We both were modeling my Burning Man sparkly blue cowboy hat

More contemplation and less posing - some might say.


-- Post From My iPhone

Sasha and I went down to Gibson Beach to check out the swell after Hurricane Bill

The light was perfect and despite talk of hailstones and tremendous rain, the weather stayed perfect.



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Hey SP heard the kayaking was ever so slightly on the strenuous side and you are totally cream- crackered ( knackered)

The Aspiring Trout Pond Princess said, flashing me a highly relaxed million dollar smile in her million dollar teenage haute couture bikini,
"why not take a leaf out of my book and get the old man or old Daffy Daddykins down there to do all the work and kick the boat up and down using his feet as an engine propellor, works a treat I tell you and I get to breathe and relax and enjoy the scenery."

Now that is what I call SP style.

"Girl, I like it. I could do with some training from you , I must be getting rusty in my old age, nice when a lovely young lass like you, can give the SP some valid pointers, keep it up, you are going places my dear, I have no doubt about it."

With that her dad pushed her off the edge of the dock and paddled her round the pond, whilst she lay in full splendour not a hair out of place, not a bead of sweat on her fair brow.

I realized those young 'uns can teach us a thing or two and made a mental note to self that future kayak excursions should be carried out the same way with Mr Magician Duncan kicking my kayak along with his feet as my engine, dodging the jellyfish bravely,through the idyllic Peconic Bay. I am sure he won't mind, probably treat it as a great honor, as any smart man would.


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An hour later I was back at Trout Pond, the Hampons swimming hole.

That day all the bracken was fulll of wild raspberrys and Sam the snapping turtle popped his head up to say hi.

A young aspiring princess to be lounged in a yellow inflatable dinghy. Her dad looked real beat.


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You can do it, just breathe and imagine you are an amazon sneaking up to it's prey

Get a rhythm going, it should be totally effortless.

Well with no choice I made it back and here is an action shot of me rowing rather than resting, although I never did quite master the breathe and relax side of things.


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After about two and a half minutes that horrible ache in my shoulders returned.

Every time Duncan went ahead I rested the paddle, trying to catch my breath.

Whose laughing now? I was sure I heard that darned kayak murmer between my puffs and pants. I looked around for a tow rope, nothing, just ospreys idling in their nest and viscious ugly giant red princess eating jellyfish floating by as a clear reminder that IN the kayak was the smart place to be.

"Duncan," I whined," I'm tired, how much further to go now?"


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But I haven't digested my lousy egg bagel from the deli yet, I whined.

Big Mcdaddykins told me never to jump up after eating. You can get very ill. Ok Ok . Scottish World Kayak Champion in action, go cat go. 5 miles that's it, I was hoping for another 20 miles. Jellyfish watch out, here I come. Let me show you who is boss around here, old kayak son of a gun.

I put my foot very assertivly over the kayak as one might a wayward pony showing clearly I meant business.


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"that sounded an awful lot like a whine to me, am I hearing you correctly?

It is only 5 miles back, nothing a Scottish Fitness Champion like you can't handle. Hop in, wake up and let's get moving. Time is of the essence, get to it Princess."


-- Post From My iPhone

Ok lunch is over time to make tracks SP said Duncan after what seemed like only five minutes

"Allready?, what about the breathe and relax part I haven't done that yet? Now seems a good a time as any. I can practice Shivasana, corpse pose in preparation for my next Hatha yoga class."


-- Post From My iPhone

At the lunch spot ( an egg bagel from a deli highly uninteresting, I leaned against the oar

- to aid staying vertical



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Huff , puff, my arms were killing me after 2 minutes

Duncan called out" Hey, what's keeping you, you need to keep rowing, we have a ways to go yet."

The sun was beating down on me and these oar things felt like they had 10 pound dumbbells attached to the end. My shoulder was about to fall off with all the effort, this was way tougher than my yoga classes.

"All good Sweetie, admiring the view and watching out for jellyfish", I smiled graciously.




-- Post From My iPhone

It's very easy, all you do is hold the oar like so.

Breathe and relax were my instructions.


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Yeah two canoes

I lied, trying to kick one under a bush except there was no bushes in the water.



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You mean I have to do the kayak on my own?

I thought I would ride in the back of yours and give commands as to the best lunch spot. Is this the port or starboard ( you see I know the whole jargon).


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The scenery was perfect , not a cloud in the sky

There was even a family of ospreys nesting nearby, Hamptons at it's best.


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This is what's called a kayak

Think you can handle this one?

"Oh sure, back in sunny Glasgow, I was a real whiz at the old kayak, just remind me how does it work?"


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Hey Princess, fancy a wee kayak adventure up the Peconic Bay

King Duncan, the local wizard , Samba drummer , home made gorgonzola pasta preparer and sweet ecstatic Kirtan chanter, invited or should I say challenged me to do a day's kayaking on yet another Sweltering Summer 85 degree Saturday.


-- Post From My iPhone

Secret to successful spiritual life- by Annie

RELAX! Chillax! Do Nothing. Melt into the mother earth. Easy peasy!


-- Post From My iPhone

Ashram delicious veggie suppers at the lake

A great bonus at the ashram is all the new friends you meet like Tom the divine yoga teacher and Annie who goes to Shul of New York like me. We all talk about yoga things and the secrets to successful spiritual living of which every person on the ashram has plenty to ideas.


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I should have been a water sprite

My happiest moments are in the water. In my next life I will probably come back as a seal, just toss my food in the water and leave me be.


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Swimming in the holy ashram lake

The next day was another scorcher, the lake was my favorite place to cool off. The fish nibbled my toes, ensuring I had to keep moving rather than just floating around.



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No I wasn't in the show

But jumped into the group photo at the end, all the performers friends will probably say, who is she, but you know me never like to miss a good photo opp.


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At the interval Angie and I ran to rock the cradle of our "love child" Lord Krishna

Luckily the Krishna Doll had a high tolerance for being in photos, otherwise there would have been a tantrum I am sure of it.




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It is lucky to rock the cradle

Also to give Krishna flowers....
Hw looks like he wants to hop out after the overload of attention from the Indian performers.


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Happy birthday Lord Krishna, play your flute and watch us all

All excitement at the ashram for this important birthday. Krishna looks just like the wee boy I dream of having so I kept hogging him and taking lots of photos until I was shooed off the stage.


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My Angel Sista, Angie and I at our spiritual pre BM Ananda Ashram spiritual retreat

On our favorite swing where we share our secrets. Angie and I had a playa sister pact under the stars first year of Burning Man. Angie is opening a fabulous bikram studio in Bali and has made her dream a reality. We dote on each other and our time together is so sacred. She told me my soul mate awaits me in Bali to help tempt me to join her. But could I leave New York?



-- Post From My iPhone

Prepping for Burning Man

I had a great time last week trying on different outfits from Sandriney's wild and wonderful collection for Burning Man. Although it is only 6 days you need a new outfit every hour or so, as the heat and dust makes you ragged in seconds. The parasol protects you from the heat and is a de rigeur must have Burning Man accessory, a little tricky to bike with it though , that's what bungee cords and baskets are for, hop off your bike be fabulous!


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Roll over Sex and the City- introducing the three Goddesses, Claudinsky, Sandriney and the SP

Here are we three dear friends posing for photos whilst sweltering in 95 degrees in Madison Square Park. This action shot was taken of us before we chased around the city trying to find a cinema that would take us for District 9. Kipps Bay is huge with loads of empty seats and great audio sound effects.

Later that night your very own SP got terrible food poisoning after a raw nut meat salad from Bonobo's. It ruined the film and the pain was so huge I thought the end is nigh a prawn alien is going to jump out my aching tummy. After a hot bath and massage from my wayward Goddess Roomie I felt quite a bit better. The next day Bonobos emailed me to say I was welcome to another free nut meat salad at any time. Eh hello the last one nearly killed me, no Siree.


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iPhone close up of the famous SP birthday gâteau

When are they adding a photo flash as an app, there are 50,000 already why no flash yet. If you strain your eyes you can see it, just take it from me it was totally yummy and sorry there is none left. ( The bit in the freezer is for me only, on a rainy day like tomorrow might be, actually the forecast is sweltering again but hey all weather is cake weather ) .
I know princesses are supposed to love sharing and be kind to all The LLS, but we can't be perfect or we would not be lovable.


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My gigantic cake was delicious

Some wierd thing happened here to the photo, but you can see I am thrilled with my cake, traditional sponge ,butter icing, raspberry jam , the works. I wanted to scoff the whole lot myself and cut it all horrible to try putting folks off but then Paul took over and cut it nicely so everyone took a piece, darn!



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Here I am sandwiched between the Leo Allstars fellow birthday Celebrators, delectable Dallas and Erudite Irresistable Eric

The SP ordained that we celebrate our birthdays together every year as I love photoshoot opportunities like this plus the both of them are supernice as well as superyummy.
Dallas had to leave his pod on the Hudson to come quite a feat and nearly didn't make it. Erik had a few blocks to stroll over and was always a dead cert with no risk of a no show. The fact Dallas actually made it to his own party certainly added to the occassion, especially for him.
We went back to my place and the SP air conditioning is only ten years old and with a big crowd works so so mostly not at all. At one point I apologized to Dallas the SP pad for wayward goddesses was a teensy weensy bit hot. Sweat was pouring down his face and not fazed a bit he said " Oh I am comfortable." What a trooper and well behaved guest, for that alone you made it to next years party. No whining allowed at my parties - be happy to be at the hottest party of the year , literally, good practice for the playa. One creative guest filled a container with ice which he passed around to try cool the sweltering guests. Like it!


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Todd was a big hit

Todd got on great with everyone and was a champion mingler and a great asset to have. Note to self - he should come to all future parties.



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Check out this royal picnic

Not too shabby, who is better than me?



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Reid relaxes after bringing a giant pot full of quinoa and roast veggies to Mad Sq park all the way from Carroll Gardens

I was so happy to be surrounded by my loyal and loving subjects and really felt the love. Since I completely went tetotal ( Zhu Zhong my acupuncturist's orders )and stopped even a sip of wine I am feeling things very deeply, especially emotions. Now I am
a year older- time to get real!


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The Scottish Princess Leo Allstars birthday picnic was a spectacular success.

Nobody ever goes hungry at my parties, the aspiring Jewish mother comes out in me and we had the yummiest food ever, enough for all the concert goers in the park. Luckily my lot who turned out in hordes to celebrate their SP's royal birthday, did a good job working through the delicious veggie food preparedfor many hours by Reid, the picnic master chef.


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August is Scottish Princess Month

Happy birthday Mr President and Beloved Me. This year was my first Facebook birthday and out of my 300 friends about 30 wrote in with sweet messages of love, admiration and devotion. Those that forgot do so quickly now as punishment for forgetting the SP birthday is death by beheading or at the very least banishment to Iceland or even worse England.

The SP feels on the whole good about embarking on another year and all the Adventures it will no doubt unfold. This could be the year when her dreams come true according to the Indian almanacs so watch this space.

Tomorrow the SP will celebrate with two other fellow Leos at the John Scofield Jazz Trio free concert at Madison Sq Park. 7-8.30pm. The weather has declared thunderstorms and 50% chance of rain. Please join the SP in prayers for no rain at her birthday party. Amen. Ponchos and party dresses are simply not a fit.


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Bruiser having late night pasta in the flatiron district

Everyone is sweltering , summer in NY. Bruiser agreed to pose for me in between mouthfulls of tiramisu.

"Hey SP, time you bought the doggy blogs back and stopped lounging on the beach every weekend, " he woofed. " I want to be in a doggy movie and your blog is suppposedly a great first step."

"Bruiser, with that face, you are going places." I told him, " just go easy in the old tiramisu."

"Woof, you should practice what you preach lady. Despite the 8 spoons you ate the whole thing alone, I saw you through the window, no wonder all you wear is baby doll dresses these days!" he guffawed in a gruff hardly endearing bulldoggy way.

I hate it when I am busted by my own loving and loyal subjects especially the four legged ones. "Ok you win, Bruiser, we both over indulged but hey it's summer."
As if that was an excuse but it was all I could come up with on the spot. Bruiser went back to his desert and small talk and I slunk off home hiding my orchiette pasta with roasted cauliflower and breadcrumbs leftover bag, in my Alis lodging conference tote bag.

"Enjoy your leftovers," he woofed as a parting shot." Salad is not so good the next day," and gave me bulldoggy wink.


-- Post From My iPhone

And in the end, the love you take

Is equal to the love you make......



-- Post From My iPhone

My love

Sir Paul wrote this for Linda and he addressed the audience "for all you lovers out there and you know who you are."
I thought darn I don't have a lover, I haven't even had a snog for 6 months. Then I racked my brains thinking there must be someone - but No, nada. Maybe for his next tour I will have someone, must remain hopeful at all costs.



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The three music muskateers at Sir Paul

It is lightly raining but lucky me got the covered seats, also I am well prepared with two cashmere sweaters, Virgin wooly blanket and Ugg slippers in case it gets chilly at the stadium, everyone else is in shorts, flip flops and tshirts. Just can't believe I am here, this is why I love NY.


-- Post From My iPhone

Got to get you into my life

I can't believe it all my Christmases have come at once( wait i am Jewish) I am at my hero Sir Paul McCartney's third and last concert in Citifields, the new Mets stadium in Queens. Being the SP, I got the last three tickets in the world by calling directly to the box office today. No more Craigs List tickets for me since I was scammed $500 for fake Leonard Cohen tix.
As I am a huge Beatles fan, I am in total heaven. Even the hot dog and burger smells are causing me only a minor irritation. Paul looks totally gorgeous, by the way. "Let me Roll it to you.."


-- Post From My iPhone

Take a last look at the sign BB Kings

Because soon it is going to be Vegan Kings. I am sure they will still get a good line up of bands, just healthier ones, with a conscious mind, who grill tempeh not ribs. It can't be too much to ask. I am sure Stealin Dan could call themselves Stealin Jam, probably get a whole new following, I must go and call Mark about my brillaint idea and also Vegan Kings with my menu suggestions, they can have BBQ grilled tofu with red peppers, yum! It is great to be me sometimes.

My sister calls me a born again vegetarian, I can't imagine why. She wouldn't eat anything with a face on it for years now suddenly she eats meat, which still shocks me. Ah well at least midtown will have a new vegetarian hot spot soon.


-- Post From My iPhone

"What was all the fus about?"

After the show, Mark came up to me to see how I enjoyed his performance.

"I loved it, but I think it is time BB Kings became Vegan Kings rather than BB Que Kings."



-- Post From My iPhone

Have some lovely carrot cake and put those ribs down

In the end, I couldn't take it any more. I turned to the nice middle age rockers who were tapping their feet to Stealin Dan and chomping on their ribs with gusto and I said,

" Look, never mind Mickey don't loose that number, don't you realize you are what you eat and you are eating the suffering of animals as they die. You think you are at a concert but really you are a walking graveyard of a murdered being, and I am not talking about Halloween either!"
They looked at each other in annoyance and ignored me and continued their chomping in silence. The friction between the tables was intense. As I glared at them with furrowed brows my hand blantly over my nose to emphasize my disgust.


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Urgh can't stand the barbque smell

Here I am multi tasking- watching the concert and holding my nose at the same time in protest. The only problem is no one seems to notice and they keep on smacking their lips and chewing on the greasy rib bones regardless. Urgh!



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Stop eating spare ribs and switch to carrot cake instead

The two tables next to me are eating ginormous American size portions of spare ribs. The smell makes me feel sick. All my prayers that everyone turns vegetarian have not worked yet. I am tempted to interrupt the concert with a plea for all in attendance to stop eating meat tout de suite, but my friend Mark might get mad. Ah well I will have to listen holding my nose. When people smoke I can wave my hands showing my annoyance but when they eat meat what are you supposed to do in protest?

Any ideas please send them over.



-- Post From My iPhone

Stealing Dan tribute band at the famous BB Kings Blues Joint in midtown

Well after all that meditation and prayers in praise of the guru, it is time for a change of speed with a big 15 piece band playing all the old Stealy Dan songs. The coolest thing is my friend Mark is playing the keyboards and he showed me how to get comp seats, more money for shopping. You are not supposed to blog during the concert so I had better sign off.

The band sounds really great and if you close your eyes you would for sure think you were at a Stealy Dan concert. Famous musician friends is a real plus in NYC. She is bringing me carrot cake with ice cream, what a night!



-- Post From My iPhone

Guruje, the Ananda Ashrsm guru

Beloved by all his picture is on my alter and all of us still feel his holy presence today. Thank you Guruje!


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Beloved David and Sharon - an inspiration to us all

The number one yoga IT couple a guiding spirit for us all for many years, thanks to them enriching so many peoples lives all over the world with the Jivamukti message. Thanks to them so many of us are vegetarian, well, me for starters.


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Guru Brahma Guru Devo Maheshwara

Did you honor your guru today? Today is special- it is the day to give thanks to our holy teachers and gurus.

Suggestion is to meditate on their faces and embody/ BE your guru for the day - and every day. Here I am in Jivamukti post meditation ceremony- feeling very ethereal and gurulike myself- hope the feeling lasts. But how would the guru feel about becoming me for the day ? Now that is another matter!




-- Post From My iPhone