and you thought you were cool....

I Believe I can Fly ( flight of the frenchies). Trailer from sebastien montaz-rosset on Vimeo.

Yeah....and you thought you were cool...these dudes represent epic in my eyes. 

Nomad•ness gal: Abigail Tarttelin's London bite

 

Nomad•ness gal Abigail Tarttelin is the first noted woman we've given this title to where it's difficult for me to write about her because I simply don't know where to start...

In an attempt, let's start on one afternoon in July 2006, Paris. It was the afternoon to shoot my short film, and I'd wanted Abby in it after using her talents for my mise-en-scene exercise earlier in the month. In the dark, with just she and I, and my DP, Batool, we created one of my favorite pieces of art below.

It wasn't until one of my very last nights in Paris that I realized in 2006 that Abby had just finished high school in London and decided univeristy wasn't for her. She's was making a b-line straight for her craft, and thus far everything has worked in her favor.

Her travels, mainly for work as an actress, had led her all over Western Europe, even attending the Cannes Film Festival, as well as within the United States with bouts of time in both New York City and Los Angeles.

Starting off in independent shorts, such as mine above, she eventually progressed into full length features like "The Butterfly Tattoo" and "Schrodinger's Girl" which premiered in the Official Selection of the independent film festival at Comic-Con 2009.

Her life, already, is a whirlwind. More recently to add to her list of achievements, Abigail just got her first book publishing deal and the official release of her debut novel, "Flick" will be released in April 2011. You can preorder HERE ON AMAZON.COM! Check her blog out HERE!

moments of pause...

I'm a runner. I very much focus on the future and what I could be building, creating, perfecting to make my dreams and obsessions come true. I think faster than the average individual, probably right on par with any New Yorker. We're sick.

It's always running to do so much, and sadly we dont learn to balance until we have no choice. Our minds or bodies shut down. For me it was my first full blown panic attack and I quickly learned how to say "No." Something I'd never done before, assuming I could assume every role that was brought my way. How silly we are.

What I find, in life, is that there are crucial, and many times life changing moments of pause. It's those times where you are in a place and time and you are so present that you chills. You may close your eyes, breathe in the air, give thanks to the higher power, what have you. But for some reason, you stop and you recognize the pause. I have to admit I live in New York and love it at times, but I don't find those pregnant pauses here.

Sea of Japan at our sunset drinking and talking party on the beach. 10 mins from my old apartment in Niigata, Japan.

It's when I'm abroad. I am so moved by life, when I travel that I have them so periodically, it scares me because it reinforces that New York will probably not be my home, for life. I want to live in a place that makes me feel that way, and makes me live life in a way, where I feel that daily. Maybe that's why I move around so much. The new beginnings. the new discoveries. The understanding that every new place brings about a new pause. Here are a few of my random moments of pause around the world. This is a very modified list.

Japanese Tea Ceremony Preparation

Photo shoot after different Japanese tea Ceremony

I missed Loi Krathong... Chiang Mai, Thailand

I missed Loi Krathong. Honestly, out of EVERYTHING I wanted to see in Thailand, but knew I would miss by leaving early, this was that one thing that hit the hardest. I'd been excited about going to Loi Krathong, since hearing about it. Well, it's night in Thailand right now and I know the guys there are having an awakening while watching tens of thousands of lanterns float up into the sky.

It has to be such a spiritual experience, and something I would consider bopping back into Thailand at some point to experience in person.

I hope the Jet Set Zero crew enjoys it thoroughly tonight. Wish I was there, but happy I'm here.

I also hope they are more successful than we were, trying to set off lanterns, when I was there.

Remember me and Jeremiah?

hate flying, but want to see Europe?

In reality there are a million and one reasons to go to Europe. Reasons even I don't know, merely seeing three countries on the Western side.

But, I've been a STA Travel customer. I admit, that's dwindled since turning 26 years old.(Another perk of traveling to and through Europe is they consider you for "youth" discounts until 26 yrs. old. bless their hearts.)

Since then, I've had to find discounts the same way the rest of the population does. Regardless, one who wants to backpack or just travel through a few countries in Europe will love this deal. Especially, if you hate flying.

I'm going to get into this on an 'Interact with Evie' episode, but I had severe flight anxiety for a long time. It still is NOT one of my favorite things to do. Little fun fact.

So.....the sale. Eurail is doing a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE on Railway passes! Get a Global or Select Pass and you'll get another one for free. Sale started today, until supplies last! Get on it.

View ad on STA Travel HERE!