My Mom's Christmas List

My mom is the smartest person I know. She's also the most supportive. I can't think of a single time when she's refused a person in need, even if it wasn't convenient or simple to help. Therefore, the Christmas wish list she posted to Facebook earlier isn't all that surprising to me, but it is inspiring, so I thought I'd share it (and hope she doesn't mind).

Dear Santa,
How have you been? How is Mrs. Claus? How are the reindeer? I have been very good this year, so I have a very long list. Please note the size and color of each. (Okay, so I didn't have much choice about being good, but really, I probably would have been good anyway even if I could afford to be bad ;-)...so, here goes:

1) One extra large size of happiness for all of my kids and rent-a-kids
‎2) A double shot of good health for all of my family and friends
3) A renewable subscription to hope for all those who despair
4) A venti non-fat no calorie sense of purpose for all who feel helpless
5) A dollop of good cheer to spread around the workplace
6) A giant size safety net to protect all those who serve
7) A bottomless cup of understanding to be shared among those who have hardened their hearts
8) A heart that grows three sizes for anyone who lacks compassion
9) A bright shiny new welcome wagon for those who are displaced or alone
10) and maybe a pair of gloves since I lost one of mine somewhere and now I can only keep 5 fingers warm at a time :-)

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Oh, and please play the song "Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let It Begin With Me" throughout the halls of all legislative bodies throughout the year.
Your Friend,
[My Mom]

"Who is Colin Farrell?"

About a year and a half ago, I got this text message from my mom, who was in California for a work-related conference, that just said, "Who is Colin Farrell?" This kind of random question isn't really odd for my family. My brother will probably never get a smartphone or use 411, because he just calls or texts me to ask where he can get a Bob Marley t-shirt in Virginia Beach at 2:00 in the morning. Anyway, I told my mom, who admits to just not being good with names, "He's an actor - you like him. He's one of the pretty ones. Why?" It turns out she accidentally had tea with him in her hotel. I think she'd have preferred to accidentally have tea with Hillary Clinton, who was also a guest there at the time. The next text message I received from my mom during that trip was asking me for the identity of the tall, attractive African-American actor on Heroes. I don't watch the show, so I had no answer for her other than, "why?" As it happened, she'd collided with him on a staircase. Along with the willingness to shoot the breeze with just about anyone, klutz runs strong in our family, you see.

All of this is to say that my mom has had more quirky Hollywood moments during her visits than I've had since I moved here. Yeah, this is my way of saying by the way, in case you didn't know, I moved to Los Angeles. I got to California on the 5th - Guy Fawkes Day, which I know we don't do in America, but it's easy to remember, remember.

I've been chastised for not writing about this sooner, and also for neglecting tales of driving across the country, experiences I've had, and people I've either gotten to meet or see more of since I got here, but I'll get to it. I promise. Just not today.