One Week In NYC

April 19 - April 26 2011

Thanks girls. I love yous.

xx

My new best friend...

www.stereomood.com

My favorite this morning is the "just woke up" mood. Awesome.

I'm not trying to cram dirt down your throat... but...

Last night I made dinner for my mom and her houseguest of the past week or two, who will remain unnamed. It was a beautiful dinner with good conversation, although most of it centered around the need for organic eating, the downfall of Monsanto, etc. etc. (The houseguest is fairly fixated on this one topic and it really is the hot topic at her dinner table these days, which can admittedly be a bit much at times even for me.)

While cleaning up the dishes, her houseguest turned to me and whispered, "What do you say we just get out a garbage bag and empty out everything in her kitchen that's not organic?"

I turned to him and said, "Oh that's really not a good idea... really."

He kept pushing, "Come on... she'll thank us down the road."

I insisted, "I really don't know about that. And, again, this is a terrible idea."

I excused myself to the bathroom to avoid further persuading and when I returned, he was emptying her fridge and telling her that he was doing her a favor. Knowing my mother fairly well, I knew we were about to hit disaster mode (A dutch girl from a poor family would never dream of wasting a DROP of anything... we're talking about a woman that adds water to used dish soap bottles to extend the life of the soap). Within minutes a fight had started, with my mom exclaiming, "I didn't invite you to stay here so you could throw away my food."

I exited soon after this started, literally walking out the door and thanking them for a good night as I listened to the battle continue.

I'm telling this story because I want to say that I know my last post was heavy and full of a lot of opinion. I'm not trying to force any of this down throats but I am finding it fascinating and important in my own life right now. I'm not trying to empty out your whole fridge. I'm just trying to share information... not cram it. I hope it feels that way.

On that note... if you're interested... here is a trailer for another really brilliant movie that I highly recommend. It really makes me want to just go start a farm somewhere. Or at least be a hummingbird.

DIRT... the movie.

A really INSPIRATIONAL (not heavy I promise) short clip from Dirt:

Just one more side note: One of the reasons I really liked this film was because it didn't leave you feeling like there was nothing you could do (as many of these types of documentaries do.) On the contrary, it shows that even just a small effort on everyone's part could really turn some things around.

Change is totally possible.

I'm not trying to be preachy... but...

My shopping list is getting shorter and shorter these days. I don't consider myself a hypochondriac by any means, but I do watch and monitor my health pretty closely for the most part. (With the occasional party train curbing it from time to time.)

The information that's coming out now is alarming. A lot of the chemicals that we put in our food have health side effects that are as serious in terms of disease as smoking may be for your health, which I only quit yesterday. But I'm trying. And I may still relapse and have a really bad meal from time to time. But I'm trying.

All my personal mistakes aside, I am doing this post on health because it's being put in front of my face an awful lot these days. And I'm really starting to pay attention. And I'm not perfect and I make mistakes and I don't expect anyone else to be perfect either.

But I hope you try with me.

I feel that pretty soon I may just need to put the shopping list down all together and start a little garden on my deck. Until that's possible though, I am revising my shopping list accordingly.

We are coming to a Y in the road of human history. If we don't start to pay attention to where our food's from and what else might be in it (other than it's assumed nutritional value)... we could end up suffering great health consequences.

Big picture: only in the last century have we eaten foods with so much chemical content, and only in the next century will we really start to see and understand the full consequences of it.

I'm afraid this post may come off as preachy, but I think a lot of this information is very valid, valuable, and needs people to spread it around to combat the billions of dollars that are spent on marketing foods that are highly profitable, and highly toxic as well.

I am spreading this information because I think it's really important, even though it does have a kind of "doomsday-esque" vibe. I apologize.

Here is a series of videos that I think are worth watching. If you don't have time to watch them all at once, it may be worth coming back here when you can.

Health is our most important asset. Nurture it!

Don't eat the corn / soy / alfalfa and grain fed cattle or livestock of any kind...

All of these crops have been too saturated with GMO's...

For a full length (86 mins) and fascinating documentary on the history, future, and global consequences of GMO's, go here:

The Future of Food

Here's a trailer in case you're just curious for now:

I promise it's worth watching. I also warn that it is fairly alarming and you basically shouldn't watch it before bedtime.

For a shorter (20 min... part 1 of a series) version of the similar information, check this one out:

And finally, for an overview on the health implications only (ranging in lab animals from sterility to patches of hair growing inside the mouth)... here is part one of a six part series that is worth hearing if you're on the fence about whether this is worth changing your shopping habits:

And aside from the GMO produce... what about that animals that eat the GMO produce?...

"As for meat, I advise everyone to avoid conventionally-raised beef.

Why?

Because cattle were designed to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. Compared with corn-fed beef, organically-raised grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Conventionally-raised beef is also very high in pesticides (due to eating conventionally grown grains, and perhaps even genetically modified grains). In fact, non-organic meats can have up to five times more pesticides than non-organic vegetables!

This is why I recommend always buying organic, grass-fed beef. If you have to choose between buying organic beef or organic produce—get the organic beef. It'll give you the greatest bang for your buck in terms of health benefits."

- Dr. Mercola

Basically, eat local organic. Since GMO's are refusing to label themselves, the organic movement may take the reigns and start labeling what they can as "Non-GMO." Keep an eye out. (Also know that Whole Foods market has now climbed in bed with Monsanto, and reportedly have GMO foods in over 90% of their own food label now. They are declining to label those products.)

Don't eat the fish...

This video demonstrates the actual levels of toxicity in the gulf... which we are crabbing, fishing, and 'prawning' from...

This video is from FOX news. Note here that I didn't post it because I want you to listen to it... I posted it because FOX is telling you to "just trust the government" when they say it's safe to eat the radioactive fish. Also note how the government told all those families it was safe to go play and fish in the gulf again. Got me?...

(If you are worried about radioactivity, pick up kelp supplements. The rain water in California has tested 181 times higher than the "safe" level the FDA approves. The government is telling everyone on the west coast that the radiation levels in the water are safe. Many scientists agree that no extended dose of radiation is really considered safe. The leak in Japan could go on for months, possibly even years. Another option is to simply use iodized salt on your food. Think Morton's Salt Girl salt. Countries in Europe are now advising pregnant women and infants to not consume rain water, any sort of dairy, and no leafy greens. And their tested levels are at 10% of ours here in North America.)

Add any sort of farmed fish to that list...

"Nature didn't intend for fish to be crammed into pens and fed soy, GM corn, antibiotics, poultry litter and hydrolyzed chicken feathers. As a result of this practice, farmed salmon, for example, is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs, brominated flame retardants, and pesticides such as dioxin and DDT."

- Dr. Mercola

Basically... fish is (sadly) out for a while unless you know exactly where it came from (just keep in mind that the Atlantic will be the safest source for a long time to come).

Avoid processed and, particularly, processed "enriched" foods...

Avoid cow milk... if you must have it then go for the local, organic, raw milk...

Don't drink the diet coke... no Aspartame in general...

And if you live in a city, just be conscious in general...

"Probably the best place to be in this situation [economic collapse precipitated by peak oil and a changing climate] would be on a subsistence farm in a village in Sub-Saharan Africa or someplace that's not much effected by what happens in the rest of the world. I think most people don't realize how vulnerable we are. For example, the food supply in the average city in the United States, if it's not daily renewed, would run out in about 3 days. There's not much of a buffer there. The system can come apart pretty fast."

And after all that heavy sh*t, this is just to make you smile (hopefully):

It's Been a While - "To Do" List 2011

So I promised I was returning to reality when I wrote that post back in Nov. Then I disappeared for even longer than the last time.

I lied. It happens.

I've been very busy figuring out what I actually want. (In life.) This is very different, it turns out, than what I actually need.

Go figure.

The two do not necessarily go hand in hand all the time. I spent most of the winter figuring that out.

The day that I really fully realized this, the cherry blossoms came.

It wasn't a spring day, and I wasn't in a spring mood. This realization wasn't an easy one. Spring cleaning is a bitch. And yet, it's totally necessary. Every. Goddamn. Year. After Year.

I am coming to find that I really believe it's our duty, as humans, to constantly examine our lives and take note of what's working for us, and what's not. No matter how much we want the things that are working against us, we have to let them go, or at least let them go in their current form.

Then comes the question, "How do you know if something's working for you?"

That's when it starts to get complicated. You have to be completely honest with yourself to really find out.

The problem lies in a little circular or spiraling dilemma. What you want right now, may not be what you need right now, because what you need right NOW is supposed to get you what you want in LIFE. What you want right NOW doesn't hold the same promise. And then, who's to say what life really is? Is your life in the future? Or is it right now? You see my problem. In fact, it's both...

The life that you choose to live right now will be the life that you end up with.

That's where the split between want and need occurs. What I want right now may not get me what I want in the future. But what I want in the future defines what I need right now.

Act accordingly.

That's the beauty of changing your mind.

If you find yourself worrying about the future, change your mind and start doing something now.

Make a to do list.

Speaking of which... I never posted mine for 2011...

This list started off the blog last year and I really did mean to post my revisions for this year. The basis of the mighty to do list has stayed the same since the first draft in 2008. The specifics have been rewritten year by year as life has shifted focus.

Here it is... finally...

TO DO

2011

1. Maintain and nurture new and pre-existing ties... ie: professional, unprofessional, etc.
2. Insist on living fearlessly. Apply to: body, friendships, loveships, family, business, recreation, etc.
3. Avoid boys. Some exceptions for men apply.
4. Simplify my life.
5. Make daring decisions.
6. Love.
7. More love, unconditionally.
8. Speak your truth SOONER.
9. Value humorous viewpoints over all else.
10. Judge less.
11. Be happy... everything is working out just as it should.
12. Practice reckless abandon.
13. Create art.
14. Work hard. Reap rewards.
15. Don't forget to smell the cherry blossoms.
16. Remember... it's totally okay. (Repeat as needed... alternate with deep breathing.)

This list is a short look at where I'm shifting my focus. Now. It's not a drastic change, but just enough. For now.

These guys have been on repeat in the studio lately... thought this song was fitting for this post.

xx

_______________________________________________________________

i love the guy that kind of seems like a zen genius hobo. he makes me happy.

Hey Marseilles

Last night I went out with the redhead. For pho. Nothing more.

Of course, with us, it can never be just that... which is why I love her so.

After our third bar, and that infamous switch from p.m. to a.m., we thought it wise to call it quits. On our walk back to my car we passed by the front of the Wild Buffalo, and the marquis read "Hey Marseilles." We had never heard of them, and didn't necessarily want to see a show that night, but the redhead looked at me with a mischievous look in her eye and asked me, "if we can get in for free, wanna dance?"

"Hell yes."

We eyeballed the doorman and apprehensively stalled... we didn't know him. Despite this minor setback, we bravely charged forward. We had just arrived at his stamping station, without much of a plan, when a local promoter friend, who shall remain nameless, spotted us and waved us in. We were stamped and drinking Jameson before we could even ask.

Our friend turned to us and said, "Alright you're in, but you have to take those drinks right to the very front, right now."

"Deal."

We charged onwards, got there, and actually had our minds blown wide open right there on the spot... even more than if we had seen a double rainbow all the way across the stage. Continually. Throughout the night. Hey Marseilles had us asking, "what does it all mean?"

If you are one of the five remaining people on earth that don't know what I'm referencing here... you should really watch this...

Bellingham has an amazing ability to bring in bands that, when you see them, you know you will be seeing them five years later in a huge venue with thousands of people for ten times the current ticket price, if there was a ticket price. (This band just graduated from playing free gigs in coffee houses not that long ago... not to mention a few members probably graduated from high school not that long ago.) It happened with the Black Keys (the first time I saw them I paid $5, that last time I saw them I paid $250), and I would put money on the fact that it will happen with this band too. (Speaking of money... if you ever get into a show for free and end up liking the band you are obligated to go to the merch table. You don't have to buy the whole table... which I guess I didn't realize until after I walked away last night with their cd, vinyl, t shirt, and coasters... that's right... coasters... but something is good. And speaking of the Black Keys... another band played here recently called Hillstomp... they were like watching the early Black Keys if the Black Keys had been scuzzy hillbillies... check them out too!)

See Hey Marseilles as soon as you can... before they blow up (literally any second now.) They're beyond lovely.

(shit... it's already happening...) !

P.S. You should really buy their entire album but you can get the Rio single for free right now at their website... http://www.heymarseilles.com/

My Favorite Paragraph - Forgiveness

I haven't finished this book yet but, so far, this is my favorite:

What characterises the human race more, Karla once asked me, cruelty, or the capacity to feel shame for it? I thought the question acutely clever then, when I first heard it, but I'm lonelier and wiser now, and I know it isn't cruelty or shame that characterises the human race. It's forgiveness that makes us what we are. Without forgiveness, our species would've annihilated itself in endless retributions. Without forgiveness, there would be no history. Without that hope, there would be no art, for every work of art is in some way an act of forgiveness. Without that dream, there would be no love, for every act of love is in some way a promise to forgive. We live on because we can love, and we love because we can forgive.

- Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram

I highly recommend this reading.

What happened?

Wow.

I just looked at this and realized that nearly two months has gone by since my last post. That's fairly shocking (to me at least...)

It feels like two weeks.

Then I take a moment, and reflect on everywhere I've been and everything I've done and everything that's happened in those two months...

Now it feels like two years.

The odd part is that I've spent no more than two days in any one place or bed. Alright... that's an exaggeration... maybe four days is more realistic... and somehow the odd part of that pattern is that it's just not that odd anymore... but it still seems funny somehow.

What's even stranger... I have only taken four photographs since that last post. Four.

Since there are so few... I will post them ALL... (in chronological order)...

I think I usually average about four per hour.

What's happened to me?

Well... a lot actually. "I've been busy" is kind of an understatement.

And, despite the fact that a picture says a thousand words, I don't really think those four photographs cover it. But since writing about all of it would probably fill a series of novels... hmmm...

A short synopsis of the past two months would go something like this (in no particular order)...

• I "lived" in a beautiful tower with pretty pretty princesses and magical animal friends.
• I discovered several new hotels with pretty good bathtubs (so long hotel Arcata) and a couple new glorious copper tubs that I hope to return to one day. Speaking of glorious discoveries...
• I chewed through and digested at least thirty new glorious albums and...
• Jameson comes in a 4.5 liter bottle. On a swivel mount stand for easy pouring. Yep.
• I put at least ten thousand more miles on my car.
• Ten. Thousand.
• I have covered the west coast... L.A. to Vancouver B.C... by car and by plane more than several times over and now (as of this moment) add Arizona. Speaking of cars and planes...
• A deer hit my car. Nobody got hurt.
• A small prop plane with me on it hit a large bird. Based on the damage to the wing, pretty sure the bird got hurt REAL bad.
• I finally got to be Rainbow Bright... (kind of a big deal... a lifelong dream come true)... even if it wasn't technically Halloween. Speaking of big deals...

photo by marin at http://thisismarinoncedaily.blogspot.com/

• I got my first new phone in nearly ten years. (Now when I text "I love you" it no longer reads "I mud you." Big deal.) Speaking of love...
• I fell in love probably a dozen times in varying degrees. Some new, some remembered, some easy, some hard (and then... all at once effortless), and one... frightening and totally out of my comfort zone and totally wonderful. All of them really, really good. (When is falling in love not?) Thanks to all of you who helped with that.
• I forsake and forgave, fought and won, surrendered and won, threw up my hands, put my hands on the steering wheel, threw up my hands again, opened my eyes, closed my eyes, stopped thinking so I could really think, started feeling so I could really feel, bit my tongue and howled at the moon, acted on immense impulse and strong intuition and some integrity and was rewarded for it.
• I read a good book.
• I started to really apply one principle that I've always wanted to act on:

When in doubt... give, let them have it, surrender, make peace.

When there's no doubt... give, let them have it, surrender, make peace.

It's working out.

• I started constantly catching myself in the act, and repeating this sentence to myself as necessary:

"I will not think up problems that haven't happened so I can 'solve' situations that don't exist."

It's working.

• I checked out for a bit.

Now...

I'm checking back into reality folks. At least I think I am.

For now.

Can't wait to see you there.

xxxx

p.s. (Right now reality is in Bellingham for me... well... starting Dec. 1)

And just because I love it...

Feels Like Falling

Part I

Some things...

you just know.

You know that unknown swim holes are good for more than just skinny dipping.

You know that the best art galleries don't really have white walls.

You know that the Black Keys are epic live.

You know that tattoos can't be rushed but that little black dress shopping in San Francisco can be.

You know that Jimmy Choo's 'Private' Cuff Black Patent Leather Sandals could stop a train dead in its tracks.

You know that Gary Danko's the man.

You know that when you're dealing with dishes ranging from "Glazed Oysters with Osetra Caviar, Zucchini Pearls, and Lettuce Cream" to "Quail Stuffed with Foie Gras, Mushrooms and Quinoa, Cornbread Pudding, Beans, Bacon and Tomato-Corn Relish" you should let the waiter pair the wine.

You know that it's a good dinner when smiling ceases to express your overwhelming happiness and you're both forced into involuntary, irrepressible laughter to relieve the excess elation.

You know that you're falling when it feels like you're floating.

You know that good times get better.

_____________________________

(You know good music when you hear it... play on good speakers or headphones if possible and pair with the photos to follow...)

_____________________________

Part II

When Good Times Get Better... San Francisco Shenanigans Stylee

After a wonderful "weekend" (wed - fri) full of totally classy moments (I swear...) that just happened to not get photographed...

I finally decided to get out the camera.

Interesting timing.

2 am...

Union Square...

Let the games begin.

Actually... let the mission commence.

We rode on the coattails of the wizard's beard... with no idea where it would lead us.

We decided a chariot would get us there faster.

How many downhill blocks can three people ride on a stolen hotel baggage cart going the wrong way down a one way street by Union Square?

(Some things you don't know till you try.)

Naturally then... Choo Choo trains quickly became involved.

Then good times got better.

And betterer.

For a split second good times went bad.

Gremlin stylee. (Sorry about the mess kids.)

But then they promptly got betterest.

And we marched on.

To China town?

Did we really walk that far?

"This trip was either the best idea or the worst idea we ever had."

"Probably both."

Perfect trouble.

We finally found the wizard's tower... in North Whore? I think he meant North Beach? But the camera went dead... obviously time for a cab.

When good times go weird.

"These robes came with the room?"

And just in case I could ever forget this "weekend" (totally not possible)... I picked up a little reminder...

Don't ever forget... "This too shall pass."

xxxx

_____________________________

Because this woman was a big part of my last San Francisco show trip (what up UBC!) I couldn't resist adding this new, instant personal theme song on here...

Serendipitous Circumstances Abound

I have been wondering for a very, very long time when those numbers would show up there. Not so much when I guess, but where. I never would have guessed the answer, but now that it's happened it somehow makes more than perfect sense. As I pulled into the driveway I had to laugh. I do realize that all ODO's reach that mileage at some point... but this happened as I stopped at my destination... on an extremely serendipitous day that was saturated with the 4's... Every. Step. Of. The. Way. I gave up on any control or confirmed communications and followed them like a bread crumb trail. I'm not going to delve into the details of where I was going or who I was seeing, but I will say the timing was perfect. And so was the reminder:

You are exactly where you're supposed to be. You put yourself here.

Listen to your instincts. Take that chance.

Leap blindly into the great technicolor yonder.

I can't urge you enough.

If you're feeling restless... if your gut says go... GO. Don't wait for your mind to catch up with the exact plan. There's no time for that. And besides, you can't plan these things. The universe will though. It's got your back. And it's super creative. Your planning will only limit your possibilities... just have trust. Focus on your end goal... not the path to get there.

Eyes on the prize.

Focus on what you want and just do SOMETHING... anything.

You have to try.

There is enough abundance for everybody.

The universe will provide. But it wont bring it to you on a silver platter.

Speaking of which, I just got this email from the universe this morning, just in case I wasn't getting it:

I told you, Jessi, there'd be days, even weeks, like this...

Absolutely perfect in every single way, with all things as they should be, where they should be, enfolding you in love.

I just didn't tell you they'd all be like this, Jessi, because some things you just have to experience to believe.

Whoop!
The Universe

I also didn't tell you, Jessi, that in this life alone, you'd cover more territory than most do in 1,000 lifetimes. But I bet you'd believe me now... "Secretariat."

Off I go again.

Yesterday Seattle. Today San Francisco. Tomorrow... see you in NYC? (Dates approximate.)