Lainie’s Friends

Invisible fire.

nobody@vox.com(RPM) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 06:43:43 -0700

Daily Intuition Report for YOU
Date: Saturday, July 26th, 2008

Dearest *insert name here*:

All this running, pacing and planning you’re doing...how is it working out for you? I’m just wondering where the fire is. You’re moving like its lapping at your heels but for the life of me, I see nothing but wide open space behind and in front of you.

It’s easy to feel pushed to make decisions, to project plan your life and get stuck holding to some invisible timeline embedded in your mind. Have house by this age. Be married by this age. Be at this age. Procreate by this age.

There are two primary problems with that timeline. One, its based on your perception of what other people are doing. Be it a lot or a little, measuring yourself up against other peoples’ successes or failures means you are devoting more attention to someone else’s timeline rather than your own. (That’s a horrible way to plan, btw) Two, many of your biggest goals often require the involvement, to a greater or lesser degree, of other human beings. And you cannot control the actions or efforts of other human beings.

Your life is not a project. It is a journey. But even if it were a project, even the best of those allot for some delays, some rewrites and contingency. Life itself is an unforeseen event. The minute you give up trying to control that one little element of your existence, the sooner you may find that you actually have all the time in the world.

So, in lieu of panicking or stressing this day about something you think you are behind on, why not reflect on what is right on time. Celebrate all you can. You’ve accomplished more than you think. And you will accomplish even more the minute you stop trying to make all your decisions because you’re feeling a little heat.

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Believe it or not.

nobody@vox.com(RPM) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:35:19 -0700

RPM's Intuition Report for YOU
Date: Friday, July 25th, 2008

Dearest *Insert your name here*:

You have a problem. Maybe it's not a problem, maybe it's more like a recurring issue. A little thorn in your side that bites you from time to time.

Whatever it is. It is there. And it has been there for awhile.

Deep within you, you have a belief about this problem/issue/thorn. Even when you flail about pretending you have no earthly clue what's going on, what you should do or which way you should turn...you know subconsciously that you have a belief. The problem is deciding whether or not you're going to trust it.

And by the way I do not mean the belief that your feet are too big, or your face too round or your capacity to learn or be is limited by a shortchanged brain or the belief that you're so odd or whatever that no one could possibly ever be enthralled with the amazingness of you. Those aren't beliefs, at least they shouldn't be. Those are tiny minefields you plant for yourself to distract you from your truest beliefs. Step out of the minefield for a minute, wave a magic wand to disarm them all, and start again without the eeyore complex.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Embracing or accepting what you believe in a society that constantly wants to impress you with how much more insight it has than you can be an extremely difficult task. But take into consideration the fact that you are the ONLY subject matter expert on you.

Your task today is to avoid wandering around from advisor to advisor looking for them to bless or blast your belief. Avoid putting yourself in the position of having your beliefs given to you by someone else. Shut down the mental mindfield. Instead...ask yourself this question...

Why am I so unwilling to believe in this belief? Is it because I am afraid of being incorrect? Am I afraid I will be rejected by those I love and who love me? Do I trust others more than I trust myself? And if so, when exactly did that happen?

Finally, if I chose to move in opposition to this belief - will I find more peace...or less? And then...

Believe it, or not.

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You're Not Fooling Me Cheerios!

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:11:22 -0700

I have a new addiction and they are called Fruity Cheerios

Fruitycheerios

I was in San Diego visiting my family and you know, if there are small children around there is always a GIANT box of Cheerios some where in the house. I love Cheerios especially with all those claims about lowering my cholesterol and being whole grain! Right?!? Remember it'll only take a week before you see results :) Of course, I have no idea what my cholesterol number is so meh. All I know is I practically finished off the box of these at my brother's house with my little 2 year old nephew. We were munching away watching Flapjack! Good times.

I know, cheerios are good for me right? But this is why I actually like them. They are just like mini versions of Froot Loops!!!

Fruitloops

I LOVED Froot Loops when I was a kid. They were so packed with sugar and goodness I was bouncing off the walls and crashing my bike into fences! Plus, who doesn't love Toucan Sam? He was my favorite cereal character. I wanted a Toucan because of him and because I thought he would bring me more Froot Loops! Unfortunately, Froot Loops do not carry the same claims as Cheerios but it's nice to know I can get that serving of fruit now with every bowl of Fruity Cheerios I eat and I can pretend they are actually mini Froot Loops. (I know what's going on Fruity Cheerios...you really are mini Froot loops ;P) Yum.

Ok, time for Oprah. Have a good one folks!

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R.I.P. Estelle Getty

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:53:24 -0700

Sophia's Picasso Story

Ah, I just read that Estelle Getty passed away. She was my favorite on the "Golden Girls." Last summer, Carolline and I had Golden Girls marathons and the dog I would dogsit, Kimmi, LOVED the Golden Girls. She actually would sit and watch the show with me. Isn't that hilarious?

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Sunday really should be a day of rest

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:55:16 -0700

Bon bons
Originally uploaded by Melle Music.

Wow. Yesterday was pretty much a whirlwind. I got up and went hiking with Mellemusic. I think, we are going to make it a weekly thing again! YAY! I did miss hiking at our spot early on Saturdays. I am always surprised at how many people are up and out before us and we get there at 7am!

After the hike, we walked around some more and then I helped out pouring some fancy wine at the Autry Museum for Melle's job. It was pretty cool. The crowd was interesting and they all were pretty happy to be at the tasting to support United Way. People really do love their wine. We ran out after about an 1-1/2 hrs. We had 2 cases full and 4 different wines. I tasted some just so I would know what I was pouring. I did like the Long View Wineries chardonney. I think, I'm more a white wine drinker than a red wine, even though red is supposedly healthy for you. Whatever. I don't really drink wine so I have no idea what I'm talking about. With that said, it sure was easy to convince people that a certain wine you were pouring was good. I would say, "Oh it's good and it's from Argentina" and people would just agree with me. I have no idea what I'm saying people! What if you thought it was crap? But Melle's company does not distribute bad wines. I just thought those people should have their own opinions about it either way. I thought people would have a much more discerning palette but obviously no one wants to pretend that they don't know things.

We had a good time laughing at the uncles who kept coming around trying to flirt and drink all our wine. That's the other thing about wine. People are not so willing to try new ones. They pretty much stuck to the ones that they heard about before like cabernet. Melle brought a Malbec and people would read the label and you could tell they were wondering what it was but did not want to try it.

Then we met up with Tall Guy and hung out at the studio. Everyone's on a budget these days so it's all about free events and finding ways to amuse ourselves at home. Can I tell you that I seem to have forgotten about how to hang out with friends at my place? It's like "what do we do?" I don't own boardgames. I should get a gaming system just so we can have something to do. And maybe a couch...More to add to the list.

Oh and I'm all excited about the upcoming X-Files movie!

X-Files - I want to believe (2008) High Quality Trailer

And yes, I will watch the Dark Knight too but everyone's excited about that one. I have been waiting for the new X-Files movie so I am excited that it'll be out on Friday :) YAY!

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In need of some extra skills

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:05:40 -0700

While Ambookgeek's relaxing at a 5-star hotel on Maui, I'm chillin out in L.A. wondering how can I get one of those plush gigs :) hee hee. But seriously, I was hanging out with my friend, Jen B., and we were talking about how we probably should have gotten one of those "cash gigs" as she called them. Yes, I needed another skill, like I don't know, being an awesome hairstylist or wax technician or something like that. But it takes years to be amazing and excel at those jobs so I will stick to being a librarian. Though, i still would like to be a massage therapist at some point. Therapeutic people not exotic.

Anyway, last night, I started reading Daniel Pink's "A Whole New Mind" and I could not sleep afterwards. I know, it's not like it's a horror story or anything, it's about how the world is changing to right-brained thinking versus left-brained thinking. Yeah! That would really keep a girl up at night. Oy! Anyway, sufficed to say, I'm kind of a little off today. But I'm still going for a run even though I feel like I should put on a sweater. Yeah! from 95 degrees to a cool 50. Not gonna complain the coolness is welcomed.

have a good friday folks! Here's a little Booker T. & The MGs for you:

3-01 Melting Pot

Booker T. & The MG's

Booker T and the M.g.'s: Self Titled: R&b Soul Lp: Uk (1975)

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All That You Give.

nobody@vox.com(RPM) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:33:43 -0700

Fontella Bass, one of the best voices. Evar.

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Good suggestions for connecting with people

nobody@vox.com(Scooter Kitty) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:34:54 -0700

Michelle posted this on friendfeed so I thought I would share it with those of you not using Friendfeed. I found it helpful because I fall into this trap all the time.

clipped from zenhabits.net

How to Connect With Humanity When You Feel All Alone

The answer is in connecting with other human beings.

Do some kind of activity with others

Ask for a hug

Visit family and friends

Nix the TV and movies

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Your reality ain't necessarily mine.

nobody@vox.com(RPM) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:13:41 -0700

If you want people to stop giving you unsolicited advice, stop behaving as if you need it.

I said that to myself recently after feeling like I was being handed another prescription for a social affliction I don't believe I'm infected with.

I complain a lot about feeling as if people are telling me what they think I should do all the time. It was only recently that I realized why perhaps this seems to happen so frequently. Perhaps it's because I've gotten way too comfortable with my own melancholia. In fact...knowing what I know, and trusting myself as I do...I'm beginning to feel a bit like I'm walking around in a suit I might have worn 100 pounds ago. I look ridiculous, but for some reason, I think it's more comfortable than the new suit I've been revealing layer by painstaking layer for the past three years or so.

My journey over time has been the voyage back to my true self. Uncloaking my beliefs and my wishes and wants and desires and marrying them to the notion that I can indeed create the reality I wish for myself. I can accomplish and complete whatever I choose. I get to pick my story. Problem is, in a world full of know it alls, it can be very easy to slip on the banana peel of someone else's experience. Especially as we age, we are eager to impart our supposed wisdom on the choices of others. Sometimes it's a pearl of wisdom that saves you in the nick of time. Othertimes its a big floppy neon yellow hat that is three sizes too big for your head. It just doesn't fit. The point is not to get too offended. People mean well more often than not.

The way I see it, I have a choice. I can either choose to embrace what I believe and get on with getting there...or I can sit with my back to the future crying over old hurts that I refuse to let scab and fall away. I can tell myself I have no idea what the hell I'm doing and I need someone else to tell me who/what/where I am complete with blueprints and ten step programs, or I can acknowledge that I am not lost. I am not unclear. I am not broken. I can swim like mad, or flail about acting as if I'm going to drown. Perhaps if I did more of the former and a little less of the latter, I'd stop wasting time.

Enough with the shenanigans. I've got somewhere to be. How I get there may not be the way you get there. But then again, your reality ain't necessarily mine. I'm good with that. Here's hoping you are, too.

Oh, and if you catch me in the bothersome old habit of licking my old wounds and feigning brokenness? Feel free to slap.

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OSW: Hang Tight

nobody@vox.com(EJ) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:38:41 -0700

It's EJ Day, brought to you by G-Force and Yvonne. Jesse Johnson, Today, Tony Terry, Patti Austin, Alexander O'Neal, Curtis Hairston, Bobby Thurston, Keni Burke, Phyllis Hyman, Deniece Williams, Tashan, Vesta, Shirley Jones, and a little from yours truly.