Laundry in Harlem

Ok, I complain about it all the time - Laundry in Harlem.

I have tried to write songs and poems that adequately express this experience, but right now the pictures will have to do.

This is me and Karin on B. Bubbles on Broadway.

Can't you tell it's fun, fun, fun!!!!????

Tortured artists/ Faith/ Bras/ Life TV Show

This week I have been walking through New York's shopping districts. I went to Saks Fifth Avenue for the very first time. It's my second holiday here, and the city is truly magical - the snow flurries, yellow cabs, lights, and fancy shopping bags.

Recently I found myself being excited about just being. Not for a moment here and there, but consistently for days/weeks at a time. This is a new experience.

It's true that artistic inspiration often comes from a deep discontent. You read about actors, painters and musicians whose unhappiness fuels their art. I became one of those people. The good part is that for the first time in my life, I was truly connected to being an artist.

The bad part? I was lonely, hungry and miserable.


The tunnel was a necessary part of the journey, though thankfully I am coming out of it. I am a much happier person now. My artistic self is still there too. You don't have to remain tortured for art (though one could argue that some amount of torture is helpful!)

All through the angst, I somehow knew it could be better, and only by facing that dark place could I come out the other side. It was that vague knowledge that allowed me move away from the only home I knew. I wasn't even sure where I was going.

Having carved a bit of my own life here in New York, the sting of distance and loss (from leaving so many things behind - good and bad) has subsided considerably. Having mom, sister and Katrina here at various times this Fall has really helped, and brought me back to a part of myself that I wasn't sure existed anymore - the part of me that feels peaceful and comfortable and loved. Katrina reminds me every day how much we all need each other.

Faith wasn't something I believed in anymore, but it found me somehow.

Oh, and ladies, I highly recommend getting fitted for a bra. I did that recently, and it's more awesome than I would have thought! (Just had to break my new age sermon with something irreverent).

And my favorite Christmas carol rendition this year was a swing version of "God rest ye..." that I heard on the soundtrack of "LIFE" which is my new favorite TV show. It stars Damien Lewis. Funny and suspenseful and well acted. Free episodes on www.hulu.com