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January 19, 2009

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Remembering a true visionary and a hero to all people - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I write this post from Washington DC where I will dance with millions of others on the National Mall at Obama's inauguration tomorrow. I have never been more proud of my country than I am right now.

The dream is alive and we are all finally free at last...

Posted by Veronica at 06:28 PM

January 04, 2009

Operation Rescue Chicken Cluck Cluck

Meet Chicken Cluck Cluck.

This poor little girl was hiding in a bunch of recycling boxes huddled from the cold outside our New York apartment.

Yep. New York City.

Why the hell would a chicken be wandering the streets of the city, you might ask. Well, unfortunately, there is a slaughterhouse several blocks down in an adjoining neighborhood and I think that Chicken Cluck Cluck jumped the coop as they say.

I must admit, I have a soft spot in my heart for those who have tricked certain death. Therefore, there was only one thing to do....

Bring the random live chicken walking the streets of this city into our apartment.

Burke figured out a way to get her into a box, and up to the apartment she went. She was hungry and had a scab on the bottom of one of her feet, but besides that she was in good spirits.

She stayed with us for a week and I have to say, I got very attached to her. If I wasn't already a Vegetarian (which I have been since I was 12), I would have definitely become one. You could really see her sweet personality...and I couldn't imagine anyone killing her.

When I was in high school in Florida, I read an inspiring article about a place called the Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary. I was touched by the story and sponsored two animals on the farm - a goat and a pig. Fast forward to now, and my apartment is only two hours away from the Sanctuary. I was hoping they would possibly take her in.

Yesterday, Burke and I made the two hour drive with Chicken Cluck Cluck. The people at the Farm Sanctuary were amazingly sweet. You can tell they really care about what they do. About five of the volunteers there came out to greet the little chicken. They said she was young and in excellent condition. She is a "fancy" chicken they said (you go, girl! I knew you were fancy!). And she is there now, in a luxury suite before she gets integrated into the coop with the other chickens.

I will be back in the Spring to volunteer and to see my little chicken friend walking around freely in the sunshine. For those of you who are interested in volunteering or sponsoring an animal - you can check out their website here.

My heart is so happy that this chicken with a bad future in the city ended up on a gorgeous farm tucked away in the beautiful Catskill mountains. I am so grateful for the people at the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary that they could take her in. When we left, we walked out into a beautiful clear winter night in the mountains, with snow on the ground and a hammock shaped crescent moon in the sky. I felt my heart fill with happiness with the good that is in the world and that Chicken Cluck Cluck didn't have to die, and is safe somewhere out there under the stars...

and that, my friends, makes me love the world quite a bit more.

Posted by Veronica at 09:09 PM

January 03, 2009

Happy New Year 2009!

Welcome, my Loves, to a brilliant new year. Our bright and beautiful future is finally here.

I rang in New Years surrounded by some of my best friends and performing at my favorite underground party in the world, Shanghai Mermaid. It was lush, lavish and full of 1930s decadence. The above photo is my dearest dearest boy crush, partner-in-crime and husband, Burke Heffner dancing with me in the wee morning hours and captured by Entwined Studio.

At the strike of midnight, I will admit that I was a little bit sad to see 2008 pass away into the dark and starry night. 2008 was one of the best years of my life professionally and personally. I got to see the world touring with Emilie and the Crumpets, I got to meet many new and interesting people all over the world (which resulted in VKA), I met my "little sister" Andrea on MTV's Made -who will be a friend for life - and was a life-changing experience for me! It was a year of adventuring and new experiences. It was a lively year where I felt completely and utterly spoiled by the universe. More than ever, I felt my loved ones that have passed on guiding me on course and cheering me on. I also felt a tremendous amount of love and support from those I love here on earth - from people that I've known my whole life to people that I've only just met.

My dearest, darling Two Thousand and Eight...you took me in your arms and adored me. You showed me I could take the terrifying leap to make a living doing nothing but my dreams, and you helped me soar. My eyes were opened to new opportunities and inspiration in the beauty of every day life. I will take all the wonderful things that I learned with me into this new year, and I will never forget you.

And welcome, 2009 - I have known in my secret heart of hearts for a very long time that you are the one for me. I have been waiting for you for years....

Come, take my hand - whisper in my ear of all the promise you hold...

and let's begin the dance, shall we?

Posted by Veronica at 01:27 PM