Solid Gold

After nearly two decades of friendship I’m so excited that my friend Tracie and I can still choreograph all day and talk all night.
True, we’re not as young as we used to be––and we don’t drink as much as we used to––but we can still inspire, challenge, and laugh with one another.
My grandma always used to say, “Make new friends, but keep the old. New friends are silver and old are gold.”
Her friendship is more valuable to me than all of the gold in the world.

Pure Love

The overstuffed room was bursting with love in honor of my grandparents sixtieth wedding anniversary.
Surrounded by lifelong friends and family; we shared in delicious food, laughter, and dancing.
It was overwhelming to hear the stories, and watch my grandma and grandpa react to the memories.
Some could hardly contain their tears of gratitude.
Others sparked an explosion of joy with their recollection of a wild adventure, never before shared.
I scanned the room and witnessed pure love.
My grandparents have blessed me with unconditional love, support, and guidance; whether on family vacations or working for the family business––my grandparents never missed an opportunity to inspire a teachable lesson.
Faith, integrity, loyalty, positivity, and fearlessness have been instilled in my life in great part because of my grandparents.
The most meaningful lesson I learned from my grandparents, is something they continue to live by today: family and friends first.
I’m honored to have such magnificent role models.
Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Smith.
Congratulations on sixty years of love.

Family Vacation Day 5

A day to relax and spend quality time;
Blocking the negative from my mind––I’m focused on positive energy.
I love my family.
After we’ve said goodbye, I watch them drive away.
Back to their lives, and me to mine;
I will hold onto the fun memories and erase the dark spots.

Defenses Mechanism

The drama is real.

Comedy masks the sadness;

Laughter saves the soul.

Dance United

Nine countries,
Three hundred dancers and choreographers,
Music, laughter, cross-cultural conversation, food, and wine;
A brilliant way to unite the world.

Besties

When I was younger, I had a large circle of friends. 

As I got older, the circle grew smaller and I learned to distinguish between a friend and an acquaintance.

I have very few people who I consider true friends; who provide inspiration, unconditional love, support and endless side-splitting-snot-out-your-nose laughter.

I'm in Pittsburgh visiting my bestie, and in natural form I've almost peed my pants twice and received a dose of seriousness.

I love watching my friends evolve. I'm moved by the journey we've navigated, from our wild days in New York City, career highs and lows, marriage and dealing with adulthood.

I feel blessed to have friends whom I value as family (without the drama.)

A Visit From Gram

Gram came to visit,
Hearing her laugh was heaven;
Even in a dream.

Goodbyes Suck

Saying goodbye is never easy;
Especially when it's your mom.
Watching as the car turns the corner and fades into the sea of traffic-
It's like a vacuum cleaner is sucking the laughter and unconditional love away from you.
Just like that, the suspended childhood-bond that emerges whenever she is near, gets ripped apart all over again.
My heart sinks and I realize, my life as an adult must continue.

A Friendly Reminder in Our New Home

Last night we had a few close friends over to celebrate our new home.
As each of them entered our house for the first time, they reacted with oohhs and aaahhs.
Noticing the floors, the fixtures, the art on the walls-
(Everything we worked so hard on, and hoped would stand out!)
After everyone took the tour, we sat down with a drink and began talking.
In no time at all we were laughing and sharing wonderful stories.
It was a reminder that a home is not about the gorgeous new hardwood floors or recessed accent lighting;
It's about the love you bring into a new space!
I'm so grateful that we have so many wonderful friends and family that will bring life into our beautiful new home.

Mom's In Town!

I love when my mom comes to visit me,
Spoiled with love, laughter and gifts!
But mostly I'm grateful for the time I get to spend with her,
Sharing stories and catching up on her life.
My mom has always inspired me to take on new challenges, invite change and live in the moment;
Which is exactly what I needed this time of year.
To push myself past the fear and embrace the exciting new opportunities!

East Meets West

Dinner with dear friends from New York and LA-
All of us raising a glass for the first time together;
I've worked with him, he's worked with you, you've worked with me...
But we've never been at the same table, at the same time!
Two coasts collide, with plenty of food, laughter, stories... and of course champagne!
Cheers to lifelong friends!

Dinner With Friends

I love having old friends visit.
Laughter. Reminiscing.
And with dancers, a lot of reenacting, eating and drinking!
Last night one of my best friends from NYC and his partner took Jeff and I to a delicious, hip new restaurant in West Hollywood called, Laurel Hardware.  
In the grand tradition of Los Angeles eateries, Laurel Hardware had a gimmick...
Can you guys what it is? ...That's right, the restaurant is a located in a former hardware shoppe on Santa Monica Boulevard!
But all gimmicks, hipsters, model/actors, gorgeous (hidden) outdoor patios, pimped out interior and vibe galore aside...
The food was spectacular!  Seriously, there wasn't one course
from the simple, yet adventurous 4 No. menu that wasn't truly tasty!
The entire evening was a success!
I highly recommend Laurel Hardware for your next dinner with friends.

The Aftermath...

My visit home was (at times) very difficult, heartbreaking and overwhelming.
Thankfully on the last day, I was able to gain a fresh perspective and achieve some sense of peace-
Gram was having a very good day, so I took the opportunity to share with her my deepest gratitude, love, respect and admiration.  I managed between fighting back tears and snot, to inform her that she was (and continues to be) my number one driving force, inspiration and role model.
I would not have accomplished half of my achievements in life, had it not been for her unending support.
I told her what a brilliant mother and grandmother she is, and that I will never forget her spirt.
When she replied, it was articulate, sensitive, gentle, loving, humorous and emotional.  (Everything my grandma had been before Parkinson’s took over her body.)
We embraced for a long time, and I asked her if she could still dance with me.
“Of course” she replied. Grabbed my waist and held on as her feet began to step touch and sway side to side.  I was delighted.
We danced, I cried.
She then stopped, looked down at her leg and started shaking it rapidly,
simulating the movement that takes over when she’s having and episode,
“See, it even helps me dance!”   she said, referring to the disease.
She started laughing and I joined in.
That’s the most inspiring thing about my gram, she never lets life get her down!
I love her so much.  I have great hope and faith that we will have many more dances before the music ends!

Thank You Tina Fey via Amy Poehler

I’m currently reading the hilarious (and surprisingly informative) book “Bossy Pants” by the talented and (what’s a better word for hilarious?) uproarious, Tina Fey.

In addition to the side-splitting laughter, I’m also excited to gain some inside perspective on the business of producing a weekly variety sketch show...

My partner Jeff and I have been working around the clock to get our parody television pilot on TV!  We’ve had some awesome accomplishments and opportunities along the way.  Having optioned our show, we’re closer now than ever before.

Because of this, we find ourselves editing our parodies (so as not to piss off the potential cable channel we’re destined to call home.)

The tricky part is staying true to the style and humor that helped us achieve the level of attention and fans that we have...
After all, our fans are the reason we’ve been able to continue producing content, shoot a pilot, appear in magazines and be interviewed on talk shows.  

[Cut to]

Tina Fey sharing a sentiment that Amy Poehler uttered to another cast member while working at SNL, “I don’t fucking care if you like it.”

Yes! That is precisely how I feel.  At this point in my life, I know who I am. I know what I want out of life, and I’m less concerned with what others think of me or my work.

There will be people who will like what we do, and there will be people that don’t. 

I’m focused on doing what I do best, using my voice to entertain the people who do!

Thanksgiving

I have a lot to be thankful for this year-

Aside from my health, family and friends, I'm so grateful for the wonderful opportunities that continue to manifest when I'm least suspecting.

But what I was most thankful for was this moment in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade earlier today!

I'm sure this will bring me years of laughter.

(P.S. I'm not an evil monster, I just enjoy a good laugh when people fall but don't give up the good fight!) 

Snow White Rehearsal

Snot covered clothes,

Dirty sticky hands,

Cuts and bruises crusted with blood,

Stinky farts and laughter-

Working with children is always an adventure!

Six Word Essay On Dinner With Friends...

Booze, food and laughter- perfect night!

Wine Tasting...

Wine tasting;

Hours of laughter and swirling,

Pairing with delicious cheese and chocolates-

Intoxicated conversation afterwards;

Everybody is lit,

Loving the atmosphere-

Head splitting with pain;

The entire body aches,

Maybe we had too much fun last night-

If You're Too Busy To Laugh...

Many years ago, a good friend gave me a little blue book called: "8,789 Words of Wisdom" for my birthday. I may have mentioned it before, as it is one of my favorite little books! I keep it on my desk and whenever I'm feeling stuck, uninspired or just need a little pick me up... I fan through the bent pages to find whatever answer I might be looking for!

...There is always an answer!

So, today feeling a little less motivated, but still wanting to maintain the steam of my "new and improved" positive outlook, I decided to focus on this advice:

"If you're too busy to laugh, you're too busy!"

I actually laughed out loud when I read it! Because, in large part it's true. Only 26 days into the new year, and the comforts of my old outlook and patterns of life are sneaking their way back in.

Well, I'm just not going to let that happen. It's always easier to do what is easy; give in to the negative thoughts and or get lazy... But in order to make the most of this year, and the start of the next ten years, I'm making the choice to make room for the laughter in life. Because when this year started, I was laughing a lot... and a lot of great things we're happening!

Alright... pep talks over. Bring on today, and bring on the laughs!