little kid inside

I had a therapist once.

Strike that.
I’ve had many a therapist.
I mean, really McGee-let’s call a spade a spade.

But this one guy, Richard, changed the way I think about life and people. It was like he picked up the snow globe that was McGee, shook me all up and set me back down never to have the snow drop in the same spot again.

Thank God for Richard.
Literally.

The single most intimidating concept that Richard worked with was that inside each of us remained a little child; innocent, scared, timid, loving and carefree. Our adults subconsciously protect that little child by putting up defense mechanisms, acting out, chasing people away, putting on a tough outer shell and a myriad of other things. Often the inner child was hurt, emotionally stunted or experienced something significant at some point and they become the back seat passenger of life that we, as adults, protect. Richard’s was named Richie and he was in touch with that kid in amazing ways. Because of that, Richard made peace with life enough that he doesn’t need to protect little Richie as much as rejoice in him and embrace the innocent, pure love that he gives.

Mine? Let’s just call her little mcgee.

Cut to Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew.
Have you figured out yet that my biggest addiction is to reality TV?
Did you know that Dr. Drew is one of my celebrity crushes?
Probably a bit of transference there!

So on this week’s episode of Celebrity Rehab they show the patients a video set to music of their younger selves-way back when they were little kids, through the good years and then touch on the rougher years before wrapping it up. Tom Sizemore is a patient (have I really blogged his name twice already? Weird. Right?) and he does all he can to keep it together but finally the flood gates break and that great big burned out tough man sobs.  He sobs for his youth, for his innocence, for the young man that he was. It was heart breaking.

And then I thought about Richard.
And little Richie.

I could see the little boy in that Tom Sizemore and it made me look at him a little differently. Was he an idiot? Sure. Was he out of control before he checked in? Yup. Was he harmful to others? Probably. But under all that I saw the little boy too-the one that was probably hurt at a young age and retreated way deep down. The scared little boy that wanted to do good and be great and life a fantastic life. And I had a little more compassion for him, a little more understanding and a little less judgment.

And then it left me wondering…

What would life be like if I actively sought out the inner child in the people around me? Not only the ones I love but also the ones I don’t even like.

Would I see them differently?
Would I be able to forgive them faster?
Dislike them less?
Or at least tolerate them more gracefully?

And what would happen if I let little mcgee out to play a little more?

Feels dangerous.
And vulnerable.

But I bet it would be more fun.

McGee

lessons learned in laughlin

After a stressful month and an uber long week,

Mr. Man and I decided that we needed a change of pace.

We landed in Laughlin, NV.

We aim high.

I know.

Don’t be jealous.

But after our three day getaway I wanted to share my top 10 lessons learned…

10. Bowling is so much fun. Not so much fun the next morning when our 30 something bodies couldn’t really move.

9. Baby ferrets are adoreable. No really. ADOREABLE!

8. Movie love is something different than real love. Movies like “Valentines Day” are cute and fluffy but love in the real world is much more difficult and dangerous while highly rewarding and wonderful!

7. Always be willing to try something new. Mr. Man convinced me to try a card game and after dragging my feet I jumped in…and had a blast!

6. When attempting that something new…particularly at a casino…might be a good idea to be able to identify a Royal Flush.

5. Everyone has a story. Sometimes, if we’re just willing to chat with the people around us, we find that their stories are just as interesting as ours. And certainly as important!

4. It’s not always about the destination (Laughlin, NV case in point).  It’s often just about getting the heck outta dodge!

3. When getting ready for a big night out…no matter how hot the room is…NEVER…EVER…curl your hair without a top on...but if you do...DON'T drop your curling iron!   I have an inch long 6 inch long burn peeling on my bubbie that will attest to this lesson.

2. It’s good to just let your hair down!

And last but not least…

The number one thing I learned in Laughlin…

When life gets you down and you can’t see straight perhaps the best thing you can do is just go play. Smiles and laughter with a little bit of love can go a long way!

Thanks for the trip Mr. Man…you’re the best!

McGee

only in L.A.

Last night I was reminded that I live in the coolest place I have ever lived. In just 30 quick minutes I went from being in our cozy home in suburbia to being in the middle of downtown in high heels, ripped jeans, pig tails and a great big grin.

You see…
I was at the Wiltern…
About to see Tenacious D “and Friends”…
For the first time.

So obviously I’m excited. Excited also because of my wicked cool outfit-so not a mom outfit-my ripped boyfriend jeans cuffed so you can enjoy my uber high heeled gladiator sandals. Not to mention pigtails complimented by a poof that would make Snookie proud and a headband with a big fat black sequined flower.

I was so doing it!
But I digress.

So we’re in the pit. (Have I mentioned that Mr. Man is a concert ticket extraordinaire? He always gets the most amazing tickets-thanks baby!) And I’m looking around and I see the first one.

“Baby-that guy behind you-who is he? He’s famous!”
“You’re silly-always looking for famous people.”
“No-I swear he is someone. I’m going to ask him who he is.”

And then this famous guy
Whom I can’t recall why he’s famous
But he looks an awful lot like Tom Sizemore, only clean.
Leans over to Mr. Man and quietly says
“Hey man-are you from Monrovia?”

It’s our Blockbuster guy.
Who I now know as Bob.
Oh well. I tried.

And then the show of the year kicks off. Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) hosted a fundraiser for Haiti with their friends. Little did I know that their “friends” would be the likes of Will Ferrell and Maya Rudolph. Frank Black from the Pixies performed as well as James Mercer of The Shins and Aimee Mann. Amazing music! Complemented by a few comedians, Ben Stiller and Russell Brand and Jason Segal singing songs from their movie “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”

Did I say AMAZING?

Tenacious D rounded out the night with an hour of their goods. Four hours of incredible talent, music and humor. And I was only one person away from the stage!

There was one more thing. I was staring at this other guy in the audience that I swear I went to school with. I just couldn’t place him. But surely he wasn’t famous-I already made that mistake.

But wait.
Could it be?
Yup-sure was.
It was Jeremy Miller, better known as…
Drumroll please…

Ben Seaver from Growing Pains.

Oh. And I bumped into Rumor Willis on the way out.
And did I mention?
I got a stagehand to give me Jack Black’s set list.

It was a pretty ridiculous night.
I had to remind myself it was only a Tuesday.

So Blockbuster dude aside…
I live in the coolest place. Maybe ever.

McGee