Ride with Norman Reedus

(Episode 2 Death Valley: Dante's View)



This feels more like a book review than anything else considering the show is already over, but I liked the idea of experiencing all of a show like Ride with Norman Reedus before talking about it. Its debut season was only 6 episodes so it felt a little like a mini-series, short and sweet, but just long enough to really miss it when it's over. (I'm sure there's a "that's what she said" joke somewhere in there...)

I've been on the Norman Reedus bandwagon for some time now, though I don't even like saying that because it's really The Walking Dead bandwagon. (But don't get me wrong, Daryl is my favorite character.) Everything about that show is incredible-the writing, the acting, the sets, the makeup, the zombies. Anyone who knows anything about me knows I love amazing, well told stories, and this is one of them. I have a hard time shutting up about TWD actually. After getting hooked on TWD, I got hooked on Daryl and then on Norman. Finding out what a talented, amazing man Norman is, it totally made sense that the creators of TWD invented the character of Daryl just to have Norman on the show.  There's a reason why everyone who meets Norman tends to refer to him as the kindest human being they've ever met. I've never heard him say a negative thing about anyone or anything, and everything he says and does is genuine. He's one of the amazing few who, with no force necessary, brings people together and generally makes the world around them a better place. It's no wonder people are drawn to him.

(Episode 3 with Jason Paul Michaels in Appalachia: Blue Ridge Parkway)


It's also no wonder that Ride, which AMC created just for him (I'm noticing a pattern here), is such a pleasure to watch. This is all Norman, not a character he is playing, and it's incredibly endearing to see these different sides of him as he experiences new things all across the US. (He seems especially brave about trying new food, which he often let other people order for him on the show, and he would try whatever was put in front of him.) Some of these new things include, but are not limited to, riding a dune buggy for the first time at Pismo Beach, learning how to pop a wheelie on a dirt bike in the Nevada desert, racing porta potties in Georgia, and walking through a Louisiana swamp to catch crawfish. (Most of that Louisiana episode had me in tears I was laughing so hard.)

One of the my favorite things about watching Ride was that every episode made me want to get out and explore. All the places he visited, especially New Orleans, I would love to see. In episode one he travels up the Pacific Coast Highway from LA to Pismo Beach to Santa Cruz. I've grown up on the beach in Oxnard and I've only traveled as far north on the road as Santa Barabara. I was actually trying to plan a road trip up the coast to San Francisco for my birthday this year, and Vegas happened instead, but I'm still determined to make that trip happen. Maybe for my 33rd birthday next year. No matter when I go, I will be stopping in Pismo to ride a dune buggy.

Another great thing about the show, besides drooling over gorgeous motorcycles for forty-five minutes, is how fun and uplifting the episodes are. I was in the best mood after I watched them, and as I said before, watching episode five in Louisana with Brent Hinds from Mastodon made me laugh so hard. That's probably my favorite episode. Norman and Brent were just the best form of entertainment.

It's obvious, though, that the very last episode in Florida with Peter Fonda was Norman's favorite. He's said before that Peter in Easy Rider was the reason he got into motorcycles, and he was totally geeking out riding with Peter through the Florida Keys. But if that was Norman geeking, then I'm impressed. He totally kept his cool, and Peter seemed just as taken with Norman as Norman was with him. I sincerely hope that more of Norman's fans will take a lesson from him and keep their cool when meeting him. He's a person too, albeit an above average one on the amazing-human-being scale.

So here's to a second season of Ride. I would love to see where Norman explores next, and it's so cool that he's willing to share that with all of us. And really I hope there's another season because he looks like he's having so much fun. You deserve it, Norman.

(Episde 2 with Balthazar Getty in Death Valley)

P.S. I find it fitting that this is my 500th post. What better way to celebrate such a landmark than with Norman?

11/22/63

JFK and Jackie in Texas 50 years ago

 

Ever since I read 11/22/63 by Stephen King (the website for the book is awesome, by the way) I feel like I've become more interested in the lives of JFK and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. I actually started reading Mrs. Kennedy and Me when I was a member of a book club and found that she and I share the same birthday. I'm always fascinated by that kind of thing.

 

Where the assassination of JFK is concerned, there is an unusual fascination in this country that easily surpasses obsession. I'm not sure I've met one person who is satisfied with the idea that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. There are numerous conspiracy theories, but this article from CNN gives a good idea of which ones are the most popular, as well as one that might actually be plausible.

 

There have also been numerous books, movies, documentaries, and TV specials on the subject, the most famous being Oliver Stone's JFK, which had me convinced that Oswald was not the only person involved in Kennedy's assassination. I'm also interested in watching the National Geographic movie, Killing Kennedy, which will be showing tonight at 6pm pacific, 9pm eastern.

 

As far as ceremonies go, Dallas will not be the only city remembering JFK's death today. USA Today lists seven other cities that will be hosting an event for the 50th anniversary.

Superhero for a day

I've heard some awesome Make-A-Wish stories, but I think being Batman for a day takes the cake.

This afternoon the city of San Francisco was turned into Gotham City for Miles, a 5-year old with leukemia. Read the story of "Batkid's" heroics, which included rescuing a damsel in distress and stopping the Riddler from robbing a bank all in his batmobile, here.

 

A Lamborghini dressed up with Batman decals served as the Batmobile.



The happiest place on earth

Yesterday my mom, brother, and I went to Disneyland (and California Adventure for a short period) as part of an early celebration for my birthday, which is actually this Sunday. It was such a fantastic day.

 

These last three are from the Lincoln building at the front of the park across from City Hall.  There's a whole book of sketches, like the dragon above from Sleeping Beauty, of just about every Disney character imaginable. During the day, one of the artists is there at that table drawing these sketches, and the next time I'm at the park, that's the first place I'm going. And all the art in the building is gorgeous. I would highly recommend checking it out if you're like me and have been walking straight past the Lincoln building every time you've been to the park.

Sunset Strip Music Festival

 

 



I love the idea of this music festival: 70 bands, two main stages on the street, as well as revolving shows in both the Whiskey-A-Go-Go, the Viper Room, and the Roxy Theatre, a beer garden, and events going on for the street festival. The tickets are pricy, but a portion of the proceeds go to Music for Relief. And I love Linkin Park and Awolnation. It sounds like an amazing weekend.

Main Streets Matter

 

When I first saw this commercial, I immediately felt myself smile because I recognized Brad Pitt's voice, and once I knew what it was about, I got teary eyed (yes, I cry over commercials). Benjamin Moore has partnered with Make It Right, Brad Pitt's organization that builds homes across the country, to paint main streets in select U.S. cities. You can visit paintwhatmatters.com to cast your vote for the street you'd like to see painted, and keep voting until June 30th. What an inspiring idea!



Just Dance

terrible pictures, but these girls were amazing

 

 

I've been thinking and waiting and preparing to take ballet classes. The dance studio down my street had a recital this weekend and I found myself curious and reluctant at once. Curious for obvious reasons (like are these the kind of dance classes I really want to be taking), though I'm already painfully aware of what I'm missing; my body is in serious need of toning and flexibility. Reluctant becuase, well, no one wants to have to give up a dream they've had for so long, and I wanted to be a dancer from the time I was little. To have the opportunity to still learn ballet now, later in life, only to find out I might be terrible at it, would kind of shatter it for me. At least, that's what I think now. I haven't even taken a class yet.

 

So I sat there at the recital, watching these girls, these dancers that I do not know in awe of their grace and utter fearlessness. I sat there and couldn't look away. It felt like sending some unspoken wish or unlived dream, a connection to that dance floor that I cannot explain or ignore.

 

I'm convinced now I need to take these classes. I know I won't be a ballerina, but maybe I can develop some of that elegance and grace and have it with me wherever I go...

Sketchtravel

Yesterday my coworker handed me this book and told me to look at it from beginning to end before passing it along so the whole office can see it.

The original sketch book, auctioned off in 2011 in Belgium

Sketchtravel started as the idea of Gerald Guerlais and Dice Tsutsumi to pass around one sketchbook between mutual artists. The book became a world wide project that lasted over five years, traveled 75,000 miles, and included 71 artists (including the founders) in illustration, painting, animation, and comics. The main rule was that the book be passed along in person.

When the book was finished and auctioned off on October 17, 2011, it sold for over $97,000. The proceeds went to Room to Read, a charity that the artists chose, which opened five libraries (in Cambodia, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam) and published one new children's book in each country. The organization strives to "work in collaboration with communities and local governments across Asia and Africa to develop literary skills and a habit of reading among primary school children."

The mass production copy of the book was published by Chronicle Books and can now be purchased around the world. Each illustration is accompanied by a photo of the artist and a quote on their experience of being involved in the project. It also tells the whole story of how Sketchtravel started and the whole journey afterward. I can't even tell you how amazing this sketchbook is, you have to see all of these incredible drawings for yourself. But here's a little sneak peek (from Gallery Nucleus):

the cover page listing all the artists by Robert Kondo

one of my favorites by Jerome Opena. I can't stop looking at it.

by Ronnie del Carmen.

 

My coworker pointed out that it would make a great coffee table book. I would have to agree, and I can't wait to buy my own copy.

Our History in 2 minutes...

Just a little something for your Friday. Have a great weekend!

Remembering 9/11

I would love to visit the memorial site someday. I think they've done such a beautiful job. Visit the official 9/11 memorial website to find out more.

Save the Arctic with Greenpeace

image via greenpeace

Last month, I was leaving Trader Joe's in Agoura Hills when I was stopped by a woman who said, “Help save the dolphins.” This woman was a representative of Greenpeace and there wasn’t anything she could have said that would have captured my attention faster or more fully than those four words. 

I’ve lived on the beach most of my life, so it's only natural that I've taken a strong interest in the well being of our oceans and the life they sustain. If our oceans are suffering, we are suffering. Not only does Greenpeace focus its efforts on sustaining our oceans, but also our planet as a whole and that really appealed to me. 

Their main focus at the moment is on the Arctic, which is being threatened by the oil companies. The debate of whether or not to drill in the Arctic has been raging for some time now, but Greenpeace is taking drastic action now that Shell has sent out a fleet of ships to the Arctic in the hopes of drilling for the mere possibility of three years worth of oil. With the inevitable threat of an oil spill, this would only mean disaster for every inhabitant of the Arctic and our planet as well. I've been following Greenpeace on Facebook this month where they've been posting about their representatives that are in the Arctic taking action against Shell and other drilling companies.

To learn more about the why conserving the fragile balance of the Arctic is so important visit savetheartic.org and join over 1.7 million (and growing) others in signing a petition to declare a global sanctuary in the Arctic, which will ban oiling drilling and industrial fishing in the Arctic. Their goal is 2 million signatures, so they're so close to reaching their goal!

For more information on this issue and many others, including how to take action for our planet in your area, visit greenpeace.org.

P.S. I originally posted almost the same post for my new job's blog. Hopefully, I'll be contributing more posts to their blog as well.

Skin Care

About two years ago I got a facial at a day spa on Main St. in Ventura called Cara Mia. I enjoyed my experience there so much my mom bought  me a second facial for Christmas. The aesthetician who gave me my facials, Kezia, is also the owner, and she gave me a lot of insight into my skin and to skin in general.

I think one of the best things I learned from her is that the neck is part of your face, and most people neglect it, myself included. Another thing about my skin was I didn't realize how easily the skin on your face can become dehydrated (not dry; this is different. If your skin is dry it will have a tendency to get oily because it's trying to compensate. If this sounds like your skin, you need more moisturizer). Even with the amounts of water I drink, which I consider to be more than the average person, my skin was still dehydrated. So I've started drinking a glass of water in the morning when I wake up. It's a good way to start the day.

Cara Mia Spa

After I got my facial I went back about a week later to get a free makeover as a promotion for Valentine's Day. Isn't it so fun to have someone else do your makeup?! If you've never received a makeover I strongly suggest finding out where you can get one for free, just for the fun of it. I was once walking through Macy's makeup department and they stopped me to give me a makeover. (Although, department stores will pressure you to buy their product when they're finished, just so you're forewarned.)

My makeup looked amazing! It completely transformed my face. I'm bummed I didn't think to take before and after photos so I could show you. What I love most about their products is that they are all formulated by Cara Mia (at least the products with the Cara Mia label; they do carry other lines as well) with natural, organic ingredients. I bought some of the concealer and tinted moisturizer, which I recommend in general instead of foundation, especially if you're more comfortable with less makeup. I've been using the makeup for a few weeks now and I absolutely love it!

Fall is here

It's the first day of Fall and we'll be having one of the first summer-worthy weekends we've had in weeks here in Cali (well, on the beach in Oxnard, CA, that is). I'd much rather be there (the photo above), in Minnesota on a lake watching the amazing explosion of color and tranformation that's going on right now.

But I'm not and I suppose I shouldn't be complaining because in a very short time it'll be freezing in Minnesota. And I don't mean the Cali version of freezing (you know, 50 degree weather. that's basically winter for us). I'm talking 20 below freezing.

Yes, I guess I'll enjoy the warmth and watch the leaves turn from afar.

Trip to Minnesota

Day 1 8.28.10

Day 2  8.29.10

Day 3  8.30.10

Day 4  8.31.10

My trip to Minnesota was a blast! I absolutely loved it there! It was one of those great trips that didn't fly by too fast. I really hate that when you're on vacation and it goes by so fast you're like, 'Wait! It's over already?!' I think the fact that there was no monotony with this trip and there was always so much going on every day that it made the days feel that much longer.

To summarize, I went to visit my friend Sam, whom I met while living in Santa Monica. His younger brother got married and he invited me to be his date for the wedding. I'd been wanting to visit him ever since I lost my job so it was good to see him again (he moved from LA back to Minnesota last Sep. so it had been a while!).

There was the wedding, two after-parties (or three, depending on how you look at it), the Mall of America, dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant, a nighttime tour through both twin cities, drive to Sam's family's cabin (at Clearwater Lake) and a stop at Lake Mille Lacs on the way (one of the largest lakes in Minnesota. It was so big it looked like the ocean!), a day and a half at the cabin: lots of beer, the pontoon, tour of the lake, grilling (well, Sam did all the grilling) and breakfast at a little diner in the nearby town of Crosby. We drove back to catch my flight the next day (my 5th day there).

It was weird flying back. I wanted to come home (I missed my bed lol), but at the same time I could have stayed another week. It's so gorgeous there! Green everywhere! You just don't see that in Califormia, especially by the beach. The air is so great I never had any problems breathing (and I do have that problem here). I loved the fact that I could be outside at night and not need a jacket, so to come home to fog so thick I couldn't even see the city below me was rather disheartening, to say the least. I'll definitely be going back. And it makes me want to travel that much more because it really made me evaluate what it is I actually like about where I live. It certainly isn't the air quality, I'll tell you that much.

And I certainly did learn how adaptable I actually am to my environment; I must have experienced a good two weeks worth of events in four days and it was so much fun! (not to say that I wasn't pooped out by day four, because I was!) Culture shock?! Ha! I'd have to travel to Japan for that, I think.

Minnesota!

So I'm going to be visiting my friend, Sam, in Minnesota the last weekend of this month! I'm so excited!! Not only have I not seen Sam for nearly a year, I've never been to Minnesota. I'll be there for five days. Any suggestions of cool things to do near Minneapolis?