Don't Give Up

Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swaps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists.. it is real.. it is possible.. it's yours."
— Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged)

Understanding my economist

Until and unless you discover that money is the root of all good, you ask for your own destruction. When money ceases to become the means by which men deal with one another, then men become the tools of other men. Blood, whips and guns--or dollars. Take your choice--there is no other.
— Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged)

This summer I've been reading Atlas Shrugged. It's Ayn Rand's quintessential text, and it's one of my economist of a husband's favorite books. As I read this incredible book, I'm learning more about Bryan, his philosophy on life and progress, and how important choosing the right woman is.

The story is intricate, a sort of "crazy quest" as the lead Dagny Taggert, acting Vice President of Operations for Taggert Transcontinental Railroads, tries to solve the mystery of why people are pulling out of the market, why the greatest philosopher of all time is a cook at a diner, how to keep the American economy progressing despite efforts by public opinions and politicians in Washington constantly thwarting efforts sans any real evidence of necessity besides stale phrases about profit and greed. It's probably one of the best reads of my life. It's transforming me. I can understand why Bryan loves this book, and I would love to geek out about Atlas Shrugged with anyone else who takes on the challenge of the 1000+ page novel that shakes your ideas on how the world should function.

I will continue to post my favorite posts from my reading. There are so many wonderful passages. And I'm on my way to learning, "Who is John Galt?"

Happy Birthday, Brooke!

Happy 21st Birthday, Brooke!

Cleaning the Homeless

A lot of people have a hard time dealing with the needy and the homeless. When we pass needy people on the street, we don't give them money or food or love.

What my grandfather is doing is not only a hobby of his, he's changing the lives of these needy people in Orlando one load of laundry at a time.

Watch my grandfather Ernie Mander on the local news: http://www.clickorlando.com/video/23897041/

Wine.

A bottle of wine begs to be shared; I have never met a miserly wine lover.
Clifton Paul Fadiman

Magical Movery Stop #11

Stop #11: Gainesville
Friend: Fiorela Larrea

Like Allie, I've known Fiorela for forver. Like Allie, she's my best friend. We've got the same memories, the same thought process, the same IQ, the same love of Jeremiah's, the same need for the beach, the same curiousity and the same move-world-I'm-here attitude. It's just she was born in Peru and has a body to die for, and I was born here in Florida. There's other differences, too, but they are not as interesting as what I want to post next.

Rather than write a bunch of words, here are some pictures to tell a few thousand.







Three cheers for lifelong friendship. Oh, and road trips.

Magical Movery Stop #10

Stop #10: Tampa
Friends: Allie McKee and Robert Carlise

I've known Allie since middle school. We played softball on the same team for years, quit at the same time, took lots of nerdy AP classes together and graduated in the same year. We've liked the same boys, had the same friends and were victim to the same curfew. When we graduated high school, we went our separate ways, but we've always visited each other's campuses (FSU v. Clemson) and we've always maintained that level of intimacy you just can't form without years and years of history.


We hardly came without our best friend Fiorela. Pictured on the right.

She's my fellow Dane Cook lover, someone else who has Greg as an ex, my sufi friend and a silly, rational partner in crime. She was my bridesmaid, and she's my best friend. I am so excited to be visiting her in her new place in Tampa with her boyfriend Robert (who I also adore).

Bring on the good times.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy father's day to my Dad!



For the first time in awhile, I'm home to celebrate - and so are both my sisters. It's a truly awesome Father's Day.

Magical Movery Stop #9.2

Stop #9.2: Winter Springs, Florida
Family: Aunt Peggy, Uncle Ken, Kaleb and Jacob

Even more than visiting my parents and sisters, I'll get to see my two favorite cousins. Kaleb who is now eight, and Jacob who is now nearly two. They are growing so fast, and I hate missing out on their milestones. But, being the cousins that live the farthest, we somehow become the coolest. At least when we're in town.

And their parents are pretty awesome, too. They always order Chinese takeout when we come over and we talk about comedy, kids and how uncool everyone else is compared to us. You see, back in the day, before they had kids, they were the cool aunt and uncle. They had a big pink watch the size of a door hanging on their apartment's wall and my uncle had really long hair and tattoos because he was an undercover cop. They always had candy, and they drove sweet cars. They're still cool, but the baby thing sort of dampens the awesome what with their inability to stay out late or meet us somewhere on little notice.

I love them a ton, and I'm pumped to be visiting them. Plus, I gotta teach Kaleb a thing or two about Frisbee Dog.

Magical Movery Stop #9

Stop #9: Winter Springs, Florida
Family: my parents, Caralyn

In the past five years, my visits to family have been pretty infrequent, probably four times a year. It's sad when you think about it because for 17 years of my life, I was there everyday. I don't think I realized when I went to Clemson that, starting that fall, my visits home would really be just that: visits.

As the years have passed, I've become more attached to these visits. I firmly believe in at least three visits a year: a winter holiday, a summer vacation and a random visit. How else can I play a competitive round of Balderdash or compare wines or watch my father play guitar or see all of Cari's progress or help my mom with her hair? I love my visits home.


It's going to be a good stop. One of those long visits where we stay for a full week. My mother is so excited that she's taken off work for the whole week. She wants to take us to the beach, to get seafood and to Disney. I don't know if we'll have time for everything, but her excitement is too contagious for me to even care.

The next time I see my family, it will be Christmastime. I've got to make this trip full of Winter Springs things like Jeremiah's Italian Ice, attending my family's church, eating Tijuana Flats, walking Michelle's dog, visiting my grandparents three streets away, making mixed drinks with Caralyn, playing Wii Sports Resort like it's the Olympics, playing cards, playing board games, eating yummy food grilled by my dad, making a mess of my old room and running my old high school route. Three cheers for being home!

Magical Movery Stop #8

Stop #8: Jacksonville, Florida
Family: Michelle

It's not everyday that your littlest sister is living on her own, working full time and taking two semesters of summer school. Michelle wasn't always the girl who could buy herself a Jeep convertible or the girl who has been waiting six months to have her brother-in-law buy her sushi.

No, Michelle was the baby, the youngest of three very clever girls. She used to be the one my sister Caralyn and I would pay a dollar to go admit she ruined the carpet with grape juice or she dropped the phone in the pool. Michelle was the easy-going kid who really just wanted to play Lion King in her room, alone.

I guess I never really considered her more than a child, but over the past three years, she's grown up to be a kickass person and my best friend. She has worked her way from Steak-n-Shake to a chinese restaurant to Bahama Breeze where she is Assistant Manager, all at the age of 19. Plus, she's enrolled at UNF as a full time student. She amazes me with her ability to maintain friendships, build wealth, purchase a car and still be involved with family.

Because she's taking summer classes, she can't skip them to be home in Orlando with me and Bryan. So, we're bringing ourselves to her. We'll get to see her dorm room, meet some friends and take her to sushi. What more can you ask for?

Magical Movery Stop #7

Stop #7: Charleston, South Carolina
Family: Shawn & Jessica Campbell
Friends: Zach & Brooke Burroughs

This weekend, we are visiting my favorite city in all of the United States, the combination of all things wonderful: the South, the beach, seafood, history and proximity to family and friends.

Our lovely hosts for the 90 degree weekend are Bryan's cousin Shawn and his adorable wife Jessica. We haven't seen them since Christmas, and it will be so nice to catch up - and hang out without all the rest of the family.

We're hitting the beach Saturday with Zach and Brooke Burroughs. This powerhouse of a couple is killing med school. Zach is nearly Dr. Burroughs, and Brooke just graduated number one in her nursing class. If I get bit by a shark or stung by a jellyfish or torpedoed launched by a submarine, I will probably survive in their company.

Three days in Charleston is not nearly long enough to enjoy the crab cakes and the beautiful beaches and our dear friends, but it is all our schedule allows. I plan to live (and drink) it up.

Update on my IUD

The day we left Philadelphia, I visited my doctor to check on my IUD. Last month, I had a problem and the copper IUD fell out. The month before that, it was painfully inserted.

So far, it might seem like my experience with the IUD has been rough. Certainly, the insertion was painful. Certainly, it was scary to have the IUD fall. And certainly, those two are not great things.

Now that the hard part is over, I can sow. Until Bryan and I decide that pooping, drooling babies are ready to be part of our family, we're set. It's been really nice not to have to set my phone alarm to remember to take my pill. Or to worry about whether or not I'm pregnant each month. Even more, my cramps have severely lessened, my libido is way up, and my PMS is almost nonexistent. My body without hormones is truly my body - and I like it that way.

The next portion of my journey with an IUD will be the same: living life with lots of sex and no pregnancies. If there is a problem, I'll let you ladies know. When we decide to produce a Buckley baby, I'll let you know. Until then, I recommend the IUD for ladies in committed monogamous relationships who aren't interested in getting pregnant anytime in the next three (or more) years.

Especially if you are living out of a suitcase and traveling all summer. It's mighty hard to stock up on birth control pills.

Things I'd Have in My House If I was Rich

A library like the one in Beast's mansion
A butler, preferably the one from Mr. Deeds who is snnnnnnnnneaky
A maid that also gave great advice
A chef, preferably Curtis Stone
A gigantic pool with a swim-up bar
A Mac lab
A poker/casino room
A room full of all my artist friends' art

Magical Movery Tour Stop #6

STOP #6: Greenville, South Carolina

Family: Bryan's parents and Brooke

Friends: Jason Underwood and Meg Pierson

We can't wait to be back in upstate South Carolina. It will be nice to see Bryan's family again, to wash our clothes and to relax in a big house with a big tv. Bryan's dad is great with his grill, and we're looking forward to burgers, steaks and chicken. We're looking forward to playing Rock Band with Brooke, watching the many movies of the Buckley collection and catching up on our internet!

It will be awesome to once again see Bryan's best friend Jason Underwood. These guys have known each other for eight years, and you can tell. There's no other man (besides Bryan) that I'd rather hang out with than Jason. He's hilarious, weird and always fun.



I know they'll be filming some new Food Review videos, writing sketches and planning new comedy adventure. I'm excited to hit G-vegas with them and have some good nights.



Also in Greenville is the lovely Meg Pierson. This summer she is starring in the title role of Romeo and Juliet as a part of Shakespeare in the park. We're going to see her play the tragic Juliet in downtown Greenville, and I'm excited!

Meg is also going to show us around the museum and grab lunch, as we often do when we're in the same city. It feels like it's been a long time since we last saw Meg, probably since Christmas, and it will be so nice to catch up!

We're breathing again. Halfway through the Magical Movery Tour. Less than a month until we're living in Oklahoma!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today's my birthday!

Magical Movery Tour Stop #5

STOP #5: Carrboro, North Carolina
Friends: Jeff Brenman, Zannie Gunn, Molly Buckley, Colette Henderson, Joey Z, PT Scarborough, Tom Keller, John Reitz, Zach Ward, Greg Brainos, Kit Fitzsimons and everybody else!



This is one of my favorite places in the whole world. I love this place! I visited every February when I was in college, and each time had the best time. I moved right after graduating from college to perform and teach for DSI. And I lived there for a year living it up, performing it up and hanging out with some of the funniest people in the world.

I am PUMPED to be visiting on my birthday, for the third year in a row. When I knew we were road tripping, I planned this stop for June 6 first - and planned the rest of the trip around it. THAT's how much I love this place.



I can't wait to catch some shows, sneak into performing in one, grab drinks and laugh it up with my friends. Jeff Brenman, tech genius and improv hilarity, is hosting us again. I'm so excited to see my girl Zannie Gunn! and Molly Buckley! and Colette Henderson (and your new house)! Tom Keller! I'm excited to see all the boys on my old Harold team the 708. I'm excited to talk about Tahlequah Oklahoma with Joey Z who went to NSU! I'm excited to catch up with the man, the legend Zach Ward! I'm excited to eat some Asia Cafe, to smoke by the train tracks with PT, to get a million hugs and to laugh so hard I have to pee.


If you couldn't tell, I am excited!

Magical Movery Tour Stop #4

STOP #4: Washington, DC
Friends: Justin & Erin Scott

Moving down South, we're stopping at our dear friends' Justin & Erin's place. We've visited a few times already in the past year, and we're excited to visit again!

We love the Scotts. Bryan has known Justin for eight years, and we've been close with the Scotts as a couple for about four. Their wedding was our six month anniversary, and when we were engaged, the Scotts were there to talk about wedding stuff along with marriage stuff. Now, we're both good and married and we can talk about life stuff. And eat Erin's yummy pesto dip!

Life

The best years of your life are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own. You do not blame them on your mother, the ecology, or the president. You realize that you control your own destiny.
Albert Ellis

Little Victories You Can Be Proud Of

Waking up before ten on a day off
Saying no to a refill of Coke
Speeding up 500 feet away from a green light and having it turn yellow as you cross under it
Eating an apple instead of another piece of chocolate
Cleaning the bathroom
Not buying milk at the store because you think you still have some, and then coming home and seeing you do indeed have a mostly full gallon