I got into a bar scuffle

Before I forget, a good blogging friend, Norma Beishir is celebrating the re-release of her 2008 novel, Chasing the Wind. The gal has talent in spades. I cannot wait to buy the novel on Amazon and thought I would pass along the info to you all.

As you all know, the past few months have left me sick as a dog. I spent December and January in my velvet covers on my round bed hacking up a lung. Thankfully, those days are long gone. I finally feel up to par and as a result, I have gone on quite a partying bender, sans any substances, of course.

It all started with karaoke night and my 2012 mantra-live like this is your last year on Earth.
My friends, this mantra may be the death of me. This weekend I went with Jameses and crew, I wore my black lacy cardigan with leggings and chic motorcycle boots.

I loathe karaoke, I don't see the point in singing off key with strangers making out in the dark corners but hey, this is about doing something new and exciting, right?

Unfortunately, I don't do exciting well. No, catastrophe follows me around every bend. So, nestled in a tiny basement bar, Jameses and crew take turns in karaoking their little hearts out.

I hold my hand sanitizer in my palm and keep staring at this huge 6 foot 6 man who cannot peel his eyes off my friend. This chick is so short I could even throw her across the room but she's a spitfire.

So, this bulky 6 foot 6 man approaches Spitfire Girl. He comes on to my friend, he grabs her arm and yanks her close to him. Spitfire girl pushes him back. There's not a security guard in sight. No one around me knows what to do, they are watching this creepy guy force Spitfire Girl to walk to his side of the bar.

My new motorcycle boots must have inspired me to go crazy on his butt because I run after him and leap on his back. I am still mortified that I did this, I leaped on this humongous man's back and refused to get off until he let her go.

He then throws me off his back like I'm a lil mouse (which is hard to do, I am 6 foot 2). I gash my forearm on loose pipe. I should have walked away after Spitfire Girl was safe but noooo, something inside me snapped and I yelled, "There's no way I am getting hepatitis because you're a creep."

The 6 foot 6 guy just stares at me in surprise. Jameses and crew burst out laughing because I am not freaked out by 6 foot 6 man. Instead I am worried that I am going to get hepatitis. The tension has faded.

The 6 foot 6 man begins laughing. Yep, everyone is laughing-the tears gushing out of their eyes, lungs burning kind of laughing. All because I am a wacked-out-germ-fearing-kind of gal.

Everyone goes back to what they were doing. For the next hour, I got ribbed for jumping on a humongus man's back. I can't stop smiling and laughing. The only way to get them to shut up is to do the thing I loathe most-sing karaoke.

I walk up to the stage, gulp down the fear and grab the microphone. I tap my black boots against the floor and sing along with Sir Mix-A-Lot, "I like big butts and I cannot lie . . . "

A Valentine's Story

February Challenge of the Month: A Valentine's Short Story

Warning: This story might just be true but I'll never say for sure

My ex-boyfriend used to call me his hood-girl. I loathed the phrase. Every time he uttered the words I was reminded of my lot in life, which must be why he didn't last long. No one wants to be reminded of what is lacking in their lives.

Whether the ex stuck around or not, he had a point. You cannot escape your past. I am and always will be the daughter of a loon. My parents divorced when I was eight. As a teenager, my father would pick me and brother's up for dinner. I always wanted to go to Denny's to see the hott server. Instead, my father would cook up a vat of SpagettiO's and we would eat in the parking lot of Albertson's. The chill of the snow was nothing compared to the chill in his station wagon.

I am what the ex said, a hood-girl.

There is a certain pride that comes when dealing with poverty. The more you struggle, the more you gain in confidence. You know that the worst will never faze you because the worst has already happened. And so, you venture out in the world ready for anything.

I can handle gunfire and death threats. I can even handle the hunger of wanting something more but I cannot handle him-- Zack. The obnoxiously hot guy who lives on the hill. His mansion is nestled between two large oak trees that have been around almost as much as his families money.

Zack wakes up in the morning and gazes out the window only to see a man-made waterfall and hundreds of tulips planted by his gardener. I wake up to the scenery of a brick wall and green trash cans. Our daily panorama is completely different but that doesn't matter. When we are together all we see is each other.

Every year we struggle with the same debate-how to handle Valentine's Day.

Zack was raised where the man brings flowers to their lover. I was raised where flowers are what you lay on the caskets of the dead.

A fancy dinner dance is out of the question because he can jig-it-out to all sorts of complicated dances, I cannot. I accidentally stamp on his feet with no rhythm whatsoever.

And so, we are caught in the middle of a tug of war between the privileged and the poor. Neither of us can understand the other. I am completely okay with not celebrating Valentine's day but Zack won't have it. Every year his family hosts a massive soiree at his mansion. After a week of constant debating, I nearly give up on the bloke. Strangely, Cupid throws a miracle our way. Zack begins to see the world through my eyes.

Valentine's Day could have been a nightmare but he saw things differently. He picked me up in his Cadillac. I tugged at my navy blue boots, wishing they were Prada, not Payless. I am nervous as all get up, until I see the pot of beef ravioli sitting between us. We pull into the local market, I smile up at him, realizing he has sacrificed more than his dignity to sit here with me.

The passerby's walk swiftly to get their groceries. They don't even notice us through the tinted windows. This is what I am used to, this is my world.

Zack hands me plate and dishes out a serving of ravioli. He smiles in a sexily sly sort of way and says, "I got you flowers and you didn't even know it."

"I don't smell any flowers," I said.

Zack ran his hands through his long brown hair, "They are in the ravioli-rose hip sauce, a family recipe."

There are no words to say as I munched on the divine dinner. We come from two different worlds, his Sunday dinner's are a formal affair. Mine are spent hoping that my drug addict Uncle doesn't burp mid-prayer.

I guess you can mesh two different worlds together.

I learned a valuable lesson that night with Zack. Your history doesn't define you. It mold's you into the person you are today. Cherish your past, so that you can cherish others.

Live in the moment, Nastia Liukin

Nastia Liukin, Olympic gold medalist in gymnastics, once said in Vogue Magazine, "When you're out there, you're not thinking about the big picture. You just have to live in the moment and enjoy it."

My friends, we are chasing a dream and the pursuit can be exhausting. Not just on our minds but also on our bodies. I am starting to think the way to really flourish is to learn from Miss Liukin-live in the moment.

Enjoy the ups but even more than that, cherish the downs. Yes, the moments of victory make the process seem worthwhile but the hard times are what strengthens our resolve. Enjoy the moment because something beautiful awaits you.

Laurie Anne Gibson & fighting for your dream

Lemme be honest, 2012 has not gone my way yet. For the past three weeks, I have been in a NyQuil induced haze. Yep, being sick is no fun at all but resting does have its advantages when chasing a dream.

It allows you some time to regroup and refocus. After battling sickness, you see things more clearly, like what is important and what needs to go. You cherish your health, you fight for it.
And that fighting spirit is your most important tool when chasing a dream.

Laurie Anne Gibson, former choreographer for Lady Gaga said it best, "To me, dance is a fight. It's about passion, heart and the ability to find hope in the smallest crack. The freedom to be who you born to be."

What to do when fear holds you back

Dominique Moceanu, an American gymnast, once said, "If you feel fear, you will not be able to achieve your best." I dunno know about you but fear hits me at the oddest times. When it comes to my own dream, one minute I am fine and the next, I am a basket of nerves.

My dear friends, we cannot afford to allow fear to squeeze a way into our lives. This dream is yours for a reason. You know what motivates you and you also know what holds you back. The only way you are going to achieve your dream is to hold tight to what drives you forward.

Yes, fear can be ever-present when chasing your hearts desire. Do not fear the unknown. The fact of the matter is-you are stronger than your fear. Never forget that truth.

World peace and Ugg boots

January Challenge: Fantasy goals for 2012

I'll be the first to admit, I don't really do New Years resolutions. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that my goal in seventh grade was to smooch Tom Cruise and well, that never happened.

Now, before you cringe lemme note that this wasn't the crazy-pants Tom Cruise of our day and age. Do you remember when Mr. Cruise was in Top Gun and he seemed normal and HOTT? I know, 'tis but a distant memory. Anyways, on to my fantasy goal.

For 2012, I would like to become Pippa and Kate Middleton's long lost sister. Yep, wouldn't the Royals gasp when I came dressed to Buckingham Palace in my leather leggings and studded Ugg boots?

I would like the Queen to note my wacked out sense of style and say, "Ugg boots for all."

After a scrumptious supper of pork and cupcakes, Prince William, Prince Harry and I would then go on a massive shopping trip. The goal? Snag the whole world some studded Ugg boots. No one and I mean no one, would be left out.

Ugg boots would be delivered to the likes of evil doers, basketball players, civilians and military personal. And then something strange would happen- the world would become peaceful. All because of a pair of Ugg boots.

Yep, that's my goal for 2012. Make the world peaceful with the help of the Royal family and shoes.

But if I can't bring about world peace, maybe I will take a 6 month hiatus from life and become a Navy Seal. Surrounded by HOTT men, guns and mud. I'm so there.

Happy New Year!

Maegan, Janiel and I hope every one of you have a thrilling New Year. 2012, baby!

Something beautiful awaits you this year, can you see it? Your dream is just on the horizon and it's waiting for you.