My Hero, My Friend Pt. 2

It was 8 years ago that I met up with Val in the parking lot in front of her shop. She had mentioned weeks before that if I knew of anyone that wanted to rent a room, to let her know. Little did I know at that time that my entire family would relocate to Arizona and I would be alone. But they did, and I was. So I found myself asking if her room was still for rent. It was and I moved in shortly thereafter.

 

It has been 8 years of personal growth, healing and love. At the enter of it all is my dear friend Val! We first met in 1979 when I came in to her shop to get my hair cut for a school dance. 30 years later, I can't imagine anyone that knows me better!  Honest when she needs to, loving at all times, Val is as true a friend as there could ever be! I count on her for advice, love and humour! She never lets me down.

 

Val is a hero to me because she is cheerful, hopeful, kind to a fault. She is at her best when helping others be at their best. I know being my friend is't easy. I am stubborn, moody and obstinate but Val just smiles and nods, knowing that the moods will pass with time and most often, caffeine.  She loves me when it is't easy! At the most painful times in my life she has been there with laughter and smiles to make me see it will all be fine in the end!            

 

I wish there were words that describe what an amazing woman my friend Val is! She is the kind of friend you hold on to for dear life!

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My Hero, My Friend Pt. 2

It was 8 years ago that I met up with Val in the parking lot in front of her shop. She had mentioned weeks before that if I knew of anyone that wanted to rent a room, to let her know. Little did I know at that time that my entire family would relocate to Arizona and I would be alone. But they did, and I was. So I found myself asking if her room was still for rent. It was and I moved in shortly thereafter.
 
It has been 8 years of personal growth, healing and love. At the enter of it all is my dear friend Val! We first met in 1979 when I came in to her shop to get my hair cut for a school dance. 30 years later, I can't imagine anyone that knows me better!  Honest when she needs to, loving at all times, Val is as true a friend as there could ever be! I count on her for advice, love and humour! She never lets me down.
 
Val is a hero to me because she is cheerful, hopeful, kind to a fault. She is at her best when helping others be at their best. I know being my friend is't easy. I am stubborn, moody and obstinate but Val just smiles and nods, knowing that the moods will pass with time and most often, caffeine.  She loves me when it is't easy! At the most painful times in my life she has been there with laughter and smiles to make me see it will all be fine in the end!            
 
I wish there were words that describe what an amazing woman my friend Val is! She is the kind of friend you hold on to for dear life!
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My Hero, My Friend

I veered off the monthly topic of heroes without honoring some wonderful ladies. This week I want to let you know just what makes them so wonderful!

I am going to start with an amazing woman! Selena has a masters from UCLA and is a LCSW. She was planning on working and raising a family until health issues put those plans on hold. While having things not turn out the way you plan is disappointing, Selena doesn't let it stop her! She is writing and sells Mary Kay. She didn't give up, she just revised the plan!

For example, while she is waiting to decide if raising children was the right thing to do, Selena adopted two wonderful dogs and became a great pet parent! She is training them and hopes they give back by being therapy dogs one day. There are hiccups on the way, but she is patient and determined, just like a parent should be!

Selena grew up in a dysfunctional family, much like mine! That doesnt' stop her either! When we both decided our sisters left something to be desired, we just adopted each other!

What makes Selena a hero to me is that although life hasn't turned out the way she planned or wanted it, she remains hopeful. She hasn't stopped living and tries not to let the disappointment get her down. I have seen people sidelined for far less than Selana has gone through and yet Selena keeps on keepin on! She reminds me that when life gives you lemons you make lemonade! She is smart, kind and very funny and a great friend! I couldn't ask for a better sister!

My Hero, My Friend

I veered off the monthly topic of heroes without honoring some wonderful ladies. This week I want to let you know just what makes them so wonderful!

I am going to start with an amazing woman! Selena has a masters from UCLA and is a LCSW. She was planning on working and raising a family until health issues put those plans on hold. While having things not turn out the way you plan is disappointing, Selena doesn't let it stop her! She is writing and sells Mary Kay. She didn't give up, she just revised the plan!

For example, while she is waiting to decide if raising children was the right thing to do, Selena adopted two wonderful dogs and became a great pet parent! She is training them and hopes they give back by being therapy dogs one day. There are hiccups on the way, but she is patient and determined, just like a parent should be!

Selena grew up in a dysfunctional family, much like mine! That doesnt' stop her either! When we both decided our sisters left something to be desired, we just adopted each other!

What makes Selena a hero to me is that although life hasn't turned out the way she planned or wanted it, she remains hopeful. She hasn't stopped living and tries not to let the disappointment get her down. I have seen people sidelined for far less than Selana has gone through and yet Selena keeps on keepin on! She reminds me that when life gives you lemons you make lemonade! She is smart, kind and very funny and a great friend! I couldn't ask for a better sister!

I love my doog

i have a Blog to post today about The wonderful weekend i spent With my aunt but i am having horrible problems with my computer. I have a dog a love With all my heart And soul but he just drooled all over my laptop while begging for poptarts so now IHave spacing problems and words That automatically capitialize. If I use my right enter key, Entire senteces highlight and disappear. it is horrible and Ihave Been Fighting It for 1/2 Hour now and I give up. so to keep uup with my Blog a day commitment i am posting this horribly capitalized and badly spelled blog better luck tomorrow....when The keys dry Out (ke

I love my doog

i have a Blog to post today about The wonderful weekend i spent With my aunt but i am having horrible problems with my computer. I have a dog a love With all my heart And soul but he just drooled all over my laptop while begging for poptarts so now IHave spacing problems and words That automatically capitialize. If I use my right enter key, Entire senteces highlight and disappear. it is horrible and Ihave Been Fighting It for 1/2 Hour now and I give up. so to keep uup with my Blog a day commitment i am posting this horribly capitalized and badly spelled blog better luck tomorrow....when The keys dry Out (ke

Too Much Reality

I wear it like a badge of honor. I feel it speaks highly to my character and intellegence. It makes me feel "high and mighty", as my roommate likes to call it. It is my disgust and disdain for reality T.V.!

What frustrates me is that there are well written scripted shows (Chuck) that struggle while shows that pander down to the lowest parts of ourselves thrive! Reality shows take very little money to produce and very little brain power to watch. Is this why they are so popular? We don't have to think at all to watch? Or is it the pleasure of watching someone who's life maybe a little more crazed than yours?

I thought the end of the world was truly at hand when Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montage ascended to the top of the "D" List! Fresh off their roles in a series called "The Hills", they became famous by virtue of them being the most annoying, boorish and generally ignorant people on earth!

Just when I thought Heidi and Spencer were as bad as it gets, along come another duo hell bent on ruining their lives for fame and money. What makes them even more pathetic than "Spiedi", as if that were possible, is that this new duo is dragging the lives of 8 innocent children thru the muck as well. I am of course talking about Jon and Kate Gosselin and their "8".

"Jon and Kate Plus 8", as I have heard, was a mildly entertaining show about a young family raising multiple kids. Then, it has been reported, fame went to the parents heads and it became a show about a couple falling apart! They became tabloid fodder and people became transfixed. Ratings exploded for the season premiere as people tuned in to see if they would speak of their affair or continue their tabloid fighting on the show. Sadly, the Gosselin's have announced their divorce on national TV. Shortly after that, TLC announced they were putting production of the show on hold. A rare wise decision in the reality TV world. As a product of divorce, I can say with experience, there is nothing entertaining about watching small children struggle with the fact that one parent is no longer around!

While divorce is no laughing matter, I do hope the Gosselin's tale as well as that "breakdown" talent show winner Susan Boyle had serves as cautionary tales to those that think reality TV is an easy way to fame and fortune. E!Online and Entertainment Weekly have declared their publications "Speidi Free" zones. For the sake of all involved, can we just make our lives "reality TV free" zones? We would put writers back to work and all be just that much more "high and mighty".

Too Much Reality

I wear it like a badge of honor. I feel it speaks highly to my character and intellegence. It makes me feel "high and mighty", as my roommate likes to call it. It is my disgust and disdain for reality T.V.!

What frustrates me is that there are well written scripted shows (Chuck) that struggle while shows that pander down to the lowest parts of ourselves thrive! Reality shows take very little money to produce and very little brain power to watch. Is this why they are so popular? We don't have to think at all to watch? Or is it the pleasure of watching someone who's life maybe a little more crazed than yours?

I thought the end of the world was truly at hand when Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montage ascended to the top of the "D" List! Fresh off their roles in a series called "The Hills", they became famous by virtue of them being the most annoying, boorish and generally ignorant people on earth!

Just when I thought Heidi and Spencer were as bad as it gets, along come another duo hell bent on ruining their lives for fame and money. What makes them even more pathetic than "Spiedi", as if that were possible, is that this new duo is dragging the lives of 8 innocent children thru the muck as well. I am of course talking about Jon and Kate Gosselin and their "8".

"Jon and Kate Plus 8", as I have heard, was a mildly entertaining show about a young family raising multiple kids. Then, it has been reported, fame went to the parents heads and it became a show about a couple falling apart! They became tabloid fodder and people became transfixed. Ratings exploded for the season premiere as people tuned in to see if they would speak of their affair or continue their tabloid fighting on the show. Sadly, the Gosselin's have announced their divorce on national TV. Shortly after that, TLC announced they were putting production of the show on hold. A rare wise decision in the reality TV world. As a product of divorce, I can say with experience, there is nothing entertaining about watching small children struggle with the fact that one parent is no longer around!

While divorce is no laughing matter, I do hope the Gosselin's tale as well as that "breakdown" talent show winner Susan Boyle had serves as cautionary tales to those that think reality TV is an easy way to fame and fortune. E!Online and Entertainment Weekly have declared their publications "Speidi Free" zones. For the sake of all involved, can we just make our lives "reality TV free" zones? We would put writers back to work and all be just that much more "high and mighty".

Worth Fighting For

The picture that is all over the news today is stunning! It is a picture of a young Iranian woman, beautiful, alive! Quite different than the picture of that same woman being shown a couple of days ago, the picture of the same woman after she was shot in the chest. In the older picture she is dead on the street, a victim of violence during protest! "Neda" has become the face of the Iranian uprising. In the instant she was shot, she became a martyr, the face of the cause. The cause is freedom!

It is easy to take our American freedoms for granted. I am typing this freely and will post it with my open access to the internet. I am doing this while watching "Morning Joe" on MSNBC and listening to them openly discuss what is going on over in Iran. Some agree with our president's stance to sit on the fence, others don't. They are, however, free to discuss their disparate views freely.

After I am done here, I will take a shower and get dressed. I can wear what I want without worrying about covering my head or if I have an inch of skin showing. I don't have to be concerned about being stoned if dressed inappropriately. To women of other cultures, the fact that I am dressing to go to work....a job to make my own money...is remarkable!

Actions such as dressing, working, blogging, to us they may seem basic but in other places in the world, having the freedom to do so is unheard of. Freedom from oppression. It is what the people of Iran were hoping for when they headed to the polls last week and what they are protesting for today!

As we head towards the annual celebration of America's rising above opression, commonly known as 4th Of July, I can't help but wonder when Iran will be celebrating the success of their own revolution. It will take just a few brave people like "Neda" to lead the charge. Then a momentum will grow and hopefully freedom and democracy will take hold.

I said jokingly yesterday that I am glad America's revolution took place before I was born. I can't imagine not being free to do what I want, where I want to do it and when! Just can't! That feeling is ingrained in me as I was born in a country where freedom is a given. I am afforded the right to freedom by others who have fought on my behalf. I am very grateful for the ones that have fought in the past for our country and those that continue the fight today. I hope the Iranian people will someday be able to look back and be grateful as well.

Worth Fighting For

The picture that is all over the news today is stunning! It is a picture of a young Iranian woman, beautiful, alive! Quite different than the picture of that same woman being shown a couple of days ago, the picture of the same woman after she was shot in the chest. In the older picture she is dead on the street, a victim of violence during protest! "Neda" has become the face of the Iranian uprising. In the instant she was shot, she became a martyr, the face of the cause. The cause is freedom!

It is easy to take our American freedoms for granted. I am typing this freely and will post it with my open access to the internet. I am doing this while watching "Morning Joe" on MSNBC and listening to them openly discuss what is going on over in Iran. Some agree with our president's stance to sit on the fence, others don't. They are, however, free to discuss their disparate views freely.

After I am done here, I will take a shower and get dressed. I can wear what I want without worrying about covering my head or if I have an inch of skin showing. I don't have to be concerned about being stoned if dressed inappropriately. To women of other cultures, the fact that I am dressing to go to work....a job to make my own money...is remarkable!

Actions such as dressing, working, blogging, to us they may seem basic but in other places in the world, having the freedom to do so is unheard of. Freedom from oppression. It is what the people of Iran were hoping for when they headed to the polls last week and what they are protesting for today!

As we head towards the annual celebration of America's rising above opression, commonly known as 4th Of July, I can't help but wonder when Iran will be celebrating the success of their own revolution. It will take just a few brave people like "Neda" to lead the charge. Then a momentum will grow and hopefully freedom and democracy will take hold.

I said jokingly yesterday that I am glad America's revolution took place before I was born. I can't imagine not being free to do what I want, where I want to do it and when! Just can't! That feeling is ingrained in me as I was born in a country where freedom is a given. I am afforded the right to freedom by others who have fought on my behalf. I am very grateful for the ones that have fought in the past for our country and those that continue the fight today. I hope the Iranian people will someday be able to look back and be grateful as well.

Goodbye Michael

I am a member of the original MTV generation. I have many memories of my discovery of the channel like bargaining with my mom to get cable, promising A's and a clean room. I remember staying up that first weekend non stop, transfixed to what I was sure was proof that God is a music fan: 24 hours of these 3 minute visual and aural masterpieces. Videos! I couldn't tear myself away! It was so bad my mom eventually had to put a one hour a day maximum on MTV watching! Duran Duran "Rio", Bryan Adams "Cuts like a Knife", Devo "Whip It", all have visual pictures in my head thanks to the early days of MTV.    

 

But my favorite MTV memory stems from an afternoon my friends and I spend around the TV in our living room, waiting for the first "long form" video. It was longer than 3 minutes, a mini movie! I remember thinking how cool it was and watching it over and over, even though I was more of a rocker than a pop music fan! I do love an event, however, and the debut of the video for "Thriller" was definitely an event!

 

When I heard the news today that Michael Jackson had died, I was taken back to that day in the living room. I felt sadness that one of our musical legends had gone but considered the legacy he left behind. Not the strange tabloid one, but the musical one. From his days with the Jackson 5 to "Off The Wall and "Thriller", Michael Jackson leaves behind a musical history that is timeless.  Some of my favorite songs include "ABC", "Want You Back" and "Shake Your Body Down To The Ground", songs that make me smile, make me dance to this day!

 

I am glad I have memories of MJ that extend beyond the tabloid stuff. To me he is a great pop music maker. He was one of the greats and will be missed. RIP, Michael!

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Goodbye Michael

I am a member of the original MTV generation. I have many memories of my discovery of the channel like bargaining with my mom to get cable, promising A's and a clean room. I remember staying up that first weekend non stop, transfixed to what I was sure was proof that God is a music fan: 24 hours of these 3 minute visual and aural masterpieces. Videos! I couldn't tear myself away! It was so bad my mom eventually had to put a one hour a day maximum on MTV watching! Duran Duran "Rio", Bryan Adams "Cuts like a Knife", Devo "Whip It", all have visual pictures in my head thanks to the early days of MTV.    
 
But my favorite MTV memory stems from an afternoon my friends and I spend around the TV in our living room, waiting for the first "long form" video. It was longer than 3 minutes, a mini movie! I remember thinking how cool it was and watching it over and over, even though I was more of a rocker than a pop music fan! I do love an event, however, and the debut of the video for "Thriller" was definitely an event!
 
When I heard the news today that Michael Jackson had died, I was taken back to that day in the living room. I felt sadness that one of our musical legends had gone but considered the legacy he left behind. Not the strange tabloid one, but the musical one. From his days with the Jackson 5 to "Off The Wall and "Thriller", Michael Jackson leaves behind a musical history that is timeless.  Some of my favorite songs include "ABC", "Want You Back" and "Shake Your Body Down To The Ground", songs that make me smile, make me dance to this day!
 
I am glad I have memories of MJ that extend beyond the tabloid stuff. To me he is a great pop music maker. He was one of the greats and will be missed. RIP, Michael!
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The Dream

Everyday at about 2PM, I have the same argument with the angel/devil on my shoulder. The angel reminds me that I am blessed to have gainful employment of any kind in this rotten economy. She reminds me that there are people working far less desirable jobs to barely make ends meet. The devil on the other shoulder reminds me that I really want to take my laptop to the beach and just write. Write about anything.

 

It finally dawned on me that writing is what I was meant to do. That is why I haven't really lasted or succeed in any 9-5 job! I think when, as humans, we aren't living up to our potential, aren't doing what God put us here to do, then the road is long!  Sure, developing a career as a writer may not be the easiest thing I will do but I do believe if it's what I was meant to do and I believe it can happen, it will happen!

 

So with that in mind, I am embarking on a new adventure: the life of a writer! I am not crazy so for the meantime I have to keep the paying job. However, I have thought long and hard and I have a great idea for a blog! It is one that serves an under served market segment. My hope for the blog is to help others in a similar situation as myself and maybe by writing daily, help myself as well. I don't want to disclose too much but hope to have it up and running by July 1st!

 

Working towards a dream is scary but it's scarier to me thinking of wondering "what if" on my death bed. I am 44 and almost at the mid-point in my life. It's about time to start living up to my potential.

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The Dream

Everyday at about 2PM, I have the same argument with the angel/devil on my shoulder. The angel reminds me that I am blessed to have gainful employment of any kind in this rotten economy. She reminds me that there are people working far less desirable jobs to barely make ends meet. The devil on the other shoulder reminds me that I really want to take my laptop to the beach and just write. Write about anything.
 
It finally dawned on me that writing is what I was meant to do. That is why I haven't really lasted or succeed in any 9-5 job! I think when, as humans, we aren't living up to our potential, aren't doing what God put us here to do, then the road is long!  Sure, developing a career as a writer may not be the easiest thing I will do but I do believe if it's what I was meant to do and I believe it can happen, it will happen!
 
So with that in mind, I am embarking on a new adventure: the life of a writer! I am not crazy so for the meantime I have to keep the paying job. However, I have thought long and hard and I have a great idea for a blog! It is one that serves an under served market segment. My hope for the blog is to help others in a similar situation as myself and maybe by writing daily, help myself as well. I don't want to disclose too much but hope to have it up and running by July 1st!
 
Working towards a dream is scary but it's scarier to me thinking of wondering "what if" on my death bed. I am 44 and almost at the mid-point in my life. It's about time to start living up to my potential.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

It is 2:07p and I need to shower and get to work. I am not overjoyed about going. I have reached the end of my usual 6 month tolerence with customer service. All I want to do is sit home today and write, read and hang out with the pups!

He's My Brother

My two crazy Rotties are brothers, right out of the same litter! Bear is the more energetic of the two, Thor is the one that just wants to snuggle. They love to chew on stuffed toys and no matter if you give each one the exact same toy, they will want what the other has. Just like human brothers, they argue, beat each other up and then give each other a lick to say "its ok"! I have no doubt how much they love me, but I didn't know how much they love each other until today!
 
Thor has had some mild digestive issues lately that we have been keeping an eye on. So Val took him to the vet today! We put Bear out in the back yard so we could get Thor into the car without a problem. Bear went crazy! He couldn't understand where Thor went! To silence the wailing, barking and pounding on the door, I let him in after Thor and Val had left! Bear had a look of panic on his face! Where was Thor going without him? The two have never been apart! He ran to the front door, to the back. He ran upstairs and downstairs! Bear put his paws up on each window pane that he could reach in hopes of seeing Thor. He came into my room with pleading eyes. "Where is my brother", they would say as he whined a questioning whine. I hugged him and tried to comfort him with treats but the frantic pacing and whining continued.

I always stand firm in my belief that dogs understand when they are spoken too. Thor even talks back! Like a petulant child, he will grumble at me when he dosent get his way or he will growl sweet nothings when we are having our lovefests (petting and hugging on the floor). This afternoon with Bear was the first time ever I wished dogs would flat out speak English! I wanted Bear to understand that his brother would be fine even if I wasn't sure myself!

It had been over an hour when I saw Bear's ears perk up. It was before I heard the car doors shut! He flew down the stairs with speed and stood guard at the door! A look of relief came over his face as Thor came through the door! Bear started licking his face with joy! I wanted to remind Bear this is the same dog that steals his empty peanut butter jars but it wouldn't have mattered. His playmate, his brother was home and safe, nothing to show for the trip than maybe a stomach bug. Thor was home and this made Bear one happy dog!

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

He's My Brother

My two crazy Rotties are brothers, right out of the same litter! Bear is the more energetic of the two, Thor is the one that just wants to snuggle. They love to chew on stuffed toys and no matter if you give each one the exact same toy, they will want what the other has. Just like human brothers, they argue, beat each other up and then give each other a lick to say "its ok"! I have no doubt how much they love me, but I didn't know how much they love each other until today!
 
Thor has had some mild digestive issues lately that we have been keeping an eye on. So Val took him to the vet today! We put Bear out in the back yard so we could get Thor into the car without a problem. Bear went crazy! He couldn't understand where Thor went! To silence the wailing, barking and pounding on the door, I let him in after Thor and Val had left! Bear had a look of panic on his face! Where was Thor going without him? The two have never been apart! He ran to the front door, to the back. He ran upstairs and downstairs! Bear put his paws up on each window pane that he could reach in hopes of seeing Thor. He came into my room with pleading eyes. "Where is my brother", they would say as he whined a questioning whine. I hugged him and tried to comfort him with treats but the frantic pacing and whining continued.

I always stand firm in my belief that dogs understand when they are spoken too. Thor even talks back! Like a petulant child, he will grumble at me when he dosent get his way or he will growl sweet nothings when we are having our lovefests (petting and hugging on the floor). This afternoon with Bear was the first time ever I wished dogs would flat out speak English! I wanted Bear to understand that his brother would be fine even if I wasn't sure myself!

It had been over an hour when I saw Bear's ears perk up. It was before I heard the car doors shut! He flew down the stairs with speed and stood guard at the door! A look of relief came over his face as Thor came through the door! Bear started licking his face with joy! I wanted to remind Bear this is the same dog that steals his empty peanut butter jars but it wouldn't have mattered. His playmate, his brother was home and safe, nothing to show for the trip than maybe a stomach bug. Thor was home and this made Bear one happy dog!

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

My two crazy Rotties are brothers, right out of the same litter! Bear is the more energetic of the two, Thor is the one that just wants to snuggle. They love to chew on stuff toys and no matter if you give each one the exact same toy, they will want what the other has. I have no doubt how much they love me, but I didn't know how much they love each other until today!

Time to roll up your sleeves

I received this email from President Obama today. I am sure he sent it to me personally. At any rate it speaks to something near and dear to my heat, volunteering. The email read:


"Dear Friend,

Last week, I announced United We Serve – a nationwide call to service challenging you and all Americans to volunteer this summer and be part of building a new foundation for America.

And when I say “all,” I mean everyone – young and old, from every background, all across the country. We need individuals, community organizations, corporations, foundations, and our government to be part of this effort.

Today, for the official kick off of United We Serve, members of my administration have fanned out across America to participate in service events and encourage all Americans to join them.

The First Lady is rolling up her sleeves and getting to work too. But before she headed out today, she asked me to share this message with you.



Our nation faces some of the greatest challenges it has in generations and we know it’s going to take a lot of hard work to get us back on track.

While Michelle and I are calling on every American to participate in United We Serve, the call to service doesn’t end this fall. We need to stay involved in our towns and communities for a long time to come. After all, America’s new foundation will be built one neighborhood at a time – and that starts with you.

Thank you,
President Barack Obama"


There are great resorces out there to help you find opportunities in your area! Google has developed a wonderful new search engine, All For Good, specifically designed to search for service opportunities around the nation. The administration has their own as well, serve.gov. It can be as simple as putting volunteer opportunities and your city into Google!


I am very excited the Obama's are leading a summer of service. I love to voluteer! There really is a great feeling in helping others. Plus, you get benefits as well! You meet new people, experience new things and help others! It is wonderful! And to all the singles out there, conventional wisdom is that you meet quality men/women while voluteering. I'm just sayin. What ever your motivation is, take a weekend day a month (or more) and volunteer!

Time to roll up your sleeves

I received this email from President Obama today. I am sure he sent it to me personally. At any rate it speaks to something near and dear to my heat, volunteering. The email read:


"Dear Friend,

Last week, I announced United We Serve – a nationwide call to service challenging you and all Americans to volunteer this summer and be part of building a new foundation for America.

And when I say “all,” I mean everyone – young and old, from every background, all across the country. We need individuals, community organizations, corporations, foundations, and our government to be part of this effort.

Today, for the official kick off of United We Serve, members of my administration have fanned out across America to participate in service events and encourage all Americans to join them.

The First Lady is rolling up her sleeves and getting to work too. But before she headed out today, she asked me to share this message with you.



Our nation faces some of the greatest challenges it has in generations and we know it’s going to take a lot of hard work to get us back on track.

While Michelle and I are calling on every American to participate in United We Serve, the call to service doesn’t end this fall. We need to stay involved in our towns and communities for a long time to come. After all, America’s new foundation will be built one neighborhood at a time – and that starts with you.

Thank you,
President Barack Obama"


There are great resorces out there to help you find opportunities in your area! Google has developed a wonderful new search engine, All For Good, specifically designed to search for service opportunities around the nation. The administration has their own as well, serve.gov. It can be as simple as putting volunteer opportunities and your city into Google!


I am very excited the Obama's are leading a summer of service. I love to voluteer! There really is a great feeling in helping others. Plus, you get benefits as well! You meet new people, experience new things and help others! It is wonderful! And to all the singles out there, conventional wisdom is that you meet quality men/women while voluteering. I'm just sayin. What ever your motivation is, take a weekend day a month (or more) and volunteer!

The Father I Wish I Knew Better

People assume that because I didn't grow up with my father I don't know anything about him. That isn't exactly true. There are a few things I remember.

One of my earliest memories is one of my dad making breakfast. He made amazing pancakes and eggs. So good, in fact, that we would sometimes have them for dinner. Through my dad I was introduced to sugar and butter, not syrup, on pancakes.

He also introduced me to Johnny Cash. I remember my dad singing Folsom Prison Blues and Boy Named Sue around the house. He had a great baritone voice. My dad loved Cash, Dolly Parton and lived by the musical motto "there are two kinds of music...Country ...and Western".

I also remember my dad being a fiercly proud Marine. I knew what Iwo Jima and Mount Sarabachi were before I knew what Grover was. My dad was stationed at Camp Pendelton when I was born and some of my earliest school memories took place while we lived at Camp Lejune! My dad felt he got out of the military way too early and probably would have died active military if he could. He believed in God and Country and serving both.

Maybe my favorite memory though is one that happened when he was fixing the taillights on my car. He didn't want me to drive from Sacramento back to LA with a faulty taillight. While the car repair was routine, it was the conversation that was memorable. It was the one where my dad told me that he could have been a better father and should have been around more. I could tell with the sadness in his voice that he truly regretted missing birthdays, graduations, first dates and all the minutae of raising kids. He never had any with my stepmother and I felt bad for him. I also felt relieved to hear him say sorry!

I speak in the past tense because my dad died early last year. My stepmother didn't bother to call. We found out, rather fittingly, from the military as they cut off my mother's access to his pension. I don't necessarily miss him per say because I don't feel I truly knew him enought to miss him. However, given the chance, I do believe I would have known a truly good man.

The Father I Wish I Knew Better

People assume that because I didn't grow up with my father I don't know anything about him. That isn't exactly true. There are a few things I remember.

One of my earliest memories is one of my dad making breakfast. He made amazing pancakes and eggs. So good, in fact, that we would sometimes have them for dinner. Through my dad I was introduced to sugar and butter, not syrup, on pancakes.

He also introduced me to Johnny Cash. I remember my dad singing Folsom Prison Blues and Boy Named Sue around the house. He had a great baritone voice. My dad loved Cash, Dolly Parton and lived by the musical motto "there are two kinds of music...Country ...and Western".

I also remember my dad being a fiercly proud Marine. I knew what Iwo Jima and Mount Sarabachi were before I knew what Grover was. My dad was stationed at Camp Pendelton when I was born and some of my earliest school memories took place while we lived at Camp Lejune! My dad felt he got out of the military way too early and probably would have died active military if he could. He believed in God and Country and serving both.

Maybe my favorite memory though is one that happened when he was fixing the taillights on my car. He didn't want me to drive from Sacramento back to LA with a faulty taillight. While the car repair was routine, it was the conversation that was memorable. It was the one where my dad told me that he could have been a better father and should have been around more. I could tell with the sadness in his voice that he truly regretted missing birthdays, graduations, first dates and all the minutae of raising kids. He never had any with my stepmother and I felt bad for him. I also felt relieved to hear him say sorry!

I speak in the past tense because my dad died early last year. My stepmother didn't bother to call. We found out, rather fittingly, from the military as they cut off my mother's access to his pension. I don't necessarily miss him per say because I don't feel I truly knew him enought to miss him. However, given the chance, I do believe I would have known a truly good man.

My Gift To Me

Happy Birthday To Me...Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to me!!! I have never been shy about planning my own birthday! Trips to Vegas, Concerts, planning a birthday blowout was like a gift to me. Well this year, I am giving myself a different gift: the gift of renewal.

This is the year I am going to do things that will uplift mind, body and soul! I am starting with finally getting my new blog off the ground. I think I have discovered a market that is not being serviced by the media, conventional and otherwise, and I am developing a blog that will take care of that! I want to post at least once a day!

Going hand and hand with my new blog is my adventures in online dating. I am going to make a conserted effort to go online and find someone that is funny, smart, and an all around good guy. I will be online at least once a day and will be consistent! I have 3-4 sites in mind...wish me luck!

Also renewed this year is my weight loss effort. I have a net loss of 90 pounds after they bypass surgery but that is only 1/2 way! This is the year that I am finally going to get this weight off and keep it off! I am eating healthier and getting the rack for my bike so I can head to the park to ride at least 3 times a week.

So there it is, my renewal plan for 2009-2010. Birthday blowout are a great gift but this one will be long lasting. Maybe next year, Vegas!

My Gift To Me

Happy Birthday To Me...Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to me!!! I have never been shy about planning my own birthday! Trips to Vegas, Concerts, planning a birthday blowout was like a gift to me. Well this year, I am giving myself a different gift: the gift of renewal.

This is the year I am going to do things that will uplift mind, body and soul! I am starting with finally getting my new blog off the ground. I think I have discovered a market that is not being serviced by the media, conventional and otherwise, and I am developing a blog that will take care of that! I want to post at least once a day!

Going hand and hand with my new blog is my adventures in online dating. I am going to make a conserted effort to go online and find someone that is funny, smart, and an all around good guy. I will be online at least once a day and will be consistent! I have 3-4 sites in mind...wish me luck!

Also renewed this year is my weight loss effort. I have a net loss of 90 pounds after they bypass surgery but that is only 1/2 way! This is the year that I am finally going to get this weight off and keep it off! I am eating healthier and getting the rack for my bike so I can head to the park to ride at least 3 times a week.

So there it is, my renewal plan for 2009-2010. Birthday blowout are a great gift but this one will be long lasting. Maybe next year, Vegas!

Back To The Future

A high school graduation is a time for young people to ponder their future and their older friends and family members to question their past.

"Would I do it over again if given the chance" is a question asked time and time again. It has been explored in movies like the recent "17 Again" and in novels. I thought about it while at my niece's graduation yesterday. I had plenty of time during the alphabetical calling of names since Ally's last name begins with S and she is in a class of almost 600. Anyway, I decided that I wouldn't do it over.

Life's joys and pains are felt in the lessons learned along the way. I am an entirely different person than I was when Ally first came into my life 16 years ago. I am thinner, wiser and more at peace with things in my life than I've ever been. I have traveled and had some really cool experiences. Sure, there have been painful experiences such as my family leaving but even that led to the joy of moving in with my roommate and her two rottie puppies, who all remain my best friends to this day!

Lessons learned include overdrafting your bank account for a shoe sale is only a temporary pleasure, that the comfort of saving is more long term, that your friends are a gift and that happiness is a warm puppy!

I don't know what the future holds for Ally but my wish for her to enjoy the journey! Life is a roller coaster ride but it is worth the price of admission!

Back To The Future

A high school graduation is a time for young people to ponder their future and their older friends and family members to question their past.

"Would I do it over again if given the chance" is a question asked time and time again. It has been explored in movies like the recent "17 Again" and in novels. I thought about it while at my niece's graduation yesterday. I had plenty of time during the alphabetical calling of names since Ally's last name begins with S and she is in a class of almost 600. Anyway, I decided that I wouldn't do it over.

Life's joys and pains are felt in the lessons learned along the way. I am an entirely different person than I was when Ally first came into my life 16 years ago. I am thinner, wiser and more at peace with things in my life than I've ever been. I have traveled and had some really cool experiences. Sure, there have been painful experiences such as my family leaving but even that led to the joy of moving in with my roommate and her two rottie puppies, who all remain my best friends to this day!

Lessons learned include overdrafting your bank account for a shoe sale is only a temporary pleasure, that the comfort of saving is more long term, that your friends are a gift and that happiness is a warm puppy!

I don't know what the future holds for Ally but my wish for her to enjoy the journey! Life is a roller coaster ride but it is worth the price of admission!

Youth: Is it Wasted On The Young?

I am sitting @ Coffee Bean....which sounds better than I am sitting at the bagel joint which is where I truly am ...sitting at the Coffee Bean and OMG, like there are two girls ya know, like OMG talking about these two guys that missed them and like they just can suck it ya know,OMG Fin douchebag OMG..he's a downer...his band is crap because all he does is smoke weed....

 

I don't give a crap about these two or their d-bag boys but they aren't giving me any choice other than to get sucked into their drama. They obviously are feeding a narcissistic need to broadcast their drama as they are sitting 6 inches across a table from each other and practically shouting! They leave just in time for the kid in the Fast and the Furious car to "roll up" with his stereo blaring and bass turned up so high my seat shook!

 

I came here to bask in the first day of sun in what seems like forever and to enjoy my coffee, bagel and Lady Gaga story in peace! What I got was an interesting question: when did youth change from something I had into something that annoys me?

 

There is something about a pending birthday that makes one question their age and role in life. Uggh, I bet those girls at the Bean are thinking no further than their latest conquest! I wish that was my biggest problem!

 

Would I go back to my twenties....thirties?? Hummmm…more on that later!

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Youth: Is it Wasted On The Young?

I am sitting @ Coffee Bean....which sounds better than I am sitting at the bagel joint which is where I truly am ...sitting at the Coffee Bean and OMG, like there are two girls ya know, like OMG talking about these two guys that missed them and like they just can suck it ya know,OMG Fin douchebag OMG..he's a downer...his band is crap because all he does is smoke weed....
 
I don't give a crap about these two or their d-bag boys but they aren't giving me any choice other than to get sucked into their drama. They obviously are feeding a narcissistic need to broadcast their drama as they are sitting 6 inches across a table from each other and practically shouting! They leave just in time for the kid in the Fast and the Furious car to "roll up" with his stereo blaring and bass turned up so high my seat shook!
 
I came here to bask in the first day of sun in what seems like forever and to enjoy my coffee, bagel and Lady Gaga story in peace! What I got was an interesting question: when did youth change from something I had into something that annoys me?
 
There is something about a pending birthday that makes one question their age and role in life. Uggh, I bet those girls at the Bean are thinking no further than their latest conquest! I wish that was my biggest problem!
 
Would I go back to my twenties....thirties?? Hummmm…more on that later!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Hanging With My Rock Star

The above video, found on UTube, was shot Sunday night at a little club in Hollywood, at an impromptu show given by John Mayer! They have become very popular, hard to get into and are used by JM to work out the kinks in the new material he is working on. These shows are seen as symbolic although not for the same reason. To some, they may be symbolic of the ego maniac they perceive JM to be! To others, they are seen as a sign of his giving back to his fans as not only are the shows very intimate, they are cheap! When else would you see a major music star for $5?

I was at dinner in Woodland Hills when I got the Tweet than John was playing at the Hotel Cafe in a couple of hours! I paid my portion of the bill, got my car out of Valet and took off! I think the tweet was maybe 20 mins old when I saw it and figured it was early enough in the game to get in! It was ...barely! After about an hour, I walked into the packed club! I excused my way up to the front and wasn't much farther from the stage than the person that shot the video!

That's me saying "he says he's on his way", in response to a Tweet reference by Mr. John Mayer! I think the fan interaction that is possible in a tiny club with 75 or so people is what makes these Hotel Cafe shows so popular! There is no way you would get that intimate in an arena w/20,000 people! You just can't! Something about the small, dark atmosphere of the Hotel Cafe lends to a comfortable environment you don't get elsewhere!

The music was stellar! John played a few faves like "Waiting On The World To Change" and "Neon" and debuted some new stuff that I imagine are songs on the new record. "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" was good as was "Heartbreak Warfare". My moment was when John asked what to play and amidst hormonal yellings for his more sappy stuff I jokingly yelled out "Purple Haze"! I was so surprized when he launched into a funky 4-minute version of the Hendrix classic! He put his spin on it and it rocked!

Tiny club shows, tweets, blogs, cruises! These things keep John close to the fans and vice versa! Add to that an lethal songwriting/guitar playing talent and you have someone that is going to be around awhile. It is going to be interesting to see the musician he becomes as I believe his best work is a head of him. That is, if he doesn't die of starlet dating exhaustion. I have faith in his ability to work it all out and continue on the path to greatness. It will be worth the wait.

Hanging With My Rock Star

The above video, found on UTube, was shot Sunday night at a little club in Hollywood, at an impromptu show given by John Mayer! They have become very popular, hard to get into and are used by JM to work out the kinks in the new material he is working on. These shows are seen as symbolic although not for the same reason. To some, they may be symbolic of the ego maniac they perceive JM to be! To others, they are seen as a sign of his giving back to his fans as not only are the shows very intimate, they are cheap! When else would you see a major music star for $5?

I was at dinner in Woodland Hills when I got the Tweet than John was playing at the Hotel Cafe in a couple of hours! I paid my portion of the bill, got my car out of Valet and took off! I think the tweet was maybe 20 mins old when I saw it and figured it was early enough in the game to get in! It was ...barely! After about an hour, I walked into the packed club! I excused my way up to the front and wasn't much farther from the stage than the person that shot the video!

That's me saying "he says he's on his way", in response to a Tweet reference by Mr. John Mayer! I think the fan interaction that is possible in a tiny club with 75 or so people is what makes these Hotel Cafe shows so popular! There is no way you would get that intimate in an arena w/20,000 people! You just can't! Something about the small, dark atmosphere of the Hotel Cafe lends to a comfortable environment you don't get elsewhere!

The music was stellar! John played a few faves like "Waiting On The World To Change" and "Neon" and debuted some new stuff that I imagine are songs on the new record. "Friends, Lovers or Nothing" was good as was "Heartbreak Warfare". My moment was when John asked what to play and amidst hormonal yellings for his more sappy stuff I jokingly yelled out "Purple Haze"! I was so surprized when he launched into a funky 4-minute version of the Hendrix classic! He put his spin on it and it rocked!

Tiny club shows, tweets, blogs, cruises! These things keep John close to the fans and vice versa! Add to that an lethal songwriting/guitar playing talent and you have someone that is going to be around awhile. It is going to be interesting to see the musician he becomes as I believe his best work is a head of him. That is, if he doesn't die of starlet dating exhaustion. I have faith in his ability to work it all out and continue on the path to greatness. It will be worth the wait.

A Blogging U-Turn

I have to admit that I have various interests! They run the gamut from politics to music to animals to entertainment. I also have an inherent need to communicate and love to write. Usually these things converge together into one happy mess called "A Writers Journey", my blog. This month I tried to change it up and have come across a stumbling block.

 

I tried blogging this month on the theme of heroes. I didn't think I could do that as I didn't think I had 30 heroes. But as I sat down to make my list of people who have influenced me and/or made my life better I realised I could do two months of heroes. So off I went. The more I was aware of heroes, the more I found them. It's been 15 days and I have barely touched my list! I have enjoyed it but found the more I did it, the more formula the blogs seemed.

 

Last night as I was standing at the Hotel Café with maybe 75 people watching John Mayer, I was thinking about what a cool blog this would be. Then I remembered I was blogging about heroes this month. Damn!  It was then that I realised what I love to write about are just my daily ramblings about things going on in my life and in the world. Observational blogging, if you will! I envision myself as maybe the Andy Rooney of the blogosphere, except younger….and cuter.

 

So I think I am going back to my rambling blog and do a hero of the week. Not sure what day, but pick one day to blog about heroes. The rest of the days I can ramble.   

 

For great blogs about heroes check out ohmyachesandpains.blogspot.com! Selena has some really good blogs and very worthy heroes!

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A Blogging U-Turn

I have to admit that I have various interests! They run the gamut from politics to music to animals to entertainment. I also have an inherent need to communicate and love to write. Usually these things converge together into one happy mess called "A Writers Journey", my blog. This month I tried to change it up and have come across a stumbling block.
 
I tried blogging this month on the theme of heroes. I didn't think I could do that as I didn't think I had 30 heroes. But as I sat down to make my list of people who have influenced me and/or made my life better I realised I could do two months of heroes. So off I went. The more I was aware of heroes, the more I found them. It's been 15 days and I have barely touched my list! I have enjoyed it but found the more I did it, the more formula the blogs seemed.
 
Last night as I was standing at the Hotel Café with maybe 75 people watching John Mayer, I was thinking about what a cool blog this would be. Then I remembered I was blogging about heroes this month. Damn!  It was then that I realised what I love to write about are just my daily ramblings about things going on in my life and in the world. Observational blogging, if you will! I envision myself as maybe the Andy Rooney of the blogosphere, except younger….and cuter.
 
So I think I am going back to my rambling blog and do a hero of the week. Not sure what day, but pick one day to blog about heroes. The rest of the days I can ramble.   
 
For great blogs about heroes check out ohmyachesandpains.blogspot.com! Selena has some really good blogs and very worthy heroes!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

We Interrupt The Month Of Heroes For This Bulletin

Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans--John Lennon

And so goes how my night of BBQ chicken and mac and cheese at home with the Laker game turned into a fun dinner with my nieces, Dan and Shan followed by an impromptu club show by John Mayer!! Twitter and the Blackberry assisted in the radical change of plans and I couldn't be more thrilled!

I have red battery of death on blackberry! More about this tomorrow!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

We Interrupt The Month Of Heroes For This Bulletin

Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans--John Lennon

And so goes how my night of BBQ chicken and mac and cheese at home with the Laker game turned into a fun dinner with my nieces, Dan and Shan followed by an impromptu club show by John Mayer!! Twitter and the Blackberry assisted in the radical change of plans and I couldn't be more thrilled!

I have red battery of death on blackberry! More about this tomorrow!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

The Courage To Follow A Dream

Follow your bliss, live your dream. No one would argue against this being good advice! It just isn't always as simple as the hallmark-card advice makes it out to be. Your bliss has to involve a pay check and it would probably help if your friends and family would quit asking when are you going to grow up and find a "real" job.

My friend Jeff Schofield is one of the rare types of people out there trying against all odds to make his dream happen. A very talented guitarist and songwriter, Jeff is currently playing in so many bands I have lost count. I think it is 3 or 4. Among the bands he plays in are local favorites "Out To Lunch" and the reincarnation of 80's Sunset Strip favorite "Harlot". When he isn't playing around town, Jeff is back in Nashville, continuing to develope his skills as a songwriter and working with some of the best writers and musicians working in country music! Jeff has been working the music grind since the 80's and hasn't given up! He loves what he is doing! Oh....did I forget to mention does all this while working a 9-5 job?



You can't help but hear his love for music as it shines through his writing and playing! When you see him play, you can tell he is having fun! The great thing is that while he is all over the place and most likely exhausted, Jeff is always positive and encouraging others to follow their dreams as well. He is one of the good guys! It means a lot to me that he is always in my corner as far as my writing goes.

As a fellow "creative type", watching Jeff chase the dream while staying true to himself is an inspiration to me! I am really rooting for him to make it!

The Courage To Follow A Dream

Follow your bliss, live your dream. No one would argue against this being good advice! It just isn't always as simple as the hallmark-card advice makes it out to be. Your bliss has to involve a pay check and it would probably help if your friends and family would quit asking when are you going to grow up and find a "real" job.

My friend Jeff Schofield is one of the rare types of people out there trying against all odds to make his dream happen. A very talented guitarist and songwriter, Jeff is currently playing in so many bands I have lost count. I think it is 3 or 4. Among the bands he plays in are local favorites "Out To Lunch" and the reincarnation of 80's Sunset Strip favorite "Harlot". When he isn't playing around town, Jeff is back in Nashville, continuing to develope his skills as a songwriter and working with some of the best writers and musicians working in country music! Jeff has been working the music grind since the 80's and hasn't given up! He loves what he is doing! Oh....did I forget to mention does all this while working a 9-5 job?



You can't help but hear his love for music as it shines through his writing and playing! When you see him play, you can tell he is having fun! The great thing is that while he is all over the place and most likely exhausted, Jeff is always positive and encouraging others to follow their dreams as well. He is one of the good guys! It means a lot to me that he is always in my corner as far as my writing goes.

As a fellow "creative type", watching Jeff chase the dream while staying true to himself is an inspiration to me! I am really rooting for him to make it!

Workplace Hero

What makes a great boss? I think a great boss is someone who takes the time to mentor, who trusts in your abilities and has your back as much as you have theirs. I also love a boss who doesn't micro manage and leaves you alone to do the work. Some bosses are good, others are great and few are exceptional. I have been very blessed to have several good bosses but have had only one exceptional boss.
 
We "grew up" together, so to speak. When the new provider transfer department was formed at Health Net, Andrew was tapped to lead the charge. A Marine who was taught to lead by example, Andrew gave us all room to grow. He established from day one that he would always have our back if we worked hard for him. He didn't micro-manage, he worked hard and he inspired us! When ever management would come in to try and get in our way, Andrew would run interference.
 
I thrived in this atmosphere! Andrew taught me the value of looking up information instead of just asking questions and rewarded me with additional responsibilities and projects. He would give me pieces of the project puzzle and let me figure out how to complete it! I loved this! Under his management I found that I like administrative work, projects etc. and liked my job so much, I was promoted 3 times over 4 years! Andrew gave me confidence in my abilities and encouraged me to use them to the full extent!
 
Andrew was not only a great boss but a really good guy. Devoted to his family and his football team, he brought good values into the workplace. Andrew always told us to treat the members as if we were working on the behalf of a family member. He told us that "if we can show we acted in the member's best interest, he would always back us up". Those statements say as much about Andrew the man as they do Andrew the boss.

I eventually left Health Net and Andrew behind. I had a boss that came close to the greatness that is Andrew but not close enough: she laid me off! :)
 
Andrew is a hero to me because he taught me that it is possible for hard work to be rewarded. The only thing is that he has set the bar so incredibly high that I don't know if I will ever find another boss like him!  I must admit than when I heard that Andrew recently got laid off himself, I prayed our paths would cross once again! I can only hope!

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Workplace Hero

What makes a great boss? I think a great boss is someone who takes the time to mentor, who trusts in your abilities and has your back as much as you have theirs. I also love a boss who doesn't micro manage and leaves you alone to do the work. Some bosses are good, others are great and few are exceptional. I have been very blessed to have several good bosses but have had only one exceptional boss.
 
We "grew up" together, so to speak. When the new provider transfer department was formed at Health Net, Andrew was tapped to lead the charge. A Marine who was taught to lead by example, Andrew gave us all room to grow. He established from day one that he would always have our back if we worked hard for him. He didn't micro-manage, he worked hard and he inspired us! When ever management would come in to try and get in our way, Andrew would run interference.
 
I thrived in this atmosphere! Andrew taught me the value of looking up information instead of just asking questions and rewarded me with additional responsibilities and projects. He would give me pieces of the project puzzle and let me figure out how to complete it! I loved this! Under his management I found that I like administrative work, projects etc. and liked my job so much, I was promoted 3 times over 4 years! Andrew gave me confidence in my abilities and encouraged me to use them to the full extent!
 
Andrew was not only a great boss but a really good guy. Devoted to his family and his football team, he brought good values into the workplace. Andrew always told us to treat the members as if we were working on the behalf of a family member. He told us that "if we can show we acted in the member's best interest, he would always back us up". Those statements say as much about Andrew the man as they do Andrew the boss.

I eventually left Health Net and Andrew behind. I had a boss that came close to the greatness that is Andrew but not close enough: she laid me off! :)
 
Andrew is a hero to me because he taught me that it is possible for hard work to be rewarded. The only thing is that he has set the bar so incredibly high that I don't know if I will ever find another boss like him!  I must admit than when I heard that Andrew recently got laid off himself, I prayed our paths would cross once again! I can only hope!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Are You There Judy, It's Me, Cynthia

Every generation or two a writer comes along and captures the imagination for kids and young adults everywhere. A few years back, the wild imagination of J.K. Rowling sent kids running away from their XBoxes and straight to the world of Hogwarts and the boy wizard named Harry. Lately it has been the lusty teen vampires sprung from the mind of Stephenie Meyer that keep kids glued to the "Twilight" book trilogy. For my generation the books we were all reading came from Judy Blume!

One of my first heroes, Blume wrote wonderful stories of kids and teens dealing with everday issues and wrote them with pathos and humor! My earliest memories of summer involve floating around the pool, absorbed her latest book. No matter what issues I dealt with, the characters in her books let me know I wasn't alone. "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret" helped me realize other girls had questions regarding breast size, religion and growing up. When my parents got divorced I delved into "It's Not The End Of The World" and escaped to find that while it may seem like the end of the world, it isn't.

It is important for kids and teens to feel that they are going through things simular to their peers and Blume's books achieve that goal! She writes in a style that is relatable to kids and teens. Although they are characters, you read the books feeling like they are your friends. I moved around a lot as a kid and sometimes books were my friends! Judy Blume's books were great company!

I think the mark of a great writer is how timeless the work is, how long it will stick around and be relevant. It is a testament to the wonderful work of Judy Blume that parent's will give her books to their kids for generations to come.

Are You There Judy, It's Me, Cynthia

Every generation or two a writer comes along and captures the imagination for kids and young adults everywhere. A few years back, the wild imagination of J.K. Rowling sent kids running away from their XBoxes and straight to the world of Hogwarts and the boy wizard named Harry. Lately it has been the lusty teen vampires sprung from the mind of Stephenie Meyer that keep kids glued to the "Twilight" book trilogy. For my generation the books we were all reading came from Judy Blume!

One of my first heroes, Blume wrote wonderful stories of kids and teens dealing with everday issues and wrote them with pathos and humor! My earliest memories of summer involve floating around the pool, absorbed her latest book. No matter what issues I dealt with, the characters in her books let me know I wasn't alone. "Are You There God, It's Me Margaret" helped me realize other girls had questions regarding breast size, religion and growing up. When my parents got divorced I delved into "It's Not The End Of The World" and escaped to find that while it may seem like the end of the world, it isn't.

It is important for kids and teens to feel that they are going through things simular to their peers and Blume's books achieve that goal! She writes in a style that is relatable to kids and teens. Although they are characters, you read the books feeling like they are your friends. I moved around a lot as a kid and sometimes books were my friends! Judy Blume's books were great company!

I think the mark of a great writer is how timeless the work is, how long it will stick around and be relevant. It is a testament to the wonderful work of Judy Blume that parent's will give her books to their kids for generations to come.

Financial Hero

As I was thinking yesterday about how to pay for a car repair bill that I couldn't avoid, a little voice popped into my head. "You should have an emergency fund of at least 6 months salary". The funny thing is the voice doesn't belong to my mother, it belongs to Suze Orman!

It seems you can't avoid Suze Orman these days. She has become the de facto voice on all things money these days! Besides appearences on Oprah and cable news she has her own TV show



and many bestselling books



She may be a take no prisoners financial powerhouse but her life hasn't always been golden. She got where she is by hard knocks and hard work. She has a compelling backstory, one that could have happened to anyone.

While working as a waitress Suzie was given a big sum of money by a customer who believed in her and wanted her to follow her dreams. She invested it at a brokerage firm and then immersed herself in learning all she could about finance. In 4 months the money was all gone. A victim of a dishonest stockbroker, Suze lost it all! Rather than wallowing in pity and giving up, Suze entered into a training program at the firm where she lost the money, became a stockbroker, parlayed that career into one in giving retirement planning seminars and in 1993 was asked to write a book. It became a bestseller.

Books were just the start and led to other successes such as public speaking and television. Suze's success in these arenas attest to what I think is her true strengh: the ability to deliver the hard truth in a relatable, straight-forward, and honest way. She's been where we are and knows how to rise above it! She has tapped into our emotional connection with our money and lets us know she understands. The good thing is that she shows us in dollars and cents why we need to focus on "People first, then money, then things".

I have learned alot about my finances and why I have verious success with them and it's all due to watching and listening to Suze. I promise some of it is sinking in and someday I will put the concepts into practice!

You too can get the wisdom of Suze! Follow her on Twitter and visit her website!

Financial Hero

As I was thinking yesterday about how to pay for a car repair bill that I couldn't avoid, a little voice popped into my head. "You should have an emergency fund of at least 6 months salary". The funny thing is the voice doesn't belong to my mother, it belongs to Suze Orman!

It seems you can't avoid Suze Orman these days. She has become the de facto voice on all things money these days! Besides appearences on Oprah and cable news she has her own TV show



and many bestselling books



She may be a take no prisoners financial powerhouse but her life hasn't always been golden. She got where she is by hard knocks and hard work. She has a compelling backstory, one that could have happened to anyone.

While working as a waitress Suzie was given a big sum of money by a customer who believed in her and wanted her to follow her dreams. She invested it at a brokerage firm and then immersed herself in learning all she could about finance. In 4 months the money was all gone. A victim of a dishonest stockbroker, Suze lost it all! Rather than wallowing in pity and giving up, Suze entered into a training program at the firm where she lost the money, became a stockbroker, parlayed that career into one in giving retirement planning seminars and in 1993 was asked to write a book. It became a bestseller.

Books were just the start and led to other successes such as public speaking and television. Suze's success in these arenas attest to what I think is her true strengh: the ability to deliver the hard truth in a relatable, straight-forward, and honest way. She's been where we are and knows how to rise above it! She has tapped into our emotional connection with our money and lets us know she understands. The good thing is that she shows us in dollars and cents why we need to focus on "People first, then money, then things".

I have learned alot about my finances and why I have verious success with them and it's all due to watching and listening to Suze. I promise some of it is sinking in and someday I will put the concepts into practice!

You too can get the wisdom of Suze! Follow her on Twitter and visit her website!

Hero In Car Crazy LA!

It is funny how heroes pop up unexpectantly. They can be the man who gives you the last seat on the bus when your hands are full or the lady who gives you the dime you are lacking for your daily cuppa joe. There are heroes all around us if we just take the time to notice them.

My hero today comes in the form of my mechanic, James! I found James when I moved in with Val, my roommate. He has worked on her cars for years and I was looking for a good mechanic. I found one in James. He is honest, fair and because he knows we live paycheck to paycheck in our house, he only charges for parts on the little stuff! The only caveat to James is he doesn't work on the weekends. That is the time he spends with his family so you can't fault him for that!

James is my hero today because he has helped me out of a jam! This is the week before payday, the week where I usually have $50 to my name, if I am lucky! Imagine my dismay when I got in my car after work to find I was driving in pitch-black darkness! No lights! Not a glimmer! Of course, my main thought was "what if I hit a dog" but the cops that passed me and flashed may have given me a ticket to worry about! If I worked during the day, I could wait until I had the money to fix it but I work until midnight so I have to drive at night! No buses run, roommates are usually asleep...I really have no other way to get back and forth to work! I tried replacing the fuse but that wasn't the issue!

Begrudingly I took the car in so it could be looked at! I braced myself for a big bill as car repairs are never cheap, right? Not with James! He looked around and within a 1/2 hour discovered that I kicked some cable loose! I held my breath and asked him what it would cost...$5. FIVE dollars! The beauty of this is that where most mechanics would charge at least an hour for labor and then the parts....James only charged for the little connector that was kicked loose! $5!

James is a hero because in a sea of opportunistic guys that see dollar signs when a woman walks into their shop, he is honest and fair! Sometimes, not fair to himself but fair to us! How comforting and refreshing!

Hero In Car Crazy LA!

It is funny how heroes pop up unexpectantly. They can be the man who gives you the last seat on the bus when your hands are full or the lady who gives you the dime you are lacking for your daily cuppa joe. There are heroes all around us if we just take the time to notice them.

My hero today comes in the form of my mechanic, James! I found James when I moved in with Val, my roommate. He has worked on her cars for years and I was looking for a good mechanic. I found one in James. He is honest, fair and because he knows we live paycheck to paycheck in our house, he only charges for parts on the little stuff! The only caveat to James is he doesn't work on the weekends. That is the time he spends with his family so you can't fault him for that!

James is my hero today because he has helped me out of a jam! This is the week before payday, the week where I usually have $50 to my name, if I am lucky! Imagine my dismay when I got in my car after work to find I was driving in pitch-black darkness! No lights! Not a glimmer! Of course, my main thought was "what if I hit a dog" but the cops that passed me and flashed may have given me a ticket to worry about! If I worked during the day, I could wait until I had the money to fix it but I work until midnight so I have to drive at night! No buses run, roommates are usually asleep...I really have no other way to get back and forth to work! I tried replacing the fuse but that wasn't the issue!

Begrudingly I took the car in so it could be looked at! I braced myself for a big bill as car repairs are never cheap, right? Not with James! He looked around and within a 1/2 hour discovered that I kicked some cable loose! I held my breath and asked him what it would cost...$5. FIVE dollars! The beauty of this is that where most mechanics would charge at least an hour for labor and then the parts....James only charged for the little connector that was kicked loose! $5!

James is a hero because in a sea of opportunistic guys that see dollar signs when a woman walks into their shop, he is honest and fair! Sometimes, not fair to himself but fair to us! How comforting and refreshing!

Lucky Luc

Luc Robitaille has many of the same characteristics of yesterday's hero, Magic Johnson. He makes the impossible seem easy, he is extremely talented and he is an amazing person off the ice! While I admire Luc tremendously for being the top scoring left wing in history and one of the most successful late round draft picks in sports, it is what he meant to me off the ice that makes him one of my heroes.

Luc became my favorite player the moment he stepped on the ice during the first hockey game I ever attended. He was in his third year in the NHL and as a Montreal transplant, he barely spoke english. But boy could he score goals! I think he scored two that game, including the game winner with just a couple of minutes to spare and I said "he's my favorite player". I peppered my friend Howard with non-stop questions and with the help of Bob Miller, Kings play by play man, I learned more about hockey than I thought possible! I became hooked! I listened or watched every game and by the next season I had my own season seats, was active in the booster club and went on a road trip to Winnepeg in the dead of March! My first and last experience in sub-zero temps! All because of this player I fell in love with!

While the player called Lucky Luc caught my eye with his exciting goal scoring on the ice, it was his sweet, fan loving nature off the ice that captured my heart. I would wait for him before or after games and he would always stop and say hi! He would ask me how school was going and never denied a picture or autograph. Not just from me but from anyone! I rarely saw less than a smile on his face and he was always willing to talk briefly with the fans about the game. When they talk about fan favorites in any sport in this town, Luc's name comes up even though he has been retired for two years! You still see his name on jerseys at games!

My favorite Luc story came after he had been traded! I missed him greatly and his trade from LA broke my heart! I was in Anaheim hanging out with a mutual friend of Luc's and mine. She had to go to the team hotel to give something to him and I went along. I had no intent of bothering him and waited in the car. Next thing I know, my friend is tapping on the window and asking me to come into the hotel with her. I didn't want to be one of "those" fans but begrudgingly went with her. I am glad I did because when she told Luc I was down in the car, he came downstairs to say hi! I was shocked and thrilled! The meeting was brief but I got to tell him how much I miss him and he let me know how much he missed LA and all the fans! That he would come down to say hi meant the world and will always typify just what kind of guy Luc is!

He no long plays in the NHL but is active in LA sports. He works in the front office for the Kings in, what else, community affairs. He may not have won a championship as a King but he won something just as big, the life long admiration and love of the fickle fans of this city! An athlete and person as special as Luc deserves it!

Lucky Luc

Luc Robitaille has many of the same characteristics of yesterday's hero, Magic Johnson. He makes the impossible seem easy, he is extremely talented and he is an amazing person off the ice! While I admire Luc tremendously for being the top scoring left wing in history and one of the most successful late round draft picks in sports, it is what he meant to me off the ice that makes him one of my heroes.

Luc became my favorite player the moment he stepped on the ice during the first hockey game I ever attended. He was in his third year in the NHL and as a Montreal transplant, he barely spoke english. But boy could he score goals! I think he scored two that game, including the game winner with just a couple of minutes to spare and I said "he's my favorite player". I peppered my friend Howard with non-stop questions and with the help of Bob Miller, Kings play by play man, I learned more about hockey than I thought possible! I became hooked! I listened or watched every game and by the next season I had my own season seats, was active in the booster club and went on a road trip to Winnepeg in the dead of March! My first and last experience in sub-zero temps! All because of this player I fell in love with!

While the player called Lucky Luc caught my eye with his exciting goal scoring on the ice, it was his sweet, fan loving nature off the ice that captured my heart. I would wait for him before or after games and he would always stop and say hi! He would ask me how school was going and never denied a picture or autograph. Not just from me but from anyone! I rarely saw less than a smile on his face and he was always willing to talk briefly with the fans about the game. When they talk about fan favorites in any sport in this town, Luc's name comes up even though he has been retired for two years! You still see his name on jerseys at games!

My favorite Luc story came after he had been traded! I missed him greatly and his trade from LA broke my heart! I was in Anaheim hanging out with a mutual friend of Luc's and mine. She had to go to the team hotel to give something to him and I went along. I had no intent of bothering him and waited in the car. Next thing I know, my friend is tapping on the window and asking me to come into the hotel with her. I didn't want to be one of "those" fans but begrudgingly went with her. I am glad I did because when she told Luc I was down in the car, he came downstairs to say hi! I was shocked and thrilled! The meeting was brief but I got to tell him how much I miss him and he let me know how much he missed LA and all the fans! That he would come down to say hi meant the world and will always typify just what kind of guy Luc is!

He no long plays in the NHL but is active in LA sports. He works in the front office for the Kings in, what else, community affairs. He may not have won a championship as a King but he won something just as big, the life long admiration and love of the fickle fans of this city! An athlete and person as special as Luc deserves it!

Hero On And Off The Court

I am watching the NBA Finals today and a familar face pops up on the screen! Seeing him reminded me of a time not unlike now. The city is going crazy! Merchandise on every corner! You couldn't go anywhere without people talking about the Lakers! And the one player on on everyone's lips: Magic!

I had no idea what I was getting into when I watched my first Laker game. The year was 1985 and I was crazy about Richie Sambora and hanging out with my friend Howard, both guys huge Laker fans. So I thought I would see what all the hoopla was about.

It was an exciting time to be a Laker fan and Magic was leading the charge with teammates Worthy, Rambus, Green and Coach Pat Riley I immediately became enthralled with the guy smiling up and down the court! The "junior sky hook" and his ability to obtain the "double double" almost at will made Magic a joy to watch. I loved watching Magic as he and Kareem Abdul Jabar led the team to the first of two consecutive championships, the first franchise to achieve that milestone! Through Magic and the Lakers, I discovered the excitement of professional sports, a love I have to this day!

Magic continues to be an inspiration even after leaving the NBA. He works tirelessly to bring business to the intercity with his Magic Johnson chain of theatres and since his disclosure of having HIV, he has been speaking on behalf of AIDS research and funding.

I admire Magic not only for his grace and talent off the court but his bravery off the court. He shows us that an HIV diagnosis doesn't have to keep you from being legendary.

Hero On And Off The Court

I am watching the NBA Finals today and a familar face pops up on the screen! Seeing him reminded me of a time not unlike now. The city is going crazy! Merchandise on every corner! You couldn't go anywhere without people talking about the Lakers! And the one player on on everyone's lips: Magic!

I had no idea what I was getting into when I watched my first Laker game. The year was 1985 and I was crazy about Richie Sambora and hanging out with my friend Howard, both guys huge Laker fans. So I thought I would see what all the hoopla was about.

It was an exciting time to be a Laker fan and Magic was leading the charge with teammates Worthy, Rambus, Green and Coach Pat Riley I immediately became enthralled with the guy smiling up and down the court! The "junior sky hook" and his ability to obtain the "double double" almost at will made Magic a joy to watch. I loved watching Magic as he and Kareem Abdul Jabar led the team to the first of two consecutive championships, the first franchise to achieve that milestone! Through Magic and the Lakers, I discovered the excitement of professional sports, a love I have to this day!

Magic continues to be an inspiration even after leaving the NBA. He works tirelessly to bring business to the intercity with his Magic Johnson chain of theatres and since his disclosure of having HIV, he has been speaking on behalf of AIDS research and funding.

I admire Magic not only for his grace and talent off the court but his bravery off the court. He shows us that an HIV diagnosis doesn't have to keep you from being legendary.

Show Me The Writing

The year is 1970. A young boy, looking to escape boredom and an oppresive mother, leaves his San Diego home to go on the road with a rock band and report back to a rock magazine. The scenario served as the basis for one of my all-time favorite movies "Almost Famous" and is based on the life of one of my favorite writers, Cameron Crowe.

Crowe grew up a very bright child and as a result of skipping grades, was several years younger than his high school classmates. To make up for lacking in the social life department, he joined his high school newspaper and by age 13 was writing for a local San Diego rock newspaper. He graduated high school by age 15 and while on a trip to LA, met Ben Fong Torres, who hired Crowe to write for Rolling Stone. He shortly joined the magazine staff becoming Contributing Editor and Associate Editor. He was, and still is, the magazines all-time youngest contributor.

Crowe was a fan of a lot of 70's hard rock bands and would write about bands the older writers hated. It was this reason he would get a lot of major interviews. In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle Fong-Torres remarked, ""He was the guy we sent out after some difficult customers. He covered the bands that hated Rolling Stone."

At age 22, Crowe felt a career change was needed. When Rolling Stone moved from LA to NY, Crowe stayed behind to work on a book idea he had. It was about a young guy posing as a high school student and the types of kids at the school. "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" was optioned as a movie before the book even came out. And a career as a screenwriter was born.

Crowe is responsible for some of my favorite movies. Aside from "Almost Famous" and "Elizabethtown", Crowe wrote and directed "Jerry Maguire". "Jerry Maguire" is the story of a egocentric, money driven sports agent who develops a conscience and realizes he has a heart and soul. Heart and soul are at the center of most Cameron Crowe movies. From Penny Lane to Rod Tidwell, Crowe writes characters and stories that are funny and have heart. He shows the human and funny side of life.

Cameron Crowe is a hero to me as a writer and as someone who knew what he wanted to do from the get go! He lived his dream, reinventied himself and continues to be succesful to this day. I hope to someday read a review of my screenplay and have it remind the reviewer of Cameron Crowe!

Show Me The Writing

The year is 1970. A young boy, looking to escape boredom and an oppresive mother, leaves his San Diego home to go on the road with a rock band and report back to a rock magazine. The scenario served as the basis for one of my all-time favorite movies "Almost Famous" and is based on the life of one of my favorite writers, Cameron Crowe.

Crowe grew up a very bright child and as a result of skipping grades, was several years younger than his high school classmates. To make up for lacking in the social life department, he joined his high school newspaper and by age 13 was writing for a local San Diego rock newspaper. He graduated high school by age 15 and while on a trip to LA, met Ben Fong Torres, who hired Crowe to write for Rolling Stone. He shortly joined the magazine staff becoming Contributing Editor and Associate Editor. He was, and still is, the magazines all-time youngest contributor.

Crowe was a fan of a lot of 70's hard rock bands and would write about bands the older writers hated. It was this reason he would get a lot of major interviews. In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle Fong-Torres remarked, ""He was the guy we sent out after some difficult customers. He covered the bands that hated Rolling Stone."

At age 22, Crowe felt a career change was needed. When Rolling Stone moved from LA to NY, Crowe stayed behind to work on a book idea he had. It was about a young guy posing as a high school student and the types of kids at the school. "Fast Times At Ridgemont High" was optioned as a movie before the book even came out. And a career as a screenwriter was born.

Crowe is responsible for some of my favorite movies. Aside from "Almost Famous" and "Elizabethtown", Crowe wrote and directed "Jerry Maguire". "Jerry Maguire" is the story of a egocentric, money driven sports agent who develops a conscience and realizes he has a heart and soul. Heart and soul are at the center of most Cameron Crowe movies. From Penny Lane to Rod Tidwell, Crowe writes characters and stories that are funny and have heart. He shows the human and funny side of life.

Cameron Crowe is a hero to me as a writer and as someone who knew what he wanted to do from the get go! He lived his dream, reinventied himself and continues to be succesful to this day. I hope to someday read a review of my screenplay and have it remind the reviewer of Cameron Crowe!