Grammys 2010 Live Blog

8 Wondering where and when Snookie and The Situation will be on.
801 Gaga wants to be the Statue of Liberty? How did she do her hair that quick?
803 Gaga's tushy! Vagine!
807 Is anyone hosting this thing?
808 "The biggest honor is to be honored by other musicians, next to Glee covering your song." -Colbert
809-811 is two minutes too long to talk about Susan Boyle.
811 Colbert's daughter reminds me of Evan Rachel Wood. But way cuter.
811 iPad whoa Apple reppin'.
813 The first of what I think will be many for Beyonce.
813 Intense to not accept your award because you're getting ready.
813 Taylor Swift, cute dancing to Put A Ring On It, the song she just lost to. Good sport.
813 We like the suits and sneakers.
815 Bathroom break haha
817 Nothing to say about this Green Day thing going on right now.
823 Red Carpet entries are coming in, TMZ.com already has fiascos up.
824 Cavs are totally winning.
825 Not a fan of Kristin Bell's dress.
825 Learning David has no patience for Country. But he thinks Taylor Swift will win.
826 He was right.
828 Thin ties are the new black.
829 Are those men going to strip? - David
831 Shes a magician, makin people float!
834 I guess she was taking all those golden highlights out. :(
834 Colbert was so right! You never know who you will see together! Slash, T Pain and Jamie Foxx coming up in a performance.
838 Wait I just realized, why are we calling her Beyonce? Shouldn't it be Sasha Fierce?
840 Are there awards at this show or is it just perfomances?
840 Pinks nips are bejeweled. I've seen too many artists private parts already. BTW never heard this song. Zzzzzzzzzz
842 When did she join the circus?
843 Nice shoes. Oh that's ALL you're wearing because ribbon and sequins don't count! Her body is sick though.
843 Um camera man missed something. Where did that water come from?
845 Standing ovation for the standing ovation Pink just got.
846 Wonder if Pink drank before that performance. She prob would have puked! Now THATS TV.
847 I hate when NEW artist is NOT new. What do they do to qualify for that?
855 why is everything so fuuristic? metals, spikes, sparkles...visors?
857 How did black eyed peas come to be? so random.
859 Team Will.I.Am
9 Do I dare take my third large glass of wine? Contemplating.
905 I just cant commit to these Jonas Brothers.
906 Totally saw that curtain falling on chic's head before it happened.
915 Distracted http://www.askmen.com/top_10/celebrity/top-10-hollywood-agents_10.html
920 Why do people love Robert Downey JR so much?
922 I want to be George Clintons random white friend.
923 auto tune mess up
923 Called Tpain being the conductor.
923 Hope Tpain and JayZ go at it.
924 Who is that dancing lady on stage?!
925 Rewinding to see what Jamie Foxx just sad to Jay Z about auto tune.
932 Katy Perry dress, no.
934 There are so many awards...why do they show the most random awards to people that are sleeping in their seats?!
935 A beanie man? Its the Grammys.
936 Cuddle time!
946 aw Rye that was really sweet what you just said about Taylor Swift.
949 I think people just thought that was Adam Lambert playing the guitar
952 Lionel Richie does botox?
953 So should we just start investing in 3d glasses? Is this the future of TV?
954 "I love trees." - Michael Jackson
955 This is just obnoxious.
958 No one at the Grammys with the 3D glasses even look amused.
959 J Huds bangs make it look like she has a bowl cut. I still love her though!
10 Will all awards shows just be half dedications to MJ now? Can we establish that now because I need to be warned about this stuff.
1001 BLANKET JACKSON!
1003 David threw in the towel. Went to bed.
1009 Sheryl Crow is talking about something.
1009 Hey BJ, how does that leather jacket feel on your bare body? Ew.
1015 Livin On A Prayer - Snookie must be going buckwild
1016 Was the singer with BJ beaten? Did anyone else see mad bruises on her arm?
1016 I kinda heart Mos Def
1017 Kanye 3 noms. Whoa. Still hate him.
1018 Everyone make a tiny Kanye joke. Mine is, when did Kanye get so short? That little boy is gorgeous!
1019 Wait but really, who was that and why was he a walking advertisement for Jay Z? People, if you are going to pull stunts like that, execution is so clutch!
1020 Update: It was Solange Knowles son.
1024 1.What is this dramz everyone is referring to with Rihanna/Beyonce/JayZ? 2. Really though, where is Kanye? Too cool for school or wasnt invited?
1025 I speak Creole. Wyclef just said "Eff ya'll mofos, give us more money, we need help!"
1031 Realizing how long this actual post is but I dont know how to make it shorter with the link to the rest. Hmmm...
1040 How Jew doin Adam Sandler?
1041 Julia Roberts isn't introducing DMB?
1045 DMB, my good old days
1046 Oh forgot about awards!
1046 WHERE IS ADELE?!
1047 Are those bottle caps on Beyonces dress? Recycled material? Ecofriendly dress?
1048 JayZ. Husband. Momentous occasion.
1054 I want Honeyboys hat!
1057 Maxwell kills it on stage, and probably in bed too.
1058 Oh my wig, Roberta Flack.
11 RIP to so many talented people: Mary from Peter Paul and Mary, Teddy Pendergrass, DJ AM (oy felt that in the stomach), Les Paul, um and Michael Jackson?
1103 Jeff Bridges aka The Dude, talking about Les Paul. Love it.
1106 Grammy Camp?
1110 West Coast tweets on Grammys are starting to come in. Sucks to be behind! I dont know what I would do, avoid twitter for 3 hours? SO much catching up after though to read all East Coast comments. This isnt just a problem with Grammys, its all shows. New blog post in the works!
1112 Quentin Tarintino knows just how bad ass he is. Except his sweatshirt reminds me of what Ballstein would wear in Zoolander.
1112 "Glorious bastards" - QT just called Eminem and Lil Wayne. Yes! Lil Wayne and Travis Barker. #onlyattheemmys
1114 Yes! No sound for Lil Wayne's performance! I love it even more!
1114 Em lost his stage presence.
1116 So much silencing the screen froze. Drake, Lil Wayne, Eminem, never again I bet!
1117 Em got it back.
1118 Cant stop smilin from this amazingggggg performance. LOVE LIL WAYNE and Em and Travis. Whoa.
1121 Commercial for new Pearl Jam album. They would play a venue that small?
1125 Album of the year goes to:
11:26 My jaw just dropped. Taylor Swift. Mazel tov, I guess.
11:27 "Where is Kanye when you need him?" - Most people on Twitter
11:28 Who are the 15 year old girls on the Grammy voting team?
11:29 Cool Deloitte shout out.

Red Carpet Live Blog

Enjoying a glass of Israeli Golan wine, Mascato, my favorite. I brought it back just for a night like this. Got a slow start on the night though because dinner was homemade by me and I was in no rush. Hence starting this at the time below. Ladies and gentleman, Red Carpet thoughts...

7:38 Beyonce literally has gold highlights. Amazing.
7:45 Givancheyyyyy on Ciara looks fug
7:46 Carey Hart looks like a douche. David says thats what people say when hes with me. I say no because you dont look like a douche.
7:52 RT @jasonadavis: ne-yo...did it sting that lionel richie just snubbed you? owww
7:53 Rhianna and Jared Leto have the same haircut
7:53 Just noticed the E mic, cute!
7:53 J Hud lost weight and looks incredible!
7:53 LOVE Ashantis dress!
7:58 Elie Saab, really?
7:58 Pink left a ring or something in her hair
7:59 Ke$has face look sok but her dress looks like a Halloween costume, not Grammy Dress.
8 love when Ryan Seacrest throws in fake New York accents

Book Of Eli

Thumbs Up.


The highlight of the night came before we even got into the theater. Cleveland Cavaliers forward Jawad Williams was getting popcorn and David spotted him and got giddy like a school girl. Have to admit it was pretty cute. He has a sixth sense for athletes the way I do for celebrities. Dude was facing a wall with a hoodie on his head but I guess at 6' 9" you gotta assume it's someone. Wonder if he liked the movie?

I thought BOE had a couple slow points but it was worth it. The ending needed to happen or I would have been enraged. Trying to explain without giving away too much is difficult.

I had no idea Mila Kunis was in this movie. I really didn't research it before going to see it, or hear too much about it. In this post-apocaliptic world, the survivors are all a mixture of 1800'sy Wild Wild West with a touch of hipster, especially Mila's character. Some of the humans wear these goggles that the original test pilots wore (like the kind you see on crazy time traveler wannabe scientists), and others like Mila and Denzel, wear designer sunglasses. It was a weird mix. Also, playing mother to Mila Kunis' character, Solara, is Jennifer Beals. I barely recognized her. She's come a long way since a childhood fave of mine, Faerie Tale Theatre's Cinderella. (That's right, the entire episode is in that link. You're welcome.)

Playing the antagonist was Gary Oldman. He reminded me of a crazy southern preacher man, which I am not sure was intended or not, but I would be surprised if it wasn't. He's the power hungry sheriff type in this little town, leading by deception and knowledge. Typical. I thought he was about to change the entire cusp of the film, by preaching religion, but he did not. The Hughes brothers just stuck with the "Denzel will just be bad ass in this movie, let's not go overboard with messages".

Something that needs to be touched on is the product placement in this film. It could not be more obvious. The movie was shot in what seems like a grey-ish scale. When Eli is walking through the barron world, there is wreckage and everything is dark and dirty yet the brightest blue Busch truck is within this wreckage. They may as well have put an arrow on the screen pointing at it. Obviously as well was the KFC wetnaps. Used as a form of currency now, a clever little idea, but product placement nonetheless. Also noted, only because David is obsessed with them, was the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones ($149.99 at a Best Buy near you!) that go with the Apple iPod Eli managed to salvage and keep charged for 30plus years.

Bottom Line: Go See It.

Ugh, Perez Hilton

As a publicist, or really anyone who has a client, you want what is best for said client. So what do you do when your personal opinion interferes? Is it a moral thing or a business ethics thing or both or none? Let me give my exact situation so it's easier to understand.

Perez Hilton. Everyone, even my grandmother, unfortunately knows who he is. He's become mainstream, like The National Enquirer. Referred to on shows like The View, fictional ones like CSI and taking interviews and giving opinions all over the TV and internet. He does the celebrity gossip thing but in a childish way, drawing on their faces and usually only saying negative things about them. To me, it just gets annoying.

I was a huge fan back in the day. I used his site as a celebrity news source. But in the past 2 years, he has become a little too offensive. So unnecessarily out of line, rude, and just immature that it made me boycott. I have not gone to his site in months. Maybe 6 as of now? I don't know exactly because I wasn't counting, I just woke up one day, was doing my thing online, and decided today I will stop supporting him. I no longer click on links leading to his site, and ignore the tube when hes on it. I wouldn't say it takes any effort. There are so many other sources I am not effected in any way whatsoever, personally.

But being an entertainment publicist, what is one to do? I may not like Oprah, but I'll sure as hell pitch to her peeps because you asked. (FYI I am partial about the big O.) It's also a given unfortunately, that PH gets massive amounts of hits. But so does TMZ. Plus, you cant really say no to a client about something like this, can you? I feel like PH has become one of the clients nonchalant requests these days and its unfortunate. So as I asked before, whats a publicist to do?

I am not going to change the world and make it my mission to run him to the ground. I guess on a professional level I just have to suck it up and pitch it. But I'm not gunna be happy about it!

Just a side note shouting out other known protesters:
Bangsandabun
Erin
rPulse (originally PerezRevenge)

Are you a fan of PH? Are you a boycotter? Do you not care? What do you do when you really don't like an outlet? Still keep up with it for the sake of your job?
To read more on the actual person, Mario, here is his wikipedia page, since I wont link his site.

Why Sara Haines From NBC Has A Dream Job

Sara Haines is the sidekick (technically Contributing Correspondent) on the forth hour of the Today Show. I think shes adorable and I also think she has the best job for a couple of reasons.

1. She gets hair and makeup and wardrobe everyday and gets to be on TV but isnt the main focus so its not so pressured.
2. She tweets and facebooks for the show while on the show.
3. She goes on segments and gets to do awesome things for free. For example today she was trying out a bunch of different workouts that included a hot yoga class. Right up my alley!
4. She gets to meet awesome people that come on the show.

Really need more reasons then that? Because I am sure there are perks we don't even know about.

Oliver Zham

Another riskay friskay photo grapher: Oliver Zham. The official blogger and founder and editor of Purple Fashion Magazine, adding to purple DIARY on a daily basis. (NSFW) It's really a glimpse into a world that is unknown to so many. I love it. By the way, PFM is a french mag focusing on fashion, culture and art. Oh and yes, he is friends with the previously mentioned, Terry Richardson. Wikipedia has a version of the magazine's history here.

TERRYWORLD

Terry Richardson is a photographer. He is kinda fucking awesome. I check his new diary daily, as well as follow him on twitter.

From his website biography:

Terry Richardson is an international celebrity as well as one of the most prolific and compelling photographers of his generation. Known for his uncanny ability to cut to the raw essence of whomever appears before his lens, Mr. Richardson's vision is at once humorous, tragic, often beautiful, and always provocative.

Born in New York City and raised in Hollywood, Terry began photographing his environment while attending Hollywood High School and playing in a punk rock band. And he hasn't stopped shooting since. Terry has lensed campaigns for such clients as Gucci, Sisley, Miu Miu, Chloe, and his editorial work has appeared in magazines such as French Vogue, British Vogue, i-D, GQ, Harper's Bazaar and Purple, and his impressive list of subjects includes Daniel Day Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Vincent Gallo, Tom Ford, Jay Z, Kanye West, Johnny Knoxville, Karl Lagerfeld, Pharell Williams and many others.

Terry's work has been the subject of numerous group and one man shows throughout the world, and he has published a selection of books, throughout the world, and he ha published a selection of books, beginning with Hysteric Glamour in 1998, and stretching through his career until his most recent work, a retrospective from Taschen, entitled Terryworld 25th Anniversary Edition.

Terry's work spans a variety of mediums: he has shot music videos and commercials and is currently working on his first feature film.

Whatever the medium, Terry Richardson continues to prove that he is a true American Original.

(http://www.terryrichardson.com/)

will ferrell

tracy morgan and terry

his mom

terry and president obama

MKO

Liam Alexander

Back in September, I went to a photo exhibit called Behind The Curtain. The photographer: Liam Alexander.

Erin introduced me to Liam because she was working with him on this project and we knew a lot of the same people. Liam is quite a character, he has a true artist's aura about him.

(me, ariel, liam)

As Erin explains,

"...featuring documentary-style photography backstage at recent fashion weeks from shows including rag & bone, Elise Overland, Yigal Azrouël, Lorick, and others. The opening was a great success thanks to Severn Taylor for curating the show, as well as the support of CITY Magazine, StyleCaster, and Fame Game. His photos are incredibly unique and nothing like what comes out of the press pit at the end of the runway. "

Some of his photos:

Rings & Things

I'm in the process of debating if I should start a second blog. It would be based on event planning. What do you think?

In the meantime, I have been looking at a lot of jewelry sites today on one of my internet sprees of one thing leading to another and so on and so on. You all know how those tangents work. One event blog led to another idea, which lead to jewelry, which lead to a "friends" site, which lead to this.

Perhaps a Valentine's day gift for someone? Just something special to say I Love You? A special occasion?

Here is what I found:

I am not really into necklace's at the moment. Not feeling the current bib trend.
But stackable rings, now that I am digging.

Urban Posh Forrest Stackabe Rings (3). $135

Erica Anenberg Je T’aime Twosome™ Ring

House of Harlow has a pretty sweet cuff for $148.

There is an Israeli company, Hadaya. The prices are amazing for silver (under $100) that you can personalize. Gold s a bit more pricey of coarse. They are beautiful and stunning. I get a ton of compliments on my ring from them.


Lastly, if you want to get really out there, Chanel has a new line of temporary tattoos coming out in February. That's right, rub on tattoos shaped like real jewelry. They were premiered in the fashion show this past month.

Dani & Silvio

This is Dani and Silvio. She got him from a shelter 3 years ago, weighing in at 20 pounds. I found it on her facebook and at first I thought it was one of those fake pictures but it really is her and her cat.
Love it.

RIP ZELDA RUBINSTEIN

Ask me what my Top 5 Movies are and Teen Witch is one of them.

Well Zelda Rubinstein, the little lady who most know from Poltergeist, has passed according to dlisted.com.

RIP Zelds. You will be missed.

Wifey Swap

Every day I find myself getting stuck on watching Wife Swap. I have seen some pretty ridiculous families. The first time I saw the show I knew I would like it when one of the husbands was calling his new wife a Sasquatch. If you find yourself home during the day, I would watch this show.

I don't know what it is about the producers of this show and MTV's True Life (a favorite show of mine) obsession with Ohio, but they are always filming there. If I had to guess, I'd have to say 50% of the families on this show are from Ohio. Perhaps that is part of my fascination with the show.

The concept is, if you are not familiar, two families get chosen to undergo the swap. The two wives switch families for two weeks. The first week, they follow the lifestyle of the family they are in and the second week the wife takes over with her own lifestyle and rules. Usually emotions fly and tempers flair and arguments are the center of attention. On no other show have I seen more grown men weep. WEEP! Sometimes I don't understand what the wives are thinking. The women sometimes act like they HAVE to change the families they live with but I believe they are just supposed to take in for a week and then suggest for another week.




The kids are generally what make the show for me. I feel really bad for the kids who are clearly brainwashed. But the misbehaved ones are the best. That is good TV! So far my favorite one was out of a movie. Literally out of Talladega Nights. The kids in this movie are some of my most beloved characters in any movie. Running around screaming ANARCHY! and talking all trailer trashy. But in this one episode, these kids were REAL. From the language/accent to the 8 year old stealing a car and almost running the new mom over in the mud, right down to the red hair they have. It was amazing.

Lately, the families are getting weirder and weirder. It's no longer matching up a messy house with an OCD house. There is a goth family. A family who thinks they live in the Medival Times and a clown family. A family who thinks they live in 1800 swapping with a rock-n-roll household.

Highlights for me in Season 4 because thats been my favorite season so far:

Ohio family Martin-Portala who are all magicians. The Galvin wife comes in and tells him he is a joke and attempts to make him get a "real" job. As ridiculous as the magician family is, he makes a living off of it and I thought it was way out of line to make him do this and the way she spoke to him.

Stockdale/Tonovick families. Again, an Ohio farm town family, home-schooled, no outside world connections. They swap with an Illinois family who has two kids, and their live-in boyfriend and girlfriend. Chaos and outside forces vs. sheltered and organized. It's one thing to enforce and preach your beliefs on your children but how can you possibly think they will end up somewhat normal if they haven't even met a female, let alone another male, at the age of 20? My favorite line from this episode was when they met a couple of "outsider rappers" and the white kid goes "I like those guys. They seem like good guys and I wish we could have more time to chill with them." Just think along the lines of farmboy Jimbo chillin with Tupac. No no no.

My First Guest Blog

Melody Simpson is the author of the blog, Hollywood The Write Way. We were connected last year and since then have kept in touch. She recently asked me to guest blog on anything I wanted and the first thing that came to my mind was LOST. The following is what I wrote and she posted. Be sure to check the actual posting here!

Tuesday February 2nd on ABC. A date that has been lingering in my head for months. Oh LOST. Where to begin? Where to end?! As the 6th and final season approaches, many folks, including myself, are starting to dust off the DVDs, magazines and websites and questions that remind of us everything we have seen come rushing back.

ABC.com had a pretty good starter kit for those who are forgetful. http://abc.go.com/shows/lost/starter-kit I watched it. It was fairly funnily narrated but did its job and raises some questions. Will Jack's bomb be detonated by Juliet who fell in the magnetic hole? Who is the alive Locke if the real Locke is dead? What will happen to the survivors in 1977 and the survivors in present day? Will these questions actually be answered?

It's hard to ask questions without getting into the past. What worries me is that I have heard numerous times that the writers themselves had no plans when making this show. I am sure they will settle things, but how? There is just so much to cover!



Like the connections. Are they random or do they have meanings? Just like in real life, connections or coincidences, or as some may even call them, miracles, happen every day and you just aren't aware of it. Is it just because this is a TV show, they need to be focused on? Nevermind picking apart each and every connection but in general, is it just something cool they decided to do, or is there a deeper meaning to all of it? Will they make things even more intertwined?

Also, the show has officially gone from possible "reality" to just straight science fiction so I kind of gave up on actually trying to explain the actuality in the time travel and such. But they have to answer it somehow right? I mean, I have never really been into scifi before. Do you just accept it as is, and not worry about the how or why? Well I guess normally you would but not the way this show started. Everything needs to be explained, that's just what LOST is supposed to be committed to.

Oy! I'm getting anxiety just thinking about it! Hopefully these questions and all the others being asked will be if not answered, touched on. I cant wait! What questions do you want answered?

Too Easy

I was looking for a cab company because I am currently stuck in the apartment with no car and no one to take me on a must do errand. Check the last location...

We are a full service taxi company offering transportation to:* Casinos* Airports* Outlet Malls* Sporting Events* Theaters* Schools* Shopping * Churches* Cedar Point* Amusement Places* Nite Clubs* Bars* Correctional Institutions
A Taxi Service For All Your Transportation Needs!! Casinos, Airports, Outlet Malls, Sporting Events Theaters, Nite Clubs, Bars, Correctional Institute

Types Of Yoga

After getting hooked at Cleveland Yoga, I wanted to learn more about the different types of yoga. Cleveland Yoga uses the teachings of Baron Baptiste, (yes he has twitter: @BaptisteYoga) combining Vinyasa, Bikram, and Power. About.com summerizes things well:

HATHA

Hatha is a very general term that can encompass many of the physical types of yoga. If a class is described as Hatha style, it is probably going to be slow-paced and gentle and provide a good introduction to the basic yoga poses.

VINYASA

Like Hatha, Vinyasa is a general term that is used to describe many different types of classes. Vinyasa, which means breath-synchronized movement, tends to be a more vigorous style based on the performance of a series of poses called Sun Salutations, in which movement is matched to the breath. A Vinyasa class will typically start with a number of Sun Salutations to warm up the body for more intense stretching that's done at the end of class.

ASHTANGA & POWER YOGA

Ashtanga, which means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, is a fast-paced, intense style of yoga. A set series of poses is performed, always in the same order. Ashtanga practice is very physically demanding because of the constant movement from one pose to the next. In yoga terminology, this movement is called flow. Ashtanga is also the inspiration for what is often called Power Yoga. If a class is described as Power Yoga, it will be based on the flowing style of Ashtanga, but not necessarily keep strictly to the set Ashtanga series of poses.

IYENGAR

Based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar, this style of practice is most concerned with bodily alignment. In yoga, the word alignment is used to describe the precise way in which your body should be positioned in each pose in order to obtain the maximum benefits and avoid injury. Iyengar practice usually emphasizes holding poses over long periods versus moving quickly from one pose to the next (flow). Also, Iyengar practice encourages the use of props, such as yoga blankets, blocks and straps, in order to bring the body into alignment.

KUNDALINI

The emphasis in Kundalini is on the breath in conjunction with physical movement, with the purpose of freeing energy in the lower body and allowing it to move upwards. All asana practices make use of controlling the breath. But in Kundalini, the exploration of the effects of the breath (also called prana, meaning energy) on the postures is essential. Kundalini uses rapid, repetitive movements rather than poses held for a long time, and the teacher will often lead the class in call and response chanting.

BIKRAM/HOT YOGA

Pioneered by Bikram Choudhury, this style is more generally referred to as Hot Yoga. It is practiced in a 95 to 100 degree room, which allows for a loosening of tight muscles and profuse sweating, which is thought to be cleansing. The Bikram method is a set series of 26 poses, but not all hot classes make use of this series.

ANUSARA

Founded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara combines a strong emphasis on physical alignment with a positive philosophy derived from Tantra. The philosophy’s premise is belief in the intrinsic goodness of all beings. Anusara classes are usually light-hearted and accessible to students of differing abilities. Poses are taught in a way that opens the heart, both physically and mentally, and props are often used.

JIVAMUKTI

This style of yoga emerged from one of New York’s best-known yoga studios. Jivamukti founders David Life and Sharon Gannon take inspiration from Ashtanga yoga and emphasize chanting, meditation, and spiritual teachings. They have trained many teachers who have brought this style of yoga to studios and gyms, predominantly in the U.S. These classes are physically intense and often include some chanting.

FORREST

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and gaining popularity around the U.S., Forrest Yoga is the method taught by Ana Forrest. The performance of vigorous asana sequences is intended to strengthen and purify the body and release pent-up emotions and pain so that healing can begin. Expect an intense workout with an emphasis on abdominal strengthening and deep breathing.

KRIPALU

The name Kripalu is associated both with a style of hatha yoga and a yoga and wellness center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Both were founded by yoga guru Amrit Desai, who came to the United States from India in 1960. Kripalu is a yoga practice with a compassionate approach and emphasis on meditation, physical healing and spiritual transformation that overflows into daily life. Kripalu also focuses on looking inward and moving at your own pace.

INTEGRAL

Integral yoga follows the teachings of Sri Swami Sachidananda, who came to the U.S. in the 1960s and eventually founded many Integral Yoga Institutes and the famed Yogaville Ashram in Virginia. Integral is a gentle hatha practice, and classes often also include breathing exercises, chanting, kriyas, and meditation.

SIVANANDA

The first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center was founded in 1959 by Swami Vishnu-devananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda. There are now close to 80 locations worldwide, including several ashram retreats. Sivananda yoga is based upon five principles:

1. Proper exercise (Asana, focusing on 12 poses in particular)

2. Proper breathing (Pranayama)

3. Proper relaxation (Savasana)

4. Proper diet (Vegetarian)

5. Positive thinking (Vedanta) and meditation (Dhyana)

ACROYOGA

This is done with a partner. I'll go ahead and say its the next level of yoga and will be the next new big thing. http://www.acroyoga.org/


Definitions:

Ashram: Retreat or secluded place, where the principles of Yoga and meditation are taught and practiced.

Chakras. Centers of radiating life force or energy that relate to major nerve plexuses and glands in the physical body. There are seven chakras that store and release life force, energy. Simplified, they are: the top of the head; the brow, slightly above and between the eyebrows; the throat, the heart, the solar plexus, digestive center; the base of the spine; and the sacral center, located three to four inches above the base of the spine.

Dharma. Self-discipline, the life of responsibility and right action. (ehem LOST fans.)

Om: The impersonal Absolute of Hinduism — omnipotent, omnipresent, and the source of all manifest existence. Represented in symbol as


Namaste: "The Spirit in Me Honors The Spirit in You."

Yoga: In Sanskrit means "to control" "to yolk" or "to unite"

Yogi: Someone who practices yoga.

(source)

Team Coco

I am totally Team Coco. Sorry Gary (Team Leno) but it saddens me to see the events that have played out over at NBC. Eveything happens for a reason though and I am sure Coco will bounce back with extreme success.

Conan O'Brian is (sadly) doing his last show tonight. Last night, I tuned in just as he and Robin Williams were chatting and then began singing and dancing in an NBC bash joyer. All the events from last night were put together nicely over at Gawker TV. The link follows below and it does include the song and dance.


http://tv.gawker.com/5454293/defeated-obrien-confirms-crushed-dream-this-was-not-our-first-choice?autoplay=true

Tzfat, Kabbalah & David Friedman

Tzfat or Safed, in Israel is said to be the center of Kabbalah. There is something special and mystical about this place that draws me to it. In 2005 on my actual birthright trip, I was not changed until I came here.

Something about the connections and teachings really touched me in this place and since then I have been extremely interested in learning more about it. Hence me also getting into yoga a lot more recently. The city comes hand in hand with a lot of artsy things. There is a lot of great shopping for original jewelry and some nice pieces like menorahs and mezuzahs. Unfortunately it was raining and the group opted to not shop and my wallet remained heavy.

Our tour guide has a friend who lives in one of the many winding allyways that we went to visit. His name is David Friedman, he's an artist influenced by Kabbalah (and possibly some other external more organic influences if you ask me! ). A Kabbalistic artist. He gave us a lecture about his work and his life. He and his wife moved from Denver to Israel 30 years ago. Among other things, he was diagnosed with cancer and used Kabbalah and his art to get through and heal him.

He uses the letters Aleph, Shin and Mem often in art and meditation. The shhhhh sound and mmmm sound for breathing out and to breath in would be silent like the aleph. Shins are usually red in his work because it represents fire and Shin are blue for water. Yin and Yang, warm and cool. All felt in meditations and explained in Kabbalah.

You can clearly see bright colors and shapes and designs. In Kabbalah, everything has a meaning which leads to another meaning and so on. For example, each letter has numerical value in the Hebrew alphabet. And each number combined with another number creates something else. This atwork reflects much of this. I thought some of the pieces looked like quilts.

As he explained the pieces, it just got trippier and trippier. Like this one for example:


He says that people from different backgrounds and religions like this one because they relate to it. People into yoga see chakras, there is Hebrew written from top to bottom with the word for G-d, but then something crazy happened. A man mentioned that when you flip the painting on it's side, it also spells out ALLAH, the word for G-d in Arabic. Creeeeeepy!

See it?

He also had works like this one,

which I immediately identified with as a Beatles cover and that was confirmed as his inspiration. It was funny how I saw the words written in the negative/grey space because after taking art, you are trained as an artist to look at that. But Mr. Friedman then asked if people were looking at the positive/green space and most said yes and he then said, look beyond it. Only then did the rest of the room see the letters. That was an interesting moment. Everyone sees different things.

All of his paintings have deeper meanings then what first may appear. Even if he didnt intend it like the first example I used. It was pretty sweet. I wanted to buy something but I didnt want to chance ruining it in the rain.

David Friedman's website Kosmic-Kabbalah.com states:

The artwork and teachings presented here deal with kosmic themes that are based on Kabbalah: infinity, kosmogeny (concerning the origin and evolution of the spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical realms), Divine names, kabbalistic mandalas and fractal, sefirotic maps of the Kosmos. The dictionary defines cosmopolitan as one who is at home in all parts of the world or in many spheres of interest. If you are kosmopolitan (one who feels at home in all parts of the Kosmos) and are interested in the many spheres of the Kabbalah, you will enjoy visiting this site.

If this is something that interests you, I would also recommend reading his teachings sections.

Life Update

On the complete opposite side of what I just posted about, I have been living my life to the fullest I possibly can. I just returned from Israel and moved to Cleveland!

When people first hear that I live here now, the first thing out of every person's mouth is "Why?". Well the obvious reason is because of David. Yes I LOVE New York, and I will miss it more then I can say. But I know I can be happy here too. If there is one place I HAD to move, (minus LA), this is the best place I could come. I have friends here already, I am familiar with the area, I am comfortable here. I've actually become pretty defensive for living here, which I find slightly amusing.

I am excited to see where David and I can go from here. It's gunna be a fun and interesting ride, that will probably make for a good blog entry or two, but I don't doubt for a second that this was the right decision. It was and I am finally happy.

Before I got here I was in Israel. I staffed another Birthright Sachlav trip. The average age of this group was 19 and 20 so it was a little different to be with younger participants this time. I was way more nervous that they would be harder to handle but this group was amazing. They took in everything we had to say and were really just a happy and enthusiastic group. Gillian was my co counselor and she is an awesome teammate to have. I lucked out majorly.

What I liked about this trip was that it was still different enough itinerary wise that I wasn't bored with the actual travel part. I still have not seen so much in that country. I wish I could have stayed but I was too anxious to get home to Cleveland. Next time perhaps. I would like to go in the summer but after the second half of this trip went down, it's a tough call.

I got very sick unfortunately and really struggled. At first I figured it was just what all the kids were coming down with but it was something worse. I thought I had mono because I couldn't stay awake, then maybe bronchitis. Either way, I was unable to go to the doctor which sucked. I had such a hard time keeping myself together the second half of the trip and I felt so bad because I couldn't be there for the kids. I almost want to go back just to prove I can be better! Regardless of how I felt, they all said they had an amazing time and I am glad I got to be a part of that.

There were many talented and colorful people on this trip. One was from Ohio, 3 were from Oregon who we played in the Rose Bowl while we were there, some were from the Brooklyn bubble (Flatbush), some had never traveled before. We all got very close after New Years, which was spent at a club called Constantine in Jerusalem. I was not thrilled being away on my one year anniversary but after pouting for a bit, I gave in and let loose and enjoyed everyone's company.

One of the boys, Michael Benatar, is an aspiring filmmaker. He filmed almost the entire trip and is in the process of creating a highlights reel. He has part 1 and 2 finished so far and if you are bored or interested in birthright, watch them here!

(Side note, Aladdin just started playing on TV. How appropriate.)

All of my photos are here, but my favorites are below. Oh and if you know anyone interested in Birthright, I am always willing to chat (I could for hours)!

Co Counselors for The Doobies

So hipster on our first night out.

Behai Gardens

Hamsas

Jerusalem moon during sunset

RIP Brittany Murphy and Casey Johnson

Two young women have passed recently.

Brittany Murphy

November 10, 1977 – December 20, 2009

First introduced to me (and every other human being in 1995) as Ty in one of my favorite movies of all time, the classic, Clueless.

It's weird how you don't know a celebrity but you think you do. I always saw her as a woman who transformed herself into Hollywood. She seemed to have this infectious ray light shinging on the outside. Her character in Just Married comes to mind. She had an infectous and genuine laugh. But internally she really struggled. Yea she could be annoying but everyone has their moments.

She was rumored to have image issues and eating disorders which was clear when looking at her pictures and the transformations she went through. At the time of her death, the words heart attack, natural causes, drugs and Diabetes circulated. It is still yet to be determined but something inside of her, natural or not, just didn't mix well. Its very unfortunate.

A quote that struck me was from her ex and former costar, Ashton Kutcher. He wrote on his twitter page "2day the world lost a little peice of sunshine."

Her Wikipedia.

Casey Johnson
September 24, 1979 – January 4, 2010

I knew of Casey because her father, Woody, is the owner of the Jets and I met him a couple times at Doubles (old client). Casey was always talked about with a negative tone. Unfortunately in the most recent past, she was in some trouble with the law and was detached from her family, allegedly for having a lot of drug and mental problems. What socialite doesnt? But I guess she was really over the top, considering Woody cut her off of the Johnson & Johnson fortune.

She was most recently in the press for her lesbian relationships with another socialite, Courtenay Semal, and the oh so classy Tila Tequila. Ironically Casey had diabetes, just like Murphy. Both died so young. Casey was only 30 and had a daughter she adopted which is also a news topic these days. I imagine this mess will go on for a while.

Golden Globes 2010

OK talking about the awards are one thing and talking about the fashion is another. Asymmetrical dresses and beards were the trends this year.

Worst Dressed:
Chole Sevigny in Valentino

Best Dressed:
Toni Colette in Elie Saab


Award winners: http://www.goldenglobes.org/nominations/

Avatar

Thumbs Up.

I saw it in 3D in New York. $22.

Amazingly cool to experience this movie in 3D. It was technically really cool. It was also a laugh watching my friends in the glasses. Missy's was stretched out and they gave her these round foam things to put around the glasses to tighten them. She had to beg them for those. The movie theater was very stingy about the glasses.

Story wise, I'm torn.
1. I thought it was a rip off of Fern Gully. One of my favorite movies when I was younger. Storyline: Fairies in an enchanted forest have to save it from the "monster" which turns out to be humans ripping down the rainforest.

2. I thought the role of the female avatar was a little over the top. She whined and waled a bit too much, like to the point that I laughed.

3. I am not going to start writing essays about this movie. I think it is what it is. If you want to get into all the other conversations, like the enviromental aspects, the anti American or anti soldier theory, or the post movie depression (which I find so bizarre) or sickness, or the technical effects, or the awards it won...google it.

Up In The Air

Thumbs Up.

We thought this movie was solid. If George Clooney was not in the film, I don't think it would have gotten nearly as much credit. I predicted some outcomes but I am just talented like that I guess. The younger woman, Anna Kendrick, bothered me in her nighttime interviews but she wasnt as annoying in the movie.

I liked how they made this traveling man love his job and the whole aspect that he travels. Generally people hate to travel for work but this man literally lived for it. It was interesting to see the opposite, and see someone embrace this hated necessity.

I saw the move before the Golden Globes, and I figured it would win some sort of award. Jason Reitman, the director (who also did Thank You For Smoking, which I found to be a similar style and therefore in my opinion makes him pretty consistent) won for best screenplay. Mazel.

To be honest, I probably won't remember the name of the movie in six months from now, but wasn't pissed I saw the movie. That's generally my scale of judgment.