goodbye 2016

So 2016 ends in a few hours.... while most people are under the impression it was a totally suck-ass year overall based on all the amazing people who died this year and the election insanity, in retrospect, my own life was actually okay.

One part of it was, in fact, AWESOME -- I became a real auntie for the first time (I will be one for the second time in January when my new niece is born!) and it's been amazing, because this little guy is the absolute light of our family and my life right now. Seeing Kaden grow, and now starting to babble and roll over and recognize and understand things is so fun. I can't imagine my life without him!

I also had a bunch of great adventures and accomplished an altered version of about a third of my 2016 Vision Blog (hey, better than nothing!) ... 

I finished these books, which included four from my original "to read" list + two new ones....

+ I also read Where Am I Now? True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame, by Mara Wilson, who I had the pleasure of interviewing back in the day when she was a child actor starring in Mrs. Doubtfire and Matilda. She even fondly mentions one of our Disney Adventures photo shoots in the book, which was an awesome surprise! (The book is now being borrowed by my Disney Adventures wrangler La Lizzz, thus it's MIA in this photo ;)

I didn't go to Hawaii or another "tropical" locale like I wanted to, but I did go to Santa Barbara for my birthday weekend and finished 2.5 of the books above (finished The Interestings, started and finished Best Year of Your Life, and started John Taylor's auto-biography).. and I got my gorgeous view!

I also got a ton of gorgeous views on my Sunday Funday adventure to Santa Rosa Island with Linda and James. The Channel Islands are right in our backyard here in Southern California, and they are beautiful! Can't wait to visit more of them in 2017!

And while, I didn't make it to Europe, I did travel Internationally... to Vancouver. It was a relaxing, fun trip with my fave positive person Cwennen. The city was BEAUTIFUL and its food delicious!

On the "did not accomplish" side of the "vision blog" to do list, I only wrote (soon-to-be) 30 blog posts this year, and did not order my new front door yet. January 2017 - I swear! 

And on the sad suck-ass side, a lot of bad stuff did happen this year. One of my best friends has been dealing with an inner ear issue since June that affects her vision and makes her dizzy and exhausted. Four of my friends lost a parent this year. My childhood friend lost her son. And there seemed to be more and more senseless acts of violence taking innocent people too soon...

The one that hurt the most was the murder of Christina Grimmie, who was shot by a deranged "fan" while signing autographs after a show in Orlando on June 10th, the night before the massacre at Pulse nightclub, also in Orlando. Most of you probably knew her from being on Season 6 of The Voice. I knew her from the YouTube video game show she hosted for my team at Disney.com in 2014. I met her twice, and she was so sweet and full of life. She loved video games and she loved making music. The fact that some guy could walk into her show with a gun and shoot her four times still makes me SO MAD. This world is just insane...

Then there was the fact that entertainers who have been part of my life forever have started dying... cancer, drugs, heart problems. It was just so sad... the music world was hit hard first - David Bowie, Glenn Fry, then Prince, Leonard Cohen and shockingly George Michael on Christmas Day at the age of just 53. And in the last half of the year, actors I grew up watching on TV and in movies - Gene Wilder, Florence Henderson, Alan Thicke and Carrie Fisher - passed away as well, all shockingly without any advance warning or time to prepare. So, so sad...

A few days ago, I decided to make what I'm calling my "FU2016" playlist, filled with my favorite songs from the musicians I loved that we lost this year. (Note: I love Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"... I just don't love his voice, thus the Justin Timberlake/Charlie Sexton version below. They are both still alive and well. #knockonwood)

Some of my playlist is sad but a lot of it makes me want to dance, which brings me to this video that my sister posted a link to today. It will also make you want to dance, and is a loving, positive tribute to all these great people and the joy their talents brought to the world... enjoy!

And now it's on to 2017... I'll talk about that tomorrow. Right now, I'm going to go get a cocktail, because I just saw this and really need one. God help us all in the New Year... we're gonna need it! (And @alexandergold, you're my new hero!)

wizards, minions and drunk little green aliens

The impetus behind last October's Girls weekend with the Portland crew (aka Jen, Ruthie and Leslie) was visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter since it was on my 2014 trip to Portland that Leslie and I convinced/bribed Ruthie into reading the books, which she was adamantly opposed to reading and now LOVES and has read multiple times.

So on the Monday following Sunday Funday, we headed up the hill to Universal Studios and entered the Wizarding World, which (with the exception of the 3D on Forbidden Journey, which I hear they are removing now... thank god) was awesome!

Here are some of the photographic highlights....

Hogwarts... aka the exterior of the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride

Part of the Forbidden Journey queue... the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, with Harry, Ron and Hermione projections talking to the guests in line. 

Snow-covered buildings in Hogsmeade.
Who knew it snowed in LA? Must be magic ;)

Leslie, Ruthie, Little Green Alien and I pose with the Hogwarts Express conductor (left) and Ruthie with her new Gryffindor scarf (right). Did I mention we did a LOT of shopping in Hogsmeade? :) 

LGA in Honeyduke's trying to guess the number of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans in those tubes.

We had lunch at the Three Broomsticks, where LGA reminded me how much he looooves Butterbeer...

..... a little too much. #drunkalien

After lunch at the Three Broomsticks, we went on the Universal Studios Tour, and walked through Springfield... where the #drunkalien discovered Duff Beer. Oy..

Then we went to Super Silly Funland and hung out with Ruthie's other favorite characters, the Minions on the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, also in 3D (Ugh. I'm getting a headache just typing that... Getting old sucks!)

Little Green Alien considers a new career option after being marketed to in the Minion Mayhem ride queue. Double Oy.

Then we ended our day at the Animal Actor's show, where a certain, fearless kid I know volunteered to go up on stage and help with the dog tricks.

She had a blast! But I have an annoyed auntie comment: Hey Universal Studios, how about when you give kids a "front of line" voucher for participating in the last show of the day, that ends 5 minutes before the park closes, you give them a voucher good for ANY day, not JUST that day?!?!? Kthxbai. #endrant

sunday funday: oak glen apple orchards

Back in October, my dear friend Jenny, her daughter / my eye-rolling mini-me Ruthie and our friend Leslie flew down from Portland for a girls weekend of fun and wizardry. Saturday was catch-up day, Monday was our trek to Universal Studios for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (more on that later), and Sunday was this Funday -- introducing Jen, Ruthie, Leslie, Jen's cool cousin Erin and her daughter Emmie to my "Find Fall" go-to spot, Oak Glen Apple Orchards in Yucaipa, CA.

First stop was Parrish Pioneer Ranch, where I purchased delicious apple butter, peanut brittle and kettle corn. It's also home to a few cute shops (where I did some early Christmas shopping) and a mini-animal farm, home to these colorful guys... who I hope are still there post-Turkey Day. Gobble, gobble, gulp...

Second stop on the Oak Glen loop was Law's Cider Mill, for jugs of fresh apple cider. Then we did some shopping at Oak Tree Village, where Ruthie and I snapped this awesome selfie...

And then I bought a beautiful teal infinity scarf, fingerless purple mittens to wear at Kings games (yet still use my phone), and a cute little doggie baby blanket for my niece-to-be from Shari at Creations by Shari. All so cute/cuddly, and Shari is so nice. Go buy stuff on her Etsy page!

After lunch at the Mexican food restaurant (aka the only place without a 30+ minute wait), we hit the highlight of our adventure.... waiting in line at Snow-Line Orchard for their famous, fresh-made apple donuts! 

While waiting in the line outside (because it was THAT long), I found Fall -- beautiful, pretty colors!

Then we made it to the door of the store... getting closer...

Once you're inside and around the little corner, you can watch them making the donuts. From there, it's like 5 minutes till you get your own warm, bag (or two!) of mini-apple donuts, which then disappear in about 60 seconds! So good!

 

Snow-line is also where I always actually buy apples.... this year they had mini-bags of mini-apples, which are great for someone like me who does not eat an apple a day (although after how sick I was two weeks ago, maybe I should!) I purchased mini-Jonagold and mini-Braeburn apples. Yummy!

gratitude: days 12-30

Well.. I started this and never finished or published the rest of it, so here it is. (Better late than never.. Next year my goal is to do it every day!)

#12 - What texture are you grateful for? Soft blankets

#13 - What abilities are you grateful for? Walking, reading, writing, breathing

#14 - What sight are you grateful for today? Fall leaves

#15 - What season are you grateful for? Spring

#16 - What about your body are you grateful for? That it's alive

#17 - What knowledge are you grateful for? All of it

#18 - What piece of art are you grateful for? Monet's Water Lillies

#19 - What touch are you grateful for today? When my nephew Kaden holds my finger in his little fist 

#20 - Who in your life are you grateful for? My family

#21 - What song are you most grateful for? Everlong

#22 - What story are you grateful for? Harry Potter's world

#23 - What tradition are you grateful for? Christmas morning

#24 - What challenge are you grateful for? Trying to be creative when my job is not

#25 - What moment this week are you most grateful for? Thanksgiving dinner with Mom, Dad, Ryan, Brittany, Hayden and Mackenzee.. who watched Rudolph with me! 

#26 - What form of expression are you most grateful for? Writing

#27 - What small thing that you use daily are you grateful for? Toothpaste

#28 - What small thing that happened today are you grateful for? Jury duty was postponed til January (because I'm an idiot and didn't register properly)

#29 - What friend/family member are you grateful for today? Today, my gal pal Lisa, who I had a fun happy hour with on 11/29

#30 - What talent or skill do you have that you are grateful for? Writing

gratitude: days 1-11

Ten days ago, a former colleague from my fun, editorial house of mouse publishing past, started posting a daily thing he was thankful for... it's his "30 Days of Gratitude Challenge." 

And since we need more good vibes out in the world right now, I'm going to play catch-up here and now, plus get tomorrow on the books, then post for the rest of month. (Knowing me.. there will be multiple catch up posts vs. daily ones, but that's better than nothing :p)

I'm also going to turn these into slips of paper and everyone at my Thanksgiving table will get one to read while we eat to keep the conversation off of politics and football.

Thanks for this idea Scott Appel!

#1 - What smell are you most grateful for today? My red roses

#2 - What technology are you most grateful for? Video chat that lets me see my little nephew from 300 miles away

#3 - What color are you most grateful for? Purple (duh.)

#4 - What food are you most grateful for? Italian (see what I did there.. I don't have to choose between pizza and pasta now :)

#5 - What sound are you most grateful for today? Music... can't live without it

#6 - What in nature are you most grateful for? Tall trees creating a forest of fresh air and secret silence

#7 - What memory are you most grateful for? I can't choose just one... time spent with my loved ones who are no longer with us, finally seeing my view of the Tuscan hills in person, holding my nephew for the first time. 

#8 - What book are you most grateful for? Harry Potter .. all of them, and the amazing mom who created his world.

#9 - What place are you most grateful for? My home

#10 - What taste are you grateful for today? Chai tea latte

#11 - What holiday are you grateful for? Christmas... it's a whole season of wonder and love, not just a day.

shaken. shocked. saddened. strenghtened.

On June 11, 2012 at approximately 7:40pm, I was sitting in row 7 of section 206 at Staples Center when my legs began to shake uncontrollably.

My dad was sitting next to me, texting with my mom, who apparently asked him if I was crying. He said something to the effect of "No, she looks like she's in shock." And I was. After 45 years, my LA Kings were minutes away from winning their first Stanley Cup. They were up 5-1 and it hit me that they were actually, finally going to win the Cup -- there wasn't enough time left in the game for them to realistically not win. And as that realization spread from my brain to the rest of my body, my legs began to shake. Eight minutes later, with the final score 6-1, I jumped up and down in jubilation, and the shaking stopped.

My legs haven't shaken uncontrollably like that since then... until Tuesday night.

I was sitting on my sofa, flipping between CNN, ABC and NBC, doing frantic math in my head, reloading multiple websites showing electoral college maps on my laptop, and the shaking started again. Another life-altering realization began to spread through my body. But unlike 2012, this was not a jubilant realization... it was fear.

Percentages of votes counted were going up. Hillary Clinton's electoral college numbers were not.

It began to hit me that I lived in a country where enough people had gone out that day and made a decision I did not agree with or understand and, because of that (and our archaic electoral system), our world was going to madly change.

Those people had cast a ballot saying they believed a bigoted bully with zero experience in public service or foreign relations was a better choice for US President than quite possibly the most qualified presidential candidate in recent history.

They had cast a ballot saying they believed a man whose only goal in life has been to make and keep money for himself would be able to make un-biased decisions about what is best for our country, our environment and our planet.

They had cast a ballot saying they believed that a man who objectifies, cheats on and shows zero respect for women should have the power to nominate Supreme Court justices who can legislate what decisions women can and cannot make about their own bodies.

And they had cast a ballot saying they believed a man who made a boatload of promises about "change" that are clearly unconstitutional will actually be able to fulfill them.

Rather than jumping up and down in jubilation as I had on that great night in 2012, I began to cry out of utter disbelief and confusion.

I didn't understand how this could be happening, and 24 hours later I still don't.

Maybe that's because I was lucky enough to be raised by two parents who always put food on my plate and a roof over my head and sent me to college where I got an education focused on the First Amendment.

Maybe that's because I have gay friends who were finally able to get married three years ago.

Or maybe that's because it's November and it's going to be 90 degrees outside my house tomorrow.

I'm scared for me, for my friends and for the planet my baby nephew and soon-to-be-here baby niece are going to inherit.

I went to bed last night emotionally exhausted.

I woke up this morning and for a few brief moments thought it had all been a bad dream. Then I realized it was not.

I was numb this morning. Then I went on social media. I began to see communities comforting each other. And then I saw this...

And those poetic words from Maya Angelou reminded me of the wise words of our sadly outgoing First Lady Michelle Obama -- "When they go low, we go high."

So now that the shock is starting to wear off 24 hours later and reality is setting in, I am (for the time being) putting my Canadian immigration plans on hold. (Their website crashed last night about the time my legs started spasming anyway.) Instead, inspired by posts of friends and like-minded community members today, I've decided to turn my sadness and disappointment into action...

It's time that we -- the lucky ones who have a voice to speak up and time and/or money to spare -- become the helpers and make sure that the world we live in is not destroyed over the next four years.

I have been a proud member of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) for years, but I will become more involved now that we will soon have a President who doesn't believe in Global Warming and wants to create jobs by reinvigorating dirty fuel sources like mining and oil pipelines when we have progressed so far with clean energy (which also offers multiple employment opportunities) over the last eight years.

The American Civil Liberties Union has already assessed the President-Elect's unconstitutional proposals and are ready to fight in court to protect our rights. They are also working on ways non-lawyers can help them take action in addition to/in lieu of just making donations.

And Trump has vowed to defund Planned Parenthood, which would mean the end of quality, affordable healthcare for many woman who have no other options. We can't let that happen.

These are just a few of the organizations I will be "helping."

Who will you help? How will you rise?

Please share in the comments. I need to hear that "the good" is still out there.

vancouver food file

One week ago at this time I was looking at whales and dolphins at Vancouver Aquarium. Now, I'm on the sofa in sweltering SoCal, binge-watching Mr. Robot and remembering all the fun food places I visited in Vancouver. Here are the food fotos!

Once we'd landed at YVR (that's the airport code for Vancouver if you need it for your Expedia search) and gotten checked into The Burrard, we realized we were starving, and considering we were basically surrounded by water, decided to go eat fish. So we went down the street and around the corner to a recommended sushi restaurant - Shizen Ya. They are known as the only place in Vancouver to use only organic brown rice. While it looked a bit odd, it's stickiness actually made the rolls a lot easier to eat. We ordered Spicy Tuna and Salmon Avocado rolls + Quinoa vegetable cones and SAPPORO! (You have to have eaten at Tokyo Delves in NoHo to get that last reference.) And yes, it was only lunchtime, but by then it was 5pm on the east coast and we were on VACATION!

After lunch, we went to Granville Public Market, which was full of food and had a bunch of restaurants and wine bars outside the market. I wanted to buy all of these towers of strawberries that greeted me almost as soon as I walked into the market, but alas, even I can't eat that many strawberries in two and a half days...

I could, however, eat some really yummy strawberry swirl gelato while listening to a local singer/guitarist play on the pier as small children chased pigeons all around him. He deserved every tip people dropped in his guitar case. 

For dinner, we also took a friend's recommendation and when to The Mexican Antojitos Y Cantina. Sadly, you don't get free chips and salsa at Mexican restaurants in Canada. You do get really good margaritas though. And okay food... I mean, they are a whole United States away from Mexico. And I was born in El Paso, TX, which has its own Mexican food brand named after it, so I have kinda high Mexican food standards.... I ordered enchiladas with the chile sauce. To me (and everyone in Texas, New Mexico and most of California) that usually means a green chile sauce. Not in Canadia though... lol.

Canadian Mexican food

Breakfast almost every day included a stop across the street at Starbucks because a) I'm a chai tea latte addict and b) I didn't have to deal with foreign transaction fees on my pre-loaded Starbucks app. Starbucks' cup lids (which you put on yourself if you want one vs. the barrista doing for you automatically, which to me seems a bit dangerous, but maybe Canadians aren't as clumsy as Americans. They are definitely more polite.. but I digress.) Starbucks cup lids illustrate one of the really lovely things about Canada. Everything is in two languages.. English and Le Francais. Even the "Caution Hot"  warnings :)

The next night we again took recommendations (from the hotel and my financial adviser) and went to The Flying Pig in Yaletown. We were immediately drawn to all the appetizers so we ordered a bunch of those instead of a meal -- the BC Salmon sampler, crispy brussels sprouts and the TO DIE FOR truffled jumbo macaroni. (Sorry no photos.. it was too dark inside.)


Combined with cocktails and catching up with one of QBall's friends now living in Vancouver, this was a fun and yummy Friday night.

Saturday was nature day -- walking across the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park and a bike ride around the Stanley Park Seawall. But in the middle of our bike ride, we stopped for lunch at The Teahouse in Stanley Park. It was kinda fancy, but there were lots of people in the middle of nature days too. (The waitress even offered to store our bike helmets for us.) I was kinda looking forward to afternoon tea, but The Teahouse is a restaurant, not actually a tea house, thus no afternoon tea service. But they did have (mmm) hot tea that I ordered to go with my AMAZING Belgian Waffle covered (and I mean COVERED) in fresh fruit! 

Mmm hot tea with a view of the Pacific Ocean

There are actually two Belgian Waffles buried under all that kiwi, strawberry, blackberry, banana and grapes. This became not only my lunch but my dinner too. #foodcoma

QBall ordered the Kassler Pork and Apple Sausage Benedict. I had some of the sausage to counteract my sweet waffles with some savory protein.

After walking across bridges and riding bikes all day, we stopped on the way home for some beverages and to watch Team Canada beat Team Russia in the semi-finals of the World Cup at Elephant & Castle Pub in the historic Marine Building.

On our final day, we went to brunch before going for massages. Yelp named Twisted Fork one of the best brunches in Vancouver, and it was just down the street so we headed over ... and then waited 45 minutes for a table. But it was worth it. They make their own crispy Asagio scones and preserves, which Qball ordered that comes with a giant fruit salad. I was craving eggs and ordered the first thing on the brunch menu - the "Green onion, mixed bell peppers and zucchini Scrambled Eggs served with toasted sourdough and housemade jam, roasted roma tomatoes, rosti and sauteed spinach".... make that garlicy spinach. It was delish! As were the roasted tomatoes.

This was our view (sitting on one of the breakfast bars) as we waited for our food. Pretty.