Another Modernism Week Wraps Up

Here in Palm Springs, our annual Modernism Week is about to draw to a close; after a very busy calendar of events. All accounts estimate that this year's activities drew record crowds to our fair desert community. The website for Modernism Week describes it as: "...the only such event in the country, is an exciting 11-day celebration of mid-century modern design, architecture and culture. This design aesthetic, originated in the 1950s and 60s, was typified by clean, simple lines and celebrated elegant informality which came to define desert modernism."

Modernism is alive and well, it would seem. In particular, folks around the globe seem to have a fascination and appreciation for Mid-Century Modern style, and in particular architecture. According to our friends at Wikipedia, Mid-Century Modern is defined as follows: "an architectural, interior, product and graphic design that generally describes mid-20th century developments in modern design, architecture, and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965".

This year's events were much more than just home tours and bus tours of historical architecture throughout the city of Palm Springs. Car shows, fashion shows, concerts, lectures, films, trailer shows, and a dizzying array of fabulous cocktail parties. The Modernism Week blog was well written, too with great content.

Retailers-- purveyors of both vintage and new goods carried a marvelous variety of goods, from authentic vintage clothes, classic home decor accessories, to fridge magnets. It was, a modernism bonanza for fans of the Modernism style. The Uptown Design District, in particular did a brilliant job hosting events, featuring goods and services and consulting for inquisitive minds. There is even a handy app for your mobile device.

A special thanks to everyone who hosted, organized, lectured, sponsored, volunteered and most importantly--attended the events here in Palm Springs these past days. It has been a fantastic experience once again.  

Wouldn't You Rather Be a Left Handed Flea?

Wouldn't you rather be a left handed flea
A crab on a slab on the bottom of the sea
A newt on the root of a banyan tree
Or a fig on a twig in Galilee
Than a man who never learns how to be free
Not til the day
Not til the day 
Not til the day 
Not til the day he dies.

It's easy to free your mind, if you allow it to happen and savor life

There are some really good lessons embedded within the the Broadway musical 'Pippin'. Take these lyrics above, from the song 'Simple Joys', or consider these next lyrics from another song in Pippin "No Time at All"

When you are as old as I, my dear
And I hope that you never are
You will woefully wonder why, my dear 
Through your cataracts and catarrh
 
You could squander away or sequester
A drop of a precious year
For when your best days are yester
The rest'er twice as dear....
 
What good is a field on a fine summer night
When you sit all alone with the weeds?
Or a succulent pear if with each juicy bite
You spit out your teeth with the seeds?
 
Before it's too late stop trying to wait
For fortune and fame you're secure of
For there's one thing to be sure of, mate:
There's nothing to be sure of!
 
Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....
 
I've never wondered if I was afraid
When there was a challenge to take
I never thought about how much I weighed
When there was still one piece of cake
 
Maybe it's meant the hours I've spent
Feeling broken and bent and unwell
But there's still no cure more heaven-sent
As the chance to raise some hell
 
Oh, it's time to start livin'
Time to take a little from this world we're given
Time to take time, cause spring will turn to fall
In just no time at all....

So my message today is don't let life pass you by. Savor every single day. Don't be a slave to things that really don't matter, and free your mind of the trivial matters while you are young enough to still enjoy life.  Otherwise you might as well just be a left handed flea. Or a crab on a slab on the bottom of the sea...
 

Gong Xi Fa Cai

To my friends in Asia celebrating Chinese New Year:

Gong Xi Fa Cai 恭禧發財

In the Chinese Lunar Zodiac calendar, 2013 is the year of the snake. Read more about it from our friends at Wikipdia.

Love Blogging? Watch this TV Show

My work life has crossed over into my personal life for nearly 25 years. By that I mean I like what I do at work and it bleeds into what I do at home. I've been blogging for years, and frequently my work life appears here in some fashion. Usually I keep things separated, but with the TV show I've been working on, it is difficult not to share the fun news with you.

Who Let the Dogs Out is such a fun TV show. It is part of Hallmark Channel's original programming, daytime on Fridays. You can get information on the show from the network website, or from the show website. 

This Friday's episode features the Blog Paws blogger conference from last summer. Sheldon and I attended, on behalf of my company, Natural Balance. Also in attendance were Norman the Scooter Dog and Tillman the world's fastest skateboarding bulldog. The producers of Who Let the Dogs Out filmed the conference, and Blog Paws is the feature story of this week's episode of Who Let the Dogs Out. They interviewed a bunch of pet bloggers, including an amazingly inspirational story of a dog whose battle with cancer changed the lives if his two human parents. It is a story you'll want to see. It might inspire you to become a pet blogger too.

Tune in this Friday on Hallmark Channel 1 pm/12 central. Or just set your DVR to record it.

Valentine's Day in Palm Springs

I wouldn't consider myself a "hopeless romantic" but I'm a firm believer in the importance of those "magic moments" that kindle new relationships and keep the fire in existing ones too. The everyday opportunities are what matter most, but it is hard to resist "the Biggies" on the calendar, such as Valentine's Day. Even as a kid, at an early age I developed a fondness for the Valentine's Day customs. Perhaps it was the heart-shaped boxes at Fanny Farmer and Fannie May Candy shops. I'm sure their heart-shaped chocolate marshmallow treats had nothing to do with it...but I was also a fan of sending--and receiving Valentine's cards in the mail. I can even remember cutting out  hearts out of red and pink construction paper and taping them all over the kitchen for my mom. Yes, Valentine's Day has strong memories for me that have carried through my entire life.

Perhaps that's why every year I celebrate Valentine's Day in my own way. I've always bought myself a heart-shaped box of chocolates, just to carry on the traditions. I've helped plenty of clueless friends who have sheepishly asked my opinion on what to do for Valentine's Day with their girlfriends/boyfriends/spouses. Of course, living in a popular vacation spot and tourist destination like Palm Springs, plenty of friends end up coming to visit as the ideal weekend get-away for a romantic weekend. There is plenty to do here in Palm Springs. I read the Top 10 Things to Do in Palm Springs post over at the Memento Gift Shop blog for some ideas, and couldn't think of anything to add, so I'd suggest reading that list of ideas.

The nice thing about visiting Palm Springs this time of year, is the weather is just starting to warm up again. The "worst" of our ever-so-brief winter weather is generally behind us already.  Days warm up nicely, but not too hot yet. Evenings still have a slight chill, but nothing a sweater or a bit of cuddling can't find. Visitors who come to Palm Springs in February are delighted to find the city brimming with things to do. Aside from shows at the McCallum Theatre, Annenberg Theatre, Palm Canyon Theatre, or the many casino attractions and shows, Palm Springs has frequent weekend Art Walks. If art is your thing, check out this website, which has a really good list of art destinations in Palm Springs.

Aside from the vast array of golf, tennis, bike tours, and such, there is great shopping and sightseeing to do here. Most people marvel at the really good variety of dining options. There are some awesome restaurants here, from casual to fine dining. I tend to enjoy the restaurants that combine good food with good atmosphere. Whether you dine outdoors, or in a special dining room, the experience remains etched in your memory. These are all what can help make a special Valentine's Weekend in Palm Springs. The goal is to create memories of the time you will spend together here.

Go places where the stunning views will make you smile. The Palm Springs Tram is one such example. Rent bikes and explore the city's marvelous neighborhoods to see the mid-century modern gems tucked away. Take a leisurely stroll through downtown and explore the Walk of Stars. Do things you might not do at home, like visit a day spa, go hiking, drive out to Joshua Tree National Park. The options are endless.

Come to Palm Springs and plan a Valentine's Day getaway that you and your sweetheart won't forget. You'd be surprised at how easy it is do to.