I think by way of introduction, I need to start by apologizing to Newport Beach. As a native Angeleno, I was hesitant to move to “the OC” 20 years ago and even more reluctant to move to Newport of all places. I’m not your typical beach gal; the only other beach town I’ve lived in is Venice, and nobody goes there for the actual ocean! My relationship with Newport is a bit like an arranged marriage and we have definitely grown to genuinely love each other over the years.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I never meant to marry a surfer, but around here that’s a pretty common story. It turns out I found a surfer who’s also into great music and fun banter and travel. Steve and I have been married almost 20 years and I feel so lucky to still adore him. I’ve learned so much about being a better version of myself from our partnership. We’ve got two teenagers – Jacob and Alli – which is the most fun I’ve ever had while wondering what the hell is happening most of the time. I have never loved doing anything as much as I love being their mom. I could go on and on about every interaction that fills my heart to overflowing but part of the wild thing about being a mom is that it’s nearly impossible to articulate the magic.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve been a wordsmith all my life in different incarnations – I have been a published poet and an ad agency copywriter and I’m still occasionally a community college instructor. But I think I finally figured out what I want to be when I grow up when I left my job as the Director of Development at Casa Youth Shelter to become a freelance writer for nonprofit agencies. That was five years ago and I had no idea this freelance venture would blossom into a full-time docket of amazing nonprofit organizations turning to me for grants and websites and marketing materials. I get to write every day and set my own schedule and work for good causes; it’s everything I ever wanted.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I just got home from dinner at Tupelo Junction so I have to rank that at the top of my list. It’s such a great local hangout and it’s walking distance from our house. Their Tupelo Honey Apply Hot Toddy is delicious! And I know this isn’t a restaurant but I love love love Lido Village Books so much that I would eat there if I could.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I can’t believe this but I’ve lived here for almost 20 years. It’s the longest I’ve ever lived in one house.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
This is a tough question to answer but I have to say Van Elliot tops the list. He owns “The Pirate House” in our neighborhood. What a hoot!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite things are always changing; there are old standards and new favorite things constantly competing for my affection. One constant is that I’m a huge fan of Gilmore Girls. My daughter Alli and I often fall into snappy banter like Rory and Lorelai and it makes me super happy.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I could wax both elegant and philosophical about all of the things I think people should do and not do, how they should be and not be. But elegant philosophy aside, all of my advice comes down to one basic notion: don’t be a d**k.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would go to New York at any moment for no good reason at all. It is my favorite place on earth. Both of my parents are from Brooklyn and even though I’ve never lived there I feel New York in my bones.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would have lunch with Barack Obama because I think his combination of humor and insight is astounding. Also, I find the cadence of his voice intriguing. Of course, in this fantasy lunch plan he and I are somehow already friends, so I wouldn’t have to spend our whole lunch being dumbfounded by dining with a former president. We could just hang out as friends. We’d meet at Malibu Farms because the food is good and the view is so relaxing.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the fact that I can walk or bike anywhere I want to go. I forget how unique that is until we have friends come visit from other places and they just can’t get over the fact that beach cruisers are a valid mode of transportation, even for grown-ups. My husband and I have an old tandem bike that we like to take out to dinner like it’s some sort of classic car. Living in such an active community makes me feel good, and it motivates me to stay relatively fit.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
It’s strange to think 5 or 10 years in advance. If all goes well, our kids will be out on their own but eager to still hang out with us often. I’m sure I’ll still be freelancing, but I’ll have to balance my client load with my travel schedule if I’m lucky. Steve and I have so many places we want to go; we just have to stay healthy enough to get there. Like my dad used to say, “Good lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise”. I have no idea where a kid from Brooklyn came up with a saying like that, but it seems perfectly fitting here.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
This is a tough question to answer because I feel like I’m an open book. The first two things that come to mind are both silly and in strange ways also kind of essential to who I am: 1 – I keep bubbles in my car at all times so I can blow them out the window when I’m stuck in traffic and 2 – I have a low-grade obsession with spoons. I love when a spoon is just the right shape and size and it’s also aesthetically pleasing. I guess the real secret to reveal is that sometimes I steal spoons from restaurants when I really like them. I can’t believe I’m telling on myself right now. I have one particular friend who is absolutely going to crack up when she reads this.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Trees. And kisses.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Oddly, I think I’m my best inspiration. I put a lot of thought into how to best integrate all of the pieces of myself into one satisfying whole. I want to be a great mom and wife; I want to take care of people who need my skills and compassion; I want to be good at my job; and I want to accomplish all of those things while still maintaining some glimmer of who I was before I ever even thought about having a husband and kids. I have always been a free-spirited artistic bubble-blowing lover of language and randomness – I guess those inspirations come from everywhere.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
I wish there was a word that meant “how did I get so lucky and also what on earth has happened to me”. Since there isn’t I will just say comfort, acceptance, and fun.
