alien of extraordinary ability: July 2010

Friday, July 30, 2010

Wish upon a New York star...

I bought a star. That's right. A star.

Nope, not a star in the sky (that's so 1990).

My star will sit in the middle of the Hudson River running alongside Manhattan's West Side as part of an art installation set to begin this August.

And you, too, can be the proud owner of your very own star, not to mention a part of New York's history. All for just $50.00! The coolest part? Your star can hold any dedication your little heart desires. Want to:

* ask someone to marry you?
* share a secret thought?
* send words of support (or otherwise) to Sarah Palin?
* write a haiku?

Artist Jon Morris of the Windmill Factory has created an opportunity for you to do just that.

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Photos above, courtesy of Jon Morris, The Windmill Factory.

Artist, dancer, and a man committed quite simply to bringing "greater beauty to the world", Jon's latest creation is Reflecting the Stars, an Interactive Light Installation that will raise awareness and teach prevention techniques for light pollution. Solar powered LED clusters implanted on hundreds of decaying pier posts will illuminate at sunset on the remains of pier 49 within the Hudson River Park in the West Village, Manhattan, twinkling in various patterns, mirroring a lost starry sky.

So go on. I dare you to wish for something your heart desires.

And then let it light up part of Manhattan's skyline (solar-style).

To learn more about the project, to donate, or to buy your very own star - just click here.

So what's my star dedicated to?

My nephew Owen who reminds me of the spirit of New York.

He is part magic-man, part dancer, part actor, part entertainer. The boy has charm and character well beyond his six little years.

One day years ago when I was speaking to my sister about being unsure whether something I really, really wanted would happen, he repeated (in his three-year-old wisdom), a line from the The Polar Express movie (the kid digs movies almost as much as I do):

"You have to TRUUUUULY BELIEVE, Auntie Bubba"...

I'll keep believing. And my wish is that you keep believing, too, Mister.

I have no doubt you will one day be a star here in NYC, lighting up the landscape in your own unique way.

Happiest of birthdays, Owen. I adore you.

Love (with stars in my eyes),

Erica

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

You don't know Jacques...

But you'd be lucky if you did. Trust me on this.

You see, Jacques is someone that has taught me what it means to stretch and let yourself grow into what you believe is possible for yourself.

I don't know that he even knows I feel this way about him - that's one perk of having a blog - it gives your "inside voice" a chance to speak!

You see, Jacques once shared a story with me that I will always remember.

He told me of a time not too long ago when doctors, following an accident, advised him that in order to eat he would always require the assistance of a feeding tube.

So Jacques promptly removed the tube.

He did this because he believed his muscles could respond if given the opportunity - and he knew for certain his muscles would atrophy if he did nothing.

He took the chance.

His muscles responded.

All of this with his angel (and now fiancee), Anna, by his side.

Oh, how I admire these two people.

What Jacques taught me through this story (and the way he lives his life, period) is that in every single moment we have the choice to push beyond what people say is possible for us and create an opening where we can define it for ourselves.

Thank you for your brave spirit, my friend.

All of our worlds are better for it.

Which is why this week-end, Jacques' New York family celebrated his birthday in Anna's swank new digs in the Financial District of Manhattan.

The evening consisted of a little of this...

Ok, maybe more than a little... ('twas Christmas in July!!)

And a whole lot of this...(we like us some good hugs & kisses!!)

We got silly and laughed. A lot.

Jacques and Anna's friends are an amazing, genuine, loving bunch. And if it's true your friends are a reflection of you, then rest assured you two are bright, spirited, and FUN (not to mention fantastic looking)...

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Happiest of happy birthdays Jacques!

Keep pushing and stretching towards what is next my friend.

And whenever you have a moment of uncertainty as you find your way in Vancouver, just take a look at these photos and remember your extended New York family is loving and supporting you from afar.

Always,

Erica

Caveat: It's important to note that all the photos above were taken using my camera (Baby Henry). However, much like any beautiful newborn, he was passed around to folks at the party so some of the shots were taken by others (clearly, as I am in some of 'em!). All credit for the great profile shots of the partygoers must go to photographer extraordinaire, Lory! Thanks sweetie!!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Walking towards love...

"I met the man I'm going to marry..."

This is the phrase my friend uttered to me last night when I called to see how she was doing.

I know what she says to be true. I could hear it in her voice.

She has never, ever said anything remotely like it. Ever.

Her tone was one I had never quite heard before.

It was pure kid-like exuberance. Not manic, crazy over-the-top happy.

More big-kid-goofy. Mixed with a wise knowing.

I swear the entire time she spoke (and we talked for almost two hours), I could hear her smiling.

He feels the same. They are making plans.

She can't wait to meet his children.

He can't wait to meet her family and friends.

I can't wait to meet him and see them together.

They met at work. He sounds loving. Warm. Fun. He told her he figured there may be something more going on when he noticed her blushing when he spoke to her in the office... ah, the body never lies!

While I'm a hopeful romantic, I do know the stuff that can get in the way of love.

Fear. Ego. Control. Did I mention fear?!

I honestly believe the key to any successful relationship is to make yourself vulnerable enough to tell the truth.

Being vulnerable means (as a wise friend recently shared with me):

"Simply saying what's in your heart..."

That's all any of us have to do. And the rest? Well, the rest ain't up to us.

My newly in-love friend confided there was a moment a while back when she was terrified. A self-described mess. She didn't know what to do. I think she considered the often-used tactic of playing it cool. But her amazing brother gave her this wise counsel instead:

"Tell him."

So she did. She called him and literally told him she was a mess.

He met her exactly where she was and loved her.

He even managed to love her dark fear right back into the light again.

She told me she just keeps trying to move toward him with love, arms outstretched.

She is a courageous one, my friend.

So keep walking towards love, my dear.

And remember to keep sharing what is in your heart.

The truth will always lead you home again...

Happy heart,

Erica

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Expected & Unexpected (New York style)...

Expected: Talented street performers play to crowds of NYC tourists...

Unexpected: The coolest freaking traveling band EVER appears at Brooklyn's Renegade Craft Fair...

Note the unique headgear worn by the guy below (despite the ungodly heat). Face-mask-man managed to cool himself off by dousing himself with a full bottle of water occasionally.

Expected: When you think Smoothie, you picture a good ole' fashioned fruit-in-blender deal, right? Yup, me too!

Note, this just happens to be the Mixedberry smoothie from my favourite Third Avenue Juice Bar.

I dream of this drink. If I could only have one drink for the rest of my life, this would be it...

Unexpected: Cycling meets fruity goodness.

Healthy fruit treat + reduction of the carbon footprint = double goodness!

Expected: This is a dog town. Signs asking owners to "curb their dogs" abound, politely requesting that animal owners take control of their pets.

Unexpected: Some folks don't leave it to the dog owners, appealing instead directly to literate canines. The words on this bike cover are written at dog height. Genius.