How to use this Page

Okay so, today I got to flipping the channels since that "ultra-special and oober reliable" cable company of mine (Comcast..*gag*) informed me by way of an annoying error message, that my "On-Demand" was out....AGAIN!

See, I've been so busy (like that ever changes), going through the tedious ritual all writers face when they're on the brink of being published.....EDITING. Yup, it's a necessary evil, my dear and cherished friends. So I push on. And on. And on.

And when I need a break, I flip through the TV channels in the hopes that some great big surprise awaits me in the form of something to ACTUALLY WATCH. And this is what I did today when the editing proved to call for break-time. I was so happy to find that one of my favorite all-time movies was playing.

"GREASE."

The instant I saw it was on, I stopped surfing the cable waves and sat back...smile on my face, warmth in my heart, memories rushing at me like a tidal wave. You see, this movie holds such a place in my soul. I remember like it was yesterday.

Wait, wasn't it just yesterday?

I'll never forget it, as long as I live. I was six when that movie came out. My parents bought the soundtrack (the record album...2 LPs).....HEY, I'm NOT that old, okay! Anywho, I don't remember the first time I saw the movie, but what I do remember, is listening to that album over and over. I remember dancing to it with my friends, lip syncing to the songs for my family (me standing on a chair...them, watching...).

BTW, that doesn't leave this blog! I'd hate to have to hunt you down and assault you with waffles...the overly toasted variety that riddled with hard little nipits like...oh, I don't know...something sharp and sticky…..you get the point.....or you will if you tell anyone I danced on chairs when I was six, while singing and/or lip syncing to the GREASE soundtrack!

The point is, that movie has always held such a deep and cozy place in my heart. I mean, even today, every time I see it or I hear the music from it (yeah, I have the CD and have it on my computer), I still sing to it (no, not on chairs anymore....I've grown a bit and realized heights are not my friend).

And then there was me at ten years old. Hm! The same age as David Thorne....cool! Anywho, I went to Puerto Rico alone for a month to visit my grandparents. I swear, every time I went there, I was just terrified of their living room. It was nestled deep within the house...the walls a deep Spanish tan, the sofas and chairs blood red suede. And with the candle sconces and the feel of centuries-old stories hidden behind the facade of modern day living, it just felt creepy and haunted, and so not a place I ever wanted to be in.

Needless to say, every time I visited them, I walked right past the living room. Now that I think back though, it was pretty cool! Anywho, when I was ten, I remember there was this neighbor lady who lived across the street. She always liked me and when she saw me get out of the car the day I arrived, she ran over and gave me a big hug. Somehow, she found out I liked the movie GREASE, and told me that she had it on tape. Said, that anytime I wanted to come over and watch it, I could.

And so I did....everyday I was there that month...over and over and over again. I would just sit in her room by myself and watch the movie. I still remember what it felt like to sit on the edge of the bed, eyes glued to the screen. I was just mesmerized by the music, the dancing, the STORY! God, if only I had known back then that writing was so much a part of me. It's funny you know, how we can go through life wondering who we are, what makes us "US", what makes us tick and what makes us love what we love. Until one day we wake up and look back upon our lives and "JUST KNOW". Like someone just turned on a light.

So today, as I watched the movie, I actually got tears in my eyes, remembering how it felt to be ten years old…no worries, no stress…just having fun watching this amazing movie with its great music and great dancing, and just wanting to BE like them. It's a feeling I get all over again every time I see or think of that movie...even today.

I guess it's not so bad growing up, is it? I mean, yeah growing up does come with its pitfalls...but truly, in the end, aren't we better for realizing who are, regardless the age we are when we do see that light come on?

So I say to those days when I was ten, and to that little girl, that dreamer who knew in her heart and still knows today what it means to feel passion for something, "Thanks for the memories, Kid. And for making me who I am today."

GINORMOUS HUGS to the little ones inside all of us:)
Cindy

Okay so, I just wanted to let you all know that TREI Literary Magazine is OFFICIALLY CALLING FOR SUBMISSIONS!

YAY!

doin' the jig of publication joy.......

Now I know you all know that I'm the Editor-in-Chief of TREI, so you're probably thinking of asking me here what the submission requirements are, right?

Well, I'm not telling.......you have to go over to

TREI's Myspace page and check out the blog, "CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS.....OMG! THIS IS SO GOING TO ROCK THIS JOINT!!!!!!!!!!" to find out.

After all, I don't like repeating repeating myself.....and besides, it's funnier this way.....

Anywho, after you're done here, take a little jaunty hop over to CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS.....OMG! THIS IS SO GOING TO ROCK THIS JOINT!!!!!!!!!!. And after you do that, if you're not already a friend, add TREI Literary Magazine to your list. I'm telling you, I would NEVER steer you wrong, would I?

Illustrated by Christine Mix