Bowen Island is the place for me!
Patio sitting is the thing I need.

Helping Ken around with all the chores
Never minding that we got no stores.

I just adore a penthouse view… and fancy eating, big shows, Time Square, and late night music and 60 block walks with the best of friends

Darling I love you, and every so often… give me Park Avenue…!!!
Ba-dum-ba

It’s posts like this that make me hope no one actually reads this blog! ☺

The day had a slow start to it — which was just fine with me. But by 1:30 – we were on a roll for the day. Took the train up town to a fancy dancy dinner at Le Bernardine – we had appetizers and entrées and all that regular fare, but all I seem to be able to remember is that peanut-chocolate-carmel-salt desert thingy. After tasting that thing, it’s possible that I have been wrong all these years — maybe there is a god!

Then as is our habit — we were off for the nights Broadway entertainment. We saw Nice Work if You Can Get It with Matthew Broderick – Loved it! These shows are amazing productions — dancing, singing, costumes, lights, sets — the whole magillia and every performer, musician, stage hand, etc. gives everything they have to the audience and they do it eight times a week! Amazing!

Our walk last night was a tad more challenging as it was raining and walking in a people ocean with umbrella is a dance unto itself. It takes us about six blocks to get out of the serious crowds and get a good pace up as we walk. Our apartment is on 8th St. In Greenich Village, most shows are uptown between 42nd and 58th (jazz up toward 66th)— so we have a good walk after the show each night. Last night we walked to the West Village for an open mic show. We’ve had great luck seeing and listening to some very talented singers at these ope mics, but last night was a bit of a bust. One guy actually read the words to his song off his iphone — not too impressive — hence we came home early-ish and I can’t say I didn’t mind.

One more sleep until I head home — which also means one more big show, blow out meal, and late, late night. Then back to sitting on the patio in the quiet with Ken.

I heart NY but — there is no place like home!

I have to say yesterday was one of my favourite days in this city.

Started with Indian food — simple and spicy and I thought of Kathy when a sign on the wall said, “Curry in a hurry.” Sandie and I walked the first 30 blocks of the day to check out Bloomingdales, Berdorfs Goodmans, and Sack 5th Ave. – Three stores we will never spend any money in. The clerks didn’t really understand us when we asked for the “sales rack”… anyway — it was a great walk and time with Sandie is great. Joe went to a Mets game, that would have been good too.

We re-grouped and walked to another pizza place for dinner, then took the subway back up for Newsies – a singing and dancing show featuring a lot of very cute and talented young men. Alex Wong and two others from So You Think You Can Dance were on the stage and from our third row seats — well, I’ll just say it they CAN dance, and sing and act and entertain.

Of course the night was still young though, so we went to Birdland – a jazz club with an open mic for the night. Holy moly… holy moly… holy moly!! It was incredible. Marilyn Maye sang several songs. She’s a Cabaret singer probably in her 70’s — and belted out tunes like no other. I didn’t recognize her name — but I knew her face when I saw her — one of her credits was that she had been on the tonight show 76 times when Johnny Carson was host! She blew us away. But then the night continued with William Blake. William was the guy that sat us at our front row table and manned the retail area where you buy CD’s and t-shirts. Uhmmmmm…. WOW! Then the frosting for me; Michael Orland, the musical director of American Idol played the piano for Joshua Ledet as he sang, It’s a Man’s World. Joshua was the third place guy from American Idol and say what you will about reality TV shows – this guy gave me goose bumps when he sang, and I was a huge fan, and even asked for a photo together!

Of course there were a few others with chops that performed and my hands are raw from applauding.

We are getting the walk home down to about 50 minutes – we can do some serious fast walking  late at night as no one (well, not many) folks are on the streets. Our heads hit the pillow well before 3am!

I have to say – it was one of my best days in New York ever. Only two more sleeps and I’ll travel back to the other little island I love and embrace the rich life we have there.

Vocca People
The show was in a small theatre – the cast was eight people wearing all white, head to toe, including white face paint. All very different in size and shape and all very talented.

They were a little ET come home, but more like Bobby Mcfarrin on steroids, cloned eight times. The poster said, “Blue man meets Glee”.

It was wonderful. ALL of the sounds were human made, and for the life of me, I don’t know how anyone makes the sound of a symbols crashing or a beat box, or.. or.. or… One guy held the mic to his nose most of the time!

Such talent, humour and entertainment. Yes ma’am. This is what I love about NYC. This and Katz’s Deli for Ruben’s and long city walks with my best girlfriend, and sunsets at the pier and taxi rides and music and pizza and….

I have been having clandestine meetings. Shhhhh….. Okay by the time you read this – the cat will be out of the bag. I am just one hour away from surprising my best friend Sandie in New York City!

As I write this I am in the Pasticceria Bruno in Greenwich Village, the display case of pastries is incredible and the big banner bragging that they beat Bobby Flay in a Cannoli throw-down just goes to show, you never know. This place is a tiny little hole of a place and it is booming with action.

I’m early for the surprise – no surprise there! We are meeting at an Indian restaurant at noon and I’m about two blocks away. So exciting!

I flew in late last night and stayed at a hotel near the airport, this morning after about 4 hours of restless sleep, I took the train to Penn Station with a woman I met named Sylvia. Sylvia is from Brooklyn, used to dance with the Alvin Aley dance co. She told me about several dance shows to go to while we are here and well, you know I like the shows in the city!

Joe and I have had a lot of fun keeping this secret and let me tell you, it has not been easy. I’m a bit of a blabber mouth and Sandie and I talk every week – about everything! (Except the last few weeks I’ve had to keep my mouth shut.)

Surprises are great and even though it hasn’t happened yet – in less than an hour – I get the great joy of seeing Sandie celebrate! I will be celebrating too.

No internet where we are staying. So I’ll write this and hope we find a library today – but may go the week without the world wide web and posting and facebook and feeling like I am connected… yikes – that will be different!

It will also be just fine as long as I haven’t cause anyone to worry – I can put the computer away and take in the sites. (And it will be weird)

Everything worked out great! The surprise was perfect! Sandie was blown away. We met on the street – and she said – “There’s Jan.” ”There’s Jan.” “There’s Jan!” Joe and I were very proud of ourselves — we really pulled it off. And the best part was how within minutes, we all just fell into the way it should be after that; as if everything was exactly the way it should be. We ordered food to go and ate in a park and took up as if we knew each other our entire lives! So great!

The run down of Friday… Ate Indian food – came back to the apt and had a much needed nap – went for a walk, bought shoes, had dinner at a 5star place with Sandie’s friends, kids who are 30 something and “into” wine. Then off to Broadway-Saw Porgy and Bess! OMG! So great. Then walked home from 46th St. to our place in the village. It is hot and muggy here and just perfect – except for no internet.

Saturday’s report – A cheese slice for breakfast around noon – found internet and coffee after that. (We will do a morning check in, but I may not post here every day.) The New York Ballet in the afternoon, dinner at Bolud Sud – 5 star fine dinning. Fix Price for appetizer, entrée and desert. Our clan eats family style and we love it! Then off to the theatre for Once – Once won 11 Tony nominations. I see why. Then of course because it was still “early” and we enjoy a “spartan” lifestyle in the city – we went to Dizzy’s for after hours jazz. Walked home from Columbus Circle to the Village, (about 60 blocks) Loved it!

I say I want a slower trip – but there is just so much, it’s hard to say no and miss out. Joe did say we would “do less” and so today is a somewhat free day with the first show scheduled for 5pm. Sandie and I will spend some time walking and looking in windows at shoes and stuff.

No promises of daily postings while I’m here – life without internet is different for me and I kinda like the freedom.

The day will be full of adventure and surprise.

Sincerely,

Swami Jan

Over the years I have practiced in parking lots, small living rooms with the furniture pushed back, on Colorado Mountain tops and Hawaiian volcanos, the infamous studio in Kits holds my form, as does our patio, the ferry to and from Bowen Island, and a few airport waiting areas as well.

Years ago I was part of a TV series called “Quiet Places”. The producer of this show wanted to showcase the places we go to get quiet so we can practice. What I liked about this show, was that it was our goal as Tai Chi players, to demonstrate that no matter where we move, we are the quiet place when we play tai chi. We seek stillness and find the tranquility of our mind, body and spirit no matter where we stand physically. It doesn’t matter where I practice, what matters is that I practice.

My practice will be different this week and I’m excited as all get out. How about you? Where will you practice this week? I’d love to hear.

Secrets have been a part of most of my life. As alcoholics, we are told, we are as sick as our secrets. To begin recovery we need to clean up our past and honestly tell our stories. When I started to clear the wreckage of my past and tell the truth of my life, I started to feel better. When I spoke my truth, I was able to quit worrying about what other people thought of me and I was able to receive the help I needed. In truth, my life became easier to live.

Secrets are funny things. As soon as we know there is one out there, we want in on it. I can’t tell you how many times over the course of my martial arts career someone has asked for or mentioned “the secret teachings” — getting “the goods” that are not offered unless you are an inside student. You know the deeper lessons, the secret ones that are offered only to the special students; not the run of the mill lessons everyone gets at class.

Some may disagree with me, but I’m in the “there are no secrets” camp.

No one has ever offered me a special training secret — and I’ve had some amazing lessons. What my teachers did tell me, in class and in private, was to practice. Practice, ask questions, and stay open.

Practice; no matter what your practice is, when you practice, more will be revealed. That’s no secret. But if you don’t practice — and the most amazing lesson won’t do you any good; it won’t make any sense.

The question I like about secrets is not what secret are you keeping, but from whom are you keeping it and why?

Morning practice is delightful in the sunshine.
I love the fresh smell of the day, especially after two days of rain. The lilac bush Ken gave me for my birthday last year has blooms on it, the strawberries in the garden are doing really well, and this morning, I saw three chickens walking down the road.

Who’s life is better than mine?

In just one day on the Sunshine Coast – all of this!

What a great birthday!