Raero teaches the guy at 7 11 something new...again.

So, I walk into my neighborhood 7-11 on Christmas Eve and the same guy is working. He remembers me and we reminisce about last week when I taught him what a menorah was.

He asks me, "What are you going to teach me today?" and I laugh and say I don't really have any more lessons, but he insists.

So, I oblige.

Me: So, you remember how there are people who celebrate Hannukah and not Christmas? The people that light the menorah?

Guy: Yes.

Me: Well, on Christmas - all those people eat Chinese food.

(dramatic pause)

Guy: So are you going to eat Chinese food tomorrow?

I admit I'm not this year... that I'll actually be with friends who celebrate Christmas.

He laughs. I laugh. We laugh. Jolly times are had.

Guy: Well, now you have to teach me something new every time you come in!

What will it be next week, kids? Stay tuned to find out.

Post Script: I totally at Chinese food on Christmas night.

Happy holidays!

Raero teaches the guy at 7-11 something new

This week on "Raero's Life's Lessons" - Rachel teaches the guy at 7-11 about religion.

Me: Do you have candles?

Him: What?

Me: Do you have Hannukah candles?

Him: What?

Me: Do you have candles?

Him: Candles for what? A birthday party?

Me: No. For Hannukah.

Him: What?

Me: Like... instead of Christmas - some people celebrate Hannukah?

He admits that he probably doesn't have what I'm looking for but shows me Glade products and some birthday cake candles. I explain that won't work and start to walk about but he is eager to learn.

What happens next you ask? Well, I teach the 7-11 guy about Hannukah. No, I didn't go into the miracle of the oil lasting 8 days or anything like that - but I explained to him that not everyone celebrates Christmas. And if you are "Jewish" you celebrate a different holiday called "Hannukah." And to celebrate said holiday, you light candles on this thing called a Menorah.

Then we played this amazing game.

Me: Menorah

Him: (repeating) Men-or-ah?

Me: You got it!

We had a few laughs as we neighbors do...and then he smiles and says "You are Jew?" and I say yes and I laugh and he laughs and we are like old friends.

As I walked out the door, he said "Well, I learned something new today!"

I thought he was going to say "Happy Hannukah" but I'm good with that instead.

definitely today

I’ve lost way too many people in my life for a person my age. I’ve known too many people who have fought illness and lost. I have too many friends who have lost parents before it was time. I’ve known too many people who have left us suddenly, tragically. Too many, too much, too young, too soon.

I lost my uncle Ricky 2 years ago to cancer. He never stopped inspiring me, always remaining positive – up until the day he lost the fight. He didn’t stop moving. He didn’t stop doing. He didn’t stop loving. SO optimistic, he never stopped living. I won’t even get into the number of people I know who are still fighting today… but I will say this: I am inspired. Scared – but inspired.

Get off your couch, people. Stop thinking about traveling and do it. Stop thinking about quitting your job to do what you love – and quit your job and do what you love. Stop thinking about reaching out to someone you have lost touch with, and just pick up the phone. Do you love someone? Tell them. We all need to realize that life is – really really is – too short.

We need to wake the fuck up.

We need realize - for real - that we have one life to live and we may as well live it how we want to. I don’t care if I sound cliché. I chose “definitely today” for my blog because I wanted to start living that way. Traveling was the first step for me. What’s the first step for you? Let's start living together.

Keith, we're all thinking about you.

Women Are Funny!

Oh. My. lanta.

The Second Annual Women in Comedy Festival is now accepting submissions.

You should get in there.

http://www.womenincomedyfestival.com