Life in Space with Leland Melvin

Geeking out on this Great Big Story series.

Only 560 people have ever been to outer space. For obvious reasons, a trip there can change one's perspective. For NASA astronaut and former NFL wide receiver Leland Melvin, that change happened when he broke bread in the International Space Station with astronauts from all over the world.

Density

she spends her time collapsing dams to rush to a place called Core. there they collect salts of this earth and precious minerals pool behind infinite doors. 

only ones who don't choose the streams they chart by mass dive in the clear. for they scrape every floor without signs that say: "enter there and exit here". wait for no instructions or licenses to navigate these waters and know how with treasure to reappear. 

MYA's Phone Diaries: Drafts

Born we are trained to master revisions. Learning to accept that which we can carry and what is out of hand. Always at the cusp of absolute dreams moving forward with new drafts. Now, there is more of you and I than what we remember - so much has been masked within the other's edits as time passed. 

KAVI

Just adopted this little man. On his first day home we watched "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", he staked out this hiding spot and took over the right side of the bed. I think we're going to get on beautifully. ❤

Kavi | D.C.| 01.16.16

MYA's Inspiration: Bill Withers

My mom once asked me about what I look for in a guy and I told her: "someone who loves like Bill Withers sings". 

Bill Withers' music will always be tied to some of the purest parts of me. I grew up listening to his records and his songs, to me, are the bud of the bud. Few people understand complex simplicity, let alone how to artistically channel it.  He does, I think. 

Everything that I have heard or read from him, makes me respect him as a musician and artist- he was his own, did it his way and when he walked away from the industry, he did it at peak on his own accord.  It makes my heart flutter, just thinking about his music, without any doubt that the boy next door will run away with it. 

I've been watching a lot movies and documentaries lately. I don't think anything has touched me in quite some time as much as the doc "Still Bill" did. I thought I would share it with you. 

For DVD info: http://www.newvideo.com/featured-releases/still-bill/ Now Available on iTunes: http://www.iTunes.com/Movies/StillBill STILL BILL is an intimate portrait of soul legend Bill Withers, best known for his classics "Ain't No Sunshine," "Lean On Me," "Lovely Day," "Grandma's Hands," and "Just the Two of Us."

Words to live by: "make yourself available."

"If you feel like you have a gift, and you want to find out, make yourself available and the world will let you know." - Bill Withers 

Iconic singer/songwriter Bill Withers sits down in conversation with Aloe Blacc for a rare public appearance at the 10th Annual "I Create Music" Expo in Los Angeles. Watch video of the on stage interview as the reclusive musical genius discusses influences, religion, the difference between music and the music industry--and why he refused to cover Elvis Presley ("Well, that just pissed me off") --OKP TV's cameras were there to capture it all.

MYA's Inspiration: Nina Simone

"...you can describe things, but you can't tell them. But you know it when it happens. That's what I mean by free. I'll tell you what freedom is to me: no fear. Lots of children have no fear. Like a new way of seeing something."  

Release by the Estate of Nina Simone: "Freedom" Recording session: Documentary, excerpt from "Nina: An Historical Perspective" by Peter Rodis

Just watched the documentary "What happened Miss Simone?". This woman's music and spirit moves me. 

MYA's phone diaries: Les bonnes résolutions

Happy New Year, friends. I wish you (as I wish for myself and the world) more love, depth, health, light, laughter, peace, comfort, freed bodies and spirits, music, dance, adventure, and better company every passing day this year than the past combined.

2015 has been one of the hardest years for me yet, but I am grateful when I remember that the track record for the tough days and winding through them has so far been a 100%. 

Cheers to revolutions and revelations. To all that is within and that is waiting to be discovered..... 

-XO