Desiderata

The headline of a recent Huffington Post article reads "The Questions That Will Save Your Relationships", which is fine, but I don't think they will save them, they will just make them better. Oh sensationalist journalistic headlining; I'll let it slide...this time. That being said, the article is worth reading, even if you just read the bolded questions. The writer offers some great jumping off points for reframing the generic"How was your day?"question into more specific, loaded and attentive questions for your significant other, family and friends. I like, it I like it, I like it. I'm already thinking about how I'll integrate this into my life. For Shane: What exciting thing happened at the studio today? What have you done to clean up your room? For Amanda: How did Forrest make you feel loved today? What moves have you made to get that business started? For my mom: What's something exciting that's happening in choir? Did

Just took one of those silly "What Game of Thrones character are you?" quizzes. I got Tyrion. My day is made. In his honor, here's a few of my favorite Tyrion quotes: “My brother has his sword, King Robert has his warhammer and I have my mind...and a mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone if it is to keep its edge. That's why I read so much, Jon Snow.”  “Once you’ve accepted your flaws, no one can use them against you.”  “Perhaps that is the secret. It is not what we do, so much as why we do it.”  “…When you’ve know me longer, you’ll learn that I mean everything I say.” “Even the lies?” “Especially the lies. Lord Petyr…”  "I much like my head. I don't want to see it removed just yet."  "I beg to differ. Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities."

"We might remind ourselves that criticism is as inevitable as breathing, and that we should be none the worse for articulating what passes in our minds when we read a book and feel an emotion about it, for criticizing our own minds in their work of criticism. --T. S. Eliot ( Tradition and the Individual Talent, The Sacred Wood, 1921) Last night we gathered together to read Marie's play. It's not finished, but what it lacks in an ending, it more than makes up for with its heart, voice, and tenacity. I'm seriously proud of Marie for creating something so intriguing, so insightful and so interesting (for lack of a better word). I won't go into any details about the plot/theme/characters here--I'll let you find out all about that once it's inevitably picked up by some super-reputable theater company. Magic reentered my life last night, you guys. That magic smell of freshly sharpened Ticonderoga No 2s. The magic feeling of hitting print on your FinalEssa

B E A U T Y - dir. Rino Stefano Tagliafierro from Rino Stefano Tagliafierro on Vimeo . This is pretty freaking mesmerizing. I haven't watched it with the music that it's set to, so I'd recommend putting on one of your favorite songs and just getting into it. So LSD.

One of my resolutions this year reads: Catch myself if I begin to complain and consciously make an effort to stop. I regularly find myself saying: I'm so tired, I just want to go home, I hate driving, Ugh there's so much traffic, I feel sick, I ate too much. ..the list goes on. With all the rushing around, manic scheduling, and bad lifestyle choices I've brought with me into this year, I haven't been able to follow through with my goal at all. Perhaps another reason I haven't been doing well with it is because it's too vague, making the end goal feel unattainable. So I've decided that starting today, Friday, January 17, 2014, I am not going to complain for 1 whole week. Please keep me accountable for this! It's is going to be such a difficult challenge for me. Humans commiserate together. We enjoy (in a sick, twisted way) sharing bad experiences with each other, because it means we're not alone. How many times do we chat about how we're

“I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.” - Jane Austen

After really late nights I have noticed a trend in the following mornings. I sleep in to the last possible moment. We're talking 9:15, people (I start work at 10). I get ready in a flurry, run out the door, and barely make it to work on time. Once I'm at my desk, I've noticed that almost every single tab on my browser leads to an article about slowing down. Whether it's minimizing clutter, the psychology of choice, cleaning out closets, or "16 ways to organize your life", I am actively seeking ways to slow it all down. I want to raise my awareness to this habit. I do not feel organized, calm, or healthy and I desperately want to be. Last night was a whirlwind of fun. So was the night before. And so was the entire day and night before that, oh and the night before that, too. You get what I'm saying. But all of this fun comes at a real cost: my sanity and health. My mentors have told me that it's normal to have these wild stretches of craziness whe

To all my friends who are feeling a little hectic--I'm right there with you.  Do yourself a favor and listen to this song . The Breeze Dr. Dog Are you moving much too fast? And the good times that just don't last If you're always on the go Make an angel in the snow And freeze Do you feel like you're stuck in time? Forever waiting on that line If nothing ever moves Put that needle to the groove And sing Is it a dream keeping you awake? Is it the stillness that makes you shake? If you need to know for sure What's on the ocean's floor You'll sink Do you like things the way they seem? Or are you looking behind the scenes? Well, if you've gotta know What it takes to make it so Just believe Are there dark parts to your mind? Hidden secrets left behind? Where no one ever goes But everybody knows It's all right Do you get dizzy on the ground? It must be something going 'round What blows us here today It'll blo

There is a place in my soul where this song and these images live. Ready, Able by Grizzly Bear (Vekatimest) Animation by the incredible Allison Shulnik

Overall thought this morning: Juicing is easy--but super boring! I didn't want to get out of bed this morning; not because I was really tired, but because it was so warm in the covers. There was an obnoxious gardener out there mowing god knows what lawn, and I wanted to give him a piece of my mind! I just plugged my ears instead. My skin is noticeably brighter, smoother and I feel comfortable going to work without makeup. Crazy! I put makeup on anyway, and I really do feel radiant. This all might be placebo effect, or the benefits of me not drinking alcohol or staying out late; whirring around like a spinning top. The time alone has been necessary and I am very proud of myself for sticking to my commitment. One day more! There are a few juices that are a part of my cleanse called the Cleaners. They are made in various combinations of pineapple, apple, mint, coconut and water and they are delightful. Best drinks of the whole mix! I get a little too excited to drink them. 11:

I was a little nervous for the day again. I was scared I would feel so famished like I did yesterday morning. Instead, I woke up full and felt energetic. Shane and I had a fun morning and I drank the Greenest #2 juice.  I don't have any hunger pains like I did yesterday! 10:15 am: I do feel a little tired here at work, but that's pretty normal. I might start off the day with a little green tea to give me a jump start of energy. Plus it's pretty chilly today (LA polar vortex watup?) and a warm cup of something sounds really nice. I know it's crazy, but I did feel lighter when I woke up. A little leaner. A little cleaner. But I've got to be honest, I can't wait to eat something with cheese on Saturday. Cheese and fries. Chili cheese fries. Maybe I won't feel that way by tomorrow...maybe I'll keep up the healthy choices? 11:20 am: Accidentally bought a $4 green tea. Wtf is that Brentwood? 12:30 pm:  Jackie reminded me about bagels. Once I'm done c

I'm writing this post as a way to keep busy and not notice the hunger pangs that are currently clanking around in my stomach as loud as the bells of Notre Dame. I'm doing a 3 day juice cleanse with my friend Alysia. There was no way I could do it alone! I've got to complain to someone, and who better to complain to than someone who is feeling the same way as me? Empathy baby. This morning while I was sleeping I had lucid dreams about drinking three of my juices too quickly and being so starving for the rest of the day. What a nightmare! Needless to say, I was more than a little nervous for what the rest of the day would feel like if I was already dreading it in my sleep! 8:30 am: Grabbed the Greenest #3 juice from my fridge and began working on it while I got ready for the day. Gilmore Girls on in the background, curls in place, and make up on, I actually felt pretty good. I didn't feel the need for coffee at first, but the second I walked into work, the caffeine de