tuesday music find.

good afternoon, friends. i might be a little behind in jumping on The xx bandwagon, but i'm glad i did. check them out, and see what you think for yourself!

day to day.

these are some of my daily indulgences at the moment, and, for now, they are all highly recommended to all.

1. thursday plantation's tea tree australian chewing sticks (i'm proud to say i have turned friends and co-workers into toothpick junkies). you can pick these little boogers up at your nearest health food store. these birchwood toothpicks are 'impregnated' (says the box...which i like and think is funny....cause i'm a twelve year old) with tea tree oil and other natural extracts. i'd say i'm up to a pack every couple of weeks. i'll cut back...when i'm ready.

2. andrew bird's noble beast album (check playlist below to hear just a little sampling of this goodness). you can buy the album on his website here, if you are inclined to do so. my mornings have consisted of coffee in hand, tea tree australian chewing stick (only $3.99 a pack!) dangling in mouth (like a true southerner), and mister bird's anonanimal blasting in my car.

3. meetings. i have been making more of an effort to get to meetings, such as nyack's village hall planning board meetings, book discussions at the library, and other groups that support a common interest. i find that even if i am not in the mood for the small talk with random people i don't know, i always walk away learning something about my community, literature, or myself.

4. double espresso. anyone who wants to buy me an espresso machine is highly encouraged. i just like to think i'm doing my part by stimulating the economy. i'm such a great citizen!

5. writing pretend scripts for 30 Rock and SNL in my head....and then laughing to myself because i think they are hilarious....god, i'm such a loser. yes, this is, unfortunately, a daily activity. (i wonder if this has something to do with not having cable).

6. lighting a candle. (if you are like me when it comes to relaxing, also check out AuraCacia brand aromatherapy....this isn't a daily ritual, but i had to share the wealth).

7. reading at night- either a novel, the new yorker, or the paper. no matter what, a poem is the last thing i read before sleep....the best ones are from people in your life.

8. laughing.

magic gardens are like oatmeal on a cold day.

so, i was roaming the south street neighborhood of philadelphia with some friends this past weekend, and i thankfully stumbled upon one of the best displays of community beautification i have ever laid eyes on. i have always been obsessed with cities, landscapes, architecture, and the integration of art within communities. so in my own little world, i was standing there as indiana jones would upon his latest find. no, i am not being dramatic. i'm just weird. it's the simple things. philadelphia's magic gardens is a folk art environment and gallery space that shows the brilliant mosaic work of mr. isaiah zagar. i encourage you to read more about his devotion to the south street neighborhood on the website. essentially, zagar began revitalizing the area in the 60's, with the help of his wife, by creating an indoor gallery and gigantic outdoor labyrinthine from objects (bottles, bicycles, umbrellas, mirrors, mom's pearls, grandpa's dentures- not really...well, maybe, i don't know...but you get the point) and recycled material found on the streets of the neighborhood. there are tributes, and tours, and tunnels, and grottos galore! unfortunately, i only got to spend a few moments staring through the gates, eyes wide open, and jaw dropped....m-e-s-m-e-r-i-z-e-d. like all enticing treats, this artwork left me wanting more. i cannot wait to go back and explore!

winter frolic .

komodo dragon.

"hi nate. how was your day, buddy?"

i come here everyday. i like it. yes, i heard you ask how my day was, but i already answered you in my head. my day? it was good. i like that we made cookies in school, and i got to take them home with me. i like how much fun we had and that we got to mix food coloring to make whatever color frosting we wanted. i liked watching a movie about lizards. i learned that komodo dragons can be up to 9 ft and they eat pigs! i want to see that in real life! my day was good like this cookie.

"can i just have another cookie? the light of marriage!"

"you brought those from school, nate. i don't have any cookies here. but, how was your day? was it good?"

maybe i can give this cookie to the girl next door, so that she will kiss me and be my girlfriend. im already 12 years old. i want a girlfriend like i see on tv. i watched an episode where a man and woman get married and they talked about marriage and commitment. it seems special. i want to find out. i have to go next door. 

"can i take this, and and and give it to a girl?" she asked me how my day was again. i thought i answered. 

"nate, how was your day? can you tell me that first?"

"good! how was your day? 9 feet, so you better watch out!" she says i have to have good behavior and then i can go next door- oh what is that?! i know she is talking to me about where i heard "the light of marriage," but i don't really remember the show i heard it from. she thanked me for caring enough to ask how her day is going, but i always care. i just forget to ask. i try and remember, but- hey, it's snowing! my brother and i can play in the snow tomorrow if we, but- oh, i forgot to say hi to my brother when i came in. ill tell her more about my day. she will appreciate that. why did she ask about how i said komodo dragons are 9 feet? doesn't she know what i'm talking about?

"komodo dragons are the biggest of the lizard species!" i love sharing what i remember! i love twirling around and seeing all the different views all at one time. there's my brother. whoa! there he is again. luke! hey, luke! this is so fun!

"how do you know so much about komodo dragons, nate? you are very smart."

"hi, luke!"

knowledge.

i wanted to try and illustrate what i perceive to be the natural flow of self-awareness with this photo using placement of words, and colors. the tree itself is absolutely breathtaking, and stands alone in an open savannah at the Murchison Falls National Park. how do you view the process of inner growth? do you think of certain images when reflecting on your journey of self? 

post valentines love.

sitting here this afternoon with a cup of tea and counting my blessings. last night i went to listen to some extremely talented musician friends play down the street in a little coffee shop, and i was completely lifted listening to their incredible music. the music was folky and fun at times, and i just kept picturing them in a bathtub, wearing rags, going down a river, waving and smiling like they knew something we didn't know....those are probably my issues....and i like them...nevertheless, my friends put on an amazing performance. i was captivated. what i found most rewarding though was the number of people who came to listen and support these guys. it's so empowering to see such love and care coming from your community. i'm so blessed to have found wonderful friends in this town. i really cannot speak more highly of them (you know who you are). i also started thinking about my friends in my life that i love, but aren't in new york. even though i cannot be physically close to them, they are part of me each and every day (cliche' and mushy, i'm well aware). so, with the passing of the valentines season, know that i love you all deeply and sincerely.

i imagine you stirring up a debate in your hometown just because you love getting people riled up. you probably didn't even agree with yourself, but you found it entertaining to charm your way through the situation, because you know everyone adores you. i love you.


i imagine you putting aside all your other 'to-dos' to have lunch with a friend who needs to talk. you are probably stressed to get to your work, but you have the most amazing grace and compassion for others that your worries fly away so that you can be present for a friend. i love you.

i imagine that you and your sweet husband are driving to brunch after church, but you missed a turn, because you were talking on the phone. you throw your hand up in a dramatic way, but then realize....it's going to be okay. you are so strong. i love you.

i imagine you reading in your favorite coffee shop at the foot of those beautiful blue mountains, perhaps enjoying some carrot cake. you just talked to five random people, because you love learning from others and people are automatically drawn to you and your incredible laugh. i love you.

i imagine you waking up and going through your exact routine today. you make a call to a friend who is stressed, and sit and listened with all your heart while giving the best advice...always. the hour long call was not on your list, but when it comes to us, it doesn't matter. i love you.

i imagine you taking your sunday by storm. you are full of energy and nothing gets you down, even a windy city. you are meeting with a big group of friends you have made, even in a new city, to play some crazy game, or go to a concert. you are living life fully and are admired by everyone who gets lucky enough to meet you. i love you.

i imagine you dancing. you are taking the garbage out from a fun night, and you are dancing. you are making a sandwich (not a 'hot pocket'), and you are dancing. you are in line at the movies, and you are dancing. you are always dancing to life. i love you.

i imagine you getting out of your yoga class today. you are smiling while listening to the newest music that you cannot wait to share with your friends back east, because making others happy, makes you happy. you swing by the tiny post office to ship out a care package...just because you love to love. i love you.

i imagine you working on a sunday. you are stressed, because you are working. on . a. sunday. you wouldn't have it any other way. you are determined, and you smile knowing that outside those office walls is a world you come home to and love. i love you.


i imagine you walking the dirt paths in your faraway land that you call a second home. you are with a visitor who desires an adventure, and you ever so graciously take on the host role. you are kind and patient as they stumble through a foreign language, not so foreign to you anymore. your humility is calming. and as you walk past a small stretch of stores and people, you snapped photographs in your mind. you know the different types of smiles and the names of those who possess them. you are telling your visitor about the spices you smell and remembering the edges on the rocks you just passed. you love detail and find beauty in everything. i love you.

i imagine you leaving the big group after you are done talking. you never have been one to sit still, or 'play the game' because everyone else is playing. you walk with your coffee, following your own heart, and come to a tree. you always have to read by a tree, don't you? you inspire me with your words, faith, and longing for a peaceful world. i love you.