Destination One: New York City
I'm convinced that I left my heart in New York City somewhere around the ages of 10 - 12 when went for the first time. The lights, the city, the people, the smells, the potential has always left the dreamer inside of me captivated. Even before the Big Apple and I first met, I wrote my first song concerning the subject. From a young age I have managed to draw inspiration. Almost 6 years since my last vacation there, I found my heart right where I had left it - so many years ago, smack dap in the middle of the theater district, or as you may be more familiar with, 'Broadway'.
But let me back up - One the 6th of June, I set forth on what in hindsight will be seen as "the trip of a life time". Year twenty-six will most definitely be one for the books. My first stop on my 23 day journey into the unknown in the midst of the unknown was New York. During the flight, two songs were stuck in my head "New York, New York" and the Law and Order SVU theme song. The small child behind me was stuck on "Empire State of Mind" but had to ask her mom if Beyonce sang the tune . Mother set her straight "No gurl, that's Alicia Keys and Jay-Z."
As soon as I landed and jumped in my taxi, excitement filled my blood. In the past, I have always traveled from from a tourist perspective, but this time, I had the opportunity to experience the city from a local point of view. I managed to rent a room on a bnb website, that enabled me to get quite the deal . I stayed in the heart of Chelsea and the location was prime. The room was enough, but I came across a bit of a predicament - a shared bathroom. I don't mind sharing a bathroom but I do mind when I don't know who I am sharing a facility with- Do they have foot fungus? What time do they shower? I really hope they don't leave their nasty hairs on the shower walls ( they did). "Oh Crap (literally) I forgot to pack my "poo-pouri". These were all thoughts that ran through my mind. Despite the neglect to pack travel shoes, I did manage to get basically clean, praying I wasn't staying at the 'Bates Motel', but other "concerns" left me feeling in a bit of a bind. Well, despite the inconveniences, I survived ( thanks to my African travels) and honestly, I was only in my room to sleep. I'll count it as a growing experience.
My shared bathroom, lap of Chelsea luxury was about a mile walk from where I spent the majority of my time - yes, Broadway.
(p.s. I am currently catching up and writing as I am on the chunnel to Paris and I think I am traveling underwater. Unfortunately, my grand imagination has left me a bit disappointed as I was hoping to have a SeaWorld/2000 leagues Under the Sea/Little Mermaid , travel next to a french shark sort of experience. Bummer. Just a tunnel in the dark, that is making my ears pop. Anyways.)
Broadway - In the short time I was in the city, I managed to see 4 shows in about 3 1/2 days. This is comparable to the record my mom and I set when we saw 6 in five days. On the first night, I saw "Memphis". It was absolutely incredible and was about rock & roll music at the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement - two things I love : civil rights and music. I think I cried three times through out the show, the initial time being as soon as the current when up due to the rush of emotion that over took me.
This is me.
I feel alive.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
writings from France a year ago - June 14, 2012
Initial thoughts on France......
Some one took the time to invest, create, and preserve beautiful architecture that has and will stand the test of time.
If the french would have only spoke in ballet terms, I would have been ok.
Inspiring. All of the city is art, thus it inspires more art.
French women push their baby strollers in high heels, proving the point that just because you have a kid you do no have to let yourself go, nor does it require a nanny - just taste and class.
I'll say it again - Taste and Class.
I attract the older generation of french men, oui, oui.
"I can help you learn french very well"
as I look at the dessert menu..... "if you like, you can chose me instead"
"monserie madmoiselle, ohhh monserie."
When the time is taken to pay a compliment, it is heart felt and done well. You know
Sometimes the most beautiful and dazzling things are un-recognizable.
I saw the mullet of all mullets in the metro.. this was after I got an extreme case of the giggles thanks to what seemed to be an exceptionally drunk man receiving aid from his slightly less drunk wife. ... I couldn't stop laughing and a couple others caught on to my secret laugh fest.
It's a gift to get lost in Paris, because you stumble upon the most delightful venues.
Some one took the time to invest, create, and preserve beautiful architecture that has and will stand the test of time.
If the french would have only spoke in ballet terms, I would have been ok.
Inspiring. All of the city is art, thus it inspires more art.
French women push their baby strollers in high heels, proving the point that just because you have a kid you do no have to let yourself go, nor does it require a nanny - just taste and class.
I'll say it again - Taste and Class.
I attract the older generation of french men, oui, oui.
"I can help you learn french very well"
as I look at the dessert menu..... "if you like, you can chose me instead"
"monserie madmoiselle, ohhh monserie."
When the time is taken to pay a compliment, it is heart felt and done well. You know
Sometimes the most beautiful and dazzling things are un-recognizable.
I saw the mullet of all mullets in the metro.. this was after I got an extreme case of the giggles thanks to what seemed to be an exceptionally drunk man receiving aid from his slightly less drunk wife. ... I couldn't stop laughing and a couple others caught on to my secret laugh fest.
It's a gift to get lost in Paris, because you stumble upon the most delightful venues.
a year ago in France - June 15, 2012
"Les Deaux Magots and Writer's of Literature's Past.... and Future.
As I sit at the corner of Saint Germain in a lovely cafe, sipping on an espresso, and enjoying the french scenery around me, I am haunted by the thoughts of writers and artist past. A cafe that that is now amidst several tourist hotspots, was once a hub for the literary an intellectual. Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Joyce and Picasso are some of the names who have brainstormed and created under the same cafe roof by which I sit. Maybe some day the name 'Fair' will be added to the list of prominent historical literally, artistic figures.
I wonder what aching to bust out from the ink of the pen they held. Were they overflowing with ideas? Did they know what kind of voice they wanted to be? Were they patiently waiting for that open door? Or, were they simply doing what they loved, letting their passions and talents be the trail to the portion of their destiny that would be known in history. Maybe they had no agenda at all, but to simply just be and express the environment in which they lived. Whatever the answer to the questions above may be - their words left their mark, and I long to do the same. Was their passion so strong that they were confident enough to sacrifice the comfort zone and leave logical thinking behind.
I have about ten thousand and one ideas bottled up inside. Anyone that lives in an A.D.D brain, knows that this can be quite the conundrum. Once set in motion, the internal motor, with some time can easily take the idea and allow it to materialize. Usually the biggest hurdle (for me at least) is where to begin and choosing which idea to run with first. The correct timing in all things is of the upmost value. So being born for such a time such as this, in this moment, which idea holds the key to unlock the door of excellent timing?
When I paint, I always create multiple works at once. I think it can be difficult to focus on only one painting for such a long time, thus I get about three going at once. From an artistic standpoint, some emotions and expressions are not meant to rest on on the same canvas. (We shall see which artist's held the same beliefs as I transport back in time during my journey through the Lourve). Maybe the same concept is the answer to all of my writing ideas - each are very different and require a different energy to be channeled. You think Hemingway ever worked on more than one novel at once ?
Despite the unanswered, and idea will always remain an idea until the first step is taken which is simply to begin. The second step is to keep going which can be the challenge. I plan to do just that - start. I may start a couple of things at once, but I will be moving forward and the one with the most weight, and ideal for the timing, will catalyze at the most rapid pace. But I know the choice will lay before me again... Do i chose to be illogical illogical and take time to create something that electrifies my bones at the thought of the project, an idea that will be successful or do I take the"realistic path" an place these desires on the back burner so I can be an adult. I don't want to lose myself or my mojo. Hemingway would have said, " I'm writing damn it"..... All in due time. .
I will say that it is beyond peaceful taking time to write and gain inspiration in a fresh new environment. I must make a point to write a small portion each day as I continue on this journey - my bullet point list of what I need to write about will not cut it. And since I am clearly not putting foreign miles on my running shoes (point being well made by my mid-section and boo-tay), I'm sure I can manage to sit on that boo-tay and write. Anything. Something.
While I taste this last sip of coffee at Les Deaux Magots and prepare to make my exit and stumble upon my next stop, I hope that as I go, I will somehow leave with a portion of the creative, talent, artistic favor and inspiration that have been left by the great people of the past such as Hemingway and Fitzgerald.
Ciao to writes of past, present, and future! Time to set forth to my next destination ofinspiration! Jusqu'a la prochaine fois... (until next time.. )"
Sent from my iPad
As I sit at the corner of Saint Germain in a lovely cafe, sipping on an espresso, and enjoying the french scenery around me, I am haunted by the thoughts of writers and artist past. A cafe that that is now amidst several tourist hotspots, was once a hub for the literary an intellectual. Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Joyce and Picasso are some of the names who have brainstormed and created under the same cafe roof by which I sit. Maybe some day the name 'Fair' will be added to the list of prominent historical literally, artistic figures.
I wonder what aching to bust out from the ink of the pen they held. Were they overflowing with ideas? Did they know what kind of voice they wanted to be? Were they patiently waiting for that open door? Or, were they simply doing what they loved, letting their passions and talents be the trail to the portion of their destiny that would be known in history. Maybe they had no agenda at all, but to simply just be and express the environment in which they lived. Whatever the answer to the questions above may be - their words left their mark, and I long to do the same. Was their passion so strong that they were confident enough to sacrifice the comfort zone and leave logical thinking behind.
I have about ten thousand and one ideas bottled up inside. Anyone that lives in an A.D.D brain, knows that this can be quite the conundrum. Once set in motion, the internal motor, with some time can easily take the idea and allow it to materialize. Usually the biggest hurdle (for me at least) is where to begin and choosing which idea to run with first. The correct timing in all things is of the upmost value. So being born for such a time such as this, in this moment, which idea holds the key to unlock the door of excellent timing?
When I paint, I always create multiple works at once. I think it can be difficult to focus on only one painting for such a long time, thus I get about three going at once. From an artistic standpoint, some emotions and expressions are not meant to rest on on the same canvas. (We shall see which artist's held the same beliefs as I transport back in time during my journey through the Lourve). Maybe the same concept is the answer to all of my writing ideas - each are very different and require a different energy to be channeled. You think Hemingway ever worked on more than one novel at once ?
Despite the unanswered, and idea will always remain an idea until the first step is taken which is simply to begin. The second step is to keep going which can be the challenge. I plan to do just that - start. I may start a couple of things at once, but I will be moving forward and the one with the most weight, and ideal for the timing, will catalyze at the most rapid pace. But I know the choice will lay before me again... Do i chose to be illogical illogical and take time to create something that electrifies my bones at the thought of the project, an idea that will be successful or do I take the"realistic path" an place these desires on the back burner so I can be an adult. I don't want to lose myself or my mojo. Hemingway would have said, " I'm writing damn it"..... All in due time. .
I will say that it is beyond peaceful taking time to write and gain inspiration in a fresh new environment. I must make a point to write a small portion each day as I continue on this journey - my bullet point list of what I need to write about will not cut it. And since I am clearly not putting foreign miles on my running shoes (point being well made by my mid-section and boo-tay), I'm sure I can manage to sit on that boo-tay and write. Anything. Something.
While I taste this last sip of coffee at Les Deaux Magots and prepare to make my exit and stumble upon my next stop, I hope that as I go, I will somehow leave with a portion of the creative, talent, artistic favor and inspiration that have been left by the great people of the past such as Hemingway and Fitzgerald.
Ciao to writes of past, present, and future! Time to set forth to my next destination ofinspiration! Jusqu'a la prochaine fois... (until next time.. )"
Sent from my iPad
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