The Grey Zone

New idea for a parking zone -- The grey zone is for immediate loading and unloading of indecisive drivers only.

Walk About

Went on a little drive yesterday with the family out to Westlake Village and then down the coast through Oxnard. Amazing that only 15 minutes from freeways and outlet malls and airports lie these peaceful fields of red pepper, artichokes and strawberries.

Funny

This cracked me up.

A Little Happy Music

I'm away from L.A. in San Francisco on business and I've decided, for various reasons, not to treat this like a typical business trip and instead travel in a way that makes sense -- no first class, no car and driver, no taxis.

Its been Southwest Airlines, self parking and The BART subway. Waiting for room service has been replaced by standing in line at the Coffee Bean.

Sitting on the subway platform this morning, sipping my coffee and listening to some music, I was reminded of my college days living in New York City and taking the train 30 minutes northwest to Sarah Lawrence College. All around me, people on their way to work, and me, not quite in with the masses, and yet feeling a bit like one of them.

There's something infinetely sad about Los Angeles not having a viable subway system. Unlike buses, a subway is the great equalizer. You don't necessarily take it because you can't afford a car -- you take it because its easier --unbound from traffic and stupid drivers and hassle -- something sensical amidst a city of chaos and uncertainty.

So why doesn't the BART system have more character? From walking into the station, waiting for a train and even sitting in your seat, the first thing you notice is the silence, punctuated only by the computer generated stop announcements. No music, no hum, no nothing. And so people sit quietly, almost glumly, isolated in their common experience.

Las vegas hotel designers discovered something a long time ago that makes a lot of sense. You know how if you get into a crowded elevator everyone gets very quiet and you stand staring dumbly at the digital floor counter? A real mood killer. It has something to do with a violation of your personal boundaries. Well, at places like the Wynn, they've eliminated this awkward silence and simultaneously taken elevator music to a new dimension -- matching music to the mood they want you to feel - going down you get rocking, sultry music that gets you pumped up and itching to spend some money, like the warm-up song just before a concert. On the way up, you get inspirational, comforting music that somehow makes you want to order room service and watch a pay per view movie.

So come on San Francisco BART officials, get happy. You've got something I can never have in L.A. Make it sing.

Houston, we have a Problem

Ever wonder why kids these days seem just a bit more messed up than usual?

I came across this toy in a Target newspaper ad. Here's some of the specs

• Luxurious SUV party limo decked out with glitz and glam
• Includes working lights, a beverage bar, fancy seats and a real hot tub
• Limo top really pops up
• For ages 6 and up

6 and up? When I was 6, I was skidding out on my Big Wheel and watching Emergency! Squad 51 -- not getting jiggy with Barbie and her friends in an Escalade jacuzzi drinking Apple martinis.

Change In The Weather

Summer is finally ending here in Southern California. The sun is still strong but the air is getting crisper and the temperature shifts quickly from hot to cold when the sun veers toward the ocean.

The leaves are falling from some of the trees, and all the animals are growing big, fluffy coats.

As modern human beings, we all seem to think of ourselves as somewhat separate from all of this change -- like we're outsiders observing all of these transformations through a distant looking glass.

But I have seen it come out lately in a lot of people around me -- uncertainty, questioning, anxiety, depression -- all symptoms of change, all signals from within that everything is not ok the way it is.

A friend of mine who is a yogi once shared some great insight that's been helpful to me during some hard times. I hope it helps you or someone you know who may need it today.

shavasana introduction:

now the technique is simple. keep it simple.
all you do is relax
everywhere
and be aware of how you feel
eyes closed
eyes soft
and all the muscles around each eye relaxed
and as your eyes relax, let the relaxation spread
so there’s no holding anywhere
let go so much that you feel wide open like the sky
get very quiet
very still
undefended
and see what happens
feel the energy you’re made of

for love is what’s left when you get rid of everything you don’t need
let this become the norm

209 Days

Wow, it's amazing what happens when you pay your construction bills on time. The second floor went up in 2 days.