Big Little…

OOh lala. We all wonder how other people survive how they make it, what it’s like. Well I have a story for you.

I happily worked at International Orange for 9 years about 5 years ago. The crew was tight. Still are on many levels. This last fall a bunch of us IO OG’s had a lovely party at the gardens in Golden Gate park and it was like we didn’t miss a beat.

When I first moved to San Francisco from NYC something in me said apply at the coolest fanciest places you can find. IO was one of them and on my way to the interview I walked from Middle Haight and took a wrong turn on Fillmore and at some point I realized it was the wrong way. I got the job and spent many years after creating treatments for them like the Tibetan scalp massage and had amazing little trainings teaching whatever I had learned along the way. I burned incense in bowl of flowers outside every door at my trainings and it was magical.

ONE DAY years after working at IO

I walk into the kitchen. On the back of the kitchen door a simple little sign our manager printed out said:

LOOKING FOR MASSAGE THERAPIST FOR EXCLUSIVE CLIENTELE.

At this point in my little massage career I had massaged Tilda Swinton, Depeche Mode, Everclear, Anthony Hopkins, Tony Robbins and a bunch of amazing models at an Annie Liebowitz shoot. So I knew what exclusive clientele meant.

I ripped that sign down so fast. I don’t know why. I just did it.

So… I call the number and at this point I had told my number 1 massage therapist friend who had mad massage skills about the gig. We get the interview. We show up not knowing what the heck is going on.

Ding Dong we ring the doorbell of a mansion in the Presidio. Some nice lady answers. She is setting up the house folding white socks for whoever is moving in. Lots of white socks. She is their assistant.

We each give her a 20-30 minute back massage. After she said,” that was the best massage Ive ever had”… or something like that:) she asks us” Do you want to know who this is for?”

We had no idea.

But we had all the good vibes.

She says… Nicole Kidman + Keith Urban.

Mic drop. A shot of electricity went through my body and it was like winning… American Idol for Massage Therapists!

We signed confidentiality agreements on the spot. Which my story is mild and won’t upset anyone.

Its really about the experience. So. I get the call Nicole wants a massage. She was in town filming a movie.

I show up about 30 minutes early. I watch her arrive about 15 minutes before my massage.

I knew it was go time. I drag my massage table up to the mansion, someone lets me in, I set it up.

AS I am setting up I see her in a white robe and red lipstick staring at me on the stairs. Arms crossed.

I was star struck. That woman is a regal Goddess. She was watching me put my table together. Im on my knees. I couldn’t look at her. Which I normally don’t have a problem, but I had problem.

One thing about famous people is less talking is better#1

BUT

#2 Don’t be afraid to talk if you have too .

I said,” I bet you can’t wait to get a massage, Ill be set up really soon.” She didn’t say anything that I remember. I was kinda scared.

I gave her my massage.

The One, the one I give all my Aloeswood Clients… Deep Tissue, blood Flowing, detoxifying, love love love…… gentle mixed with deep, the rhythms+ the Christy cadence all my clients know and the professionalism. I had gone to In Fiore my cult favorite Skin+body place on Polk St. just for this “special occasion” and got 3 body balms to massage her with and she loved the Jasmine Superior. Which is a dang blessing from the Gods.

Her body is porcelain.

That was that… I ended up giving her like 5+ more. She loves massage.

I massaged Keith too. I had NO idea he was Australian till he spoke. I was like he sings COUNTRY! What The?

Just delightful… Thats about all I can say.

Anyhow, just a small town girl from Alaska giving Nicole and Keith massages.

Anyhow, I love seeing her in Big Little lies, she is more regal than any other woman I have ever met.

Thanks for listening to my stories, I have many more and I’ll keep telling them as fit. Its fun to tell all these old stories and after being in the field for over 20 years I have some great adventures.

I pray you are all well + grounded and taking care of yourselves.

peace peace peace,

Christy