Sunday, November 27, 2011

we was having a party







Here's to friends for buying me the only "snuggie" like contraption I'd ever use...thanks for the Napsack. I can't wait to go camping but the truth is, is now there is no excuse for rooftop beers - year-round!!! And it wouldn't be a party if I didn't try it out in the bar!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Showering and Plastic

This post is long overdue - about 4 months overdue. Oops. A good long while ago, maybe 4 months ago I decided that I would no longer buy soap, shampoo, conditioner and other bathing goods that come in plastic bottles. Mostly it was because I realized that it was an area where I could reduce waste.

It has been fairly easy. A good friend made me this soap whale, so instead of a loofa and body wash in a plastic bottle, I now use my orange whale! Perfect lather and perfectly clean. I've heard people complain about bar soap and thing like lather but this little wool whale makes it great!!!

Shampoo - I didn't even know, but YES, they make shampoo that comes in a bar form. Now here is where it might get tricky for those with longer hair - conditioner. The thing is is that Weleda makes a great Rosemary hair oil, that not only smells great, it comes in a glass bottle. Now I don't know much about hair health, but I've been pleased with these products thus far and still feel clean and smell great, AND no more plastic bottles in the trash.

I'm glad I made this move. Now I am still trying to use up a shower gel and face wash that are both in plastic bottles and following the end of the face wash, I will start using a bar for that as well. And when I want a bath, epsom salts with lavender oil and eucalyptus oil, no bubbles, but heaven nonetheless.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Ani

In approximately 1998 I was introduced to an artist who ostensibly changed my life, cliche I know but nonetheless true: Ani DiFranco. I quickly bought up most of her albums and they each had a quintessential story: coming of age...coming out...finding my political truths...I've always loved her for the music you feel deep in the cavities of your chest.

I'm pretty sure the first song I heard was "Untouchable Face"


I remember sitting in my "all-women's" college one spring day and feeling like suddenly my life made sense. This poetic voice with more truth than I could imagine. Words that for the next few years were such strong truths that I couldn't imagine disagreeing.

I remember seeing Ani at a speaking engagement in Nov. 2007 and being so excited - I had lost touch with her music, but recalled a sentimentalism regarding her politics. I was excited because there was a question and answer portion of the event and I wanted to ask so, so many important questions. I was never called on...and I recall leaving feeling very disappointed. We were at a pinnacle point in our history - or herstory depending on how you call it. I had seen Ani perform more times that I could count at this point, and I always loved her politics. It wasn't that she was a quote, unquote feminist or that she had this huge lesbian following - it was that she spoke a real truth. She channeled artists like Woody Guthrie who knew what the f*ck was going on. But on this occasion. the chance for her to speak about the monumentous election that was before us, I was pissed that the vast majority of the questions posed by the audience had to do with Ani's thoughts on motherhood. Now, don't get me wrong - I get it - this is an important event in a woman's life, but given her past, all that she stood for over the years, and many times a single voice for women - why this?!? Why not talk about the upcoming election? political engagement? the ability to influence an election? to not have a recount? to oust Bush in a major way? BUT no, the questions were about motherhood. As someone who has dedicated her life to civic engagement, I was pissed.

Tonight, I hadn't seen Ani perform in concert in many, many years. The last time I saw her live was that speaking engagement in 2007. I'm glad I came out tonight. I heard many of her new songs for the first time and old songs that were such a part of my past. It was nice to sing along. To connect. It was nice to hear those songs from so many years ago and to still connect.

Thank you Ani.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Boat of Rock Harbour, Cap Cod, Sylvia Plath

One of my closest friends sent me this today, likely because she knew what my response would be. My response - holy sh*t. This is such a beautiful drawing. I wish I was in the UK to go check it out in person. I'm not going to lie that I did in fact just looked up flights to London. I mean, that is a legitimate way to spend the weekend, is it not? I've not been to England since my family moved from there to Germany in '81, I think it's high time I go back. It's just too bad the ticket is $500, I wonder if there is a citizen's discount? haha

"we'll be everything we ever need"

Sunday, November 13, 2011

A Day in Ship Bottom


Last night when it was time to go to sleep I opted to forgo the bed and cozy up in front of the fire place. One of the things I miss is not having a fireplace in my apartment. I grew up always having a fire place and when it got chilly the best thing was to build a fire and cozy up. Since moving to NYC the closest thing I've got is to go up to my roof and use my grill as a fire pit. It sounds a bit off, but in the absence of a fireplace it's amazing. Given all of this, whenever I am around a fireplace, I like to spend as much time as possible by it.




Following my waking up in the coziest of spots I made myself a strong cup of coffee, just the way I like it and just took in the day. The thing with me in coffee is that my typical is coffee with milk, but on any given day I'll change it up. Lately I've been in a black coffee kinda mood. Good, strong and dark.



















My beach get away would of course be incomplete without some time down by the water. Even though it's November and quite cold, it was necessary to put my hands in the water and reconnect. I know one thing for certain in this life: I will always need to have access to water, whether it be the East River blocks from my apartment or hopping on the subway to head out to one of NYC's many beaches, I.NEED.WATER.




LOVE.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Water at Night














































Taken with iphone so not the best but an absolutely beautiful site and calming sound.

11.11.11

I've always been a fan of numbers, odd ones in particular. There is an entire rational behind which numbers I like or dislike. The point of this is that today, 11.11.11 has received a lot of hype - as it should. I mean really, it's pretty amazing - the number 11:

(2 digits) 11 x 11 = 121
(6 digits) 111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
(9 digits) 111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

The Huffington Post calls it the Greatest Binary Day of All. And it's a date that happens once every hundred years.

So for me on 11.11.11, I finished 50 consecutive bikram yoga classes. Today, 11.11.11 at 11:11 I was in the last minutes of my 50th class, likely in a floor bow or half tortoise - peaceful and meditative. Basically I realized that from the day I started until today was 50 classes so I said why not. In the past I did a 60 day challenge, so this time I switched it up a bit. In those 50 classes I took two silent classes, which were amazing. For those of you who aren't familiar with bikram, it is a 90 minute, open eyed meditation consisting of 26 postures and two breathing exercises in a room heated to 104 degrees. Your instructor leads you though the practice with a 90 minute dialogue. So, taking a silent class was something new and completely incredible. The first silent class I took was on the first snow storm in NYC. It was one of the most peaceful experiences. Also during these 50 classes I did two doubles. I did not intend to do a double the first or second time but had such strong classes that I wanted to keep that feeling going. Again, an amazing experience that really tested my physical and mental strength. I am so proud that I completed my challenge - it took determination, discipline, patience and love.

Following the completion of my class, in honor of today and accomplishment I got myself a little gift. A word with a lot of meaning, particularly today, but also in general. A permanent reminder to "dream of revelry." I've been thinking about this little tattoo for awhile, but no day seemed more perfect than today. Accomplishment seeping from my being and a peaceful feeling that will no doubt be carried with me all weekend as I head to the beach. I am so excited to head to the beach and get out of the city for a couple of days, to be by the water and with some of my oldest friends. So here's to being grounded and centered and a new day. I will head back to yoga I'm certain on Monday, but for the weekend, here's to REVELRY.

Also, one more thing, on a lighter note, something you should read because it is simply hysterical! A little Craigslist ad for a used yoga mat.

And now back to 11 and it's amazingness, remember that in Blackjack, an 11 is...time to double down.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

"I am done with my graceless heart/so tonight I'm going to cut it out and restart"

It's no secret I love music. It's also no secret that I've been known to listen to songs on repeat, with the volume up. Songs have always found me when they are supposed to, a few weeks ago Florence + the Machine released their sophomore album. Considering her first album was more than spectacular, she set a high bar for number two. Not only did she bring it on Ceremonials, she killed it in ways only she knows. That f*cking voice. Haunting, in the best way possible.


The release of this album at the tail end of my Bikram Yoga challenge was exactly what I needed to take the challenge to new depths. Tomorrow, 11.11.11 I will finish my challenge and will no doubt take some serious time to reflect, to dance and to sing. More centered and more grounded than when I started. My weekend will be spent by the water, grateful.

P.S. - This video totally makes me want to have a masquerade party...more to come on that for sure.