Awakening by Alex Fishgoyt is a breathtaking and awe inspiring piece of artwork.  Frankly, it’s much more than that.  It is an experience that dramatically engages the viewer.  Fishgoyt artfully invites you to enter his world and to believe in the dream.  Once the viewer dares to enter and explore he challenges you to join him on the journey.

At first glance the journey seems inviting, exciting and as you move deeper into it you begin notice that it is unpredictable, scary and maybe even dangerous.  Fishgoyt creatively illuminates your journey with hope as you cross a bridge over the vast and mysterious ocean to a brilliant white city.  Or how about a long journey down a shadowy back alley where even a small faint light gives encouragement to the inquisitive traveler?

Awakening is filled with many possibilities.  First, you must be willing to get on the ship where there is no turning back.  This is a ship headed toward a gigantic wave.  Will this vessel capsize or will it break on through to the other side and transport us to our Awakening?

The woman is the fulfillment of the journey: a journey that is rich, fertile, beautiful and fulfilling – all that the dreamer is.  She completes the cycle of life.  Welcome to the journey of Awakening – a pathway filled with many awakenings.

Awakening – I was so excited to receive this huge package from FedEx today.  A big Thank You to Vladimir Kush and Karyn Anderson of the Kush Fine Art Gallery for turning me onto Fishgoyt’s amazing surrealism!  Also I greatly appreciate Alex signing and personalizing his work with an inspiring note to me on the back of the painting.

Stay Luminous

Sebastian St. George

The Beauty of Nature is so inspiring.  These pictures fill me with amazement and awe at the incredible beauty and balance that nature is.  Enjoy these pictures.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
~ Lao Tzu

Here are some AMAZING Nature photographs by awesome photographer Adam Jones  http://www.adamjonesphoto.com/

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
~ Albert Einstein

We cannot command nature except by obeying her.
~ Sir Francis Bacon

Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination.
~ Voltaire

The Beauty of Nature is such a gift we are all blessed with.  It something to enjoy, share and protect for all future generations

Random Acts of Kindness = RAOK

Today is a great day to do something positive ~ something for someone else ~ something out of the norm ~ Random Acts of Kindness

All of us are so much more connected and interconnected than we realize.  This really struck me today as I was watching the little ecosystem in my backyard.  There was Larry the Squirrel going for his acorns and the resident birds singing and flying around around the yard.  Everything seems so perfect and in such a wonderful balance.  I feel so blessed and thought, wow, it’s been awhile since I blogged and that I should really start sharing a lot more.

Random Acts of Kindness = RAOK – I also want to thank all of my amazing Twitter and Facebook friends for your friendship, constant support, and sweet comments.  You ROCK!

Today Let’s RAOK!

JULIAN P. GRAHAM/COURTESY PEBBLE BEACH COMPANY LAGORIO ARCHIVES

Somebody you don’t know, but you should – Part 2 – Marion Hollins was an incredible athlete and visionary.  I would call her the Brian Jones of sports.  (Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones played any and every instrument he ever picked up proficiently)  Marion was a master golfer who won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship in 1921.

Marion was considered the finest equestrian person of her day.  She also was an accomplished tennis player, marksman, swimmer and even a car racer.  No matter what sport she played she instantly became a dominating force.  What makes this more impressive is that she attained such greatness in the male dominated world of the 1920’s.

I think most of us are familiar with the cypress tree at Cypress Point on the Monterey Peninsula in California.  This is the home of the well-known Pebble Beach Golf Course.  The World Golf Hall of Fame architect, Alister MacKenzie designed the course.  But what is not commonly said is that Marion Hollins worked side by side with Alister to assist with design and approve Pebble Beach, Augusta and Pasatiempo.  What is amazing is that Marion Hollin’s name is not mentioned.

What’s even more amazing is at the time, Augusta’s Chairman, Clifford Roberts made it known to MacKenzie that Ms. Hollins was not welcome at Augusta.  To which MacKenzie replied:

She has been associated with me in three golf courses and not only are her own ideas valuable, but she is thoroughly conversant in regard to the character of work I like.  I want her views and her personal impressions in regard to the way the work is being carried out.  I do not know of any man who has sounder ideas.

Marion Hollins. From the George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress)

Alister MacKenzie came to develop the Pebble Beach Golf Course at the invitation of Marion Hollins.  The story behind the story is S.F.B. Morse was developing the Monterey Peninsula and asked Marion, who was now his athletic director, to help him develop a golf course.  Marion brought Alister MacKenzie in to design that course.  Together they worked side by side to develop one of the greatest golf courses ever played.  Today it ranks No. 2 on GOLF Magazines Top 100 in the United States and the World list.

In my opinion it was on the infamous 16^th hole that Marion solidified her place in golf history.  MacKenzie did not want to place the 16^th hole at that location.  He thought it was not possible to drive a ball to a green that far across the ocean.  So Marion said, “Let’s see.”  She dropped a ball, teed up and drove it over 219 yards across the Pacific Ocean to a spot where the 16^th hole now resides.  MacKenzie smiled and said, “OK, we’ll put it there.”

Somebody you don’t know, but you should – Marion’s accomplishments are vast and far reaching.  She was a champion in the world of golf as well as other sports.  She was trailblazer and the only known woman golf course developer who helped create three world class golf courses.  She was an amazing person and…

Somebody you don’t know, but you should – Long Live the Forgotten! ~ Sebastian St. George

 

Check out the previous Blogs in this New Series!

Somebody you don’t know, but you should – The Blog Series

Somebody you don’t know, but you should – The story of Harriet Quimby

Harriet Quimby with her Bleriot

Somebody you don’t know, but you should – The Blog Series – Since Somebody you don’t know, but you should – The story of Harriet Quimby was a tremendous success I decided this should become a blog series.  If you have not had the chance or this is first introduction, please go back and read The story of Harriet Quimby.  She was an utterly amazing woman and trailblazer.

Honestly, there should be a motion picture made about her life story.  Harriet Quimby was the first woman to get a pilot’s license in the U.S.  She also was the first woman to fly the English Channel alone.  If any movie studios or production companies are interested, please contact me on my contact page.  I have been developing this for a while.  I feel there are a tremendous amount of women who receive no recognition at all.  Their contributions are immeasurable!  People may forget… but history never does.  And guess what… I’ll find you and do my best to keep you alive!

One of my favorite things to do is research.  It’s one of my preoccupations to dig into archives and discover long lost information or historical data on fascinating people or subject matters.  I could go on for hours about this.  I love People that history has long forgotten.  But, the question is, history hasn’t forgotten them, we have!  These gems are like buried treasure that teach me so much about life, art and the pursuit of happiness.  They are priceless gems to enjoy.  I hope you love these blogs as much as I love researching and writing them!

These Forgotten have LONG fallen off the radar!  Put it to you this way, you wouldn’t even find these people misplaced in the cut-out bin filed under X or Z next to Abe Vigoda Live at the Hollywood Bowl.  Side note:  I love Abe Vigoda BTW – he is great!

Abe Vigoda as Fish on Barney Miller

I also wanted to take the time to thank everyone for all the great tweets, comments, emails, responses and support!  I love to hear from you!  Also if there is anyone you would like to me to consider to research and blog about for this blog series I am open to your suggestions.

Somebody you don’t know, but you should – The Blog Series will begin this week.  Thank you again for your support!

Somebody you don’t know, but you should –

Long Live the Forgotten!

~ Sebastian St. George

The Art of Personality is clearly defined in Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece:  The Ennis House. Frank Lloyd Wright’s homes are not houses, they are experiences.  Breathtaking ones at that.  The Ennis House is one of Hollywood’s most famous and favorite sets.

This house has illuminated the silver screen in many awesome films:  House on Haunted Hill, 1958, my favorite film Blade Runner in which it was used for Deckard’s (Harrison Ford) apartment, Black Rain, Twin Peaks, Grand Canyon, Buffy The Vampire Slayer and countless other films, music videos, print ads and TV commercials.

The Style of Blade Runner. Rick Deckard’s Kitchen via kaktak

This incredible work of art was created in 1923/1924 with a Mayan-inspired theme of ornate concrete blocks and levels for retailer Charles Ennis and his wife Mabel.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s work is nothing short of extraordinary.  For me just looking at the pictures can give me goose bumps.  Can you image being inside The Ennis House or for that matter living in that state of aesthetics on a daily basis?  Honestly, it’s illuminating.

Photo by Tim Street-Porter for Christie's Great Estates

It’s during this period that Frank Lloyd Wright was fascinated with the medium of concrete and cement and what their possibilities were in structural design.  Three other Wright masterpieces were created during this same period using ornate textile blocks:  The Millard House, The Storer House and The Freeman House.

The Art of Personality – I first became interested in the Ennis House while researching Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House located on Sunset and Vermont, which is an absolutely amazing work on art in it’s own right.  Then I saw an article in the Los Angeles Times about the Ennis House and the concerns on how it had fallen into great disrepair.  I was spellbound by the photos of the Ennis House and it inspired me to go to my local Borders Bookstore and buy several books on the House and Wright.

Photo by Tim Street-Porter for Christie's Great Estates

I was especially inspired to write this blog for two reasons.  One, my good friend Skip’s father was a brilliant architectural engineer who worked with Wright for almost a year back in the mid 1950s on a project in Santa Monica.  Second, I was happy to recently read in the Los Angeles Times that the Ennis House has been sold to Wright aficionado Mr. Ron Burkle.  Mr. Burkle has expressed interest and commitment to the complete restoration and preservation of The Ennis House.

Picture via tk3dmaker4

Thanks to Mr. Burkle Frank Lloyd Wright’s personality and art will live on for future generations to experience and enjoy.  Hopefully, one day I will be able to experience Wright’s aesthetics firsthand and I hope you do too!

The Ennis Fireplace - Picture via tk3dmaker4

The Ennis House is located at 2607 Glendower Ave., Los Angeles, CA. 

Make sure to check out 3T’s cool music video “Why” with Michael Jackson.  Also check out a scene from Blade Runner inside awesome The Ennis House.

Dexter Jettster

My Favorite Star Wars Character is without a doubt – Dexter Jettster.  If you are a Star Wars veteran you will know that “Dex” is the Coruscant Informant that the young Obi-Wan Kenobi visits to get information on the “Kamino Saberdart”.

Dexter Jettster is a colorful character with an exciting past filled with wild experiences.  His resume reads like a space-age renaissance man: prospecting, smuggling, running guns, a stint as a professional fighter and a reliable Jedi informant.  Dex tops it all off by completing his dream of being a cook and restaurant owner in the best of part of the city–planet.  I can’t thank enough George Lucas and his Star Wars Teams for creating this wonderful and memorable character.

Dex is a grizzled old character who always wanted to have a place where people would come to eat.  It’s also a place where Dex could intermingle and share his stories of adventure and mystery.  Don’ you get that feeling when Obi-Wan enters Dex’s diner and the waitress yells to Dex: “It’s a Jedi by the looks of him”.  Dex’s response from the serving window expresses the warmth and friendliness of the diner that is Dex’s world.

My Favorite Star Wars Character is probably one of the least known and appreciated.  I don’t think Dexter Jettster makes any of the top 10 Star Wars favorite lists.  He is an unassuming and unique character who has a very small cameo spot in Attack of The Clones.  But I love it when Dex comes out of the kitchen and gives Obi-Wan a big hug while also using one of his four arms to pull up his pants.  Dexter is infamous for his short T-shirt revealing his big belly button and potbelly hanging over his grease stained apron.  He’s not attractive by any physical means but for me, Dexter Jettster is My Favorite Star Wars Character.

I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and… heh heh heh… wisdom. ~ Dexter Jettster

You can check out his scene in Attack of The Clones below:

Pete Rose Swings Again!  I was in Manhattan Beach, CA. last week for business.  I was waiting in the city hall for a meeting.  While waiting I browsed the events folders for up and coming Manhattan Beach activities.  Suddenly, there it was: Pete Rose Baseball Camp – The Legendary “Hit King” – Manhattan Beach LL Aug 8-11, 2001 Ages 7-14.

Wow!  I couldn’t believe my eyes.  When I was 13 years old I would have given anything to participate in an event like this, especially, with the Legendary Charlie Hustle!  How lucky kids are today!  I don’t think some people realize the gravity of Pete’s contribution to baseball and the opportunity his Baseball Camps present.  It’s incredible!

Pete Rose Swings Again!  It’s all there:  Coached in the skills of batting, pitching, defense and base running.  Daily coaching by Pete Rose!  I was so excited I was ready to sign up myself.  I was so glad to see something by the man and the name.

I love working with young ball players, it gives me great joy and satisfaction.  Come out to my baseball camp and have a great time and learn some new skills with me.  Pete Rose

I had this funny vision of Pete’s camp being over run by a large group of 30 something Charlie Sheen or Matt Damon types still trying to live out their baseball dreams.  What I am saying… I would be part of that group too!  LOL

Pete Rose Swings Again!  BTW, if you are a kid who is Age 7-14 get your Dad to sign you up ASAP.  Or if you have a kid between those ages, it’s a great opportunity to live vicariously through them and meet Pete Rose at the same time!  Either way it’s a Win-Win.

You can register now at:      http://www.peterosebaseballcamp.com/

It’s time to get Pete Rose back into baseball! It’s also time to get Pete Rose in the Hall of Fame!

Thanks Friends!

Stay Luminous

One of My Favorite Places to Visit in Las Vegas is the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens located in the Bellagio Hotel just to the right of the check-in desk.  It is truly an inspiring and breathtaking experience.  What’s even better is it doesn’t cost a dime; not to mention that is a wonderful refuge from the chaos of casino smoke and action.

Upon entering the gardens one is lifted up into a whole new realm of awareness and aesthetics.  You are greeted by the brilliance of flowers, rays of light, the sound of running water, the amazing aromas, the sounds of birds and the oohs and ahhs of the guests as they take it all it.  One cannot help but be captivated by the beauty and the awesomeness the themed displays that change with each season and/or holidays.

The whole garden is surrounded by such a stunning architectural presence from hand-laid tile floors to luminous skylights that it’s almost hard to believe that it’s there.  This is Vegas after all LOL

I find this architectural environment liberating and a renaissance of beauty and art.  It is visually stunning in everyway.  A big Thank You to the incredible designers and workers who create these magical gardens every season.

The most recent theme for the 4^th of July consisted of a huge ferris wheel, the Liberty Bell with an American Eagle perched on top, a carousel / merry-go-round, incredible flowers, water displays and a walk-in cage with live parrots.  Don’t forget to check out Yogi and Boo-Boo as they prepare to fish in the koi pond.

One of My Favorite Places to Visit and every time I go to Las Vegas I always stop by.  As I was leaving I couldn’t help saying: “Bella Bellagio”.

You are what you Tweet!  Visual.ly is an exciting new site that allows you to twitterize yourself and generate your personalized infographic.  The infographic is created by the content and data taken from your tweets.

What’s even cooler and kinda reminds of Alien vs Predator is that you can compare yourself to others. What I love the most is the custom caricature that you can create of yourself and your friends.  Check out the pics below, pretty hilarious!  You can also leave a section blank and the system will randomly compare you against a celebrity Twitter account.

Either way it’s fun fabulous fantastic coolness for everyone!  Enjoy and don’t take the comparisons too seriously.

Here are some of my awesome Twitter Friends that I have chosen to use to demonstrate:

@LoriMoreno @MySoDotCom @terrinakamura @zbleumoon @MomsofAmerica @PHashion_Army @DrJeffersnBoggs @AnnTran_ @JeanetteJoy @Bensonix @SuuperG

You are what you Tweet!  All of these Tweeps are great friends and amazing people that you should follow on Twitter.  They  share and spread a positive and uplifting message in Social Media.  I am grateful to call them a friend.