ARIZONA

Sometimes you just need a little break from your everyday life to focus. I find it so hard to concentrate on my writing at home. I mean there are so many distractions (The dogs, TV, internet, happy hour, lunch with friends, dinner dates… you get the idea). I have a deadline fast approaching and so it’s important for me to be productive. A little getaway is definitely just what the doctor ordered!

My friend Sonni offered me her family’s home in Big Bear, CA. It’s not too far away, which is a plus and I thought it would be great to drive up and bring the dogs. Being in the mountains alone could be very inspiring! BUT then I REALLY thought about being alone in a mountain town during the summer with nothing to do, but write. Visions of bears, mosquitoes and serial killers swirled in my head and I decided to pass on the offer.

Then, I had came up with a FABULOUS idea! I could go to my mom’s house in Arizona. It’s beautiful, quiet and right near a spa, so in between writing I could work out, get fit, pamper myself and eat healthy (also continue my healing from the accident)!

My original plan was to drive and bring the dogs, but since I wrecked my car in the accident, I opted to fly. I booked my ticket on Southwest.com, found an inexpensive rental car on cheaptickets.com and I was all set. I arranged for the doggies to stay behind with my roommates (It’s too hot in Arizona with a fur coat anyways). I packed up my computer and my workout gear and I was off.

I arrived in Arizona Tuesday afternoon. I nearly melted in the heat as I dragged my bags to Thrifty to pick up my rental car. I pulled my Mapquest directions out of my bag and drove the 40 minutes towards the house, making one pit stop at Whole Foods to stock up on some healthy snacks. If I eat in the spa restaurant every meal, I will for sure gain weight. The food is healthy, but so good that I tend to overdo it (I don’t want to leave fatter instead of fitter). I bought fruits, veggies, eggs, snacks and lots of water (it’s extremely important to stay hydrated when it is so damn hot). Once I was all stocked up, I headed to the house to get settled.

The first night I stayed in, cooked veggies and rested up for the days ahead. I woke the next day ready and focused. I had a quick breakfast at home then headed to the gym. I took an abs class, stretch class and funk aerobics. Ok, so I may have overdone it because I started to feel a bit dizzy again (I hoped my post accident vertigo had not returned). I took a rest during a nice relaxing and YUMMY lunch at the restaurant. I made a heaping salad at the salad bar and swallowed a veggie burger whole (I was hungry)! After lunch, I returned to the house to write. Surrounded by silence, I worked uninterrupted for over 2 hours. Feeling good about my progress (and rested from my morning workout), I headed back to the gym for a spinning class and another dance class called fit strip (a sultry striptease workout) which was hysterical since I was the only one under the age of 50!

That evening, I went to the spa for my first bit of healing. I soaked in the hot tub, melted in the steam room, showered and received Reiki. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. I thought this might be a good way to help my body in the healing process after the trauma of the accident. I sat in a candle filled room and spoke to Mary (the energy worker) about what was ailing me. I told her about the accident, my dizziness and my bruising. Then I lay on the table and she began to work. I didn’t really feel much except relaxation. I melted into the table as her hands floated over me. She touched my head, my heart, my knee and feet. I wasn’t asleep, but I drifted into that sort of meditative state. 45 minutes later she finished. She explained how my left side was openly soaking up the energy (that’s the side I was hit in the accident) and also my head and right knee (which sometimes bothers me). Relaxed and focused, I returned home to write some more before dinner. I took a warm bath, watched the movie Fool’s Gold (which I actually thought was very funny) and hit the hay early.

Thursday morning, I woke early and headed to the restaurant for breakfast. I made a heaping omelet at the omelet bar, drank some freshly squeezed orange juice and some coffee (I can’t function without a little caffeine). I headed to the gym to get my workout on. I took a ballet inspired class called Buff booty and a stretch class before heading back to the house to write. After a good chunk of writing, I ate some lunch and read my book by the pool. I returned to the gym in the afternoon for a cardio circuit training class (which is so hard, but so good) and a seminar given by a clairvoyant on Energy and Intimate relationships. She talked about soul mates and how she believed the idea is a bit melodramatic for today’s world. She explained that it is much more empowering to find a person with whom your chakras (the 7 main energy centers of the body) are in balance or our overall outlook on life (interesting)! Still thinking about my charkas, I ate a deliciously healthy dinner in the restaurant at the community table (with a supermodel from NYC, a 68 year old cancer survivor and a pretty blonde from Orange County). After dinner, I headed to the spa to hit the steam room and hot tub (Not a bad way to drift off to bed). I returned home and went to bed early (and relaxed).

Friday was more of the same. I worked out at the gym till I could barely move, got some good writing done and even got acupuncture. I was a little nervous going in, but the doctor was friendly, knowledgeable and eased my concerns. The initial poke of the needles hurt a bit, but then I didn’t feel it at all. Once I had needles all sticking out of me (my ear, my forehead, my legs and feet) I rested in silence for 30 minutes. I was able to rest and relax and after she removed the needles, I have to tell you, I immediately felt better. I felt looser and lighter and my vision was even clearer. It was amazing! I spent the afternoon, resting, reading by the pool and writing (you’re supposed to take it easy after the treatment). That night I played Bingo at the spa. Sadly, I left empty handed, but it was fun anyway. Who knew you could have so much fun not going out with friends, but instead playing bingo with old folks?

On a regular Saturday at home, you would find me playing at the beach with my friends, but here in Arizona I stayed focused. I started the morning with the centering circle, which is a short 20-minute meditation lead by one of the energy healers. I took a dance classes and did the cardio circuit class again. In the afternoon, I got some good writing done, then had a yummy dinner at the restaurant (that food is so damn good)!

Sunday was my last day and I wanted to make the most of it! I started again with the centering circle. I am pretty good at being able to settle my mind into a meditative state for a short time. 20 minutes is perfect and a nice way to start a full day with focus. I worked my abs in an abs class, did the cardio, took funk aerobics and then rested my weary body during a nice long lunch. I grazed the salad bar at the restaurant and had a turkey and tofu bacon (not as good as the real thing but still YUMMERS) the headed back into the gym for another abs followed by a low impact belly dancing class. By this time, my body could barely move! I was worn out! I hobbled home to write for the rest of the evening. I ate dinner at home, but swung by the spa to recoup in the hot tub before bed.

The next morning, I found time for a little breakfast and one more abs class before boarding the plane to return home. I let Arizona feeling healthy, fit (though a little sore) and having gotten a good amount of writing finished. Sometimes, getting away from the real world to focus is FABULOUS!

THE PSYCHIC

Are you interested in what the future holds? I am and that is why I have always wanted to see a PSYCHIC!

Many years ago, my friend Zoe went to a PSYCHIC in Colorado. Since then, most of the things that I can remember she told me have come true (her marriage, her change of career and ultimately her leaving Colorado). My friend Kim recently saw one too and found out all sorts of exciting things in her future.

I’m a wholehearted believer that some people have a sixth sense and can see things in their mind’s eye that others can’t (I also believe in ghost, angels and fate). Being a believer also made me a little nervous to actually follow through and see a PSYCHIC. I mean, what if she told me (like in the movies) that disaster was imminent or what if she said something I didn’t want hear?

Recently, I was eating lunch with my friend Sara at Urth Café on Melrose and she mentioned she had once seen a PSYCHIC at the Bodhi Tree bookstore right next door. After we chowed down on our yummy salads, we went over to check out some books. As we walked by the PSYCHIC’s room, I took a card and stuck it in my bag (which is right where it sat for many weeks).

Then I had another disappointment with a guy I had been seeing (who I thought was pretty darn fantastic). I thought to myself… now is the perfect time to get some answers! I called and made an appointment for later in the week.

Driving to the Bodhi Tree on the day of the appointment, I wasn’t nervous or scared (as I thought I might be), I was hopeful and excited. You may not be a believer, but I was optimistic that this woman was going to give me some answers.

I arrived early, parked and sat outside the Bodhi Tree to wait. I was greeted by a nice looking light skinned African-American woman (not the person you might picture as a PSYCHIC – like Ms. Cleo from TV – just a normal lady). She brought me in and we made our introductions and some small talk. She asked what I wanted to focus on in our time together.

I tend to get down on myself in two major categories: Career and Love. I’m doing ok in my career NOW but it took many years for me to figure out my place, what I was good at and what would bring me joy in the long run. I hold the ideal of success high. I mean having a mother that is a superstar and icon makes a girl dream BIG! Even though recently I have seen some successes in my career, I tend to beat myself up. I often feel like things are not coming fast enough or often enough.

Love is another story all together. I mean, I just don’t really understand it (men) at all. I mean, I think I’m a pretty good catch. I am smart, attractive, fun and looking for a guy who is the same. The only problem is when I find someone who seems like a good fit, they disappoint me more often than not.

Needless to say, I sought out a PSYCHIC to answer this: Will I ever feel fulfilled and successful in my career (and be able to pay all my bills on time)? And will I meet a man who will appreciate me and not run for the hills at the mention of marriage and children?

She shuffled the Tarot cards and placed them in front of me. “What should we look at first,” She asked. We decided to start with career. I shuffled the deck, then she told me to place my hand on it and visualize my career. I thought about my struggles, confusion and the recent progress. I thought about the book deal, teaching and hosting. I thought of it all. She told me to cut the deck in three and then put them all back together in one. Then she took the deck and started flipping one card after another over.

She said, “I can see it’s been a struggle.” I agreed. She could see that I had been though many different paths to lead to where I am now, which is true! (I have been a teacher, ski instructor, model, worked in TV production, taught music, and studied acting). She also saw that I have chosen two paths instead of one. (I am actively pursuing writing as well as hosting). She saw that money has been a struggle and that I still do other things that lead me away from my main goals (a girl’s gotta pay the bills). But then she said just what I wanted to hear! My career looked bright! She said that I will finally feel successful and more settled upon my second book deal (bring it on!) and by early fall I will be coming into a VERY lucrative offer having to do with the media (Whoo Hoo)! Her advice was to try to stay positive, recognize the good things that happen and appreciate them… then more will come.

With career looking bright, we moved onto love (which wasn’t feeling so bright at the moment). She shuffled the cards, then I shuffled and again I placed my hand on the deck thinking this time about the good feelings of past love, love lost, joy, hurt, laughter and sadness. I cut the deck in three and returned them to one pile. She took the deck and began putting cards down again (this time slower). She said, “I can feel some sadness.” I agreed. My heart was still hurting. We spoke about the guy in question and she could see he was smart and handsome. She felt that he was dealing with his own issues without regard to my feelings. She said that although he has many of the qualities of the man I will eventually marry, he was not the one. She dealt more cards and told me the man that I will marry will be ruggedly handsome with short, cropped hair (Yeah! I will not die a spinster alone with a house full of cats!) He will be smart and have some sort of fame in his field. Not necessarily celebrity fame, but he will be well respected in the work he does (I like the sound of that)! She said I won’t meet him though till I am more settled in my career and finances. Now, please excuse me while I get back to work so that time will come sooner!

I don’t know if all that the PSYCHIC told me is true, but having something positive to look forward to in the future is FABULOUS!

TATTOOS

TATTOOS are addictive! Some people will get one and then want another and another and another. I got my first TATTOO many, many years ago and although I still only have two, I dream daily of how to continue to adorn my body.

I got the first TATTOO when I was in college (in Washington, DC). My friend Sara had a couple of TATTOOS already and I wanted one too. Being the artist that I am (I majored English AND Fine Arts, you know), I had drawn an abstract sun that I wanted to get on the top of my foot. We drove out to Virginia to the place where Sara had gotten her other TATTOOS and a semi-scary TATTOO covered man greeted us. I showed him what I wanted and he barked, “Nothing below the ankle!” I guess that is the law in Virginia (also they don’t want to run the risk of you complaining if it fades).

The sun was too large to get anywhere else on my body, so I started to panic. I searched the walls of pictures for ideas while Sara got her nose pierced (which bled excessively! YUCK)! I finally decided on an outline of a shark for my hip. I was big into Scuba Diving at the time and had recently gotten my PADI Shark Diver Certification (I dove with 7 foot sharks in the open water and in a shark cage). I realize NOW that this is NOT a good reason to draw a permanent shark on your hip! Not to mention the fact that, back in the day (I’m OLD!) pants, bathing suits, everything was worn higher on the hips. Now that low-rise pants are in, the shark fin is always circling just above the waistline! Not to mention, when I get pregnant that shark will for sure turn into a whale! TERRIBLE!

My advice before marking yourself with permanent ink is to put A LOT of thought into what you’re going to get and how you will feel about it when you are old and wrinkly or fat and pregnant. Do NOT decide on the spot like I did!

I don’t regret my shark at all. It’s a good story at the least and a part of my history. I believe TATTOOS tell your story in pictures, but although I wish it had more significance, my shark is still pretty FABULOUS.

I went back to the TATTOO parlor in Virginia again in my senior year. This time, I opted to pierce my belly button. Now that hurt way more than the TATTOO for sure! They squeeze the skin with a clamp, and then shove a huge scary needle through. UGH! When I was home for Thanksgiving, my mom saw the belly ring. She was not a fan! She always says, “Your body is your temple, don’t mess it up”. I agree that my body is my temple, so why not decorate it!

Many years later, I decided to get a second TATTOO. I put a lot more thought this time. No Chinese lettering (this makes me nervous because you never know what it really says)! Not my boyfriend’s name (or anyone’s name for that matter). Never put anyone’s name permanently on your body except maybe your kids or your parents. No faces of people (That’s just tacky)! I decided on a star on my inner ankle (visible, but not too in your face). I wanted a star because I believe I am a star though I am not (yet) a star. I may not have the celebrity superstardom, but I still shine bright and I’m still pretty darn FABULOUS! I went with my boyfriend at the time and he got the same thing on his forearm. He has recently covered it up with a box. His loss! Never let your star dim!

Lately, I have been itching to get TATTOO number three. I’m thinking maybe a heart (for all the love in my heart) or maybe some sort of words of encouragement to be a reminder when things get tough (like LOVE, LAUGH or BELIEVE) or maybe just a peanut (because you know I LOVE that dog)! I will continue to ponder till the time is right.

I love my TATTOOS and will definitely (with continued thought) get more. I think TATTOOS are FABULOUS!

THE ACCIDENT

As many of you may have heard, I was involved in a car accident in Malibu a little over a week ago. Though THE ACCIDENT itself was far from FABULOUS, the love and support from my family, friends, myspace friends and blog readers has been FABULOUS! I wanted to thank you all for your kind words and support.

It was scary to see the pictures on the Internet and the video on TMZ (It looked really bad!), but I wanted to let you all know that I’m doing fine and just very grateful that everyone involved is OK as well. Here is what happened:

My friend Caroline invited me to a party at the Boost Mobile House in Malibu for the premiere party of the movie, House Bunny where she was DJing. She said she would bring me a bathing suit from her new line. You know, I love a good party (a beach party is the BEST)! And with free stuff too, how could I refuse?

After lunch, my friend Samantha and I drove down the Pacific Coast Highway to the party. It was way further than I thought (past Zuma) and with traffic it seemed to take forever. But we finally arrived, parked in the lot across the street and were shuttled by van over to the party.

The Boost Mobile House is an amazing palatial mansion with a huge yard, basketball courts and a pool over looking the ocean. They had tents set up giving free makeovers and piles of free tank tops, flip-flops and beauty products. It could have been a lot of fun, but there weren’t a lot of people there (guess, its too far to drive from Hollywood), so it was kind of boring. Sam and I dipped our feet in the pool, rocked out to Caroline’s tunes, ate the most yummy Mac & Cheese with bacon and made the most of it (I mean, we had just driven over and hour to get here).

Eventually, we decided that it would be more fun to head to Manhattan Beach where our friend Kim was playing in the 6-man volleyball tournament. We collected some free stuff (Garnier Fructisse face lotions, makeup remover wipes, under eye rollers, hair products and our new Caroline D’amore bathing suits which are so sexy) and headed out.

We took the shuttle back to the parking area and hopped back in my car. We buckled up (It’s safe its easy and it’s the law) and pulled out. I thought first about making a right turn going north and then doing a u-turn to head back south, but as I looked both ways I saw that there was no one coming, so I pulled out. A red car flew towards us from behind a big green bushy outcropping on the edge of the road. It happened so fast, yet it seemed almost to be in slow motion. The moment I saw the car (people drive SO fast on the PCH), I knew we were going to get hit. I screamed as I slammed on the gas. I could see the other driver’s face, as it got closer to my side of the car. Sam and I braced ourselves for the impact.

They hit us hard. We flew up onto two wheels and by some grace of God we did not flip. As we slammed back down to the ground, I couldn’t stop screaming. I touched my legs and arms and thankfully they were all attached. Sam was fine too and tried to calm me enough so that I would stop the car, which was still rolling. The brake was pushed under the crumpled side of the car, so I pulled the hand brake and we were able to climb out of the door on Sam’s side. The other driver was walking around and his girlfriend was complaining of chest pains from the airbags, but both were alive and doing OK.

Soon the ambulances came and put everyone in neck braces as a precaution. The police arrived next and began taking statements. The police officer yelled and shined a light in my eyes (He was so mean. Isn’t it supposed to be innocent until proven guilty?). I had NOT been drinking and so he finally left me alone. I called my mom, sister and brothers and told them what happened, that I was ok and to meet me at the hospital. The EMTs strapped Sam and I onto backboards and shuffled us into the ambulance. I never saw those TMZ cameras, but I later saw the video. TMZ never seems to miss a beat. They are everywhere.

Sam and I arrived at the hospital and were brought into exam rooms. My mom, my sister Tracee, my brothers Ross and Evan, my Uncle Chico and my cousins Zen and Kai where all there already (My family is seriously supportive). Tracee and Evan sat with Sam in her room till her parents arrived and mom waited with me.

The doctor examined me, x-rayed my chest (My ribs hurt, but they we’re not broken) and CT scanned my head (I had a huge bump on the top and side). With a slight concussion and a bunch of bruises, I was finally sent home. Sam had whiplash, but was looking good too. I returned to my mom’s house for the night, so she could keep and eye on me.

Sunday, I returned home feeling surprisingly fine. I cleaned the house (my way of dealing with stress) and watched a lot of TV. Monday morning, I woke with the spins and nausea. Tracee came by to take me to lunch and I was stumbling and severely dizzy, so she brought me back to the hospital. After hours and hours sitting and waiting to see the doctor (I watched the whole Teen Choice Awards on TV), they finally told me this was normal post concussive behavior. They gave me medication for the nausea and sent me on my way.

Being dizzy sucks! My body was feeling fine (all better) but when you’re dizzy and can’t walk straight, you don’t make it too far off the couch. Friday, I went to follow up with a neurologist who found out why I’m dizzy. Something called BPPV! Basically, everyone has calcium deposits in their inner ear. When you have head trauma (or if you are old or sometimes for no good reason at all) they can become dislodged from their compartments. They are heavy and as they move around in the fluid in you inner ear, they mess with the neurons and send messages to your brain that are confusing (giving you vertigo or dizziness). They can eventually find their way back to their compartments on their own, but you can also see a balance disorder therapist and he can fix it in one visit. That’s just what I did!

The doctor rolled me around for a good 35 minutes trying to get the calcium deposits back into their compartments. It’s like that game that kids play where you roll the little silver ball around and try to get it into the slot. All this movement made me extremely nauseas and dizzy, but then I was cured. I left feeling a little yucky with a headache, but the next day… ALL BETTER!

I feel so fortunate to be fine after such a scary ordeal, but most of all I am grateful for all the love and support. My family and friends are FABULOUS!

MOM AT HOLLYWOOD BOWL

Last Friday and Saturday, my mom performed at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL! I love to see concerts beneath the stars and you know I love my mom, so I was excited for two FABULOUS nights in a row!

Friday afternoon, I prepped for the evening! I swung by the cheese section at the grocery store and chose an assortment (gruyere, goat cheese, cheddar and brie) and some crackers. I had a nice bottle of white wine left over from a dinner party, so I was all set. I packed it all up in a bag (don’t forget the cheese cutter, wine opener, knife, paper plates and napkins!)

I dolled myself up in my new off the shoulder teal dress and headed out to pick up my friends Kim, Lacey and Pearl. The traffic on Highland was moving at a snail’s pace and we were running a bit late. Luckily, we were able to valet park, which helped us make up some time getting to THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL. We found our box just as the LA Philharmonic took the stage (The LA Philharmonic presents Diana Ross = 30 minutes Philharmonic, 30 minutes intermission and 1 hour mom).

We stood for the national anthem, then as the Philharmonic started their set, we settled into out seats. They were spectacular and to experience them while underneath the stars was FABULOUS.

However, I have never seen a Philharmonic play so I was unaware that one is NOT allowed to speak, whisper or rustle crackers and cheese plates during the show (I wish that we would have arrived earlier to get settled in before everything got started). Being unaware of Philharmonic protocol, I guess we agitated the older man sitting in the box next to us. When my brother Evan came over to say hello, the man was very rude. His exact words were “Take a hike, kid!” Evan, being the polite young man that he is, gave my friends and I hugs and returned to his seat.

When the Philharmonic was finished, I stood and spoke to the man. I apologized for our noise, but said that he could have been a little more polite. This sent the man reeling. He placed his pointer finger about an inch from my nose and shouted, “SHUT UP!” He then ranted about how we were kids who didn’t know anything about the world and that we were rude and inappropriate. I told him that I was sorry he was having a bad night, but I was here to have a nice evening and to please keep his crabbiness to himself.

Evan returned to check on me (with his security guy in tow) and told the man that we were here to enjoy our mother’s concert and asked him to just leave us alone. This was the worst thing to do! Now it became all about how ashamed our mother should be that we were acting this way to a fan (this man didn’t seem like he was a fan of anything)! I was confused by the way he reacted towards us. I really didn’t think I did anything wrong! This went on for the whole intermission and then the man got REALLY nasty! He started yelling about how I obviously forgot to take my meds (I don’t take medication by the way, but don’t think its something to yell at someone about) and to get over myself.

I think I’m usually pretty calm and collected but by this time, I had reached my peak (and I started to cry). My brothers, Evan and Ross (who are extremely protective of their sisters) went and got security. They pulled the man out, who claimed to be a police officer (I definitely would NOT want to get pulled over by this raging lunatic) and spoke to him. They were also able to move my friends and I to another box (an even better one close up and next to nice, happy people)!

Though we missed the beginning of the mom’s performance, once we got settled the show was FABULOUS! Mom wore a gorgeous white dress then she did a quick change into a black lacey number and finally a yellow princess gown. She sang many crowd favorites (I’m Coming Out, Love Hangover, You Cant Hurry Love and Reach out and Touch) and we danced up a storm as she rocked the house. I also got to meet many of mom’s fans (who are all so sweet and kind to me here on my website/blog and on myspace)!

Even though, the night started out rocky, in the end my friends and I had a FABULOUS time and didn’t let the crabby man ruin our evening!

Saturday was way less stressful and even more FABULOUS! Some of my friends from high school and college had decided to visit on the same weekend as the show. My friend Casey (from high school) and her new husband Greg (see July 2, 2008 blog) came down from San Francisco (they literally just got back from their honeymoon), my friend Mary (from college) and Annie (who I happened to go to high school and college with) all made the trip. I was able to get a booth for 6, so with one extra seat, my LA friend Samantha joined the evening festivities too.

We shopped for wine and Greg and Annie picked out the good stuff. (I know NOTHING about wine except that I like it) and cheese and marmalade, crackers, boursin and olives! With our fine assortment, we went ALL out and took an SUV with a driver to the HOLLYWOOD BOWL (If your gonna drink multiple bottles of wine… be prepared! Get a car, take a cab, just don’t get behind the wheel)!

We arrived early this time and had plenty of time to set up our table arrangements, greet family, friends and mom fans before the Philharmonic took to the stage. After the National Anthem, I zipped my lips and didn’t even crack a smile for their whole set (this is very serious stuff, obviously).

When mom took the stage, she was better than ever (maybe jut because I was relaxed and in a much better mood)! We sang along to the oldies, swayed to the Lady Sings The Blues hits and danced to the newer stuff. Mom looked radiant in her gorgeous gowns and she seemed to be having as much fun as we were (Halle Berry was having a FABULOUS time too! She was rocking out in a box right behind us). We were all having a great time and the show ended too soon!

Needless, to say, even with a couple small grumpy, bumps in the road, I had a FABULOUS time at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL!

Check out the schedule and see a show yourself at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL!
www.hollywoodbowl.com
Just remember NO TALKING during the LA Philharmonic!!