My friend Keisha cracks me up! She works in Hollywood as I, on the other hand, just live here. She works in TV and is either incredibly busy and I wont see her for months on end, or she is unemployed. Which she is now. Four years ago, when I moved to this neighborhood, I met a lot of people because I have a dog. People who do not have dogs are always so surprised at the incredible social network you can create when you have one. You must walk them at least twice a day, mostly in the morning and in the evening. Since I did not know anyone when I moved to LA, having a dog was an instant way to meet people. Keisha is one of those people.
I did not know anything about the 'industry' (as in the entertainment industry) until I started talking with the people I met at the local dog park. I had no idea how many people were involved to get one show produced. Truth be told, I am sure that I still have no idea, but just a better one. Anyway, I have needed a bit of help lately and Keisha was willing to mow and water and clean up with me.
I saw one of my clients and she asked me if I had a new assistant and I said, well, not really, she is in TV. Barbara understood. If you live here long enough, you start to understand that people are employed and unemployed all the time. Even if you win awards, you are always having to look for that next job (movie, show, whatever). I have quite a few clients that are directors, producers, actors or writers. Its a bit fascinating, I must admit.
Back to Keisha. She was a real pleasure to have as my assistant. Her perspective is so different than mine - mostly because this is not her chosen profession. She was just happy to be out and about, something to do, a view or two to catch, and an interesting conversation to have with myself and my clients. And maybe a cat to scratch along the way.
But I have to tell you the best part. I was around the corner at Pam's house and from the patio above me I heard Keisha talking. I finally yelled up to her, are you talking to me? No no no, she wasn't. She was talking to the plants. To make then feel better, loved even. Then she played them some music, tropical music, to remind them of home. How awesome is that! It is very easy to take your job seriously. Just to do what you have to do and move on to the next commitment. It was so nice to be with someone who saw my work with a different perspective. Who was enjoying the day and the plants and giving back in a unique way. It was a moment to remind myself to remember to enjoy my work, and enjoy the day. Thanks Keisha.
acacia
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
just thinking
Today is hot. I am not a big fan of the heat. I find it hard to concentrate. Especially when it is so sunny out. Funny enough, I love the fact that it is sunny for 5 months straight, but when it gets into the 90's, I am all done. That's where paperwork comes in handy. "I am in the office" is a true statement and any business has paperwork that has to be attended to and I am not one to shirk my duties, especially when it is so hot out.
Unfortunately, I am sitting in front of my computer with a blank head. I cant seem to concentrate on anything at the moment and I already had a frappucino. I figured if caffeine and sugar cant get me going, nothing can. Maybe it is the large sleeping dog next to me. She looks so comfortable... its like she is telling me that this is how you deal with a hot day... sleep must sleeeeeeeep
It is thursday and I am not going to take a nap (yet) but instead need to concentrate on two designs that I am presenting on saturday. I have managed to make two separate design meetings on the same day. What was I thinking? Two different couples with small children (and one with one on the way) who are looking to make their backyards kid friendly. And safe. And attractive too, cant forget that. And most people want low maintenance these days and of course, low water use.
I find that a lot of my clients in Los Angeles are couples with young children. When I was working in Santa Fe, most of my clients were older and generally did not live there. Their house in SF was a vacation spot so they were really looking for the 'Santa Fe style'. In Los Angeles, most people live here because they work here. On long weekends (July 4th or Memorial Day) the city clears out. In Santa Fe, holidays were packed. It is a very different dynamic. So peoples' needs are different here: they want vegetable beds and play areas, spaces for everyday use. My biggest challenge is to fit all of the required elements into a single space.
Hmmmm, I think I just figured out what to do......
So off I go, renewed from a bit of mental musing!
Unfortunately, I am sitting in front of my computer with a blank head. I cant seem to concentrate on anything at the moment and I already had a frappucino. I figured if caffeine and sugar cant get me going, nothing can. Maybe it is the large sleeping dog next to me. She looks so comfortable... its like she is telling me that this is how you deal with a hot day... sleep must sleeeeeeeep
It is thursday and I am not going to take a nap (yet) but instead need to concentrate on two designs that I am presenting on saturday. I have managed to make two separate design meetings on the same day. What was I thinking? Two different couples with small children (and one with one on the way) who are looking to make their backyards kid friendly. And safe. And attractive too, cant forget that. And most people want low maintenance these days and of course, low water use.
I find that a lot of my clients in Los Angeles are couples with young children. When I was working in Santa Fe, most of my clients were older and generally did not live there. Their house in SF was a vacation spot so they were really looking for the 'Santa Fe style'. In Los Angeles, most people live here because they work here. On long weekends (July 4th or Memorial Day) the city clears out. In Santa Fe, holidays were packed. It is a very different dynamic. So peoples' needs are different here: they want vegetable beds and play areas, spaces for everyday use. My biggest challenge is to fit all of the required elements into a single space.
Hmmmm, I think I just figured out what to do......
So off I go, renewed from a bit of mental musing!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
A successful water wise garden!!
This is Maurice and Judy's yard which is so beautiful. Maurice planted a lot of the plants, plus the grapes. Last year I came in and planted more plants to fill in with color and diversity. He hasn't watered it this summer and look how great it is! Most of these plants are natives with some Mediterranean plants added (and what I call mostly natives). Our goal was to reduce the need for watering to almost zero and i think that we have succeeded quite well. He does water the grapes a few times a week, and they are wine grapes: pinot noir and I think chardonnay (I will have to ask him). All in all very satisfactory and quite lovely to stand in. And lots of bees and butterflys!
And one more thing. The best part of their yard is this little fellow:
Monday, August 9, 2010
what to do
Lately I have been thinking about the identity of my business. What is my style, my philosophy. What ideas do I want to promote and what ideas or traditions do I want to discourage and reeducate people on. This has led me to look at my ethical responsibility of being a gardener and, more importantly, a garden designer.
I have really begun to understand the negative impact we are having on our world and how we are, essentially, wrecking it. For a long time I did not want to pay attention to this issue as it is so frightening, but I can't be blind and deaf any longer.
Today I watched an episode from the documentary series 'Vanguard' about the Cardamom forest in Cambodia and how people are cutting down a particular tree, extracting its oil, and selling it to Holland for them to make the recreational drug ecstasy. Not only are they cutting out swaths of the forest, but the extraction process is contaminating the water. I wonder if the users of this drug have any idea the impact on the environment its production creates. I think that we are all aware of the social impact of illegal drugs, but rarely do we consider its environmental price tag. And yes, this is one small area of the world, but as you start to pay attention you will realize that all areas of the world are being recklessly plundered and contaminated.
It seems to me that the basis of our disregard for our earth is money, and with it, luxuries and power. Oil companies and drug companies (illegal or legal), food producers and manufacturers often base their decisions upon what will benefit them today rather than the overall effect. And with so many people in our world living in squalor and starvation, it is not surprising that they will do what they have to in order to live one more day. Or to make their lives that much better.
Interestingly, you dont have to go to Cambodia to see this, or to some third world country. I see people everyday, and I have done it myself, that are being environmentally irresponsible just to provide a roof and a meal for their families. I have done work (that is not on my website) which goes against many of my principles because I needed the money. I certainly don't feel that I can judge others for I am not immune.
So I am wondering about the ethical and philosophical identity of my business. How can I help counteract the devastating effects of so many. What is it that I need to do, both on a day to day scale, and on a much larger scale, to promote a healthy and loving relationship with our earth, our home.
I have really begun to understand the negative impact we are having on our world and how we are, essentially, wrecking it. For a long time I did not want to pay attention to this issue as it is so frightening, but I can't be blind and deaf any longer.
Today I watched an episode from the documentary series 'Vanguard' about the Cardamom forest in Cambodia and how people are cutting down a particular tree, extracting its oil, and selling it to Holland for them to make the recreational drug ecstasy. Not only are they cutting out swaths of the forest, but the extraction process is contaminating the water. I wonder if the users of this drug have any idea the impact on the environment its production creates. I think that we are all aware of the social impact of illegal drugs, but rarely do we consider its environmental price tag. And yes, this is one small area of the world, but as you start to pay attention you will realize that all areas of the world are being recklessly plundered and contaminated.
It seems to me that the basis of our disregard for our earth is money, and with it, luxuries and power. Oil companies and drug companies (illegal or legal), food producers and manufacturers often base their decisions upon what will benefit them today rather than the overall effect. And with so many people in our world living in squalor and starvation, it is not surprising that they will do what they have to in order to live one more day. Or to make their lives that much better.
Interestingly, you dont have to go to Cambodia to see this, or to some third world country. I see people everyday, and I have done it myself, that are being environmentally irresponsible just to provide a roof and a meal for their families. I have done work (that is not on my website) which goes against many of my principles because I needed the money. I certainly don't feel that I can judge others for I am not immune.
So I am wondering about the ethical and philosophical identity of my business. How can I help counteract the devastating effects of so many. What is it that I need to do, both on a day to day scale, and on a much larger scale, to promote a healthy and loving relationship with our earth, our home.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
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