As Spring unfolds and more light returns I find big changes ahead in the near future. Relocation, downsizing, minimizing, and parting ways in many ways. The "unknowns" of it all feel heavy, slightly burdensome and daunting. There is much work to do, many tasks to cross off the list, a lot of patience required, and steps to take. While the journey ahead will be taxing and laborious, I trust the process and am confident any growing pains will be well worth it in the end. I look forward to the possibilities and the transformation ahead. Many thanks. Many blessings. - Mary Ann Martinez

Welcome, and Happy 2022. Mountains of MAM website has been my long-time digital space. I edit, clean up, add, and curate a hopeful experience for the human browser. It has been quite a while since I have welcomed back my blog, it was hidden from site visitors, archived, put away. Alas, here we are, your eyes, my words, meeting. 
Thus, I am delighted to proclaim that I have veered away from the safety net of my employment norm in order to better pursue my creative talents and abilities. It is my intention to earn a living while better serving the environment, my community, and others for the greater good. While my work offerings and interests may vary, my primary focus will be on music and enhancing my low-waste living lifestyle.
 Please stay tuned for more sharing, offerings, and works.
Happy New Year, Much Love and Gratitude. -MAM

Six years has passed since I last performed my original music live for public audience. In July of 2013 myself along with Kori Higa Marquand performed as the duo "MaMaKoMa" in La Crescenta, California. The turnout of support was amazing for this one-time event. While the performance feels so long ago, I never stopped working on and creating original music and songs. The time has finally come to share this gift once again and I am delighted that I will be sharing the stage with three amazing female-soloists. Not to mention I'll be selling one-of-a-kind jewelry too with the help of my sister-in-law of DeFalco Designs Custom Creations. My experience as Senior Class President taught me how to create, coordinate and put together an event. The work has been worthwhile and I look forward to sharing this event with everyone involved and for all those that may attend. Lots of love, MAM.

   When I first bought the domain name for Mountains of MAM I had no website experience. I had tried to create a Joomla site learning CMS (Content Management System) along the way. I remember purchasing the "look" of my website, and spent several hours and days curating and creating MountainsofMAM.com. To my disappointment and frustration, my efforts had failed and my soon-to-be website was not published or live. Some time had passed and I found Weebly.com; their drag & drop website creation features were the solution to my technical hardships. Concurrently, I had my domain name hosted and registered with Siteground, a U.K. based company. At the time, Weebly did not host nor register websites. I built and published my website and VIOLA, MountainsofMAM.com was on the interwebs. 

Fast forward to 2018, my hosting with Siteground was expiring in July, and it was far too expensive to renew. Yet, to my delight I had learned that Weebly now hosts and registers websites to work alongside their easy-to-use website building platform; three services under the same house equals ease of use and savings of money. Whew! I decided I would register, host, and continue building my website with Weebly. However, due to GDPR being passed earlier this year I was having issues with my ICANN information being released in order for the transfer to be complete. Previously I had my domain/hosting from Siteground directed toward the site I created on Weebly. However, during this time (June to September) I was having an epic 3-month long road trip from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California; my partner and I had decided to take a northern route through Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon before dropping into California. Unbeknownst to me though, my cell carrier Sprint had little to no service along these northern states. I had decided to wait, and deal with the transfer process once I was finally settled back into Los Angeles. 

Thus, here I am, living back in the greater Los Angeles area, and www.mountainsofmam.com is live and active once again for the worldwide web. Stay tuned for more postings, poems, music, creations, and more as they become available in the future. Lots of love, - Mary. 



 

It's hard to believe time moves faster as we age; I know I am not the only one who feels this way. Months pass by faster, seasons seems to zoom by. Much has happened and shifted since my last blog entry. I have found myself having more travels, challenges, time to drum, challenges and adventures. Rather than write about all that I've done, I'd rather share a few videos from my Youtube Channel....

That's all for now. <3

It has been six months since my last blog entry. In that time life has continued to take me on a whirlwind of adventure, mystery, and a continuation of the dance with the unknown. I am talking about surrender, challenges to rise, moments of grace, moments of pain, divinity, friendship, family, community, tests of faith, meetings with strangers, awe-inspiring sights, simple moments, growth, reflection, expansion, stillness, and everything in between. Honestly, I cannot fully convey, nor remember every little thing that has happened in six months time, and the truth is it does not matter. I realize I am not passionate about blogging. It seems that so many people are feverishly pushing out their blogs, craving attention to be read. "Read my blog. New post. Read my thoughts," etc.. Personally, I have been feeling an internal conflict between bragging about my life (because it truly is awesome), versus leaving something meaningful behind, and savoring these experiences for myself. The more vulnerability I practice in the real world with real people away from my phone, the more private I yearn to become. I do not feel compelled to post all the time whether on Facebook, Instagram, or otherwise, even though I frequently have these post-able moments. Sometimes, I capture; most of the time, I just savor.  

Presently, I am at home in Sun Valley, CA. It is Sunday, September 25th; today would have been my father's 62nd Birthday. It has been nearly 10 years this coming November since he has passed. My father was quite a man, he embodied so many archetypal figures that I am just barely starting to grasp and understand. My father, Hernando "Waters" Martinez, played the Hero, the Devil, the Protector, the Champion, the Warrior, the Beast, the Child, the Fool, the Irresponsible One, the Loner, the Manipulator, the Victim, and so on. As I reflect on his life, I reflect on my own. What archetypes have I played? Which ones do I embody? Which ones are former, which ones are my future? The more I become aligned with my own path, my past, and my future, the more I see my reality and life as a whole.

​Yet, at this present moment there is this gnawing, this void, this feeling that I just want to stop. How much beauty can one take? How much grace can one feel, see, hear, and know? I feel like I have hit an overload. The signs are always all around me. I see the repetition of numbers (1:11, 11:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44), I see the signs all around, in the clouds, and sometimes in my beer.

    From moments of a single breath to breathtaking, life is magical when you allow it to be. Now, I am not just talking about grand or simple moments, I am also talking about the unpleasant and unpredictable parts of life, too. Since September of 2015 my life has been in financial uncertainty and instability. I had a job (that I loved) for three years prior to this precarious position and I fell into a nice comfort zone there. My position relocated out of state and I was unwilling to make the move because of my family, friend, and community ties to Southern California. At the time I was making steady income and my position was only three consecutive days a week, with some flexibility in the actual days. Thus, I did a lot of traveling and had many adventures, and plenty of down time during my four days off. Yet, those days of predictability, expected free time, and comfort are over for now. 

    It has been clear that my practice of trusting that "wherever I am is exactly where I am supposed to be" has tested my faith and further routed me closer to my life path and purpose. Extended bouts of free time have allowed me to further explore my gifts of spontaneity, creativity, singing, songwriting, drumming, self-kindness, stillness, and surrender. Being broke has also allowed me to live more consciously by becoming more DIY and implementing more Zero-Waste home practices. Rather than becoming frustrated and worried, my unwavering trust and confidence in the support of the Universe continues to "pay off" so to speak. I was recently invited to become a contributor for the Therapeutic Drumming Network, an un-paid privilege I am honored to accept. Additional work has been picking up in the paid realm of childcare, so while at times I am unsure as to how my rent will be paid, I continue to practice "outflow" and feel like I am living a very rich life. I worry little about the less than one hundred dollars I have in my savings account, or when my checking balance is short of $25. I am forced to live in the present and live for the day. I take inventory of all that I have rather than what I do not. Money is only one form of wealth, and while I may not have a mass amount of money now, I am rich in health, happiness, creativity, friends, family, resources, savvy, know-how, and then some. My life experiences, including breaking my femur nearly 6 years ago, have proven to me that a relationship with God/The Universe/Source is strengthened in trying times. 
​
    Listening to my own spirit rather than my mind has guided me to where I am today, and I am damn glad for it. I often turn down work positions which would pay me handsomely and whisk me away to far off places around the world. Yet, that is not where I belong. I have a greater service to provide here in my community and for myself, and the world. I have a deeper calling that craves to shine even brighter and to be known. So, as my path continues to unfold I may not know the final outcome but I sure do know which direction I am headed and my internal GPS is reliable and strong. 

  It seems I prefer to run in the winter. There's something about the cool air and shorter days that compels me to put on my running shoes and run. As a part of my cool-down process I always stop by my neighborhood park. My favorite thing to do is to take some time and breaths at this musical installation and play. Sometimes the local folks gather to watch and listen. Sometimes it draws in children to explore this instrument themselves. Yet, most times the park is mostly empty and I get to enjoy playing this instrument all by myself. Here is a little glimpse into my post-run musical cool down. #happysaturday

    David Jones better known as David Bowie has gracefully returned to the eternal cosmic dance on Sunday, January 10th, 2016.  An 18 month long battle with cancer would claim his life at age 69, just 2 days after his birthday. He was surrounded by loved ones in his home in Manhattan, New York City, NY. David Bowie's work is remarkable, and his career transcends many of his peers in that his ability to innovate, create, re-create, and re-define not only his looks, but also his music is what makes his work timeless and propels his work to live on. Unbeknownst to me as a child I knew many of his popular songs, like "Let's Dance," "Little China Girl," and more. Yet, I was first enamored with Mr. Bowie in his leading role as Jareth, "The Goblin King," in Jim Hensen's "Labyrinth."  I was memorized by his voice, presence, style, and eyes, but more specifically he stole my heart with the following scene:  

   Once I learned the lyrics as a child they have never left my mind or heart. ​Farewell, Mr. David "Bowie" Jones. Thank you for being a legend, an inspiration, and for the gift of your life and creatively artistic talents.  The world loves you, and so do I. 

     It is the first Monday of 2016. While most folks went back to work, or perhaps school, normal life resumed. The holidays are officially over. Personally, I am dancing with job insecurity, and financial instability, and yet my belief and practice in trusting that the Universe will continue to provide for me gives me more free time than most folks. I accept. It is in this free time or on these free days that I can tune into life, tune into the day, and let life flow and unfold.

     Originally, I was supposed to wake up early and go hiking. My friend rescheduled; I went back to bed. When I awoke and got out of bed at 10 AM with my phone still on silent but in hand I saw that to my surprise I had an incoming call from one of my male best friends. This man is and always has been an integral inspirational person in my life. I call him Obi-1, because in 2010 he mentored me on and off the mountain for snowboarding, and also in life.  After we hung up my soul flames were lit and I started to burn with the day. Our friendship is enhancing for us on many levels. He is Aries, I am Leo, we share fire. Fire is important during this time. It is important to keep that inner fire lit because it is winter. We each need to be seen, to be supported, and to be heard. Sometimes a phone call is all it takes. Like lighter fluid, a good friend can light up your flame. 

     Let us welcome and embrace this time of winter in whatever way we can. For me, some days I do nothing, or I rest a lot. Today, I spent my day doing some dancing and moving, some yoga and breathing. I prepared some food for the day. At one point I found myself singing, as I do a lot, and a song came out.  Also, I could "hear" the accompanying drum as I was singing. So I picked up the drum, set my intention, and played from the heart. Powerful vibrations. Then, I decided to share this medicine and my energy by capturing it because maybe there are souls ready to receive it. Love, peace, forgiveness, and tenderness are woven into this intentional, freestyle piece. Lots of love. Enjoy. <3

I am a former (what I deem) "concert junkie." I  have witnessed well over 500 different artists, performers, bands, ensembles, and groups live in concert in my 33 years of living. My first concert was probably around the age  of 6 when my mother took my sibling(s?) and I to see "Mint Condition" live at Magic Mountain, California. 

After some R&B goodness I would move onto Suicidal Tendencies live at the Santa Monica Civic Center in December of 1994. It was the first time I had understood my real, true age and the severity and maturity of the activities I was partaking in. I knew my place as I was walking into the venue. So many faces looked at me with expressions saying, "little girl, you don't belong here." So I kept quite, observant, and cool. I was 12 years old at the time. Next, I would work to earn money to buy concert tickets. I would learn that you cannot always rely on others to go "see" something. I was willing to go solo, and I did many times. I learned to be front row on the barricade rail.  My all time low was buying concert tickets instead of paying my car note... yeah, it almost got repossessed.  My all time claim to fame is having witnessed 25 shows in a period of 9 months in the year 2003. I was 23. Now, I am 33 years old. In my time I can say that the best live performance I have ever witnessed was the entire evening's performance of Dead Can Dance at the Gibson Amphitheater along with David Kuckhermann and Miranda Rondeau. One word: marvelous. The voices and musicianship of each individual was remarkable, captivating, exquisite, and alluring. Bravo. 

Another really great performance act is Tool. Being a drummer myself, Danny Carey is one that I highly esteem. Here is he is with VOLTO! live at The Mint in Los Angeles, California. I had a great time at this show to say the least. 

Maybe I was having a bit too much fun... I may or may not be the one singing and hollering. <3

I would just like to OFFICIALLY state that I am the one who came up with and created the saying:
"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY OF YOUR EXISTENCE ON THIS TERRESTRIAL PLANET WE CALL EARTH!"
I love birthdays! I love science! I love saying something originally. If you have ever read or seen this before, it is because I have been posting this on Facebook and people's walls for years. -Love, Mary.

   It is summer time and it is hot here in Southern California (even though we have been experiencing an unusually mild summer). Summer days always make me miss the snow. I love snowboarding season. 
Here is the final edit for my 2015 snowboarding season (January to March). Thanks to everyone I rode with and shared the mountains with this past season. Thanks to all the resorts, staff, workers, resort towns, and people in between that make snowboarding possible. *Think SNOW*

Yes, I like laying on the floor to de-stress.