Jesus broke my camera! I took 3 pictures of this church and my it hasn't been able to focus since. Maybe one was enough, but I wanted to get it just right. I was marveling at whoever designed this entryway. They obviously knew that at a certain time of year, at a certain time of day, the sun would be perfectly behind Jesus' head. Artists are everywhere. Always.
That's pretty much how my whole vacation went. Wandering the streets of Europe. There's something about traveling by myself that is exciting and always lands me right in the flow of things. Everything works out. I find the places I need to see. Even mistakes or mishaps wind up being a blessing of some kind after the fact. In the past, I would come home from trips and all of that vision would disappear into my daily life of drudgery and struggle. This time I decided not to let that happen. So I'm really making an effort to see how maybe that same energy can be applied to my Los Angeles life. It's made a huge difference.
That stagnant plateau I had found myself on has dissolved under my feet and my life is moving again. I finally got introduced to a mixer that is getting the sound I've been hearing in my head. More on him later, but I'm excited. The album is about finished. I have a new perspective. I didn't listen to any of my stuff for 3 weeks while I was gone. I got home, gave a listen and it sounds good. Really good. I also came home with new ideas for some other creative endeavors that will tie into this album. I've started on those too.
Of all the places I saw on my trip, I'd say Paris and Madrid were my favorites. The european way of life is comfortable to me in a way that I've never experienced in America even though I'm from here...It was weird to feel more at home in a place I'd never seen, than the place I've spent my whole life in...but incredible. I've always felt like an outsider here. But not there.
Madrid isn't a place to visit. It's a place to bask in. And I'll be returning there as soon as that logistical door opens. I was fortunate to be introduced to someone there who was able to give me an amazing introduction to the city. I'm looking forward to going back and reconnecting. I have some work to finish here first. Then I'll put my crap in storage, pack a bag and go. And I guess I'll have to buy a new camera on the way :)
My days are full right now, and I feel good. I'm creating things I didn't think I could ever create. Doors are opening that I thought might never open. I think the most amazing thing is that I'm really seeing how consciously changing my mind, is physically changing the life around me.
Happy Xmasholidayseasonthingywhateveryoudo-or-dont-do. I hope 2009 is an incredible year for you! It's really a new beginning for the whole planet, and I'm pretty damn excited about it.