note to self

You aren't so sure that you're into this. Someone keeps trying to rope you into being normal and you can't seem to go along with the gag.

I'm here to tell you that no matter how much sense it makes to try to be like everyone else, you are too much of an independent spirit to even think of it. If they keep plying you with promises of future security, let them know that they're off their beam.

Your security doesn't depend on turning your self into a carbon copy of everyone who's taken that route and lost their spirit.

it started with Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin

Watch this spoken word performance by Phil Kaye and Sarah Kay.

You're sure to do one of three things:

1. Ask yourself, "What are the odds?

2. Call up your best friend to tell them how much you love them.

3. Watch the video again.

my current craving

All I can think about is how much I want to go back to my home state of New Hampshire and sit inside Portsmouth's Breaking New Grounds with a decadent slice of cheesecake and a giant, piping hot mug of coffee. A David Sedaris novel or a notebook of poetry would be a great addition to that scene as well. Smells like home to me.

best Oscar acceptance speech of 2011

Luke Matheny - winner for Best Live Action Film. He's wonderfully human and I love it.

Click here to watch.

soul sister

distinctly beautiful

On Saturday night, Stonehill College had the great honor of hosting an event featuring the poet, playwright, actor, activist, and teacher...

Carlos Andrés Gómez.

Not only did he share personal stories and perform incredible slam poetry, he also promoted a campaign based on a writing exercise he created for his students.

It's called the "Distinctly Beautiful" Exercise. Here are the directions:

TWO OPTIONS:

1) WRITE "I AM DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE..." 24 TIMES DOWN THE LEFT HAND COLUMN OF A LINED SHEET OF PAPER.
WRITE DOWN 24 DIFFERENT REASONS THAT YOU ARE "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL." INTERPRET THIS HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE. ONCE COMPLETED, HANG YOUR "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL" POEM ON YOUR MIRROR OR SOMEWHERE IN YOUR ROOM THAT YOU WILL SEE EACH DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP.

2) WRITE "I AM DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE..." AT THE TOP OF A PAGE.
WRITE FOR 10 MINUTES WITHOUT STOPPING (SET A TIMER) ABOUT ALL THE WAYS IN WHICH YOU ARE "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL." INTERPRET THIS HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE. ONCE COMPLETED, HANG YOUR "DISTINCTLY BEAUTIFUL" POEM ON YOUR MIRROR OR SOMEWHERE IN YOUR ROOM THAT YOU WILL SEE EACH DAY WHEN YOU WAKE UP.

Fairly simple, right? There's more! Click here to purchase a Distinctly Beautiful bracelet! They're all made in Guatemala in order to enable small businesses and help them reach a sustainable result in their community.

Also, watch Carlos' moving performance of his poem, Distinctly Beautiful, by clicking here!

"I care if I do something special."

This little girl is wise beyond her years. Click here for empowerment.

Be the change. Be a feminist.