Write Your Own Ticket

Do you believe in magic?  I don't mean the kind that involves bunnies and card tricks, although I like you are not opposed to a good show,  a stiff drink and a blonde in a coffin being cut in half... those can be some pretty damn memorable nights.  What I'm talking about the is the kind of magic that is more like providence or serendipity or... ya know, magic magic.



A few years back I wrote a play that among other things had magical tropical fish as a major theme running or should I say "swimming" through it ;)  I put it away to rest somewhere in a folder until a recent endorphin filled jump rope session sparked  a few thousand light bulbs to go off.  I had the thought that the play ought to be shared (genius, I know) but  So many artists get stuck after they create something but that day light bulbs were popping and I realized it didn't have to be that way.  I picked up the phone and was lucky enough to have my good friend Rozine on the other line.  It was like having a female Tony Robbins on the other end.   She's all about the yes and she heard me loud and clear.  Say hello!

You see, I like many artists, had finished or almost finished another body of work and just sort of put it away, to slowly die without really considering the cost of not sharing.  I can only speak for myself but I've come to see the cost for me is HUGE.  Like detrimentally large.  Part of why I create is the sheer joy of the journey, yes. The experience of coming to a blank page and starting with one line and staying with it until something emerges and then boom your dancing with the flow.  However the other extremely valuable part is the part where it is received into the hearts and minds of my community.  It's where I contribute.  While everything I create might not be shared with the masses ( nor should it all be) I see, that for me, If I make a banquet - it should be received.  Allowed to walk and talk and breathe and shine.  I think a part of me for a long time has been afraid of that last part.  All the what ifs.  The last thing I want to do is give crap but A) that's not how I roll and B) It's not my place to judge.  It's my job to do the work and get it out there, even if it's a work in progress. There, here, where the world is happening and minds and hearts connect.  Which is what it's all about for lil ol me.  That's the magic.
Speaking of... 

I decided to put a staged reading of the play up.  I gave myself less than four weeks to cast, find a space, rehearse and produce it. Within two week my other half and I were getting tickets to Maui... you know that place with all those tropical fish.  This by the way was no small feat.  While we had always wanted to go it seemingly became available out of thin air right after I made the decision regarding my play.  Two days after I shared my tropical fish on stage, the big blue ocean shared theirs with me.  And yes, I think there's a connection.  I joyously sang to them with my snorkle gear on... to let them know their banquet was received, and oh were they received.

So go write your own ticket.  Write it loud and share it.  If you have love for what you do, that's all the permission you need to bring it to the hearts of minds of many.  You never know what else is in store... and if you happen to pull bunnies out of hats then that's double magic for you I guess.  

                

Filling The Void

You ever feel like if you just had that perfect person tell you how to navigate toward your dreams maybe then you could make it happen? Like if you didn't seemingly have to figure out everything at every step of the way by yourself you could somehow make it work.

Well, true story - Several years back I was graciously invited by Mr. Val Kilmer to a Screening of The Doors.  We met on a plane and he sat two seats over, some comedy was exchanged, we laughed we cried and well the rest was as they say...

Anyways, Oliver Stone had re digitized it for better color quality or some such thing and it was the 15 year reunion, so they were doing a shindig.  I know, can you believe it? 15 years? wtf? It was very cool, with some of the band members and cast, whatnot.

Now, if you're wondering if I always name drop the answer is no.  Not because I'm better than that but because I just don't have names;) I genuinely loved the movie the first time I saw it back in the 90's and to this day think it was one of Val's best... along side Tombstone (can I get a witness?) and luckily Gabe my boyfriend at the time had never see it so I said "Hell to the yeah, let's do this!"  So we go, it's awesome and afterward Oliver Stone gets up to talk about what a poet Jim Morisson was and that above being a performer and singer -  in his heart he was a a true poet.  Now, I liken myself to quite the little poet  and have some pretty good ones to prove it so you can imagine I was totally into it.  "I really get it man," I thought.  

CUT TO: 

The after part and they have rigged 3 after parties together at one space and it's off the hook.  Seriously their was so much eye candy in that place I got a cavity by midnight.

Oliver is being, shall we say, "entertained" by a younger Asian woman on the exec's couch and I'm dancing the night away... and then as the beat slowed down and the sea of people parted Oliver stood up.  I was close, so close that I leaned in and started chatting with him.  "I just wanted to say I totally related to what you said tonight about Jim and his heart and poetry.  I too..." He  looks me straight in the eye, leans in and  proceeds to tell me... something.  What?  I can't hear a fucking word!  Why is the music soooo loud!  I heard NOTHING! Not a damn thing, only the moving of his lips as he smiled, grabbed my arm and nodded a profound YES... as if he had just given me the keys to the kingdom.

I of course couldn't bring myself to say "HA?  What?  Can you say that again? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" I just said "Yes, absolutely, sir" Nodding a resounding yes back.

What was it?  What was the bit of magic he imparted to me?  

How funny right?  I create this sweet opportunity, get a moment with one of the best filmmakers of our time and somehow it turns into a modern day I love Lucy episode!

Maybe he said "I'm in room 406 you should come visit later" to which he thought I'd be right up. To which this story would be pretty naughty... na, I don't think he likes the gingers.

Maybe he said something crazy about love and storytelling and me calling his people and... oh who knows??

Well, what I do know is that as I thought about this story over the weekend I realized, I get to make it up.  I get to fill in the blank and go to all sort of wild and wonderful places. We all want to hear that bit of wisdom, guidance or advice.  We all want the big dogs to tell us which way go down the yellow brick road but really when you creatively fill in the blanks to your story, you get to own your power in a colorful, unique way. Then I thought... Where else I could re-write the script?Play it to my advantage and get back on the right path... just cause I say so.  

So Oliver if you're out there, you know how to get a hold of me... and yes what I made up entails stories of glittery grandeur that you're gonna have to work pretty hard to beat;)  Which is not to say that I'm not open.

Check out this interview with Oliver discussing Jim, Venice, Music and of course... poetry.

Oliver Stone Interview clip.

Get To It!

It's been a few weeks since I came a knocking and in that time there's been death, political corruption and millions of people banning together in the name of women's rights.  I love me some social media, have been able to see some mind blowing things but sometimes, it's all too much - especially at the rate in which we are seeing all the news and seeing EVERYONE's different point of view... "I get it dude, you really really like Ron Paul!" From time to time, makes me just want to start sipping at lunch time... ah, but that's just not an option for the like of this lady;)  It is an option however, to find that perfect song on You Tube that reminds ya of something bigger, maybe tell that joke that you've told a million times because it still makes people smile (my joke includes a couple of clowns and a cannibal btw) and perhaps take some deep belly breaths so you can relax into your fabulous rich selves.  All together now... Breeeeaaaathe.  

Whether or not you were a fan of Whitney Houston at some point in your life or just empathize with the loss... You had to notice people were moved.  It begs the question... What is it about talent, music, song, art, dance, etc., that resonates so sweetly within all of us?  Cause, if you ask me, people weren't just responding to Whitney passing, they were responding to what she shared.  What is it about seeing someone pour out their soul into their work and lay it out for the world to see that gets us so deeply? We're pulled out of our hum drum lives and excited, enthralled, connected. We're pulled from the rigid curriculum of the grind and grid and  momentarily connected to a soul filled symphony. Don't get me wrong, art also has the power to create change, to open minds, to be political and brave which is vital... but it also provides a direct line to the heart and unlike a life without it, art makes it all worth it in the end.  

Check out this Rad Work of art by Chris Davies that has a direct link to my heart.  So so so cool & amazing.  

So, while you're reminding the old men that they better back the f*^k off from making decisions for your -  or your loved ones uterus(s) OR you're telling Monsanto you'd rather stick a fork in your neck than eat their seed infested poison, make time to take note of all the beauty that non the less surounds us.  As a matter of fact create some too. Be a part of the sounds, the rhythm, the pulse... cause it's sweet.  I say once again, get up and shake your ass, like I did last night in my living room to a little Peter Gabriel (thank you YouTube). Paint on random walls... and then run away quickly... imagine, cook, taste, feel, revel in the soul filled gifts of your art and other's, cause babes, to me, it's one of the greatest things about being alive.  It's one of the strongest through lines.  So you better get to it... while you can.  Holla.

Now spin the disco ball and cue the awesome 80's video and work it.

click here! Dancing optional but advised;)


Until next time,
~Peace

Who's a Pimp?

Who's a Pimp?

I'm a pimp.  Well, at least I'm feeling the "spirit of pimphood" as I type this.

Today I'm at a well known coffee shop and the cashier, while doing a fine job, clearly has had a long ass day.

The exchange goes something like this...

Him "Can I get you anything else today?"

Me   "Maybe some Love..."

He chuckles.

Me saying what I think he might be thinking " That's gonna cost you bitch." 

...referring to his love.

More Chuckling ensues... He relaxes and seemingly wakes up a bit.

There's a long line, we're on Melrose and everyone looks stylish and thirsty but to him no one else exists. In this moment I am his saviour.  

I have made him laugh, unexpectedly... He is my saviour too.  

Why?  We have spontaneously recognized and shared some joy.

Him " Are you a comedian?"

Me "yes"

Him "Oh like, where, like what, where do you do your stand..."

Me "I'm not a stand up comedian, I do comedic things..."

The stylish thirsty line has grown.

Then I say it... "I have a blog, a new one"... unexpectedly, I mean the word blog still sounds foreign to me.  It actually comes out of my mouth like a cavewoman saying 

I don't know... blog for the first time.  Like "blaagg."

He grabs a paper and pen and hands it to me.

Him "Well, you've just gotten your first follower, cause that was funny"

Chuckle chuckle.

Me to myself  "First Follower?  Hell I've got a whole 18!"

Then I realized, actually, he is the first to be picked up straight from the "street"... hence me being a pimp;)

I found out later his name was Jason and as I posed with him for our money shot he assured me he'd be quitting in a few days. Assuring me he had game.  Of course he has game, he let himself lighten up, be in the moment and laugh.  

I guess he's the true pimp.

Thanks Jason, for keeping it real.

Oh, can I get a double, non fat, soy... I'm kidding, I heard you loud and clear when you said you was quittin...  Let the adventures begin!