Fun With Friends

Sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than spending a day with your friends at Disneyland. I know, it sounds ridiculous, childish even. But, believe you me, it can be one of the best, most fun-filled, magical days of your life. There is something about the Magic Kingdom that frees the little child within you. I can say with complete certainty that I find Disneyland to be even more magical as a grown up. Sure, I know that there are people under those Mickey heads and that the pirates are mechanical, but it's still such an amazing place. When I am there, I feel a freedom to be as silly as I would like. Or maybe that's just the friends that I'm with.

Maybe that's where the magic truly lies, in the selection of the people you spend your life with.

Vows

Before the new year, I read a blog about writing vows for the new year rather than resolutions. The idea was that resolutions fall by the wayside as the general idea surrounding them is that they never last. Vows, on the other hand, are something taken much more seriously and, therefore, something that are followed through.

I am not a person who has ever made new year's resolutions. Well, maybe when I was in elementary school. But, as an adult, I have not made resolutions on the premise that I would never keep them. And I would rather not make promises to myself that I cannot/would not keep. This year, however, I did decide to make some resolutions (before reading the blog about vows, anyway).

What surprises me the most is how, once you really decide to do somthing, it gets done. Committing to change or progress or accomplishment or release or whatever it is that you're trying to do makes it happen. I know it sounds new age-y and weird, but I really believe that when you decide something, the Universe will help you make it happen. I don't know if people can pick up on the energy that you're putting out or if you are more pro-active in trying to achieve whatever you've set your mind to or if it is simply a matter of timing.

I challenge you to make a vow to yourself this year. Put it out there and see the Universe come and help you with it. The trick seems to be that you have to really be ready to keep your promise, to put the work in, and to commit fully. But, if it's a vow you're making, those things are probably already in order.

Renewed Sparkle

Well, it's been almost a year since my first post. I'll admit, I think I bit off a little more than I could chew with trying do to something and blog about it every day. So, I want to recommit to a project that I can follow through on without the excuse of "life getting in the way".

My new commitment is something along the lines of one volunteer/community service type activity, one feel-good activity, one partner/group fun activity, and one product/service/person/company that is doing something amazing in the world per month.

I still believe that there needs to be more sparkle in the world. I still believe that there is enough good to go around and that we can all be doing more to be good to each other. So, let's kick off 2011 with a sparkle!

Wow!

Where was I when The Sparkle Project's blog surpassed 500, 600, 700, and 800 views? I love you, sparkly readers.

Happy Birthday, America!

Yes. It has been far too long since The Sparkle Project has, well, project-ed? But, with the spirits of independence and patriotism floating through the air today, what better time to sparkle a little bit? Also, sparklers are definitely an Independence Day tradition.

I wrote this a while ago, after seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.

*****
FREE

I saw the Statue of Liberty for the first time today. I mean, for the first time in person. I was overwhelmed. I thought of all of those who came to this country to be free. “Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” How amazing is that? People came here for freedom. More than that, they came here for asylum. They came here to be whomever they wanted. They came to this country because it is a place where no one could tell you what you were supposed to believe or who you were supposed to be.
*****

All Hail the Queens

Tuesday night is fully of sparkle. Especially if you hit up the Dreamgirls Revue at Rage in West Hollywood. In this, the most fabulous of fabulous drag shows, you are swept away on a sea of Cher and show tunes to a land of sequins, rhinestones, and wigs the size of your torso. Glamorous gals like Chad Michaels, Morgan, Dolly Levi, Jasmine Masters, Venus Deelite, Delta Work, Fontasia L'Amour, Ingenue, and Raja serenade you...or give you a lap dance. Dollar bills and glitter fly and everyone leaves feeling a little bit lighter, like they've added a little more fun to their lives.

Have you ever seen an impersonater that you thought looked "just like" so and so. Well, when you see Chad Michaels, you'll know that this Dreamgirl is more Cher than Cher. Ask People Magazine, they ran photos of "Cher through the years" and one of those years was none other than this fabulous lady.

Special guests grace the stage. Sometimes they even spark phone calls to TMZ telling them that Britney Spears is at Rage. Who knew it was actually Derrick Barry?

Wild child, Morgan McMichaels, is a contestant on this season's RuPaul's Drag Race on Logo. Not only is this bitch fierce, she does a mean Catwoman...and Jareth, The Goblin King (a.k.a. David Bowie).



Then there's Raja who is so beautiful and feminine that I want her to teach me how to be a woman...and I was born a woman...and a pretty girly one at that.

Well, I could go on forever. No one dances like Dolly Levi, Ingenue is both a witty and warm hostess.... Let me leave it at this - get your ass to the Dreamgirls Revue (or any fabulous drag show) and get sparkled on.

Let's Put On A Show

One of my amazingly talented friends has written a musical. Well, more than one, it takes a village. But the concept and story are his. The lyrics are his. And he has generously asked me to be a part of it. We have been learning songs and recording them and now, we have just had our first read through together.

Now, I love putting on a show. I love putting on a show with friends even more. But, sitting in a living room with all of the friends that you know are talented but have never heard sing in the ten years of knowing them...that's something that you just can't top. Well, maybe you can top it by getting on stage with them and performing. That might top the living room. Maybe.

The most magical part of this is really seeing how wonderful your (in this case, my) friends are. There is a core of us who have known each other for just about ten years. We worked together or went to college together and all came to LA seeking...well...what most people are seeking when they come to LA. We met working together or through each other as mutual friends and sort of became a family. We all knew we had all done theatre and musicals. We all knew we were all performers of some sort. However, aside from seeing me in the chorus of "Pippin" and "Chicago," none of us had ever heard any of us sing. Well, seriously sing. Joking around after a few cocktails in Big Bear doesn't really count. Now, after all of these years of friendship, seeing everyone create this beautiful piece of art...it takes my breath away.

There are voices that should be on Broadway. There is musical talent that should have a record deal. There is so much love, camaraderie, and support.

It is one of the sparkliest experiences of my life.