Farewell to Lou Reed

There is something in the air or the stars as death keeps springing up, and cancer licks at the heels of family members... But although it's turning out to be a rough month as the leaves fall, and the temperature drops it's nice to remember that death isn't as important as life, and that sadness for a loss only represents the happiness that was. Loved this article by Lou Reed's wife Laurie Anderson after his death. Give it a gander.

"Lou and I played music together, became best friends and then soul mates, traveled, listened to and criticized each other's work, studied things together (butterfly hunting, meditation, kayaking). We made up ridiculous jokes; stopped smoking 20 times; fought; learned to hold our breath underwater; went to Africa; sang opera in elevators; made friends with unlikely people; followed each other on tour when we could; got a sweet piano-playing dog; shared a house that was separate from our own places; protected and loved each other. We were always seeing a lot of art and music and plays and shows, and I watched as he loved and appreciated other artists and musicians. He was always so generous. He knew how hard it was to do. We loved our life in the West Village and our friends; and in all, we did the best we could do."

"I'm sure he will come to me in my dreams and will seem to be alive again. And I am suddenly standing here by myself stunned and grateful. How strange, exciting and miraculous that we can change each other so much, love each other so much through our words and music and our real lives."

-Laurie Anderson

Read the whole article (it's worth it) on Rolling Stone

Completely

True story yo. Complete yo'self.

Via Le Love

Young and Alive In The City

There is something to be said for the pure joy of dressing up and going out, of being young and alive in the city

I couldn't find out definitively who this quote was from. It was attributed to many different people online. But whomever wrote it was right on the money.

Truth.

found via RDuJour

John Steinbeck on Love

It's been a while since I've posted. And a longer while since I'm posted something sweet, and romantic and true. I happen to love Letters Of Note, a fantastic site that showcases correspondence. Some of it wise, some of it funny. I happen to be partial to a Marilyn Monroe letter myself. (Those of you who know me may recognize it from one of my facebook profile pictures.)


Well, when perusing the site recently, I came across this letter. It's beautiful, and I hope you enjoy it too.


Happy weekend all.

New York
November 10, 1958

Dear Thom:

We had your letter this morning. I will answer it from my point of view and of course Elaine will from hers.

First—if you are in love—that’s a good thing—that’s about the best thing that can happen to anyone. Don’t let anyone make it small or light to you.

Second—There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you—of kindness and consideration and respect—not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.

You say this is not puppy love. If you feel so deeply—of course it isn’t puppy love.

But I don’t think you were asking me what you feel. You know better than anyone. What you wanted me to help you with is what to do about it—and that I can tell you.

Glory in it for one thing and be very glad and grateful for it.

The object of love is the best and most beautiful. Try to live up to it.

If you love someone—there is no possible harm in saying so—only you must remember that some people are very shy and sometimes the saying must take that shyness into consideration.

Girls have a way of knowing or feeling what you feel, but they usually like to hear it also.

It sometimes happens that what you feel is not returned for one reason or another—but that does not make your feeling less valuable and good.

Lastly, I know your feeling because I have it and I’m glad you have it.

We will be glad to meet Susan. She will be very welcome. But Elaine will make all such arrangements because that is her province and she will be very glad to. She knows about love too and maybe she can give you more help than I can.

And don’t worry about losing. If it is right, it happens—The main thing is not to hurry. Nothing good gets away.

Love,

Fa

Found via Letters Of Note

Every Day May Not Be Good

Here is to a year with lots of good in every day (and lots of good days too).

Pink of Perfection

The Solution...

Wicked words of wisdom. Love it.

P.S. I'm back from Paris, and wildly back into the swing of work. So much work. Trip update tomorrow if I don't fall asleep at 9pm. I blame jetleg. And working too much. And the shorter days.

All You Need Is Love (And Chocolate)

Happy Friday! I'm headed out to cottage country again with a bestie and her lovely boy. I'm looking forward to eating cheese, reading, sleeping, eating chocolate and drinking wine. And not being alone. The boy is off at a wedding in Vancouver, and nights have been a little sadder for the past few days, you know? I think the weekend will be good, and don't worry, I have a supply of chocolate for when any sadness hits. Chocolate does help.

Download this cute little poster for free at

atypical type a

Goodbye

 Grandma and Nana

This weekend was not as expected. While I wrote to you last week with the expectation of celebration at a wedding of friends, instead I unexpectedly, and unpleasantly experienced the loss of a very loved one.  Yes, the weekend was not the revelry that I had hoped for and anticipated. I was in the Finger Lake region of upstate New York, on my way to Vermont when I got that call that my loving Grandma had slipped into a coma. While I was assured that I did not need to return home, I didn't consider it an option. I had to try and make it home to say goodbye. So after 8 hours in a car, I turned around, caught a red eye bus from Syracuse driving through the night, and bringing me back home. I did indeed make it to the hospital in time to say my goodbyes, and although my grandma was mostly unresponsive, I wanted and needed that chance to tell her how much I loved her, and how much she had meant to me over the years. She passed away Sunday morning.

This morning I heard of new of another cancer related death. Jack Layton, leader of the NDP, Canada's left wing political party, and Canada's current official opposition succumbed to his second battle with cancer. It was a quick blow, it had been merely weeks ago that he had announced his break from politics to try and recover from a bout of cancer. But the writing was on the wall as even at that time he looked gaunt and unwell.

So with a heart of sadness I leave you with some inspiration. For each sadness helps us to appreciate what we do have more, and reminds us to live every moment, and to always, always say I love you. I leave you with some beautiful words from Jack Layton's farewell letter.

"To young Canadians: All my life I have worked to make things better... As my time in political life draws to a close I want to share with you my belief in your power to change this country and this world. There are great challenges before you, from the overwhelming nature of climate change to the unfairness of an economy that excludes so many from our collective wealth, and the changes necessary to build a more inclusive and generous Canada. I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today. You need to be at the heart of our economy, our political life, and our plans for the present and the future.

And finally, to all Canadians: Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world... consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."

Don't Be Afraid

Don't Be Afraid. It's only love.

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The Way To Have a Happy Life...

...is to be so busy doing what you like all of the time that there is no time left to think about whether you are happy.

True. Story.

I've been a busy girl. Work has been a whirlwind of late nights and working weekends. But today. TODAY I am on vacation. In fact I have this ready to be sent, and if I'm lucky, I'll hanging out at the airport when this is posted. (If I'm unlucky I'll miss my flight, like I did on the way to Coachella! Eeks!) I hope to fill my little vacation to the North East United States with food, fun, drinks, shopping, dancing, walking, and pastries. All the things that make me happy!

Happy Monday!

Dear Math

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Spend life with who makes you happy

Truth

Love Life

Love Life and Life Will Love You Back

P.S. Happiest birthday MOMMY!

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Make Time

Good morning ladies and gents. If all goes according to plan I will have woken up this morning in Ottawa! Visiting the lady friends. Bestie from undergrad. Brunches, champagne, eating beavertails (that's right, about 50 grams of fat and sugar... but OH so yum) and generally gossiping into the night. My ladies may live hours apart, but every now and then we come together. Because nothing matters more than the people you love! (Not even the shoes you love, although it pains me to say it.)

Explore. Dream. Discover.

You Just Have To Live

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Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast

Paper Cut Art

The quote is from Alice Through The Looking Glass of course. I did a play based on the Alice books in my last year of my undergrad degree... this quote brings back memories!

Mr Yen

Bring Your Own Sunshine

I'm not sure who this Anthony fellow is, but I fully support bringing a pocketful of sunshine with you wherever you go.

Just Because I'm Busy...

I Love My Wife

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
Theodore Hesburgh

Heard this on the CBC while driving around town for work, and it struck chord. How else besides exhibiting love, respect, and kindness to each other can a couple do to show their children how to be kind, loving and respectful? A small thought, but an important one.
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