The Organic Beauty Expert

The geeky holistic green girl -- updated, kind of

UPDATE: 10.24.08

I want to thank the readers who sent email regarding the post below. Many of you fellow Mac girls relayed your computer love story and it was really nice to get emails about ... well, computers, for a change. Not that I don't love and appreciate your emails about beauty, but I've noticed this column usually gets me more private emails than anything else. Again, showing as I wrote, that there are just so many wonderful relationships that this computer and this blog have brought to me. None of it possible without technology, and quite frankly, with less hassle, as well, now that I've seen the "iLight."

Additionally, I think because I'm in the business of touch, the "anti-social" aspects of this geeky online world are no longer as ostracizing as before. So I get to "meet" people from all over the world (Yay! Twitter!) correspond with blog readers as far away as Australia, and find old friends I knew when I lived in Italy (Yay! Facebook.)

So in case you missed it, or as they used to say on "In Living Color"... "I wrote a song (on this case blog post) about it. Wanna hear it? Here it go..." And as always, email me  your comments, questions, complaints!

It's been a while since I lasted posted in this column, but this is a good conversation to get started right now. OBE readers, I'm the only geeky holistic green girl I know. Seriously. One of my clients today commented yet again, on how great he thinks my massage site is. Not that it's designed very well or anything, just that I use the available technology to make it easier for clients to schedule their appointments. Unlike many therapists who insist you call them (I do understand and love the personal touch, however...) I have both a phone schedule process and online scheduling. It just makes sense to me: make it easy, make it accessible.

Without my computer, I wouldn't be in business. I wouldn't still be in the green beauty arena, I wouldn't have been able to teach and I wouldn't be able to source new products. What about my video reviews? Where would you get my cheesy, unscripted opinions on products if I didn't record my video podcasts?

Technology has come a very long way from when I was a kid: back when we had UHF and VHF channels with the dial to change among four stations. We take digital pictures with digital cameras or cell phones then shoot them live via YouTube, Veoh or iWeb. How amazing is this life we live?

As an massage therapist, I am among a very small percentage of folks who are web savvy, using the numerous opportunities present online. For me, it's the only way to do business. Right now I'm looking for a really good digital video camera to produce some massage video clips and if I had my way, there'd be a free program that would allow me to have great backgrounds in my videos.

Tell me OBE readers, how is technology working for you in the new milienium? You read this blog, you probably have a cell phone with a camera or an MP3 player. What else? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Shameless self-promotion alert

Well at least you know what to expect, right? I'm writing yet another blog and for those of you interested in the musings of a massage therapist, I think you might enjoy it. It's called ... There's the Rub. Often times in this profession I feel myself a bit of an oddity and during sessions where I'm silent sometimes upwards of 2 hours at a stretch, there's a lot on my head.

Therapists are a unique bunch. But each client teaches me something and every interaction makes it mark on me. I've learned a lot about myself and continue to learn about others. I have no idea if my thoughts or observations are accurate, but they make sense for me, and sometimes that's all I need. So if you're a blog hound and like hearing the musings of others, check it out!

Shameless self-promotion over.

 

The geeky holistic green girl

It's been a while since I lasted posted in this column, but this is a good conversation to get started right now. OBE readers, I'm the only geeky holistic green girl I know. Seriously. One of my clients today commented yet again, on how great he thinks my massage site is. Not that it's designed very well or anything, just that I use the available technology to make it easier for clients to schedule their appointments. Unlike many therapists who insist you call them (I do understand and love the personal touch, however...) I have both a phone schedule process and online scheduling. It just makes sense to me: make it easy, make it accessible.

Without my computer, I wouldn't be in business. I wouldn't still be in the green beauty arena, I wouldn't have been able to teach and I wouldn't be able to source new products. What about my video reviews? Where would you get my cheesy, unscripted opinions on products if I didn't record my video podcasts?

Technology has come a very long way from when I was a kid: back when we had UHF and VHF channels with the dial to change among four stations. We take digital pictures with digital cameras or cell phones then shoot them live via YouTube, Veoh or iWeb. How amazing is this life we live?

As an massage therapist, I am among a very small percentage of folks who are web savvy, using the numerous opportunities present online. For me, it's the only way to do business. Right now I'm looking for a really good digital video camera to produce some massage video clips and if I had my way, there'd be a free program that would allow me to have great backgrounds in my videos.

Tell me OBE readers, how is technology working for you in the new milienium? You read this blog, you probably have a cell phone with a camera or an MP3 player. What else? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Take a moment to remember & be thankful today

It's been a while since my last posting here in "Straying from beauty for a minute", but as I sit here working, preparing for clients, I listen to my local AM station replaying the events of 9-11. It makes me stop and think.

I remember when 9-11 happened -- I was living in Italy, just about to leave work. I was a morning DJ. The Today Show was on our TVs and being a New Yorker, the sight I saw didn't compute at first. The icons of New York had smoke coming from them. A plane had hit the World Trade Center? This won't be a long post because it's difficult to type and cry.

I lost many friends that day. When I saw those buildings come down I was struck. I was speechless, I was devastated. I was angry. After a few days, we got calls into the station from people complaining about the news coverage. Where were the cartoons? Where were their favorite TV shows? I was pissed! People were murdered and you're concerned about your fricking show? You don't want this violence on TV so you're kids don't see it. Are you kidding me? This is the BS I dealt with in the days afterward. How little some of us thought of the senseless deaths of our fellow Americans. We didn't want to see it; we didn't want to process it.

The following month I came to New York and cried as I saw the view of lower Manhattan from New Jersey. Where the buildings once stood there was now just smoke. My body shook in disbelief. As I went to visit my best friend, who lived in Battery Park, I was totally confused. I couldn't get my bearings. Then it dawned on me. There was daylight. I could see the sun. Downtown area was always overshadowed by those massive buildings and as I was walking across Franklin, it felt so alien. There was a hush. And when I saw the last remaining pieces of the building, I completely broke down.

So many senseless deaths, so many people who died helping those beyond help. That is the American spirit. Our firefighters, our policemen, our military. This is what we do. We suffer and we go on. We do our job. The job of protecting. Whether you want us to or not. Many of my former servicemembers were killed when the other plane hit the Pentagon. And those brave souls who knew their death was impending, and said, "let's roll."

I hope we never forget this day and the courage that was displayed in the face of cowardice from the terrorists who attacked my country. Courage and hope in the face of radical extreme Muslims who hate the freedom the U.S. represents. Whether you love it or hate it, we are Americans. Black, white, brown and yellow. When all the other bullshit is set aside, I am so thankful to live here and to know the meaning of what it means to be free. Take a moment from your day today and be thankful. Wherever you are.

Stay beautiful!

Every month is breast cancer prevention month

I found a lump in my breast.

I think hearing this, or saying it aloud to myself was  one of  the hardest things I've done. I imagine it's right up there with hearing, "I've been having an affair," and "I think you need to get checked out."  The kick in the stomach reaction is unlike anything I'd felt before.

More curious to a person like me, who does a lot of "in my head" stuff, was the inherent rationalization I started doing as soon as I felt it. "Let's ride it out and ignore it, and hope it goes away," was the prevalent thought. Then one night, as I lay next to my husband, I whispered in his ear to feel my breast, that I thought something was there. When he noticed it, then my rationalization crumbled and I had to face other possibilities.

I just have to share... through the tears

First, let me say that this article has absolutely NOTHING to do with beauty, so as I always do when I write in this category, Straying from Beauty, I let you know that you can pass this by, as this is pure opinion.

Here I am, home from school watching Dancing with the Stars, in tears, watching Marlee Matlin dance the Samba and last week, I was in tears when I heard about Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor who gave his life to save his brothers-in-arms.

Sure, I'm PMSing, but these two people just make me stop and think of what a wonderful world we live in and how every day above the ground is so wondrous. Matlin is deaf, can't hear a thing and instead of sitting around complaining, she has had a successful career and inspires so many people with her attitude. This is so close to my heart. I know so many lazy asses who simply choose to let life roll them over. They can hear, see, touch, smell and breathe and yet they live as if the world is out to get them. Negative as hell and a waste of space. (If you don't know, I'm NOT politically correct!) People who choose to see walls where others see open road. That is truly inspiring, and worthy of a few tears and a moment of reflection of how we (me, especially) are living our "so-called life."

Navy SEAL Michael A. Monsoor. What can I say? Even as I write this I am overwhelmed with emotion. When I first read this story I didn't make it past the first paragraph I was crying so hard. Don't write me about the nonsense of the war being a lie. Keep that BS for someone else's blog; I'm a warrior's wife! And this comes under "agreeing to disagree". This man, 25-years-old, gave his life to spare his fellow SEALS. I look out on my block and see guys the same age, smoking weed, unemployed, talking smack about how hard life is and just waiting for the next wave, dude...

Monsoor gave the ultimate in sacrifice as those of us who have seen outside our own doors and have seen how others live, know more completely than we should that freedom is indeed not free and in a time when 50 Cent and mindless, rich girls are looked to as the epitome of life, Monsoor and others like him, make me proud.

From his award citation: Petty Officer Monsoor’s actions could not have been more selfless or clearly intentional.  Of the three SEALs on that rooftop corner, he had the only avenue of escape away from the blast, and if he had so chosen, he could have easily escaped.  Instead, Monsoor chose to protect his comrades by the sacrifice of his own life.  By his courageous and selfless actions, he saved the lives of his two fellow SEALs and he is the most deserving of the special recognition afforded by awarding the Medal of Honor.

My tears, my thanks... for allowing me these moments of clarity to appreciate my life.

I'm back! Sorry for the pause!

Hey OBE readers! I know I haven't been posting any news for the last few weeks and I truly apologize. I had finals for my first quarter at massage school (aced them!) and my hubby bubby came home last weekend, so after six months apart, we had to get... reacquainted!

So it's a new month, and this week is going to get jammed with lots of reviews that are well past overdue. Also, I'll be announcing all the winners of the recent giveaways and a new sweepstakes for the readers over 40.

Thanks for your patience. I'm back in gear and ready to write and as always, if you've got some questions, product recommendations or comments, just send them on!

This is a must read if breast cancer is in your life

As you know, every once in a while I stray from beauty, usually to bitch and moan, occasionally to wax philosophical and this time, cause I think you need to read it.

If breast cancer has taken someone you love or if you are a fighter with breast cancer, please read this article.

I'm sharing my Valentine with you -- Happy Love Day!

February 14th causes some strife for those with or without partners. As you may know, my lover, my partner in life and my best friend is deployed. People often ask me how I do it? How do I make it through the deployments? My answer is that the first one I didn't do very well. I was very mean to him. This deployment, I realize it's not about him. I chose him knowing him that he is a patriot and a warrior. This is the life I chose so I endure. Period. I don't blame him, I don't curse him and I don't make him feel guilty about not being here. I share my daily life, send him photos of the kids, we chat via iChat and act as if he's at a normal day at work. Which he is. Just many miles away from his regular desk.

Well, more than 8000 miles away, my honey posted this poem to me on his blog today and I wanted to share it with you. I thought my heart day present were the two iRobots (vacuum cleaner and floor cleaner! You must get at least one) I got last week. When I came home yesterday to a dozen roses, I was shocked. Vacuum cleaner and flowers? Then an email this morning directing me to this, the first poem he's written to me in more than seven years, and the best so far:
             
To my Valentine...           
"Until..."

By Joe Kane

Can it be that our lives have come so far together
The being apart only means “until?”
Until I am back in the warmth of your smile
And the circle of your arms
And the heat of your eyes
And the scent of your skin beneath blankets
And darkness and silence and the weight
Of miles that have fallen away
And time that has melted to mist
And tears that have wet your lips
And the first gasp of air I hold onto
When I once again see your face
And I finally begin to breathe without pain
From prolonged longing and hope and desire
And our bodies come together again
To continue the life that we created
So long ago when we first joined hands
And pledged to remain so “until…”

Happy Valentine's Day, readers. Be good to your self and your mate, wherever you or they may be!

My (racist, sexist, ignorant?) experience at Brecht Mini and Brecht BMW

Readers, I very rarely stray from the focus of this blog. On a few occasions, however, I am so impelled to discuss something that I must. So, if you're here just for the beauty, skip this post. Otherwise, I would love to hear some feedback about what happened to me today.

As I sit here and write this I am beyond livid. Tears intermittently well up because I cannot believe in 2008, with Obama and Hilary both having a real chance of being the leader of our free nation, that racism is alive and well. I'm not naive; I know it happens and in small portions, I've been on the receiving end, but today was just over  the top and it took me some time to come to grips that beyond being a woman and getting that run around, I was profiled as a BLACK woman. Oh yeah, Happy Black History Month!

Here's the deal: This morning I woke up and drove 30 minutes to Brecht Mini in Escondido to put money down on a new Mini Clubman, due to arrive next weekend. I put down $1000 as I had been told for the last three months by my contact there. Once the Sales manager, Steve, SAW me he instructed the salesperson to have me fill out a credit application even though I'd stated numerous times I'd be returning with a bank check for the full amount. Speaking with the manager he was very dismissive and told me, "without a credit check we can't verify you are who you say you are." I informed him I just put down $1000 bucks, of course I'd be back. Do normal people just put down money and not return?" He then said, "If it's not your credit, it wouldn't matter. You'd be surprised what people would do."