The Ugly List

I keep saying it, but I'll say it again: Fall 2016 has been a real Mother-Trucker.

A lot of ugly, annoying, frustrating, and generally scaring things have been going on, and I don't just mean the election.

Let me try to condense it down into a concise list which will be known as The Ugly List:

1) Publishers rejected my graphic novel (mainly because of the artwork)

2) My wife woke up in the middle of the night feeling like she was in the middle of a heart attack

3) The medical emergency turned out to be gall bladder trouble (which would lead to two ER visits and eventually a surgical operation)

4) The martial arts studio -- an oasis for my daughters -- is going through a lot of turmoil. It's a family business, and now some family drama has led to the termination of one of their beloved instructors. His has caused a lot of heartbreak for my girls.

5) Worst of all: a family member's mental illness took a drastic turn. We tried to get help from many different places, and kept running into dead ends and wrong turns. Finally, we turned again to the emergency room to make sure this person was safe. (Seven days later, this person was released -- and is fortunately getting better each day.)

6) The fear that things won't get better.

7) Emily's birthday was in the middle of all this drama -- so, that must've sucked for her.

8) Mackenzie got bit by our dog while she tried to save a lizard. We rushed her to an urgent care facility, but they didn't have an Xray. (She thought her hand was broken.) So, it was yet another trip to the ER.

9) Oh, during one of those hospital visits, I got a parking ticket for $68 but that seems trivial.

10) We thought we would be welcoming a new niece and nephew into our family, but now it seems the birth mother has changed her mind and our dear friends may not be adopting twins after all. (keep your fingers crossed that there is still hope for them.)

Of course, things could be a lot worse. I am thankful that my loved ones are still alive and doing well. I am also thankful that I have a meaningful that provides good health insurance. Maybe next blog post I'll create a Gratitude List.

Election Day Blues

Does anyone else have a headache from this election season?

I'm voting for Hillary. The idea of Trump being president makes me miserable. However, even if Clinton does win, I'm wondering if her opponents will drag her down into the mire because of various scandals (which may or may not be true and relevant).

I'm trying hard to live in the moment, the now, to not dread the unforeseen.

It's not easy to do.

We're Not Broken

 Here's a song that always makes me feel better. 

 

#sheisbackhome

Healing and Trasnformation

Has it been a week since my last blog post? It feels like a month.

During the last seven days I have experienced some of the most emotionally challenging decisions in my life as a parent.

Again, I'm not at liberty to reveal any details. Ultimately, it's not my story to tell. I am just a supporting character in a story about love, laughter, fear, freedom, inner conflict, confusion, mental health, and spiritual well-being. And the story isn't over. I don't know if it has a happy ending. Does anyone's story? I hope so.

But I do know, this chapter is over, and the last lines on the page are words of joy.

For me, and my family, today is a much better day than seven days ago. I hope yours is too. Hang in there, dear readers. May your world be turning in the right direction as well.

Thank You, Friends

"What would you say if I sang out of tune, would you stand up and walk out on me? Well, lend me your ear and I'll sing you a song, and I'll try to sing out of key."

Thanks to everyone who has been sending out positive thoughts. Your good vibes, positive energy, and delicious cupcakes are helpful and much appreciated. 

I know some of my recent blog posts (such as "Feeling Broken" and "Holding Patterns") have been vague and mysterious. Sometime soon, I'll probably go into more detail -- but for now I'll say that nothing tragic or earth shattering has happened. Sometimes the future is just a little scary -- but I think good things will be happening... gradually, at least.

So, thank you friends -- the ones in my life and the ones who quietly read this blog and send out good thoughts. I've always been incompetent at friendship, so any positivity that heads my way is a pleasant surprise, an undeserved gift, one that is graciously accepted.

"It's getting better all the time." -- The Beatles

Holding Patterns

"This is Flight 045, piloted by Capt. Wade, reporting on the current situation: we are in a holding pattern. Repeat. A holding pattern."

This is how I've been feeling lately. We're waiting to see what happens. We're waiting for good news and bracing for bad news. We're crossing our fingers, saying a prayer to whoever might listen, holding onto a lucky charm, leaning forward into the crash position, just in case.

In the meantime, we're going about our business. Waiting in traffic.. Wading through essays. Revising. Rehearsing. Reviving my creative spirit... Or at least trying to avoid smashing into the proverbial writer's block.

Think happy thoughts people, and hope that we'll get through this turbulence together.

Coming Soon: Change the Station

The world premiere of our new play... 

Brought to you by The Big Sandwich Theatre Company!

If you live in Southern California, you don't want to miss this 

wonderful comedy about the golden age of Radio.

Opens November 4th, 2016

Order tickets at: http://changethestation.brownpapertickets.com/