Liz Seccuro: 21 years after she was raped by a stranger at UVA, Liz Seccuro received a letter in the mail from the rapist. Rather than internalize all that resurfaced from the letter, she wrote back, and then she fought back. Unpopular to some, respected and/or misrepresented by the media, she opened the door so wide that our enormous US population of survivors could feel some vindication. An awesome mother to my favorite 5 year old, wife, successful event planner who lives in my hometown, Liz has become one of my dearest friends and keeps me on track with what I am here to do.
Zahik Rizvi: Like many Angelenos, Zahik, a United Airlines pilot and my former neighbor, had dreams of making movies. Movies with big question marks, movies with substance, movies with open endings. Unlike most Angeleno dreamers with big ideas and no product, he bought a camera and learned how to shoot a film while making one. Not only that, it was pretty damn good. We agreed, and so did several film festivals. His budget? $6000 (mostly spent on the camera). He just finished film number two, "The River on Randolph Street" proving it wasn't just beginner's luck (budget: 3K). If I were to make a film about Zahik I would name it "The Education of Zahik Rizvi". He now has two professions that pay him to be grounded and have his head in the clouds at the same time.
Michael Morrison: A talented, southern character who keeps me laughing long after a story is over, Michael is such a positive, warm person in a very acidic industry. Recently, he was hospitalized with 220/180 blood pressure and was retaining over 110 pounds in water weight. So far, he's lost a whopping 71 lbs. I am wishing him good health, great health insurance and his own sitcom in the new year.
Michele Goodfriend: My sister is many things to me: family, friend, believer. She also happens to be someone who was born into the wrong body. No, not like in the "I was supposed to have Heidi Klum's body", but literally, the parts are not quite in sync with her head, heart and soul. An unbelievably talented writer, musician, artist, athlete, let's just say things have been weighing her down. This December, with the help of some kick ass doctors who had to write letters convincing insurance companies that Michele's situation was a medical one (as opposed to??), she got some things off her chest. I'm not trying to be funny; it's just the way my sister would want me to say it. And for that, and all that she's endured, she's on my list.
Mothers that Work-Lauren Moran and Michelle Krausche: Lauren, the glue that holds Mount Sinai's Sexual Assault and Intervention Program together, makes working for a non-profit seem effortless. As the go-to person for a hundred plus on-call ER advocates, the job is not an easy one but whenever I call or write, I feel home in her. She always makes me want to do things for others, and reminds me to do things for myself. That was one of the most simple, yet important lessons I've learned in my adulthood. I thank her for teaching it to me.
My childhood friend Michelle, mother of a two year old bundle of energy, married her high school sweetheart and took on parenting his daughter, age 6, willingly, honestly, and realistically. I am a stepdaughter, and one could only wish that their stepmother was as wise, caring, gorgeous and super smart as Michelle. To top off the year, she's pregnant with twins. Adopted a big lab, too. Oh, and she still finds time to be an amazing friend.
The free spirits-Gillian Glover and Mollie King: They've traveled the world a thousand times over, their clocks are not set to 9-5/10-6 or any type of # of hours per week, and if they have, their world never depended on it. I met Gillian at my first job out of college, pounding our platforms on fry an egg sidewalks persuading retail stores, big (Tower) and small (Bleecker Bob's) to put a CD on their shelves. Also hailing from my hometown, she has a BFA in painting, she sings, she makes gorgeous jewelry and can throw fire. In all of her travels and trips back to London and NY, she is a constant reminder that if you feel like you are tied down, then you need to have the courage to set yourself free.
My last roommate (ever), Mollie's voice (singing, that is) can make me cry in 10 seconds flat. Her voice is loud, mesmerizing and so pure. She seems to be everywhere, and there is no one that even comes close to being someone like her. In the midst of her magical trails, she can cook, clean and make a home like nobody's business. Her home is everywhere. She also taught me that it's okay to end a sentence like this* Even a letter to Ron Delsner*
My Mon-Fri Ray of Sunshine, Summer Saldana: Please do not think for a second I am picking favorites. In my team of hosts I have many many favorite hosts for different reasons. All of them make my day fun and worth every call or word I write. I mean that. I love my hosts. So let me explain: Summer, as a person, is sunshine. I'm sure she gets that all the time. She is one of the most glass half full people I've ever known. She has the cutest family, and seems to look inside herself and up at her man in the sky, to be a better person. I don't know how that's possible but I guess the world is equip for anything.
Who makes it all worth it-David Polcyn: I'll try to be short. I am lucky enough to be inspired by the guy who I share my toothpaste with. For me this means I am loved without judgement, I am supported without question, I am motivated to process and live dreams out loud. For him, 2007 meant writing several scripts, starring in three films (one of which he conceptualized and co-wrote), and is not even aware of just how off the charts smart he really is. He's the kind of friend who cheers for your accomplishments and always helps you up when the world knocks you down. In this town, that's like a diamond falling from the sky.
