political statement: united for change

a night that will go down in history, 45 years after another historic moment in time. let's put aside our differences to find common ground. let's not question our patriotism, simply because our views are different.



obama video to come...what a speech.

mutt-i-gree, i agree

sometimes even as a pr professional, i'm caught off guard when a story talks about how pr is raising awareness for a certain brand or service.

the other day i came across an interesting article on mutts and how certain organizations have been working diligently to change americans' perspectives on mixed breeds. you know, dogs mixed by puppy lust and open-mindedness. not worried about the same exact dna or coat color. yes, i jest. but i take very seriously the message and mission of groups working to raise the profiles of mutt mixes in an effort to make them fashionably desirable to all.

take a look at which groups are making changes for dogs across the country and working hard to change perceptions of americans everywhere. no more doggy gas chambers. let's love our dogs -- black, white, cockapoo or full-blooded german shephard.

usa today

my favorite mongrel: chiquita

acting on inspiration

thanks henri. thanks karen. together (one from the distant past, another from the present) they have inspired a creation. image transfer on canvas with oil pastel and acrylic paint. love and paris remain in the air and on the walls...until my love returns.

my love is here

my love is here. and here is where i want to be. walking the streets. eating chocolate croissants. drinking french wine. kissing everywhere. laughing at everything. and talking. talking into each other's eyes while touching each other's skin. smelling his masculine scent and taking it on. this is where i want to be. this is who i want to be with. paris sounds call my name. your voice rings through the internet. a resounding miss you leaves my lips.

i join you in spirit. i kiss you in disguise. as the wind that touches your cheek and passes over your lips. as the sun rises over strasbourg and sets in normandy. i'm there with you.

a voice is meant to be heard. period.

so far, very little has been said about the government hosting this month's olympic games. although i understand, they have money to make and goodwill to represent, the us of a better be storing up some serious stories on the state of the chinese government once the broadcasters have returned safely home.

one article about two little old ladies is getting me a little riled up at the moment. this could be my grandma....or yours.

usa today

tools

finding the right tool.

opening creative flood gates.

relief flows through.

satisfaction infiltrates

sleepless nights.

ensures nothing but

tired eyes and puffy

skin and smiles, all in the name

of creativity.

hopeful, still

tired. busy. inspired...and hopeful, still.

your face shines on me
erases self doubt, dreaded fear
brings light to my day

i remain in the moment. dazzled

he did it

michael makes history, inspires a nation of dreamers to dream bigger than big. congratulations and thank you.

phelps ties spitz

the best way to watch historic moments: sitting in a bar with a drink in your hand, fabulous music playing loudly in the background and a friend sitting next to you.

then of course, the star of the moment winning by 1-100 of a second!

phelps wins his 7th gold medal. if you dream big, amazing things can happen.

phelps for president

hahaha...not really. but as of yesterday, he was 5 for 5 in the gold category. biceps buffer than ever. let's see what the days ahead bring...

race for a cure

it's that time of year again...time to celebrate life and help raise money to find a cure for breast cancer.

nyc's big run through central park is september 14. i'll be there with my grandma mac survivor sign and my special sidekick, running the 5k with me.

check out the race...susan g. komen race for a cure new york city...one of hundreds of events throughout the year organized to raise money and awareness about breast cancer.

when you read the susan g. komen story, you're inspired. but when you participate in an event--surrounded by people who have been touched by cancer--inspiration comes to you on a whole new level. the signs...the camaraderie...the energy in the air...brings tears to your eyes and makes you realize how blessed you are to be running for a survivor.

here's how you can get involved: support kp

olympic golden boy

the olympics are underway and one shining star is coming to the surface...or should i say has resurfaced. phelps is turning heads as today he won his third gold medal. he's on the road to eight. if he wins half, he'll be the shiniest medal winner in history -- at 23. if he wins all eight, he'll break the record for most gold medals won in one olympics. phenomenal to say the least.

reflecting on this certainly makes me question, as it does many, what i've accomplished in my own 30 years of life. reflection on accomplishments, ponderings on the road ahead. it's a natural thought process as the quest for success continues on...

i'll leave my own thoughts in my head, but will hope that his fight for the gold is inspiring thousands of little kids everywhere to take their passion for one activity or another to the next level.

look back for the latest on phelps -- the man of the hour.

rest in peace

bernie mac. may you rest in peace and laughter. may your family carry on your joy and celebrate the life that you imagined.

paris for president

See more Paris Hilton videos at Funny or Die

this is worth discussing...more to come. http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d

how does she do it. is it the money. the connections. or simply her ability to laugh at herself. this is a fabulous laugh and an unfortunate documentary of our state of affairs. i wonder how many people will be writing in paris for president this november. questions never cease...and the impossible never looked so real.

almost there...

a new day, smiles cast rays of sunshine,
hope sits lightly on my face,
eyes shut, mind quietly spinning,
i linger to soak up the moment.
move again --forward-- slowly,
methodically, assuredly.
time lingers as satisfaction nears. peace found
in private space, fingers touching
all that energizes, empowers--
emits electrical charges,
charging life.

expressing oneself

tattoos. how do people decide what they want to put on their bodies for all eternity?

two of my sisters found ink this weekend...two new tattoos and two new piercings...all in the name of self expression.

my dad recently told me that he's been thinking long and hard about getting a tat, and actually went as far as walking into a parlor with a picture from mel ramos of sacramento, california. known for realist and abstract art -- sometimes pop art, he expresses a love for voluptuous women and mass-consumer products...both items near and dear to my father's heart.

well, this rather phallic piece does make for a unique tattoo (slightly different from the made in texas runner up) making my dad hot for ink. either way, i can't help but wonder what it is that makes people want to so badly express themselves in permanent ink and art. i love tats, love the opportunity they offer for self expression. but aren't people scared when they decide to finally make a permanent mark on their skin. aren't they afraid this form of artistic expression may leave them with regrets, not liking the art itself or perhaps the location they choose to place it.

these are just questions i'm pondering, as i try to better understand what makes body art so hip and hot. thoughts?

romance in its simplest, sexiest form

a call. six hours ahead. drunk. very drunk. everything okay? i just...wanted to share the sunshine with you. silent smile, melting heart.

and the winner is...

as friday comes to a close, i contemplate the week. conversations with friends and family. and conversations about friends and family.

one in particular stood out. while walking through the food coop tonight (hot date, huh ;p), i was told that my little sister -- who has decided to become a fitness fanatic -- won a bikini contest last weekend.

i can't help but look at pictures and be proud of her. she is working hard, seeing results and loving herself for it. but, at the same time, i have to step back and ask if strutting around a bar in a bikini is really all that empowering? with men oogling and ogling and ladies leaving very little to the imagination, i can imagine what a more conservative type might say. perhaps something to the affect: how can a girl parade around half naked. hmmm. female power?

of course. why should we limit ourselves by saying that one path is better than another. one demeaning and another acceptable? isn't the point that a woman find strength and pleasure from within? not relying on outside forces. so if it is found here or there, with clothes on or without, let's celebrate the strength found in taking care of our bodies and our minds. and build ourselves, our spirits, our futures as best we can. we all have a calling and the sooner we find it, the better.

keep smelling the roses, hotshot, and keep moving forward.