Janice Marie Foote's Musings

Finally a site just for my Yoga!!!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Blogging Yoga -> finally a site for just my yoga -> http://www.jans-yoga.com/apps/blog/show/11921075-finally-a-site-for-just-my-yoga- -> and it's about time -> http://www.jans-yoga.com/ - yahoo!!!

~ Namaste - Jan aka Jan's Yoga ~

The subtle differences in the art of penning lyrics vs. poems...

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:55:00 +0000

There are subtle differences in the art of penning lyrics vs. poems. Below are a few!

The art of penning lyrics is different than the art of penning poems. Poems have much more liberty in the liberal usage of words. Whereas lyrics require a concise amount of words that can be set to music rhythmically. As well as an almost approximate amount of words that don't daunt the mind too much when it comes to memorizing them. Of course the amount of words that can be memorized vary from one musician to the next.

Another difference is once a poem is written and put out there, it almost remains static, outside of publication or reciting it at poetry readings (over and over). Whereas with written lyrics, there are many more stages to be had. Setting them to music, recording them, and performing them (over and over). In this way lyrics have a more fluid life. If you're lucky, picked up to be a part of a soundtrack to a tv show, movie or documentary.

That being said, I immensely enjoy penning poems and lyrics. As they have two distinctly different purposes in my life. On the physical and mental level, both work as a catharsis in life, in that they clear out the mind and body of a situation in the past, present or future. All art works at the cathartic level for all those who choose to consciously create in whatever medium. Which is why one feels ecstatic and lighter on their feet after finishing any creative endeavor.

On the subconscious level, poems and lyrics come from different parts of the mind. If you tune into your mind on a regular basis you can tune into the nuances of what part of the mind they're coming from, and whether they're coming through you as lyrics or poems, or thoughts. Daily silent meditation is one way to help tune into frequencies of your mind. I do it on a daily basis, and it helps me immensely, in different areas of life. Including the art of penning lyrics and poems, and telling the difference as they flow through me onto paper with pen.

Moving forward, maybe one day I'll write a non-fiction short story novella style. Possibly and most likely about writing lyrics, setting them to music, performing at open mics, and whatever else comes along in the arena of music for me. Like recording albums (EP and LP). Only time will tell, but I'd really like to pen that story and put it out there. One day I will when the time is right.

~ Write On - Janice Marie Foote ~

Looking for a Place... (freeflow musings) ...

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:05:00 +0000

Looking for a place

A fresh space

Where flesh wraps

Around love around

Silent ardent bones

Where sticks drop

Where stones drop

Where noise stops

Where clocks stop

Middle of the night

Darkness turning light

Silence becoming truth

Under whispering trees

Slowly falling leaves

We're not losing sleep

As we carelessly dream

Under the phallic moon

Making lovers swoon

Silver to the spoon

Gold dust weeps

In soul deep

Drunk on philters

We've come undone

Laughing at the sun

Breaking through skies

Love never dies

In dreaming sleep

Our souls we keep

~ Dream On - Janice Marie Foote ~

NOTE: Art by Takashi Murakami

my Ginger Brew recipe & my Oatmeal Chewie recipe...

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:25:00 +0000

Ginger Brew

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Ingredients:

1)Measure water out in pitcher/storing bottle minus room for lemon juice&ginger/sediment

2) Fresh Chopped Ginger

3) Cinnamon Stick

4) Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

5) Honey (of your choice)

Heating Instructions:

1) Brew all ingredients in order 1-4 on stove top at low heat

2) Boil in (5) honey last 3-5 minutes

3) Let cool on stove top

4) Bottle/pitcher all and refrigerate (all = including ginger/natural sediment)

5) Pour whole or strain each serving to get pure Ginger Brew w/without ginger/sediment

6) Reheat serving for colder weather or straight cold serving for warmer weather

...it's refreshingly tasty...

Oatmeal Chewies

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Ingredients:

5 cups oatmeal (moistened with water)

3 cups chopped cashews (or buy crushed)

3 cups organic raisins (I prefer Thompson) or unsweetened craisins

8 oz jar of sorghum or honey of your choice (I prefer sorghum)

1 large or 2 small bananas

Pre-heat/Mixing Instructions:

1) Pre-heat oven at 300-350 (depending on your oven)

2) Pour oatmeal into bowl and moisten

3) Blend banana and sorghum (or honey) and mix thoroughly into oatmeal

4) Chop cashews/add crushed and mix raisins/craisins and cashews into oatmeal mix

5) Mix only as needed to have a nice even mix

Baking Instructions:

1) Spoon out onto lightly oiled or buttered pan into sized Oatmeal Chewies

2) Bake 5-10 minutes, turning pan if needed

3) Cool and serve to your liking

4) Eat and enjoy

5) They keep well in the refrigerator for at least two weeks

...they're clusters of goodness...

~ Enjoy - Janice Marie Foote ~

December and the ending of a moving year...

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:15:00 +0000

December started off with some private yoga clients, that I taught in my space. Turns out there's room enough for two, and a discount if they come to me for the private yoga lesson. They all went very well...and I learned once again give it a try before saying it won't work. I'm a very good certified yoga teacher who can adapt to differing environments pretty easily, so I shouldn't have been surprised that I could make it work teaching yoga one-on-one in my own space.

Ongoing for daily health upkeep, I dose up with raw garlic cloves. It's pretty strong tasting so I drink it down with juice, almond or almond chocolate milk. There's many benefits to taking raw garlic on a daily basis. I encourage you to look into taking raw garlic on a regular basis, so look into it because you just may find a health benefit that specifically fits you.

Shortly into December, my Kickstarter Campaign for JMF Designs (c) got approved. First up will be my Ankh - Fire of Life design on black tees. I've been wanting to do these designs for years now, and I'm grateful for the chance to give them a heartfelt go. I have to pick a prudent date to kickstart it off! More information later after I pick the kick-off date!!! as there's so much involvement once it gets going.

I also did some freelance organizing/cleaning jobs. Most people don't know I do this, but I do...and I'm very good at it. Especially helping others get rid of excess clutter. This comes from my own way of being of only keeping what's truly relevant to my life, so I encourage my cleaning/organizing clients to try and do the same on an ongoing basis.

Finally the long awaited Digital Darkroom exhibition was upon us here in L.A. at the Annenberg Space for Photography. It was such a beautifully exulting artistic photographic exhibit. There are 17 photographic artists exhibiting in total. The exhibit was accompanied by a film where the artists talked of how they created their art. If you go to this exhibit, you must watch the film! I encourage anyone who lives in SoCal or who is planning on visiting, to go see this exhibit. It runs until May 28, 2012.

There was a good amount of silence in the midst of December. At least up until the last two weeks of December when Cupid's musings woke me up in the early am with one new poem 'Skies of Forgotten Melodies' (under 'Dysmorphic Poems'). As well two more times, on New Year's Day with lyrics with 'It's a Brand New Year' (under 'Other Lyrics'), and a poem 'Ashes' (under 'Dysmorphic Poems') written the second day of this new year.

Soon winter was upon us. Though L.A. is pretty warm on winter days, the winter nights can get pretty cold. As well it takes longer for the day to crawl into its warmth, compared to other seasons of the year here. Even through this cold season, I continue on with my daily silent meditation. I find meditation beneficial, maybe you can find a meditation technique that will work for you. Happily I will admit I don't miss living in a snowy winter climate. I love the sun and am a true Californian at heart!

Oh Christmas, Oh Christmas...well it came and went with the song of the morning birds. It was like a pretty postcard mailed to me that I taped to the wall for a reminder of what the rest of the world was up to. I did like the pretty decorations that were scattered throughout the city as I came and went, walked around, and got tasks done.

I also recently edited out a new version of Saturday, Sunday, Monday (under 'Other Lyrics') that will be for sure my 4th set of lyrics set to my acoustic music. Then I plan to play it out live February 7th at Open Mic. It's perfect for the month of love, seeing as it's about love and chocolate <3 I also refined my Driftwood song more to my ears liking (under 'Driftwood Lyrics') <3 I feel so grateful and blessed to be able to continue performing my acoustic music <3 and look forward to recording it when the time is right!

Sweet are the blessings of persistency and productivity...

For me New Year's Eve arrived on a calm sunny note. It turned out a friend and her boyfriend were doing their U.S. tourist turn in L.A., so we hung out and had dinner on New Year's Eve that culminated with us three eating Twelve Grapes at Midnight during the last 12 seconds of the countdown. On New Year's Day we hung out a bit with my seeing them off.

Then after on this sunny day, I headed to the Public Library downtown to read a bit more of Anais Nin's Diary 1. She is such a fantastic writer and poetic user of language. So far I have Diaries 1-3, with other books to read inbetween each one. Later I plan on Amazoning Diaries 4-7.

Like the silent scream of a butterfly, 2012 emerged from its disintegrating 2011 cocoon ...

~ Happy 2012 - Janice Marie Foote ~

A month of thanks in L.A.

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:10:00 +0000

My life in L.A. continues on during this November month of giving thanks for all that I'm grateful for. So much beauty in this life that our small minds cannot conceive of it all, so we just have to be thankful for it all. Including my new 8 meow friends I started off this month with at the tail end of my catsitting gig.

Upon returning home I agreed to give a yoga session on November 4th at a new night event in Hollywood called Grateful Fridays: Return to Abundance! It had a good turnout and I enjoyed very much teaching my yoga in their upbeat positive night event environment. They're a pretty new collaborative event, on week #23 now. I'll definitely have to attend when I can, it's got a great vibe going on for itself!

On a chocolate note, I discovered Chuao Chocolatier bars, and they are divinely delicious. If you are a chocolate lover like I am, you must try their bars. Either buy them at a store or buy them online from their site. My next bar to try of theirs is the Spicy Maya bar. Note to SoCal peeps, there are Chuao Chocolate Cafes in San Diego and Encinitas, CA, so far.

The night of discovering their bars, November 5th, I went art viewing x3. At Temple of Visions I saw a solo exhibit of Michael Divine's spiritually uplifting art. He was in attendance, and on a roaming basis was answering questions about his work, influences, to those who asked. Illumination, pictured above was my favorite piece of his. Words don't really grasp the beauty of this image.

Just about a door down Hive Gallery was having a multi-artist sculpture exhibit. Above was my favorite installation, though there were many I truly enjoyed visually. As there were many types of sculpture on exhibit. From recycled material to all natural materials used to make them. It was like walking through another world the way they exhibited the artists art. By accident I stumbled across and into drkrm gallery. They had a duo photographic exhibit. One was aesthetically pretty and pleasing to the eye. The other was more high art and to some, less pleasing to the eye. A juxtaposition of light and dark in a duo photo exhibit. One other art viewer said that's they set up each exhibit, two that seemingingly oppose each other. Though truth be told, it's all how one views the world that will determine which exhibit is beauty and which is dark.

Just like in life, what is dark, what is beauty. Our constant search for truth. Which lead me to reading Don Miguel Ruiz's The Four Agreements, and I highly recommend it. The Four Agreements are ♥ Be Impeccable With Your Word ♥ Don't Take Anything Personally ♥ Don't Make Assumptions ♥ Always Do Your Best ♥ 4 Agreements ♥ Read it, I don't think you'll be disappointed!!!

Also I finally saw my favorite movie maker Pedro Almodovar's latest, The Skin I Live In. It's truly a modern day love story with very bizarre twists and turns, and that's all I'll say, just see it!!! I've been watching Pedro's movies like a fan girl since Atame! in the early 90's. I always look forward to his latest and haven't missed on since Atame!

Later in the month on November 12th I was creatively part of Marina Abramovic's MOCA Gala 2011 dinner art performance piece. I was a gazing head table centerpiece. I was truly a surreal piece of moving art for the evening. Having been on the performance art scene for decades as a performance artist, at 65 now she refers to herself as the Grandmother of Performance Art. Though even close up she doesn't look a day over 40, and that's not due to cosmetic procedures, she just has aged really well naturally through a live well loved and lived. As well music icon Blondie aka Deborah Harry performed live at this gala!

Inbetween that and a very long hike I'll detail below I finally finished putting acoustic music to and memorizing my 3rd song Songbirds. I really like it, though it would be perfection with a looper that records and plays back in stagger/echo/repeat. Soon I'll get one just for this song, and of course will I'm sure get more song mileage out of itself.

Now the long walk I'm referring to above, is the 19 mile Great Los Angeles Walk that I fully walked on Saturday, November 19th. It's a pretty new walking event, and I believe they said has only been done a few years now. Well I'll do next year if around to do so!!! It was long, challenging but worth it in that I saw a good part of L.A. that I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

On a balancing note, I can still do a 10 minute headstand!!!

Thanksgiving was soon upon us all, and I chose to attend a Vegan Potluck that was happening at Rancho Park. The weather turned out to be beautiful, as you can in the picture above. Although I consider myself a free range organic ovo-lacto vegetarian, I had a blast. There was lots of good food, people and it was overall a very good time. Even the dogs enjoyed themselves!

Yesterday I rounded out this month with an Open Mic in which I performed Songbirds for the first time. The picture me was taken by fellow performer/sound guy Kyle, and I took one of him in return. My Kodak Easy Share camera takes pretty good pics, at least for what I need. Next up is putting music to and memorizing Taffy Blue Skies, a summer centered song. Well it'll definitely be ready by Summer, and much sooner than that.

Tis' the season! The holidays are upon us. I started mine off with reading Anais Nin's Diary #1, the first of seven. She is a profound and very well articulated poetical writer. A juxtaposition to her bold and crass writing good friend and lover Henry Miller (whose books I also thoroughly enjoy reading).

So as I read on, life moves on...and on and on...

~ Happy Holidays - Janice Marie Foote ~

Still walking in L.A...

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:40:00 +0000

Hell to the yeah!!! My second month back in L.A.!!!

It pretty much started off with going to The Los Angeles County Museum of art aka LACMA free day, and wasn't so free as I was lured in to Tim Burton's pay only exhibit. It was good, but really only for the diehard Burton fans. I specifically went to see the new CA Design 1930-65 exhibit that was being unveiled!!! It is a must see imo!!!

My 43rd birthday passed on a mellow note with me picking up Edward Allan Poe's Stories at The Last Bookstore in Dwtn L.A. It's big, well organized and well stocked with mostly used along with some new books and a decent CD section at $1 a piece. If you're a prolific reader, this is a bookstore for you. I thought Poe's book was apropros for the month of the Hallowed!!!

I also discovered about halfway inbetween my current living space and Santa Fe Art Colony the lovely Urth Caffe that serves fair trade coffee along with other drinks and good eats. Also I discovered 10 Forward cafe that serves drinks and eats on Vine off Hollywood (near TJs).

I also finally did Open Mic #3 at Hallenbeck's General Store (also known as Cahuenga General Store) in North Hollywood. I played Changin' for this first time, as there was a 1 song maximum, so I felt it was the best choice. It had a good turnout and I will return once Songbirds is finito and memorized.

I attended my first live music performance New L.A. Folk Fest's Return of the Murder Ballads. I was happy to see Tom Brosseau live finally, even if it was short but very deathly sweet. I would definitely see him live in a longer performance should and when the chance happens.

Then on October 21st at 7pm my musician/actor friend Billy Harvey's movie (that he's in) Strings and of course I had to see it and support him. It showed at ArcLight Hollywood as part of the Hollywood Film Festival. It was well worth it, as I enjoyed the movie overall. Afterwards there was a celebratory dinner and drink party at Cat N' Fiddle Pub & Restaurant. Amidst the meat n' potatoes dishes, I found a heartily delicious Veggie Shepherd's Pie and Chocolate Mousse along with a favorite Chimay Red Trappist Ale.

Also I rediscovered my love of urban hiking through joining an L.A. Urban Hiking Meetup Group. So far I've done an exploratory 4.8 Miracle Mile and Farmers Market Urban Hike with them, and I look forward to doing more.

This 2nd month ended with me doing a weeklong catsitting gig of 8 cats...meow meow meow. It was very enjoyable, as her cats were all very well behaved and very personable. We all got on well with our different personalities. Which meant I was with the meow meows on Halloween, one of them black appropriately!

Well that's all for now...

~ Carpe Diem - Janice Marie Foote ~

Some people Walk in L..A...

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:50:00 +0000

Well so most of you know I arrived in L.A. on August 30 to watch my artistic photographer friend's 2 loving cats. I am staying with my friend at this sort-of off-the-beaten-path Santa Fe Art Colony. Though it's close enough to DownTown etc. that one could live here comfortably, especially if one drives. Or one who is financially independent enough to bus/bike around, etc. At first I didn't do much exploring on my own until I secured my room, which I did at the end of September, finally, and right near a Metro Subway stop. I move into this new room of mine on September 30th, the end of this week.

After I did, on September 24th, I went to Chocoholics Hollywood and bought best chocolates in L.A. I handpicked bought me and my friend 8x2 different delectable chocolates, as well I had a small cup of their luscious Barry Callebaut drinking chocolate. Steve, who was working the store, turned me on to a Fancy Food Show in S.F., and I turned him on to French Pralus Chocolate and The Chocolate Show. As well I picked up me a sweet smelling honey almond soap made in France. It was a pretty easy 1x transfer bus ride each way. Where did I get the $$$ for this splurge, I saved it from two paying jobs I did in Sacramento!

Well on my way to Chocoholics, I noticed an architecturally awesome building that reminded me of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, designed by Frank Gehry. Well it turned out it is also designed by Frank Gehry. It's the architecturally gorgeous Walt Disney Concert Hall, located at Hope and 1st (right at my bus stop). So I for about an hour I walked up and down the stairs, exploring its many nooks and crannies. Where's my new digi-camera when I need it?!? On the first level mixed in with beautiful twisty trees, there was quite a large beautiful blue/white tile in cement mosaic lily sculpture. The building design truly magnificent and makes me want to go to Bilbao, Spain and see the Guggenheim he designed there. Frank Gehry is the architectural awesome!!! That and see old friends I met in NYC, and have paella and sangria under the Spanish moon.

During my time of staying and looking for a room, and watching the 2 cats, I've been picking up necessary material things for my move into my room. Bedding, kitchen stuff, bathroom stuff, you know, the usual stuff we need to live day to day at a reasonably comfortably level. As well I've been gathering images from here and there to start my door of intention collage. I've made one on every door to every room I've stayed in over the past years. I never keep the old one after I move, but rather create a new one, for the new room, for new intentions in this life of mine.

Musicwise I've been practicing daily my two songs I have ready for what will be my 3rd open mic to date, Driftwood and Changin'. It will be at Hallenbeck's in North Hollywood. Once I get settled into my room I will lay down the rest of the acoustic music for my 3rd song, Songbirds. So far I like what I've done with it. In regards to doing open mics, only doing when a new song is up or I find a new open mic venue that really seems like it will float my boat.

Readingwise, this month I read Sit Down and Shut Up: Punk Rock Commentaries on Buddha, God, Truth, Sex, Death, and Dogen's Treasury of the Right Dharma Eye by Brad Warner. An appropriate title some who know me would say, as I can sometimes be a chatterbox. I enjoyed the read for what it was, simple and straightforward while relating Buddhist philosophy to his own thoughts and actions in life.

So this week will be dedicated to having all things acquired, and coming my way for my move. I pretty much have it all, and will do my food shopping the first day I land, you know, perishables and all are better off left transported with only other food items in hand. I'll also take a trip out to Venice Beach this Wedensday, since the weather is supposed to be sunny and fabulous that day. I'll take a long leisurely sandaled walk along the shore, dip my toes in the water, praise the endless beautiful blue skies for all that is.

Until next time morning glory, this is my evening story of my first month back in L.A.

~ Stay Cool - Janice Marie Foote ~

L.A. 2nd time around...

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 02:50:00 +0000

So here I am back in L.A. a 2nd time around. Why? How? What? When? Well late August, an artistic photographer friend who lives at Santa Fe Art Colony, who I have shot with a few times in NYC and in L.A., offered me to stay and look for a room from his place. Part of the deal was to watch his two cats 8/1-8/6 when he was out of town. Easy peasy, as his cats are totally lovable. Needless to say, I took him up on his offer. It was a challenging choice I made that felt right, despite all the emotional ups and downs that would come along with it.

So far he's taken me to see the Hollywood Bowl which is an absolutely beautiful venue. The Hollywood Reservoir, though the truly scenic part is cut off by a chain link fence, though I noticed a bend in it that peeps snuck through. While he ran the Hollywood Reservoir, I climbed up the side of the hill in what seemed like cement irrigation that appears to control/or controlled erosion. As well he's shown me a few other places that are to my advantage $$$ restaurant wise. Also we recently saw Midnight in Paris, a very fun and whimsical movie. So you could say we've had some good times while I've been at his place.

Musicwise, I've got a whole two songs totally memorized for open mics, though at least it's a whole two songs that I truly like. They're driftwood and Changin'. Songbirds is still in process, though will be done very quickly after I find my room. As well I was playing around on some chords the other night and they sound good together, and could be the basis for one of my sets of lyrics, as I have quite a few sets of lyrics just waiting to be married to acoustic music. Soon I'll hit my first L.A. open mic after I find my room, and I'm totally looking forward to that.

Teaching yoga, cleaning organizing spaces and extra work are also on my L.A. agenda, and whatever else comes up. Thankfully weatherwise L.A. is not too hot and humid, and doesn't get to cold and freezing. I truly love all the beautiful trees and the succulents many houses and businesses plant into their landscape.

Meow, meow meow meow!!! The two cats are calling me, so I'm off to feed them. Then off to practice my music for a bit.

~ Peace and Love - Janice Marie Foote ~

Open Mic: Tea for Two...

Sun, 29 May 2011 21:45:00 +0000

So on May 10th I performed at my 2nd Acoustic Music Open Mic at... Shine - Coffee • Art • Food ...in Sacramento. It really is a sweet spot in all ways <3

Also I have scoured out other Open Mics to perform at that are in convenient locales and times for me to either walk or bus to and from. This is good!

What is needed presently for me to perform most properly at Open Mics is $$$ to gig up my acoustic with a pick-up. So far all Open Mics have the rest of EQ needed to amp up my sound. Yes I am in the process of hunting and gathering $$$!

So in the meantime I am memorizing lyrics and crafting them into songs. So far I have 3 of my own songs crafted. I'm working on #4 now, vernal lyrics Songbirds. I thoroughly enjoy crafting my lyrics into songs. This I can do the rest of my life rather enjoyably. Plus I'm learning how to project my singing voice in a way that isn't disconcerting to most ears :-D As well learn to customize my voice to fit the vibe of each crafted song.

May the universe coincide with the pursuance of our life's dreams...

~ Dream On - Janice Marie Foote ~