In the Mix with Aaliyah Miller

I value birthdays. I think they're important. I know there are millions of people who don't celebrate their birthday or place the value that I do on them. For me birthdays are significant in looking at where we've come, where we are, and where we may be going. That is why I'm proud to acknowledge and celebrate the 39 years since the Supreme Court's decision Roe v.s Wade. Under Roe v.s. Wade the Court ruled that women have a right to privacy under the due process law of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution and gives a women the right to have an abortion. Since the passing of this law 39 years ago, abortion remains a contentious social issue in American politics. Policymakers on both  federal and state levels seek to reverse this decision and in my opinion set back the clock on this right given to women in our nation. Meanwhile advocates of choice have been fiercely fighting to maintain this right for women. Naral Pro-Choice America , an organizati...

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break. I've really enjoyed my week off and am slowly getting ready to go back to work. I didn't want to get close out the year without writing a blog entry that helps me put things into perspective for 2012. This is the time of year when many people make resolutions. Some resolve to loose weight, save more money, to be more productive, or just be happier.  One of the problems I find with New Year's resolutions is that they loose their thrust by the end of March. People tend to get back into the usual routine and the resolutions don't yield that sense of urgency as we make it through another year. One of my goals for 2012 is to maintain that sense of urgency . When I look back at 2011 I can say I made some significant strides in a variety of areas in my life. I started my second master's program with Gonzaga University , began house hunting (and if all goes well Karim and I will close on our first home in a little over a mont...

Today my first semester with Gonzaga is officially wrapped . It feels good to write that sentence. So very good. At the moment, I want to coordinate a flash mob dance routine to celebrate, but instead I will write this blog entry. This semester was rough at times. I had my fair share of ups and downs. Although my coursework was pretty comprehensive and took over my life for 16 weeks, I can say I feel better as a result of it. I just completed a course entitled the Social Dynamics of Computer Technology. In this course I looked at technology and its social and cultural impact in our daily lives. I have to admit that before this class I didn't really think about how my life has been impacted by technology. Questions like "Who are the winners and losers in technology?" or "Does computer technology drive me or am I driven by technology?," pushed me to be more critical about the role it plays in my life. I also looked deeper at how technology has shaped and influen...

Hello followers, I'm glad to be getting back on track with my Emerging Women in Film Series. This week I'm pleased to share my interview with Caitlin McCarthy, an award-winning screenwriter who was recently named by Imagine magazine as a "Women to Watch." They're right. Caitlin inspires me. I am thankful our paths crossed back in 2009 at the Action of Film (AOF) International Film Festival . She's a tenacious, determined, and talented screenwriter who always keeps her eye on the prize. Caitlin McCarthy Bio: Caitlin McCarthy received her MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College, which is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best graduate programs in the country. An award-winning screenwriter at international film festivals and labs, Caitlin has two features in development: RESISTANCE with Populus Pictures and director Si Wall; and WONDER DRUG with actor/producer Alysia Reiner. In addition to screenwriting, Caitlin serves as an Eng...

Anne's book cover Hello everyone, Winter is my least favorite of the four seasons because I hate the cold, but it looks this weekend gave me an early taste. Snow at the end of October is not good, not good at all. Sorry but I felt the need to gripe. On a more positive note I'm thrilled to share some wonderful news about Anne Witkavitch, an award-winning writer and fellow alumna of Western Connecticut State University's Master of Fine Arts Creative and Professional Writing Program . This past week Anne was featured as a guest blogger for MariaShriver.com . Anne's inspiring post entitled " Practice Patience to Achieve Your Goal s." In the post she gives tips and advice that have helped guide her as a writer. The post channeled some positive energy and thoughts for me. It also reminded me that achieving my goals as a writer is not out of reach if I can remember to practice patience. One of the things I love about reading other blogs is that it provides m...

Hello everyone, I know it's been a while since my last blog entry. Between work, writing assignments, and group projects I really haven't felt like blogging. I just didn't have the energy although there was plenty to talk about in the world. Since my last entry Steve Jobs has passed away, Herman Cain is now considered a serious contender with his 999 plan, and the Occupy movement that begin on Wall Street continues to grow (Yeah!!). I'm pleased to report that my first course officially ends tomorrow. A heavy load was lifted when I uploaded my final paper late last night. It felt so good. After I posted my final paper on my personal communications philosophy I then logged onto Blackboard to review student presentations and provide feedback on their work. When this course began, I was worried about how I was going to be able to manage the course load with work.  It wasn't easy, but I did it. I spent some nights staying up late and other days waking...

Hello everyone, I know I've probably come off slightly overwhelmed and frazzled in my last blog entry. There have been some positive developments on that front. I can report that while the amount of work I need to do for Gonzaga has not slowed down, I'm getting better at my time management and organization. Kudos to me. In other good news I'm thrilled to share that my short script, "Out of the Box" is an official selection of the 2011 Urban Media Makers Film Festival  (UMMF).  Founded in November 2001, the mission of the Urban Mediamakers is to promote and support a diverse independent media arts community in the Southeast and worldwide. Their signature event is the Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF), showcasing independent films from around the world. Check out the screenwriting selections here . I received the good news this past Friday and thought I wait to until Monday to blog about it. Now I need to figure out how I'm going to get myself to Dul...