Tag Archive for 'gratitude'

Ladies Ruling it #1 – Heidi Minx [11 February 2010]

Published on February 11, 2010 in Conversations With Punx and Inspiration. 5 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , .


Photo by Eric Vogel

I am incredibly lucky to have some very strong, creative, forward thinking, beautiful, innovative, independent, inspiring women in my life. I decided that I wanted to help raise the Universal awareness of their awesomeness. They’re ruling their Universe one day at a time, they’re being them and they’re making a positive contribution to their communities, the world and others lives. Let me introduce the first rockin’ lady: Miss Heidi Minx!

You see so much bad stuff in the world, or so many stupid things in the press; banal things that don’t make a difference in the world except to fuel a gossip fire. I have had so many people reach out to me since starting this – offering their skills, wanting to come and work with me while I am there. People I have never met, but who have found out about the project because of people spreading the word virally. I like people stepping up, and saying, “I don’t have a lot of money, but I can build a website, or pitch a documentary movie.” It is a very amazing reminder that we are a global community, one that’s not always dictated by language or lines on a map. ~Heidi Minx, Built On Respect (book extract)

10 Reasons Why Heidi is Ruling It:

1) Built On Respect. As part of Built On Respect it’s Miss Minx goal to embrace the DIY mentality, to personally work to raise funds, and also to directly oversee their disbursement while documenting it, working side by side with different community organizations. The majority of her work has been done in India working with Tibetan communities in exile teaching them sustainable business practices, English and helping at a free art school which works to help keep Tibetan Traditional art alive. For more info check out BuiltOnRespect.com.

2) Punk Rock Domestics is Heidi getting her Martha Stewart on. On PRD she says: Feel more like a home wrecker than a home designer? Tired of 10,000 shows on the home and garden network that DON’T include decorating with spray paint, or vegan recipes? Only know the names of flowers from your tattoo artist? Then you’re in the right place. Never mind Martha Stewart, we’re here to share recipes, decorating tips, even how to make your clothing better!” Check it out for your dose of D.I.Y.

3) Franky & Minx. Heidi has ran and created her own fashion line Franky & Minx. Every lady’s dream! They have super cute handbags (as rocked by Davey Havok, he has a PVC clutch, Mei-Ling Koller has a pink one & Camilla ex-Horrorpops rocks tartan print)! And the clothes & accessories have been worn by members of Sick Of It All, Agnostic Front, H20, Madball and more!

4) Home Rockanomics is a book Heidi has recently released. I just got my copy from Amazon.com in the mail! It’s an extension of Punk rock Domestics. Filled with d.i.y projects and recipes from your favourite bands. For more info on the book click here.

5) Inked For a Cause. Heidi does a regular column for US tattoo/culture mag Inked. She chats with awesome people that do awesome things. Inked For a Cause specialises in promoting people that are inked and that help others.

6) Rumor has it that Miss Heidi is hard at work on a project about Tibetan tattoos/tattooing while on her latest visit to India. Another feather in the cap, another way to bring attention to the cause :)

7) I admire Heidi for using her success for good. She’s been interviewed countless times, wrote for various mags and appeared in magazine spreads. Despite her rising profile Heidi remains grounded and continues to go about her business as usual.

8) I think it’s wonderful that she’s a business woman. She does business without selling her soul. Heidi has a super work ethic—she’s always doing a million things at once and always ready for new opportunities that arise.

9) She sees the world while helping it. As well as working in Dharamsala, India Heidi has also contributed her time and effort working as a volunteer in Haiti. Recently I came across the book 500 Places Where You Can Make A Difference. It’s a travel while helping people, animals and the planet guide. You can serve communities while exploring them in a unique, connected way. Care for orphans in Delhi, India, teach English on the beaches of Salvador, Brazil, track dolphins in Oahu, Hawaii, help build a school in Madagascar, care for baby elephants in Sri Lanka, or teach swimming to kids in Fiji. There’s 500 ideas, surely one will resonate with you!

10) Last but not least, she has cultivated a great network and support group of friends to help her on her adventures. Heidi isn’t trying to sell something to people, she’s trying to connect with them and share information. Finally is you don’t believe me about Heidi’s awesomeness have a listen to what Heidi’s pals have to say:

My & Heidi’s pals The Bouncing Souls:

Heidi visiting Tamding in his studio to hear about his art (he’s a tattooist and musican), how he uses it to promote a Free Tibet, and how he came to live in exile:

Sick of It All Inked for a Casue:

If you know any awesome ladies doing awesome things let me know!

Meow for now,

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Miss Bianca’s Punk & Hip Hop Mash-Up Party #1 [07 February 2010]

Published on February 7, 2010 in Conversations With Punx, Hip Hop Hope, Inspiration, Quotes and The Art Of Conversation. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .


Art by Omnimaru 1986

Dear Universe,

Just wanted to let you know how thankful I am that I get to converse and collaborate with inspiring, creative, innovative individuals every single day. I pinch myself over and over to make sure I’m not dreaming. Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to ask: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? I will be forever that inquisitive kid questioning and trying to understand the world, my place in the world and myself. Thought I’d share a mash-up of some of the punk rock wisdom and hip hop insight I’ve gained on my journey:


Art by Sodium Gum

Tim Armstrong’s greatest aspiration as an artist:

To keep playing music; that’s what we [Rancid] love, that’s what we do. I have new ideas, always new things. People always ask me ‘Is Operation Ivy gonna get back together?’ You know they’re my homies—Matt Freeman is my brother—but it’s like, ‘Nah man, I’m on to something new. I want to do new shit.’ …to live a good life and take care of myself and have my friends and family around me. I’m blessed to still have my family here. My dad and mum are still here and still been married after 50 years. My brother got back from Iraq. My other brother is one of the bookers at Gilman Street. As an artist I just want to keep doing new shit. I got some ideas, always! They never stop… I love playing music! That’s my number one thing. It’s all I have ever done.


Art by Satchoo

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien on success:

It’s achieving a goal that you set for yourself, that goal may not be money. For me, Eleventh Hour was a successful endeavour. It had a lot more to do with me and what was going on in my life than trying to sell the album for money. It wasn’t about that. It was about getting this knowledge in my head to work out everything I need to. It came out dope. On this album I was right there, concentrated and focused. I didn’t want this album to be scattered—that took a lot of work. After years of not focusing and just doing it… I’m used to just doing… after a while I figured that wasn’t enough. I felt like I had to put more effort into it. Realising that was successful to me. There was a lot of things around me that tried to stop me. I just kept going. Now I’m ready to go after more success. I’ve grown.


Art by Ktharsis

Glenn Danzig on what motivates & inspires him:

Anger [laughs] and frustration at how stupid people still are [laughs] but you know what? I read a lot of books from centuries ago and people were stupid then and then they’re still stupid now a hundred years later! They don’t learn. Only a select, I won’t say handful ’cause it’s more than that but, some people are just happy meandering through life and not having to think about anything or have any responsibility for their actions. They don’t want to know either. They just want to wander through life and get their pay check at the end of the week and that’s it. That’s fine but that shit just boogles my mind. I could never go through life like that.


Art by Juart Little

Pharoahe Monch on what it means to be an artist:

It means everything because I don’t think that you can use that term loosely in the art world period. I don’t think that everyone that calls themselves artists is that. You could be an act signed to a label but that definitely doesn’t define you as an artist to me. To me an artist is a person who is instrumental in being groundbreaking and trying to push the envelope and that are very instrumental in what they write and the music choices that they make – they can make you feel a certain way. They’re definitely not cookie cutter; they have a long shelf life.

Love you lots!
Much gratitude,

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Punk Wisdom #2 – [29 January 2010]

Published on January 29, 2010 in Conversations With Punx and Inspiration. 5 Comments Tags: , , , , , .


Photo by Jonah, self portrait.

“There is a prayer that I say every morning, it’s actually a long sequence of prayers. The one part of it that really sums up my theology goes something like—actually I know exactly what it is but I’ll take it out of the scriptural language—“Whoever you are you made this energy in me. Whatever it is that keeps my heart beating, whatever in this world is or isn’t, whatever is an illusion or whatever isn’t, we’re alive, whatever that means. While this energy is here and in me for as long as it is in me, thanks.”

~Jonah Matranga, singer-songwriter-guitarist-father- visionary-nice dude.

(excerpt from Conversations With Punx: A Spiritual Dialogue)

When Jonah told me the above, I thought it was one of the most beautiful and right on things I’ve heard anyone say. I believe that we are all energy and everything is energies and daily we come into contact with all types of energy that can affect our well being.

My pal Prue told me about ‘happy shields’ the other day. She was telling me how when you have your happy shield up you can deflect negative energy… ‘phew! phew! phew!’ that’s the sound of negative vibes deflecting off my happy shield! ha… ha.. ha! I definitely had mine up yesterday… in short it was one of those days where everything seemed to go wrong and all I heard was bad news. I put that happy shield up though and by the end of the evening I was back on track.

Waking up and giving thanks, giving gratitude, for our energy and being alive is the ultimate way to start the day.

Get those happy shields up!

PS – A great big Happy birthday must go to my dear, darling big sister Juanita de Valentino. I admire your strength, perseverance and positive outlook on life Juanita despite all the struggles you have endure. You inspire me incredibly by being you. I love you times a million and one and am thankful to have you in my Universe. Good luck with you film work this year Nita! xoxo

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My Humps, My Humps, My Humps [20 January 2010]

Published on January 20, 2010 in Inspiration. 4 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .


Photo by Future Shape

Hola friends! Happy mid-week!

If from reading the title you think this is a post about my lady lumps sorry to disappoint… however If you just groaned at reading ‘happy mid-week’ this post could be for you (ha,ha). It’s the time of the week where we’re half way from last weekend and halfway to our next weekend…

Live for the weekend, every night- Hardskin

I’ve heard many refer to this time of the week as the mid-week hump (or bump): by now some of you will be starting to feel tired (or bored) with your week and wish the working week was over, hence the importance of doing something you love for a living. My ma and pa, always told me that: If you do what you love with your days you’ll never feel you’re working a day in your life. And, when challenges arise you’ll rise to the occasion and rule it! I love my folks they’re so smart!

*Note: In the Urban Dictionary ‘mid-week hump’ is also a term for having sex on a Wednesday apparently. That’s something that could definitely work to cure the mid-week blues! He, he… ;)

Suggestions to help you reach the weekend:

Music. Listen to it! Make it! Share it! Go see it! Dance to it! No matter what my mood there’s always something in my record collection to suit. Music has never failed to cheer me up… perhaps the only constant in my life (but that’s a whole other story for another day).

When I need motivation out comes: Sick Of It All –Built To Last, Blackalicious – Blazing Arrow, Shelter – When 20 Summers Pass, Jay-Z – the Blueprint and Rancid – Indestructible, among oodles of others. What music kicks you in the butt when you need motivation? Please share, I’m always on the lookout for new tunes/artists to check out. One of my best friends in the entire world, Ant once told me that music can give us hope for a better tomorrow. My homie Efrem from Fullerton, Orange County also told me that, “I think writing songs is an attempt to be happy. It’s part of the pursuit of happiness.”

Check out what the planets are doing. After all, we are all connected—humans, animals, trees, the Sun, Moon, planets etc. My friend Vic shares some wonderful information on what the Universe is up to over at his Vedic Astrology site and his Astro-blog. You can check out what planet is ruling today! Vic did a reading for me about a year ago & seriously he was so spot on with so many things. The insight he gave me to where I’m at in my life cycle and where it’s headed helped me to better understand things in my life. I’ll be expanding on this idea more in future posts.

“Spirituality is basically that every living entity on planet Earth has some type of spirit. In that spirit, we are all connected. In the same way that every leaf of a tree—some big, some small, some still growing, some fully matured—is related to the roots of the tree. In that sense, there’s some sense to the universe, some intelligence behind it. We’re all products of that source. We’re all dependent on that. It’s not blacks and whites, girls and boys, Australians and Americans; it’s every living dependent entity on earth. That type of recognition gives us a sense of respect for all.” ~Ray Cappo (Conversations With Punx extract)

Practice gratitude. In my experience if you’re truly thankful for what you have you’re not worrying about the things you don’t have. It’s all a state of mindset. Did you wake up this morning? Do you have a roof over your head? Is there food in the cupboard? Clean water to drink? Are there people in your life that love you? If you answered ‘yes’ to the aforementioned let me tell ya, you’re a rich, rich person indeed, you have everything you need… all the other stuff is icing on top of the cupcake of your life. Maybe tomorrow morning when you first open your eyes ask yourself ‘what am I thankful for?’ I take the time to give gratitude for my wonderful life in the morning before I do my Morning Pages and/or meditation or at night. Why not every day think of just three things you’re thankful for. It’s not super hard and costs you nothing… give it a try!

A thought to carry into your day: Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful. ~Buddha

Do you guys do anything to help beat the mid-week hump? Please share…

A wonderful tune to inspire your day:

*(thanks Tizmond for introducing me to such an awesome band)

Up an early for the hope of a brand new day
See a homie you ain’t seen since back in the day
Fresh haircut fitted wit a fat ass fade
End of work, we chilling on a Saturday
How you felt when you first heard the Daddy Kane
Rakim, KRS hey I had that tape
Cooling out with ol’ girl on a fat ass date
Find a hundred dollar bill wow man that’s great
Get promoted at your job up to management
Plot a long time finally a plan has made it
Time I feel I wanna shout, man it’s real that way
Wanna think of things that make you feel that way
~Blackalicious

Wishing you greatness!

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I Give Good Gratitude [08 January 2010]

Published on January 8, 2010 in Inspiration. 9 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Photo by Barrera Marque

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough… The single greatest thing you can do to change your life today would be to start being grateful for what you have right now. ” ~ Oprah

One of the fastest ways I’ve found to attract positive things into my life is to be thankful for what I have already. I’ve found that what you focus on expands and begins to permeate your whole life. Life is all energies. If you already feel like your life is abundant and rich then that will attract more of the like into your life. It’s all back to the basic law of ‘like’ attracts ‘like’ and the notion of what you put out into the Universe you get back. I believe that gratitude is recognition of abundance and an acknowledgment of blessings in your life. If you’re grateful you will have an open heart and be open to more opportunities and possibilities.

Giving thanks is going to become a regular thing around here. So get your gratitude caps on!

Things I’m thankful for:

Family. Though we don’t always see eye-to-eye I love my family greatly and I am thankful for them every single day. I’m quite intrigued by the theory that you’re born into the family that you are so you can learn the lessons you need to in life. I’m thankful that my father and I finally have a good relationship after all these years and he taught me to have an entrepreneur’s mindset. I’m thankful that my mother is still alive and kickin’ and that despite her advanced Alzheimer’s condition she still has a sense of humour; she’s forever clowning around with everyone!

I’m thankful my eldest sister Sharon is always so diplomatic—she’d make a great politician (ha!). I’m thankful for my sisters Julie and Juanita teaching me it’s okay to be myself and to go for my dreams (my mum also let them name me—so thanks to them I got a rad name! Yay! They named me after Bianca Jagger).

And my big brother Barrie, well there’s a million reasons I’m thankful for him in my life, one being he gave me my very first punk & hip hop records (see below… see how many you can guess leave a comment):

Friends. Honestly I know the best people! I have the best people around me. Nothing but the best will do because I know I’m worth it! (ha! I sound like a L’Oreal commercial). It’s taken me a constant culling of ‘friends’ and trial & error over the past few years to get it right… to work out who my true friends are and now that I have them, I cherish them forever.

There have been points in my life when I’ve hung out with people that treated me badly (and others) and who were just plain bad for me: mentally, physically and spiritually. I’ve tolerated a lot of people in my life and made excuses for their bad behaviour in the past just because they were my friends. I’ve learnt that life is too short to waste time hanging out with people that don’t make you feel like your most amazing self.

Friends encourage each other, are proud of each other’s achievements, help each other to grow and always act in a caring manner towards each other. If you love someone, you would never want to hurt them by behaving badly would you? I know I wouldn’t. If you really do care for and love someone there are no games, no disrespectful words, no putting each other down, no making each other feel guilty or talking behind each other’s backs.

While I’m on the friend tip I wanna give shouts outs to my homeslices: Dannii, Sophia, Anthony, Grover, Troy, James, Kieran, Amy, C.Pizzle and (my lunch companion) Prue. Without you all in my life, the world would definitely not be as bright—you help me illuminate all the possibilities.

What do you love the most about the people in your life? What do you appreciate about them?

Why not write to someone you love and tell them how grateful you are to have them in your life… send a postcard, write a letter, send an email, send a text message, pick up the telephone or better yet, make a play date! Friends that play together, stay together. Word.

And remember folks, gratitude is shown loudest in your actions not just words or thoughts. All three in unison is even better! A thank you costs you nothing. Start today and give good gratitude!

What are you grateful for in your life?

“The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche

Much gratitude,

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