New blog!

I’ve all but disappeared off here, and lately, I’ve been feeling it’s more than time for a new beginning. Which is why I decided to start a new poetry blog, Poetic. Forever Enchanted’s days may be numbered, but Poetic’s days have just started, and it would be so amazing for you all to join me as I start this new chapter!

The awesome Michael Patrick King

It’s been so long since I’ve posted anything on here, I feel like I need to break out the Windex and wipe off a massive layer of dust!  But rather than wasting words explaining my two years worth of blog neglect, let me jump right into my story that inspired me to post again.

I recently went to a screening of Sex and the City 2.  Came with some girlfriends and just laughed and had a great time. If you haven’t seen it yet, you're in for some fun! 

As I mentioned, this was a screening, the day after the big premiere at Radio City, and the writer/director Michael Patrick King (who is also behind the first movie and many episodes of the TV show, see his IMDB page for his very long list of credits) was there for a question and answer session at the end. You could see his background as a standup comedian coming out, he was very funny, and clearly brilliant, and I was just taking in how SATC has become such a huge phenomenon on a global scale, and so much of that has to do with him. What one person can accomplish…incredible is an understatement.

But if that’s all that had happened, cool as it was, that would not have inspired me to post at all.

We didn’t think we would have any opportunity to meet him as the theater staff rushed everybody out due to another movie about to start. I went with my friend to the restroom, and when I emerged- he was still there! Casually chatting and posing for pics with fans. As soon as my friend came out, we realized this was too good of a chance to pass up, so even though he was about to leave we went ahead and asked if we could take a picture with him, and he very graciously said yes, and a third friend of ours saw and swooped in just in time!

Okay, that was also pretty cool, but I have been in pictures with other famous people before. If that’s all that had happened, this still would be The Blog Post That Never Was. Which is why I am not bothering to even post the pic.

I know, I’m milking this out, aren’t I? I haven’t blogged in a while so pardon me if I’m having a little fun with this… :)

Really, it’s all about what happened after the picture was snapped. As I was standing right next to him, I just had to say something.

I told him I was a writer too and would love to be in his shoes one day…were there any words of wisdom he could give me?

He took my hand and looked me straight in the eye.

How he said it was much better than how my less than perfect memory is repeating it, but basically, he told me you just have to keep working at it. What you have on the page is what you get so keep working, keep improving…

The whole exchange probably lasted no more than a minute or two. But it was such an intense moment for me I almost cried.

It was everything together, not only what he was saying but how he was holding my hand and looking at me…I felt so strongly that he understood how hard it can be. Even mega-successful writers like him have had their struggles…and perhaps because of that, he actually cared enough to share a little wisdom and encouragement with me.

Due to living in NYC and enjoying the arts/entertainment scene, I have met a few celebs before. Many are nice and down to earth, while others are divas that simply cannot be bothered. But what happened at the movie theater that night, for me, was far beyond meeting another famous face that would fall into the “nice” category. It was a brief but beautiful moment of one human being reaching out to another, at a time when I really needed it. And if I ever am in a position one day to take someone’s hand and tell a person to keep at their dreams, I would love to pay it forward.

And I will keep working at it.

Thank you, Michael Patrick King.

 

Explanation

I just liked how the pic and poem (in the entry below) looked on its own so that's how I posted it, but I really should explain.

The pic is from my Florida trip, at this offshoot of the Everglades. How stunning is that? And the poem was both inspired from the picture as well as what my friend told me when we were there, when she asked, "Doesn't this place feel like the end of the earth?" I know the poem is really short but for now that's all I've got. If the inspiration ever hits I'll add more. But there's nothing wrong with short, like Haikus are a famous style and they're only three lines. And you know, while I have this stream of consciousness vibe going I'm gonna post one I wrote back in college, so here it is-

I love chocolate
it bring sweetness to my mouth
and a smile to my face

:)

A pic and a poem

Drift away
canoe
to the ends of the earth,
gentle paddles
painting strokes
in the water
as I watch
by the reeds.

Good Times

This blog seems to be turning into more of a monthly than weekly one these days, but I really do want to change my ways. So keep coming back...please! I mean how can you not, I just used the magic word. And golly, if you comment I promise to say thank you too...

If I'm being silly my excuse is just getting back from a great little vacation from various areas of South Florida. Everything was beautiful, weather very much included- it was like fast forwarding to summer for a few days. And I got to hang out with some good friends who made the move south. If you don't have friends in vacation destinations, I definitely recommend making a few! It makes both for a cheap (because you crash at their place) and fun (because they know where all the cool spots are and do most of the planning for you) getaway. Now wouldn't I make a great travel writer?

I did take some pics, but the old-fashioned way, so I have yet to see them, but if any come out good I might share one or two with you in the next post.

In the meantime, here's a feel good (and funny) clip from America's Got Talent winner Terry Fator. I guess my trip has put me in that kind of mood...

Imagination

Thought another snippet was due. This happens shortly before Megan introduces Jane to Enchantia, and it's important because it shows, even early on, the kind of imaginations these girls have:

After we filled up on s'mores we sang songs and told ghost stories. The Woods late at night is the best place to tell them. We got so into one of the stories, we saw something.
“L-look,” Megan stammered.
My mouth wouldn't open. All I could do was stare as a glowing white mist floated through the treetops, making eerie whispers as it passed.

Another year!

Can I just say it is crazy that I have already been blogging for almost two years? Thanks to those few but awesome readers who have stuck around all this time, and very patiently, especially these days.

I'm sure everyone is all partied out from New Year's, so instead of last year's unblog-day party, I'm gonna keep the second anniversary of my blog (which is really in a few days but I have to post this while I've got the chance) New Year's themed. I'll start off with two photos, which I took and printed in a darkroom during one of my photography classes waaay back in 2004:



This was taken in Times Square. It was cool to have that classic New Year's experience, but I have no interest in doing it again. The crowds are insane! And we waited for like four hours in the bitter cold. My teacher actually liked the shot. Said it looked like it was taken on some alien planet.



Took this on the way back home. The girl is my friend Sima. Didn't mean to shake the camera but I like the effect it had.

And here's a snippet from an essay written for a contest about that very same New Year--

Take New Years of 2004. I never had the experience of going to Times Square, and that year I finally decided was the year. Everyone was together, laughing with strangers like old friends (although ironically, some drunken students from the University of Dayton peed right on the ground in front of everyone and were escorted away by the police.“You're giving us a bad name!” I shouted at them). It didn't matter how much money you had or where you came from. As the ball dropped and fireworks burst into a rainbow of golden, sparkling colors in the semi-dark Times Square sky, there was such happiness and togetherness. People leaped and shrieked, sang and laughed. When New Yorkers celebrate, they do it hard-core. But it was more than that. I felt such hope for the world in those moments. If everyone could just get along and be happy the way New Yorkers do on New Year's, who knows what the world would be like.

Hope you all had a great one! And thanks again for reading!