Lola & The Last Dancer

"You have the ability to be a GREAT dancer. You just have to believe it!"
-as heard while watching the 2010 film
"Mao's Last Dancer"

I saw a film called “Mao’s Last Dancer” in August 2010 that amazed me. A major portion of the story took place in the late 1980’s and it is based on a true story. I highly recommend seeing this one. The music and dancing alone is mesmerizing. It’s a great story of strength and determination. Watch this clip by CLICKing here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6FU7-BmDX0&feature=related

Twenty-five years ago today:

September 16, 1985
Monday

Paloma arrived at 8AM to take me to the airport. We took some last-minute photos next to my luggage. Then we headed for the airport. She was unusually quiet as was I as we listened to French tunes. One song played by Al Corley called “Cold Dresses” and some of the lyrics had some significant messages for me during that time (especially because I knew I was about to wave good-bye).  I was sure that we were both listening to the words of the song during that drive to the airport.

CLICK to listen to “Cold Dresses”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY3prM3e4xk

Lyrics to “Cold Dresses”:

I live my life forever
I live my dreams come true
If I can't forget,
I wave good-bye to you
Say so long my lover
Say so long my friend
The end is never near
As near as it might seem
Life is motion
And not in motion
No isolation
Justification
Life is motion
And not in motion
But how
Did I know
And how
Did I know
The cold dresses that she wore
That you wore
The cold dresses that she wore


Why did it take some long
For me to understand
I held on, held on too tight
As only lovers can
I wish you all the good, girl
Forget and don't look back
I won't wish that you were gone
'Cause I made sure of that
Life is motion
And not in motion
No isolation
Justification
Life is motion
And not in motion
But how
Did I know
How
Did I know
The cold dresses that she wore
That she wore
The cold dresses that she wore

Life is motion
And not in motion
Life is motion
And not in motion
No isolation
Justification
Life is motion
And not in motion
But how
Did I know
How
Did I know
The cold dresses that you wore
That you wore
The cold dresses that she wore
The cold dresses that you wore
That you wore
The cold dresses that she wore.

While at the airport things were already not turning out so smoothly. I was asked to pay fifty-dollars more for my extra bag of luggage. How stupid!
Paloma and I kissed good-bye.

I said, “I am SURE I will see you again soon!”
However, I thought to myself in wonder as to when we will actually see one another again—if ever. I recall two comments that Paloma made last night. They stick in my mind.
Paloma had said:
1. “I know you only love me as a friend.”
2. “Do you like the name Lola for a girl?”
Yikes.

I am on the plane now, headed for New York as I am writing. I was happy to have two vacant seats next to me until three people from Philadelphia came along. I guess they were positioned in the smoking section of the plane in error. Now, I will have to write to Karen in Korea. I wonder if she has even taken a moment of time to write to me.

"I'm sorry...we were just bad timing."
-actress Julia Roberts to actor James Franco
2010 film, EAT PRAY LOVE