by Diana Diehl | Jun 2, 2015 | Art, Community Projects
Street Art. Giving back. The perfect combo to satiate my need to contribute to my community in a physical way. Azalea Park has many public-spirited residents and community projects. We clean canyons and streets; we maintain multiple native plant gardens; we paint out...
by Diana Diehl | May 30, 2015 | Reviews
I just watched a movie that goes on my list of best movies ever. I could barely sleep after seeing it, as the ideas rolled around in my head. Although the discussion of free will vs. pre-determination is neither new nor without strong arguments on either side,...
by Diana Diehl | Mar 31, 2015 | Journal, Real Life, Writing
My Tax Man said: “Get a day planner.” “But, but…Spreadsheets! And, and…the Cloud!” “Hard copy,” he replied with all the grim persuasion of an old school master. “Trackable, chronological hardcopy.” It seems...
by Diana Diehl | Feb 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
There’s been a lot of chat about letting go lately. Disney certainly hit a chord with its latest princess theme. I see heaps of wise words about release from attachment, grief, phobias, whatever, that would make a Zen Buddhist monk proud. But I have a slightly...
by Diana Diehl | Nov 2, 2014 | Writing
I just read an inspiring pep talk for National Novel Writing Month–which is NOW. (Or should I say NOV?) A wonderful articulation of imagery by Chuck Wendig, the accomplished and hilarious author of the blog, Terrible Minds. Something about keys in your hand, a...
by Diana Diehl | Sep 23, 2014 | Events, Reading
There is nothing quite like reading aloud. Reader and listener share a secret place apart from the rest of the world. Reading aloud was an essential bonding activity when our children were young as we traversed the worlds of Dr. Seuss, J.R.R. Tolkein, Robert Aspirin,...
by Diana Diehl | Aug 12, 2014 | Art, Events, Lady Cordelia Cresswell's Impeccable Inventions, Steampunk
Every year I perch over my computer, fingers poised to pounce upon the earliest possible opportunity to enter the lottery for Comic-Con badges. It’s more than just an event. It is THE event of the year. Some of our family don’t celebrate normal holidays;...
by Diana Diehl | Dec 17, 2013 | Uncategorized
They say that authors should write what they know. Well, I’m an expert on this subject. I’ll brag openly with unbridled hubris to extol my skills. A recent vacation to a location much colder than San Diego put me in a Jack London mood. So for the most...
by Diana Diehl | Dec 15, 2013 | Journal, Journal, Pondering, Real Life
Are you a somewhat chagrined owner of a small, or even a pocket dog? Do you continually tell people that you used to own big dogs? Are you embarrassed when your dog screeches like a dwarf banshee at the dog park when any big dog looks cross-eyed at him or when she...
by Diana Diehl | Sep 17, 2013 | Fashion, Real Life
I’ve always wanted a yellow, circa 1955 convertible, but that’s not the kind I mean. I’m talking about T-shirt conversions. I don’t really like to wear t-shirts–the necks bind, and they have no form–but I love t-shirt art....