Is there anything in your life you regret?

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Y'know, people always say they don't regret a thing, but frankly I think everyone has regrets. There are a LOT of things I regret, mostly things I didn't do rather than things I did.

Never having taken piano lessons... I didn't tell my Dad I loved him often enough... I should have walked away from the altar when that voice of doubt whispered in the back of my conscience so many years ago... I wish I had opened an IRA account about 10 years earlier...

I know these are all things I cannot change, but I do reflect on them from time to time. I like to think I've learned from these events (or rather, non-events) from my life. I would like to think that if I ever find myself in a similar situation again, I will have the wisdom to choose a different path.

My father has been gone since 1992, but I have been mindful to call my mother as soon as I get in my car every night after work, and make sure I tell her I love her (and mean it) every time we speak. I try and keep in regular contact with my siblings, which is a challenge sometimes, but Mom once told me one of her biggest fears is that once she's gone, we won't talk to each other any more. I know people who lost touch with their immediate families when their parents passed away. Not for any particular reason; they weren't at odds with each other or fighting over anything. They just kind of drifted apart. They would see each other at family funerals. I don't want to be like that.

So tonight I pack a bag and tomorrow, Christmas Eve, I will fly to spend Christmas with my Mom. My older sister is there, too -- we will cook and laugh and stay up late. I can't stay very long because of money issues, and I have to be back at work on Monday, but for two days I will enjoy the other girls in my family.

And as I do every time I go home, on the flight back to LA I will feel sad and wonder if that will be the last time I'll ever see my mom.

Save a life and spend NOTHING

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Most of you know I try very hard to raise money and awareness for different causes here on FB. Often with varying degrees of success! On this occassion I am asking for your help again and IT WILL COST YOU NOTHING!!!!!!

YES... Chase bank is giving away $25,000 to the 25 charities that garner the most individual votes between now and DEC 15... that's $25,000 to save a lot of lives. After the 15th, More voting will take place to chose the top 6 charities... 5 receiving $100,000 and one receiving a cool Million dollars. YES $1,000,000

ALL YOU HAVE TO IS CLICK THIS LINK....
http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/charities/1296914?src=wallpost&ref=mf

You will be asked to accept the Chase Giving App... please do so... then you will go to the Keep A Child Alive Voting page to cast a vote... you are also permitted 19 other votes for your other favorite charities.

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO DO THIS FOR ME

President Bill Clinton speaks about Keep A child Alive at this link... http://support.keepachildalive.org/site/PageNavigator/black_ball_2009

The second video in the player after Queen Latifa is Bill Clinton, if you need to hear why you should support this wonderful charity, this is the definitive speech... I hope you will agree... and then support us!

You can also join our Cause her on facebook if you want to support us further
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/3449/4227162?m=ab445bc4


A Short Love Story

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A man and a woman who had never met before, but who were both married to other people, found themselves assigned to the same sleeping room on a Trans-continental train.

Though initially embarrassed and uneasy over sharing the compartment, they were both very tired and fell asleep quickly, he in the upper berth and she in the lower.

At 1:00 AM, the man leaned down and gently woke the woman, whispering, "Ma'am, I'm sorry to bother you, but would you be willing to reach into the closet to get me a second blanket? I'm awfully cold."

"I have a better idea if you are cold," she replied "Just for tonight, let's pretend that we're married."

"Wow!" he exclaimed, not believing his luck. "That's a great idea!"

"Good," she replied. "Then get your own fucking blanket."

After a moment of silence...

He farted.

The End

In bed...

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... I lie awake waiting for you. As I lie on my bed, thinking about you, I feel this strong urge to grab you and squeeze you, because I can't forget last night.

You came to me unexpectedly during the balmy and calm night, and what happened in my bed still leaves a tingling sensation in me.

You appeared from nowhere and shamelessly, without any reservations, you lay on my naked body. You sensed my indifference, so you applied your hungry mouth to me without any guilt or humiliation, and you nearly drove me crazy while you drained me.

Finally I went to sleep.

Today when I woke up, you were gone. I searched for you but to no avail, only the sheets bore witness to last night's events. My body still bears faint marks of your enthusiastic ravishing, making it harder to forget you.

Tonight I will remain awake waiting for you...

....you fucking mosquito.

House hunting in Los Angeles

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Seeking large, bright, airy house with 2-car garage for rent in quiet neighborhood. I have a cat (lazy) and a 6' grand piano that needs extra living room space. LOVE older houses and Craftsman-type houses, so if yours was built in the 1920's you have my attention!


(Picture of lazy cat)

Need 2 or more bedrooms -- mostly because anything smaller won't fit the piano and I need one room for a home office. I prefer hardwood floors. Seriously hoping for central air-conditioning (I've had window units for years and they're really not that efficient or cost-effective). Appliances are not necessary but will be appreciated if they come as part of the rental. I love to garden and can perform minor repairs such as electrical and plumbing, so I wouldn't be bothering you to change a light bulb or something silly like that. I'm clean, love to garden and will take good care of your property.

I am happily and gainfully employed with excellent references and credit. I insist on keeping renter's insurance (for your protection as well as mine) and I don't throw wild parties or do anything that might annoy the neighbors. I do play the piano, but only during reasonable hours.

I will be happy to sign a 6- or 12-month lease.

Hunting in Burbank, Toluca Lake, Studio City, Valley Village, Sherman Oaks, Hancock Park, Larchmont Village, Melrose, Hollywood Hills, Beachwood Canyon areas. Willing to check out Glendale/Pasadena as well. Would consider a duplex if it's big enough (and the neighbors are nice). Would also consider a warehouse-type loft (must have secure parking).

Send a comment or reply to this post if you're interested in an awesome tenant.

12 of 12 - July 2009

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Yeah, I’m late. Get over it.

(Hover mouse over photos for captions)

Edda's sleepy in the morning.I think we're running out of room.... seriously....This pile will be really cool when it's all set up.No, not a geriatric support garment.Shipping to Tori tourDead ManliftSpotlight chorus lineValet parking area at Sherman Oaks Galleria. Wasted spaces.Gym VIP Locker Room. It's always this empty.Galleria foot trafficSunset on Ventura Blvd

12 of 12 – June 2009

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Ok, I’ve never done this before, but many of my friends have. The “12 of 12” project is a fun essay (see link) whereas on the 12th day of the month, you take 12 candid snapshots of whatever is in your life that day. Here’s mine for June of 2009. (hover cursor over each photo for description)

Olivia. She didn't even twitch.

Parking lot at the office. June gloom. Only needs 1/2 space Flavio, annoyed that it only needs 1/2 space The long, long hallway at workPoster of David Bowie from a past tourMetallica AwardsClose up of Metallica awardsThis plant was only 2' tall when I first got itThis is what I look at all day Tiny numbers that will not balance...A bright spot -- birthday roses

Spring Cleaning

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This is the time of year I go through my garage and closets and sort through the accumulation of the past year. I'm brutal. Things I haven't used or no longer fit are donated to charity. Sometimes I have a garage sale. I'm left with a more streamlined, tidy existence (at least for a while), and maybe a little extra cash.

Cleaning out my head is harder. I have quite an accumulation in there this year. Clearing space for new ideas and finding new ways to approach old issues is always a fight, especially when old mental and emotional baggage takes up so much room and isn't as easy to unload as a pile of clothing or a used mobile phone. We tend to cling to ideas and emotions, not because they're good for us or give us pleasure, but because they're familiar. Familiarity disguises itself as safety. And we’re all afraid of the unknown, whether we admit it or not.

One morning several weeks ago, however, I woke to a dark, pre-dawn bedroom and in a moment of absolute clarity, just as if someone had washed a window into my head and I got a good look in there for the first time in years, I realised that the familiar, so-called "safe" ideas and emotions that I'd been holding onto so desperately weren't all that safe. They weren’t even that familiar any more – I’d been doing the same things over and over out of nothing more than habit. A bad habit to boot.

So this was the weekend for me to break out the yard-sized hefty bags, crank up something loud on iTunes and start clearing out the clutter. As I uncovered old photographs I’d forgotten, jackets that I once loved but no longer wore, shoes with cracked heels that I’d always intended to have repaired, I also found a scrap of optimism that I was sure I’d lost forever. I shook the wrinkles out of a set of sheets for the charity pile and at the same time I shook the mental wrinkles out of my sense of well-being and self worth.

I’m making room for something really good. And it’s about time.

Smart Top Ten

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Ok... I've had Maxwell for over a year, and these past months had given me some insight as to why it's better to have a Smart (as opposed to other cars)

My top ten list (in no particular order):

10) Parking...Yesterday I pulled smoothly into a space a Mini Cooper passed up.

9) Gas mileage... I've had it for over a year, have driven over 10,650 miles, and I just filled the tank for the 30th time. Heh.

8) Great way to meet people... I have found that everyone that comes up to me to ask me about the car is smiling and friendly and some of them have turned into actual friends.

7) Driver courtesy... I know they're probably just doing it so they can get a better look, but other drivers are more likely to let me go ahead of them or will make space for me when I'm changing lanes.

6) Green... Did you know the Smart Car is made of recyclable materials? http://tinyurl.com/smrtgrn

5) Fun... Yes, even after a year, it's still a total blast to drive. The sub-woofer underneath the driver's seat doesn't hurt.

4) Service... The few times I have had to take Maxwell in for service, such as the recent transmission computer software upgrade, the Smart dealer people have been more than courteous, friendly, happy to see me and VERY efficient. They even filled my tires with more eco-friendly nitrogen (http://www.getnitrogen.org), and gave him a bath. They also make excellent coffee. Great company all the way around.

3) Fame... I live in Los Angeles, which means I occasionally run into someone famous. And they usually remark about the car. The most recent was in a Trader Joe's parking lot; Hugh Laurie (of "House" fame) walked by and called Maxwell 'brilliant' and said he hadn't seen one since he was in the UK. Too cool. Plus I've been interviewed for several newspaper articles and TV segments.

2) Economical... I've been able to talk myself into half-price parking because "it's only takes half a space..."

1) Nobody asks me to help them move or be a designated driver any more.

Only five more days...

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This is a very important time of year as thousands of selfless and giving men and women go about the long work in raising money for and then walking in countless AIDS WALKS around the country and the world.

Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $105 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world.

Please allow me to introduce you all to my friend, Ian Jopson. He is a source of great inspiration to me, and has dedicated time and tireless effort to this cause -- help me help Ian raise money and awareness for HIV programs in the US and worldwide.

I hope everyone will take a moment to visit his personal website and please send him a donation.

Thank you, Ian, and thanks to all of you! Click this link to visit Ian's personal web page and help him in his effort to support AIDS Walk New York...

http://aidswalknewyork2009.kintera.org/ianjopson

Fliegen: September 1990 - April 28, 2009

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Little Fliegen passed away at 10:22am on Tuesday April 28 while I cradled her. Although her medication had stopped her seizures, it became apparent that the brain tumour was rapidly affecting her in multiple ways and I could no longer let her suffer. She spent her last night sleeping next to me so I thankfully had a chance to say a proper goodbye. At 19 years, her little body had lived all it could - although her ears stayed perky right up until the end.

I wanted to take the time to thank all of you for your kind thoughts.

"No amount of time can never completely erase the memory of a beloved companion from your heart... and no amount of vacuuming can ever completely get all of their fur off the couch." ~Anonymous

Fliegen

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I am sad to report that my little pup, Fleigen the wonder-dog, all of 19 amazing years, is approaching the end of her road.

She has been suffering from occasional seizures which have suddenly increased as of Thursday night. Although my vet has prescribed anti-seizure meds, they are continuing and are starting to have longer lasting effects. We are waiting on blood tests to rule out any pathogens that could theoretically be the cause, although that is considered to be a longshot. The most likely prognosis is a brain tumour and if this is the case, the meds will not work. In that event, we would want to end her suffering as soon as possible. We are waiting until Monday at this point, short of anything catastrophic. If the meds don't take hold by that point and if the seizures continue to worsen, I will do the hard thing, but I think, the right thing.

Cross your fingers and say your prayers. She has been such a blessing.

AIDS Walk NY - 2009

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Click Here to Donate

AIDS WALK NYC 2009

|

This is a very important time of year as thousands of selfless and giving men and women go about the long work in raising money for and then walking in countless AIDS WALKS around the country and the world.

Since 1986, AIDS Walk New York has raised more than $105 million for HIV programs and services in the tri-state area, and has grown into the largest AIDS fundraising event in the world.

Please allow me to introduce you all to my friend, Ian Jopson. He is a source of great inspiration to me, and has dedicated time and tireless effort to this cause -- help me help Ian raise money and awareness for HIV programs in the US and worldwide.

I hope everyone will take a moment to visit his personal website and please send him a donation.

Thank you, Ian, and thanks to all of you! Click this link to visit Ian's personal web page and help him in his effort to support AIDS Walk New York...

http://aidswalknewyork2009.kintera.org/ianjopson