let a little light in...

If you've been to Travis' blog lately, you know that So You Think You Can Dance has begun it's 5th season on Fox. You've read his "non-reviews" *gigglesnort* of the audition process so far. You might even have noticed that he's been my close to only blog haunt in a while. I'm still trying to find my bearings and he's been my safe harbour as I navigate in very rocky seas of late (Thanks bro, I'd name my next child after you were I to have one *hug*).

Back to the topic at hand... I relish the time spent watching this show. It's a little bit of heaven for me.
I've loved dance since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I even took tap as a little girl. It was something I did with my mother for a time. I loved it. It's still one of my absolute favourite dances to watch.

My love of dance comes from my parents. My father loved to dance, he knew how to partner. Daddy was from that long gone era where men were gentlemen and knew how to lead a woman across the dance floor. I'm certain this played a big part in Mom falling for him.


I can't tell you how I loved snuggling up to Daddy on rainy weekends to watch old Hollywood classics on public television. I was convinced my dad could have given Fred Astaire a run for his money. During those precious hours, I developed my first crushes: Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Donald O'Connor... *sigh* I wanted to marry them.

I don't know of anyone else who can pull this off (at 2:16):

On May 27th, I got a flashback. I was sitting, feeling sad, feeling blue... and the brothers Kasprzak danced onto my TV screen. And I knew. The same way I knew when I heard Taylor Hicks sing. I had just witnessed something special. Other avid SYTYCD watchers remembered Evan (what a cutie!) from the past season when he didn't quite make the cut in Vegas. Evan channeled Gene Kelly in an outstanding number (choreographed by his big bro) and Ryan was like the second coming of Donald O'Connor.

They've made it through to the very last group. Tonight, we'll know if we'll have the privilege of watching them dance every week for what I can only hope will be a VERY long time.

I've included a little gem... Evan dancing to Ryan's choreography in a throwback little film. I giggled, swooned, oooooohed and aaaaaahed as I watched this. I hope you enjoy it. I'm betting Travis will.

"After Hours" from Jason Eberly on Vimeo.

Do yourselves a favour and click on over to go lose yourself in the awesomeness that is Ryan Kasprzak. He's a hardworking, passionate choreographer/performer who is exactly what a show like this is all about... giving an awesome talent the commercial exposure he so richly deserves in the hopes that a brand new generation of kids will discover the Happy Happy Joy Joy that is dance.

in the spirit of spring

... and because it's the best news I got this week so far!

And it comes right on cue ;-)

Congratulations are in order for my big sis Dixie Mimi Sugarbaby Hoochie who became a Mimi (aka gammy) yesterday.

Welcome to the world Jordyn Alysse.

I did a little quick research and found that the root of the name Jordyn is Hebrew (Jordan) and it's meaning is 'down-flowing'... like the river.

Alysse is a variant of either Alice (I have a soft spot for that one), of Germanic roots meaning 'noble, exalted nature' or Alyssa, which comes from the Greek and means 'rational'. It's also the name of a bright yellow flower, the alyssum...



My wish for you is that you grow up to be just as kind as your beautiful Mimi Dixie and that you weather any turbulant waters with grace and strength. You truly are a little princess and I know you will bring life and joy, much like a bright flower does, to your surroundings.

You will be wrapped up in love, dear heart. And I look forward to watching you add pieces to your life quilt.


Don't forget to go and congratulate the extremely proud and beaming Mimi Dixie!

“Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.”
-- William MacNeile Dixon