How much is that doggie in the window suffering?

Seeing as man people buy their loved ones pets around holidays, I thought it would be a good time to share this article I read on MAINSTREET.COM about pet stores relationship with Puppy Mills.

If you or someone you know are looking for an animal companion, please check your local shelters first or a site like PETFINDER.COM, who works with rescue organizations.



Gabi says "Rescues make the best furbabies!"

Hot Buttered Rum Cupcakes

Cupcakes, alcohol. What more needs to be said?

YUM

There are other lots of other great recipes on the site too. I'm especially looking forward to trying the Butterscotch Pudding recipe because Butterscotch is my favorite.

flickr

flickr.com is a good photo hosting site that a number of my friends use to do what is basically a photo blog. Abby, is especially talented with her camera and I think you should check it out. One example I particularly like is from the night we went to see Bobby Long last week at Hotel Cafe. This is the lights in the club


Here photostream is HERE.

Listen Up: Bobby Long

Went to HOTEL CAFE to hear a great up and coming musician named Bobby Long. Discovered his music randomly through someones video post on facebook and immediately fell for this talented Brits soulful lyrics and raspy voice. Bobby is a Singer-Songwriter who's skill and brilliance has grown over the course of his 2009 world-wide tour with his most recent performance even more engaging than the previous one I saw just a few months ago.




You can hear Bobby's music on his MYSPACE PAGE or check him out
on YOUTUBE.

I'm especially fond of Penance Fire Blues.



Photo Credits ABBY.

Go You, It's Ya Birthday!

In anticipation of my upcoming Birthday, I have been searching for ideas of things to do to celebrate, especially super cheap stuff. I found this site that lists things you can do or get for free in LA on your Birthday. Some of it you have to belong to their club or something, so if you want to get it you have to plan at least a month in advance to sign up so you can get it this year.

FREE IN LA ON YOU BIRTHDAY

If you live elsewhere in the US, then try HERE. Courtesy of Mr.Cheap Stuff

All Too True

I saw a witty bumper sticker the other day that made a simple, yet profound commentary on how all to often religion causes separation and conflict between us. How something with such a potential for beauty and communion can so repeatedly be used by humanity to shame, oppress and sometimes even 'excuse' the slaughter of our fellow man is beyond me. What is intended to uplift, too frequently is justification for the most despicable and low behavior we are capable of.


Is it evidentiary of the predictability of humans propensity for cruelty and conflict that religion is so regularly abused and misused to justify our wars and perpetuating abuses of power on our fellow world citizens, or is it a testament to the inherent potential for goodness and fellowship of man that a practice of worshiping a higher power can imbue that is the reason that modern organized religion even exists?

Fun Theory

Here's a website with cute videos about how making things fun is the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better. "Be it for yourself, for the environment, or for something entirely different, the only thing that matters is that it’s change for the better."

The vids how people taking the stairs instead of the escalator when the turn the staircase into a piano, or recycling when lights and sounds are added to the recycling receptacle.

The site is sponsored/ created by Volkswagon.

http://www.thefuntheory.com/

To Do: LA Day Trip

THE FORESTIERE UNDERGROUND GARDENS of Fresno, CA are the 40 year labor of love modeled after ancient catacombs.


Located at 5021 West Shaw Avenue in Fresno, California they are an unusual manmade creation built by Baldasare Forestiere (1879--1946), an immigrant from Sicily, over a period of 40 years from 1906 to until his death in 1946. The gardens, while subterranean, have many skylights and catchbasins for water.

There are a wide variety of hybrids and grafted trees, and the underground temperature helps guard against frost.

It is operated by members of the Forestiere family through the Forestiere Historical Center, and can be considered a spectacular and unconventional example of vernacular architecture.



Baldassare Forestiere was a Self - taught Artist, Architect, Engineer, Horticulturist and Builder.





The Forestiere Underground Gardens
are located at 5021 West Shaw Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722-5026
and are open March thru November
for tours.

The 46 Stages of Twitter

I copy and pastes this directly from ShaneNickerson.com

I'm sure I probably found it on someone's twitter feed, probably Dino's, since I seem to get more news an pop culture event info from there than I do the yahoo main page.

He has some other interesting blogs on random stuff. Much more commentary and I suppose more 'real' blog-esque than my stuff. So, if you like that sort of thing, then check him out.

The 46 stages of Twitter

1. Hear the word Twitter. Scoff.
2. Hear it again from someone else. Scoff again.
3. Hear about famous celebrity who is apparently "On Twitter." Scoff, but make mental note to check it out.
4. Log into Facebook to comfort self.
5. Sign up for Twitter.
6. Give up because it seems dumb.
7. Loudly criticize others on Twitter.
8. Follow @johncmayer, @aplusk, @rainnwilson, @wilw, @mrskutcher, @oprah, and one other person you actually know.
9. Post tweet that is a variant of: "Trying out this Twitter thing."
10. Attempt to dig a little deeper into Twitter.
11. Notice rampant usage of words: "Tweet," "Twitter," "Twitterverse," "Tweetie," "Tweetdeck," and something called "RT."
12. Scoff again, this time in confusion.
13. Tell friends you "tried that Twitter thing, but didn't get it and it's stupid anyway."
14. Log into Facebook because that site at least makes sense.
15. Read story about Twitter somewhere.
16. Log back into Twitter.
17. Try to avoid saying Tweet, Twitter, Twitterverse, Tweetie, Tweetdeck, and ReTweet.
18. Respond to @rainnwilson.
19. Curse self for fanning out.
20. Log off for 4 months.
21. Come back, just to see.
22. Post something relatively funny.
23. Get RT'd.
24. Discover that RT means ReTweet.
25. Make it your life mission to get RT'd.
26. Install Twitter app on your phone.
27. No longer ashamed to say "I've gotta Twitter that."
28. Attend events with the sole intention of "Tweeting" them.
29. Pray to get RT'd.
30. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh.
31. Close computer.
32. Open computer. Refresh. Refresh. Refresh.
33. Think in 140 character sentences.
34. Compulsively check phone all day every day.
35. Tweet that you compulsively check phone all day every day.
36. Alienate actual people in your life in an attempt to impress ones you don't know.
37. Lose weight because you forget to eat.
38. Place phone by bed so you can check first thing in the morning.
39. Defend Twitter to the death from detractors.
40. Hear self, and vaguely recognize that you have become "That Guy."
41. Feel like, and start to behave like River Tam.
42. Vow to quit Twitter to preserve sanity.
43. Read this and change mind.
44. Think to self, "I should twitter that."
45. Recognize irony.
46. Twitter it.*Related Video: "F Twitter."

Did I miss any?

Youth in Prison

"When I Die They'll Send Me Home" - Youth Behind Bars

is a short about the Human Rights Watch Report on the gross injustice some youth offenders receive in the prosecution and sentencing of their crimes. Sometimes they receive even harsher sentences than their adult counterparts and co-defendants.

In the video Sara talks about killing the man who raped her when she was 11 years old and subsequently turned her out on the street as a young teenager. She is currently serving Life WITHOUT Parole in Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, CA.

You can read the entire HRW REPORT Here.

Art & Culture: Silent Film Goddess Lingyu Ruan

Lingyu Ruan was one of the most prominent Chinese film stars of the 1930's. Before her tragic death by overdose at age 24, she acted in 29 films, all of them silent. Her tumultuous life was dogged by massive pressure and gossip from tabloids, mostly resulting from an extended legal battle with her scoundrel of an ex-husband.

Maggie Cheung played her in the 1992 biopic Yuen Ling-yuk.

Below is a clip from her 1933 film 'Little Toys', one of only 8 of her films remaining in existence, the entirety of which, along with 'The Goddess' may be viewed on THIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.



Part 1/8 of 'The Goddess' (Wu Yonggang, 1934) with English Intertitles

Books: The Know-It-All

The Know -It-All: One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World is a witty and educational tome about the year Esquire editor A.J. Jacobs spent reading all 32 volumes of the 2002 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica, all 44 million words on 33,000 pages. Any you thought the final Harry Potter book was hefty!



While I have yet to read this book, I have previewed it online. What I read there was chock full of quirky, sardonic wit and random, oddball trivia (my favorite) as well as some genuinely enlightening information. I will be purchasing this book for my dear friend Elle, who is uber-intelligent and probably has already learned much of the information in this book, but never the less will enjoy the tidbits of new knowledge and jocularity. Then I will read it and will be able to give an accurate positive affirmation when people I know repeatedly proclaim that I know EVERYTHING, as they are oft to do. And it will finally be mostly true.

The book is available at AMAZON, or preferably, try to pick it up at your nearest locally/ independently owned bookseller.

Use Your Brain

If you are looking for a fun new game to workout your brain muscles and while away the time at work, try this timed Scrabble reminiscent style word game by DEEPLEAP.



I find it hard to come up with words longer than 4 or 5 letters and the Z and X are uber frustrating! Looks like I need to play it more myself!

Cool Website:

Soul Pancake was created by Rainn Wilson for the purpose of exploring, sharing and discussing creativity, philosophy and spirituality. Quite simply fantastic.

Here is a great art video from the Soul Pancake website:


MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Art & Culture: International Film

Gabbeh is a superbly arresting and visually stunning feast for the eyes. One of my top favorite films of all time.


Trailer for Gabbeh

Break

I will only be posting periodically during the next 2 weeks to allow for plenty of time to visit with a certain Aussie FFB while she is in LA.

So there you have it, and Bob's your uncle.

Celebrate

So today is the last day of International Friend Week and is also a part of National (USA) Pancake Week. So, um call a friend and go out for pancakes.

Basically, I had a great 'actual' blog to write for today about the meaning of friendship, respect, integrity and etc, but I am too tired and so I am wimping out and you'll just have to wait more for any real actual intimate personal disclosure, muah-ha-ha-ha-haA!
.....
.......
I have no idea what to say, so here's a picture of a rabbit with a pancake on it's head.

Dieting Tips

Having trouble dropping that last 30lbs of 'Holiday Winter Weight'? Just tape these to your fridge.


Hello America, This is why you're fat.


Start the day with a DD Sausage, Egg & Cheese on a Glazed Chocolate Donut.



Pick up a little street vendor Hamburger Wrapped Hotdog Wrapped in Bacon for lunch.



Hit the Tombstone Deep Dish Pizza Vending Machine
during the mid afternoon coffee break.






Grab a quick dinner of Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf with Mac & Cheese Filling.












Before meeting the gals for drinks and ending the day with a McNuggetini, A McDonald’s chocolate milkshake with vanilla
vodka, rimmed with BBQ sauce and garnished with a chicken McNugget.


Some good motivation to eat our veggies and hit the gym. IJS©

Blog on Blog Action 2

My dear friend L referred me to this hilarious (and deffo NSW) blog Why Women Hate Men.

This blog is written by a guy and features real internet personal ads actually posted by guys who are pretty much clueless assclowns.

A sample of the acerbic and piercing wit:
'Philipe holds the weighty erotic appeal of an impotent meerkat with chronic back acne.'
'For his first magic trick, Erin will enter a convention hall full of ladies listening to erotica for women, and instantly transform their moistened vaginal walls into Triscuits.'
'P*ssy is so foreign to him he'd probably try to feed it potato chips.'
'P*ssy is an exclusive Hollywood nightclub Tom, and you're Bill Gates in a Thriller t-shirt and a Member's Only jacket standing outside the velvet ropes with a bag of glowsticks and a hula hoop wishing you knew what it felt like to be inside.'

So, um, yeah. If any of you fellas were a tad bit confused about how to do a personals ad, this blog gives you PLENTY of examples of what NOT to do.

Musical Flying Saucers

The Hang means "hand" in the Bernese language (pronounced "hu-ng") is a young musical instrument. It was created in Bern, Switzerland in 2000 by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer of The PANArt Company after many years of research on the steel pan and numerous other resonating percussion instruments from around the world such as Gong, Gamelan, Ghatam, drums, cowbells, and musical Saw.

This percussion instrument is comprised of 2 metal hemispheres bonded together: the top side contains 8 tone fields which together form the 'tone circle' (scale or mode). The circle surrounds the central dome, or DING, which sounds like a Gong. The bottom side has a hand sized hole, the GU, for resonance, which can be played like an udu or used to modulate the sounds of the DING (either with a hand or a wooden damper, a DUM).

The Udu-like sounds are produced with the air resonance, the sounds of the clamped shallow shells sound like bells or harmonically tuned steelpans. The inner note on the bottom dome is the bass note, and when played in a dampened way allows change in pitch like a talking drum. Seven to nine notes are tuned harmonically around a central deep note. The hemispheres are hardened by a process known as gas-nitriding (a thermal treatment process in which nascient hydrogen atoms diffuse into the steel and form nitride compounds with many of the alloys in the steel).

The Hang is typically played resting on the player's lap with the palms of the hand, thumbs and fingertips instead of mallets, so the sound is soft and warm. Depending on how it is played the notes can sound like a harp, bells, or harmonically tuned steelpans.

The PANArt Company was offering a number of Hang models and encourages each purchaser to participate in the design their own instrument since each Hangis tuned individually, which allows each person to choose their personal 'tone circle'. Word is that currently the creators are taking a break from making Hangs, so if you want to buy your own you may contact them via mail to be placed on the waiting list or hope to stumble on someone selling theirs.

PANArt Hangbau AG
Engehaldenstr. 131
3012 Bern/Switzerland
Phone international: +41 31 301 33 32
E-Mail: info@hang.ch



Hang

For more Hang vids see The Art of Fusion or Davide Swarup.

Blog on Blog Action

Since I'm too lazy to actually write anything this funny or interesting today, I will share a blog someone else wrote that I find amusing, accurate and informative.

All about 'The 20 Male Poses of Facebook'.

lol

Watch: Coraline 3D

Went to see Coraline today, it was very entertaining, but definitely NOT kid friendly. I recommend that you make it a point to see this in 3D, it really added to the experience.


Coraline

Humor Translates

Osaka Bang!

lol

Recovering...

from way too much fun at last nights Anti-Valentines Tequila & Porn Party. Smashing success. The adult theme entertainment offered endless conversation starters and opportunity for commentary. Everyones parting words were (circa 4:30am kick out time), "When can we do this again?!"

WARNING: this post is 18+ only, if you are under the age of 18, STOP READING now. k, thx

We watched a number of different films from various genres and time periods. I'm taking the time here today to review them and share some general impressions.

We started off with Vintage Burlesque which was a DVD burn of an old VHS tape of a collection of Burlesque dancers from the earliest days up to the 70's or so. It was both entertaining and informative. It allowed for easy viewing without interrupting conversation flow and was a great introduction to the nights activities.

Next up was some Hentai, which was, as I had been warned, rather strange and disturbing. Plant monsters raping young girls with their freaky tentacles. Eww.

After the creepy cartoons, we watched a DVD of some of the old Betty Page films, which were fabulous, of course. Then we segued into a vinyl/fetish film that explores various bondage related fetishes, which we viewed on x2 fast forward. It was mostly tedious, with drawn out scenes of flogging that moved on to electro stimulation via various attachments followed by some rather unengaging girl-on-girl-on-girl action involving saran wrap and some, lets just say, 'that ought not go there'. All in all the modern fetish vid was a bust, where as the previous vintage fetish was an all around hit. Just something to do with the energy of the participants I think. The Betty Page era participants had a much brighter spark and where clearly having fun, whereas the contemporary women seemed to be 'enduring' the process by focusing their minds on their paycheck.

When everyoen was fianlly ready for the 'real' porn, we popped in a vintage XXX film from 1976, Alice in Wonderland, a musical porno. It was fantastic and hilarious with several song and dance sequences and reasonable acting skills during the many non-sexual scenes, with good cinematography along with interesting scenes and costumes. Fun times.

We completed the night with Porn Wars, an adult film spoof of the Star Wars Trilogy complete with cheesey special effects to go with the cheesey dialog. The was fantastic and fabulous fun. My only complaint with it was that unlike Alice where they included several brief sexual scenes in a film, this seemes like they were merging an adult film with a bad C-level movie and the run time was excessively long as were some of the sexual scenes.

We also had a selection of tequilas as well as other libations, including: Don Julio, Cuervo 1800 Resposa, Milagro, Patron Silver and Corazon, which is my new favorite.

At future Tequila & Porn parties I shall include various games (with prizes!) to up the fun even more, such as T&P Bingo where guests are looking for specific dialog, actions, or situations like 'fingernails that long ought not to go there' or a few rounds of pausing the film at key points to 'Guess what happens next!'.

Good times ahead.

Peer Pressure

So I am finally on the twitter, heaven help me.

twitter.com/GoddessKasha

Now off to catch Push and then time for mucho party fun. More tomorrow.

Texting Your Way to Love

omg, it's like watching the 18 months I roomied with Stephanie

Transformers Goes Green

Someone with lots of imagination and too much time on their hands did a cute stop-motion film for youtube.


Transformers II

The film Transformers II, with the surprisingly attractive Shia LaBeouf(cake), is scheduled for release June 26, 2009. Check out the Trailer.

Cool Website: Safe Sex is Sexy and Stylish

In honor of the upcoming holiday when most couples (and many singles) will be planning on 'gettin wit it', I offer up for your perusal a great resource for Condom Reviews. Be cause the way to say 'I love you' is by letting your actions say 'I love you enough to be safe'.

Their best selling, most re-ordered, and Winner of Best Condom 7 years running is Crown Skinless Skin Condoms. They are made using the best technology to be thinner (0.00181"), without compromising strength, are odorless and tasteless. Slightly Wider and longer than average for comfort.


To the left is one of the 'Condom Couture' dresses created by Brazilian Artist Adriana Bertini for the Dress Up Against Aids Benefit and Exhibit.

And to ensure that you are just as stylish and sexy as you are safe, why not pick up one of these easy traveling Condom Boxes from Alessi (those folks who make those great stainless steel tea kettles) or for bedside a Condom Cube:

For those of use like to keep more accessories handy, perhaps an Adult Toy Box such as this one, which has a lock and key so you can be safe about being safe:

Music: Prem

Prem is a Sanskrit word for 'the way God loves you'. It is also the title to a CD by Snatam Kaur Khalsa.

Snatam Kaur is a Sikh who began her study of music and spiritual practice at an early age. Schooled in kirtan, meditation, and Gurmukhi (Sanskrit-based language of Sikh scriptures of Northern India), she began to develop the devotion and skills that have grown and blossomed into her compelling and profound talent.

She has a voice that invokes a sense of reverence and the sacred. It is simply impossible to listen to this album and not be deeply touched. I was gifted this album and everyone who I've played it for has been deeply touched, almost all to the point of tears at it's pure beauty and Grace. My Mother loved it so much, she specifically asked that this be played at her too soon to come funeral.

On Myspace

Buy it or Other Albums and Music Samples


Rehansabai - Smrath Guru Sir Hath Dhareyo

Where's Matt?

So there's this guy named Matthew Harding who took a trip around Asia and at the urging of a friend danced for a video.


2005

People saw it and shared it and eventually people at Stride Gum saw it and thought it'd be cool to pay for him to travel around the world and take video of him dancing at different places so off he went. 6 months and 39 countries later he had this:


2006

Then he thought it'd be cool to travel around the world and have people who had emailed him about his previous video come out and join him, so the folks at Stride Gum sent him off again. Now we have this:


2008

80 countries and counting.

This goes to show, you never know what little act will touch people or what turns life will take. So take that chance, be silly, have fun and always have your sense of adventure handy, because you just never know where life will lead you.

Books: Secrets of Water

Masaru Emoto is a Japanese author known for his work on the effects of energy/ intent on water. He photographed water via microscope at the exact moment it began to froze. His results began to show that water was affected not only by the levels of environmental contaminates and pollution, but also the energy around it. His work evolved to exposing the water prior to freezing/ photographing to various types of music where songs which were of an uplifting nature either musically or via lyrics produced images that were fully formed and beautiful ice crystals and water exposed to 'Heavy Metal' produced crystals that were misshapen and chaotic in appearance.


"Gratitude"

His books, The Secret of Water and The Hidden Messages of Water, show how his results with water from worldwide sources photographed after being exposed to thoughts/ emotions/ energy directed towards it as well as when various words in a variety of languages were taped to the outside of the container.

His work was discussed in the film, What the Bleep do We Know.

Books: The Tales of Beedle the Bard

The Tales of Beedle the Bard first appeared as a fictional book in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final novel of the Harry Potter series. The book is described as a popular collection of Wizarding children's fairy tales and contains several stories meant to teach young wizards and witches various life lessons.

Even though the basic idea of each story was included as part of Book 7, this small collection was an enjoyable read.



Buy it.

Courage to Love

The Courage Campaign is an online network for helping organize grassroots activists to brink about positive change to California.

One of their current campaigns is helping to defeat Prop 8 and secure the same right to marriage for every adult couple.

You can help this effort by signing this online PETITION and sharing the video below.

The pictures sent in by Courage Campaign and Marriage Equality supporters, set to the song Fidelity by Regina Spektor, shines a beautiful light on the 18,000 couples that Ken Starr and other 'Gaycists' want to forcibly divorce. Tell the Supreme Court to invalidate Prop 8, reject Ken Starr’s case, and let loving, committed couples marry. DEADLINE: Valentine’s Day.


"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.
Courage Campaign: Don't Divorce Us/ Fidelity

Babies get along, why can't we?

Because I needed something to lift my Spirits today, here's a sweet video of a baby Deer & Kitten. If only people could be this kind to animals and to each other. It's nice to see something somewhere getting along with out hatred, selfishness, judgment and bigotry.

Great song by a Musical Master, Louis Armstrong.


What a Wonderful World

Music: Love Sucks

For those of you who break out in hives during the first half of February each year, or are just over all the bullshit and hassle of romantic relationships, here's one for you.

Love Sucks: Various Artists

1. Love Stinks -- J. Geils Band

2. I Hate Myself For Loving You -- Joan Jett & the Blackhearts

3. Everything About You -- Ugly Kid Joe

4. Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn'tve) -- Buzzcocks

5. Love Will Tear Us Apart -- Joy Division

6. Pictures of You -- Cure

7. Answering Machine -- Replacements

8. You're No Good -- Linda Ronstadt

9. I'm Not In Love -- 10cc

10. Love Hurts -- Gram Parsons

11. Who Loves the Sun -- Velvet Underground

12. Glad to See You Go -- Ramones

Buy the album here.

So tell me, what are your favorite 'Love can just fuck right off' songs?

Underrated: RocknRolla

Guy Ritchie, England's favorite cinematical punching bag, has his latest flick out now on DVD.

If you are looking for a fun and feisty film with a dash of humor and a modicum of intelligence, check out this fast paced trek through modern day London's criminal world.

Synopsis:
In London, a real-estate scam puts millions of pounds up for grabs, attracting some of the city's scrappiest tough guys and its more established underworld types, all of whom are looking to get rich quick. While the city's seasoned criminals vie for the cash, an unexpected player -- a drugged out rock 'n' roller presumed to be dead but very much alive -- has a multi-million dollar prize fall into his hands.


Rocknrolla Trailer

Of Interest: Swedenborg

Emmanuel Swedenborg (Swedberg 2/8/1688 - 3/29/1772) was a Swedish scientist and prolific writer turned mystic. He had a prolific career as an inventor and scientist, having mastered every known science of the time (and creating a few new ones). At the age of fifty-six, after failing to discover when in the body the soul resided, he turned his search inwards and thereby began his journey into mysticism in which he experienced profoundly revealing dreams and visions. During one of his extended meditations, which sometimes would last for days, he experienced a spiritual awakening wherein the thin veil between dimensions was removed so that he coud learn the truths of human existence and the work of souls here on earth. He was guided by various Angels and ArchAngels through the various realms of existence, including heaven and hell where he was allowed to communicate with Angels, Demons and other spirits. Some of the things he claims to have experienced are that there are Jews, Muslims and people of pre-Christianianity times in Heaven; the fundamental issue that love of self or of the world drives one towards Hell, and love of God and fellow men towards Heaven.

For the remaining 28 years of his life, he wrote and published 18 theological works, of which the best known was Heaven and Hell (1758), and several unpublished theological works.

Swedenborg's theological writings have elicited a range of responses. Toward the end of Swedenborg's life, small reading groups formed in England and Sweden to study the truth they saw in his teachings and several writers were influenced by him, including William Blake, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Baudelaire, Balzac, WB Yeats and Carl Jung. Many people during Swedenborg's time considered his writings, which were published anonymously to be absolute rubbish and in 1768 a heresy trial was initiated in Sweden in 1768 against Swedenborg's writings and two men who promoted these ideas.

By the early 1800's, the first Swedenborgian Church had been built in America. In addition to his legendary sowing of seeds in the Midwestern wilderness, Johnny Appleseed carried with him all of the Swedenborgian publications he could procure and distributed them wherever the opportunity was presented. Hellen Keller was also a follower.

The Swedenborgian movement is still active today (Peter Gyllenhaal father to Jake and Maggie, was raised within it), though mostly through the Retreat and Renewal Centers and maintaining the Emmanuel Swedenborg Library.

We've all been there

Microsoft Word. One of the most important tools of the average person's work day. Also, tool of the Devil.

Well, this may help make you feel better. Not Safe for Work.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Art & Culture: Indie Film

For those of you who are tired of the same trite and unimaginative drivel turned out by the Hollywood machine, here is one of the best online film festivals dedicated to CULTURE - Culture Unplugged Film Festival

Here is one of the short films, Salt n Pepper, a story of a young girl who has been dumped in love. She is so dejected that she decides to kill herself. Suddenly a thief enters into her house. She discovers that thief is actually a farmer who essentially is looking for food because he is so hungry. She orders for a pizza. The farmer refuses pizza because he feels that it is pizza that has pushed him to this dire state. What he tells changes the perspective for girl also, so much so that she decides to live on.


Part 1


Part 2

Winter Skin

Winter can be a hard time for skin, even in relatively mild climates like SoCal, but especially in areas hit hard with cold weather. First, you have a significant drop in air humidity, added together with even dryer indoor air from central heating. Then the skin on your face is exposed to the whipping frigid winds. Finally, you have the internal factors like decreased water intake.

Most people drink less water in winter for two reasons:
1. we tend to desire warmer foods and fluids such as coffee or tea that contain caffeine whic is a diuretic and dehydrating
2. cooler temperatures equals less sweating which lessens the bodies 'hydrate me' cues and also minimizes the skins opportunity to spread out it's natural oils

Below are a moisturizing Body oil recipes for every skin type from a great company, Green Valley Aromatherapy. Green Valley is fabulous woman owned and operated company that focuses on organic/sustainable growing and harvesting methods and ethical business practices including use of recycles packaging materials and Fair Trade practices, especially in sourcing their products from small businesses and indigenous women.

Remember, whenever you use Essential Oils or use Aromatherapy - you want actual essential oils and not a fragrance or perfume.

Oily Skin (Cleanser or Moisturizer)

• 3 drops Juniper
• 2 drops Geranium
• 2 drops Patchouli
• 30ml Jojoba Oil
  

Combine in 30ml plastic bottle, shake well. Can be used for cleansing or after cleansing to help balance sebum levels on skin.

Normal Skin Moisturizer

• 2 drops Roman Chamomile
• 2 drops Geranium
• 3 drops Lavender
• 30ml Swet Almond Oil
  

Combine in 30ml plastic bottle, shake well. This oil can be used for moisturizing morning or night.

Dry Skin

• 2 drops Sandalwood
• 2 drops Neroli
• 2 drops Lavender
• 60ml solid Virgin Coconut Cream or Pure Shea Butter
  

Combine in a 60ml plastic jar, stir very well. This blend can be used for moisturizing morning or night

Karma

Here's a cute vid about Karma from http://www.billyblob.com


Karma Ghost

Personal Evolution

What causes you to evolve? Is there some secret potion, some incantation, or some hidden text deeply encoded in a book? Perhaps the answer is on a mountaintop. Maybe it is emanating from another person or is coming from a departed spirit. Some of these things may be great spiritual gifts to assist us on our path, but, there is something else; something that comes up after you come down off the mountain, leave the seminar or master and close the book.

What evolves you is simple. It’s choice, your own choice to be around those who vibrate in truth, and those who reflect your spirit back to you. It’s the choice to live a life that is intentional and purposeful. It’s the courageous choice to do your own inner work. Einstein, Sheldrake, Hawkins and so many others have proven this technical truth of spirituality - like energy draws like energy. Every step you take toward enlightenment now, especially in this age, exponentially empowers you with greater energy to create faster and deeper than ever.

Each choice evolves into the next step, the next, and the next. This seems to make one basic question clearer and more important. What choice in each situation or circumstance will evolve you? The moment you ask it, the circumstance and the situation have become irrelevant. Only the choice matters.

Cool Website: Astrology

A good website I found that gives good info of the planetary placement and influences at your time of birth:

http://alabe.com/freechart/

Here's a sampling from mine:

Rising Sign is in 20 Degrees Capricorn
You are practical and reserved but very ambitious. An achiever and a hard worker, you respect success. Older looking and very serious as a youth, things lighten up and you relax more as you mature. You have a serious view of the world as being a difficult place to be in. Very envious of those who seem to have an easier life than you have, relaxation and play do not come easily. It is important that you had abundant parental support as a child so that you do not feel lonely and isolated as an adult. Generally, you have a good, earthy sense of humor that can carry you through when times really do get tough. You are purposeful, self-willed, industrious, realistic and responsible.

Moon is in 22 Degrees Libra.
Affectionate, warm and friendly, life must be a "beautiful" experience for you. Unpleasantness should be avoided at all costs. You tend to overlook other people's faults and you would rather give in than fight. You are uncomfortable with strangers, but at ease and sociable with friends and associates. Indeed, you would rather socialize than work -- you can use your prodigious charm to avoid unpleasant tasks. You need the support and assistance of another in order to get you started on any new project -- you are not a self-starter. Be careful of a tendency to be overly self-indulgent (i.e., lazy). Your refined aesthetic sensibilities attract you to music, dance, art and any other cultured activity.

Mercury is in 10 Degrees Scorpio.
You are a born investigator. You are fascinated by secrets and mysteries and unanswered questions of any kind. When you become upset or angry, your emotional reactions are overpowering -- reason and logic disappear in an uncontrollable passionate outburst. You tend to keep your thoughts secret and bottled up and this makes others regard you with suspicion. It is not that you are trying purposely to be evasive, it is just that you would rather not deal with the explosions and hassles that often occur when you reveal your true feelings and opinions. Your sense of humor tends toward sarcasm and irony.

Venus is in 16 Degrees Capricorn.
You tend to keep your feelings under control -- emotions are only released in serious or important situations. You are distrustful of others whose behavior could be judged excessive or immoderate. As such, you prefer to relate only to those who are older than you or to those whose position is such that respect and duty are more important for both of you than passion or emotional response. Be careful, however, of relationships that are merely based on practicality or utility or you will ultimately be lonely.

Mars is in 25 Degrees Aries.
You are very independent and self-assertive, and you have lots of physical energy. You are not satisfied unless you can be the first to do something. As such, you are more comfortable in leadership positions than you are as an underling. When you are challenged by anyone for anything, you delight in the competitive process and will fight long and hard for your beliefs. You are bold and courageous and often act without thinking. At times, in your zeal to get ahead, you are tactless and offensive -- learn that cooperation with others can often bring you nearer to your goals quicker because of the support you will get.

Jupiter is in 06 Degrees Aquarius.
Your personal growth occurs when you have the freedom to do things in new and interesting ways -- this brings out your natural inventiveness. You are an individualist, but you are also attracted to mass movements that emphasize social betterment and you will devote much time and energy to their efforts. Very fair- minded and objective, you have extraordinary skills at organization and administration.

To Do: Los Angeles

For anyone living in or around Los Angeles, Lucent Dossier, a vaudeville cirque, preforms every Wednesday Nite at the Edison in downtown LA. Performers weave in and out of the 'audience' blurring the line between performance and reality.

Lucent Dossier was formed two years ago, with the intention to ”Bring light onto its viewers.” The name ‘Lucent Dossier’ loosely translates to ‘A Gathering of Light’. They have performed at various festivals through out the USA and Europe as well as with artists, such as Panic! At the Disco, 30 Seconds to Mars, Healer, and the Flaming Lips.

From their website:

Deep from within the Los Angeles underground art and music scene comes the LucEnt dosSieR Experience. Conceived in a blaze of collaborative creation this full production performance-art troupe embodies a newly awakened style of vaudeville glamour infused with their own magical blend of circus shenanigans. The unique inter-active choreography, inspired costuming, original music, mystical face and body artwork are all brought together by the spirited performers to create mesmerizing high-concept spectacles of human light.

Tuaca

Tuaca (Italian pronunciation: [tu. a:ca] is a brand of liqueur produced by the Tuoni and Canepa families of Livorno, Italy The liqueur is sweet and golden brown in color. Its ingredients include brandy, essence of Mediterranean Lemon, Orange, and Vanilla. Vanilla is the dominant flavor. It is bottled at 70 proof (35% ABV).

The recipe supposedly dates back to the Renaissance. A legend claims that it was created for Lorenzo the Magnificent.

Tuaca has been sold in the US since the 1950s and can be bought in most liquor stores in the Liqueur section.

This liqueur is always a big hit at my gatherings. Even though my bar is better stocked than most commercial Bars and Restaurants, a few friends and I went through a whole bottle of Tuaca last night. One of things I like most about Tuaca is that is so simple to drink. The citrus and vanille mix well with lots of things, but really just drinking it chilled and over ice is great, or maybe with a bit of natural sweet and sour mix. It makes for a fantastic shot for people who don't normally ever like shots and still works for those who make doing shots look like a profession.

The best I can describe it would be similiar to an amaretto, but with a bit of bite, vaguely sweet but not a syrupy and overly sweet as I can handle (like my Butterscotch Schnapps over ice). My tequila drinking friends put aside the Patron Silver for some more Tuaca. Nuff said.

For a more info and drink recipies, see http://www.tuaca.com/home.aspx

Word of the Day: Instinct

So, lucky me, my Padre sent me his Instinct Phone and went back to his Razor since I use more of the features than he does.

It has all sorts of groovy features like GPS, Visual Voicemail and the ability to watch Live TV. It will also play your music while you send texts or surf the net. FANCY.

So I shall be spending my free time over the next few days figuring out how to use all the bells and whistles on my shiny new fancy pants phone

They even made a bunch of mini-movies about how it beats the iPhone:

http://www.instinctthephone.com/?id9=SEM_Google_P_Sprint_Instinct

Happiness as Home

Out of the many great architectural styles that I admire the one I love the most is Storybook Style. This style originated in Hollywood, CA in the 1920's. It just makes me happy.


Left is a pic of one of the more famous Storybook Homes, commonly referred to as the 'Witches House'. Built in 1921 by Oscar-nominated Hollywood art director Harry Oliver , the structure originally served as offices and dressing rooms for Culver City-based silent film company Willat Studio. It is now a privately owned home located in Beverly Hills




Oliver designed many sets, homes and commercial buildings, some of which still survive today as Los Angeles Landmarks, like Tam O'Shanters Inn, a restaurant located in the Los Feliz neighborhood.

The best Storybook, or Fairytale, buildings feature highly stylized and detailed roofs made of traditionally wooden, or in more modern times, composite shingles made to mimic wood. The design utilizes multi-colors and layers to create whimsical patterns and, in some cases, dips and waves to effect a sunken or otherwise misshapen roof line, such as the one below. Unfortunately, qualified professionals capable of creating such artistry are becoming vary rare and these beauties are at risk of losing some of their charm as replacment costs are becoming increasingly prohibitive.




The house to the right is located in Long Beach, CA.














Located in Olalla, Washington, the Story Book House below was created as a homage to Hansel & Gretel. More pics and info on the home is at: http://unusuallife.com/2007/02/20/storybook-house/

More on Storybook Style Architecture is available at: http://storybookers.com , a site by John Robert Marlow, who literally wrote the book on this subject, 'Storybook Style: America's Whimsical Homes of the Twenties'.

Legends

I had the pleasure of hosting some friends from abroad this summer at my home. I love my ukDSC friends (and the dscLA peeps too). Fucking LEGENDS. Every last one of them.

One of them, is rather talented little cunt. Since he is British, I can say that, and not be offensive. You just have to read it in my very poorly done, mock-Brit accent.

Here's a few of his vids, so that you too may share in the love of all things ukDSC.


Evolution of Dance (created by my dear Spirit Twin, the Divine Ms. Kat)


Wilko Remixes a Future Classic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwtUYHjjL_c


Panda Slayer: The Movie

Randomness at it's best.

On Gratitude

In the vein of Mondays blog on being a force of positivity in the world, here is a nice video on the powerful effects of Gratitude on ourselves, others and our world.

"A Good Day" Benedictine Monk Brother David Steindl-Rast

Living History

Amongst the most creative ways that this fabulous event is being celebrated:


Obama inaugurated in Lego form

The Dream Toddles Along

In honor of the holiday today and the historic events of tomorrow, here are a few of the many uplifting quotes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

There are many ways in which we can uplift humanity. Certainly, I see my own vocation of bodyworker as as such. Not only that my touch can comfort, soothe and support my clients well-being, but also in the sense that I have the opportunity to come from a place of Loving and service in my interactions with clients and co-workers. To me this applies to any job, regardless of what the nuts-and-bolts of the work. It isn't so much what we do, as where inside of ourselves that we do it from. Essentially, where in our consciousness we are coming from.

Obviously, we all work to get a paycheck so we can pay our bills, but this needn't be why we are there or what we are doing. So a coffee shop Barrista has a choice, they could give you your coffee so that after repeating the chore again and again for innumerable people they will be handed a paycheck at the end of 2 weeks OR they can give you a smile and warmth as they go about the various actions of their workday and share their Spirit with everyone around them and in 2 weeks they still receive a paycheck. In the first instance, the duties of dealing with customers becomes the requirement that must be met to receive their pay, and in the second the 'tasks' of their work become minor details to greater importance of serving the world by coming from a place of kindness and joy.

So whether a person rings you up at the register, fixes your car or manages a database, we can all uplift humanity just by choosing that as our intention. Dr King says that life's most persistent and urgent question is "What are you doing for others?" Sometimes, the most deeply reaching act you can do in service to another being is to give them a genuine smile or simply be compassionate and kind to them when they are in a bad mood and not being as polite as they could be. To choose the challenge of being light and joy, regardless of tasks, situation or circumstance.

At any given moment, we have the opportunity to choose whether we will uplift, what will you choose today?

Up and Coming: Leila Broussard

I've been digging on this musician for a while now. Leila Broussard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb47QmTT1ck

http://www.myspace.com/leliabroussard



Single Ladies Beyonce Cover

Check out the rest of her vids and her myspace music page, feel free to friend her.

The original Beyonce version for comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVEGfH4s5g

So what are you listening to?

On Love

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.

A Course In Miracles

Good Friday

A great organization that I support, courtesy of my good mate and Transcontinental twin Kat, is 'The Karma Army'. This grassroots cooperative's purpose is to join like-minded individuals in promoting kindness and good karma.

"You, the joinee, are encouraged to undertake Random Acts of Kindness on a day-to-day basis... maybe it’s paying for the cup of tea that the person in the queue in front of you has just ordered... maybe it’s offering to carry an old woman’s shopping (and not legging it)... maybe it’s as simple as holding a door open for someone. Whatever it is you decide to do, it has to be random, unexpected, and... well... kind."

I personally prefer to think of it as REGULAR acts of kindness, done without premeditation or thought of personal reward. In a sense, Choosing Love in every moment.

http://www.join-me.co.uk/the-karma-army.html

Aces

The season premier of a show I really like is tonight: Ace of Cakes.

I really like the energy and feel of the show, and the great cakes that they make. The people who are on the show are really cute and funny and make amazing cakes.


Harry Potter Hogwarts Cake