October 30, 2009 Savor Each Shared Moment Scorpio Daily Horoscope
You may be in high spirits and find satisfaction in being active today. Perhaps your good mood is the result of your deep sense of pleasure with life and your desire to absorb everything it has to offer you. Gathering together with friends or engaging in vigorous activities such as sports could further ignite your enthusiastic feelings. If you find some way to marry your passionate feelings today with your zeal for life, you may notice that your sense of time and place dissolve and that you become one with the energy of the universe. Sharing these feelings with others could create a space where everything you do together is beautiful, inspired, and filled with the delight of the present moment.
Savoring the feelings of pleasure and enjoyment we have with our loved ones cultivates a supportive, loving, and fun environment. When we relish the abundance in our lives and do something physical—such as social gatherings or exercise—we become fully open to the beauty of “now” since we are using every aspect of our being to engage completely in our lives. The more we are present in our lives, the more our negative thoughts and feelings fall by the wayside and instead are replaced by a shared sense of joy at being able to take pleasure in our present lives. By sharing your enjoyment of life today, you and your loved ones will begin to awaken to the full power and wonder of each moment.
October 23, 2009 Thrill of the New Scorpio Daily Horoscope
You could hear news about something that piques your curiosity today and makes you feel thrilled. Perhaps things have been routine in your life recently, and the anticipation of engaging in something different animates you. Grabbing hold of the new ideas and opportunities that come your way might infuse your life with a sense that there is uncharted territory either in your work, personal, or spiritual life that awaits exploration. Remember that keeping your mind open to whatever you hear about can make you more receptive to the differing ideas and news that come your way today. As you let yourself relish the pleasure that comes from discovering something unusual you might notice that your take on life not only becomes more animated but that you also feel a greater sense of joy at the unexpected twists and turns that life brings your way.
Opening ourselves up to the things that surprise and thrill us makes us more ready to accept the unpredictable. For many of us it is easy to become comfortable with our habits and the ordinariness of our everyday existence. Allowing ourselves to seek the new and to be more responsive to the out-of-the-ordinary events that come along, however, better prepares us for the changes that life brings our way. There is really only one thing that is certain in life—things will always change. By embracing the new today, you will add greater excitement to your life that will nourish you and help you grow.
Unbeknownst to my brother and his wife, their 4.5-year0ld son Tyler took their digital camera and did an entire photo shoot of his stuffed animals. Pictured left are Pink Monkey (a gift from me) and Sweater-Clad Bunny.
When I went to visit Tyler almost a year ago, he kept staging and then taking photos of people and of his toys - legos, etc.
I liked that he got how you "frame" a picture and then take it. Taking charge as an artist - something I full-heartedly support in a young person!
Underwater New York, an online anthology of stories inspired by objects found underwater around New York City, launched Wednesday with a party aboard the Lightship Frying Pan, which was once underwater itself. Underwater New York took over the rusty, barnacled boat with an evening of performances, including a reading by Ben Greenman, sketch comedy by Alex Scordelis and Chris Schell of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, art by Mary Mattingly and Nura Qureshi, musical performances by Supergood! and Lawrence Kim & His Boss, and Michael Hearst Underwater: a Songs for (Underwater) Ice Cream Trucks installation. Nautical music was spun by DJ Dan Selzer, who also made an audio montage of authors reading excerpts from fiction written for the project, which was played into one of The Frying Pan’s creaky cabins. Underwater New York is looking for more stories inspired by their crazy, evocative list of underwater objects, from the whimsical (mysterious goo, runaway giraffe, a fleet of ice cream trucks) to the historical (Coney Island Dreamland, The Princess Anne Steamship) – visit the Underwater New York site to read the full list, sign up for notification of future events and excursions, see the amazing stories created so far for the project, and get inspired to create your own!
On Monday, I met my friend Melissa (a/k/a Hip Slope Mama) and her family at Cobble Hill Cinemas to see the one-hour movie Shaun the Sheep.
CH Cinemas did a great job of publicizing this event; there were fliers posted in all the newspaper self-serve boxes in the area.
Shaun is a character from Wallace and Gromit movies, and you can't help but fall in love with the little guy.
Brilliant that they created a bunch of little short stories with Shaun and his sheep pals and formed them into this hour-long fiesta.
Shaun is "a lamb with a plan who never follows the flock. Curious, resourceful and fun-loving, Shaun's mix of enthusiasm and inexperience is often a recipe for trouble."
There were two scenes from the shorts that I particularly loved. One was when the sheep flock, to avoid getting sheared un-artistically by their owner, dug a hole that led out to a poodle-grooming store. They go into the store and come out with spectacular lamb-dos, including a blue mohawk and cornrows secured at the ends with rainbow-colored beads.
The second scene was when the lamb-watcher dude (think Otto from The Simpsons) turns his transistor radio to a rock station while minding the flock. The sheep break out into dance, form a mosh pit, and do body rolls.
I came home with rave reviews and Mike promptly ordered a bunch of Sean DVDs from Netflix.I also signed up for the Sean Newsletter.
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OUR NEXT EVENT! OCTOBER 24th FREE ADMISSION & LIVE MUSIC! 1pm-7pm 85 N. 3rd St, #104, Brooklyn NY 11211
I am a devoted reader of The New York Times and would like to propose a new section that would appear once a week either in the Sunday Times or once during the work week.
The section would be called Pets. It sounds rather simple, but I think it would be a big hit. So many New Yorkers are dog owners and/or dog lovers. And the pet supply industry is one of the more recession-proof industries, so the section would likely be a big draw for advertisers.
People love stories about people and their pets. People love to learn about animals.
I felt like a bad Jew on Sunday night. It was the beginning of Yom Kippur and I should have been starting to fast. Instead, I was downing Pepsi and popcorn as I settled into my seat at New York Surf Film Festival. Being a native Californian and a former boogie boarder, I was STOKED to be amongst other people who wanted to see films about surfing.
I was pleased with my movie choice - Hanging Five by Christopher Cutri. This was the East Coast premiere of the film, featuring Q&A with Chris as well as one of the artists featured. Here's the festival's synopsis:
"Hanging Five is a film that follows five artists who all happen to be surfers. The film documents their work and looks at different aspects of their lives and how those experiences have impacted their work. The film also looks at why the surf culture embraces and supports the arts. The artists include: Andy Davis, Tyler Warren, Julie Goldstein, Alex Knost, Wolfgang Bloc."
Most inspiring to me personally was footage of Julie Goldstein, who is reflective on her experiences and identity as a female artist and surfer. I also liked the bits where Tyler hauls out his childhood report card and drawings.
Two films I was sorry I missed were The Women and the Waves and Whitewash. Synopses takes from the festival's website:
"The Women and the Waves is a documentary surf film that explores the lives of female surfers who, through the decades, have chosen to paddle head first into the male dominated sport of surfing and found a place of their own. "
"Whitewash, the documentary, is a film exploring the complexity of race in America through the struggle and triumph of the history of black surfers."
Speaking of Whitewash, I did notice that most of the folks at the festival where white. Also noticed that everyone on the 2009 Screening Panel for the Festival was a guy.
Still, psyched that this festival is happening and hope to see more of the film selections next year.
P.S. - I was a better Jew on Monday night. Went to services at Ramaz and had a great time. Beautiful gym full of people praying together.
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Where and when did Lynn’s interest in cooking originate?
Given that Lynn’s mom was from Italy, it made sense that food and cooking was an important part of her life growing up. She says that her mom was a good cook and that her grandfather often sent Lynn’s family olive oil and cheeses from his home in Italy. Lynn’s experience in the kitchen also came from accompanying her mom, a waitress, on her work shifts.
Shortly after Lynn was out of high school, Lynn’s mom passed away from breast cancer. At that point, Lynn supported herself by going to work in a kitchen. Ultimately, she worked three jobs simultaneously to save the money she needed to attend culinary school.
What’s great about working as Exec. Chef at MOMA?
Lynn likes that it’s an open kitchen (you can see a lot of what’s going on from the diner’s section), that the feedback on the food is mostly positive, and that she gets to work in “one of the best museums in the world.” Lynn also enjoys meeting the many different people that come in each day, and especially takes pleasure in the fact that parents bring their children to the museum to learn not only about art, but also about healthy food!
What is Lynn’s philosophy when it comes to managing her staff?
I asked Lynn this question because I always notice how well she treats her staff and how, in turn, they treat the diners with genuine warmth and hospitality.
Lynn shares that it’s a relatively young staff, and that she takes on the role of teacher and mentor in relationship to them. She asks them to consider where they want to be in the future and what the opportunities are on this job for learning skills they can use in jobs down the road – e.g. cooking skills, time management and organizational skills. What will help them get that next job that they want?
Lynn notes an example of this philosophy in action: she once sent various employees who work in the salumi station to Manhattan’s famous Murray’s Cheese Shop to learn more about some of the delicacies that they serve.
Judging by the compliments Lynn receives about her overall system, the staff, service, and food, she has been successful in her goal!
How does Lynn prepare mentally for the following day of work? How does she prepare mentally for the next ten minutes?
Although Lynn goes into each day with a base plan, she also must enter each day and moment with an “Anything can happen” mindset. She has to be fast on her feet in order to rebound from the unexpected. One of the foundational practices that help her deal with everything that comes her way are the regular meetings she has with her staff.
What does it mean to Lynn to be a female chef? What advice does she have to aspiring chefs or to those ladies who are considering the profession?
In Lynn’s experience, there were more challenges to being a female chef when she started working in a kitchen almost 25 years ago.
Lynn is frank about the challenges of the work. “It’s a hard job; I’m here a lot of the day; and it’s demanding of your time. If the day ends at 8, 9, or 10 at night, it’s difficult to connect with people whose workdays end earlier.”
Lynn, who is happy with the way she is treated by the company for which she works, also shares that who you work for impacts your professional life greatly. Lynn emphasizes how important it is to research your employer before committing to a job.
One way that Lynn unites with other female chefs is through an annual event which raises money for SHARE: Self Help for Women with Breast or Ovarian Cancer. This year, Lynn teamed up with more than 20 other accomplished women chefs to create their signature dishes for the SHARE’s Sixth Annual A Second Helping of Life. This year, the event drew around 700 people and raised close to $420,000.
What are Lynn’s interests and hobbies outside of her work life?
Lynn, who has three cocker spaniels at home, is interested in animals and their welfare. She participates in New York’s annual Dogswalk Against Cancer.
Located on the second floor, Cafe 2 offers an array of delicious and seasonal foods from Executive Chef Lynn Bound, including panini, handmade pastas, salumi, artisanal cheeses, salads, and soups, as well as sumptuous desserts. Orders are placed and paid for at the counter, and then plated and served to guests at communal tables. Italian wine selections are available by the glass, quartino, or bottle.
Cafe 2 is open to Museum visitors only. Reservations are not accepted. Guests are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. All major credit cards are accepted.
..........was in the Business Section, in the Frequent Flier column, and called When Good Manners Get Left at the Gate. It was told by Larry Winget to Joan Raymound. I love this part best, the part the describes what action Larry took when a woman on the plane, while waiting for take-off, was screaming into her cell-phone: She told the person she was speaking with to call her back. And then, in a really loud voice, she gave her cellphone number to the person she was on the phone with. I committed that number to memory. And then I waited about 10 seconds and called her cell.
When she answered, I told her she was being too loud and everyone on board the plane could hear every word of her conversation. And it wasn’t that interesting.
She started screaming at me, demanding to know who I was. So I told her to look toward the front of the plane. I stood up and waved at her with a big smile on my face. She hung up, sat down and no one heard from her the rest of the flight.
I say, "Way to go, Larry!" It's not easy to handle those situations with humor and diplomacy. Most people just sit there begrudgingly.
I was curious about Larry, so I looked him up on the web. He calls himself The Pitbull of Personal Development. I have a feeling I wouldn't agree with this guy's political views but I do like his take-charge attitude, creativity, and sense of humor.
I’m pretty sure that when Joseph Campbell started talking about The Hero’s Journey, he wasn’t picturing someone who sat in front of the TV all day eating Dorritos, only stepping outside to get the mail or run to the corner store for another bag of chips.
When you get that Call to Adventure, you gotta be ready to leave comfort behind and leap into action.This is tough to do if your feet have become one with your fuzzy slippers and your tush has merged with the sofa.Know what I mean?
It's worth it to say “Yes!” to the Call to Adventure, even if it means forgoing comfort or facing a demon or two.
Please join me on The Journey!
STEP ONE IN THE HERO’S JOURNEY: SAY “YES!”
To get psyched for your initial leap into the abyss, I recommend listening to Liza Minnelli’s song “Yes!” from her album Liza with a ‘Z’.
It starts:
Yes
Say yes
Life keeps happenin' every day
Say yes
When opportunity comes your way
You can't start wonderin' what to say
You'll never win if you never play
Say yes
I got misty-eyed when I first heard it ‘cuz I knew it had to become my theme song for this next period in my life.Why?Because as adventuresome as I am in some respects (I’ll talk to just about anyone on the street or subway) I still run to my comfort zone (which is usually by the TV or literally under the comforter) when faced with challenges that present the unknown.
Admittedly, I’m one of those people who will circle ‘round and ‘round a new project or opportunity if I am not absolutely certain of the outcome.I call this kind of activity “window shopping ad nauseum” and I’m trying to break free of it.While it once served a useful function for me, it no longer has a rightful place in my life.
As Madonna says in her song, Jump:
There’s only so much you can learn in one place
The more that I wait, the more time that I waste
HERE’S SOME STUFF I SAID “YES!” TO EVEN THOUGH I WAS TERRIFIED:
Call to Adventure #1:After 12 years of living in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where I was thoroughly entrenched, I was presented with an opportunity to make two changes at one time: move to a different borough AND move in with my boyfriend.
I had never lived with a “significant other” at that point and I was shaking in my boots while riding with the movers over the BrooklynBridge with all my belongings.The moving guys heard the trepidation in my voice and said “Call us if it doesn’t work out!”
The Outcome:The truth?I was pretty scared the first couple of years I lived with Mike.It was a huge adjustment on all different levels.Together, over the past 4 years, we’ve built a rich, interesting life in a beautiful neighborhood and formed a web of terrific friendships with people out here. And I still remain connected with my Manhattan peeps!
Call to Adventure #2:I had been writing an email newsletter, Creative Times, for two years, and had amassed a nice-sized readership.In 2005, Mike said “You know, there’s this thing called a blog that would be a great way to get your writing out there in the world!”All I could think of is “I don’t know what a blog is and I don’t know how it works.” And then when I found out how public you go by publishing a blog, I FREAKED OUT!Now I didn’t have control over who could see my writing.
The Outcome: After a pep talk from blogging queen Louise Crawford, I decided to launch Creative Times: A Blog for Artists & Entrepreneurs.With Mike’s help, I set up the blog and mastered the technical basics of blogging.The two weeks after going “live” I had the writer’s equivalent of stage fright:I barely slept or ate.
The good news:Creative Times (the blog) has been a passport to building a community of bloggers and to meeting all kinds of interesting people, from Elmo muppeteer Kevin Clash to Twentieth Century Design Great Eva Zeisel.
Call to Adventure #3 (Hint: It Involved a Ring):Mike and I have now been together for 7 years.During the last 3 or 4 of those years, we’d have an occasional but brief conversation about getting married.From the brevity of those chats, I concluded that we were both pretty much terrified of taking that next step.
The Outcome: At the end of last month, Mike floored me with a proposal on the beach on Block Island. I was looking for little rocks and shells in the sand and he said “Look! I found a pretty rock!”The rock was a ring and I said “Yes!”Am I still scared to take the plunge? Yes, I am! But I am still going to do it because I know it will make life rich and interesting and because I get to spend the next bunch of years with my best friend!
MORE ABOUT “YES!”
·Is there a Call to Adventure that’s been knocking on your door for a while now? What is it?Write it down! Share it with someone else or with a group of folks who also want to pursue a calling!
·Where do you need to say “YES!” to in order to move your life forward and grow as a person?
·Everyone’s Hero’s Journey looks different.Everyone’s “YES!” is going to be different.One person might need to say “YES!” to making new friends or dating again.Another may need to say “YES!” to exercising more or wearing brighter colors.Still another might get to say “YES!” to performing on stage or starting a new business.
·Sometimes you need to get quiet to hear what needs saying “YES!” to.
·You might have to start saying “NO” to people or commitments in order to follow the “YES!” (For example: a mom who does everything around the house might have to get the rest of her family to pitch in so she can follow her calling to write a book.)
·After saying “YES!” you should be prepared to experience mildto extreme discomfort, challenge old (and probably outdated) beliefs and assumptions, pull in the help of friends and strangers, and forge a path into new and unimagined territory.
·Have fun, feel the fear, and let us know how it goes!
September 26, 2009 Unleash Your Muse Scorpio Daily Horoscope
You may find that today you have ideas that you can’t wait to express. It may feel like these ideas are bubbling forth from out of nowhere and that you simply cannot contain them. You might feel highly energized and stimulated today as a result of your flashes of creativity. When you are feeling this much energy, it is important to find a way to express your thoughts in a way that is meaningful for you. You might consider a creative outlet such as poetry, painting, dance, or music. As you find what you are drawn to, allow your muse to reveal itself to you today. You could find that your inspiration and energy become boundless once you find a meaningful way to express yourself.
Finding an artistic way to channel our thoughts and ideas helps us express ourselves more easily. When we feel so animated that we are unable to keep our thoughts to ourselves, it can be easy to find outlets that have little or no meaning for us. If we take time to pursue creative endeavors, we find that our ability to express ourselves expands into new realms. We unleash a part of ourselves that we may not often exercise. We also develop different ways to get our ideas across—ways that we may never have thought possible before. Utilize your creative muse today, and you will manifest new and exciting ways to express yourself.
September 18, 2009 Finding Joy in Life's Surprises Releasing Your Expectations The further you distance yourself from your expectations, the more exhilarating your life will become. Though a situation in which you find yourself may not correspond to your initial wants, needs, or goals, ask yourself how you can make the most of it and then do your best to adapt. Your life’s journey will likely take many unpredicted and astonishing twists because you are willing to release your expectations. - Daily Om
I love this excerpt from Daily Om. I realized I have a habit of getting my hopes waaaaaaay up about certain things, but in a way where I have a specific picture of how things will happen. And if it doesn't happen that way or happen at all, I am disappointed. It's not that I want to give up on wanting things or setting intentions, but letting go of the outcome does seem like a way to free up a lot of energy and bring a kind of lightness into the day. Having rigid expectations seems kind of like holding on to dear life to a tiny life raft while there is a big cruise ship not far in the distance that would be happy to pick up a new passenger.
This morning, I woke up to the kind of day I love - sunny and crisp without humidity. Mike and I got breakfast sammys and ate them on the front steps of our apartment. I cleaned the house while listening to the song "All Night Dancing" (by same group that did "Funkytown") to prepare for The New Year.
I then set out into the neighborhood, where I came upon some boxes of free albums set outside someone's brownstone, so I took a Jay-Z album from 1998 called The City is Mine (Featuring Blackstreet). By the way, did you know that J has outdone Elvis (but not The Beatles) as the solo artist with the most chart-toppers in US chart history?
While walking back home, I came upon a block party. These folks went all out with a bouncy castle, a mini rocking Pirate-type of swinging back and forth boat ride, and a karaoke machine where two young women were belting out Madonna's "Material Girl" while a rowdy crowd cheered them on.
I love my neighborhood!
Came back home, showered and changed, and taxi'd over to my friend Carol's place for an incredible New Year dinner.
I have walked by the new building that is housing the Museum of Chinese in America and cannot wait for next week's Grand Opening! I heard that they used to be housed in a hole in the wall, and now they are occupying a 14,000 square foot space on Centre Street.
Here is information about GRAND OPENING WEEK, taken straight from MOCA's website.
Grand Opening Week
Tue, Sep 22 from 1:30pm – 4pm
Wed, Sep 23 from 11am – 5pm
Thu, Sep 24 from 11am – 5pm
Fri, Sep 25 from 11am – 5pm
In celebration of MOCA's grand opening at 215 Centre Street, we are pleased to offer free admission to the Museum from Tuesday, September 22 to Saturday, September 26, 2009.
Designed by artist and designer Maya Lin, MOCA’s new home is a 14,000 square foot space in a former machine shop, renovated to feature multiple exhibition galleries, interactive display kiosks, a multipurpose auditorium/classroom, a research center, and a flexible space for multidisciplinary public programs. MOCA expects to achieve LEED SILVER certification through the incorporation of environmentally sustainable design solutions throughout the Museum. At the heart of the Museum is its historic skylit courtyard, left deliberately raw and untouched, that harkens back to the memory of a traditional Chinese courtyard house.
Exhibitions on view:
With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America, MOCA's core exhibition on the history of the Chinese American experience.
Here & Now: Chinese Artists in New York, an art exhibition featuring contemporary artists of Chinese descent living in New York.
Chinatown Film Project, a film exhibition featuring ten original short films on Chinatown, New York.
(How to thrive creatively when it feels like your work doesn't matter.)
Ready for some inspiration to boost you through the last quarter? Register now for this unique opportunity to learn the 15 Secrets of Personal Creativity with Dr. Eric Maisel and 6 tools for Creative Survival with Rahti Gorfien.
Where: The Field, 161 Avenue of the Americas @ Spring Street, 14th Floor in NYC When: September 22nd Time: 6-9:30PM Cost: $65/$55 for Field Members.
50% non-refundable deposit required; pay in full when you reserve for a 10% discount!
When I think of creativity-related life coaching, there are two names that come to mind: Julia Cameron(The Artists Way) and Eric Maisel (The Van Gogh Blues). While The Artist Way really kicked off my fascination with the creative process, I actually studied Creativity Coaching with Dr. Maisel. So you can imagine how honored I was to be approached by Eric to do a workshop in the Fall! Eric will speak on what he refers to as The 15 Secrets of Personal Creativity, and I'll be leading some group coaching around issues that pertain to Creative Survival. Don't miss this unique opportunity to resolve some core creative issues: Eric isn't often in New York, and this will be an intimate event as THERE ARE ONLY 15 SEATS AVAILABLE. SOOO... it's not too early to reserve now and insure first dibs on enrollment! RSVP: gorfien@gmail.com
Ever wonder what our community could do with 120 square feet of outdoor space? Bring friends and family along to find out as Sustainable Flatbush hosts our 3rd annual Park(ing) Day event on Friday, September 18th, from 9am until 6pm.
To raise awareness of how public space is allocated in our neighborhood, we will transform an unremarkable parking spot into “Cortelyou Road Park”: an urban oasis with grass, lawn chairs, music, art supplies, games, and good conversation for all to enjoy, at the corner of Cortelyou and Argyle Roads, in front of the Public Library.
Two sustainable craft businesses based in the NYC area – Garbage of Eden Design and RePlayGround – will teach free creative workshops on fashioning fun stuff out of garbage. We invite you to bring your favorite empty cereal box or designed scrap paper to personalize your crafts. Jewelry made from plastic bags and yogurt containers as well as kits to make projects from scrap will be on display. You could even win a food gift basket from the Flatbush Food Coop, which is also graciously providing free snacks throughout the day! Join us for this international event at the level of our local neighborhood. Meet your neighbors and those working within our community who strive to make it a more livable place.
Last year’s event was a great success. This year we plan to outdo it with:
* A special Puppet Show featuring the juggling egg puppet by Ronny starting at 11am
* Craft workshops by Garbage of Eden Design and RePlayGround
From Daily Om
