We had a 4.4 earthquake at 4:00 a.m. this morning. I couldn’t get back to sleep waiting for aftershocks, which didn’t come, and then thinking maybe it’s a precursor to the big one. That’s the price we pay for it being 80 degrees today.

Finally, some of my new “How To” vidoes are up. We had some technical problems but my computer whiz assistant, Damon, fixed them. There are still more coming. As a woman, I feel it’s my job to make sure my partner, Denis, stays healthy. That means getting a colonoscopy first so he would go, getting our teeth cleaned together, and getting eye exams. Well, for some reason, he is refusing to get his eye exam so I decided to be creative. Denis loves my “fall-off-the-bone” barbeque ribs so I am refusing to make them until he gets his eye exam. So now we have a standoff. His eyes for my ribs. I expect to prevail.

My weekend is so boring I decided to post my diary entry from 25 years ago when I was doing stand-up comedy on the road. Here’s my word-for-word diary entry from twenty-five years ago today…

(** March 7, 1985 **)
“Got turned down by the Funny Bone in Knoxville – that hurt. Also, Sandy told me April wouldn’t headline me. I cried. Very depressing day. I’m worried about finances – paid my Amex, Visa & other charges & used almost all my savings. Maybe I’m in the wrong business. Don’t know how much longer I can handle the rejection. Worried about income, despondent about career going NO WHERE and I’m almost 40.”

Five years later, I had my own talk show. I was never a quitter.

We had a plumber come to fix some leaky faucets and stuff. I’ve always hated watching myself on TV and never watched my own show. But I had to watch the How-To videos from last week and here’s the internal conversation I was having as I watched myself on video…
“Is my butt really that big?”
“Why did I say that? What am I… an amateur?”
“Do I even know what I’m doing?”
“What if I get hate mail for this?”
“What’s with that hair? I don’t recall go to a clown school for hairstyling.”
“I am never watching myself on video again.”

The sun is back! I made pancakes for breakfast and then Denis and I went to Franklin Canyon to see the ducks in the lake and so I could take pictures (here’s a duck taking a nap). On the way home I spotted a rabbit running along the road. I had my camera so here is the best shot I could get before he took off down a hill. I have to admit I was happy that Canada won the hockey game today and won the gold. It’s Canada’s national sport and it was their turf, I mean their ice. Like most Canadians, I grew up ice skating every weekend. I love it but I haven’t skated since I fell on the ice and broke my shoulder – that was about 20 years ago. It’s hard to watch the earthquake pictures from Haiti and Chile and not be anxious about living in California. Most nights when I’m falling asleep, I think “I hope it’s not tonight…”

More videos! We taped four more videos today for a total of eight. It’s almost like work but lots of fun since I was doing it at home. My assistant, Damon, did a great job and was patient when I forgot what I was going to do and my housekeeper, Antonia, acted as wardrobe, production assistant, dishwasher, and reminder when I forgot something. We made a great team and I got pizzas for everyone to say thank you. I hope to get them on the site by next week. My favorites were chocolate pudding from scratch and granola…. oh and How To Make Meringues. Denis snapped this photo of us in action. I can’t wait to do more!

My kitchen was transformed into a studio yesterday so I could videotape some more “How-To” videos for this website. I sure missed my teleprompter. The hardest part was having to remember everything I wanted to say without a prompter or notes. My assistant, Damon, did everything as far as lighting the room, audio and ran the recorder. I put together the props and food. I hope to get them posted this week. Isn’t is just amazing to see what the Olympic athletes are doing? Flying in the air is one thing, but then the acrobatics they do up there is something to behold. They’re famous for their hard work, commitment, never giving up and always giving their best. We should all live up to that. Maybe I shouldn’t gloat about walking 30 minutes a day.

I got my teeth cleaned.

I feel guilty living in California – it was 80 degrees today. I had a meeting with my business managers this afternoon and stopped at Whole Foods on the way home to get some fresh basil for the pizza I made tonight. I finally got it down and can make great pizza. The coyotes are back. I’ve seen two this week already, both just walking down the street. But I can’t complain because some people around town have bears in their back yards. The Olympics have been so exciting, especially since they’re in Canada, my home country. I still can’t get over the whales swimming across the floor in the opening ceremonies. Seeing the Canadian flag was so cool and I found out I still remember the words to “Oh, Canada.” But I still want the U.S. to kick everybody’s butt. Oh my God, I just checked. It’s 8:30 p.m. and we have 14 MEDALS!! Yaaaay!!!

My ankle is not sprained, but it sure felt like it on Thursday. By Friday morning it was like nothing happened. I was afraid to get out of bed and try to walk, but there was no pain and no swelling. Could it be that ice, elevation, and compression are that effective? I truly expected to be on crutches today. But I also believe in the power of the mind and I simply did not have time to be laid up and not getting around. Maybe I willed it away too. They say a positive outlook can help fight even cancer so why not a sprained ankle…? Well bottom line – my dogs are good. I have to be able to exercise because I got chocolates for Valentines Day!