Classically Not

There's something British about her. I feel I should drink more tea when she's around. There's a decorum, an elegance, a sophistication.

There's something Jewish about her. It was fun hanging out with her and Scott and Levi by the gelato shop in Venice, practicing Cherkessia (Jewish dance step).

There's something Spanish about her. It's amazing to watch Elizabeth in concert. My favorite pieces are her flamenco-style work, fingers flying, drumming the dance of the matador, at least that's what I picture.

Rasgeaudo, that's the name of the technique, that thing where she turns her fingers into a firing squad, guitar strings beware. It would be violent if not so beautiful. Amid the flurry of hands and notes and dancing harmonics, she closes her eyes and leans, smiling, into her imagination.

There's something Colorado about her. She's a still, quiet soul with a calming presence and a healing warmth. She's born of wide spaces and grand nature. Stately like trees. Peaceful like water. Designed by God and full of his glory. Captivating, like Colorado.

There's something Los Angeles about her. Just when you think you've seen this brand of classical before, she breaks into an amazing rendition of a Peter, Paul and Mary tune. Just when I think how proper and elegant she is, she inverts into a head-stand on the beach, explaining that if you fall backwards you'll land on your feet and if you fall forward you will have completed a somersault, the one a comfort, the other an accomplishment.

At lunch on Monday she said, "I wanna go somewhere where life isn't just around the corner, it's already here!"

There's something Classical about her. There's something Not.

A single phrase to describe my friend Elizabeth Busch:

Life Dance Adventurer

NO...MATTER...WHAT.

Everything's negotiable. 

Everything?

Today I hung out with two brilliant negotiators. What impresses me isn't their ability to negotiate; it's their choice not to. 

Today is the final instalment of "The 365 Experiment," one of Leslie Foster's blogs. He wrote a script a day this entire year! A script a day!

On a film shoot in Tennessee I was up from 5am 'til 1am the next morning. As I crawled into bed for a 4-hour recharge so we could do it all over again, Leslie settled at his computer to write the day's script. Dude, seriously?

Why not just write it tomorrow? Why not take 2 weeks off while the movie is in production?

Because this was his "non-negotiable." Because he'd made a promise. To himself. Every day this year, he was going to turn in a script, a crafted slice of imagination, a soul-painting, a story worth telling.  

NO...MATTER...WHAT.

Actually, I think I first heard the phrase "this is one of my non-negotiables" from Bjorn, another incredible human I encountered today. I'll tell you about him later...

Foster, I am impressed by your resolve, intrigued by your creativity, inspired by your integrity.

What are my non-negotiables? 

What do I have to do today? Who do I have to be? 

NO...MATTER...WHAT.

A single phrase to describe my friend Leslie Foster: Diplomatic Non-Negotiator

Third Wheel

A full-grown man asking my permission to go to the bathroom! 

I knew my path for the day would cross a particularly attractive woman. Amazing as she is, she is not the one for whom my heart reserves. I knew I had to walk that path, but I also knew that on that day I wasn't strong enough to face the encounter alone. So I asked my friend to be there with me.

I met this guy about 6 years ago and he stands out in my memory because he's not afraid to dance whenever the music comes on. He'll even dance when there's no music playing. He's a carrier of contagious enthusiasm. 

Lately I've been reading Nehemiah 8:10 differently than before. It's says the Joy of the Lord is my strength. Ok, sure it's my strength and your strength and everybody's strength. But I'm realizing it's not just generically everyone's strength--It's specifically MY strength.  

Tom Rath describes Positivity on page 141 of his book Strengthfinders:

...Somehow you can't quite escape your conviction that it is good to be alive, that work can be fun, and that no matter what the setbacks, one must never lose one's sense of humor..."

That sounds like Clayton, sounds like Dan, sounds like Jim, like Mike, like Penner, that sounds like...

I've been paying attention to which men have my back in a tight spot, and it seems coincidental they all exhibit this trait, this Positivity, this strength. I'm learning more about the way Joy both derives it's strength from Character and supplies it's strength to Character, a perpetual cycle of replenishment. 

I did run into that young lady and we had a blast! Me and her, and my brother. 

I needed a man I could count on that night. He never left my side. Except one time, and he asked me first. I wonder what he would have done if I'd said no. 

A single phrase to describe my friend Clayton Bedell: Strong Joy Backup

English Kitchen

"I'm here, luv"

British accent. 

You could tell on the phone she was spunky. 

I wish on anyone the beautiful drive between Collegedale, Tennessee, and Atlanta, Georgia. 

I had driven to Atlanta to pick up a stranger. We'd spoken a couple times on the phone but never met. And I wasn't sure what she looked like, really. 

I'd seen a headshot a couple weeks earlier, but now I'm standing in the airport amid a massive throng of people and I'm not sure how we're going to find each other. 

That's where cell phones come in. "I'm here, luv," she says, "at baggage claim for flight 56." 

Across the sea of people I recognized her immediately. She's unmistakable. There's a God-light shining around this woman. It was like I already knew her. An hour later we'd prayed and cried and eaten at Arby's, and I had decided this one's a for-sure keeper. 

She's a fantastic actress. Played Caroline Calloway in  Handwritten Pictures'  "Marbles With Thoreau."  Nothing short of brilliant.  

Over the last 6 months, she and her husband have hosted wonderful dinners that certainly betray them for the foodies that they are. I'm so entertained by the word 'foodie.'

Is that 'Foody' if you're American and 'Foodie' if you're British? 

Today I tried some of her Orange Marmalicious Pancake Syrup; ended up getting two bottles, cause I have to share this with somebody, but you better believe they're not getting mine.  So then I tried the Sundried Tomato Pesto and I had to have some of that, too. Tried the Cranberry Compote,  and you guessed it, had to... 

If you listen closely, you can hear your vanilla ice cream begging for some of this compote. 

I knew she was a bright shining human, a loving wife and mother, such a talented actress, and an amazing dinner chef. But seriously, I really didn't expect how good her English Kitchen line would be. And I hope that's not an insult, Josie. I knew it would be good, even amazing. I didn't know I'd be raving about it hours later!

SUN-DRIED TOMATO FESTO PESTO

A spicy tapenade, perfect for hors d'oeuvres

4oz - $7.50

PORT & CRANBERRY COMPOTE

"Tastes like Christmas!" Great for meats, cheeses--and ice cream!

4oz. - $7.50

ORANGE MARMALICIOUS PANCAKE SYRUP

If you love maple syrup, wait until you taste this! Orange/lemon/ginger.

8oz. - $7.50

ENGLISH HOLIDAY CHUTNEY

Date/Cranberry/Pineapple. Last year's instant bestseller. 

8oz. - $7.50

GIFT BASKETS (Any combination of four) available for a $7.00 additional charge.

Perfect gifts for yourself or someone you love. To order, email josiecoleman@gmail.com 

A single phrase to describe my friend Josie Gammell-Coleman: Actress Brilliant Foodie

Ask me a question

I met him on February 26, 2000. It's not that often I remember the date I first met someone.

8 years ago, he booked me for my first concert 

ever.      

Did I tell him that? No!

He calls me up, 

"Hi I'm Marcel Schwantes and I heard your music from a friend and I'd like to book you to come and perform at a venue called The Young and the Restless.  Are you available?"

"Sure, Marcel, what date would you like?..."

Cause, you know, I'm trying to make it apparent that any one of the next 364 days might be already committed elsewhere. Next Tuesday? No, can't do that. I'm planning to walk around the block that day.  Third wednesday of the month 4 months from now? Sorry, full. Day after that? Full too. All weekend, full. What?... 

"February 26? Sure, I think I can do that." 

So I get off the phone and call my sister Truth and my boys 

Quinton and Mike and I'm like, 

"Help, I'm doing a concert!"

It's not the last time he's gotten me in over my head. My first interview. My first record deal. I was just a tagalong to Marcel's speaking engagement at a university business class, next thing you know we're making a record. 

A few months ago I was sharing with him that I've been thinking of pursuing a master's degree in Counseling because I really want to be able to help people move toward their goals in life. True to form, he asks a question, 

"Have you heard of Life Coaching?"

"Yeah, that motivational mumbo-jumbo, what about it?"

"Well, I'm studying for my certificate and I think it's the sort of thing you might want to check into. In fact, I think you're well suited for it. It's about helping people move toward their goals in life. You'd be great at it. "

Hmmmm, interesting, that's what Suzanne said a couple months earlier. 

"Sure, I'll check it out. Send me a link..."

I'm on track to complete the Life Coaching certificate early 2009. I have to tell  you I am so excited about this new learning curve. Thank you, my brother. 

Along my journey into purpose, there are at least 5 pivotal points where I remember his friendship shaping the course of my path. Some people just have a way of bringing sychronicity with them into your life. He's out of town with his wife this weekend, so I feel this is a perfectly good time to talk about him behind his back. 

A single phrase to describe my friend Marcel Schwantes: Angel Blogger Right-Time-Question Coach

Stay?

Ever planned to go somewhere and then you arrive and find out your friend isn't allowed to go in with you? It wasn't cause he's black or anything.

 

At least they gave us a recommendation for another spot nearby. 

So now we gotta make a decision. Are we going to keep the group together and just go someplace else, or split up? Some go to the original destination and the rest take the 5-minute detour? I have to go with him. He can't drive, and he did come with me, so I'm responsible for him.

Not to mention, I owe him a lot. We've been friends for a long time. 

Today Sandy and Kristin and I were planning to hike in Malibu Creek State Park, but when we arrived I learned that my dog is not allowed in the park. The Park Ranger was very kind and recommended another great place to walk or hike, the Paramount Ranch, just 5 minutes away. 

I met Vegas at the North Hollywood pound. My guess is black lab and dalmatian. And the energy level to back it up. Always ready to start playtime, not always ready to stop. Today we hiked until he couldn't go any further. At one point he just lay down in the middle of the trail and looked up at me, like "I'm done. You guys go on if you want to--I'll be right here"

Interesting how friendships are cyclical. 10 years ago I rescued him from a small, confined, empty, hollow, alone space. Now he comes to my rescue. Sometimes it's easy to get locked into one role or another in a relationship. Like, I'm the one helping you. Or, I'm the one being helped. I truly enjoy those relationships where we help each other. Like me and my dog.

Sandy, Kristin, thank you for coming on our detour. That was very gracious of you.

 

A single phrase to describe my friend Vegas: Rescue(R) Loyal

 

Unfeigned

From a thousand miles away, I can hear the twinkle in his eyes. Even on the telephone I can tell he means it when he says hello. 

Everyone needs mentors. Today Leslie was talking about the Donald Miller ad campaign for mentors.  I guess that's what put Jim on my mind. Haven't spoken to him in a couple weeks. 

About 5 years ago when my life was at all-time low, I knew I didn't know what I needed to know, but if you don't know what you don't know, how are you ever going to find out? Well, I think that's when I recalled something Bill Gould used to say: "Find somebody who has what you want, do what they do, and you'll get what they got!"

I remember looking at Jim and his family and thinking, I want what they have. His wife and daughters love this man. I watch them adore him and I realize the secret that was not so obvious to me 5 years ago. He adores them every bit as much. More, is it possible, he adores them more? 

I remember thinking if I could just hang around and watch him, I might learn to have a family like that one day.  One time back at Open Door, I remember him praying that I would learn to love with "unfeigned love."

Which means what? 

It means love that's not fakin'.  The real deal. I'm-in-it-with-you-for-the-long-haul kind of love. 

This man is crazy talented. He's a brilliant guitarist. He's a gifted and passionate worship leader. I take my shoes off when I lead worship--got that from him.  As a professional, he plans timelines for public construction.  And if you're ever nearby when he fires up the barbecue grill, ask no questions; just go find a plate. 

I love this man for so many reasons. He's been a brother to me. 

Sometimes people say they're gonna pray for you, but I don't always take comfort in that cause they may forget about it next time their favorite tv show comes on. If this guy says he's praying for you, consider yourself prayed for. 

I'm so honored to know a man married 30 years and still in love with his bride.  Happy Anniversary, my dear friends. Here's to the Jim & Penny Show. 

A single phrase to describe my friend Jim Cook: Barefoot Worship Protector