spotlight on...bailadora!

[bailadora]

What are 3 nonessential things you could not live without?

What would you say if you had to give a description of your personality?

Do you have a favorite author, if so why?

How did you pick your Lit name?

Three nonessential things I must have: books, a glass of wine and a bathtub for a steaming hot bath. It's how I unwind each day and is part of my "ritual" for preparing for bed.

Favorite author - that kind of depends on genre. Within the romance category, I'd say it's a close call between Sherrilyn Kenyon and JR Ward. Each has a knack of pulling you in from the first page and the stories are a good combination of sex, romance and emotion. They're just good, fun, escapism. Outside of romance, I'd have to say it's Rebecca Wells. I really identify with the whole concept of sisterhood (by blood or by choice) and how it can enhance and bolster a woman's life. I have my own set of Ya-Ya's I couldn't live without.

My family tells me I've been dancing from the day I was born. They'd put music on and I'd start to move. Bailadora is simply Spanish for dancer. It's part of who I am.

A description of my personality: Quiet, somewhat introverted and often mistaken as shy. In familiar environments, I'm quite the chatty Kathy, but in new situations or where I don't know anyone, I prefer to sit back and observe the dynamics of everything happening around me. I'll pipe up if I feel I have something relevant to add, but I learn alot by keeping my mouth shut and watching.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Check out the shibari artwork of David Lawrence. That give you some idea? I should only hope I'd be half that good one day. *sighs*

He's quite the boy scout when it comes to trussing up a girl. So, do you like to be the tier or the tiee?

Who says I'm wearing any?

 

[cymbline]

My family tells me I've been dancing from the day I was born. They'd put music on and I'd start to move. Bailadora is simply Spanish for dancer. It's part of who I am.

A description of my personality: Quiet, somewhat introverted and often mistaken as shy. In familiar environments, I'm quite the chatty Kathy, but in new situations or where I don't know anyone, I prefer to sit back and observe the dynamics of everything happening around me. I'll pipe up if I feel I have something relevant to add, but I learn alot by keeping my mouth shut and watching.

I love your answers. You really know yourself well.

You talked about watching cooking shows on TV- Do you have any subscriptions to food magazines? If so, what are they and which one is your favorite?

What about cookbooks, do you have a favorite? What is it?

Have you ever created your own recipe? What was it?

 

[bailadora]

bailadora, i dig some of the stuff on cooking network, too. i really like symon's cook like an iron chef. and it's interesting to see how they found some of the ICA tasters.

re: #19, i meant chef/personality. i like indian cuisine, which isn't always spicy. there's a complexity in the flavoring of indian dishes that i just don't find in other cuisines so i hope you get a chance to sample it some time.

the chicken with green olives recipe looks tasty--thanks for linking it!

21. do you have a preferred non-alcoholic beverage, and if so, what is it?
22. in response to erika's question, you mentioned you struggled with a crisis of faith. insofar as you're open to discussing it, how would you characterize your beliefs?
23. do you still read stories on lit, and if so, do you have a favorite category?
24. what--if anything--do you watch on TV besides cooking channel? :>
25. do you have a favorite author or novel and if so, who/what?

ed

I keep meaning to DVR Cook Like an Iron Chef, but somehow never get around to it. Need to put a post-it note up on the TV or something.

Re: Indian Cuisine - So any recommendations for a newb?

Do try the recipe - it's very yummy!

21. Sweet tea. I grew up drinking this and always have a pitcher of it in my fridge, regardless of season.

22. How would I characterize my religious beliefs? I'm a Christian. I believe in Christ as the son of God and God, the Father as omnipotent, omnipresent, holy, all knowing, loving and merciful.

23. Yes - I still read the stories on Lit. I don't really have a favorite genre, more authors whose writing I enjoy. So I'll typically look to them first and if they've no new stories, I'll browse through the new postings to see what catches my eye.

24. HGTV, the History and Discovery Channels, a few HBO series, a few talent shows (usually dance related), and Survivor (except the last two seasons - I couldn't stomach Russell).

25. Favorite author - see reply to Cymbline. Favorite novel/book: One that never leaves my bedside table and that I reach for frequently is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. I think it should be required reading for everyone.

 

[bailadora]

He's quite the boy scout when it comes to trussing up a girl. So, do you like to be the tier or the tiee?

I have been the bondee, but am more interested in being the rigger. Wanna volunteer? *weg*

 

[bailadora]

I love your answers. You really know yourself well.

You talked about watching cooking shows on TV- Do you have any subscriptions to food magazines? If so, what are they and which one is your favorite?

What about cookbooks, do you have a favorite? What is it?

Have you ever created your own recipe? What was it?

Thank you, Cymbline. I've always lived somewhat in my head, but the last few years have been a period of great introspection.

I have a subscription to Cooking Light which I enjoy. I think the editors really try to offer recipes that promote healthy eating without sacrificing flavor.

Hands down - one of my favorite cookbooks is the one put out by the ladies of the Greek Orthodox church in my city. I've not tried some of the recipes (ie baklava as phyllo still intimidates me), but I've learned to make a pretty good pastisio. I really need to get over the fear of phyllo though, as I love spanikopita and would like to have it more than once or twice a year.

My own recipe: I don't know how original it is, but when I make tuna salad, I use two things - tuna and Italian olive salad. Drain the tuna and olive salad and mix according to taste. Stuffed into pita with thinly sliced cucumbers, it makes for a pretty good lunch or dinner. (Warning: this is a fairly salty tasting dish).

 

[NippleMuncher]

I have been the bondee, but am more interested in being the rigger. Wanna volunteer? *weg*

I'll try just about anything that doesn't involve pain and is enjoyable for all.

Of course, I'm still trying to get past you not wearing panties ...

 

[bailadora]

I'll try just about anything that doesn't involve pain and is enjoyable for all.

Well, pooh - spoil all my fun, why doncha? I had nefarious plans for you.

Of course, I'm still trying to get past you not wearing panties ...

I aim to please.

 

[NippleMuncher]

Nah, I wouldn't spoil all your fun, but I would leave you wanting a little more so you'll come back for another round.

 

[silverwhisper]

for indian cuisine, i would suggest a korma. kormas are generally braised dishes: long, low-heat cooking in a liquid. it's a subtly spiced sauce that involves milk or cream. navratan, or vegetarian, korma is probably the most popular form but it's also often served as a chicken dish in the restaurants i've seen.

a note about "curry powder" in recipes: what is sometimes called "curry powder" is properly known as garam masala, a complex blend of herbs & spices, often involving turmeric, ginger, cumin and a host of other items. the spices are often toasted in a dry pan to enhance the flavors.

i've also encountered chicken kashmir, which i imagine originates from the contested area of kashmir. this is a beautifully flavored, non-spicy dish. given where it's from, it may not appear on some menus.

whatever you do, do not sample vindaloo: this is a very spicy sauce originating in the indian state of goa, where it is quite hot. i love it, but i love spicy food, and vindaloo is hands down my favorite indian dish.



sweet tea? i guess i never noticed where you're from. :>

i'd like to know more about the form of christianity you practice, if you're open to sharing:

26. what is your answer to the problem of evil? :>
27. do you have a favorite translation for devotional reading? everyone loves the sound of the KJV--but it's a bit tough going without copious reference to footnotes.
28. what do you think the apostle paul's central message is about women?
29. what type of worship service resonates most powerfully with you?
30. do you have a favorite scripture, and if so, what is it?

ed

 

[Luna_Bella]

I am happy that the spotlight thread is back. Thanks Ed For reviving it!

Hi Bailadora! Here are my questions:

What value or belief are you hoping that your kids will inherit from you?

in the same theme what is the belief or value that you are proud to have inherited from your parents?

If a genie was to grant you only one wish , what would you wish for?

What was or still is your favorite childhood bedtime story?

What do you believe is the greatest thing about being a woman? and the worst thing?(or something that you dislike about it)

 

[fuckmeat]

What would you have as an epitaph?

 

[bailadora]

sweet tea? i guess i never noticed where you're from. :>

i'd like to know more about the form of christianity you practice, if you're open to sharing:

26. what is your answer to the problem of evil? :>
27. do you have a favorite translation for devotional reading? everyone loves the sound of the KJV--but it's a bit tough going without copious reference to footnotes.
28. what do you think the apostle paul's central message is about women?
29. what type of worship service resonates most powerfully with you?
30. do you have a favorite scripture, and if so, what is it?

ed

Where I'm from - Lone Star State.

26. My answer to the problem of evil? Do you mean as in cause?

27. I've heard there is a newer version of the KJ that's much easier to read, but I've used the NIV for years.

28. Paul's message regarding women. I think he tried to improve the lives of women somewhat. I think it's in Ephesians where he tells men they should cherish their wives as they would their own bodies and should love their wives as Christ loved the church. But it was a patriarchal society and I think he still believed women should be subject to male authority (also in Ephesians is the whole wives submit to their husbands thing). In Timothy, he clearly states that women shouldn't hold positions of leadership in the church and that men should be in charge of the teaching. It's a mindset I clearly don't agree with and is one part of the Bible (among a few others) that I struggle with. I love my husband and most times we are in complete agreement regarding our decisions. But if I think he's acting like an idiot, I'm gonna tell him so and no effing way am I going to give in simply because "he's the male".

29. Ironically - the part I love best about worship service is the singing. Not that the lessons aren't vitally important, but the singing is where I feel most connected. I say it's ironic because I truly can't carry a tune in a bucket.

30. Both of my favorite verses come from Jeremiah:

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations "- (1:5)

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (29:11)

 

[bailadora]

Nah, I wouldn't spoil all your fun, but I would leave you wanting a little more so you'll come back for another round.

Oh...you're good!

 

[bailadora]

I am happy that the spotlight thread is back. Thanks Ed For reviving it!

Hi Bailadora! Here are my questions:

What value or belief are you hoping that your kids will inherit from you?

in the same theme what is the belief or value that you are proud to have inherited from your parents?

If a genie was to grant you only one wish , what would you wish for?

What was or still is your favorite childhood bedtime story?

What do you believe is the greatest thing about being a woman? and the worst thing?(or something that you dislike about it)

One value I hope my kids will learn from me is empathy. Kids can be such self-centered little creatures and I want them to learn early on that's it's not all about them, that there are others around who should be considered.

My parents instilled in us a strong work ethic, coupled with self-sufficiency. There is nothing wrong with asking for help if needed, but by the same token - I don't believe in sitting around on one's ass waiting for that help. Suck it up and do what you can to improve whatever it is that needs to be dealt with.

One wish - bigger boobs. Seriously, though - I wish there was a better way of distributing the food supply so that no one had to go hungry.

My favorite childhood bedtime story: The Velveteen Rabbit.

The greatest thing about being a woman? Hmmm - I'm still thinking on that one. Something I dislike about it: Menstruation is a pain in the ass.

 

[bailadora]

What would you have as an epitaph?

She was a good egg, even though she was slightly cracked.


Seriously - if I'm remembered as a loving friend, wife and mother - I'd be happy.

 

[silverwhisper]

re: problem of evil, i meant what is your response to it? why does god permit evil and injustice to exist, and perhaps even at times, to flourish?

there's a translation called the NKJV which supposedly is easier for contemporary audiences. i've seen a few scriptures but remember not being terribly impressed.

i respect your answer re: paul/women. i understand why some gravitate towards fundamentalism/scriptural literalism but if my spiritual inclinations led me in your direction, i couldn't possibly take up that reading!

in all honesty, hymns are IMHO some of the most beautiful music ever composed. besides, music connects us in ways that speech simply can't i've always found. :>

those citations from jeremiah are cool. thank you: i wasn't familiar with them.

i don't have any questions just now, but i wanted to say thanks for the answers to the questions i've asked already. i've found this very, very illuminating, bailadora. :>

ed

 

[NippleMuncher]

Oh...you're good!

You have no idea ...

 

[fire_breeze]

28. Paul's message regarding women. I think he tried to improve the lives of women somewhat. I think it's in Ephesians where he tells men they should cherish their wives as they would their own bodies and should love their wives as Christ loved the church. But it was a patriarchal society and I think he still believed women should be subject to male authority (also in Ephesians is the whole wives submit to their husbands thing). In Timothy, he clearly states that women shouldn't hold positions of leadership in the church and that men should be in charge of the teaching. It's a mindset I clearly don't agree with and is one part of the Bible (among a few others) that I struggle with. I love my husband and most times we are in complete agreement regarding our decisions. But if I think he's acting like an idiot, I'm gonna tell him so and no effing way am I going to give in simply because "he's the male".

Well, one could make the argument that seeing as Timothy is considered to be pseudepigrapha, Paul is still a proto-feminist .

Sorry, I really couldn't resist...


If there is one thing you could change about the society in which you live, what would that be?

 

[bailadora]

why does god permit evil and injustice to exist, and perhaps even at times, to flourish?

Funny you should ask this, Ed as this was one of the questions at the heart of my crisis of faith. A little background information: Several years back, there was a series of 5 deaths over a period of six months that affected me deeply; one of which was the death of a young child. The other losses were hard enough to bear, but the passing of that child was the one that hit me the hardest.

I was FURIOUS with God. I had always been taught that God was loving and merciful and that He was also all powerful. So why in the hell had He not protected this little girl? How could a loving, merciful, all powerful God allow the terrible circumstances that took her life? I just couldn't reconcile it and in my mind, there was no reason that could offer justification for the way things had happened. I struggled with this for nearly a year - reading everything I could get my hands on regarding the subject of God, evil and the battle between the two. I went to Christian counseling....anything I could think of to try and find out the answer to the question of Why?

In the end, I had what could only be described as an epiphany. One evening, my children asked me to read them a story for bed so I told them to go to the bookcase and choose a book. They came back with the story of Joseph. After the story was finished, my son asked me why someone would do something so horrible (referring to Joseph's brothers' selling him into slavery). And without thinking about it, I told him that although there are things that people do that are planned for evil, God has a way of turning things around for good. So although Joseph's brothers did a bad thing and the things he went through were very hard to bear, in the end he was where God wanted him to be and he was able to help his family. I remember saying that sometimes things might happen to us that are hard and may make us cry and we might not understand at the time why things are happening the way they are. But that God was always in control and that we needed to trust that someway, somehow He would eventually work things out for good. We might get our answer in this life, but than again we might have to wait until we are reunited with Him. To be honest, I'd read and heard the story of Joseph several times before, but I think that was the first time I truly understood the message. There is a quite a difference between someone telling you something and KNOWING it in your heart. It was like a light bulb finally went on and I actually felt a measure of peace for the first time in nearly a year. That was the beginning of the healing for me.

So I guess you might say my response to evil is this: when something really bad happens, I pray about it. Not in the sense of: God, please make this go away, but more along the lines of : I don't understand the reason why things have to be this way, but I trust you to turn this around for good. Not long after that incident, I became aware of Jeremiah 29:11. And whenever I feel the little niggle of doubt, I repeat it to myself over and over again, like a mantra. I'm sure there may be some people who read this, roll their eyes and think, "Yeah - whatever". And that's ok. That's why it called *faith*.

 

[bailadora]

Well, one could make the argument that seeing as Timothy is considered to be pseudepigrapha, Paul is still a proto-feminist .

Sorry, I really couldn't resist...


If there is one thing you could change about the society in which you live, what would that be?

No prob, Fire_Breeze.

One thing I'd like to change about the society in which I live: bigotry/racism. They're ugly, ugly things.

 

[bailadora]

You have no idea ...

Tease!

 

[NippleMuncher]

Tease!

Only if you want me to. I can also taunt, tie, tickle, tempt, and tantalize.

 

[bailadora]

Only if you want me to. I can also taunt, tie, tickle, tempt, and tantalize.

Oy! Tickle = hard limit!

 

[bailadora]

My time in the spotlight has been fun, but I think it time to step aside and showcase another HT'er. As soon as I get an affirmative answer to my query, I'll start the next spotlight thread.