she's so lovely: Florence + the machine

It's been a couple of weeks of having a song so resonant and alive in my head, that I find myself singing it when I find the need to bust out some energy. The name of such a song is "Dog days are over" by Florence + the machine. The song is a power house of instruments from viola, violin, drums, piano, hand-clapping, back-up vocals and of course singing from Florence herself. Her voice reminds me of Kate Bush, gospel-like and big with heavy rock and soul undertones. Simply lovely and climactic it makes you wanna get up and shake your world upside down. Go ahead, take a peek. Play it loud.

SF summers = chilly toes.

brrrr! my chilly SF view...

thank goodness for hot spiked drinks!

Ah yes, as Mark Twain once said "the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in san francisco" that statement is nothing but true. My first year of cold summer weather was a real bummer as I really missed my usual L.A. summer heat. I love hot sunny summers full of picnics, bike rides, barbecues, sun dresses, and sandals but living in northern california one must succumb and conform to the chill. Today's 53 degree reality has sunk in and made me realize that after all we do have indian summer to look forward to. Time to bust out the hot apple cider, mexican hot chocolate or perhaps a hot toddy. Whatever warm beverage I chose to prepare I know the most warmth comes from my furry companions. Off I go...Under the covers to snuggle with my brigade of pets is where I'll be. Warmth, how I crave you.

spiked apple cider

makes 2 cocktails

1 cup apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
4 oz bourbon
1 Tablespoon cinnamon sugar

1. Warm the cider on the stovetop with the cinnamon sticks until it’s reduced to about half a cup. This should take about 15 minutes over low heat.
2.Pour the cinnamon sugar on a plate. Just barely dip the rim of your glasses in the cider, then dip it in the sugar.
3. Add the 2 oz bourbon to each glass and top with the cider.

4. Garnish each glass with a cinnamon stick and enjoy!

i run therefore i am

There are many reasons people take up running. Mine are simple, my dog needs exercise as I do. This is something we do together which gives us time to bond and work on some basic behavior training along the way. Lets face it a tired dog is a really good thing, and the endorphins I get from it aren't bad either. Also, it's something I can do no matter where I am, just as long as I have a good pair of running shoes and the will to get up and get going. There's a funny thing that happens to me while running, it's the bopping motion that feels almost like my body is rocking itself and it's such a soothing feeling. I have fond recollections of being around 3 or 4 years old, once in a while my mother would pick me up in her arms and run to catch a cab or bus. That feeling of being up there in her arms and bopping up and down while seeing the world from that height was amazing. Certainly, getting up and forcing myself to go running isn't as easy as my up-in-mom's-arms story but once I get a rhythm and I know my dog won't be making any more potty breaks, it's on! The feeling of the wind touching my face, my lungs expanding as I take in air and exhale it, feeling my heart beat, my legs feeling stronger with every step, my arms swinging side to side with every stride, and the bopping motion combined make a perfect harmony. The cool down process is just as good, my body feels relaxed, calm, and cool. In sync, open and ready for whatever comes my way.

hooray, it's friday!

Sunny friday, how I love thee. The spirit of TGIF is ringing loud and clear round here, and plans are certainly en route! Tomorrow's plans are making me feel quite silly and giddy with delight. A barn concert at one of my very favorite places on earth, Pescadero in Half Moon bay. A dreamy gorgeous little town on the coast is where all the fun will take place. At 4 o'clock the barn concert will have a hippie bus painting session, then music, BYOBBQ, then more music till' the wee hours of the night, under the bright, shiny, coastal stars. Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers is the musical act that's making me act so spunky, I'm a big fan and seeing them play "IN" Pescadero(my fav. place ever) is too much happiness to contain. They'll be playing later in the evening. On sunday, I'll be interviewing a very talented artist that I can't wait to meet and ask questions to. I can't imagine how it will go and what to expect but she's from Iceland and is probably the craftiest, friendliest, cutest thing around. So excited. Too excited. Happy friday and then some.

just another earthling.

Like all other creatures living on earth, today I celebrate "Earth Day" the best way we all know how. We say "happy earth day!" to each other and all the other celebratory terms and things that go along with it. What does today actually mean? Why can't "Earth Day" be everyday? The awareness of being more "earth-friendly" has dramatically increased throughout the years specially now that this place we call "home" has had some serious troubles and are being ever-so-present in our lives. Global warming isn't the only subject that causes worry but it certainly is real and not sure it's getting any better. However, I do believe there is definite acknowledgement throughout but not enough to reverse the already present state we all find ourselves in. We are all in this together good or bad, it's how we manage to make things a bit better step by step or by making huge dramatic steps, anything helps I suppose. I have a list of things that I have changed in my life throughout the years that are completely different from the counter-productive and eco-damaging things I was brought up with unknowingly, of course. Awareness, changes, action, and doing it over and over again as much and as long as we can. Not sure things are irreversible but they can surely be better.

There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all.  -Robert Orben

There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth.  We are all crew.  -Marshall McLuhan, 1964

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.  

-Native American Proverb

Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature.  -Dennis Gabor, Inventing the Future, 1963

a kombucha a day...

Kombucha(pronounced kom-BOO-cha) is my secret elixir. Not sure how secret it is as I talk about drinking it all the time and I'm either toting a bottle of it around or drinking from a bottle throughout the day. The list of reasons to drink this fermented elixir is extensive, some being are: supports digestion, the immune system, metabolism, liver function, anti-aging, cell integrity, and healthy skin and hair...wow. These are just some really great selling points, so good that almost daily I make a kombucha purchase. Perhaps kombucha holds a type of placebo effect on me, as I "think" I feel different after drinking it, suppressing my appetite, giving me good-feeling energy and makes my skin soft and clear. It's been about two months of drinking this stuff and perhaps it really is kicking everything into gear....vrooom! At first I really couldn't stand the taste, vinegary and with "live" clouds floating in it I was scared. However, like all things in life you gotta keep at em' if you really want to get used to something. 

The brand I drink is called Synergy and the man who started this company (G.T. Dave) began bottling the super stuff after his mother's success drinking it during her battle with cancer. It's on the bottle along with a description of the wonders of kombucha. The dream team includes: active enzymes, viable probiotics, amino acids, antioxidants, and polyphenols. All which combined together are a kick-ass team to have on your side. Not sure exactly how all this works? Well, a holistic doctor or nutritionalist might have more insight than wikipedia or my personal story-tellings, but if you go and buy a bottle and drink it down, you can give it a shot and "ta-da!" see what it's all about. Meanwhile I have a collection of bottles to give to a friend who makes her own fermented elixirs...yeah, crazy. 

tuesday escape exit.

Alas, the weekend came and went like a bat out of hell. Managed to accomplish a multitude of tasks while spending some much needed time at home. Somehow, it's tuesday and I realize that the petty two-day break was hardly enough and I'm seriously dragging myself everywhere. So with these tuesday blues, and the gusty wind I carry myself to a much more fun, exciting, and relaxing rabbit hole/escape exit via some photos. I developed a few rolls of lomo shots this weekend and found some favorites that warm me up inside and keep my spirit cheerful and sustained...keeping things calm and cool while I wait for the weekend.