Travel

Work or pleasure?

An airport is torture.

Lines, angry people fighting for overhead space, and cranky crew members;

Life on the road continues…

Missing Post; June 29

When technology fails and you lose your work;

A placeholder just isn’t the same.

But who has the time to complain…

Those words are gone, and life moves on!

Letting go is a HUGE part of the creative process.

Yorkie Bath Time

Trying to give my 14-year-old Yorkshire Terrier a bath is like trying to have a reasonable conversation with at Trump supporter;
You don’t do it!
Off to the groomers we go...

Back On The Mat

Getting down is the easy part,

Getting back up? That’s the challenge.

I take a deep breath and stretch my body against the mat as it supports the extra 10 pounds I gained on vacation.

Twisting, lengthening, working through my emotions, and then it happens—I’m back in the Zen zone!

The Call

Waking up to a phone call from your manager and agent reminding you that you are, in fact, on the right path;
Wonderful news that further validates my endless uphill climb.
As an artist, every “no” feels like a personal attack on your soul;
When you hear a “yes”, you celebrate it!
My sophomore English teacher used to remind us, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.”
Today, I had a lucky day.  I’m ready to get back on the horse and ride this journey as far is the trail goes!

Back On Land

We’ve made it back to San Francisco;

Feeling blessed.

After two weeks traveling with my husband and Mother-in-Law, I’ve grown;

Literally, I’m at least 10 pounds heavier thanks to the nonstop food fest.

Truthfully though, traveling to Alaska was such a journey. Witnessing wildlife and standing on glaciers hundreds of thousands of years old was life changing.

Another brilliant celebration of life; my 40th Birthday continues!

Food Coma; Alaska June 24, 2018

I feel like I’ve consumed more food in the past 10 days than the average whale eats in a year; I’m in a full blown food coma!

Don’t! …Blame Canada; Alaska June 23, 2018

Tea and crumpets;

Maple Syrup;

Hot men;

A fun accent;

A real leader: Justin Trudeau (see above!)

Don’t blame Canada!

Spa Day; Alaska June 22, 2018

The perfect day at sea;

Lounging in a spa: pampering my soul whilst grooming my soles.

A manly manicure and pedicure.

Goodbye dead skin, hangnails, and overgrown cuticles!

Better Than Evian; Alaska 21, 2018

Cruising along a corridor of floating ice headed towards the Tracy Arm Fjord;

Three seals lie on a a hunk of ice and remind me how much I miss my puppies.

I turn my attention back to the sweeping views of Alaska; rocky cliffs speckled with green trees and clouds of snow.

In every direction waterfalls cascade into the salty sea.

Nature is stunning!

A Helicopter Landed on a Glacier; Alaska June 20, 2018

This is not the beginning of a cheesy joke, it’s the start of our Alaskan excursion in Juneau today!

Last night, at 11:15 PM, I watched the sun set into a cluster of snow capped mountains creating a brilliant display of red, orange, pink, and purple; it was topped off with three Orca playing in the wake of the ship.

Yes, Alaska, I understand…you provide a beautiful response for those who seek a greater understanding of the universe.

Majestic Mountains; Alaska June 19, 2018

The view from our private balcony finally appropriates the word: spectacular.

Try not to be awed by the endless untouched snow capped mountains whilst sailing north through a corridor toward the glacier which helped shape them.

The air is crystal clear; you can almost taste the blue that swirls from the ocean to the sky.

The Salmon—returning to mate—jump from the crisp calm waters, refocusing our eyes to a pod (or is it herd) of Orca. The Killer Whales wave their fins and splash their tales almost ignoring what must be a delicious feast.

I’m overwhelmed with the history and rich landscapes.

How is it possible to feel so insignificant and so enlightened at the same time?

What a journey of self discovery and inward reflection—surrounded by nature so magnificent and pure—I am alive.

Whaled It! Alaska; June 18, 2018

The majestic Bald Eagle we saw at least 10;

The whales were blowing, we saw 2 tails wave bye.

Harbor seals there were 3, the pup fell of his rock;

And 4 deer on the beach, prancing in the sun.

It was a total success; minus the bear sightings!

Ketchikan is gorgeous; Alaska doesn’t disappoint.

Peace At Sea; June 17, 2018

I woke up to the gorgeous view from my stateroom;

An endless sea surrounds me with peace.

Tranquility is abundant onboard this floating city;

Everyone understands the harmonious blend of life gathering to explore the majesty that awaits us in Alaska.

For now, we meditate together at yoga; relax with massage and skin treatments in the spa; laugh at inventive games lead by the zany and flamboyant cruise director; break bread at dinner in the luxurious dining halls; and expand our minds reading in the Explore’s Lounge.

Serenity and peace on the deep, crystal blue open waters.

Gym At Sea; June 16, 2018

A day at sea, Alaska awaits.

Ordinarily I loath people who workout on vacation;

Yet here I am running on water.

I suppose now that I’m forty I should try to be more concerned with my health whilst indulging on a journey of nonstop food and alcohol.

The swells toss our massive ship from side to side as I attempt to sweat on a low impact machine. (I miss yoga, but I attempt to find a meditative rhythm on commercial grade gym apparatus.

My heart beat is elevated and so is my breakfast—it nearly makes it back out the passage from once it came—then my timer goes off.

Forty-five minutes on an cross trainer, my job is done!

I was healthy today, so I have no guilt about the five meals I’m sure to consume before bed.

Bon Voyage

My bags are packed;

I’m headed to the ship!

Off to Alaska;

This is it.

My 50th state in 40 years;

Glaciers, killer whales, and plenty if cheers!

The Body (A Pep Talk)

I woke up hating my body.
I’ve been overindulging and it’s starting to show.
Forget the fact that I practice yoga every single day and because of it I’m stronger than ever; I still fall victim to the vanity of Ego.
I sat down to focus on my daily journal, meditation, and reading, opened up the book I’m reading, “A New Earth”, and laughed out loud when I saw the next chapter.  “Identification With the Body.”
It was the perfect less-than-subtle reminder from The Universe that I have to stop obsessing.
I am healthy mentally, emotionally, spiritually, AND physically.
Even when I’m up 5, okay 10 pounds on the scale––I know that “I” am not my body.  My body is a shell that holds my power, creativity, and wisdom.
Yes, I’d like to keep my outer shell in good shape––especially as I continue to age––however, I can’t preach balance and then judge myself when I’ve enjoyed a delicious meal.
So here I am, reminding myself that I am blessed with a body that can dance, act, jump, walk, and share love; so I MUST stop the self-hate!

Time Runs Out...

Sometimes you get to the end of the day and you realize you’ve done nothing.
Balance requires letting that happen;
And getting over it quickly.
Tomorrow will be a new day and another opportunity to get shit done.

How Sneaky

How sneaky the monster is;
Unannounced he quietly slips into the darkest corner of the room.
Hiding out for months before making a single move.
Like a Russian sleeper cell waiting for activation;
Then––a dip in Faith.
It starts with a reaction to a setback;
and just like that, insecurity sets in.
Minor tremors of doubt that seems like nothing:
But it’s too late...the Ego has returned.
The only defense against the beast––Awareness.
Acknowledge the evil for what it is, take a breath, and return to the present.
The ego needs validation; the only course of action: suffocate it!

Slots-O-Fun

The chorus if slot machines at the Reno airport are a real wake up call;

No seriously, they woke me up just in time to board my flight.

Coffee

The dark rich roast shocks my body into life;

Creativity ensues with caffeine.

I’m wired and ready to inspire!

More, more, more.

If it were possible to stop pushing, I would.

Even whilst seeking balance, I challenge myself to do more.

Imbedded in my DNA is a Drill Sergeant demanding more creativity, more productivity, more, more, more!

I gave myself the space to turn 40 without an agenda; I was betrayed by my relentless and indestructible hard drive.

Shutting down is not an option, my track wheel spins even on yoga.

The answer: acknowledged my truth, inhale and exhale, and return to the present!

Bourdain

A world traveler;

Connecting cultures through the thing most true to my heart:

Food.

Another hero gone too soon.

Justification

Lounging on my lazy fat ass;

Watching National Treasure.

We’ll call it “industry research.”

Here wEGO Again...

The relentless force pulls me into the darkness;
Unknowingly living in a parallel universe––that looks and smells the same––I proceed the patterns and habitual motions feeling weighted.
Comparing, doubting, judging, fearing––the whole time thinking that I am present––until an unassuming flash of light snaps me back into the truth.
I should recognize the signs by now:
Self-conscious,
Judgemental,
Uninspired,
Creatively stifled,
Hopeless,
Angry,
This is not the “me” which thrives.
I’ve been sucked into the blackhole of my Ego.
Gently, I redirect my spaceship back to Earth, where I find the Present waiting for me right where I left it.
My soul craves a life full of creativity, wisdom, growth, adventure, and love;
My Ego craves validation through destruction.
The power is all within my grasp; to let go of the ego and find the light.

Vote; It's The American Dream

If you don’t use your vote during an election;
Then why should you be able to use your voice when the “wrong” candidate wins the election?
It’s easy to complain about an unfair election; crooked politicians; the health and education systems; taxes; gun control; The First and Second Amendment; the list goes on, and on, and on...
If only every American would realize how much power they hold during an election; just in case you forget remember: Donald Trump.
The people who show up usually get their way.
Voting IS the American dream.  Think of how many people fought and died for their right to elect a candidate that embodies their vision of America.
Don’t take it for granted.

Remember:

It’s easier than you think to walk away;

It’s better for your mind, body, and spirit, too!

Not every situation requires going to war.

Rage

Get it out;

Release and move through it.

Follow

Challenging and unfamiliar for me; 

Lost in the simple splendor of my own universe;

I fight the natural order.
Why follow when you can lead?

Rise

Elevate;

Awaken;

Increase from low to high;

I’m up…but I’m going to need coffee, now!