I love movies! Really cheesy, rom-coms that melt your heart when the girl wins the boys heart and gets her happy little ever after ;D They make me smile!
Sex and the City just finished, and I'm so completely and utterly the splitting image of Ms. Carrie Bradshaw ;) [I'm truly grinning right now!] A city girl down to the core, who has a drastically large shoe fetish, writer and hopeless romantic who's always head over heels in love. Carrie's happy ending just made my day ;D
In time, in due time...I'll get my happy ending too! Cheers to that!!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
B&W vs. Color
I just walked through the Travel section at Barnes & Noble and instantly I drifted away to far away lands. I touched the covers of the maps and atlases as if they were ancient manuscripts resurrected from the a time when men walked on bare feet and wore cloth skirts. I was overwhelmed with excitement and wonder! Like a kid in a candy store ;P
My mission: Find a world map to complete my wedding gift for my best friend.
I slipped away to the calendars that were nearby where a Parisian calendar entitled, "Remember Paris, 1913," caught my eye. It was filled with black & white sketches of the old Paris - one of the most romantic cities in the world, and most recently, the last stop on my Eurotrip this past summer. Then I found another calendar, "A Walk Through Paris," with the Louvre on the cover. This one was in color ;) It brought me back to that warm summer afternoon when I soaked my feet in the fountains of the Louvre. Ahh...memories...sigh.....
Back to reality, I noticed I was drawn to all the calendars that were full of bright, bold colors. A thought hit me - I remember I used to love b&w photos so much. I hung b&w portraits in my Hollywood studio, I would edit my photos and turn them to b&w and was deathly afraid of neon! But now, black & white seem so triste. So desolate, drab and dreary. I put the b&w calendar down as fast as I had picked it up. Then, I remembered the wise words of someone that I used to know, "Life with you is more colorful." Probably the best compliment I've received in life thus far ;D Recently, I've started to gain that color back in my life. I wear red lipstick, neon garments and accessories all colors of the rainbow. I dine al fresco whenever possible, listen to foreign music, talk to strangers (in their native language if I know it) and smile as often as possible ;D [Did you know it take 43 muscles to frown and only three to smile?] I do not see only two options anymore, no right or wrong, good or bad, beautiful or ugly, there's all the in between, and that, my friends, is where you will find color ;D
I did not accomplish my mission at Barnes, but I did find this one my way out the door...
What color(s) is your life made up of?
My mission: Find a world map to complete my wedding gift for my best friend.
I slipped away to the calendars that were nearby where a Parisian calendar entitled, "Remember Paris, 1913," caught my eye. It was filled with black & white sketches of the old Paris - one of the most romantic cities in the world, and most recently, the last stop on my Eurotrip this past summer. Then I found another calendar, "A Walk Through Paris," with the Louvre on the cover. This one was in color ;) It brought me back to that warm summer afternoon when I soaked my feet in the fountains of the Louvre. Ahh...memories...sigh.....
Back to reality, I noticed I was drawn to all the calendars that were full of bright, bold colors. A thought hit me - I remember I used to love b&w photos so much. I hung b&w portraits in my Hollywood studio, I would edit my photos and turn them to b&w and was deathly afraid of neon! But now, black & white seem so triste. So desolate, drab and dreary. I put the b&w calendar down as fast as I had picked it up. Then, I remembered the wise words of someone that I used to know, "Life with you is more colorful." Probably the best compliment I've received in life thus far ;D Recently, I've started to gain that color back in my life. I wear red lipstick, neon garments and accessories all colors of the rainbow. I dine al fresco whenever possible, listen to foreign music, talk to strangers (in their native language if I know it) and smile as often as possible ;D [Did you know it take 43 muscles to frown and only three to smile?] I do not see only two options anymore, no right or wrong, good or bad, beautiful or ugly, there's all the in between, and that, my friends, is where you will find color ;D
I did not accomplish my mission at Barnes, but I did find this one my way out the door...
What color(s) is your life made up of?
Monday, September 24, 2012
"We all make choices in life, the hardest part is living with them."
Two amazing events occurred tonight!
1. I stayed awake throughout the entire, let me repeat that - ENTIRE - duration of the one hour, 36 minute "The Words!"
If you know me at all, you know I'm a sleeper. One of my dear friends has even named me "Snooze." The minute I sit down and get comfortable, the lights go out. I've always tried to fight it, but you know I can't help it (shrugging shoulders) - that's just what I do.
As the film came to an end, a black frame rolled in and then the credits, I couldn't tell if I was more excited about the story I'd just witnessed, that Bradley Cooper was the Executive Producer or because I FRIGGIN' LASTED! Perhaps, the excitement was a combination of the three?! No fighting, no fidgeting, no use of all my effort just to keep my eyes peeled! I just managed to stay awake ;) This is only the second time in my adult life where I can remember staying awake for an entire film (the first was Paris-Manhattan in France.) I do know this, I am extremely proud of this new accomplishment! ;D
2. A great film to me is when you are so captivated by the story that you escape your own reality and you literally feel like you are physically inside the story on the big screen, living each and every moment of it as it unfolds in front of your eyes. I had a recollection! That intense and believable feeling I had while watching "The Words" is exactly why I went to film school and wanted to break into the biz - to allow people to escape reality for just an hour or two to live inside someone else's reality. Furthermore, I wanted to create stories where people could relate to and really connect with the characters, seeing themselves as one of them.
Unfortunately, I no longer have the desire to create films in the production sense, but rather, I have come to love the base, the foundation of a film which is the story. It's funny, I used to work in a writers' office in Hollywood and had absolutely no desire to do what those writers did day in, day out. Time has passed, I have grown up and now, all I want to do is write ;D In everything that I do, I find a connection to words and start painting the story in my head. I can't stop it, words just flow continuously like a rushing river! Isn't it strange how life works out sometimes? I've found in some cases, our desires become our fears and our fears our desires.
I'd highly recommend "The Words" to anyone. The score fits just like a glove. Casting was spot on. There was one scene where I really enjoyed the cinematographer's eye. He captured Jeremy Irons's eye (The Old Man) through a hole in the leaves of a plant sitting on a shelf. Aspiring writers, this one has a lot of techniques to learn from too ;) I'm interested to find out my fellow film buffs' views on the film [one in particular, you know who you are ;)] I've never been one to spill over a film and what my critique was, but this one's got me going. I don't want to spoil anything more because it's still a fairly new release, but I'd love to hear your reviews once you see the film. [You can post them in the comments section below.]
I'll leave you with one quote from the movie that struck me, and I can relate to very, very well:
"We all make choices in life, the hardest part is living with them." - The Old Man
1. I stayed awake throughout the entire, let me repeat that - ENTIRE - duration of the one hour, 36 minute "The Words!"
If you know me at all, you know I'm a sleeper. One of my dear friends has even named me "Snooze." The minute I sit down and get comfortable, the lights go out. I've always tried to fight it, but you know I can't help it (shrugging shoulders) - that's just what I do.
As the film came to an end, a black frame rolled in and then the credits, I couldn't tell if I was more excited about the story I'd just witnessed, that Bradley Cooper was the Executive Producer or because I FRIGGIN' LASTED! Perhaps, the excitement was a combination of the three?! No fighting, no fidgeting, no use of all my effort just to keep my eyes peeled! I just managed to stay awake ;) This is only the second time in my adult life where I can remember staying awake for an entire film (the first was Paris-Manhattan in France.) I do know this, I am extremely proud of this new accomplishment! ;D
2. A great film to me is when you are so captivated by the story that you escape your own reality and you literally feel like you are physically inside the story on the big screen, living each and every moment of it as it unfolds in front of your eyes. I had a recollection! That intense and believable feeling I had while watching "The Words" is exactly why I went to film school and wanted to break into the biz - to allow people to escape reality for just an hour or two to live inside someone else's reality. Furthermore, I wanted to create stories where people could relate to and really connect with the characters, seeing themselves as one of them.
Unfortunately, I no longer have the desire to create films in the production sense, but rather, I have come to love the base, the foundation of a film which is the story. It's funny, I used to work in a writers' office in Hollywood and had absolutely no desire to do what those writers did day in, day out. Time has passed, I have grown up and now, all I want to do is write ;D In everything that I do, I find a connection to words and start painting the story in my head. I can't stop it, words just flow continuously like a rushing river! Isn't it strange how life works out sometimes? I've found in some cases, our desires become our fears and our fears our desires.
I'd highly recommend "The Words" to anyone. The score fits just like a glove. Casting was spot on. There was one scene where I really enjoyed the cinematographer's eye. He captured Jeremy Irons's eye (The Old Man) through a hole in the leaves of a plant sitting on a shelf. Aspiring writers, this one has a lot of techniques to learn from too ;) I'm interested to find out my fellow film buffs' views on the film [one in particular, you know who you are ;)] I've never been one to spill over a film and what my critique was, but this one's got me going. I don't want to spoil anything more because it's still a fairly new release, but I'd love to hear your reviews once you see the film. [You can post them in the comments section below.]
I'll leave you with one quote from the movie that struck me, and I can relate to very, very well:
"We all make choices in life, the hardest part is living with them." - The Old Man
Friday, September 21, 2012
Wushu Bourdain
I just saw 武術 Bourdain take down six men like Jackie Chan in a black leather jacket and a Yankees tee in Hong Kong. If that's not H-O-T, then I don't know what is?!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
How was your day?
A customer came through my line today and I asked her, "How was your day?" She paused with a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye and said as she nodded, "Good, really good." From her pause I could tell she was taken aback. I sensed that no one had asked her that today, and perhaps, she hadn't got that question asked very often or at all.
Those four little words make a difference. They go a long way. I'm happy I was able to have that interaction and make her day. I felt like an angel for that moment in time ;)
Those four little words make a difference. They go a long way. I'm happy I was able to have that interaction and make her day. I felt like an angel for that moment in time ;)
Monday, September 17, 2012
18, 19, 20
Last weekend I had a goal: Run 18 miles.
The night before I went to a Team in Training fundraiser with lots of food and drink. So what did I do? Ate, drank, drank some more, ate some more and drank. And what did I do the next day?
I RAN 18 MILES!
I'm a perfect example of what NOT to do before a long run or before race day!
1. Do not sleep late.
2. Do not eat a late dinner.
3. Do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
4. DO hydrate yourself.
5. DO eat a light breakfast one to two hours prior to your run.
I did the exact opposite of the five steps to preparing yourself for a major run. I'm no master marathoner, and if you live a lifestyle where you do all the opposite of my five tactics for your run and can still finish the race then more power to you! I however, CANNOT do that again because I felt like dog shit the whole way through.
It's amazing how the mindset of a runner works, [or how my mindset works.]
At 9:01am on Sunday, September 9, I began my run. I went into the run dreading it which was a bad sign. I knew my preparation for the run was pretty much nonexistent, so it made me dread the run and how I'd feel throughout. After mile four, I had to use the restroom already. Miles five and six were uncomfortable as I was on an expressway that was more like a highway with no sidewalks. I knew by mile seven I'd be thirsty, so luckily, I brought my water bottle and fueled up. After mile nine I was close to my starting point and I DO NOT like loops so I had to think fast and take a detour. I ran on a trail along a creek that only ran for four miles...bummer! I wanted to go further. So I looped back around on the trail. I ran next to Great America and the sound of the roller coasters gave me a high. I imagined riding them and it took my mind off the mileage. By mile 12 or 13, I reached the opposite dead end of the trail, AAAHHHH!!! I just wanted to keep running but these dead ends were killing me. And the second bathroom call crept up again. I almost went in a bush that was visible to traffic but the urge went away and I made it to the Hilton..whew! Thank heavens!!
At this point, the time was ticking and the warm Santa Clara sun was beating on me. I was ready to quit, and just walk home since I was three hours into the run and completely off my pace. Then, aha! A light bulb! I thought of Stillpower (thanks for sharing, J!) Garret Kramer's article that featured the experience of Billy Mills, the 10K Gold Medalist at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. His thought process through his entire run was all negative. He avoided thinking positive in order to get to the race and let his thoughts flow organically. Mills used stillpower or the action or rather, non-action on the thought pattern to get him past the finish line. As soon as I thought of that, I didn't care what came to mind I just kept running. Garret Kramer has some really fascinating views on the subject and is the author of Stillpower: Excellence with Ease in Sports and Life. One of his articles on overcoming failure has resonated with me.
And we're back...
The week before I had run 16.37 miles. I figured the last two miles would be a piece of cake. The cherry on top, the reward for all my hard work!! NOPE! Not even close. During the beginning of mile 17 I was hating myself and life and everything in between. "Why are you running this ridiculous amount of miles in the hot sun, Arikka?" "Did you really forget to hydrate yourself last night? How could you?" "Run faster already, you've done this before, PUSH!!!" Just then, my favorite blue and red aircraft passed overhead heading towards the San Jose Airport. I dreamed of being in a new country, and of my upcoming trip to __?___. [It's still a surprise, details to come ;p] And then, a second Southwest plane...ahhhh travel, how I love it so ;) How beautiful it is to be riding 10,000 feet up in the sky off to far away lands, with exotic people, romantic languages and mouth-watering food to feast upon. I hope my travel bug never goes away!
Aha! I remembered, I have Black Cherry Clif Bloks in my fanny pack ;P That will get me through this last mile and a half. I popped a cherry blok and immediately regretted it :( After not eating anything since the night before and only sips of water on the run, it was the sweetest thing and left a horrible taste in my mouth that I couldn't escape. Oh, brother!!! Alas, an overpass! You know what that means??? SHADE!!!!! I wanted to run in circles for my last mile just to be in the shade, but knew I would go stir crazy so I turned back around towards my starting point to complete the last mile. I was weak in the knees, my feet felt like they were dragging and I couldn't get motivated. [Stillpower Arikka] Not even the fresh veggie spring rolls that awaited me at my friends house were enticing :( And I'm a total foodie! What the hell was going on? YAY! Another plane overhead ;) There was the motivation I needed. I told my bestie, Lisa to worry if I wasn't back by 12:30pm. At 12:33pm I get a text, "Arikka..." I respond, "6 min." I was reaching for a new goal of finishing by 12:40pm. [Horrible I know! 18 miles in 3.5 hours already...that's what happens when you fail to prepare!] I'm nearing the end of mile 18 now and ironically come close to a bright shiny red sign that reads, "STOP." So what do I do? I keep running ;D It's amazing how when you reach the end of the journey, you just can't stop and you want to keep going. That not only applies to my running career, but life in general. I ran about .19 miles more to reach my starting point and passed another STOP sign, but this one not so bright and shiny :(
At 12:42pm, I completed what I set out to accomplish...I RAN 18 MILES ;D
It was horrible, painful, exhausting, dangerous and uncomfortable but I finished and that's all that matters!
This past weekend's goal was 19 miles, but I slowly realized throughout the day on Sunday that it was a lofty goal and I remembered Kramer's article again. I'd like to post it here because I've always been goal driven and his point on limitations is a new realization for me. I really enjoy this read:
So after realizing that 19 was not going to happen at 6:54pm on Sunday night when the sun had just set, I didn't feel the disappointment because I stopped looking at it as a goal and just as a run to eliminate that disappointment. I ended up running about 6.2 miles instead just to get a run in and felt good that I had something under my belt for the day :D
This weekend, I'm meeting with Team in Training friend's for a 20 mile run ;D I already know this run will be better than 18 because when I run with others I allow them to encourage me and I like to encourage them so we can finish and spend time together. I have to admit though if I'm running with a friend who has the same pace as me, I get a little competitive and that last stretch of the last mile I picture myself in a race and run it hard because I like to win ;D I'm curious to see if my experience will turn out like my friend, Chris Guillebeau's. He ran 20 miles a few weeks ago since he's training for the Chicago Marathon (I forgot to mention...I am training, I just don't run 18 miles for fun, although that does sound strangely kind of cool ;b) When Chris completed his run, he was in the bathroom with a glass of water in hand and realized he was stepping on glass and some type of liquid. He was so unconscious that he dropped his glass of water and had to clear up (his bathroom and his mind.) After that many miles, everything seems like a blur and it's hard to function properly. Deliriousness and unconsciousness are perfectly normal. I just hope I don't go breaking any glasses next weekend.
The night before I went to a Team in Training fundraiser with lots of food and drink. So what did I do? Ate, drank, drank some more, ate some more and drank. And what did I do the next day?
I RAN 18 MILES!
I'm a perfect example of what NOT to do before a long run or before race day!
1. Do not sleep late.
2. Do not eat a late dinner.
3. Do not consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
4. DO hydrate yourself.
5. DO eat a light breakfast one to two hours prior to your run.
I did the exact opposite of the five steps to preparing yourself for a major run. I'm no master marathoner, and if you live a lifestyle where you do all the opposite of my five tactics for your run and can still finish the race then more power to you! I however, CANNOT do that again because I felt like dog shit the whole way through.
It's amazing how the mindset of a runner works, [or how my mindset works.]
At 9:01am on Sunday, September 9, I began my run. I went into the run dreading it which was a bad sign. I knew my preparation for the run was pretty much nonexistent, so it made me dread the run and how I'd feel throughout. After mile four, I had to use the restroom already. Miles five and six were uncomfortable as I was on an expressway that was more like a highway with no sidewalks. I knew by mile seven I'd be thirsty, so luckily, I brought my water bottle and fueled up. After mile nine I was close to my starting point and I DO NOT like loops so I had to think fast and take a detour. I ran on a trail along a creek that only ran for four miles...bummer! I wanted to go further. So I looped back around on the trail. I ran next to Great America and the sound of the roller coasters gave me a high. I imagined riding them and it took my mind off the mileage. By mile 12 or 13, I reached the opposite dead end of the trail, AAAHHHH!!! I just wanted to keep running but these dead ends were killing me. And the second bathroom call crept up again. I almost went in a bush that was visible to traffic but the urge went away and I made it to the Hilton..whew! Thank heavens!!
At this point, the time was ticking and the warm Santa Clara sun was beating on me. I was ready to quit, and just walk home since I was three hours into the run and completely off my pace. Then, aha! A light bulb! I thought of Stillpower (thanks for sharing, J!) Garret Kramer's article that featured the experience of Billy Mills, the 10K Gold Medalist at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games. His thought process through his entire run was all negative. He avoided thinking positive in order to get to the race and let his thoughts flow organically. Mills used stillpower or the action or rather, non-action on the thought pattern to get him past the finish line. As soon as I thought of that, I didn't care what came to mind I just kept running. Garret Kramer has some really fascinating views on the subject and is the author of Stillpower: Excellence with Ease in Sports and Life. One of his articles on overcoming failure has resonated with me.
And we're back...
The week before I had run 16.37 miles. I figured the last two miles would be a piece of cake. The cherry on top, the reward for all my hard work!! NOPE! Not even close. During the beginning of mile 17 I was hating myself and life and everything in between. "Why are you running this ridiculous amount of miles in the hot sun, Arikka?" "Did you really forget to hydrate yourself last night? How could you?" "Run faster already, you've done this before, PUSH!!!" Just then, my favorite blue and red aircraft passed overhead heading towards the San Jose Airport. I dreamed of being in a new country, and of my upcoming trip to __?___. [It's still a surprise, details to come ;p] And then, a second Southwest plane...ahhhh travel, how I love it so ;) How beautiful it is to be riding 10,000 feet up in the sky off to far away lands, with exotic people, romantic languages and mouth-watering food to feast upon. I hope my travel bug never goes away!
Aha! I remembered, I have Black Cherry Clif Bloks in my fanny pack ;P That will get me through this last mile and a half. I popped a cherry blok and immediately regretted it :( After not eating anything since the night before and only sips of water on the run, it was the sweetest thing and left a horrible taste in my mouth that I couldn't escape. Oh, brother!!! Alas, an overpass! You know what that means??? SHADE!!!!! I wanted to run in circles for my last mile just to be in the shade, but knew I would go stir crazy so I turned back around towards my starting point to complete the last mile. I was weak in the knees, my feet felt like they were dragging and I couldn't get motivated. [Stillpower Arikka] Not even the fresh veggie spring rolls that awaited me at my friends house were enticing :( And I'm a total foodie! What the hell was going on? YAY! Another plane overhead ;) There was the motivation I needed. I told my bestie, Lisa to worry if I wasn't back by 12:30pm. At 12:33pm I get a text, "Arikka..." I respond, "6 min." I was reaching for a new goal of finishing by 12:40pm. [Horrible I know! 18 miles in 3.5 hours already...that's what happens when you fail to prepare!] I'm nearing the end of mile 18 now and ironically come close to a bright shiny red sign that reads, "STOP." So what do I do? I keep running ;D It's amazing how when you reach the end of the journey, you just can't stop and you want to keep going. That not only applies to my running career, but life in general. I ran about .19 miles more to reach my starting point and passed another STOP sign, but this one not so bright and shiny :(
At 12:42pm, I completed what I set out to accomplish...I RAN 18 MILES ;D
It was horrible, painful, exhausting, dangerous and uncomfortable but I finished and that's all that matters!
This past weekend's goal was 19 miles, but I slowly realized throughout the day on Sunday that it was a lofty goal and I remembered Kramer's article again. I'd like to post it here because I've always been goal driven and his point on limitations is a new realization for me. I really enjoy this read:
3. People who overcome failure rarely set goals.
Goal setting limits your options. If you set a goal and don’t achieve it, it makes perfect sense for disappointment to fester. Even though they might feel down in the moment, people who overcome failure recognize that any and all outcomes are an opportunity for growth, new possibilities, and future achievement. So after realizing that 19 was not going to happen at 6:54pm on Sunday night when the sun had just set, I didn't feel the disappointment because I stopped looking at it as a goal and just as a run to eliminate that disappointment. I ended up running about 6.2 miles instead just to get a run in and felt good that I had something under my belt for the day :D
This weekend, I'm meeting with Team in Training friend's for a 20 mile run ;D I already know this run will be better than 18 because when I run with others I allow them to encourage me and I like to encourage them so we can finish and spend time together. I have to admit though if I'm running with a friend who has the same pace as me, I get a little competitive and that last stretch of the last mile I picture myself in a race and run it hard because I like to win ;D I'm curious to see if my experience will turn out like my friend, Chris Guillebeau's. He ran 20 miles a few weeks ago since he's training for the Chicago Marathon (I forgot to mention...I am training, I just don't run 18 miles for fun, although that does sound strangely kind of cool ;b) When Chris completed his run, he was in the bathroom with a glass of water in hand and realized he was stepping on glass and some type of liquid. He was so unconscious that he dropped his glass of water and had to clear up (his bathroom and his mind.) After that many miles, everything seems like a blur and it's hard to function properly. Deliriousness and unconsciousness are perfectly normal. I just hope I don't go breaking any glasses next weekend.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Indecision
Indecision: a wavering between two or more possible courses of action
I, Arikka Rin, admit to being a very indecisive individual.
It's always been a bad habit I couldn't break. I am not fond of indecisiveness or individuals who are indecisive (that includes myself - I've never been happy with myself when I can't make a simple decision like which boba flavor to choose! Really, Arikka?!! It's not that hard and there are far more important decisions to make in life!)
During my recent travels, I have learned to nip that bad boy in the butt! When roaming in Italy, I had to make travel decisions on the fly. Which hostel to stay in, whether to cancel or not so I could visit Florence, what train to take, which route to take back to France, etc. etc. etc. When traveling and backpacking, especially, you just got to make a decision and go. I witnessed that in my friend, Jared ;) [Thanks Hun for the valuable lesson!] Don't get me wrong it's not like indecision has vanished from my life, but I am much more aware of it's presence. It's like a whammy and when it creeps up on me, I whack the hell out of it!
Today, I was on the receiving end of a situation involving indecision. It was rather irritating and has shown me what I must have looked like all the times I could say, "Yes!" or "No!" It motivated me to move on with my day and not wait. That's another thing I'm no longer a fan of...waiting. [Shaking head, again and again...and again] So needless to say, my awareness for this devilish whammy has grown exponentially in just a matter of minutes today. I DO NOT want to be indecisive! This goes back to my 18th lesson learned while living in France...JUST DO IT!
I, Arikka Rin, admit to being a very indecisive individual.
It's always been a bad habit I couldn't break. I am not fond of indecisiveness or individuals who are indecisive (that includes myself - I've never been happy with myself when I can't make a simple decision like which boba flavor to choose! Really, Arikka?!! It's not that hard and there are far more important decisions to make in life!)
During my recent travels, I have learned to nip that bad boy in the butt! When roaming in Italy, I had to make travel decisions on the fly. Which hostel to stay in, whether to cancel or not so I could visit Florence, what train to take, which route to take back to France, etc. etc. etc. When traveling and backpacking, especially, you just got to make a decision and go. I witnessed that in my friend, Jared ;) [Thanks Hun for the valuable lesson!] Don't get me wrong it's not like indecision has vanished from my life, but I am much more aware of it's presence. It's like a whammy and when it creeps up on me, I whack the hell out of it!
Today, I was on the receiving end of a situation involving indecision. It was rather irritating and has shown me what I must have looked like all the times I could say, "Yes!" or "No!" It motivated me to move on with my day and not wait. That's another thing I'm no longer a fan of...waiting. [Shaking head, again and again...and again] So needless to say, my awareness for this devilish whammy has grown exponentially in just a matter of minutes today. I DO NOT want to be indecisive! This goes back to my 18th lesson learned while living in France...JUST DO IT!
Friday, September 7, 2012
A Day of Music
Music feeds my soul. It makes me feel alive. Live music is moving. The vibrations from massive speakers and the trance-like state of artists performing their work captivates me. It's like an electric current. The energy from the stage pours out onto me and I start to move my feet, shake my hips and roll my head. I've heard this question before and have asked myself this in the past...
What is one thing you cannot live without?
I CANNOT live without MUSIC!
As I was feeding my customers Chicken Cilantro Wontons with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce and Vegetable Fried Rice, I met two charming members from the Grammy Award winning The Tedeschi Trucks Band. Kebbi caught my eye with his fresh picked flowers in a Jamba Juice cup from the flowerbeds outside. And Saunders had the dopest sunglasses so I knew they were not from my neck of the woods. Kebbi told me they're from Atlanta, but one of the members is from Austin, TX...ahhhhhh, one of my fav cities...got mad love for ya, Austin ;) Nous parle un peu français, they invited me to their show tomorrow night at the Bob Hope Theatre and even gave me a backstage pass ;P Good peoples, indeed!
Before closing, I met a song writer who sang me some of his lines from a new song he's working on. He told me he's wrote some things for Jason Mraz and Michael Bublé. I told him I love Mraz's latest song, "I Won't Give Up." Then he got into some technical music terms and starting talking about notes. I got a bit lost but it was so exciting to be having conversation with him and learn about music that it didn't phase me! Unfortunately, I didn't get a last name so I can't look him up and check out his lines. Not gonna lie though, I was a bit skeptical because I thought, "What is he doing in Stockton??!" But you can't judge a book by it's cover, right?!
That wasn't the end of it...one of my supervisors played "Gangnam Style" by PSY while we were closing the store!!! I knew there was a reason I wanted to be employed by Mr. Joe...it's where all the cool kids come out and play ;P If you haven't witnessed the YouTube sensation yet, you should do yourself a favor and click on the link above. You won't regret the next 4:13 of your life, believe me!
To top off the night, I came home to a Band of Brothers at the tail end of their practice. Check out the flows from my cousin's band, greyspace.
What a musical day, right?! Man, sometimes I feel since I'm so entrenched in music that I should just be a band manager or make a living out of my love for music! Hah, maybe in another lifetime? Who knows, maybe in the near future ;P???
All this music talk reminds me of my best friend, J, who is an Artist first and foremost, but also a Lover. Traveller. Dreamer. like myself ;D J, I hope you're music is flowing like a river, feeding your soul and inspiring you to keep creating. Best of luck, J! For my readers, be on the look out for joven, his music will move you ;)
Off to my bedtime melodies...good night world ;)
PS. Ladies, I'm telling you red lipstick and a warm smile go a long way! I locked my keys, phone, purse and computer in the front seat of my car today (FML, I know!) Met with my friend, John, and before he was about to call AAA, I saw a firetruck and a fireman suiting up. Asked for help and Voila! In seconds had all my assets in hand and was ready to continue my day. Maybe he helped because he's a man devoted to public service? Or because he's kind and doing his good deed for the day? But I'd like to think the cute red lipped smile reeled him in ;b
What is one thing you cannot live without?
I CANNOT live without MUSIC!
As I was feeding my customers Chicken Cilantro Wontons with Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce and Vegetable Fried Rice, I met two charming members from the Grammy Award winning The Tedeschi Trucks Band. Kebbi caught my eye with his fresh picked flowers in a Jamba Juice cup from the flowerbeds outside. And Saunders had the dopest sunglasses so I knew they were not from my neck of the woods. Kebbi told me they're from Atlanta, but one of the members is from Austin, TX...ahhhhhh, one of my fav cities...got mad love for ya, Austin ;) Nous parle un peu français, they invited me to their show tomorrow night at the Bob Hope Theatre and even gave me a backstage pass ;P Good peoples, indeed!
Before closing, I met a song writer who sang me some of his lines from a new song he's working on. He told me he's wrote some things for Jason Mraz and Michael Bublé. I told him I love Mraz's latest song, "I Won't Give Up." Then he got into some technical music terms and starting talking about notes. I got a bit lost but it was so exciting to be having conversation with him and learn about music that it didn't phase me! Unfortunately, I didn't get a last name so I can't look him up and check out his lines. Not gonna lie though, I was a bit skeptical because I thought, "What is he doing in Stockton??!" But you can't judge a book by it's cover, right?!
That wasn't the end of it...one of my supervisors played "Gangnam Style" by PSY while we were closing the store!!! I knew there was a reason I wanted to be employed by Mr. Joe...it's where all the cool kids come out and play ;P If you haven't witnessed the YouTube sensation yet, you should do yourself a favor and click on the link above. You won't regret the next 4:13 of your life, believe me!
To top off the night, I came home to a Band of Brothers at the tail end of their practice. Check out the flows from my cousin's band, greyspace.
What a musical day, right?! Man, sometimes I feel since I'm so entrenched in music that I should just be a band manager or make a living out of my love for music! Hah, maybe in another lifetime? Who knows, maybe in the near future ;P???
All this music talk reminds me of my best friend, J, who is an Artist first and foremost, but also a Lover. Traveller. Dreamer. like myself ;D J, I hope you're music is flowing like a river, feeding your soul and inspiring you to keep creating. Best of luck, J! For my readers, be on the look out for joven, his music will move you ;)
Off to my bedtime melodies...good night world ;)
PS. Ladies, I'm telling you red lipstick and a warm smile go a long way! I locked my keys, phone, purse and computer in the front seat of my car today (FML, I know!) Met with my friend, John, and before he was about to call AAA, I saw a firetruck and a fireman suiting up. Asked for help and Voila! In seconds had all my assets in hand and was ready to continue my day. Maybe he helped because he's a man devoted to public service? Or because he's kind and doing his good deed for the day? But I'd like to think the cute red lipped smile reeled him in ;b
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Brand New
I love all things new.
As I grow with each new day, I'm enjoying the new things I do and see and looking forward to the new people I'll meet along the way.
This past weekend I danced on a pole and a pool table, gave a compliment to a perfect stranger passing by which sparked conversation with him and ran barefoot in the street.
Next up: Roller derby practice with the ladies tonight ;b
It's fun, random and exciting to break out of the shell and come into my new existence.
I feel like a beautiful butterfly ;)
As I grow with each new day, I'm enjoying the new things I do and see and looking forward to the new people I'll meet along the way.
This past weekend I danced on a pole and a pool table, gave a compliment to a perfect stranger passing by which sparked conversation with him and ran barefoot in the street.
Next up: Roller derby practice with the ladies tonight ;b
It's fun, random and exciting to break out of the shell and come into my new existence.
I feel like a beautiful butterfly ;)
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