May 2016 archive

May 31, 2016

My Generation

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MnDbWqe_kQ&w=420&h=315%5D

“With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.” -Muhammad Ali Jinnah

Each generation wants to think they’re better than the last. It’s at the point when you start seriously noticing the differences between your generation and subsequent ones that it makes you feel old. Well, my friends I guess I’m “old.” I’m considered part of the annoying millennial generation, which has been watched by the world most of our lives. However, as a millennial I have noticed some things about the yet to be officially named generation of current 20- somethings. Not to be confused with baby boomers, the millennial generation as well as current 20- somethings could easily fall under the same umbrella, the “Me Generation.” With the rise of social media, apps that do almost everything, and new technologies, self absorption has never been easier. Unfortunately, along with self absorption comes a lack of ambition, laziness, and a near complete disregard for other people. It’s far too easy to think(and talk, and Instagram, and Snapchat,and Facebook) about yourself all day, rather than more outwardly consider the rest of the world around you. Therefore, if you are an individual that hasn’t been brainwashed by social media, get out there, do something, and help someone other than yourself! I promise it feels really good to help someone else. This leads into the question of “ Would we be more fulfilled if we helped each other more?” Not only would a movement of selflessness make our lives more enriching, but collectively easier. If we were able to count on someone other than ourselves it would lead to a lot less stress and a lot more breathing room. Having less stress means less physical ailments and even many diseases! Everyone wins. We don’t have to imagine a world like this when we easily have the power to start a movement like this today. All it takes is one person and one act of selflessness , simply just do it , and help start a chain reaction of kindness, love, and helping.

step out!

bleu

May 28, 2016

Impact

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“You can’t get rid of fear, it’s like Mother Nature.You can’t beat it or outrun it, but you can get through it, and find out what you’re made of.” – the good dinosaur(Pixar)

Whether your influence is of the dark or of the light, both really matter. Because like in bumper cars, sometimes life hits us and we get sent in all sorts of directions, but after the initial impact we can usually choose in which direction we’re going to go. We all deal with things differently, and over time like butterflies, we experience a metamorphosis. Where one person can turn a bad circumstance into good, others mistakenly follow or choose a darker path. The world expertly presents us with things that are “good,” but are actually cloaked in darkness. For example, all that yummy processed food that will eventually kill you, or the allure of tarot cards and the occult.This was pointed out to me in a dream recently. No matter what your trial is you have a choice in how to deal with it. Oftentimes our trials change us, like water running over rocks and changing their shapes and textures. Not only do trials and time change us, but they also show us what we’re made of. Some of us will be pleasantly surprised by our resilience, while others bitterly disappointed by our brokenness. The fact is, we all have the potential to be either built up or broken down. That’s why it’s so important to choose the paths that lead you into the light of happiness, faith, love, and hope. Rather than the darkness of negativity,hopelessness, and depression. Whatever your going through there are many positive resources available to you, you just have to do some foot work! Not only that, but pay attention to and remind yourself of all the things that give life beauty. Whether it be in nature or in human kindness(like the video below )

Florence and the Machine sing to and for a young girl with cancer in Her hospital room that couldn’t attend their concert.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzw7MOBS9lg&w=560&h=315%5D

if you slow down and look closer you will find it. I promise you it’s there.

cheers + love + hope!

bleu

May 20, 2016

Audiophile

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“Where words fail, music speaks.” -Hans Christian Andersen

Music has been my constant companion. It was with me all throughout high school shaping my social life, and it wafted through my room the entire time I lay in a coma. I have played inside of a sonic landscape since before I was born; dancing to songs with my Mother while still inside Her tummy. For the record, my “first dance,” was P.Y.T by Michael Jackson. Since then my feet have found the ground and I continue to dance. I’ve danced through most of school, my family life, and even now during recovery. Without dancing, all these years I’d have just been standing still, stagnant. However, those little black notes have pushed me through to victory after victory. A sure outward sign that I was improving was when I started being interested in music again. It has been entwined with the neurons in my brain; each song sparking a vivid memory, an imagined music video sequence, or feelings of elation. Music has not only influenced my life so much as it has dictated it. Friends came and went by route of the current albums I was into. We found our identities and a common ground contained within flat round compact discs, or vinyl if you were “really cool.” Even when there was a question concerning the integrity of my memory after a severe stroke, I still remembered everyone’s faces and all my favorite musical artists. The power of music runs deep my friend. There remains few people that can put into words exactly what music communicates. That’s exactly why our souls need it; Because, it communicates what mere words cannot. Indeed as an adolescent I held to the belief that a particularly well homemade mix tape could cause you to fall in love with someone, the music you enjoyed said almost more about you then the way you dressed, and to die and become a music note would be of the utmost honor. Because, if your spirit could inhabit the form of a music note, you’d touch people’s lives and live on in beautiful symphonies forever. Not to mention, once you fall in love with rock n’ roll, it’s difficult to find other people that share your enthusiasm. However, when you do, you know you’ve got an instant friend and you’re held together by the invisible threads of sound. Therefore, don’t discount its power, and keep on singing even when it rains. Especially when life gets difficult if you continue to sing, those invisible threads will pull you through.

I leave you with a song, enjoy!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTOC_q0NLTk&w=560&h=315%5D

sing it out!

bleu

May 16, 2016

Human Angels

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“Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” -Thomas Paine.

I came into his Emergency Department unresponsive on a gurney. This man had never seen me before and We had never spoken. Yet, even so He took it upon himself, bound and determined to save my life. The life of a person that had never included him until it nearly slipped away. I’m not sure why I was so blessed to have been chosen as a special case for him, but I was and I’m sure that I’m alive to write this today because of that. Not too long ago this very man passed away from this world into the next. It was a loss not only for his family, but for everyone. Because, that day the world lost a unique and special soul. For me, I lost a guardian angel. Who knows why certain people come in and out of our lives? However, in special cases not all of them are merely human. Without even knowing it, your life’s path may very well come across an angels. It’s difficult to convey in words how much of an impact a man I didn’t really know had in my life. The fact that a near perfect stranger rushed to my hospital bedside at all hours of the night to rescue me was surely an act of love. No ordinary(and naturally selfish) person would do that. Upon learning of his passing it was incredible to take into account the impact that this individual had, had on my life and so many others. It would be a crime to waste the incredible gift that He had given me. This triple board certified physician specialist(in ICU and stroke) possessed a brilliant mind, big heart, and a pair of talented hands. The first(and only) time I met him after the stroke, my Mother observed him quietly staring at me for several minutes while I talked to other hospital employees. We both wonder what He must’ve been thinking. Surely, still working out solutions for his “ special case,” even then. Even though our second trip to see him again did not come to pass, his prediction did. “ The next time I see you, you’ll be walking.” Indeed I am not only now walking but the next time I see him I’ll be running! In this journey through life none of us complete it entirely on our own. As if it were an iditarod(see here) there is always someone special that appears and helps you on the way to the finish line. For me, during the long and difficult race, I had a very capable and giant helping hand in Doctor Devasenapathy, or better known as “ Dr. D.” He not only helped me to complete the race, but to stay in the race at all. Therefore, show kindness and love to your fellow man, because you never know when you might be entertaining an angel.

walk in love!

bleu

May 14, 2016

Damsel

Train Tracks
“Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.” -Winston Churchill

Perhaps you’re afraid of commitment, a strong independent Woman, or claustrophobic. Therefore, you likely dislike and understand feeling tied down. Everyone wants to feel free to do what they want to do. However, there are things in life that can restrict us, and understandably so, we really hate that. Anything that serves to hold you back, hold you up, or hold you down must go! We forget that these things aren’t always physical, but many are emotional too. If you cannot at least rid yourself of the physical circumstances, the good news is that the emotional ones you can. After all, give anything time and work on it with determination, perseverance, with grit, and it will change. For a time in my case it was the ball and chain of medications. I left the hospital with a tray full of nearly ten(10!) different daily medications, a feeding tube, a daily shot, and confined to a home hospital bed. That was three years ago(2013)and what do I have now? Well, only two(2!) daily medications, no feeding tube, and a supremely comfortable new queen bed. You see? Give it time. Granted, my family and I worked very hard to get here. Even in those times of feeling defeated or utterly disdainful, I can proudly say I always got my butt out of bed to face the day. Why? Because like certain foods, you eat it anyway because it’s good for you.This is telling of the fact that you just need to face life no matter how scary it becomes. Because, like a taunting grade school bully, if you stand up to it, it will back down into a more manageable situation. At one time I needed medication to keep me sane, yet more recently said medication is no longer needed. It’s been kicked to the curb. You can do this too, no little pill can “fix,” your problems as well as you can by changing your way of thinking. Perhaps, you’ll surprise yourself in finding that life gets ever better when you jump at it, rather then shrink away. If you need any reassurance of that, just ask the girl who was at once downtrodden but now finds victory in everyday living. Because, simply having the privilege to live out each day is a victory.

[vimeo 145898953 w=640 h=360]

true grit!

bleu

May 12, 2016

Through the Looking Glass

“ ‘Closed timelike curve’ is the jargon for time travel. It means you go out, come back and meet yourself in the past.”-Kip Thorne.

As I stood at the gates next to my Father I could nearly grasp those lost childhood years. The now abandoned park that I gazed into was once teeming with activity. However, now it stands a silent and still monument to an era of magic. Originally built in 1963 and closed down in 1999, The Prehistoric Forest (or “Dinosaur Land”)encapsulated a few years of my life within it.While I gazed into the park with a myriad number of mixed emotions welling up inside me; I imagined as I shrunk back into a child the park grew up full life again. There exists throughout time and space pieces of us and our hearts wherever we’ve passed. In this case a road side attraction had pieces of my beloved childhood memories within it. Beyond the fence meant to keep me out, lay 8 acres of overgrown trails, random dinosaur(some broken)sculptures, and a precious piece of me. It nearly felt as if there was an invisible wall and I could walk through into my memory. So badly did I desire to relive that period, but alas time marches on with or without us. What it does leave behind for us are the memories. Even though I couldn’t physically be back inside of that memory, I was surrounded by the ghosts of it. I found it funny that present day I was standing in front of this park with the very people who lived in that memory with me, my Mom and Dad. Nothing will make you cherish your life more then standing in front of the ruins of it, from a marvelous period gone by. I could see a little me excitedly grabbing my Dad’s hand and crunching across the gravel to the now empty souvenir shop. “I want the neon triceritops stuffed animal Dad!” Although this place was fading away as each page of time was turned, it remained as vivid as ever within my memories. My Parents are getting older and showing signs of wear, but here, in my memory they are always young. Never had inanimate objects made me consider my mortality more. I thought of all those moments that seem to go by unnoticed while they’re happening, but later become wholly significant. Because even as your living it that time will hold great value in the future. Therefore, take lots of pictures, slow down, and tell the people whom deserve it that you love them every chance you get. To learn and see more about my memory, click here!

Cheers!

bleu

May 9, 2016

Whoa oh, ho, it's Monday!

*blogged after a lazy Saturday and a grilled hamburger*
Yet again it’s Monday you know. Perhaps it’s not exactly magic to you but it certainly can be! Therefore, to help ease you into this week here’s a list of seven things that should be on your radar, one for each day!
1)Broadway Plays!

My oh my, are good plays overly expensive. However, sometimes it’s totally worth it. I was having a major hankering for some artistic fulfillment so I made the splurge this time. It’s even better when you can share it with someone you love. Therefore, I’m also taking a lovely little cousin to Her first play. You can never start em’ too young. Not to mention it’s the best way to spend two hours of your life, rather then on Facebook people.

2) The Henry Norman Hotel Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

This place puts the H in hip, with it’s amazing location and loft style living rooms. They have a curated mini bar full of locally produced goods, and some stellar doormen that make you feel fancy. Not to mention the sleek cars they will freely chauffeur you in around Brooklyn. I can’t say enough lovely things about how great this place is. So, if your holiday destination is in New York City, stay here and live like a local not a tourist!

3) Hard Root Beer

Pictured: Not your Father’s hard root beer, and Coney Island hard root beer. I have not been into anything with the label hard on it since sneaking ” beverages,” into my underage slumber parties. I also, didn’t realize that root beer, which is already good could be greatly improved upon with the addition of alcohol and a nifty label.
4) Pleasant Ebay Transactions – the money and the people who part with it-
It’s not often you have sweet interactions with complete strangers on the internet(unless you’re being a creeper) usually never making face to face contact with someone is impersonal, but sometimes you get surprised. I’ve been a highly rated seller(bragging rights) on Ebay for quite sometime and I still get surprised. To give you an idea, here are some of my favorites. Recently a Husband purchased an anniversary gift for his Wife from me, and We discussed when to ship it so it could be a surprise for Her. Another, was with a kind young Lady that was enthusiastic and interested in my item, and as a follow up happily let me know how much She liked it upon receipt. You just don’t get those kinds of interactions everyday as a seller, and I love when I do!
5) Coffee Wars!?
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For a time I boycotted the billionaire beans peddler Starbucks in favor of local small coffee shops. Many of us already know it’s over rated but even so, I still get surprised when I find good coffee for under $3.00. One such case recently was our Canadian friends Tim Horton’s. Even though I’ve consumed enough Starbucks to be a card carrying gold member(oh how I’ve turned from my ways!) I still try to support smaller businesses as much as possible. Besides, I’m only a gold member for the benefits!
6) Childhood Memories
Many of you have positive memories of your youth(I hope) but nothing tears at your emotions quite like visiting places from your younger self. Recently I had the pleasure(and displeasure) of standing mere feet away from my favorite childhood destination, the prehistoric forest. As I imagined myself getting smaller I could see the now abandoned(tears) park coming back to life. This was the place that held so many childhood memories for me, and all I wanted to do was go back!
7) Mother’s Day everyday
If you’re in the U.S, I presume that since yesterday you have hugged, kissed, and even given your Mommy a present. It’s probably good for your bank account this doesn’t happen everyday. However, your Mother is still your Mom everyday! Therefore, if you can’t afford to buy Her things all the time, at least show some appreciation kids.
Last but not least, the drink! A chocolate margarita, find the recipe here.
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Cheers!
bleu

May 2, 2016

Oh, hey it's margarita Monday!

*blogged after a Dunkin’ Donuts chocolate glazed donut, Oh Yeeaah..*

So, are you getting sick of Mondays,margaritas,and me yet? Has my drink pushing caused you to join Alcoholics Anonymous? If so I deeply apologize, and please don’t blame it on Monday. He didn’t do anything I swear. In fact, He has only been trying to offer you a new start and some extra time(120 hours actually) this whole year so far! Going forward with that new information I hope you’re able to forgive him. Therefore, here it is, 7 things for each day of the week, I hope you like it!

Upscale Resale Howell, Michigan.

Dear God this resale shop is so nice it made me feel slightly under dressed. Instead of buying from the conventional mall or a department store, upscale resale shops are so much better. Not only can you consign your discarded clothing for some extra cash but this avoids further contributing to all the stuff already in land fills! By supporting these types of shops you help decrease on the clothing industries wastefulness. It’s like a recycling center for clothes. Instead of trashing your stuff why not sell it? Also, purchasing previously owned designer things at a discounted price not only saves you money but cuts down on the amount of stuff occupying space in the Earth and in numerous stores. Our Mother Earth will thank you for helping Her get healthier. If you enjoy shopping then you probably know what the best part of cleaning out your closet is, …getting new stuff! It’s much more economical and eco- friendly to go the resale shop route.

2) Starbucks Gold Membership

This is a great option if you find yourself at Starbucks a lot, it actually saves you money, and if you’re paying five dollars for a coffee then you could probably use it. All you do is download the Starbucks app and register a card(gift cards are good for this) and through the app you can start earning rewards. Earn enough “stars,” and you’ll become a gold member – cue the oohs and ahs- This means you’ll qualify for free stuff! While the whole rewards program is really a gimmick to get you to spend more money, if you are a frequent customer it really can benefit you. Because, after all we all know more money is the last thing Starbucks needs! However, you can use the program to your advantage(take that big business! Not to mention, you get a fancy pants membership card that will impress your friends and strangers alike. That is, if you’re into that sorta thing. Otherwise just enjoy your free drink rewards and order the largest one possible, because you can.

3) The Kids Section?

Why is it, that at nearly every store(I’m lookin’ at you Target) the kids section is so much better!? Just because I “grew up,” doesn’t mean that suddenly I’m boring. I’d like some bright, whimsical, and cheery designs for me too thank you very much. If your in ned of a pick up to the doldrums of the “Adult,” decor I suggest checking out the kids section. It’s there you’ll find a bright pink flowered hand towel, and that’s sure to bring some more fun into your visual life! Personally I prefer some cute kid touches floating around my space because it’s not so boring and can actually help your blaise moods sometimes! So, don’t be afraid, just take a stroll through the kids section every once in awhile. I promise it won’t hurt.

4) Dylan’s Candy Bar

While I know this place doesn’t need any reps from me, I’m going to do it anyway. Why? As above, the whole place is a kids section! The daughter of illustrious 1990’s designer Ralph Lauren, Dylan Lauren owns it, hence the name. It may just be a candy store but it’s actually pretty fun place. It’s even better if you have a sweet tooth(like me) that requires appeasement once in awhile. While this particular candy shop doesn’t come cheap, you’ll be sure to find at least one special item to enjoy. If you can control yourself and not fill up your basket Dylan’s is very affordable.

5) 7 Star Replica Handbags

Up until today I thought knock off or “inspired,” handbags were just fake designer purses. You could buy them in China Town NYC, in a creepy secretive way and they break super easy and that’s that. However, woe as me was I wrong! As it turns out they(whomever they are) have a rating system for replica handbags. A seven star rated bag means that it’s the closest thing to real you can get and they’re made much better then the ones from China Town. As it turns out, you can get them online(bad idea) but they can also be found in select upsale resale shops like #1! In fact, I put a very nice Chanel number on layaway today.

6) TonyMoly Face Masks

If you want flawless skin, follow the lead of those who have it. This is where Korean Beauty comes in. Many of the “Asian persuasion,” have beautiful skin. Therefore, not too long ago Korean beauty products became popular. Not only are they exotic but also fun, bubble masks anyone? This particular line has a slew of very nice and effective face sheet masks. You might feel a little bit like Hannibal Lecter wearing it for 30 minutes but you’ll feel fabulous(and look it) after it’s off! You can find them on Amazon here.

7) The Jungle Book in 3D

This popular Children’s tale by Rudyard Kipling comes to life and in your face in this Disney directed film. It not only features the voices of Christopher Walken, Bill Murray, and Scarlett Johansson, but the CGI and 3Danimation is stellar! All the animals are so well done you’ll just want to reach out and pet them pretty badly, especially if you love animals. Overall the storyline flows well, the visuals are great, and it will leave you smiling. Therefore go see it before it’s out of theaters!

And finally, the drink! A cool as a cucumber cilantro margarita that will refresh you and make others green with envy. Find the recipe here.

Cheers!