The Stuart Feakins Trust.

I went through a phase in my life when I lived in Los Angeles, that I discovered that by helping others I also helped myself. I started volunteering for different associations during my weekends, and not only you're doing something wonderful for the community... but you realize it's therapeutic for yourself as well. You learn, you become more humble, more in tune with the universe, and sometime makes your life worth living.

Since I moved to London, I hadn't had the chance, or maybe the energy and will, to be involved again. Luckily the opportunity this time knocked on my door. About a week ago a company wide email went around asking for people to help on a weekend to shoot a documentary about an association that cares about young people in the city of Hackney. Without even thinking about it for an extra second, I replied with excitement that they could count on me. I was warned that this is a not so safe area of London. It made me a bit nervous, but not enough to stop me from this adventure.

I can't express how glad I am that I was part of such an amazing group of people. I felt so honored to be with a professional crew, out in challenging conditions, to help continue an amazing legacy! That is right, this is what this story is about. A legacy, a phenomenon, a man by the name of Stuart Feakins who believed in the impossible. A man that I really wish I could have met! He spent his life helping young people in Hackney find their way back into a good life, a life filled with hope, goals, and success stories. Stuart was convinced in been able to make a difference in people's life who were not born as lucky as him. Stuart loved sports, to travel, the movie industry and music. He used this tools, such as sports, to reach the souls of these kids that sadly have nobody to talk to, to look up to, to be coached by. Not until, they met Stuart.

We interviewed some of Stuart's friends and some of the kids he mentored. This story is so beautiful and amazing! These children have so much love for a man that they consider their family. Stuart... passed away at age 40. I never met him. But I know everything about him. He has made such an impression on me, just through the eyes and words of all the lucky people who met him. Individuals like Stuart are in my opinion like angels on earth. I have no words to really express how admire and respect men and women like him.

It made me realize how badly I need to get involved into volunteering again. Somebody out there might need me, somebody out there might be able to switch tracks in their life's path for the better.

Thank you Stuart for just being such an outstanding human being...I really wish I could have met you in person.

www.thestuartfeakinstrust.com

How I met the "I Love You, Man"!!!

Let's start by saying that two weeks ago I saw "I Love You, Man"... and LOVED it! As I mentioned, I think on Twitter? All my social networks are starting to haze together! Recently I absolutely love watching silly comedies at the theater. They distract me and leave me with a floating feeling of happiness.

While watching this movie, I decided two things:
1) Jason Segel should be my boyfriend, he's cute, talented, and funny... and tall
2) I shall not get married (again!), I can't imagine having to "consult" my spouse whenever I feel like doing anything with my time or money! I think I got too accustomed to be on my own, and I'm not sure I could ever go back!

Back to the movie and Jason, I thought "How cool would it be to meet somebody like him? Better yet... If I still lived in LA... how cool would it be if I met him and something sparked between us?". Ever heard "be careful what you wish for?"...

I'm not trying to change the subject, however I had a lovely day today. I went to the park, did a little shopping for my Dubai trip in Kensigton, even had time to stop at Wholefoods for some fresh goodness. Then my friend The City called (I will talk about her another time), and invited me to join her for some afternoon tea. Another girl joined us as well.

The three of us were happily strolling around Maryblebone looking for a cafe. It's Sunday, I'm dressed down in my bummish clothes. The City suddenly stops, I'm slightly ahead of her. She starts repeating in a high pitch voice "I Love You, Man!!"... the she calls my name and she is looking at me as the Virgin Mary has just appeared in front of her!!! Being a big fan of animals, I idiotically stare at a pigeon! Thinking there must be something special about it... she calls me again and looks in front of her and I hear her say "I Love You, Man!". At this point I'm totally confused, does she know somebody there? Am I supposed to know them too? Is there a cute dog or cat around? Why in the hell am I looking for animals anyway? What is wrong with me??? I finally see him... he's quietly and shyly sitting in front of us with a scared smile on his face. He's Jason Segel from the movie I saw two weeks ago! He must think that The City is insane and that I'm dumb!

Once I politely say hi to him, and mumble some incomprehensible gibberish, I for once am star struck! I have met a lot of celebrities in LA, and I never felt that way. But this guy is so real, he's shy, nice, and has the sexiest smile! We end up going to a cafe right around corner. I'm excited and upset that I look like crap. Darn it, I could have brought him with me to Dubai! The City, in a sincere moment hoping to play cupid for me, she decides to go back and to talk to him to invite him to our table (which is not at the same cafe where is sitting)!! We wait and he doesn't show up. Then when we least expect it, he walks up to our street, he stops in front of our table, and he thanks us for chatting with him and for the invite. He tells about his plans in London and thanking us all he says bye and walks back to his hotel.

How nice is he? Not many people who are established in the industry would take the time to talk to the crazy LA girls who are stalking him! I now like him even more. Who knows, maybe I will run into him again... maybe I will learn the lesson to always, no matter what, always look your best when stepping out of the house.

Sugar, wheat, cranky and addicted?

Who knew that I was so addicted to wheat and sugar? I went to a homeopathic doctor last week. She is amazing! I went to see her because I wanted a consultation on my new skin condition, it looks like I have acne! I never had it as a teenager! Am I getting younger? I will take it only at that condition. So my lovely voodoo doctor became a pseudo therapist for an hour. It was really fun. Then she tied me all up with several wires connected to a Quantum QXCI Machine. This revolutionary machine, based on quantum physics, scans the body for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, hormone imbalances, food intolerance and sensitivities, toxins, bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasitic infections as well as organs functions and vitality.

The result? She told me that I was born to be vegetarian and it's good I don't eat meat because my stomach is unable to process it. I can 't wait to tell my parents that! They forced me to eat steaks and chicken when I was little and I hated it! There was a reason why! She was pleased to hear that I take all the right supplements... however she warned me that I'm not absorbing any of them, this due to my new London's diet mainly built of pasta (hey, whole wheat with flex in it!!), bread, cheese, eggs and lots and lots of chocolate... My wheat intake is forming nice yeast in my tummy that prevents me from digesting properly, the cheese creates "damp in the gut" (these are her words that sounded terrifying to me!), and chocolate mixed with a good dose of stress induced by my parents is causing my lovely acne!

To "cure" me. She added more supplements to help my stomach to work properly. She severely prohibited me to eat any wheat, cheese, and sugar!! Therefore no chocolate (no alcohol either but I can live without that!). I never new I was addicted to it, NEVER! I always thought of myself as a very strong person with no addictions. Now it has been almost a week, and when I walk in a grocery store and see chocolate I have to make myself run away from it! Same goes for the pasta aisle... it is sugar after all.

Not only I look like a freak at the market, escaping from the chocolate cheesecakes and eclairs. To enhance even more this diet experience, I feel so tired and cranky! Not a good combo. I imagine myself dragging my body across the street like a sloth with the attitude of a baboon who just lost a whole bunch of bananas.

Why 2 and 1/2 Men?

My latest TV addiction is quite ridiculous! I love coming home, and having dinner while watching "2 and 1/2 Men"!!! I really enjoy it, and laugh like a little kid! I have always loved sitcoms, since I was very young. I grew up watching Happy Days for heaven's sake! I was and still am a fan of Seinfeld, Friends and Will n' Grace.

However my latest dumb TV indulgence consists of watching a show about 3 men, that in 3 different ways are losers. Is it maybe some sort of self-revenge satisfaction I thrive from? We have Charlie, the somehow more established one... because he has his own house and dates a new hot girl every day; yet he dresses like a boy, he's an alcoholic, and his intelligence is only good enough to get him laid. His brother Allen is a dork, a total social inadequate freak; he's the nice guy with way too much baggage and not so good looking. Then to just top it up, we even have the nephew! A kid that has already a failure of a future paved up in front of him; he only cares about eating, he gets horrible grades in school.... and he's pretty much useless!

A show about losers, who in my opinion describe quite well a good proportion of men. No offense, I'm sure soon I will have to critique women too! After all the majority of my friends are men, and I think like one of them 80% of the time... with the exception of when I see in a window some purple pumps I must own!

What I'm trying to say is, that is only funny because it's true! There really are so many guys like them in real life.... I've met some them! What I find even more amusing is the Charlie is not even acting, he's really just showcasing his natural "charming" personality in his own show! What an ego!

And if you have never had the silly pleasure to watch this show, here is a quote from Charlie that I found hilarious and so true:
"ALCOHOL IS FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN EFFORT TO LOSE A FEW BRAIN CELLS... I REST MY CASE!"
See? There is so much truth in those words, I perfectly agree.

Alcoholic Architecture.... anyone?

About a week this cute little shop opened right outside my office. It looks so cheerful with the bright blue entrance. The interior looks quite sterile, all white and plain. I haven't been inside yet, however here is the concept of Alcoholic Architecture. This is a "bar" where they serve alcohol in form of steam in the air you breath indoors. It costs 7 pounds which grants you the entrance and one hour stay. Supposedly you get very inebriated by breathing the Gin and Tonic they have airing around the room. Are we now becoming too lazy to even a drink? We have to breath it? What is next? Breathable ice-cream?

The idea does sound like a lot fun though. I wonder if you can still get really sick from it... would you vomit air? I guess you would sickly burp your way home. I still need to experiment it in order to give it a more appropriate review. One thing that does not look so hot about it, is the fact they make you wear ugly plastic covers... they are quite unattractive... not good if you want to pick some hotties. Additionally form my understanding there is a Girl side and a Boy side... not sure why!

I wonder if this is going to be very popular! I assume that it would be much easier for anyone who is addicted to their mobile devices (urging to text, Twitter, Super-poke, etc). The fact that you wouldn't have to hold a glass and just breath is quite clever. I wonder if it could be incorporated in clubs. Instead of having a smoking room they could offer the Gin breathing room.

Here is a link if you want to read more about it:
http://i.gizmodo.com/5214630/london-bar-pumps-gin-and-tonic-into-the-air-please-breathe-responsibly

Later... and please Breath Responsibly!

Mentally Over Stimulated!

During the past two weeks I have been overly productive with my insatiable urge of writing. Obviously not on this blog! Unfortunately I can't share everything that crosses my mind, not yet at least. I must keep some of my mystery and secrets for myself... or just safe from anyone who would try to steal my ideas!

As usual, my problem is that I come up with at least three ideas all at once! Then I feel overwhelmed and I can't decide which one to develop first. Tonight I was able to successfully complete all three... or at least sketch them all on print. Again I feel that anxiety feeling taking over me. I want it all to manifest now!

Sometime I feel like work is in the way of my personal projects! Not this particular job, any work I have ever performed. Ok, at this point I'm just randomly writing thoughts on mind. I need to end this right now before it becomes boring.

Here is an answer I quite like and find hilarious and true. It's from an article I recently read on Vanity Fair:
"If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?"
- The only child of two genetically perfect billionaires!

Last thought of the day? I can't decide whether I want to sign up on Twitter or not. I fear I will completely get sucked into Twittering mania. It is SO tempting... Maybe I should just check it out... Would I then need to updated all my statuses simultaneously? From Facebook to Myspace (which I haven't used in almost 2 years), Linkedin and now Twitter! What's next??? Why do we urge so much to throw all of our business in everyone's face? It's a race against time to prove and show everybody what we are doing at any particular moment! Which reminds me that today I have yet to log on FB! I think I will prove my strength for once and resist to my addiction to log on and be all over the "walls"!

Buona Notte!

PS... Twitter or not to Twitter?

Mal Di Cuore o Melanconia?

Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
E' familiare e scomoda
L'ho provata fin dall'infanzia
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
Sembra che non voglia essere
Al di fuori delle circonstanze non sono dell'umore
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
Soffro stando per terra, seduta, in piedi, sdraiata
Niente che possa immaginare mi calma quest'animo inquiete
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
Immagino di potere rimanere sospesa nel vuoto
In uno stato cosmico e immobile
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
La conoscenza che non posso sfuggire
Da questa mia trappola trasparente ed insofferente
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
Che mi provoca di sentire il mio cuore stringersi
Tanto da far male, tanto da forse diventare minuscolo?
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
E non mi so spiegare il perche' da sempre
Forse anche questo e' colpa della primavera
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
Che mi strugge e mi toglie il respiro
Sono i momenti di transizione che odio
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
Dove non voglio essere ne qui ne li
Voglio solo essere sola
Provo questa sensazione di tanto in tanto
Che andra' via con l'arrivo dell'estate
E mi dimetichero' di questa sensazione

April's rant...

I can't believe I have written nothing the whole month of April! Where have I been? Quite honestly I have been going through a whiny, cranky, apathetic mood. I blame it on Spring, this season always makes me sleepy and lazy. I should be creatively writing something more productive... but I just want to vent right now.

Last weekend was beautiful, I had the brilliant idea to go running, then shopping at a open market, then I even interrupted my detox to have a "few" aperitivi around town... and it all resulted with me suffering from the worst cold I have caught in years. Luckily I'm feeling better. I have been taking a lot Echinacea tincture in my tea mixed with Umcka (which is amazing!!).

Why is that customer service in Europe does NOT exist? Have I really become so spoiled that I feel like I deserve to be treated as a customer? Or should it be normal common sense? Especially with the way the economy is right now! People are not spending as much and companies if not making as much of a profit won't think twice about laying off employees. Therefor you'd think that more than ever sales people would be doing there best to help you and sell you something... right? Oh, no! Please don't bother the very lazy and useless people at the counters either in England or in Italy (from my experience so far).

At grocery stores nobody bags you goods, they take their time while chatting on their cell phones, finally scan your stuff through in a rushed and rough matter... and they look at you upset for not having bagged your food while using the debit card machine! You will never hear them say "Thank you"!

I have been wanting to join a gym. I have been debating about joining a fitness club that offers classes as well, or just join a yoga studio (as it seems like this my favorite activity indoors... fitness wise!). After a studios research of mine that I did online, I selected a few places that I wanted to visit. They were rated as some of the best fitness centers and yoga studios in London. I had the exact same treatment on all of them. The girl at the "help" desk looked bored and not in the mood to talk. I cheerfully said hi and asked her a few question, and her answer was always the same "It's all on the pamphlet, read it at home!". They never tried to sign me up, they just didn't care. Needless to say, I have not signed up anywhere yet. What if the teachers are like that too? Can you imagine? "Now do the pigeon, if you don't know that position just look on the pamphlet!". No thank you!!

Clothing stores: here the employees look like teenagers who have smoked too much weed and have no clue what they sell, if they have your size, if the 80s are over!

And last but not least... cell phones and mobile contracts! For the last month or so I have been doing my homework to chose in between getting an iPhone or a Blackberry. I honestly like them both. Today I decided that the best way was to go in a store and ask about them, play with them and possibly getting one. I went to three different stores. One who sells the iPhone, one who sells the Blackberry, and one who sells both. All three sales people from different companies had the exact same skills.... ZERO! They all suggested I did some research online if I had questions! I advised them that I already did so and I was ready to sign up! When I asked about additional charges when roaming abroad using the internet, they got very scattered and again insisted that I go read about it online! They even suggested I just sign up online!

Why are these people so non-helpful? It almost makes you feel like they don't want your business! I'm not used to this at all! As I mentioned on other occasions this is epicenter of asocial and isolated human society in a overpopulated city. If I really wanted I could just buy my phone online, get a Wii that coaches me in my yoga, order my groceries online, for that matter anything can be purchased online. I just have a hard time with this concept! As much as I like being online to pay my bills, check my emails, catching up on the news, do never ending searches, blogging, etc.; I still like that human contact when I first consider making a big purchase. I like someone who explains to me the pro and cons of products. I appreciate when sales people can confidently answer my questions. And ultimately I love it when they thank me for being their customer with a nice smile on their face!

Well, so far a lot places have lost my business and money. I have yet to sign to a gym, get a new expensive phone, and a computer. I decided I will definitely get the computer back in the US, first is much cheaper and second I want customer service! I think I will just get my phone online. In regards to working out, I'm just going to be faithful to my squirrels, geese, ducks and swans at Hyde Park... at least they genuinely seem happy to see me! They are intelligent enough to understand that I feed them!