Hello Ghost , it’s me Chiwan
Hello October it’s me Tera! Spooky season is upon us! Halloween is not MY favorite holiday nor am I on the Horror film and Pumpkin spice latte bandwagon . I do love a good ghost story and I was excited to reconnect with my friend Chiwan Choi http://chiwanchoi.com and share mine on his new podcast/show Are you there Ghost ? It’s me Chiwan. Dubbed by the LA Weekly as “The Jay-Z of poetry I will always be grateful to Chiwan for inviting me to read my memoir with another great author friend of mine Shawna Kenney at his 90×90 reading event in Downtown Los angeles in 2017. You can pre-order his newest Poetry Collection Sky Songs here http://writlargeprojects.com/shop/p/sky-songs I hope you enjoy the show! I’m good with never experiencing another ghost encounter!! XO Tera
Weekend in Capri
I’ve just returned from an incredible week in Napoli and the beautiful Island of Capri. It’s always been my dream to visit Capri and for our 6th wedding anniversary my husband surprised me and whisked me off to Capri!! All about Capri Capri is an Island in the Campania region of Italy. You fly to Naples , then you take the ferry from Calata Porta di Massa. From the airport it’s about a 15-minute ride. Be prepared because Naples is wild, fun, and crazy different! We went with http://caremar.it. The ferry is about 40 minutes to an hour and it’s super comfortable. You can bring your dog too! I saw many big and small dogs on the ferry. You’ll arrive at the Marina Grande which is your port of entry. It can be a bit chaotic to get a taxi and a bit of a wait so if your hotel has transportation I advise you to book it. The island is divided into two towns Capri Town and Anacapri. On arrival you’re in Capri town, so if you’re just hanging out for the day, this is where a lot of people stay. Anacapri is on the other side of the island . There’s a cute little train called the funicular that takes you up to the Piazzetta and this is the heart of the island. Here you’ll find all of the designer shopping and a ton of bars and cafes. We booked our stay at http://lecantinelle.it which was so beautiful and cozy. Anacapri is a lot calmer. You’ll find some beautiful shopping that’s unique to the island (which is more my speed) and not the bigger chain shops. We enjoyed lunch at Vinoteca La Zagara upstairs on our first day and had fresh tuna tacos with margaritas. The following day after our private tour of Capri by boat, we had lunch downstairs in their Ristorante Vinoteca La Zagara, which is in a lemon garden http://casamariantonia.com Where to eat and drink in Capri I’m not a fan of Limoncello but there’s the BEST I’ve ever had in my life. Trust me, even if you don’t like Limoncello it’s hard to resist theirs and they make it in house. We took a private boat tour early the next morning and I HIGHLY recommend doing this. We had 3 hours and it was just incredible to sail around the entire island, swim and see the Grotta Azzurra!! The Blue Grotto has been on my list for many years and I was so happy to see it on our wedding anniversary. It’s quite an experience, and you must go early. I can’t stress this enough! We started our private tour with our guy at 9 am and by 9:30, the queue of boats to go in was pretty long. It was only June the beginning of the crazy tourist season! I can’t imagine this place in August. The sea was pretty rough which made the tiny entrance very difficult to get into so we were luckily the 5th and last boat to make it in that morning before it was closed off. You have to lay pretty flat to get into the entrance, and I was kinda tripped out to see how these guys managed to do it at the very last moment, but they’ve been doing this for a long time! Once inside it’s just breathtaking. It was so magical and peaceful. Huge thank you to my husband for the pics and videos because I never have my phone or camera on me! I’m the worst blogger ever … A few other spots we ate at were Aumm Aumm which is a Pizza place. I had my first Pizza Fritte – fried pizza, and it was super tasty! I really wanted to have it when we were in Naples but next time. Also, http://acurtiglia.com had the most beautiful view and delicious food. This place had the kindest staff that were so welcoming. They will pick you up and take you back to where you’re staying which is really nice!! Capri was so incredible and memorable. I hope on your travels to Italy, you’ll add this to your itinerary! XO Tera
Sardinia Summer 2022
Goodbye Summer ,Hello Fall ! It is The first days of Fall here in Northern Italy and I’m writing about the last days of summer in Sardinia. Is it safe to say that summer is everyone’s favorite season? We’re only in the first week of fall and I’m still getting those morning walks in wearing a hoodie. It’s not really jacket weather yet and I haven’t busted out my Thermacare heating patch wraps!! That’s one of my tips and secrets for surviving cold wet winters ! They work great on planes too.I prefer hot humid weather. I don’t like to drip sweat to the point of mopping my face with tissues or change my shirt twice a day from sweat stains but the humidity is great for my skin. I have stick straight hair so I don’t have to worry about my mane.I am all for the intense hot summers!! I escaped most of that here though by running off to Africa (it was winter there) and when I came back at the end of August it had actually cooled down considerably . Sardinia Season When we visited in September last year it poured rain the entire four days we were there which made the sea quite rough and dirty. I’ve always maintained that Sardinia has the most beautiful sea and beaches in the world (YES the entire world ) . In the seven years I’ve lived here in Italia I’ve seen Sardinia from top to bottom and it’s just stunningly beautiful , with incredible food . If you do visit Italy don’t miss the chance to come here or Sicily !! Also Corsica . Just skip the mainland and do an Island tour ! August and September are not the best months to visit. Italy in general is at it’s hottest temperature and since the schools are out and most businesses take their holidays or ” Ferragosto” most places will either be overpacked or a ghost town . Neither are ideal ! May and June are the best months to visit Italy and your visit must include Sardinia! Best Beaches and Places to Eat in Sardinia This trip we were back in Cagliari and spent half of our time in Chia . Chia is about an hours drive heading to the southern point of Sardegna . It’s actually one of my favorite spots , the water is so clean and warm and I love seeing all the fish as you swim . I have this weird obsession with the Nuraghe and my sweet husband (probably tired of my chirping LOL ) took me up to the one in Chia . Next time I would like to see the Barumini Complex as I hear it’s impressive . They’re just fascinating to me ! Here are some places to eat we love : Dal Corsaro http://stefanodeidda.it . It’s a Michelin star restaurant that sits atop Viale Regina Margherita a beautiful street overlooking the port. They have the best tuna (which Sardegna is known for ) raw fish (pesche crudo) and it’s just a really spectacular view. Which brings me to Luigi Pomata http://luigipomata.com and Fork http://stefanodeidda.it on Viale Regina Margherita. These three places are incredible with great service and a great wine menu . We tend to also pop into an Enoteca (italian cheese , meat and wine shop) and grab cheese, meat and wine to take with us as we head out to the beach for the entire afternoon. The sun is unreal and I always come back so bronzed! Summer may be over but Sardegna is less than an hour flight away so I may have to find a weekend to explore more Nuraghe since it’s not beach time! XO Tera
Lockdown Round 1
Lockdown Two months In We are two months in of Lockdown .The time is passing so fast. Being at home all the time is way more work than working outside. I enjoy most of the same things I did before like errands and grocery shopping What I notice the most is that it’s very quiet in my city. No one is out and about only food markets and pharmacies are open so no one is having a coffee or aperitivo . It’s wild to see your city completely closed up with no life outside. The climate also has been very beautiful! It’s super warm and always sunny. I like to do a thirty minute meditation and yoga in the morning and night. It keeps me feeling healthy, peaceful. This is the time I connect with myself. If I don’t do yoga I don’t sleep good. Last year we had snow until May and the climate at this time last year was so cold but now it’s hot and windy. I don’t like wind it has always made me feel anxious and “prickly”. I’ve been passing my time with studying, and I’m really focused this go around with food chemistry. I’m studying soil and ecosystems. I never watch the news. I find that since March everyone is just consumed with it. So many people are either panicked, paranoid, stoned or drinking . I see people without healthy outlets… I’m not here to judge It may seem like I am but I’m not. I’m just making an observation on how I see people taking in what’s going on in the world right now. I mean what even is healthy anymore? What’s healthy to me may not work for you and vice versa. Many people on Social Media go down the rabbit hole with their “theories” about what’s really going on right now… I just observe never engage in discussion. I like to see people reading, researching and looking at things with open eyes or a “woke” mentality. That’s healthy. Life as we know is shifting and changing. It has been in the works for some time and there have been signs if you believe that .If we had a lockdown who’s to say that it just couldn’t randomly happen again? Are we prepared? How are you going to handle it? We have to learn how to evolve and be prepared. I’m not saying start shopping and hoarding TP and canned food, although that’s a start maybe! We have to stay mentally and physically strong. Don’t neglect your workouts whatever that may be. You can get such an effective workout in your home . Your brain is a muscle too and needs you to feed it. Instead of social media or binging on tv shows, try some documentaries. Crime ones are rad but they don’t do much for your psyche. I’ve been watching my classics at night. I love Black and White film noir. The lighting, the intelligent dialogue and how the interaction between male and female costars is romantic and mysterious, not lustful or graphic. Here’s a list of some of my favorites I’ve watched and rewatched so far; Movies for Lockdown 1. Charade with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. This is one of Audreys more serious roles and this movie has so many plot twists! Walter Matthau plays a great bad guy again in this one and the number two on my list. I LOVE him in these roles! 2. Strangers when we meet with Kirk Douglas and Kim Novak. This movie is shot so beautifully. It’s sweet and sad .I could see all sides of each character and it’s always a pleasure to watch for me. I love how the women look and dress in this film. So elegant . 3. Wicked woman with Beverley Michaels (1953) It’s simply hot, kitchy, and fun to watch her hustle! https://youtu.be/BZSICG1L5x8?si=eTAZApbm9jKYFPdn 4. Killer Bait with Lisabeth Scott also known as “Too late for tears” This is a true Crime film noir. She’s such a femme fatale. I love how LA looked back then and seeing all of the locations. I watched it here on youtube , gotta love that!! https://youtu.be/LGD_Brjpmak?si=GcyxBtnW-Pqwp8LT 5. Sunset Blvd. Gloria Swanson How can you not LOVE Norma Desmond ! She’s the modern day LSP!! Ok maybe this is only a reference I get but it’s a brilliant movie and true classic. 6. Gilda Rita Hayworth .Rita is just perfection. I read her biography “If this was Happiness” and that was heavy. https://books.google.com/books/about/If_this_was_Happiness.html?id=IXVZAAAAMAAJIt made me deeply sad to know she endured so much in her life. Watching her movies now I think “wow she was going through all of that yet she made such an incredible career for herself. It goes to show how professional and devoted she was to her craft.” Like so many entertainers I guess………. 7. Strangers on a Train, Rope, Vertigo, North by Northwest, Spellbound, The man who knew too much. Every single Alfred Hitchcock movie is perfect to me but start with the ones I suggested. 8. The Killing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Killing_(film)1956 Sterling Hayden. This is I think one of Stanley Kubrick’s first films. Maybe his first? I watched this for the first time since I hadn’t seen this one and I loved it. Such a good story, so good!! 9. Phone call from a Stranger and Of Human Bondage With Bette Davis My two favorite movies with her:}} 10. Ok I’m just going to list a BUNCH of my favorite movies here. Some you may have seen or hey just rewatch them for laughs I mean what else are you doing right!!! Many are from the 80’s so some of you may think what !! But they are classics and so good ! At least I think so. Romancing the Stone (1984) Kathleen Turner -Michael Douglas, After Hours (1985) Griffin Dunne, Best in Show (2000) -Waiting for Guffman (1996) – Spinal Tap (1984) – A Mighty Wind All by Christopher Guest F$$$ing hilarious I think he’s brilliant,
All the worlds My Stage
All the worlds my stage… I’ve done pole work, trapeze, ariel and silks but honestly I just do a sexy, erotic strip tease show (ending up fully nude) and I invite you the audience into my space. Sometimes I’m just topless but I enjoy being nude and I love the art of stripping. Peeling off each piece of clothing and being able to provide a titalating atmosphere… I LOVE to watch old school burlesque with the flashy costumes, feather fans, Cyd Charisse is my all time favorite dancer! I’ve just developed my own sensual style… I appreciate good pole work and gymnastics but it’s simply not for me I also feel “safer”!! Shoot I’ve seen only on twatter a girl fall several stories from a pole and sheesh….. Meow Happy Tuesday!! How is everyone doing out there in this world? Where are you and what is it like? For me here in northern Italy, it’s oh so quiet (great song) I haven’t heard a car pass in days! I’m reading a lot, managed to get a few new movies in (will make you a list) and have been archiving photos! Yes it sounds just amazing right!! Well for me and my OCD I’m not just organizing and archiving them I have to “group” them. By categories, by year, hell even by my danm outfit. Why is this important? It is for only me not you lol If I have an idea or thought and “it” needs a photo then I will know exactly where it is!!! I wanted to share a bunch with you here from my Dancin Days!! I still do feature dance actually, and I LOVE it… My very first show on stage ever (Tera Trivia ) was in 2003 at The Admiral Theatre in Chicago. I was so nervous on stage I actually FORGOT to take peoples money (Tips) GASP! Like yea after my twenty minute stage show which FEELS long (4 songs) I ran off stage clutching my four piece Trashy Lingerie custom made denim cowgirl biker outfit, sweaty saying HOW DID I DO!!! I was met with shock, smiles and my manager at the time screaming “GO BACK OUT THERE AND TAKE YOUR TIPS! Oh shit… Right! I was there for THE MONEY!! LOL Good times… Fast far into the future forward it’s 2020 and I am no longer that 27 year old “newb” hitting the feature club circuit but still headlining clubs at 43. Still taking money and names as I go! I’ve featured in maybe 30 countries (I’ve lost count) and each one has brought me a fun, good memory. I can honestly say after feature dancing for 17 years I’ve truly not had any bad experiences! I’ve been in casinos,, arenas dancing for 100k plus people, broadcasted on MTV and similar channels, dive bars, you name it. It’s only been fun. I’ve always said I’d toss my mane anywhere,even someones garage lol! I Just really mean I LOVE to be on stage and perform. I really love dancing to Rock, Metal and Classic Rock personally. I rarely use props on stage although after shooting a fun movie called “Live Nude Girls’ the director Mike Hatton knew I loved Star Wars, so he created a “themed” feature show for me where I was “Slave Leia” and I had two hot Storm Troopers as my side pieces, so much fun! I used my chain on one of the customers aka My Jabba The Hutt LOL There was one show or “time” I wanted to dance. Christmas Day… Now when you’re a traveling Showgirl holidays can be a BIG payday so one club in Brockton Mass. or was it Rhode Island??? I think it was RI lol I should google it.They had two clubs in both cities called The Foxy Lady. On Christmas day there was an event called “Legs and Eggs. You’d start your feature show at 5 am and it would already be wall to wall dudes! That club served breakfast (hence the eggs) and closed at 8 am. Just in time for you to get back to the wife and kids, plus get those presents under the tree after seeing your fave stripper! LOL I never got booked for that show but I know many who did make that great Christmas money! That club also used to do girl boxing and oil wrestling. I just did a simple strip show but oil wrestling, I want to give that a go one day!! Hmmm sounds like new content???Charmane Star and I did a double /Duo show in Montreal 2010 and we had a break in between shows. I think she gave me too many shots of Jager and I just walked out into the snow to “cool off” Whaaaaaat yea in lingerie at like -3 below! Thanks Jager! LOL The last few years of the EXXXOTICA Expo in Chicago and New Jersey I’ve performed my sexy show on stage. Just long enough so you have an idea of what I do (wink) My dear sweet friend and artist Christy Bomb astounds me not just with her talent but her kindness! We are both lovers of Hello Kitty and she custom made me an incredible bra and panty set that I just LOVE wearing onstage! The ladies AND gents have given me so many compliments on how much they love my Hello Kitty set, and my lingerie outfits in general. Some say feature dancing is “dead”. I will admit that from 2003 (when I started) to say 2009 clubs were always filled to capacity. I had the longest lines after each show to take photos with fans (ahhh the polaroid) and just hang out, sell my DVD’S (remember those?) It was great business for the clubs too, bringing in Adult Stars for the fans to meet, it gave the club some “clout” and it was great for the Housegirls too. A win-win all around. Obviously a lot has changed. Clubs just don’t have
