Beauty/ New sunglasses

I used to not care about luxury items, and I thought that caring about *things* was frivolous. I still prize minimalism and utility, but there is actually function in beauty and luxury. Beauty makes the world worth enduring. It makes you and others feel better and inspires great things.

As my friend Karen says, sometimes there's a reason to put on the rose-colored glasses or, in my case, they are designer Christian Dior sunglasses.

They are one of the favorite item that I own. They are so beautiful - Italian tortoise shell, gold logo on the sides, beautiful dark lenses. Every time I wear them I feel like my life is just a little bit more exciting. I am behind my glamorous shield.

I hope everyone enjoys some beauty today, whether it's a great pair of sunglasses, writing a poem, listening to a song, or getting your laundry all done.

-G

Why my mom rocks!!

Today I got the birthday package my mom sent me. It was decorated with hearts and inside was a Birkenstock shoe box filled with rainbow tissue paper and individually wrapped (for easy freezing) homemade organic cookies. She had a handmade card with a picture of San Francisco victorians. It was so awesome!

Besides that, she also sent me new underwear. When you are a kid, panties weren't always the most desired gift. As an adult who has to schlep to a laundromat, it was pretty exciting.

Last night I went to see Goh Nakamura here in NYC. It was awesome, except for the fact that I had a hard time getting there and missed a lot of the show. Goh is sounding and looking great though.

Here I am/ Freedom

I know that you all are probably tired of my George Michael blogs. Anyway, I did finally go see George Michael at Madison Square Gardens last night, and I don't even know what to say other than it was simply incredible. It was worth all that I went through to get tickets and for the first song I just sat there and cried.

First Song:

well there ain't no point in moving on
until you've got somewhere to go
and the road that I have walked upon
well it filled my pockets
and emptied out my soul

all those insecureties
that have held me down for so long
I can't say that I've found a cure for these
but at least I know them
so they're not so strong

you look for your dreams in heaven
but what the hell are you supposed to do
when they come true?

well there's one year of my life in these songs
and some of them are about you
now I know there's no way I can write those wrongs
believe me
I would not lie you've hurt my pride
and I guess there's a road without you

but you once said
there's a way back for every man
so here I am
don't people change?
here I am
is it too late to try again?
here I am

During the show I had a number of spiritual moments. I just couldn't believe that I was there watching the man who had comforted me with his voice and words for 17 years. He had an enormous amount of energy and charisma that just captured the entire room. His voice is better than ever. The show was almost 3 hours long, and I had no perception of time. It was truly magical.

I am not even going to try and say much more except - Thank you,George, for coming to New York!

Last Song:

It's my life (music in Central Park)

Saturday I went to Central Park... Thought I'd see what Thoth was up to (He's working on a new collaboration with a guitarist that was very beautiful).

I was with my friend - a NYPD cop - and as we exited the park we noticed that the Bon Jovi concert had just started. We ran into an on-duty cop who literally said to my friend "hey, man, great to see you!! Want two tickets to the Bon Jovi concert?" And, I kid you not, as the first song started ("Living on a Prayer"), he handed us the tix and we walked in.

I didn't know I was a Bon Jovi fan, but they were really, really amazing live. Something about their show made me forget everything shitty about our country and feel totally patriotic. It was the ultimate Americana experience. There's nothing more American than hanging out on the Central Park lawn, drinking beer, singing along to every song, and holding up lighters for "Blaze of Glory."

Jon Bon Jovi has has so much charisma, that sharing with all 60,000 fans, he still had plenty to spare. I came away a total fan. Love them.

The next day I went back to Central Park for a picnic and live Brazilian Jazz with a friend from SF, and a friend I met here. I noted to them how much happier I feel lately, and how much I am truly enjoying life and not staying at home feeling sad.

This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud

[Chorus:]
It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life

A Different Corner/ Travelin'

One of the songs I hate more than any is "Travelin' Man" By Ricky Nelson. It's so sexist, chauvinist, demeaning and imperialistic.




That said, there is truth in the notion of learning about the world through your lovers and friends.

Through people I've met, I have learned about cultures and lifestyles ranging from hassidic Jews to cops to crack dealers. I'm a travelin' woman, I guess. There are people that hit you really hard for no apparent reason. People who come into your life and make a big impression and change your course forever. That's how I interpret this song by George Michael.

And this is a spectacular performance aside from being a great song....


I'd say love was a magical flame
I'd say love would keep us from pain
Had I been there, had I been there

I would promise you all of my life
But to lose you would cut like a knife
So I don't dare, no I don't dare

'Cause I've never come close in all of these years
You are the only one to stop my tears
And I'm so scared, I'm so scared

Take me back in time maybe I can forget
Turn a different corner and we never would have met
Would you care?

I don't understand it, for you it's a breeze
Little by little you've brought me to my knees
Don't you care?

No I've never come close in all of these years
You are the only one to stop my tears
I'm so scared of this love

And if all that there is, is this fear of being used
I should go back to being lonely and confused
If I could, I would, I swear

Hippies in Northern California

Here in NYC I've had to tone down my new-age talk. In San Francisco it is common to talk about your "Chi" and the force of the "Universe" and how you felt the special energetic field or sensed blocks of energy in a particular place.

My mom and her friends don't wear heels, makeup or synthetic fibers. Fashion consists of Birkenstocks, organically dyed fibers and tie dyed socks. Vigorous discussions would revolve around recycling practices, or whether honey can be organic (or not).

I have certainly eaten my share of seaweed salads, yeast-free carob cakes, and organic quinoa wraps at hippie festivals. (Fourth of July in Arcata, anyone?)

This video below is not an exxageration. It captures a certain something about Northern California that I find hard to describe to New Yorkers. I like these guys, Rhett and Link, and I while I'm not into product placement (Alka Seltzer), I am proud of any musicians who can get a good gig.

Fireworks and bling

New York knows how to celebrate... and it's teaching me a few things about it.

On July 3rd, I watched the New Jersey Fireworks across the Hudson from my window. Does it get much better than that? Well, yes, actually it does....

On July 4th itself, I went to Barge Music and - since I was working the concert - I got one of the best views of TWO simultaneou Macy's Fireworks shows launched from different points on the East River.

After an evening of gorgeous chamber music, we all headed to the roof of the barge, and watched the colorful explosions, and their reflection in the windows of the Manhattan skyline and their shimmer on the water. It was one of the most beautiful multi-media experiences of my life.

Some of the girls at the Barge and I crashed a friend's dinner party a few blocks away, and had home-made Mexican food, complete with hand-made tortilla chips and excellent company!

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A few days earlier I over-celebrated my birthday to the point of diminishing returns. Let's just call it the 21st birthday party I never had, ok?

And despite feeling utterly awful for days after, I did have a spectacular "Sex and the City"-style evening complete with WONDERFUL girlfriends, and a Carrie-esque outfit (though she never hung out in Harlem, or pulled off Harlem-influenced Bling that I rocked that night!)

It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to

Today is my birthday. It's always my own private "new year" where I evaluate life so far, and make resolutions for the year to come.

Last birthday I was broken and devastated. Today I am whole and excited about life. That's a big shift. I can't believe how different the view is.

I sat in my window sill this morning, and looked out at the Hudson River. I listened to my favorite songs on the iPod, and smoked a cigarette. I felt myself crying and felt so thankful to be alive, to be by myself, for my apartment, for food to eat, my friends and family, and to be on a life path that has led me to grow and seek peace and fulfillment.

The path has been difficult, but you can't beat the destination!

Oh, on a more mundane pop-culture note, I noticed that Domino's Pizza has a "Batman Special" pizza that includes 50% more pepperoni. My immediate thought was that I didn't think Batman or Bruce Wayne would ever eat pepperoni pizza from Domino's.
Apparently I'm not the only blogger who has noticed this ridiculous marketing tie-in.