What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Now, more than ever, let us unite in showing gratitude for LIFE! Isn’t every day a challenge? Now, more than ever, give thanks.
I am so grateful to have been part of my baby Kt’s celebration of marriage. So much appreciation was shown by her family and friends.Flying home to Hawaii, seated next to me was my adorable Jered, husband #2. We danced the night away at the wedding, a Hollywood Glam inspiration. From the Cake Ladies’ gluten-free, sugarless, no-dairy wedding cake adorned in amethyst orchids (so deelicious), to the florist Gilly’s meticulous orchid arrangements under glass, inspired by the bride’s Lanvin heels, every detail was a reflection of the unity about to be sanctified by Rabbi Jay. Her gown melted LW’s heart as he proudly walked her down the isle to meet his future son-in-law. Mom (DL) was amply supplied with enough tissues, but not enough glue to keep those tears of joy from loosening up her false eyelashes. At the helm, navigating the rhythm of the evening was DJ Howie Pyro featuring his favorite genre; 50’s & 60’s rock n roll chosen specifically with our nuptials to perfection.
I first heard Howie’s name when I visited LuxuriaMusic.com** several days before. Actually I was on the Steve and Cheryl Show chatting away while they were spinning a few of my tunes: an absolutely gratifying experience.
The build up to the wedding lead me to the studio to record a few more tunes for my new release in 2010. So much to be thankful for. By the way, if you’re looking for a cool place to stay in LA, try the Crescent Hotel; very boutique, very chic and friendly staff. Ask for Shaw the manager for the best rates in town. Au revoir LA, my family and friends. Returning for Valentines Day.
Love from me 2 u
**PodCast will be available shortly; watch the NEWS section for updates
A new dose of HOPE is being dispersed; can you feel it? I know it looks gloomy ‘out there’ and inside. Gets our attention, huh! I guess that’s what it takes after so many decades, nay centuries of slow and steady dis-empowerment. Each one of us, and not just us humans, are born from an ignited spark of DNA so, we all, everyone of us has a unique gift. Just like our thumbprint is unique. Given to each of us, if left to our own devices, is an essence to create. I love speaking to folks who tell me they go to sleep at night and wake up each day doing essentially what they love to do. Makes a huge difference! Read More »
Our president has a knack for keeping his cool. It’s a true test of character to be of a benevolent nature in such an overwhelming position. I try and take his lead. I also congratulate the honor of his winning the Nobel Peace Prize. A peaceful warrior cannot react emotionally without contributing to the toxic matter already burdening us humans and all life on Earth. Making music, listening to music that elevates one’s spirit, expressing feelings and generally surrounding oneself with beauty and harmony is imperative. I see the choices intelligent people are making to actually walk their talk. Senator Barbara Boxer is proving to be a member of the Cool Club as well as President Sarkozy of France. Of course, Michelle Obama is also an advocate of super cool. So, let’s turn down the heat from all the hotheads that stir up more chaos. Remember, confusion is the answer for disempowerment. We, the meek, have had just about enough. So, sing in the shower. Hum in the market and when you’re walking down the street. Quietly connect vertically and raise your frequency. Is that cool?
Being in LA means two things to me; first and foremost I have opportunities to visit with my children and loved ones; second, to assimilate myself into the world of music. This time around I found myself in the studio recording some original tunes and some covers. A wonderful little place in Silverlake has produced some very nice sounds including my remake of It Only Hurts When I Cry. Will keep you updated on the progress.
The landmark, Amoeba Records in Hollywood is presenting a new project called Where the Action Is featuring my husband’s friend Phil Sloan and singer/songwriter Jackie DeShannon. I will be attending and saying hi to friends.
This morning I went online to check out the new project Beck is recording. The first of these spontaneous first-take performances is based on Lou Reed and Velvet Underground; very cool. In progress next is Leonard Cohen. Check out www.beck.com
My mind takes me to politics and what a mess we’re in. Seems like music makers may just be the light at the end of the tunnel.
The hurricane warnings caused a panic here. Hurricane Felicia was roaring at 160 mph last week in the Pacific. My friend Vicki told me last Saturday, as we were about to go to the theater in Kona to see Nora Ephron’s movie about the iconic Julia Childs, “the reason it’s so still today is because the hurricane is fizzling out”. Oh , that’s good news!
The film was great, but not a popcorn flick unless you brought your own homemade with real butter.
Well, the stormy weather did change the contour of the ocean’s edge leaving tide pools or little wading ponds about 15 feet off shore. This hair of mine was a tangled mess that morning so I decided to play mermaid and brush my hair in one of those little pools.
Luxuriating in the warm waters at the Mauna Kea, I began untangling my curls. Silky, salty water caressed me when suddenly I felt something brush against my foot. It felt like a gloved hand around my ankle. Looking to the left I saw a rather large fish swim by. I thought it might be a Humuhumunukunukuapuaa because of it’s size. It startled me, so I clumsily made my way back to shore. A few people gathered around me (and my smoothe, wet hair) to ask what caused me to dart out so quickly. Just then, we all witnessed a crystal clear wave and in it was a turtle, spread eagle in flight, right inside of that wave! That’s what was swimming by me.
“I was kissed by a turtle”, I said. What an amazing feeling that was. I felt like a mermaid in that moment, and I was.
How ironic that on the same day I was scheduled to make my “encore” video of a song I had sung in my teens that Michael Jackson was being memorialized. 7.7.or July 7, 2009, only a few blocks away from the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, where 16,000 people were peacefully gathered to celebrate and mourn the tragic and triumphant life of Michael Jackson, I AM IN A WALK-UP VIDEO STUDIO, READY TO LAUNCH INTO MY ENCORE CAREER!
I’m a survivor with many battle scars of the same symptoms that killed MJ. Our family lives were parallelled. Ambitious parents who sold their souls and victimized their children. In my case, lies were added to the litany of manipulations. I was raised by a man who portrayed himself to be my birth father and in the end was only a guy who married my unwed mother with a bastard child, adopted me and never had the courage or self-esteem to tell me the truth. In fact, it was a family secret I was only to learn of when I was 48 yrs. old.
Now, 14 years later, my sanity and essence prevails. MJ lies in state. What a dichotomy!
There is a sense of divine order when life enfolds in these ways. Patience and perseverance, my loves, my family. Although, evermore imperfect, my feet are firmly placed on this Earth with the intentions of being in joy and illuminating this resonance from my heart to you. However it is accepted I am benevolently grateful.
