Jan 14, 2012 |
The idea behind a stream of consciousness posting is to write (or type) for a set amount of time (typically five minutes), and not pay much attention to it. No corrections allowed. No changes. Just keep typing out your thoughts and see what happens.
I’m doing this now because it’s after 10 pm on Friday and I have no other idea of what to do for my blog post! I liked it better when I had several days scheduled ahead of time.
This weekend we’re starting a few spring cleaning projects. First up is reorganizing my daughter’s closet. Yes, she’s a teenager and fully capable of doing it herself. But with everything else she handles, why not make this one a family project? I’ll be taking her and my mom out to lunch as a break halfway through the day.
I haven’t kept up with my Bible reading which I was hoping to get caught up on this weekend. It’s looking more like that will happen on Monday.
I have two cats snuggled against me right now. They’re keeping me warm and cozy. =)
I recently started recording “Biography” again. I used to watch it all the time. Today I watched an episode about Erik Estrada and it made me mad because some of it was wrong, and he left out details about his extended family. I know this because I live in Southern California and actually went to high school with one of his relatives. And how I know this kid wasn’t just saying he was a relative, is because aside from the same last name, they were practically identical, other than a few years age difference. (Okay, more than a few, but still!). You can’t even believe a biography! Grrrr.
I want to make a hole in my wall. I do! I want to make a pass-through opening in the large wall of my living room. Except that’s where my daughter’s room is, so I guess I won’t be cutting any walls until she moves out. I’d rather keep her here, so I’m good with no hole in the wall.
I can’t wait to meet with Megan next week so I can see her newest book purchase. She says it will inspire our story series. I’m completely excited!
I may do this SOCS thing every Saturday. It makes for an easy post.
Okay, time’s up. Confession: I corrected all my typos. It’s complete habit to do so. There weren’t that many, anyway… or so I say….
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jan 13, 2012 |
1. Today is the first of three Friday the 13th’s this year.
2. 13 is considered an unlucky number because Biblically, the number 12 is considered holy or lucky. And any immediate subsequent number (13) is therefore considered extremely unlucky.
3. Hotels and airplanes omit the ominous number during their construction. Which isn’t to say they don’t have an Aisle 13 or 13th Floor. You just know it as 14. So, wouldn’t that make 14 just as unfortunate?
4. 13 is the age that everyone can’t wait to turn. It signifies the ascent from childhood into young adulthood. Turning 13 doesn’t make a person an adult. It just makes them think they are.
5. The Aztec week was 13 days long, and there were 20 of them in one Aztec calendar year.
6. There are 13 Principles of Faith in Judaism.
7. A 13th wedding anniversary is celebrated with lace.
8. There were 13 colonies that became the first United States of America.
9. Famous people born on Friday the 13th include Butch Cassidy (1866), Alfred Hitchcock (1899), Samuel Beckett (1906), Christopher Plummer (1929), and Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen (1986).
10. Because people are more attentive to danger on Friday the 13th, accidents and thefts actually occur with less frequency than on regular, “casual” Fridays in which people just go about their business.
11. Sarah Winchester, heir to the Winchester Rifle fortune, believed she was haunted by the spirits of all those killed with a Winchester Rifle. She built a monstrous mansion in San Jose, CA and infiltrated it with “13”. The stairs have 13 steps. There are 13 bathrooms. Chandeliers hold 13 candles. And on every Friday the 13th, a bell at the house is rung 13 times at “13 o’clock” (1 p.m.).
12. Neptune has 13 known moons.
13. I checked 13 sources and websites to compile the information in this post.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jan 12, 2012 |
It’s getting so close, I can taste it. Which is a good thing, since it’s all about making great food at frugal costs.
What is it?
The Unemployment Cookbook, of course.
And even though it’s been my main writing focus lately, it’s not my only focus. I’m still working on my Devotions and Screenplay and Book Series with Megan. And I’m still blogging every day and on facebook every day.
And so are you. You know how I know? You comment. You like. You link. And I want to thank you for that. In a big way.
So here’s the deal: I’m offering up two free copies of The Unemployment Cookbook as soon as it’s published, which should be within the next month (hopefully a lot sooner!).
The first will go to the 100th person to “like” my Facebook Page. Just click this link and it will take you there.
The second will go to the 50th subscriber to Frankly, My Dear…. Again, just click this link and it will take you there.
Just a few rules:
1. No manipulating the system. You can’t be a current subscriber/follower, deactivate, and then resubscribe in order to win. I already know you’re here.
2. Only one entry per person per site. Some people follow me only on facebook. Some people follow me only the Blog. These are two separate giveaways, so following me on both will not increase your chances.
3. This is not a random choice. You have to be the 50th Blog subscriber and/or the 100th Facebook follower to win.
That’s about it. Thanks so much, and good luck!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jan 12, 2012 |
I like to make CD’s of my favorite songs. Some are themed for inspiration, or upbeat for those roadtrips I keep getting lost on. There’s always at least one each year that seems to become my Soundtrack for the year: that CD that holds songs that inspire and move me.
Some of the songs are repeats each year. Sometimes, it’s the singer that remains the same. There are songs that remind me of friends. Songs that help me dream big. Songs that bring back memories. And songs that are just great to boogie-oogie-oogie to.
So far this year, I’ve made one CD. (I know, we’re less than two weeks into the New Year, but still…)
The music that so far inspires me is (as always) an eclectic collection. And because I like order, the songs are recorded in alphabetical order by title.
On this year’s first soundtrack, I have the following tunes:
1. “You’re Never Fully Dressed (Without a Smile)” from the Broadway Cast of Annie. This reminds me of my friend Lisa who is always playing the movie, and music, for her kids. Also because it takes place in NYC which is where I’ve got a girl date set up in 4 years with her and Lara. Finally, it makes me smile, just like it implores.
2. “All I Need is the Girl” by Frank Sinatra. I renewed my love for this song when it featured last year on So You Think You Can Dance. Frank is always on my soundtrack in one form or another, especially now that I’m being an Orange.
3. “Beautiful Music” by Barry Manilow. Usually I pick “Copacabana” but this year, I picked something more inspirational. Because that’s just how I feel. Like I was just going through the motions of living until I really began to focus on my writing. And now the World is my inspiration and I can’t get enough of it.
4. “Beyond the Sea” by Bobby Darin. I like the movie with Kevin Spacey. I like Bobby Darin’s music and drive. Mostly, I just really like this song.
5. “Brand New Day” by Ryan Star. This was the theme song for the now-cancelled TV show, Lie to Me. What a great show! What a great song. It’s about someone who won’t settle for being what others think. He goes for what he wants, and he makes it. Love it!
6. “Don’t Mean Nothing” by Richard Marx. When I was in high school, I was the first of my friends to even know about this song and singer. I loved it. It’s so true: people will chat about useless stuff, they’ll use you to get what they want/need, and forget any promise they made to you. But that didn’t keep him down. He fought through the ranks to become a great singer/songwriter. Keep your head up!
7. “Extreme Ways” by Moby. This song features at the end of The Bourne Identity. I just really love the music.
8. “Forever in Blue Jeans” by Neil Diamond. My dad loved this song! And I’ve always loved Neil Diamond. He is a fantastic performer. He never compromised himself, never settled for celebrity status. He’s just a wonderful performer. I also love this song because it puts things in perspective: money isn’t everything. Love is.
9. “Get It While The Gettin’s Good” by Eddy Arnold. Eddy Arnold is my mom’s favorite singer. I can remember sitting out on the porch on warm summer Saturday mornings listening to the record playing on the Hi-Fi. This song reminds me of those days. And my daughter loves it, too. That alone makes this song worthy of being on the soundtrack.
10. “The Girl I Knew Somewhere” by The Monkees. I grew up on the Monkees. In the past, my soundtrack song was “Daydream Believer”. This year I opted for something a bit different. A friend and I went to their reunion concert in 1988 and by sheer luck literally ran into two of them backstage (we snuck in before the concert). Sitting behind us at the concert was Maureen McCormick (Marcia of The Brady Bunch), Robert Pierce (Bingo of Joanie Loves Chachi), and several other actors. We were invited backstage after the concert but then they reneged as it was a “private party”. We were almost in the right place at the right time.
11. “Haven’t Met You Yet” by Michael Buble’. Great song of faith and hope in love and life. Great singer. ‘Nuff said.
12. “I Think I Love You” by the Partridge Family. Another group that I grew up with. And who doesn’t love this song? I can’t separate my love of coffee from this song. It doesn’t hurt that David sang it directly to me in Vegas (See above coffee link for that story!).
13. “I’ll Be There for You” by the Rembrandts. Who doesn’t know this as the theme song for the long-running show, Friends? My daughter is addicted to the reruns on TV, and we watch them every day. Every. Day. It’s a great catchy upbeat tune, and the lyrics say it all. It really is all about Friends.
14. “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley. Just a quirkly little song that nobody expected to go anywhere. But really. If you know the 80’s, you know this song. And you’re already singing it in your head, aren’t you? Yeah… my job here is done.
15. “New York Minute” by the Eagles. First, it’s got NY in the title. So there’s that. And it features at the beginning of The West Wing Season 2, Episode 16, aptly titled “Somebody’s Going to Emergency, Somebody’s Going to Jail”. I don’t have very many Eagles songs on my iTunes, and it’s not like I want “Hotel California” to be prominent on my soundtrack. But this song I love. The connection to Rob Lowe’s character, Sam Seaborn, I love. So it’s on the List.
16. “New York, New York” by Frank Sinatra. Someday this will be my theme song; even if just for a day. From the man who loves orange like I do. From the ultimate singer. How could this not be on my soundtrack?! Seriously?!
17. “One/Finale” from the Broadway cast of “A Chorus Line”. Now who doesn’t want to be that girl. Am I right?!
18. “The Rockford Files Theme” by Mike Post. From the TV show. My dad loved loved loved this show. And it was created by Stephen J. Cannell. He was an awesome writer who encouraged and inspired me to write every day. I had to include him on my soundtrack.
19. “That Thing You Do!” by the Wonders. From the movie of the same name. I’m pretty sure I drove my family crazy when I first got the movie on VHS. I played it over and over and over, day after day after day. There’s some great lines in that movie. My favorite is, “Hey. Hey guys… Chad fell down.” Hilarious scenes, great music. What’s not to love?!
20. “Together Forever” by Rick Astley. To be honest, I couldn’t remember which Rick Astley song was more popular, and since they sound similar, I decided to add them both to the soundtrack.
And there you have it. My soundtrack for 2012. Or, at least, the first part of it.
What does your music sound like?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jan 11, 2012 |
It’s starting to become a serious joke in my family. I’m getting famous for getting lost on the Freeways of Southern California. I’ve sort of hinted at this here. But now that I’ve come clean about my latest adventure to my family, it’s time to share the story on the Blog for my public humiliation.
Last Thursday, my daughter and I headed down to Disneyland for one last hurrah before the end of winter break. Now, I’ve lived in SoCal for three decades. I’ve been driving to and from Disneyland almost just as long. It’s incredibly simple.
At least… it used to be…
I was feeling pretty confident last Thursday. After last month’s major car repairs and with a full tank of gas, I was secure in my transportation. We had a wonderful day. We met up with some friends. Rode some rides. Ate some dinner. Bought a souvenir. And then it was time to head home.
What you have to understand at this point, is the last two times I’ve driven home from Disneyland, I have at one point or another missed a turn and ended up misdirected. It even happened to my friend. I’m not the only one! But I’m pretty sure I’m the only one it happens to every time.
So this time, I looked very closely for the freeway signs. RIGHT LANE TURN ONLY. Awesome. I’ll turn right, get on the freeway, and make tracks for home. It’s also worth noting at this point, that my loving attentive daughter questioned this decision as she was aware we were on a different street than we usually first take out of the Park. She wasn’t as confident (or, as she says I was, “cocky”) about the route we were taking.
After a few minutes, I began to think I missed my first merge. I’m pretty sure I got on the wrong freeway. But it’s the 5-North, a very well known freeway, and I know I was in the general area so I didn’t worry. It was all part of my Daring to Be an Awesome Orange. Since it was, in fact, just a few hours earlier I chose to be an Orange, I honestly thought I was invincible.
Except that darned interchange that I was looking for never appeared. And I’m starting to remember that I don’t ever get directly on the 5-North straight out of the Park. There was supposed to be a different freeway first… wasn’t there? Maybe the 57 North? Maybe skip the I-5 altogether?
This thinking, and my driving, continued for another 15 – 20 minutes. I should turn around. I should head back. I should. But I didn’t. I was brave. And smart. And conquering. And invincible. (You just keep thinkin’ that, missy!)
So I kept driving.
And then I saw more freeway lanes. With more traffic. And taller buildings. With bigger billboards.
This is so not the way to the desert.
The buildings grew closer. The billboards grew neon lights in a foreign language.
I should definitely turn around now.
South is definitely where I want to head. If I can get on the 5-South, I’ll end up back near Disneyland and can easily, easily, find my way home from there, and only be about 45 minutes later than planned. I took what looked like a friendly exit off the I-5 and pulled into a gas station. I checked the GPS on my small cell phone screen. I had a vague idea where I was heading, but couldn’t make sense of the two-inch map I was looking at. With no small amount of vocal trembling, I asked directions to the I-5 South.
The ensuing language barrier led the conversation to be peppered with words like “What?” “Where?” “How far?” and more “uhmmm”‘s than I care to recall. Easy enough. I’ll get back on the 5-North and get off at the next exit.
This one was better. With a fake confident smile, I again asked my question. “You want to go west here then north.” (Heavy accent… I’m so not close to home…) I asked for left-or-right clarification. Please. I implored him: it’s dark outside and I don’t have celestial navigation. So please. Left. Or. Right. ??? “Yes.”
Ughh. I asked what street do I get on. That part was clear. So I got on the street and kept going. It should be here any minute now. Any minute… now… any. minute. NOW.
So not getting home in a timely manner.
Every time I thought I saw a stoplight and overpass indicating a potential on-ramp, it turned out to be just another street. Another dark, crowded, unknown street.
With no freeway entrance in sight I can’t even get back on the 5-North. Even though that was the wrong direction, at least it was (fairly) known territory. At this rate, I’ll end up at my brother’s house five hours north before I find my way back home.
I’m almost confident that although it felt like I had driven a good ten miles away from the freeway it probably was only inches, maybe a foot. Definitely not truly as bad as it felt. I was *gulp* almost confident of that.
Almost.
One more gas station. An ARCO. By this time, I had a pretty good idea of where I was. And the GPS confirmed it. But what does a two-inch cell phone screen map really know? Stupid piece of technology. Except it did show that I was just a mile away from a huge interchange. And when I say huge, I’m talking Paul Bunyun huge. There had to be a way to avoid that.
I walked to the clerk and meekly pleaded, “How do I get to the 5-South, please?”
He was wonderful. He was tender, and could tell I was lost, and offered compassion and directions. Good directions. He told me street names and distances and left-and-right navigation. And then he pointed behind me. “There is a tow truck driver. They know all the streets even better. Go ask him, he will help you.”
I looked. Into the shadows. Past the gas pumps where this incredibly large, full bodied-tattooed gangbanger looker of a guy stood smiling at me. He wore overalls with the name FABIAN stitched on them. His license plate was PEPE 13. 13! As if things couldn’t get any worse, let’s throw in a superstitious number, too. Well, I thought. I had a nice life…
I approached him with what little courage I had left, praying all the while with confidence that within 30 minutes I’ll know exactly where I am and be able to breathe better. But right now… ugh.
I explained that I was not only lost, but terribly lost and afraid of the upcoming freeway interchange. I asked for directions to get back toward Disneyland.
I was taken aback when his demeanor didn’t live up to his appearance. I guess that late at night, where I was, looking the way he looked, I expected someone rough. Vulgar. Difficult to understand and unwilling to help.
He was none of those. He immediately put me at ease with his attention, his smile, and his knowledge of safe streets.
But he’s a tow truck driver. He didn’t care where I came from. He wanted to get me to my destination. So when I explained that I’m looking for any safe freeway that will easily get me to the desert north of San Bernardino, he let out a slow, low whistle. Not kidding. Just like when someone gets bad news in a movie. And my already trembling legs bent a little more.
He said the only way back to the freeway was (in his words) “that really big joint freeway interchange just up the road.” I’d have to take this side road for a mile, get on the 5-North (again), find the 60-East, travel a bit to the 710-East then stay on there til I get to the 10-East. It sounded complicated.
And I was getting a bit dizzy from all that clean Los Angeles air.
I offered to pay him to tow me to the 710. Once I hit that, I knew my way. But freeway interchanges – huge freeway interchanges – in the dark? I think I’d rather not.
“Well,” he said. “First of all, relax. You’re fine. You’re out of the area -”
“I know,” I gulped.
“You’re not in the best part of town, but you’ll be fine. We’ll get you back on track in no time. You’ll be fine.”
“Okay.” I didn’t really know if I should believe him. I wondered if Daring to Be an Awesome Orange meant not ever showing fear, or just conquering it.
“Do you know where you are?” he sort of smiled, tilting his head. I don’t know why that comforted me, but it did.
“I have a general idea,” I said, holding up my worthless two-inch map.
“Yeah…” he nodded. Then said those words I was trying to avoid.
“You’re in East L.A.”
So he smiled again, reassured me again, and told me to follow him. We’ll stay in the slow lane. We’ll go slow in the slow lane. I don’t have to make any lane changes. Just follow him and he’ll get me where I need to get.
As soon as I agreed, he ushered me back into my car. “It’s not the worst neighborhood, but you don’t belong here.” I waited for his lead.
As promised, he led me carefully through the streets of East Los Angeles, onto the first freeway. It was then I noticed that his headlights were incredibly bright. They lit up the entire freeway sign. And then it dawned on me. He was using his Mag Flashlight from inside his cab to show me the signs so I knew where to go in case I lost him.
When we hit the second freeway interchange, it went just as smoothly. His MagLight lit up the sign. No cars got between us. There was no significantly merging traffic.
When we got to the 710 split, he took left and I took right. I turned my lights off and on twice in rapid appreciation and he lit up his siren lights for two seconds. In less than ten minutes, I was breathing easy back on the 10-East and I don’t know where he was.
It’s quite possible he was just an Angel in Disguise teaching me a lesson about appearances and trust with his Orange Lights.
Thank you Fabian, for guiding me home.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
