My friend Joe Boswell (Boz) has officially begun the campaign for his bike trek across the country.  He's raising money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and will be blogging, Facebooking and Myspacing during his trip with photos, videos and stories.

He will be leaving Atlanta the day after Thanksgiving, and with only the belongings he can carry on his bike and back  - will make his way on bicycle across the Southeastern United States to San Diego.  Having no choice but to couch-surf, camp, and think creatively in order to sustain himself, this trip promises to have some very interesting stories.

There's an official press release below (I'm helping him out with this stuff, as most of you know I do PR for a living)  and links to his blog and MS fundraising page as well.

How can you help?   Media friends...interview Boz on your radio shows, write about him, give a shout-out.  He will be an awesome interview.    Bloggers - add these links to your blog!  Myspacers and Facebookers - pass this along to all of your friends.  Make a donation on his MS Society page (see below).

I promise this is going to be a fun adventure.

Thanks!  Let's spread the word for something positive and fun.

xoxo
~torch~


Boz's Bike Adventure - Links


Boz's Blog:   http://myspacetimebicycle.blogspot.com/

MS Fundraiser Page:   http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Events/HOM-General?pg=fund&fr_id=7540&px=5475565

Myspace:  http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=405925317&MyToken=7d814fa4-9ca0-4fea-b465-1302b773d8b3

Facebook:  Friend request Joe Boswell in Atlanta, GA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:         

Direct Force Media

678-443-8502
www.dfmpr.com

                      
 
LOCAL CYCLIST EMBARKS ON "ADVENTURE OF PURPOSE"

 

ATLANTA, GA – October 3, 2008 – 24-year-old Atlanta native Joe Boswell is on a mission.   Beginning December 1, 2008, he will embark on an "adventure of purpose", traveling by bicycle across the southern United States from Atlanta to San Diego.  Equipped with only the gear he can carry on his bike and back, he is raising money for a cause that is close to his heart – The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Planned stops on his journey include major cities, small towns, national parks and landmarks, and cultural destinations.

Relying on the Couchsurfing.com network, his love of meeting new people and enjoying new experiences, and occasionally his camping and wilderness survival skills, Boswell believes this will be a life-changing, consciousness-raising adventure.

"I plan to share all the details of my experiences through my blog, including photos, video and narrative commentary in each town or city I visit", he explains.   "I am hoping that my spirit of adventure and positive attitude will inspire others to fulfill their own personal quests – whatever they may be".

Mr. Boswell is seeking corporate and individual support in his quest…by making contributions to the National MS Society through his donation page:

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Events/HOM-general?pg=fund&fr_id=7540&px=5475565

Visit his blog for updates and the latest news:

http://myspacetimebicycle.blogspot.com/

Contact Joe Boswell by email at boztime@gmail.com, or for all media inquiries, contact Direct Force Media at 678-443-8502, www.dfmpr.com

Big congrats to Somer Willard for winning First Place in the Georgia Music Industry Association's "Nashville Demo" contest.  The winning song, "My Time to Shine" was co-written by Somer, Heather Elsberry and yours truly!  I'm pleased and excited to have been a part of creating this song, and can't wait to hear the fully-produced demo!

Stay tuned, and check out Somer's page to hear more from this amazing young singer - she's in my top friends.

xoxo
~LT~

I've always had a fascination for Andy Warhol and the people he surrounded himself with. In a bizarre dream I once had, I envisioned myself as the reincarnation of Edie Sedgwick.

I finally saw the film "Factory Girl", and was blown away. Very interesting to learn that Edie fashioned herself and her style after a poster of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffanys". Many of us did the same thing in our teens.  The long black cigarette holders, the upswept hair, the heavy black eye makeup...it's all there.

While a completely tragic figure who died at the age of 28, Edie was luminous and transcendant and quite unforgettable. Sienna Miller portrayed her brilliantly. It's a difficult film to watch, in some regards, since her decline was so rapid and so heartbreaking. But I still recommend the film to anyone who has an interest in the era.

OK. I can hear you now.  "Enough with the Matt Nathanson stuff, already".  Sorry.  When I get intrigued by someone, that's me.  I take the words of my "people obsessions" and I devour them hungrily - looking for some common ground - some little glimmer of relatability, or a massive revelation of enlightenment - like a lightning bolt.   It's how I get inspired and it's how I learn.  So sue me.

This blog from Matt hit home to me as an artist. This is an excerpt from his blog where he describes Paul Simon's "Graceland" album as a work of pure genius that always humbles him.  Source:  www.mattnathanson.com

there are rare moments when i feel confident in my job...
as a songwriter, as a singer, as a musician.
true, pure confidence.
and it is super empowering.
and it always leads to writing more songs.
there is this rad momentum that goes along with true
confidence that you can't get any other place.
it doesn't last, but if you stay out of it's way long enough...
that's where the songs come from.
that's where you allow yourself to just ride creativity
...and really cool shit happens.

the flip side to this, unfortunately, is more common...
being insecure, being scared, and feeling entitled.
seeing success in others, ignoring all the good shit you have
and getting pissed because you feel like you deserve more.
that's my default setting.
it takes a lot to see that this thinking is a dead end,
and even when i do, it doesn't stop the thoughts from coming.
but this is all pretty human stuff.
everybody goes through this in one way or another.
what i am telling you is not a revelation.

Thanks, Matt.  I get it.  So much.

reckless
(words and music by lisa torch)

you make me feel raw and vulnerable
i hate it and love it at the same time
could you think that i'm beautiful
or does it even cross your mind?

should i get lost in your arms and drown in your skin
it ain't easy when nobody wins
caught between a desire and an impossible place
i get reckless when i see your face

no i'll never be the one for you
can't make you feel safe and secure
but i feel so unsure of myself
even when you're standing at my door

should i get lost in your arms and drown in your skin
it ain't easy when nobody wins
caught between a desire and an impossible place
i get reckless when i see your face

sometimes i don't know what the hell i'm doing
sometimes i don't know what the heck i'm thinkin'
guess it's kind of a mess
is there anything left to say?

well your body says you want me
and your lips they taste like honey
but at the end of the day
we just turn and walk away

should i get lost in your arms and drown in your skin
it ain't easy when nobody wins
caught between a desire and an impossible place
i get reckless when i see your face
reckless when i see your face
reckless when i see you

you're gonna find out

words and music by lisa torch

your mind's like a spinning wheel
never finding what you're looking for
got to slow down a little bit
let yourself outside your door
a life so amazing
when you see it through a child's eye
it's only then you begin to see
and it's only then you begin to fly

you're gonna find out
love and "in love" ain't the same thing
you're gonna find out
the truth ain't always kind
you're gonna find out
holdin' on too tight will let it slip away
you've got to just breathe and let love find a way

in the laws of the universe
they say that all is one
but sometimes it feels as though
you're in it all alone
no one said it would be easy
but the journey is worth the price
when you find that sweeter place
where you create your truth
and design your life

you're gonna find out
people don't always mean what they say
you're gonna find out
being smart ain't being wise
you're gonna find out
holdin' on too tight will let it slip away
you've got to just breathe and let love find a way

you can't make someone want to be with you
can't make them want to be true
no no no no
but if you try to let it go
maybe someday they'll come to know
the worth of what they left behind...
(and that's you, baby)...

you're gonna find out
lovers aren't always what they seem
you're gonna find out
they can tell a thousand lies
you're gonna find out
holdin' on too tight will let it slip away
you've got to just breathe and let love find a way

Great news..."This I Know" was chosen to be featured this month on Aspire2Music's pitch page!  Visit http://www.myspace.com/aspire2music.  Thanks to Anne Freeman for providing this very important service to artists and songwriters.

"The Aspire 2 Music Song Pitch Page: Where indie country songwriters and artists make music together."

love and light,

~lis~

On Fridays, I have a ritual.  I always find a reason to celebrate the past week.

Well, this has been a particularly bad couple of weeks.  We lost my mother-in-law last week rather suddenly.  It was a huge shock, and I loved her very much.

This week, similarly, my closest friend lost her stepmother, to whom she was also very close. 

I also had a BIG financial problem this week, and a Mac Book Pro that I bought has been giving me complete fits.

So today, when I looked for my reason to celebrate the week, I turned to Myspace.  I have 1100 friends today.

What more could a girl want?  After all is said and done, I am surrounded by the best family and friends in the world.  I am truly blessed, and I say that without a touch of sarcasm or irony.

Love and light to all,

xoxo
~L~

The woods facing the back of my townhome are a source of constant peace and tranquility for me. In the morning, when I do yoga, I open the blinds and the sun just pours in. This morning, the trees were covered with fine raindrops and the sun reflected magically off them...creating a wonderland of light and green.

This photo doesn't really do it justice, but I just had to share the feeling.

Namaste.

My favorite Sarah McLachlan song:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zor1eXNC2io

Have a great day...


~L~