The End of Summer ’11
We all love quotes, some more so than others. The quote this summer for me is one from Irma Hardjakusumah, our Martini and Milk honorary member of the tribe. We were at a meeting with John Kern from the Last Bookstore for our “Show and Tell” event next month, discussing lights and screen and projector. I had mixed feelings about how much light coming in, whether I love or hate it. I was actually feeling both (this woman is a Pisces, opposite emotions pull and come together like crazy some days) and Irma wisely said, “We love the space and the vibe. Let’s not fight this light, let’s work with it.” (This is why you keep a female Scorpio around, she understands the human mind and keeps you grounded)
Show & Tell flyer, by Irma Hardjakusumah
Everybody has different profound moments. Mine was there and then. Fighting is good, but when your life has been too much of a fight then maybe it’s a sign or a confirmation… that you’re not meant to live that way anymore. Maybe it’s time to really live your life the way you have always imagined it to be, let light comes in and shines through.
Forest Food Truck, Outside Lands Fest, SF
Rest of the summer we continue to work and play. Mrs McM and I helped with the Indonesian Festival in Los Angeles. She danced a contemporary number from the province of West Java and I produced the fashion show featuring traditional Indonesian weave cloths. The chance of working and assisting big names from Indonesia such as the choreographer Ari Tulang and Alfonsa Horeng, the woman who tirelessly work on preserving Indonesian ikat (weave) tradition, was one I am grateful of.
The dancers interviewed by Indra Bekti, filmed by Ari Tulang for Indonesian TV
Left to right: Dian McManus, Putri Sarnadi and Sandra Kosasih
All of the models with Ari Tulang, the choreographer of the show
With Alfonsa Horeng, I LOVE everything she had on!
We took sometime off after Indo Festival. Irma went to Jakarta & Lombok, Mrs McM went to New York and I (with the help of my good friend Thy who kindly did ‘Auntie Camp’ for Cait so I could have a weekend break) went to Outside Lands Music Festival in San Fransisco.
We took the fun Dodo bus to get to after party, also a fund raise effort for Burning Man!
Dinner & Opera in the Forest, Outside Lands Fest, SF
This summer, I took time off and did intense Mommy camp with Cait where we worked on her reading skill. Mommy camp was intense… Asian moms are like warlords. We may be soft spoken but we don’t take “I can’t” for an answer. Whenever she said, “Mommy, I can’t!” I simply said, “We’re going to try again then. From the top my love.”
Cait, Annenberg Beach House, Santa Monica
Mommy camp taught us both patience and perseverance. We learned that with effort and time, you get to be perfect. People get to be good in what they do because they practice, practice and practice some more. In between perfecting your craft, go take a walk, go take care of yourself, go enjoy your family and friends, go eat good food. And then go back and work again. Balance.
Cait contributed her drawing on ‘Art Heals’ wall, Bloom Fest, Downtown LA
Before the summer ends, Mrs McM and threw a party for our friends and vendors. Despite the crazy parking situation in my neighborhood (there was a festival going on at the same time), we had a great turn out. We are blessed with supportive friends and community. I wanted to thank all of you for your support of what we do, you guys are great!
Left to right: Jade Herwill of MWAH (feathers accessories), Luvina (modeling for us), Lolo, Suze Wolozny (founder of Goddess Vortex), Murni Lubis (Dian’s loving and sweet mom), Dian McManus, Lisa Chin (Designer & Partner, Fallen Into Vintage)
Mrs McM and I with some of our guests
Summer ain’t over yet. We have a fashion show and a storytelling event coming up, which we’re super excited about. As for now, I’m gonna go treat my little one for a manicure as her reward for a week of awesome piano practice!
Lots of love,
L