hootenannie

Stage 1: SHOCKWhaaaaa…???? Stage 2: DENIALThat did not just happen. No. It did not. [plugs ears] La la la la la – I can’t hear you. This is not real. Stage 3: ANGER[furrows brow] Stupid man. Stupid man in his house. He should clean up this sidewalk – yeah, that’s right, get out his LEAF…

Last night, I experienced two very wonderful things. The first was tapas, which is Spanish for “order at least four.” The second was open mic night at the Bluebird Café, which reminded me why I am extraordinarily excited to live in Nashville. The songwriting that happens here is astonishing. I sat there all alone, wrapped…

Okay, let’s level. I have been on The Big Trip for 6-weeks now, and in the midst of having a blast, today is the first day that I have had to remind myself, “You are having fun. No really, this is a GOOD thing. You are happy and doing well. Believe it.” I am having…

Hearken back to May, when I wrote about just a few of the dreams and goals I have for my life. Scroll down, down, down, and you will read, “I want to run in a race.” I am proud to announce that today, that dream became a reality. Guess who just ran a 5K? [thumbs]…

Tonight, I ate a Ritz cracker topped with cheddar cheese, yellow mustard, and red onion. And then, I ate another one, and another one, and another one. And I liked it.

1) Be born with a melancholy spirit. 2) Go out and get your heart broken. Love deeply and without reservation, and do not brace yourself for the inevitable pummeling to follow. Do this as many times as it takes to completely crush your spirit. 3) Withdraw from society. Solitude is best; however, a few companions…

So far, The Big Trip has been an odd experience in that everyone that I meet asks, “Where are you from?” And I cannot reply with a one-word answer. I take a deep breath, wind up my motor-mouth, and commence with my convoluted autobiography. I don’t really know where my home is anymore. In the…

If there is one thing that I cannot resist, it’s a good crossword puzzle. Some go for the New York Times, but me? Nothing helps stimulate my mind quite like In Touch magazine’s “Time to Relax” section, including both a Sudoku puzzle and an ultra-challenging crossword about fashion and the entertainment industry. That’s right: I’m…

Dear Potential Employer, Congratulations! You are holding the invitation to employ me, Annie Parsons. This golden ticket is not easy to come by, as I am particular and discerning about my place of employment. Some might even call me picky – to which I respond, “In a good way.” You might be wondering what it…

I’m sitting outside a Midas in Redlands, CA, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. AAA has once again come to my rescue, replacing a flat tire with the spare this morning. On the day after a “party like a rock star” wedding and two hours of sleep, car issues are the last thing in the world…