Still alive.

Hi, blog. I’m still alive, just thought I’d let you know. I’ve been the busiest I’ve been in a very long time, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. After I turned in my stories last month, I told myself I wouldn’t be taking any freelance work this month so I could take some time for myself, relax, and allow myself to get used to all these crazy changes that I’ve been experiencing. But this week I find myself trying to fit in interviews in between my day job and Christmas shopping. I’m justifying it by telling myself that it’s money I will be spending on Christmas gifts. Sleep continues to elude me.

There are a lot of words inside waiting to get out, but I can’t quite find the right order to put them in. Lately I’ve been overwhelmed with the desire to consume art constantly, no matter what medium. I’m looking for inspiration. Here are some of the random things that inspire me lately.

Film noir.
Melody Gardot.
Rain.
Mavyn.
Trust.
Pumpkin anything.
Ernest Hemingway.
Cassette tapes.
People telling me what they are getting others for Christmas.
Alicia Keys – This Bed.

Speaking of bed, I need to be in mine right now. Good night friends.

A letter to Australia regarding Talaya Angel.

One of my best friends, Talaya Angel, who I’ve known since junior high is now a grown woman and moving to Australia for what else, but life. But Australia, I think there are a few things that you should know about one of your newest residents, so you’ll be prepared:

1. She not only has a shoe obsession, but she also has abnormally large feet for a girl, so keep your stores stocked with bigger sizes (AKA “canoes”). She’s bound to come knocking sooner or later.
2. Her mood is directly correlated with how good her hair looks. Make sure there is a hairstylist relatively close to her house that can style a very picky black and Korean girl’s hair. Otherwise, her boyfriend and all other people in the general vicinity are subject to severe injury.
3. She’s one of the most Korean girls I know, and she’s only half. Get used to the smell of kimchi.
4. Everything must be just right. When she plans nights out or vacations, everything is her way or the highway. She’s working on this, so be patient with her.
5. She has really small eyelids. When she smiles, don’t worry, her eyes are still open.
6. She can drink. Be ready.
7. To go along with #6, she’s a wine connoisseur. Don’t try to BS her about wine just to impress her, she knows her stuff. But if you don’t know anything about wine, ask, and she will share.
8. She’s gorgeous, but she has a man. Sorry boys.
9. However, if her man ever messes up, let me know and I will be on a plane in a heartbeat. And I will get a machete through airport security.
10. She belongs to the tightest group of friends back home in California that you will ever meet. If her man ever messes up, repeat #9 five more times.
11. She will make plenty of new friends out there, and we’ll be jealous that they get to have and spend time with our girl. But I guarantee those friends will never know her like we do. And you can quote me on that.
12. If you ever get into a fight with your boyfriend at 3 o’ clock in the morning, need someone to talk to, or just can’t sleep, she will wake up and talk you through it until you’re ok. Not many people will do this for you, so don’t abuse it, and do the same for her when she needs you.
13. She is part of the dying breed of optimists. She has her “good feelings” about things, and she’ll take you out for a drink or a night of dancing to make you feel the same way.
14. Australia, although you may be what she calls home now, just know you’ll never be the only one. Because she’ll always have a home here in California no matter what.

So Australia, take care of our girl. She’s the only Talaya we have, and we can’t replace her.

I need

I love my mom. And she loves dogs.

So I set up a Gmail account for my mom, who decided recently that she would like to jump on this technology stuff. I taught her how to text not too long ago also, although she seems to like email a lot more. Now, if you haven’t met my mom, I have to tell you that not only is she pretty much the sweetest, kindest, most caring person you will ever meet, she’s Korean and she also loves dogs. Even more than I do, I think. I have a dog named Tucker, who she is in love with, and our family dog, Chewy (or Chuy) lives with her and my dad. She recently dog-sat for my cousin who has 2 dogs, and now that my cousin took the dogs back, my mom is suffering from empty nest syndrome. Today I got this email from her:

Hi baby !
Guess what I got for tucker ?
I got him a snuggie for the dogs
I think it will fit him perfect
I can`t wait to see him in it .
well every one is gone home again
house is quite and chuy she is happy
mommy Misses Ziggy already
well they will be back soon enough I guess i better enjoy
love you mom

I love my mom. And she loves dogs. And I love that she loves dogs. I also can’t wait to see my dog in this:

Dogs.

I’ve had 5 dogs in my lifetime, and none of them have ever done me wrong, even if I didn’t always take them for long walks every day, give them lots of treats or let them sit in my lap. I didn’t even have to wear cute outfits or makeup around them. They all loved me just the way I am, unconditionally. And people have even asked me why I love dogs so much. Because not one, in my entire life, has ever given me a reason not to. Why are we humans so wrong to each other?