I’m grateful when I find art and words that inspire me. If you take the time you can find astounding things on the lovely internet. I found this piece online yesterday and fell in love with it right away.
It was created by a printing company called Studio on Fire. I will post more about them soon because they are incredible. For now please absorb these words and think about them throughout your day.
For more inspiration online you must check out Brain Pickings!
Venice. Another one of those places I can’t wait to get to. How can anyone not be inspired, in love and happy in that city!? Sometimes I can’t even believe it’s real! I mean, you get to and from places by gondola! I want to go to there!
I don’t know what it is about these old European cities that I love so much. Definitely the architecture. Definitely their creative geniuses that influence all of us to this day. Or it could be the history that is so alive in every photograph, building or story we hear about these magical lands.
Maybe it’s just in my blood. Maybe there really is a deep connection between us and our ancestors deep down in the roots of our family tree. I’d like to think so.
*This amazing video is by Joerg Niggli. Check out his vimeo page here.
My friend, Mandy Zeller, went to Cuba recently and took this incredible photograph in Havana. It must have been one of those serendipitous moments in life when the stars align and all the elements are in the right place at the right time. The colors. The car. The clothesline. The kids stilling on the door step. A moment in time.
It looks like an incredible place. It made me think of this.
My grandfather, Eduardo Fernandez, in 1947. He was in the Peruvian Air Force and eventually a Colonel.
I love old photographs. It makes me feel like I’m spying on the past and at the same time connecting to it. I especially love old photographs of my family. I love looking at them and imagining what their lives were like, what their dreams were, what they were thinking! I think old photographs are so much more genuine that what we have today. They really captured a moment in time and no one could say, ‘I looked weird in that one, let’s take it again’. Some of those weird looks are my favorite! Even the photos where families posed in a studio are so mysterious. I love it.
My mom (or maybe my aunt), gave me these pictures on my grandfather during his time in the Peruvian Air Force. He eventually was a Colonel and he is so proud of his time there. A lot of my childhood memories of him are listening to him talk to us grandchildren about his experiences, adventures and struggles.
He’s in his 90′s now (don’t tell him I told you that!), and only recently has begun to show his age. It makes me proud and happy that he took care of himself that well. Although he can be a giant stubborn pain sometimes, I am very grateful for him!
I’m so happy I have him and these photographs in my life!
Toronto International Film Festival 2011
Ok. Not literally, people. Come on, the woman doesn’t even like politics. She doesn’t trust it (neither do I. Except Obama, of course). When I say ‘Allison Janney For President’ I mean it symbolically. As a compliment paid to a distinguished artist who is making the world a little better through her art and her life.
I remember this era of television fondly. Friends, Will and Grace, Fraiser, Scrubs, every incarnation of Law And Order, etc. THURSDAY NIGHTS! My only regret is that I didn’t get into The West Wing sooner. But not to fear….I’m all caught up now and it’s quickly become a favorite.
The Zucker Follies was an unprecedented network promo that aired at the 2002 Upfronts. Intended as a “mockumentary”, it was shot in 16mm for a gritty documentary feel! Megan Mullally is hilarious as Karen Walker from Will & Grace. Supporting cast included Jeff Zucker, David Spade, Martin Sheen, Jay Leno, Zach Braff, Kelsey Grammer, Aaron Sorkin, Allison Janney, Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Jesse L. Martin, Matthew Perry, Donald Faison, Jill Hennessy and the late and incredible Jerry Orbach.
Once again, I am amused and impressed by the creativity of people…and the sense of humour of these amazing actors. The perfect way to spend some time on a rainy afternoon.
“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. “
- Margaret Mead
I’m the tiniest bit hesitant to post something about a corporation as big as Coca-Cola. At the same time, they have been making beautiful videos and commercials for years, and they never fail to bring to tears or infuse me with happiness.
So, I’m doing it! Judge away, but this video put such a smile on my face I wanted to make sure to share the joy. I won’t ruin it by explaining too much. Just enjoy the 1.5ish minutes of beauty and then go back to your day, looking at the world a little differently.
I really don’t think anyone could wake up in a bad mood in this bedroom. If the sun always promised to shine it would be perfection. Part of me always wants to be surrounded by pretty colors, lots of books and beautiful art on the walls, but another part of me thinks white and sparse is the way to go.
Wooden ceiling beams should just be standard in anyone’s home. There is no confusion there.
I will need to live many lives to appropriately honour all sides of my design style. Or maybe just own many houses. Ah, one can dream…
There are a few cities on my bucket list that I am incredibly sure I am going to love as soon as I set foot on their culturally and historically rich streets. Paris might be on the top of this list. It’s either Paris or Barcelona. The only reason New York City isn’t on this list is because I have been there so many times it’s almost my home away from home.
This incredibly visual and artsy video was created by Land of Nod Inc. and its founding members Robert Kolodny and Bennett Elliot. The amazing song is by Les Sans Cullottes. It captures what I hope one day will be my whirlwind adventures in that incredible city.
My mom lived in Paris for a couple of years when she was a teenager and I have loved growing up listening to her stories. In the last few years everyone in my family has made the trip and I can’t help but wonder when it will be my turn! I cannot wait to experience the museums, the food, the culture, and yes, the shopping. Mostly, I can’t wait to sit in some obscure Parisian cafe and people watch, read a book…and write. Bliss.
I have these on my desktop and read them almost daily. It’s my daily mantra of sorts. I also have a poster in my room that says ‘What Are You Waiting For’. I stare at it as I fall asleep.
We should use anything that helps and motivates us to take full advantage of this world and our opportunities. It’s not always easy to remember…but I try.
This exploded online yesterday and I couldn’t resist. I love the cleverness of people. I have to celebrate it. I also love Sesame Street and Cookie Monster…and Elmo.
When I was growing up in Peru I knew it as Plaza Sesamo. If I remember correctly, when I got paid after doing a commercial (I think I was 5), my parents let me take some of the money and buy anything I wanted. I ended up with a board game set that was, I think, 4 games in one, and it was all Plaza Sesamo. Elmo didn’t even exist yet, I don’t think!
I recently had the pleasure of putting together an audition tape for Sesame Street and one of the scenes I had to tape was with Elmo. A very talented friend of mine read the scene with me and I couldn’t believe what was happening. It’s one of those moments when I pinch myself and think – is this really my life? Did I really leave work early today to come home and record an audition with Elmo? For Sesame Street? Craziness.
Enjoy these little pieces of magic. I promise they will put a smile on your face, and perhaps take you back to a time when all you had to worry about was how to get to Sesame Street.
I hesitated to write about this book just yet because I’m not completely finished reading it. However, I keep talking about it with all the actors I know and I just can’t wait to share it with everyone here.
Larry Moss is one of the most sought after acting coaches in the world and from what I’ve heard from mutual friends (I can’t even believe I can say that), he is also one of the most generous and kinds souls out there. In fact, he shares a lot of personal stories and feelings in this book and it is pretty evident that he’s a special person.
I had read pieces of this book when I was in theatre school but for some reason never the whole thing. It turns out it was for the best. I don’t think I was ready for it back then. This book has landed in my lap at the perfect time. At a moment in time when I needed motivation and inspiration and that extra little bit of something to remind me of why I love acting and this business in the first place. It helps that in the last couple of months I’ve also worked with some teachers who have been incredibly supportive and encouraging and let me know that I was heading in the right direction. It’s funny how life works.
‘The Intent To Live’ is a masterclass taught by a master teacher and aimed at giving you all the tools you need to be a truthful and honest actor. However, for me, the most valuable part has been the influence of Moss’ passion and love for the art form and his desire to understand himself and those around him. I almost feel like we’re kindred spirits in a way. He says so much of what I’m thinking but can never articulate. Or maybe I just haven’t found the right person to share it with.
If you ever get an opportunity to take one of his classes or workshops I would jump at the chance. I have my fingers crossed that I will have that opportunity soon. You can sign up for his newsletter by checking out his website: larrymoss.org
Happy reading…and discovering.
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.”
-Nora Ephron
Is Lena Dunham the Nora Ephron of our generation?
After Mrs. Ephron died last month I wanted to write about her on this blog. Stupidly, I thought that night I would get in bed, reread some of her essays, get some inspiration and write a brilliant tribute. I wanted to, I thought I needed to, and I thought it would help me put into words why I admired her so much. Instead, I just sat there, stared at my computer screen and ultimately succumbed to reading what everyone else had to say about her on the internet.
In the last couple of weeks I’ve thought about her a lot. I read her works and I went on a mad hunt across Toronto to buy ‘I Feel Bad About My Neck’, a book I had read a few years ago but never owned. It wasn’t until I started rereading the book that I was able to BEGIN to articulate why I admired her so much. I was also able to understand how people like Nora, visionaries, wonder women, thinkers, shape our lives over the years in such subtle sneaky ways that we don’t even realize it’s happening until they’re gone and we feel the hole left in our heart and spirit.
I didn’t have to know Nora personally to have felt the impact of her words, characters and stories. To be inspired by her wisdom and love, which were always forefront in everything she did. I have to admit, I spent the first couple of days after her death trying to figure out why I cared so much. I mean, I was pretty young when I was watching all her movies. Most of her brilliant characters are women older than me and with much different lives, and my generation wasn’t really her target audience. This is what I came up with: To me she represented what I could and wanted to be. She made me think, strive to be better, smarter, and respect an art form that has the capacity to change minds and lives. In short, she represented an ideal. The ideal artist and human being who wants to do the right thing and share wisdom, passion and love. Knowing that there are people like this out there is comforting. When someone like Nora is no longer with us it’s a devastating thought. It’s sad to think of what else she could have taught us and who else she could have changed with her words.
This takes me to Lena Dunham. Boy am I glad Nora influenced her from a very young age and took her under her wing during the last year of her life. Dunham may argue this point, but I think she was a pretty brilliant person long before meeting Ephron or watching her movies. Like Ephron, she has a unique voice and a determination to be heard. I also think she feels a responsibility to tell the truth, specifically about our generation. It only takes the pilot episode of her hit HBO show ‘Girls’ to see her gift. Her gift of words, of storytelling and of humour. She doesn’t shy away from the truth. Instead she celebrates the highs and lows and ridiculousness of our generation, and our adventures in this crazy place we call the world. She seems fearless but at the same time incredibly uncomfortable with the spotlight that is currently on her. Yet, I know she will carry the torch proudly and continue to be the voice of our generation…or at least a generation. :)
Lena wrote an incredible article in The New Yorker about her relationship with Ephron. It was both enlightening and beautiful. At one point I thought maybe I would just link the article here instead of writing something myself! Lena’s words and thoughts are what finally pushed me to write this and articulate my thoughts on Nora. I urge all young women, especially creative women to read it. I know we are always striving for inspiration and mentorship and Lena’s relationship with Nora was the little piece of beauty I had been waiting for.
“Her advice was unparalleled. At one of our lunches this past January, I was sheepishly describing a male companion’s lack of support for my professional endeavors. She nodded in a very “don’t be stupid” way, as if I already knew what I had to do: “You can’t possibly meet someone right now. When I met Nick, I was already totally notorious”—note: Nora was the only person who could make that word sound neither braggy nor sinister—“and he understood exactly what he was getting into. You can’t meet someone until you’ve become what you’re becoming.” Panicked, I asked, “How long will that take?”
Nora considered a moment. “Give it six months.””
-Lena Dunham
Happy Father’s Day to my dad. The man who has been my instruction book for many, many years. I’ve helped him write a few chapters, but for the most part he’s written a pretty good book himself.
Thank you for all that I know. Thank you for putting up with the drama of living in a house with three girls for so many years. Thank you. Thank you. Gracias. xo
This is why I love these people.
This is the 1st Broadway National Tour of West Side Story with their take on Carly Rae Jepsen’s ‘Call Me Maybe’. This song has taken over, and this is one of many youtube videos dedicated to the catchy tune.
After a long and hard day yesterday I was so happy to get home and find this on my facebook. It put such a smile on my face to see some dear friends and some seriously funny and talented people.
I expect another video from Japan, friends!
