Jason David Frank and I embrace after not seeing each other for a month or so. We've been working together for two years now. And I'm proud to call JDF my friend. He's probably one of the most determined, brilliant men I've ever met, but he's also extremely grounded. His energy is off the charts, too. A natural performer, he can easily improv, rapping one minute and the next, telling a young girl or boy to go for their dreams and never give up.

My career as an Entertainer, Host, and Moderator has spanned 16 years. Yes, I know. L-o-n-g time. There have been lots of amazing moments, too. One such moment includes New Orleans Comic Con 2014, where JDF surprised me, and the audience, with a visit from Stan Lee! When the door opened, I started to get up to manage whatever the "problem" was, but when I saw Stan's smiling face, I started shaking. With mic in hand, I announced, "It's Stan Lee, everyone!" And a BIG smile crossed my face as Stan literally jumped on stage, put his hand on Jason's shoulder, and began telling the audience that the power of Marvel was behind Jason David Frank.

My most recent adventure was at Chicago Comic Con. Ah, Chicago! One of my favorite cities. The deep dish pizza, Wrigley Field, Hyde Park, Lincoln Park, the shopping, and wonderful friends...so much good in one place! I was even in Chicago for St. Patrick's Day earlier this year. Like I said, it's one of my favorite cities. When I go, I always get a good feeling...and at Chicago Comic Con, the fans were A-MAZING!

People were so generous and kind to me; I felt the Comic Con-love ALL weekend and will definitely be back in 2015!

Today, I'm performing at #DragonCon2014. My show on #VampireMyth is at 4pm, Hyatt North. Next week, New York! And a week after that, #NashvilleComicCon!!! So stay tuned! There is A LOT happening in 2015.

My updates have been sporadic in the last six months, mainly because I recently established a new home-base in #HOTlanta. So now, I'm in three cities: LA, NY, & ATL!!!

Wizard World is located in LA, and my NY-house was home for 21 years; I started teaching there in 1994. Today, my family, and many wonderful friends, still live there. It is also the perfect retreat with mountain views, woods, and an award-winning winery within a mile. The house-search and move to Atlanta went smoothly as well. I feel very blessed to be in another peaceful location surrounded by mountains and lush forest, literally in my backyard. The two-person soaking tub is pretty kick-ass, too. I have posted pics and video from my new pad on YouTube. Become a subscriber when you get a chance. Like I said, so much is coming in 2015; I'll update you with videos, blog posts and other news on social media as often as possible. And to that end, let me say:

Thank you to EVERYONE for your incredible support in the last two years. If you're a regular reader, you know that my life has had plenty of pitfalls, including health struggles like depression. How can someone be depressed with all these interesting things going on??? Well, depression is not a mood swing. It's bio-chemical and can be a side-effect of other serious health issues. I have to claim victory over the disease every day. And it's not easy. There are medications that can help, but I am unable to take them. Meditation, exercise, acupuncture, staying connected to nature, and a healthy diet all help me cope. But you, my lovely readers, the audiences at Comic Con who are so kind, my Twitter Followers, Facebook fans, beloved student-family, and people like Perry Chen, Chairman of KickStarter, who took the time to fly in to Chicago to hear me give a talk...you are the real medicine. My healers. And not a single moment passes where I'm not entirely #Grateful to each of you.  

So when I do my show on #VampireMyth today @DragonCon, and connect audiences with over 12,000 years of human history, not a single syllable will be spoken without full knowledge of how your love and support make it possible. And continue to do so.

Have a WONDERFUL Labor Day weekend! I hope you spend it with friends and family, in joy. peace and love. And for my True Blood fans out there...my take on the Series Finale is coming! If you're @DragonCon this weekend, try to catch two of my favorites from the show: Kristin Bauer aka "Pam" and Nelsan Ellis aka "Lafayette"!

I now leave you in the capable hands of my talented friend, Flo Rida, who definitely gives me a "Good Feeling" every time I hear his voice:

Even writers can be silenced, and quite effectively, too. A writer observes the world and because we can, are made self-responsible to report those observations, to be witnesses. But as a writer, though I have made myself vulnerable many times over the last 20 years, I don't write about everything I witness.

It's an unfortunate side effect of the human condition: Vulnerability. What people think about us matters. No one likes that reality, but it's no less true. We try to fool ourselves into believing the only opinion that really matters is our own. Except when we need to earn. And there it is again. Vulnerability.

But aren't we all vulnerable? Yes...though some of us are more vulnerable than others.

It's not just about socio-economics, "race," ethnicity...the biggest, most obvious difference people latch on to, at the very basic level of existence, is gender. I have breasts and a vagina...oh, and less muscle mass than the average male. Though I can create whole people in my tiny, "weak" body, because I cannot physically defend myself against a larger, more muscular male, society has decided that if I take it upon myself to reject a male, any male, I'm a "bitch," a "whore," "untrustworthy," "questionable," "over-zealous," "greedy," "aggressive," and a number of other less-than-positive descriptives.

Unfair is not being able to get out of bed without putting on an orthotic brace and tie shoes. Unfair is not being able to take a simple shower, without changing into a another orthotic brace and water shoes, or, dragging a dead leg into the bathroom and hoisting myself onto a bath bench. Like a person twice my age would have to do. Unfair is being 20, and then 30, and dealing with malignant cancer. Unfair is having to go through chemo at 30, knowing it may severely minimize my chances of building a family. Unfair is not being able to walk without multiple forms of assistance for the last 13 years...and, for the rest of my life. Unfair is knowing that my life will be infinitely shorter than the average woman. And no, it's not pessimism; it's the facts of my disease. I've even seen my death. Many times. Watched too many pass through the veil in the last decade. In one 12-month period, I lost 15 family members and friends. Unfair is having to move 1,000 miles away, leaving everyone you know and love behind, including your beloved baby-dog, because you cannot get a job thanks to prejudiced "colleagues.". Unfair is living with courage despite it all, smiling every day, moving my life forward and yet...and yet, being scrutinized instead of celebrated for it.

Is it fair to judge a person when you yourself have never been dealt the same hands of fate? Is it fair to assume that because I smile, I'm unaffected by all that has happened to me? That, I somehow don't deserve happiness? Is it?

Unfair. Uneven. Inequitable. These are all values assigned by score-keepers. Score-keepers never win because they never see the value in what they already have. People keeping accounts of what are essentially imaginary details are self-sabotaging, negative individuals. And we all  know misery loves company.

Those imaginary details cost me five hours of my day today, not to mention more tears than any of it was worth. Particularly given how very inaccurate those imaginary details actually are. See above if you are still unclear on what is fair, equitable, and/or even. So, in the spirit of setting the record straight, let me offer a little advice:

1) If you are healthy, no matter who makes more money than you, who lives in a bigger or better house, no matter who you feel has "more," you are the winner. Health is wealth. You can do anything if you are healthy. If you are not, every day is a struggle. Material wealth is only relevant if you can survive long enough to enjoy it.

2) Mind your own business. It's the polite thing to do. Good manners and all that. But seriously, mind it. And even if asked, keep your opinions to yourself. You have two choices in this world: Be a force of positive energy, or, negative energy. Why would you ever choose the latter???

3) The moment an individual begins to judge another is the moment that same individual denies their humanity: I am vulnerable. But I am not weak. I am a woman. But I am not a whore. I am a teacher. But I do not always know the answers. I am a parent. But I do not always know what is best. I am honest. But I cannot always tell the truth. I have survived a disease that most do not. For 23 years. But I am mortal.

So. Are. You.

Compassion is not just for the enlightened. Anybody can apply it anytime. Try it. You might like it. And, if you are human, YOU WILL NEED IT ONE DAY. Sooner rather than later.

And now, this professor will introduce you to a TED colleague who is an expert on vulnerability, and how it is integral to living a full life. Those who spend their days fruitlessly trying to avoid it, are not really alive. Even if mine is shorter, the fullness with which I live--thanks to my vulnerability--infinitely exceeds in quality the quantity I may lack. Because I don't love half-way. And when I dance, I do it as if no one were watching:

"Vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change." -Dr. Brene Brown