by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

I have a serious addiction and I like the way it burns on the way in and during the rush. Before you get scared, I’m talking about heat – you know, the kind you add to food. What the heck did you think I meant? I like my spicy and I like it HOT!!

When I say hot, I mean like inferno-type hot. I’m that person who will make her salsa from ghost peppers and use that as dip for chips – and not even flinch just a little doing so. Peppers go with every meal -- on the side and in it (if the others eating it can take it).

I’m so addicted to heat that fiery and sunny is just part of who I am. I’m that super-happy person whose always spreading positive messages and making others smile. I’ll help anyone in a heartbeat. But like a true pepper, my sarcasm will hit you just at that moment that you thought I was mild – unless you mess with my kids or family. Then, I’m another kind of fire.

Anyhow, if you eat something I prepare, you better tell me in advance if you want mild because my food is anything but. However, there’s plenty who will line up to tell you that it’s a must. I’m not allowed to come to certain get-togethers without at least one of my spicy dishes.

Cayenne, habanero, and ghost are three of my favorite peppers. You’ll rarely see me eat anything but desserts or fruits without them. I even lace my salad with my heat addiction. What? I see how you’re looking at me. But that won’t stop me. It’s darn good. Go ahead and try it.

I love the way it burns when I eat spicy food. How about you?

*I originally published this on Bubblews.com

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

I’ve made many mistakes in my life, even recently. I can be a hazard to myself at times. When screwed up things happen, there’s no one to blame but me. Shouldn’t I be depressed by now that I’ve let myself get into some of the things I have? No way! I like it. Uh, let me explain.

Mistakes are how we learn. I sometimes stumble so hard that when I fall you can hear an echo on the way down. But don’t we all? Isn’t that a part of life? Some days I want to say “Don’t Let Me Get Me” like the P!nk song says (embedded below). But in the end, just like her, I’m going to be me anyway.

I want to fall sometimes because every time I do, when I get back up, I’m so much stronger and wiser for it. Is this a license to misbehave? It may seem that way in some cases, but of course I don’t intentionally mean to do anything to hurt anyone else or myself. I’m just learning and growing like the best of them.

Sometimes I screw up so miserably I just want to crawl into a corner or under my comfy purple blankie to shield myself from the blows. But I’m not going to. I’m going to keep taking risks. I’m going to be a hazard to myself at times and I like it that way.

I’m learning. I’m growing. I’m real and I’m raw and I’m me -- and that’s all I ever want to be.

And I’m betting many of my friends are also hazards to themselves. Aren’t we all at some point?