Want to help Thai people who suffered the worst flood our country ever had in recent history? Please donate to the Thai Red Cross Society. Your money will be well spent and will get to the flood victims most effectively. You can wire the money directly with the instructions provided when you click on the main, green banner. Or choose another donation method by selecting “Donation Online” banner on the left and choose “”Relief for Disaster Victims and Disadvantaged in

It’s been 6 months since my career change. I have experienced so much in half a year than I’ve ever had in a long time. Obviously, I’ve experienced being completely and totally unemployed. I’ve experienced life as an independent contractor, working with a few clients on a few small projects; as a hired hand for any odd jobs; and as a party hostess and promoter for a product. And now as a full-time freelancer at a huge advertising firm. I’ve

All who wander are not lost. But when you’ve wandered around a while, you’re starting believe that you might really be lost. Since my 6-year career at the nonprofit ended in March, I’ve been wandering in and out of small projects and side jobs, and online and in-person interviews. I’ve wandered into the territory of full-time freelancing, puffed up with optimism and confidence. But some negative experiences with people along with what Seth Godin called “Lizard Brain”–the resistance part of

I don’t know why only recently did people suddenly pay attention to geek girls. LA Times did a whole story about it the other day based on the nerdy ladies of television shows.  And now College Humor came out with this video, which is, by the way, pretty much the how my small talk at mixers or networking events usually goes… I’m not quite as geeky as this chick in the video here, mind you. I have girl friends who

A few years back, I announced my commitment to using my own tote bags for grocery shopping.  Last year, I also turned to shopping at local farmers market more after having watched Food Inc., which for me means the one at Alamitos Bay in Long Beach on Sundays. This market, because of the proximity to the water, does not allowed the use of plastic bags.  Paper only over here except for the pre-bagged salads and other veggies, the salad vendors,

My friend Gregg (@fstop23) died last week after a battle with cancer. Since his diagnosis in October, he had put up a great fight. But cancer, being a cheating, murderous mother fucker that it is, got the upper hand mid-March. His death completed the “it comes in three” circle for me personally.  (Remember 2 former coworkers from earlier this year?) Folks have been writing wonderful things about Gregg and how his life and death impact them. I wrote about three

First week of 2011 and the goals have gone mostly untouched. Alas. The first cold of 2011. The game changer. I made New Year’s Eve dinner of 40 clove garlic chicken to feed James and Aurora and her sister Lee.  I took pictures of everything as it would be my first post for HmmFoodGood for 2011 according to Goal #5.  We sipped some wine and hung out until 11:30 before Brandon and I shambled home before the drunks got back

I’m sure some college students everywhere have written papers on the dynamic of a love triangle in literature and pop culture.  I haven’t really thought about it all that much until recently. Two girls fighting over one guy, it’s always some trashy cat fight.  But when two boys fight over one girl, it’s romantic. Interesting, right? Well, obviously the whole Twilight thing with vampire Edward and werewolf Jacob fighting over Bella. Girls and their mothers swoon.  (As you know I’m

We’re child-free by choice. We don’t hate kids.  And we make great auntie and uncle.  We just like to play with them and hand them off to the parents at the end of the day. We adore Brandon’s two nieces age 8 and 11.  We can hardly wait to hang out with Aurora and James’ 2-year-old Dresden and baby Chloe.  Olaina and Justin’s Ella is still too little to play with but we didn’t mind hanging out with her too.

When disaster strikes somewhere in the world, if the media and celebrity is on board especially, suddenly you see the surge of donations and fundraisers everywhere. But what about the everyday?  Where did that overflowing of generosity and kindness go? Last week, my bus buddy was sitting with a bunch of other commuters waiting for the bus.  There was no room to sit so I was standing around the corner.  Once these folks got up to get on their bus,