Update to Project Do What You Love: Busy Busy Busy

I feel like I have never been busier. My toddler and Project Do What You Love is keeping me on my toes. Things can get stressful but at least my work is gratifying. I am raising my own child and making strides toward my goals. Here are some updates on what I have been doing lately.

True You Communications- Where your vision and values become your voice: I have settled on a name for my business, am working up a website, and have a vendor show to attend tomorrow. At first, I will be working out of my home, helping small businesses market through social media, blogs, websites, and networking. Since May, I have been the Editor for the Paradise Community Association. I publish a monthly newsletter and keep the blog and Facebook group up to date. This has been pro bono.

In addition, I manage the Facebook and Twitter account for the Daily Grind of Upper Chesapeake. In return, co-owner, Heidi Wright researches competitor information and lends me feedback. Most recently, I have been training Karen Flowers of Well Body Pediatric Rehab in the art of marketing oneself via social media and also in SEO (search engine optimization). She is treating my little girl in return. I am thankful for all these opportunities to sharpen my skills, while helping friends and my community. Next step is a business license and work for PAY. Yeah!

Kidzola.com- consultant and ad sales: I recently joined the Kidzola team! I already have mucho experience selling on eBay and craigslist. As a Kidzola consultant, I do all the work for you! All you do is drop off the items and you get 60% of the selling price. In addition, I am training on Thursday to sell ads on the website (that is how they make money). This position gives me the freedom I need to raise my child and it complements my dreams of starting a marketing firm. If you need to declutter, email me at amberleescott@yahoo.com.

Heed.com- contributing writer: This blog started with the dream of writing again. I have written 3 articles

Daily Grind : Unwind

to date. I am honored to be apart of an organization dedicated to expressing the multi-ethnic perspective of a current generation, with a spiritual and clean-edge message. Check out some of my articles here.

Finally, I want to thank everyone for their continued support. You can count on me to be honest and down to earth. If you have not yet, check me out on Facebook and Twitter. Much Joy and Love to You! Namaste.

I Want to Get Away….I Want to Fly Away

As I write this, my 21-month old is crying and banging on the door of her bedroom. You see, she has mastered the art of climbing (or falling) out of her crib. I mean how long can she really cry?

Yes, I am having one of those days, or weeks, or even months where I just want to walk out the front door and not worry about a screaming kid, dirty dishes, an article deadline, a shrinking bank account, and a sore back and neck. (Happy hour anyone?)

When I am having days like these, I take a few deep breaths and try one (or many) of the following happiness helpers:

1. I inject silence and calm into my day whenever possible, especially during nap time.
2. I close my eyes, breath in and out, and picture a place I like to be. For me, I usually picture being on top of a mountain with the warm wind blowing, the fluffy white clouds floating by, and no one around for miles. (Guess what, this is a form of meditation–and you thought it was just for monks and hippies.)
3. I take a shower or bath.
4. I do Thai Chi, Qi Gong, or Yoga to stretch and relax my mind and muscles.
5. I take a walk. (In fact, I put the little one in the stroller and we both get fresh air).
6. I count my blessings. Being grateful is a wonderful way to spark a happier mood. Thank God and the universe for providing you food, shelter, and life.
7. I repeat positive affirmations. The mind can be an enemy or an ally. Tell yourself you are wonderful and today is a great day. Hey, it can’t hurt, right?
8. I connect with my friends and family. I call my mom, I update my Facebook status, I write this blog, and soon enough I am feeling a little better.

Life is tough. Times are tough. But we have a choice. We can continue to curse the day or even the life we live, or we can choose to be grateful for what we do have and make this one of our best days.

Wait……what is that I hear? Silence. Sweet sweet silence. See, my happiness helpers are working already. Have your best day! Namaste.

Take a cue from the Hawaiians and just " Hang Loose"

No One Said Following Your Dreams Would Be Easy

I don’t have an iphone, an ipod, or even a fancy TV. I don’t have expensive jewelry, designer clothes or a diamond ring. But I do have a family, good friends, nutritious food in the fridge, a roof over my head, heat on a cold rainy day, and water to quench my thirst. And one more thing…..did I tell you?  Have you heard? I am following my dream.

My cars were born before the turn of the century. They have dings, cracks, rust and a little rat-a-tat-tat. My hair is not dyed. My skin is not tan. But I have a beautiful little girl, who has taught me so much. She may be a handful, but I love her just the same. And one more thing…..I think that you know…I started Project Do What You Love, not very long ago.

Now all my days are not sunny, and I do whine and worry. My wine is not rare and my entertainment is rarely out. But I have no doubt, that I am doing the right thing. I guess I will find out.

Love and peace to all.

Mrs. Amber Scott

Celebrate Small Victories- Update to Project Do What You Love

Tree Pose in Hawaii

One way to get through the tough times in your journey to live the life you love is to celebrate all victories, no matter how small.

September 09 brought about:
1.) The most reads in one month
2.) The most average reads per day in a month
3.) The most reads in a single day
4.) Total blog reads surpassing the 1,000 read mark

The numbers are not staggering, but it was exciting to see the graph escalate and anticipate my best month to date for page views. As always, thank you for the continued support. Namaste.

Fall: My Favorite Season

Just as the trees drop leaves every fall, so should we. In Chinese medicine, fall is a time of letting go. This is a great opportunity to purge our closets and basements of unneeded stuff. I keep telling myself I am going to make some money on ebay and craigslist with all the stuff I have lying around. Maybe the fall will actually propel me in this direction.

Don’t think of the fall as a time to just let go of the physical. What emotions and mental thoughts are you holding onto? Release your worries, fear, anger, grief and resentment. Know that by letting go now, you will be better able to grow and evolve come spring.

Fall is my favorite season, not just for the turning of the leaves, but also the crisp clean air it brings. So it comes as no surprise that  fall is the time for the lungs in Chinese medicine. Breathe in to receive inspiration. Breathe out to release what is no longer useful. Prepare yourself for the very introspective winter.

Now that I think about it, maybe this is my season to shed the extra “baby weight.” I am ready to let go of the extra baggage I have been carrying around in my gut, heart, and head. Are you?

Take care of yourself and others. Happy Fall and as always, Namaste.

A Daughter’s Final Farewell

And instead of saying all of your goodbyes – let them know

You realize that life goes fast

It’s hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn’t go down
It’s just an illusion caused by the world spinning round

—Flaming Lips Lyrics to Do You Realize

A friend of my family, Pam Erisman, recently wrote a touching memorial to her father and sent it to family and friends in an email. It reminds us to never take for granted the people that we love.

My fondest memories of my father are going to Ocean City (MD) as a child. We would ride the trailways bus there, and spend  the week at the Plim Plaza hotel. We’d eat dinner at the Paul Revere Smorgasbord, walk the board walk, and ride the rides.  I enjoyed nothing more than digging in the sand looking for sand crabs with him. The two of us would hold hands and jump the waves, sometimes our hands would break apart, but he always came to my rescue!!

When Skylar (my daughter) was three or four, I took her to Ocean City, and took my father along with with us. We stayed at the Plim Plaza too, and did all the things that he and I had done so many years before. This time I watched him with my little girl, and it took me back to a time when I was much younger, doing that very same thing with that very same man.

He and I talked about how much Ocean City had changed, and how much it had stayed the same. He loved Ocean City, and I still love Ocean City.

I grew up. My father grew old. We still fished and crabbed, and we always laughed. When we talked, somehow, some way, our conversations would always go back Ocean City. It was always “remember when……”

My father’s death was and still is the biggest shock of my life. I wasn’t ready to let go. Not yet anyway. I was mad at him. I was so frustrated with him.  I was just mean to him.

He wasn’t going to die, not this time. I hadn’t said goodbye, or I’m sorry. We hadn’t laughed again yet. I  said goodbye a year before, and prepared myself for his death. But he wasn’t ready that time. My father  made a remarkable recovery. When he moved in with me, we talked about how close he  was to really dying.

As I drove to the ER, I was sad because he was going to spend another Thanksgiving in the hospital. I promised Skylar that Pop-Pop would be home for Christmas that year because I believed he would.

When I got the call, I was numb . As I made that final trip to the hospital, I knew  he wasn’t going to spend another Thanksgiving in the hospital. He wouldn’t be home for Christmas. All I could  think was that he was laying in that hospital bed remembering the day before, remembering me throwing my temper tantrum.  I held my dying father, sobbing, and begging for forgiveness. It didn’t matter  if I was ready to let go or not, he was. I watched him die . About an hour passed, and I still watched him, it was like he was still  here, just sleeping very comfortably. It was then I realized that at last, he had found peace. No longer could I give him a hard time about anything.

I still talk to him, and I still tell him I am sorry. I can only hope he has forgiven me. I will live with that regret every day for the rest of my life. My father’s death taught me how fragile we all really are; to treat people like everyday is their last day. It could very well be.

We talked about death. I know what he wanted. He didn’t want anything elaborate. My father was a simple man. I can still hear him laughing after I told him I was going to feed him to all the fish and crabs.

I’ve made one more trip to Ocean City. I stayed at the Plim Plaza once again. I brought my father with me this time too, to keep the promise that I made to him. Just as she was with me at  the hospital on the day he died, my closest and dearest friend Kelli was by my side.  Tonight the stars were shining bright. There was one star that was especially bright, I believe it was my father looking down on me. Kelli and I threw  handfuls of ashes into the ocean, and watched as my father blew into the air.  I waited for that one big wave to come, just like the ones he and I used to jump, and I let the rest of him go. It was a bittersweet moment.  My father is now where he always wanted to be. At our favorite place ever. He is now and forever will be part of Ocean City.

To end the night, Kelli and I went out for a drink, to  toast my father. We got  drinks for us, and a budweiser for my father. As we sat at the poolside bar, the house band played. I’ll call it coincidence, but the singer of that band played a song that he had written for his father. One of the lyrics from that song  was “if the waters get to rough, I’ll be by your side.” It moved me.  It was the closure that I have needed. Rest In Peace Daddy. I love you.

Breaking the Canadian Stereotype: Holy F*ck is in your Face

The "Four Headed Beast"

The sterotypical Canadian is polite, wimpy, and irrelevant. Holy Fuck is none of the above. Holy Fuck is LOUD! They have been hailed as “Toronto’s evil super group.” I was lucky enough to catch its ninety minute set at the Virgin Free Fest on Sunday, August 30th. The weather was beautiful, the dance tent was grooving, and Holy Fuck was in the air, on your tongue, and all around. My friend and musician Joe Osborne summed it up perfectly in his Tweet, “Holy Fuck might be the tightest band I’ve ever seen play live music.”

This electronica influenced rock band is headed by Graham Walsh and Brian Borcherdt with rotating rhythm players, currently Matt Schulz (Drummer) and Matt McQuaid (Bassist). The music is not “computer” generated, but the sound is very similar. Outrageous and bizarre tones from an old fashioned moviola, an array of pedals, and multiple keyboards, blend perfectly with the cadence of drums and bass. Walsh and Borcherdt refer to their keyboards as the Greek gods Apollo and Dionysus, symbolizing both chaos and order. Very fitting to say the least.

During the entire set, Walsh was hunched over his keyboards grooving and jerking like a mad scientist. The “Four Headed Beast” played in a circle, instead of directly to the audience. This made the music more intense and orgy like, and probably helps Holy Fuck communicate through subtle gestures.

Mad Scientist

Since the show, I can not get enough of the raw, improvisational, yet solid sound of these four experimental musicians. I for one am looking forward to the release of Vicious Circles Vol. 1 a collection of  three artists (Black Moth Super Rainbow / Holy Fuck / Shugo Tokumaru), and their interpretation of each other’s works. The official release date has not been announced, but should be before the end of 2009, just in time for Christmas.

*Pictures courtesy Dawn and Tony Biedenkapp*

Playing the Viola

Holy Fuck 2009 Tour Dates:

09/09-Seattle, WA @Bumbershoot

09/10-Quebec City, QC @Le Festival Envol et Macadam

09/24-Vancouver, BC @ The Venue

09/25-Whistler, BC @ Garabaldi Lift Company

09/26-Victoria, BC @ Rifflandia Music Festival

Listen to some tunes at pitchfork

Band’s website http://www.holyfuckmusic.com/

My Space Page

Update to Project Do What You Love: My First Published Articles

Below are links to two articles I wrote for Heed Magazine. I think they turned out rather well. Tracey Osborne (although, not mentioned, took some of the great photos).  Thanks for all your help and support!

The Chill: ChillJam.com is a “weekly music collective diary ” meant to capture the moment using art

Word on the Street: Street interviews asking about the major political issues surrounding us

Catch up with Project Do What You Love here.

Everybody Stretch Now

Ok, it is mid-afternoon (well somewhere it is). Everyone get up and stretch. That’s right, take some deep breaths. Roll those shoulders, stretch out the legs, wrists, fingers, hips. Rock back and forth from your toes to your heals (slightly). You are in the seventh inning stretch at your cube (or office). Beat that afternoon urge to grab sugar or coffee (only to crash even harder later). Get your blood pumping. Take a walk to the water cooler and back (maybe get some water while you’re at it). Desk stretches are a good way to get the blood pumping and the energy flowing through your body again. I came across a good stretch routine (link below).  Try it today. Namaste.

Get an easy 3 minute routine here

I Know Nothing; Therefore, I Write

“I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.” I truly believe in this quote from Socrates. Which is why I sometimes find it hard to even write. However, Socrates was still a philosopher, so I can still be a writer. Are we both hypocrites? Are we all hypocrites? Oh, how philosophy plays tricks with my mind. 

Another reason I find it hard to write is whining. I detest it. Who wants to hear me whine about my daughter on the subway, my weight issues, my job issues? To counter these negative thoughts and images, I try to suggest solutions, or even just the brighter side of things. I do not always succeed, but negativity is catching and no one wants that virus.

Socrates “decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean.” Writing is therapeutic for me. If it helps someone else out, that is great, but I do it mainly for me. There are few things in life where TRUE passion springs. As far as I know (and that is nothing), writing is my passion. What’s yours?

Namaste.