feeling better yet?

Positive Quotes have an energetic force that touches us deeply and universally. We listen carefully to WORDS OF WISDOM from Plato to Dr. Seuss to those Prolifics “Unknown” and “Anonymous!”

Meaningful messages have the POWER to –

• Heal
• Reassure
• Motivate
• Resonate

Inspiring Quotes are Ubiquitous –

We hear them at weddings, graduations, funerals—

We see them on Google, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest –

They move us to make the most of Mondays when each week starts fresh –

They’re in songs, or in sermons, you name it — they’re everywhere!

Positive Quotes make us feel less alone in out struggles because for hundreds of years, others have felt exactly as we have…

And there’s peace in that.

Positive Quotes help us to FIND THE FUNNY when we’re down and STRIVE TO DO OUR BEST when we need that extra push to get back up.

So whether the comforting words of others inspire you to make “lemonade out of lemons” or wait until “absence makes his heart grow fonder”…

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance. – Anonymous

ROCK ON to life’s music (and don’t forget the WORDS!)

(What’s YOUR favorite quote? Please share in the comments,THANKS!)

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Now what?

Recently I was rushing to my ER shift (late as usual) and got into the WRONG hospital elevator. Wrong because for my first time ever, it wouldn’t open. Like many, I’d played out this scenario countless times before, wondering how I’d deal with it.

Would I:

• Be Claustrophobic?
• Be Panicky?
• Calm others?

Actually my first thought was:

At least I’ll have a good excuse for being late.

Since there was no one else in there with me, calming others wasn’t necessary. I felt strangely calm myself – maybe because FEELING STUCK is a familiar state for me right now.

I pushed the Emergency Button, got a Hospital operator of some kind who told me help was on the way.  But then help didn’t come quite that fast and instead of hearing a human’s voice, I heard what sounded like a phone disconnect. EEE-ah EE-ah!

DISCONNECTED is kinda like –

Living in Limbo

It happens to all of us, right?

We get stuck

• In our careers
• In our search for true love
• In discovering who we are

Spinning our wheels, but not going anywhere

WHAT IF we’re not supposed to worry about how to get UN-STUCK? Maybe BEING STUCK is a necessary part of life because it forces us to slow down, re-evaluate where we are and where we want to be — plus figure out how we’re gonna get there. Maybe it’s like  YIN/YANG or HAPPY/SAD  where you have to understand one to fully “get” the other. BEING STUCK is the polar opposite to MOVING FORWARD. So maybe it’s a necessary evil that we’re all supposed to experience.

stay calm

Getting back to the elevator:  after reflecting about being stuck for awhile, I saw an eensy crack between the elevator doors. So I used my own arms (and brain) to open up the doors and walk through.

It was kinda anti-climatic, but worked out for me, because I had my excuse for being late AND I felt empowered because I figured out how to move forward.

Obviously  I took the stairs the rest of the way — but first I called the Hospital Control Person to tell her what happened — and to  keep it from happening to someone else.

Now all I need to do is figure out how to get unstuck in my career, but that’s another post. Ahaha!

(what do you do when you’re stuck? please comment!)

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do-over days

There’s something about Mondays that feels like a FRESH START – kinda like January 1^st when the New Year is in front of us. We leave last week’s pity party behind and FIND THE FUNNY in last week’s disaster.

Mondays inspire us, encourage us and motivate us to –

• do better
• look better
• be better

Weekly Resolutions

Mondays are “get organized” days. We make that dental appointment we’ve been putting off (we make it weeks or months from now, but at least we make it!) Or we arrange to take the car in for service because the orange light that’s been on for weeks just turned RED and the car sounds like ET just swallowed a vibrator!

Diets start on Mondays. Weekly work-out schedules are planned on Mondays.  Lists are made on Mondays. When a week starts out fresh, we do too. Life’s a little like school — if we screwed up last week’s test, on Monday we decide we’re gonna ace the next one.

Best part about Mondays?  Even if we totally f-up this week, we’ll have another chance in 7 more days to try again. Ahaha!

I used to hate Mondays, but now I’m kinda grateful for them.

Liked that? Check out:

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• Carving A Pumpkin is a lot like acting!

high school humiliation

And on MTV – who knew? 

It’s about a girl who becomes popular for the worst reasons –

OK, yeah – I know I know. So that’s partially why I “get” JENNA and (need to) learn from her as she “acts” calmer than she feels in the red face of disaster. But, even if we weren’t on an embarrassing parallel universe — if we’d been in high school together, we would’ve bonded.  And yeah, I can SO imagine Jenna living my life ten years from now (sorry, girlfriend but I’ll teach you how to modify the fugly outfit.) Yep. SOULMATES.

The writing’s smart and authentic. It’s kinda “My-So-Called-Life-ish“ — charmingly painful and painfully charming. I love that Jenna’s friends and frenemies aren’t cookie-cutterish. Like SADIE (short for “sadistic?”) –– I mean, she looks more Rosie O’Donnell than your typical high school she-devil, but was clearly trained in bitchery by Blair Waldorf!

Luvluvluv guidance counselor VALERIE, as she tries to best-bud Jenna into revealing her deepest and darkest. And don’t get me started on MATTY McKibben (Jenna’s Dr. A). Seriously, in the last moments of Episode 2, “Knocker Nightmare” Matty kinda channels the “best of” Jordan Catalano and Ben Covington (thump thump).

Um yeah, Matty had me at –

I was tryin’.

Speaking of tryin’ – Try to watch AWKWARD. as soon as you possibly can!

You’ll FIND THE FUNNY as Jenna attempts to overcome her embarrassment and survive high school –

Kinda like me finding the funny as I attempt to overcome my embarrassment and survive…well…EVERYTHING!

Ahahaha…

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protection from the paparazzi

Finding the Funny in Italy –

In the short time I’ve been in Lake Como,

I…

• couldn’t get the car in reverse and had to be pushed
• encountered a bus and lost my side mirror
• boarded the wrong train, twice
• went to the wrong restaurant and unknowingly took someone’s reservation
• got a rope stuck in a boat motor and got stuck with a big charge

Good Times!  (but it’s what memories are made of, right?) Meanwhile, I’ve also made some –

Awesome Discoveries

water view of George's villa

After hearing that George Clooney and his girlfriend broke up, I just happened to discover the location of his villa on my morning walk. My first clue was seeing two Paparrazzi hanging out behind a big black gate. My second clue was seeing a parade of glamorous blonds with snug white jackets over glittery tops and tight white jeans circling on mopeds. My third (and best) clue was when I was in a water taxi and the driver Ricardo showed me where George’s house, office and guest house were.

George's office and guest house

The next day a cute Italian named Simone invited me to dine at Aquadolce, a hot spot near hot George. It was belissima and deliciousa, but not quite as fabulousa as it would’ve been with George. Ahahaha!

hot spot near hot George

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• Identity Crisis in the ER

I kind’a had a rough week, so I’m blanking on my #findthefunny Monday post today. Instead, I hope you don’t mind if I gather INSPIRATIONAL POSITIVITY from Shirley Temple (not the drink) and others.

I’m pretty sure by next week my glass will be filled through motivational osmosis and I’ll be back to–

Finding the Funny as Half-Full Evie – -

The best I can come up with right now is:

Try to sparkle, even when you’re not feeling shiny.

Here’s what more eloquent people have to say on the subject. I especially like the first one and the last one –

“Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves.”  ~ Italian Proverb

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”  ~ Oscar Wilde

“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.”  ~ Author Unknown

“Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats. “ ~ Voltaire

“To be upset over what you don’t have is to waste what you do have.” ~ Ken S. Keyes,

“I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains.”  ~ Anne Frank

“I am an optimist.  It does not seem too much use being anything else.“ ~ Winston Churchill

“Too many people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold.”  ~ Maurice Setter

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” ~ Art Linkletter

“I’ve got dreams in hidden places and extra smiles for when I’m blue. “ ~ Author Unknown

“The world is full of cactus, but we don’t have to sit on it. “ ~ Will Foley

“Those who wish to sing, always find a song.  ~ Swedish Proverb

“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses.”  ~ Alphonse Karr

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.  ~ Chinese Proverb

“If life gives you lemons, you make lemonade” ~ Author Unknown

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” ~ Dr. Seuss

Got no checkbooks, got no banks,
Still I’d like to express my thanks -
I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.
~ Irving Berlin

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a little wrinkle

Yes it’s Find The Funny Monday again—

This week’s #findthefunny moment happens at Whole Foods. I’m picking up ingredients for my Mom’s Sweet Potatoes with my little pal Owen (my neighbor Sara’s got family business to take care of and since my acting career’s on a break, I’m happy to hang with a five year-old.)

Sara’s Nana (Owen’s Grand Nana) died about a month ago (from Alzheimer’s that she had like, forever) and ever since then, Owen has been kind of obsessed with death and aging. Not in a scary way. More in an “Owenish” curious way. Since Sara told him that when people get really really really old they die, Owen has been extremely focused on exactly how old everyone is and how many wrinkles he or she has.

Whenever I see him, he gives me a rundown on how old he is, how old I am, his mom is, his dad is, his grandmother…you get the picture. And on the way to Whole Foods, he asks me what happens after we die. So I tell Owen I believe that we all get to be with the people we love forever and ever.  He’s completely happy with this response and he tells me that he’s gonna get a coffin that’ll fit everyone in his family and all of his friends. (Owen’s a real planner.)

So I set on the conveyer: sweet potatoes, crushed pineapple, eggs, pecans (and realize I need to go somewhere else to buy the mini marshmallows). I pull out my credit card and notice Owen staring at this Little Old Lady who’s right behind us in line.

Then, before I realize what’s happening, Owen turns around to me and loudly says–

She’s got A LOT of wrinkles, so she’s prob’ly gonna die really soon!

I speed-sign for my groceries —  smile weakly at the Little Old Lady. OMG! her initials are LOL, but she’s definitely NOT LOL! –

Sorry sorry — he didn’t mean…you’re not gonna, um–Happy Thanksgiving!

We get outta there FAST, but I’m pretty sure she’s NOT gonna die laughing!

(What #findthefunny thing happened to you? Share!)

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live and laugh

Today’s the 1st day of–

FIND THE FUNNY MONDAYS –

It’s a weekly post about finding the funny in something that might not otherwise be… funny.

About a month ago I started dating a guy (“G”). Not exactly my type, but potentially-interesting.  When I mentioned “G” to my dad, he was so happy that –

1. “G” has a real job (he’s not a writer/actor/musician.)
2. “G” actually pays for things when he takes me out.
3. “G” is nice.

My Dad strongly advised me to “act” normal around “G”– particularly at mealtime.  My Dad goes insane when I spend ten minutes explaining to the waiter what ingredients to eliminate from my order (“Sally” from WHMS is a piece of cake compared to me.)

So I thought, okay  I work out a lot. Maybe it won’t matter. So when “G” took me to Giorgio’s I actually had pasta instead of Dover sole, without the lemon butter sauce, no potatoes, and spinach steamed. When we went to Urth, I ordered that Napoleon I’ve been eyeing for like the last five years.  When we went to Boa, I ordered steak for the first time in a long time,  instead of my normal shrimp cocktail and a side of carrots.

But then I had an Audition—

I really thought I nailed the part of a hot blond who does a cooking show in her bikini… The CD couldn’t stop laughing. She said I did the scene in a completely fresh way.

Then was on the way out she asked–

But when are you due?

OMG OMG OMG!
I guess I’m DUE to start a diet tomorrow!

Calorie Counting UGH!

I called “G” immediately, to explain that we’re not a match. (I kind ‘a knew it all along.) The relationship’s much too fattening!

Then I called Sunfare.

(if you have any #findthefunnymondays stories to contribute, please share share!)

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Certain oldie-but-goody-vids still make me cry like Susan Boyle showing the world that what’s inside is more important than what’s outside and the “all time” best wedding dance vid “JK Wedding Dance” (which totally makes me want to plan my wedding even though at the moment I don’t have a groom in mind.)

Whenever I need to smile I just watch the “Chest Bump Montage”, which appeals to my inner-goof and I can’t explain why I think “Idiots” is so funny, I just do.

The entire “Mr. Old Spice” campaign totally rocks (not only for me, but for gazillions of others – Who knew?) I just can’t believe I got into it at the end of the campaign, because I have so many questions I’d like to ask Isaiah Mustafa (oh yeah!)

I’m just now introducing myself to webisodes (um, nice to meet you, even though I think people who make and watch these probably are a little psycho — in a good way of course.)

Look, I’m the first to admit I’m new to this world but now I finally have time to watch — (a benefit of being unemployed.)

Part of what’s amazing to me is the talent that’s shows up in these whack-isodes on My Damn Channel and FunnyorDie (Megan Mullally, Zoe Saldana, Elizabeth Banks, Kate Bosworth, Paul Rudd, Rashida Jones, Topher Grace…)

I think “Children’s Hospital” is totally out there, but I’d be very happy to step in for Malin Akerman when she’s making some mega movie, because actually now I have hands-on experience in the medical field and Malin and I are EXACTLY the same type (hint hint Rob Corddry!)

What = Funny is SO relative, right?

Personally I’m not into raunch, although I know many are.

I like –

• a “little” suggestive
• romantic embarrassment
• finding the funny when it comes to the heart

That’s why MY Best Web Series Award would go to— “WAINY DAYS“, obvi!

(Apparently I’m not the only one who thinks it’s great, because David Wain got the 2010 Streamy Award for “Best writing in a comedy series.”) “WAINY DAYS” has so many amazing webisodes from #1 – “Shelly” to the current #32 Donna–  there’s just so much to love while laughing.

And a word about Megan Mullally — I just luv, luv, luv her – whether she’s on the recently canceled “PARTY DOWN” or playing the “ER” Kerry Weaveresque Chief on “Children’s Hospital” or as Donna on “Wainy Days” she’s just SOOOOO good. I’ll take her “Own Special Blend” of comedy any day of the week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aukH24thCOY

(What vids and webisodes do you find funny? Share in the comments!)

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It’s so NOT what you think –

• I won’t beg you to look at me (no one likes a needy girl, ewww.)
• I won’t tease you with my long blond hair and my killer smile (oh, right – I won’t do that.)
• and I won’t chase after you with my long legs (I hate stalkers, obvi!)

But if you don’t take a sec to imagine finding say, the next Goldie Hawn or the next Anna Faris or the next Evie Stewart — (I like the way that sounds!) — won’t you feel awful when someone else does? In a big way?

If you really don’t want to fall for an up-and-coming actress who trips on her way up the ladder and falls (face first) into a court-ordered volunteer smock (fugly!) at a busy ER… then I can’t force you.

But when you first heard about me, you liked it all enough to ask for more… anything I can do to help you, uh, get to know me better? Maybe well enough to get introduced to your colleagues, to your boss, to your friend at the agency…?

Being an actress up for a part must be soooo much like being a screenwriter waiting to hear back about a submitted script. Audition, wait, submit, follow-up. Ugh. It never gets any easier either, does it?

So, my dear Innocent Heartbreaker — I know you don’t MEAN to keep me in limbo, waiting to hear back after that first fun meeting when you heard all about my life and adventures and all this.  But if you could please put me and my FUNNY BONE back on your to-do list for this week, I’d loooove to hear from you…

Thanks!
xo – Evie

PS: Even if the chemistry’s not right on this one, it’s not your fault or my fault, so no hard feelings ’cause there’s always next time, right?

PSS: I’m closing the comments on this post for the first time ever ’cause I’m feeling insecure, but I know you guys are with me in spirit like always. Fingers crossed!

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