1
Forgiveness vs. Permission
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Restaurants | Tags: Chaya Venice | April 1st, 2011
There is a young boy here on Venice Beach who skateboards around after school trying to sell jewelry to raise money for his parents. It’s cheap Chinese crap and the family supposedly lives in a garage.
To the homeless I know, they think it’s great the family has a toilet. To the professionals I know, they think it’s a sad situation.
I prefer to give him dinner and advice versus buying his crappy jewelry. Giving him food is about my maternal side and giving him advice is me teaching him how to fish versus handing him fish. So today I shared with him my tenet how it is better to ask forgiveness than permission. It came about as other grown women in my party were sheepishly standing around wondering whether we could do this or whether we could do that. I have no tolerance for indecision – make a choice and let the chips fall where they may.
Wouldn’t you know making that statement caused a fuss with those around me? They argued with me how that’s disrespectful, impolite, etc., and told the skateboarding kid not to listen to me. HHHmmm, ok, don’t listen to the most successful one in the crowd? Those around me were in less than positions in life striving to supposedly be better. I was incredulous – they see I am happy, successful, caring, giving and more yet choose not to listen on ways they might be able to improve themselves - so I shut up. Wasn’t even worth it to engage. There is another tenet – heed advice only from those more successful than in whatever field it is you desire to succeed – be it a relationship, a job, a business, a sport, etc. etc.
As if…
We were out supposedly celebrating this one girl’s birthday and instead of fun, the entire gathering was one negative thought after another. One girl had her car stolen last week because she was so drunk the keys “disappeared” and then another was dating a guy sober for 6 months who lost it one morning, got violent with her and then tried to slash her tires. The conversation was all such a drag and downer, I chose not to eat with them. There’s another – only share meals with good natured people (think that one’s from the Bible). To have dined around such negativity would have definitely caused me an upset stomach so I left as soon as I could and wandered around until I stumbled onto Chaya Venice - my first time there.
It had been recommended to me by some foodies and I was not disappointed. They have a happy hour menu all night long which has some great choices. I tried the truffle oil macaroni & cheese and sushi all for a mere $13.17. The peace and quiet of my own aura and presence was priceless.
27
Urth Caffe & the block on Melrose
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Restaurants | Tags: Bodhi Tree Bookstore, J. Gerard (3), Urth Caffe | March 27th, 2011
I found Urth Caffe on Melrose years before the block became popular. Even though it was walking distance to the Pacific Design Center, it seemed like miles away from civilization.
It was such a treat to shop at the Bodhi Tree Bookstore, which gives you a spiritual high and tranquil feeling the moment you step through the entrance, then walk next door to enjoy an iced vanilla soy latte at Urth Caffe. Back then there was also a cool store across the street selling those color liquid thingys that balanced your aura – can’t think of what the line is called right now but it’s from England. With time, an organic tea shop with a very Zen vibe opened across the street, and the block maintained it’s low key, hippie chic vibe for years. It was always a joy to visit.
Nowawadays, all that has completely changed and the block is a center to see and be seen. You almost feel as if you need to put on armor to visit as you will be stared at from head to toe.
At Urth, you can barely place an order or find a table as it’s so jammed pack with people craning their necks to figure out “who is who”, so I only try to hit it at off hours now. The do have another location on Main Street in Santa Monica but I don’t care for it as much. The liquid colored aura place is gone as is the tea shop. A huge outpost of Kitson (I like the original on Robertson) is now on one corner and the Bodhi Tree will be closing this summer.
Once that closes, about the only reason I will visit what was once my favorite block will be for J. Gerard’s Peace Gallery, a wonderful Rock ‘n Roll clothing store offering peace, love & haute couture. I went the other day and was introduced to a yogi photographer from Europe. Kind of an interesting guy but not after he’s been blowing up my phone constantly calling…yet doesn’t believe in texting. Photographers are creepy to me for some reason anyhow. That whole…”oh, I’d love to take photos of you…”, yeah, which could be hot in the right situation though.
27
Eating in Hollywood to feeding the Homeless
Filed under: Homeless Population, Miscellaneous, Restaurants | Tags: Ago, J. Gerard (3), Trashy Lingerie | March 27th, 2011
I can emphatically say I am the only person in Los Angeles this evening who bought bras at Trashy Lingerie, ate at an uber-chic West Hollywood restaurant, attended a high brow Hollywood Rock ‘n Roll party, and then came home to Venice Beach to feed the homeless.
It’s damn hard having big boobs and finding sexy bras. So, thank God there are stores like Trashy Lingerie which specialize in such a dilemna. You have to pay a membership to enter the store – a breathtaking $2 – which will give you access to a vast collection of pretty much anything you’d find Hef’s Girls Next Door wearing. We hit it on an off hour so it was lovely to meet the owners – an older woman and her son – which was a really nice complement to the crotchless panties. If you don’t see what you like there, you can have a bra made in about a week’s time at no extra cost – the option I chose for the majority of my pink bra purchases.
Then, dinner at Ago was over the top in terms of food. Every little morsel is what one hopes to find on their search of stunning restaurants. The wait staff wasn’t completely 5 star, which is typical in Los Angeles with the exception of the Bel-Air Hotel, but everything else fabulous. The maitre’d couldn’t have been more welcoming and enchanting and the ambience was lovely. True Los Angeles chicness and style. A-List all the way.
The woman sitting to the left started talking to us and gave a rather depressing account of her Los Angeles. Even though she owned a high powered business and moved here from Chicago, she thought the benefit of living in L.A. was all about having access to the “services” a woman needs (i.e., facials, hair, nails) in order to catch a man. WTF?! To catch a man? Honey, you’ve got a killer business. How about the man coming to catch you? Think about that for a moment…how did our society shift so damn much that a woman feels the need to capture the attention of a man instead of knowing she is a prize to be treasured and that a man would be lucky to have her and will find her – Brazilian blow out or no Brazilian blow out – not the other way around…geez! Then I overheard her on the phone coaching her friend on what was supposed to happen on Date #5 with the man she was seeing. I rolled my eyes and was grateful to not have ever participated in that kind of world.
Onto Hollywood party. Totally cool. Totally chic. People doing interesting, creative things – art, fashion, photography, movies, rockers, etc. Not much more to be said. Great wine. Great conversation. Fabulous clothes. Got a cool lead for a service business I’ve been searching for in order to expand my internet offerings. Really good lead and someone great to do business with as a nice person.
Even though the entire night was interesting, it turned poignant returning home to Venice Beach to my homeless friend Jan asking for something to eat. She never, ever does this so I knew it had to have been bad for her to ask. I happened to be carrying a bag of groceries purchased from Whole Foods earlier so I rummaged through all the raw, organic, bunny food in the bag to try and find something substantial for her. There wasn’t much to choose from so we agreed rice cakes with tamari and seawood would suffice.
These extremes are why I have always loved Los Angeles. It fits my extreme personality. I love doing high brow things one minute and then being a complete hippie at the beach the next. To contrast the excess of fine dining to coming home to a human being who truly needs something to eat in order to stay alive is sobering and makes me appreciate being able to create for myself and those around me all the more.
21
Elvis sings L.A. Woman by the Doors
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Rock & Roll | Tags: Jennifer Jason Leigh | March 21st, 2011
Oh boy do I love Venice. Sure, I loved it the first time around but for different reasons. Ten years ago it was about my personal spiritual unfoldment. Learning to live life a different way – to break out of the corporate rat race and live more holistically in terms of eating, exercise and meditation. That’s also when I got into yoga big time and became a yoga teacher – now I can barely get myself on a mat from being so burnt out from yoga.
This time around its about finding a balance between work and play. And now that I work so damn hard, Venice is the perfect place to play equally as hard. I am also connecting with people who love it for the same reasons – its quirkiness, its intricacies, its ambiance and its grittiness.
Funnily, last night I went to a chi-chi place in Santa Monica as I was craving a Saint Germain cocktail. The couple next to me hated Venice – hated the grittiness and “low life” living yet here we were at the bar connecting about world travel, being business owners and having test driven Maseratis. When I left them at the bar, my walk home to Venice had me right in the center of the grittiness which I personally love.
Today was a perfect example of why I love the contrast - I was closing a deal that had been in the works for weeks with a multi-million dollar COO of a major American company. Walking into the streets filled with the homeless huddling under awnings to stay out of the rain kept things real for me and in perspective. Being a business owner and only going to the chi-chi places can very easily keep one in a bubble. Personally, having the contrast in my face really suits me and actually propels me to keep doing what I do.
Today was rainy and miserable and the only real reason I went out after the deal closed around 4pm was because I was going stir crazy. What a delight it was to learn an Elvis impersonator was playing at the Venice Bistro! He was absolutely excellent…a real treat and a joy. He started out in black leather and then changed into the white suit seen below. Along with playing the typical Elvis songs, which were all incredible, he also broke out into playing the Doors classic “L.A. Woman.” I’m telling you, this guy absolutely rocked!
Not many people were out and about due to the torrential rain but it was a fabulous crowd. I met a couple guys who moved here from Chicago for the same reasons as me (a balance between work and play & quality of life) and it was totally awesome to connect on mutual ground. Eric happens to be in a business I needed a contact in – serendipity at play for sure! And Timmy told me about the Rose Bowl Flea Market – supposedly the biggest and best in the country – and he’s taking me there in April. Seriously nice guys from the Heatland of America.
Timmy is a master carpenter (just like Jesus – LOL!) and has built several dog houses for the “Rich & Famous.” It started as he was house sitting for friends in Glendale and their cat became his only friend in L.A. To pay homage to his new BFF, he built the cat a cathouse and a neighbor was awed upon seeing it. Somehow, Jennifer Jason Leigh got wind of his talents and she hired him to not only build her a custom dog house but also to create an organic vegetable garden in her yard. These are the kinds of stories I find fascinating here in Los Angeles.
Elvis in the background, good conversation, friendly people, a couple of drinks…now that’s a great rainy Sunday afternoon here in Venice Beach!
19
Ex-boyfriends & Dicks like Jesus
Filed under: Miscellaneous | Tags: 4 hour work week, Dicks Like Jesus | March 19th, 2011
Why do some exes disappear into the sunset never to be heard from again while others insist on staying around? Good question, right?
This has been a week of ex-boyfriends though also the week of a new, very cute flirtation too. It’s always a sweet surprise how when you least expect it, someone can capture your attention in a heartbeat. And, especially when you are walking around in sweats doing your own thing. Anyway…onto the ex-boyfriend topic.
Connecticut ex-boyfriend is completely current in my life. This is the guy who was really buzzing around my prior to move to Venice. I decided not to go there sexually with him and then seemingly in an instant, he became a trusted BFF. Now, he is not only going to work for me, but also thinks my company brand is “genius” and “perfect” and wants me to consider the possibility of him becoming a partner in this specific company down the line.
Geez, over the years, I wanted so bad for any boyfriend to launch a business with me. That didn’t happen and I started a bunch of businesses on my own instead. Now, that a partner is not relevant to any of these ventures, here comes my ex wanting to be my partner! Typical…why is it when you don’t want things, they come to you?
I actually welcome this. It would feel nice to have someone by my side in this venture – really nice. I also got a big hit of appreciation for him prior to this conversation. I hated on him for years for not being there for me during my financial tsunami. In retrospect, however, he gave me great gifts I only now recognize. He would bring me various books to read and one in particular, The 4 Hour Work Week, finally helped me see the brilliance in passive income and was the impetus for me to really start a new business venture that had been brewing in my mind for quite some time. So, he didn’t give me fish when I needed fish (though I don’t eat fish 
), but he taught me to fish instead, which is huge, and I thank him for that.
Then we go on to the song now playing…Dicks Like Jesus by Mickey Avalon. My ex with a Dick Like Jesus is the reason I moved from San Francisco to Los Angeles (to run away from him) and is also the reason I stayed out of the state for over a year. Thanks to him I once drove down the coastline of California alone crying so hard the voluminous tears prevented me from seeing out the windshield. So, who has been in both my mind and in my dreams this week? You guessed it…fuuuuuck meeeeeee….
Of course these thoughts led me to look up his band on youtube…of course. And what do I see? That amazing light filled being sharing his energy, enthusiasm and positivity while singing up on stage – the person he was when we met. Why? Why did I need to see that instead of the negative drug-clouded jack ass he had become during the last times we saw each other.
I do know it’s a fact when someone is in your mind, you are definitely in theirs too. Even though he had no clue I was back on the West Coast, I am sure he sensed something. Oh man, I am definitely Marin dreaming at the moment – not that I want to get back together or anything or even interact with that Dick Like Jesus ever again…it’s actually too big. But, he now knows I am living here again – I couldn’t resist it any longer. The same words he said to me when he contacted me last.
Need to flirt some more with the cute guy here to help me stay put in Venice Beach and prevent any entanglements with Jesus up in San Francisco.
13
African Feather Headdress **Special Buy**
Filed under: Stuff for Sale | Tags: African feather headdress | March 13th, 2011
Oh, we are so excited to have found a new supplier for the African Feather Headdress we offer for sale. So excited! Because we can offer them at $100 less than found most anywhere around. Adn, in more colors. Here is purple below and we also have white, orange and red available for purchase.
Cost is $295 with free shipping in the U.S. through 3/31/11. International shipping quotes available and fairly reasonable.
13
In love with Doug
Filed under: Moving Back, Restaurants | Tags: Venice Ale House (3) | March 13th, 2011
Seriously, this week I have met at least one man a day. Most days, I have met or been dallying with two men a day. Sure, I am amused, enthralled and occupied, but there really isn’t any “connection” with any of them, which is critical to me. I’m the kind of person who knows right from the start; I have a sixth sense and intuit immediately whether or not there is something deeper. In the past, I have chosen not even to engage with these types of men (“filler”) preferring to focus on work or do my own thing instead. But, I am now in a period where I simply want to have FUN, so it’s totally o.k. to me to flit about with these lads.
Sex with “filler”? Now that’s a different story and I probably won’t go there. That is like craving a fine Austrian chocolate tarte and only having the option of a McDonald’s brownie. That line I will not cross – in my dining options or in my men. It’s interesting how most of my deep, self reflective male friends feel the same way too – they just find no fun in random sex without a deeper connection present. Oh, and forget about a blow job – ick! Only if I really dig they guy.
Well, today this all changed and I fell in love! A French Israeli financier was trying to pick me up and get my phone number outside the Venice Ale House , where I spent most of the day eating and drinking with friends. The food is actually very good with the portobello burger being a standout along with the sweet potatoe fries and the wine selection. And, if you are into beer, the sampler served on a skate board is really cool.
As an aside, over wine, my girlfriend confessed if she were at all “bi” she would make a move because she saw me in my tittie top the day after New Year’s when she came to my hotel room to pick up something she lost (while this guy was in my bed) and thought I looked beyond hot. Her lezzie confession (thanks Black Swan) was made in between being kissed by this male singer she recently met. This singer dude happens to be a super awesome guy with a really beautiful voice so I didn’t mind our conversation being interuppted one bit. I am happy she met a nice guy! I heard him sing on the boardwalk two days ago and told him how amazing his voice was and what great energy he had too – neither being attracted to him nor knowing he was sweet on my friend.
Anyway, Israeli dude was trying to program my number into his phone and I was already having premonitions in my mind of where this would lead to, i.e., yet another guy I will go out with half interested in, pawing at me, yadda yadda, when I spotted Doug, FELL IN LOVE and ran directly over to him screaming!
Isn’t he the cutest, sweetest thing?! He is Pug AND Pekingese. I never knew such a mix existed. He’s got cute little Pekingese legs that you just want to mush. I LOVED him and he LOVED me. I swear to God, I had waaaaayyy more connection and interest in Doug than any of this week’s men. He was kissing me and I was kissing him. It was so awesome and I was so sad to leave Doug. When I turned around Israeli dude was gone and though I’m sure we will go out and have wine, a nice dinner and whatever, I’ll be completely dreaming of Doug and wishing I was mushing him in my bed.
13
Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills to Rapists in Venice Beach
Filed under: Homeless Population, Moving Back | Tags: Beverly Hills Hotel (2), Polo Lounge, Venice Bistro (2) | March 13th, 2011
Ok, as mentioned previously, I started the week in Beverly Hills celebrating with $30 glasses of pink champagne at the Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Oh, I need to find the picture of me standing out front when #3/3 of the D.C. 3 took me there for my 25th birthday.
I love it there though I don’t think I mentioned the hostess this week treated me like I was in the movie Pretty Woman…it was so silly.
When I had less money in my 20′s, I would dress more approproately to make it look like I fit in when I went to these types of places. Now that I’ve had money, lost money and have it again – I simply don’t give a shit and look how I want, when I want, where I want…so the little hostess had a little problem with me being in jean shorts and a tittie top. No matter, I complained to the management.
Then the week ended with me championing for the homeless and encountering a rapist down at Venice Beach. My friend Joanne, who happens to be homeless, accidentally knocked over a glass of beer at the Venice Bistro. At any other locale, with any other set of friends, we would go to the bartender and get another glass on the house because it was an accident. No, not here and not because she and her boyfriend are homeless. They were actually asked to leave!
I called over the waitress and demanded to know why. She actually tried to ignore me but I kept on demanding (well, asking nicely) until I got an answer. She claimed Joanne and her boyfriend had a complaint against them earlier in the evening and this was the tipping point. I can’t speak to any complaint but I saw the beer knocking was completely an accident. That would not happen to someone with money. Hell, my dad once pulled a table cloth out from under a long table full of plates at a 5 star restaurant…he wasn’t banned. He just paid for it all and they wondered when he’d be back! When this stuff happens around here, which is quite alot, it really makes me sad how the homeless are treated with less respect than those with money.
Anyway, we went next door to the Candle Cafe, a place I’ve never been attracted to, and encountered a rapist! He came up and asked Joanne for a cigarette. I didn’t like him from the start and then she said he has actually been in jail for rape and now that he’s seen me, I needed someone to walk me home. Fuck! I’ve been to the world’s danger zones, walked many a dark alley in many a strange city at night yet have never had to be walked home…ever! And, I welcomed it too! That is so gross – to have actually met a nasty, dirty sneaky rapist – ick!
8
I Love L.A.
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Restaurants | Tags: Beverly Hills Hotel (2) | March 8th, 2011
I loved L.A. ever since the first time I landed here & took a limo drive around during my layover. At that point I was a senior in college visiting my friend Linda in San Francisco, which I found magical itself. On that trip I met one of the D.C. 3 actually…funny to think of that now (see post from a couple days ago). L.A. held a special charm to me though even though I ended up moving to S.F. after college. Still can’t believe I stayed there about 7 years before moving to L.A. the first time. Sure, I took frequent trips down here all the time and even would get my hair done down here – no one does blondes like they do in L.A.!
A place that has been special to me from that very first trip has been the Beverly Hills Hotel - the pink gem on Sunset. Each and every time I pull up the driveway, I can take a breathe, relax and feel as someone maternal has wrapped their arms around me…for real. 5 Star hotels totally do that for me and especially this one…lol!
Desperately needed some pink champagne to celebrate yesterday and decided this was the place to do it – the Polo Lounge - one of the best places to celebrate. I’ll write more on this later but everything about the Hotel and their various restaurants are phenomenal beyond words. I am so happy to be “home” once again. So, so happy.
7
Un-worthy of Love
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Restaurants | Tags: Butter Nail Care London, Cloris Leachman, Huntley Hotel Santa Monica, The Penthouse | March 7th, 2011
I went to college in D.C. and hadn’t been back there ever since until I drove through about three weeks ago en route to Florida from NYC. Booda and I rolled into town fairly early so I was able to take a little diversion off i-95 through my old neighborhoods – Old Town Alexandria, Foggy Bottom and Georgetown and to be a tourist at the White House and Watergate – it was fun!. And it totally sparked all these dormant memories. Isn’t it odd how memories can get stored so deeply as if they don’t exist and then pop up in a second?
Well, I remembered D.C. was the site where my major boyfriends started. A trio, one after another, of successful men – a future Silicon Valley Excutive, a neurologist and then an Author/Entrepreneur. Each of them was smitten beyond belief with me and each one wanted to get married. I spent about 12 years of my life in one relationship after another with this trio. It was me who ended each because I simply didn’t love them enough to get married. Sure, it was “normal” love. Normal love any other girl would embrace in a heartbeat and get married. But I always knew there was some kind of crazy ass, romantic, deep seeded spiritual love existing for me that expands beyond time and space…TRUE LOVE…not just “normal” love, which would likely end in divorce. Hence, my eventual rejection of each.
After this 12 year period, I unconsciously deemed myself of being Un-worthy of Love. After all, how would any sane woman turn away 3 Prince
Charmings as if they were solicitors at your doorstep? Therefore, I put myself on a “Love Lockdown” for the following 12 years or so. Yes, I was in relationships during this time, but not with available men or men who treated me like the D.C. 3 did. Looking back at it now, I find it all so stupid. Why in the world would I self-sabotage myself like that? What a sensitive, stupid fool I was.
Around lunchtime, Booda and I rolled out of D.C. and I consciously left all that nonsense in the Beltway. Onwards and upwards to greater things and no more self imposed silliness, I thought to myself.
Funnily, I never, ever meet people from D.C. but there were two ladies sitting next to us at the bar at the Penthouse of the Huntley Hotel last Friday from there. BTW, that spot is phenomenal. My mouth does not drop very often, but it did all the way in the front door up to the Penthouse and even to the bathroom which has a floor to ceiling view of the Santa Monica beach & ocean. Everything about this place is spot on. I even found a new brand of organic nail care from London in the lobby giftshop called Butter. And, check out the potatoe appetizer – this place is one of my new FAVES! There was an older woman sitting near the elevator when we left and it turned out my friend knew her as they had been to traffic school together and he drove her home a couple times. She was hilarious and friendly and it was Cloris Leachman!