In the past year (ok…more like year and a half) since my last post, my brother has put out a new CD entitled Everyone Meet Here, the follow up to his June 2010 release of Love, With Questions. It’s a fantastic batch of songs and features some guest vocals like his partner Taryn Sprenkle who co-wrote the fun track “Zombietown” & our mother, Lynda Terry doing harmony on “Song For Next Autumn” — both songs and more can be heard at www.nathanveshecco.com Please check it out!
It’s giving me a great deal of inspiration right now…
Every Warrior of the Light has felt afraid of going into battle.
Every Warrior of the Light has, at some time in the past, lied or betrayed someone.
Every Warrior of the Light has trodden a path that was not his.
Every Warrior of the Light has suffered for the most trivial of reasons.
Every Warrior of the Light has, at least once, believed he was not a Warrior of the Light.
Every Warrior of the Light has failed in his spiritual duties.
Every Warrior of the Light has said ‘yes’ when he wanted to say ‘no.’
Every Warrior of the Light has hurt someone he loved.
That is why he is a Warrior of the Light, because he has been through all this and yet has never lost hope of being better than he is.
– by Paulo Coehlo
Well. Let’s see…since the last time I posted summer officially began…not Summer Solstice-type official…more like “School’s out for summer”-type official. You know it’s summer when a new Katy Perry song hits #1 on Billboard. I tried so hard to not like this freakin song but UGH!! I can’t resist. No matter how much I try to deny it, I am such a sucker for catchy pop songs! Unless of course it’s Ke$ha.
Let’s have a song break, shall we?
I’ve been busy doing publicity for my brother’s new album Love, With Questions…plus booking him shows all over the place. It’s been so rewarding and fun even though I spend more time in front of the computer than I normally would which…well let’s face it…I’m no spring chicken anymore. Needless to say, when I get up from the chair I swear I hear my bones creak. Is that supposed to happen at 39? I was hoping not til 70 at the earliest. I told my husband to call the nursing home…tell them I’m on my way.
My “state of mind” is another story. I think I’m still 25. Maybe there’s (a bit) more maturity & wisdom than my quarter-of-a-century self but that general sense of “I have all the time in the world” still exists. I still talk like a valley girl truck driver, squeal over cute boys, and turn the music up in my car — sometimes forgetting there’s an infant in the back until my other kids are like “Turn it down mom, GAWD!” Oops! And there’s still that little voice that creeps in and says “I’m going out tonite! AND I’m getting shitfaced!” even though I’m usually in bed reading by 11…sometimes 10. It’s the thought that counts right?
Anyway…going back to the start of this program. I’m not a web designer by any means…a CSS stylesheet looks like a ridiculous Calculus equation to me…but I put together Nathan’s website as well and I’m happy to report…it’s not ugly! There are a couple things that need tweaked but it will take someone really good at math to deal with it because this chick has no clue. You can see the fruits of my labor here and if you are a html person please comment so I can pick your brain about some things *wink wink*
Happy Summer (officially) on Monday, June 21st!
In the spirit of this book and movie coming out later this summer, I had decided awhile back that I would write a blog about Eat Pray Love. My idea was if I had the opportunity to spend long periods of time in three different physical locations on a journey of self-discovery…where would I go? I put it aside for a few weeks but then this morning, in the shower, I was thinking about this idea again and *cue french horns* I had an epiphany! The three locations came to me and I couldn’t wait to start writing about them. I decided that I would space things out a bit so that I could spend more time with each location explaining why those places call to me…plus it gives me an excuse for my tendency to slack on the blogging 😉 So without further adieu…
Eat (& Drink). New York, NY.
I can hear some of you that know me saying “well that’s predictable” and you are absolutely right! I could have opted to take the same path as Elizabeth Gilbert and head to Italy to stuff my face with fresh pasta, tangy aromatic sauces, warm oven-fresh bread dipped in creamy garlic butter, and decadent desserts but then you would call me a copy cat. Besides, I’m pretty sure I’ve just gained 10 lbs. thinking about that food so I’m opting for a different place without packing on any more unwanted pounds. NYC is one of my favorite places on the planet and I had a conversation with her long ago that said “I know I don’t live here but can I be an honorary resident?” NYC opened her arms and replied “no problem, K.” cuz she’s cool like that. Each place is significant as much for the atmosphere and company I keep, as it is for the food. It’s more about the dining experience …
Hudson Hotel 358 W. 58th
Very trendy. In fact so trendy, I remember one time there was a velvet rope outside the hotel which kinda wreaked havoc on anyone who was actually staying there and just wanted to drag her drunk ass up to her room instead of dealing with a large crowd waiting for their turn at hipster heaven. But I digress. We’re talking food & drink right? Hudson Cafeteria’s all wood interior has several fireplaces and long communal tables much like the dining hall in Harry Potter’s Hogwarts school. However, there are several other tables for two or four as well with the kitchen right smack in the middle of it all. A few of my favorite menu items are the Baked Macaroni & Cheese with a garlic herb crust, Peeky Toe Crab Cakes with fresh herb salad, and the Baked Ziti with fresh mozzarella and a vodka marinara. I hear they are re-concepting the Cafeteria so it’s not in operation at the moment. I am excited to see what they turn it into!
Just off the Cafeteria is Private Park, Hudson’s own little version of Central Park under a glass roof where you can enjoy a bottle of wine and light fare. The best time to go is later in the evening for a nightcap when you can sit on a large bed with tons of pillows and hundreds of candles flickering to the downtempo groove. If a livelier crowd is your thing check out Hudson Bar where painted angels on the ceiling watch over the nights escapades. To add to the celestial atmosphere, the floor is illuminated from underneath and all the furniture reflects different shades of yellow and gold. If people watching is your thing this is a great place to do it. There a little nook right off the bar and overlooks the lobby and elevators. You see a lot of interesting stuff hanging out in that spot, trust me.
Hudson Bar
Private Park
Hudson Hotel – Lobby
Kira Lugo 