I have a special place in my heart for archaeology adventure stories like Indiana Jones, The Mummy, and Romancing the Stone. While I was envisioning the universe of Forecast, and where it would be fun to explore more story history, I realized I needed to tell the tale of the Peruvian door, the first door Tobias Randolf encountered, the door that was the first domino in a…
Blasts from the past have something to tell us, even when that something is embarrassing. I stumbled across at a photo taken at a party of mine from a few years ago. After bypassing the outrageous costumes we all were wearing, my current self cringed at the decorating choices of my past self as I studied the backdrop of the photo. To be fair, this particular…
I'm not one of those folks who believes that a painter on a desert island will go on painting canvases (or rather, banana leaves, as this may be the only available resource) if s/he is alone with no one else to see the art. I honestly don't think this sort of perpetual creative art would happen, and that's not just my personal ego and need for…
Remember when I wrote that post about emerging from a dark Cave and discussed the process of cradling my newborn son while I groped my way back to the outside world? That little son is almost one year old now. And he’s teaching me all sorts of stuff. I’m learning how to be more patient, tender, and detailed in caring for him than I have ever had…
Quick! Get as busy as you can! It will fix things! (This is a sure-fire sign that something is off) After almost nine months, I think the gloom has hit me again. I remember being depressed the first three or so months of George’s life because it was such a hard adjustment in lifestyle. And then, when I started to learn the ropes, I was so…
I'm tougher, stronger, and better from my week in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was hard, but good. The five-hour flight into Atlanta followed by a five-hour drive up to Greensboro, NC was no picnic with my 11-month-old son in tow, but we survived! I managed to fold up my wallet into George's stroller, and then shove the whole think in the trunk of my rental. What…
In almost all of the good stories about an adventurer on a quest, that adventurer is supported by a fellowship, a community, a village of those who love this quester and wish to see him or her succeed. Last weekend my village rallied together. My fundraiser dinner went off like a sparkling firecracker. It was a beautiful success. A huge number of people offered to help.…
“Mom! Look at this!” I hold up my artwork. Horses. Princesses. Flowers. Mermaids. Castles. Repeat. I remember when I wanted to be a visual artist. Drawing after drawing of the above subjects, in just about every creative combination you could think of. I’d show these drawings to my mother, filled with delight and joy because I had made something that I deemed beautiful. Then I grew…
“You’re too young to wear sunglasses.” I’m having a conversation with a good friend, lamenting the currently unbearable distance is between where I am and where I want to be. She looks at me, smiles, and says, “You don’t really want to be famous yet. You’re too young to wear sunglasses.” Remember those movies about the small-town singer who becomes a superstar or the little obscure…
Do you remember the last time a friend asked you for help? I often find myself replying "Of course! I'd love to!" because I care about the person and want to help them reach their goals or find relief in a tight situation. But then when it's my turn to ask for help, I want to do anything but ask for it. I'd rather stay up…