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The Universe in Verse 2020 trailer: “Antidotes to Fear of Death” from Maria Popova on Vimeo.

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This is my favorite photo I shot in 2017. It was en route to the first Women’s March in downtown Los Angeles. Its my fellow fourth generation Angeleno best friend, Corissa Joy Viveros and her daughter Aurora relishing in the semi tunnel shut-down. For there is nothing more lovely than simply walking about the city we love; our home. Obviously, 2017 ended up being the Year of the Woman and so many people said that the first women’s march was the best day of their life no matter where they marched. The electricity and love this day was unprecedented in my life. I suppose that’s the first reason this is my favorite. But in between the first and second Women’s March, Corissa had what I have always made believe would never happen, a heart attack. Her heart had 99.9% blockage and she was saved by a feminist surgeon. She had full cardiac arrest in 2009 and I just never wrapped my head around the severity of her beautiful golden ticker....she is the best woman I know. She has Fibromuscular Dysplasia and at any time something grave could go wrong. 

It was the worst day of my life. I’ve had lots of worst days but losing my best friend is not something I could tolerate, 

That month before the heart-attack, California was on fire and I couldn’t sleep thinking about friends in Calistoga facing down everything they’ve worked for in flames, then earthquakes in my beloved Mexico City and Juchitan, then a massacre in which we lost Manhattan Beach residents....”What do we do Cori....why do these events happen and suddenly everyone is grateful....and then... they forget.”

She said...”All we have is now...and right now and right now” and then she lit a candle for her boy Rocky in the bathtub to teach him about being present. 

The next morning, she put the kids on her lap and told them how much she loved them. 45 minutes later she called 911 on herself,

Travis her husband called me and I ran to the cold bathtub to process what he was pragmatically telling me. I slipped. Cori got on the phone and made Big Lebowski jokes. The phone kept breaking up and it felt like a bad dream losing someone in a wind tunnel. 

I didn’t want to lose the call. I wanted her to stay on the phone with me forever.

Subsequently, I halted all social media activity. Cori and I talk of missing the 80′s and answering machines. And emergency break-through and crank calls.

Somehow my perception of everything shifted. I checked all my attention seeking motives of the past and started to focus on one on one contact with my family and friends with much more direct communication to everyone. Once you get in the swing of having non-cyber conversations again you never want to go back. I love your faces, I want to see more of you in the flesh.

I mean, I don’t think anyone can understand the kind of human being she is. She is an affectionate, loving, caring, empathetic, brilliant, taste-maker, way ahead of everyone else-- mother, wife and friend. She just has this way with me. I can tell her anything without judgement but she tells me the truth. I take her advice when she delivers because she’s right. I lean into her for all my strength and to go her because that is where the love is. Have you ever read anything she has written? Eloquent is an understatement. She loves dancing, Quintron, camping, tea, laying in the sunshine, gardens, the way light dances, rain, candles, her husband, her kids, her mom, her sister, anyone in her life she loves them authentically. 

Cori continues to heal in UCLA based heart classes in which she is on a strict diet, meditates, and exercises her heart plus group discussions. As she continues to get well in the most incredible way (I learned from Julie Rader that if you meditate for just 11 minutes a day you actually grow more prefrontal cortex matter and expand your life expectancy by decades).

I recently joined the Soroptimist Manhattan Beach chapter and we aim to inspire and empower women globally. I am thrilled to be part of it and in 4 months I have found a scholarship for a woman in need, worked a Dream It Be It seminar and have found a powerful place of purpose and service. I wouldn’t have joined had Corissa not discussed with me after the Women’s March finding ways to help the cause...to help young women set boundaries, set smart goals, manage stress and to create a safe and secure work environment. 

I’m glad we made to the other side of the tunnel.

I love you Corissa. You are my joy. You are my soul. 

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Aurora #crystalchitlin totally schooling me. "It doesn't matter how much money you get it matters how happy you are" #kidsarewaysmarterthaniam #saturdaysermons #oldfashionedgoodness #talesfromthepunkrockminivan @rehgrafsivart @crunchyceejoy (at Long Beach, California)

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White Boy was in our @mamadfeedsthehomeless line last week. He's from Alabama...went to an all-white school "boys were real good to me there. Treated me right." He dresses like the boys do in my hometown though of #manhattanbeach mostly adorned in #vans shorts and statement tee's. He's "married" to the band #afi wears a ring to symbolize this union and feels a kinship with lead singer #daveyhavok "but I'm not into his look now. I liked him then" he rides a skate all over #skidrow and listens to nothing but #afi on his iPod. I checked...there isn't anything else but the #misfits and #Samhain. He was working construction with a "mexican guy who turned me onto them. Been hooked ever since" this is him laughing when I decided to start singing "I wanna Mohawk" as I too was married to the band in 1996. 🙌🏻 funny how were all way more alike than not. I ❤️ whiteboy blackboy mexicanboy all boys. (Not mean boys though 👎🏻) Thank you all for your donations. My garage is bursting with fruit flavor. Allow me to lighten the load this week and ill resume pick ups soon! Come down anytime to our #mamadfeedsthehomeless line. Sunday 5th and San Pedro 8-9am sharp! @julessorensen @leesherman5 @aliciawells8it @ibsquid #dtla #skidrow (at Skidrow Downtown Los Angeles, CA)

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Sup Bu and the no fun at all sparkler crew. behind the ⚡️⚡️⚡️ !!! designer of #Bswim @steph_graves model @alliemaebb makeup @ginagcaraballo_makeup hair @jamleonard photog @ashleybarrettphotography best crew on planet Bu @nathanwilsondp @annabananaboo @elises2pieces @cattbee_ (at Malibu, California)

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Mercedes was in a bad mood yesterday. And then I told her a bad joke. She's from Inglewood but somedays she's never even been there. She talks in riddles and hates that she smokes. She loves red nail polish. And always dresses fly. Donate old polish and light clothes for hot summer days ahead to me this week. Most likely Saturday I'll have time. @mamadfeedsthehomeless @julessorensen @leesherman5 @aliciawells8it @ibsquid @viviannamarguerite #mamadfeedsthehomeless #dtla #skidrow (at Skidrow Downtown Los Angeles, CA)

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🔥🌊 @sydney.ness #behindthescenes @curvebysunsets @chels_l @ginagcaraballo_makeup @blossomsantamonica @annabananaboo @gunnarcurry @jamleonard music by @scarlett.grace 😎👌🏾#curvebysunsets #coronadelmar (at Corona del Mar, California)

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Sina getting all crafty and resourceful in the sun with @kookycook 's fabric. She grew up in the SFV. She's been homeless for over a year living on skid row. She's gracious, funny and likes to dress up. We love seeing her. I'm making rounds Saturday! Any donations welcome save baby baby stuff though for your friends and family. @mamadfeedsthehomeless @julessorensen @leesherman5 @ibsquid #skidrow #dtla #mamadfeedsthehomeless (at Skidrow Downtown Los Angeles, CA)

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Three years now! How did I get so lucky? ...this team has captured my heart. Never a dull moment working/playing/laughing with the entire Sunsets family! Such a great couple days making the vids for the 2017 @sunsetsseparates and @curvebysunsets line. Looking forward to many more the next few weeks. Thank you all again...you've got the best of my (our) love here @soulfryfilms @annabananaboo @ginagcaraballo_makeup @gunnarcurry @elizabethcturner @francofiles @chels_l @jamleonard #sunsets #sunsetsseparates #curve #coronadelmar #beyonce (at Corona del Mar, California)

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Alfonse. He's from South Carolina. "I came to Hollywood to make it. Be an actor, model, live the dream. I'm an entrepreneur you know...I want to work on my art" He's been homeless for a few months. Lives at the Mission. Fashion is "everything. " he loves Kanye West because he is (raises hand above head) and just doesn't care. He always makes sure he dresses to express. It gives him an outlet. He's lovely...Gracious...kind....calm. The only day this week I'll be able to pick-up clothing donations is Saturday. Thank you so much to all of you who take the time to donate. And of course to Sidney Jones @ibsquid who is there each week without fail and Jules, Lee, Alicia, Dah-Dah @julessorensen @leesherman5 for your decades of service. @mamadfeedsthehomeless #mamadfeedsthehomeless #dtla #skidrow (at Skidrow Downtown Los Angeles, CA)

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Alfonse was back in our line today. Gracious, lovely and stylish as ever. See his portrait from last week for his story. He's as fly as he's grateful. He views self- expression as something that helps him weather all storms. Thank you all so much for your donations this week; they help Alfonse do just that. Keep them coming. I should be available Saturday. Our hearts are broken and we're all feeling mighty powerless today regarding the mass shooting in Orlando, FLA. seeking solutions and a way to make sense. sending so much love and warmth to all those directly affected and to all of you who must be feeling the gravity of this tragedy. Be gentle on yourself and with others. #mamadfeedsthehomeless #dtla #skidrow @julessorensen @leesherman5 @ibsquid (at Skidrow Downtown Los Angeles, CA)

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♠️♥️ (at Ace Hotel & Swim Club)

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Chili. Chillin. #topangacanyon (at Topanga Canyon)

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Natasha, Ebony and Flip Stanley Jr. Homeless four days. But they stick right together. Make the most of it all some how. They hail From NYC. Flip wants you all to be clear...these gold slippers are not for him to wear. They're for his mama. He loves her so much he ran off with just about everything in my trunk for her. 🎄#dreamitbelieveit @julessorensen @leesherman5 @ibsquid @mamadfeedsthehomeless #skidrow #dtla #mamadfeedsthehomeless @crunchyceejoy yarr galden slippahs dahling (at Skidrow Downtown Los Angeles, CA)

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Video companion to last photo. Natasha (with Luna's puppet) Ebony and Flip Stanley Jr. Brother/sister love. Talking about why they love Pippi Longstocking. They saw my suede roller skates in the trunk with my 1970s socks. They said the socks were like Pippi and they love roller skating. They've been homeless four days (now a week this was last Sunday) they make the most of it. They're tough, stick together, funny, normal everyday kids...they like candy and scooting about in the city. They hail from NYC. I really hope I don't see them this week. I hope their mom gets housing. As much as I do....But thank you @crunchyceejoy Natasha was barefoot and a Flip hooked up his mama with some golden slippers. 💋 #mamadfeedsthehomelessloveseries @julessorensen @leesherman5 @ibsquid full version on my personal Facebook page and our mama d feeds the homeless Facebook page! Please go our page and like us! #dtla #skidrow (at Skidrow Downtown Los Angeles, CA)

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Sophie Sadie.

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Sophie.