We have been through it.
The places we thought we might not reach
Hidden in places we weren’t that sure we would be able to get to.
but somehow we got here.
The magic that happens when you let yourself let others in.
I might just be speaking from within,
but without friends,
there wouldn’t be much to speak about to begin
We’ve grown to love so kindly from she.
a heart as big as it is free. showing freedom in ways to live.
To GIVE. To give. and to give. without restraint.
like branches of a tree jangling down singing melodies as they sway.
and her muse. a creative force that sings songs by day.
Calling us all to be the same. Joyful and brave. Giving joy and watching it be.
It grows into seeds of new words and new trees
and she plants them right back into the ground
watching life sprout from the sound of echoes that have once believed they were born from dirt.
And if it hurt she would mend it.
To make right the wrongs that have once believed they belonged there.
And in his silence he stares, seeing her healing touch bring forth life
So he tells us what that looks like, in colors and lines.
That would tell time if they could be kept within sand.
He has a brand.
I remember the first night I moved into Synchronicity LA. We had a creative meeting and Mariah set the tone with a recital of an Andrea Gibson spoken word piece. It was so incredibly executed and such a perfect way to set the tone for that meeting and my whole experience at the house. I was in awe of the folks that surrounded me from that very moment and they have continued to astound and inspire me. Last Wednesday a handful of the talented souls in the house had a chance to show off their skillz in unison. This happens occasionally, and I just wanted to film it so I could brag about them to those further away from our home.
The occasion this time was A Night of Discovery at Azusa Pacific University. Johanna played her music that I could hear a thousand times and a thousand times after that and never grow tired of. Mariah and Amy recited spoken original word like they’d been doing it for a decade. Trent, Craig, Bethany, and Amy also put some of their intricate art on display.
The performance was titillating, the art exceptional, and the mood celebratory. I am so inspired by the creativity and intentionality that my roommates show to support those who need a little more lovin’ than they’re gettin’. Ya’ll amaze me.
Last Friday my roommate JP invited a few of us from the house to play music as he spat his latest words. We opened up for Listener, who is one of the, if not the pioneer of ‘talk music.’ Its a real interesting mish mash of poetry, hip hop, often folk, electronic, or even punk sounds. Dan, fromListener, was adorned in a glorious coyote shirt which he hinted he only wears on Fridays, I like that–and oh boy he spoke with passion. Coyote shirt and passionate words plus often hilarious, often frightening stage presence equaled me wanting to roll some tape. Here he performs “Falling In Love With Glaciers.” Enjoy.
I haven’t blogged much before, and I think I’m going to give it a try. I’d like to post images of design projects I’m working on, just to share my work with others and the joy I take in it. I might also post images I see of others’ work from time to time, because there are so many beautiful things to see and share in the visual landscape.
Here are some brochure cover layouts layouts I finished up yesterday while lounging with my computer on a table in the backyard. I’ll tell you at the end which the client picked.
(click to enlarge)
My pick probably would have been #4, but, alas, the client chose #2. I think it was a good choice, though. Now I’ll be moving on to inner layouts for that selection.
Also, here are two photos of myself I took while out in the yard… I liked the lighting that Photobooth was getting, and let’s face it, this is an introductory post.
Feast your eyes on the wildest slacklining tricks in the west. Justin from Down Under and Yankee boys Joe and Ryan bring on the bag o’ tricks–everything from the Sit Down to the Prince of Persia.
Back in the yesteryears, slacklining was a welcome sport at venice beach. But it is no longer. Isn’t that a bundle of rotten beans?
Something I’ve failed to blog about yet was a HUGE project the house did May 17th. On this day our home experienced an incredible make-over to the front yard. The whole house got together to help out making a Garden of Gratitude…as inspired by the Westside Permies! (http://westsidepermies.ning.com)
Redoing the front had been on our minds, but it was with the inspiration of the Westside Permies Garden of Gratitude event that really got us going on it! Marla and I spent hours preparing during the weeks leading up to the big event by measuring the lawn, researching plants, searching the free section on Criagslist for supplies, and building raised beds.
We tore out our lawn by hand (and rake and hoe and shovel, as well as a lot of brute strength!!) and then we got to work filling the raised bed with soil, planting, and landscaping the rest of the used-to-be-lawn area! We had help from our neighbors, friends, and some inner-city students that one of our community members, Jessie, works with.
People came and went but everyone gave their best to the effort and 12 hours later our front lawn had been transformed into a low water garden of joy!
Now, 2.5 months later we have been enjoying luscious artichokes, tomatoes, lettuce, beets, strawberries, peppers and zucchini!
Our home is an interest point for all who walk past! We are the only house on the block without grass and it is a vibrant and brilliantly textured and colored feast for the eyes (and stomach!).
We hope our home is planting seeds in the minds of our neighbors to follow suit and grow food in their yards!
I’ve got a good ole’ friend from TOMS and her name is Emma. We have a small tradition of visiting a new taco stand around LA every Tuesday. We’ve stuffed our faces in all corners of the city, from LAX Tacos to Tacos Por Favor, up to Pili’s, down to Don Antonios and across to Holy Guacamole, about a dozen lugares so far. In all of these wanderings we have not been unanimously blown away until today. I present to you the taco stand to beat (thus far)!… Mariscos Guillen La Playita on Lincoln and Ozone. Lurking in the shadows of the sceney Whole Foods, It satisfies all my whole-in-the-wall cravings: funky atmosphere (no tables, just a whole lotta sidewalk), prices that make you feel like you are committing a minor robbery (I walked away stuffed for 4 bucks), and, claro que si, food that restores your faith in a higher gastronomic power. The BBQ pork and chicken tacos were decent, but Emma ordered a shrimp taco ($1.25), and the bite she shared with me was superb. It was fresh, spicy, and plentiful. There’s no doubt you’re comin’ here for the seafood.
The real kicker at La Playita is the ceviche. Too often am I presented with a ceviche that’s just a scale too fishy, just a gill too gooey, just a fin too funky, but not today. And for $1.50 you get a very healthy helping of ceviche on a giant round tortilla chip.. The slice of fresh lime and the 1 liter bottle of Tapatio really put this dish over the edge. It was crisp and refreshing, like a drink’a water, a perfect compliment to an LA summer day. Way to go Playita, I solute you!
But we’re not yet done searching! ¡Viva el taco!
