Pure, Unadulterated Joy

Age is only a number baby - Cougars rule... And America the Beautiful

By Joy A. Kennelly

Someone I don't know just sent me a link to Perez Hilton mocking Sharon Stone for dating a 24 year old, but I say honey, if you've still got it, flaunt it! Right?

Here's the link in case you're curious:  http://perezhilton.com/2008-08-19-sharon-stone-in-the-running-for-queen-cougar-crown - is this funny or what?

I'm missing my text boy toy a little bit, but if it's meant to be... HA HA HA! Who am I kidding? He's 26 years old! Still in college! A Junior no less! Too fun, but definitely not long-term material no matter how enticing the package. LOL

Just returned from a great documentary film that you really must see called America The Beautiful which exposes the cosmetic, fashion and beauty industry like nothing else has before. I'll write more in the a.m. because I'm too tired to now, but just know when it opens on Friday, you really must see it.

It is really eye-opening and thought provoking.

It actually brought up a lot of emotions for me too. However, that could just be because I'm pmsy. LOL TMI I know, but hey, what you see is what you get when you're reading my blog.

Okay. That's all for now. I must crash. Did another of my early morning networking meetings and I am soooooo not a morning person. However, for this group, I will be one at least once a week because if the business deal I just helped bring together happens, it will be a very good thing.

And that's all I'm going to say about that!:)

Have a good one.

Sri Lanka Day 8/23 10am - 10pm Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica

Seeing as I now have pictures of this event and more information to share I thought I'd post it here. I love the Sri Lankan people and hope you will join us this Saturday for a bunch of cultural events celebrating this country and people.

Here's the official press release from The Sri Lanka Foundation:

The Sri Lanka Foundation today announced that the annual ‘SRI LANKA DAY’ will take place on Saturday the 23^rd August 2008 on the 3^rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.  Since its inception in 2006, Sri Lanka Day includes the best of Sri Lankan culture and food from Wilshire Blvd to Arizona Ave, making Sri Lanka Day the biggest event held at the Promenade.  All Sri Lanka day festivities are free to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

 Sri Lankan Food                                         

Sri Lanka Day is perhaps the only day of the year people in Los Angeles are able to have a taste of Sri Lankan food in a fun and festive environment, which is cooked live in the most exciting of ways.  Thousands of families living in Santa Monica and greater Los Angeles have fallen in love with the food offered at Sri Lanka Day since the first Sri Lankan Day in 2006 and now people from San Francisco and even Canada make this their annual pilgrimage to quench their appetite for spicy, exotic Sri Lankan food.   

The favorite Sri Lankan foods available are Hoppers- a crispy, pancake- type item made with many a twirl. The edges are crispy and the middle is soft. Hoppers are usually eaten with meat or vegetable curry. Kottu Roti-similar to a Mongolian barbecue- is made, with eggs, meat and vegetables-a treat to watch the cooking and tastes so good! String hoppers- a soft stringy- type item accompanied by curry. Pol rotti-bread made of flour and coconut-served with spicy onions or curry. Sri Lankan savory short eats-that’s the name for Sri Lankan snacks similar to Tapas and Empanadas-once you start with these you can't stop! Of course, they’ll be lots of Rice and curry-made Sri Lankan style. And no Sri Lankan food festival would be complete without Sri Lankan Sweets-Colorful and sweet.

Sri Lanka Day Parade

At 4 P.M the Sri Lanka Day parade will take place with Sri Lankan dancers, drummers, masked performers, flag bearers and a theatre elephant to pay honor to an ancient parade that occurs annually in Sri Lanka.

 The Sri Lanka Day Parade is the most important event of Sri Lanka Day because of its ancient religious and cultural significance to Sri Lankans. The Sri Lanka Day Parade pays homage to the annual “Esala Perahera” held in the city of Kandy in Sri Lanka in which hundreds of dancers, drummers, flag bearers, masked performers and elephants adorned with beautiful garments parade through the city. All performers and elephants in the “Esala Perahera” are pledged from various Hindu kovils, Buddhist temples and individuals who volunteer their time and resources as a sacred duty.

 The religious importance of the “Esala Perahera” is that it is dedicated to the sacred tooth relic belonging to the Buddha. The sacred tooth relic is kept in custody of the “Temple of the Tooth” in the city of Kandy on behalf of the ruler of Sri Lanka and the custody of the tooth ensures the divine right to rule the land. The “Esala Perahera” is the only occasion where the sacred tooth relic is taken out of the temple and it is carried in a casket on top of an elephant.

 Sri Lanka Foundation is proud that we have been able to organize the Sri Lanka Day Parade with full support of the Sri Lankan community in Southern California and are able to share our rich heritage in America.

Miss Sri Lanka America and Miss Teen Sri Lanka America pageant

The stage on Broadway and 3rd Street corner will be hosting the Miss Sri Lanka-America and the Miss Teen Sri Lanka America beauty pageants, a fashion show and teen dance crews. You will see the beauties parading in colorful traditional Sri Lankan clothing including jacket and cloth and saris, evening wear and competing in a talent contest for the crown.  The uniqueness of the Miss Sri Lanka America and Miss Teen Sri Lanka America is the focus on Sri Lankan culture and a relaxing of traditional pageant perimeters, opening the contest to all types of beauty: the conventional, the unconventional, the hidden, the incongruous, and the subjective.

Sri Lankan- American rapper DeLon will make a special stage appearance here at the Broadway and 3^rd Street stage. There will be lots of dance crews and DJ’s from Los Angeles to entertain the crowds.

A fashion show featuring models adorned in Sri Lankan batiks and other Sri Lankan clothing will take place at the same stage.

 Non-stop Entertainment

The stage on Wilshire and 3rd Street corner will host Sri Lankan and American musicians and dancers that will keep the audience entertained from 10 AM-10 PM. You will see the traditional Sri Lankan “Kandyan” dancers and drummers, Bharatha Natyam dancers perform throughout the day.  These traditional Sri Lankan performers are a rare treat in Southern California and usually attract many Asian dance enthusiasts and shutterbugs to see their mesmerizing performance.

There will be special dance performances highlighting the religious and cultural events important to the Sri Lankan community. This stage will come alive with the Sri Lankan American bands “Heat”, “Beyond Asia”, “Strangers” and a performance by George Rutnam’s band playing popular Sri Lankan and western music until 10 PM.

  Information about Sri Lanka Day and Sri Lanka Foundation is available via the Internet at:

 www.srilankafoundation.org

www.slday.com

www.myspace.com/srilankafoundation

www.facebook.com/srilankafoundation

www.flickr.com/srilankafoundation

www.youtube.com/srilankafoundation

www.secondlife.com/srilankafoundation

 

What a difference sleep makes...

By Joy A. Kennelly

Time to move on and it feels good. Today's sermon was all about being patient and waiting on God's reward for your faithfulness. I took it to mean being patient as I wait on God to bring the right guy into my life seeing as Mr. right now's haven't worked out lately. LOL

Seriously though, I think I like living God's way more than my way because I'm just happier in the long run. Plus, I have way too much stuff going on right on now to focus on negativity and dwelling on stuff that's over now.

We've got some amazing musical acts booked at the Shore. I plan to share them with you soon. Now to get back to promoting all the events I have responsibility for.

The beach is calling my name - can you hear it? Work first, then play though.

Hope you have a good one. I plan to.

Tonight was an interesting mish mosh of events, oh I mean morning.

By Joy A. Kennelly

Ok. I'm done. No more cougaring for me. Only real men need apply. Wasted more time on the stupid 26 year old only to learn he has a girlfriend. Typical.

Then the 31 year old said he was going to come over tonight after his night out like it was his right to do so. I didn't feel like being his hotel and left to hang out with my friend instead. I am not into men who don't treat you to dinner and just expect sex. So over that attitude and action it's not even funny.

Deliberately left my phone at home to have a break from everyone and returned to find 9 text messages and 7 voicemails from the 31 year old, each one progressively drunker.  Then he shows up at 1:30am, barges his way in my apt., strips down, gets into my bed, and refuses to leave because he's too drunk to drive! Acting like I owe him to stay over so he won't get a DUI!

So over you dude. Not into drunks. Get a DUI and maybe you'll change.

Fortunately, I have a great group of neighbors I'd been hanging with for most of the morning when I got back tonight and they came up to help me kick his butt out when he refused to leave. My one neighbor Duke was hoping this guy would put up more resistance because he was in the mood to fight, but I'm glad he just left.

Didn't hurt that Duke is very tall and spoke authoritatively in his deepest voice. Thanks Duke! You're my hero. Really you are.

I'm telling you, the South Bay is feeling a little claustrophobic because all the guys I'm meeting are either young or alcoholic. So over it! Time to start going back to the gym now that my back is healing and throwing more parties because I always meet nice people then.

Now it's 3am and I really must get some sleep.

Church in the morning! I mean in 6 hours. It already is morning. Tonight was really fun despite that one little episode. Felt real nice to have my neighbors support me when this guy was being such a jerk. Sorry Ry, you know it's true. Don't call me and I won't call you. Thank you very much.

Okay, I need to hear the Bible in the morning to cleanse my mind.

I gots to go.

Thanks for praying. Deb's Dad is doing real well.

By Joy A. Kennelly

Just heard from Deborah and her father actually recognized her and spoke for the first time in a week since having brain surgery. Amazing difference. He's still recovering and it's extremely critical time for him.

Please continue to pray for Deborah, Rick, her Dad, Mary Pat, her Mom, and her brother and sister as they're dealing with this incredible battle for his life. Thanks.

Now to my Sat. night. Hope you have a good one too.

It's good to get out of the Hood! (Hermosa Beach hood that is...)

By Joy A. Kennelly

My back has been out of commission for so long I haven't been able to leave Hermosa Beach or the South Bay for weeks. Never realized how important the escape was until this past week.

Ventured down to the Santa Monica Pier to catch their free concerts on the pier, but just wasn't feeling the music. Some Italian woman was singing soulful, sad sounding songs by the time we got there. We enjoyed the rasta band playing in Rusty's Surf Ranch on the Pier so much more!

Even the armless guy playing guitar with his toes begging for money on the sidewalk was better in our minds. Sad, but true.

I had grabbed my friend Caron for company and we ended up taking quite a nice little tour of Santa Monica Pier. Here's me on the beach.
It had been so long since I'd been to the pier, I didn't even know there was a Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant there!

That was fun to check out. I bought a t-shirt for my son (who lives with his adoptive parents in DC) and then we flitted in and out of a couple places to check out the scene. Loved the bathroom mosaic tilework at Shutters Hotel on the Beach. Caron creates mosaics and I love art so there you have it.

Here's us goofing around inside. What's the guys bathroom like?

Also, the decorations at Casa Del Mar - two of my absolute favorite places in Santa Monica to hang out, meet people for drinks, enjoy a nice meal and conversation, or just read.

I love nice hotels even when I don't stay there, but just visit. We really felt like we were on vacation because we'd both been cooped up for a bit - her with a cold and me with my back.

Good to get out is all I have to say.

Then my friend/client, Arlene, was very sweet and treated me to high tea at my favorite Beverly Hills hotel - The Four Seasons on Doheny. Recognize these stars? lol We did see an actor there, but everyone's famous in BH, so who cares right? Just kidding. I don't know what it is about that place, but it's my favorite hang. Plus, their high tea is really, really wonderful. We had a great time catching up and she was busting a gut at some of my recent pix which made me happy.

Isn't the elevator tilework pretty? I'm a sucker for good artistry.

Popped over to visit my married Cougar friend Shana afterwards for a quick minute who informed me this morning after going out last night with her friends some 27 year old is after her now. We crack each other up with our young guy tales. She's very happily married and I just like to have fun with the whole concept.

My friend Adrienne keeps telling me I should pitch a cougar reality show, but I figure if I'm that interesting, people will find me. Plus, do I really want superficial, sex-driven, go nowhere relationships showcased on TV? Not really. I just like goofing around and being silly. Helps break up the stress of real life. LOL I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille!
Okay, that's all the fun recap for now.

Please pray for my friend Deborah's dad who's in surgery today from 12-5pm. It's extremely serious and he could die. Sorry for the downer, but sometimes life interrupts and requires a quiet moment, or two. Thanks for your prayers. She's very scared for him. Me too.

Now this really is good day.

Enjoy yourselves! And pray for Deborah's dad!

Sri Lanka Day, Original Lobster Festival, Cougar hunting, and stuff

By Joy A. Kennelly

When too many people are reading my blog for professional reasons, then I get inhibited about really sharing what's going on. Plus, when I'm confused about certain things, I like to process it quietly before I regurgitate stuff too.

Plus, have been very busy with all the stuff I'm working on and just don't have time, but just felt motivated because it looks to be quieting down here a little so it's safe to stick my neck out again like a turtle out of its shell.

Right now I'm helping my friend John promote the upcoming Sri Lanka Day taking place on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica on Saturday, August 23, 2008 from 10am - 10pm complete with live cooking demonstrations, parades, beauty/fashion contests, traditional dance and live music performances. I got involved with this country years back when the Tsunami hit and have had a soft spot for this culture and people ever since then.

Should be a very interesting, eclectic, culturally rich day. Hope to see you there!

Also, promoting the Original Lobster Festival taking place September 5-7, 2008 at the same place as the Crawfish Festival at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach. I didn't particularly end up liking eating crawfish because the eyes kept condemning me and it was a little gross to suck out their innards, but I am looking forward to the lobster!

I know, same thing basically, but it's bigger and I only have to look it in the eyes once vs. 100's of times. LOL Plus, it's much more flavorful and succulent. Bristol Farms does it again! Can't wait. I kept hoping to have crawfish pix to share with you, but my friend and I haven't been able to figure out how to get them over to me in a way I can use.

As far as Cougar living, have decided I'm not into Text Toys or pix only. It's fun for a little while, but come on already. Let's actually meet and see if there's any other sort of connection. If not, bye bye baby, buh bye. I want a real man and a real relationship, not a phone or a computer one. Lol

Been hitting a lot of morning networking meetings too which has thrown off my writing since I normally write at night, but after waking up so early am too tired to do so. Very interesting people get up early I'm learning! Maybe there is something to that saying, the early bird gets the worm after all.

I also like the structure and the consistent referral of business which is set up to happen in this networking group. Already made a few great contacts and have mutually benefited each other and The Shore. Very fun when that happens. Makes me feel good to make others happy. And successful.

That said, I better get back to spreading the word on all my projects and making the others tick. Mark your calendars for 8/23 and 9/5-7 for the Sri Lanka Day and Original Lobster Festival if you're a foodie like I'm beginning to realize I am too!

More fun events coming to The Shore soon too! You'll be the first to know ok?:)

Happy Friday everyone!

Sean Rosenthal, Benicio Del Toro and other hotties...

By Joy A. Kennelly

Everyone keeps searching to see if Sean Rosenthal is Jewish. Now I can't say for sure, but with a last name like that I wouldn't doubt, would you? Anyone watching the Olympics and care to share how he's doing? Go Sean! Click on his name for his bio - just thought I'd help you out in your search.

Speaking of hotties, just learned that last night the incredibly sexy, smokin' hot, extremely talented Actor Benicio Del Toro was hanging out at The Shore and hit Pedone's afterwards. Very cool. No, I mean hot. I don't know what I mean he's got me all aflutter. LOL

And I didn't even see him! But I heard from a very reliable source he was there. Bet you didn't know this, but we've actually had quite a few celebrities dine at The Shore. Sexy places draw sexy people, what can we say?
 

Maybe one of these days I'll share a list of our celebrity guests with you if you're good.

Okay, that's all for now. Just felt like sharing because it made my day to hear the news. Now to go hit the beach. Isn't this the best weather? And the ocean has been simply wonderful lately too.

Gotta love it. Happy Sunday everyone. If I feel in the mood I'll upload today's sermon which was really good. Last weeks' was good too, but it hit a little too close to home and I needed to let it digest before I posted it. Maybe I'll include it too so you can see what I mean. That Pastor Jim Mackinga - he's speaking the truth even when you don't want to hear it!:)

Last night at The Shore's Kick Off Party for the Hermosa Shorts Fest!

By Joy A. Kennelly

Okay, I cheated. I snuck out before uploading the pix to watch some shorts over at the Hermosa Shorts Festival, but I'm back because I remember now why I don't produce short festivals any more. Nothing against the filmmakers or anyone else, I'm just so burnt out after having done that for five years of my life I just can't watch another one no matter how good they are!

That said, I had a GREAT time at the kick off party last night. When I first arrived it was very quiet and I was a little worried, but I shouldn't have been. Before long the place was packed with happy people enjoying all the aps Chef Dave was sending out and all the drinks Mike and Heather were serving.

I was running between the red carpet and the main room all night gathering people together for pix which was fun. Here's some for your enjoyment now, but we do have others coming since they had a photographer stationed at the red carpet who got some great shots:

Who likes Short Shorts? We like Short Shorts! Remember that old commercial?

This is the calm before the storm as event staff waits for filmmakers and other special guests to arrive on the red carpet for their close-up.

Annalise came back and brought a friend to enjoy Chef Dave's cooking after joining us recently for a tasting party for her engineer group's special event consideration.

These guys liked it too. The guy on the left distributes short films and was looking for fresh talent.

Alana and Mandy, just some of the cute waitresses from The Shore. They're the sweetest, nicest girls.

Mike, the bartender, is the nicest guy too. Everyone at The Shore is nice.

 
Tom listens intently to some of the filmmakers while Actor Patrick Kilpatrick does the same in the background.

Mike was busy all night long!

This was a light summertime snack someone ordered - caprese salad anyone?

Hungry? asks Chef Dave. How about some of my signature stuffed mushrooms, filet mignon or salad?

Chef Dave & Melissa Todd, host/model with a new look.

Our Chef David Linville is one bad ass. He does martial arts training six days a week. Don't mess with him!

City Council Member, Kit Bobko, and Tom Kearney.

Me and Kit. He always makes me smile because he's so handsome and nice. Wouldn't you get involved in politics too? Thanks for coming Kit!

Me with Jazz Singer, Joy Rushing. We're the Joy's of Hermosa Beach. She's performed all over Los Angeles and is one of my friends down here.

Host/Model, Melissa Todd, with her best friend whose name unfortunately escapes me. Thanks for coming Melissa!

Chef David Linville, The Shore's Bostonian General Manager, Brian Kelleher, and Hermosa Shorts Festival Director, Tom Kearney

Chef came out of the kitchen to have fun on the red carpet with City Council Member, Michael Keegan, who arrived later and The Shore Co-Owner, Mike Sribney. Michael Keegan owns Manhattan Bread & Bagel over in Manhattan Beach so when you're in need of some of the best, go there.

Below, Mike Sribney (who also owns Pedone's Pizzeria voted Best Pizza in the South Bay by both the Daily Breeze and The Easy Reader) is joined by his lovely wife, Kristina, and Actor Domiziano Arcangeli.

Actor Domiziano Arcangeli, recent recipient of the Golden Halo Award, was surrounded by beautiful women of the Hermosa Shorts Festival.

 Equinox Corporate Executive, Shayline; Actress Melinda Bennett; Kiwanis Member, Pat Love; Volunteer Extraordinary, Vicki Hanson; and Hermosa Shorts Co-Founder, Maura Kearney.

Me and Domi. Can you tell I'm getting tired? Thanks for coming Domi!

Happy attendees.

Happy waiter.:)

Happy Hermosa Beach Mayor, JR Reviczky, and City Council Member, Pete Tucker and his lovely wife, Sienna all came to support the Hermosa Shorts Festival. Thanks for coming!

 

Happy Actor/Producer, Patrick Kilpatrick with a beautiful fan. Thanks for coming Patrick! He and I have been friends for a long time. He was one of the original board members of my shorts fest, Short Pictures International Film Festival years ago. Very good guy.

Even a happy po po came to check out the Hermosa Shorts Festival. Keep him busy Kristina!:)

Happy filmmaker and happy attendee, Caron Carus. They met when the surfboard he brought accidentally fell and knocked her on the head! Oh well. He was nice and took care of her.

Almost all of Hermosa Beach City Council came to show support. Back row - City Council Members, Kit Bobko, Mayor JR Reviczky, Peter Tucker and his wife, Sienna. Front row - Hermosa Shorts Festival Founders, Tom & Maura Kearney, Beach Cities Health District Board Member, Joanne Edgerton (I believe, correct me if I'm wrong),The Shore Co-Owners, Kristina and Mike Sribney and Actor/Producer, Patrick Kilpatrick.

We have another pic with more people that I'll upload once I receive it too ok? Below are the Owners, Jason & Mike, with Kristina, Melissa and Patrick. We all agreed, Jason was the hardest working man of the evening.

 

Former City Council Member/Mayor, Sam Edgerton, even came out to show his support. He sat on Hermosa Beach City Council for 16 years.

Another former City Council Member (and probably Mayor too - sorry I don't remember, but if you tell me Art, I'll change this), Art Yoon, enjoyed receiving the special goody bags Equinox prepared for everyone.

Speaking of Equinox, here's the Equinox team, Veronica, Larry, and Shayline along with The Shore Co-Owner Mike Sribney and his lovely wife, Kristina.

Thank you Larry! Thank you Equinox! I'll be curious to see how many people turn in their golf ball gifts for their free one week pass.

James McKenna entertained everyone acoustically until about 9pm then the dueling drummer/DJ began kickin' it up a notch. After that everyone was dancing and just having a blast. Even the LA Kings came in towards the end. Very nice hunky guys. My camera battery died and I really didn't want to disturb their privacy so it's just as well.

I caught HB Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Carla Merriman, on her way out to snap this shot with Mike and Larry.

Tom did not mind his job as Festival Director one bit last night despite having recently had foot surgery to mend a ripped Achilles I believe. Whatever it is, it was extremely painful. The injury, not posing with these beautiful women. Probably made the pain go away a little more too, right Tom? :)

In the pic above is Tom's surgeon on the left and Roxanne Messina Captor in red, who used to run the SFO International Film Festival, Ken Unger on her right, and her friends, Harold and his wife, on her left.

Roxanne had a film showcased in last year's Hermosa Shorts Festival featuring Harry Shearer and Shelly Long and is good friends with Francis Ford Coppola if I remember correctly. We've been friends for awhile, but I'm tired so bear with me.

Don't you love Larry's shirt? The body is a temple - Attract worshipers. I'll worship you Larry! LOL He's the GM of Equinox and such a great guy. We're going to start doing more events together soon. Can't wait!

Roxanne teaches yoga and other classes at Equinox when she's not busy writing and doing entertainment stuff. I'm sure she's quite good at yoga because she was a dancer all her life too. Very interesting woman.

These folks are fun and interesting too. Tom, Joy, Domiziano, Patrick, Chef, and Maura.

And with this pic, I close.

Hermosa Beach Shorts Festival Founders and Husband and Wife team, Tom & Maura Kearney - some great people who are making Hermosa Beach popular with filmmakers and the world.

Don't forget, this Sunday is a free beach screening of all the best shorts of the festival as soon as the sun goes down. Also, there's a closing night party at the Hermosa Beach Community Center where all the films are screening at 10pm Saturday night.

You know where you'll find me!:)

Have a good one everyone. Hope you are enjoying the Olympics! . Very cool to have so many South Bay residents competing in the Olympics this year too!

Oh, and here's a few links to websites with the results of the International Surf Festival last weekend too in case you're curious: http://www.tbrnews.com/ (The Beach Reporter) and http://www.easyreadernews.com/ (The Easy Reader)

Enjoy the read!

Wrap up on Hermosa Shorts Kick Off party coming soon!

Just editing all the pix I took from the opening night kick off party for the Hermosa Shorts Festival at The Shore last night, and promise to upload them before I go hit a screening tonight ok?

It was a lot of fun and every single city council member showed up except one, but then we had a few from previous years so it's all good. Plus, Patrick Kilpatrick, Melissa Todd and Domiziano Arcangeli were there too. (Jasmine came down with the flu unfortunately, but she assures me next time...)

Can't wait to see the shorts tonight now that I've met some of the filmmakers too. Hermosa Beach Community Center is the venue so go there to buy tickets and enjoy the pre-screening reception.

Hermosa knows how to have fun so join us!