S: Is for Stories that have lasted!

Back in the day stories were told to us to make a point. Sometimes they inspired, sometimes they showed ways to be. The Bible, the Koran and the teachings of Buddah are examples of this. Aseop and Rumi became famous for the art of this craft. I leave you today with three that have touched my life and I hope they will touch yours as well.

EYES

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend, who was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend. One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. She could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, “Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?”

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying - “Just take care of my eyes dear.”

TOILETPAPER

I was at the temple when I had a sudden stomachache. I dashed to the nearest restroom... and to my expectations, being a busy day with hundreds of people, it was out of toilet paper. I struggled to the next available toilet- a less "popular" one, searching desperately in each cubicle. Thank goodness there was a roll with a few scanty rounds of paper on it. I had an urge to rip it all out, to use all of whatever was left. But the thought struck me that there might be another poor fellow out there facing the same problem I did. Brimming with gratitude to the last person who saved some paper for me, I used slightly less than half of what was left...About two hours later.... Surprise, surprise... I was hit by another stomachache! Once again, I dashed to the restroom- the first which I approached earlier. Nope, it hasn't been stocked up with fresh rolls of paper yet. Feeling rather hopeless, I returned to the less "popular" one, almost convinced there would be no paper left... Surprise, surprise... in the same cubicle I used, whatever remained of the paper still remains. The "others" that I had thought of saving paper for turned out to be myself! I became the "others!" Guess what I did? Brimming with gratitude to the last person who saved some paper for me, even though it was me, I used only half of what was left...

What is the moral of the story? It pays to be grateful- to have a heart of gratitude to all the blessings in life- even if it is mere toilet paper in a public toilet. We should never "squander" our blessings by taking them for granted. Whatever goes around comes around in the name of karma. It pays to be kind, to have Compassion for others- because you never know who it could be! In the end, being kind to others is being kind to yourself too.


MAKING A DIFFERENCE

A friend was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he kept hurling things out into the ocean. As my friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had washed up on the beach, and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water. My friend was puzzled.
He approached the man and said. "Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing."
"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."
"I understand," my friend replied, "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference?"
The local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, "Made a difference to that one!"

Stories are an easy way to make us see life in a different light. May we all touch one person with the stories of our lives. We can
make a a difference and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Trouble on Wall Street?

There is an age old saying you have to rob Peter to pay Paul. With the mortgage crises and the banking system crumbling like a house of cards, it seems this is exactly what our Federal Reserve has set into play. The problem is when you play God, who gets divine intervention and who gets sent straight to oblivion. I think my biggest problem is that the people that are getting bailed out are the ones who were conning America in the Enron scandal. To clarify, the companies that participated in helping Enron, knowing it was a scam and made a profit. A required film and book, should be Enron" The Smartest Guys in the room." The current market crisis began when the Feds lowered the interest rate below-market value, which led to over investments. Recognizing the mistake and to ensure the large Wall Street firms would not lose money, it began by lowering the rates of interest charged to banks who borrow directly from the them and lengthening the term. This however has not worked and now the Federal Reserve is throwing money at companies they think are too important not to survive. A prime example is the $5.2 trillion in mortgage-backed securities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. How many smaller companies and people who are losing their homes could of benefited from that amount? Investment banks, which for years have been given free reign have been given guarantees that they to will weather the storm. Merrill Lynch heavily featured in the Enron debacle, invested too heavily in mortgage-backed bonds and refused to come clean about the state of their balance sheets, will receive a pardon. Bear Stearns was also led to the gates of financial security. Next on the rumored list, Lehman Brothers but what about Indymac? They not only didn't make "St Peter's" list but were also ignored on the Federal list on institutions that needed help. Those who invested or watch the list to be safe were never warned. Is this a good old boys club that only those who cheat and make bad decisions get on? And what about the American Public that is suffering by losing their homes? Four other regional banks also failed this year. Not to mention the individual mortgage holders and borrowers who have defaulted on loans, receiving little aid from the government. Do the SEC's emergency rules only applies to 19 Wall Street banks? That safe list includes, Bank of America $545 million, National City $380 million, Citigroup $261 million, U.S. Bancorp $241 million and Wells Fargo $238 million. The Fed extended JPMorgan Chase a $30 billion credit line to help it buy rival Bear Stearns for about $236 million and yet they couldn't help the individual?

So in nut shell the people who started this mess are now playing a selective God and are failing at the task. We need to be informed. We need to make noise and we to see this crises for what it is and make a change. These are F.A.C.T.S. we may not like to face but they still are F.A.C.T.S.

C: Is for Cards, Clothing and Creativity!

Yesterday I headed over to LENY hoping to get my rock and roll, goth, fetish fixation on. I was in search of corsets, thigh high boots and wide belts that are more suited to bondage than comfort. While I found little of what I wanted, I did make some great discoveries. I wanted to be shocked, inspired and have my dark side brought to the forefront after all this was really my first adventure since my fall at Duane Reade. I had limited myself to a one hour, two at the most outing because I am seriously going stir crazy. Unfortunately I only needed the one hour. Most of the items were repetitive and few items made me sit up and take notice. The first was No Monet whose booth was filled with graveyards, skulls, fairies and Tarot Cards! Colors of the Four Seasons was created with the temperature and mood of each season in mind to make a beautiful art deck of playing cards. Hearts represent autumn, diamonds:winter, spades: spring, and clubs: summer. My favorite deck was The Artist's Inner Vision, an incredible collaboration of 26 amazing artists, each creating the lovely and expressive art of three unique tarot cards as well as stamp designs which decorate the book of explanations. This deck is a multimedia approach to each artist's relationship and "inner vision" of their respective cards. Each card tells a story visually to help make it's meaning clearer to a novice. To see more of these log in at www.nomonet.com

Tripp fashions was cute and deadly with their black skirt with white stitching, pleats, faux pocket flaps with Skull Kitty Cat patches and removable straps. They also had a mens black velvet bondage coat that was seriously sexy. Western Fashion Inc had corsets and capes that were interesting but it was Funhouse's fashions that were exceptional in the Goth category but they only sell at trade shows and the owner is completely rude which makes you not want to buy! There was a time that Funhouse had a NYC store and I bought a lot of items, thank-God the store had the coolest of all employees. But of all the clothing that stood out it was the sexy 1950's look of Stop Starring. Looking like Betty Grable or Dita Von Tease, will have you retro chic and turning heads.

Last but not least and my favorite find was a company called Master and Mistress that has a complete line of pheromone products. For those of you who don't know, pheromones are chemicals we all produce that send out subconscious triggers to attract the opposite sex and can elicit powerful sexual responses. This company has a lip version so you can kiss you way into an aroused state. They also have a both a master and a mistress version of a roll on oil as well as a pheromone enhanced lubricant. Now with all these chemicals released, image the interesting play. Go to thier website and read the story of the master and his mistress this whole site is a sexual fantasy http://mastermistress.com

Amazing finds can be found if you only look and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Art making a Difference!

With Al Gores message of making a difference todays highlighted artists all push the buttons in their craft as well as working with recyclable materials.

First-up is a Dutch designer Daniel Schipper who has created the foldable greenhouse for city gardens and rooftop terrariums. Made from recycled plastics, the greenhouse roof folds up flat for easy storage and transience. The base is also made from recycled plastic composite and its lack of framework or support materials makes it a minimalist no-fuss appliance. Just unfold, snap, and water. Schipper’s foldable greenhouse have been causing a stir in the Netherlands and he searches for a production partnership to bring it to the global market. It’s just one of many innovative creations from his Amsterdam studio which focuses on concept, research and design having completed. Many of Schipper’s projects emphasize sustainability, functionality and fold-ability. Looking for an investment that makes sense write Daniel. Go to www.danielschipper.nl

Architecture is a creation of opinion as opposed to the creation of making. Helping to developing that concept and encourage talented artist to create environments is the curriculum at SCI-Arc. A sense of critical durability that enables students to make real contributions that resonate over a long period of time in artistically, poetically, intellectually meaningful ways. Founded in 1972, Santa Monica, California is where SCI-Arc employs a radical alternative to the conventional system of architectural education. There commitment to being a mechanism for invention, exploration and criticism, has gained not only the school but the students international recognition. Take Greg Lynn, his freestanding indoor/outdoor wall system looks to redefine the common brick as a modular building system. He crosses century old building material, with lightweight recycled plastic, modern computer technology, and was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most innovative people of the 21st century. To learn more about the minds that come out of SCI-Arc log onto www.sciarc.edu.

Highlighted at the 2008 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), this amazing lighting and parchment glowed. This century old process of creating handmade washi papers also sustainable and made with biodegradable materials. These voluminous, geometric lanterns are from the company Precious Papers. Precious Pieces ’artisan parchment-premium collection’ is based on a craft tradition that dates back to 610 AD. Not only is washi a green product, but totally adaptable and eco-friendly for room partitioning, wall décor, architectural treatments, and of course lighting. In this modern era of eco-inspired design solutions and high-tech problem solving, it is refreshing to see an ancient practice stand up to state-of-the art green materials and concepts. I love the melding of ancient futures and bringing light as illumination.

Each of artist have found a way to make a difference using their art. We can all make a difference using what we do best all it takes is wanting to and that is a easy F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Fashion Smarts!

With fall just around the corner, now is the time to start shopping for those must needed add ons to help you with the newest trends. Up-dating your wardrobe can be inexpensive, unless you start now and canvas those flee market and thrift store to help you get ready for that change in season. Any wardrobe strategy will begin with assessing what is on hand. Taking an inventory and wee ding out what will not work is important. Hopefully, wise purchases of classic, quality styles in basic colors have been made and kept in good wearing condition. Season after season, these classics can be the foundation or the essentials for building and extending the wardrobe. Wise purchases in basic colors - black, gray and brown - and natural fibers - cotton, wool, silk and linen - will last for many seasons and can be worn most of the year. Basics are easy to buy. We should invest in the best quality we can afford because they are important pieces we can rely on season after season. By adding a current color in a blouse, shirt or accessory (a tie for men), the classics look fresh and new season after season. The newest trends for 2008 are rich colors such as purple and rich jewel tones in blues and greens. The natural waistline will be emphasized so belts are a must. The matching suit in color and fabric, the easy dress style, such as the wrap dress in drapable fabrics are all back. For girls good new flashy handbags in patent leather and bright colors will actually be able to hold your stuff and still keep you a fashionista. In shoes, ballet flats, ankle and thigh high boots are what make the scene. These thigh high boots by Marc Jacobs are "hot beyond belief." With 3.5" heels, napa uppers, and studded detailing, boots like these demand to be shown off. The only real way to wear them is with a short skirt, and lots of attitude.

Fashion is all about attitude and expressing who you are. Don't let fashion own you.....own it and start shopping now. Not only will you keep away the recession blues but you will have a ball and that is a F.A.C.T