As for the production company I helped co-found, it is in the good hands of my ole business partner, Rosemary.  The decision to direct enCompass Entertainment to more of a management company, was an organic one.  I, on the other hand, will solely handle babies, “See Jane Run” and “World of Dance.”  It was a great ride.  But now it’s time to begin again.

Actually, the word, “stuck” is unfair to my company because I didn’t feel that way at all.  I hope that he forgives me for the less than appealing description.  As a matter of fact, I spent about a week with the kid and I’ve got to admit, it was kind of refreshing to have that energy around again.  Don’t get me wrong.  Teenage angst is alive and well!  But in talking to him, he admitted that he gets worked up quite easily, which I thought was mature beyond his years.  To already be that self-aware…  I don’t think I had that going on at 16 years old!  At one point, I offered up my own unsolicited wisdom.  ”That’s the nice thing about getting older.  I just let that stuff go.”  He joked (but in that not really jokey tone) that it’s fun to be a teenager in angst!  Hmmm… I don’t ever recall having fun when I get frustrated over the little things… but ok!  I suppose that’s his prerogative.

What I did find refreshing was in part, because of his own conversations with his sweetie back home.  I didn’t want to eavesdrop, but he was sitting in the front passenger seat afterall, and he was obviously ok with me sitting right next to him while chatting with sweetie.  I told him after one of his conversations ended, “You sure aren’t at a lack for conversation.”  He said, “How can you run out of things to talk about?”  Apparently the over-an-hour-long convo was one of their shortest yet.  From my perspective, he was just so interested in what she had to say.  She let him talk about skinny jeans, rockin out to 80′s music (with me), and burger joints around town.  It wasn’t about responsibilities- having to find storage, having to find a new tenant, having to replace the garbage disposal.  Blick.

That’s why it’s invaluable to my well-being that I go on my annual girls trip.  Girls I’ve known since we were teenagers.  Now that there are marriages, mortgages, and newborns in the mix, we have to plan several months in advance just to spend a few nights together.  That’s when time stands still and we revert back to the more carefree part of ourselves.  On laughs alone- it’s worth it!

One of the reasons/excuses is because I bought a new computer.  Converted from PC to Mac.  Any extra digital time I can spare, has been about navigating my way around with this new language, so to speak.  I’m actually attending my first Apple workshop tomorrow- a productive way to spend Labor Day wouldn’t you say?

I don’t know about you, but in my circle, changes are abounding.  I am no exception.  I am not ready to spill the beans just yet.  I don’t think it will be of any real surprise anyway.  The past year plus, has been a time of transition.  When the time is right, I’ll reveal.

In the meantime, it’s time for me to wrap things up.  Hope you are all enjoying the long weekend!

Then, there’s culture of kindness.  Yes, kindness.  At first glance, the word kindness seems like an outdated, on-the-surface, non-provoking notion.  But, after an encounter yesterday, I see that being kind is a virtue that is taken for granted with rudeness cutting in line.  It was the Flugtag event- an entertaining display of wannabe air crafts taking off a ramp, usually resulting in a straight nose dive into the water- in this case, the body of water was the Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach.  I was walking out to meet my friends when a woman in her car got my attention.  “Hey, do you know where the Hyatt is?”  I could tell she was in a hurry.  There was a neon orange 8 x10 sign on her dashboard that said, “MEDIA.”  But because of sound walls blocking the view and the position of her car, it would be difficult to give her accurate directions.  After one of those hmmmm-I’m-thinking-uh’s, I pointed, “Oh, it’s over there… in that direction.” Sarcastic would be an understatement describing her response which was, “Great, that really helps me.”  I tried to be empathetic.  “I know… I’m sorry.”  She moved onto curt and snappish.  “Yeah right!”  Wow did that escalate!  And to think she was posing as media.  (How I wish I found out who she worked for.  I could only narrow it down to print, as she was only with a still camera.)

Is this (lack of) kindness a wave that is sweeping all cultures?  What’s the deal?  Has the economy and the real estate market and BP and the egg recall just zapped us of vitality and call to champion?  And it’s just not media woman.  A friend just told me that she had to “break up” with another friend because that friendship was toxic.  One more friend told me that a relative is less than supportive and goes out of her way to show it.

As I thought about my friends’ anecdotes and my personal encounter of rudeness with a stranger… I also wrapped up my reading of Gretchen Rubin’s “The Happiness Project.”  Interesting timing.  She observed, “It’s easier to complain than to laugh, easier to yell than to joke around, easier to be demanding than to be satisfied.”

Well I’ve never been into taking the easy way out.  I know that I’d be feeding the monster by calling people out… so it will be one kind act at a time from me (and a test of my patience, I’m sure).  I hope that we Americans cultivate a culture of kindness once again.

South By Southwest (SXSW) is a relatively young festival at just 25 years old, yet it gives the Sundance film festival a run for its money.  Originally showcasing music, the 5 day event held around spring time, has become a magnet for indie film makers.  And let’s not forget the 1800 bands that make the pilgrimage as well.   Austin City Limits is strictly a music thing.  The 3 day festival is a showcase for 100 of the best of the best.  There’s also the tv show- where Pearl Jam, Coldplay, and Austin’s pride, Stevie Ray Vaughan, made appearances at one time or another in their illustrious careers.

More on Austin’s sight and sounds in this week’s SJR webisode:

Navigating soCal’s surface streets is a no brainer for me.  I even have my favorite surface street alternative routes to ugly freeway conditions during rush hour.  But, I also feel at home when I’m out and about… and if my travels in the last year have been any indication, that means unfamiliar territory at least a couple of times a month.  In the brief time that I’ve been acquainted with Mr. Tom Tom, I have been able to navigate Denver’s streets with confidence, find a cheap Japanese diner by LAX, and locate the closest gas station across the desert on my way to Vegas.

It looks like there are a few international options for the Tom Tom app as well:   Canada, Mexico, Thailand, Europe, to name a few.  There’s even one for the Middle East.  Hmmm…  I don’t think I’m going to download that one anytime soon.

Anyways, my favorite specifics about the TomTom App v1.4:

* SEAMLESS NAVIGATION WHILE CALLING (iPhone 3GS only):  See continuous visual instructions, even when you are on a call, so you still find your way.

* BACKGROUND NAVIGATION INSTRUCTIONS (iPhone 3GS & iPod touch 3rd Gen. only): Great for multi-tasking and assuming you’re the co-pilot and NOT driving… It lets you see other apps on your screen while still receiving spoken turn-by-turn  instructions.

* ROUTE SHARING: Share your route details with your contacts via email.

* ECO ROUTES:  You’ve heard about “reducing your carbon footprint?”  More fuel-efficient Eco Routes are available.

Traffic updates are available for an extra service fee, so I didn’t sign up for that.  The navigator’s voice is pleasant enough.  And like I mentioned, you can access nearby hotels, restaurants, and other favorite destinations with the Point of Interest feature.  Just make sure (if you’re solo) to program it before you drive.  No POI for “cheap eatz” is worth a car wreck.

It just so happens I’m also reading, “The Happiness Project.”  It’s also a witty memoir from someone in her mid-30′s about well… finding more happiness in her life.  Not that she’s depressed.  It’s just that after so many years, the author, Gretchen Rubin, realizes she complains more, nags more, and is shorter tempered.  And life is too short to have it earmarked with pettiness like the negatives just listed.  I haven’t finished it but I tend to think part of the theme is, “It’s the little things that count” and having an “attitude of gratitude.”

I then went to lunch with two of my dearest friends.  One talked about his friend who lost a relative suddenly.  That friend was understandably devastated.  Several months later, friend decided that life is too short and that he and my buddy should do something cool, different, exciting, or out-of-the-box every week.  They went to the Hollywood Bowl one weekend (neither have been after several years of living in LA).  Neither is an X-gamer, but they got tickets to the recent X-Games at the Coliseum.  (I still haven’t been to the Coliseum for an event.)  My friend said they had an awesome time.  I said, “It’s kind of like a bucket list.”  My buddy said, “It’s a living list.”

Living list.  I love it!  Recurring theme here? Tomorrow’s movie.  My current read.  Recent conversation.  To live consciously.  To make moments count.  Sometimes, it’s just a mental shift that makes all the difference too.  Oie!  Maybe it’s because I just saw a birthday come and go.  It’s a period of reflection times a thousand because of the “milestone.”

I actually don’t have a bucket list per se.  I’d like to think that I’m doing what I want to do now (or at least moving in the right direction) so that I don’t look back and regret not visiting the Himalayas or going on an African safari.  Sure, singing back up for Luis Miguel or performing with Jet Li in a kung fu film, might not be crossed off the list… ah well, a girl can still dream.

Some days I am challenged to fill the everyday-ness with bigger than life moments.  Other days, I know that everyday is not going to be big, which is totally ok.  That would be boring too.  Ebb and flow.  That is living.

Monday morning.  All security lines packed to the gills.  Can’t even see the front of the line.  Time to kill…

I’ve never seen anyone smile while standing in line.  I supposed lines aren’t going to bring out the happiest in travelers, but shoot!  You’re traveling, people!  Getting out of dodge!  I understand long trips abroad could be a bit trying on fatigued nerves, but those short getaways?  I want to say, “Chill dude!  It can’t be that bad if you’re wearing flip flops and shorts!”  It doesn’t make sense.  For this reason, I try to smile every once in awhile.  At the very least, I keep my face in neutral slanting towards pleasant rather than pissed off.

I also recall never having seen a TSA officer smile.  Yeah… the job is less than ideal, but it’s important.  It’s a contribution.  I bet some of those same people were happy when they got the call saying they got the job with the TSA.  Whatever, I smile at them too.  It might be the only smile they get all day.  They never smile back…  Oh well.

I have yet to see anyone use a mobile boarding pass.  Is that supposed to make it easier or faster to get through?  To me, it’s actually more of a nuisance because now I’m holding a bulky phone and ID, rather than a piece of paper that I can fold around my ID.

Why do people dress the way they do?  If there was ever a fashion police, they could walk the beat at the airport and make arrests all day.  Meow…  but here goes:  “Aren’t jeans at least two sizes too small on women, just going to cut off their circulation that much more 35 thousand feet in the air?”   “The guy who is going to wear flip flops with jeans should at least cut his toe nails.”   “Who is wearing that much perfume at this time of the morning?”

Anyways, even with all of the hassle to get ready to go, I think it’s important to embrace and maybe, even appreciate the little moments along the way.  Always about the journey.

I also usually bring a book- just in case.

The one must-have… and I actually discovered this on a girls weekend trip to Las Vegas a few years ago… eye drops.  But not just any eye drops.  We’re talking VEGAS strength eye drops.  The Palms Casino Resort made them as part of the in-room amenities.  (Those Maloof brothers know a thing or two about partying it up, Las Vegas style!)  Rohto Eye drops might feel like a little shock to the system.   They feel like they literally cool the redness and irritation down.  I also used to work the early shift, having to wake up at 2AM, and I can tell you from my professional and personal experience, these were are a lifesaver!

Ok, so with the red out and wanting to make the good times last past supper, my friends and I take what some know as the “disco nap.”    It’s just that 20 minute snoozer to take off the edge from the early morning groggies and a refresher for the evening’s activities of  taking in a Cirque show and cattle herding at Tao’s overrated nightclub.

I like to keep my energy up all the time, so I always take multi-vitamins.  I’ve been loyal to the Nutra Pack from Symmetry for years!  Not only do I get the supplements I need as part of my wellness plan, but the formula has a time- released energy blend.  I still need my coffee and disco nap, but I can tell you this:  You know when it seems that
everyone around is dropping like flies, catching a cold?  I don’t.  I haven’t.  My immunity is mega strong.  What I also love, love, love about the Nutra-pak is that it comes in daily dose packages.  Forget to take your vitamins?  I put
them everywhere.  My purse.  My glove compartment.    And you can bet that I take them along on a long girls weekend to Las Vegas.