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!