It was a different kind of week of sadness, more global, more visible, and at the same time more introspective. We lost two influential artists: first in David Bowie, who timed his goodbye album to drop two days before his death, and then barely had time to catch our collective breath before Alan Rickman passed. … Mourning Heroes, Artists

The weather has been schizophrenic this week, bouncing between almost 70s and low 20s so my lungs have been complaining to me. Odd news, like the fact that a) labiaplasties are a THING and b) that they’re one of the fastest-growing forms of plastic surgery in the English-speaking western world makes me respond with a … Changing

I was blessed with a week off in which I didn’t have to go anywhere I didn’t want to, do anything aside from rest and fun things, or spend too much time being a social butterfly. Although, for all that, the week kicked off with an annual family Christmas Eve gathering and some errands to … Sabbatical with a Side of Love

This week I read an article that outlines the severe under-representation of women in positions of power in the arts. It’s written in the style of a year-in-review, but includes some singularly disturbing stats: “Only 25% of the 178 songs in the Top 40 were sung by women, and there was only one song of … Motivation and Inspiration

The rush through to the end of the year is on, and the gatherings with colleagues, friends, and families are compounded. Luckily, for the most part, I’m blessed to know people who look past the commercial end of how the season is advertised, but I do find it fascinating that regardless of creed, as the … Season’s Greetings and Holiday Wishes

It’s startlingly easy for me to fall back into the pattern of going to bed at 3am. And therefore struggling through my work week, when I really ought to be able to easily make it into the office by 10am. But then I get another brainwave and keep poking at my stories, and before I … Refusing Normal

Since the FBI announced this week that starting in the new year it will begin tracking cases of animal cruelty nationally, it feels appropriate to share Jane Goodall’s quote about recognizing not only that our daily lives make an impact on the world around us, but also that we must choose what kind of difference … Having an Impact

Natasha is keeping me company a lot these days as I push to add words to the page, and KouKi keeps stopping by to lean against me for drive-by cuddles. Santino isn’t one to bother me much while I’m in my office, but he is sure to hop up onto our bed every morning and … Attitude of Gratitude

It’s hard to feel good about the world we live in at the moment, given the heinous attacks in Beirut, Iraq, Paris, and Syria on #worldkindnessday, of all days. So I’m commemorating the loss of over 100,000 individuals on that day (adding in those killed in the Japanese earthquake) by highlighting a poet new to … Where Does It Hurt?