I’ve come to the conclusion that I have been a motion addict. Case in point: how much I’ve moved houses. Since I left home at 18, the longest that I’ve ever stayed in one dwelling is still under three years. That was a groundfoor apartment in the East Village that my dear friend Seb referred to as “the cave.” God, what does that say about me that I felt most comfortable in a place with no light where I could hide out and sleep late? I was in my twenties so my nocturnal habits were excusable.

I lived moment to moment, never thinking of the consequences, and luckily enough, came out content and grounded. Knowing that I could always seep back into the shadows of “the cave,” was comforting. Ordering Eggs Benedict at 1:00 in the afternoon from a cafe on 1st Avenue, just crawling out of bed with one eye open was my reward for trekking through the night.

And now I’m moving yet again. But this move is more long-term and stable. In the past, that would have filled me with fear. Apart from being a motion addict (or maybe a companion to it) is the fact that I fear committment. People don’t realize it but this phobia isn’t unique to relationships. Sure, all of us committment-phobic gals prefer slightly distant non-committal guys with an independent streak who don’t hound us to get married and pop out babies. That way it looks like we’re trying (to no avail, out of our control) to make something solid work.

Committment-phobia has also followed me into the workplace, as I’ve pursued a career as a freelancer. I remember my first real fulltime job–when I was fresh out of college–The day I started I wondered when I could quit. Committment-phobia is linked to yet another disorder I once suffered from (but have prevailed against): travel addiction. It’s yet another way of keeping things moving.

I realize that my way is not necessarily the norm in society. We tend to comiserate or cater to those who are afraid of change, afraid of moving, afraid of letting go. But I assure you, motion addiction is just as difficult to combat.

On a positive note, I am making conscious efforts (already successful) to prevail against the ravages of this ailment of the creative and easily bored. Making minor committments (to the gym, for example), and now, to living in one house for years to come, is settling my focus. The world’s hatred of America, and my dislike of the limited attitudes between the Coasts, has thwarted my travel addiction.

Ultimately, I’m only trying to curb my motion addiction; not kill it. The truth is that it’s easier to ground or temper something (or someone) dynamic. It’s much, much harder to motivate, inspire and induce growth in something (or someone) inert.

Today (well technically tomorrow) I’m christening my “What’s Hot This Weekend” column/nightlife roundup for the Los Angeles Times Calendar Live and KTLA (Thursday evening news segment between 10:30PM and 11:00PM). This is my second week with them, but the first time that all the content is original. I hope to do more of this as it keeps me even more up and up on events, and puts me in touch with creative folks.

For future reference, it will be up on the LA Times’ Calendar web site Thursdays through the weekend, right after the news segment airs. For now, here’s a preview of this week’s “What’s Hot This Weekend.”

This is Jena.us and I at the MOOG movie premiere after-party. No matter how many Cosmopolitans I downed I still could not shake the fact that I was really disappointed in the film. Rather than being a larger than life hip pop cultural documentary about what MOOG did to shape a generation and what it symbolized in a greater context, it was, sadly something like a music nerd fan’s view of his favorite old guy.

In the ‘Year of the Documentary,’ it’s hard to stomach old-style point-and-shoot BBC type docs. I believe that documentaries should be just as creative as feature films. I mean, there was no mention of the huge impact MOOG had on the disco era and people like Giorgio Moroder. The old guy just uttered, “And there were some folks in New York who got really excited about it.” And what about less of Rick Wakeman from Yes and more creative electronic music artists? Also, what about the epoque when heavy metal bands like Van Halen embraced the synthesizer? No mention of that either.

Lastly, I would not have chosen to follow around Dr. Moog. As smart and nice of a guy as he is, he’s not engaging or cinematic. A few quotes, fine, but a whole movie following him around and listening to him talk to people? I’d rather do that with my high school science professor than Doc Moog. Sorry, it’s that time of the month, I guess I’m feeling a little MOOGy.

I’m all for Hollywood secession. As a matter of fact, the United Coasts of America is starting to sound pretty nice as well. But of all the amusing graphics (mostly maps) sent to me during this deeply troubling post-election time, one stood out. My old friend Stephan von Muehlen, who now lives in Brooklyn, emailed me this jewel which seems to indicate the sentiments of many (or at least one very funny) New Yorker(s). It put a smile on my face, but poor Mr. Allen looks absolutely miserable in his monetary depiction. Soon Yi kiss it better.

[Now available for syndication via Pulp Syndicate under Astrology]

EAST-MEETS-WEST ASTROLOGY

According to the Mayan Calendar, November 19th (the first quarter) marks a shift point. The sun and the new moon on the 12th are both in balanced and loving Libra. They’re accompanied by passionate Mars, giving them an extra harmonious impact. The full moon on the 26th is in hearty and amorous Taurus. Libra and Taurus are ruled by Venus, planet of L-O-V-E. This much of a dosage of the most potent four letter-word next to “f*ck” will help temper some laborious and difficult days around the first weekend, caused by Saturn’s retrograde station. “Will a little more love make it right?” as Ms. Olivia-Newton John asked in her 1978 hit song. “Yes!” (the affirmative, not the 80’s prog rockers) is the resounding answer.

Check under your birthdate…

(January 15th-February 12th)
“Express yourself, don’t repress yourself,” says pop icon Madonna-also, not coincidentally a powerhouse businesswoman. Whether or not you’re in a creative profession, November is a breakthrough month for career epiphanies and expressions. If you’re involved in education, publishing, philosophy or law, the 3rd through the 8th (especially the 5th) will pack a particularly hearty punch. Be open and receptive to what the universe is offering. It could set you off on a new career path or a new level of responsibility in your existing job.

(February 13th-March 13th)
The Universe is expanding. Astronomers are focusing more attention on Dark Matter than visible planets. Unfathomable for some, but not for you. You won’t forget this year because it will change-not what’s visible-but what subtly lies around your core. This month (particularly the middle on) is pivotal. Your rocket launches into inner space, in preparation for some mammoth discoveries to come. The 5th and the 18th, in particular should supply you with more than enough fuel for your journey.

(March 14th-April 13th)
It’s time to reawaken your ‘Inner Lover.’ Sounds like the title of a self-help book by Dr. Ruth, but it’s your mission for the coming year. Actually, this month gives you another preview into how you can help someone else-your partner. The first week is your best bet with loving Venus in bed with optimistic Jupiter. Mid-month, your challenge is to crack open that rigid shell you’ve been building. Expect verbal outpourings aplenty around the full moon on the 26th. ‘Tis the season to make deep-seeded desires come true.

(April 14-May 14)
Imagine the Windows clip art icon of the two shadow figures shaking hands. Make it your Mandala for the month. Partnerships related to business and finances are the focus of November. If you go along with this month’s theme of global consciousness, your hard work will pay off. If you ignore “the tribe” they’ll go ahead and pow-wow without you. Issues of past finances will resurface with an equal emphasis on shared resources. Change your mantra from “me, me, me,” to “we, we, we.”

(May 15-June 14)
“Turn and face the strange, chuh-chuh-changes,” crooned Bowie, and so shall you. The next nine months bring significant shifts on all fronts. The most imminent being your work zone. In November, your steady resolve gets a kick in the butt from energetic Mars. You’re adept at finding creative solutions to quandaries and even obsessed at times with getting the job done (especially mid-month). You’re the lone worker bee the first half of November. Expect to get help (or much needed respite) from a partner in the second half.

(June 15-July 15)
This month you’ve got the intensity of Picasso, the comforting foundation of Georgia O’Keefe, and the unbridled creativity of Jackson Pollock. You can apply this to virtually any canvas-work, home or a zealous partner. It’s high time you got to the work of playing. The first week of the month you may apply this whimsy to your domestic environment. Mid-month finds you obsessed with a certain work in progress. A breakthrough on the 18th is assured if you harness your creative power. Be an Action painter, a Cubist and an Impressionist.

(July 16-August 16)
I cordially invite you to a raging house party. Location: your 4th house of home, RSVP: the cosmos. The fiesta begins with Mars and the Sun “in the haauwse,” through the 16th, giving energy to domestic projects. A new moon in this same sector on the 12th causes word to spread about the partay. Between the 13th and 18th, you might freak when someone knocks over a vase. By the 19th through month’s end the vibe has completely changed. A few close pals linger around the fireplace for a late-night chat.

(August 17-September 16)
This month ask yourself the question, “What would Barbra Streisand do?” In November, you too are a drama queen who’s tough as nails in business. Well, Barbra would take care of all her finances during the first week of November when the going’s good. She might go overboard with scathing remarks between the 13th and 17th (justification: someone checked James Brolin out). By the 26th, she would close the deal, business-wise, exposing her opponents’ flaws. Just one exception: please have the business sense never to make an album with Barry Gibb.

(September 17-October 17)
In the past year you lost some of your MOJO. The engine lacked steam, and you had to step into obscurity. November offers you a chance at a fresh start. You radiate confidence the first week. A new financial cycle seems tricky (around mid-month) but you’re up for the challenge. Events around the 17th set up a personal, professional and spiritual power cycle that will last months. In the long run, work won’t be as stable as you’d like but lending your expert hand to it will boost your confidence.

(October 18-November 15)
Who’s your favorite Star Wars character? It may have been R2d2, but lately, 2’s a crowd and you’re leaning toward Han Solo. As the month begins you’re chilling out, behind the scenes, contemplating “The Force.” By mid-month you’re self-empowered enough to break out your lightsaber and journey into the unknown alone. Careful not to alienate people with this self-importance between the 13th and the 17th. You could end up donning a black mask, speaking in an asthmatic baritone and forsaking your kin for a life of darkness.

(November 16-December 15)
This month you’re flip-flopping more intensely than Ted Koppel’s hair. The first week finds you at the center a social whirl, punctuated by an intense experience on the 5th. Mid-month, you turn your energies inward towards obsessive self-improvement and reflection. Upon exiting this ‘thought cave’ at month’s end, a partnership issue comes up just in time to force you to make an active decision. To give you a clue of things to come: you’re knee deep in your most friendly, connected and social year of the decade.

(December 16th-January 14th)
Dive into that Ermenegildo Zegna power suit. Forces are converging to ensure you take the world by storm, and look good doing it. During the first week of November your career gets a boost of optimism and good vibes; all evenly coordinated with a splash of structure. A new moon conjunct Mars in your house of groups says you’ll do best when joining forces with other Zegna-sporting motivators. Mid-month sees you out-and-about obsessively networking. The 19th begins a cycle that marries the above traits with your enthusiastic communication skills for maximum success.