The Moon, Mercury, and Some Dog Poop

Happy full moon, friends. Mercury is also back to her old tricks in retrograde. Maybe you're one of those people who thinks putting thought into things like that is silly and pointless. But as I love the silly and pointless I can't help but find it interesting. Perhaps I'm just always looking to blame my bad luck on something I can't control.

And today struck me with some interesting luck. Nothing epic. Just interesting.

It began when I took my dog, Lua (which means moon in Portuguese!) out for her morning "business meeting". While picking up her remains I managed to step off the curb and fall into the street. No traffic was stopped, no one besides my pride had to suffer through that one. I just took my scratched up hands and shook them to the sky for a moment before heading back inside.

After two bizarre bus situations, I made it to camp (my current stream of income) two minutes late. And I'm never late to work so you can imagine how even two minutes would irk me. I shared a fine morning of theater games and unrelated conversations about cats with the kids before we headed to lunch.

When we had finished our tree shaded picnic at the park, and one child had used my arm as a tissue, three girls had to use the bathroom and voted me as their travel agent. Being cool enough to be considered for such an honor was a real compliment. While we walked to the restrooms we passed by a very old woman and her dog, who was in the middle of his own business meeting. She started loudly verbalizing her utter discomfort at the situation. She was sitting in some type of wheel chair device and it was obvious that the mere task of picking up after her dog would put her through some serious stress and probably take the rest of the afternoon. She must have sensed my weakness for pets and old people, as it felt like she was speaking loudly for my benefit, but I immediately volunteered to pick up after her dog and dispose of his waste.

And, um, yikes. That little dog had created quite the mass. I won't get too into it because that would be unfortunate. I'll just say it was truly a shocking and smelly experience. And I deal in the shocking and smelly everyday. But she was very grateful. And it seems with a little act of humanity people are often very willing to leave you with some sweet words of their own, as if your gesture had a price. She told me I was kind and beautiful... and that she liked my skirt. And then how pretty she thought my daughters were. You know, those three eight year olds I dragged along for this undertaking.

As we walked away the girls giggled at the idea of me being their mom. (Which I appreciated. Considering the birthing process of producing three gals around the same age would probably be tricky.) And I explained that sometimes when we can be a help to someone else that we need to step up and do what we can. In complete seriousness, one of the girls came over and whispered to me, "What if we see an old lady with a pooping dog and we don't know how to pick up the poop? What do we do?!" I tried to explain my personal technique with my motherly smile but ultimately explained that just being nice to people is the most important thing. The rest falls into place. Lesson learned, little ladies!

Another bizarro bus situation for my return home and further cell phone issues later, I got back to my apartment just in time to deal with my own little poop machine. And with plenty of time to enjoy this warm moon filled evening... wondering what the planets have in store for us next...

Dog Gone Good Deed

When I worked at Bath and Body Works one of our sales beliefs was, "make someone's day". So corny, I know, but it's actually something that I've come to value. Whenever I'm having an off day or feeling sad I try to refocus and try to do that. Make someone's day.

It's not a difficult task when it comes to me, people constantly make my day with a kind word or a high five. A simple act of thoughtfulness will take you everywhere.

After a wonderful Theater Pub on the warmest day/night I've experienced here in a long time I stopped into Walgreens on my walk home and picked up some items for my dog. Deciding within the moment to purchase her some bones that are supposed to a dog's breath better. (Which would hopefully be a win for both of us.)

I completed my walk under the almost full moon and was greeted by an excited pup. When I presented her with her bone she hopped with delight and licked me with appreciation. It was sort of gross. But still so cute! I realized that while I may not have made any one person's day today, I made one little dog happy. And it's a wonderful feeling.

So try it sometime. Aim to make someone or some dog's day, I think you'll find it makes your own.

TJ's Trades

By now I'm sure you've realized that I do a lot of thinking about food. A lot. And most of my time is spent with the belief that I may actually be able to find a more meaningful relationship with some of my prized Trader Joe's snack items than with actual human companionship. (If the saying, "you are what you eat" is true, what do you think that says about me?)

I've also found that simply asking someone what their favorite treat from TJ's is can often unveil a little more about them and increase your own knowledge of all things yummy. I'm currently having a secret love affair with their Scottie Dogs and their dark chocolate and sea salt covered almonds. Please don't tell hummus.



I was never much of a black licorice fan, but seriously, guys, those things are da bomb. And a girl like me shouldn't be allowed to say things like "da bomb", you know?






And I'd pretty much do anything dark chocolate told me to do. But throw in an almond and some sea salt? Well, let's just say if they were in the form of a fictional chocolate river, I would pull an Augustus Gloop and early disqualify myself from the chance of owning an oompa loompa run chocolate factory.

So anyway, everyone, as you've probably gathered, I love my Trader Joe's delights. And now I'd love to know if we are what we eat, what are you? (Based upon your favorite TJ's item, please. Ah, thank you, my fellow food frienders.)

God Spells Google

Google image your name. I happened to do it by accident but it proved to be an amusing experience. I immediately found this picture. From a production of "Godspell" I was in over three and a half years ago. YIKES, right? Ah, the internet. You always know how to keep it real, huh?

Further 38 Finds

After an evening celebrating Julia's birth at Kennedy's in North Beach, I made my way back to Divisadero. On the 38 I had the distinct pleasure of sitting next to a young gentleman who giggled while reading his bible and sat across from another lad who had the creepy Kill Bill whistle as his personal ring tone.


Once I was home I threw on my cupcake pajamas that would rival Liz Lemon's collection to take my dog out. One of the blessings and curses of living above two bars is that your doorstop is constantly filled with people. Mainly of the drunk variety. Often they're more of an annoyance to be honest but sometimes they can't help but make me laugh. Even in the rain, even while walking my little dog, even with me looking like a crazy homeless woman wearing a dress over my pjs and flip flops, I still earned a nod and smile from a tipsy male bar patron. Thank you, as always, city, for keeping me entertained and flattered in the most unexpected hours.

Eat Pray Love? Meet, Sweet Gray Glove.

I had recently returned to San Francisco in January of 2008 to find myself more alone than I had ever been in my life. 3,000 miles away from everyone and anyone, I began to learn the streets of the city with solo steps. I had decided to live in San Francisco because I had been cast in "Tony N Tina's Wedding", a casting choice which forced me to leap into the unknown and leave the comforts of the east coast; however, as our rehearsals didn't begin until February, I had one month to endure alone. As I didn't have any companions around, I took to my old habit of befriending my books. Each night after work, I went home to my sublet and made relationships with literature.


One of the books that happened my way that winter was Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat Pray Love". Perhaps it was my endless solitude, perhaps it was because I was trying to get over a heartbreak, perhaps I just really needed someone to understand me, but I found a peace within those pages. A humorous emotional lady out on a soul search of her own, trying to find happiness in unconventional settings, and learning how to love herself along the journey. In any case, I felt as though she sang a familiar tune and I longed to create harmony.

These past few days haven't been the easiest and I've found myself in a similar place to the Ashley of 2008. On the cusp of something just out of reach, fearful to both move forward and stay still. Thankfully, I have some additional comforts now; the most important being the presence of my sister, Katelyn. The person I admire most in the world and who forces me to be a better and stronger lady by simply existing. And tonight she got me out of sulking at home and met me for dinner and a movie.

Egg Salad sandwiches, a white cherry icee, and some split donuts. If that's not the definition of eat, pray, love, what is? I snuggled into the dark theater wearing my gray fingerless gloves made by my sister and tried to get lost in movie world. While the film isn't totally a cinematic achievement for our time, it is a sweet representation of the book and made for an enjoyable evening. As we longed for the sites of faraway places and Julia's pretty wavy locks we caught a 38 bus and made our ways home.

One of the questions that struck me tonight from the film though was idea of picking one word to capture your essence. One word that defines your life. One word to share with the world. I'm still thinking about what mine would be, but I'd love to know what word you would pick for yourselves. To see if, perhaps, our words can form a story. So, let's try it. What would your word be? Once upon a time...

One Call to Singleton, Please.

This week, I'm suffering with a phone that won't make/take calls or send/receive texts. So basically, I'm paying $100 bucks a month for a glorified time telling device that plays music... sometimes.

And as I had discussed, just mere days ago, being in a long distance relationship ultimately equaled dating my phone. Well, it seems both have taken an unfortunate turn and won't be able to weather this storm. Amusingly enough, I guess, I woke up this morning with a dead phone and a sadness in my heart to look outside and see the sun. A sight I have not witnessed in weeks. I walked out into the warmish weather to take care of my dog. I managed to get a teary phone call out to my mother. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Accepting that the reality of life is that things break. All the time. Even when we need them or want them. But that you have to do what you can to remedy the problem, be strong, and keep going, not allowing too much of yourself to break along with it. I'm trying to leave the stormy rain cloud that I'm feeling inside and open myself up to this beautiful San Francisco day unfolding. At least for a little while so that I can get to the AT&T store and start working on a new phone...