"When In Asia..."

A fair number of "Asia-Tales" have been requested by my ever-loving 'fans'...And I aim to please...so here are some re-caps of emails home...(for anyone who isn't familiar...my dear friend Christina and I took a 3-week teaching contract in Korea and then spent the rest of our time traveling through Thailand....GOOD TIMES!

#1
So we arrived safe in Korea...but of course not without "drama"...it wouldn't be right if I didn't include drama...my suitcase was too heavy at the airport....so right in front of everyone while holding up the line I had to downsize my luggage....this was tough.....what do I take out????? (Of course the freaking huge board game and the materials I brought for the kids----NOT my clothes....what were you thinking???)

Anyways---the flight was long...but that was expected...the "5 star hotel" promise turned into dorm rooms---without bedding....you can't flush the toilet paper...so if I had any bathroom insecurities---they just got worse! The scenery is beautiful --- however it has been pouring buckets ever since we got here...I don't have a Korean teacher partner yet because there weren't enough...apparently they are getting us some more-- so cheers to that! But not to fear---I am sooooooo HAPPY to be here that nothing can bring me down---what an experience!---and all the other teachers are really great! We have been having a lot of bonding time in our free time...which we spend in our rooms---because of the monsoon rains----but whatever---we have had some good laughs and I am anxious to start teaching on Monday---

#2
So I just finished writing this detailed email of all my news...and then I went to send it and I lost it...you KNOW how crazy that can make a person right? I mean, you KNOW right? Like how frustrated I am right now...but I am over it----like that is the least of my worries, right?

So ---we are working 15 hour days...not kidding...it has finally stopped raining but an umbrella is still my fashion staple...and we have rice, spicy cabbage and mystery meat for all three meals---some of the teachers here are STARVING---but not Tara Duffy ---no siree---this little lady will eat anything! (Here, give it to Tara---she'll eat it...) So obviously I haven't started my "survivor" diet that I bragged about... (but yeah, some of the teachers are freaking hungry and they are NOT very happy...) We have to get up at 5am and have to be on the bus shortly after 6am...and then we drive about 45 minutes to EVERLAND (which is much like Canada's Wonderland). We don't get picked up again until 10pm and then we drive back to the dorm to rest out weary heads...so I'm flexible right???? Like----WHAT'S WITH ALL THE FREAKING WORK??? This IS my summer vacation right? Seriously I am fine...I can get used to ANYTHING--but some of the other teachers are really exhausted and NOT HAPPY AT ALL! So Christina and I have opted for laughing hysterically at the craziness of it all...and I mean pee your pants laughing --- and we have met a few like-minded laughers...so we are having a ball!----but seriously folks, I am going to really need that vacation in Thailand!!!!

So I just finished giving the students an oral exam to determine which class they should be in and I am teaching Grade 5 Advanced----so this is GOOD! And I have a Korean Teaching partner now....so this is also GOOD! It is sooooooo beautiful here! ....mountains everywhere...they don't let us have free time anymore...so one night after MUCH negotiation---we were permitted to go into the town---GOOD TIMES! I have to go now because I am being beckoned---seriously we work NON-STOP ---- but I am so happy to be here and am SO enjoying experiencing a new culture...squat toilets and all...

#3
The kids are soooooo CUTE! When I am tired and feeling low---it is tough to be down when you are looking into the adoring eyes of a child. These kids treat us teachers like STARS! When our bus pulls into the lot and they are getting ready to go down for breakfast---they start waving like crazy and yelling:"Teacher! Teacher! Teacher! Hello! Good Morning!" etc. And when we get off the bus they want to touch us and give us high fives and basically any sort of contact --- they LOVE it when we can communicate-----it really is sweet! And being treated like a star totally works for me---right?

It is Friday morning and today is a much needed PLAY DAY! In the morning we are taking them to EVERLAND to go on the rides and then lunch and then ...get this...we take them to CARIBBEAN BAY to go on the water slides and the wave pools etc. ------

okay, so a couple of things:

First of all-- I am thrilled to be getting into a BATHING SUIT!----no other clothes are allowed in the water-park...no t-shirts, no tank-tops, no NOTHING! Just YOU and your SUIT --- AND ---the best part------are you ready for this? ---What could make the swimming suit experience any worse? That's right folks----A BATHING CAP!!! Oh my gosh I am going to be so HOT! But like that's the least of my problems right? I should be over myself after showering every morning with 40 other women in a communal shower with no dividers or curtains (football locker room style!) -----

I'm not gonna lie-----that was a pretty big shocker on Day #1! But now it's like: "Hey what's up over there? Are you getting yourself all clean? Yeah? ME TOO! You wouldn't happen to have an extra bar of soap over there would ya?"

And to top it all off ----we aren't allowed to speak directly to the "man boss". Yeah that gets my feminist side worked up pretty quickly...But if we can't laugh at it all---what can we do?

#4
Tomorrow night is TALENT NIGHT --- and the parents are invited to a huge Korean BBQ and then to watch the show. Chrissy and I have combined our classes and we are doing a fun HIP-HOP dance! The kids LOVE it and they are so AWESOME! And they think they are so cool --- they are all going to wear their camp shirts so they will have a "costume" ---- so after dinner tonight we will be busy busy rehearing for the big show!

We went to Caribbean Bay again---seriously folks---I am really getting used to this BATHING CAP thing---I think I will make it a fashion staple back on the beaches of CANADA! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#5
I have compiled a TOP TEN list of all the great things about taking this job:

10. I'm in Asia---how cool is that?
9. It is so green here even though it never rains---well except for that week that it didn't stop...
8. The children are so polite here. Sharing is not a problem for these kids, it's a way of life.
7. The landscape is beautiful, and although it seems as though I am ALWAYS climbing hills or stairs ( this country loves their stairs and NOT the ones that move on their own...) my legs are getting super toned!
6. The people aren't afraid to express their JOY! (clapping hands while listening to music, boys walking arm in arm, even men----they are very affectionate towards one another...and that is sooooo refreshing to see...there is hope! Very touch-feely...the girls and women too!
5. I have learned to have a greater appreciation for red hair and freckles---they are quite a novelty here.
4. I have massive cravings for salad and vegetables---it's all about starch and deep fried whatchamacallits???----so that's a good thing---right?
3. After ample time reflecting on the squat toilets - I have learned that they are actually more sanitary than western toilets....NO TOUCHING!!!
2. I have made some really great friends that I know I will stay in touch with--- I mean after "SHOWER-SHACKIN'" who can blame us?

1. What doesn't kill us ---makes us stronger ---right?

#6
I have seen and done soooo much! Bangkok (which is a totally fun word to say!) was cool! Chang Mai has been incredible and today we fly to Phuket to do some serious slothin'!

Probably the most eye-opening experience was the 5 hour drive into the mountains to see the hills tribes...an experience that I will never forget---seriously folks---I HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT!

The most amazing treat is the TRADITIONAL THAI MASSAGE! It is 2 hours long -- full body ---up close and personal --- like seriously folks I have lost ALL INHIBITIONS here!!! And the best part---it cost 5 buckeroonies!---AS IF???? SO every night I get some sort of massage! I like it! I like it A LOT!!!

Elephant rides through the jungle --- river rafting --- night markets --- so CHEAP!

The bathrooms however have been a challenge for me...I thought the Korean way was something to be reckoned with...NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Here --- you have to step up onto the toilet (without seat) and you are standing on it---and then you have to maintain your balance on this slippery toilet bowl--- you have to maintain endurance (squatting and balancing is HARD work!) with your toilet paper in pocket (assuming you KNEW how much you were going to need before going in...B.Y.O.T.P. --- GOOD TIMES!!!) You now need to undo your pants and squat --- don't forget to relax so you can do what you came in there to do---#1 only! Never #2 - (this might give you more insight into my state of health...) and FINALLY I realize - yay! I'm doing it!!! I am actually peeing! Yay for me! This has been no small feat! --- because up until this moment I had been avoiding all pee opportunities upon the pure fact that I just couldn't do it --- physically -- my knees wouldn't allow me to hold the position --- but this was a MUST -- my bladder was going into OVERDRIVE --- so like --- HURRAY for me! I did it! I get back into the vehicle feeling pretty darn smug! I get out a wet nap to wash my hands and look down to see that I had peed all over my legs and pants-----GOOD TIMES!!!

#7
Guess what??? Did you know that when a bird poops on you that it's good luck? Wanna know why I learned that little nugget of (truth?) Here are the "Lucky Details" in order of appearance:

First off -- on my flight into Thailand, I had suitcase issues again, and they made me pay $60.00 to take it from me---apparently it makes it easier for the people lifting...but I was more than happy to pay instead of rummaging through my bag trying desperately to decide which items to discard while my under garments spill into the line-ups of busy rushing people who are not amused by my packing abilities or lack of...but none the less it was a little embarrassing standing in the EXCESSIVE BAGGAGE line-up----I mean who needs labels? I am trying to get along in this world---no name calling please!

But, I am off on an adventure and nothing can get me down...well except the ledge on the floor separating our hotel room from the bathroom. I think I tripped from all the pent up expectation of what a western toilet could deliver.....and I fell flat on my face and REALLY REALLY hurt myself. Christina was laughing so hard that I couldn't cop a cry even though I really wanted too (you know when you are caught between a massive cry and a massive laugh...and in my case a massive bladder?) -- I lived...

So-- I B-line it to the beach---cause this is what I have been waiting for right? And the red flag is up....WHAT??????????? WHAT THE HECK DOES THE RED FLAG MEAN??????? It means you can't swim because the undertow is too dangerous! As you all know I am equal parts curious and insane---I wasn't gonna let that red flag stand in my way! So, out I went and I am standing in what can only be described as "knee-deep" (I don't have a death-wish!) when all of a sudden this mother-load of a wave knocks me down and that nasty under-tow is doing his thang --- and NOW I'm in panic mode right? Like -- I KNOW I'm going to DIE! WHAT WAS I THINKING? My heart is slamming---and there is on one else on the beach ---because apparently the RED FLAG MEANS SOMETHING TO THEM...I am trying desperately to scramble to my feet, all the while the under-tow is dragging my bum along the floor of the ANDEMAN SEA (a demon sea?)---and then somehow---(GOD?) I manage to get on my feet, dashing for the shore (much like how they do it on BAYWATCH!!!)---and my left bum is bleeding bloody horror---but I don't care, right? Like, I'm alive, right?

Later that night with salve on bum , we head out for a really nice dinner --- which later kept me occupied in the washroom all night long---GOOD TIMES!!!

So the next morning we decide to claim our spots on loungers by the pools (enough beach drama already!) So I get all SPF-ed up, I got on my do-rag and sunnies...and I am finally entering "relaxation" mode when out of no where I hear SPLAT! and then I feel this warm gooey feeling on my leg---WHAT THE? WHAT????? WHO PUT THAT THERE??? But it's good luck right? And I am about due for some good ol' fashion GOOD LUCK --- but my standards are so low right now that I am not even fazed by it---I just casually walk past all the pool-lovers as though I DON'T have CRAP on my leg and wash it off in the poolside shower...

I've come a long way baby to get to where I am!

Peace, Love and LONGEST BLOG EVER (I found her!!!)
xoT.

Where Oh Where Has My Little "Blog" Gone?

OH WHERE OH WHERE CAN SHE BE??

"BLOG" is a funny word...no?

FUH-HUH-NEE!!!

OK---I was right---

I got nothin'!

(well, except for at school today, they made an announcement at lunch time that they were selling canned pop in the cafeteria for 75 cents...I thought that was kind of absurd ---like is POP really that exciting?---so I jump off the couch where I am eating my lunch with a bunch of other teachers and I say: "POP? DID SOMEONE JUST SAY POP IS ON SALE FOR 75 CENTS????" -- and then I made my face contort into this super forced mile-wide smile ---and went running out of the room like an "over the top MIME"...)

AND NOBODY LAUGHED!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOBODY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace, Love and Tabula Rasa!
xoT.

Mine All Mine...

CAN YOU SAY MULLET???

yep--- this is my past...

(To say that the "mullet" is a hairstyle barely even scratches the surface of the issue. The mullet is a way of life --- a state of mind...physically, it is characterized by short hair on the top, front, and sides of the head, followed by a long drape of hair on the back... )

Why would any human being willingly decide, of their own freewill, to wear the "mullet"?

I don't have the answer to this folks...all that I DO know is that in my high school years...this was me:

"Oh my gosh, he is so hot!!! (squeal) He is such a hunk!!! (hold my breath) He has short hair on top and long at the back....(sigh - sigh - sigh ---from all of my friends...) Oh my gosh...just wait till you meet him! HE is SOOOOOOO gorgeous! (giggle giggle giggle)"

Peace, Love and Heck Yes, I ran my fingers through every single one of these guy's hair!
xoT.

What Goes Around---Comes Around!

Tonight is my interview with the Toronto District School Board in order to be "Eligible to Hire". If you are not on this list, you can not obtain a full time contract. As an Occasional or Long-Term-Occasional Teacher, you must go through this process EVERY year...can you say REDUNDANT?

(Close your eyes and wish me articulation and calmness at 6:30pm.)

As some of you already know, last year I blew it...and the only reason that I made the cut was because the Principal of the school that I taught at last year corrected their "numb-skull" impression of me by singing my praises---and professing that I could walk on water...! (Phewf!!! That was a close one...)

Let's rewind time for the sake of the story. Before I took the (L.T.O.) job teaching History and Drama at (the name will have to remain anonymous due to "History Class Blog"...) I was hired as a FULL-TIME teacher at (another school that will have to remain anonymous...). They promised a full schedule of DRAMA. On the first day of school, I found myself teaching 2 sections of grade 12 English (Academic) and 1 section of grade 9 Drama (ESL). In the second semester, I had 2 sections of Careers/Civics and 1 sections of grade 9 Drama (ESL) to look forward to...

-After spending the morning walking the halls of Harlem, I became very leery...

-Try to play the "name game" with a class full of students who do not understand you or each other....I dare you!

-Also, one of my main purposes of moving to Toronto was to pursue my acting career and supply teach to pay the rent. Because let's face it---my job in Chatham was GOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I took a brisk walk to the main office and sat down with Mr. Principal and said:

" I made a mistake! I am so sorry! I can't do this! I don't know what I was thinking! I want to be a Supply Teacher! I don't want to spend the year crawling on my knees in the depths of despair! (unravel new classroom keys from my key chain) Here ---you have to take these back! I didn't sign anything! I know that this is the worst thing I could do to you on the first day of school ---BUT I MADE A MISTAKE---(and I am starting to think that I am going to have to cop a cry for a more convincing display of INSANITY!)

Mr. Principal - "Hang on now Tara, what's got you all jacked up?

Me - "Nothing! This school seems amazing. The staff have been so kind. The students are awesome. YOU are amazing---probably why I got talked into this job in the first place (he was very charming and very convincing --- hell, I might of walked out of there with a MATH job...)

Mr. Principal - "What can I do to make you change your mind?"

Me- "Nothing! You just have to let me go...(and the academy award for MELO-DRAMA goes to YOURS TRULY)

Mr. Principal - "Would you stay if I gave you more sections of Drama? I was hoping to start a Dance programme next semester...This school needs you here..."

Me - "Thank you so much ---but I just can't...

WE NEVER SPEAK AGAIN---

Fast forward for the sake of the story to last years "Eligible to Hire" interviews with the school board.

Due to the size of the TDSB -- they conduct the interviews simultaneously in this massive school with several interview "teams" over a large period of time. When you walk into the building you have to state the number of your interview team and they direct you to the proper waiting room. From that waiting room, someone calls your name and takes you to a chair in the hallway outside of your interview team. You wait there until your interview team calls your name.

(basically there are millions of principals across the school board that conduct these interviews...)

SO--- My team comes to the door---one woman and one man----

THE MAN IS MR. PRINCIPAL!

My heart pounds. I start shaking. Out of all the freaking people --- this is how my world treats me ---- everything comes back to me tenfold! --- you would think I'd have learned my lesson by now---

Mr. Principal - (pats me on the back) "Ahhhh Tara -- good to see you --- what goes around comes around -- doesn't it?"

Tara - (pretty near a nervous break-down) " I just want you to know that not a day goes by that I don't think about you and what happened. I need you to know how sorry I am."

(That would have been nice if maybe I could have said that eons before he WAS INTERVIEWING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Mr. Principal - "No worries. We are all friends here. Have a seat. Would you like a class of water?"

Me - (Kill me now please!---can you imagine how every answer that came out of my mouth must have felt like a facade---

"Well, I always see projects through to the finish---"
"I am very committed to my school community---"
"I handle adversity with grace and ease---"

I actually try to insert my humour at the end of the interview when asked which zones I prefer to teach in ---(like as if I hadn't already buried myself 6 feet under...)

I lean in and smile my most charming smile and nudge Mr. Principal's shoulder and say:

"Well,--- we all know that I DON'T want to teach at YOUR SCHOOL--HAHAHA!"
(It wasn't funny!)

Peace, Love and Slowing down on the CRACK-PIPE! (if only for tonight's interview...)
xoT.

This WOMAN Walks Into...

A COMEDY CONTEST???

So my crew tells me it will be good footage for the film if I flop...(I LOVE THEM!) I am in a state of panic...what if I get in? It IS a lottery, and I have infamous luck with lotteries...

A major suggestion has been brought to the table since our last "cruelly comedic" meeting:

Why Conan O'Brien? Like, why not say, Ellen DeGeneres...or...???---and the list goes on...

Right--- so we decided that maybe being SO specific was a bit of a flawed plan of action ---

(kind of whore-ish though...)

So basically we are calling out to a televised 5-minute live...

365 to a Five Minute Live --- starring Tara Duffy ( ho ho ho! --- and that is not a subliminal message----it's a laugh-track! )

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS??? ( not about the whore thing...about the Conan thing---just to clarify...)

Peace, Love and Amateur - ity!
xoT.

We All Have Our Moments...

There is no explanation...sometimes you just need to free yourself from the bondage of your hair...

Peace, Love, and Mr. Clean!
xoT.

Happy V-Day!

VALENTINE (love, lovable, lover, love affair, lovely, loveliness, loverly, love-bird, love-apple, love-bomb, love-pot, love-juice, love-lorn, love-sick, love-lock, love-match, love-feast, love-fest, love-tap, love-bug, love-lies-bleeding...) VOTUM ("Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.") VULVA (The Vagina Monologues --- "We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-day,to celebrate women and end the violence." www.vday.org Kudos to all the men and women who are bringing this to fruition!) VENUS (Earth's Sister, Roman Goddess of LOVE, The ONLY planet in the Solar System named after a FEMALE figure.) VIRGO (A constellation in the shape of a woman...) VIS-A-VIS (xo...) VISCERAL (I FEEL everything!) VIOLA DA GAMBA (I admire the "Virtuoso"...) VOTARESS (Oh Sweet "Saphrodite"...) VOTE ("All Canadian women won the right to vote in federal elections in 1918"---another nugget I learned while teaching History...) VOCABULARY (Yes, there IS a theme here--and today's blog is brought to you by the letter V.) VALUE (You. Love. Health. Happiness. Struggle. Creation. Imagination. Depth. Intelligence. Sensuality. Humour. Family. Friends. Love. You.) VIRTUAL ("OUR" Connection...) VIVA (!!!) VOICE (Speak! How else will they hear you?) VOLUME (Crank it, and Dance to your own personal soundtrack!) VICES (...and the list goes on...) VALIDATE ("I LIVE for your comments!") VICIOUS (Devilicious!) VEXATIOUS (Ferg-a-licious!.../Duff-a-licious?) VIEWLESS ("I don't know...") VIEWPOINT ("I KNOW!!!") VERBATIM (VERBATIM) VENTURE (my quest to become a stand-up comedian...) VANQUISH (Self-doubt) VAINGLORIOUS (Duh----THIS Blog!) VENIAL (Forgive me, for I know not what I do...) VERB ("the better to _______ you with my dear".) VELVETEEN (Bunny, Bunny, Bunny! ---I have a new version of this game that I LOVE way more!) VAUDEVILLE ( open my vein...and stick it in me...!) VIBE (Go ahead, take one off me...if you can...) VERSION (Everyone has a story to tell...) VIDEO (Murderer of Radio Stars...) VISION (impaired due to the "Sunglasses I Wear At Night...") VORACIOUS ("an appetite for LOVE, cause me so _______!") VOODOO (If you could cast a LOVE spell on anyone, who would it be?) VINE (The genesis of "in vino veritas") VALVE (Can anyone show me how to shut this thing off?) VERTIGO (DIZZY!) VOLUPTUOUS ("I'm JUICY! I don't care what you say! I'm JUICY!") VERBOSE (This "Blog" entry...) VIVA VOCE (Will the REAL Tara Duffy please STAND-UP!?) VIRILE (my 'cruelly' comedic side...) VICE-VERSA (I'm a Switch!) VERDICT (Yep...I'm Insane!) VOLATILIZE (Bill Nye the "Science Guy" has nothin' on me...Now you see me!----Now you don't !) VETO (FINE!!! ---- I was finished anyhow!) VAMOOSE! ( Consider me signed OFF!)

Peace, Love and Happy (OVERWROUGHT WITH CONSUMERISM) Valentine's Day!
xoT.

Twin Brother From Another Mother?

Ahhh, MEMORIES….

(My introduction to the limelight and being a local star.)I can hardly remember the details of the BEAUTY CONTEST….

if it weren't for the trophy that glared at me with the inscription of first runner-up, I probably wouldn't remember at all. 1st Runner-up - I mean its indicative of my future. It's ironic and somewhat sad. My first dose of rejection - (You're great, but you're not the best.) No, the best-- was a raven-haired beauty with a speech impediment; I learned later as she slurred out a "shank you, Judgessh!". That one line would later become a household joke. A laugh at someone else's shortcomings that would somehow make us all feel better about mine. And so began my 'Anne of Green Gables complex' - that dark hair is better, more beautiful than red. To be a redhead was really grueling and doom-some. The teasing, the torture - it just wasn't fair. But "fair" is such a subjective word, right? "Red-Headed Woodpecker!" - I mean lets face it, anything that ends with pecker, is just NOT cool. "Freckle Face!, Carrot Top!", to which my cleverest reply was, "Carrot tops are green!" ohhhhhh, that was a good one, I really told them!

Anywhosers, my parents must have been convinced that I was meant for more than a 1st Runner-up and they entered me in the Jaycee Princess Contest. We all entered the hall in our Sunday best. Our parents all fixing our hair, straightening our clothes and pumping us full of THEIR confidence. There was a long table stacked high with presents. We all circled the table, greedily eyeing all the brightly wrapped packages, curious of their contents. The room was dense with laughter, nerves, and fairytale dreams. I REALLY wanted to be chosen very badly. I mean probably everyone did, but I needed to win, to be the BEST, you know, in order to cancel out that embarrassing 1st Runner-up. One by one they called us up to a panel of judges where we were asked a series of questions which of course I can't remember, except for one, which was later revealed to me as the clincher, the answer which put me ahead of all the others. "If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?" And all the other children answered a dog, a cat, a fish, a hamster, and the average pets that they probably did own. And I, not an animal lover thought (none) but I looked down into my lap and my dress pattern was made up of tiny elephants and I matter of factly replied, "an elephant!" (Cute AND Creative!) When they made the announcement, I was immediately in the spotlight! They placed a tiara on my curls and a velvet cape around my shoulders. My picture was taken a zillion times. Oh my gosh, I was famous! I would wave from fancy cars in several parades and appear at important occasions and ceremonies for the next whole year... I was famous!!!

Ahhh...the trials and tribulations of being a "Child Star"...

Peace, Love and I understand your pain Lindsay Lohan...I really do!
xoT.

Red Feather!

Well, my friends----16 hours later...this is all I could do...and I certainly had grander plans than this---I wanted a 6 picture pile up! But whatever right? My sanity MUST come first!

So --- here is my photo-proof of being on the Youth Committee for United Way's Red Feather in 1991! However that is NOT the story that I am going to tell...

Rewind to grade 10 - (my naughty year...)
DID ANYONE ELSE GO A LITTLE "WILD-CHILD" IN GRADE 10????

In grade 9, I was a complete angel! Pretty darn close to perfection --- as far as being the apple of my parent's eyes..."Oh no ___________, you don't have to drink to have a good time. In fact, God doesn't want us to hurt our bodies like that. So why don't you just pour that out into the ground? Okay?"

By grade 11, you NEED to get back on track, building your resume, winning the hearts of your teachers, accumulating letters of reference, and what-not. Student Council, Director of Assemblies, School Sports, Sears Drama, School Musical, Dinner Theatre, volunteering, working, and oh yeah, ....studying?

But grade 10 went a little like this:"WOOOO - HOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! "Let's get some Strawberry Schnapps and go CRAZY!"And I mean-- CR-A-ZY!!!!!!!!!!

So back to Red Feather! I was so freaking PUMPED! Football, Broomball, Parade, Animal House, Cheerleading Competition, and THE DANCE!!!!!!!! My cousin Adria was coming down from Windsor to stay at my house for the weekend and we had some serious PARTY plans!!! My gorgeous and slightly older boyfriend was having a pre-party! WOOOOOO - HOOOOOOO! So we were all set up!The night BEGAN with me using my brain. You see, I always have the best intentions...until I lose my way...but I digress---

So...insert potential problems ----
-Gorgeous Boyfriend lives on same street as Tara
-Tara's parents are VERY strict and VERY suspicious...
-Party is taking place on front lawn (in retrospect...a bit trashy?)

But no biggie, right? Cause I got a plan! So, I force my beautiful cousin who is being swarmed with guys on the prowl for "outside of Chatham charm" to sit in the drive-way behind a parked car so as not to be seen by the drivers-by (in retrospect...a bit trashy?) So, this was working perfectly with our "boys" serving us drinks and hanging out and stuff....UNTIL, I start feeling a bit crazy...and they're playing my song (Pour Some Sugar On Me - by Def Leppard) --- and I just HAVE to dance! So, with my beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other (I'm an all or nothing girl---tis my tragic flaw!) I start twirling and laughing and lip-syncing - "POUR YOUR SUGAR ON ME - COME ON FIRE ME UP!" on my boyfriend's front lawn (in retrospect...a bit trashy?) When all of sudden, from across the road, in the CHURCH parking lot, a pair of high-beam headlights glare onto the party landscape. Everyone's all like, "Dude, turn the lights OFF man! Why you gotta be like that?" But not me! I'm all like; "I'm hot hot-- so hot-- sticky sweeeeeet---from my hey hey head---to my feet --yeah! Do you take sugar? One lump or two??????"

I am slightly jarred out of this euphoric state when I hear a man's voice YELLING out my name:
"TARA, GET OVER HERE!"
But I am on another planet, and I'm all like; "YOU come over HERE!!!"
And then I realize that it's my father's voice!
"TARA - GET OVER HERE NOWWWWW!!!!!"
I stop dancing like an idiot! I start crossing the road while playing centre-stage in the white spotlights of our Chevy Impala.
The "Party-ers"---(my adoring fans)---gawking at the plot-twist, when I realize that I am still carrying my beer and cigarette.
(Drop-Drop - SMASH! Whoopsies, I wonder if my parents noticed???)
"GET IN THE CAR!!!"

And THIS folks, is my fade-to-black ending for any future "Red Feather" fun. As I open the car door, my mother's voice RIPS into the still air:

"I thought YOU were a CHRISTIAN girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

(Kill me. --- NOW PLEASE!)

Peace, Love and It was my FIRST time trying it ----I SWEAR!!!
xoT.

Guess What I Got???

Yep! A scanner...

Peace, Love and Living in the Dark Ages!
xoT.

Home-Home

I am in Chatham. The C-dot! errr something...

I came home to see my Tom play the role of John Proctor in Theatre Kent's production of THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller. I will be attending the theatre tonight, and am anxious to see Tom in John. (figuratively speaking, of course...)

On my lovely drive home (did anyone else witness that gorgeous pink and orange sunset?), I pondered the concept of growing up in a place like Chatham. I thought about the plethora of brilliance that lives there and that which has leaked out into other parts of the world. The inter-connectedness of it all. Sure, we Chathamites are the first to laugh at ourselves. We toss around criticisms here and there, acting all butch about our roots, but LOVE is braver than our tongue, and everyone loves their HOME. "Home-Home" is what we folks call it, when we no longer reside. "Home-Home" is how we decipher Chatham from where we actually lay our heads at night. I'm going "Home-Home"...

I have composed a TOP TEN LIST of sure signs that you "did some time" in Chatham:

10. You don't have to be a sport's fan to know who Fergie Jenkins is! (Gosh, I wished that sign said --- HOME OF TARA DUFFY----oh come on!, YOU know you've all inserted YOUR name once or twice!)

9. You often hear your own voice saying, "It's in between London and Windsor".

8. It doesn't matter how many Beautiful Baristas you surround yourself with, you still feel oddly attracted to good ole TIM HORTONS! (did you know that Chatham has the largest number of Tim Hortons locations per capita than any other city in Canada?)

7. Two words --- RED FEATHER! --- The concept of this weekend bash ("We've got Broom-ball, We've got Broom-ball *clap-clap*!) made you want to pee your pants with excitement when you were in grade 9!

(“Red Feather Weekend” is the United Way of Chatham-Kent's single largest special event fundraiser. This special weekend, totally devoted to the high-school students of Chatham-Kent, is completely organized by the United Way of Chatham-Kent’s Youth Committee. Did anyone know that I was on that committee in 1991? I will have to insert photo-proof when I get my scanner!)

6. Two more words for you: GOOSE NECK! ("Fire's Burning. Fire's Burning. Draw Nearer. Draw Nearer. In the Glowing. In the Glowing. Come sing and be merry...." - beach parties!---ahhh GOOD TIMES!)

5. You still say, "Let's go to 'the mall'. (There's was only one...)

4. You still say, "Let's go to 'the show'. (There's was only one...)

3. You are absolutely CONVINCED that we are the home of the BEST NACHOS in the world! (I don't even have to name it, because YOU KNOW!)

2. The words; NAVISTAR, UNION GAS, and RM RESTORATION are somehow connected to you in six degrees or less.

1. You DEFINITELY lost a summer or two to the title of DETASSLER! (gosh, you might even have blossomed into a CREW LEADER...)

Peace, Love and Salem Witches! (Tara Good)
xoT.

More Geekdom - 2 for 1- Deal!

Picture books are good for a reason! Everyone likes to look at pictures. When I visit various myspace pages with slide-shows, I tend to get pretty loopy looking. I stare at the computer with this goofy smile on my face as I watch kids I know, slightly grown up, smiling and being their beautiful energetic selves. I love it! Pictures also have the ability to "pimp up" a story!

So this is my next techno-endeavour...to buy a scanner (because getting a digital camera would just kill all the suspense of waiting for your pictures to develop and it would also encourage the 'obsessive gal' in me - as I would be endlessly re-taking pictures until I found perfection --- which we all KNOW doesn't EXIST....right?)

And secondly, I must learn how to add the pictures to the blogspot...

NEW COURSE OFFERING!!!
Remedial Computers 101
Professor: Dr. Duffy
Number of Students - 1
Class List: Tara Duffy

Oh, it's gonna be SWEET! Anyone wanna take it with me? I heard that the professor is techno-moronic (I don't know what that exactly means, but it sounds SAVVY!) I think there might be a couple of spots left, but you'd better hurry--- cause I heard---it's fillin' up FAST!

Peace, Love and Pimpin' up my Blog!
xoT.

Another Day Bites the Dust!

And another one's gone and another one's gone...another one bites the dust!

So...I'm thinking that MAYBE blogging EVERYDAY is a bit of a stretch?!? I must admit that my intentions are ALWAYS the best...and that SOMETIMES I just can't keep up with my bad self...you know?

Yesterday, or the day before (I am just living in the world of "not knowing"...), I fell asleep and woke up to the sound of a re-run of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT seeping out of the television. I actually woke up to the sound of my own giggle! Does anyone else miss that show like I do??? Ahhhhh Buster, and Job, and Maybe....and of course George Michael....I miss those cats!

Basically I have been obsessed with getting a MYSPACE page into action. (It's supposed to be the WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE---or am I mixing that up with something else?---anywhosers it's apparently the shiznit of networking). I know, I've turned into a geek...(now I know half or more of you are cocking your heads in disbelief saying in your mind's ear..."TURNING???? WHY DUFFY, I HATE TO BREAK IT TO YOU---BUT YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A GEEK!") Ok, true...but I managed to get this Blogspot running all by my lonesome----and that is very impressive to ....well--- ME! But back to MYSPACE-----it just isn't that Duffy-User friendly----and of course I want all the stops---like fancy backgrounds and funny music playing....and all that jazz! So...I have some old students of mine feverishly trying to keep up with their University workload/partyload AND my MYSPACE needs...THANKS CRYSTAL and E-RON!!!

I'll keep the rest of you posted on the myspace thingy---I want it to be PERFECT when I direct you there!

Peace, Love and IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!!! (Job's opening music to his magic show! Maybe it should be my entrance music as I walk towards Conan O'Brien!?!?!!!!!)
xoT.

Yesterday, Came Suddenly...

Forgive me Mother/Father, for I have sinned. I missed a day!

Yesterday was my first day back to work after a week and a half hiatus!!! Good for my soul and bad for my bank account...

So many people have emailed me with requests to re-visit my "History Teaching Days"...seriously folks, those were dark days for me...this is how I cope with adversity----Laugh the pain away! Laugh the pain away! Comedian by night (insert plenty o' wine) Tragedian by day (insert hang-over). Is it any wonder that I drove to school bawling and slamming my steering wheel, blubbering out the same plea every bleary-eyed morning? "Don't make me goooooooooo! Don't make me goooooooooo! Don't make me goooooo!" Who was I talking to? God? Are you there? It's me, Tara...

Hello?

(I once heard that "pain" was God's megaphone. Over and Out big guy, LOUD AND CLEAR!)

When I started teaching the infamous History class, they had just finished a 2-week period of different supply teachers everyday! Bonus --- so THEY rule the class! I'm sure those teachers only had one thing in mind - (Don't die. Don't die. Don't die.)

So needless to say, I entered a real life version of "Dangerous Minds" --- and my goal was to inspire them just like Michelle Pfeiffer did! With History --- (oh there's gotta be comedy in there somewhere...) Hello? I teach DRAMA and DANCE! and like--- FUN STUFF! What is this? I don't remember ANY of this...which doesn't seem to be a problem for them...the first assignment that I TRY to collect either didn't get handed in OR I felt like I was playing cryptic-quote to decipher what the HECK was on the page!

(class starts at 8:50)
By 9:10am - Typical Scenario:

"F**K, F**K, F**K YOU! YOU F**KING C**T BYTCH! F******************K!!!!!!! (slams door on way out, breaking glass window!)

"Sweet!, Does anyone else want to join him?" (Don't ask that unless you mean it!)

Again, needless to say, I had to be a bit of a "tough act" for the first month. And we did find some sort of structure --- THEY LOVED IT WHEN I READ TO THEM FROM THE TEXT BOOK!----AND THEY LOVED COPYING OUT DEFINITIONS!---AND THEY LOVED FILL-IN-THE-BLANK WORKSHEETS THAT MATCHED PAGE NUMBERS FROM THE HISTORY SCRAP BOOKS! Ah yes...we were having a gay ol' time! (And the "Teacher of the Year" award goes to.....SOMEONE ELSE! (Don't die. Don't die. Don't die.)

So one day, I am reading from the text book (just to try something new), and the class starts losing their minds laughing.

Me: What's so funny? (probably paranoia on my behalf that I just pronounced something wrong??? --- Treaty of Versailles? Vimy Ridge? WHAT?)

Them: Look at the picture Ms.!

Me: What?

Them: Never mind! (giggle giggle giggle)

Me: OK, are we finished?

Them: Yep

Me: (Resume reading...)

Them: (giggle giggle giggle---FULL ON LAUGHING THEIR FACES OFF!)

Me: Why do you guys need SO MUCH ATTENTION???? What is going on?

Them: (suppressing giggles galore!)

Me: Let's try to be mature! (Scanning the picture for anything that might be considered "dirty" ---- but it's just a photo of Barbara Ann Scott in her skating get-up...and I see nothing! --- so I continue to read from the text book)

Them: (Peeing their pants laughing. Faces red! Tears coming down their faces ---- I have clearly lost control!)

Me: What is SO FUNNY? Just tell me! In fact, I enjoy a good laugh too!

Them: Ms., look at the picture!!!!!!!!!!

Me: What?????????? I don't see anything! ( I start scanning the usual suspect areas --- breasts, loins... and maybe there's a shadow on her bikini line, and they might think it's hair?????) Oh, come on guys!!!! It's just a shadow!!! Grow up!

Them: Ms.!!!! She's got CAMEL-TOE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me: (I look back at the picture, and they are right! She has camel-toe! ---- And I know that I am supposed to be the mature one, and I'm probably not even supposed to think that this is funny....but when 2 or more gather???!!!...good times! I lost it! I laughed so hard, I almost squirted! Of course, it was like laughing even though you know you are going to get into trouble....like I was TRYING TO STOP....but I couldn't! And when I finally did----I opted for reading from the text again ---- only to stop one sentence later to close the book crossing my legs in laughter---which of course encouraged theirs.....and we were one big LAUGHING FAMILY!!!

I am wholeheartedly convinced that the "camel-toe" moment bonded us for life, and they REALLY didn't seem to give me any trouble after that...in retrospect, I wished that it was some inspiring heart-warming tale of breaking walls down and such...but it's NOT! So that is that! Perhaps it made me more human in their eyes to see me breaking with laughter unable to stay focused (much like their entire existence)! And to this day, when any of these students pass me in the hall-way, they just whisper , "Camel-toe!" --- And they know that the DUFFY -LAUGH will be a guarantee!

Peace, Love and Barbara Ann Scott!
xoT.

Please Sir, Can I Have Some More?

Part of my assignment for the next couple of weeks until our next meeting is to watch as much stand up comedy as possible. Today I re-visited my favourites. Dane Cook made me laugh the Duffy laugh in a big bad way!!!!

Please post me a comment with your favourite comedian and/or a link that I can watch.

And just so you know ---I LIVE for your comments!

Peace, Love and Shut the FFFFFFFront Door!
xoT.

I'm Surprised You Didn't Know That!

3 things you might not necessarily know about me:

1. My mother's maiden name is Gales---so this makes me double-Irish!

(This morning I awoke with a strong awareness/presence of my grandmother, Helen Gales. This is pretty strange because by the time I could engage in meaningful relationships she was very ill, so I wasn't able to get to know her very well. My mother has always described her as funny-funny-funny and full of sparkle! *Maybe she is reaching out to me in support of this project...maybe.* As mentioned in my "I love" blog, I love chunky rings, especially costume jewelery. Apparently so did Helen. My mother gave me a handful of my grandmother's wild, eccentric and beautiful-gaudy rings. I love them! This morning I wore this outrageous amber and lime green wild-flower ring. *many compliments! --- people probably feel that they have to say SOMETHING after they've been gawking at my hand for SO long...* - and one of the things that I TRULY love about church-- is that when you leave your precious sentimental gaudy-beauty ring in the washroom because you took it off to wash your hands-- it's still THERE when you return in a panicked state much later! SEE!!!---life IS like that VISA!!!)

2. I'm not an animal-lover.

(Right away this turns people off. I can see it in their eyes before they are able to suppress it with their fake judging smiles. It makes them think that I am cold...or worse, cruel. But anyone who truly knows me, KNOWS that I have veinfuls of love in my heart. I think I can trace the dis-ease back to my very first pet. A dog that I named LUCKY. That's right, you heard me, LUCKY DUFFY!!! He died of heart-worm, and I was devastated! He also suffered from epilepsy. And I can assure you that his episodes traumatized me. So that's it---no animal-love for me please. So when my brother spilled the news last night at our "Cruelly Comedic" meeting that my mother just "got a new puppy named Molly and she's sooooooo cute, wanna see a picture, isn't she sooooooo adorable????" - - - - - - - - - - I have to admit my first response was, "well, I guess I have to cancel my visit home!" But this morning I picked up a message on my cell phone and this is what my mother had to say:
"Hi honey, it's your mom! I'm wondering if Scott told you the big news? If not, you're going to want to call me right away. It's pretty exciting! And just to give you a hint, I'm not engaged and I'm not pregnant!" ---Seriously! - and I wonder where I get my crazy quirkiness from????? So, needless to say, I will be exercising my love capacity for little Molly...)

3. I cracked my head open.---so I REALLY am a CRACK-HEAD!!!

(I was a child-gymnast. This statement alone makes me want to laugh. Gold Medal --- Floor Routine - oh yeah --- "Chariots of Fire" ---- it's a VERY dramatic song *dun-dun-dun-dun-dun -dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun-dun - da naa naa naa naa naaaaaaa - da naa naa naanaaaaaaaaaa*, AND because I have a memory of an elephant - I can mentally still do the routine...oh yeah, CAN TOO!!! *operative word being "MENTAL"--- but as you all know, the goddess had other plans for me and I morphed into, "I'M JUICY!!!! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY, I'M JUICY!" *picture my trasher-girl voice* - too curvy for a gymnast - but I still got the moves baby - it's just that some of them really hurt when I do them....anywhosers, our teachers planned a very exciting field trip to the local GYMNASTIC CLUB - *it's big-time! - well at least when you're 10*, and we were able to experiment with all the professional equipment! Good Times! I came upon this 'skateboard - ramp - type - row - thingy' which had a huge sign attached - "DO NOT USE!" Ok, so a couple of things about me; The cat got me before I was even born ---CURIOUS is my middle name! And also, I don't like to be told "NO". Fast forward about 30 seconds and I am prying my head from a metal track. I grab the back of my head and take a brisk walk to the washroom, where I stand in shock for what feels like hours filling the small space with my bright red 10-year old head-blood. And this was my only thought --- Oh my God, I'm going to be in sooooo much trouble!!!!)

Peace, Love and 16 Stitches! (that was a GOOD look for me when I shaved my head...)
xoT.

Just A Little Squirted Out...I Swear!

I would like to document the first official 'peeing of the pants' in terms of this project...YEP, I did! I also made Scott cry with laughter --- (it's the physical comedian in me--- you kids were SO right-- that's my hit...). We definitely flirted with censorship/lessness, but Jenn kept us in line...sort of...

Tonight marked our first comedic mind-meld. It was super-FUN! We laughed a lot...and we established some serious time lines, a bit of the 'bit', and some future creative goals. (SJ, we totally want to use your expertise! Thank you so much for the offer!)

Gosh, I feel cleansed and anew--- well....other than my pants...

I spent the day skiing in God's Country. The wilderness called out to me yesterday and I welcomed the invitation with a loose smile and wide open arms! A long and winding road interjected with a few strategic swirls found us sleeping in a loverly farm house that was built in 1867.

("Ahem ----I know something ELSE that happened in 1867", thanks to that one section of Canadian History that I taught last year.....ahhhh History....good times!---I must have missed that one in my "I love" blog...)

Anywhosers, as we were working our way through the brush, I was being initiated into the tree-lovers association; Norway Spruce, Red Fern, Hop Hornbeam (my personal favourite - go ahead and say it, it's FUN!), Soft Beech (that's a FUN one to say too!), Basswood, Green Ash, White Ash ----I was beginning to feel like a DUMB-ASH!!! But at one point we passed through a tunnel of spruce trees that weren't quite tall enough to block the light entirely. A blanket of sparkle in nature's majestic cathedral.

I stopped for a moment and tilted my head up into the light...
(thank you. I feel so blessed. thank you.)

Peace, Love and Confederation Baby! (told you I knew...)
xoT.

Happy Imbolc!

"In the Northern Hemisphere, Imbolc symbolizes the season when Mother Earth cleanses the debris that is cluttering Her delicate topsoil. Glaciers begin to melt, rivers swell and rains wash away that which is no longer useful. She prepares herself to embrace this year's new growth through elemental cleansing."

Imbolc teaches us how to ready ourselves for our new growth through symbolic cleansing.

I washed my hair.
I lathered.
I rinsed.
I repeated. (duh!)
I cleaned out my closet - literally and metaphorically.
I lit a bees wax candle.
I FINALLY pulled out a gorgeous T-cup set that was given to me as a house-warming gift (at my last place) from someone that means a great deal to me. Sub-consciously I suppose, I didn't drink from them because of the "upset" in my heart.
I drank beautiful loose tea that was hand-selected by the gardener in my "new"-found T-cup.
I am in the midst of creating a sound-track for my emerging self (will share later!).
I am studying the Light after composing a lengthy essay of Dark.
I am consciously intending to breakthrough.
I am focusing intent and will on this creative project!

I feel embraced by my life.
My Tribe.
My Sisters & Brothers.

Peace, Love and Bill Murray in GROUNDHOG DAY!
xoT.

Day One

Today is the first day of the challenge! And I am ready! "They" say that laughter springs from the deep wells of our tragedies. THAT'S PERFECT! Because I am a walking-breathing MELO-DRAMAGEDY! (I derive great pleasure from finding meaning in self-made words!) I have barely just squeezed myself out of the darkness of the "Little Penguin" ---I have been lost & delirious ---home-wise, work-wise, love-wise and spiritual-wise...(funny, cause I don't feel so wise.) - OUCH! But I'M back, and SHE'S got a vengeance! (insert more melodrama and schizophrenia please!) So, before I get dirty plumbing my depths, I will plant my optimistic seeds...errrr something!

I love the sound of my running shoes shifting shapes in the gravel. I love how a weeping willow tree holds me in secrecy. I love the taste of juicy green olives. I love running beside the water. I love the sound of rummaging through my pencil case. I love campfires. I love camp songs. I love happy campers. I love tulips. I love the colours red, orange, purple and pink. I love the numbers 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 22, and 33. I love Toronto. I love that I come from a small town with good people. I love sparkly lip gloss. I love chewing gum. I love candle light. I love ginger tea. I love the poetry of e.e. cummings and Pablo Neruda. I love Maryl Streep's ability to reveal. I love Ani DiFranco's ability to educate AND entertain. I love Drew Barrymore's sultry sexiness. I love the connection between E.T. and Elliott. I love the smell of Nag Champa incense. I love how my body feels after Yoga. I love the smell of fall leaves. I love raking the leaves. I love vacuuming. I love mowing the lawn. I love writing in the morning. I love Sundays. I love small black box theatres and independent theatre companies. I love spoken word performances. I love dream interpretations. I love painting. I love receiving art as a gift. I love people who share their talents selflessly. I love words that begin with T. I love belly dancing. I love hip-hop. I love mixed cds. I love how sad songs can rock my soul. I love connecting with people on multiple levels. I love being intuitive. I love Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night". I love the dramatic writings of Daniel MacIvor, Neil Labute, Karen Hines, Claudia Dey, Tom Coatsworth, Jennifer Grant and Crystal Dumitru. I love the poetry and prose of my past/present/future sweethearts. I love massages. I love flirting. I love inspiring young people. I love teaching. I love learning. I love curiosity. I love that I have Celtic roots. I love the NOW magazine. I love my mother's garden. I love the gardener that promises to plant me a vegetable garden. I love laughing. I love comedians. I love that I am doing a documentary with my brother and Jenn about becoming a comedian. I love how scary that is. I love being scared. I love salmon. I love chocolate. I love avocados. I love almonds. I love corn on the cob. I love juicy steak. I love self-describing as JUICY! I love old photo albums. I love people who need to tilt their head back when they laugh. I love thank you cards. I love blogging. I love telling the truth. I love heartfelt hugs. I love the shape of hearts, stars and crowns. I love kissing. I love the six degrees of separation game. I love movies. I love furniture that has been passed down through the family. I love being a red-headed woodpecker. I love stories and tale spinners. I love dangly earrings and chunky rings. I love lying on a blanket in the park, listening/watching/learning. I love the beach. I love climbing. I love breathing in synchronous rhythms with another. I love spooning. I love coffee. I love ice-cream. I love to be loved. I love knowing the time. I love mix-matching. I love being inspired by someones words. I love bookstores. I love ponds, creeks, rivers, lakes, and oceans. I love the marsh. I love cattails. I love privacy. I love sold-out audiences. I love standing ovations. I love dinner parties. I love the moon. I love the sun. I love the setting and the rising. I love the ebb and flow. I love the stars. I love the earth. I love my name. I love God. I love the Goddess. I love triangles and things that happen in 3's even if they are perceived as bad at the time. I love practising non-judgment. I love self-awareness. I love my family. I love my friends. I love taking care of people. I love being taken care of. I love mornings. I love fresh starts. I love competition. I love danger. I love thrills. I love wild abandon. I love buttons. I love jars. I love mirrors. I love the light. I love the dark. I love organization. I love schedules. I love making plans. I love spontaneity. I love weekend getaways. I love dictionaries. I love books that inspire me to write. I love my guitar. I love my never-ending belief that I will learn how to play it. I love living alone. I love cooking. I love the alphabet driving game. I love Guesstures and Taboo. I love clothes trading parties. I love making people laugh. I love being touched physically, intellectually and emotionally. I love LOVE.

Peace, Love and Clapter! (when you fiercely clap your hands in front of your mouth as you laugh loud and hysterically!)
xoT.