Humpdays @ the Glass Door = 1/2 off wine!

Got the mid week blues? Hop over to the Glass door for their 1/2 price wine Wednesday’s gig!

With the economic downturn in full swing they decided living like its 1999 when it comes to prices is way better than 2009 so…they are offering you the opportunity to grab any bottle off the wine list (and most of their Champagne’s) for 1/2 price!

Laird Chardonnay, Tobin James Zin, Whitehaven Sav Blanc and all of their other great wines for 1/2 off. Visit their website to check out their weekly specials. Just imagine the possibilities….and the sunset!

Words Withheld (poem)

(poem)

Oxygen when you can’t breathe
Speechless when you want to sing
Say it don’t be afraid
Time passes

Moments lost that you can’t trade
An empty bed in which you lay
Say it don’t be afraid
Hurt passes

Words so simple to say aloud
Carry volumes in their sound
Say it don’t be afraid
Silence passes

A piercing sun ray may come through
Scare off those eerie clouds of gloom
Say it don’t be afraid
Darkness passes

The one truth you were never told
Is that to gain you have to fold
Say it don’t be afraid
Chance passes

Pride when it involves the heart
Has no other role than to corrupt
Say it - if you're too afraid
Love passes

-Lilia Villa

Why Visit India (excerpt)

excerpt from my pre-visit journal essay 11.06.2005

If I could sum up India in a word, it would be ‘variety.’ A country long known for its spices, India has proved to the world that variety actually is the spice of life there. The interplay of motley colors, the art, the sights, the music, the visage and the landscape, has intrigued me all of my life, as well as awed millions over centuries before me. India has blended, accepted and absorbed cultures other than its own. The result - a culture that is exotic, complex, and rich in traditions and customs. How could a country with such an open embrace to other races and cultures be plagued with so much poverty, gender discrimination, and social injustice?

In my perception, India is a paradisal paradox. Shining glass multiplexes stand out in their surrounding posh urban hubs, juxtaposed with the meager huts and slums in the rather cut-off interiors of India. In the metropolis you see Mercedes Benzes on the tarmac roads, while carts pulled by oxen still ply on the muddy pathways of villages. Hip men clothed in the latest fashion styles hit the dance floor at the uptown clubs, as the humble dhoti is still worn by the men of the village. One place reels under drought, at the same time another place is inundated by the running monsoon waters. The past and the present intermingle; both existing in a delicate yet constant harmony. This balance of old and new is unique to India. To even get a glimpse of this is a life-altering learning experience.

I am both a psychology and an art major. Art is a passion for me, and the art created by the civilizations that have thrived in India is one of the most unique, ancient, and beautiful on Earth. Art often reflects priorities in a culture, and India has proven to be an excellent example of this tendency. The architecture, sculpture, painting and fabric work created in India, are sights I have wished to see for a long time.

Attempting to decipher a people’s art is only the beginning. To really aarive at an understanding of the mentality of any culture, one must first look at the condition of its women. Being a woman myself of a culture in which women have made tremendous advances toward equality, India presents a painful reality.

The prevailing patriarchal traditions set thousands of years before impede social and economic advancement today. India is one of many unfortunate countries in the third world where women are immensely oppressed. Malnutrition, lack of education, overwork, mistreatment, and powerlessness plague the woman of India. Conditions such as these make any conscious woman cringe at the mere thought of what it must be like to be in such circumstances. I can not even begin to fathom what my reality would be like had I been born to these conditions. The Indian culture has been around longer than my own, its continuity intrigues me, but I understand it very little. It is hard to completely accept a people when one does not understand them, and perhaps only through direct interaction can one begin to.

The opportunity to have this kind of interaction in a country like India is amazing. I think an experience like this can really change the way I think about things and help me understand this culture a little more. I believe that this experience would really be an investment, and as an American it would really help me see something different to what I have been exposed to all my life.

Furthermore, I believe that awareness is the most powerful tool against injustice, experiencing something has a larger impact than simply reading about it. I want to walk down the same paths thousands of Indian women walk, see myself in them, and return with a purpose to be a catalyst for change. Until every woman has seen justice and fairness, none of us should feel like we have.

In the Indian peninsula, the Himalayas guard the north, while the deep blue waves of the Indian Ocean flank the shores to the south. In all this, what strings together the entire bundle of contradictions is the warmth with which the country welcomes one and all. So much can be said about India, but the best way discover India is to explore it firsthand. I wish to immerse myself in the monumental potpourri of culture that is India, broaden my horizons, and grow from the experience.

Little Knots (poem)

little knots

---

a ball of yarn
unrolled in lifetimes
a single string
intertwined

what a night
was our reunion
a little knot
assigned

such a delight
to feel this free
a warmth of light
inside

times before
we've been together
tied like this
combined

when we're gone
know in your heart
we'll meet again
knots bind

----

so wonderful to meet you again soul friend :)

CS San Diego's First Annual Valentine's Day Pillow Fight!

Alternate title: How CS has changed my city (or how Lilia decided not to run away and addressed the issue)

You know about my CS addiction right? If you don’t, then you need to meander over to couchsurfing.com and read more about it! Check my profile out while you are on it. It’s amazing, and the tag line rings true to not only me, but the thousands of other members in the corners of the world. "The World is smaller than You Think."


CS San Diego’s first annual Valentine’s Day pillow fight
Here is a quick summary. It will be even better next year!

We started at the fountain in Horton Plaza, then moved on to the streets and started another pillow fight in front of the Balboa. We then proceeded to the intersection of 5th and Market, and returned to Horton Plaza for the finale. Below are some cool links. I am sure more will pop up since there were so many people recording this.

Everyone arrived 20 minutes before the start time, and had their pillows hidden. They pretended like they were simply taking an afternoon stroll. It was hilarious as some had stuffed their pillows in grocery bags and backpacks, while others got instantly pregnant. Everyone was anxious and giggling as soon as a new undercover agent arrived onto the scene.

The fight was started at 6pm by a small group of us. We ran behind the crowd and rushed them screaming swinging pillows!

Couchsurfing Event

Facebook Event (photos and video)


Photos:
http://www.havlickova.com/0214pillowfight/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/berichandcreamy/sets/72157613870073534/

Video:
Horton Plaza beginning: (about 1:50 into it)
Street Video
Balboa Theater
5th Ave 1
5th Ave 2
NBC video


It was tons of fun. Families joined us with their kids, young and old alike – all taking a little time off to have lighthearted fun. There were feathers everywhere!

Lilia’s randomness to be continued…hope to see you there next year!

Childhood Dreams

We all have something we wanted to be when we were children. Chances are we weren't thinking in terms of being thin...those wishes came with puberty. It seems that from then on so much time was spent focusing on the outside, that we somehow forgot to take care of the inside. I count myself in that group.

One of the things that characterized me as a child was my love for drawing and painting. I used to be able to look at something and replicate it on paper. As a child I wanted to be an artist, but most of all I wished I had all of the tools one needed to be one - canvas, paints, sketch pens, pastels, colored pencils, markers, and a desk specifically designed and allotted for the art-making process... a desk! How simple of a childhood dream! A drafting table was all I wanted! Unfortunately painting was, as it is now, an expensive hobby. The table never happened, who could blame my parents for not getting me a $300 table!?

For years I neglected that artistic part of me...I always knew it was there, but I just didn't make it one of my priorities. I instead relied on art appreciation, immersing myself in countless art history books, as a small glimpse into what could be but wasn't. This was a time for me to learn about the different styles, schools of thought, theories, and aesthetics of the art world. It certainly had its value, but not actively creating had its downside. My creative urges remained stagnant, hidden, and suppressed for years after.

During my rediscovery trip to Joshua Tree, I realized that I had an unfulfilled childhood dream that as an adult I could actively fill. A book I hadn't seen in years made its way into my backpack that weekend. It was a book about the spirituality of creativity, and a guide to finding your creative self again after years of neglect. After doing some of the exercises, I felt that little creative spark light up inside again. How exciting! What did I do? I decided to give my inner child what it wanted - a drafting table!

I went to the store, purchased the table, and took it home. It required assembly, and I kid you not I was up until 3am putting that thing together. Halfway through the process I realized I needed a screwdriver to finish it, and I didn’t have one! ...a little known fact is that "Focused Lilia" is a force to be reckoned with...so I drove to the store at 2am to buy one! 3am rolled by and, alas, a brand spanking new drafting table sat in my room. Like a child, I stared at it, with tremendous joy overflowing inside...what a wonderful day! I have to say so far this has probably been a highlight for the year, even with all of the changes I've been through in my life recently. My inner child is at peace, happy, and nourished!

What is your childhood dream? Whatever your childhood dreams were it's not necessarily too late! Try and see if you can maybe evolve your dream to fit your life now. I certainly cant drop everything and become a freelance artist, but I can engage in it during my free time. Consider what steps you need to put it into action. We often get bogged down with the superficial and forget about the peace that trying something new and forgotten can bring. Take a look inside and see what you come up with, your inner child is waiting!

Lilia's Migration to Solitude

This past weekend I decided to take a personal holiday and go on a solo camping trip.
The place: Joshua Tree National Park
The Mission: Rest & Relaxation and time to think recent events out
The Tools: Camping Gear, Art supplies
The Goods: ALL organic foods and tons of H2O
The Transport: my cute little Jetta baby
The Entertainment: a recently stocked iPod :-)

After diverting for a day over to Palm Springs to attend one of the many parties going on that weekend, I headed up to Joshua Tree National Park. I must say I felt truly at peace while there. There is something about being out in nature that just helps you become in tune with yourself. I did some hiking, some drawing, some eating, and a lot of thinking. It is truly a beautiful place! The campgrounds were all completely full, and the idea of camping alone in the middle of nowhere was somehow not appealing to me! I didn't want to leave, but thought it unsafe to stay past sundown and was not about to sleep in my car!

After spending the whole day there I decided to head back south. I drove to a friends house to spend the night, then the next day I headed down to Baja. My true home! I drove down to the beach and hung out reading, sketching, listening to music, just enjoying life and waiting for the sunset. It was so nice out! I walked around the beach a bit and found a lobster guys! YES! I wanted to eat it real bad, but i threw it back in the water. There were tons of beautiful birds out, and the sea breeze was truly soothing.

It was nice to get away for a bit and have some alone time. I really recommend it! Its great to get your thoughts together and do the things you love. In my case it was reading, writing, and drawing. For others it could be singing, playing music, anything really. Its really personal and this seemed to work wonders for me. My head is clear and I feel much better.

A person has more to give after getting away for a few days in the wilderness. Remember, we often resist what we most need. Give yourself some quality alone time, you wont regret it and you will realize that you are quite fun! What I took away from this little trip :

Leap, and the net will appear.

EuroLilia: pictures and video from France...and an update from Prague!

Hey Everyoooooooooooooooooooone!


I have left the beautiful city of Paris, and have added an album with some pics here at myspace

we hitchhiked into Paris from Amsterdam, hahahaa. loved it.

I am now in Prague, and am heading out. Hope the new year is treating you all well!

see you soon :)

Lilia

Here is our countdown from Paris at the CS NYE party. We had about 600 people show up to this, and it was awesome! CS Paris is intense! and the people are great!

Turkey - Riddled with Ancient Ruins

I have been back from my travel study in Turkey for a few days now, and am better able to organize my thoughts regarding my experience. 20 days to consume folks! Here is an excerpt from something I wrote the last time I was there, about 3 years ago:

"During my visit to Bulgaria, my friend and I ventured south into Turkey. We visited Istanbul, a city thousands of years old. Istanbul is such a diverse city that it's almost Impossible to split it up into definable districts. The only real distinctions that can be made between districts is that between the European and Asian sides, which are separated by the Bosphorus and the peninsula lying between the Golden Horn and the Sea of Marmara.

Turkey has exoticism to spare, with its covered bazaars, whirling dervishes, sultans' treasures and Byzantine mosaics. Turkey lies at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. The incredible mix of culture there is amazing.

I have never been so culturally shocked. When I arrived there I quickly realized that the atmosphere in a Muslim country is incredibly intimidating-specially being a woman. Walking down the streets you could hear the chants of Islam emitted by the dozens of mosques in the area. Turkey is an incredible country, rich in culture and history. It was truly a fascinating trip."

(From my old web site: http://liliavilla.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page8.html )

This time around, I wasn't so culturally shocked or intimidated. I think I secretly wanted to go back to confront my first experience here. I don't know if I have just gotten a little wiser since last I visited this country, but I had an interesting confidence while there this time around. Though I had fun the first time, I felt like I was reluctant and uncomfortable during that visit.

This trip was a lot more involved as well. Longer - duh, but also more complete seeing as we traveled down the Aegean Coast. Growing up I was such a Greek mythology freak, so it was pretty awesome to visit some of these ruins. Troy, Pergamon, Izmir (the birthplace of Homer so they say), Ephesus (last home of the Virgin Mary, and where St. John wrote his Gospel/where his tomb is located), Aphrodisias, and Asclepion (Home to the famous physician Galen). Antioch, Halicarnassus, the works! I also was excited to hear the Amazons originated in the North Eastern part of the country...Niiiiice! Shop em boobs off sisters!

We visited NGO's as well...but that's a whole nother story! Everyone seemed in such denial about the Armenian and Kurdish genocides, their high illiteracy rates, the status of women, their Arab heritage, their homosexual population, and the general status of the country. Needless to say they were seriously lacking in all of these departments, though seemingly on a road to improvement. We visited the Purple Roof Foundation, which is the countries only shelter for battered women. The people in general seemed VERY nationalistic; with a die-hard love of Ataturk...I have some opinions about this that perhaps I will shed light upon another time...think happy thoughts Lilia...

Hey if you are bored here are some DID YOU KNOWS about Turkey that I found interesting:

Did You Know This?

Anatolia is the birthplace of historic legends, such as Homer (the poet), King Midas, Herodotus (the father of history), and St. Paul the Apostle.

The Famous Trojan Wars took place in Western Turkey, around the site where the Trojan horse rests today.

St. Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus, was born in Derme/Antalya, on Turkey's Mediterranean Coast.

Noah's Ark landed on Mount Ararat (Agri Dagi) in Eastern Turkey.

Ephesus and Halicarnassus (the place for two of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world) are in Turkey.

Julius Caesar proclaimed his celebrated words, "Veni, Vidi, Vici (I came, I saw, I conquered)" in Turkey when he defeated the Pontus, a formidable kingdom in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.

Three of the 10 remaining icons of the world and according to the belief of Orthodox, Jesus Christ's cross on which he was crucified are in Hagia Yorghi Church.

The philosopher Aristotle lived in Assos for three years.

Writing was first used by people in ancient Anatolia. The first clay tablets in the ruins of Assyrian Karum (Merchant Colony) date back to 1950 BC.

Turks introduced coffee to Europe.

Lydia which is one of the greatest civilizations lived in Anatolia and it's the first civilization which coined money.

The first University in history is in Harran, Turkey.

--------------

I bet you didn't know!:)

**anyway... here is the full list: http://www.adiyamanli.org/did_know_these.htm

My political posting is to come shortly :)

Where do Nightmares Come From and Why?

I had a pretty disturbing dream last night that sparked the following rant:

Nightmares - Why?

Almost everyone has experienced a dream that provoked anxiety or fear in them. Some people even have the same nightmare repeatedly. Others have nightmares in which the content changes but have the same underlying message. Its common for people to have dreams in which they fall, are being chased, attacked, late to an exam, unable to move or scream, are naked in public...How and Why do these happen? Is there a specific purpose to them?

There are many who think these kinds of dreams reflect on the dreamer's inability to recognize and solve conflicts in real life, and others who believe that dreams are just our brains interpretation of random neural activity during REM sleep, with little relevance.

While there are many theories about the purpose of dreams, one of the most scientifically fascinating is the Activation Synthesis Theory. This theory basically states that our dreams are products of random neural activity during REM sleep that is converted into plausible stories usually based on the day's events. Throughout our existence, our brains are constantly reconstructing and interpreting external stimuli to create the "complete" effect we are familiar with and this function can clearly be seen in dreams. Dreams could be seen as the epitome of our brain's "creative license" while trying to interpret external stimuli during our sleep. Remember, our brain works around the clock, even when we are sleeping.

What is interesting about the Activation Synthesis Theory is that entire situations are created by the brain with very little preliminary data. Other forms of reconstruction rely heavily on simultaneously-perceived stimuli to "fill in the gaps," whereas dreams would be only loosely based on recent events with the remainder of the in-dream "plot" being "made up" by the brain on the spot. It would seem like our creative, imaginative inner writer comes out to visit during REM sleep! Mary Shelley did write Frankenstein after a vivid nightmare!

Though this theory is fascinating as to HOW dreams happen, it is hard to believe that dreams are nothing more than random physiological happenings with little relevance to our psyche, our brain's "relaxing down time." I am of course, a hard-core Jungian! I'd argue that dreams are the expression of the unconscious mind. It isn't a mystery that throughout the history of man, there have been many who have benefited greatly from the interpretation of their dreams on a deeply personal level.

It is important to note that almost all recurrent dreams, as analyzed philosophically, seemingly try to give the dreamer an important message. In this sense, nightmares can be seen as ways to identify and treat personal problems. Sometimes they point out patters in our current behavior or psychological imbalances that we need to resolve. According to some experts, if we are successful in acknowledging their message and solve our issues in real life, we will cease to have that particular dream, or we will have the same dream with a different ending - the ideal conclusion - that represents the ultimate proof that we have solved the problem.

Dreams are about the most fascinating, controversial subjects out there. The mind, and all of its complex functions, still has us banging our heads against the wall (so to speak) in confusion! The prospect that complex and "realistic" sensations (such as in lucid dreams), could be fabrications of our brains, is both amazing and alarming. If our dreams can be completely artificial, what else in our daily existence is simply our brain's interpretation of random activity?

let me know what your thoughts are on this matter.

-Lilia Villa

on a day like today but in 2001...

The nation today marked the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, memorializing the nearly 3,000 people who died that day in solemn remembrances that included the ritual reading of victims' names at the sites of the attacks, public tributes to lost loved ones and private tears and grieving among those they left behind.

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heaven sent desserts- new dessert joint in the hillcrest/northpark area. DELICIOUS and creative sweets! The decor is very posh-and hillcrest typical in its hipness. a great addition to the areas now famous cafe colabria and claire de lune. We loved this place-i recommend it! (30th & university)

White Rainbow

I write to you all again about my beloved India! This time it is about an amazing film I recommend everyone to see. Dharlin Entertainment is planning a limited release of the film "White Rainbow" starting in April. Since they don't have the funds for a major publicity campaign, they are approaching this with a grass roots effort to spread the word. "White Rainbow" is Dharlin Entertainment's most aggressive production to date due to the nature of the film, which exposes the dire condition of India's widows. For my personal take on some of these issues, visit my post on GFX-- "Solace in Vrindavan"

"White Rainbow" is set to open on April 7th in San Jose, CA at the Camera

12 Cinemas.

"White Rainbow is the story of four remarkable women and their journey to overcome the societal stigma and grim reality of widowhood. Abandoned by their families, impoverished by a system that fails to recognize them, and denied even the most simple grace of wearing color, they find the resolve to transform their lives, and in doing so, the lives of Vrindavan's widows.

The story begins with the tragedy of the film’s protagonist and narrator, Priya. Upon learning of her husband’s sudden death, Priya miscarries her baby. Although her life is one of privilege and prestige, Priya's emotional and tragic catharsis compels her to make a pilgrimage to Vrindavan. Alone and desperate for solace, she befriends three women, all widows, and all with their own powerful and tragic stories to tell.

The elder streetwise, Roop, rejected by her own children and forced to make her way on the streets. Gentle Mala, disfigured by her mother-in-law, a servant and illicit lover to a priest. And young Deepti, widowed at age 15 and forced into prostitution.

Together, this disparate group challenges the myths and traditions that surround not only the treatment of widows in Indian society, but the widows' own resignation to their fate. And, in the process, their own transformation takes hold. No longer destined to a fate of poverty and servitude, the women emerge empowered with the belief that they are the champions of their own lives. The film inspires us all to see the Rainbow present in every woman." -(source) "White Rainbow Offical Movie Site"

BBC NEWS- "Film Highlights Widow's Plight"

By Anu Anand

BBC correspondent in Vrindavan, north India

9/9/2004

Five years ago, Indian director Deepa Mehta tried to make a film about the exploitation of widows. But she and her film crew were forced to quit after violent protests by Hindu leaders.Now, the spotlight is back on the ill-treatment of India's widows. A new film, by an Indian-American director, tells harrowing tales of sexual and physical abuse.

Harsh lives

In the fading light of afternoon, nearly 300 women sit chanting on the marble floor, their skeletal faces shrouded in white saris. It is the second shift in Vrindavan's largest widow ashram (religious retreat), some 200 kilometres east of the Indian capital Delhi. Many have been forced to shave their heads. All wear the color of grief, waiting for the day they too will follow their husbands into the afterlife. The women struggle to stay awake. But they must, because a shift here earns them one plate of rice and lentils, just enough to survive.Their story is now being told on-screen.

Film exposes reality

A new film called White Rainbows tells the story of four widows in Vrindavan - who were raped, disfigured and abandoned by their families. It is based on the real life story of Mohini Giri, today, India's leading advocate of widows' rights. She says the film tells the ugly truth. "The atrocities are manifold - one is due to hunger, the second - no shelter - they have to depend on men who in turn molest them or take advantage of their vulnerability and the third is illiteracy - they are not educated. "Not having these three things leaves them in a dismal state."

Dharan Mandrayar is the film's director. An Indian living in California, he says he was shocked to discover widows were still treated in such appalling manner. "It's unbelievable that families would abandon their mothers...that's why we decided to do this film. "We are hoping that even if it changes a couple of minds to do something or to help we have achieved something."

Forced out

Most widows I talked to said this was their fate. Anita Yadav is 29-years-old. After her husband died of alcohol poisoning, she too fled to Vrindavan with her three young children. "My brother in law kept trying to molest me. He'd come to my room again and again. I complained, but my in-laws took his side. "They said, either marry him, or get out." But Anita has found a rare sanctuary. She lives in a rescue mission run by Mohini Giri who has joined hands with Dharan Mandrayar to spread the film's message.

Here, the women wear colorful saris - red and green, white with purple polka dots - to reject the stigma of widowhood. They can pray or simply watch TV. These small freedoms are important. And after the violent opposition to the last film on widows in India, the making of White Rainbows alone is progress.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/36118

HappyMonday.jpg

and so the new week begins...

ComingSoon.jpg

haha

NewHair.jpg

it was time

SNow.jpg

on the way to julian...SO cold!.

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haaaaa driving the boat.

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on a motorboat @ lake cuyamaca.

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very myspace.