tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71672520059458215442024-03-05T22:37:18.233-08:00L.A. NOW & THENYou can check out but you can never leave...Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-91662302814906992712022-04-14T09:56:00.000-07:002022-04-14T09:56:02.704-07:00Hallelujah Whiplash:The Musical - "HE HAD CHARM"<iframe width="480" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/XwDYBrjQj6M" frameborder="0"></iframe>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-44947701640826137582022-04-14T01:17:00.001-07:002022-04-14T01:17:26.082-07:00Hallelujah Whiplash! Musical Pitch Trailer<iframe style="background-image:url(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qGvDwVYWtMo/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/qGvDwVYWtMo" frameborder="0"></iframe>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-62766956709999429702021-11-21T10:24:00.000-08:002021-11-21T10:24:02.676-08:00LUKE BENOIT'S LIFE COACH RECOVERY NEWSLETTERS<div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTmM6fJL9R8F3pgYyFKnI4qBXZDMLnrMrPhlxAngw7kRjBzsU_WHCdCL1f9EdLCwuZ9Qt3iyfxFPAEs9w2I32yHJTMzoJQqPIvje5R8CFp3dVteOUzTkZsqMHL7eYaClTxbFARTxeH7tQ/s392/Luke+Benoit+Life+Coach+Hypnotist+Author+%25281%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="392" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTmM6fJL9R8F3pgYyFKnI4qBXZDMLnrMrPhlxAngw7kRjBzsU_WHCdCL1f9EdLCwuZ9Qt3iyfxFPAEs9w2I32yHJTMzoJQqPIvje5R8CFp3dVteOUzTkZsqMHL7eYaClTxbFARTxeH7tQ/w640-h458/Luke+Benoit+Life+Coach+Hypnotist+Author+%25281%2529+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logo by Marlan Warren</td></tr></tbody></table><div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1632251876173-195" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1632849632750-204" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1632849795360-646" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">Happy (?) Holidays, Fellow Travelers!</span></td><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;">L.A. Now & Then is a blog created by me, Marlan Warren, to highlight fun and healing aspects of being alive in Los Angeles and beyond. It's been my great pleasure for the last 7 months to assist Certified Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, and Author Luke Benoit (All Storms Pass, Vols. 1 and 2) in the promotion of his newest self-help book and continuation of his<b> <a href="https://bit.ly/3nCSTQf" target="_blank">Life Coaching Newsletters</a></b>.</span><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is my first time out with newsletters and Luke has made it easy because of his already huge body of material that he brings to his fields of expertise. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Several feature "Greatest Hits" lectures from his<b> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/lukethecoach" target="_blank">YouTube Channel</a></b>, and the next one will debut this brand new one: </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS THAT</b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>YOUR PARTNER IS A LOVE AVOIDANT.</b> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: large;">Below are two exciting video presentations from his last two newsletters. <br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: large;">If you'd like to sign up to receive Luke Benoit's weekly newsletters, contact me with your email address via the Contact Form on this blog. Thank you!</span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1632851285060-853" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">===========================<span class="ql-cursor"></span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #3e3e3e; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #3e3e3e;"> <b><span style="font-size: large;">Quick Anxiety Tapping Instructional Video</span></b></span></div></span><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1637108440945-128" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1637108662614-735" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 19px;">What can you do when your anxiety is getting the better of you and you need to calm down immediately?</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 19px;"><span class="ql-cursor"></span>In this clear instructional video, I present Basic Tapping for Anxiety (which combines elements of EFT and Faster EFT), while demonstrating a Self-Tapping procedure that includes the tapping points on the face and chest, plus an easy example of what to say as you tap.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 19px;">I believe anyone new to tapping will find this video particularly helpful since it presents the basic building blocks for any topic they need to tap on. </span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="image image--padding-vertical image--mobile-scale image--mobile-center" data-cpeid="w-1637108582381-668" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="image_container content-padding-horizontal" style="padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><a data-trackable="true" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGa-95q6u6I" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="image_content" data-image-content="" src="https://web-extract.constantcontact.com/v1/thumbnail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FFGa-95q6u6I%2Fhqdefault.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="600" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1637108339158-106" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">===========================</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="text text--padding-vertical" data-cpeid="w-1637109300243-538" style="border-collapse: collapse; table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="text_content-cell content-padding-horizontal" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold;">Got Life Questions? Need Answers? Ask Luke!</span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold;">Luke’s Q & A Video Series is starting up!</span></p><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold;">Send questions to</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 23px;"> </span><a href="mailto:lukebenoit@lukebenoit.com" style="color: #2c74ff; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 23px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">lukebenoit@lukebenoit.com</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 23px;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="background-color: white;" /></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gydNiriG6DO205JTpPxwEz5M0-0MukZavoVynxmPlVJKFevNIXxOn0juiht02ugnK87n21fFXEMyOxYyb5l3bVrLZfgbEaJktrBo1EUmVbkUL8TaLU_T3IBplUvo5xwSEwxoMI2IhbfdepYotKtwtor7T_n7fmGFQhI9VB_K3j1bUeGcaAfiP7o7QRuHNvBF&c=utMco8Rrs_STNQddgW-0sFLE0_3BVEnfNmmCadhcsenF--cyWCHWzw==&ch=Xmdn7JSvhoWmesZoG4CUZcuoqzA8yb6oA3vecDXDx2jPsV5NApb4mg==">November 8, 2021 NEWSLETTER</a><br /><br /><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gydNiriG6DO205JTpPxwEz5M0-0MukZavoVynxmPlVJKFevNIXxOn0juiht02ugnK87n21fFXEMyOxYyb5l3bVrLZfgbEaJktrBo1EUmVbkUL8TaLU_T3IBplUvo5xwSEwxoMI2IhbfdepYotKtwtor7T_n7fmGFQhI9VB_K3j1bUeGcaAfiP7o7QRuHNvBF&c=utMco8Rrs_STNQddgW-0sFLE0_3BVEnfNmmCadhcsenF--cyWCHWzw==&ch=Xmdn7JSvhoWmesZoG4CUZcuoqzA8yb6oA3vecDXDx2jPsV5NApb4mg==">In this Issue:</a><br /><br /><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gydNiriG6DO205JTpPxwEz5M0-0MukZavoVynxmPlVJKFevNIXxOn0juiht02ugnK87n21fFXEMyOxYyb5l3bVrLZfgbEaJktrBo1EUmVbkUL8TaLU_T3IBplUvo5xwSEwxoMI2IhbfdepYotKtwtor7T_n7fmGFQhI9VB_K3j1bUeGcaAfiP7o7QRuHNvBF&c=utMco8Rrs_STNQddgW-0sFLE0_3BVEnfNmmCadhcsenF--cyWCHWzw==&ch=Xmdn7JSvhoWmesZoG4CUZcuoqzA8yb6oA3vecDXDx2jPsV5NApb4mg==">Addictive Relationships: Parenting and Childhood Programming</a></b></span><br /><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">For more info, check out <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gydNiriG6DO205JTpPxwEz5M0-0MukZavoVynxmPlVJKFevNIXxOn3iqAx819hw89i2SogQ16SvDGIIUGsc44mY8Savi-4AUi1Msqf6KX5MTWFGfBHt9qGw4YyEu8d-vctWXp2AdAUXnRfClO_b3sg==&c=utMco8Rrs_STNQddgW-0sFLE0_3BVEnfNmmCadhcsenF--cyWCHWzw==&ch=Xmdn7JSvhoWmesZoG4CUZcuoqzA8yb6oA3vecDXDx2jPsV5NApb4mg==">Luke Benoit's Website</a>.</span></b><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="gmail-m_-982854559245967590text" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="gmail-m_-982854559245967590text_content-cell gmail-m_-982854559245967590content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><p align="center" style="margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">===========================</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="gmail-m_-982854559245967590text" style="table-layout: fixed; width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" class="gmail-m_-982854559245967590text_content-cell gmail-m_-982854559245967590content-padding-horizontal" style="color: #3e3e3e; display: block; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><h1 align="center" style="color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 19px;">FACING ADDICTIVE RELATIONSHIPS: PART 2 - PARENTING</span></h1></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="gmail-m_-982854559245967590image--mobile-scale gmail-m_-982854559245967590image--mobile-center" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody><tr><td align="center" class="gmail-m_-982854559245967590image_container gmail-m_-982854559245967590content-padding-horizontal" style="margin: 0px; padding: 10px 40px;" valign="top"><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001gydNiriG6DO205JTpPxwEz5M0-0MukZavoVynxmPlVJKFevNIXxOn9PsBv52vLeOuDGTLnmlooatUOZxmVTwYM1jpc3_U0g7iFKqtcH2Daqjj4Aa9mmpSZbSUgSNdqfTQFeBW0aCB7pSo37I0VUXZ-WyAC4KkA4bsEaQUU5kG5b_USK2XR_G9A==&c=utMco8Rrs_STNQddgW-0sFLE0_3BVEnfNmmCadhcsenF--cyWCHWzw==&ch=Xmdn7JSvhoWmesZoG4CUZcuoqzA8yb6oA3vecDXDx2jPsV5NApb4mg==" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgbYQ1U0oYO1Tmhlyv4Ga4SFz0KMJwDp99Gn2xl1jkOEYI8HxtLgo7k3U3d6Si8rjqNiwv6shoN-8DyKajFq7TF02h_CslRezR4uA__TpRpUg_AmrFrdYzc4O44wi9lJHQiEJ5UfUK4KK0CMl0KyAJSx78kDbzH2LexYTiROEod4nNAmmgtr7OKr4YuqOETDBodQwQsyUho3ZBN4W0DEHORAcMR1jEG6n9QBuca8STahXnRpH6z=s0-d-e1-ft" style="display: block; height: auto; max-width: 100%;" width="578" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">To make an appointment for a free phone consultation:</span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">Call (562) 618-3099 or</span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><span class="ql-cursor"></span>E-Mail </span><a href="mailto:lukebenoit@lukebenoit.com" style="color: #2c74ff; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">lukebenoit@lukebenoit.com</a><span style="font-size: 18px;">.</span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;"></span><a href="http://www.lukebenoit.com/" style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luke Benoit Coaching</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;">allows you to walk around the whole life model that includes Finance, Relationships, Career, Personal Development, Environment, Health, Fun, and Creativity. First, we set goals and an action plan, and then the sessions develop according to your needs, integrating the most current trends in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). </span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><u>GIFT SOMEONE YOU LOVE!</u></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold;">The holidays are upon us! Gift someone you love who is stressed out with a suggestion to give Luke a call for a free consultation.</span></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;">For more info, check out </span><a href="http://www.lukebenoit.com/" style="color: #2c74ff; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Luke Benoit's Website</a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px;">.</span></p></div>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-16829181650974129362021-09-23T11:30:00.005-07:002021-09-23T11:32:27.323-07:00BOOK REVIEW: BUZZ KILL BY KATE THORNTON - "Try not to think of corpses..."<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx6LW3TZPc__46Tu-xwS4543sjL_ofbkJ4FwNpzkdJxLyoJM-Lx4o6pOwIMhHGLrwrAnaB-Y19mNtov8ONfaE7FuM8ROfOKh6_brjJ1IbaNan8-BfSuq2-Z-wdmtyuv86mt7Rij9ea4LG/s630/Buzz+Kill+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="473" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx6LW3TZPc__46Tu-xwS4543sjL_ofbkJ4FwNpzkdJxLyoJM-Lx4o6pOwIMhHGLrwrAnaB-Y19mNtov8ONfaE7FuM8ROfOKh6_brjJ1IbaNan8-BfSuq2-Z-wdmtyuv86mt7Rij9ea4LG/s320/Buzz+Kill+Cover.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The next time the flowers nod in the summer breezes, and I see
honeybees busily going about their business, I’ll try not to think of corpses,
betrayals, bludgeoning, and death.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">—BUZZ KILL, A Toni Carey Mystery </span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If Killer Bees didn’t exist, mystery writers would have to invent
them. Fortunately for Kate Thornton they do exist, so she grabs their scary
potential and runs with it in the first book of her Toni Carey series, BUZZ
KILL. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Blessed with a spunky, horny heroine, this un-cozy mystery unfurls
enough red herrings to keep readers guessing, exquisitely detailed moments of
horror and revulsion, and plenty of wink-wink humor. Thornton gives us a world
so real, it’s hard to believe that it’s fiction. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Having received an urgent note from her Uncle Horace to visit him
in the fictitious California burg of Loma Vista “on a matter of Great
Importance,” Toni Carey arrives to find his house trashed; a weird pile of
smokey ashes in the closet; and a strapping good-smelling small-town-detective
type investigating the fact that her uncle was found alone in a coma.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A semi-retired “bug expert” professor who specializes in
butterflies at the local college and tends his own beehives at home, Uncle
Horace is an unlikely candidate for leaving himself vulnerable to anaphylactic
shock. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So what happened and who is responsible? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When a man Toni never heard of turns up dead in her uncle’s
shed—undeniably done in by bees—the story officially turns into a Murder
Whodunit. Is it only one perp or more than one behind the coma and the death?
Who can be trusted? Who should not be believed?<br />
<br />
A seasoned magazine article writer, Toni is adept at research. As she
cautiously investigates, she encounters enough suspects to remain suspicious of
nearly everyone she encounters: Should she take at face value Uncle Horace’s
well-preserved lady friend or his “beehive assistant” teenage neighbor boy with
the weirdly nonverbal mother? And what about that cheeky, sexy receptionist at
the university’s Biology Department? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stirred by the electric lust she feels at the touch of a handsome
man’s compassionate hand or the sight of a holstered Barretta pressed up
against his warm body or the sudden kiss in a biology laboratory from a
biologist she just met, the too-long-celibate Toni struggles to sort the truth
from illusion when it comes to her feelings vs. her “who’s who?” need for
insight. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Will she end up in bed with the soap-smelling detective or the
lightly fragranced bee researcher? Or neither? Or both? </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thornton’s witty writing keeps all these juggled balls aloft. Her
skill with turns of phrases gives jolts of pleasure throughout: </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“After I finished throwing up in the bushes, I ran into the house
and started to dial 911, then thought better of that. The guy in the shed
wasn’t going anywhere and an ambulance would just be a formality.” </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oh, and yes, there is a great deal of fascinating information
about Africanized bees and bees in general for avid bee-lovers and the
bee-curious. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I recommend BUZZ KILL for anyone looking for a fun getaway from
their boring life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR:</b></span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">KATE THORNTON has been writing and editing short stories for
years, and now has written both the TONI CAREY MYSTERY SERIES and the KITTY AND
COCO MYSTERIES. Her first short story, "Just Like In The Movies", was
published in David Firks' legendary BLUE MURDER and nominated for a Derringer
award. With over 100 short stories in print, she is retired from the US Army,
has been a contestant on Jeopardy!, once kissed French film director Francoise
Truffaut, and currently lives with her husband, two dogs, and two cats in
Tucson, AZ, where she is working on her next book.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Look for BUZZ KILL and MEDIUM DEAD (Books #1 & #2 in the
Toni Carey Mysteries) and KITTY TAKES A CHANCE (Book #1 in the Kitty and Coco
Mysteries.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Check her website <span style="color: black; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://katethornton.net/">http://katethornton.net</a></span>
for new <a href="http://katethornton.net/">releases</a>, upcoming book
signings, panels, seminars and writing workshops.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-701574912121383462021-09-01T16:57:00.004-07:002021-09-02T12:58:17.519-07:00Theater Producer/Director/Promoter Marlan Warren & Award-Winning Solo Performer Sherry Glaser slated to speak at the L.A. Women's Theatre Festival<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qor_Xkwsl2mWb2Yztly7RvPEeIj1qmHlqme28N3PW1n7UeORLYG_z9SKdVG2y6hyphenhyphen4ru5Nx8zsr1JFrAk7tc5lA5I0uIW-pepvemtchM0DeyShGFnx7SN1vqtypiowcElc7VMQkCe2Kwk/s2048/EW+2021+graphic+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="2048" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qor_Xkwsl2mWb2Yztly7RvPEeIj1qmHlqme28N3PW1n7UeORLYG_z9SKdVG2y6hyphenhyphen4ru5Nx8zsr1JFrAk7tc5lA5I0uIW-pepvemtchM0DeyShGFnx7SN1vqtypiowcElc7VMQkCe2Kwk/w640-h338/EW+2021+graphic+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBNCYvBCJS_F6ZGBBtjA9gUQqBH8yzoNaW7jo8L_A2Wvq1gWAfel1Dtw2F4sAP39gJEjRt8MmWbIo8XthckrlVq-0yz_W7Upo6Cy_58aQuX_1uL7PmpFaAXIaqrJSKZSx7e2GqtM5fa2P/s676/Head+Shot+Not+Pink.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="676" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBNCYvBCJS_F6ZGBBtjA9gUQqBH8yzoNaW7jo8L_A2Wvq1gWAfel1Dtw2F4sAP39gJEjRt8MmWbIo8XthckrlVq-0yz_W7Upo6Cy_58aQuX_1uL7PmpFaAXIaqrJSKZSx7e2GqtM5fa2P/w200-h200/Head+Shot+Not+Pink.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marlan Warren</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Theater Producer/Promoter/Playwright Marlan Warren will
speak at the eighth annual Los Angeles Theatre Festival Solo Performer
Empowerment Weekend via Zoom, which will run from Friday, Sept. 17 through
Sunday, Sept. 19.<br />
<br />
On Saturday, Sept. 18, Warren will discuss with fellow panelists and moderators
the topics "Successful Marketing for Your Solo Show" (11 a.m. PDT)
and "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work" (12 Noon PDT).</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoWVZFl8e992IaGsT4sX9-w5bIPN3PMpOeeDllQfabQHHbScGSpYfCCiTkjb81So-CY6D0rkanCHPXa6KjSHCg-aNFPuRKXXXpeucCLRmcfoOMIjE4JNYkm6txwWsjyyuwH9tZuvG_HqL/s2048/Adilah+Barnes+head+shot.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoWVZFl8e992IaGsT4sX9-w5bIPN3PMpOeeDllQfabQHHbScGSpYfCCiTkjb81So-CY6D0rkanCHPXa6KjSHCg-aNFPuRKXXXpeucCLRmcfoOMIjE4JNYkm6txwWsjyyuwH9tZuvG_HqL/s320/Adilah+Barnes+head+shot.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adilah Barnes</td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">
Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival Co-Founder Adilah Barnes described this
3-day event as "career training from industry professionals, designed to
give a boost to solo performers, but will also be of value to anyone
contemplating online or live theatrical production in Los Angeles and those who
wish to tour in these changing times."<br />
<br />
"I've admired the L.A. Women’s Theatre Festival for years," said
Warren. "It's an honor to be included in this dynamic esteem-building
gathering for women in theater."<br />
<br />
Warren produced and directed her plays, "Bits of Paradise: Kochiyama's
Crusaders" and “Bits of Paradise” in Hollywood and San Francisco
respectively. Both focus on a women's campaign behind the barbed wire of the
Japanese American Internment of World War II, and feature an Asian cast. She
also penned and directed a "women's self-defense" musical, "Hallelujah
Whiplash!" at San Diego’s Marquis Public Theatre, and her comedy about New
Age female bonding, "Chasing Sangha," was presented at the Athena
Cats Festival in Santa Monica.<br />
<br />
As a promoter, Warren offers public relations and marketing strategies for
entertainers. "It was a pleasure working with the brilliant solo
performer, Sherry Glaser,” Warren said, “because she brings ambition and
inspiration to any endeavor."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYxPWkDqC88IDUI4W0Y5r6rI7MUOhtDLdbOqJKuFToORb9lG-Hw5ccdME2CybY5ULaDDbr_z0y4a-Ulf3dVth11H4zsvPmz7a-jw2YkYIxRPvHB_Kw24GIdzl-P9U2Wyr8zARcWuZfmI6/s300/Sherry-Glaser-in-The-Second-Coming-Photo-by-Lucy-Belle-Love-3-300x225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="300" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYxPWkDqC88IDUI4W0Y5r6rI7MUOhtDLdbOqJKuFToORb9lG-Hw5ccdME2CybY5ULaDDbr_z0y4a-Ulf3dVth11H4zsvPmz7a-jw2YkYIxRPvHB_Kw24GIdzl-P9U2Wyr8zARcWuZfmI6/s0/Sherry-Glaser-in-The-Second-Coming-Photo-by-Lucy-Belle-Love-3-300x225.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sherry Glaser</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jo__OCjdY0vnAubhMUdayy0FrWK2OwfErH4hvvbhVWHUDP23TuRA93rrXC2K_aN9cX3nno87D06XhbThSyWrVVy_Dq2chrXuqqpjHBHdrUUOve5rHQ_4UXzP_0mQO_w0x4AYLNAjA2nA/s96/Miguel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="72" data-original-width="96" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jo__OCjdY0vnAubhMUdayy0FrWK2OwfErH4hvvbhVWHUDP23TuRA93rrXC2K_aN9cX3nno87D06XhbThSyWrVVy_Dq2chrXuqqpjHBHdrUUOve5rHQ_4UXzP_0mQO_w0x4AYLNAjA2nA/w320-h240/Miguel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sherry Glaser</td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
Glaser, whose "Family Secrets" holds the title of the "Longest
Running Off-Broadway Women's Solo Show" will speak on the "Empowered
Women: Crafting a Solo Career" panel on Sunday, Sept. 19 (3pm PDT).<br />
<br />
Founded in 1993 by Adilah Barnes and Miriam Reed, the Los Angeles Women’s
Theatre Festival holds the distinction of being the oldest Annual Solo Festival
for women in Los Angeles celebrating powerful women performers.<br />
<br />
LAWTF is a critically-acclaimed international festival that has produced over
600 extraordinary solo artists from around the globe. LAWTF’s multicultural and
multi-disciplined artists represent such diverse disciplines as theatre, dance,
storytelling, performance art, performance poetry, spoken word, mime, music,
song, aerial performers and more.<br />
<br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZAw_WIVfgiM_1MNQ3odIOkZkhlL9N8xir3Q3n9DUUa9ZeinybNsmNXGpgIwzUvhevoQUxmGcsYOCvhgrmzGIU7iET3sB-o7qoZxyFlqrkAkPJhB_kuj6rtvkuifno4THTrKWkls9cUZd/s2048/EW+schedule+graphic+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZAw_WIVfgiM_1MNQ3odIOkZkhlL9N8xir3Q3n9DUUa9ZeinybNsmNXGpgIwzUvhevoQUxmGcsYOCvhgrmzGIU7iET3sB-o7qoZxyFlqrkAkPJhB_kuj6rtvkuifno4THTrKWkls9cUZd/w640-h640/EW+schedule+graphic+copy.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
<br /></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;">
For more the full schedule details and info:<br /><a href="http://www.lawtf.org" target="_blank">LAWTF Website</a>: www.lawtf.org | Call (818) 760-0408</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: medium;">
To Register:<br /><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lawtf-virtual-annual-empowerment-week-end-tickets-166196398903" target="_blank">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lawtf-virtual-annual-empowerment-week-end-tickets-166196398903</a><br />
<br />
Tuition for the week-end:<br />
<br />
$25 until Sept. 3<br />
$30 after Sept. 3<br />
<br />
A Zoom link will be sent to those who have completed registration.<br />
<br />
For more info: Website: <a href="http://www.lawtf.org" target="_blank">LATWF Website</a><br /></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;">
<br />
This event is made possible in part by a Federal stimulus supplement grant
administered by the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-39785712464166099562021-08-18T11:07:00.000-07:002021-08-18T11:07:03.009-07:00POET WILLIAM DREW WEINBRENNER REVIEWS "ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS 2 - RAIN AND FIRE"<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMl_5PRGG-4bEMo_a6476HEWQMFeP9JZWW1I_tN45rdqGhf_4Szn3byp8AB7sK-T2L23WXZExxVcyZvQViaUkmAHV2OckbutTBN64Yrxzurn8UxhJB7O41Zj-w5Ed81rhJFhRuuOR322h/s499/Rain+Fire+Cover+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMl_5PRGG-4bEMo_a6476HEWQMFeP9JZWW1I_tN45rdqGhf_4Szn3byp8AB7sK-T2L23WXZExxVcyZvQViaUkmAHV2OckbutTBN64Yrxzurn8UxhJB7O41Zj-w5Ed81rhJFhRuuOR322h/w268-h400/Rain+Fire+Cover+Front.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><b>We're excited to share this brilliant, thoughtfully literate analysis of ALL STORMS PASS 2 by author/poet/screenwriter William Drew Weinbrenner: <br /></b><br />Inspiring! In the amorphous space between poetry, self-help, aphorism, personal development and mantra lies Luke Benoit’s new masterpiece: ALL STORMS PASS, THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS 2 [Rain and Fire]. <br /><br />Because more than one thing is going on in this work, ALL STORMS PASS cannot be relegated to the Personal Development shelf of Oprah’s Book Club. It is a brutally personal and specific literary work that documents the battles our collective egos fight daily. <br /><br />Is it poetry? A life-coaching workbook? Affirmations for those in tough times? A memoir proudly cataloguing hard-won wisdom? The artist’s numerous motives rise from his experience as an educator, counselor, and coach. The reader can feel the visceral practicality of truisms like:</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you keep</span> <span> </span> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">doing what</span> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">you’re doing,</span> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">you’re gonna<span> </span></span> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">keep getting</span> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">what you’re</span> </div></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">getting.</span></div></blockquote><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">ALL STORMS PASS is not new age, feel-good, escapism. The book is relentlessly pragmatic and unpretentious, boiling down the inner voices of a wide array of personal narratives that prompt the reader to recognize themselves in each profile.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Most personal development books originate from a philosophy or belief system. Without fail, the first step in enlightenment is an obligatory consensus on those values. The premise being that if we can’t agree on what enlightened detachment is, the reader has little hope of finding their way to it on their own from wherever they are.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">ALL STORMS PASS takes the markedly different approach: you do NOT need to be a different person, in different circumstances, with a clear vision of nirvana. It gives you permission to be exactly the hot mess you are, owning the circumstances in which you find yourself, and saying right here, right now, just as I am and you are, some semblance of inner peace in available to us - if we’d just have the self-esteem to take it. The meditations do not aspire to perfectionism, and instead embrace what’s real and actual in each scenario.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Unlike the work of artist Barbara Kruger, whose charged slogans are steeped with ironic social commentary in the form of 20th century marketing campaigns, Benoit’s words externalize and objectify the most intimate and corrosive declarations we say to OURSELVES, and then respond - with pragmatic love and humor.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Text layout, in an E.E. Cummings freeform typography, requires the reader to digest each word or phrase in sequence. The text deliberately slows down the desperate eye, and the manic mind, to demand consideration of each idea. Benoit bravely holds up these confessions until the reader sees their own motives, impulses, self-indulgence, mania, self-sabotage and sublimation in self-context.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">The reader cannot be ambivalent about the profiles. Immediately, the ear assesses the self in relation to each scenario, triggering judgement, nostalgia, regret, sympathy, titillation, and a detached reflection on all we’ve survived.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">In the end ALL STORMS PASS is for anyone who ever needed to manifest the inner voice crazy-making in their head. It seems infinitely easier to be objective when it is fixed on the printed page, and captured tangibly in the hand. In some mystic and strange way, ALL STORMS PASS raises our stream of consciousness to the level of art. Wonderful. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">About this Reviewer:</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kFzy-OXXN7Dv-hCp6tW_bkU0qGHOLD8IMHmba4WTRqiF5gzdGO6LD9d4umV04iPEe2mv6avPK9aXdqrdbtFtEd6OyX_xdbqOrh7kPtXqygpvr8HbZvK46sq8opnXf99S9ptr5K0gbic0/s631/DREW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kFzy-OXXN7Dv-hCp6tW_bkU0qGHOLD8IMHmba4WTRqiF5gzdGO6LD9d4umV04iPEe2mv6avPK9aXdqrdbtFtEd6OyX_xdbqOrh7kPtXqygpvr8HbZvK46sq8opnXf99S9ptr5K0gbic0/s320/DREW.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William Drew Weinbrenner</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">William Drew Weinbrenner was named "One of Florida’s most promising contemporary writers" by <a href="http://www.orlandoslice.com/profile/WilliamDrewWeinbrenner" target="_blank">Orange Slice Journal</a>. His book,<i> East of Pouring: Collected Poems 1980-2009 </i>won the Florida
Publishers Association 2009 President’s Book Award for Poetry. </span> </div>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-80068845620182620092021-08-01T18:35:00.002-07:002021-08-18T10:36:20.052-07:00Recovery Slam with Luke Benoit: Here's the Link to the YouTube Broadcast!<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/KUqcWqyeK6g" width="480"></iframe><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW90_ElDhTUEk8vSGsW8D8o0PKSSd7nW20WvpFo7w0-MO4cEyguhohQobpZ8ZmZpCJo8vwpRi-l8WiP7zLMENkZb0u6xLvKqpLLHb4bKVWWPxcFlh8wbnX9RMJiBO4MQDw7F-Q-KlYlAvT/s2000/Recovery+Slam+Meme.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1545" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW90_ElDhTUEk8vSGsW8D8o0PKSSd7nW20WvpFo7w0-MO4cEyguhohQobpZ8ZmZpCJo8vwpRi-l8WiP7zLMENkZb0u6xLvKqpLLHb4bKVWWPxcFlh8wbnX9RMJiBO4MQDw7F-Q-KlYlAvT/w494-h640/Recovery+Slam+Meme.jpg" width="494" /></a><br /><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On Sunday, Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. PDT, poets came together for a “Recovery Slam” to celebrate the launch of Life Coach Luke Benoit’s second book in his All Storms Pass [The Anti-Meditations] series: Rain and Fire. The live streaming event will feature Benoit reading selected recovery self-help poems from Rain and Fire, along with guest poets who will read their favorite self-healing poems.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 19.26px; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In his recent L.A. Now & Then interview, Benoit—a certified Life Coach and professional hypnotist—stated that his anti-meditations </span>are “very purposely written in hypnotic and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) language … self-hypnosis has the power to unlock one’s potential.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Midwest Book reviewers praised both books, calling the first “<span style="line-height: 19.26px; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">an excellent pick for anyone looking for a way to fire their way through life,” and the second </span>“a <span style="line-height: 19.26px; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">two-fisted, take-no-prisoners approach to coping with challenges.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Recovery Slam poets include Thomas Allbaugh, PhD; Artemis Craig, and Marlan Warren.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dr. Thomas Allbaugh’s short stories, poems, and essays have appeared in literary journals, including Writing on the Edge; In Touch Magazine; Relief, and Broken Skyline Anthology. He is the author of the chapbook, The View from January and the novel, Apocalypse TV. Dr. Allbaugh is an associate professor of English at Azusa Pacific University.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Artemis Craig is the author of Inspirational Verse for Those Who Hunger and Thirst: A Book of Poems to Feed the Soul. She has her B.F.A. in Screenwriting from USC, resides in Birmingham, Alabama, and is currently finishing her second poetry book, Southern Fried Comfort Food: Recipes to Encourage the Soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Los Angeles writer Marlan Warren’s poetry appeared in the anthology, We Accept Donations. She is the author of the novel Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged: All’s Not Fair in Love or War, as well as a playwright, screenwriter, and documentary filmmaker. An excerpt from her upcoming memoir “Tales of Sushi” was published in The Artifactuals Arts and Culture Journal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recovery Slam is the brainchild of Warren who is partnering with Nicolas Nelson of Wordsmith Writing Coaches to produce this event via Yardstream.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“We hope to produce more Recovery Slams in the future,” said Warren. “They really fit the themes of Luke’s books, which focus on the power to heal oneself through contemplative verse.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 17.12px; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">###<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">More Info:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Read L.A. Now & Then Interview with Luke Benoit:</span></b></p>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-81123629033398486292021-07-28T12:41:00.000-07:002021-07-28T12:41:02.614-07:00RECOVERY SLAM POETRY LIVESTREAM EVENT: Luke Benoit and Friends Celebrate ALL STORMS PASS 2 BOOK LAUNCH with Healing Poetry Readings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW90_ElDhTUEk8vSGsW8D8o0PKSSd7nW20WvpFo7w0-MO4cEyguhohQobpZ8ZmZpCJo8vwpRi-l8WiP7zLMENkZb0u6xLvKqpLLHb4bKVWWPxcFlh8wbnX9RMJiBO4MQDw7F-Q-KlYlAvT/s2000/Recovery+Slam+Meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1545" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW90_ElDhTUEk8vSGsW8D8o0PKSSd7nW20WvpFo7w0-MO4cEyguhohQobpZ8ZmZpCJo8vwpRi-l8WiP7zLMENkZb0u6xLvKqpLLHb4bKVWWPxcFlh8wbnX9RMJiBO4MQDw7F-Q-KlYlAvT/w494-h640/Recovery+Slam+Meme.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">This Sunday, Aug. 1 at 11 a.m. PDT, poets will come together for
a “Recovery Slam” online to celebrate the launch of Life Coach Luke Benoit’s
second book in his All Storms Pass [The Anti-Meditations] series: Rain and Fire.
The live streaming event will feature Benoit reading selected recovery self-help
poems from Rain and Fire, along with guest poets who will read their favorite self-healing
poems.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In his recent L.A. Now & Then interview,
Benoit—a certified Life Coach and professional hypnotist—stated that his anti-meditations
</span>are “very purposely written in hypnotic and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
language … self-hypnosis has the power to unlock one’s potential.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Midwest Book reviewers praised both books, calling the first
“<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">an excellent pick for
anyone looking for a way to fire their way through life,” and the second </span>“a
<span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">two-fisted, take-no-prisoners approach to coping with
challenges.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Recovery Slam poets include Thomas Allbaugh, PhD;
Artemis Craig, and Marlan Warren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Dr. Thomas Allbaugh’s short stories, poems, and essays have
appeared in literary journals, including Writing on the Edge; In Touch Magazine;
Relief, and Broken Skyline Anthology. He is the author of the chapbook, The
View from January and the novel, Apocalypse TV. Dr. Allbaugh is an associate
professor of English at Azusa Pacific University.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Artemis Craig is the author of Inspirational Verse for Those
Who Hunger and Thirst: A Book of Poems to Feed the Soul. She has her B.F.A. in
Screenwriting from USC, resides in Birmingham, Alabama, and is currently finishing
her second poetry book, Southern Fried Comfort Food: Recipes to Encourage the
Soul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Los Angeles writer Marlan Warren’s poetry appeared in the
anthology, We Accept Donations. She is the author of the novel Roadmaps for the
Sexually Challenged: All’s Not Fair in Love or War, as well as a playwright,
screenwriter, and documentary filmmaker. An excerpt from her upcoming memoir “Tales
of Sushi” was published in The Artifactuals Arts and Culture Journal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recovery Slam is the brainchild of Warren who is partnering
with Nicolas Nelson of Wordsmith Writing Coaches to produce this event via
Yardstream.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“We hope to produce more Recovery Slams in the future,” said
Warren. “They really fit the themes of Luke’s books, which focus on the power
to heal oneself through contemplative verse.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">###<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">More Info:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">ALL STORMS PASS BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Click one of these links to watch:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">YouTube: Luke Benoit Channel (lukethecoach) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/lukethecoach" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/user/lukethecoach</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/luke.benoitlifecoach" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/luke.benoitlifecoach</a><br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Twitter: @marlanwarren <a href="https://twitter.com/marlanwarren?lang=en" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/marlanwarren?lang=en</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The event will be accessible online permanently after the
livestreaming.<br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">To Read L.A. Now & Then Interview with Luke Benoit, click this link: </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://losangelesnowthen.blogspot.com"><span style="font-size: medium;">http://losangelesnowthen.blogspot.com</span></a></b><o:p></o:p></p>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-65914732628186572962021-07-22T15:49:00.002-07:002021-07-22T16:47:24.605-07:00New Book Launch Interview: Life Coach Author Luke Benoit re ALL STORMS PASS - ANTI-MEDITATIONS 2: RAIN AND FIRE<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSr3XHrsnGNyoCD_T2JZYrOU2vXKOw2oW1KB5e-DcTtm5nCxdPUAXaqxSCJFRtCGTLsLT0oLkbe-2jNsnOb3D_XHqqZkL7YCjgR6C0BmjJXguQ6mq75xQ9JXFOdogxTqwBGQTNpZeK4dd/s499/Rain+Fire+Cover+Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSr3XHrsnGNyoCD_T2JZYrOU2vXKOw2oW1KB5e-DcTtm5nCxdPUAXaqxSCJFRtCGTLsLT0oLkbe-2jNsnOb3D_XHqqZkL7YCjgR6C0BmjJXguQ6mq75xQ9JXFOdogxTqwBGQTNpZeK4dd/w268-h400/Rain+Fire+Cover+Front.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>What</u>: </span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Luke
Benoit Discusses His New Book In “All Storms Pass” Series on Daniel G. Garza’s "Put
It Together Conversations" Show (7/27 at 5pm)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">When</u><b>: </b>Tues., July 27 at 5 p.m.<br /><u style="font-weight: bold;">Where</u><b>: </b>LiveStreaming Podcast via Daniel G. Garza's YouTube Channel and Facebook, Twitter, Linked In Sites.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">We caught up with Luke Benoit, the Life Coach Author whose newest book -- RAIN AND FIRE -- follows up the first book in his <a href="https://losangelesnowthen.blogspot.com/2012/01/recovery-made-real-all-storms-pass-anti.html" target="_blank">ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS</a> series.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">We're passing along the promo one-sheet provided by Luke Benoit along with our Q & A Interview. <br />These books are definitely worth checking out!<br /><br /><b>Title: ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS 2 – RAIN AND FIRE</b><br /><b>Author: Luke Benoit<br />Publication Date: May 27, 2021<br />Paperback: 346 pages $17.95<br />ISBN-13: 978-0692222119<br />Available on Amazon<br />Author Website: <a href="http://www.lukebenoit.com">Luke Benoit Life Coach</a><br />Facebook: Luke Benoit @lukebenoit.coach<br />Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/All-Storms-Pass-Recovery-Books-103573522010076/" target="_blank">All Storms Pass Recovery Books</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Contact: lukebenoit@lukebenoit.com</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Author/Life Coach Luke Benoit presents <b>ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS 2 - RAIN AND FIRE </b>as a very different kind of Recovery
book. Sometimes dark, sometimes hopeful, his thought-provoking meditations
confront and explore universal themes of Healing, Addiction, Self-Help, and
Spirituality.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">This book follows his acclaimed ALL STORMS PASS: THE
ANTI-MEDITATIONS.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Benoit does not attempt to offer readers magical solutions,
but supplies aid as a fellow traveler who has come many times to a crossroads
that asks him to choose between Light and Darkness, and he continues to choose
Light. A 2-fisted, take-no-prisoners approach to coping with challenges.”<br />
—Midwest Book Review <b>(Book 2)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>PRAISE FOR ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS (Book 1)</b><br />
“The power to change one's life lies in one's own hands. ALL STORMS PASS is
thoughtful and powerful reading that will resonate clearly and fully on many
levels ... an excellent pick for anyone looking for a way to fire their way
through life.”—Midwest Book Review<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b>:<br />
Luke Benoit is the author of the ALL STORMS PASS [The Anti-Meditations] series.
He is married and lives in Orange County, California as a Certified Life Coach
and a Professional Hypnotherapist. Luke has worked in the areas of Recovery, Personal
Wholeness and Mental Health for 15 years, and touched countless lives as he
helped people achieve sobriety, overcome addictions, depression and raise their
self-esteem. He has his B.F.A. in Film from USC and his M.S. in Education from
CSU Long Beach.</span><o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MflyH762RwA0xpC8c-0yQLKryVDPSffxEuiV8BvUu5ZsyoipMSiSd5uG6Y2KIMyRZG71fcv4E__fOuicVGozhg01srTKl_qclluSZRNWX-_LKOR_359rKr69-2hdcZy0wf_guU6pGQ83/s2048/Luke+Benoit.Readig.MysticJourney.3.9.12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MflyH762RwA0xpC8c-0yQLKryVDPSffxEuiV8BvUu5ZsyoipMSiSd5uG6Y2KIMyRZG71fcv4E__fOuicVGozhg01srTKl_qclluSZRNWX-_LKOR_359rKr69-2hdcZy0wf_guU6pGQ83/w640-h360/Luke+Benoit.Readig.MysticJourney.3.9.12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke Benoit Reading ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS (Book 1)<br />Mystic Journey Bookstore, Venice, CA</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">INTERVIEW WITH LUKE BENOIT BY MARLAN WARREN <br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">FOR L.A. NOW
& THEN</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Q – How were the anti-meditations born?</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A - </b>I started writing these meditations as teaching
tools and springboards for discussion in some groups that I was running.
Initially, they were short and more like 12-Step slogans. They eventually took
on a life of their own, and expanded until they assembled themselves into ALL
STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS, the first book in the series.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q - How would you classify the Anti-Meditations books?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A -</b> They are about recovery from trauma with many
12-Step and Codependency references. Truthfully, they are intended for anyone
they might help. They are their own animal in that way and hard to classify.
But there is probably something in them for almost anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q - What was the best experience you had launching the
first book? <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A – </b>Hearing people from all walks of life say how
much the book has impacted them. That has always been amazing and incredibly
gratifying. Just last week someone thanked me profusely for the book—saying how
much it’s helping and that it moved her to tears. That has always been the most
powerful part of the experience to me. It’s very humbling, yet it also makes me
very proud to be the channel.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q - All the anti-meditations seem very personal and
also "Universal.” <br />Is this by design?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A -</b> I can’t really say that the meditations are by
design. They gestate very organically, forming themselves, and in that process
I really become some kind of channel and they move through me. It’s not like I
know what they are going to be or say. In some way, they remind me of haikus
with beginnings, middles and resolutions that have a certain rhythm to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q - How would you suggest a reader in need of recovery
approach these books?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A - </b>I would say have no expectations. “The Statement of
High Self-Esteem” that opens the book is extremely powerful and resonates throughout.
With the other entries, I think it’s a sort of “take what you like and leave
the rest” kind of experience. Let what hits you hit you. What moves you move
you. Not everything is going to be right for everybody. But more than one should
create significant, maybe even profound, awarenesses that could be life
changing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q – All your books have humor. What is your relationship
to humor as both Life Coach and for you personally?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A - </b>The idea that sometimes you have to laugh to keep
from crying is a very powerful concept. I come from very sarcastic people and
the energy of that definitely informs me as a person, a writer, and even a
coach. There is something always very appealing to me about a Gestalt-ish
confrontation that involves humor. It can be really eye-opening for us all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q - How close to the bone are these anti-meditations for
you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A –</b> Each anti-meditation comes from my own life
experience and what’s up for me at the moment that they are written. I have to
get very present when I am writing these—thinking about what I am going through
right now and entering into the flow that moves through me. Each one is about
what is happening right now in the time that I am writing them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q – You are both a professional life coach and hypnotist.
Does the latter influence your writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A -</b> These anti-meditations are very purposely written
in hypnotic and NLP language. Writing for me is always a trance process. I need
to be ready and drop into it to be able to generate the work. Self-hypnosis (which
we engage in all the time, often unknowingly) is incredibly powerful and can do
so much to unlock our potentials.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q - Which is your favorite anti-meditation in RAIN AND
FIRE?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A - </b>The one that I always think of first and really
stands out for me is the one about the trapeze. I am proud of it because I
think that somehow it’s really insightful about relationships and at the same
time I think it’s a really well-crafted poem. I even like the way it lays
itself out on the page.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">T<i>RAPEZE FLYING [Excerpt]:</i></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-weight: bold;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">so he asked her:<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">SO WHAT WOULD MAKE<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">YOU THINK THAT THIS<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">TIME WOULD BE DIFFERENT?<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">and she said:<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">"I just always<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">get distracted<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">by the<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">DARING YOUNG MAN<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">TRAPEZE FLYING<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">when all I wanted<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">was something to<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">grab onto<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">so I could<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">LET GO<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">and someone to<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">catch me<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">BEFORE I FALL."<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">and he said:<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">“THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">GRAB MY HANDS?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></i></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Q - How did you come up with the second book’s subtitle RAIN AND FIRE?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A - </b>Turbulence. The years during the writing of RAIN AND FIRE were rough for me and full of all kinds of storms. Storms may come in many forms but surviving them all is the trick or key.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdPeaicrJGQC_w1xhOTk1E89NkNn9RISrn4sADsmhutZsyPp2E4RrOHW6f1-IXy-_SkxY032TjyVqPL9BRvbbmECh8Vzq3ziHBy7DgiWgbSf3RfPO01fLIqnvO9KhqzAi8MpO4XYgS3eo/s1360/RAIN+AND+FIRE+BACK+COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdPeaicrJGQC_w1xhOTk1E89NkNn9RISrn4sADsmhutZsyPp2E4RrOHW6f1-IXy-_SkxY032TjyVqPL9BRvbbmECh8Vzq3ziHBy7DgiWgbSf3RfPO01fLIqnvO9KhqzAi8MpO4XYgS3eo/w426-h640/RAIN+AND+FIRE+BACK+COVER.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br />Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-24573778986181480222021-06-28T17:41:00.004-07:002021-06-28T18:58:32.552-07:00BOOK REVIEW: "ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS 2 - RAIN AND FIRE"<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><i><span style="font-size: medium;">If anyone ever told you that you were anything less than wonderful—they lied. </span></i></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> —ALL STORMS PASS: RAIN AND FIRE </span></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Life Coach Luke Benoit has followed up his book, <a href="https://losangelesnowthen.blogspot.com/2012/01/recovery-made-real-all-storms-pass-anti.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS</a> with a second book in the series: RAIN AND FIRE.
Warning: This is not a book for the faint of heart in need of recovery from
trauma. It’s a two-fisted, take-no-prisoners approach to coping with mental,
emotional, and psychosomatic traumatic challenges.</span></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFyFV2L-ZTgL163HxfQ6X4Q0hsh08ipYC3PhC515ONxEztTy6kMzEoQReeYSLDwaOgBmSzPjyduEp3mmfkf0vF61irPxbJqXkY4sLwx4NuSDSlD2lEBFhBSufVPWK4I9evuYZKZMRB7DJ/s499/Rain+Fire+Cover+Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFyFV2L-ZTgL163HxfQ6X4Q0hsh08ipYC3PhC515ONxEztTy6kMzEoQReeYSLDwaOgBmSzPjyduEp3mmfkf0vF61irPxbJqXkY4sLwx4NuSDSlD2lEBFhBSufVPWK4I9evuYZKZMRB7DJ/w268-h400/Rain+Fire+Cover+Front.jpg" width="268" /></a></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">This book offers ways to soothe the suffering and liberate
them, if they are willing to face their demons.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">As with the first book, Benoit presents verses he calls
“anti-meditations” (which are the same as meditations, only different). RAIN
AND FIRE continues to riff on therapeutic themes of recovery, addiction,
self-help, and personal spirituality. A former psychotherapist with extensive
12-Step Recovery knowhow, Benoit proposes that these anti-meditations may occasionally
serve as puzzles—jumping off places for discussion, self-assessment, or prayer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a philosopher and poet, Benoit strikes a balance between
his own truths and universal truths. Yes, he went through the Valley of the
Shadow, but he points out that his experiences are not unique. The question ultimately
is not necessarily how can we avoid trauma, but how can we flourish in spite of
it?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">RAIN AND FIRE’S hybrid of searing poetry, confessional naked
rage and heartfelt love is tempered with popup humor that keeps the reader
smiling through tears while turning pages. Instead of titles, the meditations
have subject-oriented headlines such as:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“When will it be success and how will I know it when it gets
here?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Today, I will admit that sometimes BEING STUCK IS A CHOICE”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Today, I will accept that LIFE is not an ALFRED HITCHCOCK MOVIE”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">“There comes a time when no matter where you've been and no
matter what you've been through, you have to MOVE FORWARD anyway”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">And my personal favorite:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">I will WALK MY DOG -<br />
no matter what else is<br />
going on.</span></i></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Even Benoit’s Dedication starts out with a smile:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><i><span style="font-size: medium;">For my Auntie Cia,<br />my Mom and Dad<br />and the Tall Dark Stranger<br />I thought might bury me<br />in the basement.</span></i></blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;">In a poignant, highly personal passage, the author reveals
that after writing the first book, he suffered a physical and mental breakdown
that was eventually diagnosed as severe vertigo—a health crisis that ended his
progress for a time, except in the arena of healing, which eventually did happen. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Benoit does not attempt to offer readers magical solutions
received from On High, but supplies aid as a fellow traveler who has come many
times to a crossroads that asks him to choose between Light and Darkness, and
he continues to choose Light.</span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I highly recommend this book to advocates of 12-Step
Recovery and those who wish to learn more about it; seekers of recovery from
trauma or life itself; spiritual seekers; and poetry lovers.</span></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1CdfqxGzxNOamI3CLb6URgetngw-4CGhdCoaI4YBVaHjdmWNm2hukVOEWL734w2LSGgyh_AMSauVQ8upgltotMGfaA02sLIUwivm5hbei_NJvQtWru_56mPYQc4l6ScIxOIDDftF68Vh/s1360/RAIN+AND+FIRE+BACK+COVER.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1CdfqxGzxNOamI3CLb6URgetngw-4CGhdCoaI4YBVaHjdmWNm2hukVOEWL734w2LSGgyh_AMSauVQ8upgltotMGfaA02sLIUwivm5hbei_NJvQtWru_56mPYQc4l6ScIxOIDDftF68Vh/w426-h640/RAIN+AND+FIRE+BACK+COVER.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Title: ALL STORMS PASS: THE ANTI-MEDITATIONS 2 – RAIN AND FIRE<br />Author: Luke Benoit<br />Publisher: Luke Benoit<br />Publication Date: May 27, 2021<br />Language: English<br />Paperback: 346 pages $17.95<br />978-0692222119<br />Available on Amazon<br /><p><br /></p>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-60340360110392634722021-04-11T10:41:00.010-07:002021-05-31T10:50:06.261-07:00Yoko Japanese Antiques Needs Our Support - South Pasadena, CA<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Yoko</span></b></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Japanese Antiques & Fabrics</b></div></b></span><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1018 Mission Street, #2</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>South Pasadena, CA 91030</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>(626) 840-1284</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Closed Mondays</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur4BILXWMWgjLn740BGj_a3s5LGGWQ3H1MMQErk1bBJpvhTYYfrb1WMf4RJISrEBDAyV6wirKVx3ilCZgSAsYc_v3ZY1Ls28jhPRn62vmDgFl2w8bU-S1GA6eNk79p_fUjLu7DP8Vtbuc/s720/Yoko+Logo+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiur4BILXWMWgjLn740BGj_a3s5LGGWQ3H1MMQErk1bBJpvhTYYfrb1WMf4RJISrEBDAyV6wirKVx3ilCZgSAsYc_v3ZY1Ls28jhPRn62vmDgFl2w8bU-S1GA6eNk79p_fUjLu7DP8Vtbuc/w502-h640/Yoko+Logo+2.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uPbClrZn5XNIFcEp5PNvMXHdtFtrxR1J6jNhCUadPBaufXN3H1U5Kpp1mmZKO6F6cbGuM_caNsTLAuGBlkANwXXD6Vkz2wmMzDdCDGrRimBtrVBHJz4qMgNzvZb-HazSE6T7jgv5uChs/s950/YOKO+ANTIQUES.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="444" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3uPbClrZn5XNIFcEp5PNvMXHdtFtrxR1J6jNhCUadPBaufXN3H1U5Kpp1mmZKO6F6cbGuM_caNsTLAuGBlkANwXXD6Vkz2wmMzDdCDGrRimBtrVBHJz4qMgNzvZb-HazSE6T7jgv5uChs/w300-h640/YOKO+ANTIQUES.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b>Yoko Japanese Antiques </b>is an enchanting Old School shop with a
friendly, chatty, knowledgeable owner (Lisa) who runs it now that the former
co-owner and her mother, Yoko, has passed away. Lisa wears a mask and keeps
social distance while telling lively, entertaining stories and overseeing the
mass of jewelry, vintage kimono fabrics, Japanese books & DVDS, miniature
dolls, and gorgeous carved pieces.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Prices run from a couple dollars on up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I bought two lovely pins for $8 each.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And plan to return to buy more of these
one-of-a-kind treasures.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Twenty-five years ago, I commissioned Yoko to make me a
"noren" (Japanese door curtains). She let me pick the fabric, and
made it for me. It was on the recommendation of Amy at Ai Restaurant, who had
several beautiful noren by Yoko.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Now, more than ever, this lovely shop needs shoppers!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I hope
we can keep this South Pasadena gem going.<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b><span><a name='more'></a></span>UPDATE:</b></span><p></p><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Yoko's is closed on Mondays.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br />I went back last week and took more pictures. The place is sooo photogenic!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">#YokoPhotos #JapaneseAntiques</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYNXk3QGQRYy-3sUEpeX8_yewqcf6CvU6hpuF3FGDpO0e2Ww26xBmE2klMQMLikM3X8Dk1Ez-YflAkgKPncfk_KvE-U8HEkD9U3tnEez5GHk9rU7IKdcM8R5GStSNP_vKge-nW3Y0n-UI/s960/YOKO+STOREFRONT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYNXk3QGQRYy-3sUEpeX8_yewqcf6CvU6hpuF3FGDpO0e2Ww26xBmE2klMQMLikM3X8Dk1Ez-YflAkgKPncfk_KvE-U8HEkD9U3tnEez5GHk9rU7IKdcM8R5GStSNP_vKge-nW3Y0n-UI/w300-h400/YOKO+STOREFRONT.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoI7mdcuiND96gSobnsgNhd_KeNrBnQHG2t7msTCFqyUFj2nRmL0NAsbW2Qr4nQu1K1KNEtugC_xDFLVXMh6T4z9fq2LW87rlMaNFcsmsA61-3O_qG3W_MPrUjZewvk99ne9luvNA0BgG/s2048/Yoko+Prints.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVoI7mdcuiND96gSobnsgNhd_KeNrBnQHG2t7msTCFqyUFj2nRmL0NAsbW2Qr4nQu1K1KNEtugC_xDFLVXMh6T4z9fq2LW87rlMaNFcsmsA61-3O_qG3W_MPrUjZewvk99ne9luvNA0BgG/w400-h300/Yoko+Prints.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyg07czp3Q30_49m1ZsvNLSaLQmYGFe0qsNupCnOjTCJ06A3D6D7HvT3-2XtDdQvGu6FAabp5RUkrGPs1HI8lHKtW7zmqT68KKp0_kva6WsHhxRIcHZSVKAvxTuLSPQFj42injLp9NKLk/s2048/Lucky+Frog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpyg07czp3Q30_49m1ZsvNLSaLQmYGFe0qsNupCnOjTCJ06A3D6D7HvT3-2XtDdQvGu6FAabp5RUkrGPs1HI8lHKtW7zmqT68KKp0_kva6WsHhxRIcHZSVKAvxTuLSPQFj42injLp9NKLk/s320/Lucky+Frog.jpg" /></a></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="491" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9PiNDzo1X6fbbe91rZkL6b0eYMFlsM5PIptE3npkdTDVREVR17Wch30THMXNNXBOkLNGw_L5I_bi5Y20R-jQ6rtLynwHKLWBaphTIAr8J1YY6VpRmLDu7erNs66kodaLndcR8HGBEZcMQ/w640-h482/Yoko+Noren+Snoopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLpzwkMkSZK1poCSnoG4YKU7-e-GhZCnLPgmVGu1cP8rkfHyYFb_m12y3g-J-jOuPDJjiXtAiTxdz8sllu4CjKPGfJ0Lnc_YdnupSJti92eFigpIAXsNKC07sHjaUTMA4Vkco7618ubKf/s2048/Yoko+Screen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLpzwkMkSZK1poCSnoG4YKU7-e-GhZCnLPgmVGu1cP8rkfHyYFb_m12y3g-J-jOuPDJjiXtAiTxdz8sllu4CjKPGfJ0Lnc_YdnupSJti92eFigpIAXsNKC07sHjaUTMA4Vkco7618ubKf/w640-h480/Yoko+Screen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVMGOsWfbB3ayuExmZZkCJyoZSDPMs9wxZa93ytpZ2pgf1eKD_dyu8VdqYTCj1KEZ0LwgP-WskuOA-AC4LBoazq02po7aSxW4_MFu1B_4qq2VhwSasKZ2Ow-p3G7h7WXbj5xfRPPs_LDO/s2009/Yoko+Cats.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="2009" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVMGOsWfbB3ayuExmZZkCJyoZSDPMs9wxZa93ytpZ2pgf1eKD_dyu8VdqYTCj1KEZ0LwgP-WskuOA-AC4LBoazq02po7aSxW4_MFu1B_4qq2VhwSasKZ2Ow-p3G7h7WXbj5xfRPPs_LDO/w640-h413/Yoko+Cats.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5Jc8rdtcXl7Ok8_CwjuKO7ertfndXKS1ojJybap9Gew0mf8RBv90Wcwc-62h2c5k5w9NFNhTyeNq468CzxCs2Xb8tXKj2vLH5UxY7ejbJ-le-b67ZpHxgo1N50iVDttDlo71sj2KleNc/s869/Yoko+%252410+Box.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPfnHKI1JHellJ-Oi0lCYhBb594frlZZz0i4CqwEku7XZ0lnue88fcTEFDnocsAnbvg_2ZFS-ehVXTrGMXxEyr6wj_bNxWN-8qsuVC9df4QXl3A_D5bRTd1zh9bVOPAV65VpAjUw8Hjf4/s2048/Yoko+Antique+Chest.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPfnHKI1JHellJ-Oi0lCYhBb594frlZZz0i4CqwEku7XZ0lnue88fcTEFDnocsAnbvg_2ZFS-ehVXTrGMXxEyr6wj_bNxWN-8qsuVC9df4QXl3A_D5bRTd1zh9bVOPAV65VpAjUw8Hjf4/s320/Yoko+Antique+Chest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatdn5s6ygDWnPeqPS4OAeoVsr8yxYFGhPy5qOWhFgl8EgKgKgoh42mjqUfvuF3v-3ax_SUVU8zey7Mq9zlmBlKfoNveQJommgdk3TZ35EYYnwm5XST-kCAn-43w75efAWtdBQwHPHLsR8/s2048/IMG_20210416_190322.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatdn5s6ygDWnPeqPS4OAeoVsr8yxYFGhPy5qOWhFgl8EgKgKgoh42mjqUfvuF3v-3ax_SUVU8zey7Mq9zlmBlKfoNveQJommgdk3TZ35EYYnwm5XST-kCAn-43w75efAWtdBQwHPHLsR8/w240-h320/IMG_20210416_190322.jpg" title="Kimonos Galore (Sorry for the Blur)" width="240" /></a>Sorry for the blurry picture!Plenty of vintage kimonos!</div>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-42845621027921444942021-04-08T15:16:00.002-07:002021-04-08T15:19:13.224-07:00THE ARTIFA[CTUALS] MAGAZINE FEATURES L.A.-THEMED NOVEL EXCERPTS BY ADAM NOVAK AND MARLAN WARREN<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-C83InZ9HEBZK37LhLtCbBzCUqzv2QaJm6GEgGyFgOyrgQWROTydJUAZM38asyGtAT_sUYXwFa0w0xJviG4ekdUL5exZUtDQ_qL3Muyuv-v-zlmsvS1PA-VsaJWOSl7LufoKNuGJ8UzC/s640/Ai+Sushi+Restaurant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-C83InZ9HEBZK37LhLtCbBzCUqzv2QaJm6GEgGyFgOyrgQWROTydJUAZM38asyGtAT_sUYXwFa0w0xJviG4ekdUL5exZUtDQ_qL3Muyuv-v-zlmsvS1PA-VsaJWOSl7LufoKNuGJ8UzC/w640-h429/Ai+Sushi+Restaurant.jpg" title="Photo by Marlan Warren for "Tales of Sushi"" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The online arts and culture magazine “The Artifa[ctuals]” is
currently running an excerpt from Adam Novak’s upcoming hallucinogenic Hollywood
novel, <i>Rat Park</i> (slated for release in 2022 by Red Giant Books). Novak is also
the acclaimed author of <i>Take Fountain</i>, <i>The Non–Pro</i>, and <i>Freaks of the Industry</i> through Sunday, April 11 (after which, you can read it in the archives).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">On Monday, April 12, the magazine will feature an excerpt
from Marlan Warren’s upcoming novel, <i>Tales of Sushi</i>. The story focuses on the
attraction between a lonely Caucasian American divorc<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">e</span>e and a charming Japanese chef, who forge a
cross-cultural friendship amid a lively sushi bar scene in the L.A. area.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">“The story is based on my diaries from when I frequented
this <i>Cheers</i>-type sushi bar in Pasadena in the nineties,” says Warren, who is
also the author of the novel <i>Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged [All’s Not
Fair in Love or War]</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Editor Aris Janigian created “The Artifa[ctuals]” in the
spirit of the Large Hadron Collider: “Our aim is to create a collision space for
critical thought and artistic expression, and we welcome fellow travelers on
our ever-evolving journey towards ‘a more perfect Union.’”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p>Janigian
is an author in his own right. His novels include <i>Waiting for Lipchitz at
Chateau Marmont</i>, (17 weeks on the Los Angeles Times best-seller list), <i>This Angelic Land</i>, and <i>Waiting for Sophia at Shutters on the
Beach</i>.</span></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Artifa[ctuals] Website:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<a href="http://www.theartifactuals.com" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">http://www.theartifactuals.com</span></a><br />Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-65742492904612540122021-04-05T19:31:00.001-07:002021-04-05T19:31:47.652-07:00Japanese American Internment Survivor and Crusader Rinko Enosaki<iframe width="480" height="360" src="https://youtube.com/embed/HMKOqdSMB3M" frameborder="0"></iframe>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-71010618829628942302021-01-04T17:25:00.004-08:002021-05-31T10:51:17.433-07:00Who makes sure the homeless get their stimulus money?<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3H0Gj-BTLZXmasui0FN1sdvJX5ymd_hEkKsgwuhZyaVb1urDWAhUwu3Qr_WTdOQJqEILuzXtnw_fFz4IfCBX_ZvqH084uN6PmZjikWDbGIWtZFNkOoD7hgij2FU8a4EiETzrQiB-HjcNe/s480/Depressing+Thanksgiving.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3H0Gj-BTLZXmasui0FN1sdvJX5ymd_hEkKsgwuhZyaVb1urDWAhUwu3Qr_WTdOQJqEILuzXtnw_fFz4IfCBX_ZvqH084uN6PmZjikWDbGIWtZFNkOoD7hgij2FU8a4EiETzrQiB-HjcNe/w640-h640/Depressing+Thanksgiving.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is not him. But similar. ©Photo Marlan Warren</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Today I took a long walk through my hood early this morning, and as I passed the unopened Starbucks an old Black man, who was swaddled in a blanket and crumpled in a corner between the building and the sidewalk, muttered something that sounded like an ask. I stopped several feet away (he was unmasked, I wasn't) and looked in my wallet. It's been a long time since I handed a street person money. I used to automatically do it in San Francisco. A counselor whom I was seeing at the time told me that my spontaneous generosity inspired her to try it out. But I have stopped. For various reasons. It hasn't felt right for a long time.<br /><br />So I reached out to him with a dollar in my hand and he didn't reach out to take it, so I placed it on his tattered knee. He growled:<br /><br />"I don't need money! I NEED FOOD!"<br /><br />I was in a hurry to get to my destination (the home of a stranger in the Facebook Buy Nothing group who had specified a time for me to pick up some free nails), and unsure what to do (the Starbucks appeared closed, as did the taco stand across the street).<br /><br />I mumbled something about being sorry and hurried on. But my head was chattering the rest of the time about what to do. In this upscale, shuttered area it's not that easy to grab a bite for a homeless stranger in need at that early hour. I thought wistfully of McDonalds. So cheap. So accessible. And rather a long walk for me.<br /><br />In my mind's eye, I saw myself stopping at a nice takeout place and getting him something, bringing it back after my nail pickup. But what did he want? There was a Chinese takeout joint, a donut shop, a gourmet Mexican takeout grill...<br /><br />The IRS dropped the $600 Stimulus money into my account yesterday. Why not help out someone in need with a bit of it? Or was I taking excessive responsibility? No. This man clearly needed help. And clearly needed to eat!<br /><br />Or maybe he'd already gotten someone else to help. <br /><br />About 30 minutes later, I returned and saw his spot was vacant. I looked around. So he's ambulatory. Maybe off to a more lucrative area. But then I saw him—sitting on a bench in a bus shelter looking exhausted and dejected—across the street.<br /><br />The shelter is in front of the Bank of America where a very long line of customers were patiently waiting, doing their best efforts to socially distance. Perhaps to retrieve their $600?<br /><br />I approached him and casually asked: "Do you still want food?"<br /><br />He nodded yes.<br /><br />"Okay, what would you like? I'll get it for you."<br /><br />"I want a burger," he said. Now I could see his only teeth - two on the bottom of his mouth. And that mouth was shaking hard when he tried to form words. "And a bag of chips and a soft drink."<br /><br />He indicated the Fatburger that was a few blocks away.<br /><br />"They have fries, not chips." <br /><br />"They got chips..." He nodded in the direction of the gas station quickie mart, even farther than the burger joint.<br /><br />"Okay, and what kind of drink?" <br /><br />"Orange Crush." <br /><br />"And what do you want on your burger?" <br /><br />"Tomatoes and cheese." <br /><br />"Mayo? Mustard?" He shook his head no.<br /><br />I have to say I admire his specificity.<br /><br />So I'd made this commitment. Now all I had to do was see it through. We were in the exact spot of East Hollywood (aka "Los Feliz") where Hollywood Boulevard, Vermont Avenue, and Prospect Avenue intersect in a rush of heavy traffic and lights that take eons to change. It was 10:30 a.m. and folks were starting to buzz about—including the ones in the tents that have sprung up on a traffic island nearby.<br /><br />Thanks to the long waits for the lights, the whole mission took about 20 minutes. The quickie mart was quick. And Fatburger was surprising devoid of customers. (YAY!) It was the first time I'd been in there for a couple years. And the only time I've been inside any eating establishment in about a year. The sign on the door claimed:<br /><br />"ONLY 2 CUSTOMERS AT A TIME WILL BE ALLOWED INSIDE." <br /><br />There wasn't even a line for the drive-by window. What luck!<br /><br />Staff had changed since I was last there. I hoped it might be efficient. I ordered his burger...and one for me. The couple hamburgers I'd eaten there before were not great. But it was 10:30 a.m. and I was getting hungry. Why not live dangerously?<br /><br />A few minutes later, the place filled up with masked, agitated men who looked on a lunch break. I counted 12. Behind the counter, the manager was on the phone taking an order -- with his mask hanging under his nose. I saw a customer note this and adjust his own mask more tightly. (L.A. has lost over 1,256 people to Covid-19 as of today, and 26,000 are known to be or have been infected.)<br /><br />I went to the door and opened it and just stayed there with it open, far from the action and letting fresh air inside (or as fresh as L.A. air can be). Another customer exited and waited outside, not making eye contact.<br /><br />There was just one young Latina working the grill by herself. Eventually she was joined by another. This felt like the longest wait of my life.<br /><br />But I had time to think. His meal would total $11.00. Why was this man unable to even buy food? What happened to his IRS deposit? Is he on S.S.I.? Would it have been dropped into his bank account somewhere? Or is there nothing like that for the disenfranchised of our fair city? A social worker who could help him gain access to his rightful government money? He could even qualify for EBT. <br /><br />Just buying someone without a mask a meal seemed to stretch my limits. After all, I'm one of those "at risk" folks who needs to be locked down, and I am usually in my apartment nursing whatever latest physical ailment has decided to visit me. This is the first time that I've been outside for a good length of time.<br /><br />I can't get involved with a maskless homeless man in trouble.<br /><br />Or can I?<br /><br />"Maria! Mary!" one of Fatburger workers shouted. That was the name I'd given them. I grabbed both bags and headed back.<br /><br />Of course he'd moved.<br /><br />I walked inside the bus shelter. Looked across the street at Starbucks. Looked at the B of A parking lot. And I was about to give up when I saw that he was lying in his blanket on the top of the cement barrier of the parking lot, several feet away from me. <br /><br />Was he sleeping? But he recognized me as I moved towards him, and he sat up, a long line of drool falling out of his mouth (lack of teeth can do that).<br /><br />I handed him the bag and set the chips & soda next to him.<br /><br />He said: "Thank you very much."<br /><br />Then I wished him well and moved on. I walked home, munching my burger with pickles and lettuce, which was hot and tasty. The best one I've ever had. <br /><br /> But that one nagging question remains: <br /><br />Who is making sure these American citizens, these "street people," get their government money? <br /></span><span><a name='more'></a></span><br /> <p></p>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-74623165679343720532020-12-24T19:04:00.006-08:002021-05-31T10:51:51.220-07:00A Christmas Rags to Riches Tale of One Turtle with a Happy Hollywood Ending<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfVFUGCbS1Ix6tMzoX5Pu4n-WOwnPDauoRSBbXFw1NBRB3vAuU0QaYsKkoflLwt3bwzRcTOtqRU6yuaJIaxMNk1UuYguUvMM1cJVOmbjsMFedQWBtIu_H4xOiJIEHZWFpY4BsWLph9xVp/s1560/Turtle+Origin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1560" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfVFUGCbS1Ix6tMzoX5Pu4n-WOwnPDauoRSBbXFw1NBRB3vAuU0QaYsKkoflLwt3bwzRcTOtqRU6yuaJIaxMNk1UuYguUvMM1cJVOmbjsMFedQWBtIu_H4xOiJIEHZWFpY4BsWLph9xVp/w640-h330/Turtle+Origin.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>BEFORE</b><br />Photo ©Tom Tsuji<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="graf">Who doesn’t like a heartwarming, spiritually uplifting Christmas
story of rags to riches? After a year of suffering cold-blooded Reptilian
Brains, it’s only fitting that I wrapped up the year with an Amphibian Rescue
Operation that gave Oliver Twist a run for his money. So sit right back and
you’ll hear a tale…a tale of a fateful trip…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="graf" name="5362">It began last Wednesday, Dec. 17, when my friend Tom,
the building manager, and my no-English Armenian neighbor (whom I’ll call
Armin) knocked on my door. Armin was standing in the hallway holding a tank of
water with a turtle that was continuously swimming in it. After 10 years,
Armin’s daughter had tired of her pet and dumped it on him.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="graf" name="d624">Clueless and frantic, Armin kept saying: “Here! You
take! Take now!”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="graf" name="f363"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a>Afraid that my cat might relieve her boredom with this
unfortunate turtle, I told him to hang on to it until I could find a worthy
taker.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="graf" name="1853">I was hopeful that I could re-home any animal through
social media. I’ve been giving and receiving unwanted stuff via a great Buy
Nothing Facebook Group in my neighborhood. They make things happen.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="graf" name="496a">I’m not a Do-Gooder “Save All Animals” type. I love
animals, but I’m usually focused on helping other humans and myself. They say
that the Road to Hell is paved with Good Intentions. And that is how this
Turtle Odyssey unfolded for the next 48 hours.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lxHgvs3b4JJSxn9ywus5H3PjEop35tWXd2dUer9W-mcOxEdh1rwEB1vVwf3Qxbq_J3eXaVBN327P721kqA8D7afnb7P7UEnn7AvGr5BHd11HIXr_vIMngpRa9uqAWYUd1fCH-ftge6hy/s1185/Turtle+Captive+Closeup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="1185" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lxHgvs3b4JJSxn9ywus5H3PjEop35tWXd2dUer9W-mcOxEdh1rwEB1vVwf3Qxbq_J3eXaVBN327P721kqA8D7afnb7P7UEnn7AvGr5BHd11HIXr_vIMngpRa9uqAWYUd1fCH-ftge6hy/w400-h300/Turtle+Captive+Closeup.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo ©Tom Tsuji</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="graf"><strong>DAY ONE</strong><o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="dbf2">1. I send out a “Save This Turtle” cry for help on Buy
Nothing.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="5f57">2. I also post on an “Anything Goes” neighborhood
Facebook group that attracts a “different” crowd. It can get a little rowdy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="ec79">3. On both sites, the responses range from sympathetic
to judgmental:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="5a28">“That turtle is in trouble! It can’t keep swimming in
cold water!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="ee58">“Who the hell are these monsters who want to dump a
turtle?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="889f">“How has it survived 10 years? It should be much
bigger! Didn’t they ever feed it?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="ef15">“That father and daughter are disgusting people! They
should rot in hell!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="217f">“That turtle needs heated water and a rock to sit on!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="4708">“DO NOT dump it in Echo Park Lake with all the other
turtles that have been dumped there! It upsets the ecological balance!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="fdb9">4. Then come the private messages. The first sounds
like a slam dunk: “I’ve been looking for a friend for my turtle!” I write back.
A few times. No response.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="2b6e">“How much do you want for it?” (So people sell turtles?
Now I’m on alert for unsavory Christmas turtle scalpers who might be more
interested in turning a buck than keeping a turtle well fed and happy.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="6b12">“I can come get it, but I just gave blood.” (I don’t
have a car, so this would have to be Pick Up & Carry.) But a few hours
later: “My husband says it might eat the fish in our aquarium so…Sorry.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="00dd">“That poor turtle! I’ll take it!” (I ask if they know
how to care for it? No reply.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="f8e2"><strong>IT TAKES A VILLAGE</strong><o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="deb4">A lovely member of Buy Nothing whom I’ll call “David”
messages me that he’s researched red-eared slider turtles and they require a
clean tank with an appropriate water level, proper food, a rock or floating
platform to rest on from time to time…and possibly a heat lamp if it’s indoors
in the winter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="1e4e">My tension mounts as my attempts to arrange a floating
platform and heat lamp prove too complicated. If I had wheels and wasn’t mostly
in quarantine, it might have been possible to hurry down to a pet store even
after sundown. But for not for this lone ranger.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="399f">By now 100 people are following this saga online.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="42f7">One admin from another Buy Nothing group, Kerin,
responds to my need for assistance. She sends an email to a local reptile
rescue center. No answer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="b516">Should I take the turtle in for the night? Put it on a
high shelf or on the balcony? No. That could be the road to Bigger Hell if I
can’t get it adopted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="21d2">Later that evening, I receive several Facebook messages
from two animal rescue zealots. One saw my distress signal on the “Anything
Goes” site and contacted her friend who wants to take it to a turtle preserve
in Temecula — well, halfway there (“I’ll have other turtles in the car and I’m
meeting the woman with the pond halfway between here and there…”).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf"><strong>DAY TWO</strong><o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="8dc3">At 6 a.m., I get a message from The Drive-By Rescuer.
Then a phone call. The more rapidly she talks, the more complicated and
convoluted her plan sounds. But with no other options, I say okay. Then she
says:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="80d9">“I can’t do it today.” I hang up.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="1c62">Now she pounds me with texts, ignoring my NO’s. Then
her friend starts sending me insistent messages. Surrender the turtle! When I
resist, she threatens: “I’m going to report you to the Admin as a scammer!”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="abb2">A scammer. What would be the benefit in pretending to
have an abused turtle that needs help? <o:p></o:p></p><p class="graf" name="4ea7">My attempts to block them fail. Tension mounts. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">
</p><p class="graf" name="fae4">By this time, about 100 people are following and
commenting on online groups. I also posted on Next Door. When I check
back…there’s a ray of hope. Someone sends me a picture of a handwritten sign in
front of a house in Hollywood, offering to take in wayward turtles, fish and
frogs. It even has a phone number on it.<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQylh81L9pb1_dmV7aramwz7fXNk7JCWPo6v9uXluuHRxd3-RwsZFO2rtWjhKiOsPHnT2_cVxiDylFnHGK5dggZp73ncpEGMhvKKT1ZQvibKw_sRRjJDMo615jPbCWuL_RPq4rCWsqg_I/s1280/Turtle+Sign.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQylh81L9pb1_dmV7aramwz7fXNk7JCWPo6v9uXluuHRxd3-RwsZFO2rtWjhKiOsPHnT2_cVxiDylFnHGK5dggZp73ncpEGMhvKKT1ZQvibKw_sRRjJDMo615jPbCWuL_RPq4rCWsqg_I/s320/Turtle+Sign.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo ©DavidDavid</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I call. The guy picks up right away. Great voice. Sounds grounded and very nice. He says his car's in the shop or he'd come right away and pick it up. If I can wait until late afternoon, maybe he can drive over. But I feel it's best not to delay. Armin is impulsive, crazy, and emotional. I fear for this turtle's safety.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Turtle Man advises me to pick up the turtle and put it into a dry box. Just for the 20 minute ride. "They sometimes bite, so pick it up by its sides." Then I ask Kerin if she can transport. She says yes until we get to the "may bite" part.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">So now Mr. Turtle has a destination, but needs transport. What if Armin goes out for errands? I need that turtle here. But he doesn't pick up when I call. So I call Tom because he has a key to his tenants' apartments, but he gets really upset ("It's HIS problem!"). I lose it. I start shouting:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">"JUST FUCKING DO IT!" I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Normally, Tom would explode if I cursed at him, but exhausted, he says: "Okay." A few minutes later, he calls and says: "Arthur is bringing it down in a shopping cart.'"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Arthur arrives with the still-swimming turtle and the still unopened bag of "Turtle Topper" which he calls food.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Did you feed it in the past 2 days?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">"No."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I see red. I don't remember anything after that. I don't know what he said or did that made me start screaming at him. I remember him putting the tank on the floor next to my desk and I remember shouting: "GET THE OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!" and shoving him out the door into the hallway.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">So now I'm looking at this poor little creature in the water. I get some little pieces of lettuce leaves and toss them in, but it expresses no interest. I open the bag and toss a few petals in, but again, nothing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">David, the genial turtle researcher, had messaged me that he would help in any way. I decide to stop second guessing and just call him. He responds right away: "I can be there in 15 minutes."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">I call Turtle Man and he says: "That's great. So he'll be here in 20 minutes."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">David shows up. We're both masked and keeping distance. He swiftly and gently lifts the turtle and puts it into a box. And they are off.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRKVJH3uBapWCakanyAVP7bjJRslUXftz_bu00-1QmFmqX7mGTbM-6f-CcAXVc6KVwti8b-c7Qs-3LKsiKTskTu2vRwpOPTTTm40L-gONVrau6M-jIiCLude5QagdblmI7xMtoy9Q3L3b/s1280/Turtle+Box+Transport.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRKVJH3uBapWCakanyAVP7bjJRslUXftz_bu00-1QmFmqX7mGTbM-6f-CcAXVc6KVwti8b-c7Qs-3LKsiKTskTu2vRwpOPTTTm40L-gONVrau6M-jIiCLude5QagdblmI7xMtoy9Q3L3b/s320/Turtle+Box+Transport.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo ©DavidDavid</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUajKgUH2XF1HGxNS-MqTwtllJN90caNfovKsfuGWTS8JWFub-TP10-Vy8WH1bdvgQR9Ndkh-lBfK2aJZM7Su8oh1YivbgiQw_KEWMqoQCQXksakdcfhnKPyRbEklAVWBTDQqT4NkAWNhy/s1280/Turtle+Tense+Box.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUajKgUH2XF1HGxNS-MqTwtllJN90caNfovKsfuGWTS8JWFub-TP10-Vy8WH1bdvgQR9Ndkh-lBfK2aJZM7Su8oh1YivbgiQw_KEWMqoQCQXksakdcfhnKPyRbEklAVWBTDQqT4NkAWNhy/s320/Turtle+Tense+Box.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Photo ©DavidDavid</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />I'm still not sure if I've done the right thing. But I
feel relieved. A few minutes later, I research this Turtle Man's name and find his FB page where he has a lot of posts about the
Zen-type Garden he's made in his backyard. Including a gorgeous video of happy
turtles enjoying themselves in their own private area. His name is Dante Rusciolelli. A well-known comedian.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCBrg4IDtIdpyRNVfVF4wYlUoLqbNT6PHpmLaFCUanTl3OqXllEn02E5F46QirlwI4deQwoAQ8yIJT6MehkV5tEgPl87v1n0Zj-MnE4uvkv0s5C1tLvB8QaPhZ-DwLtXCUaD5f_7abTWy/s1280/Turtle+and+Zen.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCBrg4IDtIdpyRNVfVF4wYlUoLqbNT6PHpmLaFCUanTl3OqXllEn02E5F46QirlwI4deQwoAQ8yIJT6MehkV5tEgPl87v1n0Zj-MnE4uvkv0s5C1tLvB8QaPhZ-DwLtXCUaD5f_7abTWy/w400-h400/Turtle+and+Zen.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Turtle in Paradise<br />Photo ©DavidDavid</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> A half hour later, David messages me that Operation Turtle is a success. I let Tom know and he apologizes with a text that says: "We can never rescue an animal again!"</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">David fills me in. Dante and his wife are sweet and funny. They leave the back door open so the turtles wander inside and hang with the dogs whenever they want to.
Plus Dante regularly bathes the turtles by hand in special temperature water.
And the sanctuary keeps the creatures separated according to species. The
turtles have a hiding place so raccoons can't get to them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIlqmbhVG9o3Y7TFtU1UDf3D_CXFiKYNNkxTYwrYC4S3TnvvOM5-_oGiqxB5GUpQPhncSK7t1fQJJm64pEkfq_PYOmu9vIxf97Jq5Bn9AEO37V-SgaVV5O6iFvzhnZQ5v1XP3Ws8WhEPy/s1280/Turtle+and+Savior.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibIlqmbhVG9o3Y7TFtU1UDf3D_CXFiKYNNkxTYwrYC4S3TnvvOM5-_oGiqxB5GUpQPhncSK7t1fQJJm64pEkfq_PYOmu9vIxf97Jq5Bn9AEO37V-SgaVV5O6iFvzhnZQ5v1XP3Ws8WhEPy/w480-h640/Turtle+and+Savior.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="text-align: left;">Turtle and Savior, Dante Rusciolelli<br /></span>Photo ©DavidDavid<span style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><span style="font-size: medium;">L.A. can be a tough place to navigate. When I came back 10 years ago, I had my rose-tinted glasses on. Kissing the ground. My good memories of good friends pulled me back. Time helped to dissolve most of those connections until I found myself isolated and down. Gradually, 2020 turned out to be surprisingly the "worst of times and the best of times" for me as I found new people of like minds on social media that revolve around my own neighborhood during this horrible Pandemic. That synergy has renewed my faith in others as well as myself. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">May your holidays bring you what you need. And if you're lucky, what you really want.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">God bless us, every one! </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>WHAT HAPPENED NEXT</b><br />
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">David created a pictorial odyssey that follows the turtle's first steps into Turtle Heaven. Here are a few of my favorite moments with his narrative:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>David's Intro:</b> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size: medium;">Not since P-22 was found in the basement of a Los Feliz
house has the world been so transfixed with an outcome of an animal rescue.
None of this would have been possible without the kindness of Marlan Warren. I just went along for the ride.</span></blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">All the following photos are by David David, copyright protected. Dante Rusciolelli gave me permission to use his name, likeness, and contact info. He sent me this message:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">"The
turtle is loving his new life. I don’t think he had ever seen other turtles
before, he’s so excited. Every day he looks like he’s having the time of his
life. He’s been in basically a cage his whole life until now."</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDomg2W8ZUj6KEeoek-VV9PktFOr2sjam3BimnXjf9mD1ugVLG_cZFuGemTX9AEAo8bFotx7HgybVVVmUQXQYVx80KnqULwq17GOnfCl9KIYozq-oyjdo00Jv4lN_kKkzw72R53Y_1AROo/s1280/Turtle+Heaven.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDomg2W8ZUj6KEeoek-VV9PktFOr2sjam3BimnXjf9mD1ugVLG_cZFuGemTX9AEAo8bFotx7HgybVVVmUQXQYVx80KnqULwq17GOnfCl9KIYozq-oyjdo00Jv4lN_kKkzw72R53Y_1AROo/w480-h640/Turtle+Heaven.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">WHAT? Are you kidding me? I get to live here?<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgog6iTOS3xG6jmjoCjbkRNSXCwY3dmvD1JZUXbRSqz-SrfqRtPCAXmfylUIxDYqeHbloKh0bBA28kaKA4hJXJjBg30YYZ-Nmh1wLeSwz2iDGQ9iQvCIern8CrOl3W6hBMgeab_zwQmhyum/s1280/Turtle+Meet+and+Greet.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="622" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgog6iTOS3xG6jmjoCjbkRNSXCwY3dmvD1JZUXbRSqz-SrfqRtPCAXmfylUIxDYqeHbloKh0bBA28kaKA4hJXJjBg30YYZ-Nmh1wLeSwz2iDGQ9iQvCIern8CrOl3W6hBMgeab_zwQmhyum/w312-h640/Turtle+Meet+and+Greet.jpeg" width="312" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Meeting a new friend: "He seems nice!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf0PGKVphFHPg2QFcKl_3kc8yhPr8mO1tIXib6JNGbZ4FS-PM0ltmJ1GjcqpACHa136CNM88QzJl9i67L7ZilPv0Iv2BkfaRxdyMiw8M6FrLSTxYnvlI9F-3SQcwZhkp24LvpldJdjp5D/s1280/Turtle+follows+leader.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf0PGKVphFHPg2QFcKl_3kc8yhPr8mO1tIXib6JNGbZ4FS-PM0ltmJ1GjcqpACHa136CNM88QzJl9i67L7ZilPv0Iv2BkfaRxdyMiw8M6FrLSTxYnvlI9F-3SQcwZhkp24LvpldJdjp5D/s320/Turtle+follows+leader.jpeg" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Hey, wait for me!"</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><o:p><br /></o:p></span><p></p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb5Csd8SHUkhN4DP3ei-5zTYVRvPWal67KopxV9DOekJI8yOhNYjSBMpYTMHcJtS9EBuKFDE7pAK9y7fl7zsYzWkezkiUxcSNkt62q3vYUyDaXXprxbHjN7hPx298FIQWakBdjvxZjYrM/s1280/Turtle+on+Rock.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb5Csd8SHUkhN4DP3ei-5zTYVRvPWal67KopxV9DOekJI8yOhNYjSBMpYTMHcJtS9EBuKFDE7pAK9y7fl7zsYzWkezkiUxcSNkt62q3vYUyDaXXprxbHjN7hPx298FIQWakBdjvxZjYrM/w300-h400/Turtle+on+Rock.jpeg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Home at last</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPY3yF2k3ny8jSIPY1Q9m1p6FxI3IW2YrhT1ztwXCZOyAu1Wwgu47nuWUT4EyTmCnjv4AXTG54pRr0CJLlT5lpR_YX0W83knODfXOrTSoTeP-q4swC366IGUEVRIg5bzck1Dt_MlDIBlq/s1280/Turtle+Box+Transport.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPY3yF2k3ny8jSIPY1Q9m1p6FxI3IW2YrhT1ztwXCZOyAu1Wwgu47nuWUT4EyTmCnjv4AXTG54pRr0CJLlT5lpR_YX0W83knODfXOrTSoTeP-q4swC366IGUEVRIg5bzck1Dt_MlDIBlq/s320/Turtle+Box+Transport.jpeg" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5nRRtX2wP5_cwhXVJySomVxvsikL04KZw2fVSJh8e4oRlgsyMaSGnEOWatpciEN_dyTYIlv-pjgV_wlCLLId4JxJCIW7cFAE6ncdYNmfS7sgl4MXhpR9LC3-g-8WGDveYVpgI5N8HMjk/s1280/Turtle+Meet+and+Greet.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="622" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL5nRRtX2wP5_cwhXVJySomVxvsikL04KZw2fVSJh8e4oRlgsyMaSGnEOWatpciEN_dyTYIlv-pjgV_wlCLLId4JxJCIW7cFAE6ncdYNmfS7sgl4MXhpR9LC3-g-8WGDveYVpgI5N8HMjk/s320/Turtle+Meet+and+Greet.jpeg" /></a></div><br /></div>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-58518098726217255412020-11-03T10:37:00.006-08:002020-11-03T10:37:59.104-08:00"PLEASE HOLD THROUGH THE SILENCE" (2020 Election Day)<p style="text-align: center;"><b>PLEASE HOLD THROUGH THE SILENCE</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyPjrN5L03G3nXGfuB4uBf-t46u_Emvd6K96T_AkskN_WH8G3ZIII9qmtD7Zk7vv4ujDtI3oOYi9qWNqNqv-vabPMHaWTl3HVLoxs2Z17sApb-iLPOBoDmF7prtJ8FE96IXN3bXNg5POU/s2000/Please+hold+through+the+silence+jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1545" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyPjrN5L03G3nXGfuB4uBf-t46u_Emvd6K96T_AkskN_WH8G3ZIII9qmtD7Zk7vv4ujDtI3oOYi9qWNqNqv-vabPMHaWTl3HVLoxs2Z17sApb-iLPOBoDmF7prtJ8FE96IXN3bXNg5POU/w494-h640/Please+hold+through+the+silence+jpg.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><br /><p> - Marlan Warren, November 3, 2020, Los Angeles, CA</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">This poem jumped out of me after listening to an automated voice repeat "PLEASE HOLD THROUGH THE SILENCE" as I paid my utility bill via phone. I happily voted days ago at a Los Angeles Vote Center at the Hollywood Hotel where I found cheerful masked young female volunteers and only one person ahead of me, as we handed in our mail-in ballots. Great to hear the satisfying whir of the machine as my ballot went through. The next day I received confirmation from Ballot Trax that my ballot was received and will be counted. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfNAgI8uhLdHXu4YR7FSZQaq6EjTYjdaTSlrubQXJTZtpAbhi_LF-Pn1QejQ4oRmiV5grj2iRtzMdihTxNSTndeD9uanSFH96ij0oSdEQ6C7Yf2VhBjrbt6PX_eSwcs3WVYpskRvagYa9/s1260/IMG_20201030_110817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1142" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfNAgI8uhLdHXu4YR7FSZQaq6EjTYjdaTSlrubQXJTZtpAbhi_LF-Pn1QejQ4oRmiV5grj2iRtzMdihTxNSTndeD9uanSFH96ij0oSdEQ6C7Yf2VhBjrbt6PX_eSwcs3WVYpskRvagYa9/s320/IMG_20201030_110817.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-25475105133420153342020-10-19T05:32:00.054-07:002020-10-19T06:15:59.274-07:00Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged - #Audiobook Installment (Chapter 2, Part 4)<iframe frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8AHvDnKs_Vg" width="459"></iframe><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged #Audiobook Installment</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://youtu.be/8AHvDnKs_Vg" target="_blank"><b>https://youtu.be/8AHvDnKs_Vg</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Rainbow showed up with a black eye and a book titled
The Verbally Abusive Mate."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yes! It's the next installment of
"Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged"! If you're an author with a knack
for reading your own work, I highly recommend you launch your own audiobook.
Here's Chapter 2 (Part 4): "Intentional Households."</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Elevator Pitch</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the run from her marriage of 10 years,
Carrie has taken a room in a house full of people a couple generations younger
in Venice, CA. Take this trip down the Yellow Brick Road of one woman's divorce
odyssey, through a tangle of L.A. subcultures and biracial dating experiences
-- set against the backdrop of the 1994 O.J. Simpson trial.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This fictionalized memoir is available on #Amazon #Kindle at</b><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://amzn.to/2DT7dNH" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>https://amzn.to/2DT7dNH</b></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: large;">For more info & reviews:
</span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://roadmapsforthesexuallychallenged.blogspot.com">http://roadmapsforthesexuallychallenged.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<a href="https://youtu.be/8AHvDnKs_Vg" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>View on YouTube</b></span></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-79321120508700208952020-10-05T09:22:00.006-07:002020-10-19T06:17:16.965-07:00New #Audiobook of L.A. Stories: "Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged" by Marlan Warren - Chapter 2 (3)<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHaoUxyeIHZmJ0jGPNk4Ao4dj_is_MV0VoyQTUiWY5eZ1CTlI2Mx8U4Tuhu3W7mTuD_rAQYQoLS1fHVtxvPc9PG5nYQbr8M8ZBl3-OPqVfXlLjSjDm5INeoZeNzT-OkROBWsTfN3AhDYl/s2048/Roadmap+Cover+New.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHaoUxyeIHZmJ0jGPNk4Ao4dj_is_MV0VoyQTUiWY5eZ1CTlI2Mx8U4Tuhu3W7mTuD_rAQYQoLS1fHVtxvPc9PG5nYQbr8M8ZBl3-OPqVfXlLjSjDm5INeoZeNzT-OkROBWsTfN3AhDYl/s320/Roadmap+Cover+New.jpg" /></a><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wKei237QVr4" width="320" youtube-src-id="wKei237QVr4"></iframe><br /><br /><br /></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">I'm excited to share with you my #Audiobook: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged - Chapter 2 (Part 3) -- now up and running on YouTube. <br /><br />In this episode of <b><i>Roadmaps for the Sexually </i></b><i><b>Challenged: All's Not Fair in Love or War</b></i>, the newly separated and longtime married Carrie finds herself living with 90s Gen X roomies in Venice, CA -- a couple decades younger. Chapter 2:</span><p><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;">"Intentional Households"</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: large;"><span><span>"Roadmaps" is available on #AmazonKindle.</span></span><span><span><br /></span></span><br /><span><span>This video was made and narrated by the book's author, Marlan<br />Warren.</span></span><span><span><br /></span></span><br /><span><span>More info and reviews at <a href="http://roadmapsforthesexuallychallenged.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://roadmapsforthesexuallychallenged.blogspot.com</a></span></span><span><br /></span><br /><span>The story navigates through the wilds of 90s L.A. with interracial dating scenarios and loads of Tao.</span><br /><br /><br /><span>Available on <a href="https://amzn.to/2DT7dNH" target="_blank">Amazon Kindle</a></span><br /></span><br /></div>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-44177764491632165442020-09-28T15:29:00.001-07:002020-09-28T15:29:00.392-07:00Audiobook: Author Marlan Warren Reads Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged (2) (Chapter 2)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AZeIriEMWpk" width="480"></iframe>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-84125287563629858062020-09-23T00:44:00.003-07:002020-10-19T06:18:04.855-07:00New #Audiobook by Marlan Warren: Roadmaps for the Sexually Challenged - Part 1<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wd6nVEHq174" width="480"></iframe>Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-76727492102259657282020-08-26T16:04:00.002-07:002020-08-26T16:53:22.664-07:00HOORAY FOR HOPE! MY FRIEND GOT AN ALL CLEAR AND A HEALING BEAD BRACELET FROM LILLIAN TODARO DESIGNS!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiECH5V2JVs0IfnXWIzgwhu8WqYSI1_mgLkWltVmffdQLc6LVnPEsneYH9eHmVvTokirC8mELTcPHylbdUqyhX3IZdIX9pB2Rk6zOLACcZXcryiGCZP4nTfME3qCi6TBZV-bVyIXMPQA4L/s1600/Joyce+Owl+Bracelet+Lillian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiECH5V2JVs0IfnXWIzgwhu8WqYSI1_mgLkWltVmffdQLc6LVnPEsneYH9eHmVvTokirC8mELTcPHylbdUqyhX3IZdIX9pB2Rk6zOLACcZXcryiGCZP4nTfME3qCi6TBZV-bVyIXMPQA4L/s640/Joyce+Owl+Bracelet+Lillian.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"All Knowing Owl" Bracelet Made For Joyce Rankin By Lillian Todaro</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Celebrating my friend Joyce Rankin's great news that she got an "All Clear" a few days ago from her doctor on the recent scans and tests! As everyone by now knows, we have enough anxieties and struggles going on in 2020 with the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis and its effects that range from Death to Economic Disaster, without adding on a separate life threatening situation, but that's what happened to Joyce several months ago. <br /><br />And there's nothing more stressful than worrying about a loved one who is very ill.<br /><br />Joyce and I grew up together in Fort Myers, Florida, and after she graduated FSU with her degree in Biochemistry, she asked if I'd like to head off to Canada with her in the car that her father gave her as a graduation present. Our first night in Ottawa, Joyce crashed it against a telephone pole backing out of an alley. And we simply had to stay, get jobs -- in her case get married (!) -- and a year later, I moved to Chicago (after performing in a couple plays).<br /><br />We've kept in touch over the decades, sometimes lucky enough to catch an in-person glimpse whenever Joyce is in "The States" (she has dual citizenship now). And still corresponding whenever the spirit moves us. <br /><br />Joyce lost her mother when she was 8 years old, shortly before we met in the Fourth Grade. When I showed her our Fourth Grade Classroom picture, she said: "Oh my gosh! I don't know how I survived that year!"</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXprjyeixVWAdoDwt-6GdbS6a9VEvykLV8dPoZVRss6bsLehlHI_uXLxMQzo13ltFff1HTbJPSSWtyMOkBDolQVg0WZ-rAziOOcGDp4OeoRF_KSEXbc_THwpXu05HjmIStWumWVshU1RD/s1600/Joyce+Me+Owens+Class.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXprjyeixVWAdoDwt-6GdbS6a9VEvykLV8dPoZVRss6bsLehlHI_uXLxMQzo13ltFff1HTbJPSSWtyMOkBDolQVg0WZ-rAziOOcGDp4OeoRF_KSEXbc_THwpXu05HjmIStWumWVshU1RD/s640/Joyce+Me+Owens+Class.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fourth Grade - I'm the kid with the tight curls and Joyce behind me.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marlan Warren (L) Joyce Rankin (R) - Ottawa, Ont. CANADA</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYitpDeB1ldQ5DlafP4gQqXUKzDhfKXflL2WkVYB4YRp3Nx4kPQqlqaQykXkRftchUzZBbmBH70W9t3C3MLE-Iob5eDMali8IWOvpzg9QEn8cwt6LMHkZ0kwsDqydKTLbZ0rskuMrSPzX/s1600/Joyce+Me+Laughing+Canada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="523" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYitpDeB1ldQ5DlafP4gQqXUKzDhfKXflL2WkVYB4YRp3Nx4kPQqlqaQykXkRftchUzZBbmBH70W9t3C3MLE-Iob5eDMali8IWOvpzg9QEn8cwt6LMHkZ0kwsDqydKTLbZ0rskuMrSPzX/s400/Joyce+Me+Laughing+Canada.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joyce (L) Marlan (R) - Ottawa, Ontario</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After I got the worrying news that Joyce was facing surgeries and Immunotherapy, I tried to stay upbeat whenever we talked. Joyce has the biggest, most laughter-filled laugh in the world, so I joked a lot when we talked on the phone.<br /><br />Right after her first surgery, I offered to give her "Long Distance Energy Healing" (Reiki) and she accepted. Every night for a week. I'm a Reiki Master/Teacher who was first certified in 1984. <br /><br />It's rare for me to offer Reiki that isn't in person because even though it "works" every time, I'm always a bit anxious that maybe the receiver won't feel any effects. Joyce did. And she got some good sleep during that recovery period.<br /><br />I envy Joyce's many friends in Victoria, B.C. because they can actually be with her in person. <br /><br />It's a helpless feeling when someone is far away -- and during this Pandemic Restriction, there's no way that I can travel to Canada from L.A.<br /><br />So I decided to ask my L.A. friend, the award-winning master bead jewelry artist, Lillian Todaro, to please create a custom bracelet for Joyce. That's a BIG ask. Lillian Todaro designs are coveted by collectors internationally, and her one-of-a-kind creations are a huge deal to make as well as receive.<br /><br />A champion survivor herself, the compassionate Lillian put her heart and a lot of soul into this "All Knowing Owl" bracelet. And I sweated out the long, long time it took to move through our U.S. postal system, Border Customs, and Canada.<br /><br />When it did arrive, Joyce was thrilled and says she just loves it!<br /><br />Yay! </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjs3Yg0y7Rs-JYU_3RrD16wwlIG3Y6hBUsxDuM11U9dNzq9Mg2Y-0DvaENnivff5Aq5RG2-yDNxx_TosMNvRqGt3Oswv2vR_Hgm-iAz_FVLM_0eaJGz1EwRC-6sjm2xU2rqQzkOaFAjmo/s1600/Joyce+Owl+Bracelet+Diagram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxjs3Yg0y7Rs-JYU_3RrD16wwlIG3Y6hBUsxDuM11U9dNzq9Mg2Y-0DvaENnivff5Aq5RG2-yDNxx_TosMNvRqGt3Oswv2vR_Hgm-iAz_FVLM_0eaJGz1EwRC-6sjm2xU2rqQzkOaFAjmo/s640/Joyce+Owl+Bracelet+Diagram.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bead Bracelet Map by Lillian Todaro</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br />For me, it's been a journey of linked friendships -- one longtime and one new.<br /><br />I'm self-quarantining 99 percent of the time at home with my cat Savannah. So the warm and fuzzy stuff has to happen in Time and Cyberspace. And occasionally the Telephone (remember those?).<br /><br />Not only did Lillian intuitively select each bead (she looks over her massive collection and asks "Are you the one for this creation?" or words to that effect, and she says the beads practically jump on by themselves), but she included a hand drawn diagram (above) to explain every carefully chosen element. She signs both the map and the bracelet!<br /><br />I'm grateful to Lilly for listening to my fears and comforting me these past months. <br /><br />And I love her response when I told her that Joyce got an "All Clear" (for the time being):</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;">FANTASTIC!!! So glad to hear another deserving human being
won the battle. We must all stay positive for her & not even
speak its name into the universe. And just think win, win!!! Win, win, and she
won!!! Tell her I send love & positive thoughts of strength and
perseverance. I would like to see a pic of her if you have one for my mind's
eye. I can only see her bracelet now.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">She also asked me to post all this on her FB Timeline so it could be celebrated by others and our combined good wishes and happiness for someone else's wellness could reinforce Joyce's current healing.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Amen.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Stay safe, everyone! Hug your loved ones tight and be blessed!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E3EyIpRJ8nIHzKnJv91EJNyLAZFeJpjlX_SVBtEOsynDH_jwT9Joy3Z5lGDw1tSqVpo5CUwSGR8ZsmYUl7m6fiHo7B5hUbtJm2cbhjB4ZkfNobCLFfGk9UqeSPeBzs5oWN0T0j4n9HsN/s1600/Joyce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1293" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E3EyIpRJ8nIHzKnJv91EJNyLAZFeJpjlX_SVBtEOsynDH_jwT9Joy3Z5lGDw1tSqVpo5CUwSGR8ZsmYUl7m6fiHo7B5hUbtJm2cbhjB4ZkfNobCLFfGk9UqeSPeBzs5oWN0T0j4n9HsN/s640/Joyce.jpg" width="515" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Joyce Rankin in the 21st Century</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">******</span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Wouldn't you love to know more about Lillian Todaro's Designs? Check out my interview </span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">with Lilly and see the Goddess Bracelet that she made for my birthday:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://losangelesnowthen.blogspot.com/2020/04/la-bead-artist-lillian-todaros-pandemic.html" target="_blank">Lillian Todaro's Pandemic Panic Survival Plan</a></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://losangelesnowthen.blogspot.com/2020/07/for-my-birthday-award-winning-los.html" target="_blank">Do you deserve a Goddess Bracelet?</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Click here to go to <a href="http://www.lilliantodaro.com/" target="_blank">Lillian Todaro Designs Website</a></b></span><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
#Survival #Survivor #Hope #LillianTodaro #LillianTodaroDesigns #LillianTodaroCollection #LifetimeFriendships #BeadJewelry #LosAngelesBeadSociety #JoyceRankin<br />
<br /></div>
Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-24192338037343772122020-08-12T16:54:00.000-07:002020-08-12T16:54:51.864-07:00Join us! How to Write a Memoir Panel. 8/12 at 7:30pm<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Details: <a href="http://bookpublicitybymarlan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Book Publicity By Marlan</a></div>
Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-64042789979588439122020-08-02T21:31:00.005-07:002020-08-02T22:06:46.546-07:00Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference Pivots to Zoom (8/7 - 8/15/2020)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br />Event: Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference<br />When: Friday, Aug. 7 - Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020<br /> Where: ZOOM<br /> Registration/Info: <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">L.A. Writers Conference Website</a><br />Program: <a href="http://www.wcwriters.com/aglawc/program.html">http://www.wcwriters.com/aglawc/program.html</a></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Executive Director of the Annual Greater Los Angeles Writers Conference
(AGLAWC), Tony Todaro, has announced that this educational and networking event will
celebrate its 26th year with a pivot from its pre-pandemic originally slated
venue at the Culver City Doubletree by Hilton Hotel to Zoom, starting Friday,
Aug. 7, and running through Saturday, Aug. 15.<br /><br />
"When it comes to virtual writers conferences, one major plus is that
writers are able to interact with agents, writing experts, and publishing
professionals who might otherwise not be able to attend in person," says Todaro. "Nobody is limited by geographical location anymore."<br /><br />"The schedule is daily and linear, so writers won't have to choose between two
workshops or panels happening simultaneously," Todaro says. "We'll have more than 40 literary agents, professional editors, and publishers on hand to give guidance on the craft and business of writing
fiction and nonfiction."<br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Keith Ogorek, President of the Author Learning Center, will kick off opening day with a webinar titled "7 Things Every Writer Needs to Become an Author."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">Speaker event topics include how-to's for pitching agents or publishers; writing a memoir; self-editing; ghostwriting; screenwriting. Writers may have their writing read and critiqued by publishing professionals. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">"Our faculty is not 'sheltering in place,'" says Todaro. "With this new technology, we consider them our Writers in Residence."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">He assures attendees there will be ways to network, share your contact info, etc. And yes, they will still receive goody bags!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC1bI6sDJuJc5jkpNOZDu7wzEmKVLwgk455PJvix72AP7B5S-k3KjCDGMDimAG2FkcCzTwfla0hfwY-4_lsZEwqZrqytoEvB6IgXJ4SS9RnOgstfhYYmvS7sSl1_xWkvN5xJL5pPvDg5X/s1600/Tony+Todaro+T+Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC1bI6sDJuJc5jkpNOZDu7wzEmKVLwgk455PJvix72AP7B5S-k3KjCDGMDimAG2FkcCzTwfla0hfwY-4_lsZEwqZrqytoEvB6IgXJ4SS9RnOgstfhYYmvS7sSl1_xWkvN5xJL5pPvDg5X/s320/Tony+Todaro+T+Shirt.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony N. Todaro<br />Photo <b><span style="font-size: small;">©</span></b>Ester Benjamin Shifren</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">For the past 26 years, Todaro, aided and abetted by his wife, Lillian, have organized these writers conferences. Although the learning curve for transposing this massive event to the virtual realm is steep, Tony Todaro is a veteran at staying focused.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">He quotes from a t-shirt that he owns:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">"Being an Executive Director is as easy as riding a bicycle, except you're on fire, the bike is on fire, and everything else is on fire."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">(Sounds just a little bit like writing, doesn't it?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">#WritersConference</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">#LosAngelesWritersConference</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">#GLAWS</span></div>
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Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-73928541585111947982020-07-10T15:08:00.001-07:002020-07-10T15:44:33.245-07:00Have you earned the right to a Goddess Bracelet? #LillianTodaro #BeadJewelry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxc8UrBPaKrBGQpxaa2AQtrKigigAGuqRPRK2VgCvSO-S-LX5sNoZRkk4G6SZlYfYpIWe9am1wpSI7SBM-so28e31TOQH2V8hJxFBGAyGam1_pdBt8eYqDMRionrNWWmOKG9VkwysWzhN/s1600/Goddess+Bracelet+Meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxc8UrBPaKrBGQpxaa2AQtrKigigAGuqRPRK2VgCvSO-S-LX5sNoZRkk4G6SZlYfYpIWe9am1wpSI7SBM-so28e31TOQH2V8hJxFBGAyGam1_pdBt8eYqDMRionrNWWmOKG9VkwysWzhN/s640/Goddess+Bracelet+Meme.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxc8UrBPaKrBGQpxaa2AQtrKigigAGuqRPRK2VgCvSO-S-LX5sNoZRkk4G6SZlYfYpIWe9am1wpSI7SBM-so28e31TOQH2V8hJxFBGAyGam1_pdBt8eYqDMRionrNWWmOKG9VkwysWzhN/s1600/Goddess+Bracelet+Meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For my birthday, Award-Winning Los Angeles Bead Artist <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lillian.todaro?__tn__=%2CdK%2AF-R&eid=ARDSZxwCr4LqPkEHmuUJ5paO61RFNTGWaJvoWxzcpn8KAgD-FZaSSPR-8AbsGp5QtUvmwDHPJ2Z_UOvK">Lillian Todaro</a> gifted me with this custom made bracelet. Each bead and charm has a symbolic meaning, and Lilly included a diagram of what they mean and what they are. Sorry, you can't buy this one. But you can check out the rest of her amazingly spiritual collection at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Flilliantodaro.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1uSUrhuqZKQYSTObkGoJVo1fmZ2TnSQvSrRcEwTFokqEzoRe6OhefMQzQ&h=AT0_kquDe12tASm_rYUj6Qka3RqEU2sRf-W1RjzxaBpYpBh21SG4pGL9ZaBzkfWfQOqfjwmXlm9d_7meAavsWqwe4pcSNfxf4O3rK-XyiFmaQ5wxA0ijRlvuyqoIjJRNakH19g">http://lilliantodaro.com</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">For my interview with Lilly and to view the mouth-watering pics of her gorgeous creations, click here: <a href="https://losangelesnowthen.blogspot.com/2020/04/la-bead-artist-lillian-todaros-pandemic.html" target="_blank">Lillian Todaro's Pandemic Panic Survival Plan</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Of course if someone wants to have a Goddess Bracelet made for someone they feel has earned it," says Lilly. "I am open to that."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjLGAk2nAVrkTEkGlaG0Ewc-5c72-E3V7pIai_nLaJDH-EbJB-8qn9w4Cg4AKILVyhCH0FgythaBthQoZep49vruPkX4zhbeBMhdMY_CktGpAYLUvZw8Hgdtrdz7AaWNDyDhnRhIFYnTj/s1600/Bracelet+with+Geisha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjLGAk2nAVrkTEkGlaG0Ewc-5c72-E3V7pIai_nLaJDH-EbJB-8qn9w4Cg4AKILVyhCH0FgythaBthQoZep49vruPkX4zhbeBMhdMY_CktGpAYLUvZw8Hgdtrdz7AaWNDyDhnRhIFYnTj/s320/Bracelet+with+Geisha.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">And below are some photos of what it looks like draped over my crystal ball:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFpHfKJhwxl_YPif2lvX1zAIryNGmse4HGhZeI07set_GqdFlVbD7spVe6MpjZqbzH_jGw-7WMfSPbnp8smU0efP1ZwWBcgSbUUTkUWDKJf_elh6fe2jEWE9I8ijdQy-RF5mqVggc4WEr/s1600/Goddess+Bracelet+crystal+ball+Butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFpHfKJhwxl_YPif2lvX1zAIryNGmse4HGhZeI07set_GqdFlVbD7spVe6MpjZqbzH_jGw-7WMfSPbnp8smU0efP1ZwWBcgSbUUTkUWDKJf_elh6fe2jEWE9I8ijdQy-RF5mqVggc4WEr/s400/Goddess+Bracelet+crystal+ball+Butterfly.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Why the butterfly?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"May you be surrounded by Blue Skies and Butterflies!"</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MKwTAXkVGYzA_7BlyS4eoHPYPISInBVvpZaifik3EG_A9xTgjZXrSWrMvEoculC2ufNS2gbqbFjxmFVjrmxWo8LjvcE4bK15DrCKHvbjcYF6AoAIH3Tub-J_3WRJC_7CLZmheBvgUlQT/s1600/Kitty+Icon+Goddess+Bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MKwTAXkVGYzA_7BlyS4eoHPYPISInBVvpZaifik3EG_A9xTgjZXrSWrMvEoculC2ufNS2gbqbFjxmFVjrmxWo8LjvcE4bK15DrCKHvbjcYF6AoAIH3Tub-J_3WRJC_7CLZmheBvgUlQT/s400/Kitty+Icon+Goddess+Bracelet.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Why the kitty?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lilly knows I love cats. I didn't tell her that my Chinese astrological symbol was once known as "The Cat." But for me, no Goddess Bracelet would be complete without a feline!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijX_iTsillmucYVqcqU7_-y6KDIBnai6UczP9r4YvOuE4IKrmZMZEpW8lYHXAf0s-nLVz4tj985rGSpHEW0ql5dOx-ofsGFzEW7wbY0oGB8JI-Fi_-xn2e82OxwauZNnlnLZknNBNLMTpc/s1600/Detail+red+bead+crystal+Goddess+Bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijX_iTsillmucYVqcqU7_-y6KDIBnai6UczP9r4YvOuE4IKrmZMZEpW8lYHXAf0s-nLVz4tj985rGSpHEW0ql5dOx-ofsGFzEW7wbY0oGB8JI-Fi_-xn2e82OxwauZNnlnLZknNBNLMTpc/s400/Detail+red+bead+crystal+Goddess+Bracelet.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My power colors! I didn't tell her. Lilly just knew.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thank you so much, Lillian Todaro, for this great gift during this globally challenging period.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I will treasure it always. (Should I add "And hope to be worthy?" or is that too gag inducing?)</span></div>
Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7167252005945821544.post-90174960019296418572020-04-25T17:49:00.001-07:002020-05-07T17:16:31.746-07:00L.A. Bead Artist Lillian Todaro's Pandemic Panic Survival Plan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvV-IgjwJq2PJcQjMUYXkX-_2A33ourYraznfDWRJeLXd-OLQMtO6lFCSj_wL9vLlCgZOzpyNozU7umVgEZalcbZAtk3qzf4vJuj6HkykARqFQQ4tPlsswuJDUW3WEF-nyWWxaWpjlA6M4/s1600/Lilly+Todaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvV-IgjwJq2PJcQjMUYXkX-_2A33ourYraznfDWRJeLXd-OLQMtO6lFCSj_wL9vLlCgZOzpyNozU7umVgEZalcbZAtk3qzf4vJuj6HkykARqFQQ4tPlsswuJDUW3WEF-nyWWxaWpjlA6M4/s400/Lilly+Todaro.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Lillian Todaro, Award-Winning Bead Artist</span></b></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">"Beading will save your life." </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large; text-align: left;">— Lillian Todaro</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"It's my Pandemic Panic Survival Plan," says Lillian Todaro. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Bead...Bead...Bead some more!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The multi-award winning veteran bead jewelry artist and sculptor has been down crises roads before and knows whereof she speaks:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"During 9/11, beading helped me keep it together."</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDNAByYFnDFB8ZPWS09iZqFGCXXBPGAhxa6YBAffPPb_YEBySBZK6n5vj4jSJUNN2uUeP8oCpG6CyWbKaoBwPnD7JdxL7sf6MylTnGoCIOl4JC70IFXPn3rGB3710165sgD7aMhXs7V5m/s1600/Lilly+Medusa+Necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcDNAByYFnDFB8ZPWS09iZqFGCXXBPGAhxa6YBAffPPb_YEBySBZK6n5vj4jSJUNN2uUeP8oCpG6CyWbKaoBwPnD7JdxL7sf6MylTnGoCIOl4JC70IFXPn3rGB3710165sgD7aMhXs7V5m/s400/Lilly+Medusa+Necklace.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Necklace by Lillian Todaro: "Night Flyer"</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />In the midst of swirling COVID-19 anxieties, tragedies, shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, you can find Lillian serenely sitting in her “beading chair,” creating stunning wearable art pieces, with one eye on a Sci-Fi flick next to her author/educator husband of 29 years, Tony Todaro, who helms Todaro Communications, </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS), and </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">the West Coast Writers Conferences (</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">WC</span>2<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Beading will save your life," promises Lillian. "It takes care of everything."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lillian Todaro is vice president of <a href="http://www.beadsocietyla.org/" target="_blank"><b>The Bead Society of Los Angeles</b></a> and co-founder of the <b>Facebook</b> group, <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2534467929925705/about/" target="_blank">Confessions of a Bead Addict</a></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the past 50 years, Lillian has found salvation, peace of mind, and the joy of creation in bead artistry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Handling the beads gives me a sense of connecting with the Universe, like chanting. They speak to me and it’s very comforting. Before I start work on a piece, I sit with my 50 bead jars that are full of various colors and shapes of crystals, wooden and vintage beads, and I listen for the ones that say: 'Use me!' W</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">hen </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I touch them with my needle, they practically jump on.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">"</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lilliantodaro.com/necklaces_cpb/images/CelestialPrayerBeads-NeckTrio_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="500" height="576" src="https://lilliantodaro.com/necklaces_cpb/images/CelestialPrayerBeads-NeckTrio_500.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Celestial Prayer Beads Necklace, Lillian Todaro Collection</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />The calming effect is not limited to the jewelry maker. "People tell me that wearing my pieces has a soothing, calming effect on them."</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOP5VwmLGrwJ9NlGrIri-ZIrI78g9gpEqpvWAkkePLsWTdzsBH5M9QU7QfsQhlC47phqOJa6wT3G32e2I9VDTPilrjhOXVxbgS8J07JsRc6Ds-QCS86uTS4tIRH8v3GlkDXC129EUAcHU/s1600/Lillian+Todaro+Booth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOP5VwmLGrwJ9NlGrIri-ZIrI78g9gpEqpvWAkkePLsWTdzsBH5M9QU7QfsQhlC47phqOJa6wT3G32e2I9VDTPilrjhOXVxbgS8J07JsRc6Ds-QCS86uTS4tIRH8v3GlkDXC129EUAcHU/s640/Lillian+Todaro+Booth.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In non-pandemic times, Lillian Todaro can be found in the booth her husband made for her at festivals and bead bazaars, offering her beaded jewelry, DIY beading kits, and teaching manuals. Her creations attract an enthusiastic international clientele and collectors.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Because of the lockdown, my spring shows have been cancelled," she says. "I'm really looking forward to participating in the Culver City Bead Bazaar in October."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lillian's online market sites are still going strong at her </span><b><a href="http://lilliantodaro.com/" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">LillianTodaro.com</a> </b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>website</b> and </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/beadartkits" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;" target="_blank"><b>Bead Art Kits on Etsy</b></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">. You can select ready-made jewelry or commission her to create a custom piece, choosing the colors and kinds of beads for a unique piece. "Emerald the Beaded Snake" was created for someone who asked for a beautiful snake sculpture.</span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcsyXY_9uExNAW7nSfykxQCvxBx3nwz8WvDnh2-fxwKnWYIZilrZWxNrGNGa1jTcbIyb7Mzj-FnWylDMEz8gLXIfvh8Qqc5ugCj254dp0jowVhCUo2uYIZyhK-zmjyxWqTiKw1zw6uv8K/s1600/Serpent+by+Lillian+Todaro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcsyXY_9uExNAW7nSfykxQCvxBx3nwz8WvDnh2-fxwKnWYIZilrZWxNrGNGa1jTcbIyb7Mzj-FnWylDMEz8gLXIfvh8Qqc5ugCj254dp0jowVhCUo2uYIZyhK-zmjyxWqTiKw1zw6uv8K/s640/Serpent+by+Lillian+Todaro.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Emerald, the Beaded Snake</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sculpture by Lillian Todaro</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Spring Bead Jewelry Making Classes</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's not possible to talk with Lilly </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">(as she's known to friends) </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">for long and not have her ask if you're interested in learning to bead: "Why not try it and see if you like it?"</span></span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGSKDumAh9xokpGV1QeU0W_LmcNDWlTluZB4JAwN4Q5tT14Gq92Xo_A-c2HjLFNun_yS5y35WZS3IqCPyjI4bBSUIofp8NeXg1uWhMx_NXMJMtnuqpP1ot63VBZlBpD6cAitZJMNkO7J1/s1600/90705948_223847612335038_8030121188770447360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGSKDumAh9xokpGV1QeU0W_LmcNDWlTluZB4JAwN4Q5tT14Gq92Xo_A-c2HjLFNun_yS5y35WZS3IqCPyjI4bBSUIofp8NeXg1uWhMx_NXMJMtnuqpP1ot63VBZlBpD6cAitZJMNkO7J1/s320/90705948_223847612335038_8030121188770447360_n.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bead Sculpture by Lillian Todaro: "Earth Bag"</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A born teacher, she calls herself a "Creator of Beaders," and has penned numerous published books on the art of beading. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Right now Lillian and Tony Todaro ("He's my roadie and my Zoom techie...") are busy preparing to launch virtual beading classes, and registering students who wish to learn bead embroidery (stitching beads to foundation material like fabric or leather), and other bead weaving and jewelry techniques. </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"The classes are small so I can give personal attention to each student."</span></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Octopuses Garden<br />Beaded Embroidery Wall Hanging by Lillian Todaro</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her bead jewelry kits come with streamlined instructions because </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I believe in beading, not reading."</span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxHwIudVnPgfDL1C6wJRH3bsy4xHr1Wn79IjxF6NFXAWcPoHm-K6R1YFPeLDEYRuGntGtq2tBcsd2Vzc2o3p1jXt1ksDYyFof-sTuAQIIuOz7sAeyxMAkYCUcX406MO1dKLhPVEFROuuy/s1600/Bead+Bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxHwIudVnPgfDL1C6wJRH3bsy4xHr1Wn79IjxF6NFXAWcPoHm-K6R1YFPeLDEYRuGntGtq2tBcsd2Vzc2o3p1jXt1ksDYyFof-sTuAQIIuOz7sAeyxMAkYCUcX406MO1dKLhPVEFROuuy/s400/Bead+Bracelet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Bracelet by Lillian Todaro</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-smx-large;"></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lilly has one piece of very valuable advice for </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">a newbie student who hits a pothole of frustration: "I remind them that it's just a little piece of glass with a hole in it, and that calms them down so they keep going and pretty soon they don't want to stop."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Interested in classes?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Contact Lillian at</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="http://lilliantodaro.com/" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><b>LillianTodaro.com</b></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> for </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">dates, times, and registration info.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">More Info and Contact Information:</span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Lillian Todaro Website</span></b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.lilliantodaro.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>http://www.lilliantodaro.com</b></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Original Lilly’s Collections</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://lilliantodaro.com/traditional/index.html"><b>http://lilliantodaro.com/traditional/index.html</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Vintage Crystal Collections</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://lilliantodaro.com/vintage/index.html"><b>http://lilliantodaro.com/vintage/index.html</b></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Lillian Todaro Collection (Wearable Sculptures)</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://lilliantodaro.com/sculptures/index.html">http://lilliantodaro.com/sculptures/index.html</a> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">LILLIAN TODARO WELCOMES</b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><b style="background-color: white;">ALL MEDIA INTEREST.</b></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I love to share my knowledge of the significance of beads and the beading world with all cultures," says Lillian Todaro. "It’s so important that this artistic practice be kept alive and continue.” </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She</span><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"> </b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">has appeared on Fox 5 San Diego KSWB-TV, and the Home and Garden Channel (HGTV) Carol Duvall Show.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Lillian Todaro on Fox 5 San Diego KSWB-TV</b></span></td></tr>
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<b style="background-color: yellow; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">INTERVIEW WITH LILLIAN TODARO</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Q - How did your love affair with beads start?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A -</b> When I was very young, I was fascinated with the rocks and stones in the riverbed near my home in El Monte. I used to take them home. I'd even lick them. When I was three or four, I'd make my parents stop at Trading Posts on roadtrips from California to Texas, so I could look at the beadwork and make them buy me something.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My grandmother was </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">a wonderful bead artist and one summer, she taught me how to make beaded jewelry. After that, I was hooked, and </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I spent a lot of time and money at Woolworth's buying beads.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Earrings by Lillian Todaro</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Q- How did you get started with bead sculpture?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A-</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For about 20
years, I had been beading more traditional types of beaded jewelry like the
beaded earrings. Then one summer in in the early 90's I saw an article on Joyce
Scott, a bead sculptor artist and I was freed! No more counting beads and I
started beading outside the lines. I did take a class on a few basic techniques
and I have never looked back. I have since developed many techniques on my own
and written several instruction booklets that have been called "The
Blueprints for Bead Sculpture."</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Q- What's your most interesting teaching experience so far?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A-</b> I've had many over the years, but there was one student with multiple sclerosis (MS) who could barely hold the needle. I got her to make a cube cuff bracelet. She was ecstatic.<br /><br />I had another student who spoke no English and her daughter had to translate. We spoke the language of beads and we became friends.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Q- How long does it take you to make a piece? </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A- </b>It varies. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Celestial Prayer necklace takes one to two days.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="464" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0ZewnFL-nQEPqjHUqLjf5rCYR2sQEB-fP2kr6PER_v5OHXW3ESc_PZ6_1p3u1KFAQkGiLoGsBJhaoJbCq4_JgtGiwN333PXQFQZGvuHHC6jbXQHYUmuLHW6YDOblN_4a02HfXFj6OYaw/s640/59998940_2360187404034249_7031452378037485568_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="392" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">REDress Project Pin by Lillian Todaro</span></b></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0ZewnFL-nQEPqjHUqLjf5rCYR2sQEB-fP2kr6PER_v5OHXW3ESc_PZ6_1p3u1KFAQkGiLoGsBJhaoJbCq4_JgtGiwN333PXQFQZGvuHHC6jbXQHYUmuLHW6YDOblN_4a02HfXFj6OYaw/s1600/59998940_2360187404034249_7031452378037485568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A- </b>It takes me three or four hours to make a pin like the Red Dress brooch that I made for the non-profit campaign, “<b>Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls </b>(<a href="https://www.csvanw.org/" target="_blank"><b>MMIWG</b></a>)" that was featured along with 100 other artists' creations in the REDress Project YouTube video made by Justine Sanchez </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">to help raise MMIWG awareness on Mother’s Day Weekend in 2019</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">. I made two—one for me and one for Justine to thank her, beading into the pins a "J" for "Justice" and "Justine."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><b>YouTube Video: MMIW RAISING AWARENESS Bead Talkers </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 107%;"><b>Beaded
Red Dresses Challenge May 5, 2019</b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /><i><b style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-size: medium;">More info about MMIWG and their campaign for this Mother's Day Weekend is below.*</span></b></i></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The fastest stitch is the lazy pearl spiral because I can string eight beads at a time and make a bracelet in about an hour. This has been one of my most popular workshops.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDzVxrs5dcZN-lXN2VVi19chaEib6DjiYFVZlpnnqnJSiK4r6FtFCmVjFhN3TSfkOUQlfw6k9PguykaLujY5fmTlbUvKsCIvm8NSux2emSbAzgbyo2DcZPakcoHTFbuVZ22siYg0kg7Cv/s1600/Lazy+Pearl+Spiral+Bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDzVxrs5dcZN-lXN2VVi19chaEib6DjiYFVZlpnnqnJSiK4r6FtFCmVjFhN3TSfkOUQlfw6k9PguykaLujY5fmTlbUvKsCIvm8NSux2emSbAzgbyo2DcZPakcoHTFbuVZ22siYg0kg7Cv/s400/Lazy+Pearl+Spiral+Bracelets.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Lazy Pearl Stitch Bracelets by Lillian Todaro</span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Peyote Stitch is good for beginners because it's the most versatile for making necklaces and earrings. A cube cuff is fairly easy because you're just going back and forth with square beads. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You can see a variation of it in my celestial prayer necklace called the "Peyote Spiral." I wrote a book about how you can make almost anything out of it.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVjWLBzIKGN0M5_1BGhdw63KxeA0nuk7FH9veQDGMtvTPGBh6E5uBPRgFcyraXvugMTVtD2nVFpcTfE7P1P48tDYjf6GpLQxO62MnWQELJYL3x5Kfl78W9AbUgStTxtpHUPN1pBfh8q6I/s1600/Peyote+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVjWLBzIKGN0M5_1BGhdw63KxeA0nuk7FH9veQDGMtvTPGBh6E5uBPRgFcyraXvugMTVtD2nVFpcTfE7P1P48tDYjf6GpLQxO62MnWQELJYL3x5Kfl78W9AbUgStTxtpHUPN1pBfh8q6I/s400/Peyote+Stitch.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Peyote Spiral (Peyote Stitch Variation)</b></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />Q- Is there a "community" of beaders?</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A -</b> Absolutely. It's big and growing. Our </span><b style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2534467929925705/about/" target="_blank">Confessions of a Bead Addict</a></b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Facebook group </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">brings us together. Everyone is welcome. Even if you've never touched a bead, but you're just curious. "Bead Talkers" is a large Native American group that is very active.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Beading is a kind of Zen mind-eye-hand practice, which can be tedious, and beading has always been an "outsider" art, so interaction with other beaders brings comfort.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>Q- What would you say the rewards of beading have been for you?</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>A -</b> Too many to name them all. You know </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">the original money in Native American cultures was "wampum." I made a "wampum" necklace and earrings set featuring dentalium shells that I hand trimmed and polished. I've heard dentalium are still used as barter by some Pacific Northwest tribes. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BCNNYsaMdoDVaF3Bm-PWe3lt5atqF4phIWf9hyphenhyphenf8jNs0yXUxLCMniFFPy9Nc-y9EN9QT7dYChBaTLPac_YOsMdHbp3u7JMvGtPBPrw0rjUUEPFEHfR5yjGWccFFo49WhRJnMtOwBt2aT/s1600/Wampum+Lilly.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-BCNNYsaMdoDVaF3Bm-PWe3lt5atqF4phIWf9hyphenhyphenf8jNs0yXUxLCMniFFPy9Nc-y9EN9QT7dYChBaTLPac_YOsMdHbp3u7JMvGtPBPrw0rjUUEPFEHfR5yjGWccFFo49WhRJnMtOwBt2aT/s640/Wampum+Lilly.jpeg" width="481" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Wampum" Necklace and Earrings by Lillian Todaro</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I've bartered for all kinds of cool stuff: carpet cleaning, food, dental work, clothing, computer parts. I even gave a real estate agent beaded jewelry as part of the commission.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I love taking little tiny beads that are insignificant by themselves and transforming them into objects with arrangements of form, function, and color that didn't previously exist in the world. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm creating tomorrow's collectible antiques. When I look at vintage beadwork, I wonder:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Who made this?"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">***</span><br /><i style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><b>Note: </b>Lillian Todaro's pieces are coveted by collectors. One has 30 pairs of earrings, and another five purses. Her custom jewelry is signed in beads and a Certificate of Authenticity is available.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">#LillianTodaro #BeadSociety #LABeadSociety #LillianTodaroCollection #beadjewelry #beadmakingclasses #classes #ZoomClass #wearableart #CSVANW #MMIW #TonyTodaro #GLAWS #WC2</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>*<span style="background-color: yellow;">About the REDress Project:</span></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The <a href="https://www.csvanw.org/">REDress Project</a> originated in Canada </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">to spread awareness, raise money for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). In just one year, friends Carla Voyageur and Jeannine Lindsay raised $10,000 through this project that went toward the costs of creating and installing missing person signage on Vancouver Island.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Four out of five Native American women are affected by
violence today. On Mother's Day Weekend, this project </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">asks Canadians to take part in a striking one-day display of red dresses to represent the country's missing and murdered indigenous women.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: https://www.csvanw.org;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A team of volunteers creates beaded red dress pins and earrings to bring awareness to MMIWG through the </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; https: //www.csvanw.org https://www.csvanw.org;">Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native American Women (CSVANW).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>More Info:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/09/29/red-dress-aboriginal-women-redress-project_n_8216104.html">https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/09/29/red-dress-aboriginal-women-redress-project_n_8216104.html</a></span></div>
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Marlan Warrenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03339307047531693387noreply@blogger.com0