, ladies love country boys, baby…ladies luuurvee them country boys

the end of a saga...

I am finally done.

Thriteen years, eleven books and roughly 8,000 pages later....it is finished.

The saga is the Sword of Truth series, created by fantasy genre New York Times best selling author, Terry Goodkind.
It started out with Wizards First Rule and ended with Confessor, each book building upon the previous to create incredible worlds of differing levels of magic, commonalities, half-hidden truths, thought provoking riddles and philosophies, and heart breaking sacrifices.
True, some of the books were criticized for being too political and "preachy" and there were times when I personally felt that certain passages could have been entirely left out. However, having said that, the writing, dialogue, characters, concept, and continuation of a single story line held firmly through this much time and change is worthy of praise.

Mr. Terry Goodkind - you have one freakin' impressive, mind-numbing imagination.

It was a long journey - roughly seven and a half years for me since the first time I opened Wizards First Rule and was enveloped not only by the developing theme of the story, but by the strength and uniqueness of each character.
The story is much to long to detail here, but suffice it to say that it is a series revolving around the strength of mankind and free will, using magic as the backdrop as well as both an adversary and opposition to the fight for that free will. And the well-developed characters throughout the story serve him well in telling that story to its finality.

At times I was incredibly tired and frustrated at (but thankful for) the stubborness of Richard - the war wizard, the Seeker of Truth - who never lost faith in those he cared for, nor gave up on his mission (no matter how dangerous), proving exactly why he was the Lord Rahl, Ruler of D'Hara, and one incredibly wonderful, central character.
I was fascinated by his wife and steadfast companion - Kahlan, the Mother Confessor - who with not only her skill in battle but with her spirit, grace and numerous sacrifices for the safety and prosperity of the land she ruled and the man she loved, was more than inspirational.
You had me awed by the insane loyalty of Nicci and Cara who, even with all their strength, skill and powers of magic, willing suffered so much both physically and mentally all in the name of friendship and love...for Richard, for their own people, for the freedom of the nation they stood to protect.
I was touched by the change of heart in the witch woman, Shota, and the conversion of the wing men of the Ja 'La dh Jin who chose to stand by their 'point man' instead of their Emperor, on and off the field, even in the face of unimaginable torture and certain death.
You impressed me by giving unique personality and voice to Scarlet and her son, Gregory - the massive, feared, red-scaled dragons, as well as Gratch (the gar), all of whom could have easily snuffed Richard out of existence instead of befriending him with their own brand of humor and devotion.

You wrote the books on what we should all strive to be, even in the face of incredible opposition, and gave us characters who all turned out to be exactly what the Old World, the New World, and the Midlands always need them to be. Themselves.
No more, no less.
They all helped us to remember the central theme throughout the story that no one has the right to tell you how your life should be lived; you always have a choice - no matter what the consquences might be, you can always choose to do the right thing.
"Your life is your own. Rise up and live it."

I am left reeling by the fact that I caught myself on numerous occassions inadvertently smiling at passages, cheering with the crowds I felt myself being drawn into, nodding to myself, witnessing the 'silent thunder' and power of truth.
I lived the story...felt each blow taken (and given) by Cara, every flow of magic unleashed by Nicci, heard every strike of steel on steel, every hoofbeat of every horse of the Imperial Order bearing down on those in 'opposition to the Creator', shed a tear for every person lost in sacrifice for someone they loved and stood by until the very end.
Should it have been any different, I wouldn't have enjoyed it as much.

I am thoroughly and whole heartedly impressed.
Well done, Mr. Goodkind. Well done.

I am positive that in the world that still exists beyond the veil where war wizards and confessors reign...where dragons and gars still roam the countrysides...where witch women of the Rang Shada and Sisters of the Light rule their lands with mery and justice...where mord-sith willingly and lovingly serve, and palaces created through and protected by woven shields of magic rise up out of jagged mountainsides, that they all stand looking out at our world and wish for us the same things: truth, mercy and abiding love.

It was a long, tiring, exciting, nerve-wracking, wonderfuly frustrating, all-encompassing beloved journey, indeed.
And I am thankful for the ride.

Fundamentals

So Naomi gave me a great idea for a new blog topic – writing about the "fundamentals". Actually, she got the idea from a book (and a website called "Daily Candy"), but I thought it was great! I actually wrote one something like this a while ago called "The Tao of De" but this is a better and newer version. (okay maybe not so much better, but definitely newer).

Basically, it's a compilation of stuff I believe in and have learned either through my own experiences or from books or other people. It's all about doing things to try to be happy and live better. Hopefully, if nothing else, I have inspired my own self to do more of this…

· Have a cup of green tea every now and then.
It's warm and soothing and comforting and healthy. It's like a liquid hug

· Get in touch with old friends...people you actually liked but somehow managed to lose contact with over the years...it's a wonderful feeling to reconnect. (Hi Naomi! Hi Jacob! )

· Don't let other people determine your self worth.
As Dave Chapelle once said, the world can't tell you who you are, you have to figure it out and then just be there. Do, experience, fail, accomplish, move forward no matter what other people may think of you for doing so. Stand for something...stand out in the crowd...stand up for your own self.

· REMEMBER THE PEOPLE WHO REMEMBER YOU
Even if it's just with a few simple words. People appreciate more than we give them credit for. Don't just SAY you care, BE PRESENT in the lives of the people you care about.

• Pray. Not only for what you need, but for what you already have. Be thankful.
  

· Have no regrets.
There's no point. We are only human - we will make mistakes and hurt each other, intentionally or not. But the great thing about life is that it has a way of working itself out, and God will never disappoint or fail you and that's all you really need to know.
"Nothing you have even done is too much for the mercy of God" - Joel Osteen

· Even if you can't forget, learn to forgive, no matter how long it might take.
Letting go is essential to being happy.

· Read fiction.
Forgetting about the problems of the world and your own life and immersing yourself in another, even if just for an hour or so every week, helps lift that fog of despair and the melancholy feeling we all sometimes experience. Besides, books sometimes teach great problem solving skills.
I'm a HUGE fan of escapism

· Give to charity. Any charitable cause. Several if you can...with your time and or money.
There shouldn't need to be an explanation for this one...

· Write
Journals, blogs, poetry, music...even if nobody ever reads or hears it, do it for yourself. We all need "outlets" or ways to release emotions in a healthy way. In my opinion, there's no better or more beautiful way to do that than through written words.

· Whenever possible, look people in the eye when you say "I'm sorry", "I missed you", "I love you".
It DOES matter.

· Do not agree to or insist on something you don't feel.
Besides, a liar need a good memory and most of us just aren't that good at it.

· Laugh at yourself
Because if you can dish it out, you sure as hell better be able to take it.
A sense of humor is a wonderful and important thing to have - be your own fan

· Find a "happy place"
Whether it's an actual place or particular hobby, memory, or favorite item (like my yellow duckie pen) - find something that will make you smile when you really can't see any other reason to do so. It's amazing how such simple things can make a huge difference.

· Conquer one thing that scares you. Get over yourself.
Because as Eddie says, sometimes you just have to look life square in the eye and say, "f**k you, biatch!!"
Uh-huh. Thanks, Eddie

· Remember that "definitions are for the definers, not the defined"
You will never be able to please everyone, and this is where my favorite Dr. Seuss quote comes into play:
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter."

· Engage in random acts of kindness. Because it's just how we should be.
Nuff said.

· Give into guilty pleasures every now and then.
Buy yourself flowers (or jewelry), take an overpriced vacation with your friends or family, take naps in the afternoon, shop at Victoria's Secret, lounge around all day in your pajamas and have nothing but cheesecake and wine...you only live once. Unwind. ENJOY.

· Advise. Comfort. Support. But do not tell people how they should live their lives.
Unless you know every thought, feeling and experience someone has ever had, you DO NOT know them better than they know themselves. Let it be enough to run your own life and let other people live theirs.

· Don't be so quick to judge; befriend people who are different.
It helps us to become more open minded, humorous, considerate, thoughtful, better people.

· Stop keeping score. Unless you're playing a sport or board game.
Karma will take care of it for you.
"Keep what is worth keeping and with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away"

· Take a dance class, if just once.
Do something that makes you uncomfortable - you learn more about yourself that way and if you are able to overcome it, you create more opportunity for friendship and personal growth.

· Listen to old people when they talk. They have the best stories and can offer some great advice. You can learn a lot from people with more experience and knowledge. Plus, sometimes all they need is company, so it's really a win-win situation.

· Listen to children when they talk, even when they sometimes ask too many questions. All they want is to learn and know that you care. As they get older, you'll see why it was so incredibly important to do so.

· Find something active you enjoy as exercise and do it.
(I SWEAR I'm going to start doing Budokan again starting January...no, for real this time )

· Teach yourself
As they say, expand your horizons...it's never too late to try something new.

· There ARE such things as random tangents. Have them.
It's okay to be creative or eclectic. Embrace your inner dork

· Learn to appreciate different cultures, music, language...
It makes you a better conversationalist and through it, you meet some pretty engaging and interesting people.

· Have REAL heroes.
Whether it be a parent, a teacher, someone serving in the armed forces, the lifeguard at your favorite beach...have faith in and respect for the people who sacrifice something of themselves for your safety, comfort, education, well being. It helps you set priorities straight and see what's really important in life.

· Apologize for things you know you did wrong.
BUT NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR BEING YOURSELF

· Time is something you will never get back. Say what needs to be said. Do what needs to be done. Today. Play, laugh, learn, love, fall, forgive…cherish experiences and the people you create them with because in the end, the only things we take with us are memories. Make some great ones.

un-masked

This is a re-post, with a few words changed here and there...for some of the friends I already have, and some I haven't yet met who question themselves and their relationships...I guess at the end of the day, all you can ask yourself is: Am I still willing to dance?

________________________________________________________________________________

In the Masquerade of love

we all dance…

A whirlwind blur of chance and circumstance

where truths are hidden behind painted skin and

smooth, tailored guises

The strings begin and we willingly bind hands and hearts,

heads tilted in laughter and unabashed confidence

Bodies close, destinies entwined,

strangers in step with time

Content with masked perfection and changing melodies

But do we know how long the music will last?

Do we ever know…

How long can we suffer the strong poses and graceful gestures

that hide the lone tear and exhausted smile?

And what of the lull?

The in-between breaths when we are free to choose

another face…a different pace…

more colorful adornments

in favor of the same rhythm and attire

When faced with your choice of masquerades

would you take your last bow and your leave of me?

Or would you stand with me in patient faith

knowing the music would play again and

we could dance once more?

Always once more…

When the last of the strings are stilled of their cadence,

would you withdraw your arms from my hopeful embrace

in search of the next refrain?

Or would you stand, unmasked and unadorned

with your scars and uncertainties

still holding fast to my flawed beauty and muted imperfections?

When the lull begins

can you still feel the music?

Would you still reach for me -

a willing partner to the quell in tempo

and the displacement of steps?

Within the echoes of a quicker pace

and the walled memories of freedom

you will find me still reaching for you…

still willing to dance

time

I met a girl this morning while walking to the corner shop to enable my caffeine addiction

She was sweet and friendly a looked a little like me,

except she reeked of optimism and second chance

She asked me to talk with her about dreams and life,

but as I couldn't quite get past her simplicity and

naively cheerful disposition,

snatched up my sleeve-fitted styrofoam bliss and strolled out
to greet prominence and worldliness, instead

I sat next to a girl today while taking the train into Richtown, USA

She seemed a lot like me except she was one of those traveling types who likes to play,

and smelled of French crepes and Irish glens and had hair the color of New England fall

With a hopeful smile, she asked me to share with her a story or two

but as I needed to keep up with the Joneses,

declined her offer and set out to make my six-figure fortune

I passed a girl today while leaving the jewelry store –

gold bangle daggling from and reflecting sunshine off my wrist

She had my eyes and features, but looked a bit withdrawn and forlorn

She asked me to slow down and take some time

but as I had none to spare,

shunned her request and

moved past her on my way to indulgence and status

I met a woman while on my way home today,

sitting on the concrete stairs of an abandoned building

She was a dead ringer for me except she looked haggard and lost,

her only companion a rusted metal box resting on her knee

"Would you like to see what's inside?" she asked

Before I could protest, feigning self-importance,

she opened the cover to reveal discarded potential, neglected love, and an abundance of tears, selfishness, materialism, lonely wealth and missed opportunities.

With an understanding and sadness reflecting her own,

I asked her name

simple, she said

they call me Regret

An Interview with 'Omi

Okay so my friend Naomi and I were trying to think up a new blog topic. So we came up with the idea to interview each other, and I suggested we use the questionnaire from Inside the Actor's Studio. You know, the questionnaire by Bernard Pivot that James Lipton uses with the celebrities at the very end of the interview? It's actually my favorite part of the show because I think it's fun and somewhat revealing. Anyway, Naomi and I decided to "interview" each other, so here are the answers to her questions (which I absolutely LOVE!!)....posted for our own enjoyment and amusement....and possibly yours, too. I have such great (and entertaining) friends

1) What is your favorite word? bon appetit - let's eat!

2) What is your least favorite word?
Delayed - what can i say, I'm an impatient person. I absolutely hate to see these words on the schedule monitor at the airport, especially when its listed for my flight!

3) What turns you on?
Flirtatious sarcasm. Weird i know. And flattery. will get you everywhere.

4) What turns you off?
People who uninvitedly invade my personal space - like the annoying people in my gym class. People who drive slow in the fast lane. Poor hygiene.

5) What sound or noise do you love?
Jasmine saying 'o--mi. This and the sound of hitting the jackpot on a slot machine.

6) What sound or noise do you hate?
Nails on a chalkboard. Just typing the words makes my knees cringe

7) What is your favorite curse word?
Dumbass - I love how it rolls off of my tongue

8) What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Jack McCoy - and having the evidence to "go for the kill" and crush a case.

9) What profession would you not like to do?
Someone who builds bridges or works on telephone poles - I'm afraid of heights

10) If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? (do you remember where this is from?)

Welcome back,
Your dreams were your ticket out.

Welcome back,
To that same old place that you laughed about.

Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.

Who'd have thought they'd lead ya (Who'd have thought they'd lead ya)
Here where we need ya (Here where we need ya)

Yeah we tease him a lot cause we've got him on the spot, welcome back,
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.

24?

If you could have one day to be anybody, past or present, real or fictional, who would it be? Twenty-four hours to be GREAT at being somebody else and could have everything they have but also be yourself and in turn, within the confines of those 24 hours, possibly effect a change that's so dramatic, you set the world spinning in a new direction?
Or just have one hell of a good day.
What if you could go back in time and alter the course of history?
Or jump into the pages of a comic book and bring it to life for your own enjoyment, if only for 24 hours?

WHAT WOULD YOU DECIDE?

Here's my picks (separated by category):

Real life (present): BILL GATES
Worldwide humanitarian and philanthropist at large
I know he's brilliant and charitable and already does his absolute best to make a world of difference. I don't want to be him to do anything better (not that I would know HOW), I just want to be him for a day to know what it feels like to have so much wealth that it generates a power that can literally change everything you touch for the better. Having the means to effect change on that grand of a scale must be an incredibly overwhelming and rewarding feeling.
Bill Gates gets five stars in my book.


Real life (past): JOSCELIN VERREUIL
(hero of Jacqueline Carey's highly praised Kushiel's Legacy series...shut up, Tanya and Kristi)
Okay so technically, Joscelin would fall into the "fictional/superhero/make-believe category, but because I am CERTAIN that somebody exactly like him existed at some point in time, he is my pick for "real life" past hero and person that I would most definitely want to be. So there!
My reasons for wanting to be him are simple - he is a vambrace wearing, twin dagger and sword wielding highly trained warrior and priest who believes equally in God and in love...strong, defiant, faithful, determined, fearless. The perfect companion
Simply put, I want to be that kind of devoted, self-less, loyal friend and partner. I think at some point in our lives, we should all be aware of what love really means and how when it puts you in a position to risk everything for it, you take it.
I imagine it's an incredibly heartbreaking and humbling experience.
Plus, you know, I'm pretty sure he could take any of the highlanders with just those twin daggers alone!
Joscelin gets my vote for being the most kick ass man in anybody's book.
(I would have said Joan of Arc but that whole burning at the stake thing does not sit well with me at all...yikes...)


Real life whimsical/playful: a CIRQUE DU SOLEIL performer
Yep, complete with those ceiling sashes and bendy staffs (I don't know the real names for them, obviously...), and yours truly doing a triple back layout with a two and a half twist executed flawlessly from a russian swing by my perfectly toned body while spectators ooohh and ahhhh their way through 2 hours of jaw dropping, breathtaking excitement from their $150 seats.
At the Wynn Hotel in Vegas.
This one pretty much speaks for itself and really - the whole idea of being thrown around in a good way is exciting, no??
That and for once in my life, I'd like to look good in spandex...it's the circus, baby!!


Fictional character/superhero: NIGHTCRAWLER (x-men)
That's right - some people want to be Superman or Wonder Woman - I want to be a blue-skinned, pointy-tail having, teleporting, bouncing off walls and backflipping, kicking bad guy ass and taking names German "devil" with a penchant for sarcasm and swords.
Although I have to say, the best part would be leaving a puff of purple mist and faint smell of brimstone in my wake. Muahahahah....
Hey, nobody said you had to be perfect to be loved


Random: MATT LAUER
Because he gets to interview some pretty cool people. And honestly - I would love to sit down and talk to Tom Cruise and say, "What the fuck, dude?!? "
What happened to Mr. Mission Impossible when he became a full fledged Scientologist and started talking smack to Brooke Shields? And since when did he become a psychiatrist?
Who made him god? Has he BEEN in the mother ship? And why does his wife look scared half the time?
I just wanna know...
That and I'd like to interview Bill Clinton because come on, who can actually say they didn't LIKE the man and the President despite all the other *ahem* stuff that happened.
He's southern. And funny. And plays the sax! And any highly profiled public figure who can kick back with a cigar and in not so many words tell the entire free world to back the fuck off gets my vote.
But most importantly, I'd like to sit Ms. Katie Holmes down and tell her, "look honey, before your hybrid brothers and sisters come to take you home, get a spine, reconcile with your faith and your family, and for the love of all that is shinny and saucer shaped, stop making movies - you suck!"
Seriously, did you SEE her in Batman Begins opposite Christian Bale?
It was another one of those times I wanted to put my eye out with my yellow duckie pen...