Here I go again

I ditched you.  I'm sorry.

I need to become more loyal to this blogging business.  Things have been going fairly well.  Happy New Year!  I did not start this year with any resolutions... and I don't think thats a bad thing.  I'm trying to not plan so much and just let things happen as they come.  Key word: trying.  

I have lately rediscovered my appreciation and love for candles.  I'm serious they are freaking awesome.  Make fun of them then light one up in a dark scary room and we'll see who's talking.  Its so amazing what a hint of light can do to a space. I have a crazy respect for venues with cool lighting decorations.  New York opened my eyes up to a whole new level of interior design when I walked into hotels and snazy restaurants.  This one place - I think it was called Bar 38 - had restrooms with clear doors and bright lights over the toilets.  There were no men or women's restrooms... just see-through doors with an intense light.  When you walk in the door fogs over and a little light shines on it saying "in use."  So very cool.  Along with those crazy effects like in Bar 38, it fascinates me how the direction of light can showcase an image.  From the bottom it can make a building look epic, and from the side it can accentuate any shape.  I love noticing how lighting is used in films, photographs, and interior design.  Why they took that angel and how does it help the mood they are trying to create.  Light is very powerful. 

To me, candles are a way to create your own unique light.  Amen.  

Off to bed with a giant candle burning and listening to Rachael Yamagata...

My Little Secret

Believe it or not, it SNOWED in Southern California yesterday.... what is going on.  Wherever you are, I hope you have the pleasures of staying warm!  If not, then let me tell you my little secret...  It's from the book The Giver: 

"When it begins to snow, riding becomes impossible.  Jonas must abandon the bicycle and continue the journey.  For a moment, he thinks that he would like to give up and drop beside the bicycle.  All the memories that he received from The Giver have been shed, returning to the people of the community.  When Jonas calls back the memory of sunshine, nothing comes at first, but a few moments later, it comes to him.  Jonas transmits the memory to Gabriel to warm him.  Renewed by his brief moment of warmth, Jonas begins to climb a steep hill.  Occasionally, he tries to call back memories of warmth to protect himself and Gabriel from the cold.  He regrets that there was not more time for him to receive memories of warmth from The Giver, but Jonas suddenly begins to be happy.  Although he is still exhausted and cold, he remembers his family, his friends, and The Giver."  

Memories can be so powerful... next time you are cold or uncomfortable, try it!  

Come on in

Welcome folks.  

How are you?  I'm doin' just fine.  California is getting a bit too chilly for my liking.  I've slept in my Ugg boots with my hood up the past two nights.  Keepin' it gangsta in the Sherman Oaks.  Can I get some fake snow up in here??

I want to send out an important message this holiday season.  With the economy in shambles we are all feeling the hurt.  Try and turn your head from that...  Look at your family, friends, passionate lovers, pets or even in the mirror.  Your life lies there.  Your heart lies there.  That is all that matters :)  I hope we all start to realize how much we really don't need, and begin to feel very lucky.  

I visited my brother in Seattle for Thanksgiving and I learned a new level of worth.  They are a bunch of fun guys that live together in a house.  They could care less about hardly anything, except when it comes to hanging out and having a good time.  Going from L.A. to there, it was a huge difference and a huge wake up call.  May I suggest if you ever feel overwhelmed- go somewhere where you have nothing.  Turn off your phone, no technology, do NOT pamper yourself, and just hang out.  You will feel so free.  We freak out if we don't have daily things we are used to, but the truth is we can survive without them, and its often better to survive without them- for our sanity! haha   

So with this blog, I tend to provide you with some of the simple things that keep me smiling on a daily basis.  Whether it be a piece of art, some music, comedy, or me being a complete fool... I want to share my sunshine with you all!  Why not? 

Until next time...