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It is Day One of my California vacation! This blog entry is all about it. It's a bit longer, but some of you are fans of my earlier "travel writing" style and will enjoy this. I understand if you quit reading now since most of you live where I do and may not want to hear about warmer temperatures. However, it’s not really a warm weather bragging piece. So, if you’re feeling risky keep reading. I moved away from Southern California a little over two years ago. People always ask me if I miss anything about living in California. Or more often, they assume and ask WHAT I miss about California. My answer is always the same: the geography. This morning, I flew into San Diego where I’ll be spending most of my time. But I wanted to make a quick trip to see some friends in LA, and to revisit some of my favorite spots. I am writing from one of those at this moment. More on that later.  This was my first experience with Southwest to my knowledge. At least, it’s the firs...

I get nostalgic for shows from my childhood with some frequency. Thank goodness for Netflix. This past week, I've been reacquainting myself with Saved By the Bell . Not the college years. Not the ones with Miss Bliss. The real episodes. The good stuff: Rapping Snow White, catching Kelly's new boyfriend at a nightclub with another girl, Jessie's jerk of a stepbrother. The list goes on. Watching this show has provided a few insights that--I think--escaped me when I was younger. The first, and most immediate realization is that this show makes me miss California. It's lucky I have a trip to San Diego coming up or the cold weather blues would have really sunk in. I have avoided watching the episodes where they work at the beach club since I got snowed in last week. It would have been too much to handle. The second realization is that Zack was a really crappy friend! How did I not get what a jerk this guy actually was? If you take his behavior out of the sitcom setting...

Most people who know me would have expected me to say "turtle" or "owl." Duck probably seems a little out of left field. So, let me explain. I have a tendency to do one of two things when reacting to situations involving any level of stress or anxiety. On a good day, I'll be totally unreadable. I'll choose to stand still rather than get into the muck of whatever is causing the anxiety. At these times, I'll keep my thoughts and feelings to myself and no one will ever know there's a churning volcano of craziness rumbling below the surface. On a bad day, I'm Vesuvius. And everyone around me gets ashed on. Big time. Now, everyone has bad days. I, however, began to feel like they were outweighing the good ones. It is true that we cannot expect to control our lives in such a way that no bad stuff ever hits us. But we should expect that we can control how we react to the ugly stuff. We can get ugly, too, or we can be ducks. Obviously I mean this...

 So, I am a week beyond the surgery that--at one time--felt a million years away. I have amazing friends and family who are all eager to ask me how I'm feeling whenever we talk. My answer does not come easily. It doesn't come easily because I can't put into words the overwhelming gratitude and awe that are the result of my experiences over the past week. To begin, I have to say that--should you need a hospital for any reason--I would highly recommend Northwestern Hospital here in Chicago, and in particular, The Prentice Women's Hospital. The staff that took care of me were incredible. They were pleasant and patient, yet they pushed me to do things they knew would be less than enjoyable. They made it easy for me to be in good spirits almost the entire time I was with them. I can't imagine the stamina and spirit it takes to do the job they do everyday, but they never once made me feel as though I were just another patient. I'm almost positive I would not be feel...

I came across the following quote early in February and took the time to jot it down in my journal. Looking for inspiration for this entry today, I stumbled upon it again. It comes from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple and a major activist for both the civil rights and feminist movements: "Helped are those who create anything at all, for they shall relive the thrill of their own conception and realize a partnership in the creation of the Universe that keeps them responsible and cheerful." The day I saw this quote, it resonated with me because I'd been going through old writing notebooks. I was searching for one that had enough blank paper in it to be used as a school notebook, but most of them were entirely filled with writing projects. They were from my time with Camerashrapnel, a comedy group I was a part of in LA. Some were also filled during the moments I was working as an extra, which mostly involved a lot of "sit around and wait until they put you so...

I am not writing this entry on the swiftly approaching tradition of Fat Tuesday Fasnachts. There is, however, a foodie blog entry on that topic if you're inspired to make donuts after reading about them in this one. This blog is dedicated to a book I just started reading called Parables of a Country Parson: Heartwarming Stories of Christian Faith and Life . Yeah, there's going to be a little faith talk on this one. But I'm not going to go nuts, so stick with me. Anyway, I snagged this book from my dad's study a few months back. At that time, I was working on a writing idea that involved interviewing my father and grandfather about their lives in the ministry. I thought that reading short stories about someone else's experiences in the field may help me focus some of the information I got from my family. Other books got in the way, though, and I only remembered this one the other night. The fervor of my former project has worn down a bit, but I'd read all the o...

My 31st birthday was a little under two weeks ago. One of the gifts I got was a last-minute inspiration from my mom and sister. They were browsing the gift shop of the history museum where my mom works and came across a little book called The Official Nancy Drew Handbook: Skills, Tips & Life Lessons from Everyone's Favorite Girl Detective . I loved Nancy Drew when I was growing up. My mom had been collecting the yellow hardback series and that was how my interest began. I continued the collection, having to occasionally settle for a newer version of some books. But I think the collection is only short one or two books at this point. Then I discovered the blue editions. The blue editions are even older than the yellow ones. These are the ones that pull me into every used bookstore or book sale I pass. They're usually around $12 each, but it seems a bargain for such an artifact. I have yet to research whether these books are worth any money. It's not important. Plus, I on...

New Year's Eve is a notorious day in my family. Over the years, I've encountered breakups, bad health news, stomach flu, and various family dramas. I've also had some years where the comedy of the situation outweighed the disappointment at not having the exciting night I'd planned. Anyway, the day after one of the hardest New Year's Eves, I purchased a book called The Awe-manac . It's this crazy book of journal prompts, wacky holidays, and inspirations. I might have mentioned it in a previous entry, I can't remember. But each month has an "Entryway" section, which lists general interesting facts about the month. For January, the book mentions that the month is named for the Roman god, Janus. He was the protector of gates and doorways. And I thought he'd be a perfect topic for this first entry of 2013. Janus is depicted with two faces: one looks back to the past and one looks into the future. What a great way to enter into a new year. Now, I ...

This past Thursday, I packed a couple bags, told Jack to be good, and headed for my car. After removing a McDonald's bag that was full of trash and literally stuck to my windshield, I put my bags and myself into the car and headed for Wisconsin. My dad has been going on retreat to a Benedictine Monastery just outside of Madison for almost as long as I've been alive. It's one of his most favorite places, and where he goes when he needs some spiritual clarity and refreshment. In need of both, I jumped at the invitation to visit while he was there. He was lucky enough to spend the whole week, but I wasn't able to get away until Thursday morning. The drive up there is only about 2 hours from Chicago, but I hit a few snags along the way. The first of which was running into a major traffic jam. On the one-way street next to my apartment. Luckily, the two cars behind me didn't have all day either and backed up to turn around. I followed suit and was on my way. Then I ...

I wasn't sure I wanted to write an entry on the topic I'm about to write one on. While any blog post tends to have some degree of intimacy involved for the writer, this one feels exceptionally so. It has to do with some recent personal health news and the challenges that news will bring to my life. Let me preface the rest of this entry by stating that I am not someone who is on board with posting the intimate details of bodily functions - or dysfunctions - on social media sites. I have seen status updates on Facebook that involve the poster's bowel movements in great detail. I have also seen updates on recent gynecological visits or numerous bodily disasters of the poster's children. I believe those posts belong in the "Overshare" category. I can't imagine any of their friends signing onto Facebook thinking, "I wonder what kind of poo So-and-So's kid had today. Thank goodness for Facebook or I might spend all day wondering about it." So, ...

I am not used to being busy. I spent four years mostly sick to death of my own company. I'm in Chicago less than four months and I can barely even think about making extra plans with friends. It's weird. It's not entirely unwelcome...but it's weird. Here's what makes it even weirder: I only work three days of every week. Yet I'm busy enough that when I think, "Gee, I should call so-and-so up and see about getting together," I have to actually pull up my Google calendar to see what month that will fit in. That's a small exaggeration. But only a small one. Sometimes it's only a matter of a week or two before I could fit in drinks. But I do actually have to open the calendar to check. Part of the issue is that I do have free time, but it's on Mondays and Fridays when all normal people are working. Then there are the auditions that I try to schedule as frequently as possible. Hey, after so many years not doing any acting (aside from pretendin...

I heard a phrase this morning in church that has stuck with me all day. The pastor was talking about being caught between the World of Now and the World of Not Yet. She was using this idea in reference to the current social climate around homosexuality, and it certainly is fitting. But I immediately thought of all the ways in which this phrase could be meaningful to someone. I couldn't wait to write about it. My main thought was how hopeful this phrase makes me feel. As though it's a promise that what is doesn't have to be what will come. Yes, there are people dealing with hard jobs. There are people who battle illness. There are tough relationships and family stress. There are financial struggles. There is loneliness and addiction. But this phrase says to me, "Hang on. The Not Yet is coming. It'll be better. This is just the World of Now." To me, Not Yet might include healing, new opportunities, new friendships, fresh perspectives. It requires some faith - ...

 'Tis the season. Shoppers are shopping. Loved ones are loving. Planners are planning. Those of us who are not planners are struggling. We pray our loved ones are really good at loving. For the past few years, my family has approached the holiday season as if it's some hybrid between a strategic invasion and cleaning the toilet. There's a lot of maneuvering and a fair bit of groaning. A pinch of procrastinating until we all realize it's December 20th and no one knows where anyone else is going to be in four days. Add to the mix that we are a family that includes divorce, remarriage, multi-culturalism, pets, and some distance and I think you can all understand why we've ended up as we are. Any other time of the year, none of these elements are an issue. But at THE HOLIDAYS, they all converge. In considering a direction for this entry, I looked up the word "physics." It is defined as "Phys·ics: noun (used with a singular verb) the science that deals w...

I am about to go into my last week of living in LA. On November 29, I hit the road and head for the Windy City. It's a weird place to be right now. I feel like I'm in a suspended state of living - sort of saying a slow goodbye to the place I've come to love and hate over the past four years. I go to my normal spots - my favorite Saturday morning cafe, the Sunday morning farmer's market, Santa Monica - and I miss these places before I've even left. I think about the ocean, which I haven't gone to frequently enough, and the mountains, which I haven't gone to recently. One of the best things about LA is the proximity to these contradictions of geography. I've loved the hiking trails I've found and the sunsets over the water. I will miss the temperate weather and the palm trees lining the streets. I'll miss knowing I could take off for Vegas at the drop of a hat, even though I haven't really ever done so. I'll miss my boss, who's been ama...

I am trying to kill some time before I feed Jack his pre-bed snack. If I feed him too early, he wakes me up at 5 am ready to eat again. If I feed him too late, he'll leave me a really smelly present just as I'm about to fall asleep and I'll have to go remove it in order to breathe deeply again. So I have to get the timing down just right. He's pretty sure it's time now, and is singing a bluesy tune to let me know it. I'm pretty sure this is what caterwauling sounds like.  Since I can't focus on much besides him, he gets to be the topic of another post. I realized earlier this evening that my cat goes through the 7 Deadly Sins like humans go through the stages of grief. And it all happens because he's hungry. Let's lay 'em out, one by one: Lust~ Jack is extremely lustful of food. Not just his. If I have food, he lusts after it, too. His eyes get big. His pupils dilate. He wants that food like nobody's business. It starts to take over...

So, go figure. Just as I decide to do this Fiction Friday thing, I go and skip a week. Well, that won't do. So I'm doing two today. This week's and last week's. Last week's assignment was to start with this sentence: "As soon as (the main character) arrived, (the main character) sensed something was out of place." Here it is: As soon as I arrived, I sensed something was out of place. Sure, at a glance everything looked just as I'd left it. But the hair on my arms wasn't standing at attention for no reason. It was an instinctual feeling. Someone had been here. And recently. I went in the study and stood behind my desk. It wasn't neat by any standards, but the mess had an organization that only I could understand. Only now, it was clear someone had tried to put the various papers and files back to the best of their ability. It wasn't good enough. I sat down and shoved a too-neat pile of folders to the side. Did they find what they were...

"Love is the triumph of imagination over intelligence." ~ H. L. Mencken  Well, there are several different directions I can take that quote. I found it in my Awe-Manac (previously mentioned and still suggested reading). I agree with Mr. Mencken on this one. Of course, I am a romantic to the core. And romantics are not really known for their intellect. In fact, they are championed for behaving as though matters of the heart are completely separate from matters of the mind. Need proof? Watch the ending of almost any romantic comedy and you'll see this idea reinforced. In fact, I'm going to make a list of three of my favorite heart-minus-mind romantic comedy moments. Potential spoiler alert if you haven't seen these movies yet - though, with this genre you'd probably see these events coming ten minutes after the movie started. So, continue if you like.  1. Bridget Jones's Diary - One of my all-time favorites. This is the go-to movie if I'm feel...

This weekend is my big-time baking weekend. I have four projects on my list: Bourbon Spice Applesauce, Dad's Oatmeal Bread, Sweet Potato Donuts, and Pizza. Though after snacking on the dough from today's bread project, tomorrow's pizza project might get nixed. Somehow, the idea of more bread became slightly unappealing. We'll see.  I knew I was going to need a soundtrack for my cooking, but wasn't in the mood for a musical underscore. In times like these, there are only two options. It's either The Office, U.K. Version or The Vicar of Dibley. The Vicar won today. Would you believe it took me the entire first season to make my two cooking projects today? I was just finishing up the applesauce and the bread had about 20 minutes left to bake as the last episode was ending.  There was something about the familiar mixing of the flour into the oatmeal and molasses and the sound of one of my favorite shows. I found myself missing home. My dad first got me hooked o...

When I first moved into my current apartment, I opted not to get cable. I did splurge on internet - though for the first week or so before it was hooked up, I felt so disconnected I nearly went crazy! Anyway, I didn't always feel like watching a dvd so I started hunting down alternative viewing options online. To my delight, I stumbled upon the entire series of The Golden Girls! I had always enjoyed the show, but it wasn't until I watched it from the beginning that I came to really appreciate it. Because my sister likes lists - and I want to keep at least one of my four followers happy - I am going to return to that format and list the top five life lessons I've learned from the ladies of this fabulous series.  1. Don't be afraid to embrace a childlike innocence. No one does this better than Rose Nylund. She definitely comes off as dumb to the other women quite frequently, but she is also easily the most cheerful of the four. There are moments I find myself enjoying t...