My (Not So) Dirty Little Secret

http://youtu.be/oLpKqBlsGAc (Contemporary routine by Travis Wall, one of my favorite choreographers and a former contestant on the show)

A little known, dirty secret of mine is this: I love the TV show So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD). Really, really love.
I took ballet for a few months as a kid, but never actually became a dancer, nor did I ever really aspire to be one as I got older. But that doesn't mean I can't love it. Sure, people pick on me for loving this show as much as I do, but I think it's really because they just don't understand.
Dance is a beautiful art form. And, this show is full of so many diverse styles and just as many diverse people to dance them. It rocks my socks.

http://youtu.be/zRMHZFvYDuw (Hip-Hop routine by Tabitha and Napoleon)

This week was the season finale, and what I love about that - though it makes me sad to wait for the next season to roll around - is that you get to see the best of the best. And each season seems to be full of really good and interesting dances.

http://youtu.be/5TSp7Ivbr98 (Hip-Hop routine by Christopher Scott)

I've posted just a few of my favorites from this season, and as you can see, the styles vary. Though I do admit to being partial to some of the Hip-Hop routines. Those guys do crazy shit. I wish I had enough time to post all of my faves. If you love dance and you have never watched this show, you really should check it out.

http://youtu.be/Xetkk1v0vrc (Argentine Tango routine by Miriam Larici and Leonardo Barrionuevo)

I Am From Krypton

This week my blog post is going to be very boring. Why? Because I am sleep deprived, and sleeping is my super power, people (please see the "about me" blurb to your right). So, not having any sleep is the equivalent of my Kryptonite. For those of you from under a rock who don't get the reference, that translates to not good.
Between going to school with a full course-load, working 2nd shift full time, and being pregnant, I feel like I have no me-time anymore. And me-time is very important. This is when naps get taken, books get read, mandatory TV shows get watched, and creative things happen. It feels like so long since any of those have happened. (Also not good).
Generally speaking, I like to write. I used to write all the time. In fact, I was working on a book that I hoped to someday have published, with several other ideas waiting patiently for their turn. Alas, life got in the way and it's been a few months since I've been able to put anything in ink (so, you can see writing is another "ink" form I hope to be blogging about on occasion).
For English class, we have to write an essay. I'm not looking forward to this. I don't tend to do well when writing what someone else wants me to. I prefer fiction over non-fiction or factual essays. I feel like in writing the sort of stuff require for school the writing falls flat. I can't use my "voice". I can't be sarcastic. I can't use sentence fragments. All of which I can do here on my blog or in a novel, when used properly. I have to be structured and 100% correct. Things I don't have to be when writing a first person young adult fiction novel.
So, I can't say I'm thrilled about this writing assignment. I'd much rather take a creative writing course. I'd much rather be sleeping.

Why Would You Do That?

Time and time again people have asked me why I am tattooed. "Why would you do that to yourself?" Most recently, it was a comment on a previous blog post (more or less), so I thought I'd elaborate.



Heroes have their reasons for getting tattooed.

People spend money on all sorts of electronic gadgets. Fancy cars and homes much larger than they need. In a society as frivolous as we've become, what's a good reason someone shouldn't spend money on body art if it's something they really enjoy?

I mean, obviously there are real answers to that question, such as the power needs to be paid before it gets cut off, or the kids need to eat, but answering as a person where those issues don't apply, I could argue that this is a hobby of mine. What makes this any different from any other hobby? This is my golf. This is my skydiving. Both sports which, in my opinion may be fun for some people, but seem a colossal waste of money to me. Spending a small fortune on all the equipment and time needed to invest in each of those activities...? To each is own, right?

 

You can still hold respectable jobs when you have tattoos. I worked in insurance for over 12 years and dealt with all manner of folks: people who owned multi-million dollar homes, and people who couldn't seem to pay their bills on time no matter how many times I'd call. And, for the record, sometimes those people were one and the same. Maybe they were too busy playing golf - zing!

 

Ok, all joking aside, you can have tattoos and still be a respectable member of society. A responsible individual that pays your bills on time. A loving parent and partner. A life saver. A hero. Tattoos don't have to decide who you are based on what certain aspects of society stereotype you as. They aren't who you are, but they are a part of you.

 

Ask me why and I'll ask you why not?

 

Don't sneer, he could save your life.

 

 

So, what reasons do you have for not getting tattooed? What reasons do you have for getting them? Inquiring minds want to know.