First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Make My Day

I have a friend who loves to laugh, and when he does, it’s infectious. Decades ago, I got a “perm” (when they were fashionable) after highlighting my hair. And the results were horrific. I looked like Bozo the Clown. When my friend saw me, he immediately broke into peals of laughter. It was the perfect remedy. Who makes you smile?

Street art by Barbara Krueger, photograph by Marc Streit

My Sweets

My plane was weather delayed 3+ hours getting home today, so I’m late to the party.

Sending you my belated best for a Happy V-Day.

Heart Chocolate painting by Oriana Ingber

Seeing Red

For V-day week, I’m heading to San Francisco to escape the toxic fumes as my apartment building gets fumigated. Escape is not voluntary. All the residents (animals and plants) must vacate the premises. Every item in our units that we “eat or swallow,” has to be double wrapped in special bags so that nothing gets contaminated. In preparation over the last few weeks, I’ve been purging my pantry, refrigerator and freezer. That has turned out to be the one good thing, as I uncovered food that expired years ago. Away from my usual schedule, I might not be updating FPS as regularly, but I’ll be back in time to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day.

Photo by Adam Hillman

Basking in Your Glow

Having a cold is no fun. But receiving all your good wishes makes all the difference.

Lighthouse by Rachel Eleanor

Doctor’s Orders

I’m fighting a losing battle with a cold, drowning in chicken soup and hot tea with lemon. 

Illustration by Tom Chitty for The New Yorker

Hump Day

Hope it’s a good one.

Illustration by Max Dalton

Madam Speaker at the State of the Union

One of the things that kept me inspired while phone banking during the midterm elections was imagining Nancy Pelosi at the State of the Union. And she didn’t disappoint.

Photo by Doug Mills

When the Power Goes Out

While Los Angelenos are stuck in traffic, we comfort ourselves with the trade off of having year-round temperate weather. But this winter, we’re getting powerful storms. On Saturday,  the power went out in my neighborhood. I had planned to spend a cozy day at home, but quickly bolted to a friend’s house. It’s so disorienting to be without power, and it really unnerved me. Then I spoke to my across-the-hall neighbor who had invited 16 people over for dinner, didn’t cancel it and remained effortlessly calm. By 5pm, the power was back on, my neighbor continued cooking and I returned home to hibernate.

Illustration by Lisa Congdon

Weekend Plans?

It will be raining hard here all weekend, and apart from my running out for takeout, I’ll be sticking close to home. How about you?

Illustration by Michael Dumontier and Neil Farber

Deep Freeze

For any FPS readers in the polar vortex, what’s that feel like?

Illustration by Michelle Rial