It starts with a typical chaotic day in NYC. People crawling out of the subway like ants, cars bumper to bumper, horns honking, getting body-checked by an 98-year-old grandmas with so much plastic in their faces I was afraid they would melt. I left my work in Mid-Town Manhattan at 11:30am and went to Whole Foods on Union Square (one of my favorite, and BY FAR the most interesting place the city has to offer...think I'm joking???? Keep reading). I always sit on the same table every time I go. If it isn't open, I'll usually wait or move there as soon as a spot opens up. Don't ask me why. It just has good energy.
I like to sit close to the window so I can people watch (so what if I'm creepy...you do it too, admit it!). Today however I couldn't get the window seat and decided to settle for the one next to it. In front of me was a women, I would say about 40 years-old, fishing through ALL her mail (it was almost in my lap). She was eating her 'super healthy' salad with ZERO CALORIES, ZERO FAT, ZERO HUMAN. I was already bored of her with her 'to-do' list and fancy salad. But, along came someone that may have opened my eyes to possibilities I never imagined possible. I was saved.
To the right of me approached a tall, slender, blonde, hippy-like lady. She had beads around her wrists and multiple necklaces. She was wearing a green tank top and tiny camoflague shorts with some kind of construction belt. But it wasn't a true construction belt, it was more like a utility belt. I have no idea what was on feet...if anything at all. I immediately liked this person. Then, I looked down and continued to eat my awesome Whole Foods turkey breast :) I swear the food there is just heavenly.
*Let me quickly interject by stating that for sometime now I've been going through a really weird phase in my life, and people really bother me. If anyone I know is reading this, please don't take it personally. It isn't any one person, it's just people. It's society in general. It's the way we interact with one another and the way we don't interact with one another. I obviously have more to say on this, but will address it in a future blog. Just know...I love you all.
Soooooo, back to the story....shortly after the hippie sits down another member joins the 'energy table'. This girl, younger (like 20's), olive skin, jet black hair, and teeth so freaking white it was like a personal message from God every time she opened her mouth. Now, she fashioned a Chanel pocket book, red Prada suede loafers, and the top could have been from Burberry or some ritzy store like that. Whatever. She was money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, at this time it's pouring. And when I say 'pouring' I mean 'raindrops the size of baseballs' pouring. People were crammed under any bit of shelter they could find. Except one freak that still thought it necessary to stop people in the street and ask them if they were "having a great day, and would they mind donating to a child in need" slash "Give me your money so we can give 25% to the kiddies and bag the rest for ourselves". Idiot. Needless to say...not one person stopped. I witnessed this all from my haven known as the Whole Foods cafe :)
My entertainment was then interrupted when I heard the Hippie say to the Persian, "Dude, you cannot go outside in those shoes. They're beautiful. It's not happening...just take them off." Of course, what do I do? Look under the table, and she was right, they were beautiful. "This is the first day I have worn them too. They're brand new. I never checked the weather." Said the Persian. At this point I remember thinking, "Great! Now I have to listen to this for the next hour...shoe talk". Small talk :( But, surprisingly, the conversation (that I soon joined) turned out to be one of the best and enlightening conversations I'd had in a very long time.
My invitation arrived when I heard the Hippie say, "I'll take rain over a desert storm any day". I turned my head and nodded in agreement thinking to myself, "I bet this woman has some interesting stories?" After turning back to my awesome meal, I overheard the Hippie saying, "I've been all over, but one place I've never been is Ibiza". This was my chance!! I'd been to Ibiza, ah haaa!! Here I go....."I've been to Ibiza." I said. They both turned to me, and the Hippie said, "You have??!?! How was it?" "Crazy!! Absolutely crazy". And that was it. I was in. Initiation over :)
We then chatted (all three of us) about what our stories were. The Persian, who's name was, Alex, had studied Economics in London, but was a French-American Jewish Persian. She was 23 years old and now labelled herself as an artist. The Hippie, Gelanna, was originally from the Ukraine, but moved to the United States 18 years ago. She lived in LA for several years teaching yoga to celebrities, clubbing, and partying....a lot, until she decided that she needed more. She too had come to the realization that she needed to final that eurphoric channel to ultimate fulfillment. Gelanna had done it all. Drugs, alcohol, you name it, she had done it. She experimented with all these stimulants to help her find, or tap in to her subconscious...only then could she truly experience total happiness, contentment, euphoria. She had done ecstasy and explained that until she'd experienced the feeling ecstasy gave her, she never knew what true happiness could feel like. (Now, don't get me wrong here. I am NOT, nor did she condone ecstasy!! I think it's dangerous and highly stupid. But, her reasoning behind it made sense). Like you guys are probably thinking, there ARE other ways to feel 'amazing' without taking ecstasy. This was Gelanna's experience and nobody else should feel the need to go down this route.
Ok. So anyway, we talked about how I played soccer and traveled the world, and how I considered myself a nomad (which having talked to Gelanna, I should seriously re-think that). We discussed horoscopes, star signs, and to our surprise discovered that we were all on the cusp. Alex was a Saggitarius on the cusp of being a Capricorn. Gelanna was a Scorpio/Sagittarius cusp, which she informed us was known as the something snake?? I forgot, sorry. I, on the other hand, a Capricorn on the cusp of being a Saggitarius. Gelanna told me that this meant I was more of a 'mover' but 'somewhat grounded'. This made sense to me. I like to move around with some stability...but not too much...I guess?? At this point, it became clear that we all had something in common, but what was still unknown.
Alex, then switched focus and asked Gelanna if she believed in pychics. She asked, "I was told 2010 would be the worse year of my life, and truth be told, my father got terribly sick this year. Do you believe in that stuff?" Gelanna looked right into Alex's eyes and paused in thought for what seemed a lot longer than 5 seconds. Then (and I will try my best to capture her sentiments) she said, "Sometimes when we are told things, the mind makes them happen. We have a subconscious tendency to put ourselves in situations that will set us up for whatever it is we have heard. This doesn't explain your father's illness BUT it could have happened anytime." Obviously, Gelanna had a way more exciting, edge-of-seat response to Alex's question. I clearly don't do it any justice, nor do I pretend to....but I tried. (To be honest, she spoke in such depth that I had a hard time understanding. This women had been there, seen that, and done it all...she had some history. I could feel her energy and wisdom just by sitting next to her).
Alex went on to tell us how her father developed a terrible cancer that was spreading through his body fast. He had become severely depressed and didn't want to eat, move, anything. She even said that he had been smoking weed with the whole family to try lift his spirits. This story was classic. So, as I said, Alex's background is Persian and super conservative. Her Dad hadn't done an illegal thing in his life, but smoking weed had been recommended to him. SO....the whole family came over (it was a Friday and they would usually meet for Shabat), everyone from grandma's to uncles and aunts to cousins and sisters. And.....they all smoked...together!! Alex told us how her Aunt got super paranoid, but for the most part it was a good time and her father even managed to forget his illness for one night. THEN...Gelanna, ha....adds, "Maybe he should try ecstasy???" We both looked at her with this eyes wide open, jaw dropping, look of disapproval gaze and Alex said, "Ermmm....I don't think so, ha." Gelanna then defended her statement by explaining the reason for, what would seem to any normal human being, absolutely insane. She said, "No, seriously. Sometimes you need to do things to tap into your subconscious to help you reach that happiness that you struggle to find through the conscious mind. How can you ever be happy if you don't know what a true, happy feeling feels like??" I guess she had a point. I wouldn't necessarily prescribe ecstasy for that problem BUT I see her rationale. Alex, stopped and thought about it, ha.
California....the golden coast!! The next topic of conversation. Gelanna had spent many years in California, teaching yoga and practicing meditation. She told us stories of how she would stare at the sun for hours on end, while feeling the sand and water between her toes. Sometimes she would meditate in this environment for so long that suddenly she would look at her clock and realize that it had been hours....and where would she be sleeping that night?? Hmmmmmm....now that's a something I can relate to. She looked at Alex, and told her, "You must get your father to California. It's nature and beauty can help him." Alex interjected, "His family are from California, I have tried....he wont go. He won't move. He's so depressed." Gelanna persisted and handed over her contact information to Alex. She had previously mentioned that she currently works with depressed, suicidal, recovering and existing drug addicts. She called herself a 'healer'. She came to NYC to share her knowledge and energy with those who needed it. I guess she found two people, in the Whole Foods cafe on Union Square, that needed it. The 'energy table'.
There is so much more to this encounter that I didn't add. All three of us talked for almost three hours. Gelanna became my guru. We exchanged information. I even sold her on CrossFit, which she had heard of and loved the idea. This individual was good crazy. Kind crazy. Genuine. I call her my guru, despite the drug idea, because her energy was so contagious I just wanted to put in a box and save for a time in need. I will never forget this day. I hope Alex's father heals. I hope Gelanna's DJ'ing takes off (she DJ's and LOVES music). I hope this message affects you in some way, even if it's just a simple....wow, interesting, weird post :) I am a little weird and TOTALLY ok with that :)
Ps...Gelanna mentioned some crazy music festival in the desert between Nevada and California....a total movement! Check it out online. It's called The Burning Man.
Ok, gotta go....I have carpel-tunnel syndrome now :/ I apologize for typo's...I didn't re-read.
CROSSFIT GAMES IN T-MINUS 3 DAYS.
