I think everybody has THAT song, that when they hear it they are magically trance-ported to another world. I know whenever I hear Anyway You Want It by Journey…I’m back in junior high (young people: it’s what we had before Middle School). Whenever I hear Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf, I’m cruising the southwest side of Cleveland, Ohio with my bestie Todd Stuart in my 1984 Chevy Cavalier drinking a nasty beer called Little Kings (young people: do not drink Little Kings and drive). Whenever I hear KC and The Sunshine Band, I can’t help but think of thinking how cute KC was, performing on Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with those hot bell bottom pants and platform (boogie) shoes.

For 18 years, I was a professional people watcher, also known as a “comedian.” I got paid to watch humans and report on the weirdness of what they do in the funniest way possible. After many years of training, I now simply walk into any room and in one glance can put together someone’s background.

The Ghosts of Crafts Past...my mother used to get me all kinds of craft things when I was growing up. She loved sewing and crafts, my family members loved sewing and crafts, so it was just a natural progression that I did them too. Somehow, the crafting gene that was supposed to be transmitted genetically by my DNA skipped a chromosome and passed me over. When I did paint by numbers, it was supposed to be like coloring, only my landscape painting was really drippy...and required the furniture to be professionally cleaned.

To say I had an unusual upbringing would be an understatement. While my friends were headed to conventional vacation places like Disney or Cedar Point on a Memorial Day Weekend, my parents would pack up their 1926 Dodge Brothers Touring Sedan with a picnic basket (complete with a portable liquor cabinet)(it was almost okay to drive a little tipsy in the 70’s) and ride off to something like The Milan Melon Festival in Milan, Ohio. On the way home we’d hit The Blue Hole which was a huge blue hole in the ground that was deeper than the Marianna Trench. Of course, know one knew who Marianna was much less her “trench,” so making irresponsible claims like that was pretty safe.

Long, long ago, in a galaxy pretty darn close to us…we celebrate Star Wars Day on May the 4th! It’s hard to believe how a movie that opened nearly 44 years ago is still influencing us today, thanks to memorable characters, a twisted timeline, and of course, ingenious marketing. The movie Star Wars debuted and made movie history as one of the largest grossing films of all time. When I watched Star Wars for the first time at the age of 8 I knew I was hooked.

We are all naturally drawn to optimistic and enthusiastic individuals or parties. Both in our private life or in the workplace. A safe, happy, passionate, and intellectually engaging environment enhances our own levels of energy and trust.

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” but positive thinking really does have more power than we give it credit for. The way we think is connected to our actions and behaviors, thus positive thinking is linked to more positive outcomes.

It’s hard to believe that 6 years ago, I was sitting in my apartment crying. My husband and I split after 20 years together. I was no longer living in my dream home on the water, I was living in a 600 sq ft apartment overlooking a sports bar. I was driving 1.5 hours a day to take care of my mother, who was in the hospital for the 4th time in 4 months. Taking care of her took so much time I couldn’t do any of the things I loved (comedy and hypnosis). I was deep in debt and driving for Uber to make some extra money in the little spare time I had. Did I mention the man I had been dating dumped me for another woman? It was a rough time for me.

We've all heard the phrase, "You snooze, you lose!" But studies show the exact opposite is true...you lose when you don't snooze. Check out some of our best tips on how to make the most of your down time.

In today’s news:

Disney+ gives The Muppet Show an “offensive content” disclaimer before select episodes.

Ever since I was a teenager, I have kept a journal. I was an only child and my parents worked a lot, so instead of talking to others I simply began writing down my experiences. Of course, when you’re the daughter of overprotective parents and home by yourself for hours on end as a teenager in the 1980’s…you don’t have much to write about. “Why do my parents work so much?” “I wish I was more popular.” “Rick Springfield is so hot, I wanna be his girlfriend.”

A few weeks ago, I was selected to present at Hypnothoughts 2021 in July/August. It's one of the largest Hypnosis conferences in the country. They receive hundreds of submissions to speak, and I am honored to have been selected. Every now and then, the conferences hosts put out a "challenge" for all of the hypnotists to participate in.