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Signs

In addition to believing in Santa Claus, I believe in signs from the universe.  Although I've received some memorable ones over the years; one at Burning Man during the Temple Burn and another on a beach in Kauai, they don't come very often.  Today I experienced the strangest and most specific of them all.  I was about to put money in a meter, when I noticed a tightly rolled, pristine joint resting on the ledge inside the glass.  What is a joint doing on the inside of a meter, and how the hell did it get there?  I stared at it for several minutes, not truly comprehending what I was seeing, and then I laughed.  Was this a sign to call it day and get high?  Perhaps, for someone else, but for me it was directly related to a pitch we took out a few weeks ago about this exact crop.  It garnered interest from a very desirable premium cable network.  Unfortunately, there have been many bumps in the road, obstacles which appear to be insurmountable.  I have felt delusional to believe in this project as a potential hit series when we keep running into stop signs, but after this sighting I'm choosing to believe.

Red Carpet Favorites

A very dull year at the box office. My favorite flick, BEGINNERS, wasn't even nominated for an Oscar.  My other favorite pick, TREE OF LIFE, did garner a best picture nomination, but there was hardly any buzz making it, at best, a long shot to win an award.  Nonetheless, I gathered with friends to celebrate the annual tradition of bestowing golden statues on those in the film industry.  The highlight of the evening was the red carpet, and although I coveted some gowns, overall it to was a lackluster year. 

Oscar Sunday

Rallied for one of my favorite yoga classes this morning.  Went to the earlier level 1/2 class thinking it would be easier, but it still kicked my ass.   We consciously found each posture, holding them until our muscles quaked.  I acknowledged the importance of slowing down, breathing into the moment, instead of rushing through it.  The lessons from yoga apply to every facet of life.  Yes, sometimes the path is to be savored, even if in the moment there is discomfort.

My next stop, the Hollywood Farmers' Market, where the streets were teeming with cops and tow trucks making way for this afternoon's red carpet extravaganza.  The flowers above were from a stand whose owners took the time to make simple, yet elegant arrangements.  A crowd hovered to admire the photo worthy display.  I couldn't resist a few hipsta shots.

Orange Sky

The Psychology of Regret

I've been thinking about regret more and more lately, undoubtedly due to the mound of sand accumulating in the bottom of the hourglass.  I'm slightly disturbed by these "what ifs" floating around my mind, something I absurdly claimed in my youth I would never contemplate.  Thus, I found Kathryn Schultz's TED talk on the psychology of regret illuminating and liberating.  Her assertion that some of your own regrets are not as ugly as you think they are, is a refreshing perspective.  I'm aware life without regret is an impossible, naive notion, a bumper sticker, not a reality.  But understanding the role it plays in life is essential.

If we have goals and dreams and we want to do our best, and if we love people and we don’t want to hurt them or lose them, we should feel pain when things go wrong. The point isn’t to live without any regrets, the point is to not hate ourselves for having them… We need to learn to love the flawed, imperfect things that we create, and to forgive ourselves for creating them. Regret doesn’t remind us that we did badly — it reminds us that we know we can do better.

The Porcupine Dilemma

The porcupine dilemma made famous by German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer is a beautiful metaphor for how we choose to go through the world and relate to others, in a quest to master the intricate balance of protective self-containment and the vulnerability necessary for the warmth of true intimacy.  Elizabeth Gilbert discussed the principle.  I can totally relate!

Frustration

Why, oh why, are so many things testing my patience these days?  Attempting to get flight information online when my password is continually rejected is absolutely mind numbing, as is the alternative, being put on hold for upwards of an hour trying to access same flight information from an actual human agent.  Lost another hour today setting up my HBO GO account which required retrieving an ID number and password from when my AT&T Uverse account was set up sixteen months ago.  Twenty minutes spent on a printer, whose jam I cleared, but still won't print.  On a more serious note, Monkey hates me for trying to administer antibiotics to relieve a urinary track infection which resulted in a 6 am emergency visit to the vet this morning.  Of course, I was still able to find joyful moments through the day, but overall it was a very frustrating one.  Earlier in the evening, I let out a cross between a scream and a loud sigh which scared the hell out of Monkey who arched his back in response.  Interestingly the day was without exercise.  Tomorrow I must blow off this pent up steam.

The Wisdom Tree

The Wisdom Tree is perched on a cliff in the Hollywood Hills overlooking the valley, the west side, and Hollywood stretching towards downtown and beyond.  A quick Google search revealed it was originally a grocery store purchase, a live Christmas Tree, that an arborist then planted on this site.  Several years ago, the land on the North side was scorched by a raging fire, but the tree remained unharmed.  Hikers gather in its shade, leaving messages and notes in a tin box at the base of the tree.  Continuing on the path to Cahuenga Peak and Mt. Lee the tree is a stunning visual landmark, breath taking from every angle.

This is what SEXY looks like

Wonderland

I LOVED In Wonderland, a magical show at LACMA, highlighting the work of North American Female Surrealists.  A movement typically associated with European men, this exhibit features the work of Frida Kahlo, and her lesser known colleagues such as Dorothea Tanning, Helen Lundeberg and Gertrude Abercrombie. These women transcended the role of muse and depicted their experiences and struggles with humor, wit and pathos.  They were pioneers in the studio and out in the world.

Adele

I was one of the millions who listened to 21 incessantly this past year.  Absolutely worthy of all the gramophone trophies it was awarded on Sunday. Adele sizzles in this month's pages of Vogue.

Rain

Yesterday's rain has subsided.  In fact, today was crisp and bright.

Yet, I feel residual rain drops on my soul.

Kate Upton

Single handedly, Kate Upton is bringing back The Supermodel, one youtube upload at a time.

Valentine Secrets

PostSecret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets

anonymously on one side of a homemade postcard.

Nature

Abruptly, the weather changed this afternoon.  Dark clouds hovered over the mountains, while winds whistled through the palms before picking up speed and hurling my patio furniture across the yard.  Yowza.  Sometimes it's better to stay inside snug on the couch with scripts and a book by my side than venture out into Mother Nature's tantrum.

Hiking and Hooping

Playing with the Camera

Swimming Upstream

Caught myself swimming upstream this week.  Conscious, yet still with every stroke I resisted the current.  I know better, and didn't let it persist for too long, but long enough to let familiar feelings of frustration and powerlessness take root and undermine my ability to move forward.  Interestingly, there were highs during the week too.  The, at times, steep learning curve is deeply satisfying.  The work is always anchored in passion, and an intense conviction that these projects are worth every bump in the road.  But, the unknown . . . is so damn unknown, and unnerving.  I remember in college, sitting on the white marble steps of a columned building, contemplating life as only a senior on the brink of graduation can.  I wanted reassurance it was all going to turn out okay, for then I'd be able to chill and enjoy the moment.  In lieu of having a crystal ball, I decided to just believe the future wouldn't disappoint, victories would out weigh disappointments.  So I applied this insight gleaned so long ago, and within moments the tightness in my jaw lessened, the heaviness in my chest dissipated, and tomorrow already looked brighter.

Perch

Love my hillside perch

my haven in the canyon

a blazing backdrop

Madonna Rocks the Super Bowl

If this is what 53 looks like, BRING IT ON!