Saturday, September 29, 2012

Life in the Who Dat Nation

I was not lucky enough to be born a Saints fan and I'm no team expert or historian. I just like the team and have since my family moved to Louisiana in the late 80s. You know, before their Super Bowl win.  I remember the paper bags, the 'Aints, and the campaign to have faith. It's hard not to like this team. Even in their years of loserdom, they were fun and seemed to revel in being underdogs. It's a badge of honor or something.


We can discuss Aaron Neville's maroon suit another day (because it is fantastic). If I'm not mistaken, this was actually filmed during one of their most winningest seasons ('83 maybe?). Anyway, there's something awesome about hearing people sing this song and knowing the words. Everything should be like a parade.

But it's also hard being a Saints fan. And we are the best fans in the world. Don't argue with me; you will lose. You might know they're awesome but they don't always seem to know it and certainly other teams' fans have a hate/hate relationship with us. I have to admit to feelings of anxiety and stress when I watch the Saints play - this is why I can't follow any other team in any other sport. My emotional self can't take it.

One of my favorite series of commercials for the team were used during the 2006 season (at least according to my friend Bridget who is a Saints expert so I will defer to her always). Anyway, the commercials featured Sean Payton coaching various team members on everyday activities. The one that sticks in my mind is the one where Payton coaches one of the players (I can't remember who) on how to brush his teeth. I remember the first time I saw it and laughing so hard my side hurt. Sadly, I have not been able to find it anywhere so you'll just have to use your imagination on this one.

I think of those commercials now as we get closer to this Sunday's game. It's been a rough start to this season; this is not the same team that we all know and love. They seem defeated even before they get on the field (except maybe Jimmy Graham-he is killing it). It's not an issue of skill or drive or desire to win; I think we know this is a talented team who wants to win. But clearly, Sean Payton matters and silly commercial aside, the team is suffering without him. Since it's pretty obvious that he's not going to be coaching this team this season there is only one thing I can think of to fix this.

Group therapy.

The team needs to get some help. I think there are some emotional issues on that field and those issues are keeping the Saints from delivering. The problem for the Saints it that they are not just a football team. They are a symbol of something greater than football-rebirth, hope, and faith. Fans are loyal and now have expectations of greatness and another Super Bowl win (especially given that it's in New Orleans this year). That's a lot to deal with on top of Bountygate, replacement refs, and the conspiracy theories about the NFL's attitude and dislike of the Saints. I know they're paid well for their work and just need to do their jobs (I'm fond of saying this at work) but I don't think they're going to be able to without working through their issues first. It's even possible that the team is suffering from some form of psychological zombie apocalypse.

In 2004, Metallica released a documentary about the making of their new album St. Anger and the band's attempt to work their issues out via group therapy. The film, Some Kind of Monster, is incredibly awkward to watch but awesome at the same time. The band is falling apart, the egos are amazing, and Dave Mustaine almost cries. I felt sad for the band (since I genuinely like them) but also wanted to reach through the screen and punch Lars and James in the face. By the end the album is finished and the band stays together (with a new bassist) and Lars buys more art and the Metallica universe is righted again.

That's what I propose for the Saints. Let's get a therapist and get these guys to talk it out. Get them to discuss the leadership vacuum that is apparently taking over the team; the stress of Bountygate and losing Payton for the season; the emotional weight of being a symbol of our city; getting rid of this defeatist attitude that they all seem to have the second they walk on the field. I'd also like them have a discussion about Jimmy Graham's awesomeness so that we can all be assured that no one is jealous of him and that he will continue to do his job as he has been doing. I'm also certain that Drew Brees needs a hug; something is missing from him this season. The spark is there but it's fainter than in seasons past - it's hard being an icon. I also really love Pierre Thomas - remember when he was called "Walter Paytonesque" back in 2009? I'd love for someone to one day describe a new player as "Pierre Thomasesque"-that would be cool.


Yes, this is my wrist. No, I didn't get a fleur de lis tattoo because of my Saints love (and I do love them). But that's what people think it's for and most of the time I let them. It's too hard to explain why I actually got this tattoo to strangers (without getting all personal and emotional) and saying I'm in a gang doesn't always go over so well.

So let's focus on tomorrow's game. Let's have faith in our boys and victory on the horizon. Let's Geaux Saints!

Do your job-Sean Payton will be proud.

Video from youtube.com
Photos by me!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Changing the world one trip at a time

There is a moment in the Hallmark movie Straight from the Heart where Andrew McCarthy rides a horse into a very fancy New York art gallery to win back Teri Polo. This makes perfect sense in the context of the movie and is my favorite part. As I was awaiting the National Geographic book discussion, I kept seeing this image of Andrew McCarthy riding into the auditorium on a horse. Wouldn't that be the best way to start the evening?

He did not enter the auditorium on a horse. He walked in like a normal person and proceeded to spend the next hour in conversation Don George about travel, life, love, fear, and writing. Andrew McCarthy was eloquent, interesting, and inspiring. The book is called The Longest Way Home and is about his "quest" to settle down. I started reading it on Wednesday and it's not like I expected at all. I read a lot of travel books (memoirs, travelogues, anything travel related) and I think I was expecting a more straightforward travel story. It's much more personal than I thought it would be and I can't wait to finish it.

I love to travel. I've written about travel here before and I thought about those posts while I listened to the discussion. I could identify with a lot of the emotions he talked about - fear, exhilaration, loneliness, euphoria - those are just some of the things I've felt as a traveler both in the U.S. and abroad. There were a few things I wrote down that really stuck with me. Of course, that means a list:

  • Travel and fear: he talked a lot about being afraid and that fear keeps people from traveling (not money or time really). I had this experience when I went to Rwanda; not my fear (although I had some reservations about the trip) but other people's. The reaction was always "why would you go there?" or "don't you know what happened there?" Fear shouldn't keep you from going and experiencing. And a little girl in the audience totally called him on it. It was great. He has a great piece in October's National Geographic Traveler magazine about fear and travel.
  • Asking for help when you travel: Apparently, I should be doing this when I travel. I don't do it enough. Like Andrew McCarthy, I'm not really an instigator so asking random people for help isn't my thing. But that's how you experience even more so ask for help. My brother called this "Andrew McCarthyism" later in the evening.
  • Travel is fundamental: Don George said it best, "I believe in the gap life." I can't remember a time when I didn't want to go somewhere. I love road trips and discovering new places. Playing tourist in my own city is on of the best things to do ever. All I want to do right now is plan a trip somewhere (Paris would be nice) and just get on the road.
  • "I have to be creative every day.": Both Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy talked about creativity in their daily lives. It's so easy to forget when you have to deal with the stuff of life. He also mentioned something about creativity having a process which I absolutely loved. I have a process for everything.
  • "The more I'm prepared the more open I am to happy coincidence." I'm a planner and an organizer and I feel better when I plan. I feel like I can relax and have fun when I know some of what's going to happen. I like surprises too and I think a person can balance both when they travel.
  • "I travel to know what I'm feeling. I write to sort it out." Word, Andrew McCarthy.
  • "Creating little citizens of the world is a great thing." Love, love, love this! I used to tell my students that they should be citizens of the world and think beyond their borders. I hope that when I have children they will be adventurers and want to be part of the world.


So thanks, Andrew McCarthy. Thanks for posing with all of your fans (because you didn't have to) and being honest about some very personal things. And being awesome. 

Two random things: while waiting in line for to get my book signed, I started talking to the girl in front of me. (I know, I instigated a conversation. Crazy.) Anyway, Scott took her picture with Andrew McCarthy and we got to talking about other book events in the area. Apparently, I am "tuned in" to things like this so I may have a new book talk friend in the works.

As we were leaving the building Scott overheard this group of ladies talking about getting back to the Metro and they weren't quite sure where they were going. We were headed in the same direction so Scott offered to help. We had a nice chat about the National Book Fair (which is what they're in town for) and got them to the right Metro stop. This is what Scott dubbed "Andrew McCarthyism"-we were living what he told us to do.

So did I accomplish my goal of overcoming at least some of my residual teenage awkwardness? Yes, I think I did. I may have been star struck and giddy when meeting both Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy but I wasn't embarrassing, security didn't ask me to leave, and I told them how much I enjoyed their work without getting all weird about it. And it's nice to hear that famous people have insecurities and struggle with the same kind of issues that non-famous people do (in a non-tabloid, non-reality show way). Also, I may have made a friend randomly and was an instigator of a conversation for a change. Get back - I don't even know what's come over me.

So who's ready to get out there and travel? 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

When you realize it's only Wednesday, the only thing to do is watch Xanadu

The vest is one of those male fashion items that I adore. There's something very sexy about a vest - I don't even know what it is. Those guys who can rock a vest should wear them all the time. Those who can't, well, there's a fashion choice out there that you can rock too. I promise.

One man who can rock a vest is Michael Beck. He did it shirtless in The Warriors and then with shirts in Xanadu. I can't remember which of these movies I saw first but I distinctly remember having a teen girl crush on Michael Beck. I'm sure it was the vest.

For real
But I'm not here to talk about the vest or even The Warriors (although one day I will remedy that because it is amazing). I'm here to make Wednesday go by faster and the only way to do that is to watch Xanadu.
  1. Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, and Michael Beck are the stars. What could possibly be wrong with this combination?
  2. Soundtrack by ELO (that's the Electric Light Orchestra for those of you who were born after 1990). One of my favorite songs "I'm Alive" is at the beginning of the movie. It's the song playing when the muses come to life from a mural painted on a building. Keep in mind that enjoying this song/soundtrack still doesn't mean that Jeff Lynne will ever be anyone's favorite member of the Traveling Wilbury's.
  3. "Aw what the hell. Guys like me shouldn't dream anyway." Sonny sets the stage for a muse intervention.
  4. The Michael Beck conundrum. The Warriors was fairly well regarded film and has become a cult classic; Xanadu is just a cult classic. Beck has said that the ridiculousness of Xanadu ruined any of the momentum that The Warriors created for his career. I love both equally and for entirely different reasons so I call this my Michael Beck conundrum.
  5. Roller-skating muses - that is all.
  6. Gene Kelly enters the film during a scene in which he is playing a clarinet on the beach. For real.
  7. Does anyone in this movie work? When Sonny and Danny (Gene Kelly's character) are walking along the boardwalk, there are a lot of people around during the day on a work day. This is why people have certain perceptions about life in California.
  8. I loved roller-skating as a kid and this movie made me love it more. I haven't gone roller-skating since the mid-1990s but every time I watch this movie I want to badly. Are there any roller rinks left in NOVA? 
  9. The "Magic" sequence. This is one of my favorite pop songs and my favorite song from this movie. If I could sing, I would want to sing this song always.
  10. "Malone and McGuire sounds like a vaudeville act." Danny upon officially meeting Sonny
  11. Sonny's boss is a perfect example of what was wrong with the 80s. He "smarted up and gave up art" and didn't want his workers to be creative. He is who Allison in The Breakfast Club was thinking about when she said when you grow up your heart dies.
  12. Certain sequences in this movie were created solely to showcase Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. Why not have a random 40s big band song in the middle of the movie? If we do, then they can sing and dance together. This + Kenny Ortega's choreography = magic.
  13. "You're supposed to be an artist - use your imagination." Preach, Kira.
  14. "Suddenly" - possibly the ultimate couple skate song. Who didn't have an awkward couple skate moment to this song at some point in their life?
  15. Kira's boot skates. I would wear these and I'm not a roller-skating muse.
  16. Danny and Sonny planning their club. The end result is what would happen if the 40s and the 80s had a baby and that baby grew up in 80s night clubs and wore a lot of neon and skirts with oddly placed slits. Then the weird merge between the decades happens at the end of the song. And then the world ends or something with jazz hands.
  17. Danny can just recite the Coleridge poem "Kubla Khan" for fun. Do people (outside of English majors who are trying too hard) actually do this?
  18. And now let's discuss the animated sequence. Is this how PG rated movies have always handled sex? Sonny and Kira appear as animated versions of themselves on a rose and then morph into fish and birds and then back to the rose. I don't really know how to feel about this part of the film. Words really can't describe it so you should just watch it for yourself. And by the way, this is all courtesy of Don Bluth who also brought you An American Tail.
  19. And then Gene Kelly gets roller skates too.
  20. "I'm a muse." "I'm glad someone is having a good time." Ha!
  21. "Muses are just supposed to inspire." Not have feelings and not fall in love with Michael Beck and his vest.
  22. Today I realized that if Kira and Sonny had babies, those babies would have the most amazing feathered 80s hair ever. The child's hair would be epic.
  23. And then Sonny becomes a petulant child. "There's no Xanadu because there's no Kira." And my favorite, "Dreams die." Yes, they do Sonny, yes they do.
  24. The sad ELO song plays and Sonny skates around trying to find where Kira came from. Then he finds the mural and skates into it. In very tiny shorts. Which brings us to Sonny meeting Zeus (in very tiny shorts). This entire sequence looks like something from the first Tron movie.
  25. Gods take Mortal History Class because they don't care about love or feelings and have no concept of time so they have to learn about it in class. This makes so much sense."Maybe just one moment. Or forever. I keep getting them mixed up too." Thanks Zeus.
  26. Finally Xanadu (the club) opens. For years, this is how I envisioned adult nightlife. And Gene Kelly is back on skates (which is surreal). Can this place please exist for real?
  27. "Xanadu" morphs into a weird song with multiple genres and costume changes. I do dig the country section (mainly for the boots) and it all leads to Kira and the other muses going back home.
  28. But all is not lost. "Magic" plays in the background as a sad Sonny looks to the sky, pining for Kira. Sonny wears an awesome Xanadu jacket (should've been a vest) and Kira is brought back to him in the form of a waitress. And love and magic conquers all.
I've decided that people who don't like this movie have no heart. There's something for everyone: Gene Kelly, dancing, Michael Beck in a vest, roller-skating, Olivia Newton-John being awesome, awkward animation, and Greek mythology.

Do you think I could convince 8 of my friends to dress likes muses for Halloween this year? Roller-skating muses? 

Image from http://photos.lucywho.com/michael-beck-photos-t49395.html

Saturday, September 15, 2012

It's a colorful day in the neighborhood

What a lovely day for a run around Richmond (more specifically the speedway)! I found out about The Color Run from Anita over the summer. I checked out the website and immediately decided to sign up. DC was full so I decided to take the short drive to Richmond and take part there. Thankfully, my friends Meghan and Adam live in Richmond and were game to join me. I like partners in crime!

The Color Run is a 5K run/walk billed as "the Happiest 5K On The Planet." It's about having fun and celebrating happiness. Each city partners with a local charity (Richmond's was CHAT-Churchill Activities and Tutoring). Every runner has to wear a white shirt. By the end of the run, you'll have passed through four different color stations and be covered in fantastic color. It's awesome.

Any day that starts with watching an episode of She-Ra Princess of Power is going to be a great day. The weather was perfect - sunny and breezy, not too hot. We were in wave 6 and took about an hour to walk the course. Along the way we saw great costumes, adorable children running like it was field day, and people having a fantastic time. At the end, we decided to throw our color packets at one another - both Meghan and I ended up with tons of green in our hair and Adam had orange all over his face. 

I can't wait to do this again next year. I hope Meghan and Adam will join me again. We discussed possible costume ideas - everyone seemed to have a tutu or a cape on and we felt underdressed. I'm thinking next year we go the super hero route and wear capes and fantastic colored socks.

Enjoy the pictures! I need to work on getting the rest of the green out of my hair!!

































Thursday, September 13, 2012

Pretty in Pink


I've often wondered what it would be like to meet one of my idols. I have many: writers, political figures, teachers, and of course, movie stars. Many of my celebrity idols are actresses from 80s movies and punk/glam musicians from the 70s and 80s. If I had to narrow it down, I'd say that Molly Ringwald and Patti Smith are probably my top two.

As I previously posted, I have a serious issue with being awkward. Certain situations just make me act like a complete moron. There's a moment in Sixteen Candles that encapsulates this feeling entirely: it's the part where Samantha slides down the wall outside the gym and starts crying. The popular girls come by and she immediately has to act cheery and breezy and fails miserably. Samantha is my favorite of Molly Ringwald's characters and it's the role that made her my idol. I wanted to be Molly Ringwald when I was 12; I've since realized that when was 12 I really wanted to be Samantha but that doesn't make me love Molly Ringwald any less. I've also admired her as she grew up - her story isn't typical of most of the actors from her generation (or however you want to describe them) many of whom struggled with fame. Molly Ringwald always seemed normal. And now she's a real live grown-up in addition to being an actor, a writer, a musician, and a mom. Admirable.

I found out that she would be coming through DC on her book tour for her new novel, When It Happens to You (this is why I love Twitter). I decided to go to the book event; I enjoyed her first book and figured that this would be my only opportunity to meet one of my idols. Somedays I am a genius.

You have to hand it to Molly Ringwald; she handled questions about the Brat Pack, John Hughes's death, and a rambling old lady with grace and poise. She thanked everyone for their questions and was generally nice. You could tell the audience was made up of a lot of people like me and we were all a little giddy and really excited. I heard one woman comment that the evening was "transformative" for her (she's a writer too and asked a question about process that was really good). I felt the same way.

I don't just write this blog because I don't have anything better to do or because the world needs more people writing about random movies and their cat (clearly the world does). I do it because it's a creative outlet for me and I love to write. Just like Molly Ringwald. Her answers to questions about process and transitioning from one career to another and about making art were really inspiring. It wasn't just that the woman who played Samantha, Andie, and Claire was right there; it was that she was agreeing with the conversations I have with myself about this blog and my other writing. One of my favorite quotes from the night, "Good writing finds its way."

And yes, I did get to meet her. My friend Daniella went with me and we had yellow post-its on our books so we got to get in line first (although Daniella talked her way into a yellow post-it which I admire greatly). We were told that Molly wouldn't be posing for photos, just signing books. We could take pictures at the beginning of the talk and while we were in line. Daniella, being the amazing friend and partner in crime she is, took my picture while Molly was signing my book. She told me I looked star-struck. Totally true. I wasn't awkward - I told Molly that I enjoyed her first book and her movies and was looking forward to reading this book too. She said thank you and was very polite. That's all a person can ask for.



Saturday, September 8, 2012

There are two kinds of people in this world...

There are lots of people in this world and usually they can be broken down into two kinds: Those who like Saints football and those who think their team is better (these people are bananas). Those who drink bourbon and those who don't. Those who wear skinny jeans and those who know better.

And most importantly: Those who enjoy the movie Rhinestone and those who don't.

One of my friends has a blog called Bad Shakespeare. Recently, he posted about not liking the movie Tree of Life. When telling someone that he didn't like the movie, they told him he was watching it wrong and didn't understand. That's a silly argument and clearly my friend got the movie; he just didn't like it. I also don't like this movie and I get it. I'm not wrong and neither is Bad Shakespeare or the people who liked the movie. That's the beauty of life - we all get to like what we like and have opinions. That's what makes us interesting (and infuriating).

After reading this post I got to thinking about a conversation I had back when I was teaching. I taught 9th and 12th grade at a small Catholic school in Meraux, LA. In addition to teaching, I also ran the drama club. My first year at the school was kind of a rough one: the new performing arts center was supposed to open in time to do a fall and spring show but it kept getting delayed. I ended up only being able to do a spring show and it had to be a musical. My principal "suggested" that we do The Sound of Music. I reluctantly agreed and started working on getting the production off the ground.

I was meeting with the vice principal one day and he brought up the musical. We got into a heated discussion about high and low art. He was the kind of person who didn't like musicals or pop culture. He liked opera and the classics and thought that The Sound of Music was ridiculous and unnecessary. Now I'm not really sure what he would have preferred our high school drama club to perform but trust me The Sound of Music was totally appropriate and mildly entertaining.

I don't really like the notion that some forms of art are better than other forms simply because of their value or their perceived importance in culture or history. The concept of high art (or culture) typically focuses on art that is reserved for an elite group of people (the aristocracy or wealthy). Low art (or popular art or culture) tends to be that which is mainstream and the art of the masses. Some (like my VP) consider it trivial or dumbed-down. Personally, I don't think life would be that interesting if you didn't have both forms of art. They need one another to exist and to thrive. We need Beethoven as much as we need boy bands. Graffiti on an abandoned building in Detroit is as interesting and expressive as Chinese calligraphy.

And this brings me back to Rhinestone. Obviously, I love movies and I watch a lot of them. I like most genres and am an equal opportunity viewer. I enjoy the big summer action hero movie as much as I love Wes Anderson's latest movie. I've seen my share of "important" and "artistic" films and have liked some and hated others. I love John Waters as much as I love Fellini. And I love Rhinestone.

Sometimes you just want to sit and enjoy a ridiculous movie about a sassy country singer in New York named Jake (Dolly Parton) who has 2 weeks to turn a cabbie named Nick (Sly Stallone) into a bona fide country star or else she has to sleep with her sleazy manager. It's pretty funny and totally mindless and probably the epitome of low art - and that's just fine with me. A few of my favorite moments:

  • Sly's hair is higher than his IQ.
  • There is nothing subtle about this movie - from Dolly's costumes to Sly's sleeveless shirts to the dialogue.
  • Sly Stallone gets a screenplay credit for this one - maybe he's a secret comic genius.
  • "I know what howdy means. I read. " Nick's funeral director dad upon meeting Jake
  • "His brain is not finished growing." Nick's mom on Nick. I feel like I should use this quote all the time.
  • Jake tries to teach Nick how to be Southern - walking like a cowboy, talking like a cowboy (you know, because Stallone isn't hard enough to understand), and eating like a cowboy (mixing your peas and no butter on a biscuit). Maybe this should be a real thing: Southerners can teach non-Southerners to be more Southern. I imagine this would include courses on how to dress appropriately, food, alcohol consumption, and how if you can't say anything nice you should sit next to me.
  • Nick's first country song after he sees the "country light."
  • That super awkward moment when Jake and Nick dance. And then kiss in the hallway. And then they have sex. Yep, that happened.
  • And then Nick becomes totally country. As if by magic.
  • By the way his stage name is Howlin' Nick Martinelli. 
  • This movie costs $98 on Amazon. I don't understand why that is so I'm thankful for my DVR and the cable station Encore. I can watch this movie whenever I want.
  • And my favorite, "Freddy, there are two kinds of people in this world and you ain't one of them." Preach, Dolly, preach.
Life is all about balance and it's important to remember that in your cultural life too. 


You're welcome.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

A Girl Named Awkward

I was driving to work this week and happened to pop in a mix tape (CD to the kids) entitled "Johnny, Loretta, and Neko Walk into a Bar." That would be Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Neko Case. The mix rotated between the three as if they were having a conversation while having a drink at a bar (and yes, it's as awesome as it sounds). The song A Boy Named Sue came on and I realized just how much I love this song. If you've never heard this song (you shouldn't admit that in public), here's the video:


So basically, Sue is a dude who's dad named him that and then left him and his mama. Sue spent his life being tough (because he had to with a name like Sue) and trying to find his dad and seek his revenge. When Sue does find dad and is set to kill him, well, dad explains that he knew he'd have to leave so he named his son Sue to make him tough and help him survive. Yep, it makes perfect sense in a country song.

If Sue's dad named him Sue to make him tough and be able to handle anything life threw at him, would my parents naming me Awkward have made me the most confident human being in the world? Can the logic of this song work in real life? I would really love if it did.

Awkward. Even the word itself sounds weird and well, awkward. I was hoping at some point in my life awkwardness would not be a major problem. I figured I'd grow out of teenage awkward and into a more confident and awesome woman. I feel like I can say this about myself in my work life: Give me a room full of angsty counselors who don't want to be there and don't want to learn anything new and I can keep their attention AND convert a few to rabid fans by the end of training. It's what I do: training is part teaching and part performance and I have become a very gifted teacher/performer over the last several years. In this area, I have the confidence of a much taller person.

However, socially I don't ever feel this kind of confidence. I wrote about my friend quest earlier this year and that's part of this problem. I'm not an instigator when it comes to making friends or dating. I don't walk up to people randomly and introduce myself. I would be terrible at speed dating or friending because small talk makes me sound like a moron. It's awkward and uncomfortable. I ramble, I talk about stupid things, I sound like I'm trying too hard. When I like a guy, all that I can muster is the most awkward conversations possible. It's like my normal smart, funny self steps away from my body and I'm left with my awkward teenage self. And then (because I'm a girl) I obsess over what I should have said and dissect the conversation for more meaning. Vicious, vicious cycle.

And this is why I have to meet Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy. I've loved these two since the first time I saw Pretty in Pink (despite the awful dress) and loved many other films they've been in over the years. They've made the transition from awkward teen actors to grown-up actors to real life authors. They each have a new book coming out this month and are on book tours that just happen to bring them to the DC area.  I have tickets to these events. I enjoyed Molly Ringwald's first book Getting the Pretty Back. It was funny and made me like her as a person not just someone I wanted to be when I was 12. Her new book is a novel and it sounds amazing. Andrew McCarthy is a travel writer - something I would love to do. His new book is about travel and figuring out life and commitment and I can't wait to read it.

What I'm hoping is that by seeing these two people that I've admired the majority of my life, I will somehow figure out how to be a grown-up. They did it, so why can't I?

Video from youtube.com