Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
Glitter & Alchemy
Stone of amethyst
twinkle of night
smoke of the embers
fires burn bright
A shimmering dark
and magickal brew
as leaves do fall
so too will you
Say it thrice
cast the circle round
the wheel does turn
the spell is bound
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
A Lesson in Gratitude
I just came home from work to my own room for the first time in 3 months. A temporary room that is, but it's my own space for the month, a place where I can shut the door and be alone, take a nap, read, or just...be. I've adapted to the nomadic life, but my brain has been feeling quite crowded lately in the city that never sleeps.
I'm not gonna lie. Shit has been hard lately. I'm in a little bit of survival mode, and I'm being tested for sure. I've been stocking full-time at this local dinnerware retailer while hunting for bigger and better jobs. Even though I've adjusted to it, the work itself is pretty draining, lifting heavy boxes and plates and running up and down stairs all day long, plus a bit of micromanaging just for fun. Until recently I was hanging onto my part-time coffee shop job by doing doubles on one of my days off. So 53 hours a week, lots of physical work, and one day off, to set the scene. Last week, I managed to get laid off from the cafe, lost my wallet on the subway, lost my iPhone in a cab, and was notified that I didn't get the NYU job I'd been waiting two weeks to hear about. I had my fair share of tears, harsh words, and restraining myself from walking out the door of a job I couldn't stand.
And yet, here I am. I'm alive and healthy and growing stronger by the minute. Amazingly enough, all of this hardship led to some pretty intense spiritual encounters, and I found myself, maybe for the first time in my life, truly understanding and feeling with every fiber of my being what it means to be grateful for what I do have. Staying here and leaving Austin for a bit was a complete leap of faith for me, but as I've remained as open as possible, people and situations come together to aid me. I have THE most amazing family and friends, both in Austin and NYC, without whom this experience would never have been possible. On the day when things seemed the worst and I wasn't sure how much more I could take, I ended up crying happy tears in the bathroom at work, thanking the universe for the opportunity to experience all of this and to have so much love and support surrounding me. I've never felt anything like that before, but I know it opened up a window in my spirit, and it's been easier to keep my chin up since then.
My sister thinks this string of obstacles is a sign I should return home. I am coming back to Austin, but the experience is not complete. I'm cookie dough, still baking in the oven. As hard as it's been at times, I know in my heart that everything happening here is benefiting me. These three months have felt like six, and already I feel myself changing into the person I've long known I'm supposed to be. I'm gaining a whole new perspective on what's important in my life, and I can't wait to see my home through new eyes.
To quote (yet again) Eat Pray Love,
"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, as long as we have voices."
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone, you know who you are.
I'm not gonna lie. Shit has been hard lately. I'm in a little bit of survival mode, and I'm being tested for sure. I've been stocking full-time at this local dinnerware retailer while hunting for bigger and better jobs. Even though I've adjusted to it, the work itself is pretty draining, lifting heavy boxes and plates and running up and down stairs all day long, plus a bit of micromanaging just for fun. Until recently I was hanging onto my part-time coffee shop job by doing doubles on one of my days off. So 53 hours a week, lots of physical work, and one day off, to set the scene. Last week, I managed to get laid off from the cafe, lost my wallet on the subway, lost my iPhone in a cab, and was notified that I didn't get the NYU job I'd been waiting two weeks to hear about. I had my fair share of tears, harsh words, and restraining myself from walking out the door of a job I couldn't stand.
And yet, here I am. I'm alive and healthy and growing stronger by the minute. Amazingly enough, all of this hardship led to some pretty intense spiritual encounters, and I found myself, maybe for the first time in my life, truly understanding and feeling with every fiber of my being what it means to be grateful for what I do have. Staying here and leaving Austin for a bit was a complete leap of faith for me, but as I've remained as open as possible, people and situations come together to aid me. I have THE most amazing family and friends, both in Austin and NYC, without whom this experience would never have been possible. On the day when things seemed the worst and I wasn't sure how much more I could take, I ended up crying happy tears in the bathroom at work, thanking the universe for the opportunity to experience all of this and to have so much love and support surrounding me. I've never felt anything like that before, but I know it opened up a window in my spirit, and it's been easier to keep my chin up since then.
My sister thinks this string of obstacles is a sign I should return home. I am coming back to Austin, but the experience is not complete. I'm cookie dough, still baking in the oven. As hard as it's been at times, I know in my heart that everything happening here is benefiting me. These three months have felt like six, and already I feel myself changing into the person I've long known I'm supposed to be. I'm gaining a whole new perspective on what's important in my life, and I can't wait to see my home through new eyes.
To quote (yet again) Eat Pray Love,
"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, as long as we have voices."
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone, you know who you are.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Burn This Mother Out!
Hey! Summer ain't over yet, sitch yo ass back down. I've been slaving away through these dog days, but you can't keep a good mix down. This is my first mix conceived and produced in New York City. And it's taking all the restraint I have to keep from busting out dancing on the subway right now. Fall is on the horizon, but first let these ladies get you wet with sweat. Before ya cool it down, we got ta burn it up!
As an added bonus, here's a little chestnut from a while back. I had planned a second volume for this summer, but alas I remained in NYC and am missing out on the sweltering, back porch summer experience. And believe me, I do miss it. So this one goes out to all those folks back home. Catch some lightning bugs, drink whisky out of mason jars, and raise a glass to the glory of summer. I am a country boy at heart, so I'll be back before you know it!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Picnic in the Summertime
Hey kids! I trust by now you are all enjoying the hot summer fun in the sun. Grab your blankets and baskets and enjoy my very first summer mix ever, from way back in 1997. It's got the best of my love, and it feels like you just got home!
Petropolis
Friday, July 9, 2010
Eat Pray Love
I finally finished it. I am contemplative and happy tonight. This book came to me at exactly the right moment and truly inspired me to change my life. Thank you to Elizabeth Gilbert for writing and sharing your journey with me!
"I also knew somehow that this respite of peace would be temporary. I knew that I was not yet finished for good, that my anger, my sadness, and my shame would all creep back eventually, escaping my heart, and occupying my head once more. I knew that I would have to keep dealing with these thoughts again and again until I slowly and determinedly changed my whole life. And that this would be difficult and exhausting to do. But my heart said to my mind in the dark silence of that beach: 'I love you, I will never leave you, I will always take care of you.' That promise floated up out of my heart and I caught it in my mouth and held it there, tasting it as I left the beach and walked back to the little shack where I was staying. I found an empty notebook, opened it up to the first page--and only then did I open my mouth and speak those words into the air, letting them free. I let those words break my silence and then I allowed my pencil to document their colossal statement onto the page:
'I love you, I will never leave you, I will always take care of you.'"
"I also knew somehow that this respite of peace would be temporary. I knew that I was not yet finished for good, that my anger, my sadness, and my shame would all creep back eventually, escaping my heart, and occupying my head once more. I knew that I would have to keep dealing with these thoughts again and again until I slowly and determinedly changed my whole life. And that this would be difficult and exhausting to do. But my heart said to my mind in the dark silence of that beach: 'I love you, I will never leave you, I will always take care of you.' That promise floated up out of my heart and I caught it in my mouth and held it there, tasting it as I left the beach and walked back to the little shack where I was staying. I found an empty notebook, opened it up to the first page--and only then did I open my mouth and speak those words into the air, letting them free. I let those words break my silence and then I allowed my pencil to document their colossal statement onto the page:
'I love you, I will never leave you, I will always take care of you.'"
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Summer Camp
Hey kids! By now summer is in full swing, and while I'm away at camp, I want you to enjoy some of the best jams. This was a package deal
I created a couple years back. I think of it as one for the campers, one for the counselors. Listen to Wet Hot on July 4th, you won't regret it. Now hand over that beer!
Petropolis
I created a couple years back. I think of it as one for the campers, one for the counselors. Listen to Wet Hot on July 4th, you won't regret it. Now hand over that beer!
Petropolis
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