I should be packing, but instead I'm watching the cutest

save-the-date on earth and sharing it with you. enjoy

love love.


Lex & Loren - Engagement/Save the date! from Loren Brinton Films on Vimeo.

Christmas in full effect

two 12 hour workdays
packing like elves
with a smile on my face
cause we're leaving for COSTA RICA TOMORROW... 9 days in heaven? okay.

I couldn't be more excited for the toy I got for Christmas. Perfect for my trip

HD VIDEO!!!!!! wow, I feel like a kid at Christmas

I also got a waterproof bracelet watch. Such a good gift!

and the Lisa Kristine SLAVERY book. BEAUTIFUL!!!!

GOODNIGHT from the FTS office

love wins again

10 hours of work on 2 1/2 hours of sleep= not good
Venice hootenanny, dancing, serving eggnog, celebrating the solstice with the bestest= good
letting the rain hit my face while sitting in the hot tub= good
snuggling to salsa= good

obviously can't complain about being tired.

a bill to prevent forced child marriages defeated

read about it here

such a shame

rainy daze

the most rain that's fallen in a decade.

I wait all year to pull out these fruity boots 

and the skylight above my bed really adds to the rain soundtrack 

The best kind of rain, of course, is a cozy rain.  This is the kind the anonymous medieval poet makes me remember, the rain that falls on a day when you'd just as soon stay in bed a little longer, write letters or read a good book by the fire, take early tea with hot scones and jam and look out the streaked window with complacency.

She and Him

she's such a dollface

this one goes out to you Haley Shaw :)

RIP Ronnie

Ron lived for Chad Everett. Chad Everett was on the show Medical Center in the 70's. Since Ron spent most of his childhood in the hospitals he saw Chad as the hero doctor. I had the pleasure of watching these two characters share a scene in the movie we filmed at actors camp in April. I'm so glad Ron got to accomplish his dream of sharing the big screen with Chad Everett. RIP Ronnie. Camp won't be the same without you.

The White Buffalo

Last night I saw The White Buffalo. The Venice crew hippie danced their way into a state of bliss. He has a special voice. It's my third time seeing him. I found the best video of buff online to share & ironically it was shot by my friend and fellow counselor Mike Randa who shot the video of Larry  enjoy.

Randam Productions present The White Buffalo from Michael Parks Randa on Vimeo.

shadows

tea and macaroons on Abbott Kinney

sunday surf n' sun

Sunday was 83*!!!! We made our way to the backyard with our coffees (iced) and just started taking layers off. It was the warmest December day I can remember. Heavenly.

I didn't get any photos from our Malibu surf adventure, but here's taking a stroll from my house to the sea on a gloomy day.

Venice Santa. I told him I wouldn't tell anyone about his sleigh if he got me the Canon 7d. Something tells me santa doesn't always keep his word. liar.

the guy that plays the piano always sparks up my walk to the ocean

sunset dancing

I like plants that look like they should be in the ocean 

the sweetest cat in the neighborhood. I always take his street to get some snuggles on the way. (Those are "I voted" stickers on the door)

my kind of bomb

the seed bomb- a slingshot and ball of wildflower seeds for the hard to reach places in your city
http://thecommonstudio.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=65

Do you have any good ideas for christmas gifts???

I'm stumped on my bro and his wife. I was going to get them weekly boxes of fresh local produce, but you have to get a minimum number of weeks.
Found this solar flashlight. You buy one and another one goes to someone who needs light. They love camping.

I'd love to hear how your showing your love this holiday.

I'm getting Lisa Kristines SLAVERY book for my parents. Its a little more than I usually spend on gifts but besides 100% of the proceeds going to ending slavery, it really is the most inspiring piece of artwork I've seen in a long time.


just read: 450 BILLION dollars spent during the holidays. Oh the things we could do with that

one of the most responsible things you can do as an adult

is to become more of a child

The Drifter

Drifter Trailer from Poor Specimen on Vimeo.

I just can't get enough of this

Happy Human Rights Day

"Whatever career you may choose for yourself - doctor, lawyer, teacher - let me propose an avocation to be pursued along with it. Become a dedicated fighter for civil rights. Make it a central part of your life. It will make you a better doctor, a better lawyer, a better teacher. It will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can. It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man. Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for human rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country and a finer world to live in."
-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

a star studded home

hot tub under the stars
outside shower under the stars
sleeping under the stars

My new place has a skylight above the loft! No, of course I didn't move. I just switched units. It's perfect. I have a place to myself, but a big ol' kitchen to share if I get lonely. When I see shooting stars I just don't know what to wish for....









































Asia had a birthday last weekend. We got a red carpet... :) this is from my doorway

may I come in

May I Come In from Trevor Gordon on Vimeo.

God long ago drew a circle in the sand

"I thought about one of my favorite Sufi poems, which says that God long ago drew a circle in the sand 
exactly around the spot where you are standing right now. I was never not coming here. This was never not going to happen." 
— Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love)
















photo by Alysse Fisher



Thanks God

you're invited! LA events- tomorrow Dec. 8th and Fri. Dec 10th

tomorrow at Oretga 120 we're (Free the Slaves) hosting an art show with out friend Benjamin Swatez. He's starting rehabilitation with art therapy through our Free a Village program and tomorrow night's event will raise money for that. Ortega 120 has the yummiest food nom nom

Friday Dec 10th Falling Whistles is having a human rights day holiday party. You ticket gets you a whistle! You don't want to miss it...

Larry the artist

You guys remember Larry and Bobby my favorite campers?!?

For anyone that's confused.... I was lucky enough to move into a house in Venice that turns into a camp for people wish specials needs. We literally pack up all of our stuff, move in the bunk beds, and our place turns into a madhouse of fun! In Venice we have actors camp (where we make a legit movie), sports camp, and music camp; in Vermont they have winter camp and a month long summer camp. It's really just an opportunity for cool people to get together. Check it out, support, volunteer at a camp!!!!
http://www.zenomountainfarm.org/

Here's the latest on my two friends making art.

This Winter Solstice (Extended) from Michael Parks Randa on Vimeo.


I love when Bobby throws his hands up in the air like "what is Larry doing with paint all over him?" then goes into his own world. You see someone doing stuff like that and you think crazy or maybe on drugs. Reminds me of that quote...
"and those seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who couldn't hear the music." 
— Friedrich Nietzsche

I love how it looks like their all sitting around chatting up a storm when Bobby is pointing at the people in the room. Bobby however, doesn't speak english..... he has his own language.

and I LOVE how amazing Larry's painting is


Gratitude is pouring out of me as I watch this!!! These are my friends!!! How did I get so LUCKY?!?

Artivist Film Festival/ What can I do?/ and gift ideas

Over the weekend I attended the Artivist Film Festival. A documentary heaven. 

Here are the films I saw:

Maasai at the crossroads

Maasai: At the Crossroads Trailer from Kristin Jordan on Vimeo.

The title pretty much says it all. The crossroad.... The fine line between keeping culture and history intact and evolving as a society. There are definitely downfalls to both. 

I hope no matter how many years pass this tribe continues to express themselves through accessories! They are so colorful, so beautiful!!!! You can go on this website to get jewelry made by the Maasai tribe!!!! 100% of the proceeds go to African Schools of Kenya (the group that made the film) 

GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!!! I'm not a big shopper so when I find something I like I'm not afraid to gift myself :) I definitely needed one of those cuff bracelets. I love knowing where the things I where come from and what the money is going to.

http://askenya.org/jewelry.php

Here are some more gifts that gift back.....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/02/christmas-gifts-2010-9-gi_n_791413.html#s197866

Coexist

Coexist Trailer from Adam Mazo on Vimeo.

You can see in this trailer.... the difference between the first woman with the headscarf and the girl who lost her parents. They've both witnessed the same horrific tragedies, felt the same pain. But the light in their eyes is different, their energy is different, and the only difference between them is forgiveness. This film got me thinking about forgiveness. 

I also couldn't help but to think about how Congo is in the midst of a tragic war that WE are funding. Solutions are being discussed, but this is a reminder how deep the scars will be. We have a lot of work to  do. 

If you have a cell phone or a computer you're apart of this. Now, lets turn it around.

Sign our petition urging the SEC to monitor for slavery in the Congo supply chains.

http://www.change.org/freetheslaves/petitions/view/ensure_that_companies_monitor_for_slavery_in_congo_mines

Mozambique  (not the official trailer)

This film was SO touching. There is nothing better than giving a child the opportunity to express themselves creatively. This film was made with the help of Venice Arts a programs that offers mentoring in photography, film making, and multimedia for low income youth. 

#1467 reason I love living in Venice Beach!!!!!

 

Humphries wedding and my besties baby

Landon- my love. Taking him to do what we do best.... beach day

happy mommy with a little girl on the way

first time putting his tootsies in the pacific

char know.... this never gets old

here is the little munchkin listening to his sisters heartbeat

check out Troy and Aimee, the cutest wedding photography team in the world! :)







Might have seen some of these Young Americans in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade :)