Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) French Movie

Le Ballon Rouge (The Red Balloon) French Movie
Current mood: full

All of a sudden in my head, as I'm flippin' through all the boring movies on my overpriced cable, not finding anything good on...I remembered a French movie that I watched when I was a kid at Sunday school called, "The Red Balloon" & remember our teacher asking us kids very probing, personal questions & I'm sure they were about God & how we should pray, etc. But I remember one question in my mind about how "lonely" the boy felt before he had the balloon or maybe he didn't realize his "aloneness" but when he lost the balloon that's why he struggled so hard to try to "chase" it around the streets of Paris to get it back...

Anyway, I don't think this film had any speaking parts in it even...I just looked up online & of course, Amazon.com has it...hmmmm, I'm sure they'd probably have it in stock at like, "Le Video" on Irving...I remember too that I was fascinated by the movie...maybe the being alone part tapped into it...I mean even though I have 3 other siblings, I'm "sam'wiched" between two brothers; so either I'd try to be just like them growing up playing their games or I'd do the exact opposite, isolate from them for awhile & then do girly things, like play with my "dollies", dress up for tea, etc. Weird stuff, huh? My father I remember was so masculine & my mother was uber-feminine; so I had to be the daughter they wanted to each...it wasn't until my sister came along that I could have another girl in the house, I remember when my mother was pregnant that I was doing "Las Vegas" style bets with my bruddahs' that it was going to be a girl & they hoped for a boy...silly, really, you know that boys vs. girls kind of thing kids have...I was hoping, praying it was a girl b/c I didn't realize it at the time of course that wishin' & hopin' doesn't always get you what you want but I remembered that I prayed every night that I wanted it to be a "girl" so I wouldn't be myself...so, maybe if you believe enough, "wishin' & hopin" does come around your way ;-) I told my mom that we should name the baby, "Kelly" after the Charlie's Angel's character...the boys wanted "Columbia" b/c since she was born close to Columbus Day; yes, they were trying to be funny...I'm glad my mom had other ideas...

Anyway, I have no idea what my point is any more but I know that I'm glad we had another girl in the familia & being introduced to a sweet, great foreign film at an impressionable age is good for your kids

Mmmmm...I'm getting sleepy ...let me see if I can tell more bedtime stories to myself & the random internet void so I can finally fall into slumber...
Hmmmm, so, this evening, my co-worker/ friend & his best gal tried to teach me to whack golf balls at the driving range...ummmm, let's say I need more practice but that was fun ...I mostly laughed at myself when I was initially hitting the balls to the side metal barrier......dios mio, I could've whacked someone's head off, I swear...it's harder than it looks, you really have to concentrate on your stance, your eye-hand coordination & just the alignment of the ball, your shoulders, your waist, your knees, how you follow through on the swing, etc. & not hitting the ground; just "sweeping" the club across, hitting behind (and under? I already forgot some tidbits to my lesson)...

I must confess that I couldn've learned sooner, like over 5 years ago with my ex-novio, MK...he was ALWAYS golfing in his spare time, like he'd call me on my cell tell me he was golfing like, of all places, near Livermore & then, I'd say, "That's great babe, let's talk later then..." then chit chat a bit & hang up on him...baha! I think he wanted me to play with him so I could spend time with him but I wasn't interested at the time b/c I don't know, I thought I needed to do my own thing, do my own hobbies & damn, that was an expensive sport but even back then , he kinda' had O.G. tastes...now I hear from mutual friends, he golfs even more so b/c he does so associated with his work as a Real Esate guy in the South Bay, aaahhh well...good for him, he's back to his Los Altos roots......Yawn...anyway, looking back, it would've never worked out b/c I knew essentially, it was ingrained in him to marry within his "culture" & that his family would've never accepted me; they would have "tolerated" me but they never accepted me...mmmm, maybe that's why, I didn't want to golf, like that was his world, with his family & buddies ...me trying to enter into it was like the other side of the moon to me; they were into the clubbishness, the mystique & I think I not so quickly found out, sadly, that dating me was part of my mystique that he liked to "shock" his parents with...not that I was a "bad girl" but I was the wrong race, I lived alone, independently, not with my parents, I wasn't really looking to get married to him or anyone else at the time (not that's even my thing to look for now but if the "hand fits the glove" kinda' man comes, who knows? Right?) Anyway, I was young, naive, impressionable but at the samet time, I knew he was right for me at that moment when I was "that girl"...he was sweet, good to me, always was a grand gentleman; treated me well, I think he could've almost spoiled me but sometimes, I wouldn't let him b/c again, there's that stubborn streak of proving I can do it myself, sometimes that I knew would irk him b/c he thought it was an unnecessary struggle to prove myself to him; he'd always say, "Don't worry so much; don't try to hard...you don't have to push b/c I'm on your side, honey." ...but again, it ain't all puppy dog tails, rainbows, doilie fringed hearts & red, red roses, ain't it? There's reasons why we had to part... Here's one solid nugget of truism that I got from that relationship, I still think of him as my "benchmark" though b/c he had all these qualities that would just amaze me but the one he lacked was standing up to the entire family...defending his "choice of me" to them ...it was always us against them & they would always win...it was too "crowded" in that relationship, if you get my gist...

It's a shame, I guess it's me & what I possess that I am left with...like that boy & his little red, balloon...I'll float on & on & on...

Currently listening: Hopes and Fears By Keane Release date: By 25 May, 2004

Homecookin' in South City, Browsing through Lunardi's & Asian Am Fest in Japantown

Homecookin' in South City, Browsing through Lunardi's & Asian Am Fest in Japantown
Current mood: amused

So, before I put down the nitty gritty of another memorable weekend, I just read this magazine article from this interesting indie zine called "Hypen" where the subject is an editor-in-chief, Raj Jayadev, of a Silcon Valley indie zine called "De-Bug". He wrote the magazine for those who actually built the computers on the assembly line not the multi-millionare CEO's who get all the ink in "The Valley". Anyway, good story about the people again who do the "manual labor" in one of the biggest industries in this area; how they can get slighted/ overlooked in that industry, too & he is quoted as saying that his publication gives a voice to this group & that , "...[writing] allows people to meditate deeply on their lives and environment and the world they live in, and then create a story. The process of reflection is transformative." I think that's true...that if one stands back & tries to analyze everything , figure out what's going on first a bit before jumping in...then, I started thinking about this phenomenon of blogging, why people are writing & I think it's essentially simple, that if there were no people living lives, telling their own personal stories this thing simply wouldn't exist...

Anyway, I spent most of my Saturday hangin' out w/ my roommate @ su novio's house in South City. It was a get together to see if we can scrapbook some photo albums together of our trip & also, catch up with our other friend; actually, it lets me catch up with Annie & see how her happy, happy (knock on wood) relationship is going...it was a fun, cool night of recreating the tapa recipes we were spying on in Espana, drinking some good Spanish wine we found at Lunardi's nearby (which has all kinds of interesting products in their aisles, did you know that they make their own Cioppino sauce in a jar? I LOVE Cioppino!) & then samplin' a white sauce, seafood pasta that was concocted by all of us...consquently, I spent way too much time there b/c that combo of tapas, pasta & cava can be lethally slumber inducing...I had to rush to one party & jump into another that night. There were a lot of parties going on Saturday & I'm surprised I even made it to one ;-) I ended my night at a club called "Element", at the latter part of the night there, my friend commented that it was starting to look like that "Star Wars" bar that Luke entered with like a rag tag group of different characters who all came from different planets & were just lettin' their hair down...I mean at one point some guy was rapping live with the dj & then this one guy started busting out with a saxophone doing what sounded like to me, scale riffs...that's when that scene in Star Wars popped in my head with that crazy song that was being played by the band's horn section when they walked in...ha! Anyway, as long as my friend had a great birthday, it was all worth it...btw, everyone & their mama has caught the new Star Wars movie; from my boss, to my nephew, to my friend who I made pasta with, to about 5 friends that I saw at these various parties...all rave reviews from them, too...hmmmm, I'll see it, I just want to wait a bit until the hype dies down...I get a lil' nervous about the people who get sort of fanatical around it, no offense, I mean my most vivid memory of seeing the 1st "Star Wars" was me in my pj's in the back of our family's van, jumping up & down when the good battleship scenes were going onscreen...ha!

I saw instead "The Interpreter" on Friday night, starring Nicole Kidman & Sean Pean...it was a good movie, if you like mystery thrillers & esp. if you're fascinated in espionage...it had a theme of political asylum, the power of words in international diplomacy, the reflections of what is "home" when you never really were made to feel at "home" to begin with, feelings of the eternal displacement if you're an "immigrant"...it's a great movie...you have to pay attention in this movie & concentrate though, b/c I was feeling sleepy on some bits from my good meal before it...which leads me to another restaurant rave...Mochica...

Mochica, is a great, great, yummy Peruvian restaurant in South of Market...we had some yummers calamari in a good sauce with red onions. Then, we shared this weekender platter (the waiter let us order from it b/c I said, "It's already Saturday in London" & he laughed) that had pork, beef and chicken plus liver ( I know most people don't like liver but I'm used to it so, I ate it) and then I shared my NY Skirt steak with patatas and tomatos. While my other friend had a seafood platter. Everything was flavorful, every bite, every morsel...go, go, go if you want something that's different & it all taste light & good on a warm Spring night. If anything, go for their sangria, it was pretty slammin' comin' down with all the food we had...

So, today after all this activity this weekend, I got the luxury of sleepin' in today...I slept until noon & it felt goooooooooooodddddddd...I love it, love getting real deep sleep. There is a book called the "Tao of Yao" which is an autobiography of Yao Ming that the way he deals with pressure is by "sleeping"...ha! Sounds just about right to me...maybe, I'm just sleep deprived most of the time...that's all I need to beat all that stressin'...

So, I woke up did a bit of laundry & cleanin' up of the apartment...then I headed off to the Asian American Festival in Japantown...it's the first ever & I think it was a huge success. I didn't realize how big it would be though...lots of food, craft & community booths. The funniest ever is all the rice rockets bookending the booths, total "Fast & the Furious" style with the young bloods checkin' out each others' rides...

There were numerous BBQ on a stick booths, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese & Cambodian ones all selling meats on sticks! Baha! Which made me laugh & of course, I had one ...let's see, well, it was charcoal tastin' good...hee...it reminded me of summers on the beach in Port Hueneme, 5 years old with my aloha wear bikini & sandals; runnin' in the sand, spalshin' in the water, trying to help my mommy & daddy roast bbq sticks while the ocean was crashin' near by...nice, good memories...it's funny how food can do that, how , I know this is true for everyone but food is cultural; food can be associated to a place and that tapping on the immigrant experience again, how it can be a truly holy experience because it can recreate a past, a locale, what the body politics are even in the ingredients of one's ancestor's dish...not to beat the point to death...but it can be ritual to people b/c it took so long & the energy/ struggle to to get them to a certain place which is their "new home" but at the same time they don't want to lose something along the way, making that "signature dish" for us lets people keep something from their homeland here with them...that's why when people try to "play" or "tamper" with the original these days, it can be a little disheartening...just sticking with the original/ basics sometimes is just fine...also, it irks when the media tries to portray something as a trend or something new...like I saw an article on "fish sauce" in the paper a coupla' weeks back & they tried to pump it up by saying all these "fancy shcmancy" restaurants use as their "secret"/ "special" ingredient in their dishes & that they don't really tell most people b/c they wouldn't understand why they would need it in the 1st place...hmmmm, fish sauce, is like the foundation to most Asian dishes but it's also like a basic condiment in my household...so, when something so familiar to you is suddenly put out as a "new trend" it's weird...just plain weird...again, it reminds you of the certain differences we have but then again, if people are likin' it maybe the space between our palates & maybe other ideas will be less narrow...now, that's a good positive thought...

Anyway, here's the line from "There's Something About Mary" about meat on sticks that just make me laugh all the time & the first time I heard Cameron Diaz say it, I couldn't agree with her more; I'm a gal who absolutely loves meats on sticks...(hey, they had corndogs there too at the festival...another food on a stick I like!):

Meats On Sticks from "Something About Mary":

Mary: You know I don't think that they have enough meats on sticks. No, seriously.
Ted: Really?
Mary: If you think about it they have plenty of sweets right? They have lolli pops, they have fudge sickles, they have pop sickles, but they don't have any other meat on sticks.
Ted: Yes, you don't see that many meats on sticks. You know what I would like to see? I'd like to see more meat in a cone. You don't hardly ever see that. That's an idea that I think is waiting to pop. Just like a nice big over stuffed waffle cone full of chopped liver.

http://www.reelwavs.com/movies/theres_something_about_mary/aboutmary22.wav

I ended the day seeing my birthday celebrant friend from the Star Wars Bar in one of the booths at the festival, too ;). It was totally by pure happy coincidence that I saw her there; I just bought some cool Filipino jewelry & three booths down later, I see her beating drums in the Dragon Boating booth...ha! They had rigged a rowing machine with a paddle tied onto it for people to try rowing while they beated on the drums & called out strokes...of course, they talked me into doing it...it brought back my outrigger canoe days...hmmmm, I looked down the whole time b/c if I looked up I woulda' kept laughin' at the crowd that was staring at me...ha! It was good, clean fun I must say & "Birthday Gal" cheering me on was crackin' me up...anyway, "Hawaii 2005 here we come!", as she would say ;) Ahhhhh, yes, we're planning on our now official, annual trip to Hawaii in August...my whole group is excited, I really, really can't wait...it's the one thing that will keep me afloat all summer & when we go, I'm going to be the epitome of the phrase, "Footloose & Fancy-Free" I tell ya'...so watch out for more photos of me wearing that flower behind my ear, soon...

Anyway, my weekends always make-up for the weekdays, this one was no exception...

I'm going to pray for an uneventful week, that I can just coast through...wish "buenas suerte" to me...

Currently listening: She Will Be Loved Pt.1 By Maroon 5 Release date: By 23 August, 2004

Meat on Stick! Lebanese Style in London... 

Photos @ Jill's Signing

The author/ singer/ songwriter smiles for a picture... 

Jill Signs "Joy!" on the title page. 

Comes To The Light (Everything) by Jill Scott

Comes To The Light (Everything) by Jill Scott
Current mood: numb

Since, I'm on a Jill Scott rush...here's a nice, simple song called "Comes to the Light" below...just her full, rich voice, a guitar & some piano/ a two piece accompaniment. I'm confessing now that it perfectly describes my state of mind at this moment - "Mas o menos"/ More or less. I've been pushing hard on a situation for about a good 24 hours...a great friend (you know who are), gave me some good solid advice tonight over the phone. This friend gave me the metaphor of trying to get a mattress to fit in a Mini Cooper...nothing wrong with the mattress & there's nothing wrong with the car but what I'm carrying (the mattress) can't possibly fit in the vehicle (the Cooper) I want to use no matter how I try to push that mattress in the back seat, it's not going to budge...

So, this friend was using the things I carry, the things I have to offer sometimes just doesn't fit the type of oppurtunity that comes 1st, it's just not the right one & it isn't meant to be...so, maybe I have to wait for the next thing b/c maybe everything will just fall in place & play itself out...that I have to let go & trust that the right situation will eventually come to me...that I don't need to push too hard b/c people do care about me...those are my trust issues popping up...I have to take a gamble ...right...she used another simple to the point metaphor...just b/c I had one nightmare in my life doesn't mean I ever stop dreaming good dreams...point taken/ 'nuff said...

I have to be gentle with myself...I think maybe it's our culture or the feeling that I need instant gratification & I want some forward motion in SOMETHING in my life...I'm having a bit of an inner struggle of what I expect of myself...what my abilities are in all areas but tonight's phone call is a start & it's helping me b/c this friend was non-judgemental; they took themselves out of it, even though I'm acting really, really irrascible... no brush off, no, "well, I've got problems of my own, girlie...just deal with it on your own...listen to my problemos numero uno, dos, tres...", then we start talking about the other person's problem instead of mine. Strange how people think that helps me when really it focuses on them...I see that maneuver all da' time...hmmmm, I cut off people today when they tried to do that...I didn't deserve it; I should've been at least listened to. Anyway, ahhhh, that call was the remedy call that I needed - a lucid/ impartial mind who always gives me great advice...it was good, again, can I just say it bluntly, a real friend giving me just kick a _ _ advice...no bullshit, no judgements, just whole-heartedly listening to me with no doubt...Anyway, I think most of my true friends are so much more wiser/ smarter/ wittier/ more understanding than me...anyway, this friend was... I hope I have been the same in the past & can reciprocate their good advice in the future...

Thanks mattress/ Mini-Cooper metaphor spouting friend! ;) Mil gracias, te amo...

Here comes the song, I put a link to the wma file, too if you've never heard of it...enjoy & good night...

Song: Comes To Light (Everything) Lyrics by Jill Scott

[Verse 1:]
I can’t hold it in, forever
Eventually, I have to breathe
Done
Hit a lie behind a lie
Behind the wall
Now it’s crashing in on me
How did I let it get this far (ooh)
How did I make this wrong turn (oh)
How do I change the thing I’ve done?
(I don’t know)
Only one lesson learned

[Chorus:]
Comes to the light, comes to the light
(Everything)
Comes to the light, comes to the light
Comes to the light, comes to the light
(Everything)
Comes to the light, comes to the light

[Verse 2:]
I can’t pretend this hurts
(It hurts)
Deeper than I
Imagined
What I did to a friend (So Sorry)

[Vamp:]
I can’t take it back in
How could I do a thing like that?
(I don’t know)
Where was my conscience at?
(Somebody tell me, Tell me)
And did I really play my part?
(I know I did)
Now tell me where the healing starts….
(Oh)

[Chorus:]
Comes to the light, comes to the light
(Everything)
Comes to the light, comes to the light
Comes to the light, comes to the light
(Everything)
Comes to the light, comes to the light

[Bridge:]
Make it stop (Make it stop)
Make it fade
Make it go away (Make it go away)
Let the pain go away
Make it fade (Make it fade)
Make it fade outta my mind
Make it sail away, sail away
(Sail away sail away)

[Chorus:]
Comes to the light, comes to the light
(Everything)
Comes to the light, comes to the light
Comes to the light, comes to the light
(Everything)
Comes to the light, comes to the light

[Out:]
Comes to the light, comes to the light
(Repeat ‘Til Fade)


http://home.hawaii.rr.com/deejaydawn/cost.WMA

Currently watching: Love Jones Release date: By 03 February, 2004

Jill Scott Poetry Reading at Alexander's Books

Jill Scott Poetry Reading at Alexander's Books
Current mood: anxious

So, I had a great lunch this afternoon...I got to see Jill Scott recite from her very 1st book of published poems called, "The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours"...it was the highlight of a day that's just better off forgotten, I won't mention that b/c well, it really ain't worth mentioning...ask me later, if ya' really want to know...Anyway, here's one of the poems, I already read the whole book & have a few favorites already...here's one below called, "One Little Hope", I'm sure I'll quote more in the future as I keep digesting more of her good words, very beautiful inspiring person; she's so captivating & charismatic, cool, cool lady with a nice old skool soul...oh, she wrote "Joy!" in the 1st page of the book & told me that she was glad I came...for me, how did I feel - "glad"??? More like, ecstatcic!

Pick-up the book & buy it if you're a fan...you can totally hear her in the words of the poetry while you read it...she's so cool; she looked so pretty too in her white dress & white head wrap. The one funny thing she said was, "I hope no one's gonna' get fired from missing work now..." I stayed til the end...it was worth it...

One Little Hope by Jill Scott

I wanna make reflections out of recycled paper and words
I need to write myself all over you
I want to see my beat
And choose my hardback
Cuz I gots to wipe shredded eraser from my lap
It's what I do

I want chu to put a decorated mark in me
So you can find your way back
Nestle your soul in the pillows of me
So we can relapse
again and again
On beaches
In bathtubs
I hope you will still browse through my pages
even after you've read all the words

Currently reading: The Moments, the Minutes, the Hours : The Poetry of Jill Scott By Jill Scott Release date: By 01 April, 2005

BlueJay Cafe, Madrone Lounge, Sailing 101 & Raining on the Sicilians Parade

BlueJay Cafe, Madrone Lounge, Sailing 101 & Raining on the Sicilians Parade
Current mood: pleased

So, I was planning on having a pretty uneventful weekend but my good friends took care of breaking those plans but I'm glad they did

I think I made an early start of the weekend mood by going to a spontaneous happy hour mostly with my girlfriends this past Thursday night...there was only a few of us. We went to Madrone Lounge; small but very denlike, I like the blue walls with the dark furniture, it immediately is cavelike but in an strangely cozy way, if you can imagine that...reminds me of the look my roommate & I were trying to go for in our current apartment, as cozy as it is; also, I had some "cucumber infused" vodka drink that was STRONG like a motha', I only needed one & I was pretty much set for the night...oh yes, I have to mention this, there were weird a _ _ old porn movies going on in that club but when I say old, it's like it's not even tintillating by our standards now...it's more like soooo hilariously funny...one scene is some girl dancing with her shirt off in a beehive coiffure & then doing the "Twist" in the middle of some party...ummmm, can we say that we see more action in the latest Snoop Dogg music video than that...it was so damn funny...

Anyway, we were getting hungry during our happy hour so I thought I would instead go to Godzilla Sushi on Divisadero instead...the walk was too far so, the lovely ladies & I backtracked...then, luckily, stumbled upon a restaurant called BlueJay Cafe instead....I say "luckily" b/c early that day at work I kept talking about po' boy sam'wiches at Pier 23 to my co-workers & was reminiscing about N'Awlins & their great jazz fest with them...anyway, this cafe has gumbo, sweet potato smashed or sweet potato in a pie; big hunks of fried chicken AND catfish (which is what I had), my friend had meatloaf wrapped in bacon, my other friend had a lot of cornbread & macaroni...it was SLAMMIN' & a good value, how can you beat that??? I felt like we struck gold & discovered a real find. Plus it had all this funky, eclectic art on the wall along with a few poetic phrases and words scribbled right next to it...it was down home good & stick to your ribs food. I'd recommend it to everyone...I read some reviews about the service being slow but that Thursday night...it was pretty efficient & our waitress was efficient, attentive & friendly, too...here's a review from a year ago but it's a pretty fair assessment of the experience I had there...if you go, enjoy...I think I plan on frequenting there every so often, since now I've found a place that has some good catfish nearby...


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/04/28/FDGJ96B07S1.DTL&type=food

So, yesterday, I tried to hunkerdown & just rest...I almost accomplished it...I ended up doing some laundry, grocery shopping for basics only (milk, butter, bread & eggs) & then making a Blockbuster run...that was good...sometimes doing "nada" feels like an absolute vacation...the routine is not so routine for me sometimes, for the past few weeks there's been one thing or the other to take care b/c it was either for work, my family, a celebration...not that I'm complaining but getting pure rest is always heavenly to me...makes me feel refreshed.

Anyway, my friend made plans with me all day today to meet up with her old music professor/ guitar coach from Santa Clara University....apparently, he's also the director of FREE (yes, it's free!) sailing classes for high school student that are held at Golden Gate Yacht Club in the Marina. That yacht club is apparently supporting the America's Cup this year, too. We met all these "Commodores" today which cracked me up inside my head but hey, I went with the flow (excuse, my lame joke). My girlfriend wanted to go not only to support his sailing students but to remind him that she loved sailing with him before...apparently, she said she did it last summer, where they started out in the Marina, stopped off at The Ramp for food (that great outdoor restaurant/ bar/ salsa dance club off 3rd Ave./ Hunter's Point )...they had a picnic on the boat & then docked off a pier near SBC Park...when she told me this over the phone on Friday...I'm like YES, of course...vamanos!

So, it was nice morning & afternoon today; pretty special in fact...while knoshing on flapjacks & sausages, we had a pretty spectacular view of the bay while we watched all the students practicing their moves of "tacking" the boat (see all the different definitions below for it in sailing, apparently what they were doing is moving from one move to the other) , maneuvering their "spinnakers" (when her Dr. Professor was talking about them to us, it made me think of my senior prom b/c I went to a restaurant called "Spinnakers" in Sausalito...how I felt so grown-up dressed in my fluffy prom dress, eating lobster ravioli while I "thought" I was in love with my prom date...ha!)...anyway, I just looked it up & the etymology of the word is that it may have come ultimately from "Sphinx", the name of the first yacht to use such a sail, or to spin, to move rapidly, a variation of the Scottish word "spene", to run before the wind. Interesting...love looking up the history of words...

Anyway, my friend's old guitar coach was pointing out that most of the students are music students and because, he's a sailor too he was trying to explain why musicians would be adept to sailing. He said that a purely "mechanical" musician who knows how to play the instrument well & knows how to bring out the correct notes in an instrument is not necessarily the best musician...he said that when someone is a great, superior musician, ultimately, creating a great song or fantastic music requires an abstract mind...some things you don't see but you largely just have to go by intuition or feeling...he explained that sailing is very, very abstract because you have to read which way the winds are changing or going at any given moment...that requires a mind that can detect the movement of the waves, the air, the wind, a keen perception of the weather changing, in addition, paying close attention to the other boats speeding & turning around you...plus, at the same time you have to have physical strength because in the small sailboats that the students are learning on, the maximum number is a crew of two...so, you have to be mindful of who the "skipper" is & just follow their lead no matter what because you rely on each other. My girlfriend mentioned too that it takes a lot of hand-eye coordination...it was pretty neat seeing them...but our extra special treat that day? Well, after he talked to us up on the theory of sailing, he decided we should at least see the "Application Theory" (as I jokingy called it, since I felt like I was right in a lecture hall over again, listening to Dr. Professor) her professor invited us to ride with his teenage son, who happens to be their coach & also, a 3 time National Title Champion (so, we were in good hands but we wore our life vests, anyway ;->) to ride on the chaser, propeller boat with him so we could watch all the kids/ sailors in action...we were so EXCITED...anyway, it was so fascinating to watch the kids just easily command the boat; ducking their heads when they switched the spinnakers & then pulling hard rights & lefts that veered all within the span of their bodies as they almost laid out across the boats; all the while they looked like they were having fun . The funny part was there was one redhead girl, named Rose, who I later read in their little bio at the breakfast, has been sailing since she was 5 years old on Lake Merritt (!) and she was complaining that she was dehydrated and needed water pretty soon or she would faint...I swear she looked no older than 12 years old but man when we were watching them on the water, she kept winning all the races...their young "coach" kept cheering her on & encouraging her (I later learned that she is actually in my hula school, too because I chatted up with her mom & they just joined the halua this year & said they loved learning from Patrick's class; I was happy to meet some new hula sistahs/ again it's a pretty small community in San Francisco)...anyway, the sailing was pretty cool, pretty cool...it reminded me of when I used to outrigger canoe a few years back; I love being on the water. My friend & I both agreed that we can easily get carsick but we don't mind being in the boat at all...I've told most people before, I feel a real affinity with water...I'm not being cheesey/ hippie and/ or flaky but I think being a Pisces has a lot to do with it, I really do. I like the sea air, I like the wind whipping in my hair, I don't even mind once in awhile falling in the water because, I like swimming; the chilly waters & even scarier sharks would deter me from the SF Bay water, though...ha! Anyway, I've actually never gotten to be in the Bay before after all these years livin' so comfortbly here, so that was a real first today, so l have to thank my friend & her old guitar professor for that...he actually, directed both of us to a place near the Berkeley Marina that gives free or next to nothing lessons that will tailor sailing lessons to our schedules; there's apparently, an all women's classes if we don't feel like "guys yelling at us" as her teacher, jokingly said...hmmmm, I'm going to have to check that out, especially since the weather is getting warmer and I thoroughly enjoyed my time out in the water today...we'll investigate & see...

Anyway, after that our next "thang to do" on our agenda was to go check out a Sicilian Festival happening at Union Square...it was okay, a small affair and they actually had some vendors that came all the way from Sicily for the event. I tried some biscotti type bread, we tried to get some espresso dealers to give us some coffee but they were being chintzy for some reason (if you came all the way over here, why not hawk the stuff? Who knows...) & then bought cookies drizzled with colorful sprinkles from some nice, older, maternal women who ran a local bakery & also, bought a boxful of cannolis (one of my Italian faves =>) & saved it for dessert tonight. My friend wanted to check out some Sicilian opera singers there too...they sang about half a dozen songs & then all of a sudden the rain started coming down. It was a little disappointing for us but the coordinator was far more disappointed b/c he kept saying, "They came all the way from Catania, Sicily here, please stay, it's only a little rain, it will pass, it will pass..." We felt so sorry for him...so, we decided to wait it out & ducked into Williams & Sonoma to browse & use the restrooms to wait out the rain but when we came out the singers had decided to leave...it was too bad, I was enjoying the invigorating songs; I love how they burst out at the top of their lungs with some of the notes...I don't have to understand the words when the intro' one song as "a quarrel between lovers" where the woman says "I am giving back the love you gave to me" ...ha! Haven't we all been there? Again, like the music professor says you it's the things that you don't see - the abstract that can make you a great musician and I might add a great appreciator of music, too...

Anyway, check out all the definitions of the sailor's word "tack"...again, it's the same analogy of all the words for ice that Eskimos have, right? The more definitions a "culture" has of one word, the more important it is to them...this word definitely fits that bill...

Great, great weekend... I'm happy I came out to play today...don't know why I even try to hide when there's so many fun things to do...


Tack n. (Nautical)

1. A rope for holding down the weather clew of a course.
2. A rope for hauling the outer lower corner of a studdingsail to the boom.
3. The part of a sail, such as the weather clew of a course, to which this rope is fastened.
4. The lower forward corner of a fore-and-aft sail.

.. Nautical.

1. The position of a vessel relative to the trim of its sails.
2. The act of changing from one position or direction to another.
3. The distance or leg sailed between changes of position or direction.

..

1. A course of action meant to minimize opposition to the attainment of a goal.
2. An approach, especially one of a series of changing approaches.

V. tr
5. Nautical. To bring (a vessel) into the wind in order to change course or direction.

v. intr.

1. Nautical.
1. To change the direction or course of a vessel: Stand by to tack.
2. To change tack: The ship tacked to starboard.
2. To change one's course of action.

Currently listening: Since You've Been Gone By Kelly Clarkson Release date: By 01 February, 2005

"Collide" By Howie Day/ My Friends' Wedding Song

"Collide" By Howie Day/ My Friends' Wedding Song
Current mood: touched

Hey There,
I forgot to add from yesterday's post about my friends' beautiful, meaningful wedding...they had a nice video that they made of each other...how they met, how they progressed...my fave line from the video is that they shot my friend's husband proposing to her in an old movie house and it was her birthday...he shot her a video of their relationship/courtship & at the end of the movie, he got down on his knee (old skool style, some say it's corny but I like the continuity it conveys, that people have done it before & people will do it after ...you are part of this great woven blanket stiching generations of couples together...I think it's nice) to propose but before he said that he told her, "Some people think that 9 1/2 years is a long time to date someone but I think it's only the beginning...I want to be with you 10 years from now, I want to be with you 20 years from now...heck, I want to be with you 50 years from now...so, will you marry me?" She sheepishly says, "Yes..." He's like, "What! Wait ...can you say that again, I didn't hear you?" She then yells "Yes!!!!!! Of course..." then jumps up on him & just throws his arms around him...great, wonderful, happy, touching moment...

Someone asked me why video tape it...god, 1st, you have to understand, he's VERY much into his camcorder moments & 2nd, how can you NOT record something like that for posterity...it's the kind of moment you have to SHOW in the future to your children, your grandchildren...

Mmmmm, the carry over of the romantic vibes from the wedding are carrying me through the week ... pretty amazing...thanks for that, I'm blessed to have good friends like them in my life...I truly am...

What else happened today that made my day...hmmmm, my boss gave me some great, mentoring tips...he's such a good guy, he always gives me instructive, helpful advice & with a dash of funny a _ _ sarcastic humor and at the same time, we still get some efficient work done...love it, love it...I'm so glad he's our boss...can't say that enough...

What else was good? I had a good cornbeef/ pastrami sam'wich with some mustard flavored mac salad at a Jewish deli with Chicago memorabilia on the walls with my co-worker at a place called "Moishe's" near Hayes Valley... it was very down home...it was empty but I think it's probably b/c we were eating like around 1:30 p.m. & it's in an area that mostly most neighborhood people frequent to, since there's heavy traffic on Hayes & nearby Fell...my co-worker was talking to the owner about Powell's Soul Food restaurant that used to be there nearby but the owner of the deli said the landlord of the building raised the rent on them 3 TIMES! He raised it so much, they no longer could afford the high priced rent...now he says there might be a pizza place and/ or a sushi place...ho hum...nobody ever promised that change was always good...gentrified neighborhoods...gentrification, how do you compromise a tradition & a sense of community vs. progress & more urban growth...there's no easy answers but all I know is Powell's was a good, characteristic place & had some good black bean rice!

So, we learned a new dance in hula...it's lyrics talk about jewels from London & traveling Paris, etc. Tomorrow when I find the words to the song, I'll post it up...for now, I was preoccuppied trying to just learn the 1st 2 verses of the song & it's the kind where you're just doing the same movements from left to right...it's a simple song but the moves are a lil' complicated...it involves you turning your wrist a bit more & then sweeping from one leg change to the other & then at the same time, you have to emote, move your head while following your hands & then look graceful/ beautiful all at the same time...I was all OVAH' the place tonight but once I got the hang of it, fumbling towards grace & beauty, it felt like I was almost at those points =) I love that class, I love all the lovely women and our fellow "brothers in the sisterhood", you know what I mean...ha! Anyway, our teacher/ kumu always cajoles us when we make a mistake, half joking & half making us feel guilty when the moves get all jacked up but otherwise...a good time tonight. Really, I'm just happy we're moving on & learning a brand new dance. We did go back & refresh on the sitdown/ rock dance (I call it in my head the Hawaiian/ Castanets dance, b/c that's what it sounds like when we're clapping those rocks together in our hands)...I was surprised I still remember it, after not coming to class in 2 weeks! But, I was up front & center, I was doing fine...I'm proud of myself...ha!

Anyway, here's words to the beautiful "theme song" to my newlywedded friends' video that was weaving in & out of their great courtship dance/ story/ relationship video we all watched that beautiful night last Friday at Hakone Gardens...I've also added the words because I liked them...

Enjoy & it's been a good day today...I'm having a lot of good days, thus far, I'm feeling content/ happy...

COLLIDE by Howie Day

The dawn is breaking
A light shining through
You're barely waking
And I'm tangled up in you
Yeah

I'm open, you're closed
Where I follow, you'll go
I worry I won't see your face
Light up again

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to rhyme
Out of the doubt that fills my mind
I somehow find
You and I collide

I'm quiet you know
You make a first impression
I've found I'm scared to know I'm always on your mind

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the stars refuse to shine
Out of the back you fall in time
I somehow find
You and I collide

Even the best fall down sometimes
Even the wrong words seem to ryhme
Out of the doubt that fills your mind
You finally find
You and I collide

You finally find
You and I collide
You finally find
You and I collide

Currently listening: Stop All the World Now [Special Edition] By Howie Day Release date: By 16 November, 2004

I HEART Choco Pockies!

I HEART Choco Pockies!

what flavor pocky are you?

[c] sugardew

Currently reading: Dress Rehearsal By Jennifer O'Connell Release date: By 04 January, 2005

My younger sister's Grad Day in Spring 2003 at Cal Berkeley. I'm looking through old photos of some happy memories =) 

Hakone Gardens in Saragtoga

Hakone Gardens in Saratoga
Current mood: good

So, the wedding I went to this Friday was at Hakone Gardens ..beautiful area, I liked how, as the day turned into night...I liked how the silhouette of the trees looked like when you looked up the starry sky that evening... it was a gorgeous night, in a nice tranquil setting. We were all outdoors eating & we had heat lamps going; so it was all nice & toasty....I had such a great time...I was emotional!

Anyway, if you ever get a chance, it is a lovely place to have a wedding or anything else special....again, this one I went to was very personal & intimate, plus a lot of fun...

They did the couple-kissing thing where you would clink your forks on the tableware but they'd pull out different couples' name 1st & then the bride & groom would mimic their kiss...people were getting more elaborate during the night. My friends made the couple at our table choreograph theirs, they did the "wop" & then kissed each other...baha! Another couple next to us, the guy lifted his wife up, spun her around & then kissed her...so cute...

Also, the girl sitting next to me, was my girlfriend's neighbor growing up & my best friend's bro's ex-girlfriend during his college years (got that?) ....yessssshhhhh! Small World, we made a mental note NOT to mention that to her husband..she was a riot, though, I think I made a new friend... she works at Jamba Juice corporate in Potrero Hill in SF & invited me to come there anytime to concoct my own drink for free...when she said this to me, her husband looked at her & said, "Hey! I didn't know that, you've never invited me..." HA! When I get her contact info., I'm going!

Also, I got to dance to "Come on Shake, Shake It" & like some Tone Loc...gawd, we're all getting older!

http://www.hakone.com/gardens/gardensofhakone.html

Currently listening: Details [Bonus Track] By Frou Frou Release date: By 08 July, 2002

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A Wedding, A "Berfday", & Dia de Las Madres...

A Wedding, A "Berfday", & Dia de Las Madres...
Current mood: chipper

Ahhhhhh, well, it's the end of an eventful work week & now I have to shift gears mentally, for an equally eventful weekend...

The Cinco de Mayo event that I helped with today was great, it was mainly for the ninos, ninas, abuelitas y abuelitos. There were groups of children in their finest Mexican folk attire & they were absolutely adorable. The best part was when they had authentic Aztec ritual dancing to "bless" & kickstart Cinco de Mayo. They danced right in front of our booth! My co-worker knows the organizer who coorindates Cinco every year, so he gave us a good prime location...also, my work has this Winnebego that they use for these types of events every year b/c it has a bano, you can rest up & it became the pitstop place for all the volunteers for the event...so, they'd stop in...grab a pastry & coffee in the morning; then by the time lunchtime rolled around, we had really good chicken mole, mexican rice, green peppers, some spicy red/ green peppers with skirt steak & then for dessert some good plantanos & some good fruit...it was really slammin, "delicisioso" food. Later on in the day, I mosey'ed to check out the other booths there & they had a Filipino food booth, so I had to try a sample plate of bibinka, for those who have never tried this, it's the sweet coconut milk rice cakes that are so dolce y bueno...here's a recipe that I pulled up from an online recipe site & it's close to what I've learned to make from my familia. So depending on how sweet you like it, I like to add a lil' more sugah' to it...you decide what's best for you =)

Bibinka (philippine dessert)
Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients:

* 4 c Fresh coconut milk; devided
* 1 1/2 c Brown sugar; devided
* 1 1/3 c Mochi rice Wilted banana leaves Reserve 1/2 cup coconut milk & 1/2 cup brown sugar for topping. Wash rice & let stand in cold water (while cooking coconut milk). Cook
* 3-1/2 cups coconut milk in top of double boiler for 30 minutes


Instructions:

stirring constantly. Note: Keep water in lower portion at constant boil. Add 1 cup brown sugar. Drain mochi rice in strainer and stir into milk mixture. Cook in double boiler for 30 minutes or until thick. Stirring constantly. Line baking pan with banana leaves and pour in pudding. Sprinkle top with mixture of 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup coconut milk. Bake in oven set at 350F for 5 minutes then lower temperature to 300F and continue baking for 30 minutes. Cool in pan & cut in 3 inches squares

Anyway...it was a beautiful, nice community event today & I loved talking to all the kids, just seeing them in their costumes ...I love the little girls with the ribbons flowing with their braids, you could tell they were so proud of their gear. They also had a dance & song contest for them...it was like watching a school paegant like half a dozen times during the morning & of course, it's so funny when the parents, family or friends whip out the cam-corders or digi-cams...proud parents abound & kids looking a bit intimidated. My co-worker Sam put it best when he said the kids looked like, "You didn't tell me that there would be this MANY people here"...totally, well put...they had like that shy, not-so-sure-what-I'm doing-here" looks on their poor little faces...but they were so into it once they would get warmed up...love it...

I now have to gear up for wedding again tomorrow & that will be just a fun, good time with all the ol' skool high school friends...wow...another one, love is in da' air, I tell you...it's going to be funny, my girlfriend who's getting married was my homeroom buddy in high school & now, she's getting hitched! I'm so happy for her; so much history between us, so ummmm, you know, I'll be a lil' emotional at this one...she sent us an e-mail asking for high school song reqeusts for the dinner reception party & my response was, "Anything by TROOP!"...hahahaha...I know there will probably be a lota' Madonna b/c I went with a bunch of these gals last year to the Madonna concert, that was just an absolute blast b/c we were singing at the top of our lungs at the HP Pavilion the whole time that night...we were like giddy, outta' our minds singing, "HOLIDAY" at the end of that show watching Madonna sportin' that "Kabbahlists Do It Better" shirt on...baha! I swear I had laryngitis the next day. Anyway, it'll be a good celebration after the really manic, hectic week I've had of just work, work, work & then more trabajo...which I'm trying not to make so all consuming, so this celebration will be the remedy for all that work...it will be officially, play time tomorrow night ...I can't wait.

So, there's also this b-day party for another friend of mine this coming Saturday night that I got "evited" too... I met him through a mutual friend; he's a professional party person. I say that b/c he used to do publicity & parties for a very well known vodka company but I'm not sure if he still does that now; he had left last year to live in LA but then quickly came back to da' Bay b/c he missed all his friends so much. Also, he wasn't really feeling the L.A. vibe down there. Anyway, he works also for a local AIDS education organization & he does a lot of peer education to young guys in the Castro which is so great about him...he has his party, fun side with also, this very serious, intent aspect of his character that wants to help others...he's a great person that I've gotten to know....at first impression, he is a energizer bunny & talks a mile a minute but that's what ropes you in about him...he has a good heart which is what I love most about most of my friends...so, I hope I can just make it to the party...I may just come early, though b/c his parties can get outta' hand & most people become, ummmm, "unhinged" is the best way I can describe it...heh heh heh... I went to one party at Asia SF with him & it was WILD! That's all I have to say...you can fill in the blanks or I have to tell you offline later...

Ummmmmm, so, I've narrowed down the Momma's Day Brunch place for this year's celebration for my mother & Lola at Speisekammer in Alameda. I made reservations tonight with the chef/ owner & he was like, the nicest man I've ever talked to over the phone...he started to describe the menu for Sunday & he was making me hungry right there & then when I was on the line with him! My mouth was watering, really... baha! He had a great German accent, too, so this must be authentic German food. I must say, about almost 8 years back on my European adventure after college graduation, I had this stomach-filling breakfast in the Rhine Valley, which was like the absolute best & you know that region is known for incredible wine & beer. So, we had like all this great saurkraut & sausages plus those potato cakes they cook-up so well...all that along with good liquor - my oh my, I remember that everyone in the dining hall hardly spoke while they were just in food nirvana. In anycase, I know it's not Germany here but I'm going to see how that eating fest memory will stack up to this Sunday's brunch. I was telling him I read online that he used to cook at Suppenkuche at Hayes Valley & that I used to eat there when I used lived near my old Ashbury St. apartment. He said yes, that he was there for almost 8 years but wanted a place more homey & inviting...he said Suppenkuche is more austere in a good way, like that the simple lines of the space emphasizes the minimalist thing which suits the city's hip feel but that this restaurant in Alameda is more of big open, airy kitchen; a more "make-yourself-at-home" kinda' place, instead. So, less pretentious, right? Which is perfect for Mom's Day for my family, right? Anyway, again, nicest man in the world & because he was so kind & accomodating to me over the phone, I'm passing on his website address to anyone interested in samplin' some German food. Their site is very clever & cute because each link marks itself with German translations if you, like say, look up "directions", the german word or phrase will be at the end of the url link. I'll update you all next week how all the food is for sure, you know I can talk about food for eternity.
http://speisekammer.com/

So, wish me luck on my busy days ahead.... ahhhh, it's going to be a fun weekend, I can already feel it...I'm welcoming it , in fact...shoring up with all the friendly faces I'll spend time with & good times we're going to share...again, I'm looking forward to all of it.

Lluego, lluego, hasta, hasta y Feliz Cinco!

Currently listening: Half Step Down By Ken Oak Release date: By 17 February, 2005

Busy Day, So Why Am I STILL Awake? Music Does Soothe My Soul, Though...

Busy Day, So Why Am I STILL Awake? Music Does Soothe My Soul, Though...
Current mood: content

Hey, so another busy week at work; my division had an event at Justin Herman Plaza that went extremely well today...glad for that, our prep work & elbow grease for that hour or so was worth it & I had a lot of fun today out there talking to the public. Our mascot was a huge hit. Cabeza Grande (my "lucky" co-worker's nickname that I've given him & who had not one iota of dignity wearing the big waterdrop suit) was a fantastic hit with people or they were just like a bit intimidated; so either they laughed at Cabeza Grande or were a bit initimidated by him. Some people actually took pictures next to him; which I thought was a hoot & a holler.

What was really fortunate for us was that it only started raining right when we were packing up to go. I told my co-workers that it was a sign from God that we had to call it a day with that event...ha! Also, what was extra nice was that our boss left for a quick minute & told us not to leave until he came back...he then comes back delivering some yummers milkshakes for the whole crew...Hey! I must say that was very nice of him...I was famished too, I slurped that puppy down like it was nothing & those were thick milkshakes! Again, it's the lil' things in life, so you have to recognize that...after that I scarfed down a chorizo tostada for my lunch at an organic Mexican joint at the new Ferry Building Plaza, I was famished from the whole morning workday...anyway, very nice area b/c I was telling my co-workers that it was like a mall but ALL gourmet food...love it, love it, love it...so, anyway, I'd been to the Mexican place before w/ my mother & tita, so I directed the ladies there, too. It was soooo good, they had some bueno, bueno hot sauce. Ummm, the funny part was is that they don't give their salsa & chips for free...I went to go check & then, the cashier guy was like, "Lo siento...you have to pay.". Anyway, as I'm going back to my table, chipless & salsa-less, this guy comes out da' cuts (a saying I'm taking from my friend I. Lo) & comes up to me, saying, "Did the cashier answer your question & service you appropriately?" I'm like thinking first, "Where in da' heck did you come from, buddy?" & then my next thought was "Service me? That's just too formal."...then, I just told him I thought there would be free salsa & chips. Well, that simple response, just sparks an explanation of how they handmake their tortillas & handmix their sauces; that everything takes time & they need to account & get paid for everything they do...& our whole table is like, "Okay, fine, that's fine...we don't need the free chips (thought we'd just ask)", then, I just smile at him & say, "That's great, are you the owner of this restaurant because I really like the food here. I like your place, too." He says, "Well, no but my sister owns it & we grew up going on vacations to Mexico & wanted to bring a lil' of home back here but homemade stuff/ natural ingredients." I told him that' s good, as I'm talking through the cabbage bits, hot sauce & chorizo, I'm chomping quickly & happily on...anyway, he's just all of sudden says, "Hey, you want chips & salsa...I'll get you all some on the house, right now." I'm like thinking, "After that whole schpiel, we now get it free???" ...when he brought it to our table, as he walks away outta' earshot, my co-workers are like, "Score, El! Good job!"...I'm like thinking, "What??? It's only chips gals..." but again, it's, again, the little things, I guess & my co-workers were feeling appreciative of the extra grub & we were all grubbin'. Also, the chips were piping hot & they were pretty good...ha!

Anyway, so, I have to do another event tomorrow but only half the day for Cinco de Mayo but that one should be a fun one, too...so, it should be good. Let's see if I can score more free chips & salsa...baha! I'm sure it will be everywhere, probably next to our booth, too...I'm going to bet on it.

Ummmm, so after work, this evening, I was looking for an outfit for a wedding I'm going to this Friday & can I just say, why is everything so flimsy & see through??? Not that I mind sheer stuff but sometimes all the beading, sequins, tulle just remind me of a circus girl/ freak/ outfit gone woefully awry. Good peeps, I like chiffon & silk with shiny, sparkly things as much as the next semi-clotheshorse girl but man, my one friend is right when she says there are outfits out there purely made for just music video hootchie mamas or fantasy outfits that you wear for Hollywood premieres...geez...all I wanted was one nice dress shirt & then I could just wear some nice slacks w/ heels then accessorize it a bit with jewelry, etc. Ahhhh, oh well, I'll come up with something ...it's just so funny. Well, I did buy a sheer shirt that was a pretty lavendar but at least it had sleeves...also, it looks a bit buttoned up where I could wear it to work but whatever...I'll again, be creative about it...have to if I wanna' save some moolah'...

Mother's Day is this week & I really want to make it a nice one with brunch, etc. We'll see what my brothers & sister can come up with within the next few days. I just spoke to my mom over the phone & all she can talk about is that Jayla, my niece will be coming over. Love that lil' girl. She has a funky sense of humor for a 4-year-old. If you ever meet her, you'll see what I mean. It's like she picked up our family's quirky traits. If I can think of an anecdote about her later or an example of what I mean, I'll be sure to mention it in a future blog but for right now, I'm too tired to recall & you'll just have to take my word for it ;-) Anyway, Mother's Day Brunch is always a nice affair, not only for my family but when I'm in the restaurant, I like watching all the different kinds of families interact, just share the day & just be with each other...plus it's all eat, eat, drink, drink & be merry, merry at least for the long afternoon.

I'm feeling a bit content right now but then tired yet trying to stay awake...I don't know why I do that to myself. It's a bit of a little kid syndrome...you know, when you're little you don't want to go to sleep yet because you don't want to go to school the next day & you just wanna' have a little more fun, make the night last a lil' bit longer. I'm a night owl & it's not like I party long or anything...my thing is more downtime/ personal time/ private time/ time for myself sort of thing...again, nightime is my favorite part of the day, I think...

Oh, check it out, they're playing on cable now the video "Oh no!" by the Lyrcist Lounge w/ Mos Def, Pharoe Moach, & Nate Dog...Remember that joint??? It reminds me of a certain time in my life where I was just sort of travelin' with work a lot & back then I was a bit younger & in my head, in hindsight, I was having a really fun, good time even though I was traveling to these god forsaken cities sometimes & so, busy, busy, busy; I still had a pretty kick a _ _ time during that period of my life. That was the Clinton era...damn, I miss that President! Can we get a recall on the last election & just bring Bill back? Ha!...Anyway, I digress, back to songs that bring back good head trippin' recollections; I love how music can just quickly take you to another point & time in your life, just transport you in your head, take you back, move you to another place just like *THAT* with the snap of your fingers...it is pretty much like close to "practical magic" as you can get, right? I know most will agree...it's one of the top things in life I know most people can't live without...like air, water, breathing...what's a life without your own personal soundtrack?

Currently listening: Lyricist Lounge, Vol. 2 By Various Artists Release date: By 28 November, 2000

Dona Jayla y Don Rio

Some photos over the years of my adorable niece, Jayla & my guapo nephew, Rio.

Hola! Welcome =)

Li Young Lee

Li Young Lee - My Fave American Asian Poet from "Rose"
Current mood: artistic

Here's a poem that I always reread over & over again by one of my favorite Asian American Poet's Li Young Lee. It's a poem about his mother simply brushing her hair, getting ready in front of the mirror...very simple and not so simple at the same time. It touches on intimacy, more directly a child observing the intimacy between his parents. Enjoy...

Early in the Morning

While the long grain is softening
in the water, gurgling
over a low stove flame, before
the salted Winter Vegetable is sliced
for breakfast, before the birds,
my mother glides an ivory comb
through her hair, heavy
and black as calligrapher's ink.

She sits at the foot of the bed.
My father watches, listens for
the music of comb
against hair.

My mother combs,
pulls her hair back
tight, rolls it
around two fingers, pins it
in a bun to the back of her head.
For half a hundred years she has done this.
My father likes to see it like this.
He says it is kempt.

But I know
it is because of the way
my mother's hair falls
when he pulls the pins out.
Easily, like the curtains
when they untie them in the evening.

-- Li-Young Lee, ©1986. Reproduced from Rose with the kind permission of BOA Editions, Ltd.

Currently watching: House of Sand and Fog Release date: By 30 March, 2004

Me Climbing Up Gaudi's Sagrada Familia - March 2005