Learn How to Invest: Learning Terminology: Blockchain

Want to learn about investing? Don't know the terminology? When learning how to invest it's important to learn terminology...like BLOCKCHAIN. I'm not a fan of Crytocurrency, it's too volatile...but I am a fan of BLOCKCHAIN technology which cryptocurrency uses. The reason I like it..because, providing it's used in a productive and constructive manner, it can be used for anything and everything... "Blockchain is an incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions that can be programmed to record not just financial transactions but virtually everything of value." Don & Alex Tapscott, authors Blockchain Revolution

(2016)

I'm looking at it in terms of the Cannabis industry..."the necessary data needed to track the health of a

cannabis supply, from seed to weed, one can be sure that governments will require a robust inspection system for growers and retailers alike." and I want to make sure the companies I invest in are authentic and in their integrity. This application will make sure of that. Examples of other applications BLOCKCHAIN can be used for in various industries: Restaurants, Hospitals and Healthcare, Productivity and Production in the workplace, Music biz, film biz, photographers, galleries...it's endless. HealthSpace Data Systems (OTC: HDSLF) is at the forefront of Blockchain technology as a database...but it's a penny stock which means it's highly volatile... so for me...I'm taking a chance. I like to by 100 -1000 shares of a stock and leave it. In this case, because it's .07 a share right now... 1000 shares is $70. Can I afford to lose it? Sure. How many of you buy lottery tickets or go to a movie or go out to dinner. It's a one time thing...or a throw away. I'd rather put that money into stocks and see what happens. Now..remember...this is just an example of something I did...it doesn't mean YOU do it. Find what's right for you.

My general rule of thumb. Never be desperate when you invest. Be well read...investigate...read everything you can before you put money into a stock or a fund. If you can't afford to lose it...don't put money into it. Stocks are like a rollercoaster...they go up and down; So many people expect it to go up...but they never prepare themselves for the fall. Don't pull your money out when the market goes down...be patient and wait it out; it's when everyone pulls their money out, it crashes...To manifest money, use your head not your heart. Emotions have no place in investing. My experience is that Brokers are educated guessers...and I can educate myself when it comes to my money. I don't want to put it in someone else's hands.

Remember...these are my thoughts... You have to formulate your own.. I don't listen to anyone when I invest...just to myself... #ownyourpower

Why am I NOT a fan of Cryptocurrency?

Here's what I have to say about Cryptocurrency. The people that say they want to bring down the current world currency are not dedicated to a one world spiritual currency...they are as equally dedicated to greed and power as those who run our world currency now...so don't fool yourself... There is illicit activity in all...and until I see that change...I'm not a fan...

 I made 3 conscious choices with 3 top record executives who offered me contracts back in the early 80's, not to have sex with them...I didn't even flinch...I removed myself from the situation... I couldn't sell my soul to the devil. After I finally got what the industry was about and was flat out told how women make it and what was expected of me... I made sure that I always had someone with me when I attended any meeting and could tell immediately, when the executive I was with was angry at the "guest" from the start, what his intentions were and got up and left to his hostile and vulgar words. Women, #WAKEUP What the Harvey Weinstein's in the industry do is wrong...AND we all must accept some responsibility and that is...don't be naive when it comes to the upper echelon of the entertainment industry. He's not unique...this has been occurring since the start of the industry. Yes...what he did was heinous... but don't you dare walk into a meeting alone and expect innocence or expect to be treated with respect and kindness...and men too...I know plenty of male friends who went through this...women executives in the industry are not innocent... Every single one of us has a story... so start putting your truth out there...and band together to stops sex abuse and sexual harassment in the entertainment industry... It's the people who think if they don't do what the executive wants they won't make it because that's what they're told. Turn the power around...how small and desperate are they to sink so low...and use sex as a power tool...

Zoomin' out to Fallbrook today to drop off my Suzuki Samurai for Fixin'....

Anytime I travel locally, anywhere I go, I like to research something about the area upon my return, provided I know I'm going to be returning (otherwise I do it before I go)...things I've seen, people I've met and the history of the town.  Today, we went to Fallbrook, CA (1869-) to meet up with my car, which had been towed 110 miles to the only place around that can fix my 1987 Suzuki Samurai JX.  They specialize in that car and the Tracker and all I want is to be able to drive the car again.

When traveling, I usually drive. The toughest thing about me being the the driver is that I can't take pictures…multitasking is off limits.  I see images and moments I want to capture on my camera and in order to capture them, I must rely on the person sitting next to me and hope they will shoot something as I see it.  The other alternative, if possible, is to pull off to the side of the road and grab the image…hop back in the car and continue on. It's kind of hard to do on the freeway but much easier to do once in town.

Today, my first goal was to  get to Petro Works to see if my car had arrived and discuss the details of what needed to be done to make it "like new"…okay…within reason. Once that was established, we had the freedom to drive off and explore, though, we were tired and not particularly in the mood to do much after our plans to get the car in earlier had been delayed by 4 hours by AAA's tow service.  We knew we'd be returning to pick up the car so we just did a quick once over with a few stop; noting the focus on oak trees, nurseries, farm stands, avocados and public art.

Once home and settled, I decided to do some research on Fallbrook to discover that they are indeed, like their sign, the Avocado Capital of the World.  What I noticed even more so was the display of public art.  We began on Aviation..as soon as I turned on Mission Road, whimsical sculptures caught my eye and I had to pull off to look..and the photo snapping began.  

Now that I'm home…I've already researched Fallbrook.  Did you know Frank Capra lived there?  We're going to leave early enough to take an morning drive down LIve Oak Park Road to catch the sunlight streaming through the majestic oaks…check out all the public art spots and snap pix of lovey with each piece…visit the Gem and Mineral museum to see the pink and green tourmaline...have a bite to eat, purchase some fresh tomatoes at Eli's stand and pick up my car.  Driving on the freeway at 65 mph in that toy with the wind whippin' at me…the sun beating down on me…and Lovey following behind all the way home…I can't wait!! 

Salsa Verde and Short Rib Tacos

I just came from Oaxaca...and I love their salsa verde.  I didn’t want to research any recipes...I just wanted to make it with flavors I thought worked...so I picked out 6 good sized green and 5 red jalapeños, 2 full bunches of really fragrant Cilantro (sometimes it has no smell or it smells old)...came home...rinsed it off...put the whole bunches right in the vitamix (minus the rubber bands), cut off the stems of the jalapenos..tossed those in...added a half cup of sliced deli pickled Jalapeños with the juice and pinch of salt...a swirl of Mandranova extra virgin olive oil....and flipped the switch to emulsify the mixture.... I wanted the textures smooth and creamy...

The whole thing took less than 3 minutes to make from start to finish and the flavor is incredible.  Poured it all in a quart sized jar and refrigerated it....I took the left over in the vitamix...added a little water and poured it into my simmering short ribs to add just a little kick.

The short ribs....   Took a package from Costco with 6 pieces at about 8” strips.... seasoned them with a little kosher salt...browned them on both sides..sliced up a sweet onion and tossed that in....mixed it around to soak up some of the browned bits from the meat.  Ricky from Palm Restaurant had been so kind to give me a bottle of SKYNNY white wine a few weeks back....and since I didn’t have any chicken stock....I decided I would use the remainder of the bottle (about 3/4 full)....poured it in.....added a few cups of water to cover the ribs...a heaping Tablespoon of brown sugar....the leftover salsa verde in the vitamix jar cleaned out with a little water....some red pepper flakes.... turned up the heat to boil.....then turned it down to simmer for hours....leaving the cover on but open about 2”....

4 hours later....tossed two corn tortillas over an open flame to heat up...added a little short ribs on each....a line of salsa verde across...and YUMMILICIOUS it was!!!...along with a little fresh sliced pineapple...

So quick and easy!!

My Rant of The Day: INVESTING

When FB had their IPO...I had lots of people asking me if I was going to invest....and I thought long and hard about it but decided they were way overpriced...I mean WAY overpriced.  Had they opened at $8/share, I would've dove in for the long term.... but they were 5x's that amount..no thanks.  With millions of people on FB....they have definite potential... but for now, it's all air right now.

So here's the way I have always looked at investing; Investing in the stock market is a legal form of gambling....if you're going to put money into it, don't put it in unless you have it (don't borrow from someone) and be prepared to lose it, so it's not going to make you or break you. 

Remember the stock market is a roller coaster;  It's great when the stocks you buy go up....but they also go down; it's all cyclical. Use your head and do your homework; Just because people hype a stock, doesn't mean that you buy it..that's why they're hyping it..they convince you to buy and then they sell...you've lost and they've made a bloody fortune.  

Read...Read...Read....the internet makes it easy now inform yourself, financially.  I read everything I could....every publication out there... this was after I asked a relative, who's livelihood is in the NY Financial District, to help me and he refused...I educated myself. Then, and only then should you think of investing.   

I, personally, will never use a "financial advisor"...because in the end, if you're up on everything...they don't know anymore than you do...and now you've entrusted someone else with your money.  Good luck!

©2012 Rebecca Dru All Rights Reserved

Beauty on my Balcony

Well...we may not have been able to see the Solar Eclipse from West Hollywood today...but we could still enjoy the sun....

©2012 Rebecca Dru  All Rights Reserved

Seafood taco from Primetime Cuisine on Wheels

Yesterday, Lovey and I went to LACMA for a lecture on Latin American Art and then enjoyed the exhibits pertaining to the lecture (will get to that in a different posting).  Being that we keep saying we're going to try the food trucks, this was a perfect opportunity as they're always lined up on Wilshire Blvd across the street from the museum.  One thing I always do with truck owners/cooks/chefs...whatever label they give themselves...is..I want to know from where they got their passion to cook and how they have developed their palate. So as I visited the trucks, I asked. I'm only featuring one of the 3 we tried (too full to go on)...because they're the only one whose food fit their passion.  

The first truck is called Primetime Cuisine on Wheels; the owners of the truck are from Mexico. The husband handles the orders and the business and his wife cooks...and boy does she!  She's from a town near the sea outside of Mexico City..next time, I'll remember... (as I want to know what region they come from and are they seaside or inland). We're going to make this one our stop next Saturday...and try some of their other dishes... (and we promised the Hungarian Hamburger guy we'd try a burger and goulash too...  

We also tried the Korean NY Galbi Truck, did not like at all...and the Cali Bhan Mi Truck...his flavor was good but his execution was lousy..the veggies inside were too thickly cut, and his pork was dry and tough which made it unpleasant to eat.  I asked him about how he got into this type of Vietnamese cooking...and at first he seemed incensed that I would ask him..but..I like to know about people's passions....his was from eating it in San Jose....but never had he gone to Vietnam or really studied it.  His bread was good..his spices and flavors were good....I just wish he'd learn how to cook the pork for it...and slice his vegetables thinly...if not via knife..then get a mandolin.  These things make a difference.  I can only wish him well..but I will not be returning...nor will I recommend it.

Okay..so let's get back to the Mexican.....

The first truck we came upon was Primetime Cuisine on Wheels which was strictly Mexican (as opposed to a fusion) so we went up to the window and asked what is their specialty; seafood, with the fried crispy shell....so I ordered only one taco to taste.

I'm not going to go into a food writer's dissertation here...it's plain and simple...OMG...OMG....SCRUMPTIOUS...YUMMILICIOUS... I should've trusted my taste buds and not bothered with the other trucks...and just ordered more from them....perhaps next Saturday, I'll see you there!

©2012 Rebecca Dru   All Rights Reserved

PUGLIA in October

I'm meeting up with Jami Cakes (and possibly my sis and bro) for 10 days in Puglia... so I've made a tentative list of where we're going....a bit ambitious...but never hurts to do my initial research and then experience it as we go....

Foggia

Lucera

Campobasso

San Severo

San Giovanni Rotondo

Vieste

Mattinata

Monte Sant'angelo

Manfredonia

Trani

Molfetta

Modugno

Giovinazzo

Bari

Polignano

Monopoii

Fasano

Ostuni

Cisterno

Alberobello

Locorotondo

Martina Franca

Ceglie

Torre Canne

Brindisi

San PIetro

Lecce

Acaya

Vernole

Otranto

Casarano

Castro Marina

Santa Maria di Leuca

Gallipoli

Castromediano

Pulsano

Nardo

Manduria

Sava

Oria

Taranto

Massafra

Matera

Gioa del Colle

Aquaviva

Gravina in Puglia

Venosa

Canosa di Puglia

Basilicata: Venosa

©2011 Rebecca Dru All Rights Reserved

Roasted Boneless Leg of Lamb

I'm not a huge fan of lamb...Jerry and Jami are. My favorite part is the bone from the lamb chops with the little bit of meat and carmelized fat lining the edge of the bone.... but...if the lamb is exceptionally made, I could actually start to like it....

Before Jami Cakes left for Tanzania, I picked up a boneless leg of lamb as requested by the boss of our kitchen....except that there was no time left to make her creation. Yesterday, Jerry had a hankering for lamb and I remembered it was in the deep freezer chest...so he fished it out and defrosted it. I'm not about to wait 5 months to use it. We can pick up another one upon her return.

Sorry people....can you believe I forgot to take pix...ME...forget the cam? OY....so we'll have to go by description only.

I fired up the oven to 500˚ for about 20 minutes. While that was happening, the 4 lb lamb roast was close to room temp, tied up and ready to go. Yeah..I know what they say for food safety...out of the fridge and into the oven..but not me...Meat just does NOT cook optimally this way. Timing for me is everything and when that pan enters the oven....I know exactly when it's going to come out by the temp of the meat when it went in...and we're all healthy here.... Personally, I think it's from where you get your food. Mine is from a local butcher and they know the animal.

While the oven is heating... I make a Proveçal paste. One of my "tricks" is I buy a big bag of dried Porcini mushrooms once a year and in a coffee bean grinder, I grind them up into dust, pack them in tupperware containers for the freezer. This way, when I need mushrooms for sauces, rubs or pesto, I use the dust...it's fantastic....and yeah...I know I should make my own herbes de Provence..and I will when I'm out, but a friend brought me back a couple of excellent bags from France and it's convenient. OH...and for you foodies, yeah..I know this is more of a winter dish...but so what....on a cool summer night as it was tonight..it works out beautifully!

Provençal Rub

1 TBSN Porcini mushroom dust

9 minced garlic cloves

1 TBSN herbes de Provence

Rosemary from 3 stalks, chopped finely

1 TBSN ground black pepper

1 TBSN hot red pepper flakes

1 TBSN kosher salt

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine the above ingredients in a small bowl and mix with a fork.

Place the 4lb lamb in a dutch oven or a pan..make sure the pan is about the size of the lamb. You don't want it much bigger so the juices and the wine baste it. Cover the lamb entirely with the rub.

Poor in 1/2 bottle of a tasty bottle of dry red wine...and make sure it's tasty. It really is important that the flavor of the wine is happening because otherwise, you'll make a sub par dish!

Pop it into the oven and turn the heat down to 200˚. Check it in 2 hours to turn it over and pour in the rest of the wine.

Notice the aroma....your nose will lead you to the oven when something is ready.... and in this case....about another 2 hours later....you'll have a tender delicious succulent lamb roast ready for the table...if it makes it there! In our case....that's a lot of meat for 2 people...so...I'll be putting mine in a salad or having it with rice and lentils and Jer will be making some sandwiches.

Try it...you might like it! I did and I'm hooked!

In MY LIVING ROOM™ Private Salon #4

Our next IN MY LIVING ROOM™ salon #4 is tonight, Friday, May 6th, 2011....Jami Cakes will be here!!!

Quite an evening...Argentinian, Brasilian, Spanish, Classical, R&B, Pop Musicians, Composers, Writers, Story Tellers, Comedians, Artists, Actors, Triangle Players, people who want to eat, drink and be merry..people who like to cook...people who just want to chat, listen, sing along and have fun!

More to come!

Stair Climbing on Your Ass for Seniors

Just had a conversation with my dad; he had been asking about Jerry's recovery from recent knee surgery. I playfully told him that Jerry has now graduated from climbing the stairs on his ass to walking them with great agility. My Pops' response, "well, he should keep on doing them on his rear...you know, as we men age, we lose our rear ends and we need to do things to keep it shaped. If you don't use it, you lose it!" . I jokingly told my dad that the next exercise video I shoot of him (we've done "Mr. Wilson's Calesthenics; the YMCA exercises" and "Boxing for Seniors starring Mr. Wilson and Tiger") will be "Stair Climbing on Your Ass for Seniors". I said I see so many men his age installing the seat that rides up the stairs, I wonder if those people actually sat down on the step and pushed themselves up, one step at a time, if it wouldn't be better for them. They'd have to work those muscles with each step. He heartily agreed. So...be ready...next time I see my Pops....expect a new exercise video!

IN MY LIVING ROOM™

Our next IN MY LIVING ROOM™ salon is being combined with our annual DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING party.....Jami will be home...she'll be the boss of the kitchen and it will be truly time to celebrate!!!

Quite an evening...Argentinian, Brasilian, Spanish, Barbershop Quartet, Classical, R&B, Pop Musicians, Composers, Writers, Story Tellers, Comedians, Artists, Actors, Triangle Players, people who want to eat, drink and be merry..people who like to cook...people who just want to chat, listen, sing along and have fun! In My Living Room Friday, November 26th, 4:00PM address given 2 weeks prior to event providing you RSVP

If you'd like to perform, please make sure it's LIVE unless you're singing to track.

If you're not on the invitation list, please ask if there's a space for you. This fills up very quickly.

©2010 Rebecca Dru All Rights Reserved

Check out my guest blog contribution on FIVE SCRIBE: TAKE BACK YOUR POWER

I say it every day....”Take back your power!”. As artists, we give it up so easily. We bow down to authority. We think we’re not worthy and we allow others to disrespect us. So I’ll say it again....shouting it louder...”Take back your power”....find your sense of self....set boundaries and TELL people what you want.

It seems to me as artists, we have two different arenas in which to take back our power… the creative and the market place.

In terms of the creative arena, your instincts are your talent...they’re all you’ve got. Trust them.

As far as the business.... you can’t take things personally. Remember everyone’s brain is wired differently...people don’t necessarily think like you do. We have expectations that one can read our mind (or our novel or our screenplay) and that we all do things the same way. We don’t. It’s not just about men and women being from different planets....everyone is. You can say something 1000 different ways before the other person gets it...but eventually, if you stick with it, they will.

Find the humor... .don’t take things so seriously...take responsibility for that which is yours and put the rest back on the other person. Remember that when an editor or publisher doesn’t shower attention on you or show you respect, it may have nothing to do with you..and usually doesn’t...you just happened to be with them in an inopportune moment.

Think about the people on your creative and professional team. Do they enrich your creative process.... what is your purpose for pursuing them?

Why do you get upset when they’re not available to you...who are they to you? If they’re really someone worth keeping on your team, then start developing communication skills. It’s vital for a successful business partnership that you tell them what you want and expect from them. If they’re not someone that gives depth and meaning to your life; to your career; to your creative process - if the feeling isn’t mutual...let them go...clean house.

Speak up! Find a way to talk to your agent, manager, publisher or editor about what is okay and what is not. Don’t go in there and squirm....Take notes...create bullet points, take a deep breath and get oxygen into your brain, stand up strong and say what you need to say in an intelligent articulate emotionless manner. The people who take risks in life are the ones who get what they want.

Take Back Your Power.

Bucket List?

Today...I had a private lesson with the lovely and brilliant Wendy Hammers. As an opening exercise...she asked me to write a "bucket list". That was going to be a tough one for me.... I don’t have a bucket list...I don’t know that I believe in them....because I like to live my life that if today were my last day here on earth I am complete. Is there anything I feel missing in my life.... anything I haven't accomplished to make my life full? I love my life...I have everything I could ever want and should I leave....the only thing I can think of missing would be my heart....would be the people I carry in it... I would miss being able to wrap my arms around love....

I’ve traveled to the places in the world I wanted to see.....sure there are always more...but how many beaches.... how many cities... buildings... cultures ... food... can one experience before you realize you have everything that you want inside of you.

I used to dream of singing with a full orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl... I've stood on that stage over a dozen times and looked out at the audience..during one of my husband's rehearsals or before one of his concerts...and now....I don’t care anymore. There isn’t too much more that I want...because truthfully...what I wanted most in my life was love...and I have that...my heart is full.

SAND IN MY SHOES Lyrics: Susan Santiago Music: Rebecca Dru

Rebecca Dru...Back after 24 years Live at The Santa Monica Playhouse

On Thurs, May 13...celebrating the launch of Dennis Danziger's novel, A Short History of a Tall Jew at Village Books in Pacific Palisades.....great read....I'll be multi-tasking....baking (since Jami is out of town) and singing some tunes..

An Instrumental A Week: Night Soliloquy

Musical Guest, Rebecca Dru in: Leftist Ladies and THEE Christian Wright

Ann Oldenberg of USA TODAY said...Anyone who listens will fall under the spell of Rebecca Dru's rich vocals and dreamy lyrics... She's back, after 24 years.... Rebecca Dru at The Santa Monica Playhouse ☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤❤¸.•*¨*•☆☆•*¨*•.¸¸❤❤

Please join us on Thursday, April 8th at 8:00 PM for this eclectic evening of talented artists as they present original works of story and song.

Leftist Ladies and Christian Wright is an evening of solo works in progress featuring musical guest: Rebecca Dru, Essayist: Barbara Friedman, Solo Artists: Mara Shapshay, PJ Dwan, Erin Brown, and Jody Vaclav and of course, the one and only Mr. Christian Wright

Produced by Wendy Hammers

Thursday,April 8th at 8:00PM

Santa Monica Playhouse

1211 4th Street

(a few feet south of Wilshire)

Santa Monica CA 90401

Tickets are 10 dollars cash at door. No reservation required

Join Our Mailing List! wendy@wendyhammers.com