Friday Faves

Hello!
Happy Friday!

Happy Lunar New Year, Valentines Day, President's Day weekend starting Friday!

Got any cool plans? Me? I am gonna hang out, fix my home computer, and go to the movies. I am really excited for this weekend cause it's a 3 day long one. I know that doesn't mean anything for the creative self employed types, or the unfortunately unemployed types, but if you have a desk job that is less than exciting it's fantastic news! It's less than fantastic due to the fact I am a temp and will not be paid for the day I miss...but I'm still excited OK?

I am also excited that I can provide you with a list of things I have been reading, obsessing over, or drooling about.

This post from Doe Deere linked to the Wikipedia about The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and the effects Heath Ledgers death had on production, post production, and everyone involved. In short, this film was cursed, or blessed, or both. If you haven't already (it didn't do as well in the US as it did overseas) GO SEE IT NOW! It was so much better on a full size screen, your T.V. is not gonna cut it.

Former Los Angeles punk queen Alice Bag give insight and her opinion on why we should stop using the hyphenated American label.

A look at American culture, based on Facebook.

This Picture of BLONDIE! (and nerdboyfriend rocks)

Warrior Development was inspiring, I can completely relate to The Paralysis of Doing the Right Thing.

And the best one all week? The one that made me think and then re-think my life was this post by 43Folders. I have realized this is my biggest hindrance in moving forward with anything in my life. ANYTHING. All of my project are half baked and probably always will be because I care WAY too much about WAY too many things. I have to widdle that list down. It's gonna suck, I'm gonna hate it, and it's not gonna feel natural to a person with Wonder Woman I can do everything tendencies. But, it's gotta happen.

Thanks to those that continue to read this thing, I know you are out there only due to my counter at the bottom of the page, but at least your out there.

~Syd

Joann of the bus

I take great interest in the way life unfolds; the little moments in life are endlessly intriguing. I could create a whole other blog about the bus rides to and from work, and the amazing people that accompany me on said rides. I probably won't just because I am trying to work on the thousand projects that I already am so overwhelmed by I avoid.



Yesterday I got on a very late La Brea bus to find my friend Julian sleeping near the front. I giggled as I took a picture, and then nudged him to say hi. It made my morning, getting to see a friendly face on a bus in the city of Los Angeles is not all that common. But, then it happened again this morning! I was startled. I am a friendly person. If I catch you looking, I smile. I say good morning, and thank you, and hello to people. Lots of other people just don't. I can't take it personally, I ride on 2 buses that run through major arteries of this great city, and many of those people lead less than glamorous lives.



Which is why I was also intrigued to see the well put together blond walk up to my second bus stop this morning, dragging designer luggage behind her. She had a huge suitcase, train case, and purse. Her skin was perfect. She looked older than I, but you couldn't tell how old. My imitate thought was "She's traveling here (versus going someplace), cause she isn't from Los Angeles". I was right. She approached me, and asked if I had change for a five dollar bill, she just got into town last night from Chicago and was still getting used to the bus system, oh, and she also had $.35. I said I didn't think I had it, but the bus is $1.25 so I'll just give you this dollar and you'll be set. I asked where she was going from here to figure out if there was a place to get change for the bus after this one (if there was one). She thanked me, introduced herself as Joann and shook my hand, she then told me she had flown here last night, and was on her way to Palmdale to take care of her sister, niece and nephew while her sister was battling breast cancer.



Wow. This is some story. Wow, this is some woman.

The children are still young (about 8 and 9 or so...I don't remember) and it's her baby sister (in her early forties) and they are close. She wants to take the kids off her hands completely, be the wonderful funky aunt that spoils them while her sister is at ceder-sani working on getting better. She uploaded tons of kids movies to her laptop, she's gonna take them on adventures, feed them sugar, and let them be kids while their mom recovers.



I almost cried.



I was impressed she was taking public transportation to Palmdale, and hadn't rented a car. It was a long way. She said she didn't mind, it was an adventure. She had taken 6 months off work, packed up just the essentials, and since her children were in their twenties (cause this woman I found out is just over 50. 50!! She looked amazing, I wouldn't have guessed 40) and it's freezing cold and everyone is up to their eyeballs in snow in Chicago, she left. I had told her she was in for a switch, she was on her way to the desert. It was gonna be nice and warm. I told her briefly about my mom, and that what she was doing was amazing (And all of it a surprise I might add. Her sister doesn't know she is just gonna show up on her doorstep!) and that it was a very important, heartfelt way to support her sister. When I went to get off the bus, I wished her a safe and happy journey into the desert, and told her her sister would be in my thoughts. She smiled and wished me a good day.



One more story of the city that makes me grateful for the little things in life. The short, human connections are important.

Sold Soul

Well, I am off to dance again. For a woman that drives me crazy. From an office that drives me crazy.

I did it again. Sold out for the almighty dollar. It's hard when the person you live with works very little due to his choice of career and you like to eat. It sucks when you have chosen to wing it as an artist and haven't the time or inclination to work on your art due to the bullshit of the day.

And that's why I have no other words right now. Except a big old apologie to myself, cause I suck.

I sold out. Again. Sorry.

But in the spirit of the blog, I am not homeless, still haven't been homeless in a long time. Last time I couch surfed was a long time ago, so...at least I got that going for me.

Whirlwhind Rain

So how bout this storm huh? Yowza, the city of Los Angeles has been drenched!
I like it though. I think rain is fun! It was more fun on Monday though, cause I got to spend the time with The Man. THAT is so much fun. I love my man plus rain, and Monday it poured! We went out to Target, the new one in the revamped Fox Hills Mall that they are calling Whitfield Culver City now. After pulling out 9 pairs of pants and trying them on for...wheat seemed like forever, I found one pair that fit and are flattering. One. And the bright green top I am currently wearing. I would post pictures...but I am at my new temp job and don't want to. So there. Neah.

In other news, I have a new temp job. Just as boring (actually, more so) than the last one, I am trying to keep it and save some damn money...
So I guess I better get off the Internet, as everyone just walked in....

Happy New Year!

How was your 2009? Are you sad to see it go? Happy it's finally over? Whichever it is, I bet you'll never forget it, changed lives this year did. Lol, how very Yoda...

This was a huge year for me, my only wish being that I worked harder to record some of it. But, i am doing this whole fly by the seat of my pants thing...and it hasn't been all bad. I am absorbing, and experiencing life as it happens. I have nothing to prove, and only myself to please in this little spot, so...I guess it's just another punch I will choose to roll with.

That is part of a whole list of things I have learned this year, that you need to roll with the punches. Life is gonna throw all kinds of stuff your way, and staying positive and letting most of it roll off your back helps tons. The Man called this a rebuilding year, and I have to agree. I rebuilt, I looked inside myself, and changed the way I look at the world. I grew up a lot.

I have lost two jobs this year, and for the five years before that I was not without gainful employment for a second. For five years I had a job to go to every day of my life, I had someplace I reported, and turned off my own head to sell dog sweaters, ship digibeats or file paper work. Not having to do that was, scary, fun, a...relief. I have been blessed with a chance to look at myself, and the person I want to be. I have found myself at the precipice, and am going with the less safe, but more personally rewarding path. I have big plans for 2010, that all revolve not going back to a room lit with fluorescent bulbs. I want to make up my own day.

I have thought about this a lot, and slowly set wheels in motion. All in my own good time. And well, I am ready to go out on some bigger limbs now. I have talked, talked, talked about all the things I am gonna do, and none of it comes to fruition. So this year, I am just diving in.

Eeeep!

2009 was hard. America changed forever as it sunk into deeper depression, and people re-thought the way they look at money, jobs, and lifestyles. And in the circle of friends I have, I have not heard many complaints. Most of the people I know were worse of financially, but came together as friends, allies, and support teams. I have not once felt alone, and I think that says a lot about the way things will go in the future.

We have all been humbled this year, and I think it has been great. I am so thankful for the people in my life, no matter what their outlook on 2009 is, because it taught me something.

I look forward to going out tonight and watching Travis Pastrana jump into Long Beach Harbor, drinking in a room we rented for the occasion (in true recession style, splitting the bill with good friends, and bringing our own booze!), watching the fireworks and kissing The Man at midnight. I look forward to 2010, and welcome all the new ways I will grow.

So, what are you doing tonight? What do you look forward to in the fresh, new year ahead of you?

And furthermore my self-control I can't rely on anymore...

So the discovery of, followed by the obsession with Led Zeppelin birthed an obsession with Robert Plant, that went so deep I began to dream about him. It reached a fevered pitch so high, I dreamt he made me peanut butter fudge...*sigh*...Robert take me away!

I was listening to his album Now And Zen, and realized I really love Crazy Ship of Fools. So, I went in search of a video to share with you. This is the official one credited as being "from the Nine Lives box set". Wow, did I come across a gem! This video is so the epitome of what cheesy 1980's love songs should look like! I love it so much! He dances with silk scarves! He practically makes out with the camera! Look at his stacked hair! Eeeeeek! I sat in front of the computer and creamed my jeans. God I love Robert Plant.

Link

The page-a-day

"Set your own priorities; live life the way you want to, with your own set of values. Stop running around simply because you have to "keep up". "

Yesterdays page from the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff calendar.