"WHERE TO?" is a Compelling Journey

Jennifer Monahan wrote a thought-provoking and fascinating account of her journey to become a shamanic healer in her 2016 memoir, This Trip Will Change Your Life. She shares the next chapter of her incredible story in her new book, WHERE TO? How I Shed My Baggage and Learned To Live Free. Jennifer’s personal odyssey continues as she makes the courageous decision to leave her successful job in the corporate arena. She shifts her focus and follows her heart in a quest for personal and spiritual rebirth. This new chapter of her story involves travel to sacred sites in places such as Japan and Cambodia, on a self-described “global walkabout.” She opens up her soul to the wonders and gifts our world has to offer her, and truly accepts the messages the universe is sending to her soul with an open heart.

As Jennifer re-invents herself and renews her spirit, she makes plans to live in Guatemala for a few months while writing her new book. Inspired by the beauty and positive energy she finds there, Jennifer ultimately decides to stay in Guatemala for an extended period. Not only does she have some life-changing moments working with local shamans and spiritual guides, she forges meaningful personal relationships with her neighbors and fellow residents. As readers, we get to experience Jennifer’s awakening to a more authentic style of living. We share the joy she feels as she immerses herself in the beauty of Guatemalan culture, and this portion of the book provides some truly enjoyable and enthralling moments.

But Jennifer’s journey is not without its difficulties. As the title of the book suggests, she needs to “shed her baggage” both literally and figuratively. There are some roadblocks obstructing her development, in the form of difficult events in her life from the past, which are still affecting her. She needed to make peace with these negative experiences and move beyond them, before attaining true balance and harmony in her life. Jennifer candidly conveys these powerful, reflective and transformative moments in the book’s most emotional and moving passages. I know this part of her story will strongly resonate with anyone who’s had to overcome adversity in their own lives.

WHERE TO? How I Shed My Baggage and Learned To Live Free is a beautiful, engaging and insightful book. What you realize after reading this amazing story is that Jennifer’s journey isn’t over yet. Her lovingly written account of her adventures just might empower you to reflect on your own life experiences, and start your own journey of discovery. WHERE TO? How I Shed My Baggage and Learned To Live Free is now available on Amazon, in both print and digital formats. Jennifer's first book is also available there for purchase. You can learn more about her shamanic work at her website: https://spiritevolution.co. I highly recommend sharing this awe-inspiring journey with Jennifer by reading her remarkable books.

Very Good "Bad Times at the El Royale"

I first became a fan of Drew Goddard’s work back when he was writing episodes of the television series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel and Lost. The talented and prolific writer, producer and director also created the Netflix version of Daredevil. He wrote the first two episodes of that series, and scripted an episode of the Netflix super-team spinoff, The Defenders. Goddard also penned the screenplays for Cloverfield (2008) and The Martian (2015), and made his directorial debut with the entertaining genre-bending horror film The Cabin in the Woods (2012), which he co-wrote with Buffy creator Joss Whedon. His most recent film, Bad Times at the El Royale (2018), is a noir-infused thriller set in the late 1960s. The story concerns a disparate group of people who come together at the El Royale, a hotel that sits on the border between California and Nevada, which has seen better days. There's a dark history hiding behind its doors.

As the story begins, several people arrive at the hotel, including Daniel Flynn, a priest; Darlene Sweet, a singer; Laramie Sullivan, a salesman, and a tough young woman named Emily Summerspring. After the clerk, a nervous young man named Miles, checks them in, we begin to learn about the backstories of these characters, and what brings them all to the El Royale. Not everyone is who or what he or she seems to be, and everybody has an agenda. When the charismatic (and murderous) Billy Lee shows up, things spiral towards a climactic confrontation. As a rain-drenched night drags on, alliances will be formed, secrets will be revealed, and conspiracies will be unearthed. When the dust settles, not everyone will leave the El Royale alive.

Jeff Bridges and Cynthia Erivo

Goddard’s clever screenplay both hews to and subverts the conventions of multiple genres. The story takes some unexpected twists and turns, weaving together elements of film noir, heist thrillers, conspiracy tales, and music industry stories. Even with all of those elements, Bad Times at the El Royale still manages to throw a couple of other thematic curve balls your way. The performances are letter perfect, with Jeff Bridges offering his usual strong work as Father Flynn, and Chris Hemsworth doing a fantastic job as Billy Lee. Cynthia Erivo is excellent as Darlene; she contributes several amazing vocal performances throughout the course of the film. Dakota Johnson, Jon Hamm, Cailee Spaeny and Lewis Pullman are also impressive in supporting turns. Hamm is a particular delight in a role that plays on his Mad Men persona in humorous and surprising ways.

Goddard’s direction is excellent, and he’s got a stellar crew behind the scenes. The stunning production design by Martin Whist and the incredible cinematography by Seamus McGarvey contribute immensely to the film’s success. The El Royale is a masterpiece of set design and the use of color is outstanding; the hotel really becomes another character in the film. The music choices are inspired, from the songs performed by Erivo to the selections played on the hotel’s jukebox throughout the film. The one factor that works against the movie is its length. At two hours and twenty minutes, it does feel a bit overlong. But that’s a minor quibble. If you are a fan of film noir or neo-noir, Quentin Tarantino films, or twisty tales with multiple characters, you definitely need to book a visit to Bad Times at the El Royale. The movie is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and streaming. Here’s a link to the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7wzBVARwaU.

"Poppies" Delves Into Psychedelic Rock

Rock and roll’s psychedelic era produced quite a bit of memorable music. Though the genre has gone in and out of fashion over the years, it has a cadre of loyal fans, including bands such as Tame Impala, Pond and The Flaming Lips, who celebrate the cool vibes of this classic music, and are the current keepers of the flame. There have been some excellent collections of psychedelic music, including the seminal Nuggets series. Craft Recordings, the label responsible for well-received archival releases from artists like Creedence Clearwater Revival and Otis Redding, has put together a fantastic compilation from the era of incense and flower children entitled Poppies: Assorted Finery From The First Psychedelic Age. It’s a wide-ranging collection, featuring a wide range of artists, including singer-songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie, and some early work from performers best known for other genres, including Jerry Jeff Walker, of “Mr. Bojangles” fame.

Cover image courtesy of Craft Recordings

You’ll find touches of rock, pop and folk resonating throughout the thirteen tracks on the record. Influential alt-folkie Sainte-Marie provides the ethereal title tune. The pop-flavored “Smell of Incense” by Southwest F.O.B. floats along on lovely harmonies and Farfisa organ. Two members of that band, singer and sax player Dan Seals, and keyboardist John Colley would later re-invent themselves as England Dan and John Ford Coley. They scored some chart success in the 70s with songs like the Todd Rundgren penned “Love Is The Answer.” The foreboding “Sorcerella” by Jefferson Lee, is a darkly hued slice of garage band-style rock. Circus Maximus, featuring country icon Jerry Jeff Walker (who started the band with guitarist Bob Bruno), is represented by “Bright Light Lovers,” a track that begins as Beatlesque pop, then explodes into guitar-driven, down and dirty, Rolling Stones-style rock and roll.

Other standouts include “Stand In The Shadows” by the Michigan-based outfit The Frost, an epic, eight-minute protest song powered by the guitars of band members Dick Wagner and Don Hartman. Sot Weed Factor’s “Say It Isn’t So,” a fantastic psyched-out folk rocker, comes from a band who originally hailed from the wilds of Tuscon, Arizona, and later moved out to Hollywood to find fame. The Pasternak Progress, fronted by Jeff Pasternak (son of famed movie producer Joe Pasternak) provides us with “Flower Eyes,” a track that feels like a combination of Doors-style poetic rock laced with some early prog-rock flourishes. “Oracle,” by California’s Chapter VI, is one of the most striking tracks on the disc, featuring philosophical lyrics and layers of spiraling, spacey sound.

One of the best things about this release is that most of this music hasn’t been featured on previous compilations, so you’re not getting the umpteenth inclusion of “Incense & Peppermints,” undeniably a great song, but pretty familiar to fans. You’ll be exposed to a whole new world of psychedelic masterpieces on this well-curated collection. The album features informative and comprehensive liner notes by producer Alec Palao. The disc will be released in several configurations, including an exclusive translucent red vinyl version for Record Store Day on April 13, followed by CD and digital versions on April 19. Poppies: Assorted Finery From The First Psychedelic Age is one of the best archival releases I’ve heard this year. It should have strong appeal for devotees of 1960s rock. These tunes and their kaleidoscopic vibes will definitely get stuck in your head, and the album is truly worth adding to your music library. The folks at Craft Recordings promise us there’s more to come, so start your hallucinatory journey now! You can get more info at the Craft Recordings website at: https://craftrecordings.com.