Care and feeding of a writer...

When I was still working at my day job, I didn't have time to do a lot of home cooking. Most often, dinners consisted of takeout, Earthfare or Whole Foods deli, or delivery. Now that I'm working from home again, I have time to cook for myself. It's definitely healthier and (surprisingly) I'm better at it than I thought I would be. Even though I had to call a friend and ask how to cook fresh broccoli. I have Food Network on in the background on my office television for most of the day and have made a lot of the recipes (found a good one for broccoli with garlic and olive oil from Rachael Ray). I baked a chicken (OK, I did forget to take out the bag of ick stuffed inside until it was halfway done, but the chicken was still good). I made homemade pizza with wheat crust. I located my wok, which hasn't been used in about five years, and made stir fry. I've discovered that I actually like the chopping of the vegetables, the prepping of the food, and even shopping for the recipes.

It never occurred to me that my newfound experimentation with cooking would have an impact on others. And I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I've probably ordered takeout from the same Chinese Food place (very healthy, no MSG, and they have brown rice) two or three times a week for the past five years. Yesterday, I discovered a menu from said restaurant under my door with the following hand-scrawled note:

"Just stopped by to see how you were. We haven't heard from you in a while and we miss you. Signed, Joe."

Joe was my regular delivery guy. We knew each other by name. In fact, when my friend Aleigh was visiting after I had surgery in January and we ordered Chinese food, she answered the door and Joe was very surprised to see her face instead of mine.

I might have to give them a ring one night this week and skip the home cooking, just because I miss Joe too. And I have yet been able to recreate their sesame buckwheat soba noodles on my own.

Sometimes my notes from the Universe are so spot on I worry that the Universe can read my mind...

Today's Note from the Universe:

Always keep in mind, Kelly Love, that no matter what has happened, you did the very best you could.

And so did those who may have let you down.

Love,
The Universe

Weeeeeired.

Great big steps...

Many of you are already aware, but I've been away from here for a while and thought I'd get the official announcement out of the way so I can go back to my regular navel-gazing and micro-introspection. I've left my job at Skirt as of last week. A lot of people have gotten in touch (and I love you for it) and want to know why. The best way I can explain is to paraphrase from an email from a friend this week: "Little tiny dreams, Kelly Love, require little tiny thoughts and little tiny steps. Great big dreams require great big thoughts and great big steps."

I accomplished so many of my goals while I was at Skirt and I've made a positive decision to move on. I loved my job and I was really good at it, but sometimes that just isn't enough. I'm taking some time right now to figure out what my next move will be, but I am looking forward to what's ahead. My cell number will remain the same, for those of you who have it. My new email address is kellylovejohnson AT mindspring.com. Please feel free to email me there any time!

And don't call me "baby..."

We've come a long way, but we're still portrayed in the media as "bitches," "nags," "whores," "ball-breakers," a pair of tits, brainless, and "wicked witches." The United States trails well behind the rest of the world when it comes to gender parity in politics (we rank 68th) and in the workplace (2007 Dept. of Labor stats say we earn 80.4 cents for every dollar our male counterparts earn). Current election aside, isn't this something we should - women and men - be taking issue with?


A friend sent me this video by the Women's Media Center this morning. I personally do not need another reason to dislike Chris Matthews, Michelle Malkin, Tucker Carlson, Bill O'Reilly, and the slew of others who seem to enjoy demeaning women on a split screen. But if you do, this video will get you there.

"Any woman who chooses to behave like a full human being should be warned that the armies of the status quo will treat her as something of a dirty joke. That's their natural and first weapon. She will need her sisterhood."
~Gloria Steinem

Clearly, all things are not equal. Until we start working together, speaking up, talking about the obstacles for female candidates, talking about how women are portrayed in the media, writing letters to "news" channels that claim to be unbiased, women will continue to be marginalized. What you can do: Sign the petition at the Womens Media Center. Start a dialogue (the same friend who sent me the video is having a "She Devils" party for Hillary supporters later this month). Run for office. Support other women when they run for office. Find your voice and speak up.

Spoletians...

Highlight of the weekend: I was in the front row for Scheer McBrayer improv at Theatre 99 last evening...laughed for the entire performance. I managed to sneak in a little video with my camera...didn't want to get caught so it's short, but these guys were great. And I needed a good laugh (who the hell doesn't?).



I have to admit there were a few points during the show when I was like, "holy crap I could reach out and touch Jack McBrayer's cute little tennis shoes" because I LOVE him on 30 Rock. Also? Paul Scheer was one of the most talented improv comedians I've ever seen.