My guitar is no longer collecting dust! I've been practicing and doing open mic with some amazingly, talented people. I'm so grateful for the supportive audience and for being able to share some of my favorite songs!Here are some videos! Enjoy!And super thanks to all the friends that came (and took photos and videos)! You all mean the world to me! I love, love, LOVE that I have so many wonderful people in my life! Also, my new open mic friends also rock!
What's that? Little elephant paper weight sitting on my desk (you were acquired when seeing the Lion King a few years ago)
You have something to tell me! 
Oh my! It looks like you are trying to spell! 
Oh, and look! Your friends decided to join you!
Turtle brought his own message...
It's a birthday! (it's fitting that Turtle would bring this message, since he was acquired when volunteering with this lovely birthday gal). Kim and I became friends when she was a volunteer at my New York Cares project and eventually was coaxed into team leading with me! Since both of our names are Kim, the kids call us Kim 1 and Kim 2 -- (only calling their favorite of the day Kim 1 - depending on their mood)
Yeah for birthdays! Happy Birthday Kim! Today YOU are Kim #1!!
*source*Beirut is marvelous.I saw them earlier this summer and will be seeing them again this fall.I cannot wait.I love the horns, I love the instruments, I love it all. I love the poetic lyrics and his voice. Seeing them live is awesome.You dance, you sway, you smile and are simply blown away at the wall of sound that comes at you.The new album is out and is fun!
*source*Sometimes my seven-year self gets the better of me and I just want to play. So last week when the skies opened and the streets got crowded with puddles, I didn't hide under an awning.In fact before leaving Vintage Attic on Metropolitan I asked for an extra plastic bag. I turned my music up and threw the phone into the bag (I realize it's probably not terribly safe to run around in rain with headphones, but I just wanted a fun soundtrack to my mischievousness.)I left the store and skipped and danced and waved my arms around the whole way home. As the rain heavily poured onto my shoulders and the plastic bag with my phone (clutched tightly in my hand), I felt lighter and free.At that point, I jumped - quite literally - into the puddles.There's something about the rain that is so, so refreshing.
This life...Is fleeting like a butterfly.Last night I realized how lucky I am. This life I have is really full. And even though there are times I am lonely, I know that they fade. Everything changes, even those dark moments. But walking home from yoga I realized how free I am. I have no real responsibilities other than the goals I want for myself. Right now those are excelling at work and creating art. And lately music too. Maybe one of these days I'll actually learn a language, to knit, and be better at paying attention the news. But it's the little things that count, like listening to NPR on my walk to the train and buying old books on street corners.
Last night when showering, I realized how much I would miss not living with Hayden someday and when he locks the cat in the bathroom with me (she likes this). I would miss that hole in the ceiling and laughing about the series of landlords named "Frank" we've had for the past few months.It made me realize that I don't need to rush out of this life because sooner than I probably realize, it too, will change.
Life is beautiful (despite the shorter days and the upcoming fall).
Random messages on the streets of Williamsburg, similar to the ones I've left on the train, a trippy and awesome Sufjan Stevens concert, interesting shadows, a deer blazing in Christmas lights, and fun bar with even better company. And brightly colored street art.
scavenging for shells, watching clams bury themselves into the sand, holding a starfish and saving it by giving it water (yes, really!), climbing rocks, random glass from the 1900's washing ashore, laughing, playing with shadows, taking a bow after making sand angels, and biting into a perfectly ripe peach.heavenly.
Apparently this octopus looking hula-hoop is good for this...
Some new paintings (and an old one finally finished)...
For those that didn't know, I am a huge Vanessa Carlton fan and I am thrilled that her new album is out! Her music is so dreamy and just whisks me away. I plan on listening to it while I work on my next painting.this song is so haunting and beautiful...marching lineBoots on concreteDon't slip on the leavesSmile at the strangersWon't know what you meanClouds like cathedralsNight hits the seaAnd I walk to the high lightShips gonna take me at midnightStorms sounding out like an overtureIt's time to join the marching lineTake back your listYou don't know what love is like; a bullet in the chestAnd I never say yesNever known a day without a quiet regretSo I walk to the high lightShips gonna take me at midnightStorms sounding out like an overtureIt's time to join the marching line; leave it all behind, and join theMarching lineAnd there's no captain who calls "what's your name?"An army of oneIt's just me and a drumDo you know a love like a bullet in the chest?Ships on grey seasWaves keep the time like my heartbeatIt's an overtureIt's time to join the marching line, leave it all behind and join theMarching lineFortune tellers, fortune still hurts
let your creative spirit rush * flow * tumble * leak * spring * bubble * steam * dribble * out of you...a little reminder from the lovely words of sark and something i've been trying to live by lately.
Last week a thunderstorm rolled in and rolled out as quickly as it came. Luckily, I made it home in time to watch it. My landlord's name is Frank. His son, Frankie Jr. lived below us for awhile, and now his son's friend, Frank lives there.Maybe I should have named my cat Frank.
*source*Saturday I participated in Improv Everywhere's Mp3 Experiment. Past experiments looked so awesome, that I when I found out about this one, there was no way I was missing it!I didn't get too many photos of the actual event, but took some blurry pics after. Hooray for light up dance parties!
Something happened after June's chaos. I don't know how to explain it, but suddenly the entire world felt lighter. Work seemed a bit easier, even though I was working harder. My paintings have been dreamier and rich (I will share soon), despite challenging myself with compositions. And my heart has been bubbly, effervescent, and has me smiling a lot. So much that my cheeks hurt and I worry that people on the train may think I have a disorder.Weekends of fun, new friends, and so much more have me filled to the brim. I am overflowing with love. It's as if all of these dreams under my pillow have found their way into reality.Here are some magical things from the weekend...
- another day at the beach with francesca
- exploring prospect heights
- making boats out of leaves
- daydreaming in prospect park
**I feel this glorious feeling of excitement and like this cute pup, I'm ready to leap into new territories.
After going to the beach last week with long strip of fabric, I decided to sew it together to make an actual beach sheet ~ or at least something that was square!Hayden decided it would be fun to have a photo shoot with the scraps.Perhaps I will wear this to the beach this weekend!
We even got the kitty involved. :)Have a great weekend!
Cloudless skies and ocean air = simply divine.And going with new gal pals is even better, this one's especially hilarious.Thanks to Meg's book club, I now have three awesome gal pals. Amal, Joy, and Meg. But don't worry dear yammies...you are certainly not replaced! (Yams = you. are. (and always will be) my. sisters!)**
After a day at the farmer's market and visiting queen Lavi cat, I came home to work on a painting and relax with the fluffs. And now I must sleep for my early beach day with Joy!Xo
Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don’t want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you’re doing here. Believe in kissing.- eve ensler
We went to Coney Island for the Hot Dog Eating Contest which was perhaps one of the most disgusting and entertaining things I have ever seen. There even a contestant from Iowa (he did not win)! The mc for the event was extremely animated and funny. One of my favorite moments was when he said something about the event having the "quality of a high school production." The rest of the day consisted of wandering the boardwalk, lots of umbrellas, kites, ride observing, people watching and dining at a Russian restaurant. I also did some "volunteering" this weekend, which is quite different from what I normally do. We went to a sideshow where I participated in an act. I sat in an electric chair and had a light bulb and torch lit off my tongue! While I have no photos, I can tell you that I DID feel a spark when she lit the torch!Coney Island is a blast. 
It was a wonderful weekend and quite adventurous! From Long Beach with Meg, to the Spa Castle in Queens (sadly, no pics - but this place is a total zoo), to Coney Island for the hot dog eating contest (photos to come!) and to Manhattan for the fireworks (with the prettiest sunset), it was fun and slightly exhausting. But considering that I managed to get my laundry done and work on a painting, I think it was one of those perfect weekends with just the right balance of relaxing, fun, and accomplishments.Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!xoxo
**p.s. aren't these kitties the cutest? although, i'd love an explanation for why Caesar loves to sleep on hard shoes? what a weirdo!