It's real to me.

I think we've all done it at least once, whether it’s in the privacy of our own home or amongst mixed company, at some point or another all of our fingers have drifted into to the air and strummed those imaginary strings, played those invisible keys, and beat those make-believe drums. This morning during my walk to work I witnessed the evolution of the air instrument; as I came to a stop light there it was, right in front of me. Before me sat a man engulfed in the middle of an intense drum solo; what made this so notable was the fact that not only was this man driving, but that he actually had drum sticks. I watched him mesmerized thinking that he'd stop once the light changed, but he just gripped the steering wheel (with the sticks still in hand) and just wiggled his wrists as he drove away. I always thought that it was the fantasy that made the air instrument so special, but with this moment I realized that it's the element of reality that makes it truly extraordinary. I don't play the drums, but I can definitely start carrying guitar picks around with me.

The Barest Minimum.

The Fair Labor Standards Act first set a national minimum wage in 1938. It set out to assure "the maintenance of the minimum standard of living necessary for health, efficiency, and general well-being of workers."

I just learned that as of 24 July 2007 the federal minimum wage will be increased to $5.85/hr. This means that people working a standard 40 hour work week, will be bringing home an unimaginable $936/month BEFORE TAXES. I don't know about you, but I find something incredibly wrong and infuriating about this. Try for a moment to picture your life on roughly $750/month, and then remember that the only people that can do anything about this are the voters in this country. I was making $5.50/hr at my first part-time job, and I know that the cost of living has increased more than $0.35/hr over the last 10 years...that's just not right.

Tenacious.

I was thinking today, I never quit a game of Spider Solitaire until I've beaten it...no matter how long it takes. I think if I approached life with the same voracious tenacity I could rule the world.

It just takes a little imagination.

Sometimes, when I get bored at work, I use the poster tubes and pretend that my chair is actually a roller coaster.

Funny Signs...part 2.

Not sure I want to know about that experience.

Le Belle Nozze...Belle & Brandon (The Reception)

After the nuptials it was off to the courtyard for cocktail hour where we enjoyed hors d'oeuvres wine, champagne, and an original song by Jessie dedicated to her sister and new brother.

After cocktails the fun really began; drinks, dinner, dancing, the best wedding singer ever, but the real party was at table 3...

It got to the point that even when the glasses were empty, we still had reason to toast...

Here's to Isabelle & Brandon, Congratulations!

Le Belle Nozze...Belle & Brandon (The Wedding)

On Saturday 7.7.07, the day that Isabelle has been saying she would marry as long as I've known her, marry she did...

I can honestly say, I've never seen two people happier to get married.

Le Belle Nozze...Belle & Brandon (The Rehearsal)

This past weekend friends and family headed from all directions to Santa Barbara for the beautiful wedding of Brandon and Isabelle. Friday, after a beautiful drive up the coast, I arrived at Isabelle's parents home for the rehearsal. Even through the last minute construction you could see the beauty that was to be seen the following evening, and with the pacific ocean as the backdrop...beautiful it was.

After the rehearsal we headed to dinner at the Sunstone Vineyard about 45 minutes north of Santa Barbara. The drive took a bit longer because our bus broke down and we had to switch automobiles on the side of the road...

When we finally arrived it was well worth the wait, a beautiful setting, wonderful food and company, and a great time to celebrate a great couple.

It was such a wonderful night, and it was only the beginning. On a seperate note; if you ever make it to the Sunstone Vineyard try the Pinot Grigio...it's incredible.

Funny Signs at the Office.

I guess someone had a bad experience.

A brotherly visit.

Tolu came to visit me...

He wanted to get his feet in the sand.

Irony.

I just read today's horoscope...

"The nice thing about getting older is that you're able to figure out what's an actual problem and what's an irritation. In fact, as you continue to gain wisdom, less and less falls into the 'problem' category. "

Oh, I wasn't expecting that.

No details, because I don't feel like sharing, but I was up for a job at a production company and I heard back this afternoon that I didn't get it. As if that wasn't disappointing enough, especially given that this is the first job I've felt even a twinge of excitement towards since I don't know...my high school graduation; the phone conversation letting me down gently made it even worse.

We started off with a little small talk about the holiday, she told me how great she thought I was, how much she enjoyed meeting me, but how unfortunately they've decided to go with someone else. "Man, that sucks," I thought to myself as she continued to describe the person who was getting my job. She told me that the scab was a referral from one of the other producer's agent, and that though she really liked me they opted to go for somebody younger. Younger?!?!? Need I remind you biotches that I celebrated my 25th birthday a month ago...younger?

I'm still in the beginning of my career, how the hell can I already be over the hill?!?! I feel like my husband just left me for someone half my age, the only problem is I'm supposed to be the 25 year-old floozy! Younger....unbelievable.

We plan, God Laughs.

A month gone by.

So, where have you been? What have you seen? What have you done?

Oddly enough as my silence would make it seem, a good deal has happened over the last 30-some days. The road I was on at the beginning of my hiatus looks quite different than the one I am on now.

I had finally made a decision, I was going to school...a Master's program in screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University...a good plan. I enrolled in classes, I envisioned my return to academia, and all that remained was my financial aid package. Well, the package came but it certainly didn't contain a gift...$20,000 in loans, 12K of which were unsubsidized, and with that another plan derailed.

But wait...I also got into University of London...that could work. That's it, I'm moving to London. I'm going to be a starving Nigerian-American-English writer. I'll live in a flat near the Embassy Theater, work at a coffee shop or pub, and have a whirl wind romance with an English gent named Nigel. Perfect. Hehehe...do you hear the laughter? Don't worry, it's just Jesus. You're telling me this move is going to cost me how much? And that's in addition to the tuition, yeah? Well, I suppose London will always be there.

Back to search for the perfect job. I 've had more that my share of missteps, I guess. My resume is deep with experience. You might say that my focus is a bit lacking these days. I want to be a writer, I want to be an actress, I want to take pictures and play music, I want to dance, I don't want to sit in an office, I want to watch movies and read books, I want travel, I want time...the search continues, and for now I temp. Four and a half months here, one week there, one day at that place, two weeks at this place, a few promising interviews, a call-back from an old job, a chance for change...either way, at least this place is close enough to walk to.

- I can't help it the road just rolls out behind me. -