I sent the link to my post about how I died at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Saturday to Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair (Joe is the co-star and both are responsible for the book, lyrics, and music for “Murder For Two: A Killer Musical”), and I just got this reply: Hi there Melisa, Thank you so much for the kind words… and for being a willing participant in the action! Congrats on a great performance. 🙂 be well, Joe (& Kellen) I need an agent. Want to make this a long-term commitment? I might become a famous actress and win an Oscar someday. Please subscribe to my feed by…
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Chicken in the Car and the Car Won’t Go: Now Available in STORES!
Blurred reality. I was just informed that Barnes & Noble is placing an order for my book, Chicken in the Car and the Car Won’t Go: Nearly 200 Ways To Enjoy Chicagoland With Tweens and Teens and should have it on the shelves by the December holidays. This was one of my main goals for the book: to get it into a major bookseller’s stores. CHECK! So there you go. Though the order they are placing is not big enough to get copies into every store (Yet. Let’s stay positive, shall we?), you CAN go into your local B&N, no matter where it is, and special order a copy for…
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The Rules of British Royal Succession Change, And I Bore You To Death By Writing About Them.
Today is a great day. Not only is it Friday, but some rules that were as antiquated as…well, let’s just say they’re really old (as in, from the 17th century!) have been changed to reflect general 21st century beliefs and thus hints at the modernization (finally) of the British Commonwealth. (Note: If you’re new here, you may not have known that I am a total FANATIC about the British monarchy. It’s a blessing and a curse: don’t be scared. I’m harmless.) First, the rules as they were: Succession rules indicated that boys were given precedence to the throne over girls, just because they were, well, boys. Let me give you…
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How I Got My Hands On Some Schweddy Balls: A True Story
Ever since the news came out that Ben & Jerry’s was producing Schweddy Balls (inspired by this, one of the best SNL skits ever), I knew I had to find it locally. But where to find Schweddy Balls in the Chicago area? I was stumped for a while, because our grocery stores (and drug stores, and convenience stores…yes, I’ve been checking!) haven’t started stocking it yet. Finally, duh: I decided to do a web search to see if we have any Ben & Jerry’s locations in my area. I already knew that there is a location downtown at Navy Pier, but was hoping I’d find one in the western suburbs.…
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Inspired To Action.
A funny thing happens sometimes, when you’re busy with life, going through your daily schedule and getting things done (or not): your mojo can start to slip away. It can slip when you’re tired, and it can slip when you aren’t organized. Mojo can fade away when you’re not paying attention. The silver lining in all of this is the fact that, it’s easy to get a jumpstart for your mojo, and I had not one but TWO jumpstarts today. First, after insanely aggravating traffic that, due to nothing in particular except for some rain, caused me to be in the car for a full two and a half hours…
- Best Thing Ever, Family Fun, Food, I've Got Mad Skillz, Jim Has Mad Skillz, My Sister Has Mad Skillz
Sometimes It’s Best If You Schedule These Things.
Confession time: over the past year or so (maybe even eighteen months: I’ve lost track!), Jim and I have been in a rut. I never thought it would happen to us, but it did. We used to have plenty of time, and plenty of desire. In fact, on the nights when I didn’t feel like it, he took charge, and vice versa. As of late, our busy schedules and pure exhaustion at the end of the day turned the tides. When we least expected it, something we used to do almost every single day became an afterthought, a rarity. Of course I’m talking about cooking dinner. We used to have…
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My Trainer, Bob.
So… The Biggest Loser. I am a Biggest Loser fan. Since day one, actually. My mention of the show probably won’t sit well with everyone: it usually doesn’t. I’ve participated in many debates over the years–in real life and on Facebook–about whether the show and the people behind it are “right” or “wrong”. It seems to me that there are just a few types of people, where viewing the show is concerned: 1. I have seen it and think it’s amazing and inspiring. 2. I have seen it and think it’s not only ridiculous but sends the wrong message. 3. I haven’t seen it. I am, of course, part of…
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On The Fringe
One of the most memorable pieces of my weekend in San Diego was the morning on which I took the ferry to Coronado Island along with Michelle, Sue, and Liz. We got up, made a stop at the Starbucks (conveniently located in the hotel) for those who needed cawfee (right, Liz?) and then headed to the marina. The ferry ride, which was all of six minutes, was beautiful. Skimming over the water from the hotel to Coronado was a little bit dreamy, the color of the water unbelievable. When we arrived on the other side, we walked up the pier towards the sidewalk…and that’s when we saw it. A surrey.…
- Amazing People, Best Thing Ever, Blessings, Favorite Things, Friends, My Friends Have Mad Skillz, Something That Could Change Your Life, Spreading the Bloggie Love, Too Funny To Ignore
#BlogHer11: Third Time’s A Charm!
BlogHer ’11 was my third, and there was something magical about it for me (shut up). Okay, the first two times I attended BlogHer were pretty darn good too, but I had the most fun this year, perhaps partly because I didn’t overdo like I did last year. I don’t even know where to start with my recap so I just decided to spew randomness sprinkled with pictures. That’s organized enough, isn’t it? Favorite moments: (so many, and in no particular order!) 1. Lots of quality time with my favorite “really, really, really wish we were neighbors” Jersey girl, Liz. I luv huh. 2. Giggling with my roommates, especially each…
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Up on the Roof
Make fun of me if you will, but I am a Chicago Cubs fan. Go on, I know you want to. *Ridicule Break* Okay, are you finished? Good. I have been a Cubs fan ever since I can remember, even though I didn’t actually get to see my first game all up-close-and-personal-like until I was about 28 years old. And it was in Milwaukee, against the Brewers. I have, since then, seen a couple of games at Wrigley Field and it’s a great time, even when the Cubs lose. Which they usually do. But next year’s our year, you know? Anyway, it was a banner day when I was able…