BIG

I have a Life's Little Instruction calendar on my desktop and occasionally the message really hits home. Sometimes they're things like: Never turn down a chance to participate in a small-town parade. (I don't - I even found proof when I was home a few weeks ago, a thank you note from Republican Congresswoman (I think she won once, not sure) Susan Grimes Munsell and a picture of me in my t-shirt!) But sometimes they're things like:

Think big. Plan big. Announce big. Timid, feeble dreams don't excite anyone.

I've stuck that one up on my whiteboard so it's staring me down. It's reminding me that everyone knows why I moved to Los Angeles. That every time I go home, I get asked how my writing's going. I get asked if I've sold anything or gotten a job writing. It's a little like peer pressure. But it's more than that. It's me pressure.

So today I'm digging back in. I'm refocusing. I had a great vacation at home. I read some books. I slept. I ate too much. But now I'm back. As I type a draft of Operation Gold Digger is being printed. I've gone back through all my notes from UCLA and made a rewriting checklist. I'm going in.

Because before the end of September I'm going to send my script to two managers and a production company executive -- all of whom have promised to read it. So here goes nothing!

Everyone needs an Angela in their life

In my lifetime I've had a lot of friends. And I've had school friends, work friends, church friends, etc. And some are still a part of my life. But many aren't. And yet, there's always been one constant in my life. One friend who is always there. Always by my side. Always a phone call or a shout away.

My little sister Angela.

Growing up it was just the two of us and it was never just Angela or Sarah, it was always The Knapp Girls. Even in college and even now. And you know what, I love it. I love that I am so blessed, so lucky, to have this person in my life who supports me no matter what. Who makes awesome pancakes. Who cleans the house. Who goes grocery shopping when I am sick (this may not sound like a lot but if you knew Angela you'd know that grocery shopping is one of her least favorite activities in life).

And she's a trooper, she really is. She has had a medical condition her entire life that causes her pain on a daily, hourly basis and she rarely lets on. She has spent more time in doctors offices, hospitals and clinics than you or I may ever experience. She graduated college with an education degree just as the demand for teachers in Michigan was declining but she never quit. She just moved herself across the country, to the border of Mexico, to teach underprivileged gangster kids. And can I just tell you, this was no small adventure for someone with an anxiety disorder. But she did it. And she was awesome at it. To see her with her kids, she's simply remarkable.

And then, when I decided to move to Los Angeles and become a screenwriter, what did she do? She decided to move away from the place she'd made home and support me. Seriously. Who does that? Angela.

We have a running joke that Angela will always live with me. I like to tell her I'll make sure I always have a garage apartment for her. My mom says maybe she can live down the street. But one thing I know for sure, anyone, and I mean anyone, would be changed for life to have Angela in his or her life. I know I have been and I am so thankful that I get to continue my life with her.

Happy 29th Birthday little sister. I love you.