Mustafina Comeback (still in progress)

I am so inspired by her courage and determination! Can't wait to see Aliya in London 2012!

Part 2 - OLTL - Fraternity Row

Part 1 - OLTL - Fraternity Row

Xiana Fairchild (2011 montage)

In loving memory of Xiana La-Shay Kapuali'i Fairchild

Kidnapped: 12/9/99

You will NEVER be forgotten xoxo

Because we all need to laugh!

Catch Up Time...

I feel like it's been months since I've updated this blog. So much has been going on! I had another MRI a while back on my other knee just to be sure everything was ok. Thankfully, there are NO tears or anything that would require surgery! (Phew!) The not so happy news is I have severe chondromalacia. Thankfully all I need is more PT. 

So I've been doing intensive PT - for both knees and my back - and dancing dancing and more dancing! 

I also helped with JKing Dance Company's first online auction, where we raised close to $6,000! I am so honored and proud to be a member of JKDC! 

Speaking of JKDC, we will have our first full evening of work in May 2012 in NYC! For more information, check out www.JoyceKingDance.com 

And yes, I'm still fighting to SAVE OUR SOAPS! 

I love my life here in NYC - I am crazy busy with dance and work but you know what....I love everything I do....I love being a dancer and I LOVE dancing for JKing Dance Company!

"THANKS!!! to all that have bid and to those who donated items to help fund JKing Dance's Company's full evening of Work in May 2012!! You have all blown my mind at your generosity! and support! AMAZING!!" -Joyce King

"Dear Dreamers, today your one day closer. Don't give up! It's already written!!!!"

-Nafessa Williams

One Life Master Mix

The DANCE

Your Daily Gratitude

Wednesday November 9, 2011 

Your Daily Gratitude - from THE JOYFUL HEART FOUNDATION:

“When you express gratitude, you will bring joy to others’ lives. When others know joy, your life will be filled with happiness.”

-Arthur Dobrin

Soul Champions

"Imagine the one thing you love to do the most. Now imagine, out of nowhere, something happens and you realize you many never be able to do it again. How do you feel? Sad? Angry? Shell-shocked? For me, the answer was all of the above." - Bethany Hamilton

Rebecca Bross *update*

Rebecca Bross had surgery August 25th to reset and re-stabilize her right kneecap. She is expected to be out for 2 months and then back to the gym! (Rebecca was injured on vault during night 2 at the Visa Championships 2011)

GET WELL SOON! WE LOVE YOU! xoxo

SOUL SURFER

So I haven't updated in forever - and since I am stuck inside because of Hurricane Irene and since I still have power, I thought now's as good a time as any! :)

After I started dancing in January, things were going well...my knee was still hurting but getting stronger every day. Then summer came and with it, pain in my back. After having Xrays and an MRI, I found out I have some minor tears, bulges and herniated discs. So back to intensive PT I went where I upped the exercises for my knee and back. Things started to get better until a few weeks ago where I couldn't go from sitting to standing without sharp pain in my non-surgical knee. So for the past 2 weeks I've been going to trigger point therapy. It's been painful and bruising but it's helping. 

So, I continue to be grateful for every single day I get to dance and I'm grateful for all the possibilities that lie ahead. The storm this weekend has left me, and thousands of others, basically stranded at home with no MTA service and no open stores, so it has forced me to rest. So, for the first time in (who knows) how long, I ordered a movie on demand. 

If you want to watch an unbelievably inspiring story, go see SOUL SURFER. It is my new favorite movie, and applies to anyone out there who has a passion that no matter what happens to you, you will never stop doing what you love. 

These quotes from the movie basically say it all for me - while I didn't lose a limb last summer, I can relate with the knee surgery and everything that went along with it:

"I don't need easy, I just need possible"

"I wouldn't change what happened to me because then I wouldnt have this chance in front of all of you - this chance to embrace more people than I ever could have with two arms"

"I was born to surf. This is why I wake up at the crack of dawn every day. This is why I endure belly rashes, reef cuts, muscle so tired they feel like needles... and I've learned that life is a lot like surfing. When you get caught in the impact zone, you need to get right back up because you never know what's over the next wave. And if you have faith, anything is possible... anything at all."

"The end.....is just the beginning"

RebeccaBross - GET WELL SOON!

Rebecca Bross injures her knee at Nationals - from Universal Sports

Rebecca Bross injured on night two at the VISA Championships 2011. She dislocated her knee cap and hopefully that's all it is. Sending out so much love and prayers and support to her....LOVE YOU REBECCA!

yikes!

i have been SO bad this summer about updating this blog! so much going on....so much to catch up on....but right now i'm off to PT and dance....

‎"If you start to break, keep faith" - Alicia Sacramone

what a difference a year makes....

One year ago, this is what I wrote: 


Life can be unpredictable...60 days ago I never imagined that this is where I'd be right now.... counting down the hours and minutes and seconds until it is time for my knee surgery. I don't really know what else to say right now except that I feel numb. I feel like time has been turned upside down and inside out. But I have faith that it is all going to be ok. I'm still scared. I'm still anxious. But for right now, I have to keep breathing and stay focused on this one moment because in all honesty, that's all any of us can do.


365 days later, here I sit, thankful that tomorrow I will not be hobbling to the hospital. I am so blessed and grateful that I don't need surgery tomorrow and that I'm healing. Instead, I will be spending this anniversary doing PT in my room in the morning, followed by Floor Barre and then my favorite Jazz class with JK. Then more dance in the evening. 
Some things never change. I am still doing PT, I am still icing, and I am still thankful for every single day I get to walk into the studio and do what I love. 
It's funny what can happen in a year. I am grateful for the lessons learned, and thankful for this second chance to do what I love most in this world....DANCE. Speaking of gratitude, I am grateful for the donor of my new ACL. I am also thankful for the 2 screws holding my new ACL in place. And I'm thankful for the doctor and assistants who got me back to my love.


from an article about gymnast Shawn Johnson who is making her gymnastics comeback after an ACL injury and time off:

Shawn Johnson said yes and she’s glad she did because they talked for an hour, and his words hit home: “You’ll never be what you were in 2008 because you’re not the same person.”

So don’t try. Instead of comparing yourself with that person, compare yourself with the gymnast who could barely perform a common release move on uneven bars a few months ago.

Compare yourself with the gymnast who couldn’t complete a full beam routine a few weeks ago.

Instead of thinking about how far you have to go, 
remember how far you’ve come since stepping back in the gym.

“I was so far away from what an elite gymnast should be,” Johnson says, “but it really helped put things in perspective. I didn’t beat myself up so much after that. Every day I look at the progress I’ve made.”

My OLTL Montage from the party

ONE LIFE TO LIVE's 43rd ANNIVERSARY

JULY 15, 2011

Jaycee Dugard

She survived the most horrendous childhood imaginable. She beat the odds. She made it out alive and her book comes out on Tuesday. In honor of all the missing children cases I have volunteered for, I hope you buy the book, read it, and remember all those still lost.....

ONE MORE - OLTL montage

ROUND ONE OF THIS FIGHT GOES TO SOAP OPERA FANS, ACOTRS, AND EVERYONE WHO WORKS ON THESE SHOWS!!!! WHOOHOO!

BREAKING NEWS: ABC CONFIRMS All My Children and One Life to Live Have Been Licensed; Will Continue Online!!! | Daytime Confidential

BREAKING NEWS: ABC CONFIRMS All My Children and One Life to Live Have Been Licensed; Will Continue Online!!! | Daytime Confidential

Caylee

It's not the dragon you have to slay, but the fear.

Wow! Have I been neglecting my blog! So much going on and I don't even know where to begin....just before the last post, my knees were hurting and I completely freaked out and got stuck in fear. But I kept breathing and instead of staying in the fear, I did something. I went to my orthosurgeon who said both my knees are 100% structurally fine (phew!) but they thought the root of the pain was coming from my back. So, they sent me to a spine specialist. The doctor looked at my back and ordered all the tests....Xrays, MRI, nerve tests.....and, once again, I was back to fear and the waiting game. Thankfully through all of this, I was still able to dance! So, the tests came back (oh and FYI, nerve tests HURT!) and I'm happy to say that I just have some herniated discs, some bulging discs and tears...and while that doesn't sound good, the good news is, all I need is PT. I caught all this at the early stages so it's not that bad. I can still dance! 

So, once again, life has thrown me a curve ball....I've now added back exercises to the knee exercises. My PT list has grown, but if doing this every day means I will be able to dance forever, then I'm all for it. Thankfully I have some pretty amazing people in my life who listen to me and help me get out of my head when I get stuck in fear. And thankfully, I can continue to do what I love most in this world, DANCE.

Today's message from the universe: 

"It's not the day you have to manage, Danelle, but the moment. It's not the dragon you have to slay, but the fear. And it's not the path you have to know, but the destination. What a relief, huh?"

FLIP OVER AND FLOAT

Allison Case is the reason I started this blog and a huge reason why I survived the life changing injury and surgery I had last year. So naturally when she said I should follow someone named Terri Cole on twitter, I did. Funny how one year and one day after I was injured I was introduced to Terri Cole.

So, when I found out she was going to be in NYC, I jumped at the chance to attend her workshop. And I'm so glad I did. I cannot tell you how much I learned in the 2 wonderful hours I was with her, but my hope is that you will be fortunate enough to cross paths with this amazing woman!

TERRI COLE'S WEBSITE

"Spending time in stillness and silence connects you to the pure potential of your life -MEDITATE- and watch your abundance FLOW xo"

-Terri Cole-

"When you feel like you are swimming upstream, just flip over and float."

~ Terri Cole

My sad OLTL video :*(

hmmmm.....

MANTRA OF THE DAY:

DEEP BREATH

GET OUT OF YOUR FEARFUL HEAD

AFFIRMATION OF THE WEEK:

I WILL HEAL. I WILL BECAUSE I MUST.

THINGS TO PONDER:

HOW PEOPLE TREAT YOU DEFINES THEM, HOW YOU RESPOND DEFINES YOU.

processing....

A little over a year since the injury and I'm back dancing. I am so grateful to be back doing what I love. It's weird the way the brain works. Last year at this time I was in the process of playing a game of what is wrong with my knee. And here I sit, a year later, feeling those same feelings I did even though I'm not injured. It's so weird. I guess my brain is finally able to process what happened and now that I'm back dancing, my body and brain are processing everything I couldn't last year.

"Without making a conscious decision to CRY, I was bawling my eyes out! I'm not someone who cries, I bury that, fake it with brave bravado."

-Robin Strasser-

365 days ago....

Exactly one year ago today, I heard what I can only describe as a newspaper being ripped in half. Only, it wasn't a newspaper, it was my right ACL tearing away from my tibia bone. 2 physical therapists, 3 doctors and 2 months later I had finally learned I had a complete rupture of my ACL. What followed was a painful 2.5 hour reconstructive knee surgery, hours of endless, painful physical therapy for months until, finally in January 2011, I was given the ok to start dancing full out again. But that wasn't the end of it. Even today, one year after I heard that life-altering tear, I'm still dealing with the after effects. I am not completely back to 100% but I'm close.

Most importantly, I'm dancing again....and, I'm performing! And what a great way to celebrate this insane anniversary than a weekend full of dance! I performed at Alvin Ailey yesterday and today, back with the company I love, JKDC.

Last year at this time I was sitting on my bed with ice on my knee in tears. This year, even though I'm sitting on my bed with ice on my knee in tears, it's for different reasons. It's amazing what a difference a year can make. The endless hours of tears and painful PT have paid off. Tonight I sit here in tears, remembering this past year and what it has taught me. This blog was created because of my knee and going back through all my posts....well, while I never want to have to go through the past year ever again, wow it taught me a lot - about myself, about other people, about facing challenges head on - being so disciplined that I was able to sit on the floor of my room for up to 8 hours at a time rehabbing my knee by myself.

I am so thankful and grateful to everyone who helped me through this past year. For all the emails/texts/calls/messages....I believe that because of YOU I was able to get back to where I am today. Because of people like you, I was able to keep my chin up and keep pressing ahead.

So, basically this is my THANK YOU! for everything you have done for me, especially all the lessons you have taught me this past year. You will never know how grateful I am to have you in my life. I am SO thankful for YOU! xoxo

"It's almost there. I've come to the conclusion that it's always going to hurt a little because of the pounding on it. Now I can really tumble on it, and my body is doing well besides that. I'm pretty lucky. There were a couple of skills that we decided would be best to completely throw away, just because of extreme twisting, the landing or the take-off. Finding the confidence to really trust your surgery leg is hard. So there are a few skills that I was really hesitant on, and we decided to try something else....Yes, the motto I've been living by is that it will all be worth it in the end. I've gone through times of frustration because of my knee, or because I'm older now and can't push myself as much, and on the hard days, I tell myself that it will all be worth it. Nothing can replace the pride you feel from getting on the podium at the Olympics." -Shawn Johnson-

MAY 17, 2011 - SAVE OUR SOAPS!

Day 300 post op!

Shawn Johnson update

espnW: As you mentioned, you injured your knee skiing a little more than a year ago. Is it all healed now? How is the rest of your body feeling?

SJ: It's almost there. I've come to the conclusion that it's always going to hurt a little because of the pounding on it. Now I can really tumble on it, and my body is doing well besides that. I'm pretty lucky.

espnW: Have you changed any of the skills you do because of your knee?

SJ: There were a couple of skills that we decided would be best to completely throw away, just because of extreme twisting, the landing or the take-off. Finding the confidence to really trust your surgery leg is hard. So there are a few skills that I was really hesitant on, and we decided to try something else.

The main one we took out was my double-twisting double-back on floor. It was sort of a signature skill for me, so I was a little bummed, but as soon as you take off from that skill you have to twist, so it was scary for me with a knee injury. But we found a new one that works even better and came pretty easily, so hopefully it will turn out well.

espnW: What skill is that?

SJ: It's a surprise right now.

espnW: Do you have a quote that keeps you going on tough days?

SJ: Yes, the motto I've been living by is that it will all be worth it in the end. I've gone through times of frustration because of my knee, or because I'm older now and can't push myself as much, and on the hard days, I tell myself that it will all be worth it. Nothing can replace the pride you feel from getting on the podium at the Olympics.

small update

I know. I know. It's been WAAAAY too long since I've seriously updated my blog. But it's for good reason! Life has been happening! I'm still dancing and icing and doing PT...and I'm working, and I continue the fight to save the soap operas I love dearly. I've been out protesting, making calls, emails, etc. Most importantly, I'm getting ready for my shows! May 22-23 if you're in NYC and want to come let me know! Best part about these shows...May 22 will be the one year anniversary of the day I heard that loud rip, which meant major knee surgery and the reason this blog was born. But first, I'm off to my favorite workshop of the year...the workshop I like to call, "what if it's possible..."

So, with that, I'm off, but I leave you with this:

‎"But you see, miracles DO happen." -Viki (5.12.11)

SAVE OUR SOAPS!!!! ROA style!

Things to ponder #78

"Believe the tunnel can end, believe your body can mend"

Things to ponder #77

From today's One Life To Live:

"Yes I faltered, so what, I admit it. Despite all the marriages and the deaths and the shattering losses of the man I loved, the child, my beloved mother who left me far too soon. And despite my father who betrayed my trust in the worst way imaginable. Despite all of that, no, because of it, because of everything that I have suffered, I am stronger than you and all of you. I have survived and I will continue to survive and I will walk through hell fire if my children need me. Joey, Natalie, Jessica - I'm coming back I promise you. I will never allow Niki or Jane or any of them to take my place in the world. Yes I share aspects of their characters, but I'm better than you Niki. You're selfish and you're sloppy and you're devious. And I'm better than you with your cool precision and you're relentless logic. I am a whole person and I deserve to be with the people I love. There's no more hiding. There's no time for that now. I have only my one life and I intend to keep living it NOW!"

-Viki-

(talking to 2 of her split personalities in her head)

One Week Later...

Thursday, April 21, 2011 10:50pm

WoW! One week ago today, thousands of lives were forever changed...and one week later, all those thousands of people from all different walks of life got together to form one big group with one big goal in mind...save our family. Catherine Hickland said it best "Soap actors and audiences dance a dance. We laugh together, cry together, survive together and love together. That's what makes a family." So, love us or hate us, knock us down all you want, we won't give up. We are a family and we are in this together...

On Thursday, April 14, 2011, our family was hit. ABC announced the cancellation of ONE LIFE TO LIVE and ALL MY CHILDREN. Can you imagine a day without Erica Kane or Tad Martin? A week without the Buchanans? Now think about all the jobs that were just lost. Think about everyone working for these two shows...actors, lighting, sound, hair, makeup, wardrobe, etc. Think about all the soap opera magazines...now lost without these two shows. Think about the network dedicated to our soaps. 600+ jobs just taken way in the blink of an eye. In NY alone, hundreds of jobs, gone. Well, I don't know about you, but no one messes with my FAMILY! I didn't even begin to mention that ONE LIFE TO LIVE is the LAST soap opera in NYC. And what message does that send to those of us who are in the performing arts? Soap Operas are another reason NYC is what it is and why actors/dancers/singers migrate to this wonderful city!

My heart sank upon hearing the news. I went home and cried...all alone...feeling so sad and depressed and angry. Does nobody understand that these shows ARE my family? These 3 soap operas got me through everything in life, eating disorders, gymnastics, injuries, depression, wanting to die, dance, moving to NYC and so much more I can't even begin to tell you....through every up and down I have ever had in my life....these shows have been there with me. I learned from them. Laughed with them. Cried. Sighed and learned some more. I got on FaceBook and posted on April 14th that that was the saddest day of my life - black thursday - my life was over. But that's when a miracle happened. That's when thousands of others who felt the exact same way I did, stepped up, reached out and we all joined hands.

ABC thought we'd be angry for a day, get over it, and move on....well, ABC was sorely mistaken. We have come together in a way that I have never seen before. All of us, from all over the country...even some from other countries have stepped up and joined in the crusade to save our soaps. We are writing and calling ABC and Disney, we are contacting the sponsors, boycotting ABC, asking everyone and anyone who can do something, to please help. And it's working...we got HOOVER to join the crusade and become a part of our family. Our boycotting of all ABC shows aside from ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and GENERAL HOSPITAL, brought down ABC's ratings! ABC Monday premiered all new shows in primetime and lost to other stations showing re-runs. There are a lot of us out there. We will not give in until our soaps are safe! Even Nancy Lee Grahn was amazed by the power of soap fans..."If soap fans were on the titanic...it would never have sunk." It's time for ABC to start listening to the viewers...after all, aren't we the paying customers here? Why are we being punished? Just because one person who hates soap operas is in a position of power? Last time I checked, we live in America...don't we have a right to chime in on this decision? It affects my life greatly. Even if you are not a fan of these soaps, I bet you know someone who is.

We all come from different backgrounds, different upbringings, different political views, different religions. But none of that matters M-F at 1pm 2pm and 3pm. For those 3 hours, 5 days a week, all year round, we are one big family. We don't want more reality tv. Who cares. Would you rather see reality tv or 3 hours of talented actors memorizing 50+ pages of dialogue a day and giving a performance that touches people to their core? Talented writers and directors, hair, make up and wardrobe people, all coming together to make these shows what they are. They are so much more than TV shows, they are OUR stories, OUR friends, and most importantly OUR FAMILY.

I'm with Robin Strasser on this one, "It's TOO soon for post-mortem condolences. I could cry, but I'd rather TRY. The good old days are NOW. There's no protection in giving up."

We won't forget and we won't move on. We are not in a race but a marathon. SAVE OUR SOAPS!

Thank you.

Http://www.Catherinehickland.blogspot.com/

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011 NO MORE LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON Well, he did it. It took many long and arduous years but he did it. Last week, all of us who have been touched so monumentally by daytime, either being a disrespected fan, or a disrespected participant, are angry, sad, and in disbelief. To think that we will no longer be able to see characters that we have come to consider our own is a very odd feeling. It feels like a death in the family. It is why soaps have had the following they’ve had for nearly half a century! Your characters in your stories have made you feel the gamut of emotions from A to Z. Every day! Soap actors and audiences dance a dance. We laugh together, cry together, survive together and love together. That’s what makes a family. Whenever I would hear you-know-who make a speech and call us the “ABC family,’ it made my skin literally crawl. You don’t treat your family like they don’t matter. Someone is counting on the fact that today you are all whipped into a frenzy, and that tomorrow and next week you will have forgotten and forgiven. Say it loud. WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE OR FORGET. Now you may be saying, ‘but CAT, you are usually so Zen! “And to that I say, “yes, yes I am, but being Zen does not mean not feeling our feelings. I’m pissed off. Being angry is necessary! Can’t move forward without moving through. Can’t get Zen without acknowledging feelings and disturbances first. People who read my tweets can see that I am really fired up (no pun intended) over this whole thing. Dammmmn right! Do I think this know-nothing owes anyone a job? No I do not. Do I think the man owed people who gave ALL for all of those years a little respect? YES. Yes I do. Am I surprised? Not one bit. After all, I found out I had my last day of work by reading it on a magazine cover that was on the stands the day after I shot my last show, which meant that the magazine people knew for a week before I did! For crying out loud.. man up! Tell people WTF is going on. I loathe cowards. “The ratings kept declining” he will spin. And I say “Yes, well that was the plan, wasn’t it?” Isn’t that what you have been doing with all of your character assassinating and lame story telling? Isn’t that what you’ve been doing micromanaging your producers, writers, and staff to insanity? Business 101 teaches that you hire super competent people and let them do their job. Control freaks find this nearly impossible, which is why they ultimately fail. Its pure arrogance to think that you know what the audience will accept on shows that they knew far, far better than you. They didn’t accept mediocrity, and for that, the viewers were punished? What’s wrong with this picture? Actually, How he stays employed is a mystery… however life is funny, and karma is not just a theory. It may not be today and it may not be tomorrow , but he has some karma coming, that’s for sure. SO many people hurt under his tenure. A lot of destruction for someone unimaginative! As a hypnotist, I am in the business of imagination, so I feel extrememly well qualitfied to make that statement. Plus, my friends who work there have told me that you- know-who often asked his staff to give him their “best 50 ideas” as if it were a challenge. That used to amaze me. Just piss-poor chess playing if you ask me. In my world, YOU come up with the ideas that you intend to take credit for. If someone asked me for my best 50 ideas, unless it was a contest to win something (like credit for my idea) I’d tell them to get their own eff-ing ideas. It was always hilarious listening to you-know-who’s “people” sound like that Twilight Zone episode, “Children of the Corn” where everyone was so afraid to lose their life to a little tyrant that dared people to disagree, so no matter how horrible he behaved, they were running around saying “that’s a real good thing you done. A real good thing!” while being scared to death of the kid. Sometime life imitates art in the saddest ways. From the get go it was very clear to those of us who had been through many regimes that you-know-who did not like soaps. It always felt as if he was in contempt of them. We actors said it all the time, it was very hard to understand. That’s a hard pill to swallow when you love the genre. It’s hard to know what will make something work, and then watch it being absolutely decimated by someone you have not one iota of respect for. Good and important people to the shows were fired, moved to another state, and then salaries were cut. Not necessarily for the best intentions. After all, they had to find those funds to pay big money for the girl of you-know- who’s fantasies De Jour. This in turn created animosity in the casts. It starts at the top, they say. Indeed. Poison trickles down and infects companies like a cancer, damaging morale that is nearly unfixable. In my 27 years of acting, In the five regimes I worked under at that network alone, I have never seen anything like it. In 30 years as an entertainer, I can not recall a more reviled executive. I spent the majority of my career on ABC Daytime, 17 years to be exact, between LOVING, THE CITY and ONE LIFE TO LIVE, I played as many emotions and wonderful roles an actress would want to play. I am not looking to act on soaps again, it is not about that. It is about respecting the hard work all of us did to try and keep these shows alive in spite of a person who clearly had his own agenda. It is for the fans, my friends who I am eternally connected to and grateful for. I have kept my feelings inside for a long, long time and it feels like a million dollars to get them out. Now I get to be Zen Cat again. In closing, I want to say how proud I was to see everyone feeling their feelings on twitter and facebook. I love how social media connects us all and gives a voice to the truth, not the spin. You have a right to be sad and angry. Being disturbed makes us get things done. I can tell you that this network most likely won’t budge on their stance, because that would make the grim reaper wrong and we can’t have that, but you never know what you might accomplish by making noise. You just never know. ABC daytime was once an incredible arm of the company to work for. They can be again, but not like this. I am so proud of your stamina. I am proud to stand with you. In the meantime, I will keep hypnotizing folks, making the world laugh, shoot my pilot, finish my book, and look forward to looking forward. In the immortal words of Robert DeNiro.. It’s just a game, Focker. Love For Sure, Cat

wow!

Gemini Apr 18 2011
When someone is down in the dumps, a well-meaning friend or relative might come along and say "it's always darkest before the dawn." This message is meant to inspire; to create an image of the dawning of new opportunities and possibilities. But what isn't said is that now, at this moment just when it is darkest, it's a cold and lonely place. You may be feeling fearful now, Gemini, or alone, or confused, or any of a myriad of dreary emotions. But one thing is certain, this really is the darkest point before something wonderful happens. Brighten these moments by envisioning the best that is yet to be.

SAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE TODAY!

RAISE YOUR VOICE! SPEAK UP! TAKE ACTION!

SAVE OLTL!

one year ago....

BLACK THURSDAY :*(

LiL Knee and I are very sad today. Saddest day of my life. My ABC soaps are being cancelled. You may laugh at me all you want but OLTL has been a part of my life since I was 4 years old. It has been the one and only thing that has been with me through it all...I am not letting this go without a fight!

Ways you can help:

Call 1-818-460-7477 to let ABC know how you feel about ONE LIFE TO LIVE and All My Children being cancelled. Spread the word and let's fight to keep this era alive! Even if you are not a fan and are a performer or writer, this is your fight too! OLTL x663 / AMC x255

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Keeep-One-Life-to-Live/125183234226214

Thursday April 14, 2011

ABC Axes All My Children and One Life to Live

By Michael Ausiello

And then there were four.

ABC is confirming what has been rumored for weeks:All My Children and One Life to Live will end their storied runs in September 2011 and January 2012, respectively.

The twin cancellations will leave just four soaps on the air — Days of Our Lives on NBC, General Hospital on ABC, and The Young & The Restless andThe Bold and the Beautiful on CBS.

AMC and OLTL — which have been around for a combined 83 years — will be replaced by a pair of generic-sounding (and cheaper to produce) talk/lifestyle shows, the food-themed The Chew and the makeover-centric The Revolution.

Contain your excitement.

“While we are excited about our new shows and the shift in our business, I can’t help but recognize how bittersweet the change is,” said ABC Daytime president Brian Frons. “We are taking this bold step to expand our business because viewers are looking for different types of programming these days. They are telling us there is room for informative, authentic and fun shows that are relatable, offer a wide variety of opinions and focus on ‘real life’ takeaways.

“All My Children and One Life to Live are iconic pieces of television that have made an indelible mark on our culture’s history,” Frons continued. “Each of the shows has touched millions and millions of viewers and informed the social consciousness. It has been a privilege to work with the extraordinary teams who brought the residents of Pine Valley and Llanview to life each day, and we thank the cast, crew, producers and most especially the fans for their commitment to the shows through their history.”

Ratings for daytime soaps have been on a steady decline for the past two decades as viewing patterns shifted and audiences migrated to talk shows. In the past 10 years alone, the industry saw the cancellation of As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Port Charles and Passions.

In a statement, suds queen Susan Lucci — who has played the iconic Erica Kane since AMC‘s inception in 1970 — said, “It’s been a fantastic journey. I’ve loved playing Erica and working with [AMC creator] Agnes Nixon and all the incredible people involved with All My Children. I’m looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting opportunities.”

Wednesday April 13, 2011

Gemini Apr 13 2011
You may be facing a situation now that has you feeling tense and apprehensive. You are assuming that no matter what, it will be difficult. You may even be falling into the trap of thinking that nothing you do will change a thing. Because of these fears, you may feel trapped. But what is in your imagination is far, far worse than anything you will face in reality. In fact, an upcoming endeavor will prove to be anything but tortuous. There is an opportunity wrapped up in a challenge. Face it with enthusiasm rather than trepidation, and its wonder will become obvious.
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another ACL story

Aliya Mustafina on Friday, April 8, 2011....

-International Gymnast Magazine-

World champion Aliya Mustafina suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament Friday and will miss the 2011 Worlds, Russia's head coach confirmed Saturday.

Mustafina tore her left ACL and strained the medial collateral ligament (MCL) while landing a Yurchenko 2 1/2 vault at the European championships in Berlin.

The 16-year-old Muscovite will undergo surgery in Munich, coach Alexander Alexandrov said. Preparations are being made to extend her Schengen visa, which is set to expire Monday.

The recovery time from a torn ACL is approximately eight months, a surgeon told IG. Several gymnasts have successfully recovered from a torn ACL the year before the Olympic Games, including Americans Annia Hatch and Justin Spring. Hatch suffered a torn ACL in August 2003 and returned to win silver on vault and with the U.S. team at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Spring tore his ACL in August 2007 and helped the U.S. men win the bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.