Mourning my father, the alcoholic stranger

Mourning my father, the alcoholic stranger
I’ve started a list of things I know about my father: creative, construction worker, DJ, acted in local theater before I was born. My father had blue eyes which in some pictures appear to be the same shade as mine and in other pictures appear to be much lighter. He was tall, somewhere between 6’... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
December 3, 2017 at 4:58 pm • 

Nick & Knight: My secret date with Jordan Knight

Despite the crisp winter air, Jordan Knight was so hot that he didn't need a heavy winter coat nor gloves. Always the perfect gentleman, he surprised me and held two perfect flowers in his plastic hand.
I’ve kept a salacious secret for months now. I’ve tried to be a good girl, keep it quiet and respect his privacy. Alas, I cannot keep quiet another minute longer as my crush from the time I was 12 years old, is back in Chicago tonight for the Nick & Knight show. Yes, my sweet... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
September 26, 2014 at 11:23 am • 

My HowAboutWe Chicago Dating Challenge: Dance Class

My HowAboutWe Chicago Dating Challenge: Dance Class
One evening not so long ago when the wine seemed to magically refill in my glass, I may have confessed something to my gentleman caller/man-friend/boyfriend. OK, before I continue on with the rest of this blog, I really need to figure out what the heck to call him. I seriously have no idea what to... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
March 14, 2014 at 1:47 pm • 
Advertisement:

How to Survive the First Day of a New Job

How to Survive the First Day of a New Job
Today after 19 years, I will go to work outside my home.  After learning some devastating financial news on Valentine’s Day, I wrote a blog post to help me cope: Food Stamps, Oprah and the 2014 Listen to Your Mother Chicago Show. I was amazed by the many people who left comments on my blog,... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
February 27, 2014 at 9:05 am • 

I got schooled at Oprah's Lifeclass

I got schooled at Oprah's Lifeclass
I got schooled at Oprah’s Lifeclass. Well, I think I got schooled. In all honesty, I’m not really sure what that phrase means. It’s entirely possible that I’m using it incorrectly. I tend do to that. I also tend to NOT learn from my mistakes, which leads to a lot of humor, mostly at my... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
February 25, 2014 at 10:43 am • 

Food stamps, Oprah and the 2014 Listen To Your Mother Chicago Show

Food stamps, Oprah and the 2014 Listen To Your Mother Chicago Show
Last Friday on Valentine’s Day, I thought life couldn’t get any better. I had a weekend audition for the 2014 Listen to Your Mother Show Chicago and a Monday interview for my daughter and I at Harpo Studios for an upcoming Oprah’s Life Class. I had Valentine’s Day plans with a sweet, funny, adorable man.... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
February 20, 2014 at 1:25 pm • 
Advertisement:

How to lie about your age: Christie Brinkley, this article is not for you

How to lie about your age: Christie Brinkley, this article is not for you
Tomorrow is my birthday. Today, I am 36. Tomorrow, I will proclaim to all that I am 41. No, not 31. 41. I am intentionally lying about my age and adding 4 years starting tomorrow. Why? My answer is simple really. Unless you look like Christie Brinkley at 60 on the cover of People Magazine, you... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
February 7, 2014 at 12:36 pm • 

Back to College: The first class kicked my ass

I should’ve started with something easy like a nice literature, psychology or history class. I would’ve done well in any of those subjects. But, no. I was scared and worried and so consumed by self-doubt that I did something stupid: I registered to take Earth Science. Math and Science are not really my thing. Sure, there’s... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
January 27, 2014 at 8:12 pm • 

The best mornings start with gratitude

The best mornings start with gratitude
Some mornings, I wake up to chaos, to disaster, heartbreak and stress. Some mornings, the kids are fighting before I even get out of bed. Some mornings, my panic attack starts before my feet even touch the floor and I have to weigh the consequences of taking an in-case-of-emergency pill that early in the morning... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
January 25, 2014 at 1:17 pm • 
Advertisement:

Going Back to School - Mom Edition

Going Back to School - Mom Edition
In 2 hours, I’m going back to school. My first class starts tonight in some idyllic land called Sugar Grove. Sugar Grove, a place I’ve never been and really didn’t even believe it existed until I actually looked it up a couple of minutes ago. Sugar Grove, a Candy Land destination, a place where my... Read more »
By Crystal Intini Alperin,
January 22, 2014 at 5:00 pm •