UPDATE: The follow up to this is here. If you ask me for anything July through August 2020, I will answer — I’ve actually been on a Selfish Sabbatical (SFSB) for years. But it’s been a focused, very niche SFSB. To deal with the high-class problem of constant variations of asks to get coffee, pick Read more…
An email I got recently — 10:27 AM, to bcc: Saya Salutations! [blah blah blah] We got some stellar submissions this year (including yours!), and while we would have loved to have all of them presented, we had to narrow down the field. Unfortunately, your talk wasn’t selected this year, but we appreciated and were Read more…
To anyone whom has ever shared their infertility, debt, miscarriage, abortion, firing, disease, depression, sexual assault, mental illness, eating disorder, grief, social anxiety, addiction… — thank you. You have helped someone. I had these hideous lavender blinds in my childhood bedroom which I adored even though we got them, per usual, used. A result of Read more…
Via CHIRP Radio’s show First Time, I shared a story and then a band played a song to go with my share; ridiculously fun! If you’ve never had 200 something people sing along to one of your favorite childhood songs, highly recommend. I may have had tears in my eyes. Also had my current crew of Read more…
One of the checkboxes in my current “always be improving” wheelhouse is how to be concise yet overflowing with insight, inspiration, or entertainment. Or better yet, with insight, inspiration, and entertainment. I’ve always been an above and beyond person. I waited ten months to be born to be sure I was cooked to perfection. Curriculums Read more…
My current jam is Passive Income. Aka making money while you sleep. Best thing ever to wake up to: “Someone’s bought your Life of Yes℠ Poster!” By jam, I don’t mean that I’m successful at it. I mean I’m fascinated by and want to be successful at it. Today I woke up to $112.62 Read more…
This was originally shared at the 2016 Chicago Women’s Funny Festival, my first foray into being officially funny. It was as horrible-wonderful as it sounds. The decision to shit on the highway or shit in your pants — we’ve all been there. Right? Ok. Well… I’ve been there. I jog-walked past small town Michigan homes in beat Read more…
An excerpt of this was first presented at Flick Lit: Reel-to-Real Storytelling for Movie Lovers, the Musicals! Edition, at Chicago’s Logan Theater. Performers shared personal stories about a musical film of their choice (Newsies, Purple Rain, RENT, and Flashdance) and its impact and their love/hate for a film (Grease). Some of us used projected images (sampling below). Before each share, Read more…
A few weeks ago, over a surprisingly quick span of hours, I had a thought which turned into a revelation which turned into an action. I realized that when I stopped doing my Cheese-It Breaks — daily social media shares of positive quotes — which I had been doing for three’ish years, no one cared and nothing Read more…
As you may have gleaned from my most viral blog post, which led to a Tribune article, a WBEZ interview, and a Chicago Magazine mention, leaving my beloved Chicago has been top of mind. Inquiring Minds, and wow! there are a lot of you — poor Husband has been cornered by “Are you moving?!?!” squealers Read more…