Sp-ahhhhhhh

After finishing the book (yeah, I'm gonna keep harping on it), I felt that I deserved a massage. Not wanting to spend $125, I did a little research. Lucky for me, I found an $80 deal: scrub, massage, soak and sauna. The only catch was that I needed to be completely naked for everyone to see. And venture to Koreatown. 

Singing Prince's "I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man," at the top of my lungs, I drove into in Koreatown. East of Hollywood, west of downtown, Koreatown feels like another world. Signs are in Korean. Karaoke bars are everywhere, but so are the spas. 

I got there 45 minutes early so I could soak and steam. My research had alerted me to the nakedness, but reading about it and living it are very different. Shortly after you arrive, you'd better get naked quickly or you will be stared down. I've been working out, eating vegan and have lost a little more than 10 lbs so I didn't need to be modest. Luckily, I left it in my car. 

With only a handful of ladies there on a Tuesday morning, I didn't feel totally embarassed. I hit the Clay room, the amber soak and the steam room before getting called in for my scrub. In an open, communal room ladies wearing black bras and panties perform scrubs and massages. My lady scrubbed what felt like sheets of dead skin off me but it didn't hurt. Then she massaged me, put on a cucumber facial mask and washed and conditioned my hair for me. Full service all for the grand total of $80.

I bared my bottom, my skin now feels as smooth as a baby's bottom, My skin feels as smooth as a baby's bottom and with a bottom dollar price of $80, this is no recession special...this is the everyday price. So, bottoms up!

Prince's Pauper

The book is published (only 27 hours in the upload queue!) so I'm free to have some fun...and write about it. I admit that the blog has been lagging. You can complain, but not blame. Writing a book is all-encompassing. Ready for a little catch-up? First up: seeing Prince in concert at The Forum.

I adored his Purpleness as a little girl and knew all of the words to his songs. Basically, he was my Bieber, except I didn't want to marry him. I wanted to be his BFF so we could share clothes. You see, we're roughly the same height and we both love jumpsuits. I was under his royal spell until he became a symbol. He lost me and I forgot all about him. I only had 1 song in my iPod.

Prince is trying to save The Forum, a theater in Inglewood, CA so he's doing a "21-night stand" of concerts. The majority of tickets are $25 each--no tax, no fees. The only catch is that the shows go on sale on Monday or Tuesday for shows later that week. You need to move quickly to get the best $25 tickets. But it's worth it...opening acts are a surprise and he usually performs for 3 hours. The show is utterly amazing.

He played every song that I loved and my memory pulled the lyrics from the depths of my hippocampus. Raspberry Beret, 1999, Lil Red Corvette, Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Alphabet Street, Darling Nikki, Delirious.... I turned to my friend, screamed and shook my head at least three times throughout the show. I realized how much I loved Prince and that I had to download my favorite songs. You could say I'm Princ-essed--he's been on repeat for the past week in my car.

The odds are pretty good that I'll go again. I mean how often do you get a chance to see an amazing show for only $25? Plus Chaka Kahn, Whitney Houston (both at the show I was at), Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys and more.  This is a recession special that's a funky recess must! 

Coming Soon--FUNemployed: Finding the Upside in the Downturn

I'm ecstatic to announce that the book is one step closer to market. It's been proofread, the cover is done and I'm uploading it tonight. Assuming no formatting glitches, it should be available in ebook stores next week.

While I felt like a one-man band throughout most of this process (writing, editing, photographing and soon enough marketing), I could not have done this without the support of my friends and family. I have thanked them in an Acknowledgements section but why not do it here too?

I’d like to dedicate the book to my loving parents, Lynn and Mike Quinn. For always supporting me on this crazy ride.

To Susan Gelvin and Amanda Wilson, thank you for cheering me on and always providing unending support.

To Diane Kelley, for always telling me that I could do this.

To Brett Ellen Block for getting me started on this journey and being a never-ending source of information and inspiration.

To Maryam Mohseni for her brilliant cover design.

To Steve Peckingham and Mary Lou Currier for reading the first three chapters and giving me invaluable feedback.

Lastly, to all of my FUNemployed friends and acquaintances: keep it positive and never lose faith.