Give me a second...I...I need to get my story straight

A phrase that often pops up on social media or floats through my mind is "Some nights I stay up, cashing in my bad luck. Some nights I call it a draw..."

The album Some Nights by fun. was released on February 21, 2012 and it has become one of my favorites. Some Nights is my go to album for washing dishes, releasing demons, and most anything. (Followed by the Gin Blossoms Greatest Hits, if you must know.)

But the most important reason this album has replaced the Gin Blossoms decades long run is the fourth track, Carry On. 

336 days after the album dropped, my father passed away.

That March I realized that I was in a dark tunnel and it would take some help to emerge from its depths.

If you're lost and alone

Or you're sinking like a stone.

Carry on.

May your past be the sound

Of your feet upon the ground.

Carry on.

Its chorus gave me a mantra, some fighting words. It gave me a way to remind myself that the only way out is through.

My head is on fire but my legs are fine.

After all they are mine.

And through that, I had a way for my pain to commune with others. I had words when I could not form my own. And I used them to reach out and find comfort from those who had internalized them in the same way.

So I met up with some friends at the edge of the night

At a bar off 75.

And we talked and talked about how our parents will die[...]

But I like to think I can cheat it all

To make up for the times I've been cheated on.

It is very important to me that you know that I am not writing this to elicit sympathy. I've come to a place in my world where I am sad about my dad, but no longer overwhelmed. 

I am not the ghost you are to me.

I write this so that if you have this experience you will know a path through. (It may not be your chosen path, but it is a path when you may be too momentarily stunned to find yours.)

And please know, that if you text me at 2 a.m. "May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground" I will always answer with "Carry on".

On our darkest day

When we’re miles away

Sun will come

We will find our way home

Personal brand of crazy, birthday party edition

With all my planning and scheming during the month of August, I am hoping to achieve something like this:

Elegant, imaginative, nay, crafty...slightly enviable. The reality, I know, will be something more like this:

Seriously. Only my effort will have sloppy-joe sauce on the white table cloth. 

I'm actually pretty good at being okay with whatever happens at the party, but that doesn't stop me from masticating on it for years afterward. When it comes to party-pulling-off my brain is full on Satan in the center of Dante's Hell.

:::sigh:::

Wish me luck.

Lyric stuck in my head: do. do. do-de-do-do-do. do. do. do-de-do-do-do. do-de-do-de-do-dedo-do-doo.

What could have been...if only I were born a TV Character

Sometimes I daydream about the job that I could have, if only I were a character on TV. Here are my top 4.

Rhoda - Window Designer

The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Caroline - Cartoonist

Caroline in the City

Steven Keaton - PBS station manager

Family Ties

Prue - Auction Appraiser
Charmed

What would you be, if only you were on TV?


Lyric stuck in my head: Send Lawyers, Guns and Money.

Working for a living: More Reel Estate fun

As you may have figured out, I've been keeping up a pretty decent schedule of writing for Homes.Ohio.com which has been keeping me away from my personal work here.

I wanted to post two of my recent Celebrity Real Estate columns, in case you missed them in the Akron Beacon Journal. 

Bob Newhart lists Neff-designed home in Bel-Air, Calif.

By Mary Falconer-Williams, advertising writer 

Actor and comedian Bob Newhart has listed his Los Angeles home in the Bel-Air community for $15.5 million. He is known for his sitcom tenure in the 1970s and 1980s, a run that included “The Bob Newhart Show” and the Emmy Award-winning “Newhart.”

His 1941 Bel-Air home was designed by Wallace Neff, father of the California style of homes exemplified in the Libbey Ranch built for the glassware magnate (home of celebrity Reese Witherspoon, featured in this column last month) and the King Gillette Ranch built for the razor-blade magnate. Newhart’s Bel-Air home, however, bears little of the California style of architecture for which Neff is known. Rather, Newhart’s domicile reflects the French Country movement that gripped the nation in the years following World War I. The home features a hipped roof, flared eaves, exposed timber and multi-framed windows.

Elegance abounds at every turn in this home. The lush greenery of the landscaping welcomes guests from the driveway and beckons them to continue a tour of the grounds through a covered patio to the beautiful lagoon-inspired heated pool. The natural slope of the yard provides a perfect view of the surrounding flora.

The interior has been meticulously maintained. The 9,169 square-foot home includes 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 3 quarter baths and 2 half baths. Beautiful touches include hardwood floors, a rounded staircase, copper-hooded fireplace, and exposed faux wood ceilings. A formal living room overlooks the covered patio and pool. The versatile great room provides the perfect space for either entertaining guests or sitting alone with a good mystery novel. A marble hearth provides warmth and atmosphere for any party in the formal dinning room of the home.

A modest kitchen with stainless steel appliances, including two built-in ovens, steps down to a sunny, breakfast nook. With multiple French doors, the nook is a lovely spot to enjoy a warm mug of coffee and the outdoor view from the comfort of a climate- controlled space.

Newhart, who came to prominence with his 1960 comedy album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” recently guest-starred on an episode of the CBS show “The Big Bang Theory.” He is also active on Twitter and can be found under the user name, @BobNewhart.

Bill Murray’s fictional “Zombieland” home for sale in Atlanta

By Mary Falconer-Williams, advertising writer 

When everyone in the country has become zombies and you find yourself running for your life, who is the No. 1 celebrity you hope to find? Bill Murray – the star of cult favorites such as “Ghostbusters” and “Groundhog Day” – of course!

At least, that is what the writers of the 2009 movie “Zombieland” would like you to believe.

In the film, four individuals who have managed to evade becoming zombies work their way across the United States in search of a safe place that is free from the terror of these semi-dead creatures, in this case an amusement park in Hollywood, Calif. (typical zombie movie fare). While in Hollywood, they decide that the well-guarded mansions of movie stars might provide a reprieve from being on the run. They choose to descend upon Bill Murray’s house.

Murray’s house in the movie is neither his actual home nor is it even in Hollywood. The fictional residence is actually tucked into a prestigious neighborhood in Atlanta, Ga. Nonetheless, it is a lavish private resort befitting a movie star, even on a fictional level. What’s more, it’s for sale.

Built in 1912, this nine-bedroom, 15-bathroom single-family home is a breathtaking example of Spanish meets Mediterranean style. The most noteworthy features of the home are the ceilings. One room features a tray ceiling with glittering chandeliers hanging from golden medallions. In another room, multiple domed archways create the illusion of being inside an eggshell.

If you have seen the movie, you will undoubtedly remember the scene where the youngest member of the group, Little Rock (played by Abigail Breslin), is taken to the home’s private movie theater to watch Murray in “Ghostbusters.” Filmed on site, the scene shows off the large screen and tiered seating in the Atlanta home. Other rooms included in its 24,861 square feet of space are seven full kitchens, two gyms, a wellness center, a cigar room and ballroom.

Outside, it’s just as lovely. The home includes a courtyard pool with mosaic stone patio. Multiple second-story balconies and large windows overlook the lush landscape. Fountains create the illusion of being at a private Mediterranean spa.

I won’t spoil the ending of the movie for you. Suffice it to say that things go wrong for the foursome who have to escape from the Murray home.

One thing is for sure: The buyer who spends $19.9 million to purchase this Atlanta home is guaranteed to find it zombie-free.

Lyric Stuck in my head: And all the vampires walking through the valley move west down Ventura Blvd. 

Curious Wee goes to the Library

From the moment I saw that second line, I wanted to take my child to the library. While pregnant, I dreamed about going to the library: Story hour, playing with the puzzles, looking through the picture books.

My hometown has a great library system with 17 branches serving the metro-area. They are on Library Journal’s All Star library list, having received 5 stars in 2009 and 2010 and 4 stars in 2011 and 2012. (An interesting note, at 34 stars the state of Ohio ranks #2 in total stars on the list, just behind New York.)

Yesterday we had our first opportunity.

Wee’s idea of a physical library is straight out of “Curious George goes to the library”. He understands that we sometimes get kindle books from the library that go away after some time has passed. He’s actually pretty cool with that notion.

So, I was really excited when he started talking about reading a library book that had expired on the kindle. I asked him if he’d like to go to the library to get some more books.

:::record scratch:::

GO to the LIBRARY? Um, yes, mother.

After grabbing his new Mike Wazowski backpack from the sub-shop, we got on our shoes and headed out to the car. On the way he informed me that he wanted a book about a dinosaur, a train book, and a book about a bunny - three of the books that George picks out during his visit to the library. Once unbuckled from the car seat, I reminded him that we needed to use an inside voice and be very quiet in the library. He nodded then placed a finger over his lips and whispered, “shhh”.

Our neighborhood branch has a fun children’s section. In addition to half-a-dozen computer terminals there are toys like puzzles and a dollhouse to keep younger kids entertained. Wee gravitated right to a child-sized grocery stand and began playing with the toy food (“Broccoli! Ice Cream! Orange!”) before helping me pick out his books.

Once we had found his bunny, dino and train books, I asked if he was ready to go home. He gave me his sage nod and replied, “Go home, now.”

We checked out, reverently placed the books in his backpack and returned home to read them. Repeatedly.

Parenting bliss!

Lyric stuck in my head: Check it out! Don't we need a little understanding?

Not sure that California actually exists, but...

Another piece I wrote about one of my favorite actors for the HomeHunter and is posted over at Homes.Ohio.com - 

Drew Barrymore’s secluded estate on the market
By Mary Falconer-Williams, advertising writer 

Nestled in the coastal beauty of California’s Santa Barbara County is the area known as Montecito. A lush area, Montecito is known for its cool Mediterranean climate, ocean views and natural beauty. Since the filmmaking boon in the 1910s, it has been home to many artists and media tycoons. Now there will be one. Actor, producer and beauty maven Drew Barrymore has listed her historic Montecito estate for sale.

The site of her 2012 outdoor wedding to Will Kopelman, Barrymore’s home was built in 1937. The gorgeous estate includes approximately 2 acres of secluded gardens, mountain views, expansive lawn and citrus and avocado trees. The back porch and connected stone patio tempt visitors to sit a while and take in the stunning surroundings.

The 6,000 square-foot home is decorated with Barrymore’s famously quirky, flower child sense of style. (Her production company, Flower Films, and Walmart exclusive makeup line, Flower Cosmetics, further reveal her devotion to all things flowery.)

The estate includes a gorgeous library with hardwood floors, built-in bookshelves and a cozy fireplace. The sunny kitchen is decorated with yellow checkerboard tiles and an icy blue, retro refrigerator. This home is built to play host to large functions with an expansive formal dining room and two ranges, two refrigerators and an extra large island in the kitchen.

Each of the six gorgeous bedrooms includes access to the lush outdoor landscaping. Many of the rooms are painted in cool neutral colors creating an inviting atmosphere for sleep, contemplation or to simply admire some of the best outdoor views that Santa Barbara has to offer. The nursery is a shady olive color with large windows and French doors.

In true California-girl style, the garage is roomy enough to host a rec-room with spaces for your vehicles, bicycles and surfboards.

The estate has a separate guest apartment and ample parking. It is listed at $7.5 million dollars.

Do you know of a celebrity home that is currently for sale? Keep me posted! Email me at homehunter@thebeaconjournal.com.




Lyric currently stuck in my head: All your clothes are on the floor and all your records are smashed.

Spring is in full swing...

Sweet Valley, O High O

When we first bought the Kindle Fire we downloaded a bunch of classic works:  Dracula, Frankenstein, Moby Dick and various Fairy Tale books. (Also known as the FREE BOOKS.) Then I discovered that you could read a sample for various books. I’m a sucker for a sample reading. Even if I didn’t like a bound book, I will read the included sample of a new book.

So I downloaded the sample file for the Francine Pascal book, Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years later. I figured, eh! If it’s only ten pages, I can stop after ten pages. No big deal!

I forgot that the world of Sweet Valley is literary crack.

When I was younger, I read through the canon of Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield: Sweet Valley Kids, Sweet Valley Twins, The Unicorn Club, Sweet Valley High. I even tried to read Sweet Valley University and the Elizabeth Series, but Enid made me so mad I couldn’t go on. (That reminds me, Amy, just in case I damaged your SVU spine - I’m really sorry that I threw your book across the room.) I love the Sweet Valley High serial that starts with A Night to Remember and culminates with book 100: The Evil Twin. Those books still reside on my bookshelf along with The Wakefields of Sweet Valley, one and two.

Ok. Fine. The Sweet Valley game is there, too. And I can still sing the song from the commercial. Are you happy now that you’ve pulled that information out of me?

My first Kindle book purchase was Sweet Valley Confidential: Ten Years later. It hurts me to say it.

I bring this all up because I recently realized that my whole concept of California is based on several flawed images.

1)      Sweet Valley books

2)      L.A. Story

3)      Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion

4)      Saved by the Bell

5)      Charmed

6)      Three’s Company

7)      Lyrics from Beach Boys music

Taken individually, there is no harm. There are good and bad qualities for each example that can be debated in a later forum.

Taken together and you have visions of balmy 72 degree days on the palm lined beach. Blondes with lovely surfer tans and roller skates. Guys with too much hair gel, convertibles and large cell phones.

That can’t be reality, right?

Oh, but if it is? Sign me up! And pass me my Kindle Fire. I need to download the next installment, Sweet Valley: The Sweet Life.


Lyric stuck in my head: I just want to see some palm trees.

Artsy Marnie, Girl Reporter

I've been writing at my day job. (I'm so psyched out of my mind!) 

Check out my articles below:

F. Scott Fitzgerald's Balitmore home sells in just 61 days

Reese Witherspoon drops price by $2.5 million on her home in Ojai, Calif.

Childhood home of Ramona series author, Beverly Cleary, in Portland, Ore. 
 
Ronald Reagan’s pre-presidential home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., sells for more than $5 million 

 

Lyric stuck in my head: Well I don't think I can handle this, a cloudy day in Metropolis.

New Baby News Article

Good Afternoon~


Check out my article about being a mommy in Sunday's Akron Beacon Journal New Baby News or online here.



Lyric stuck in my head: Baby, baby, I'm taken with the notion to love you with the sweetest of devotion.

In the beginning ...

Kevin (Andrew McCarthy) and Leslie
(Demi Moore) in 1985's St. Elmo's Fire. Moore took her
 turn playing a writer in 1995's Now and Then.

WHEN it was my time to go through the Brat Pack Canon, back during my high school days, one movie stood out in particular: St. Elmo's Fire. 

I think it had a lot to do with Andrew McCarthy's character, Kevin. 

Not because I have a particular sort of fondness for Andrew McCarthy (in fact, I am and always remain a duck man - see Pretty in Pink) but more likely because he was the brooding writer type.

Exactly the way I'd like to see myself, though with less of the brooding aspect.

So here I go, putting words on a screen and recording my thoughts on whatever subject seems the most pressing. 

Welcome to the beginning.


Lyric stuck in my head: Welcome to the Jungle. We've got fun and games.

Merry Christmas from the boy

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