Thursday, September 30, 2010

4.01 :: A story about Volume 4, collaborating and re-uniting.

Hey lambs,

It's Josh Cooley typing from my office in Studio J Ry located in Downtown SoCo.


I wanted to save the first blog entry of Volume 4 for the day of the P.U.L.P. People's Choice Awards because I knew things were going to be exciting today. And they have been!


This morning greeted me with a new client as I rushed down to the salon, met her and created another short pixie, super-textured masterpiece. I'm all about it. Truly. I closed up shop and came back to Studio J Ry for breakfast and to wait for the Direct TV guys. Seeing as I had another engagement at 12:30, I called as time went on they said they would be able to be at my place by noon. Well, that wasn't going to work and after a seemingly long hold and an annoyed assistant on the phone later, I re-booked and off to meet Andrew I went.


Andrew and I spent a few minutes at my aesthetician's office discussing some services he's seeking out. I referred Dana highly to Andrew, not only for the mere fact that she's a master at what she does, but for the fact that Dana is a huge support network for me. As a fellow beauty pro in this industry, I consult with her at times. She's the one that gave me the boost to leave my last studio and told me, "good things will come." And the one that told me to initiate a no-show fee and cancelation policy due to my growing demand. She has been a personal and professional role model for me and I felt like it would be the perfect pairing for her to meet Andrew.


As the day went by, I came back to Studio J Ry and decided to pull a few items to pair with my ward-robe for tonight's appearance. Julie and I stayed late last night and coloured our hair and discussed wardrobe. Jules was actually paired with me as my co-presenter at tonight's awards ceremony and I am beyond elated that she's coming with me!


In about an hour, I'm gonna be getting her ready and doing her hair and make-up for tonight after I jump in the shower shortly after this blog.


After I ran downstairs to check on my designs from Last Leaf and a few rambling moments with Mo, the designer, I ran out and heard from behind me, "Josh! Josh!"


I turned around all squinty and looked and low-and-behold, it was my Nasia.


"Holy shit!" I thought. My favourite person has re-appeared.


I saw her and instantly wanted to well-up and cry, but instead, hugged her tightly and made the effort to let my true emotions show. She told me she was picking up some lunch and didn't expect to see me.


I was soooo happy to see her.


Words can't even be expressed in this blog how much I've missed her company.


I gave her a tour of Studio J Ry and the salon and walked her back to her car. As I got ready to hug her and say bye, she told me, "you're all grown up, all downtown, Carrie Bradshaw, NY, LA Josh. That's who I've always loved inside of you and now it shows!"


I told her jokingly, "so am I off probation? Can I come out of detention now?"


She smirked, giggled lightly and told me sincerely, "yes... you're off probation."


As much as I've had tension with her, I've also had alot of invested interest in Nasia's career and she in mine and it's good to have her back... even in this light-hearted moment.


Today as I was waiting while Andrew met with Dana, I was talking to a member of the P.U.L.P. staff and discussed possibly writing for P.U.L.P. -- that would be a delicious pairing, I think and as tonight comes and the ceremony brings unexpected moments of fun and randomness, I hope that in a short amount of time, I'll be announcing my collaboration with a local magazine, my re-united friendship with Nasia and my growing relationships with Andrew and Julie.


Here's to Volume 4 and lots of Pretty Boy action...


xoxo.

Josh

Monday, September 27, 2010

3.13 :: A story about Josh Cooley

Dear lambs,

My name is Joshua Ryan Cooley and this is my blog. You may know me under commonly used d/b/a or publicly known as "Josh Cooley". My alias online ranges from Rockstar Stylist to The Original Pretty Boy to the recently discovered J Ry. All in all, it's me and I'm happy you're reading my blog.

As I end my third volume of "Pretty Boy Education" and look back at the blog's inception and it's progress, I notice so many transitions and tie-ins and so much randomness or the undertone of hurt, love, and a boy finding his true self and all I can tell you is that (with huge tears in my eyes as I type this) : I found Josh.

Josh is here typing weekly, sometimes twice about his life and you click on a link, read it and send and sometimes don't send feedback.

My blog has made people angry, inspired, divorce me, break-up with me, caused me to quit, caused me to hire, caused me to fire and motivated me.

It has opened my eyes.

It has opened your eyes and allowed you into a very intimate world known as the world of Josh Cooley, celebrity wannabe/local personality, stylist extraordinaire/cosmetologist and business man from Southern Colorado.

Today, I spent a huge amount of time with my mum at Studio J Ry and as she left around 10 pm, I layed on the couch, took a breath and thanked God for her. And you. And me.

I got up, walked to my balcony and watched her and my dad turn the corner and walk away. I cried and admittidly said, "you made it, Joshua."

So much of my life has been about getting to this point. And as I re-read volumes 1 and 2. I look at the writer/artist in 1.01 writing the blog, "A story about my panda" and wonder, "what did I see?"

I saw the good in him.

I saw the good in me.

Months later, we all saw the demolition outloud, public and weekly.

Reading, sometimes people e-mailing me after a post, "is everything alright?"

Me divulging, "I just don't get it, but it's fine . Truly."

And truly, it was.

All through the break-up of Headlines, the drama of Leon, the absence of Nasia and the friends that come in and out, there's one constant: me.

And I'm here to tell you: I'm not going anywhere.

And also, that you are the most important thing you have.

As I sit in my office downtown and type this perplexed by my frozen Blackberry, I promise each of you there's more to come.

So much more!!!

And that is what makes me soooo excited.

In the finding of this "Josh" typing now, I think that all the projects on my agenda forward are pure and full of life, passion and love.

And for you all that follow it and support me in business and life, I dedicate this blog to you.

I love you.

Thank you for allowing me to find and present the "Josh" you know now.

Let's get on to Volume 4 and see what comes of this new found internet/publicly locally known celebrity named, Josh Cooley.

hearts shavua tov
josh cooley.

Friday, September 24, 2010

3.12 :: A Story about a downtown kid and his culture

Hey lambs and hunny bunnies,

I'm so sorry it's been almost a week since my last blog.


I'm sitting here at 3Below enjoying some lunch a cocktail mid-day. Today is the first day of the Mirasol Chile & Frijole Festival in Pueblo and I'm adoring the teamwork and comradary in the middle of the street setting up booths, tents, etc.


For me, downtown is a way of life, not a an area of town..


Someone who is a downtown kid (any downtown around the world mind you) whether you're in SoHo (London) or Chelsea (NY) or in SoCo, is someone that moves with the ebb and flow of that particular communities business, entrepeneurs, underdogs and sticks by them 100%. Generally, you find independent boutiques, coffee houses, bars and awkward hippie-esque abodes. The people are very "underground cool." Lots of odes to grunge, bohemia, and the punk scene. It's very coffeehouse.


The fashionable are generally cutting edge or classic with a little edge.


People don't eat at normal times, they come and go as they please, they move in about seven different social circles, their "Day job" is part of their passions (ie artist, graphic designer, barista, hairstylist) and they greet everyone as "brother, dude, sister, man"... no one has a social status.


At the end of the day we are all the poorest rich people in the world and the richest poor people. We have it all, because we work hard, but have no health insurance and rent lofts and right checks and pray the money will be there. We make large in investments and online orders with confidence and stay in a quote-unquote "budget", but there really is not one established, we eat lunch at a new place everyday and when someone joins are downtown crowd, we take them under our wing and watch them blossom and watch them run their block in their own way.


In other words, downtown is WHERE THE COMMUNITY IS AT!


So, tell me, are you a downtown kid at heart?


I am and I live it everyday!


See you downtown.


-j ry.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

3.11 :: A story about sifting out the irrevalant..

Good morning lambs,

It's about 3:45 am. Yep, 3:45. I'm on the mission to pack up my closet for transport to Studio J Ry and my office for transport as well. Two tasks that I am not looking forward to.


My clothes are going to be sifted out greatly! I'm talking lots of donations!


My paperwork is going to have to be boxed up and inventoried... I'm actually kind of annoyed by this great task. My furniture arrives today and I'm excited for that and then I'm off to buy a bed, coffeetable, side tables, etc.


Oh! And groceries..


Ugh, so much to do!


I just got done responding to an e-mail regarding my winter campaign and things are going incredibly smooth on the promotional end of my world. I'm excited, actually. I see so many changes in front me. A new studio, taking full-control of my business and taking full responsibility for where I am in life at THIS very moment and it's all very humbling at times.


Tonight, I had dinner with my good friend and fellow stylist Jules and she told me, "out of all my friends, I get the most pissed at my myself and admire you when I'm around you. It's very different feeling for me inside."


I told her, "why!" all confused as I slammed down my Caprese salad and cocktail.


She replied, "because you just have all your shit together!"


No I don't, I thought.


I still think that at times.


From an outsider's point of view, yeah, probably.


From the insiders's point of view, yeah, kinda.


From me: yes and no.


There are so many things I have worked myself up over and so many unnecessary dramas that I don't allow to overtake me.


It's simply not worth the stress. Leaving Headlines taught me how to take fear, give it a smack on the arse and say, "f--k you, bitch! I can do this!"


I literally find myself so confident to the point that I can say, "I run this!"


When I get home or behind a laptop or one-on-one with a friend, I will always tell them, "naw... It's not so bad. I love what I do. I love my life and give thanks everyday for the opportunity."


Those words keep me grounded and it's those words that have been my mantra all summer since venturing out on my own.


Studio J Ry is another expendature of that. I want to live passionately as much as I work and create passionately.


As I sift throught skater tees and old Guess jeans and old files and bills paid and pack them up, I just think to myself, "how much of this old shit do I REALLY need to take along with me?"


The decision to minimalize my life was very quick and very clear... whatever is not relavant today for me, is probably not relavant tomorrow or the next day or later.


So, out with the old and in with the newly found, officially independent Josh Cooley aka J Ry.


Hearts,

Joshy


PS: Yes, Studio J Ry will be open house soon... Sometime in early November for the viewing! ; )


Tuesday, September 14, 2010

3.10 :: A story about creating Studio J Ry and turning to Rachel for guidance..

Hey lambies!!

It's almost midnight and I'm munching on chicken nuggets and sipping Rum and Orange Crush soda. .. oh and watching my mentor, Rachel Zoe. Right now, she's making a Passover dinner and she's not, you know, really MAKING anything.


I'm watching her and staring and watching her husband complain about how busy she is and think to myself, "do people say that about me?"


I'm pretty sure I know the answer to that question.


So, last week, I officially started moving into my new apartment, Studio J Ry, downtown. It is taking WAY longer than I thought it would... I decided to buy everything brand new... all the way from the living room to the bedroom to the office. My patio is amazingly huge for an apartment and I'm super excited to see the overall personality of my dwelling when it's complete. Building the personality of this space is so different for me because it's not like Casa de Cooley, my parent's estate or Panda's loft (which he copied theme-wise.)


I'm noticing my little eclectic vibe is taking a mellow turn. I seriously just want to be able to come home, lay on my red designer sofa and if I fall asleep, I simply, fall asleep. No more back and forth to my parent's house or wondering if me and Leon are going to fight over not going out for cocktails or not eating starches..


I think the coolest part of this is solidifying my idenity, all the way down to who I am at home. Not who I want to be perceived as, but what I actually look like in a home situation.


Week after week, I watch Rachel Zoe in her home and see so much of her personality in her taste and furniture choices: the minimalism, the use of white, the accessories.. and think to myself, "I want to be just like that."
In many ways I am.


Recently, I was asked to be a presenter at and upcoming local event and am uber-excited along with the hairshow coming up later that weekend and then our first ever promotional event days after.


As I watch Rachel and parrallel my life, I see alot of commonalities. She's busy and excited over fashion the way I'm excited about the hair industry. With e-mails from Farouk Systems waiting ot be responded to in my inbox and a job offer from L'Oreal *yes, for real* I'm finding myself becoming everything I wanted.


The completion of my book stops, starts, and then stops again. And the project of putting together a fashion show just landed on my desk today.


OMG>


Studio J Ry... Yeah, i'm on fire!


How will I make the time to open myself to a possible relationship and actual social life?


I guess we'll have to continue blogging and see what we uncover together.


Hearts,

Josh

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

3.09 : A story about what matters and finding value..

Hey lambs,

Sorry I've been off schedule with blogs lately. I'm a couple behind and still owe you one. I'm pretty sure that I can guarentee you I'm busy.

I'm sitting at the coffee shop now after a meeting with my advertising rep. The images for my winter campagn are sealed and off to the printer and again, 50,000 homes in my area will be invited time for sessions and studio time with me.
The last blog I wrote was about a less-than-stellar birthday and I felt bad for being so negative nancy on you all, but it was very true.

My birthday for me is much bigger than Christmas! So, when people don't acknowledge it, I get sad. And even though I had 100+ messages from Facebook, Twitter, Texts and E-mails. The one person I wanted to spend my birthday with didn't even bat an eyelash and send a text. It's saddening.




That to me, shows me that the end with her is here. That's old news and I need to quit stirring up the old burnt embers of our relationship.

As I sit here, I think about all the cool people that took me to lunch last week and sent me coffee or cards and I just want to say a huge, mass "thank you."

You guys matter most to me.

On Sunday, I went on a wild goose hunt with my #1 Fashionista Michelle for a converter for a new TIGI Curling Rod she ordered overseas that was made for a UK outlet. After four visits, a lay over at the Lancome counter and a slopper and a few crown and cokes later, we found it...

I kept wondering, "why are we making the effort? And not getting discouraged?"

There was sooo much determination in that afternoon to find this effing converter. Why not buy one for the US? Because, #1 they are not released here and #2, it was worth the effort.

My point being, how many things in this life do we make an effort to make accomdiations to use?
It's alot like people we love. We put up with some bullshit just to get a simple yes or text message.
One of my favourite quotes my Kabbalah instructor told me was, "if it wasn't worth the effort and energy, it wasn't wporth it in the first place."

So... if I'm not worth the same amount of energy to friends as I invest in them, maybe it's not worth the begging.. because that's what it becomes.
I just got word of my potential move-in date for my apartment and just finished a power meeting and am fueled up on vegetables and the need for a spray tan...

So, my advice to you this week is to find out who is making an effort to communicate or better their relationship with you. If they are making an effort, then, give them the benefit of the doubt.

Give them a chance.
Another reason this comes up is because I've updated "policies" at the salon and my website and there is a new 'no show clause'. In a nutshell, if they don't show, they are penalized.

I am aware that alot of people may never pay and never return, but one thing I need people to understand as The High Holy Days are mere days away and it's a sense of renewel and repentence, is that, I am worth my value.

I am worth the world.

You mean the world to me and I should mean the world to you..as a hairdresser, as a friend, and most importantly, for giving you the benefit of the doubt and me likewise in my relationship (no matter what capacity) to you.
Hearts,
Josh
PS: The above image is part of my Holiday 2010 campaign debuting in October!