Cafe Gratitude

My partner and I had a babysitter yesterday (the crowd goes wild!!!), and got to spend some much-needed "grownup time" together. We visited some bookstores, drove around talking and laughing our heads off, and just generally enjoyed reconnecting.

With about an hour left of our grownup time, we decided to stop in somewhere for tea and a snack before heading back into our lives as parents to two very energetic boys.

We ended up at Cafe Gratitude on Harrison St., and walked in without any idea of what we were getting into. 

You can read more about the cafe and their philosophy here. Please do!

I'll just say that it was the perfect place to spend a small part of my Thanksgiving weekend. It seems to me that Thanksgiving, which should be all about abundance and appreciation of what we have, has been transformed into a holiday that's all about not having enough (and not having the "right" things). And of course, Christmas is right around the corner ... and we are supposed to need/buy/want more and more and more and more ... (don't get me started on Christmas).

So for me, happening into Cafe Gratitude yesterday was a wonderful way to reorient myself in the midst of this weird holiday greed-fest. And the food was fantastic, to boot!

Am I sufficiently fascinating?

Last week I had a screening interview for a spot on a talk radio show. The host interviews Bay Area psychics, alternative healers, and other guests of interest to the metaphysical community. 

I've worked as an actor since I was a kid, and I know a thing or two about getting through an audition. But this was different -- there was no script, no role to read for. The host was going to audition me to see if I was interesting (and credible) enough to be a guest on her show. I couldn't fall back on someone else's scripted words or a well-rehearsed monologue. 

As I sat in my office and waited for the phone to ring, I was nervous. What was I going to say? What if I sounded like a moron? Or said something stupid? Or ... worst of all ... what if I found I had absolutely nothing to say at all? 

The phone rang.

I took a deep breath, sent up a prayer for the right words at the right time, and answered.

Once I let go of my fear, the interview went very well. In fact, the host and I ended up chatting a lot longer than we'd  intended. So apparently I am sufficiently fascinating ... at least for one hour's worth of radio time! ;-)

I've been booked for Monday 22 December from 8:00 to 9:00 pm. You can get info about the show here.

Foggy Saturday

Out for a walk with the dog on a very foggy Saturday! These photos were taken in McLaren Park. Although it wasn't raining, the fog was so heavy we were soaked by the time we got home.