My Day At Dierk's!

I have yet to write a blog about having celiac disorder or my gluten intolerance lifestyle, even though the web address on this blog says not another blog about celiacs....that is particularly because there are so many blogs out there on such content and as I thought of that idea I realized it was too common, in a word, competitive (the latter of which I don't need any more of than in my life as an actress).  Moreover, I have never fully explained why the address is that, other than the fact that my readers (are you out there?) have seen many titles and topics file through this blog from that of a "former" illness to spiritual beliefs and how they relate to the greatest TV show ever made, (well, one of them) Doctor Who, and now most recently my thoughts on community theatre, character studies and research of that fashion, and thoughts on acting in general.  But, why then this particular address?

The answer, of course, is because about two years ago I took a blood test and found out I had full blown celiac disorder.  I had suspicions of something of this for years before, even thought I was anorexic at one point but really it was the psychological revulsion my body had to foods, whether I ate them or not, not based on calorie content or weight gain.  My body instinctively knew that these foods were poison to me.

A few years back in about 2008, my dear friend, Amber, at a church told me of her diagnosis and discovery of her celiac disorder.  As she explained her journey, it lined up completely with mine in that of the anger outbursts, the crying spells, etc and that conversation stuck in my brain as a possibility until I finally got the prick and subsequent diagnosis in 2012.  (Yes, I had to wait that long for healing!)  Hitherto, I regard Amber as my angel of healing, in a sense, and think of our meeting as not merely a coincidence.  Thanks, Amber!

So, all that to say, I would like to focus this entry on my first attempt at writing a review as it were on a a restaurant I ate at while on a trip to see family and friends in California and to offer the readers a glimpse into the life in celiac-land.

When my dear friend, Oscar Not A Grouch found out I was going to be visiting, he immediately offered to take me out to brunch.  I, of course, explained my dietary restrictions and my concern over the high cost of gluten-free food.  He assured me that he would do his best to find affordable foods that I could eat and suggested we dine at the cafe his brother works at, Dierk's Midtown Cafe in Santa Rosa, CA.  I explained how sensitive I am, in that, foods that have wheat and gluten (even the very surface) have to be completely separated and sterilized from foods without.  (Every time I go out to eat, I not only have to ask the wait person for a gluten-free menu but I ask if the foods are completely isolated from other foods; sometimes I get rolled eyes and snappy remarks as if I am some sort of a prima-donna but of late I find more restauranteers that are not only very helpful but sympathetic to my very needs.)  Oscar and I agreed upon brunch and he invited our mutual friend, Jennifer, to meet us there.

Upon arriving at the cafe (after picking up Oscar Not a Grouch), his brother, Arturo came to our table, assured me he would do his best to make sure the food was the gluten-free as gluten-free can be, and even recommended the best choice on the menu, a fritata sort of thing with tons of yummy veggies, and informed me to ask for it without the regular sauce for that had gluten.  The rest of the staff that waited on us were very friendly and attentive to my needs.  When the waitress brought my meal, the chef had added some special sauces that sans gluten to substitute for the one I had to forgo.

All in all, my brunch at Dierk's was enjoyable and one of the highlights of my trip to California.

There that's my first attempt at writing about celiac's and the woes of dining out.  There most likely will be more from time to time but until then go check out Gluten-Free Girl & the Chef, for starters, or any other the many other gluten-free related blogs on the world wide web.

http://www.dierksmidtown.com/

Vision 2014

Every year, and in fact with every opening of a show, I draw an angel card.  You know the ones that have a particular spiritual based word that is supposed to show a little of your purpose for the upcoming day, month, year, etc.  This last year for 2013 I drew creativity and what a year of an abundance of creativity it was; four plays, three films (small parts but you got to start somewhere), a radio play (which we need to redo), acting lessons, personal and community voice lessons, a ton of play readings, and my debut as a vocal coach.  This past month, I drew vision, which was particularly poignant as the last show I did, Light Sensitive, was about a blind guy (played by that  Michael guy I'm in love with).  The word, vision, got me thinking of what my goals would be for 2014 and more or less what 2014 would be like, and hoping beyond hope that it would be more amazing than 2013 proved to be.

Now, I always take the idea of New Years' resolutions with a grain of salt, as I think the rest of us are prone to do, however, like all of us, I do find myself getting a little introspective about the year that has passed and thoughtful in pondering the year to come (without trying to make too many promises or overly ambitious goals for myself).  More so, I am more reflective on the intensity of 2013 for its great losses and great gains.  For what I have learned, with great loss comes even greater gain.  For starters, this year I have been blessed with finally coming into my true calling as an actress and even more reinvented myself with the new name.  A rose by any other name would smell as sweet is more true than ever imagined.

Furthermore, I think that the year 2013 can best be summed up with the song, "This is the stuff" by Carolyn Arends.  As Carolyn croons, several lines resonate within me, "love and heartache in between", "friends to keep you up all night laughing till you cry", and "dreams to dream, plans to make", those and more naturally reflect what that year became and how it will be remembered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q9PE8Qy8Ko

So, what is my "vision" for 2014?  Well, for starters, some are great, some are small.  Some seem more attainable than others but all at this point in the game all are dreams to be fulfilled, such as to continue in theatre & film, become a better singer, get one of my plays produced in some fashion at last, become debt free, save money, and travel more.  All attainable, hopefully yes.  Will they be? Who knows but the point is only to hope and to never give up dreaming, while still taking life one day at a time.  At the end of it all, I may not have achieved all that I set out to do but what I did will probably be even more than I can imagine, and really, isn't that how it always is?

At the most, I dream this new year will bless me with more love, more laughter, more light, a few tears, but many friends and loved ones with whom to share my days, dreams, and hopes.