ANNA HAAS

Happy March everybody! Spring is just around the corner.

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 12:40:10 -0500

Happy March everybody! Spring is just around the corner.

Morning cuddling

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:08:53 -0500

Morning cuddling

"Educators do all in their power to prepare you to enjoy reading after college. It is right that you..."

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:51:00 -0500

“

Educators do all in their power to prepare you to enjoy reading after college. It is right that you should read according to your temperament, occupations, hobbies, and vocations. But it is a sign of great inner insecurity to be hostile to the unfamiliar, unwilling to explore the unfamiliar. In science, we respect the research worker. In literature, we should not always read the books blessed by the majority. This trend is reflected in such absurd announcements as “the death of the novel,” “the last of the romantics,” “the last of the Bohemians,” when we know that these are continuous trends which evolve and merely change form. The suppression of inner patterns in favor of patterns created by society is dangerous to us. Artistic revolt, innovation, experiment should not be met with hostility. They may disturb an established order or an artificial conventionality, but they may rescue us from death in life, from robot life, from boredom, from loss of the self, from enslavement.

When we totally accept a pattern not made by us, not truly our own, we wither and die. People’s conventional structure is often a façade. Under the most rigid conventionality there is often an individual, a human being with original thoughts or inventive fantasy, which he does not dare expose for fear of ridicule, and this is what the writer and artist are willing to do for us. They are guides and map makers to greater sincerity. They are useful, in fact indispensable, to the community. They keep before our eyes the variations which make human beings so interesting. The men who built America were the genuine physical adventurers in a physical world. This world once built, we need adventurers in the realm of art and science. If we suppress the adventure of the spirit, we will have the anarchist and the rebel, who will burst out from too narrow confines in the form of violence and crime.

”

- Anais Nin

Http://Nashville.thedelimagazine.com/snacks

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 14:53:35 -0500

Http://Nashville.thedelimagazine.com/snacks

Here it is! The official premiere of my latest music video,...

Sat, 05 Jan 2013 20:21:00 -0500

Here it is! The official premiere of my latest music video, “Find Your Home” is out on BUST.com! Check out the article HERE!

It’s been 2 years in the making, from finding my Great Grandfather’s vintage 8mm footage in my Grandma’s closet after she died, to writing the song “Find Your Home,” to recording it at Reel Recording in Nashville, to sifting through endless hours of beautiful footage, to shooting in NYC with a fabulous film crew: Director Ryan Gibeau, makeup artist Grisel Companioni Pla, assitant director Reena Raatsin. And then watching our story beautifully come together with the editing talents of Mike Pintar.

Exclusively premiered on BUST Magazine’s website (“A magazine for women who have something to get off their chest”…love it) I finally and proudly bring you “Find Your Home,” dedicated of course to my Grandmother, Catherine Anna Haas.

2013, minute 1 w/ @marybethikard. Loving life. #happynewyear one...

Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:30:57 -0500

2013, minute 1 w/ @marybethikard. Loving life. #happynewyear one and all! (at Marathon Music Works)

TONIC TOUCH THERAPY, DELRAY - TRUE HEALING

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 18:24:00 -0500

I’ve had quite a few massages in my life. I’m a firm believer in the power of touch as a healing and rejuvenating force. Having grown up as a dancer, and twisted and stretched my body in every imaginable way, I’ve developed a keen and intuitive understanding of the body, how muscles connect, and the most effective ways to massage and stretch most muscles. I love to give massages, and I especially love to receive. When you’re a single woman, there’s nothing quite like paying for a massage. (Giving a great massage is also one of my criteria in a lover…just to get that out there.) It relieves immense amounts of stress, releases toxins, and simply reminds you that you’re alive. For a few minutes, it’s just about breathing in and out, bringing awareness to your body, and letting someone else do the work.

I can honestly say that I’ve never quite had a massage like the one I received a few weeks ago with Gary Arakaki at Tonic Touch Therapy in Delray Beach, Florida. I mean, I consider myself a pretty good masseuse, but Gary’s skills make me feel like an amateur. If you live in Delray or ever plan on visiting, seeing Gary is a must. Professionally trained and having taught in a Chinese Massage school, Gary incorporates a variety of techniques and traditions into his signature massage including Shiatsu, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, Acupressure, and Thai. Unpretentious and straight forward, his massage studio is located in a small room in the back of the Palm Beach Gym. There’s no cheesy meditation music, no candles or scented oils. There are diagrams of the human body decorating the walls. The lights stay on. Your clothes stay on, and he gets right to the point.

I will warn you, his primarily Shiatsu style massage is not for the faint of heart. “I’m not about giving plain old rub downs,” says the man himself. He is aiming to help his clients realize the deeper benefits of massage. It’s not just about in-the-moment relaxing. It’s about helping to heal the body’s aches and injuries with a more aggressive and well rounded type of therapy. No real healing happens without a little pain. But, fear not. He knows what he’s doing.

I haven’t figured out how he so accurately found all of my most sensitive pressure points, but he did. He knew exactly where to press, what to stretch, what to twist and for how long. Not only with his hands, but with his feet as well! Yes, I got walked on… something he says he doesn’t do with most first time clients. But, given my background as a dancer he assumed I could take it. He told me in an interview after our session that he is intuitive to every client’s specific needs and pain tolerance, and would never go so far as to cause anyone real pain. His massages are definitely intense, but as a true professional and with impressive intuition, he’ll never cross the line.

So yes, there were some moans and a couple slight screams. There were also a couple moments of confusion, like when he tossed my legs over my head for a hamstring stretch, or pushed the table up against the wall so that he could climb up for the standing portion. But, the relief that I felt immediately and for days afterward was unmatched. The only thing I’m sorry for is that I don’t live in Delray so that I can see him on a more consistent basis. My body needs it! And even if I get into a relationship with a great masseuse, I’ll probably still go see Gary. Sorry future lover…

I urge you, do your body a favor and make a trip to Tonic Touch Therapy. The prices are reasonable, the location convenient and the benefits immeasurable.

Check him out, like his Facebook page, review him on YELP and spread the word! You will thank me. I’m sure of it.

TONIC TOUCH THERAPY- 660 Linton Blvd. - Delray Beach, FL 33444: 561-398-6738

30 Min (Pain Relief)- $35: 1 Hour (Body Treatment)- $75: 1 1/2 Hours (Full Body Treatment): $100

"It is important to realize that our inability to answer a question says nothing about whether the..."

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:36:54 -0500

““It is important to realize that our inability to answer a question says nothing about whether the question itself has an answer.” -Sam Harris-”

- The Moral Landscape - How Science Can Determine Human Values

Love my brother. And no, we’re not twins

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 17:35:05 -0500

Love my brother. And no, we’re not twins

Photo

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 00:38:02 -0500

Thoughts on thoughtless gun violence

Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:02:00 -0500

It’s happened many times before, and seems like it’s going to keep happening…these senseless murderous rampages…unless there’s a serious smack down placed on gun ownership. The debate has rambled on for years, and as far as I can see, little has been done. Michael Moore dedicated an entire documentary to it, desperately trying to raise awareness after Columbine. Millions saw this movie, nodding their heads, sipping their wine or cappuccinos, having long debates over dinner, being thankful that it didn’t happen to their family. And then the discussions just fade into the past, as the lives lost in Columbine (and VA Tech, and the Dark Knight opening etc. etc. etc.) become a distant memory. Many more, I’m sure, talked shit about Michael Moore, apathetically criticizing his supposed biased slant on events and statistics. Many more continue to rise up in opposition to gun control, claiming that they need to hunt, protect their families, that it’s their “right.”

My mother said it perfectly in her Facebook status today:

“There are only very limited instances where guns are necessary or useful. We need to collect and destroy most of the guns in this country. And don’t give me the asinine comment that guns don’t kill people. Do your homework on the statistics and the comparisons of the murder and injury rate with other cultures where guns are not worshiped as gods.”

The argument that “guns don’t kill people, PEOPLE do,” is a null argument. Guns are carefully constructed killing machines. That is their only purpose. The likelihood of a murder happening if a gun is easily accessible is infinitely higher than if a gun is inaccessible or difficult to come by. Sure, sick and twisted minds will find a way to kill. But killing, say with a knife, is a.) more difficult b.) takes longer c.) is much more visceral and personal, thus lowering the chance that the perpetrator will follow through with the murder. Killing with say… poison a.) Requires a carefully constructed plan and a knowledge of chemistry b.) Does not satisfy the sadistic desire of an angry person to witness the death of their victim. Guns are the quickest and easiest way for someone to commit murder, and more specifically mass murder in a fit of rage.

Can you imagine, if today’s killer in Connecticut did not have access to a gun (much less THREE guns)? There would have been no such genocide. Can you imagine if he was even only able to access ONE gun, as opposed to the three found at the crime scene? The magnitude of the tragedy would have been much less.

So yes, gun control is a must. It will, by no means, put an ultimate end to violence or murder. But, it will lessen it dramatically. Our obsession with guns in American culture is rooted in a patriarchal mentally of violence, survival of the fittest and egotism. Now, I understand the desire to want to protect one’s family, but, as my friend Steve Zara put it:

“There is no safety from gun ownership. It makes you less safe. It’s an escalation of weapons between you and an attacker. If you pick up a gun it makes an attacker far more likely to shoot you and your family. If you want to avoid getting shot, abandon gun ownership. Buy a baseball bat.”

Not to mention that as safe as you think you’re being, hiding your gun from your children, or making sure that the safety is on, there have been numerous accounts of children finding guns and shooting themselves or each other, safety on and all. Children are smarter than you think. My cousin killed himself at 16 using his father’s hunting rifle that he found in the closet. Could have been an accident. Could have been intentional. No one will ever know. But, I do know that it would never have happened, had those guns been absent.

And yes, we need to be more aware of signs of depression or insanity. That is a separate issue though, usually entirely unpredictable and easier seen in hindsight. There will always be insane people with a vengeance. That fact is unavoidable. But come on, let’s make it more difficult for them to take lives.

And 20 children? Let’s get with the program America. No more excuses.

Last night was one of the best times I’ve had on stage in...

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 11:25:24 -0500

Last night was one of the best times I’ve had on stage in Nashville. What a f***in’ killer show. Thanks to my band, Doug, Cheyenne, Rene and Todd, to an amazing audience and an amazing venue! (at The High Watt)

We are going to rock faces off on Friday. High Watt at 8pm!!!!...

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 22:43:39 -0500

We are going to rock faces off on Friday. High Watt at 8pm!!!! W/ @cristinareal and jay Stolar.

So great to have gotten to go back to Delray, the town that...

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 11:05:49 -0500

So great to have gotten to go back to Delray, the town that @FreshTraveler and I chose as Best of the Road & Travel Channel’s most fun small town in America. Was amazing to dig deeper into the town’s art and music scene. Came across some really phenomenal talent. A beautiful town with a whole lotta soul (at The Beach)

Cooking Breakfast w/ mimosas and jazz

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 11:03:17 -0500

Cooking Breakfast w/ mimosas and jazz

Thanks to the band who rocked with us at the tree lighting,...

Sun, 02 Dec 2012 11:02:56 -0500

Thanks to the band who rocked with us at the tree lighting, Mike, Greg and Dave. Great local talent fo realz

THIS is a Bloody Mary. @CaffeLunaRosa. If you go to Delray try...

Fri, 30 Nov 2012 17:33:11 -0500

THIS is a Bloody Mary. @CaffeLunaRosa. If you go to Delray try the Bloody Mary Antipasti w/ #Stoli hot vodka, an garnished w/ Italian meat, cheese and peppers (at Luna Rosa)

Mimosas by the beach.

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:53:52 -0500

Mimosas by the beach.

Feels good, and surreal, to be back at Emerson playing some...

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:22:58 -0500

Feels good, and surreal, to be back at Emerson playing some tunes at WERS. Thanks for having me ! (at WERS 88.9 FM)

Figuring out some tunes for tonight!

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:35:20 -0500

Figuring out some tunes for tonight!