In the Mix with Aaliyah Miller

Classes have officially started.  For some reason I had it in my mind that classes didn't start until after Labor Day. Wishful thinking on my part. I'm glad I decided to check my Gonzaga email yesterday. Class introductions on Blackboard are off my to-do list. I'm kicking-off this semester with a course in organizational leadership. I find it ironically fitting considering the transitional phase I find myself in. Being focused on the subject of leadership for the next eight weeks is a good thing. After all, a critical election is less than three months away. My mind is made up, but many independent/unaffiliated voters in swing states are still up in the air on if they should throw in the towel with President Obama and give presidential candidate Mitt Romney an opportunity to lead the United States back in time. Even if Obama squeaks out a win, the GOP still has a shot at taking back the Senate. While many pundits and political strategists think Rep...

How do you define brand? A couple of months ago I would have given you a list of products and organizations that reflect a distinct brand in the marketplace.  Today my answer is different. I am my own brand. When I was acting in and/or producing video, film, and theatre projects I was more inclined to think of myself as a brand because I was either pitching a story or auditioning for a part. I needed to sell my skills and ideas. Now that I'm in a transitional employment stage I've been reminded that my individual brand identity and how I promote myself is just as important  today as when I was  acting. I've been working with a career consultant and have been reading a lot of articles related to the job search process, career development, and resume writing. There has been common threads through all of my research and reading. They include defining goals, focusing on core strengths you bring to your work, and highlighing when and where you'v...

I really try not to think about food during Ramadan but it's tough. Tick. Tock. Tick Tock. That is what I hear as I get close to the time when Karim and I can break fast. For seven years I've been fasting Ramadan with him and have acclimated myself to the routine. However, now that its taking place during summer and one of the hottest summers on record, it feels like more of challenge than past fasts. Ramadan is the most sacred month for Muslims and takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The month of Ramadan is when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). During the month, Muslims stop eating and drinking from dawn until sunset. They also abstain from sex during the day. The act of fasting is meant to bring one closer to Allah (God) and redirect his/her attention away from the daily worldly focuses to embracing empathy for those who are less fortunate. It also teaches self-discipl...

In most cases change is a difficult process, however I was ready for a face lift to In the Mix . Do you like it? Eager to hear your thoughts in the comment section, Facebook, or on Twitter @dirtywater22. I opted to go with an orange design template since it's my signature color. I love orange! It makes me pop and stand out. I'm hoping it works for the blog as well. I do wish Blogger offered more template designs in my signature color that were customizable. I didn't have much to work with. This is one area where WordPress has them beat. I'm feeling especially upbeat today. Not sure why either. I don't have any really great news to share. I have met a few goals this past week like finalizing my resume, finishing the latest draft of Quarter Year Dilemmas, submitting it to a play competition, and I've finally started reading Harry Belafonte's memoir, My Song . I received it as a holiday gift this past December and just haven't made the time...

The Summer Olympics , also known as the Games of the Olympiad grace us with its presence every four years. It's finally back and set to kick off this Friday, July 27, 2012 with what I expect to be a fabulous opening ceremony. I'm not sure if it will top Beijing's 2008 games, but I'm ready to watch them try. I'm ready for the Games of the XXX Olympiad (the official title). When I was a kid I used to think four years was forever, not these days. I always look forward to the summer games and my anticipation for the March of Nations continues to grow now that we are just two days away. When Karim and I break fast this Friday, we'll be watching opening ceremonies. I'm not sure why I have such a fascination with the games, but part of me believes it's because we get to see the best athletes compete on a world stage representing their country. Go team USA!! Although U.S. athletes are my top priority, I am also inspired by the story profiles I see of at...

The Grafton country side Since my last post I've been trying to adjust to my new reality of being laid-off. One new development is that I can keep my job, but in order to do so I have to relocate to Baltimore. Just as I got used to feeling one way about this transition a game-changer comes into play. At this point I'm still considering my options and am trying not to stress out to much. On a more positive news front, I'm excited to report that I'm done with my summer courses. I don't have my grades yet, but I think I should be getting an A in both courses. I should know for sure in a little over a week. I am so relived that I have five weeks without reading course materials, posting to Blackboard, and writing papers. IT FEELS GOOD! I will get to read books and watch television shows and films for enjoyment and enteratinment. Netflix is about to get kicked into high gear. To celebrate and recognize this small achievement, I will be having dinner at Puerta Val...

Kimberly Wilson Courtesy of Anthony Cork Photography Back in February, I had the privilege of meeting and working with Kimberly Wilson for the ProduceHERS'  staged reading of Quarter Year Dilemmas. Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Kimberly first pursued theater while in high school, after studying Theater at Howard University, she returned home and continued her acting career performing in plays and television commercials. Wilson has written a one-woman show, "A Journey..." which she tours in and around Fairfield county Connecticut. Q: Where did you receive your acting training? A: My acting 'training' continues to come from unique and diverse forms and experiences.  When I was nine years old, I took drama at Cultural Arts Center in Minneapolis. I later attended the Minneapolis Children’s Theater School Summer Institute.  In 1976, I was a founding acting company member of Mixed Blood Theater in Minneapolis. More 'training' was hands-o...