My Top 12 of 2012

The best thing about owning (and writing in) a journal or a planner is being able to look back at the things you’ve done in the year. Significant events, or even little occurrences I would have otherwise forgotten are all scribbled in detail in my Starbucks Planner. On January 1, 2013, the first thing I did was sort through those pages… and I don’t know – I can’t really describe the feeling of looking back. It’s a mix of nostalgia, embarrassment, pleasure and pride. 2012 was momentous for me, to say the least. I wish I could share every single thing that I thought was noteworthy, but then I don’t think everyone would appreciate little details like “worst hangover I’ve ever had” or “tried cupping for the first time”. SO… I chose my top 12 – in the order that it happened. Here it is folks, Earth2Eartha’s Top 12 of 2012!

1. American Citizenship

On January 18, 2012, I officially became a citizen of the United States! It took me 5 years and it was well worth the wait! The oath taking ceremony got me pretty emotional, especially being around 3000 other people who shared the same “American Dream”. I swore my oath, waved my flag, and just 10 days later I received the main reason why it made it all worth it for me --- my blue passport. :) And just a couple months after that, I used it for my big ----

2. Eurotrip

In March, I went on a big 30^th birthday Eurotrip with my best travel buddy, Karen. We went to Paris, Colmar, Strasbourg, Zurich, Salzburg, Vienna and Prague. For two weeks, we walked, trained, and flew all over those countries, eating and drinking (coffee) our way through, having the time of our lives!

3. 30^th Birthday in London

After the big tour, Karen and I flew back to London just in time for my 30^th birthday celebration with my friends. We had dinner, we had drinks, we had a cake, and I was in the best company of friends. I'd turn 30 in London any day!

4. Meeting My Hero

Just a few days after my birthday, I went and met (or rather, stalked) my all time favorite writer, Danny Wallace. My friend, Lea and I waited for him to come out of Capitol Radio where he had a breakfast show, met him and found out he was even more awesome in person, and he gave me a birthday present which were tickets to see Paul McCartney play at the Royal Albert Hall that night!
BEST. DAY. EVER.

5. Easter in Lyme Regis

My friends and I had a great Easter holiday just hanging out and practically doing nothing in Lyme Regis. All we did was eat, drink, or jump, or play crazy golf, or sing in a karaoke bar. After all the festivities and excitement from my big Eurotrip and my birthday, it was nice to be able to just relax and take it easy before I had to go back home.

Our Easter Holiday at Lyme Regis

Because we always jump at every opportunity

6. 6 Seasons And A Movie

Community: Sixseasonsandamovie Art Gallery

This was probably one of the best serendipitous experiences I’ve ever had last year! I am a huge fan of the show, Community, and my friend, Wriss and I just happened to walk into a little Community art show, right around the corner from my apartment! I seriously geeked out! It was awesome!

7. Making the Decision To Quit

I remember vividly… It was the night of August 20^th that I asked the Universe for clarity… and when I woke up on August 21, I knew. That same day, I told my siblings. The day after, I told my best friends. The day after that, I told my parents. At the same time, I was packing up my apartment, getting myself ready to move out… Things progressed SO FAST, but it was all necessary. I knew I had to let a lot of things go to be able to move forward and make my lifelong dream come true: To Travel The World!

8. Living in Long Beach

For 2 months, I had the pleasure of experiencing what it was like living in a great place like Long Beach (read full post here). It was difficult, having to move out of my apartment in LA and letting go of most of my possessions, but I had so much fun living with my friend Wriss in a city I consider a hidden gem.

9. The ARGO Premiere

With my friend, Amy at The Academy. And Oscar.

This was another really fortunate accident! My friend, Amy invited me to go and see a “screening” of the movie, Argo. The tickets said to come in a business attire, because it was going to be held at “The Academy”. Little did I know that “The Academy” was THE Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (as in The Oscars), and the little screening was actually THE PREMIERE of the movie, complete with the red carpet and celebrities and everything! George Clooney was sitting right behind us, and Ben Affleck himself came up on stage to introduce his film. I was in a small cinema, breathing the same air as George, Ben, Jon Favreau and John Goodman. It was AMAZING!!! All that – and the movie was AWESOME!

10. The Les Miserables Experience

This one is epic. I randomly found a flyer for a Les Miserables auditions on a lamp post near my office. I went, auditioned and got in! Only the people I grew up with really know this about me – but Musical Theater is another one of my true passions (next to traveling). I never had the guts (or pipes) to really pursue it though, so I liked the idea of doing Community Theater. That way I could still work and earn money during the day, and live my Smash-esque Broadway fantasy at night! Win-win! I had such a great time doing Les Miserables with the Jewish Women’s Repertory (Yes, I was the only non-white, non-Jew in the whole cast)! It was a process that took us 6 months to stage, and we performed for 3 nights last December. It was incredible… Just being on stage, singing again… it gives me a high similar to what I get when I fly. And we did Les Mis!!! It’s Les Mis! Ahhh…

Getting totally in character!

With Little Eponine and Little Cosette

11. Being able to Vote

After 6 years of being in this country, and after getting my US Citizenship – I was finally able to exercise my right to vote for the first time! I voted – and my president won. :)

12. My White Christmas

Just like I mentioned in my previous blog post – a White Christmas was a dream realized for me! Being able to close the year out spending Christmas eve with my family, and then snowboarding with my sister was such a treat. YAY to 2012!

The 30 by 30 Epilogue

Almost exactly a year ago, I held a bow and arrow for the first time, and found myself competing with a 12 year old blonde kid with elvish genes whom I then referred to as, “Legolas”. Learning archery was the first of the 30 things I promised myself I would attempt, as part of this project. A project I had started because I wanted to find my niche! My bliss! I was tired of being a jill of all trades, and a master of none. It was a quest… to find out finally, what it is I’m really passionate about!

And now, one year – and 30 things later, I still don’t have a clue! Haha!

But it’s not a bad thing!!!

Because honestly, putting myself through all of the activities I participated in – truly TRULY made my year a LOT more interesting AND more fun than if I had just sat myself down and let life pass me by. 

I mean it’s one thing being a joiner like I already am… But then having a goal in mind – like I did, really did something to my psyche. It’s like having a propeller. Whenever something came up… like an opportunity to do something different for example, my brain was sort of wired to automatically say “YES!” almost like I had no choice. Because the choice to say “yes” was predetermined by the contract I made with myself to do this project and see it through. Does that make sense?

And the law of attraction or the power of thought or however you want to call it --- was definitely working to my benefit too. One thing kept leading me to another. One activity led me to meet someone who did this thing, and going to that thing led me to see a poster about this other thing, and going to that other thing inspired me to try this other new thing… etc. You get the picture, right?

And one of the greatest most amazing gifts the universe has given me was leading me to meet my favorite writer, who was in fact my inspiration for this endeavor. Like I mentioned in my previous entries, this whole project was my homage to his “Yes experiment”, and meeting him right at the very end was just too movie-like perfect.

In fact, someone should seriously turn this into a movie… and I nominate Emma Stone to play me!!!

I’m trying not to be cheesy and feel-goody about this ‘epilogue’… but it’s haaard because I really did have such an amazing time doing this! I mean I don’t think I would have sought out to learn Archery, or had the guts to play Dodgeball, or subject my body’s flexibility to Anti-Gravity Yoga, or give up bacon for Veganism if I didn’t feel like I had to. But I’m glad I did!

I did have my challenges. At pne point in the middle, I had lost my momentum. I got exhausted! I felt like I was doing too much, my body was literally failing me. I had temptations of giving up halfway... I thought about quitting. I was running out of things to try, things to do... and I was so tired.
But everyone goes through low points, and I slapped myself out of it eventually. I just taught myself to slow down and pace myself. I actually ended up doing more than 30! Some of the activites just didn't make the cut. Too boring to write about. Nothing really eventful happend when I took voice lessons or hip-hop classes. I already bored you guys with the horseback riding story, I didn't want to do it again.

I’m happy to report though, that I’m still doing Muay Thai, 4 times a week, thank you ver much! I really like it, and its one of the ones that stuck with me. I still play and rock the ukulele, trying to get better at it everyday. I still volunteer on a regular basis, and recently got an offer to be a real face painter (Woohoo! Didn’t see that coming!). I’m doing the triathlon again this year, focusing on my navigational skills in the ocean this time. And traveling? Well, plans for a Greek Island Hop is underway!

                           

And even if I didn’t find my niche like I had intended… beh… So what? It’s okay. I still have the rest of my life to figure out what it is… and the point is, I don’t think I’ll ever stop trying anyway. :) Just because the 30by30 Project is over, it doesn’t mean it stops there.
As a matter of fact, after I’ve turned thirty, I’ve driven a boat, coordinated a wedding, volunteered as a paparazzi, AND auditioned for a musical (Les Miserables) at a local community theater (I got in!!).

So you see?? Maybe trying EVERYTHING is my niche! Maybe I’m just a master at being a jill of all trades! Maybe life IS my bliss!
Maybe I had it all wrong. Maybe we aren’t supposed to have just ONE passion or purpose in life.  

                                              
 
Who knows? I’m no expert, but I do know that right now, at this very moment, is the youngest I’ll ever be… and I don’t plan on wasting my youth by moping about, complaining about the things that could have been, kicking and screaming about my limitations… But instead, I choose to celebrate the things I can do, and be grateful for them. I choose to be proactive, and seek out adventure that makes me feel INFINITE! I choose to be mobile, and continue to discover different places, music, food, and cultures of the world! When I am faced with a situation where I have to ask myself, “Why” – I choose instead to ask, “Why not?” … And to opportunities, suggestions, favors, or invitations where I would normally say “no” – I choose to say, “YES.”

And I hope you do too!

Lastly, I’d like to leave you with a nice blessing, borrowed from our friend, Neil Gaiman…

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.” ♥

Thanks for reading, guys. It’s been a pleasure.

xoxo,
Eartha

29 of 30:The One About Paul McCartney at the Royal Albert Hall

Part Two of “When I Held Out For My Hero”

"What are we going to wear?” was the first question I asked L, after I had given myself a few hours to breathe and calm down. I had just met my favorite person in the world, Danny Wallace, and he had given Lea and myself free tickets to see Paul McCartney at the Royal Albert Hall that night, so it took a few hours to get my bearings. (Read previous blog post here) Sir Paul McCartney is a living BEATLE after all… and I LOVE The Beatles. 

 L and I were wandering around Covent Garden, window shopping for an attire befitting a location that had the word “Royal” in it. I had never been to the Royal Albert Hall before, but have heard of it of course. Most recently through Adele who released a DVD of a concert she held there. All I knew was that it was a grand and magnificenent venue, and we wanted to look our best for it!

Then I remembered I didn’t have any money.

Oh well! My first name is “Lady”, and in my opinion, that alone is royal enough for any occasion, no matter what the attire!

We wore our best clothes available, hopped on the tube and off we went!

Outside the Royal Albert Hall

The venue didn’t disappoint. The Royal Albert Hall is every bit as grand as it sounds! Located in the heart of the South Kensington estate in London, Prince Albert’s little building is as grandiose as it is beautiful. That day in particular was the 141^st year anniversary of the day it was opened by Queen Victoria herself! What are the odds, right?
We knew right away that Sir Paul’s performance was going to be a celebrity magnet right when we saw Corey Feldman hanging about. L was really excited to see him. I think she fancies him.

We went inside, got ourselves a ridiculously expensive drink, and settled into our seats.

Soon after, Sir Paul came out looking as hip as ever! He didn’t have an opening act --- he just dove right into playing!

OK – admittedly, I was a little apprehensive about the concert because I don’t know any of Paul McCartney’s songs as a solo artist. I just thought – “Hey, this is a free ticket at an incredible venue, I’m going to make the most out of it.”
But then he started playing all these Beatles songs and just ROCKED every single one of them! 80% of the songs he sang that night were BEATLES! And he played the really popular classic ones too, like “Hey Jude”, “Here Comes The Sun”, “Blackbird”, “All My Lovin’”, “Yesterday”, “Let it Be”… Oh my God, L and I were screaming like 12 year old girls in a Backstreet Boys concert, singing our hearts out!

It has to be said… Paul McCartney is one groovy grandpa! What is he – 80? And he’s STILL got it! His voice really strong, his moves – like Jagger, and his wit – still in tact! We were very very impressed.

But I couldn’t help but get distracted by the dude sitting next to me though. He kept scribbling notes into his little note pad. Curiosity got the best of me (like it always does) and I poked him on the shoulder to ask him if he was a writer. Turns out he was a journalist writing a review for the Evening Standard, a London newspaper, and it was due the next day.

Cool!

“You’re writing a good review, right?” I asked.
“Oh of course,” he said. “And in this industry, there are just some people you don’t diss. Sir Paul McCartney is one of them. Look at him! He’s a legend!”

I had to agree. The old man can rock.

(We found his article online the next day. Read it here)

It was so great to see him perform live, telling us stories about his hey day as a Beatle… It even got a little emotional when he talked about John Lennon before singing “Here Today”, a song he wrote for him.
My faaavorite part was when he talked about George Harrison. He said something like, “You all know that George was an excellent ukulele player, right?” Then he whipped out a uke!! Eeeeeeeee!!!
He said he went to George’s trailer one time, and said – “Hey George! Guess what? I’ve learned one of your songs on the ukulele! Wanna hear?” Then everyone went wild as he strummed the first few chords of the song, “Something”.

Goosebumps.

But wait – there’s more!

At the end of the evening, he called some of his “friends” to jam with him on stage. Pretty soon, he was joined by Paul Weller, Ronnie Wood and Roger Daltrey for an encore of the song, “Get Back!”
I have to admit, because my rock knowledge is very limited, I had to rely on L to educate me on who they were. My jaw dropped when she said, “Ronnie Wood is from the Rolling Stones, Roger Daltrey is from The Who, and Paul Weller is like a famous musician who plays with different bands.”

We just looked at each other, wide-eyed and in awe. There was a Beatle, a Who and a Stone onstage at the Royal Albert Hall on its 141^st year anniversary, and we were now and forever, irrevocably part of history. 

A Beatle, A Who, A Stone, and .. a Weller.
Photo by C Boland

At that moment, I said a silent “Thank you,” to Danny Wallace, my very generous sponsor for the evening. I woke up that day only with the intention and the hope of meeting my favorite author. I end up not only meeting him, but I got to confirm all the reasons why he was my hero in the first place, AND got the chance to experience an epic night of music from - not one, but several musical legends, in one of the most beautiful and historically royal venues in London.

Sandra Bullock was right. Life doesn’t always turn out the way you planned. It’s even better.
I thought about that while I was sleeping. :)

I woke up the next day to Danny Wallace’s voice on the radio. His breakfast show on XFM has started, another day has begun. Then my ears perked up when I heard him say something that sounded a little too familiar.

“…heroes. Who’s your hero? Have you ever met your hero? Have any good stories to tell? Text us! Call us! We want to hear all about them!”

I grabbed my phone, and I smiled. :)

L and I. ☺

28 of 30: When I Held Out For My Hero

It was 9:45am and I was standing outside Capitol Radio in Leicester Square, drinking my coffee nervously. In about 15 minutes, Danny Wallace’s radio show ends, and by the hammer of Thor and the graces of Grayskull, I should be able to spring on him like nobody’s business.

“Relax, Earth…” my friend, L, kept saying.

How could I? I was about to meet (or was hoping to, anyway) my favorite author! My idol in every sense of the word. Danny Wallace was – and still is – my hero.

I first learned about him through my British friends, A & K (aka Mom and Dad), in 2008 when I visited them for the first time in the UK. Dad had just finished reading “Yes Man,” and swore it was the funniest book he’s ever read! Mom assured me I was going to love it. I really didn’t need that much convincing, so I bought the book at the airport for me to read on the plane back to LA. Needless to say, I laughed the whole flight back, and I bought all his books after that.

After reading everything he’s written, I realized I wasn’t just a fan of him as a writer, I was a fan of him as a PERSON. I admired his awkward and humorous take on his own life… putting himself through these random projects that inadvertently teaches him universal life lessons that are both poignant and funny at the same time. In his own little amusing and innocent approach on dealing with life, he’s found a way to make a difference in the world… and I really REALLY admire that about him… and I aspire to be LIKE him! As a matter of fact, this 30 by 30 project is my own homage to his “Yes Man” experiment.


And so when I knew I was going to be in London again for my 30^th birthday, I knew I wouldn’t let the opportunity to meet him pass. 

It really wasn’t that difficult to plan the whole thing. I knew he had a breakfast show on XFM. I asked L to find out where the XFM headquarters was… and when she found out it was in Leicester Square, stalking him wasn’t even a question. It was purely simple; His show ends at 10am, so the plan was to wait for him outside his building and pounce on him when he comes out! EASY!

A few minutes before game time.

What I didn’t anticipate was how NERVOUS I was going to be. Too nervous that in the back of my head, I was secretly wishing it wouldn’t happen. It was awful! I’m usually pretty confident about these things… and most of you know he isn’t the first “celebrity” I was about to encounter. So the nerves really came as a bit of a shock. But then again, he wasn't just some random celebrity... He was someone that actually meant something to me... Someone I really admired... And I suppose that's worth a few butterflies...


Cut to L and I outside the radio station at 10:15. Still no sign of Danny. 
L took my camera and said she needed to start practicing taking photos. But when she took the camera from my neck --- the unthinkable, yet predictable thing happened: I spilled coffee on myself.

“Of course! Of course…” I said, shaking my head.
“Earrrrrth!” L said, wiping my sweater with some tissue.

“Ugghhh. I know. This is so typical of me. You just watch. He’s gonna come out right now,” I said, half jokingly as L was dabbing my chest.

And whattayaknow. He did.

Danny Wallace came out of the door, took one glance at me and L with our hands frozen right above my coffee drenched boob, and walked away.

“Shit, L. It’s him. It’s HIM!” I whispered, teeth clenched.

“GO, Earth. Just GO!”

This was it. Moment of truth. I tossed my coffee cup, and sprinted on after him!

“Uh… Mister Wallace??” I squeaked.

I was painfully aware of how much like a stalker I was at that very moment… Following a man, a few steps behind him, on tippy toes trying not to make too much noise because he was on the phone.

Shit – he was on the phone.

“L!” I whispered. “He’s on the phone! I don’t wanna be rude!”

“Just GO!” she shooed me away. “GO! Do it!! GO!!”

Oh L... Bless you for being an enabler.

I took a deep breath, and sprinted after him once more.

“Excuse me, Mister Wallace?” I said, louder this time. “Mister Wallace??”

He turned around, and almost instantly said – “Oh helloooo!!! Hi!”

I was momentarily confused. He said “hello” as if he already knew me.

“Oh! Hi… ?” I said, clearly surprised at his very cordial greeting.
“I saw your Facebook post!” he quipped brightly!

Ah. My Facebook post. Or should I say – Facebook POSTSSsss.

I posted that on XFM’s wall, on his wall, on XFM’s twitter page, and on HIS twitter page. I realize it might have been a bit much… but I needed to get his attention. And apparently --- I DID!

“Did you?” I asked nervously.
“Yes I saw it this morning!” He smiled. “How are you?” he added.

“I’m good! Oh my God, I’m so sorry about those posts… I didn’t want you to think I was some weird stalker…” – which admittedly, I kind of am.

“But… Blah, I’m freaking out!” I continued, fanning my face with my hands… “Okay.” I said as I gathered my composure.
“Hi, Mister Wallace! My name is Eartha, and I’m from Los Angeles, and I came to London to meet you, and tell you that you and your work have been such a great inspiration to me… and I just wanted to be able to tell you, IN PERSON, that you’re my hero.”

Bleugh! There! I spit it all out like word vomit!

I know it looks like I'm pulling him to me,
but he really did pull me in for a hug!

Mr Wallace, touched by my graceless honestly, leaned in and gave me a hug.

“Aww… Bless you… You're so sweet” he said. When he pulled away, he asked – “So what are you doing in London?”

“I came here to meet YOU!” I said happily!

“Aha-Ha!” he laughed. But it was an anxious, nervous laugh. I think I was doing a little too good a job of confirming the fact that I was, indeed, a stalker.

“No, no…” I added quickly before I could do more damage. “I came here to celebrate my birthday. I toured Europe for a couple weeks, then back here for my birthday where my friends threw me a little party… I mean it’s my 30^th birthday, you know? It’s a milestone… I had to go all out.”

“Of course… of course.” He nodded. I knew he understood… he once did something a little out of the ordinary too before he turned 30. :)

This whole time, L was snapping away, documenting this monumental event for me! Danny looked over at her and introduced himself like a proper gentleman. I had to apologize to both of them for forgetting to introduce them to one another, claiming my nerves got the better of me. I was honestly just so flustered, I had forgotten L was even there! (Sorry, L!)


We did some small talk for a couple minutes, then he snapped his fingers and said – “You know what, I actually might have something for you! Give me one second…” and he pulled out his phone and dialed. “I have these things I can give you… and we can say that it is for an XFM listener!”

Oh my God.

“NO! No no no!!” I protested. “Please don’t give me anything! I didn’t come here to win anything! I really honestly just wanted to meet you!”

“Yes, yes, but this is good! Just one second… Hello? Dave?”

He was on the phone with his producer, who I assume is called Dave, and started asking him about these tickets that supposedly some listener have already won. He asked if they have actually released the tickets to the winner already… and that if he could please just have them instead.
During his conversation, I kept trying to wave at his face to get his attention, muttering words like – “please!” or “no need!” or “I don’t want…” or “It’s really okay!” and “stop stop!”

He kept shaking his head at me, and then finally said – “Hang on. Would you excuse me for a moment, please?” and he smiled and walked away to finish his conversation with Dave, privately.

My hero the fashionista! A gilete, a body bag, and funky boots!

“Oh my GOD, L! Oh my God! I’m so embarrassed!! I feel like an blubbering idiot!”
“No, no you’re doing fine!” she assured me. “Earth… when you were telling him he was your hero… Oh my God…” she paused, and then fanned her eyes dramatically. “Tears… I swear!”

“Me too!!! Waaah! I can’t believe this is happenning!!!”

“Okay, okay he’s coming back! He’s coming back!” L put the camera back on her neck and braced herself for more action!

“Right.” Danny said when he got back. “So are you two doing anything tonight?” He asked.

We were. But we weren’t about to turn down Danny Wallace! So L and I looked at each other and said, “Uh… not really. Just walking around?”

“Just walking around? Okay, well, I’ve got you these tickets. Really good seats at the Royal Albert Hall to see…”

Here it comes.

“… Paul McCartney?”

Holy Fuck.

“WHAT???” L and I both said in unison.

“Oh my GOD! Are you craaazy??? Jeeezas!” I yelled to no one in particular. I was completely freaked out that my hero was giving me and my friend free tickets to see a fucking BEATLE. At the ROYAL freaking ALBERT HALL.


Danny, looking really pleased at our genuine fan reactions, said, “Yeah! Great seats. Row 1. My producer, Dave, is coming down right now to give you the tickets!”

“Oh wow, seriously??? Seriously, Thank you, Mr. Wallace. But I honestly did NOT come here to win anything from you. I really truly just wanted to meet you, and that totally would have been enough!”

“Aww, I know…” he said, sincerely. “But this is my birthday present! For you! Happy Birthday!”

Damn it. He was amazing. I could have died, right then and there. My hero, ladies and gentlemen. 

Dave, the (really cute) producer, appeared soon enough with the tickets on hand!
Introductions were made, then small talk, then they handed me the tickets, and finally, sadly, the goodbyes.

I thanked Danny again for being so nice, and for the present, and told him how much a pleasure it was to finally meet him!
He gave me another hug and wished me well. He even said he was going to use this “hero” stuff as material for his radio show the next morning! How. Cool. Is. That?

We parted ways… Danny and Dave walked back to their building, and L and I walked to our tube stop. I waited for them to be out of sight before I allowed myself to completely lose it.

When I was sure they were gone… Yep. I completely lost it.

The words (or jibberish) that were coming out of my mouth, in full decibel levels, and on repeat and shuffle, were the following:
“Aaah”, “Oh my God”, “L”, “Eeeee” “I can’t believe this” “I’m dying” “Danny” “Wallace” “My heart” “I can’t breathe” and “Beatle.”

I was on the phone to anyone I knew who knew about the “Danny Wallace Interception” plan… Mom (A), Dad (K), Hunky C, Ginger T, my travel partner K...
I was BURSTING with LOVE and HAPPINESS!

I was suspended in disbelief. It started out as a silly plan. I literally just said – “I’m going to London. Ooooh I’m going to meet Danny Wallace!”

Never in my wildest dreams did I think it was actually going to happen… and it was sooo much better than I could have ever imagined. 
THAT… my friends… Is the power of thought… and the law of attraction! ☺

Meeting Danny was, quite literally, one of the big moments of my life. I know it sounds silly. Most people look up to Princess Diana, or Mother Theresa, The Dalai Lama, or Nelson Mandela. And rightfully so!
But Danny Wallace’s influence on me is just as significant and impactful as the great heroes of our time’s influence on society.

I think what I love most about him is that he’s just a guy. Not a royal, not a politician, nor a nun. He’s an awkward man, living his life in the most entertaining and humane way that he could. People (like me) are able to relate to him through his writing. His stories and adventures make such a big and positive effect on his readers, even if the main point he is trying to make is just to reconnect with old friends, or to say ‘yes’ more. Simple, innocent, and funny. He just makes me feel like, even if I’m just me… clumsy and quirky and all … that I count. And that I, too, can make a difference.

That day, ouside Capitol Radio in Leicester Square… was one of the best days of my life.

For how many of us could say we’ve met our heroes after all?

The King and I

Watch out for Part 2 of this post -- Read all about My adventures with L at the Royal Albert Hall with Sir Paul McCartney :)