Happy Birthday Edgar Allan Poe!

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” - Edgar Allan Poe

Everybody knows I love Edgar Allan Poe so I can't let the day of his birth go by without mentioning it or sharing my video tribute to him yet again (yes, again!)  If you want to learn more about the video and how it came about, please visit my blog post about it by clicking here. 

Direct link to "The Raven is Hard to Handle: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSwsZ8L3S6Y

More than filming the video, I have enjoyed performing "The Raven is Hard to Handle" live at my shows.  It is an example of how so many other people of all ages love Edgar Allan Poe and perhaps have forgotten how fun classic literature can be.  I doubt Poe truly knew the power his words would have on future generations...or that you can dance to it!

I am also so flattered when I see the kids in the audience get excited about the poem and sing it back to me or want to wear my Raven wings or hats.  It reminds me that I am being heard and received in the manner that I always envisioned for Stand-Up Librarian: Reading + Pop Culture = FUN.  Learning is FUN!  I never wanted to just do stand-up comedy or write on this blog.  I wanted to utilize all of my interests and talents to share my love for books, libraries, bookstores, music and fashion. 

In just wanting to honor one of my literary heroes, I discovered a path for myself that also enables me to fulfill one of my dreams that I thought was impossible: being a rockstar.  While I may never sell-out stadiums like Aerosmith and U2 or sing live on the aerial trapeze like Pink, I am a literary rockstar to a few kids I know and that is pretty cool.  One of my goals this year is to do more programs and shows for young people.  Oh and if I can perform "The Raven is Hard to Handle" live on stage with The Black Crowes, now that would be awesome! (Call me, Chris Robinson!) 

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY and THANK YOU, Mr. Poe for inspiring so many of us to write, to dream, to explore the oddities that not only make us unique but enable us to dream...BIG. 

With the "fans" that truly matter. If something I say makes
them pick up a book, I did my job.

Thanks to Edgar Allan Poe and The Raven, I am able
to soar to heights I never knew was possible. 

Driving Under the Influence

Drinking a non-alcoholic LeFou's Brew at Disney
the day of the accident.

A week ago I was hit by a drunk driver.  I’ve been doing a joke about Melvil Dewey changing the spelling of his name from Dewey to DUI and here I was living the joke!  Not as funny this time.  It was one of those moments that makes you stop and ask: If now is my time to go, have I done everything I ever wanted to do?  My answer was pretty much yes (aside from winning that Oscar or finishing my book), so I welcomed finally hanging out with God to ask him why librarians are losing their jobs but a TV show called “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” got a green light.  Then I remembered I had said I would perform at a library fundraiser down in Sarasota so I decided sticking around would probably be the more professional thing to do.

In all seriousness, I was pretty shaken up by the whole thing.  A family friend had just passed away, my dad was having major surgery the next day, and here I was about to die where my obituary would read, “Meredith was an unemployed librarian and an okay comedian.  She is survived by a lot of cute clothes.  Some of them she sewed herself because she had the time.  Sadly today, she ran out of it.”  And my poor family!  They would then have to sell all of those clothes and open my bills to see how I had yet to pay for them.

Thankfully none of that is going to happen because I am okay.  I even retrieved my favorite bow headband, which on impact, flew off my head and out my open window to land in the middle of the street.  I had forgotten about it due to my panic of almost dying at the hands of a twenty year-old in a monster truck who couldn’t stand up let alone operate a big wheel under the influence of drugs and alcohol.  It was only after my brother and I were driving away that I remembered the headband and we turned around and there it was completely unharmed by passing cars.  I was so grateful that none of the people driving those cars cared enough to stop and steal it or intentionally drive over it with their muddy tires. Which reminded me that none of them stopped to help me either. What a bunch of assholes!  Sorry about the profanity but I almost died, okay?

That headband - which was once just a combination of satin and plastic used to cover my roots when I had yet to make an appointment for the hair salon - is now a symbol of SURVIVAL!  An example of how $3 on the right accessory can make you forget all about shitting your pants and thinking you were about to die.  Okay, I didn’t really crap my pants but the reality of me being somewhat calm and cooperating with the police probably won’t get me a show on TLC called “Here Drives Stand-Up Librarian.”

Truth is I am okay with not having that show.  It is times like this that I am ever so glad that I quit drinking over a year and a half ago because I never want to be responsible for taking away someone else’s chance at living their dreams or accomplishing their To Do list.  Plus I never want to shortchange myself either – I’m not done yet.  You hear that, God?  Besides, I just know this book I am writing is going to be a bestseller and then made into a movie where I play myself and get nominated for an Oscar and win.  I know this because I already have the dress hanging in my closet.

So please.  Don’t drink and drive.  I’ve got shit to do and headbands to wear.

I had also bought a Mr. Toad pin at Disney but hope
from now on to leave all the "wild rides" to him!  

***FYI, this post is not to make light of or joke about the seriousness of DUIs or those who may have lost their lives as a result. We all handle grief and trauma differently so my way is sometimes to write about it.  I honestly hope this kid gets some help because we were both very lucky that it wasn't worse than what it was. 

Performing at the Selby Public Library Tonight!

Just a reminder that I will be performing at the Selby Library Fundraiser tonight.  I will also be selling my literary purses with a portion of the proceeds going to the library.

Support your library & have some fun, Sarasota!  I see big things in your future if you do...

Happy Belated New Year 2013!

Getting ready to enter the labyrinth of 2013.

I have to admit that I am sad to see 2012 go.  It was such a remarkable year on so many fronts that before I step fully into 2013, I wanted to acknowledge some of my favorite moments of 2012.  Each taught me a valuable lesson and reminded me once again that everything we ever want is aways within our grasp if we continue to believe we can attain it...and if you are willing to thread a needle into a sewing machine like 1000 times or sit at home on a Saturday night to edit a video of yourself dancing in Raven wings.  That doesn't mean things will always work out as you planned them to.  There are always setbacks, obstacles, and a lot of unsupportive people looking to stand in your way simply because they can't dance on a book cart to Madonna at their job.  In addition to being a forgiving person, I have tried to be flexible and open to change whether it be geography, economic, employment-related, or personal changes within myself.  I have also stopped trying to be so cynical or "cool."  I LOVED winning tickets to Oprah and hugging her did make me weep because it was an example how  - sending one email for tickets - even exceeded my high expectations!  I figured I would just meet Gayle!

Anyway, there were so many moments that I could have shared here but I am already feeling anxious about getting into my work for 2013.  One of the things I hope to finally  accomplish this year is finishing the book I have been writing on and off for several years.  Therefore, I probably won't be writing as many blog posts other than to promote any shows or new products.  Okay, so things will remain the same on here I guess.  Well, here's my Top 10 Moments of 2012:   

My 2012 New Year’s resolution seemed simple:

"Resolution - Success & happiness &
LOVE in St. Pete/NYC in 2012!"
...but I was in debt and heartbroken
still living in LA with no plans on the horizon.

Smartest Decision of 2012: Leaving Los Angeles to move home

...and despite living in a bug-infested apartment 
with endless water leaks, I never did get that security deposit back.

Makeover Moment of 2012: Got bangs for the first time in my life

...forgetting that now I really do 
resemble Kathy Griffin.

Literary Fantasy Come True of 2012: Visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida

...where my new hair fluffed out due to Florida humidity
and I became obsessed with butter beer. 

Holy Crap Moment of 2012: Getting 3^rd row tickets to see Oprah in NYC and meeting her

...then proceeded to cry like a 
baby on national TV. 

Unexpected Moneymaker of 2012: Launching Meredith Myers Designs/Stand-Up Librarian Designs

...and yes, they are still for sale here:
www.StandUpLibrarianDesigns.com

Best Use of iPhone Camera 2012: Having beach photograph included in Dali Museum exhibit

...plus I got a free Dali poster & fake mustache! 

Funniest Moment of 2012: Performing "Librarian Gone Wild" with Danica & Dave at Yorba Linda Public Library (and later ALA Anaheim)

...and I refuse to perform it again without them. 

Favorite Video of 2012: “The Raven is Hard to Handle”

I loved every moment of this thing: creating the costumes,
attempting to sing, filming the video & performing it live at my shows!

Best Stand-Up Librarian Performance of 2012: Both sold-out shows at Venue Theatre

...where I finally got the chance to do
everything I ever wanted to do as the Stand-Up Librarian.

Full Circle Moment of 2012: Celebrating 10 Years of Performing Stand-Up Comedy at The Strand Book Store in NYC

...where thankfully they did not pay me in free drinks
like Gotham Comedy Club did in 2002.
Having my brother by my side made this moment
extra special for so many reasons.

I wish you much success in all that you want to achieve in 2013 - both personally and professionally.  Make every moment count!