Tag Archives: celebrity

I Dream of George C. …

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Every now and then I have some off-the-wall dreams.

Years ago, I dreamt (several times) that my friend Cynthia and I knew the people from The West Wing. Sometimes we were characters and sometimes we were actors and sometimes we were just part of the group.

Last summer I dreamt I was with the television writing crew for Flashpoint when one of the actors came up and instead of me being awestruck by him (although secretly I really was!), he just complimented me on my butter recipe and said, “You make great toast.”

There’s the one where I was a character in a crime drama, that when I wrote it out actually read more like a Heavenly visit. (You can read that sappy story here.)

About a month ago, I had a great dream about Johnny Depp falling in love with my ratatouille and endorsing my cookbook.

But on this New Year’s morning, I woke up right after dreaming of George. Clooney, to be exact. I was a few years older, living in a large apartment back east that was also where I worked as a Writer (note the Capital “W”, very exciting!).

I had people coming in and out constantly: family, friends, business associates. I came out of the Kitchen area and turned a corner into the foyer and literally ran into George Clooney. There. In my apartment. Something about meeting my business manager for whatever reasons. Even in my dream, I couldn’t pay attention because my brains scrambled like the eggs I had just cooked. We sat down and apparently I got a little too close to him because he looked at me a little strangely as I muttered something about the gods hearing my prayers…

But then the dream turned. It flash-forwarded as dreams do, and the next moment we were sitting in the same room across a coffee table laden with open notebooks and coffee cups (He complimented my coffee, by the way. That’s 3 for the celebrity chef status I’m going for!).

The notebooks were all kinds of information and ideas on how to help the children of Darfur. He educated me on the political climate, and I offered some serious fund-raising advice for feeding the people.

Together we sat for what must have been hours ~ too bad the actual dream didn’t last that long. But what did last was that feeling of urgency. That feeling of necessity to help others in need. Not just locally or federally, but globally.

Ever since I woke from that dream, I can’t – don’t want to – shake those feelings. It was so real. So authentic. So desperate. But I don’t have any notebooks filled with how-to-help information and ideas. I don’t have any news clippings and personal experiences in this realm.

And while one of my New Year’s Resolutions is to not make resolutions I know I can’t keep, I think this is one I should strive for. Even if I can’t accomplish anything, I need to at least try on this one. I need to find a way to bring attention to those in need, and I need to find a way to actually help them. No matter how little it seems.

But what can I do? I’m just a blogger, a chef, a mom. George doesn’t know me. I don’t know any political leaders. And I don’t know how to reach across oceans.

What can I do, George? Are you listening? Is anyone?

Because I am.

And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!

I Don’t Care About Kim!

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Some of you saw the post title and are already nodding in agreement. And that’s exactly why I don’t care. Because you already know who I’m talking about. Because the world is so much more important than the Kardashians and their money-making publicity.

I think mainstream media does us a huge disservice by placing such stories in the “News” category. Since when is how high-maintenance a person is, news? Since when is someone’s paycheck (or lack there of), high priority knowledge for me and my family?

I want news to be news: What is the government doing to protect and serve us? What natural disasters are occurring worldwide? How are people helping other people?

I really don’t want, or need, sordid details of someone’s sex life. I could care less what people do in the privacy of their own home as long as it’s not illegal or immoral.

Yes, there are things we need to know about. So later, we’re not blindsided and say, “Where the heck did that come from?” Yes, it’s important to keep an eye on Politicians, the economy, and headliners.

But our current societal climate is making the economy the Celebrity. There are no great performers, no great actors or singers or athletes. It’s no longer about someone’s talent or offerings or goodwill. Now it’s just about their paycheck. And the bigger their money bags, the bigger their attraction.

Kim Kardashian can afford to be beautiful. She can afford to have her name in print every time I pick up a paper or glance through a magazine.

But where’s the news? While reporters and paparazzi are busy making Stars out of those who have money, the real stories are getting ignored and even pushed aside.

It’s almost Thanksgiving. It’s certainly the season to appreciate what you have, even if it’s not much. It’s the season to go beyond yourself and what image you want to project into the world; and instead reach out to those less fortunate, in need, and desperate.

The only thing I see Kim K. being desperate about is making headlines. And that just makes me sad.

I keep a photo on my fridge, but it’s not of her. It’s not of any celebrity. It’s of the first Thanksgiving dinner I had in my first apartment. My table was overwhelmed with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, sparkling apple cider, and pumpkin pie. That entire meal personally cost me 76 cents.

Why? Because I was blessed by people who wanted to contribute to my first “Big Holiday Meal”. Because I knew how to coupon shop. Because I bought a candle that cost 76 cents, with tax!

I keep the photo up year round to remind me that even when I don’t think I have much, I have far more than I need. I guess I’m more like Kim that I thought.

I wonder if I could get a sponsor to pay me just for being me? Maybe my family and I could be the official spokesmodels for Target or Wal*Mart….

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