For Twothousandandeleven.

Let George do the talking. Happy New Year everyone!!

Can't Wait.

To see 'Somewhere', by Sofia Coppola. It just looks so freaking promising. Don't you think? And oh, a perfect film to start off the new year with. There's just something about the worlds she creates that's almost spell binding. Funny thing is, I remember seeing Stephen Dorff at a hotel in New York a couple of years ago, wondering what ever happened to him and his career. The way you often do in New York. Somehow, this seems to be the perfect part for him. Sometimes, things just fall into place, don't they?

Looking forward to this one.

 

 

All images copyright Focus Features.

I've cleansed.

And made room for new beginnings. New names, titles, words. Or continuation of beginnings that were new not too long ago. A new year is ahead of us, and it's time to take a deep breath, and dive in. With joy, hope, force, dreams and action. Above all, action. This is how I'm approaching 2011. What about you?

To be Mailed ASAP

Christmas cards are one of the best things about the holidays, don't you think?

I was very pleasantly surprised over my find this year, from the little shop at the Victoria & Albert Museum here in London. I love museums, I love cards, it's a match made in heaven. Just look at these pretty ones:

Insomnia at it's best

Sometimes I can't sleep. Tonight is one of those nights. No matter how hard a try, or how many sheep I count while forcing my eyes to stay closed, I can't sleep.

Instead, I start thinking about things that at the moment seem to weigh heavier in importance than my precious hours of sleep. Such things as say, oh I don't know, the future. I think and I think, I turn dilemmas inside out, I dream whilst awake, and it's not an altogether unpleasurable experience. But it is not helping me sleep.

There are however, I notice, a few beneficial things about not sleeping:

1. Getting things done. Whatever they may be.
2. Getting those little moments of clarity which are not seldom brought on by insomnia, let's call them nightly aha moments if you will. Suddenly, actions that need to be taken following morning are very clear.
3. Surfing without guilt. It's not like you have anywhere to be at 3 in the morning. I hope.
4. There really isn't a fourth point, but there could be. I'm sure you can think of one.

It's All in the Neighborhood

Perfect names for perfect little roads.

When I lived in New York, the best days were the ones where I didn't have to leave my neighborhood.

Time spent living in a huge city today is pretty much divided into two parts, not always in an equal measure: 

 The part where you work, make use of the hectic subway system at what feels like a gazillion miles an hour, carry your heavy load of bags onto the next destination as you're swooshing through the tunnels, diligently pressing as many to dos' into your busy hours as possible. That's hectic part, the busy big city one that makes people crave the country side and chirping birds after a while.

Then there's the other part. The one where you don't have to leave your neighborhood. Those days when you don't have a single bus or train to get on, but you're actually able to do everything that you need to do locally, in your own little assembly of blocks and high street or two. I do think those are the best days.

In New York, I lived in Brooklyn. Now, anyone who's ever made the bridge crossing over to this fantastic borough knows that this is one of the places where real life takes place in New York. The life of families with children growing up, struggling artists and people just arrived in the city. Those who are fortunate enough to be in New York but not yet able to enjoy views of Central Park from their living room. Brooklyn is charming, real, old and carries a history that would inspire anyone to write a novel or two. And it feels just like home, to anyone. Some days, I miss Brooklyn so very much.

In London, I'm experiencing the same phenomenon as in New York: The days when I'm liberated from riding the oh so claustrophobic metro system are the best days. The days that I get to spend watching the leaves turn yellow then brown in a park somewhere are the ones I keep looking forward to. I'm yet to find my Brooklyn, my hood here, but I know it's out there waiting for me, ready to embrace me and my local days. 

Things that I've taken a liking to so far about London:

Lovely brick apartment buildings. Oh to have a room of one's own in that one!

Quirky shops with quirky shop windows.

Hampstead Heath, the one and only.

Last but certainly not least, the perfect front door.

PS, take a look at this inspiring Brooklyn Brownstone, found via A Cup of Jo.

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

Those are the words of Albert Einstein.

If there's one thing I've promised myself here in life, it's to live with no regrets. I do not ever want to be wondering what would have happened had I only done this thing here, and said yes to that other one there.

So far, I've been pretty good about my determined philosophy of life. There are times when I have let my fears take the better part of me, and I have run away from things that were new, and therefore frightening.

Do I regret it? You bet. That's why I keep reminding myself every day to say yes to the unknown, to forgive myself for my mistakes and realize that they are the ones who made and continue to make me who I am.

What are your thoughts on mistakes?