That Feeling...

When you wake up and sit down to coffee, eggs, and your face on the inside cover page of a magazine;
Of course “it’s not about the fame or money”, but it’s a completely validating feeling to see yourself in print!
I’ve invested more than twenty years pursuing a creative career––and these little highlights act as motivation to continue to training, auditioning, and evolving as a person and artist.
All in stride though––in three days this town will forget about the article, and demand that I answer, “what’s next?”
But for today, I’ll enjoy the spotlight!

It's Time...

I want to eat another breakfast burrito;
But the waistline on my jeans is begging me not to.
It’s time to reel it in.

Good Morning

It’s still dark outside;
A sliver of light cracks over the San Gabriel Mountains,
The birds chirping outside my window serve as a beautiful, calm wake-up call.
My puppies are still cozy in bed as I make my way to the office to write.
The smell of dew covered grass wafts into the house,
My serene Saturday has begun.

FALLing Rain

Pouring rain crashes to the ground,
A happy reminder that fall has arrived in Los Angeles;
Before long unnecessary fires will be lit,
And hipsters will be wearing tailored layers and scarves.
I’m okay with that––in fact, I’ll join in the fun.
The temperature might not drop below fifty degrees;
But in LA, it’s always important to dress the part!

Ode To Mexican Food

Just add the cheesy, deliciousness directly to my love handles.

Lick Your Wounds

I took my dog to the groomer yesterday,
They nicked her left paw and neglected to inform me;
I discovered it this morning, thanks to the trail of blood on my beautiful 800 thread count sheets.
She licks her wound,
While I scrub the blood from the Egyptian cotton.

Puppies, Come Out of the Closet!

Both of my puppies are curled up on my lap;
Neither one suspects what’s about to come.
They hear me fetch their leashes from the doggy drawer––
Nope, it’s not a walk Lily...
It’s time to get your hair cut!
Ginger, the Yorkie, knows what’s up.
She just took off to hide in the closet––
Trust me Ginger, I spent time in the closet, too;
You’ll feel better when you come out! ...You’ll look better, too!

Star–Studded Night.

Rubbing elbows with celebrities,
Is a lot like rubbing elbows with non-celebrities;
You're in an overcrowded venue trying to look your best, smile, and at "cool" while you push your way to the front of the bar...
Except you can't ignore the fact that you just nudged Steve Buscemi back into place.
Welcome to Hollywood.

Cats

I listend to the Broadway soundtrack of Cats last night;
Saturday night, belting show tunes by myself,
It was like me in high school––only with wine, a better voice, and more theater credits––so I’m legit.
It wasn’t until I attempted the dance break during Magical Mr. Mistoffelees that I realized:
I’m not in high school anymore... And maybe I should do fouetté turns while drinking.

Fact

If I worked as hard in any other profession, as I have on my creative endeavors, I'd be a millionaire ten times over. 

Letting Go of Yesterday

Moody and insecure,
I spent the day waiting for an answer from The Universe;
When I couldn’t hear Gods voice––I allowed the devil in my head to take control.
The creative process can be dark,
Add the complications and demands of life, and the heavy shadow is cast.
Thankfully, the voice in my head is no match for the spark in my soul––the flicker that woke me up today and said: Create! (And stop judging your work.  That’s the critics job.)

New Flash

If you spend more than three hours a day watching election coverage,
You might have a problem;
When you wake up from a nightmare screaming at Sean Hannity;
You seriously need to get help;
If the first thing you do after you wake up is turn on CNN;
Get help!

Find The Silver

A rolling cloud of darkness,

Invades the sky of my mind;

Cracks of silver remind me that past the violent shadows, there is light.

On Creativity

When you wait for someone to give you permission;
You’ve already missed the opportunity to take a chance.

Rain Day

The rain falls causing a familiar smell from my youth;
Being trapped in a classroom––playing Seven Up––because teachers didn’t want to be outside monitoring the wet, muddy, playground.
Heads down, thumbs up; it was fun for a moment, but the gravity would sink in...
No fresh air today––math class, reading, and an indoor game at your desk?
It’s like telling a child they get to skip school, and then informing them it’s because they have to go to the dentist.
As and adult I LOVE a rain day.
The perfect excuse to stay in my pajamas, curled up on the couch with a book; puppies on either side––sipping hot chocolate.
It’s good to be an adult.
Except for that “work” idea... that part is less fun.

Creative Coercion

Listening to music from my childhood,

Forced inspiration for writing;

Mission accomplished.

CNNooooooo

I’m fascinated by the Republican surrogates––especially the (mostly) blonde women who cheer and champion for a man who continues to attack the opposite sex.
Worse than a train wreck; I can’t turn off the television.
A man so narcissistic, he can simultaneously bash an accuser––based on their appearance––while declaring, “Nobody respects women more than I do.”
I can’t wait for this election to end;
In the meantime, I’m addicted to CNN.

Yoga Sculpt

I can get in touch with my Zen;
While toning my gut,
Now that’s enLIGHTENment.

Morning Ritual

Steam whistling through the tiny holes in a stainless steal tea pot;
The smell of bacon wafts past my nose.
I finish the last sentence in my journal,
Share my daily social media post––and adorable picture of my niece dancing;
And I stare at my computer screen.
Time to pour my emotion onto a blank page,
I’m going to need more bacon.

Six Word Essay on Starbucks

Corporate caffeine is my delicious downfall!

Afterthought...

Guilty,
The day got away––as they tend to do when your brain is overloaded.
Here I sit making excuses;
Forgive my lack of creativity.
...We can't be perfect every day.

Aftermath; Debate

Ego leads his every action––and reaction;
Interjecting and accusing like only a narcissist can.
The louder he gets, the bigger he lies,
Pacing the stage like a child who's lost a little league game;
Shoulders slumped, sniffling, and complaining,
It’s not fair!
His face, usually orange––now bright red with a tint of tangerine.
He is unabashed when he declares to the world that he is a good guy.
We’ve heard him say:
Racists, sexist, unimaginable things.
Remember, your actions speak louder than words.
The most frightening of all,
There are plenty of men––and unfathomable to believe, women, too––who agree with this man.
They are the America of yesterday; thank God.

Sunday

Starbucks,
Church,
Yoga,
Couch.
TV
Sleep
Cuddling my puppies.
I love Sundays.

Caffeine Drip

Drip, drip, drip.
I wait patiently for the dark bold liquid gold.
Impossible for me to brew ideas without caffeine;
Finally the machine rages with steam,
I rush to fill my cup.
If only there was a way to get the caffeine into my veins faster;
Definitely addicted behavior.

Rise and Shine

Not even the leaf blower, trash trucks, or construction on the house next door could stir me out of bed today.
The snooze button on my alarm is mad at me;
I continue to pound my hand down!
I’m up. I’m up;
I just need five more minutes.
I’m motivated to be creative today––I just have to convince my body to get out of bed.

Cinnamon Rolls Around my Waist

Gooey pockets of crystalized sugar and cinnamon;
The buttery vanilla icing drips into the sweet layered dough.
If I had any willpower at all, I would resist the spherical treat,
And avoid the rolls––around my waste.
Instead, I dive in for a second bite.

Disneyland

The best way to find the kid inside;
Is to act like a kid.
How can anyone fight the adventure that awaits at Disneyland.
There’s a reason they call it the Magic Kingdom;
All of the work that I think I need to do,
Will be waiting for me tomorrow.
Today––I’m going to play!

Energy vs. Earning

I spent twenty-five minutes on hold;
Waiting for AT&T to refund a ten dollar credit.
I have to ask myself, “Is the money worth the energy?”
Answer: The money is always worth the effort.
Like my grandma always said, “A penny saved, is a penny earned.”
As long as I have the time––I will fight for every dime that’s mine.

Write Now.

The longer I stare at my blank screen;
The more determined I am to create.
The desire to manifest something from nothing has continued to motivate me as a person and artist.
Now, if only I could convince my hands that I have a story to tell.

Describe Yourself In Three Words:

Passionate.
Loyal.
Outgoing.

Buttery Eggs

I throw three pats of butter into a warm frying pan;
Crack three eggs into a bowl and whisk with a fork.
Once the butter is gooey––but before it starts to sizzle,
I crank up the flame, pour the eggs into the pan and start to fold the eggs feverishly.
Once the eggs are completely cooked, but before they brown, I remove the eggs from the pan and place them on top of a piece of toast that has been adequately covered in butter.
These are the eggs of my youth;
The deliciously, buttery, eggs that my grandpa taught me how to cook.
Please note that eating your eggs like this daily may lead to high cholesterol.