Redding

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Day 1: Life is a verb

October 9, 2010 in Adventures, Reflection, Writing | 1 comment

“As life goes on, it becomes tiring to keep up the character you invented for yourself, and so you relapse into individuality and become more like yourself every day. This is sometimes disconcerting for those around you, but a great relief to the person concerned.” -Agatha Christie

I’m making a conscious decision to let the little things make my day – kind of like the gleeful feeling you get after poaching a yellow flower off the side of the road.

It can be really easy to feel like it’s hard to breathe. Disappointment, unrealistic expectations, insecurity, fear.  We all feel it at one point, but sometimes it seems to compact all at once and suddenly you wake up and your routine doesn’t cut it anymore. What to do?

Well, I started reading this powerful and amazing book, “Life is a Verb,” By Patti Digh. It was gifted to me when I graduated from Humboldt State University in May. I glanced at it here and there, but I knew when I needed some inspiration, enlightenment and cheer, it would be there for me. Recently, I felt like I needed a little life boost. This book has been all that – and more.  It’s about starting each day as if it is Day 1 of the rest of your life, and Digh instructs you to live as if you only had 37 days left to live and live INTENTIONALLY.

1. Say yes
2. Be generous
3. Speak up
4. Love more
5. Trust yourself
6. Slow down

These rules seem so simple and yet we consistently don’t follow them. We can get so caught up in little miniscule ideas of our lives. In her book, Digh writes that you should give yourself a challenge to be consistent in your life. Pick one thing to do every day for 37 days. Maybe it’s walking for ten minutes or creating a piece of art every day. My plan? I’m going to write a blog post every day for 37 days. I really like blogging, sharing my thoughts with my friends, family and whoever decides to check me out. During the summer, I found more time for it. Now, I want to intentionally make it part of my day – even if it is just a sentence or two. Maybe a funny picture. Or maybe the chapter to my future novel. :)

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Redding Royalty: George Lopez style

August 9, 2010 in Travels, Uncategorized | 1 comment

I experienced what it’s like to be Redding royalty, or what I imagine was about as close as you could get.

The setting?

Redding Convention Center, more like a basketball gym without the baskets.

The characters?

Lots of women with permed mullets.

Lots of Mexican couples.

This is where I come in:

Look down to the second row, front and center and you’ll see me eagerly awaiting a George Lopez concert. He’s a Mexican-American comedian of more than 30 years. His career stemmed from growing up poor and working comedy clubs, taking off now to cross-country tours, a sitcom and a syndicated stand-up TV show.

This wouldn’t be something I would normally pursue on my own. A comedy show? I had never really listened to George much and had only been to see Patton Oswalt’s standup routine once in San Francisco a few years back.

I went in with little expectations and didn’t feel let down. I had a great time with constant belly laughs and was gasping for air. It’s something I hope to do more often.

The one responsible for my Redding royalty hookup? Clyde.

His dad (also named Clyde!) owns a security company that monitors all of George’s concerts. Clyde has been working for George for four years. He invited Sara, Briana (the birthday girl!), Dave and I to complimentary seats for George’s first ever show in Redding.

It was nice to see Clyde all dressed up in a suit, tie and an ear piece. He looked so professional and important.

(Apparently the ensemble has gotten him mistaken for the Secret Service in the past! Haha.) Part of his job was to make sure people weren’t taking photos or video of the show. So sadly, my paparazzi habit was stifled for the night.

The opening act as a guy called Bryan Kellen. He was hilarious. Maybe even funnier than George. I would love to see him again. George was funny, but he seemed kind of bored with the audience. The last 20 minutes of the show seemed to drag on in a sloppy way.

I got a pink tank that says, “La Mas Chingona.” It roughly translates to “the toughest female” or “the top dog.” I think I can rock it despite being a white girl who speaks a very primitive version of Spanish.

Our night of VIP treatment ended at the Red Lion Hotel in Redding. The dance club was fantastic. A couple in chacos and khaki shorts were shaking it to Beyonce. An older red headed woman in a blue wrap dress owned the dance floor. Some of us were summoned when a woman sang a cover of Lady Gaga. We line danced to Lady GG. It was fantastic. Well done night and excellent adventure.

I was able so squeeze in some family time with my sister’s clan, too. Lost to an epic game of Sorry and won an even more epic game of Memory Match.

The only downer? I got my first speeding ticket ever on the way home. Got a little carried away on the curvy road listening to Spice Girls with Sara. The cop was super nice despite it all, probably the best run-in I have ever had in the whole three times I have ever been pulled over. Yeah, it sucks he gave me a ticket, but he was very fair in letting me off on a lesser speeding charge. I was shaking a bit. He said, “I’m not going to hurt you!” We laughed. Only Sara would say “Thank you so much. Have a nice day!” after the cop handed me the ticket.

We giggled about that all the way home.

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