Reese Ryan Romance

Colorful characters. Sinfully sweet romance.

Mindful Banter

L is for Love

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LOVE Some rights by las - initially

Think of this as a brief service announcement, a reminder that we should always treat the ones we love as we would if we knew today was the last day we’d see them. So give your significant other a cinema-worthy smooch. Hug and kiss your kids. Call your parents and tell them how much you appreciate them. Catch up with a friend. Walk the dog.

Below is Alicia Keys song, “Like You’ll Never See Me Again.”

Is making more time for family and friends one of your goals for this year? If so, how are you doing?

LoveQuoteSomeRightsdeeplifequotes

Photo courtesy of las – initially. Quote courtesy of deeplifequotes. Some rights reserved on both images.

K is for the Kevin Hayden Trio

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One of the few things I’d say I inherited from my father is his love of music. I fondly remember sitting on the couch in our living room while he played one album after another. He was a big jazz fan so I listened to lots of Grover Washington, The Crusaders, Miles Davis, Joe Sample, and Nina Simone. But he also introduced me to my all-time favorite band–Earth, Wind & Fire–and numerous other musicians.

Illegal Playlist nowAs soon as I was old enough to buy my own records I began to build a collection of 45s. (I had a stack of those little yellow inserts.) Every time I got my allowance I was plotting which record I’d purchase next. But my love for music quickly blossomed and I developed an eclectic musical palate. What am I listening to? Depends on the day or my mood. One day it’s Neo Soul–Maxwell, Jill Scott, Ledisi, Musiq, and India.Aarie. The next it’s adult alternative. Later that day I’m listening to rock, or classical.

The beauty of liking so many genres is that it multiplies your chances of discovering something new. Lately, I’ve been on a serious jazz kick, prompted by another group which we’ll meet when we hit the letter P. But today I’m introducing you to another jazz group I met recently via Twitter–The Kevin Hayden Trio. Kevin Hayden is a drummer/producer/composer and the band is based in Milwaukee. (Shout out to the Midwest!). Love their sound. It’s everything I love about classic jazz, but with a unique contemporary twist. My favorite track is “Ice in the Sun.” Six minutes and nineteen seconds of pure listening pleasure. My dad would love it. I can envision him sitting in his favorite spot on the couch, eyes closed, head nodding to the music. And that makes me happy.

Sample the album below, or visit their website here to get your very own copy of Illegal Playlist. 

What are your favorite music genres? Which artists would you like to introduce us to?

J is for Journal

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When I was in middle school I kept a journal. I didn’t write in my diary every single night, but it was always there, ready to listen, ready to help me work through thoughts and feelings I wasn’t quite ready to share with anyone else.

Journal CollectionI’m not sure what happened to those diaries, or when they stopped being important enough for me to care. But now, more than twenty years later, I often wish I’d held onto those journals.

Like many writers, I’m completely obsessed with writing instruments. I’m admittedly snobbish about which pens I use. (The disposable pens in my possession serve one purpose–to be loaned to other people.) But my true obsession is notebooks and journals. I fall in love with them as easily as a tween falls in love with the teenage heart throb du jour. I collect them the way the eccentric lady up the block collects cats. I write in them with the frequency of rainfall in the Mojave Desert.

Time and again, I start a new journal, determined to maintain it faithfully. But within a few weeks it becomes one more chore, and eventually it falls by the wayside. Still when I run across another journal, I fall in love all over and the process starts again. Maybe this time will be different. 😉

What about you? Did you keep a journal as a kid? Do you keep one now?

I is for Ice, Ice Baby (as in the Polar Caps are melting)

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I’d love to spend this quick post drooling over chocolate-colored diamonds or some other delicious baubles. But today I wanted to address an important topic – global warming. First: YES, it’s real. (Please let’s don’t start that again.) Second: As you can see in the video below, this is no longer about theories and possibilities. The ish just got real.

Some rights reserved by Tatterdemalion!Here in America we’re a bit spoiled and water conversation isn’t something most of us were taught growing up. But making smart use of water and finding other practical ways to reduce our carbon footprint is the least we can do as global citizens. If warming continues at its current rate, the results will be catastrophic for everyone. Even now, our unwillingness to make sacrifices may not affect us, but could have devastating results in other parts of the world.

Living an eco-conscious lifestyle doesn’t have to be traumatic. Start with baby steps. Here’s a list of Three Ways to Live Greener and Reduce Your Water Bill. Then there are simple things we can do like carrying reusable grocery bags to the store with us, and turning off the lights when we aren’t using them. It’s wonderful if we can drive a fuel efficient car, but even when we don’t there are ways to drive smarter. For instance, one of our cars is very fuel efficient, the other isn’t. We drive the least fuel efficient car only when necessary.  Also with a little forethought we can plan our day of running errands so that we’re aren’t wasting gas. Every little bit helps.

Have you started taking baby steps to an eco-conscious lifestyle? How are you reducing your carbon footprint? What other changes do you plan to make?

Photo courtesy of Tatterdemalion! Some rights reserved.

H is for Hindsight (or The 20/20 Experience)

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Life is full of tough decisions and everyday choices that can ultimately change the course of our lives or the lives of others. We ponder some decisions long and hard, yet still make the wrong choice. After the smoke clears, the right choice–the one we should have made–becomes glaringly evident.

Ahh…the beauty of hindsight.

The 20/20 Experience - Justin TimberlakeSo we don’t always make the right choices, and yeah…sometimes we royally eff things up. But the important thing is that we learn the lessons in life that every interaction, every consequence, every relationship is designed to teach us and use that information to make better decisions going forward.

Artists tend to take the lessons of hindsight a bit further, using them as inspiration for fictional tales, to create deliciously-flawed characters, or to write songs with which listeners easily identify. Justin Timberlake’s latest effort, The 20/20 Experience is my current obsession. (My husband and son are this close to staging a hunger strike if I play it aloud again.) There are a myriad of reasons I love this album. Just to name a few:

  • It’s classic JT, but from the more mature perspective of a man who has made some mistakes and learned some lessons.
  • The entire album is pretty much a heart-melting love letter to his wife. (Swoon.)
  • He and producer, Timbaland are a match made in artistic heaven.
  • Several of the songs have a classic funk sound. (Remember when people used actual bands who played actual instruments? People still do that.  Here’s proof.)
  • I love that half the songs on the album are essentially two different songs. (See my post on Fusion to explain this illness.)

Thankfully we’ve moved beyond the little 45s I spun in my room growing up because this the tracks “Pusher Love Girl,” “Spaceship Coupe,” and “That Girl” would be completely worn out by now.  You can listen to the entire album below.

What are some of the best lessons you’ve learned in hindsight? Are there some lessons that can only be learned this way? What do you think?

 

G is for Goals (or Don’t Talk About It Be About It)

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At the end of 2011 I posted my goals for 2012…on my blog. Right there in the open for everyone to see. It was one of the most terrifying and exhilarating things I’d done, in terms of being open and putting myself completely out there. Later in the year I revisited those goals to see where I was.

CrossTheFinishLine

Surprise, surprise! I accomplished, or began making headway, on many of the goals I established for myself and then shared with others. It worked so well, why not do it again? At least, that was the plan. But by the end of the year I was hard at work on many of those goals so I kept putting off setting my goals for 2013.  While I am still busy working on many of the projects I set in motion in 2012, there are several other personal and career goals I want to achieve this year, but have yet to make any real progress. So, it seems it is time to stop tarrying and bring back the goal list. Below is a broad overview of my goals for 2013.

2013 Goals

  1. Adopt a healthier lifestyle – Joined WeightWatchers today.
  2. Make more time for family & friends
  3. Complete two manuscripts
  4. Edit two manuscripts
  5. Search for agent representation
  6. Publish two books  – Already in motion w/ Carina Press
  7. Join or start a group blog – Already in motion. Contemporary Romance Cafe launches May 1st.
  8. Continue progress w/ education – Making excellent progress
  9. Self-publish 1-2 pieces
  10. Submit to at least four contests this year
  11. Pursue freelance magazine writing opportunities
  12. Make time to travel

It sounds like a lot (okay, it is a lot), but I believe it is doable. What about you? What are your goals for the rest of 2013?

F is for Fusion (or How to Make Beautiful Music) #AtoZChallenge

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Fusion–the melding of disparate elements– has always appealed to me. There is fusion cuisine which blends traditional foods from varying cultures to invent a tasty new dish foods, and fusion music which blends differing styles or genre to make a new one.

There is something about marrying two seemingly opposing genres that seems so wrong, and yet when it is done well, the result is a harmonious pairing of two conflicting musical styles. Latin jazz. Hip hip and rock. World fusion. Rock and classical music. When one can make such a pairing work it seems effortless. Like magic. Here’s an example of this type of fusion:  Lindsey Stirling is a violinist, however she incorporates a decidedly rock and roll edge in her style, and then throws in some dance, just because she can. The combination is pure magic.

As a reader and film viewer, I sometimes enjoy a film that blends two seemingly opposing genres with good effect. For instance, I enjoyed the movie Timer which blended science-fiction and a romantic dramedy (which in itself is a fusion of sorts).

 

What is your take on fusion cuisine and fusion music genres? Is there a book or movie you like that does a particularly good job of blending two genres?

E is for Ebert and Elementary #AtoZChallenge

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Farewell Roger Ebert

A quick nod to Pullitzer Prize-winning movie critic, Roger Ebert, who died yesterday. I’ve been watching Roger Ebert share his insightful movie reviews from his balcony since the days of Siskel & Ebert at the Movies. They were magic together and I loved watching them dissect a film–whether they loved it or hated. I’ll admit I got a little thrill out of it when one hated a film as passionately as the other loved it. It taught me that art is truly subjective and that even brilliant minds disagree.

Roger Ebert is as firmly rooted in the history of Hollywood as many actors and directors, and is far more memorable than most of the movies he reviewed. He will be missed. Today both thumbs are at half-mast.

 

Elementary, My Dear Watson

If you’ve been here more than once, you know I have a deep and abiding love for flawed, damaged characters. However, the danger with flawed characters is that they tread a perilous line between likability and utter loathing. In extreme cases the character’s flaws descend into full-scale buffoonery or an intolerable lack of consideration for others.  For instance, I was a fan of the USA series Monk at first. But after awhile I found his treatment of his assistant, Natalie, intolerable, and felt like his countless phobias had become the central theme of the show with each gag going on far too long.

Elementary -- Jonny Lee Miller plays Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu plays Dr. Joan Watson.Enter Jonnie Lee Miller’s portrayal of famed detective Sherlock Holmes in the CBS drama, Elementary. A famous, drug-addicted detective with innumerable quirks and a tendency to be brusque is ripe for treading on the side of utter loathing. Initially I gave the show a shot because I have fond memories of staying up late, as a little girl, to watch Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce portray the brilliant, but socially-inept detective and his affable sidekick, respectively. I also found the idea of Sherlock Holmes being given a modern twist–including making the Watson character a woman–completely intriguing.

I watched the first episode, but wasn’t completely sold. I had serious doubts whether I could tolerate Sherlock’s behavior. Still, I was interested enough to watch the next episode, and the next. Each case was complicated, with unexpected twists. More importantly, I grew fonder of the main characters.

Sherlock Holmes – Portayed by Jonnie Lee Miller

A star consultant for Scotland Yard, Holmes falls out of favor after descending into a drug habit and being forced into rehab. He comes to Manhattan where Captain Gregson (portrayed by Aiden Quinn) is familiar with his work and allows him to serve as a consultant on NYPD cases. Sherlock’s father–a man who is never seen, but is, and has always been, detached from his son–insists that Holmes live with a sober companion following his release from rehab and relocation to New York City.

Dr. Joan Watson – Portrayed by Lucy Liu

Dr. Joan Watson was a brilliant surgeon until she lost her patient, her confidence, and her license to practice medicine three years ago. She finds solace in her new career–serving as a companion to recovering addicts. Still, she is painfully aware that her family and friends disapprove of her choice and believe she is simply hiding out from life.

Both characters have tragic pasts that drive their behavior and thinking in very different ways. However, over the course of this first season we’ve watched the growth and development of both Holmes and Watson, and the evolution of their complex relationship. From the beginning Watson became increasingly invested in her charge as her admiration for his brilliance grew. However, bit by bit Holmes began to recognize Watson’s unique abilities. More importantly, we’ve watched as he reluctantly began to care for her. He demonstrates his concern in subtle ways, but because of the insight we’ve been given into his character each act speaks volumes.

Have you seen Elementary? Do you love it or hate it? Who are your favorite damaged characters and why?

D is for Determination #AtoZChallenge #BasketballTrickShotKid

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TitusBasketballThe video of this amazing little basketball prodigy, Titus,  completely blew my mind. First I wondered if this was a series of camera tricks. When I realized it wasn’t, I wanted to scout this kid for my hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.

Titus is adorable, but he also reminds me of four important ingredients to success. Determination. Passion. Fun. The Right Team.

Determination

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines determination as, “Firm of fixed intention to achieve a desired end.” There’s no doubt that Titus is determined to reach his goal. This determination drives him forward. There’s no way the kid makes these crazy good shots without the hours of practice–which we don’t see— where the ball just won’t go in the basket. It’s on those days our determination to achieve our goals carries us through.

Passion

It’s not hard to spot the difference between an athlete that’s just dialing it in or working for a paycheck versus one who is fired up, completely consumed by her passion for her sport. We see this same difference in people we meet throughout our day–from the barista that made our double tall latte this morning to our doctor or child’s teacher. Having that same passion in our work and allowing it to fuel us on both good days and bad results in an end product that we can be proud of, and that end users–like readers–will truly enjoy.

Fun

It’s pretty obvious that little Titus is getting a kick of shooting the basket. We don’t see stage parents dragging the kid somewhere he doesn’t want to go, or threatening him if he doesn’t try one more time. Rather, we see the pure fun he’s having. He loves what he’s doing and he’s having a ball.

If we’re not careful, even our dream job can become a chore (ask any writer). So making it fun, and keeping it fun contributes to a better overall experience, and again has an impact on our final output.

The Right Team

Little Titus loves playing basketball, and his parents and siblings cheer him on fervently, and happily assist in doing what they can to help him get better. We don’t see his parents complaining because he wants to throw the ball one more time, or his siblings sulking in the corner because Titus is in the spotlight…yet again. Instead, they are there supporting him time and again, and show genuine elation each time he makes another basket.

Having the right people around us makes all the difference as we forge toward our goals. There will be some people in our lives who will always point out the negative or respond to good news with a telling “Hmm…” Distancing ourselves from those people physically isn’t always an option, however we can learn to minimize the impact we allow them to have in our lives and on our psyche. More importantly, we must find people who are supportive of our dreams and gravitate toward them.

Sometimes the right team is built piece by piece. The right coach here. The right trainer there. Then sometimes we’re lucky enough to find an entire group of supportive people–like the right critique group or writers’ association. When we find supportive people who are a joy to be around, and who want to see us achieve our goals as much as we want to see them achieve theirs things don’t get much better than that.

What goals are you determined to reach? What are you most passionate about? How have you built the right team?

Photo above captured from video below.

C is for Character #AtoZChallenge

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skyfall-wp1-1024As an avid reader, a film fan, and a writer, I’m obsessed with quirky and interesting characters. More specifically, I am drawn to deeply damaged characters whose occupation and actions reflect their past experiences.

Situations in life are rarely black and white. The same is true of people. Heroes often have a dark side, or an ugly past. Villains often have some redeemable qualities, or a past history that provides insight into their character.

I prefer my heroes rough and a bit gritty, and my villains with a vulnerability that allows me to feel some compassion for, or insight into them. Skyfall, the most recent film in the James Bond franchise provides both.

Daniel Craig portrays Bond with a raw vulnerability that we haven’t seen before. I’m a long-time fan of the franchise. Yet I much prefer my Bond bleeding and broken, than polished and nearly perfect.

Dame Judi Dench’s character, M, is a heroine in the Bond movies, but in this film we see glaring fissures in her character, and their tragic consequences.

javier-bardem-skyfall-posterSilva, the villain brilliantly portrayed by an ultra creepy Javier Bardem, is a complicated mess of a human being who manages to be irredeemably wicked, yet deserving of compassion.

Each of these characters reminds us that the line between good and evil is rarely delineated with an electrified fence. Sometimes the line is barely visible. We don’t realize we’ve crossed it until we’re on the other side. What classifies us as being in one camp or the other is whether we choose to return to the other side.

It’s no secret that I love deliciously-flawed characters. Such intricate, layered characters escalate the level of another important C, conflict. With each character waging a war internally, it’s no surprise that Bond and Silva are embroiled in an external conflict of epic proportions, leaving carnage in their wake.

What about you? Are you a purist who prefers a knight in a shining armor–hold the chinks? Or do you like your heroes and heroines with a hardened edge?