I know this sounds like a setup for one of those cryptic mystic puns... but the deal is this, there's a science out there called Electro dermal Screening (EDS). In a nutshell, it's when computers can do what acupuncture does, but without the needles. This science has been around for almost 50 years, but few know about it. So, I figured it was time to experience it first hand and check it out.

Why would I feel the need to do such a thing? Well, let's see. To begin with, I work out at Curves three times a week, walk every morning, and take a body sculpting class... and while my muscles get stronger, my weight remains the same... and yes, I know muscle weighs more than fat... but the fact is, I was still extremely frustrated. So I decided to up the ante. I ran the NYC marathon and gained five pounds. I did a 100 mile bike ride in one day and gained another pound. I climbed Kilimanjaro, the tallest free standing mountain in the world, and while my son lost 15 pounds... I lost zip, nada... nothing... and it's not like I could cheat up there in the mountains, run to the local candy store and buy a Twinkie. I needed a new approach.

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In the summer of 98' my dad visited the Grand Canyon. He was struck by the beauty and vastness of it all. He made me promise that I would take my son, Spencer there one day. Always looking for ways to experience life, I thought why not raft the canyon, sleep under the stars and really get the full feeling of being one with nature. How cosmic.

A friend once asked me why I do all my "crazy" adventures. My answer is simple. I want to live life as much as I can without regrets. I don't want to put off saying I love you to someone, or climbing the mountain, or changing that job. You have to live now... Carpe diem.

In January of 99', I booked a three day rafting trip to begin on Saturday August 1st, for Spencer and myself with Western River Expeditions.

In April, my dad's cancer took a turn for the worse. We cared for him at home with the help of the Calbrini Hospice program. He was given three months to live. I debated on canceling the trip. My dad insisted I go. He asked that if the time came, his final wish would be to have his ashes spread across the great canyon.

On July 30th, my dad was put on the critical list. By then he weighed only 124 lbs., could not talk, could not eat, and could not move. As my family surrounded him, we told him it was "Okay to let go. That God was waiting with open arms." You have to be brave enough to let those you love go, when it is in their best interest.

I bent over and whispered to my dad jokingly, "Hey dad, if you are going to go, better do it now. My plane for Grand Canyon leaves on Saturday." He raised an eyebrow and smiled a weak smile. Eight hours later he passed on with my sister at his side.

With the help of Charlie, a very caring funeral director, we expedited the cremation and made arrangements to have the ashes with us as we flew the next morning.

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As some of you may know I was at this year’s Women’s Expo in Arizona to do my motivational talk called, "Dare to do it." It was a whirl wind three days with a hectic schedule… the plane was late landing, my driver couldn't find me in the airport because we keep walking past each other. I get to my hotel, threw down my stuff, changed and headed off to the studio to shoot a promo for the Sweet Connection website. (Yup, this website right here that you are reading…have you seen the promos yet?)

Anyway, I get to the studio, start doing some fast-talking, talk about the website and the experts on it. I'm against a blue screen, so I know they are going to put some whirling things around me.

Then I'm asked to take some still pictures. Not wanting to just stand there like a dork… I start leaping across the floor, like a very ungraceful ballet dancer. Yeah, I'm sure that's much better J
Anyway, they had me take off my shoes, so I wouldn't mess up the backdrop and then I notice my stockings had a run... such is life!

After that I go back to the hotel, hooked up with a high school girlfriend, Dorothy (who talks fast like I do... so imagine the headache the waiter got when we ordered dinner). We had dinner; felt we ate too much, so we did the guilt walk around Phoenix trying to burn off the tacos. At one AM I decide it's time to go to bed since I have to be up by 6 a.m. for my big adventure.

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Flash Forward to Friday - Judging The Laff Off.
Janette is dropped off at my house by her boyfriend, Barry who she calls perfect. We drive the entire one and a half hours to the Marriott in Huntington, Long Island where the Laff Off is being held. We talk the entire way and still have more to say in the parking lot. That's either the mark of true friendship or a bad case of verbal diarrhea. We agree that as soon as the contest is over we are out of there because we have a long drive back.

In the parking lot we encounter one of the contestants, a comic we know.
We hug him hello and then check to see that there are no cameras.
"Hey we better not hug. People are going to think you're slipping us a 50 to pay us off for votes."
"You mean that wouldn't work?"
"Nah, have to be a hundred at least."
We laugh and wish him good luck in the contest.

We walk inside and there are huge banners, WELCOME TO THIRD ANNUAL LAFF OFF."

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