A beautiful time. A beautiful, magical, incredible city.
I am a bit jaded as to leaving this city, but I know that it is the correct decision at this point in my life. It is all bittersweet. Frankly though, I can always return. The friends I have made here are something of what I consider my family and they have done nothing but be the smiling faces that we all need during those dance nights, those juice cleanses, those cooking nights, and those dwelling on emotions kinds of days. Besides the loves I have been living with, the people in this town have been more than anything I could have ever expected. This town has made me realize that there really are true people still in this world, that there is a light that can shine through each one of us. As much as you give to this city it gives back, plus more.
Currently I am sitting at one of the most wonderful coffee shops. Not because of what they serve here, but for the community that is Flora's. The owner here has not only supplied me with coffee, he has sat me down to talk about life, to remind me what it is that our own worth consists of. My family of roommates all convene here and while they sit outside playing music, my dear friend plays the piano inside, drowning away all the worries that one could ever have. Tears have filled my eyes for the past three days and right now as I put these words out. These tears are a mark as to what this city has done for me. It has rekindled the spirit that I thought was lost. The spirit that was just so numb back at home.
This is just the beginning though. The past month or so a memory that will stay in my heart forever.
And here is the recap of what has happened-besides all of this emotional talk.
I have...
1. Drank so much that it now takes 4-5 drinks to cop a buzz
2. Become more technology savvy (well, starting)
3. Started recording podcasts asking people what they are passionate about
4. Started a website
5. Cleared out old itunes music
6. Read two books
7. Smoked too many cigarettes (American Spirits without the filters)
8. Loved, and learned how each love is different, how it can't be quantified to be a single ideal
9. Joined Okcupid and secretly enjoyed it
10. Become a community and learned to let go of the word "mine"
11. Gone to the country club (they all swim naked..and no I didn't)
12. Started meditating more
13. Realized how much more I need to listen
14. Volunteered at a local farmers market
15. Got my car towed
... And much much more
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
Kale to Po-boys to essential Homo sapiens and their development
Location: Zotz Coffee Shop
Physical State: Not hungover, not yet fully caffeinated, a bit hungry, teeth not yet brushed
Time starting said blog post: 1342 Central Time
Weather: Somewhat hazy, warm, not humid
Ah, Louisiana. With all of your fried chicken, Miller High Life deals, Po-boys, and ATM fees I cannot even begin to mention my gratitude. Really though, a man here told me he had only eaten kale once, and being vegan in this city must only happen to those who really do not want to have the pleasures of the fine delicacies here. This all being said: my hometown of Los Angeles is but a fade in my memory at this moment of life. A month here in New Orleans has been but a blessing in disguise- living here a continuous learning experience. The things that use to have precedence in my life are still here, but my thoughts are consumed by new opportunities ahead and how to hopefully be able to live out of a backpack. At home I have so many possessions, so many material items, but none of that really matters. We can be fashionable anywhere we go, but it does not define the experience we may have. This has been my latest lesson as I pack up and get ready to leave this city. When beginning this journey I brought a huge rolling bag, and now am downsizing to a travelers backpack hoping to make my way back to Europe. The greatest thing I have found though is that along my journey thus far, I have had connections almost everywhere I have gone. Starting this next step I will be headed up the east coast-intending to reach NYC- where I will be greeted by friend's family and my own. I no longer need to carry with me the objects that make me feel comfortable, I need to carry with me those items that are essential. Alongside this there is also the internal projection- where what we really need to be concerned with is that which sustains us. The positive thoughts, living food, adequate rest, and good vibrational people. All the other bullshit can go bury itself in the above ground cemeteries of New Orleans.
Seriously though, I came to this town first to learn from someone very close to me. And let me tell you, it has not been easy. First- I have never lived anywhere but home, let alone with someone other than my father. Second- I shower too much and use too much toilet paper. Third- I love love. Fourth- Creative expression is worth more to the well-being of the soul than a corporate job. We all need to develop our own art to make OUR lives worthwhile, to make them of value (other than a 401K and retirement fund). Fifth- Meditation is key, perhaps even more than any form of physical exercise. Sixth- Juice cleanses make you feel emotion, feel your body, and colon cleanses are kind of freaky. Seventh- We must remember to keep our egos in check.
These seven statements or marks of human existence have enlightened my soul; have helped me to blossom in a new fashion that I didn't know resided within me. I am more than thankful for this and am ready to keep moving.
The people we meet in life are more than just a number in our smartphones, they are a sum of millions of cells working towards helping one another. All we have to do is be open.
And here lies a spewing of non-essential, peculiar trails of thoughts. Hope you've enjoyed. Hope you can figure it all out for me... in that metaphorical kind of way.
Physical State: Not hungover, not yet fully caffeinated, a bit hungry, teeth not yet brushed
Time starting said blog post: 1342 Central Time
Weather: Somewhat hazy, warm, not humid
Ah, Louisiana. With all of your fried chicken, Miller High Life deals, Po-boys, and ATM fees I cannot even begin to mention my gratitude. Really though, a man here told me he had only eaten kale once, and being vegan in this city must only happen to those who really do not want to have the pleasures of the fine delicacies here. This all being said: my hometown of Los Angeles is but a fade in my memory at this moment of life. A month here in New Orleans has been but a blessing in disguise- living here a continuous learning experience. The things that use to have precedence in my life are still here, but my thoughts are consumed by new opportunities ahead and how to hopefully be able to live out of a backpack. At home I have so many possessions, so many material items, but none of that really matters. We can be fashionable anywhere we go, but it does not define the experience we may have. This has been my latest lesson as I pack up and get ready to leave this city. When beginning this journey I brought a huge rolling bag, and now am downsizing to a travelers backpack hoping to make my way back to Europe. The greatest thing I have found though is that along my journey thus far, I have had connections almost everywhere I have gone. Starting this next step I will be headed up the east coast-intending to reach NYC- where I will be greeted by friend's family and my own. I no longer need to carry with me the objects that make me feel comfortable, I need to carry with me those items that are essential. Alongside this there is also the internal projection- where what we really need to be concerned with is that which sustains us. The positive thoughts, living food, adequate rest, and good vibrational people. All the other bullshit can go bury itself in the above ground cemeteries of New Orleans.
Seriously though, I came to this town first to learn from someone very close to me. And let me tell you, it has not been easy. First- I have never lived anywhere but home, let alone with someone other than my father. Second- I shower too much and use too much toilet paper. Third- I love love. Fourth- Creative expression is worth more to the well-being of the soul than a corporate job. We all need to develop our own art to make OUR lives worthwhile, to make them of value (other than a 401K and retirement fund). Fifth- Meditation is key, perhaps even more than any form of physical exercise. Sixth- Juice cleanses make you feel emotion, feel your body, and colon cleanses are kind of freaky. Seventh- We must remember to keep our egos in check.
These seven statements or marks of human existence have enlightened my soul; have helped me to blossom in a new fashion that I didn't know resided within me. I am more than thankful for this and am ready to keep moving.
The people we meet in life are more than just a number in our smartphones, they are a sum of millions of cells working towards helping one another. All we have to do is be open.
And here lies a spewing of non-essential, peculiar trails of thoughts. Hope you've enjoyed. Hope you can figure it all out for me... in that metaphorical kind of way.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Morning Times
Time- 7:53 AM
Place- Treme Coffee Shop
Consciousness- Not hungover
Yep, awake early this morning here in New Orleans. In fact, awake before 7 AM. Who knows why, but it feels damn good. Something about the mornings that have always resonated with me. Some people are night owls and thrive during those late hours.. As for me I have always been a person who has the most energy right after the sun gets over the horizon. Good for all those morning shifts in past jobs I suppose. Here in NOLA this is a time during the day when people are still fast asleep after a long night partying down Frenchmen St. or through the Quarter.
Let's be honest though, the real reason I am awake is that I have never been a Friday party person. For some reason it is always the night that I stay in, maybe because I know everyone else will be out? It is the time I reflect on my week-relax and gather energy for the rest of the weekend to come. Today I will again be volunteering at the Hollygrove Market. Here they grow a lot of their own produce, home-deliver boxes, and provide local items to sell for those that walk in. This work has been all that has consisted during my time away from home... which is about a month now. I have been trying to slow down and realize that life is not just about work and making money, that we have to enjoy ourselves every so often and just live. Like I've said before people here are great at just living-being. And with the extra time I have given myself I have read one book, started another, organized itunes, started a podcast, partied, and made the best of friends.
Though while being here I have learned how one can simply fall back into the ways that they know best. For myself I am usually very structured in my days and while this has not been the case consistently here, I have found in myself what I remember back in Los Angeles. That little consistency that will always remain within us. But I want to make some things clear. People told me, you won't find yourself somewhere else if you can't find yourself here and I don't agree with that. Granted a place cannot make you who you are, but the people and the experiences you have will. The psych major in me kept thinking that once I understood myself more and got inside my head that I would have a clearer picture, but I got caught up in trying to find that rather than living. Instead, by living and actually DOING the things I want I will get where I need to go. We all have to stop getting caught up in what we think and just jump in. We lose time thinking about what the consequences will be, we waste time worrying. Let go of the anxiety and the future and live for the moment. Therein lies the passion and the purpose of life.
Place- Treme Coffee Shop
Consciousness- Not hungover
Yep, awake early this morning here in New Orleans. In fact, awake before 7 AM. Who knows why, but it feels damn good. Something about the mornings that have always resonated with me. Some people are night owls and thrive during those late hours.. As for me I have always been a person who has the most energy right after the sun gets over the horizon. Good for all those morning shifts in past jobs I suppose. Here in NOLA this is a time during the day when people are still fast asleep after a long night partying down Frenchmen St. or through the Quarter.
Let's be honest though, the real reason I am awake is that I have never been a Friday party person. For some reason it is always the night that I stay in, maybe because I know everyone else will be out? It is the time I reflect on my week-relax and gather energy for the rest of the weekend to come. Today I will again be volunteering at the Hollygrove Market. Here they grow a lot of their own produce, home-deliver boxes, and provide local items to sell for those that walk in. This work has been all that has consisted during my time away from home... which is about a month now. I have been trying to slow down and realize that life is not just about work and making money, that we have to enjoy ourselves every so often and just live. Like I've said before people here are great at just living-being. And with the extra time I have given myself I have read one book, started another, organized itunes, started a podcast, partied, and made the best of friends.
Though while being here I have learned how one can simply fall back into the ways that they know best. For myself I am usually very structured in my days and while this has not been the case consistently here, I have found in myself what I remember back in Los Angeles. That little consistency that will always remain within us. But I want to make some things clear. People told me, you won't find yourself somewhere else if you can't find yourself here and I don't agree with that. Granted a place cannot make you who you are, but the people and the experiences you have will. The psych major in me kept thinking that once I understood myself more and got inside my head that I would have a clearer picture, but I got caught up in trying to find that rather than living. Instead, by living and actually DOING the things I want I will get where I need to go. We all have to stop getting caught up in what we think and just jump in. We lose time thinking about what the consequences will be, we waste time worrying. Let go of the anxiety and the future and live for the moment. Therein lies the passion and the purpose of life.
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