What I Learned Today :: 17 Things You Should Know How To Do

We are gonna start off with just one so your brain doesn’t explode and so you can check this off of your list as you go along and learn it, if you haven’t already.

I like being able to be self-reliant and kick ass at life skills.  I mean, who doesn’t, really?!  I find that most of us either forget about things or think: I will learn that one day.

Today is that day.

Without further ado, number one.  Maybe it is because I am in Alaska right now and this one comes in handy; furthermore, there are several times in my life when I can recall using this skill or wishing I had perfected it.

1.  Building a fire.

First, I love a chick who can build a fire.

Show those eagle scouts what’s up.

Or if you are a dude reading this, there is something very primal and hot about a man making a good fire on his first try.

Second, you never know when you are gonna have to bust this one out in a survival moment.  Uh, 127 Hours?  Like I said, learning skills that were once upon a time considered basic.

You would also be surprised to learn how much goes into building a proper fire that will last and do its two main functions: provide light and heat.

Kindling, air flow, placement.  Very scientific, architectural shit going on here.

Learn it.

What I Learned Today :: Getting Rejected As an Artist :: The Stories

It is gonna happen: rejection.  Especially as an artist.  We put our souls out there for others to stand in judgement to say “yes!” or “no!”.

It makes us stronger.  Better in fact.  With every rejection, there is something to learn.

Harrison Ford once famously said:

“There are a thousand jobs I didn’t get.”

This coming from a man who toiled in film for more than 10 years before finally getting his break in Star Wars at age 35 playing the hottest character to walk the planet.

{dead heat on a merry go-round :: 1966}

{harrison ford uncredited as bell-hop}

Fred Astaire left us as a legend of the silver screen.  He was a man who could do it all, and do it all well, as a singer, a dancer, and an actor.  “Can’t act. Can’t sing. Slightly bald. Can dance a little.”  That’s what one talent scout had to say about the young Fred Astaire.  Imagine if he had listened to him; we would have been deprived of one of our greatest talents.

{madonna received this rejection letter}

{a year later :: everybody was conquering the charts :: the rest is history}

I love hearing stories such as these.  They provide me with hope and adds more fuel to my passion of what I do as an artist.  Plus, how pissed would I be if Holiday were never created…what would I put my makeup on to?!

What I Learned Today :: SPF :: It Does a Body Good

I am a regular user of SPF 70 for my face.  And when I say regular user, I mean every day.  And when I say every day, I mean even days when I don’t go outside.

Studies have shown that certain indoor lighting releases UV rays that can damage our lovely skin as well.  Why take a chance? {So let me get this straight…not only does fluorescent lighting make us look terrible, it can damage our skin too?!  Lame.}

Not only do I apply sunblock every day to my face,  but I never forget my neck, chest, and hands {yes, hands.  They sit on top of a steering wheel for loooong periods of time.  Hellloooo, age spots much?!}.

Furthermore, let me address the SPF 70 issue.  It is a misconception that the 70 pertains to the strength.  What it pertains to is the amount of time; which is different for every body.

Geek speak: SPF represents the length of time you can stay out in the sun without burning, multiplied by the corresponding number.  So a person who would normally start to burn in 10 minutes, could theoretically have 150 minutes of sun protection with a sunscreen that has an SPF of 15.

Now that the lesson is over, on to my favorites…I am a product guru.  I love products.  I use all products.  From there I decide which rock hard and become my favorites.

{top status :: ddf matte finish photo-age protection}

{my favorite when out in the world wearing makeup and day-to-day}

Most sunblocks are greasy and leave you looking like you smothered butter on your face, even when it says: non-greasy.  DDF has managed to actually make it happen so that when you apply your makeup for the day, it doesn’t melt away like butter on toast.  Furthermore, it is chock full of vitamins and antioxidants.

{next up :: aveeno continuous protection sunblock lotion with spf 70 for face}

{my favorite for all day coverage when I am out not wearing makeup or just lounging}

This formula is reasonably priced {$10-ish} and lasts all day through water and sweat {or the combination of the two}.

Do your future self a favor, apply the goods and relish in knowing that you are gonna look super fine as you age.

What I Learned Today :: Fun LA Facts

Fun Facts About LA:

* Los Angeles’s original name was “El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula.” (Um, so glad they changed it to LA.)
* In 1976, a Los Angeles secretary named Jannene Swift officially married a 50 pound rock. (Hence the nickname, HollyWeird, was born.)
* The first person to personally receive a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood was actress Joanne Woodward. She received it in 1960. (Wait, let me get this straight…she was married to hunky Paul Newman and was the first person to get a star. Lucky dame, that one!)