★ ★ It's in the stars for Piki and Poko ★ ★ ...♥

Eleven years ago a brilliant world was introduced to the interwebs: "Piki and Poko: Adventures in Starland". A lush pastelly land with hot-blooded volcanoes and effeminate trees, malignant candy and evil marshmallow bunnies! I had the chance to play a character that I connected with and love- and got to be almost every week. What a blessing for an actor! "Piki Matsumoto" is the girl. We have a lot in common; I understand her really well. She wears waaay more pink than me though- and I just can't believe how high my voice is! hehe
All of us who were a part of this show love it and believe in it so much- even years later, I still have hopes that we can continue the story. In the meantime, I am going to do my best to bring the Star Sisters and all of their friends- and foes- back to share - and hope you'll enjoy their adventures as well. The writers, animators, directors...all the rad dogs that used to hang out at Mondo Media back in the real awesome days, contributed so much magic. I loved going there! I had just begun working as a Voice Actor and I can't imagine a more amazing time or place to start my journey. I am so proud to be a part of a project that takes risks and embraces all the color, beauty and beautiful differences we can share when we open up.
To get things going, here are the first 2 episodes of the series.
I hope you love them too!





If you're on facebook, become a fan of Piki and Poko! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Piki-Poko-Adventures-in-StarLand/219234604767679

on the verge of Springing

Oooooh something is brewing.
Some sort of momentous event... perhaps something that has been planted in my stubborn brain. A bulb staying warm and cozy below until the sun shines on it just enough to encourage an entrance above ground.
Oh, to finally blossom!
I feel this anticipation with a strange sort of certainty that it's not bad. It's a good feeling.
Maybe it was the testicles I ate yesterday?

A calm anticipation? What is that all about?
I never thought I was capable of any sort of calmness when the butterflies start fluttering...

I'm back in a job that I did in my 20's. It's basically the same cafe with a different name. I've always loved working in coffee shops; I enjoy the culture and most of the people who cross paths and connect in interesting ways.
The problem?
I am feeling my age. I am having flashbacks of all the stuff that sucks- and I smell like coffee ALL THE TIME.
I never feel my age! With my voice acting I'm usually playing young, high energy characters and I thrive on it. I think the plain truth is that I am done with this- and I knew I was, but I went back to it- a gal's gotta have a damn day job.
I long for the day when I'm just acting- to be an Artist and only an Artist... what a pleasure.
I'm feeling frustrated- but at the same time, I feel no ties to this place. I normally get way too into things, but with this job, I'm doing what I need to do and that's that. I am looking around for something different, something where I can make more $$ and not get up at 4:30.
I'm ready for the big leap forward, to pounce like a ridiculously cute Red Panda on the things that I want to hold on to.

Even with some uncertainty and frustration, I feel like my life is finally waiting for me to hold on and get what I really want from it. It's not like I'm getting a second chance. No more of this silly trepidation! It's all about grabbing it by the bison balls and being brave enough to take a bite.
Sensing that anticipation, feeling on the verge is something I have felt before- and sometimes I just have to poop- but I'm gonna run with the feeling that things may just come together this time. Pouncing, springing and remembering that in this new world, the possibilities are all right there.

Ladybug hunt!

Today has been wonderful.
I slept til about 8, drank my tea, hung out in a leisurely style; excited that this Saturday was a day filled with rad friends coming to see me.
How lovely and sweet is that?
First it was Jo and Pat. Jo is one of my best friends and she also makes my hair look great! Pat is her rad dude and while he has no hair on his head, he's still just as awesome because he has an amazing beard.
We hung out, then really just made it next door for beers and snacks. Jo and Pat are my Appetizer friends, so I waited to try the wings at Cato's til they came to hang. Spicy and deeelicious!
The next visitors who arrived were Randy and his little doggie "Benson". oooh I love that dog. I really love Randy. We just have a lot of fun all the time, and he got me into WonderCon, something that started a lovely chain of events in my life at this moment. ahhhh
*sigh*
We just talked about all kinds of stuff and then decided to cruise out to check the Comic Book store on the Avenue. We both gained some rad shit on sale, and I realized how cool Comic Book shops are! He said it was one of the coolest he has been to. It's cuz my neighborhood kicks ass :)
Randy soon departed, but moments later I received a text:
"So i hid six ladybugs around your apartment.... see if u can find them all"
BWAAAAAH!!!
It may as well have been Christmas morning when I was 8.
I started the search immediately.... I thought through where Randy was in my place- because now it's big enough for this sort of caper!!!
The first couple were pretty easy- they were chillin in the kitchen... then I recalled that he went into my recording booth (closet) and I found another in there on the music stand- and then there were a few in the bathroom... but that last one was tricky. I checked the pizza closet, but no bugs.
I sat on my couch and reflected.
"hmmmm."
I looked to my right, I looked to my left.... and there it was, on top of the intercom phone!
SUCCESS!!!!!
I was giggling like I got a Snoopy Snow Cone Machine!!!

This is the kind of stuff we remember.
It's Saturday night, I feel like a kid again. I'm so happy I'm in a place where I can celebrate that feeling. It's sad that we lose that enthusiasm... I love Randy for sharing his with me. ♥

this time, i won't miss it

“Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.”

I'm so glad life is back to being surprising again.
Over the past few months so much as changed, and I've learned to love the unexpected gifts that have crossed my path.
It was the kind of thing where I had to make a choice: do I stay where I am and not give myself a chance- or do I say, "Screw it" and start living?
It's an easy enough answer- if you have the right resources.... I was just lucky I had what I needed to grow.
Some pretty rad things have been happening lately; things that I would never even hope to expect, that I just don't want to take for granted- or at the same time, doubt that they are really happening. Some things seem too good to be true.
I've always been a dreamer, an unabashed romantic. I wear my heart on my sleeve- and really, aren't you glad you know what's up with me? I'm not a tricker.
I'm pretty stoked on my emotions. (I can't even believe I'm saying that)
Finally!
I mean it sucks feeling bad all the time. Who wants that?
I have hidden myself away for a quite awhile; I gave the power of how I was feeling to people who didn't deserve it. I think it's a really good thing when you realize what has happened and how you can fix it... if someone has broken your heart, or just really been a total asshole to you, it's hard to not let it get to ya and wreck your head.
I'm not gonna lie, it has taken awhile...
but letting go of that bullshit has left me with an open space for good stuff to fill up that now willing vacancy.
Feeling hopeful used to scare me. It still feels risky sometimes.
I used to feel that if something marvelous happened, it meant oooh jeeeze, what's gonna happen now?? An UGH moment.
I'm over that style. That style is lame and can suck it.
I intend to embrace a new style of believing. Changing your brainwaves is tricky, but some things scream at you until you realize it! This is the kind of thing you just have to leap in and ride the waves.
I'm paying attention to signs, and some of them are just undeniable.
Samuel Johnson has got it right: the unexpected can deliver the most beautiful joys in your life- it's just being open to them. From here on, that's the style I'm gonna be. It's not expensive, and it feels really gud.

best way to do laundry

Happy st. Paddy's! Mmmmm

a laundromat.

No laundry in the building means I get to head out in my leftover clothes and get stuff clean again. Lots of cafes, my bank, a pub- all surround me. Not so bad!