The Move Begins...

"And you will find yourself in a beautiful house... and you will ask yourself 'How did I get here?'"
I love that line so much, in fact even when I didn't like the Talking Heads (many a moon ago) that line seemed to stick with me.
Along the generally good advice of friends and therapists that I shouldn't be on my own, brooding, in this lovely state of Hawai'i, I've decided to move to an art space.
Yes!!
Asterisk, on Mcully and Young, is one of the best art spaces in the entire city. It hosts shows, fashion events, and film nights. It houses 12 lovely people within its walls. Of these people, I've come to know Justin, Charlie, Sarah, and Kate extremely well. It was they who invited me to come stay with them, and I was only too delighted to say yes. I currently stay on Dole St, in a lovely but lonely and quiet (not to mention expensive) house. When I'm home I feel worse than when I'm out... and that's always a good indicator that a space isn't working out. I've always had to try to find spaces that fit me, people that I fit with... and sometimes I think I've had to look harder than some.
For me, a home represents Ohana... a family. I don't like to be solitary for too long. When I want to write songs or do work I'll throw on headphones... but I don't like to sleep without noise, without words. I love the feelings of community that living with others brings. I just hope that Asterisk will be everything that I was looking for, until Glenn arrives and we begin our era of domestic bliss... here's hoping.
We're having a Thriller halloween party, and I am SO looking forward to showing my She-Ra costume to the world! My mom said it was 'appropriate.' Maybe I've always dreamed of being a superhero, a noble person that helps and saves others. Attending to myself always seemed blase.
In other news, the Obama bike rally went amazingly well, and was NOT shut down by the Honolulu police! I went all out and Obama-mized my bike with many, many stickers. I recall when I was a child I always wanted to have a ' sticker car,' so adorned with stickers that one couldn't even see the paint. On Saturday, leading the pack ten miles to the capitol while drivers honked and cheered, I felt as close to that dream as I've ever been.
The election is coming up. VOTE. VOTE. VOTE. Don't let your words go unheeded, your thoughts go unrepresented. We're all in this together, whether we like it or not. And despite all the media and the trash, there's something about this strange little country that I still love. In fact, I've never been so proud to be an American than during this election. In Edinburgh, I was always so ashamed that sometimes I faked a Scottish accent just to make things easier (not to mention get me an overdraft at the bank.) Now, I don't think I would ever be so decieving to others or to myself.
All meandering aside, it's been a good week... two Bs on two seperate midterms and making new connections and friendships... here's to an awesome Halloween.

XO

Physician, Heal Thyself!!

Wow.
Just.... wow.
It has been a truly crazy month.
So those of you that know me know that I've been struggling with my health, trying to figure out exactly what is wrong with my kidneys/urology system.
Turns out I finally know what it is... I have an autoimmune disorder!
It seems that more and more people are getting them these days ;)
The amazing thing is, that due to the stress of moving + grad school, I got a really bad case and it explains just about everything that's happened to me, why I've been in hospital, and why I haven't been up to see all of you lovely Honolulu folk.
The amazing thing, all I had to do was change my diet. This past week I have been in no pain whatsoever. I cut out caffeine, citrus fruits, alchohol, tobacco, and anything acidic. I started taking supplements such as calcium citrate and magnesium. Within a week my symptoms have gone down to zero.
I think sometimes I just need to listen to my body. I'm a bit of a stubborn type, and like to think I can make this vessel do whatver I want, like some sort of robot. But sometimes it reminds me that its not invincible.
Strange getting older, isn't it??
In other news, school is going very well and I've passed two midterms. Musically NightMare Drum Song needs more shows... so add us please! www.myspace.com/nightmaredrumsong.
Last night I watched a John Cassavetes film called 'Woman under the Influence.' I think it is one of the most beautiful films I have ever seen. Afterwards I went to Bar 39 to see Eyes and Ears. The whole band came out and we danced. It was so good to be surrounded by friends and film and music... makes me realize that more socializing and less stressing will be wonderful for me... minus the booze of course ;)
Shoots.

I Left My Heart... Well, You Know.

Week in San Francisco has come to a blissful end.
I was sick, like in the ER, but it was totally worth it.
I will not bore you with the details of this....instead let me regale you of howmy awesome filmmaker boyfriend Glenn showed the 'Pink Movie,' a short experimental film that turns heads, to say the least, at the 'Art Space' of 17th and Capp.
We went to the top of Buena Vista Park and I finally bought 'Hackers.' It's amazing how much you miss Ameoba when you haven't set foot in a record shop in six weeks!
I saw my parents and was spoiled muchly by their love and affection.
I smothered my boy with the same. I can't believe how lucky I am to have him.
And in other totally awesome news, my Master's thesis from Edinburgh was approved for Hawai'i so now I will get out of this program in four years instead of six!!!!
Not like I don't love Hawai'i Nei but.... sometimes I truly miss my home.

Hack The Planet,

Rach xx