Audrey Hepburn

One of my favorites of all time - idol, actress, activist, celebrity - just a favorite. I can't put a label on what kind of favorite she is. I wouldn't say favorite actress or favorite movie star. Those statements wouldn't do my respect for Ms. Hepburn justice. She was one of a kind. Classy, kind, smart, goofy, compassionate and giving.

"To have beautiful lips, say beautiful things; to have beautiful eyes, look at people and see the good in them; to stay thin, share meals with someone who is hungry."

I mean, honestly, can you be any more perfect, Audrey?! She was probably one of the most beautiful (and I mean simply to look at in this case) movie stars in history, and yet her beauty tip to others wasn't to drink more water or stay out of the sun, but the above quote.

Beauty is only skin deep and some are born with it, as Ms Hepburn was, but she was also born with beauty on the inside. I'd like to think that with her as one of my idols, maybe I have the right idea in life!

Though I do enjoy a good "stay out of the sun" beauty tip too!

Erma Bombeck

Here's one I found in a random quote book while staying at the lovely Country Inn and Suites in Hershey, PA. It's by the witty Erma Bombeck, an American humorist popular from the 1960's-1990's. I can only assume she was an animal lover. . . .

"Cats invented self-esteem."

HOW TRUE IS THAT STATEMENT? I mean, really?! I don't understand people who say that they "hate" cats or dogs. Or any animal for that matter. I understand people who are allergic or prefer a certain pet to another, but to actually hate an animal. . . well, that's just something I will never understand. Personally, I love animals. Truly, I am the girl who stops strangers on the street to talk to their dogs, who pets any stray cat that crosses my path, who has been known to talk to the random ducks or deer meandering in my parents' yard in Michigan. I just love animals. They fascinate me in a "survival of the fittest" complicated way, but at the same time, make me smile in the simplest/purest-form-of-joy way.

I grew up having cats as pets and have one of my own now, and this statement strikes me as the perfect tag line for cats. So I just wanted to share it. It really is that simple. No analysis necessary!

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul

I currently have the honor of being a member of the cast of the new musical version of, A Christmas Story, with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Now I'm a bit biased on their talents as I've long been a fan, BUT, I think it's a credit to their writing skills that I do NOT enjoy the movie version of A Christmas Story, but I adore this musical.

Benj and Justin are a team of musical theatre composers/lyricists. My understanding is that Benj writes most of the lyrics while Justin writes most of the music, but they are truly a team and work closely together to create a final product. They went to the University of Michigan and graduated with BFAs in Musical Theatre, as did I. (Enter my bias, except I no longer think I'm biased, just proud!) Keep an eye out for their projects. They are super talented, and kind, smart and wonderful too!

"You don't need a steed to be a cowboy. No, you are not a hero just be galloping off in the sun."

This song is brilliant and beautiful, and one of my co-stars cries every single time that line passes in the rehearsals. (A. I'm not kidding. And, B. We aren't even in performances yet!) While I don't tear up like my friend, I do recognize the simple, pure beauty in this statement.

Whether or not you know the story behind A Christmas Story, you can probably still appreciate the idea of a "cowboy" being a hero. But, as we all know, there are SO many different kinds of heroes. Sans steeds and "galloping off in the sun." Most of my personal heroes carry kleenex, survival jobs and/or wine.

So here's a thanks to my personal heroes - my family and friends, who continue to see me through rough days, doubts, highs and lows, new jobs, breakups, bills to pay and more. You are NOT the unsung heroes you may seem.

In fact, you have an entire song about you in A Christmas Story! I didn't write it, but I certainly agree with it!

Joseph Barth

Here's a first - this quote comes from an ophthalmologist! I should know something about THAT since I'm virtually blind, have been told I'm too blind for lasik surgery and had my first eye surgery when I was 3 years old!

"Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up." 

This one goes out to one of my oldest friend's, Tom, who married his love, Ben this weekend in NYC! Thank you, New York State for making marriage legal to ALL those who want it!

Tom will always be a goofy 14 year old to me, and yet we are somehow now in our 30's. So this particular quote struck me as funny, but also touching. He has grown up a lot. He is smart, driven, kind and dedicated to those around him. And, bonus, he's found himself a lovely man to spend his life with. A man worthy of him and an absolutely positive addition to his life.

Now if only I could grow up. . . .

Zen Saying

Here's what the web has to say about "zen" - A Japanese school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition.

That being said, the following quote is listed as a "Zen Saying" in my quote book AND in the quotable magnet I have on my refrigerator:

"Leap, and the net will appear."

I love the simplicity of this statement.

I love the fear AND courage in this statement.

I love the faith in this statement. Faith is a tough one for me. A subject that will, I'm sure, continue to come up in this blog. But if I didn't have at least some faith in myself, I probably would have given up as an actor long ago. I had a successful few years and lately, it's been a bleaker forecast as an actor. In the last month, however, I've had not one, but two job offers. Crazy! I'm so grateful, but so confused by the shift in my life. I have been really happy with my "survival" jobs, for lack of a better term. And giving them up to once again jump into artist land seems risky at best, stupid at worst. And yet, even as I take those first steps, I am reminded constantly of new opportunities. New connections. New people that encourage me.

The change is the leap. Those reminders are the large, if unexpected, net. And I am so grateful for it. Here goes . . . . . . .

Russell Baker

Russell Baker is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American writer known for his satirical commentary and self-critical prose. I only wish he were a Canadian because I write this while I'm in Canada, and playing a tourist myself!


"The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist."

This is SO true. I love doing touristy stuff when I'm on the road. I always try to see the things that are "not to be missed" or "once in a lifetime" opportunities. But I am very aware of wanting to blend in. In some circumstances, it's for safety reasons - it's the unaware tourists who often find themselves dealing with pick pockets and scams. But most of the time, it's just so that I don't stand out like a sore thumb. Though I have to say, even in my most casual garb here in Banff, Canada, there is NOTHING about me that looks like a local. Canadians look so natural - comfortable and a little bit hippie. I, on the other hand, even hiked in my lululemon yoga gear (which is happily a Canadian brand!), my big wrap sweater, my floppy hat and had a camera around my wrist. And that was just for a hike. Now imagine me walking around in my black trench coat and big brown hat, with my purse AND my bag of other stuff. I just look a New Yorker.

 . . . Though that might just be because I'm so frigging excited to see open space. Canadians look at me like "uh. . yeah. . . "

Satchel Paige

Satchel Paige was an American baseball player whose pitching, particularly of fastballs, in the Negro Leagues and the Major League Baseball made him a legend.

This seems appropriate because of Hurricane Irene, but it's also something I firmly believe.

"Don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines."

I am not a religious person. I highly respect faith, but religion is tricky. Regardless though, my problem is with people who only seem to turn to faith and religion when times are tough. Call it religion. Call it faith. But call it not only when you NEED something from the universe, but all the time.

I have often been guilty of this over the years, so I realize I am a hypocrite here, but I think most of us probably are at some point. Since I started practicing yoga years ago though, I do try to at least repeat what I'm grateful for on a daily basis. So that's my prayer when the sun shines, I guess. 

That being said, let's all pray that Hurricane Irene isn't too horrible. 

P.S. I Love You Quote

I love the movie P.S. I Love You. It makes me laugh. It makes me cry. It makes me happy. I watched it the other night with one of my best friends and a particular line stood out to me. The movie is based on a book by Cecilia Ahern and the screenplay of the movie was written by Richard LaGravenese and Steven Rogers. I'm not sure whom to give credit to, so I'll just discuss both a bit.

Cecilia Ahern is an Irish novelist. She was also behind the recent TV series Samantha Who? that starred Christina Applegate. In addition to publishing several novels, she has also contributed a number of short stories to various anthologies, for which all her royalties go to charity. Pretty cool, huh?

Richard LaGravenese is a screen writer and an occasional film director. He directed P.S. I Love You and contributed to the screen play. I can't find anything about Steven Rogers. Sorry, Steven!

"If we're all alone, then we're all together in that too."

I make it no secret that I don't enjoy being single. It's boring to me. I have never been somebody who loses my identity as an individual when I'm in a couple. I always manage to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and include my other half in my life, as well as eagerly enter theirs when I'm allowed to. I enjoy being with somebody. Obviously, the physical attention is always nice, but what I love is the emotional attention. The partnership. The teamwork aspect. The knowing that you have a cheerleader and challenger in your corner all at the same time. And being alone can be downright depressing. And it often feels like I am the only one who's alone. Though I know that's not true, it feels like that sometimes.

Well, these days that is no exception. I remain single after my devastating heartbreak this spring. But plenty of my friends, both old and new, are alone as well. Or at least not in a couple. We all have that in common.

So maybe alone isn't the right word. Maybe we should change the phrase to being "alone together." Let's make that happen, people!

Sarah Ban Breathnach

I can find very little information about this lady, but I know I love the quote of hers that I stumbled upon online, and that's enough for me. For more info on HER specifically, try googling her. Somebody who says something like this can't be all bad!

"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do."

I'd like to think I am a dreamer and a doer. By definition of my chosen career, I think I am a dreamer. By the fact that I am still struggling to survive in NYC and trying to continue to pursue that career in spite of lack of work, hard economic times, and overall stress of emotion and finances, I think I am a doer.

I work my butt off. Running from one job to another. Staying up late to finish computer jobs for any of my various survival jobs. Picking up shifts from fellow waiters when I can at my restaurant jobs. Singing in non-paying concerts whenever I can. Auditioning whenever I can. It's an endless cycle of responsibilities, goals and dreams. Not necessarily in that order.

In short, I am a dreamer. I am a doer. Which often means I am a NON-sleeper! Sarah, did you mean that we should sleep too?

Jonathan Safran Foer

I'm currently reading a book by the Jonathan Safran Foer and came across a quote that I found to be so beautifully, and often sadly, true. Mr. Foer is an American author best known for his Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the latter of which I'm reading right now.


" . . . . She wants to know if I love her, that's all anyone wants from anyone else, not love itself but the knowledge that love is there."

I have read and reread that statement so many times since I first came across it this week in my nightly reading. How often do we all just want to hear the phrase "I love you" from whomever we are with? While actions do truly speak louder than words, we still crave the latter.

I know I like to hear it. Though I prefer the actions. The little things. . .

Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill was an American author of the personal-growth literature (ie, that now HUGE self help section at the book store!). He was once advisor to FDR during the Depression Years. And he has many famous quotes that pertain to empowerment, will power, success, positive thinking. All those good things!

I feel this particular quote pertains to SO many people in my life lately, including myself.

"Don't wait. The time will never be just right."

I know I am guilty of this, so it's not meant to be aimed at any one person. However, if you're reading this and think I might be talking about you, you are probably right! I can't tell you how many conversations I have had in the last month or so that involve a need and desire to change something, but conclude with some sort of "someday" scenario. Admittedly, I am completely guilty of this on many fronts. Mostly my reason for pushing things back lately is money. I'm either too poor or can't take off the time from my survival jobs to do whatever it is. And those are real reasons to postpone, oh, say, going on a yoga retreat to Costa Rica. I am taking baby steps as much as I can within the financial and time constraints I find myself living in. Not for the yoga retreat at this moment, but at least at ways of saving more money, spending less and such. I'm starting a new job in the hopes I can earn more and it will take less time to do so. That kind of thing.

And I think we can all make little changes like that. Because it will never be the perfect time to do something, to go somewhere, to talk to somebody, etc. The list goes on and on. But you have to make a choice to take baby steps too. It won't happen unless you make it happen.

Nike may have put it more simply with their "Just Do It" campaign, but I prefer to quote Mr. Hill!

Anatole France

Anatole France was a poet, journalist, and novelist. He once won the Nobel Prize for Literature. . . and get ready for this. . . he was French. Original last name, huh? Ha! This man has some amazing quotes from his various publications. Thank you, Wikipedia and the Google for teaching me that!

"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy, for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another."

This quote's pure, simple beauty truly brings me to tears. Maybe that's because of some of the changes in my life lately, maybe it's still simply effects of my breakup, or maybe it's the honesty in the statement itself. That quote is art to me. THAT is why I love quotes.

Moving forward is so hard. Whether it's switching careers, ending a relationship, moving, graduating, getting married, having a kid, whatever. . . ALL of those things have hope in them. But they also all have loss. Because those epic events signify the end of something that probably wasn't just a fleeting moment. It's a celebration and a mourning both at once.

I mourn the celebration. I celebrate the loss.

I'm confused even as I write that! And yet I know it's the simple truth.

US Post Office inscription in Washington, D.C.

I like mail. I've always liked mail. I like getting it. I like sending it. There is something romantic and exciting about getting mail.  The anticipation of opening up the mailbox to see what treasures and surprises await is one of life's simple pleasures for me.

"Messenger of sympathy and love, servant of parted friends, consoler of the lonely, bond of the scattered family, enlarger of the common life." 

That's what is inscribed on the US Post Office in D.C. How beautiful is that?!

Do I send sympathy cards? Yup. Do I send cards to friends? Yup. Do I send cards saying that I just miss you and love you? Yes, depending on who you are. Do I send mail to my family? All the time. Is my life made better every time I get my InStyle, Time Out NY or Family Circle Magazines? Yes, it is! Talk about enlarging the common life!

If only bills didn't come in the mail. I scold my postman when he leaves me bills. I say "no bills, please. Try another mailbox!" And yet he still gives them to me, the jerk.

Notice the lovely inscription says nothing about bill delivery.

Lucy Maud Montgomery

Lucy Maud Montgomery was a Canadian author best known for writing the series, Anne of Green Gables. One of my personal faves - I mean, Anne was a stubborn, driven redhead!

"Worrying helps you some. It seems as if you are doing something when you're worrying."

Lately, I've been doing a lot of worrying. Mostly about money, which goes hand in hand with career. Particularly when I've chosen a career that no longer seems to make me any money. And I'm not sure how much of that is a sign of the times, my age range, dumb luck, and how much is fate trying to tell me something. So I worry. I don't just worry. I am doing my best to forge ahead. The problem with forging ahead, though, is that it takes some money to do that. And, so, then I'm back to worrying. It's a fun cycle, let me tell you.

I guess for me, though, if I didn't worry a little bit, I probably wouldn't do anything to change my circumstances. I'm an actor, so a lot of what I do used to be driven by insecurities. Wanting people to like me, wanting to entertain and get that oh-so-coveted applause. Now I work to pay my bills. So my drive to be successful, whether as an actor, or in any survival job I have comes from my anxiety about paying for my life. It's not that I don't enjoy working in any job, but I've found my reasons for working change a bit as I've aged and have other responsibilities.

I wish I just felt a little more secure so my "worrying" wouldn't be quite so often, or so much.

But. . . . if worrying could burn some calories, then I'd be ok with the status quo!

Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav

Rabbi Nahman of Bratslav has many names on the internet. Here's what I know for sure: he lived in the late 18th and early 19th century; he was Jewish; his religious philosophy revolved around closeness to God and speaking to God in normal conversation "as you would with a best friend." The second, I realize is a "duh" but it had to be said.

"If you won't be better tomorrow than you were today, then what do you need tomorrow for?"

Wise words. I'm always trying (key word being trying) to be better than I was before. Aren't we all? I hope we all are. We all want to learn, grow, not make the same mistakes twice, etc. There is a similar Gandhi quote (or I'm pretty sure it's Gandhi) that says something to the effect of "if you aren't growing, you're dying."

Any life, any relationship, any career. . . the second you think you know it all, that there is nothing else to learn or improve upon, you might as well stop.  Give up. Quit. Cuz you are useless if you truly believe you, or your relationship, or your career is perfect. There is NO SUCH THING. Perfect is fictional.

I think the Rabbi was onto that concept. Or maybe ahead of his time. Status quo can be so boring. "Maintaining" alone. . . what's the point? Constantly at least try to improve. Try to learn. Try to grow.

There is always room for improvement in this world.

Ernest Gaines

Ernest Gaines is an American author who grew up on an old slave quarters on a Louisiana plantation. His most famous work is probably A Lesson Before Daying. He has split most of his time between San Francisco and Louisiana since the mid-1980's. Two places that couldn't be more different in many ways.

"Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?"

I promise I will stop posting only gay-themed comments after this. I just found so many good ones after the exciting news of lay weekend here in NYC. 

This quote is SO scarily true. Even when it comes to the news and movies. R rated movies = nudity of any kind over violence. Violence can be PG-13. And violence on the news is completely ok, but sexual comments or nudity are completely forbidden. It just makes no sense! Sexuality and nudity are beautiful. And hopefully, something we all love and enjoy throughout our lives. Violence, well, let's hope that is NOT something we all experience in our lives.

A gun is something we make toy versions of for kids, for crying out loud . . . but I don't see us making a Barbie and Barbie or Ken and Ken. At least not yet.

I admit, I do still notice two men holding hands walking by me. But it doesn't bother me. I just notice it. To my credit, I absolutely notice guns as well - on soldiers, police, or security checkpoints. And I truly feel uncomfortable around them. So I guess it says something about me that two men walking down the street holding hands only causes me to glance, while the other makes me grimace. 

Then again, these days, anybody holding hands and being in love has my envy and admiration! 

I do think society is changing. Too slowly perhaps, but changing. And someday, hopefully we can at least be comfortable with people and things that might be "different" from us. Or at least appreciate that, guns should be listed on that "different" list too, no? Let's shift at least to that! 

I'm for hand holding over gun holding. Any day of the week!

John Stewart

John Stewart is one of the famous people in this world that I truly admire, respect and adore. And one of the few I think if I met (or when I do) I will be somewhat speechless around. He's SO damn smart. He's my dream man really. Funny, smart, handsome, open-minded (read - Democrat!) and employed! (Bonus on the last one!) He is a comedian, writer, and actor who has turned The Daily Show on Comedy Central into one of the most watched talk shows on TV. But what makes him even cooler in my book is that he KNOWS what he is talking about. He reads. He pays attention. He has opinions, but he says that they are just that. Not that his opinions are facts. But he can back his opinions up with facts! Unlike certain commentators out there these days. Glenn Beck, anybody? 

"Why can't they have gay people in the army?  Personally, I think they are just afraid of a thousand guys with M16s going, "Who'd you call a faggot?""

HA! With the announcement of gay marriage becoming legal in NY state this week, I think it's brought gay issues to the forefront of the news again in the best possible way. I mean, hell, even Bill O'Reilly and Glenn Beck had an on-air conversation this week where they both admitted that gay marriage is not a threat to America. They were certainly saying otherwise in all too recent times! 

As we recently saw Don't Ask, Don't Tell repealed in the US military and it's slowly becoming a reality, I'm hopeful that we are all finally on the right track. Realizing that gay Americans are NOT a threat. They are just people who happen to be attracted to people of the same sex. Who cares?! I mean, really? Why is this news? Why is this a concern?

Unless you give them M16s . . . . and call them names . . . maybe John is onto something there. 

I'd suggest NOT calling anybody with an M16 anything but Mr, Sir, Ma'am. You get my drift. Just to be on the safe side.

Boethius

I sense that my posts this week will be about love, straight or gay. So happy about the news in NY for Gay Marriage!

Boethius was a Roman philosopher in the early 6th century. He wrote Consolation of Philosophy, a philosophical treatise on fortune, death, and other issues. It became one of the most popular and influential works of the Middle Ages.

"Who would give a law to lovers?  Love is unto itself a higher law."

Let me first say that I'm so thrilled that New York State has finally legalized gay marriage.  It's about f'ing time! It's still so sad to me that the rest of the country hasn't caught on, or the rest of the world for that matter. To me, denying rights to people based on sexual orientation is NO worse than denying rights based on sex, color or religion. And we can all agree that to deny rights for any of those reasons is unheard of. It's amazing to me that gay rights are somehow not included in that list to some people. 


However, the fact that marriage, which SHOULD be about love, has anything to do with law is so ridiculous to me. To legalize somebody's right to love . . .seems, well, stupid. To put it lightly. Granted, many marriages go without much love. And many great loves never become a marriage. But the one ideally goes with the other. 


Problem is, it's too late now to separate them. When getting married became something that was noted in town logs, tax books or even bibles, and paying for a marriage license became part of the routine, it became a law. Not just a partnership about love and support.


But what Boethius says is still true. Some states may still be able to deny marriage, but they can't deny love, gay or straight or anything else. And hopefully, if this recent development is any indication, love will triumph over close-minded, bigoted laws that deny it - in any of its many forms.

In the meantime, I HEART NEW YORK!

Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller

I was thinking this morning about who coined the phrase "drink and dial" and this quote seems appropriate given where my head is at.

Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller was a German poet, philosopher, historian and playwright. Beethoven and Goethe were a few of his famous friends and admirers of his work. Beethoven's setting of "An die Freude" (Ode to Joy) was based on one of Schiller's poems.

"When the wine goes in, strange things come out." 
 
Seriously. . . this is SO true. Whether it's the drink and dial, being more carefree, saying too much, whatever - we have all been there. Often we say things we regret, I think. But sometimes there are moments of brilliance. Of clarity. Things you'd never say without a little liquid courage. (There's another phrase I wish I knew where it came from!)

I'd like to thank wine for the latter and curse it for the former this week. Well, not just this week. .

French Proverb

In honor of Father's Day this year. Albeit a few days late.

This one doesn't have a specific owner. Somehow it seems appropriate to have originated on the Upper East Side. . . or just for Generation Y (ala, my generation. . . am I a Y? I don't actually know). But according to my trusty "Harper Book of Quotations" it's a French Proverb.

"A father is a banker provided by nature."

Dad, if you ever read my blog, you will know this one is all too true. Even when I'm not actually asking for financial help, you are generally buying me lunch, giving me cab fare, offering to help with money for headshots, or, oh, paying for college . . . it's a long, long list. Let's not pretend that my mother doesn't also help me out with money. .  but Dad always signs the checks.

It's that joint account thing. Sneaky how Dad gets to take credit.

Love you, Dad!!!