Merry Christmas!!! Feliz Navidad!!! Joyeux Noel!!!



It does not matter what is beyond or at the very end of a rainbow... it's what's underneath that truly counts.
~Anne Macpherson 



Merry Christmas to all and to all a good day!! So here we are, another year and another Christmas. One gift I'm thankful for is our new wireless internet connection ~ requested by my Dad and hooked up by my brother-in-law. We Macphersons may actually be moving towards our second technological boom... where skyping happens on a regular basis and Annie blogs from her living room. The first happened when we bought a CD player. Let's just say... it's been a while.

Other than material gifts this year, I've had so many that came in all forms. I am enjoying the gift of health, and one of my friends who was on the verge of surgery miraculously improved. I also had a huge gift of creativity this year and received a deluge of love and support from family and friends. This blog has been another gift that continues to give me the writing satisfaction I so crave... plus the lovely "Publish Post" button that allows me instant gratification!!! Horray ;) In addition, it gave me a way of bench marking my life this year. Reflecting is one means I use for growth. Especially when I make a mistake or two... or 20,000.

Speaking of reflection... on a magical day this week when it was particularly rainy, a rainbow appeared in my backyard. I'm always amazed by the simplicity of the sun's light reflecting off the drops of rain that form a magnificent perfect multi-color halo. So when I look back on all of my moments, colors, and those little twists of fate this year ~ I see a rainbow ~ I see myself ~ I see all of you.

From our home to yours ~ Merry Christmas!

Feliz Cumpleanos to Me :)

So it's my birthday, December 18, and I'm now 29. One step closer to the big 3-0. You know what folks? I actually feel younger. It's a miracle! I can honestly say that because last year I felt pretty old. Depressed was more like it, and that can make you feel ancient at any age.

I pre-celebrated last night by going to a Vietnamese restaurant for the big cat fish fry. Say that three times fast. So you get this big fish on a giant platter...ain't he a beaut? And then some salads on the sides. Ok, they're really not salads. Just platters with all the fixins for your spring rolls your gonna make. I was chatting up a storm while preparing one of the rice wraps and didn't notice it was sticking to itself. It ended up looking like a used contraceptive. Icky, hilarious, and totally non-reusable.

After the fish fry, my girls and I went to Vin de Syrah in downtown. If you haven't been... GO! The coolest bar ever. The interior is done in the style of Alice in Wonderland meets Marry Poppins and Pirates of the Caribbean. I know right! Now you're Davy Jonesin to go ;)



Le, Bithday Gal, and Shirley

FYI - I LOVE ALICE. She's my favorite Disney character of all time, favorite movie of all time, ffavorite costume of all time. What I like about her is that she's not a princess. She's just a curious girl with a great sense of adventure. Alice has a strong sense of self and learns about her own power and ends up standing up to the tyrant of Wonderland.

Turns out I met the designer about a month or so back. He's a cool, down-to-earth very nice person, and did quite of few of San Diego's up-and-coming places like Analog (formerly Mr. Tiki's) and the Pearl Hotel. For the Alice in you... follow this white rabbit link ~ 

http://onairosdesign.com/#427172/Vin-De-Syrah



Become Unstuck ~ HOW?

Tonight I had a talk with a new friend. Sometimes, when we try to forget someone or move one... that's when it digs in even deeper. I've been there... in fact, I'm still there, and the sad thing is that I'm not alone. There are a ca-gillion of us who are stuck on someone.

I've been stuck for about seven months on a guy. It sucks ass!!! Some of my friends and readers out there have been stuck for that long if not longer. So what do you do? What can you do? I'm miserable and totally exhausted. Every day I fight myself on this and get no where. It's like I think I deserve to be lonely.

That's not entirely true. This year has just been one big change of focus. To see what mistakes I've been making in the past and try a new route. I want to know what is really me, really and truly my personality and not just insecurity, pride, and overcompensation.

The only thing I can do is promise myself that things will get better. That's the only thing that's gotten me this far. I was asked recently if I censor myself on my blog. Answer: YES! We all censor ourselves when we talk and write. Some people are better at telling the truth and not holding back. This post and song is for you! Thank you for making me stronger.

Art Connected

Art Connected ~ The name came from an e-mail I wrote to my friend, Marissa, in Romania at 8:00am. In my morning stooper, I mistyped. It happens to everyone with an iPhone, and a lot more often than we'd like I'm sure... but something about it made me keep it.

This is what I wrote to her:
I'm so excited that we're doing this together even though we're an ocean appart. It means so much to me that we art connected.

Ok, I meant 'are connected', but it turned out to be art instead. Horray for Freudian slips! I was, afterall, looking for a name for the art show I was putting on at my gym, Boulevard Fitness. At first, I was terrified to do a show because there were only 6 pieces from my collection and 4 from Impact Visual Arts. So in this big, wide space there were 10 total. Not enough I assure you with a yoga room, loft, and front reception areas to fill.

I put out the call to every artist and friend I knew. Miraculously, they started to come forward. One by one, and then 2 more and then finally there were 11 of us including  Marissa and my late Uncle Stan. With over 40 pieces of art, 3 vendors, the most delicious buffet, and a live musical guest... we were rockin'! All of this came from the artists and their friends.

Annie & Family

Thank you to all of my friends and readers who came! Even if you weren't able to make it (or I skipped you on the invite list SO SORRY)... the art is still up and we'll for sure have another event in the near future.

Dia de los Muertos

In celebration of the dead, Dia de los Muertos provided a joyous opportunity to honor and share my love for those who have passed. My dear friend, Juan, invited me to the procession from Sherman Heights to Chicano Park. What an experience! I started the evening by viewing the many altars at the Community Center in that same area. Each one was unique, made with devotion, and the purest intention of staying connected. Some had beer, snacks, and Chargers paraphanalia... just the little things that matched the personality and spirit departed.

I met up with Juan and we got our makeup done. Don't we look drop dead gorgeous!?!? We carried candles and paraded down the streets of the Barrio behind the large pick-up truck carrying the Aztec dancers and alongside the low riders. It was a MIX. The drumming would start, and then the hydraulics would go, and I would just start cracking up looking at this mish-mash of history and modernity.

At the park, we met up with more friends and watched the dancers form a circle and perform. Each dance had a different beat and set of movements, but many were similar and blended into the next one. I was told that they go for an hour straight, and that is part of the ritual. Whew... if you did this kind of dancing, you would be fit in no time! It requires stamina and lots of quad strength.

The crowd was invited to give an offering to the great alter in the center. I gave my candle. Before you set your offering, you are blessed and cleansed with incense. It smelt amazing, like a mellow pine flavor. So subtle and yummy. Reminded me a lot of copal, the incense that the Mayans used and still use today in Guatemala. I bought some on my trip in '07. I might have a few nuggets left even.

In reflection, my blog seems to be one continuous altar. It's a living, expanding connection to a life and a life lived ~ a writing alter. I like that idea! I just read that an alter is 'a place to grow the soul', and that's exactly how I feel about this blog. It has pictures, video, poetry and story. All it needs is a sugar skull, a few candles, some marigolds... and I'm set.

Bessos mi amigos! Here's to life and its great cycle!

Peace Hero

Last weekend I had the privilege of seeing Jane Goodall up in San Francisco. She's a beautiful, tranquil, and powerful woman. Everything you thought she is an more. Admittedly, I thought she had passed away. Wouldn't that be embarrassing? 'Hi Jane, you're amazing, but I thought you were dead.'

Nope! She's very much alive, strong and extremely active for a 76-year-old. She travels 300 days out of the year promoting her institute and youth program ~ Roots & Shoots. http://www.janegoodall.org/

How did I meet miss Jane? Well, I got involved with an amazing organization called Kids for Peace. Every year they select a special person to give their 'Peace Hero Award'. This year, Jane won. She was up against some stiff competition such as Dwayne Johnson (aka THE ROCK). http://www.kidsforpeaceglobal.org/

She spoke to the kids, the adults, and to all of our hearts. Her message is to stop wars. Not just wars with each other, but the war on the environment. That big war that we all need to be aware of. It's what causes disease in all walks of life and poisons the food chain that we are all part of.

I saw the documentary, The Cove, that weekend. It's about the dolphin slaughter in Japan. The dolphins are killed because the government says that they are pests... eating too much of the fish, and not seeing the real problem! Overfishing. They justify the killing by providing free meat to the school children who then suffer from mercury poisoning. Makes you question ~ what is in the food we eat, the air we breath, the water we drink, the products we put on our bodies and in our hair? Coal tar found in anti-dandruff shampoos ~ not good for ya ~ just found out I need to switch mine.

So let us all be peace heros, to ourselves, our families, friends, communities and our environment. And feel free to share... Who is your Peace Hero? Living, dead, or even if you just thought they were dead... they all count.
My peace hero ~ Christiane Amanpour. If you watched the news coverage for Desert Storm during the early 90's you saw her for sure. She was a news correspondent for CNN and many other news networks. She's brave, intelligent, courageous, and when she speaks you trust her. Thank you, Miss Amanpour, for standing as a true force in the reporting and being honest in a dangerous world.

Committing to Self

Kicking, screaming, knocked down and drug out - I am committing to myself. Someone grab the contract 'cause I've got blood on my finger tip.

Have you ever been in one of those positions where you've ran out of options? You have one thing left and one thing only... and that is you. Yes I am one drama princess tonight, but it' been a while since I've typed and I feel like cutting loose.

It's just me, my writing, and my art. That's mi corazon right there. I've hid behind a job, a boyfriend, other people's dreams, and layers of self-doubt. Time for some disrobing. Ahhhh ~ Annie in the NUDE. 

As you may already know, I did un petit art show at Mosaic Winebar. This time, I'm doing a show for real where I will be there for the duration of the show and invite ya'll and give you plenty of notice so you can block out this date:

NOVEMBER 13th

Boulevard Fitness on El Cajon Blvd.~ yes this is a gym

8:00-10:00pm

And there you have it!

Bridge Point
Photograph on Metal
By Anne E. Macpherson