I love corny old phrases like swell, delightful, gee whiz, and my signature later gator. They just feel right even though someone once criticized my character’s use of them in Motor Dolls, saying:
“No one talks like that.”
My reply? “Golly gee.” And I moved on.
Another of my goofy phrases came into play during Babes Ride Out.
GROOVY.
I don’t want to get all spooky-voodoo on you, but what happened was kind of trippy.
But first…
A little bit about Babes Ride Out this year. The all-girl motorcycle campout (with over 1000 participants) came at the perfect time. I had one more week of work at KNBC and a blank canvas ahead. Switching off the brain and spending time with the best group of girls around was exactly what I needed during this time of significant change.
I had the best four days with my Critter Crew, riding motorcycles, climbing rocks in Joshua Tree, singing along with the band Yachty By Nature.
It was a perfect time-out for the brain, days of roads and motorcycles and smiles and fun. I went back to work and wrapped up my career with a happy relaxed frame of mind.
Many thanks to Corrine, Dani, Violette, Pam, Becky, and Kate for being so joyful, supportive, and quite simply, the best.
So Back to the Groovy Thing…
Shortly after setting up camp at the Joshua Tree Lake campground, I noticed a well-loved paperback left on the rocks surrounding the fire ring and picked it up.
Not surprisingly, the Handbook to Higher Consciousness was published in the early seventies. I’m not into mystical stuff, but I have been a longtime believer in the power of the mind. A couple of years ago, I started meditating and as of late, have found myself reading more about Buddhism and living your best life.
So this book kinda fit, especially considering the mental gymnastics my brain has been doing over the past several months making the decision to leave a career of 24 years.
My campmates and I, in particular, enjoyed reading about the endless pursuit of “groovy sensations”—which of course became the phrase of the weekend.
The book cites the pursuit as a negative, but we decided to turn it into a positive because that’s what we do.
The weird part about finding the book was that the last time I had a significant life upheaval… wait for it…
I also found a book.
Whoa, right?
When I was in my twenties, New Line Cinemas bought the company I worked for—Nelson Films—and gave us all pink slips. I had no savings. No backup plan. And an apartment in the Mid-Wilshire district that already pushed my budget. Depression got the best of me and instead of job hunting, I’d walk down to the donut shop, buy a glazed, then wander through the park adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits feeling sorry for myself, not thinking about next steps or how to pull myself out of the situation. I simply wallowed in self-pity.
Until one day, while out on my pathetic walk-about, I found a book abandoned on a park bench. Not just any book.
The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.
I sat down on that bench and began to read and the book changed me. Seriously. I got out of my stupor, got any old job to get me back on my feet, and life began to fall into place. I met Brian (my now husband), figured out a career path, and eventually became a news photographer.
I’m still a huge believer in the Power of Positive Thinking. If you want to be happy…
You’ve got to think happy.
Speaking of happy. My first three weeks of freedom have been spectacular, full of peaceful days and positive people. I’m still exploring all kinds of options and am astounded by the vast range of opportunity out there. Every day I wake up excited to discover something new, like this past weekend, when I got to be on the other side of the camera as the subject for Hagerty Classic’s WHY I DRIVE series. Brian did a great job with the behind-the-scenes coverage. Check it out and stay tuned for details on the segment. Aaron and Robert brought me miles of smiles that day.
On that miles of smiles note, I’ll sign off, and go back to my pursuit of…
Groovy Sensations.
Because really, isn’t that what life is all about?
Until next time…
Later gators!
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