What a great idea to pimp up old parking meters that will accept any change to benefit the homeless. They’re found scattered around Laguna Beach, California but I think more cities should have them. Now these are meters that I don’t mind putting quarters in!
Use change to make a change
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.’ Hungry not only for bread — but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing — but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks — but homeless because of rejection.” ~ Mother Teresa
Remember, “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted” (Aesop)
I want to inform you that my posts will take a little hiatus over the next few weeks. During the holidays I will take a little break with no set posting schedule or theme but I can assure you that you will be hearing from me again very soon after the new year, if not before. You know I can’t leave this page for too long.
I’m working on making some changes to this website and will be introducing a brand new logo which I hope you will approve of, something more fitting for a king and the blog in general. I’m also re-structuring and beginning to pair down. It’s time to let go of some things that are not working out the way they used to (as life goes, things move forward) and I will embrace the things that are working, always with an eye out for the new & unexpected. I’m looking forward to the change and starting the new year off in a slightly new direction.
My personal life has had some major ups and downs this year but knock on wood I’m healthy and getting back on track and ready for what may come. Part of the excitement is not really knowing what may come….a paradox maybe but that’s the ambiguity of the unknown. There’s something surprising around every corner.
Things I’ve learned this year:
I’ve learned that you can never be prepared for what life may throw you (both goodand bad) but you deal with it the best way possible and it makes you a stronger person in the end. (yeah you know the saying…what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger? Well, you realize you didn’t die, so that in itself is a big plus!). That, and not take things for granted.
I’m not taking things for granted because I know how things can change in a flash. Some changes are good but some I still have a hard time accepting. Sometimes you don’t want to know the dirty details so your mind draws its own conclusions so you can get through the day, sometimes you’re better off knowing everything. As it stands, I’m still torn between the two.
I’ve learned to do some critical thinking, not believe what everyone says to be true, not to expect too much, to expect more, love is fleeting, love is forever, sometimes a little push is required to make everything fall naturally into place, some people may disappoint, others bring you joy, when people show you who they are, believe them the first time. I will never be with someone who is hurtful and does not value me enough to want to talk things over before there’s a problem or misunderstanding. Best thing of all; miracles do exist but I’ve always know that. It’s all a mystery that we may never be able to fully make sense of. So what? Life is good! Live it well while you can.
So I’m ready for some excitement.
On that note….
I wish you nothing but joy on your personal journey and hope life treats you well wherever you may be. Have a healthy, happy and successful 2016!
Meet me back here for more subject matters discussing Life, Style & Substance.
If you have any comments or suggestions for upcoming posts please I’d love to hear from you in the comments section.
If you want to throw a great party in New York City, you probably want to call Bronson van Wyck, who has been in the business of entertaining crowds for almost 20 years (an endeavor he undertakes with his mother, who might even have better taste than him, at Van Wyck & Van Wyck). Since he’s put on events—both intimate and lavish—and designed flowers and rooms for all of them, we asked him for all the qualities of a great guest.
HOW TO THROW A GREAT PARTY
by Bronson van Wyck
Mom and I started our entertaining business in 1999, but we’d already been doing it for years—all my life, in fact—together and singly, for ourselves and for our friends. Part of this was a simple matter of geography: growing up on a farm in a remote area of Arkansas, everyone who visited us had made an extra effort to get there. This was especially true because Dad came from New York, and many of our guests were his friends from back East visiting Arkansas for the first time. We felt obliged to make the trip worthwhile by making the welcome extra-special.
The other part was a deep appreciation and enjoyment of just how wonderful graciousness, generosity, and warmth can make other people feel.
The best parties happen when a host really takes the time to think about who his guests are and what situation he can create that will make them feel good about themselves. For some this might be greeting them with a warm smile or introducing them to someone who shares their interests. For others, it might be a stiff drink.
I know more than anyone that fabulous parties aren’t going to save the world, but they can make the world a better place.
Here are a few essential ingredients:
1. Great guests.
Oscar Wilde always said he liked men with a future and women with a past. This is a very good place to start. And because most people are either talkers or listeners (only the rarest individual is both, and they get invited everywhere), it’s good to think about that ratio as well.
2. A crowded room.
One of my first projects was for a gentleman who was a legend in his own mind, but not in anyone else’s. He wasn’t as popular as he thought he was. On the day of the party, I found out that only a 100 people were coming for a room that had been chosen to hold four times that. I went to a nursery and loaded a flatbed truck with dozens of trees—palms, bamboo, birds of paradise, and orange trees—and used them to fill a ballroom in Beverly Hills. Good plants can’t entirely replace good guests, but no one has fun in an empty room.
3. Plenty of alcohol.
No great story begins with a cup of tea. *(I’m adding to make sure you have some extra sodas & sparkly non-alcoholic ciders on hand for those who cannot drink alcohol.
4. A bar.
Aside from the functional aspects, guests who you like will use it to escape from conversations that they don’t.
5. A surprise or two along the way.
We had lots of animals on the farm, from peacocks to miniature goats to a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig named Jacqueline Root Onassis van Asch van Wyck. Mom trained a cat named Benedict to sit perfectly still inside a basket that she sometimes put in the middle of the table. No one at the table would realize that Benedict was there, until at some point during the meal, he would always stand up to stretch. He would then settle back down in his basket, but after that the guests never would.
6. A token of thanks.
The greatest gift you can give a host is to arrive 15 minutes late (but never more than 30 minutes). Earlier than this, and you’re not giving your host any margin for error, and trust me, even the best host finds that grace period beyond priceless.
7. Don’t show up empty-handed either.
Avoid gifts like flowers which require the host to stop what she is doing and fuss with *finding a vase. I like to think about the future and the dreaded hangover that is sure to arrive the next day and give my Hellfire Bloody Mary Mix. This time of year, the only way to survive is to keep the party going. *(I’m adding that flowers are okay as long as you bring them in a vase that the host can keep – that’s why throughout the year I collect different size vases from places like thrift shops and yard sales and keep them in my garage. Just an idea).
8. The plus-one conundrum.
Always find out if the party is seated before you invite a guest to join you. The search for another dining chair at the eleventh hour is a challenge no host should have to face (not to mention that it makes the plus-one uncomfortable). *(I’m adding that unless you ask the host beforehand it’s rude to all of a sudden show up with an unexpected person – especially if it’s a planned menu).
9. Be present.
With respect to your host and her guests, mentally and physically silence, store, and ignore your phone. Parties are meant to be an escape so resist the urge to check it. *(I guess this also includes instagramming – as much as you might desire to do so. Or if you take a few photos, instagram them later on from home).
10. Make introductions.
There are always a few guests who don’t know the rest of group as well as the others do. A good host (and guest!) will take time to ensure that these people meet the other guests. Take it upon yourself to assume some of this responsibility. In the process, you may meet someone outside your own circle, and you may even make a new friend.
11. Designate an outgoing guest as the house photographer and walk around to everyone.
Make them pose and get close. It is also a great way to introduce guests to each other. After the party, share the photos with the host so they have a keepsake from the big night. Save the sharing on social media for the next day. Remember you have to be present.
12. A happy host.
The most important element of a good party is a host who’s enjoying himself/herself. Your friends are there to see you having fun. If you’re not, it shows. If you are, everything else can be forgiven.
Keep his advice in mind when throwing and attending parties not only during the holidays, but all year long. Have fun!
Source: Goop.com
Stay tuned for more from Bronson: He and his team designed the dinner last week to celebrate the opening of goop market and their Valentino x goop collaboration. Job well done!
One thing for sure is….we would ALL be in trouble and I’d be such a bitch!
Have you ever wondered what a dog might be thinking or at least feeling with the many ways they tend to express themselves? One thing for sure – you know right away whether they like you or not. There’s no pussy (excuse the pun) footing around so you know where you stand right off the bat and since they’re a good judge of character it’s not a good thing if they don’t like you. I’m always suspicious of dogs that don’t like certain people. Most of the time they pick up on negative energy so I pay attention to that. If my dog doesn’t like someone most likely I won’t either.
I’ve been watching their behaviour lately since I’m looking after Jack (an unusual name for a Jack Russell right?). Vancouver is a much different environment for him having moved here from Thailand. The weather, the living quarters, the kinds of dogs he’s not used to (mostly well behaved and on leashes)…all new. He’s taking it all in.
Jack’s favourite spot – the warmest place in the house so it feels more like homeYes, go ahead…make yourself right at home
His owner went back to Thailand yesterday and left a bag filled with stuff that puts my travel bag to shame. Not only that, but he has way more sweaters than I have. Jack is a great dog but he has a few quirks. He doesn’t like black dogs. I would call him prejudice (which is not allowed in my home) but then I found out he doesn’t like people who wear black sunglasses either. So basically he doesn’t like anyone. But he’ll adjust.
Yesterday he growled at a dog that was minding his own business across the street – for absolutely no reason that made sense to me. The dog didn’t provoke him or anything like that so I was trying to imagine what he was saying. Then I thought…
Imagine if people had absolutely no filters to the way we behave in public and went around barking, snarling, snapping, growling or wanting to take a bite out of those we don’t like or immediately go up and sniff or lick the ones we approve of. Ha, ha….not sure about this but it is funny to think about.
What might they be saying? Maybe things like…
“I don’t like the way you look”
“that sweater looks so stupid on you”
“I love the way you look and want to hang around and play with you right now”
“you smell awful – when was the last time you washed?”
“what is the perfume you’re wearing cause I like the way you smell?”
“you’re not in my league”
“you’re out of my league”
“you’re nothing but a mongrel to me”
“what kind of mix are you?”
“I just want to have fun, eat well, walk a lot, sleep a lot and play” (oh; sounds familiar)
“I don’t like sloppy kisses”
“Ohhh I like him, he’s a badass!”
“you know what…you’re just a bitch!”
“Hey guys, I’ve had a ruff day, get out of my way”
One more tiny thing….
“If your dog is too fat, you are not getting enough exercise.”
me, Jack, Took & Jia Jia
I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better – George Bird Evans
You certainly don’t need me to tell you that living in the moment and being fully present is the key to a successful life. Easy to say when your life is full and you don’t have health or money issues… but when it’s not going so well – those times when you feel hopeless and feel like you’re living in despair, broke, hungry, out of work, and can’t make ends meet or see the light at the end of the tunnel. THINK again:
Take a moment to think about those who lost their lives in the recent Paris shooting. Innocent victims – mostly young and just out enjoying a normal evening. Never thinking that their lives would end…in such a barbaric manner. Think about the freedom we have and how lucky we are to have the kinds of choices available to us like we do in North America. Our world is changing and we have to adapt and get used to these new changes. We have to remain strong and we need to prioritize. I am as guilty as anyone for taking some things for granted and wallowing in some things I don’t have the control to change. It doesn’t do any of us any good. But still we do it because we’re human. Sometimes we need a reminder.
Food for Thought:
The secret of health for both mind & body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly – Buddha.
Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry – all forms of fear – are caused by too much future and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of non-forgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence. Eckhart Tolle
Have a lovely weekend and value all the good that you now have and try to change what is not working for you
Not to be confused with some of the characters you may have met along the way. Those specific characters (they know who they are) make life interesting, colourful and never dull.I’m referring to a persons overall general disposition – the natural traits that define each of us as individuals. Have you ever had reason to doubt someones character?
Unfortunately I’ve come to discover the hard way that I may have thinner skin than I was aware of. It’s interesting that for all my travels and life experience how un-jaded I still am. I take words at face value and am always surprised when people are not as meaningful or as spiritual as they’ve led me to believe. I’m disturbed (not in a life threatening way) by how hurtful people can become even if they don’t intend to be that way. And at the same time I’m grateful to be the kind of person I am, to take people at face value, and believe that their intentions are honourable. I’m forever optimistic and never ever bitter. I just don’t understand the way some people operate. Which led me to this character post in the first place. And it leaves me vulnerable since it’s all so (also) personal.
Our character explains who we are, how we act and it highly influences the choices that we make in our lives.Day to day I take the good character of those I know for granted, but of late I’ve been impacted by the lack of integrity by some I believed I knew well. In general I don’t have any bad feelings towards anyone but I do question why someone would feel the need to say something they don’t mean or make a promise they don’t intend to keep because they think it’s what you want to hear. It hurts more if it were someone you were once close with. Maybe they don’t have the wherewithal to be completely open, or you’re of no use to them now that someone else has taken your place. They lead you to believe that you still matter, yet their actions prove that you don’t. They may not want to appear in a negative light. They attend to their own needs and you no longer play a part in their life. That’s fine although now they end up treating you with indifference – the very same way they do not wish to be treated. It’s understandable that circumstances change in your life, but a total shift in attitude is disheartening. Then you begin to doubt how well you read people.
People who feel the need to say things they think you want to hear but don’t mean are just playing head games with you. But maybe that is their intention – to play a game. I can’t get used to that kind of behaviour. Feelings are feelings. I value them. That’s why the saying goes – actions speak louder than words. Because words are just that – they’re only words. And you can only judge a person by how they act.
This is just an observation. Something to think about. We all disappoint someone at one time or another and lifecircumstances can partly be responsible for our actions but here’s the breakdown for each of us to consider:
Character Traits:
Character traits will determine how a person responds or reacts when faced with a certain situation in life. For example, if someone has honesty as a character trait, he will always be truthful and say things that are true as opposed to a person who is not honest. They’re authentic.
Authenticity
You are able to be your real and true self, without pretension, posturing, or insincerity. You are capable of showing appropriate vulnerability and self-awareness.
Why Character is Important
Character in life is what makes people believe in you and is essential both for individual success and for our society to function successfully. Each individual must do his or her part every day by living a life of integrity. Integrity is adhering to a moral code of honesty, courage, strength and truthfulness – being true to your word. When you don’t exhibit integrity, other people get hurt. But you hurt yourself even more.
When you cheat, your “success” is false. When you break a promise, you are showing that your word is meaningless. When you lie, you deceive others and lose their respect. All of those examples destroy your reputation and break the trust others have in you. Without your good reputation and trustworthiness, your relationships fail.
Relationships and Success
Relationships are the foundation for success in life.
For example, when you destroy the relationships with your friends, you will have no friends. You will be isolated and alone.
If a student promises not to cheat, but does, he is taking unfair advantage to put himself ahead of others without deserving it. He can ruin his reputation, his academic record and his job prospects forever.
When a businessman makes a promise to customers and doesn’t deliver, he destroys his relationships with his customers. His customers go elsewhere and his business fails.
By breaking your relationships, you break the foundation forsuccess in your life. What is true success? For example, who is more successful? Someone who is famous and makes a great deal of money, or someone who has no fame, makes little money, but is a great parent? Today, in school, is too much emphasis being placed on “good grades” and “high test scores” – so much so that are these things, rather than good character, how we define success?
Conclusion
Your good character is the most important asset you have. It takes a lifetime to build but can be lost in an instant. Once lost, it is difficult to regain. Your true character is revealed when no one else is looking. Often, people decide to act based on short term gain, or an easy fix to a problem and end up doing the wrong thing.
The old adage “you are what you do” is true. Failure to consider the long term consequences of your acts can be disastrous. By study and focusing on the importance of character, you will be guided by principles, moral strength, and integrity to do the right thing. Nothing is more important for true success in your life. Riches and resources are one thing, but good character counts for much more.
This photo was taken 3 days ago with my very dear friend Colleen.
With my dog Jia Jia & Nina, an adopted dog from Taiwan at My Fluffy Friend’spet store.
We’ve been friends for over 20 years and have gone on several adventures together; among them a swamp tour in the bayou where we got to hold a baby alligator, a birthday cruise where we met up with another friend and sailed from Miami to Cayman Islands and swam with countless Stingrays, a side trip from Jamaice to Havana where Colleen taught me how to light up a cigar (first & last time) and a nighttime pub crawl through the mossy tree lined streets of Savannah, Ga. while our guide related creepy scary story after story. Colleen is an inspiration; she doesn’t take life for granted and she’s the first person to say “YES” to going somewhere and doing something fun. She has no time for sweating the small stuff.Her family is amazing. The only time I don’t want to be around Colleen is when I’m feeling the slightest bit rundown. But there’s a reason for that.
Yesterday at Pirate Joe’sgetting a bag full of TJ goodies for the silent auction table.
We first met 27 years ago, just before she left for London, England to undergo a heart & double lung transplant; a surgery that was not performed here in Canada at the time. She was celebrating her 27 year anniversary which was on October 22nd. Colleen suffered a deadly disease called cystic fibrosis (commonly known as CF) and London was where her knighted surgeon, Sir Magi Yacoub (of Egyptian & English descent) was located. Along with her mother, Colleen waited there 2 months before receiving her transplant. Colleen always had a good heart but at that time the surgeon felt it better for the lungs to keep same heart attached so he gave her the heart and lungs as one unit. Colleen’s donor was British and Colleen’s good heart went to a Greek man who was so grateful he gave her a gold heart pendant and earrings as a thank you. Organ donors can give people a second chance at life. Colleen is one of only a few living heart donors. She has been back to visit both her surgeon and her heart recipient (he had two kids and lived 17 longer years) since.
Colleen is Canada’s longest surviving heart and double-lung recipient and many stories have been written about her. At the time, she travelled to London with her best friend Brandy who also received a heart/double-lung transplant but her body rejected it and very sadly Brandy did not survive. In a few more weeks from now Colleen will be celebrating her donor kidney replacement (from a different donor). Some may think she’s taking advantage of too many celebrations but she has good reason to celebrate, don’t you think?
She posted on Facebook: it’s great to be alive and well. I miss all my friends along the way that were not so fortunate, but have wonderful memories. An auspicious and reflective day.
Spooning at Tavola (on Robson) after a tiring long day.
And I have met many people since with this common, fatal genetic disease that affects mostly young adults and children. I met an incredibly strong natured young woman, a beautiful red-haired actress Eva Markvoort who tragically passed away after a long fight five years ago. She chronicled her combat with CF via a daily blog which people from all over the world followed religiously, many whom had no connection to CF.
Eva Markvoort
It is because of people like Eva and Colleen that I volunteer every year by rounding up live and silent auction items for a fundraising event called “65 Roses” to help raise money towards finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. As it stands right now there is no cure.
CF is not as widely recognized as Cancer.While I know morepeople close to me who currently have cancer, or are in remission from it, or people who have died from having cancer, thisalong with the SPCA, is my charity of choice.We are starting to see some progress here.
So I thought I’d share with you a little bit about CF and the fundraising event called 65 Roses – because I think it’s important to raise consciousness regarding this.
What is CF?
It is a multi-organ disease, primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system. Ultimately, most CF deaths are due to lung disease. Each week in Canada two children are diagnosed with CF and one person dies from this life-shortening disease. In 2010, half the Canadians who died of cystic fibrosis were under 26 years old.
About one in every 25 Canadians carries a defective version of the gene responsible for CF, and currently there are more than 4,000 Canadians living with the disease. Many people are not even aware that they have this gene. Here’s the thing; both parents must carry the gene in order for their child to get CF, and each time they conceive they have a 1 in 4 chance of getting a child with CF. Carriers may pass on the gene without passing on the disease. For instance, Colleen has a brother and sister and neither have CF, nor do their children. Although Colleen’s mother lost a baby son and a teenage daughter to this terrible disease .
What is 65 ROSES?
The annual 65 Roses Gala is Cystic Fibrosis Canada Vancouver Chapter’s signature event, and I am excited to announce that this year marks the 15th ‘Crystal’ Anniversary of the gala. This amazing event, Presented by B2Gold Corp, is set to take place on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel, and to honor this milestone anniversary we have some special surprises and exciting performances lined up which I’m sure everyone will love! Tax receipts will be issued for the charitable portion of each ticket.
2015 Crystal Anniversary…..still some tickets available. For tickets: 604.436.1158 or visit http://www.65RosesGala.com
Last year’s Gala was a great success! Over 300 guests gathered to enjoy an evening of fine dining, superb wines, delicious food, and danced the night away. Thanks to guests, sponsors, and donors, we collectively raised more than $400,000 for cystic fibrosis research and care, making this our most successful event to date. There are still some tickets available.
About the RESEARCH
In 2015/2016, Cystic Fibrosis Canada will invest more than $7.7 million in innovative research and clinical care. Researchers are attacking cystic fibrosis on many fronts. We know that this research is making a difference in the lives of those with cystic fibrosis because the median age for life expectancy of Canadians living with CF is now 50.9 years, the highest in the world! This research and care is largely funded by our fundraising efforts and events such as this one, and we cannot raise the money that we do without the help of our generous sponsors.
How can you HELP make a difference?
If you are interested in supporting CF by donating an item for auction or purchasing gala tickets, please contact the Cystic Fibrosis Canada Western Region office at 604.436.1158 Not only will you receive a tax receipt for doing so, but it will make you feel good and *way more attractive too.
There have been great strides towards finding a cure for cystic fibrosis, but we know we can do more, and with your help we can fund critical research and care to help make CF stand for CURE FOUND.
I’m delighted to do whatever I can to help support CF and it makes me feel good to do something for such a worthwhile cause. Plus I’m looking forward to another FUN evening. Because let’s face it, there always has to be some FUN involved.
*FUN FACT: According to my friend Yanive, DONATING MAKES YOU 65 TIMES MORE ATTRACTIVE TO THE OPPOSITE SEX and adds 125% more goodness to your SOUL.
HOW COMFORTING IS CLOSURE? Very.Not in a feel-good sense but in an overall peace of mind sort of way. Otherwise it’s like an open ended book where you never quite know what happens in the end.
It’s important not only for those who have lost loved ones and were not able to say goodbye but also for relationships that have ended. It’s like you want to move on to the next chapter of your life gracefully and not keep re-reading the last.
And there is a certain sense of relief in coming to terms with your feelings about a person or a situation and finally being able to let go and start a brand new book. Even when the ending in the last one appeared kind of sketchy. In a psychological sense it’s finding an answer to an unclear situation. The Aha moment as in Ahhhh…..now I get it!Maybe you’re better off being an open book even if it means you end up hurting someone.
In the case of someone who passed on where you didn’t get the opportunity to say farewell in person or go to the funeral or memorial you can make your own bon voyageby lighting a candle, saying a prayer or paying tribute in some other manner. Go for a long walk, think about all the things you loved about that person, pull out photos, write something down and make a final toast. But never ever forget!
The beautiful thing is that memories live forever, regret should have no place and life as usual, carries on. Draw your own conclusions…
Yes; finding WORDS is important
In closing…..you might consider what Shakespeare’s Hamlet said “you have to be cruel to be kind“
I met this loveable 18 year old happy toothless pomeranian (I used to have one) at a friends open house partyand the “best thing” outside a store on Main
Be
who
you
are
Be
happy
Be
like the moment when you decide to make banana chocolate chip muffins in pink paper cups
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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