On the phone Tuesday night: “I got to go to bed.  I’m cleaning snake cages early tomorrow morning.” “Why!?” “Because they sh*! in them Mom.” “This is another one of those volunteer things isn’t it?” “No, this is for fun.” “Really!?” “Mom…” “Okay.  Just be careful.  Don’t get bitten.” “I’ll try.” 8:30 am Wednesday. Being a sloppy reptiles interior designer = the punishment you have to endure when you’re sarcastic with your mother and use four... [Read more]

Reader’s Digest called last week to inform me that because I was featured in the “Make it Matter” section of the June/July issue I get a $1500 grant for either my non-profit or a non-profit of my choice. I don’t have a non-profit. I just help them. So I’m going to give the money to a non-profit. Problem is I can’t make up my mind. I worked with dozens upon dozens of different groups and I love them all for different reasons. To fix the problem I sat down with a group of scientists.... [Read more]

I went to a costume party the night before my first 5k run ever. Not the smartest move. I know. As a nondrinker/smoker/recreational drug user I figured I’d be fine. I don’t want to tell you this next piece because I’m sure I will get emails about being insensitive, trashy, heartless etc. but here ya go… I decided to go as a crack head like my roommate (it was a theme group). Insensitive – yes. Easy to do – you bet ya. We sprinkled our black clothes with powdered sugar, put on makeup... [Read more]

On May 12th the June/July issue of Reader’s Digest hit the newsstands featuring a story about TheGoodMuse (page 51 – damn right memorized). Since that day I have been inundated by the most humbling, unbelievable response and I just wanted to take a moment to say, “Thank you.” The purpose of TheGoodMuse and all these Volunteering Journals, besides being a tribute to my late and incredibly wonderful grandfather, was to demystify the volunteering experience and to encourage people to try something... [Read more]

I never go back home. Not just because of the expensive plane tickets. My family can be… difficult. My grandfather was one of the only consistent people in my life, thus the tribute when he departed. But I wanted to attend my brother’s law school graduation, which would put me in the path of my extended family. So I flew into Nashville, TN two weeks after the worst flood in over a century. I spent some time doing disaster relief. Oh… and I helped clean up after the catastrophic flood too… Once... [Read more]

They asked for it. I wrote it. They were warned. Ladies and gentlemen – a 12 page play about a cat who might or might not be killing the residents of a small town nursing home. It’s all about perspectives and dying wishes and it’s supposed to be amusing. Click here to read The Reaper to premier at Lake Arrowhead Reps Short Play Festival this fall. Share and Enjoy:  Read More →

I absolutely did not want to do this. Nope. Not at all. Of course I’m American so I had recommended other people do it, but never intended to do it myself. (I felt all recommend-y after I saw this video of Seun Adebiyi). The reason for the avoidance was pure primal fear. Real fear. The fear of huge needles going through my bones. Marrow donation. Pain on a stick. Or pain on the end of a very long needle to be more accurate. I mean…didn’t that kid die in A Separate Peace because his bone marrow... [Read more]