The Karmic Press – Page 2 – We Came to Drop Knowledge

“From Eden” Dance Film: Exploring Creativity & Duality

Tell me about the “From Eden” dance film.

What inspired you to create this project?

JULIE ASRIYAN: Well, I am an actor but my first introduction to the creative and performing arts was through music and dance. My parents are both musicians and my mom a dancer in her younger years so they passed on their love of expression through the arts to myself and my sister. I honestly cannot remember a time in my life that music didn’t light a fire in me that led me to a feeling of just needing to express it through movement. It is a magical, sacred space to find yourself in. That space of total freedom and connectivity with your own body. It’s not even always conscious. It’s just innate for me. I studied multiple disciplines of dance throughout my life and have always enjoyed the expression it gifted me. As an adult my focus shifted organically from dance to acting in theater and film. Acting is my greatest creative joy. I graduated from a professional actor’s training program at William Esper Studio in NYC and have since acted in films and staged productions as well as written, directed and produced works. But I always sought to find a way I can fuse my love of dance and acting and film into one creative expression without any limitation on what the work is “supposed” to be. I always had a problem with “supposed to’s” when it comes to creativity, really. This is where “From Eden” comes in. I found myself listening to the song “From Eden” by Hozier on repeat. It is an amazing record. Just the weight of it felt so right. It is both so dark in tone but light in it’s presence. And of course the serpent/devil and eden/virgin..those juxtapositions…I wanted to play with that idea. I began to dance to the record and began sort of choreographing and discovering characters within. I love that part of creativity, the discovery. I realized this is the perfect song for the sort of project I sought to create. A dance film set to the song, which fuses concept and story, dance and acting into a piece of art. A piece of expression. Duality as the central theme; inner demons/outer strengths, the serpent/eve, the temptress/the virgin, love/heartbreak, joy/pain…mirror images of each other. With this I went forth.

What was the process like? From concept to creating, collaborating and choreography.

JULIE ASRIYAN: I knew this would be a two person piece and the person I felt would be perfect to be my partner in this work is Celestine Rae. There is a kinship between us. Celestine and I studied together at the Esper Studio and she too came to acting by way of dance. I’ve always loved her grounded character, poise, unquestionable talent and devotion to the arts and we’ve worked together previously in other capacities but this would be the first for us in this form. I was so happy to hear of her excitement to be a part of this project, she too felt a yearning to reintroduce dance to her work. She was completely in tune with me from the very beginning. My next cause was to find the right choreographer for this piece. It was crucial for me to find a choreographer who works organically and intuitively. Someone who can understand that the relationship of the characters to each other and themselves is what was most important. I came across the work of Kristin Sudeikis and knew she was the one. Her enthusiasm and fine sensitivity for creating this with me was just a God- send. The last piece of the puzzle was the cinematographer. Dan Simon and I worked on another project together. I so love his passion for film. He was perfect for this because he understood immediately what I hoped to create in terms of tone and visual elements. He is so skilled both as a DP and editor in creating the composition and right visual style. And as an actor, he understand my passion for this work. When it came to developing choreography and the relationship I could not have asked for a more cohesive experience. Kristin and I vibed immediately and intuitively. She has a magnificent conscientious way of working with dancers/actors. Our work flowed naturally and clearly. Celestine was both incredibly receptive and giving. She was fully there, fully present in our discovery of the piece and each other. There was a lot of building we did outside of what ended up on film and it was so intrinsic to the creation. And Dan’s use of the space and introducing light and shadows as a major visual element was just perfect.

What about this project attracted you? Why did you take it on?

KRISTIN SUDEIKIS: The story-telling aspect of creating is infinitely attractive to me in every genre of art – music, dance, poetry, comedy, painting – I was drawn to Julie’s clear vision of the story she felt compelled to tell. I wanted to help her create that story in any way I could. Her clarity and commitment were equally compelling to me. Too, great taste in music, ha!

CELESTINE RAE: I was attracted to the merging of two art forms that I love and respect immensely. Dance is indeed my first artistic love… And acting soon followed. Acting is my primary focus right now but I often miss my dancing years. I miss being able to express myself and convey a story solely through movement. When Julie reached out to me about the project and sent me the song, it was an instant yes. The song lyrics spoke to me as well. Julie shared her idea for the theme of the piece which was based heavily in love, longing, and the torturous relationships we end up in while chasing love… The irony and complexity of experiencing love in a space where there is also pain… This concept definitely resonated with me on many levels… And honestly reminded me a bit of the love affair I once had with dance. The indescribable beauty and love for the craft juxtaposed with elements that were indeed torturous – physically as well as mentally and emotionally.

DAN SIMON: I was always interested in the idea of doing dance movies. I’ve filmed a few live dance performances and many music videos but never a dance piece staged specifically for the camera. There’s a very talented ballerina in my family and she has always been after me to collaborate on a dance film. When Julie asked me to be part of this I knew there were three very talented people involved so I knew I would have a good time and the product would be interesting. I also knew it would be a good introduction for me to test my eye on moving bodies through space. What could be more cinematic! I hope I can continue to do projects like this.

What was the process like for you from concept to creation to working with EVERYONE.

KRISTIN SUDEIKIS: Honest.

CELESTINE RAE: It was a breath of fresh air. Working with Julie was so inspiring. She is indeed a visionary and someone who creates under any and every circumstance. I’m grateful she brought Kristin on board. Kristin brought an openness and generosity of spirit to the room that she infused in her gorgeous movement. She encouraged us to find depth in the simplest of gestures. She reminded us this piece was about telling a story- not showcasing technique necessarily. We made some powerful discoveries during rehearsal and through improvisation. Dan was amazing to work with because I honestly forgot he was in the room at times. He remained a fly on the wall while we worked. After watching the film, it’s almost impossible to believe that he wasn’t in there setting up specific shots and running the show. What he was able to capture while being that fly on the wall is remarkable. This film is shot and edited beautifully! I’m looking forward to hopefully working with each of these artists again.

DAN SIMON: I came in when they were in the process of choreographing and I observed their dynamic and the space. For me the process is similar to covering a narrative dialogue scene. It becomes sort of obvious what to do with the camera based on the situation, relationship and the light. And in this case also the music. It’s usually intuitive and I always trust myself, and Kristin and Julie had a philosophy and set up an environment where that could happen. The editing felt the same way.

JULIE ASRIYAN: What we created in the end is exactly what I had hoped it would be. Mostly I love the fact that it now holds a life of it’s own. Many people have approached me with their own interpretations and understanding of the piece and I love that the most. When a work you create is found to relate and resonate and touch someone deeply, what’s better than that really?

Why The “One Day at a Time” Formula Has Saved Lives

We all know the saying: One day at a time. For alcoholics and drug addicts this statement has become a religion while for others, they have yet to understand the deep implications of this phrase. Some may respond with “Whatever,” after all there are always people that refuse to believe in the power of words and the power of the mind. They are victims to circumstance and are constantly battling the fight they chose of “Me Against The World.” For alcoholics, drug addicts and people of varied addiction “One Day At A Time” has brought insight, freedom and hope and there’s a very good reason as to WHY.

Under times of stress it is too easy to focus on the big picture. Someone fighting addiction may live a life of paralysis. Social engagements seem scary, people become a bigger threat than they once were and every moment needs to be handled with care. Sober people can be difficult to come by and there are many forms of socially-accepted escape surrounding us. Addicts like to hide out; It’s safe and it’s almost always preferable. What harm can be done when we remain in our domain?

When we give into the fear we can easily picture ourselves falling into relapse and we can see our entire life crumble, after all, it’s happened before. We can play out the scenarios that we had lived in the past: A broken life with a job or career and money that has been wasted, significant others and loved ones that walked away because they could no longer bare to witness and accept that we chose our addiction over our well-being, emotions that suffocated us and the vision of hope that resembled a buried casket. Life is dark when you feel like you have nothing to live for.

When one reaches sobriety an individual can feel so many things. It usually starts with all the pain they’ve avoided and after that emotional purging process is worked through, one many feel physically and psychologically exhausted. However, with time, patience and self-love one comes to feel revived and hopeful about another chance at a reality that isn’t lived in pure disillusionment.

One thing we sometimes forget is that while we’re going through detox, we have yet to face our biggest challenge: Staying sober. Days vary and sometimes they stretchhhh. We try to keep track of our emotions, healthily manage our stress and steer clear of people that may come with problems or temptations. When the big picture becomes too much of a fixation, everyday life brings a tremendous amount of anxiety and pressure. We may ask ourselves how will we deal with this situation, this job, this person – How will we deal with this life! How will we finally face all that we’ve avoided? We may think “If I can’t indulge to manage all this, how will I do it?”

Temptation is normal and needs to be carefully examined every time it arises. “One day at a time” is not the only thing we must practice, we must keep in mind that we must process each moment as it occurs. Considering too much at once and allowing our minds to accumulate all of these questions and concerns will naturally cause anxiety. We are over-stimulating ourselves. Not only do addicts know this but everybody knows it. Business professionals know it and artists know it. You may have 20 tasks placed before you before you can leave work but it’s only through the completion of one task that you can then move onto the second.

Compartmentalization is a useful concept to consider here. Learning to think of our thoughts as files that we neatly package or organize can be helpful in times of this mental rush of questions and fears. When we train ourselves to slow down and learn to emotionally detach from our lives and try to consider our situations in a factual way, then we can adapt a more logical approach to these challenges.

Learning to break down your thoughts in little bite sized pieces makes reality a lot less daunting. Ask yourself, why am I feeling this way? What is triggering this emotion? Why do I feel anxiety regarding this situation? How can I stop feeling anxiety about this situation and come to a resolution so that I can move forward with my life?

“One day at a time” is based around the idea of learning to process each moment carefully and with deep consideration. It is a Buddhist philosophy packaged into what you’d call a cliché but what others call a life saver. You create your reality and what happens in your life is due to the choices you make, in every moment you are deciding. Embrace all these moments in your life, there is strength to be found and a lesson to be learned through each of them.

100 Fabulous Photos that Capture New York City’s 2015 Gay Pride Parade

Every year I make a promise to myself: to attend the Gay Pride Parade. But every year something always goes wrong. I forget to keep track of the date or it just happened to occur a week ago and I’m just now finding out. This was always such a cause of disappointment as I feel so strongly about the subject. Not only was the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize Gay Marriage NATIONWIDE a massive (explosively exciting) fucking surprise but I knew that I would never forgive myself if I missed this year’s parade. I contacted my good friend Rob Ordonez, who is a fashion photographer in NYC, and asked him if my friend Gabbi and I could tag along with him for the parade and he was pleased to acquise to our request. We met him and his crew at Elmo where a huge rainbow flag hovered above the bar of the incredibly designed restaurant where waiters were adorned in togas, reminescent of Grecian times. Two glasses of champagne later and a few photos in, we finally follow the parade along the crowd that stood in amazement behind the barricades and the smiles of the people on the sidewalk were overflowing, I couldn’t press my camera button fast enough to catch each one. Not only did I feel relief to finally attend an event that I have been dying to be a part of but to witness such blissful freedom is a feeling I am still having trouble to articulate. I felt so free and happy that others could be free to be themselves. Life yet again became a celebration and the various expressions of love were rejoiced, rather than criticized or questioned. For the first time in my life New York City’s streets were not a source of anxiety but a source of oxygen I have never tasted. This is my attempt to summarize this year’s incredible parade in a 100 photos. I will never forget this day.

Why Kris Alberts is the Next Pop Star You Need to Know About

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Charming and glamorous with a voice that astounds and a stage presence that can only be compared to that of a goddess, Kris Alberts is a singer and performer that is sure to leave you feeling mystified. Having just released her debut album “Not Gonna Lie,” Kris and I had the pleasure to sit down to discuss her inspirations, her creative process and just exactly how her new album came together.

Her single “Favorite Mistake” is available on Itunes now!

What served as the main inspiration for your debut album?

My life, really. It’s really personal. I write about what I’m going through or what I see happening around me. Pretty much like a diary set to music. Whatever is on my heart or on my mind. It’s so close to me and really honest, hence the title of the album “Not Gonna Lie.” It’s kind off scary but also so amazing to have such an honest record out there. I myself relate to music with personal and honest lyrics. What’s personal is universal and I know that people will relate to this record.

Click Here to Buy Kris Alberts’ new album “Not Gonna Lie”

What about it stands out and how is it different from the music you’ve done in the past?

This is the first time I’m releasing a full record of my original work. So much hard work went into creating this. From the incredible musicians I worked with to my producer and my creative partner and manager Julie. This whole production was like nothing I’ve ever done before and I’m so thankful to have had the music and lyrics that I wrote come to life the way that they have. The sound is so true to who I am and is really authentic. I haven’t really heard anything out there now that sounds like my music. I think it’s a good blend of a catchy pop sound but it has my own flavor to it and elements of music styles that have inspired me growing up.

Was there ever a defining moment in your life where you said, “Ah yes, this is what I was born to do!”?

I can’t actually remember a time when I didn’t know I wanted to perform for the rest of my life. I grew up around music. My parents were performers, my sister is in that world and I was always drawn to this life. Anytime I would come off stage after a performance and would close a show, that feeling was indescribable. All I ever wanted was to do it again. I can’t imagine a life where I’m doing anything else.

Kris Alberts’ Official Website: http://krisalberts.com/

Who has been your biggest musical influence and why?

I grew up in the 90’s and early 2000’s. I would lie if I said I don’t love a good pop song. Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera – I looked up to these amazing pop vocalists. But because I grew up with mom and dad who performed in both the classical and contemporary music world I was introduced so many types of music. Jazz, R&B, Rock & Roll and Pop. Earth Wind & Fire, ABBA, Stevie Wonder, ACDC. Music from everywhere really. I’d say that my parents really influenced me most musically. They introduced me to this world and I found my own sound when I started writing.

If you had to choose between music and theater which would you say is your true love? Which one did you fall in love with first?

I almost hate this question, haha – Because it’s asked so often! Why do I have to chose? I hope to live in a world where I never have to chose. They’re so different. In the theater/acting world you are becoming someone else and living in that world and making that a reality for your audience. Singing and recording my own music, it’s all me and my truth. Both are so magical. But I really don’t see a world where I’m not singing, haha.

What was a moment of revelation that stands out pertaining to your musical journey?

I’ve had so many incredible moments that really told me that I’m doing something right and I’m so thankful for that. Most recently with the release of my single “Favorite Mistake.” I’ve had my own friends quoting my lyrics in their Facebook status, haha. That was a big one for me. They were relating to my writing and it really felt like..”Oh okay.., this is silly but it actually feels amazing.”

Discipline as an artist can be difficult to grasp. How did you manage to structure your life around your art and stay so committed? What was the fuel that kept you going?

I really have my parents to thank for that. They saw I was passionate at something, I was good at it, and they let me revolve my life around that. From dance schools to music schools, I went to a performing arts high school then a music theater conservatory and then dove into trying to make it in this crazy world. They stood by me and never tried to make me do anything else. They pushed me and just really helped. I have a really amazing support system. All my family and friends, they keep me going. Their support is absolutely everything to me. I love music and performing way too much, there is no plan B, there is no other option. I am a very optimistic person so I’m counting on a bright future.

Add this talented lady on Facebook, Twitter and be sure to follow her on Instagram

Was there anything you had to sacrifice to pursue your goal to be a musical artist?

I wouldn’t say I had to sacrifice anything. There may have been a recital instead of a birthday party or a music class instead of a school dance, but I loved doing what I was doing. I got to do what every regular kid does, plus I got to live this amazing life where I learned and performed and had so much fun.

How do you manage in times of self-doubt?

I get impatient and I get down on myself sometimes but luckily I have a lot of people around me that I can talk to and that can cheer me up. I just give myself a pep talk. Remind myself that I am talented, I have something to offer and I am worth the dream that I have.

Who and what is your support system?

My amazing family and friends. I am so blessed to have some really special people in my life that inspire me and encourage me endlessly. For so many years they stood by me and cheered me on as I embarked on this crazy path. They are my biggest fans and biggest cheerleaders. And I have been so lucky to be gaining a fan base with this new album coming. I am so thankful for these new fans and friends I have made that are showing support.

What have you done in situations of negative criticism? Has it ever affected you in such a way that you gave up and if so, what inspired you to try again?

You have to have a really thick skin to be in this industry. I think I do, You get ignored so many times, you get so many ‘no thank you’s.” It gets really hard, it does. There is always someone “better” than you. But like I said it’s important to know your worth and to cheer yourself on. I’ve had moments where I’m like OK maybe I need to rethink things, but that doesn’t last long because there is nothing else in this world I want to do.

Kris in the studio laying down the vocals like a boss!

How is your hair always so fabulous? 🙂

Hahaha that’s the best question, thank you! I’d like to say I have some good genes, haha. Mom and dad did good but I promise it does not always look fabulous.

Do you find your artistic process to be therapeutic? Are there ever moments it becomes frustrating? How do you manage when you find yourself getting impatient, upset, tired or indecisive about how to move forward?

Absolutely. Normally you’re feeling down and you write about it in your journal or something. I’ll just pick up my guitar and write a song. It’s the perfect release. If something isn’t working out right away I try to just relax and be patient. Give myself some time to figure things out or figure out a different way to go about doing something. In this world everyone is constantly critiquing you so even though usually I’m my own worst critic, it’s important to tell yourself “It’s gonna be ok. You’re good. Relax.”

What is your creative process? It is smooth or do ideas flood your mind chaotically? Is it exciting? How do organize your creative ideas? What is your process in terms of song production? What comes first, the lyrics or the music?

It’s always exciting but it’s never the same. Sometimes I’ll think of a lyric first, sometimes I’ll play around on the keys and fall in love with some specific chord progression. Usually once I start it’ll just flow. Sometimes I’ll write this great hook or something and then get stuck. But it’s all about patience and digging deep, haha. But when a song comes together, it’s really, really awesome.

What is your life perspective and how has that impacted your music?

I’m super optimistic and I think that’s the way you need to be. There’s enough negativity around. Be connected to your emotions, let yourself go, but just remember no matter what you’re feeling, everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.

What sort of an audience do you hope to reach? Is there anyone you seek to influence and is there any message you would like to share with your fans?

I just hope all different people can relate to my music: Girls, guys, teens, young adults. I hope to reach people like me that have felt these emotions and feel connected to me in some way because they hear my songs. I am so proud of this record and I really hope everyone has a lot of fun with it.

Join Kris Alberts as she debuts her new album at Mercury Lounge (located at 217 E. Houston St, NYC) on Saturday 13th, 2015 @ 7:30 pm

Free admission & cash bar!

Diving into the depths of The Bhagavad-Gita

Have you ever wanted to stomp your feet, pout and just settle upon the ground to watch the world wander by? I have, probably more often than I should admit, when life gets busy and convoluted you tend to forget your original intentions and lose sight of your goals. You simply want to sit silently and fade into the background because life is too difficult.

You’re not alone. Characters across the cultural spectrum have grappled with their inability or disinclination to make a choice. Be their reasons morally, ethically or personally motivated, many have chosen to simply stand down, to set on their proverbial sidewalks so to speak.

Sometimes we face problems that seem to have no clear, correct answer – these are called moral dilemmas. Many of the world’s Great Books deal with these quandaries and troubles; classics such as Great Expectations deal with moral depravity, the Iliad tackles the horror of war while others such as Tristan and Isolde discuss the power of love.

The Bhagavad-Gita, one of the main texts of Hinduism, deals with one such prominent moral dilemma. The story is set against the Kurukshetra War, a conflict that occurred between two great families, the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Both groups are locked in a vicious and violent struggle to rule the Kuru kingdom and gain the throne of Hastinapura. But notice, how that is the backdrop for the plot – like other spiritual texts the Gita has a deeper meaning to prove than the savagery of war.

Arjuna, one of five Pandava brothers, the acclaimed and admired warrior, is a principal player in the piece. He is confronted by the fact that if he chooses to fight the Kauravas he will also be killing his kinsmen, because the Kauravas are his cousins.

Arjuna is caught between a rock and a hard place – his choices consist of losing the war which would mean he and his brothers die or fighting the war and effectively killing his other kinsmen.

But Arjuna elects instead to create a loophole – he contemplates doing nothing. Since when is choosing not to choose a choice? Well, in theory it is a decision; however, it is sort of the coward’s way out. While there are times when it is appropriate to stay clear of deliberations, solutions and possibilities, war is not one of those times. War concerns the lives of living, breathing people – the innocent and the guilty both bleed red.

The plot here is thick, complex and this explanation barely covers the depth of the Gita. When I first read this text I was as lost as Neville’s toad Trevor on the Hogwarts Express. I felt completely confused, because I could sense the power and gravity of the words I was reading but I simply could not grab a firm hold of the verses’ intentions.

To put a modern twist on this conflict and diffuse it of some tension, Arjuna can be equated with the Indie music movement – while the Kauravas can be associated with the immense wave of pop music that is overloaded on the airwaves.

While I’m not against anything grouped under the label of Top 40, in fact at times I favor it, it is not inaccurate to state that it dominates a large range of radio stations. Just like the Kauravas, pop music is everywhere at the same time, and it’s set on crushing its seemingly smaller and inferior adversary, the indie scene.

Nevertheless, despite the persistence of the Kauravas to eliminate the existence of the Pandavas a saviour of sorts appears. Krishna, a Hindu deity, takes upon himself the humbling task of being Arjuna’s confidant and charioteer. He appeals to Arjuna to fulfill his dharma (duty) as a member of the Kshatriya or warrior caste – he urges the young man to fight.

This text deals specifically with the concept of svadharma which translates loosely from Sanskrit to “personal sacred duty.” We all have a purpose. Despite the insufferably cliche use of this phrase, I ask you to look beyond the modern idea of “fulfilling our purpose in life.”

You do not need to become eternally happy, extremely successful or look exactly like a model – you just need to know yourself; you need to fill the hole in the world that ONLY you can fill.

Your career comes with expectations, if you’re a teacher you’re expected to educate people, but that’s part of your dharma; it’s only part of your duty as an educator. Your personal sacred duty is about you and what you can contribute to the universe, but you must bring both into alignment in order to fulfill your destiny.

Don’t be intimidated by the term destiny, yes, it’s full of cosmic unconsciousness but it’s also just a word. We all have a destiny and a duty; don’t shy away from them, because then you’re only shying away from yourself if you do.

Krishna’s counsel leaves Arjuna at a loss; he feels stuck between doing his duty and doing the right thing. Much like an indie label band may be tempted to sell out to a large record company for better recognition and more financial security, the warrior is confronted and confused by his options.

This ancient text puts out a call for selfless action; Krishna is present to draw attention to the idea of making decisions without being obsessed with the outcomes of said choices.

Being selfless is about being unattached to the potential results of your actions – that does not mean you are uncaring – it means that you’re motivated by more than pride or avarice. We should be driven by the need to do our duty, no more and no less.

This type of lifestyle overhaul does not happen overnight. And you must stay conscious of the fact that even when you’re trying your best to do your duty you will mess up and make mistakes. When you’re feeling down, despaired and dejected recall these words from the Gita, “No effort in this world is lost or wasted.” (The Second Teaching, Verse 40; Barbara Stoler Miller translation.) So, you see the only true failure is not to try at all.

The Gita is an intricate and thorny text – it’s full of spiritual guidance and wisdom that can never be fully and wholly understood. But much like music, it has a variety of interpretations – there are of course, personal meanings attached to certain passages along with the traditional scholarly connotations. Take a chance; dive into the depths of the Gita and discover your own profundity along the way. I won’t blame you for sitting on the sidewalk every now and then but just make sure it doesn’t become your throne of apathy.

Luxury Meets Sustainability at Noosa Biosphere

Imagine a place where everyone, together as one human race, walks through life with a mind to educate the world community about depletion of natural resources. Each person mindful of their carbon footprint and the ability to see their relationship with the environment as a precious connection. A community who plans collectively for long-term conservation in order to indulge in the resources necessary for putting together awesome cultural events such as: Floating Land Festival, Noosa Biosphere Festival, and Green Art awards. These events celebrate community engagement in conjunction with sustainability, and even sustainable surfing to name a few.

This is how people in Noosa Biosphere live: beautifully and, more importantly, mindfully. They are especially mindful of the three biosphere principles:

Conservation

Sustainability

Learning

These three principles are the backbone of any biosphere. A biosphere is defined as “the part of the earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms exist or that is capable of supporting life.” In this case, biospheres of this kind are seen as their own ecosystems and are meant to serve as examples of uncorrupted natural land that maintains itself. There are over 550 UNESCO-recognized biospheres worldwide, designated as such in efforts to reassess human relationship to environment.

Noosa Biosphere is one such site. But it’s more than just a site – it’s a living community of folks who stand above the crowd through commitment to social accountability – e.g., helping humans understand how their footprint affects nature through eco-conscious industry, or getting involved on one of six community sector boards, which support civilian participation in government of the region. Noosa residents see the long-term benefits of society working together to improve conservation status and sustainable practices.

While Yosemite National Park upholds civic engagement and historic preservation and the Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve (GGBR) provides easy access to nature recreation and education – which are great resources necessary to encourage research on sustainable economic development – it falls under local responsibility to demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature. I am proud to say that Port of Richmond (part of GGBR) has wonderful city officials whistle-blowing Chevron Refinery’s corner-cutting but we still don’t have the same widespread organic forging of community guided by sustainable development. In Noosa the community is part and parcel to nature. Their government only shut down once in its history and thankfully they didn’t think it necessary to “shut down” nature on public land.

No, America! NO Muir Woods for YOU. You've had enough already. — No, America! NO Muir Woods for YOU. You’ve had enough already.

Imagine if you lived in a habitat like Muir Woods or Yosemite. Let me tell ya, the native Aussies and their lucky visitors are living that dream. Every day they work, learn and live on – excuse me – in harmony with a UNESCO site. By communing in and with nature these people learn the ins and outs of their habitat and thus are able to understand the biological and cultural processes that lead to depletion of the earth’s resources.

And just in case you still believe that climate change is a hoax, NEWSFLASH! Human-produced greenhouse gases and forestry are two of the biggest contributors to our aquifers being depleted here in California and often lead to desertification of the world over. Don’t want droughts? Then quit the unsustainable land management: we cut down our forests and use the land for grazing animals then overgraze the land due to human demand for beef. In grasping habits which ruin the earth’s hydrological cycle, we prevent the earth from naturally filling our taken-for-granted aquifers and reserving water year-round. We can do better and WE KNOW SO because Noosa manages to integrate sustainable practice and economic feasibility. Some don’t think luxury and sustainability can co-exist but Noosa clearly proves otherwise. Bam!

Tourism Noosa, the premier tourism organization of northern AU, commit to their own Sustainable Destination Action Plan (SDAP). Guided by a vision to redefine sustainable luxury they take responsibility of redefining what tourism means for a community: “Working together to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability for tourism in the Noosa region.” While there are many discrete organizations dedicated to sustainability in Northern CA, there exists no such staunch, organized consideration of eco-tourism in any region of the state. We’ve got our work cut out for us! And it will only become more necessary to integrate sustainable practices in all parts of society as time goes on: We (and our #1 biosphere, planet earth!) aren’t gettin’ any younger! There will be no earth for our future young’ins to sustain if the environment keeps showing signs of what could be the 6th Mass Extinction.

Let us end with an inspirational quote from Phillip Moran, Noosa Biosphere Honorary Fellow and General Mgr. of Noosa & District Landcare:

“It’s a celebration of community, is a simple way of putting it. The interaction of man and environment. So it’s not just locking it up like a national park, it’s encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices and work together to try and keep this land in as good a possible condition as we can for our kids.”

Why Should I Bee Concerned?

For some time now, bees have become the focus of environmental agencies as their numbers began to radically decline. This issue has resulted in many organizations and websites that want to contribute to helping the bees and educating individuals by giving out advice, information and petition forms to ban pesticides and other intense chemicals that kill bees. There is a massive movement that seeks to inform people on how to assist the bee population; Helping bees thrive in our world is becoming a priority to our way of life.

Bees have played a crucial role in the farming system for a very long time. As pollinators they help plant life (such as flowers, trees, crops, etc.) reproduce for the next generation. Bees and other pollinating insects are responsible for one-third of all the pollination that takes place in the farming industry.

The population of bees and other pollinating insects (i.e. butterflies, wasps, flies, etc.) is vital to plant growth as well. Simply put: without these insects to help pollinate the plants, humans and animals alike will suffer from food shortages. Yet as the farming world began to shift, so have the bees and their lifestyle. As the Agricultural revolution took root, our bees began to mysteriously disappear.

The mystery of the missing bees began in the late 1990s when farmers started to discover a large number of their bees had gone missing, leaving the Queen Bee alone to starve and die. Scientists went on a massive search to find the culprit for the vanishing buzzing insects. The initial assumption was that of a disease that could have potentially spread to each colony. After 15 years, three new studies show that the culprit of the “colony collapse disorder” (CCD) could be a result of a class of pesticides known as “neonicotinoids.” Designed to ward off any insect that tried to damage the crop that was planted, neonicotinoids have also affected butterflies, wasps, and all other insects, pollinators or not.

Since 2006, 40% of the commercial honeybee population declined in the USA, 25% in Europe since 1985, and 45% in the UK since 2010.

Greenpeace, an organization dedicated to helping the environment thrive as it was meant to, created the website sos-bees.org to offer information such as reasons for their decline, why they are important to our ecosystem and what can be done to help. They are trying to help by getting a petition signed to ban all bee-killing pesticides and in order to promote more environmentally conscious farming methods. More mindful sustenance of our environment and better care of our crops through ecological farming will result in better bee health and cleaner crops.

Other organizations and websites, such as Buzzaboutbees.net, savethebees.org, and Bee Raw, offer advice on how consumers can help. It’s suggested that not only should consumers lessen the use of these pesticides but that they should also plant flowers that will help the bee population thrive in one’s own garden. With these practices in mind, not only will you be helping the bees but your garden will look colorful and bright, attracting not only bees, but also butterflies and hummingbirds as well.

Another trend of helping the bees has also been boosted through the use of social media, for instance being conscious of things we may not have known otherwise: When a bee is down and not moving, it does not mean that they are dead, but simply that they are dehydrated and can be helped by mixing a bit of water with sugar and feeding it to them with a spoon. Once hydrated, bees will perk up and fly away happily to continue their hard work.

The problem of the rapid decline in the bee population doesn’t only concern the bees. These pesticides are also affecting other important insects that assist in food production and ensure that we will eat tomorrow. Out of every morsel of food that you eat, one bite is thanks to the bees, the butterflies, the wasps and the flies.

So, who cares about the bees?

We all should.

Sources

http://www.change.org/petitions/epa-save-our-bees-and-the-food-we-eat-ban-bayer-s-chemicals-now

http://wakeup-world.com/2012/04/24/mystery-of-the-disappearing-bees-solved/

http://sos-bees.org/

http://www.buzzaboutbees.net/save-the-bees.html

http://beeraw.com/savethebees

Love Always, Joe

To All the Amazing, Loving and Supportive People in My Life,

I’ve written countless songs, short stories, pitches and screenplays in my life but this is by far the toughest thing I have ever had to write.

As you may or may not have heard, in January 2014 I was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. While there is much controversy around it, there are a few people who have actually been misdiagnosed with having Lyme disease and Babesiosis, ticborne illnesses which I did test positive for. So I pursued that treatment; Who wouldn’t, right? I did make positive strides in the beginning, for instance on April 13 & 14, I was “normal”, speaking beautifully, walking great, no brain fog, great energy, dexterity, balance – it feels like a dream today. I felt SO good I was actually online looking for a job. Then it happened again: May 18th, woke up like old Joe. Unfortunately, after 5 months of heavy IV antibiotic treatment for these ticborne illnesses it does not appear I am one of those rare but lucky misdiagnosed cases and have since fallen off sharply. The neurologist believes the anti-inflammatory properties of the drugs are what causes these anomalies but my overall deterioration is evident. The good news is you have about a 1/140,000 chance globally of getting this damn thing so now that you know someone who has it, unless you have 140,000 other friends, you are in the clear, lol. So now what?

Fight.

Love.

Live.

Period.

I will never give up and my family and I are in constant search for alternatives while preparing for possible clinical trials.

Currently, I am no longer in SF but living in NY with my mother and brother. Unfortunately, this was all too much for my wife to deal with and I’ll leave it at that. I love her and I miss her, my three beautiful, sweet and hilarious dogs and the life we built together – I miss it all beyond words, no analogy will do. The collective suddenness of my illness and the loss of what I loved and lived for the last ten years of my life is a heartache I wouldn’t wish upon the devil himself. In early December I was interviewing for a job and shopping for new suits with my wife. On January 22nd the bomb went off. But I must carry on and my family and I will go anywhere necessary on the planet for treatment. I have incredible genes and was in top health before all this happened, so I choose to Believe.

Still there is a great deal of coping that I am learning to do. Part of this struggle is the never ending fear and depression as you hack your way through another day of sobbing breakdowns. (Don’t worry, this ends happily :)) I sit down and think about my life a year ago – living in the best neighborhood in the most beautiful city in America IMHO, a beautiful wife, walking my three buddies every day in the park, eating great food, incredible weather, going to Giants games… I could go on and on, I was LIVING THE DREAM. I was living the dream, yes, but I didn’t even know it and that’s the part that haunts me and makes me sob. I suppose its human nature to take things for granted; it’s what we all do until something bad wakes you the hell up.

I have a deep, deep heartache for how ungrateful and unaware I was for so long, but again, that’s human nature, so don’t beat yourself up, Joe! Ok, here’s the good part…

I wasn’t living the dream because of the neighborhood, or the town, or the digs I was living in or the ways I chose to spend my money. I was living the dream because I had my health and loving people in my life, that’s it, period, end of story. So whether you are in San Francisco, Jacksonville, Naples or Detroit, living in a mansion or a van, delivering the mail or you are CEO, as long as you have your health and are surrounded by people you love, you are in fact, living the dream. That’s it, that’s all that matters in life, period, end of story, that’s the “one thing,” Curly 😉 Forget about money, ambitions, titles, promotions, your career status, the big deal… it’s all bullshit.

Got Health?

Got people to love?

Congratulations you just won the game of life.

So when your feet hit the ground tomorrow morning, and the day after that and the day after that, remind yourself: “I am living the dream.” Gratitude. Take that to the bank, it’ll do way more than gold ever will.

I have been blessed with many wonderful people who have been helping my family and I navigate the clinical trials and find what may be best. I ask that everyone who reads this please join the effort – if you know of anything that may be a possible treatment or if you think you can help in any way, please leave a message in the comment section below. (You can call me but I sound like I just drank 4 martinis, lol.)

Thank you all for your love and support during these times and I will continue to keep my faith, fight and pray that a breakthrough and a blessing is on its way. ANYTHING you hear or know of ANYWHERE, please reach out, nothing is too outlandish, I just want to live, love and laugh again, period.

Love always,

Joe

How Does Stress Manifest?

“I’m so stressed out.” How often have you heard those words escape the lips of your boss, your partner, your colleagues or even random commuters – you’ve probably even said that phrase yourself once or twice. It seems as if nowadays everyone is so full of anxiety, stress, fear and/or anger that it’s so casually accepted. It’s seen as a natural byproduct of our society and how it is run. However, stress can do terrible things to your body and your mind – health should be our priority, but it’s not. Despite the amount of studies that have been done on stress and its affects upon our bodies, people continue to push themselves beyond their limits because they’ve grown to believe that it’s the only way to keep their heads above water. We’ve been taught that if you cannot take the heat to get out of the kitchen and unfortunately, stress is seen as a weakness more than anything.

It’s not. Forget that belief right now – human emotions are never signs of weakness but of our innate humanity. Feeling stress can be as natural as feeling joy or sadness; however, feeling stressed every day is a recipe for burnout and disaster.

In small quantities it has been proven that stress can motivate and encourage creativity – systems such as deadlines or rewards help stimulate people in the workplace. Nevertheless, stress is like a knife – it can be useful and helpful in preparing the vegetables for a healthy soup or it can cause you to slip up and make a bloody mess of everything.

So, why do we stress? Or, more specifically, what causes us the most stress? According to an article on PsychologyToday.com a study has been conducted about the link between materialism and depression. Researchers at Baylor University in Waco, Texas came to the conclusion that the more attached people were to goods the more unsatisfied they were with their lives. This mode of thinking; however, has been around for many years as proved by the old saying, “Money cannot buy happiness.”

Another interesting finding of this study was that the materialistic people weren’t only more likely to be more depressed, but they also found it more difficult to be grateful for what they did have which prompted their misery. Self-inflicted misery it may be, but then what’s the solution? Throw away all of our possessions, live under the stars, the pouring skies and the baking heat with only a hobo sack on our backs so that we can truly revel in the joy provided by simplicity?

No. Going from one extreme to another is never healthy – getting rid of everything we own is not a solution – it’s more of a last ditch treatment attempt on our part. Nevertheless, having too much is harmful. I have seen firsthand what kind of damage having too many things and not enough love or kindness does to a person – someone close to me died that way. Lost, angry, broken – he left us in a blur of impulsiveness and confusion. He exhausted himself at work making him a tired soul who yearned for something he could not name.

Stress kills. It manifests in uncomfortable and unhappy fashions – personally, I know that I have suffered headaches, migraines (yes, there is a difference and you would know if you’ve ever experienced one), stomach aches, acid reflux and temporary insomnia because of stress. Stress is known to cause the body to lose its ability to regulate the inflammatory response, making it more susceptible to sickness. We know stress can cause acne but did you know it can also cause boils? And take for instance what happens when we’re stressed. Being under pressure often makes us desire fast remedies to our frustration and it makes us less likely to think things through. Being under stress means we lack the time and the mental clarity to make better choices so it’s no surprise to hear that stress leads to impaired decision making.

Stress is not something to be romanticized or idolized. The people who are stressed are not always more productive, they’re just harried. Being stressed long term does not make you a better person; it does not make you more creative – it makes you angry, frustrated and sad.

The Baylor study cites gratitude as the key to being more satisfied with one’s life. Focusing on other’s needs can help you put your own life in perspective; maybe you can do without those new clothes and instead take your child to a live show of their favorite band. Maybe you don’t need that new laptop cover and you can buy your younger sibling an ice cream cone instead.

These actions seem small but when done without a concentration on how the outcome will benefit you they become things of beauty. It isn’t about the outcome sometimes but the intention behind the action. Living for others does not mean that you should neglect yourself; it simply means that every now and then you should take stock of your life and decide if you need everything that’s currently in it. If something is cluttering up your life with negativity or drama cut it out, do it politely and slowly if need be, but end it.

Arguing has also been shown to increase the risk of death during middle age as proved by a study from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. Stressful relationships can cause blood pressure to rise and increase the possibility of experiencing angina.

Even cynicism has been linked to potentially increasing the risk of having dementia according to research done at the University of Eastern Finland. Cardiovascular problems as well as cancer-related deaths have been associated with cynicism before but dementia is an entirely new testing ground. It was ensured by the researchers that the study they conducted did not assume a link between cynicism and depression as risk factors for dementia but merely a cynical attitude on its own merit.

So, what’s the solution? We seem to already be in dire straits – how can we change ourselves and still maintain our productivity (as well as our sanity)? How can we quiet the little voice in our heads that tells us when we aren’t stressed we’re being a waste of space?

Start small and slow – give back everything you don’t need. Go through your clothes and donate the ones you do not wear anymore. When you go shopping experiment with window-shopping but do not declare a boycott on spending money. Do not go from one end of the spectrum to the other. Make birthdays more about being with friends and family than about gifts. Take a break when you need one, your project won’t spontaneously combust if you leave it for a few minutes. Be thankful for what you have and your future opportunities. Bask in the glory of thanksgiving. Stress will still be there – sometimes it might catch you or buoy you at deadline time but always remember to show it the door after it has spent the night – you don’t need that kind of clutter in your fantabulous life.

READ MORE:

The Culture of Depression: Nature, Materialism, and Depression by ROBERT J. HEDAYA, M.D.

The Madness of Materialism by STEVE TAYLOR

Materialistic people ‘more likely to be depressed and unsatisfied’

Gratitude, Not ‘Gimme,’ Makes for More Satisfaction, Baylor University Study Finds

Constant arguing increases premature death risk

Stress and Decision Making: Avoid Expensive Mistakes by L. JOHN MANSON, PH.D

Carnegie Mellon University: How stress influences disease – Study reveals inflammation as the culprit

Cynicism linked to greater dementia risk, study says by JEN CHRISTENSEN

Why Should I Be Positive?

Why should you be positive? Why indeed. Well, does it sound attractive to spend the rest of your life in a state of negativity – followed by a black cloud of self-doubt, anxiety and anger? No? Then please, read on.

Day in and day out we are all constantly bombarded by the expectation to be positive, to smile and to be happy. But positivity isn’t necessarily affiliated with happiness. Positivity is focused more on a feeling of hope or belief rather than the temporary high brought on by joy.

Positivity is a style of thought, a lifestyle, not a passing fancy. Surprisingly, it’s a tough way to live – it requires constantly exercising your free will and choosing each day to be positive. Life is all about choices – those choices define who you are, whom you meet, how you come across to others and how your future will turn out.

So, how do you adopt a positive attitude? It’s simple – choose it. There is no magic ten-step program that will make you more positive or improve your life; it’s all about you and what influences you allow into your life. You control your life and that control gives you the power to make the sun shine even when the sky is grey. I cannot tell you what changes to make because only you are in touch with your inner self, only you will know what you truly want from life.

I once heard the phrase, “A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist,” and for me those words ring true. Personally, I am somewhat of a cynic but I have seen the fruit that positivity has borne in my own life. If you are staunchly against positivity, if you are skeptical of its benefits – I challenge you. Be positive, for one day, one week, one month; whatever, you choose but actively add it into your life. Sense the difference for yourself. Only if you reject something like this without trying it can you be called a stick in the mud.

As previously established, maintaining a positive outlook can be tough. There will most certainly be days when you just want to curl into yourself and exude a prickly, do not talk to me aura. That’s completely valid, your actions are justified – again, positivity is not about eternal happiness but hope.

Being negative becomes a problem when you PROJECT your emotions onto the people around you. Imagine if your boss chose to reject every idea you and your team put forward for something because he or she has chosen to believe that the project is already a failure, even before it has taken shape. That kind of attitude brings down the morale of the entire group just like complaining about a task will make it seem worse than it is in actuality.

How you act substantially impacts the people around you as well as the quality of your own life; Why not make a positive difference when you’re given the opportunity? Take the road less traveled – the journey will be more beautiful and worthwhile. Choose positivity.