A Room of My Own

Puppies and kitties - horrid truth!!! Write a letter, please!

2009-03-18T13:44:00.001-07:00

Some fashion designers gloat, while animals suffer and they couldn't care any less. Now animals are being SKINNED ALIVE!! They say it's done to get a more perfect 'cut'; afterwards, the carcasses are tossed into a pile, still alive. For up to 10 minutes you can see their hearts beating, they are in agony, their eyes are blinking and the puppies' little paws are still shaking. The pain must be excruciating and you can't ever forget this when you're about to buy a fur coat, or a fur trim or even a pair of UGGs. One puppy lifted his head and gazed at the camera with bloodied eyes. If you can't stomach to watch the video, which I understand, the description above should be enough to make you realize this business is horrid and fashion promotes it. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE just ignore fur, ignore fur trim, ignore anything to do with fur or leather. Let the people in that industry find REAL work. please take time out to write a letter to the Chinese ambassador in YOUR country. Tell him you are angry about this, then tell your friends to do the same! This monstrosity must be stopped. If you want to see the video, CLICK ON THIS; but take my word, it is heinous! Write a polite letter to the Chinese ambassador in your country!
USE THIS LINK TO FIND OUT WHERE TO WRITE:
Sending a letter may not seem like much, but it's all these animals have right now. Please do not postpone this, do it now! Every little life counts. Maybe, if their desks are flooded with mail, in every country, they will realize this brings China to shame.
U.S. citizens, write the letter to:

Lenka Kripac rocks!!

2009-03-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

I was hanging out with the stunning, amazingly talented, fantabulous Lenka Kripac at New York's Terminal5 this Friday. Lenka stole the 'show'! (no pun intended - as her self titled debut CD features a fabulous song titled 'the Show') This amazing Czech/Aussie gal opened for another Australian performer, Missy Higgins, alongside bluesy Justin Nozkuka. The best act of the night was Lenka & band. They are touring the US, so please visit Lenka's myspace page to find out when this lovely songbird performs in your town and definitely go! No matter what her lyrics say, you won't want your money back!

Bad policy!

2009-03-06T23:13:00.000-08:00

Click HERE and read on. This is insane!! I voted for Obama, like many other animal activists. This is wrong.
------------------------------------------------------------
Here is what Palin did so far...CLICK HERE TO READ

REAL HOUSEWIVES NEW YORK CITY Seazon2 PREMIERE

2009-03-01T03:36:00.000-08:00

Before I headed out to Chocheng (see Fashion Week post below), I attended the Real Housewives New York City premiere Sephora party hosted by Bravo. Here with Jenny and Shok, grinning about the awesome Sephora swag bags, also with the housewifes.

Fashion Week

2009-02-19T09:08:00.000-08:00

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week fall 2009 in New York City.
I attended fashion week for a few days. I should be an impartial journalist, yet, I just wanted to vomit from all the fur around me. The design world should be more conscientious by now, unfortunately, it isn't so. Vogue editor Anna Wintour showed up at the Carolina Herrera show sporting a dead carcass around her neck. Way to go! Be a leader not a sheep, lady. Make the right choices! Stella McCartney (who didn't show this FW) is an example to all designers. I can only hope that someday glamorous Fashion Week will be free of all the road kill! DETAILS click HERE!

Robert Pattinson: I'll be Your Lover

2009-02-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, how cool is this song? I'm not a blues expert, but I really like it. Plus, he's so hot, that hearing him sing the contents of my phone book is sexi. Enjoy...

I'll be your man
I'll understand
I'd do my best to
take good care of you
You'll be my Queen
I'll be your King
And I'll be your Lover too
Yes I will
Derry Down Green
Colour of my dream
A dream that's daily
Coming true
Oh, when day's through
I will come to you
And take you on
your many charms
Yeah, then you'll look at me
with eyes that see
And we'll melt into
each others arms
You'll be my Queen
I'll be your King
And, I'll be your Lover, too...

Another song called BROKE is also really fantastic once it gets going and here's one more, called Stray Dog and a concert from LA's Whiskey (not very clear to see, but interesting)

You are a Hologram

2009-01-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like none of this is real? When I had my car accident and my little out of body experiences took on a life of their own, I thought "what if the life we 'think' we're living, doesn't really exist?" Neo saw how deep the rabbit hole could go, should we as well consider the possibility that this world, this 3D existence we call life could simply be a series of projected images? Ever take a photograph that catches movement? I've been reading David Icke for a while now, just because I find him très intéressant. Take a peak by clicking on the title of this post. The universe is truly beautiful...but is it really there? TO BE OR NOT TO BE
That is the question.
XO

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009! XO - Marika

2008-12-31T21:37:00.000-08:00

The planet Earth celebrated New Year 2009! First to hit the gong was some small island (I don't recall the name), then Australia, Japan and the rest of the world followed. We drank Champagne and lots of shrimp as 2009 made it's big entrance at midnight. Enjoy a few clips here and have a great year 2009! May all your good dreams come true! The fireworks weren't as cool as in TAIPEI last year, but not bad either; I think Australia looked best! XOXOXO

MORONS KILLING BABY ANIMALS - ENOUGH!

2008-12-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

Time and time again, I make it no secret that I am against the yearly seal hunt.
I'm sure with Palin running Alaska, the seals don't have a prayer, no matter how much money is collected. This only makes it more important for you to get on board and sign. All you have to think about is a baby seal, getting spiked with a hook and skinned to death ALIVE, left suffering still alive, skinned, while the mother seal laments over her baby. I know the whole "please don't tell me, I don't want to know" feeling - but for you, all you have to do is look and listen, the baby seal has to FEEL IT ALL. The following link contains only a petition. Please sign. Please. Get on board to help end this cruelty.

IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR JINGLE BELLS!

2008-11-28T23:21:00.000-08:00

Je suis désolé mes amis, with the holidays I just have no time to post. I'm online here and there, but so buuuuuussssy it could be my middle name! When I'm all snuggled up in my blanket, drinking egg nog and champagne (of course, not at the same time) I'll write something profound. That is, if I am capable of profound, if not, I'll just post something really dumb. XO!

TALENTED KIDS

2008-11-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

There are so many fantastically talented kids out there. My friend and I have decided to pop them all in one place and the list is growing! Here is a Korean baby performing 'Hey Jude'. For more kids visit TERRA TALENT

Milla - Русская версия

2008-11-14T14:36:00.000-08:00

Это видео Milla с ее мамой. Жизнь и работа. Obviously, I'm a fan, especially of her music! She's very honest and natural during interviews; some view it as a fault, but I think it's rare. If you're a fan like me, you'll love these videos! It's hard starting over in a new country, believe me I know. My heart breaks when I think of what her father went through, loosing so many years of his life. I think of my dad, how much he wanted to come to America and then his difficult battle with cancer. Sorry this is Russian kids! Videos are on my Milla page.

BoA

2008-11-13T21:21:00.000-08:00

Hey, are you guys fans of BoA Kwon? I am. This Korean singer is famous in both Japan and Korea. Born in South Korea, she released a Japanese album (Listen to My Heart) about four years after she was discovered at a talent show. She's a big deal in all the languages she speaks (I think five including English) and I really love her voice. Here's a clip.

Give 'em Hell Malone

2008-11-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

GIVE EM HELL MALONE is my friend Chris Yen's latest picture. Writen by Marc Hocsack and directed by Russell Mulcahy ( Resident Evil: Extinction). Cast in the well fitting bad ass role as Mauler, Chris can kung fu with the best of them! Trust me, she learned from the best, my teacher (her mother) Sifu Mark. Thomas Jane is the protagonist and Ving Rhames his rival, Boulder. It looks like a decent film. I love film noir. Kung fu-girls rule! Click for the trailer on my Chris Yen page.

Dance by Design

2008-11-06T10:26:00.000-08:00

Oh, how sad is this...our little Harvard film, Dance by Design, now only costs $1.00. Back in 2001, my Harvard friend Valerie made a cute little film and I played a cameo as a balet school judge. It was a lot of effort by a cool group of Massachusetts folk. I think Val won a 2003 Boston International Festival of Women's Cinema award with this project. Yep, now it's only a dollar my friends....or download for free here (- but, illegal !! )

My Birthday

2008-11-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

So I turned 20, like I do each year. OK, let me just say that I'm old enough to set the cake on fire! November 2nd, long, long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, at 5 am, a little girl was born. Last night, my mom and I stayed up very late and she told me about the day I was born. There's nothing like having your mom describe the day she went 'in' with her first kid, how she felt, becoming a mother. I'm not a kid anymore. There is something special about us now, being able to drink a glass of vine together, see a fantastic movie and bond like women. I lost my dad to cancer in September 2004, my beloved dog, Dari, in October 2001 and my very first cat, Maurice, last year, August 2007. This time of the year is difficult for me. I have not been able to celebrate a birthday for sometime. This year, I am thankful for my mother. I'm happy. With hope, good things are in store for me. This is a time to reflect, enjoy life, travel. After all, another year has come and gone so fast...
XO

All Hallows Eve

2008-10-31T20:53:00.000-07:00

October is here! Maya's nephews and niece (Bart, Monty, Aj and Lulu) get a birthday, that means kitty toys are comming, Thanksgiving and Christmass are around the corner, that means yummy treats are comming and in October, Maya gets to visit a pumpkin patch and dress up on All Hallows Eve! On October 20th, grandma and mom took fuzzy baby to Hopemeadow street pumpkin patch. The weather was perfectly fine, the sun had just about dozed off. That sweet October feeling was upon us all. We found great pumpkins and Maya, my little pumpkin, posed for a few photos. On October 31, on All Hallows Eve, only two of my munchkins let the crazy lady dress them. I don't force my cats to do anything, so, Bartholomeow was James Bond and Maya was a Webkin. We got lots of photos od the neighborhood kids! Take a peak!
xo

KNUT

2008-09-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

(PHOTO: Fabrizio Bensch)Zookeeper Thomas Doerflein, polar bear Knuts papa, died at age 44. Details have not yet been release. Knut and Thomas met when Knut was a weak little cub of 800 gram (about 28ounces). Thomas never gave up on Knut, carring for him day and night. Today, Knut weighs a whooping 200 pounds! Knut would have died without this man's help and Knut raised awareness for other Polar bears (species that is clearly insignificant to presidential candidate Senator John McCain's campaign). It's important to be aware of what is going on with polar bears as far as oil is concerned. The internet is at your fingertips! Google! Search. Learn. If you're interested in learning more about the current situation of polar bears visit www.defendersofwildlife.org and to sign Thomas' guest book click here.

Stina and Mossy

2008-09-19T11:38:00.000-07:00

I can' help it!! I love these two little munchkins! They are truly adorable!

FOR THE TRANSLATION CLICK HERE

Mo Miley, mo Kay

2008-09-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

Yo, check out my friend Kay backing up Miley. Kay has some decent pipes herself, so don't just gawk at this video, visit her myspace and buy her new record 'Weaponize' (... you'd think with a title like that, she'd be a republican, but nah :) I like this 'Simple Song' from Miles a lot.
XO

Imagine you're a wolf, living in Alaska

2008-08-22T04:29:00.000-07:00

Sport hunting is wrong. Pro-hunt advertising must be stoped! Hunters are influencing voters with lies. Obviously, they want wolves out of the picture, so they can hunt the caribou. Wolves kill the weak and injured animals, hunters kill whatever they target. Often wounding animals, leaving them to die a long agonizing death. Please learn about wolves. These creatures are beautiful and more afraid of you then you are of them. They are fair killers. They kill to eat and they pray only on the sick and the weak. Sport hunters, like S. Palin, want to eliminate all other preditors so they could thrill kill. Visit the Humane Society to learn more.

Ian McKellen

2008-08-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

There are a few absolutely fabulous ACTORS on this planet, Sir Ian McKellan being one of the top and this particular clip is great! I worked on my 'chops', I did the college thang, the Strasberg thang, the private training thang, then I somehow fell into the 'having to make a paycheck' aspect of life, that I missed out on the audition thang. I amuse myself with videos like these. Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian...

Will Stewart

2008-08-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

I finally had a chance to see the Dogwalker, a 1999 Paul Duran film, starring Cress Williams, Will Stewart, Stephanie Kramer, Tony Todd, John Randolph and Walter Jones.The trailer is on FANCAST. Willi is my ex and a totally fun guy to be with. I think he did a pretty decent job in this film. It's quite a cute little picture and it got two thumbs up from Cameron Crowe, a man I very much admire. I figured I'll pop a blurb about it here; the DVD is on sale on Amazon

CATZ AR TALINTED TOO

2008-08-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

Folks, I allow me to introduce - NORA.

ACT NOW PLEASE

2008-08-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

My heart breaks when I look at this photograph. What have we done to them? What are we NOT DOING? THINK and GET THE FACTS then LEARN TO LIVE GREEN :
A) B) C) GET INVOLVED IN MAKING A CHANGE A lot of links here folks, please click; start with the title!

GLOBAL WARMING IS REAL

Hmmmmm, jazz....

2008-07-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

I guess, while I'm talking music, a reoccuring subject in the ROOM of MY OWN this month, I should probably mention I've been writing a lot of jazz songs lately. I dabble, when it comes to playing the piano, but I love to write lyrics and with hope, I'll be able to record three of my best songs; not because I feel that I'm some great talent, I'm not, I assure you, but I've always wanted to make my own pro made jazz album. I love jazz. I could listen to Nina Simone all day long...she is one soulfull lady, mah Nina. This here, little chickidee, Norah Jones, is my fave jazz youngen. I adore her. If you're in the mood for jazz, click on the title to visit a great blog, featuring some of the best.

JESSIE MALAKOUTI

2008-07-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

The music world has a new sex kitten! Formally with Shut Up Stella, an American pop, rock/hip hop group, Jessie Malakouti, is now going solo. Represented by Simon Renshaw and Steve Feinberg for Strategic Artist Management, Malakouti is EMI's latest find and with her striking looks, Gwen Stefani attitude, Madonna angst and pearl of a unique voice, stay tuned. This girl is sure to deliver! If you don't love her yet, you will soon. Check out her new video for the song 'Trash Me', originally offered to Vanesa Hudgens. Step aside Britney, here's something leaner!

VACCINES

2008-07-26T10:31:00.001-07:00

This book is interesting. Vaccinating babies or animals is routine. You've seen the commercials where the mothers gloat about vaccinating their daughters with cervical cancer? "I want to be one less." No, you are 'one more'! A commercial sells products in order to make money. Come on! Now we are injecting healthy women with cancer? Next, we will be told when to pee! Pharmaceutical companies are telling us to "ask" our doctor for a pill and doctors are being paid to promote drugs. How can this be? Is the joke on US? There is actually a law in the US that says ONLY A DRUG CAN CURE or PREVENT A DISEASE. I am shocked. If eating oranges cures scurvy, you're legally not allowed to claim that oranges cure scurvy? Huh? Doctors should not have the right to insist on vaccinating our children or our pets. These things 'could cause' a disease in our children or our pets, yet, we must let it be? Here's some contrasting information on vaccination:A B C D & E
XO
SS and my furry daughter, Maya

That Miley Girl

2008-07-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

Miley C.'s new CD is in stores. Even if I'm too old to love it, I really dig her first album, so I will get the second. Also because my friend Kay does Miley's back up vocals (a damn good solo artist too). I hate that there is so much negative press about Miley, when she's just being a normal teenager. I mean, have you met any teens lately? Is she all that much worse? I say NO and let the kid live her life. She is acting like any 16 year old would. Kay had this to say about sweet Miles: Miley is a KILLER singer. As an actress I don't really see anything she couldn't accomplish. After all these years of hacking around in the entertainment business, I'll just say that it blows my mind to work with someone who is so freakishly talented. She's a good one, that MC.

Independent Films

2008-07-21T21:35:00.000-07:00

Click on the title to view a truly decent piece work that didn't need a million dollar budget. Pi, Faith in Chaos is a 1998 American psychological thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky, who won the Directing Award at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival, the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay and the Gotham Open Palm Award. The title refers to the mathematical constant π (Pi). There are more details available at Wikipedia. These days there are so many festivals and so many films and even more screenplays, yet very little substance. Is there a shortage of creative minds? I told myself my first year of film study that my role models will remain a constant. Fritz Lang, Kubric, Mastroianni, Lumière, Méliès, Vigo, Buñuel, Léger, Carné, Duvivier, Renoir, Resnais, Godard, Truffaut, Kieslowski, Lyne, Zeffirelli, Coppola, Scorcese, Spielberg and a few others with their one hit independent wonder. Steven Spielberg is an absolute master in drama, fantasy and SCI FI. Shindlers List, Munich, Memoirs of a Geisha to name a few, but I love him for pictures like ET, Close Encounters, AI, Men in Black and especially the miniseries Taken, which is probably my all time fave series, besides Dark Angel, Sliders, Roswell and another European fave, Majka from Gurun. Majka from Gurun, I learned not long ago, inspired Spielberg to create ET! I attend film festivals, however, often time I'm very disappointed. There are many reasons why I like the above film, but rent it, buy it, decide for yourself.
XO
SS

NOT FOR SALE

2008-07-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,
Can you imagine what it would be like for you if you were taken against your will, forced to have sex in order to keep alive, to be moved from one country to another as a sex slave, until you either die of disease or of some other misfortune caused by this ordeal? Can you imagine experiencing all this as a child?
It is your business. One day it could be you or it could be your child or it could happen to a friend. Women and children are abducted everyday. It's time to end human traficking. Please, click on the above title, take action. Read, learn, make a change, however small. 2005 film, Human Trafficking, starring Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland, with the very talented Laurence Leboeuf exposed the dark world of human trafficking. I strongly recommend you buy or rent it just to get even the smallest glimpse into the insensitive dark dirty nightmare, that for some women and children is reality. Here's a clip from Utube

There are a few more clips on www.youtube.com & documentaries, like the following clip here:

I want this!

2008-07-16T21:55:00.000-07:00

Benedini Associati's UFO stainless steel interior and exterior bathtub! Madonna mia! I so totally want this! If you know me, you know I often browse the pages of Trendir for the strange and unusual. At this time I'm chair shopping, but OMG this bathtub!!
My home will soon look like a gang of aliens threw up in there...however, I can't resist but want this tub. It's also available with a white enamel interior and black enamel exterior, has a comfortable Exmar backrest and the wohoa! Ufo 232 gallon max capacity with plenty of room to spread out. The tub can be purchased through local suppliers of Agape bathroom products, so be sure to check out the 125/C light fixtures to add that extra special mood lighting to your evening. Alas, the price, yep, starts selling at a whopping 25K!

RUNWAY

2008-07-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

I've been designing clothes and costumes since I was a tween. I'll post some on my new web site when it's finaly up and running, however one of my fave designers Elie Saab posted his best of haute couture online. It is with great conviction when I say his are some of the most beautiful gowns you will ever see.
The obvious high fashion faves for most are Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford...but I think that's where the rich who don't really know fashion turn to. Not to say thay aren't great designers, but I find work by Valentino, J. Galliano, Stella McCartney, Helmut Lang, Chloe, Blumarine and Sonia Rykiel more my cup of tea; I will buy almost anything from Ralph Lauren, but even there, since I am no longer a fan of fur or leather, I've become tres selective.
Je cherche un petit peu de je n'sais quoi, leather/fur replaced with a slick style, flow and great fabrics, but most of all, that magic touch. My lookalike and fellow Slavic, Milla J. with her line, Jovovich-Hawk, co produced with friend Karmen Hawk, is also among them. They are definitely a pair inspired by all walks of life & time, never short on imagination. I am also very much at awe of many Japanese fashion designers...one in particular is Comme DesGarcons. (I've been subscribing to Olive magazine since I was a little girl; actually my friend Atsuko, from Tokyo, used to send me the magazines) and frankly, one Sunday visit to the Harajuku Square will make anyone a fashion fanatic. My point is that I feel a great need to share with you this fabulous talent that is Elie Saab

A bit more about music

2008-07-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

My friend, Boston gal, Kay, now Miley Cyrus back up vocalist, did a very cool interview I feel like sharing with you; also bellow see Kay's video "Work is for Suckers" directed by the very talented Kaylyn Thornal, who once did a film called "Payoff" that also featured Kay Hanley.

Playgerism: The next big thing in music?

2008-06-26T12:23:00.000-07:00

Brooklyn band Creaky Boards member Andrew Hoepfner must have been stunned when the new Coldplay commercials appeared on TV.

Hoepfner popped a video on youtube of his song titled "Songs I Didn't Write" which he performed with his folk-punk duo and friends at the CMJ festival in October 2007, claiming Coldplay's Chris Martin was present during the New York show. He has been quoted saying:

"We were flattered when we thought we saw Chris Martin in the crowd that night. He seemed pretty into it. Maybe too into it."

Coldplay's new song, "Vida La Viva", a melodically similar backward version of "Songs I didn't Write", now happens to have a second sister!

Take a listen to Joe Santrini's awesome version of a similar tune...
So what really happened there? One mother, three children? Who is the eldest and most rightful heir to the throne? After the numerous claims on online blogs and in print where Hoepfner supposedly accuses Martin of stealing his song, I heard differently from the horses mouth today:

"I'm not sure if we saw him at the show, after all, now that I've heard Chris's alibi."

Hoepfner jokingly adds:

"It's so hard to tell British people apart. We are influenced by Brian Wilson and M.I.A. Perhaps Joe Satriani and Chris Martin are too."

*Click on the title to visit Coldplay's web site and honestly, all three songs are excellent.
SS

Advice

2008-06-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

I used to be a meat eater. Man do I love steak and chicken and turkey, you name it! Then, when I learned how they live, what they're fed and how they are killed I could honestly no longer put a carcass on my plate. I thought to myself, I might as well eat road kill or why not eat my cats or even human flesh? What's the difference?
Just because society says? The truth is that, because TV is primarily owned by people, who own stores that sell produce, you will never see much 'truth' about your food on television. Logically, this makes sense. If you owned a company where you sell meat, and you owned television, you wouldn't publicize against meat. Where, then, can the average consumer get the truth?

For the most part, people view PETA as a group of extremist animal activists, who are not afraid to expose the gritty of animal slaughter and fur making, who throw blood on people wearing fur coats and walk around holding gory pictures of slaughtered animals advicating their beliefs at the top of their lungs. However, if no one had made such efforts, if everyone just sat behind a desk collecting cash on behalf of animals, while calling themselves animal activists, many animals would still suffer at even greater measures than they do now. PETA makes change happen. Animals need a radical voice like PETA; they need someone to speak up and show the blood, show the gore, because these days, nothing makes people stop and think unless they are shocked by what they see.

The videos are gross, I agree, but think about it this way - not knowing, do you really want to put something inside your mouth or your child's mouth, that is hazardous to your or your child's health?

Not knowing WHAT IS IN YOUR FOOD isn't safe decision making. Please learn, grow and change. Sit trough the videos, watch the tapes, even if you stomach it just once. Know what's in your food, make a change and teach your children why. Kids love honesty and they care. If your kids knew the truth, they wouldn't eat half the things you put on their plate.

Animals can't speak. PETA is their voice. However gruesome, however harsh their actions may seem to be, they are necessary. I mean, would you notice othervise? Please show your support. When truth comes to light, people are offered an alternative by companies who care and compete to offer their consumers only the best.

Learn about things like gestation crates; learn about auctions, where one entire cow costs a dollar, yet you pay close to fourteen dollars for a small piece of steak; learn about the days it takes animals to travel to the slaughter house with no water or food, sometimes freezing/sometimes choking in heat for days; learn what the animals are fed, as you will ultimately eat the same hormones, chemicals; learn about vegetarian animals who are forced to eat meat! - you will be the one putting THAT inside your own body. Did you know that almost all baked goods have 'natural flavoring?' Get to know words like 'natural flavoring' which basically means there's a bug in your food, baby. Did you know that inside your fave market, the ham in the frozen section of prepared meals is returned back to the farms, then fed to pigs who end up in those sandwiches you may be microwaving for lunch today? It's an endless circle. Who will tell you this? Not the companies who sell the meat. Not the TV that is owned by these companies... Please educate yourself about what you put inside your body.

The immense suffering of livestock in the world today is beyond words or videos. They have no life; it is an awful existence, followed by cruel slaughter. Those who can't walk are dragged onto the belt. In the end, YOU eat it all up, while the powers that be smile all the way to the bank! In the long run you pay the price. Imagine you are a farm animal, put yourself in their place and then think, can this truly be? Could I live trough such existence? Can I truly support this with my hard earned cash and still be able to sleep at night? Is this what I want to teach my children? Do yourself and your children a favor. Visit www.goveg.com learn, grow and change for the better. Support those who fight in your name, and in the name of all creatures of our planet Earth. There is no safe way, or healthy way to eat meat anymore. I am sad to say this, yet it is the plain truth. It is also not easy to become a vegetarian. You may get very sick if you do this 'cold turkey'. I made a change in my life by quitting the meat of one animal each year. I'm healthy and I've experienced great benefits from the change. I'm happy to say that this year I have become a pescaterian, that means I'm down to sea food. I never felt better and when I'm done with fish, I'll feel amazing! Mind, body and spirt in complete harmony. Consider making this change. Help those who fight for what you believe in. Deep inside, you know they're right.

XXOO,
SS

Spice discovery!

2008-06-01T19:39:00.000-07:00

No, not 'space', I said 'spice' discovery!
I found a really cool new Cajun spice for sea food. I love it! Click here for some dishes a la moi!

luv,
SS

ADVENTURES OF JOHNNY TAO

2008-05-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

My talented sweet beautiful friend Chris Yen e-mailed me with news of her film 'Adventures of Johnny Tao'that will be available on video this July 29.
Rent the film, it seems like a fun little picture and here is another Chris Yen project.

LIGHTS

2008-05-09T21:10:00.000-07:00

I have been so into this girl's music it is not even funny. I think I played 'The Last Thing on Your Mind' like a thousand times now. About three years ago I wrote 15 as she calls it "apple pie" type of rock songs that she would be so perfect to sing, if I could only make her do it!! I like her kind of music. I've been a 'fanley' for the longest time. 'Fanleys' can usually be found right here...anyway, Lights, Kay Hanley and Ashley Simpson, Plastic Parachute, Gwen Stefani music is my fave kind of rock voice, when it comes to the girly girlies, as I usually listen to things like Norah Jones and Nina Simone and all that jazz, nothing beats my top 5 picks when it comes to rock! (OK, well, maybe my little bro's CD does.)If you don't know LIGHTS as I have not, up until two days ago, then click on the above title and visit her on myspace. You won't regret it!

I WANT THIS!

2008-05-04T09:56:00.000-07:00

Honestly, how cool would it be to ride around in one of these? I definitely want one!I've never driven a more comfortable car than the Mercedes ML class, but I've been itching for a car that eats less gas. Lately, I've been looking at the hybrids...like Tango, Prius, and my fave, the Aptera. Like they say: "Got an itch? Go scratch!"

PLASTIC SOUNDS

2008-04-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

My dear friends Plastic Parachute, just shot me a msg. telling me they are signed to EMI. I am so happy for them! I knew this band their first days in LA and even then, I knew it would be in no time they were signed to a label and swamped in fandom. Hence, I fancy myself a music connousieur. Click on the title to visit their myspace with great new songs!(I shot the above pic. at my poolside in LA back in 2005. How cute and innocent they all looked back then. Huh!)
XO, SS

Blood for oil...Bushwhacked!

2008-04-24T20:05:00.000-07:00

It's all here. Click on the title. The powers that be, the oil moguls, have placed nature on the back burner. This planet is on death row, and yet, people look and do nothing. Nothing changes.......

Happy Birthday to my lovely mami!

2008-04-17T16:02:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my darling mami's Birthday. As always,
I try to make it great. Last year, for her 60th, I bought her a piano. This year, I was not so inventive. I gave her money.
I also drove around town trying my best to get hold of some lily of the valley flowers or lilacs as they are her fave. When I couldn't find them, I got her seeds :) We had a laugh about that. I hate cut flowers anyway, it's such a waste. I ordered the most delicious creamy awesomeness from the Whole Foods bakery and I made us lunch.
It was a nice, sweet evening at home with mom. I love my mami!

AKIANE

2008-04-14T16:22:00.000-07:00

If you click on her name you will visit her web site. This little girl, named Akiane, is an amazing talent. Like me, she was born an indigo child. I do not paint anywhere close to her caliber, but I am very much inspired by her artwork and her soul.

Lunch Deux

2008-04-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

I think I created a mutha of a beast when I posted a few of my recipes in here. Now people want more! Well, dear friends, I'm glad. My nutrition tips are not DIETS. They are very good for you. I'm certain almost everything can kill you if not in moderation. Good nutrition is the key to proper weight management and to good health. Most of all, it is a sure way to secure more energy and vibrance. Understanding food is step one, knowing what not to eat is step two and the joy of cooking for yourself is step three. Add at least one hour of cardio exercize a day and at least four glass bottles of water a day (I say glass, b/c plastic bottles contain bad oils)with plenty of sleep to grow your superpowers. Avoid processed foods. Instead, eat an all organic diet. Two of my constant companions are the Lotte Berk Method and my DVD of the New York City Ballet work out. I began studying ballet at age seven, performing yearly at the National Theatre in Chrudim and I find ballet is the most effective exercize working well on each and every body part. If you are a dancer, you know this. Now here for my latest mealtime contribution!

A Thespian Evening

2008-04-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Last week, Professor John Conlon, my dear friend and a person for whom I have great admiration, e-mailed me with a great surprise! He was flying in from Florida and thought it would be nice if we had dinner and went to see his daughter Nicole's MFA performance at Perishable Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island. I jumped at the chance to see my former college prof. and to have the pleasure of meeting his daughter, Nicole, who turned out to be an absolute gem of a girl. Nicole is an MFA student at the Rhode Island College Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, graduating this year with a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre. Last night, we enjoyed her project, Normal Portraits: One Woman a Lifetime of Shots, which is a solo performance, developed in collaboration with advisor Vanessa Gilbert, Perishable Theatre Artistic Director. Normal Portraits explores the reality of living with chronic illness as experienced by Nicole, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at an early age 7; Her performance sheds light on the day to day struggles of living with one of America’s most prevalent diseases and her ongoing investigation into what is 'normal'. Nicole's work is vibrant, informative and in plain truth, I'm just glad I wasn't wearing mascara! -Please check back later for an imporant link-

MillaJ

2008-03-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

I am a huge fan of my lookalike Milla J. music. When I found this very cute little music video online, I figured I'll post it here, because I'm too busy to write today.
Hugs and kisses!
SS

Vesele Velikonoce!

2008-03-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

aster day was lovely. My dear American and non-Czech speaking friends should click here, because dnes se mi nechce psat Anglicky. Jsem v Ceskem modu...Preji Vam Vsem Vesele Velikonoce 2008! Doufam ze si malujete vajicka a pochutnavate na lahudkach.

Love, Marika

POLAR BEARS ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION

2008-03-21T20:49:00.000-07:00

Soon, polar bears will emerge from their dens, new cubs in tow.
The tragedy is, these cubs are one of the last generations of American polar bears born in the wild. Every credible scientific study shows that polar bears are losing habitat at an alarming rate.

Big Oil and their friends in the Bush/Cheney Administration continue their campaign to industrialize polar bear habitat and fuel dependence on dirty fossil fuels. Just last week, pro-drilling Members of Congress launched a new attack!

If you can, please donate $25.00, $50.00, $100.00 or another amount to help pass the Arctic Wilderness Act to protect key polar bear habitat in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Fight to save habitat off Alaska’s coasts and please support other wildlife-saving work.

Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey say that America’s polar bears could be extinct in the wild by 2050. They could be gone even sooner. Last week, Alaska Senators Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski,taking more than $618,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry,launched yet another cynical ploy to line their pockets, introducing legislation that would sacrifice the Arctic Refuge to Big Oil’s drills.

This is not the only threat. The Bush/Cheney Administration has repeatedly delayed protecting polar bears under the Endangered Species Act, auctioning off drilling rights in prime polar bear habitat in the Chukchi Sea and once again pushing for destructive drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- the most important onshore denning habitat for U.S. polar bears.
Please click on the title and do what you can.
Thank You!

UNIQUE DESIGNS

2008-03-20T17:11:00.000-07:00

Those who know me, know I buy a lot of what one may call 'weird' furniture and new age stuff, like my Placentero chair and my strange phones etc. well, same goes for architecture. I love Japanese design. They are certainly light years a head of us and if I ever have a home built from scratch, I'm getting a Japanese architect.
The home pictured here is 'Fundomae'. Click on the title to see more.
MK

FRIENDS

2008-03-14T02:50:00.000-07:00

more to come laterz

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

2008-03-03T10:10:00.000-08:00

Click on the title above to see what I can do! Wohoa!

My new chaise !

2008-03-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

- design by: Roberta Rammê from Brazil - NOT FOR SALE, but when it is, I plan to put a giant Hello Kitty sticker in the center of that flower!

INSIDE KUNG FU APRIL 2008

2008-02-27T01:19:00.000-08:00

Salut mes amis!

I have an article in the April 2008 issue of Inside Kung Fu on my dear friend Master Hu Jianqiang and I urge you all to buy a copy. Master Hu is an amazing martial artist and a really decent person. This one was written from the heart.

Kisses,
MK

CHRISTMASS 2007 and NEW YEARS 2008

2008-01-14T10:00:00.000-08:00

Click here to get to the page with pictures...