Sunday, May 22, 2016

LAFC coming to DTLA in 2018!

As a newbie to the world of soccer, I am excited to hear that they are building a new soccer stadium in DTLA and debuting a new MLS team in 2018 called Los Angeles Football Club or LAFC. I admit I know very little about soccer but I have slowly been becoming a fan. With this new team coming, it feels like the perfect opportunity to come in at the ground floor as a fan of my city's newest sports team. Yes, there is the LA Galaxy but they are based in Carson. I can actually see myself hoping on the Metro Redline to watch a game. I'm sure I can learn a lot from watching the LA Galaxy, and who knows, I may become a Galaxy fan as well but, LAFC is a team I think I can see LIVE and that is exciting to connect with from the standpoint of "LA City Pride"!

Also, watching a team being formed from the beginning is just what I need. So, I have just under two years to learn all I can about soccer so I can enjoy every moment of my new LA team!



Developing and Unexpected Love of Sports: Cycling & Soccer! Who Knew?!

The earth must is shifting on its axis. Saturday, I found myself enjoying watching NYC vs New York Red Bulls in a soccer match where the Red Bulls blew NYC out of the water 7-0. I actually enjoyed myself and yearning for more. And today, I turned on the tv and got engrossed in the final stage of the Amgen Tour of California, watching Mark Cavendish wind the final stage and Julian Alaphilippe win the overall race.

I have never been a follower of sports on television or sports in general to tell the truth. However, I have always had a fondness for cycle racing, largely for sentimental reasons. As a kid my brother Butch and his wife Mary were amateur cycle racers. So much of my  childhood is littered with outings to see them compete. To this day, cycle racing is one of the only sports I actually enjoy watching.

Now as I have three nieces, Butch's girls, who have been involved in soccer for years, I have had a slow growing interest. The truth is I know nothing of the rules of the sport, I have decided to learn what I can. Especially now that LA is looking to bring another soccer team to LA, as they build a new sports arena in DTLA, now seems like a good time. I have often been tempted to go to an LA Galaxy game but Carson is a bit too far for me to want to travel on a regular basis. But if a new team is based in DTLA, I may find myself getting tickets! In the meantime, I can get started and learn a little bit more about the soccer league in America.

I have no idea how to educate myself on the world of soccer but as a native Philadelphian, I might as well check out the team there, compare it with LA Galaxy and wait to see what the new LA team looks like before making a final choice who I will align myself with as a fan. In the meantime, I guess I should scour the web to learn about the sport itself, the key players worldwide etc so I can get the most out of this new adventure.

        

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

My Birthday: New Year...New Beginning

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

For the first time in many years, I am excited to welcome my birthday and the official start to an amazing new year of adventure.  This is my time to re-ignite the fuse and let my SPIRIT SOAR.

Now more than ever I am hearing Life's call to LIVE FULLY, COMPLETELY, AND WITH LOVE OVERFLOWING! I'm listening Universe!

If anything has come from my now month-long meditation practice it is a swelling desire to LIVE with JOY and make every day count. I have shed a lot of crap over this last month. In
many ways it feels like I have been preparing for this year's adventure by learning to LET GO of a lot of the negative mental baggage I have been carrying around.

A new chapter has begun TODAY.



I want this to be a year of CELEBRATING, BEING OF SERVICE AND BEING GRATEFUL
for all the wonderful things happening.

I am living the life I have always wanted but I have forgotten to be grateful and enjoy.

I am now grateful. I am choosing to ENJOY everything Life has in store for me!
I am willing to remember what it means to be HAPPY, to LOVE, to LAUGH, to DANCE and to DIVE headfirst into THE FLOW OF LIFE!

I get to choose...
how to live,
how to think,
how to be.

I choose to live from a place of LOVE.   
This is MY GIFT to MYSELF. 

Monday, May 9, 2016

Heading to Philly in June!

It's official! I bought my Southwest Airline tickets and will be heading to Philly to visit my family!  Actually my biggest hurdle was finding a friend to take my boy Rusty in for a week. I am truly blessed because my good friend Monse stepped up and agreed to help me out.


Truth be told, I also think it is a healthy thing to step out if the high energy pace of living and pursuing an acting career. in LA. When I go home to Philly, I literally feel my life slowing down. Don't get me wrong I love my Los Angeles life, but a lttle break will be much appreciated.

 
Given my mum has had her share of health issues lately, this visit is very important to me. I cannot say how grateful I am.

Life is good!!


Sunday, May 1, 2016

Focus on The JOY: On Set of "Hand of God" Season 2

Friday, I had the good fortune of spending the day doing what I love... acting professionally!!

I was on the set of HAND OF GOD, when I was reminded of what my mother always says when I tell her I have an audition.

"What is for you, is for you."

It's funny how whenever she said it, I would just sigh and think yeah yeah but I want to book it. The truth is my mother's sage advice has become the best perspective I could take to my work.

This simple statement reminded me that I had no need to be nervous or waste a moment entertaining any thoughts of nervousness or fear. As I drove down to the set, I repeated my mother's words and allowed myself to focus on JOY, I set the intention of lapping up every ounce of JOY I could experience from the day from every interaction with the crew to the wonderful director to my playtime with my cast mate.
Kevin D'Arcy & Anastasia Liddeck on set

There is something about staying "present" and "grateful" that opens a door to enjoyment. To my surprise, the sound guy on HAND OF GOD was the same guy who hooked me up for sound on my stint on AMERICAN HORROR STORY last year. Small world. It reminded me again just how much I have to be grateful for.

The day was a blast. I literally enjoyed every single moment. In doing, that I felt such freedom in my work it literally felt like play.

This is going to be my performing ritual moving forward.

Focus on the JOY and everything else will fall into place.