"The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and their destination." -- John Schaar







Those were some strange Golden Globe nominations with a few very satisfying moments.



Glenn Close in Damages was hands down one of the most incredible performances on television. That whole scene with her out on the beach where she's losing her shit without saying a word is what she does best. She shows you very real, raw emotion so few people can bring to either the television screen or the movie screen. Just thinking about it disturbs me.



Also wonderful were the plentiful nods to Californication and Pushing Daisies.



Most of the movies nominated I haven't seen, which is unusual for me. I saw a lot of obscure little films this year - the type that don't get nominated for Golden Globes.



I had a wild night of writing. I never know what is going to happen in my own stories until I sit down and write. Tonight was fun. This is how it used to be before a certain man stopped me from writing because he hated the deep trances I would get into for hours. For so many years of my life, my own writing was how I would entertain myself. I'd forgotten that.



Now I must sleep. My vision is blurry.









Happy Birthday with great reverence and affection to theoldone! Have a blessed natal day.

I'm still alive, though I've been very busy, mostly writing.



I did do a taping for Gene Simmons Family Jewels that will air on A&E in April. The premise was an audition for several girls to take on the role of Dominique Stern, the main character in the comic book Dominatrix written by my friend seanhtaylor, for public appearances. It took place at Bar Sinister in the lounge area above the dance floor. I was there with a sexy, red head actress who looks like Jessica Rabbit come to life I met while doing Taking The Jesus Pill in 2006 and I had expected to meet another actress/model I've only known digitally via Live Journal but she was MIA.



Beyond that, I'm cleaning up the manuscript for Tales Of A Hollywood Virgin. It's such a strange experience. Sometimes I'm madly in love with what I've done, particularly the older writing since it's sat around long enough to be fresh for me if not hypnotizing, and other times I wonder if it will be interesting to anyone but me. In the end, it'll be fine. I've put a lot of myself into this and I trust that. The bits I've polished do make me smile wickedly with pleasure.



I'm probably going to be very quiet through the rest of the week. The internet is simply not thrilling me. And this kitty wants to be thrilled.











In the realm of natal days, Happy Birthday to rapier!

It's icy cold in our humble little abode. I've been writing away in between being educated. We watched a documentary on Lew Wasserman that blew my mind. I also saw Art School Confidential and a documentary on the Intelligent Design debate.



Right now I am taking a break because my cold fingers just pounded out several thousand words and I need to recharge for ideas. I can only be outrageous for so long, though I am uncovering a great deal from long locked trunks of history that is perfect fodder for a story. Current events have been helpful too, which is the reason for a major thread I've added in the 11th hour.



I'm making dinner and we are watching the Frankie Goes To Hollywood Trevor Horn tribute as fronted by Ryan Molloy, who is a god among artists. He's a rock singer and a Shakespearean, award winning dramatic actor.



As soon as the hot food thaws me, I am back to work.

"...we can't survive without enchantment... the loss of it is killing us."

-- Thomas Moore



"There is one thing that all true spirituality has in common, whether that spirituality is derived from faith, from science, from nature or from the arts - a sense of wonder." -- Andrew Schneider



"There are only two ways to live your life: One is as though nothing is a miracle, The other is as though everything is a miracle. I believe in the latter."

-- Albert Einstein



"We live in a world of theophanies. Holiness comes wrapped in the ordinary. There are burning bushes all around you. Every tree is full of angels. Hidden beauty is waiting in every crumb. Life wants to lead you from crumbs to angels, but this can happen only if you are willing to unwrap the ordinary by staying with it long enough to harvest its treasure." -- Macrina Wiederkehr

It has been a long series of weeks since the end of Hex Halloween. I had to dig myself out of a black hole that was complex and struck across many parts of my life. Things became so unruly that in order to retain my sanity, I imposed a rule upon myself requiring that I either do cardio or walk three miles every time I felt the need to do something that served no purpose in response to human drama. It worked and proved to be successful in more ways that one.



Last night was the first time I was out in the world traveling a bit of a distance. I had wanted to make a big production of what was truly a mundane situation. But I couldn't get my act together fast enough past the constant soreness of my body from two weeks of intense, targeted workouts. I had to settle for looking rather ordinary.



The journey to and from my meeting was magical. I love Los Angeles. It never gets old or disappoints me. The Xmas lights on businesses and homes dazzled me as surely as if I were a little girl. It put me in such a mood that after hitting the bank to deposit a paycheck, I couldn't resist hitting Bank Heist to do a little celebrating. I was seduced, really, by the lure of the night and the call of the city. I had already planned to at least pop in on my way home as it was National Repeal Day, which The Heist was glamourizing. But I fell in love with the place so entirely, I ended up there for dinner and a show.



My visit had a rocky beginning. I sat at the counter in the restaurant portion known as The Bank for a good five minutes entirely ignored by the staff save for some concerned glances from one gentleman. I nearly walked out. Just two weeks beforehand I had covered the place for Frontiers with a glowing review. I was on the verge of regretting that decision. If it were not for the fact that I was hell bent upon getting my cocktail on National Repeal Day, that may very well have been the end of the story.



And then the manager stepped in. I had my glass of Pinot Grigio and he insisted I try out a new menu item just added a week ago - Moroccan Lamb. I wasn't in the mood for food. I hadn't eaten all day, though, so I didn't put up much of a fight. It turned out to be some of the most delicious lamb I have ever had.



Afterward, I wandered toward the back of the building into the bar. The place was covered in boas, Repeal Day pins and fedora hats. I snagged a hat and traded it for the Harley Davidson baseball cap I had tossed on my head. Eventually, I wandered upstairs to the lounge area crowned by a sweeping art deco bar and a decent sized stage. The lounge area was spacious, with couches and tables sprawled about the floor. On television screens above the bar played what looked like BDSM pornography from the 1950s. I wasn't able to confirm if it was real or reproduction. Either way, it was eerily hot.



I had been hearing about the Bomb Cherry Dolls for quite some time. I figured it couldn't hurt to check them out. While they consider themselves to be burlesque, they actually perform cabaret. They can call themselves whatever they want, though. And every burlesque dancer in Los Angeles should take notes. The show was hosted by a luscious black beauty who calls herself Pussy Control and is nothing less than Eartha Kitt's heir apparent. She prowled the stage like a dangerous cat with a deep purring voice to match. The Bomb Cherry Dolls created an interactive environment of sass, sex and hot, hot dancing. Using music both traditional and updated, they took vintage cabaret and made it into a unique, modern experience. While I would have liked more classic looks with the hair and makeup, I appreciated the innovation of what they were doing. It's a show I could easily see over and over.



I plan to spend a great deal of time at Bank Heist. It's right in my neighborhood and just the perfect blend of high end yet casual. The crowd is mixed but friendly. Most of the staff is excellent, with a couple of notable exceptions. It's about time Noho had a place like this.