Baptism by Flower Water – NYC Moments #119

In many religions and cultures you are baptized and thus renewed. It’s a big event for most as well as new start for some. What about those moments when you just need a little pick me up that isn’t in the form of say, chocolate? I was in a funk this morning and went for my usual cup of organic coffee at Whole Foods in the Bowery. I did manage to not go for the chocolate chip scone because I must have known at an intuitive level that there was a better way.  I found it sitting at a red light on Houston in the form of a NYC water truck.  It was dousing with a beautiful arc of water the pretty flowers in the median. Impulse took hold and I dashed from my corner and triumphantly stood with arms flung high under the arc of water coming from the top of the truck and was thus baptised NYC style. I yelled ‘Thank you!’ and skipped off home.  It was just what I needed to put a bit of the kid back in me in this very adult world and a smile on my face.

copyright Jillanne Ohana
17 June 2009

Putting it out there – NYC Moments #115

It’s a beautiful thing when an artist can put there whole self out there with abandon for all to see. I saw that tonight with Guyora Kats  (http://www.myspace.com/guyorakats) who is a very talented musician and songwriter.    He’s playing again on June 24th @ 10pm at Rockwood Music Hall so come join the fun. He packs the crowd in so be prepared to get close with your neighbor 🙂

 

Enjoy!

Jillanne Ohana

Why Stop The Fun? – NYC Moments: #113.5

I actually wanted to write this blog last night, but I was so darn tired, so here it is now.  (Hence the #113.5)  This is about the butt grabbing part of #113.  I at a networking event and though I am an ‘Artistic Person’ I was in business mode.  So there I was standing at the bar waiting for my drink when I felt not one, but both my checks being fondled.  I have to say it felt kinda nice buy I really wasn’t sure what to do since this was a professsional function.   It resolved itself when the grabber turned to me and said, “Did I just grab your ass?”  After looking around and seeing that there was another actor next to me, my humor set in and I said, “The actor instinct  in me really wants to keep the circle going and grab this young lady’s ass, but I think I’ll restrain myself.”  She then turns to me, “Why stop the fun?”  That is when we all burst out laughing.  It turns out that the gentleman was just taking his coat off and my rear happened to be right there.  We all had a great laugh and are now good buddies.  It’s kinda a fun way to meet people actually.

Dating or Sex or Going For The Gold – NYC Moments: #111

Whatever happened to getting to know someone before you…uhmmm…’got to know’ them?  I have had guys attracted to me and I am equally attracted to them, but then they seem a bit confused when I want to do things (not those things ‘).  I’m talking about hanging out and getting to know who this person is.   I used to be naive in that I would let everyone in and hang my heart out there, but after the 3rd big heartbreak, I think I’ve learned that it’s best to find out about the guy to see if I really do want to fall in love with him.  Mind you, I love sex and I’ve had some soul rocking experiences but  my heart is just as important to me.  So how about it guys?  Are you interested in getting to know someone, or do you really just want to uhmmm…’get to know’ someone?  I for one am going for the gold…I want to know someone on a deep level and have that soul rocking sexual connection too…

 

copyright JillAnne Ohana

27 May 2009

I Prefer The Term Slender – NYC Moments #110

I haven’t been called skinny since ninth grade. High School kids are known for their cruelty, but none of them ever added the term Bitch to the skinny part. There is a first time for everything and the E.V. (That’s the East Village for you non-NYCers) is known for it’s….uhm…eccentricities. While the the two young girls who directed the remark in my direction may have been barely out of high school, I’m way past that phase so I just smiled sweetly and finished eating my slice. Maybe they were jealous because my 108 lbs self will stay at 108 lbs after eating that luscious, cheesy morsel.

I actually kinda like being a Skinny Bitch…after all, it’s made me a lot of money as a professional model here in NYC…

copyright JillAnne Ohana

20 May 2009

Yin and Yang of Traveling – NYC Moments: #108

I was in the air for ten hours yesterday.  Yes, going to Hawaii from NYC does have that one drawback.  Life is full of yin and yang’s.  Perfect example was my flight from JFK to LAX:  Before the story starts I should mention that we were sitting in the coach section.  I did have my seat leaned back the whole two inches in the reclining position, which I figured was my right since I put down the cash for that seat space.  The guy behind me politely asked me if I could move my seat forward so he could work because there was not a lot of room for him.  I equally politely said that I understood but there was not a lot of room for anyone and unfortunately unlike cars, I did not have a lever that could provide more space for him.  I’m really sorry but there is nothing I can do.  But I can’t work he replied.  I’m really sorry I responded as I put my headphones back on and tried to sleep.  Excuse me, I hear ten minutes later.  OMG.  He is not bugging me again.  Aloha only goes so far – now it is time for me to be the NYCer.  Couldn’t you just put your seat forward.  I really have no room.  I tell him firmly:  No.  I have no control over the space that is provided in coach.  Perhaps you could ask the flight attendant if there is a seat that is better suited for you.  Maybe there is one in first class, but being that this is coach I cannot help you.  Now if you are unable or unwilling to talk to the attendant, I will be glad to.  As luck would have it an attendant was walking by, so I explained that my neighbor was unhappy and could they find him another seat so that i could have some peace.  The nice lady then also explained to the guy that yes there were other seats available, but they would not provide any more room so he would still be unhappy even if he moved.  

Funny.  I didn’t hear another peep out of him.  

The flip side was my seat neighbor in front of me.  Charming lady with her little boy.  We became instant friends.  I watched her son while she went to the ladies room.  The son and I played peek-a-boo.  We exchanged info and I’m sure we will have a lasting friendship.  I love yin and yang’s.

copyright JillAnne Ohana

12 May 2009

My Mendeekaa Blessing – NYC Moments #103

Well, it wasn’t just my Mendeekaa Blessing.  It also went out to James of El Cerrito, CA.  James and I had just randomly met outside of the Bitter End this evening and were exchanging pleasantries when a gentleman came up and proclaimed to us, “Good Luck!”.  I was hoping that he did not know something weird about James that I was not privy to at this point.  As it turns out, our new friend was actually quite drunk and though claiming to be a Madeekaa Warrior he is actually from Connecticut.  (Am I spelling Mandeekaa right?  I tried to Google it and nothing came up, so  I guess it is all right if I take artistic liberties.)   Then he said it was only his shins that were Mandeekaa.  Hey, I’ll take any blessings I can get.  I was given some cards telling me how to practice Shabbat this afternoon from some nice ladies in Williamsburg so today was definitely my spiritual day.   The Blessing must have worked because I had a grand time having tea with James.  Since I know nothing about Mandeekaaness, I am going to just take the bull by the horns and wish you all, “Good Luck!” too.  Hey, I’m multi-cultural so I could have Mandeekaa in my elbow for all I know 🙂

copyright Jillanne Ohana Emerson

4/25/09

Apartments – NYC Moments #100

I got a call from my landlady today saying that the lady down below was complaining that I was walking around in my apartment past midnight.   I can’t believe that my landlady would even waste a phone call hinting that I should, what…not walk around in my own apartment?  Does that mean I can’t have sex?  Or get up and pee?  There goes my yoga practice for sure.  The real problem is that I live in a very old brownstone and the whole building creaks if you even breath.    I happen to have the top floor, so I am lucky.  My neighbor is not quite so lucky and she may have to find something that works better for her rather than torturing us all.  The landlady did spent bucko bucks on a full size area rug with extra padding that now resides in my kitchen.  Yes, that would be my kitchen.  It of course did nothing to keep the building from creaking and moaning but it is nice and cozy in there now.  In fact, I spend more time in the creaky kitchen because the room is so pleasant now.

I completely understand and have empathy for my neighbor.   All I can say is, ‘Welcome to apartment living in NYC and if you don’t like it perhaps you should leave.’

copyright Jillanne Ohana

4/18/09

Real Moments

What I really love about NYC is that there are so many people here who allow themselves genuine moments.  By that I mean, they are open to each other and what is around them…they’re not just going through life on their own agenda.  One of the reasons I love the arts is that you are more apt to encounter people who can be there and go with it.  Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Deni Bonet at Rockwood Music Hall.  I did go specifically to hear her after I saw her perform at The Living Room a few weeks ago.  There were two moments in her gig that were just wonderful.  She and her band have the ability to work off each other and communicate in the moment.  Art is about giving after all…

-JillAnne Emerson

Wedding run/walk – NYC Moments: #58

I found a bench in Central Park this morning to enjoy my farmer’s market scone and book.  Not long after I sat down for a semi quiet read (hey, it’s NYC…nothing is going to be absolutely quiet ;), a crowd of people started showing up and talking exuberantly.  It turns out that I happened to pick the meeting point for the MacNabb-Nederlander Wedding Fun Run.  They were such a nice fun bunch of people who unofficially adopted me into their little crowd and gave me a t-shirt.  We joked around that because of them, I wasn’t able to get anywhere in my book, which given the choice of connecting with people or being in my own little world, of course I put the book aside.  They went on their run and I went back to my book but with a light heart and a huge smile.