John Payne's New CD, "The Journey" is on CDBABY.com - Buy NOW!!!

Hey There Friends,

My man, John Payne's new CD, "The Journey" is out to buy at cdbaby.com

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/johnpayne

Please buy a copy today! Also, if you do, write a review on the site or let me know :)

Have a great, great day...

Elle

A good story written by my Uncle Oscar, my mentor ...

Current mood: pensive

I just wanted to share one of my favorite short stories written by my Uncle Oscar from his recent book, yes, my uncle on my mom's side & my longtime mentor...

Enjoy & I hope you're having a great, great weekend...

Peace,

Elle

http://www.ourownvoice.com/stories/stories2005e-1.shtml

Rice

by Oscar Peñaranda
a short story from
the 2005 Global Filipino Literary Award - Fiction
Seasons by the Bay
with an introduction by Vince Gotera

T'boli Publishing and Distribution, San Francisco, CA.
tiboli@comcast.net
©2004

During the five years that he would spend in British Columbia, he noticed gradually that when he was with his friends his age, he felt old; alone he was still a boy.

Breakfast was the most different of all. He remembered that he awoke then to the smells of seasons in the air, and at no time of the day were smells of seasons more distinct than those at breakfast. The mornings of Vancouver, British Columbia told him he was now on foreign land, now by a very different Bay, English Bay, and for a long time afterwards the buzz of radiators and rank odor of furniture in heat steered his memories towards that Vancouver tenement that they rented on Thurlow Street.

He was given toast or cereal (instead of rice), jelly, jam, eggs, sausages, and fresh milk (he hated the taste of that) warmed because it was too cold outside and his mother said that they were not used to it. His father stood in the corner every morning making their lunch with the same bland, permeating tastelessness. His brother and sister got used to it quickly because his sister was still too young and his brother was already old enough for sudden changes. It took him three years to even just tolerate it. But for no one did anything ever replace rice, though not everyone admitted that.

When he was a boy—well, he was still kind of a boy then, just turned fourteen, but oftentimes he did not feel it anymore. Maybe he was a different kind of boy already. During the five years that he would spend in British Columbia, he noticed gradually that when he was with his friends his age, he felt old; alone he was still a boy. He felt this way for a long time after, too. Even when they moved into another area by the bay, San Francisco. He remembered the two places sounded alike at night because of many foghorns blowing and would not give him peace because it got to a point that he kept hearing them or thought he kept hearing them and when he awoke fully to give his complete attention to the horns anticipating it, so that he would be sure what it was he had just heard, the sound would never come, and he would forget what it was that sound reminded him of, the image would never crystallize and his sleep would be troubled throughout the rest of the early mornings.

Back home when he was a boy, there were no seasons, only rainy or dry. But there were a thousand different kinds of mornings in those two seasons. There, you did not wake up smelling the morning and from that detect the season, no. There, you woke up smelling the thousand different kinds of dawn, and looking out your sea-shelled window, hear the sun rising, struggling to be born. From this aura you could tell what kind of day it was going to be. Each awakening was a season.

And whenever he could find opportunity...he would take no chances and get up early...and scarf up some rice, the forbidden rice...

And it was in this ritual and atmosphere of breakfast that he felt the most difference. For his father would fix their lunch. And it would be some kind of sandwich, devilled ham or some spread, just like the rest of the people in school. He tried to eat it, stuff it somehow into his mouth, but after a month finally told his father he could stomach it no more. It never filled him and he didn't like it and never would for it took away the pleasure of eating already and he wanted the pleasure also not just the substance. "You're in America now. Go on, you can do it. It's good for you. Better for you. See how big the boys here are?"

So he would have to trick his father again, outsmart him again. And whenever he could find opportunity, when his father would turn up to do the cooking, go to the bathroom, leave the room, or if just in case his father would not do any of these, he would take no chances and get up early, extra early when no one is up yet and scarf up some rice, the forbidden rice, and some ulam—adobo, paksiw, sarsyado, toyo, anything that his mother cooked for her lunch or last night's leftover. She made sure there were always leftovers (seconds were forbidden because they were for tomorrow) and a spoon, then stuff it in a bag hurriedly, hide the sandwiches behind the toaster or behind the toilet, and rush outside feeling his mother's knowing and warm gaze of goodbye on his back.

"Where did he go? He left already?" his father coming out of the bathroom would ask. "The stubborn idiot left his sandwich again! I get up extra early to cook for these children and what do I get? A slap of ingratitude! He keeps leaving his lunch . . . I'll have to talk to that—"

"Let the boy eat what he wants," this from the woman his mother coming out of the kitchen, pliant but firm, to her husband at the door. "You are starving him already. Look how thin he is."

© Oscar Peñaranda

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage

Current mood: awake
Category: Writing and Poetry

seeing you again
your face caramel brown
laugh lines around smile
parenthesis surrounding the sides of your mouth
you hold your hands out
while I keep mine at my sides

indulging in nostalgia
a nice big dose of pang bahay blues
outside tita..s wooden gated door in Cebu
muttered memories run through her mind
she forgets if she turned off the oven
and then remembers that the ya-ya
may be in there to handle it
for that's what ya-ya's are good for dios mio

warm breeze
followed by that light warm drizzle
humidity coupled with hunkered down rain
we cobble together some old netting
to discourage the mosquitoes from
your damp but warm home
drops fall on ylang ylang petals
growing outside Jun Jun's planter box
he worry warts about bugs & cockroaches
the size of his fists getting into that patched square
its his mini oasis he has created & protects from vermin

tatay always managed to keep track of
his older brother's phone number
several times he went as far as to dial
the first few digits that separated
him from him

when nanay heard the news
she let out a sound
that was like a needle
that pricked us all
her Corazon
dissipating in the air like dew
and then devoured by the night
half miniscule remnants
fitting through
the eye of that needle

Currently listening : CrazySexyCool By TLC Release date: By 15 November, 1994

Unanchored

Current mood: grateful
Category: Writing and Poetry

A poem I've been working on for next month's chap book reading...I'll let you all know when that event will be soon...

Unanchored

alms giving to the sea, pobrecito
its will opens doors
to the aqui y ahora
at the boca of our
collective knowledge
we hover above it all

if granted one final wish
I will plant a besa
on the breeze's cheek and walk away
with all the grit and matter and elan
that it will not renounce your name

inside the belly of the sea
immersed in aqua agua
may the bliss
envelope you and grab the gust
forging past
unanchored

Currently listening : Bravebird By Amel Larrieux Release date: By 20 January, 2004

Current mood: determined
...to carry you through the last few hours of the work day & also, just to think about this weekend...you're all beautiful people! Have a fantastic weekend...
Paz,
Elle

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn't serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
NELSON MANDELA, inaugural speech, 1994

Currently listening : On the Jungle Floor
By Van Hunt Release date: By 04 April, 2006

Labor Day Weekend Fun :)

I'm road testin' Annie's new, red Fendi "stunnahs".















Maria & I pose for the camera at her "Welcome Back!" party ...she moved to Chicago this past June...I vow to visit her soon :)















That's Geraldine & me hangin' out at "Double Dutch" a new retro hip hop bar in the Mission. That place cracked me up b/c they put old boom boxes as wall decoration...what a crack-up!

Mary, Mary, Mary

Current mood: excited
Category: Music

So, last night after the long trek & bumper to bumper traffic on Ygnacio Valley Road (which reminds me why I HATE going to the Concord Pavilion) and parking in the gravel with a country mile walk up to the venue just to sit in the cold (good thing I had my trusty leather jacket on plus some knee high boots over thick jeans) I finally got to see my generation's reigning queen of R&B, Mary J. Blige last night & wow, all I can say is it was worth all the anticipation & road rage just to see her last night...
What an amazing, gifted, talented singer & I just would like to report to you all that she practically broke down bawling in the middle of the song, "My Life" because the ENTIRE audience was singing ALL of the words in unision back to her...she was AMAZED...she was like, "Can I sing now or what?"...she looked truly touched, she then added, "Now, I know all of you out there are TRUE, VERIFIABLE Mary J. fans, I am overwhelmed!" She started to sing & then couldn't go on & said she had to regroup in the back & then come back...that was LOVE right there...damn, I LOVE her, she's like a big sister & man, her tunes & albums are like practically therapy for me, well, for most of us women, huh? Most of the audience were women of course with a few good men, boyfriends, & husbands out there in support :)
It was truly a great night of concert going...she sang til nearly midnight, too...man, sooooooo, sooooo, worth it...
Long live Mary, Mary, Mary!
http://www.mjblige.com/

Currently listening : The Breakthrough By Mary J. Blige Release date: By 20 December, 2005

Saw Dave Chappelle on 6th & Market!

Current mood: geeky
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

So, I was riding the F Train on Market this afternoon going to meet a friend for lunch downtown near Powell & walking in the opposite direction btwn 6th & 7th Streets, I see Dave Chappelle on his cellphone talking very, intently or passionately or heatedly on the phone...I couldn't believe it! He was alone too...no entourage, no bodyguards just him by himself...I confirmed it with some "insider industry" friends during dinner tonight, too & they said he is in town for a show -- testing some material out at some small venue, sold out shows so that was him...so funny, I was on the train & yelled it saying, "Hey, that's Dave Chappelle!" & the girl next to me, smiled & just said, "Yes, that was him, I noticed it, too!"...damn, I wish I had a camera but then I remembered from the Actor's Studio special on A&E that he hates being recognized like that...if anything, I would've just said hi, I'm a fan, at least...but that was pretty cool seeing him just walking down the street like that...also, so far that "Block Party" movie has been one of my fave movies this year, I'm so serious...I need to buy it this week b/c it literally just came out this week, didn't it? I wonder if he was in town promoting that, as well...okay, I'm geeking out but okay, I loves me some of Dave's Jokes :o)

Currently watching: Dave Chappelle's Block Party (Unrated Widescreen Edition) Release date: By 13 June, 2006

Yes, I'm Here...Been awhile...

Current mood: thoughtful

It's been awhile...I've either been busy with work (blah, blah, blah, boring I know but that's what take up a chunk of my time) b/c I was entrenched in doing events or working some booth or canvassing public notices or talking to the public about one project or the other OR my social arena & circle of NEW friends has picked up tremendously...

I was just talking this over to two good, good friends over the phone yesterday & I have been deluged with getting to know a bunch of people AND I'm going to add that it's been a BIG plus -- just a very, very good thing...I like how when I meet new people, how genuinely cool it is to know that there are just dynamic interesting peeps out there who live very whole lives that are OUTSIDE of their work ...that was my whole goal for the past year after my accident & other life changing matters is to really ENGAGE in my life & feel I have ...like emotionally, I feel I've come along way & not that I was vapid or there was some big void before but I feel a little bit more spiritually inclined & touched in some way -- not in the way that it's all about Deepak Chopra or I'm like a born again Christian but just meaning that I'm can feel my spirit's energy & I can feel others energy, too. I hope that doesn't sound too new age-y & weirdo but I really believe that -- that the positive energy that you put out always comes right back to you...& maybe, even tenfold...

So, anyway, updates...well, in the past two months, I've been mainly again just working a lot of events b/c since it FINALLY stopped raining then the sun peeked out & showed its glorious self, I had all these calls from different neighborhood groups or industry related groups to have us at their events...all good easy, gigs...not complaining...my fave one was on Mother's Day weekend -- we did a Girl Scouts event w/ Save the Bay & all these little girls who were Brownies "became" Girl Scouts after walking & crossing the Golden Gate Bridge...it was pretty sweet, cool b/c of course, they had their mothers with them. The girls were just excited and just teaching them about how we take care of the water & what kind of animals are in the ocean was pretty rewarding especially since as most of you know, I like working with kids b/c they are apt to be more open to what you feed them brainfood-wise as opposed to me talking directly to (and I'll say it) sometimes (some not most) cynical adults...all in all a good Mom's Day weekend & plus the fact I got to spend a nice brunch with my own mother & grandma (lola), too...

What else? Generally, just trying to be generally fit in exercising more ...if walking from my apartment & then to Ocean Beach & back rigorous in some people's book then okay...that's exercise...well, if anything that walking back & forth did prep me for doing Bay to Breakers when I did it w/ Ms. D last month...which was too much fun...I thought it was going to rain that day b/c I heard raindrops that morning but the only thing that worried me was the beginning of the race when I saw tortillas that someone had tossed up in the air & they were all now squished-squashed on the ground & made the terrain slippery -- you know I'm traumatized with wet floors/ grounds now after my slip-up/ fall last year -- so I was walking CAUTIOUSLY during the race...b/c I was walking cautiously we were walking with the crazy beer crawl crowd -- like at one point we were walking with gladiators, some people who had a pole & were "pretending" to be strippers, a cricket party with the entire cricket lawn set attached to some makeshift float, other strange things & this one is always there, the salmon swimming AGAINST the current of runners, a bunch of families dressed like penguins, some people guy who was dressed like an acorn & then yelling out in front of me, "I'm a NUT & those squirrels are trying to catch me! Help! " while these 3 girls behind are dressed like sexy, squirrels (is there sucha' thing as that, even typing that out & seeing it now in black & white is just bizarre!) and also, some storm troopers which Ms. D. HAD to take a picture with at the end of our race...all in all, just a regular Bay To Breakers run ;-)

What else, well recently, I went to this really cool Carnaval party where they had some cool bands (I discovered a new group called Alex Cuba Band which was just two guys -- one riffing on his guitar & the other on percussion & they just sounded so rich & full -- they played like they were 3 times as big -- don't know how else to describe that), of course we got to see the King & Queen of Samba/ Carnaval & they were shim shimmying all night long (just like that Lionel Richie song, yes...baha!)...anyway, I stayed from like 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm at that party & was famished & ended up scarfing down spam musubis for free b/c my friend Ms. Y was with me & we hit up her waitress friend at Hukilau to feed us after hours while the waitstaff & cooking staff were drinking & eating b/c they were bon voyaging one bartendar b/c he was going back home to Hawaii...he was sweet, he was trying to make me a drink made out of blueberry vodka...we were all trying to come up with drink combos & I finally just settled on good ol' beer...cerveza...baha! Well, I was eating SPAM so what else goes with that? Anyway, eating spicy, honey wings & spam musubis washing it down with a Corona beer after dancing to samba music in the Mission is truly a San Francisco experience...where else can you do that in any other city?

Anyhoot, since then it's been a lot of bday parties, then working...finally, this week, I had hit some kind of ceiling with work & I had to take a couple of days off this week -- I won't get too much into it but it's just one of those days where I KNEW I needed a break & it was a long time coming so I had to just take the time off...I think it's just hard for me to say "NO" but I'm learning to be better, I really am...for the sake of my sanity, at least...

So, on my days off, I had lots of lunches with friends catching up with them...oh, one thing, I hung out with P & his friends in the Castro & went to a very nice, casual Asian Pacific Gay Pride event at City Hall with them & then at night danced our booties off in the Castro & if you're reading this P, I had SUCH A great time...dancing to Prince's "Kiss" was the best with you & J. ;-) HA!

Anyway, this weekend, I mostly just chilled out...I went to a friend's house party where her older brother was showing off his collection of photography on the walls & my friend Ms. G was basically showing us around her brand new, loft apartment. Then, on Sunday, I enjoyed a picnic at Golden Gate park with my sis, her boyfriend, my mom, my lola -- plus the family dog Tracy (she is officially our family dog now b/c we at one point or the other have called her "She" like she was a sister or daughter or niece even though she belongs to my cousin -- we hang out with her most of the time). At the park, there was the free Alice concert & I got to hear the band CAKE & that new group O.A.R. which was singing one of my fave songs at the moment which is "Love & Memories"...I like the Asian looking boy in the group, too, I must confess...after that, I also spent some time manning a booth for the new group I've been active in called YFPA (The Young Filipino Professional Association) & it was a fun good time letting people know about that great group of people & it kinda' reminded me of when I used to join all those fun extracurricular groups in high school & college -- just the camraderie of it....anyway, to make a long story short I got recruited with the group & I am now hosting the next mixer in July. I picked a spot already & we're going to announce it soon, for sure...

Oh one more thing, I just started the first day of a writing workshop class at Kearny Street again...it's a big group & they all have very extensive backgrounds so I can't wait to bounce ideas off of these particular writers..it should be a great class in the next few months...

Anyway, so that's the round-up in a nutshell of the latest in my life...hopefully, I won't be writing too far along until the next update...

Also, I came across this line of writing...I'm making anonymous ...not to put someone's words too much out there but I thought it was really, really moving...read it & it got to me ...it's pretty raw & I've FELT this way before, too:


When I was small boy I would walk from room to room in my house with my hand over my heart, believing that as long as I held it there and felt the pulse in my chest, that I was ok. You see, I was afraid that if I wasn't careful, maybe I would forget that it needed to beat... that maybe I would die. I want you to take that hand from me, bring it to your throat and speak that beat for me, sing it into my open chest.

Currently listening: Stories of a Stranger By O.A.R. Release date: By 04 October, 2005

Kundiman - Filipino Love Song Redone by Me

Kundiman - Filipino Love Song - Redone kundiman kun hindi man? kung - if hindi - not man - possible if not possible if it isn't possible then what is? it's meaning s-p-e-l-l-e-d out in mama's tongue the more shimmery meaning reads like lilting feathers falling in the air "a love song who's beauty sets itself to music" in lola's era someone who had a beau would sing kundimans to catch that young girl's ears if it isn't possible then what is? in my time it's all phonetics & phonics & by ear a sense of order to the puzzle of the extra sensory listening to what I say come full face forward not sideways head unturned whether I do or don't if it isn't possible then what is? many seasons once shimmered in my chest before this time & met with the rain of spring do again come do not hush those feathery prayers without my wings if it isn't possible then what is? like a catalyst without heat or a wave missing its capped crest not foreign but yet foolish & absolute the constant reunion back home from a long ongoing longing to a destination by deciphering bit by bit and finally deciding to wake-up from this dream if it isn't possible then what is? man - possible hindi - not kung - if kung hindi man? possible not if kundiman mama's tongue lola's era my time my phonics & phonetics by ear to make sense of the extrasensory Currently listening: A Change Is Gonna Come By Leela James Release date: By 21 June, 2005

Randomness - That Makes Sense Later Upon Further Reflection

Current mood: bouncy
Category: Life

It's been a weekend of (to a quote from a whole stanza from a Hemingway poem), "nada, nada, nada, nada, nada, nada..." It feels luxurious! You know how some people like fine wine, silks, precious metals or fancy schmancy cars as their meaning of luxury? My definition of luxury is to just get the recommended amount of sleep & just feeding myself, well, like three square meals a day...

Anyway, I had to report to jury duty recently, like Thursday two weeks ago & then again, this past Monday b/c I didn't want to lie to the judge saying I had a "great personal hardship"...I mean there has to be people with REAL hardships other than me -- so I didn't want to make some big white lie to get out of it -- I wanted to give them a legitimate excuse besides, "I JUST don't have time or the willingness to be here..." (besides that, court rooms make me nervous! If I ever got convicted of something (NOT that I EVER, EVER would -- that's where the Catholic upbringing would influence too much anyway) -- I think I would CRACK like an old Roman Coliseum under the pressure & time duress) ...but luckily for me, b/c of the work I do & the line of work most of my co-workers do (mostly civil engineers and/ or stationary engineers), I was automatically disqualified from the 2nd round. Needless, to say, what with the few facts of the case the judge, law clerk & attorneys gave us during jury selection, it had something to do with a stationary engineer slipping & falling, hurting his back & then suing the contractor that contracted him to the job in the building...then the contractor sues the building managers saying it was some kind unsafe workplace & then the building countersues the contractor back saying no, it's not them but that they didn't make sure the engineer was taking safety precautions during the job...OY VEY! Did you get that or what? Yes, so you see -- I wanted to make my get away outta' there fast, fast, ondale, speedily & swiftly outta' that court room...

I actually never made it that far & when they ask you to stand-up, say your name, what you do for a living, who you live with -- it's disconcerting. Esp. with the 40-50 so leftover jurors sitting next to you listening to your mini-biography or statistics on your life while you stand in that juror box. I was potentially Juror ..17 & I had to say before my name, "Juror ..17 ..." I do this, I've lived in SF, so & so years, etc...." It took an hour & half of questioning via the plaintiff's lawyer to get to break at noon... they collected all the people who work for the city or govt, some nurses, doctors & then just some really smarty pants people -- like former execs. or CEO's of companys -- they wanted to weed out the people who had TOO much knowledge...funny as heck...don't want them to be too knowledgable about the case....you know...there was one who was a physician who actually is a courtroom consultant apparently & he said he would totally be "unbiased"...in my head, I was just thinking, "LIAR, LIAR pants on fire!" ...but that's me & my irreverent self...

Oh well...I got out of it & I promptly went home & took a much deserved nap from being put into the machinations of our justice system...they dismissed me FIRST too...though, I think the defense really wanted me to stay b/c they asked me "Do you think you can be unbiased for this case? At all...(they had to add the "At all")" -- I was like, "Honestly, counsel, I really, really don't think so..." -- he gave me this pleading, knowing look, like, "Come on -- STAY!" ...too funny, I felt for a bit there that I was in some kind of courtroom drama...yet, I needed to tune out of there & I think I made the right decision for them...I'm way too biased & knowledgeable...I would be yelling back at th lawyers if at sat in that jurors box...I know it already...again, that's me being irreverent sometimes, though...again, that courtroom what a nerve-wracking place...

Soooo, I had to take field trip to Moccasin/ Yosemite Friday again in the sunshine coming there & then in the rain coming back...I was trapped in the "coche" ("car" in Tagalog) with 4 other colleauges that day...we were all having cabin fever by the time we got to our destination...esp. on a Friday...hoo boy! Anyway, when we were conversing back & forth in the car looking at the scenery, I suddenly blurted out, "This idyllic & bucolic scene is lulling me to absolute slumber..." Everyone laughed at me & said, "That's pretty big words for you, young lady...are you aspiring to be or just quoting Shakespeare?" ...I just told them I was trying to use my private school, English Lit. degree for something & that I do own a dictionary & I'm not afraid to use it...baha! Anyway, I was sleepy...I've been sleep deprived all week until I caught a bunch of REM's last night...

Mmmmm, one thing...taking the MUNI in the rain esp. the 38 after work is such a muckety, muckety mess...people are cranky b/c they're all wet; b/c you know most Californians treat rain like it's snow -- so they drive like maniacs in it & then I read somewhere that the rainy weather or any weather that makes you stay cooped indoors gives you a condition called, (I kid you not) "SAD" aka "Seasonal Affective Disorder" where psychiatrists have actually named it as an official disorder -- check out the SF Chron tidbit op-ed on it below:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/04/04/BAG6MI2NG21.DTL

Anyway, besides possibly going through this disorder riding on the 38 Express...you might get the Avian Flu, too...I say this half-jokingly if it wasn't true. This past Wed. evening, as I was taking the bus around 6:00 pm that evening, there was "clucking" going on next to me -- I'm like saying to myself, "Mmmmmm, I'm crazy & hearing things but is that a chicken?" before I could even finish that thought, this older gentleman says, "My god is that a chicken in your bag!" ...he's saying this to this middle-aged Chinese woman who is sitting to the right of him, she then feigns speaking any English & just nods her head sheepishly into a big OLD "YES!" ...everyone who is sitting nearby, of course, hears that conversation& we all start laughing out loud. Then, the same man says, "Don't you know that the bird flu is killing thousands in your country & is now spreading to Turkey & the other Balkan countries! Aren't you concerned? Don't you read or watch the news at all????" She just sits there pretending she didn't even hear what he just chastised her for or even understood one lick of English, which I'm thinking is the latter...pretty, wacky having farm animals on a huge, long bus & so crowded, too...but that chicken was clucking away for a good 6 more stops before the lady got off with no one even telling her to get off, accept for the man trying to give her a lesson on current events & just plain old health concerns for the collective society...lawrdy, lawrd...really, people I don't make any of these things up...it's just too plain bizarre to be even be fiction, you know?

Thankfully, I know most of you enjoyed the sunshine at least yesterday...that was good, I tried to just run a buncha' errands & get some sunshine in my system...Vitamin D is good for you! HA! Anyway, now, I'm just chillin' at home before I have to do some prep work for tomorrow night...there's all this '06 Earthquake events going on in the city starting next week & then, the end of the month, my department is helping put up an exhibits of old photos during that era in City Hall - we're doing a little kick-off for some people & I'm helping tomorrow just coordinating stuff & also being the "Greeter" for my colleauges -- I was drafted along with another co-worker -- I had no say in it (again) but whatever...glad to help b/c I think the exhibit of photos we're putting up is fascinating & anything that makes my job more interesting -- I always welcome...I think I'll be all entrenched though doing this all month ...the one event that I'm glad I'm not going to be a part of is this year's "Lota's Fountain" commemoration...a few of my more media connected colleauges have to do that one & that one starts at like 4:00 am in the morning & they have to be organizing it before that time...I told one of them they'll have to spend the night in a City car to get to the assignment on time..., just wake-up, brush your teeth in a nearby restroom & you're good to go! Baha! Damn, buenas suerte to them...

Alright, I've "graced" you with my presence long enough...until, I rant & rave, again -- be well...hopefully, after all the work bruhaha...I can come out & play in between all this constant work...

Meetin' the Partyin' Irish in Chi City, Michael Buble this past Saturday night & hangin' out...

Current mood: good
Category: Travel and Places

So, I got to really explore Chicago during the St. Patrick's Day weekend about a week ago...it was a blast painting the town "green" so to speak with my friends, D & L. Too much fun...you know? Anyway, everyone keeps asking me, "Wasn't it cold???" Well, it was just as cold as here but it is that wind factor that's for sure...it ain't called the "Windy City" for nothin'...but nevertheless, I had an absolute blast. I did all the touristy things, went to the Chicago Institute of Art & saw the Hopper painting that I wanted to see...I saw that famous Seurat pointillism painting...

I also got to try some deep dish pizza, some Garret's popcorn, the best carne asada burrito @ La Pasadita's, ran up & down our huge hotel at the Hilton & Towers, got asked several times why were NOT wearing green during St. Paddy's Day but we made sure to put on our green shirts at night & we enjoyed all the guiness we could handle plus all the corned beef & cabbage we could handle at Kitty O' Shea's Pub :)

What else, we of course, went ontop of Sears Tower, checked out the amazing city from that lucky bird's eye view ...we also got to sample the nightlife by going to Rock It! eating some yummers comfort food & then hangin' out wid day good ol' corn fed Mid-West boys while most of them were there watching March Madness ... We also took in some bowling at a place that had videos screens playing music videos at the end of the alley & we also, took in some Cajun food at "Heaven On Seven" AND the famous "House of Blues" while we listened to a John Popper (Blues Traveler) sound alike who was quite talented esp. on his guitar...

We also got to the Field Museum & saw a huge T. Rex skeleton, A LOT of mummies (enough so it was spooking me a bit) & really interesting facts on Tibetan & Polynesian culture ...oh! One more thing, we made a trek to go to the Motherlands of all Motherlands - we went to take some quick snapshots at the Oprah/ Harpo Studio & that was just friggin' hilarious. There was just huge signage on all sides my friends & I had to of course, take pictures & pose on each side...at one point we jumped up for the camera in one shot - too friggn' hilarious! I'm sure the neighbors around the studio building were just shaking their heads at us but we don't give a rat's a _ _ - we were just gettin' our kicks & it's fun! All in all it was a fabulous trip b/c most of all we got to just relax & unwind, you know? I didn't feel too rushed but not too bored ...you know the vacation was JUST right...look at me sounding like the Filipina version of Goldilocks & the Three Bears...baha!

Anyway, so I finally got to see Michael Buble in concert live this past Saturday & really, wow, what a phenomenal voice...his voice is a powerhouse, you're a bit astounded by the power of it...he's a mega talent & I always love hearing standards & I'm glad that talented, cutie pie Canandian has the chops, substance & talent to carry that torch & keep it lit oh so brightly ...go see his show if you get the chance to see him...thanks Y.Y. for inviting me along to see him with you & K! I love his new song, "Home" plus that Van Morrison classic "Moondance", that always makes me want to go out & drive on a trip with that music or just travel in general...ha!

Hmmmm, so yesterday, I spent most of the day just hangin' out @ my former roommate's place just visiting her, her firefighter hubby & getting to bond w/ her newborn baby boy named Nathan Shane...who looks like daddy but has mommy's nose! I love that brand new baby smell & he has it! Anyway, it was a good day of catching up her, vegging out watching movie rentals back to back (I mainly watched, "Just Like Heaven" which I loved despite the hokey romance but Reese Witherspoon & Mark Ruffalo make it believeable plus it doesn't hurt that it's all shot in S.F.!) ....anyway, my former roommate's husband was a sweetheart b/c he made us guests feel so @ home b/c of the new baby & it was my ex-roomie's bday & it was just a Sunday feast all day - he cooked us brunch, lunch, linner AND dinner...PLUS he did all the grocery shopping, the cleaning, the washing & the general merry making! Now, that's a full service husband I tell ya'! Anyway, what a great guy & I'm so proud of them & happy just that they're happy, you know? That sounds so damn corny, I know but really, I'm truly happy for them...I could burst...baha! I think I already did last night...oh well...

So, anyway, it's been a great month for me...I can't believe it flew by so fast...isn't this month suppose to be long or what? Let's see what April has in store, shall we?

Currently listening: The Very Best of Marvin Gaye By Marvin Gaye Release date: By 17 July, 2001

Budget Romance by Jason Bayani

Budget Romance by Jason Bayani
Current mood: enthralled
Category: Writing and Poetry

Hey Kids,

Soooo, I saw a handful of stand-up comedians & one slam poet this past Saturday night at the newly renovated, historical & beautiful I-Hotel. It was a great, mellow night while it was drizzling away outside on Jackson Street...

Anyway, I thought Jason Bayani was pretty fantastic, esp. performance-wise & wanted to share his last piece of the night - if you ever hear of him, catch him live but I thought this was a "realistic" love poem esp. if you're a struggling artist :) This one made me laugh outloud - again, the poem reads hilarious when Jason performs it...here's his bio,too if you haven't heard of him...

http://www.daniland.com/talent/talent.php?var=jason_bayani

Also, for more events at the I-Hotel via the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, check their link out below & support them whole heartedly! Esp. if you are Filipino Americans who should remember the "manongs" who came before us here in San Francisco:

http://www.manilatown.org/events.htm

Take Care,
Elle

Budget Romance by Jason Bayani

I want you to imagine
incense and burning candles
that I found in the discount bin of my local
Old Navy.
I want you to imagine
Barry White playing on the stereo
and you in that pretty little red dress
I bought you at Ross.

I want to tell you things
and whisper in your ear sweet nothings
except they'll be something
because they'll be things being said
they are sweet things
for my sweet butterscotch flavored dandelion.

Now I know your looking at those electric candles
and your thinking to yourself
this guy must be to cheap to keep buying real
candles
but baby it's for your protection.
I'm your sensitivity Smith and Wesson
paper plates and plastic utensils are my way of
saying
less time for me dishwashing
more time for me and you to be beast with two backs
making.

That's a Shakespeare reference

But enough about that, let's talk about you
let's talk about the all things I want to do to you.

First we will sip on some fine
Martini Rossi and Asti champagne.
I've prepared special succulent hor' dourves
for your consumption
mini corndogs
taquitos
those pizzas that are made on mini-bagels

And after we are through sipping on our fine Martini
Rossi and Asti
champagne
I've prepared a special Filipino delicacy
Of Rice
Eggs
and Spam
and don't worry about the wine baby
drink as much Chablis as you desire
because I got another box sitting in my cabinet!

Aw yeah
Is your mouth watering too?
I'm so hungry
hungry for you

All I can think about
Is laying you out on my 100otton sheets
and bedecking your naked body with fine
scented oils from the Orient.
And by Orient I mean
my cousin's boutique in Stockton.
Technically that is the Orient
because Orient kinda means east
and Stockton is east of where we are

So like I said I'm gonna rub these
fine scented oils into your naked body
while playing my special slow jam mix CD
featuring three songs by the
underrated and underappreciated DeBarge family
and we will make love
to "Time Will Reveal"
and maybe even "Rhythm of the Night"

Girl I want to swim within the Ocean of your thighs
I want to drown in your juices.
Oh sweet honeycomb part of a complete nutritious
breakfast!

You make my manhood rise
to the skies
so much so that my eyes
fill with cries
and I realize

I'm pretty fucking broke

But that don't mean I won't love you
real fucking good.

Currently listening: A Rush of Blood to the Head By Coldplay Release date: By 27 August, 2002

8:33 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment - Edit - Remove

The 24th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival

Current mood: thoughtful
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Happy Sunday Everyone,

I'm definitely going to catch one of these films in the next coming days...check it out & support these artists!

Take care,

Elle

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Currently listening: The First Lady By Faith Evans Release date: By 05 April, 2005

Dream Interpretation of a Recurrent Dream

Current mood: contemplative
Category: Dreams and the Supernatural

Check this out, kids, I usually take this dream interpretation stuff with a grain of salt but lately I've been having recurring a dream where I or some random person (I'm always in the passenger side riding or sometimes I'm driving from the passenger's side - this is an important point b/c the dream interpretation pinpoints EXACTLY how I've been feeling below from this significance) are in a moving truck...there are lots of boxes...the next dream has the truck overturned in some kind of accident & the boxes came flying out but random people picked-up each box w/ out my prompting - they walk along a long narrow indescript street w/ lots of grass, trees, & maybe a few flowers & walk directly into my childhood Navy base tract home in Camarillo, CA (btwn. Santa Barbara & Simi Valley) ...it's this bright pink house - each person filing in & every person goes in except me ...all I see before is the screen door that I used to peek through sometimes, when I would play outside, I'd peek in mostly to make sure my mother or my Lola saw me & in turn, I saw them keeping my eye on them...but in the house there's nothing but strangers piling in boxes from my truck...

The latest dream now goes so far where, I runaway from house & I run back to the truck & there's one overturned little red toy wagon left behind or looks like it fell out of the truck & people forgot about it..

This dream has been coming up so much in the past month & I always seem to wake up when I come to the house...so, finally I've decided to look up each element in the dream...

Again, I don't believe in this stuff...but damn...it freaked me out a bit when I read it & at the same time I wasn't surprised at all b/c it's all the stuff I've talked to you all about it at one point or it has been on my mind these days...well, especially when a birthday comes & goes...reassessing & taking inventory my mind is even when it's asleep that's for sure!

Do share, do you have recurring dreams sometimes? I'm just curious...sorry, if you think this is all baloney but I wanted to tell someone...anyway, the interpretation I've looked up is below...

Truck
To see a truck in your dream, implies that you are overworked. You may be taking on too many tasks and responsibilities and are weighing you down. On a side note, pregnant women often dream of trucks or driving trucks. This may be a metaphor of the load they are are carrying or an expression of their changing bodies.


Moving
To dream that you are moving away, signifies your desire or need for change. It may also mean an end to a situation or relationship and your are moving on. Alternatively, it indicates your determination and issues regarding dependence/independence.

Driving
To dream that you are driving a vehicle, signifies your life's journey and your path in life. The dream is telling of how you are moving and navigating through life. If you are driving and cannot see the road ahead of you, then it indicates that you do not know where you are headed in life and what you really want to do with yourself. You are lacking direction and goals.

To dream that someone else is driving you, denotes fortune and that you will profit from your superior knowledge and ingenuity. If you are driving from the passenger side of a car, then it suggests that you are trying to gain control of the path that your life is taking. You are beginning to make your own decisions.

Accident (car)
To dream of a car accident, symbolizes your emotional state. You may be harboring deep anxieties and fears. Are you "driving" yourself too hard? This dream may tell you to slow down before you hit disaster. You need to rethink or re-plan your course of actions and set yourself on a better path.


Stranger
To see a stranger in your dream, symbolizes the part of yourself that is repressed and hidden.

Road
To see a smooth road bordered by green trees and flowers, denotes a steady progress and steady climb up the social ladder. If the road is straight and narrow, then it means that your path to success is going according as planned.


Box
To see a box in your dream, signifies your instinctual nature and destructive impulses. Alternatively, you may be trying to preserve and protect some aspect of yourself. The box may also symbolize your limitations and restrictions.

Home
To see your childhood home in particular, suggests your own desires for building a family. It also reflects aspects of yourself that were prominent or developed during the time you lived in that home. You may experience some feelings or unfinished expression of emotions that are now being triggered by a waking situation.

Door
To dream that you are entering through a door, signifies new opportunities that will be presented before you. You are entering into a new stage in your life and moving from one level of consciousness to another. In particular, a door that opens to the outside, signifies your need to be more accessible to others, whereas a door that opens into the inside, denotes your desire for inner exploration and self-discovery.

Wagon
To see a wagon in your dream, is symbolic of difficulties. It also signifies your thrifty nature and your unwillingness to take risks.

To see an empty and abandoned wagon, signifies loss and dissatisfaction.


My god, the subconscious is better facing stuff than my conscious mind...that's as much as I'm going to say now....


Take Care,
Elle

Busy Week, Plus Ice Skating & A Yummers Vietnamese Dinner made by BK :)

Current mood: rejuvenated
Category: Friends

Hola, I hope everyone is having a great weekend...like most people I think most of us have tomorrow off for President's Day (or is it just me being a "gov-ment" worker now that I think everyone should have all the Federal, National, State AND Local holidays off???) Anyway, I have a LOOOOONNNNGGGG weekend & I am absolutely ecstatic about it b/c I was "for realz" working hard for my money this whole week...I had to organize two events & pull them off plus I have one coming up next week that I won't be participating in but I had to try to get 2 dozen staff volunteers to volunteer for, make floor plans for for all the different stations, plus assign them to their various jobs that day & then TRAIN them in one day (which is going to be on my bday & two days before the event - whew!)...it's overkill but even if I get a dozen people for this coming weekend's event, then it will be all "goodness" for me...

Hmmmm, so, yesterday I saw my good friend's little baby celebrate his 3rd bday & he had it at the Yerba Buena Ice Skating rink...he was there with his cousins plus all the day care school friends with their - get this - rubber ice skates...they were all aflutter b/c I was eavesdropping on a "triad" of little boys who were always sticking close to each other & they were talking about how they were watching all the skating on the Olympics that's being televised right now from Italy...I thought that was adorable & how kids can be easily influenced & also, pick-up so fast - you know it's that "no fear" instinct that kids have - after getting their quick lesson from their instructor they're ready to just hop onto that ice! The party group was asking me if I was going to step on the ice - I told them "no way!" b/c I already sacrificed one arm in a fall & I didn't need to give up the other...I learned my lesson...peeps, I was making like Michelle Kwan & saying "no moh' " to ice skating after my injury ...baha!

I was taking snapshots of some of the kids heads peering over the skate wall - you would see the top of their beanie-bedecked heads or if I knew the kids, they would just wave & have these big ol' smiles on their funny faces, b/c they were so proud they were just slowing inching their way UPRIGHT in around the rink...hahahahahaha!

Anyway, I think all the kids & even some of their parents (the big kids) had a blast yesterday afternoon...it was adorable to see the parents with the kids just teaching them to skate - how maternal and/ or paternal the instincts were coming out with the kids on the ice...love it, love those family moments...esp. when the families would be holding each other's hands...okay, you can call me a big cornball - I don't care - I'm not made outta' wood, that's for sure & if you're a real decent human being with a heart, your ice, cold jaded heart would've melted too if you witnessed all the family bonding going on there in Yerba Buena Skating Rink ;-)

After, doing a little window shopping, I headed home & took an even LOOONNNGGGER cat nap - that was my way of celebrating the time off I had...ha! After waking up from that big beautiful slumber, I got ready to go to my friend BK's party no queridas (dears), not Burker King but my friend who's initials are BK ...she made a spectacular 7 course meal & she IS a phenomenal cook though when I first stepped in her place, I asked her if she needed help in the kitchen before she "shooed" me out & said, "Noo, no, no, I'm a kitchen Nazi - so just grab a glass of Pinot" & let me do my thing!" Wow, well, I'm a good soldier & followed those orders & hung out with her friends just chit chatting ...while more friends came in & we just lounged around admiring her new digs (this was a belated housewarming, if I didn't mention it) ...anyway,when she was finally done she had cooked us the following; 1. Garlic Noodles with green onions 2. Garlic crab with chili powder & generously peppered with buttered sauce 3. Grilled red, yellow, & green peppers with equally grilled shitake mushrooms 4. Garlic Shrimp with salt & pepper with sauteed gin over it & with braised basil leaves 5. roasted mushrooms in a pesto, & a nicely melted cheese, butter sauce 6. Kimchee fried rice with green onions, chopped up spam & eggs 7. A delicious white whipped cream & raspberry, strawberry cake from my fave bakery Dianda's (on 25th & Mission, which I always go to when I'm nearby to pick-up a good cannoli) drizzled in Kalua Chocolate Hot Sauce ...man! Talk about winning people's hearts through their stomach! I was mightily impressed b/c you know how I "loves" me some good eats...it was hilarious b/c her co-workers who she invited didn't even know she cooked b/c they said she usually just buys her food during lunch, etc. Anyway, she told me she only likes to cook like this anyway when there's a lot of people around or if she has good friends to cook for and that I should come over any time if I ever feel hungry (she lives in the Richmond too & it's only like a 10 minute Muni ride straight down Geary or California)...now, I feel like I should be obligated to throw dinner party of my own so I can repay her for the hearty & delicioso meal she threw together for us last night...hmmmmm, I'll think of something...BK is such a sweet gal in the brief time that I've known her...I'll have to make it up to her somehow...

Hmmmmmm, so since I was a bit busy yesterday, I've been a bit lazy today...I was supposed to go over to my mom & grandma's (Lola's) place most of the afternoon today or actually, I was going to stay over but I woke up late & my mother told me not to bother since my grandmother seems to be doing okay & she could handle her by herself...so, maybe, I'll stop by tomorrow instead since I have the day off...

Mmmmmm, I'm listening to my sister's or her boyfriend's mp3's tonight off the laptop that they've downloaded in their folder & they have a remake of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" by a group called, Social Distortion...it's good but mmmm, you can't compare to the classic tune...damn, I know most of you have already watched "Walk the Line" but can I just recommend that movie one more time to everyone or what...I'm so happy it's getting all the awards & Oscar nominations it's gotten...what a fabulous movie & again, kudos in the stupendous acting from Joaquin & Reese....I can't believe I was lucky enough to snag free movie preview tix for it when it first came out

So, it's going to be a short week for me...I'm taking some days off to go away this weekend in Sonoma to indulge in some low-key birhtday celebrating...I am SOOO looking forward to it...really, even if it was just me, myself & I on this trip, it would be all good - I could dearly use the get-away from the city & urban landscape...just somewhere nice & quiet & I'm looking forward to a full body massage that I will be getting that Saturday or Sunday there - I'm going to make sure it's going to be as heavenly as possible!...ummmm, not that I didn't get to go away the beginning of this week, well, I had a taste of it at least - this past Monday, I got to go to an all day offsite meeting in Moccasin which is a stone's throw away from magnificent Yosemite...I was going to plan for an event I'm setting up for late April for some VIP people that want to visit where the "water comes from" & basically just get educated...but mostly, we want to just show off how the system works for these people...planning & event planning takes a LOT of work - I think sometimes people don't respect that - ummm, I take that back it's not that they don't respect it, it's more that they don't want to get down to the minutae of ever little thing that comes with planning events - it may seem inconsequential to most but getting it down to where you want to place people on a conference table to where is the best location for booths to what kind of "tschoskes" and/ or souvenirs you think a particular group of people want - can make it or break it especially if you want it to come across as a good business "relationship" and/ or "partnership" in business...anyway, I'm excited about the project & if I can get enough people to volunteer for this particular event, maybe I'll be swayed to stay overnight at one of our bungalow cabins on the agency's premises...it's very quaint, cabin style but I would love to stay overnight just so, I can check out Yosemite Nat'l Park the next day if I have a good group with me...we'll see, we'll see, I think I can round up some people together ;-) Hmmmm, one thing that totally blew me away driving up there in my lil' company car Prius was that there were these gorgeous, white (blanca) blossoms on the tree orchards on our scenic drive up there...when we finally got to Moccasin I had to ask the woman we were meeting with what they were...Cherry Blossoms? Apple Blossoms?...she said "No, they're Almond Blossoms!" Almonds Blossoms? I had no idea that there was such a thing much less, thought about where almonds really came from than besides the can but then that's the beautiful thing that happens, you always have something new to learn everyday & I was really pleasantly pleased by that discovery ...anyway, she went on to inform me that there is only a small window of opportunity to witness those blossoms & I had good timing to come up now in February to be able to see them...it was my lucky day that's for sure...I was so into them, on our ride back, I made my co-worker stop the car off the side of the road & took about 3 pictures of the floral display going on there ...when I get a chance to download them @ work this week, I'll try to post them on this blog

Anyway, everything's going well all the way around (knock on solid, hard, hard, sturdy wood!) & I'm feeling a bit blessed at this moment...I hope all is well on your side of the world...Now, I'm hearing "Digging on You" from TLC - a remix version - damn! I haven't heard that song in eons...I LOVE it...I miss TLC ( a moment of silence for Lisa Lopez everyone - I'm not kidding either or being funny!) - hmmm, okay one last note, I had to make a playlist for some friends b/c they wanted to throw me a party...now, I don't care if this list totally ages me but it's from my generation & if you can push back the cobwebs of the recesses of your mind on these old tunes, just flashback for a minute with me now Happy Reminiscing!

>1. "Friends" - Whodini (Because I want to dedicate it to all my friends>coming to this bday happy hour...baha!)

>>2. "I Can't Wait" - Nu Shooz (If you forget the song, here's how the>song lyrics start below...that was mah' jam back in dah' day ;->)>>My love, tell me what it's all about>You've go something that I can't live without Happiness, is so hard to>find Hey baby, tell me what is on your mind>>Coz I can't wait (baby I can't wait) till you call me on the telephone I>can't wait (baby I can't wait) till we're all alone>>

3. "Ladies First" - Queen Latifah>>

4. "Big Poppa/ Warning" - Notorius B.I.G.

>>5. "Going Back to Cali" - LL Cool J

>>6. "Real Love" - Mary J. Blige

>>7. "Lean on Me" - Clubb Noveau

>>8. "Spread My Wings" - Troop

>>9. "Can't Stop" - After 7

>>10 "California Love" (Remix Version!) - Tupac

>>11. "Whatta Man" - Salt n' Pepa

>>12. "Hold On" - En Vogue

>>13. "Come With Me" - Shai (Okay, not exactly a dance track but I love>that song, we can slow it down a bit)

>>14. "If You Love Me" - Brownstone

>>15. "Crush On You" - The Jetts

>>16. "Can You Feel the Beat" - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

>>17. "Head to Toe" - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

>>18. "Point of No Return" - Expose

>>19. "All Night Long" - Mary Jane Girls

>>20. "Nite & Day" - Al B. Sure

>>21. "I Feel for You" - Chaka Khan

>>22. "Rumors" - Timex Social Club

>>23. "Let's Hear It for the Boy" - Deniece Williams

>>24. "Best of My Love" - Emotions

>>25. "All Fall Down" or "Let Me Be the One" - Five Starr (okay, I snuck>in two but who ever plays Five Starr??? I admit I looked through my old>cassette singles & tapes for some of these...lord have mercy...funny as>hell)

>>26. "Square Biz" - Teena Marie

>>27. "Saturday Love" - Cherelle w/ Alexander O' Neal

>>28. "Love Makes Things Happen" - Pebbles & Babyface

>>29. "Summer Girls" - Dino

>>30. "Girlfriend" - Pebbles

>>31. "Meeting in the Ladies Room" - Klymaxx (I saw them on a hot 1986>day @ the Fresno State Fair, people! With my rolled up jeans & pure as>the driven snow keds getting all dusty & dirty w/ the 4H shows happening>all around me!> Talk about being a fan...where the hell are they now???)

>>32. "Never Too Much" - Luther Vandross

>>33. "This Will Be (Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole

>>34. "If It Isn't Love" - New Edition

>>35. "Kiss" - Prince (Only b/c I'm thinking about Valentine's Day")

>>36. "Working Day And Night" - Michael Jackson

>>37. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" - Michael Jackson

>>38. "Make that Move" - Shalamar

>>39. "Cutie Pie" - SOS Band

>>40. "Ring My Bell" - Anita Ward (My last one b/c I know you've had>enough & the lyrics are a bit fast! Ha! Hope you all had fun reading>it!)>>I'm glad you're home>And I think you really miss me>I guess you do by the look in your eyes (look in your eyes, look in your>eyes)>Well lay back and relax while I put away the dishes (put away the>dishes) Then you and me can rock-a-bye>>You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell>You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell>You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell>You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell>>The night is young and full of possibilities Well come on and let>yourself be free My love for you, so long than I've been savin'>Tonight was made for me and you>>You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell>You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell>You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell>You can ring my be-e-ell, ring my bell

Currently watching:
Sixteen Candles
Release date: By 06 May, 1998

For you Rom Com Movie Fans Go Watch "Something New"

Current mood: giggly
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

Yo Kids :)

So, this past Monday night, my friend I. Lo got a few free passes to see "Something New" the new movie with Sanaa Lathan (from "Love & Basketball", "Brown Sugar" & "The Best Man" - all GREAT movies) & I, as a romantic comedy fan, can only give it rave reviews! The acting, writing & just the whole movie were pretty top knotch & it was such a well done film - I'm saying for the genre they were trying to market it in (African American comedies) - sometimes in those type of movies, mostly, the characters can seem more like caricatures than real people & this one, well, it goes beyond the genre & besides being a romantic comedy, it has a bit of intelligence in the writing & has something to teach & say about dating or trying to figure out if you're dating your one true love (not just interracial dating - but there's a lot of that too but done well because you're not beaten over the head with it -so, it's not overly preachy about it) - it ultimately, sends out the message that you need to go beyond your own "lists" in your head of who you should date, marry, love...

starts having an affair with this 16-year-old kid that they become friends with (the 16 year old was the lead actor in that WB drama, "Everwood", which I only know about b/c my former roommate's nephew used to watch it @ our apartment whenever he'd hang out with us...baha!) - just good acting from the standpoint of a man trying to keep his "perfect" world together after his wife betrays him ...anyway, Simon Baker has been around in Hollywood for awhile playing various character actor-y type of roles & did I already mention he's Australian? What is it about Australian actors? Why are they so compelling & just supremely masculine on the screen? Masculine in the way that they're just comfortable in their skins - not afraid to beAlso, I am completely in love with the lead actor, Sanna's love interest in the movie - his name is Simon Baker & I've been following him for awhile - he was the guy in "L.A. Confidential" that was the murder victim/ film idol who got killed in the beginning of the movie...he was also in that TV show a couple years back called "The Guardian" where he played a child advocacy lawyer that I used to catch off & on just to LOOK at him - he's pure eyecandy but he's also a pretty, damn good actor - just a couple months back I caught him in an indie flick off the Sundance Channel & he was in something called, "The Book of Love" where he played this English teacher that becomes devasted b/c his life goes downhill when he finds out his wife well, MEN? It's natural too, like his easy going nature in the film is probably the same in real life, too...I read his biography off of the IMDB site that he used to surf in Australia competively as well ...*sigh*...also, well, the man has been married for like over 10 years & has 3 kids...the good ones always are soooo committed...all, I know is that when I. Lo, her cousin, my best pal & me were leaving the theater we all had FALLEN in LOVE with him at the end of the movie - they just made him the perfect man...one more thing, you're also left not wanting to leave the characters - like you love them so much, you want to know more about them, - you care for them like they're really friends or people in your life - that is for damn sure a good movie when you care about the characters as if they were your own friends...

The writer of the movie, also writes for "Everybody Hates Chris" that new Chris Rock show & the producer of the movie, also produced the critically acclaimed "Hustle & Flow" ...they're all African American women & if you watch the movie you can tell that females wrote & directed the movie catering to female tastes (like the director has nice close-up shots of Simon Baker's biceps & then the writing, the speeches from him are like dream lines any girl wants to hear - plus, I won't give it all away but there's touching dialogue between Sanaa & the guy who plays her dad in the movie) ...anyway, I read somewhere the critic described it as a "good Harlequinn" romance...baha! Not quite Harlequinn but to me, more of a modern day fairytale & again, as a romance comedy fan, I wanted to buy my DVD copy of it right away when I finished watching it - so, yes I LOVED it that much...

So, if you won't take my opinion...here's a review that I've cut & pasted below that I thought was great, honest & touched upon a discussion I had amongst the girls after the movie, what it meant to us after seeing it...she couldn't have wrote it any better :)

Have a great Super Bowl Sunday too everyone...I'll be in Hercules celebrating my brother's bday for the Super Bowl party he's throwing all day tomorrow & also, I get to see how much little baby Kylee has grown in the past month...I can't wait :)

Take care,
El -

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Saturday, February 04, 2006

'Something New' offers black women the chance to see themselves

Leslie Gray Streeter / Cox News Service

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Chris Rock once joked that as a black man, he was born a suspect. And judging by most romantic Hollywood movies, black women are born sidekicks.

Or, even worse, nonexistent.

"As a human being, you want to see your experience on-screen, and they're too few and far between for us," says Sanaa Lathan, the top-billed and undisputed star of the nifty romantic comedy "Something New."

By "us," Lathan means educated, non-crazy, single black women. And she oughta know, because of the handful of those few-and-far-between movies made in the past five years or so,such as " The Best Man," "Love and Basketball" and "Brown Sugar," she's been in most of them.

So it's not surprising to find her in "Something New," playing an upscale career sister named Kenya who has a very long and rigid list of requirements for the perfect black Mr. Right, but finds herself in initially reluctant love with Brian, her very handsome, very rugged and very white landscaper (Simon Baker).

Even when she does meet the perfect black man, played by the perfect-looking Blair Underwood, she has to decide what's perfect, and what's perfect for her.

Opening herself up to date a white boy, Kenya's so-called "Something New," is "a metaphor for stepping outside of your comfort zones and the boxes you put yourself in," Lathan says.

But for me, the new thing is also finding the rare romantic mainstream movie where the "It" girl, the object of desire and adoration, and the most sought-after lady in the joint, happens to have brown skin.

This is notable, because in most romantic movies, the black woman is:

A) the secretary, maid or third-string buddy on hand strictly for moral support;

B) the sassy underprivileged homegirl at the community center or finger-snapping, "You go girl" comic relief who teaches the star to triumph over adversity, let her hair down, live free and love again;

C) tragic, misguided or destined to be rejected, brutalized or some sort of symbol that Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock can learn from on their way to happiness;

D) sitting in the row in front of you eating nachos, because it's likely for dang sure she's not up there competing with Reese Witherspoon for a man.

Usually second banana

At this late and ridiculous date, Hollywood still cannot, with few exceptions, wrap its silly small mind around the concept of black women as worthy of being that non-second banana "It" girl. Yet here, deliciously, is "Something New," directed by first-time feature helmer Sanaa Hamri -- yes, she and her star have the same beautiful Swahili first name.

Both Sanaas, like Kenya -- and heck, like me -- are single, professional black women in their 30s, who don't think it's too much to ask to see themselves, or something close to themselves, on-screen.

"I wanted to (show) a woman who has a job, who just bought her house. Other characters are doctors, lawyers. There are no gangbangers," Hamri says.

"We're not used to seeing ourselves," the other Sanaa agrees. "We've seen one particular story of black people. It's getting better. But we have a huge rainbow of experience that we still usually don't see."

Look, I want the same things that my white counterparts in this crazy jungle of singlehood want -- a good man with his own teeth, his own place, a job with a tax ID number, a command of the English language and a minimum of drama. "Something New" gets a lot closer to my experience than your average Meg Ryan or Sandra Bullock flick, even though Sanaa Lathan is vastly more movie star perfect-looking than I will ever be.

And that's because "Something New" actually bothers acknowledging that I exist, or at least a thinner, richer, prettier version of me.

Think about it -- not even Halle "Drop-Dead Gorgeous Oscar Winner" Berry can usually get a man in the movies since she's busy being a sad, fragile tragedy magnet ("Monsters Ball"), nearly lasered to death by a power-mad evil genius ("Die Another Day") or brutally murdered and then licked back to life by a million stray cats, thus reincarnated with some weird kitty DNA ("Catwoman").

Kenya's world of cotillions and landscapers in "Something New," or even the Huxtables' Brooklyn brownstone existence on TV's "The Cosby Show," is much more upscale than mine, but it's a heck of a lot closer to me and most of the black people I know than, say, the gold-toothed country bumpkins in BAPS or the neighborhood hoochies in "Friday." It's not better or worse than the accepted norm. It's just different. And it's true.

And besides, if everyday white people are allowed to fantasize about wearing Jimmy Choos with Carrie Bradshaw or living in the O.C., then you need to back up off me. Now.

"Some people see "Something New" and think 'That's me!'?" says Hamri. "And when non-African-American audiences see it, they are educated. .?.?. The point is that we have to talk about the things we brush under the table."

And in her movie, Hamri's spread those things right smack in the middle of that proverbial table. Rich and pretty though she may be, Kenya has a lot of everyday black girl concerns. She doesn't want to talk about her weave, even though she knows she has one. She freaks at the prospect of getting her immaculate, straightened hair wet in a rainstorm -- "That's the worst! We all know that! And it was pouring. It wasn't just a mist," Lathan says.

More seriously, Kenya and her friends confront the disturbing statistic that almost 50 percent of black women never marry, maybe because the appropriate men are already married or incarcerated or dedicated bachelor commitment-phobes or gay or strictly into white girls.

Understand that I have no problem with interracial relationships -- I've been known to date a white dude or two myself, as there are too few nice professional, moral, non-crazy men without baggage going around for me to quibble over a little melanin. My problem is that sometimes in real life, and even on screen ("Save The Last Dance," "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?") black women are not the choice. And too often it feels like we're playing second fiddle to everybody. Can't you understand how profoundly and deeply that blows?

Kenya knows this. And even though she's gorgeous, and has everything going for her, she burrows into her high-thread count sheets in her fancy ZIP code afraid that she might wind up alone.

I want the same thing that Kenya and almost every other woman of any race that I know wants in life, and in our movie dreams. We want to be the first and adored choice of that someone, as Hamri puts it, "who fits you, no matter what. The message was not to go and date a white man (but) a universal message that you have to 'let go and let flow,' as the movie says and allow nature to take its course.

"If I couldn't get that across, I didn't do my job right," Hamri says. "Brothers have said they liked the movie. I wasn't dissing Blair's character. He was a great guy who may fit (Kenya) on paper. But does he fit her heart? .?.?. It really is about love."

We all want that love. We want to be the star, and not the sidekick, in our own little movie, where the flowers are always for us, where we're not picked by default and where, when the credits go down, it's us walking into the sunset with the stirring musical montage.

Currently reading:
Little White Lies : A Novel of Love and Good Intentions
By Gemma Townley
Release date: By 29 March, 2005

My Foodie Recommendations for SF

Current mood: restless Category: Food and Restaurants

So, I was given a 2006 Zagat guide this Christmas by my sister & her boyfriend ... realizing now that I have built up quite a reputation all around - from my family, to friends & even down to random co-workers who I barely speak to or I just speak to them via email or over the phone or the most contact I've had was maybe the 5 second elevator chat b/c you're stuck in there with them so sometimes as a matter of civility you're forced to make chit-chat but, anyway, I've went on a tangent - what I'm saying is, inevitably it's come around now that I tend to go out A LOT when I'm in search of good food & great restaurants ...well, I'm reluctant to spill the beans on where I frequently go b/c I don't want any of these places to be too crowded but in the spirit of giving, I'm going to give out some places I've recently went to & actually, really, really liked & enjoyed - some are oldies but goodies & some are newcomers but I'm sure you'll have a great time...so, in no particular order, here's a list of some of my faves in the City & here's to visiting them from time to time in 2006...patronize them too b/c I want all of them to stay in business!

Mochica - Peruvian restaurant that makes that skirt steak, green, red, yellow bellpeppers & patatas plate with a twist...the atmosphere has some Latin American flair in the air...also, these particular friends that I ate with that night, always love to order calamari if they have it on the menu & the ones they make there have a "secret sauce" with it plus a garnish of red onions & cilantro to top it off...all those flavors in your mouth...well, I'll say it here & I say this outloud when I love the food - "There's a party going inside my mouth!"...ha!

Saigon Sandwiches - My one co-worker & I have been trying to figure out what they put in the meat of these yummers Vietnamese sam'wiches for like a good year now ... everytime we go, we just smile & eat & forget about cracking the code for the recipe & thankful that we can spend our last $5 bucks in our pocket & still get change! Yes, those sam'wiches are like barely over $2 dollahs'...you can't beat a good value like that...

Kokkari Estiatorio - I had about the best lamb there, juicy ("succulent" as some epicurean sort of magazine would describe), the meat just fell off the bone & it was swimming in the tastiest red wine sauce that made the smashed taters taste even better ... the atmosphere is very homey too & our waiter was adorable, he kept saying that my name & the other girls names who I had dinner with all derived from Greece...we didn't argue with him b/c we adored him :)

Americano - I just went here to celebrate the holidays with some good ol' skool friends & it's such an elegant, modern clean looking space...great dress to impress/ date sort of place (definitely, for a long term relationship though b/c it's super fancy schmancy but oh will your date be ever so impressed :>) ... I had a brisket there that was again another winner b/c it was so succulent again...plus they had yummy salads which from summer 2005 til now, I'm eating more & more of...trying to get in my veggies more & more ...anyway, go if you want to dress up & paint the town & start there or stay there, they have a neat bar, too & interesting artwork on the CEILINGS...yes, ceilings...you'll see...

Medjool - I went here on the fly one night when we are having one of those hot, SF summer nights in October...I called my best amiga up & we hightailed it to this Mission spot & got to drink sangrias all night on the roof while munching on yummy Mediterranean appetizers on kabob sticks & eating equally scrumptious hummus ...the crowd around us was pretty cool & mellow, too...it reminded me of being in NYC in the summertime b/c we were on the roof & when the dusk turned into evening seeing the skies above was a sight to behold...I went there a couple of more times afterward because it was near the poetry workshop classes I was taking over the summer - my class would end at 9:00 pm & I would meet a friend or two for drinks there & just enjoy the little summery nights we had here in SF in 2005...

Tres Agaves - This one is owned by the same owner of Tommy's Mexican on Geary btwn 24th & 25th which is near my 'hood in the Outer Richmond, but this one is a big, warehousey venue & is near SBC Park. I went here as part of my work's holiday party & I thought it was very well made Mexican food & they gave hearty portions for our big party to share - so thumbs up on the food if you are with a large group & the margaritas were slammin' b/c the owner (who a co-worker knew) gave us a little tequila "101" class that afternoon saying that tequila should be just as on par as with wine or fine congnac when it's made - he says it's just the general public's perception of which spirits should be regarded as "chi chi"...to prove his point he gave us the best margarita I've had in a good long while ... kudos to them! Now, all you margarita fans go check them out...soon...I mean it...

Tartine Bakery - Two words - "bread pudding" ...I've begged my boss one day to go get some bread pudding for our monthly, marathon staff meetings...at least, while sitting through that one hour (or sometimes two hours! We are "Communications" so we love to talk, talk,talk,talk...), I'm happy with something ...delicioso!

Deep Sushi - I had some raw tuna there that melted in my mouth, like nothing you would believe...I also had some interesting looking crab & salmon rolls that tasted as good as it looked when the friendly sushi chefs presented it to me ...so style & substance is both in high supply at this tiny joint...plus they have a DJ there...you know I love me some good tunes, too...anyway, again, it's a really small space, so try to get there early if you make it up all the way there on Church Street.

Bluejay Cafe - I totally stumbled onto this spot on Divisadero after my friends & I were too lazy to walk to Godzilla Sushi ... we loved the food, one friend got some meatloaf wrapped in bacon, I had a huge piece of catfish with some mashed sweet potatoes & my other friends digged into the fried chicken...it hit the spot b/c we had been doing happy hour & a little dancin' at Madrone Lounge & worked up an appetite...it made me nostalgic for my younger days in Virginia & Florida & driving up & down the Gulf Coast & South with my family when we lived on those Naval Bases...anyway, comfort food done in a young, hip setting & vibe ...there's also fun artwork to look at on the walls, too...

Pizzetta 211 - It's the smallest, gourmet pizza place you will ever be in but it's intimacy is in it's favor especially if you want to just hang out one-on-one with someone...I felt that vibe when I went there for the 1st time this summer...I hadn't seen this friend in a long time when he took me & he helped to cheer me up b/c I was about 3 weeks into my arm break recovery & had just got my cast off...so, he said we should celebrate & told me we have to go to this pizza joint near my apartment (he couldn't believe I never went)...he was so right...I had some spinach & goat cheese thin crust that just had simple ingredients but very delectable...we paired it with some Italian beer & hey, we couldn't go wrong...great night & if he reads this blog, yes, it's one pizza pie for $15.00 is way better than getting 3 Domino's pizzas for the same price ...baha!

Illuna Basque - I've saved the best eating/ dining experience I had recently for last because it was like the classic SF evening eating there - where you just end up staying all night plus I had a beautiful view of Washington Square Park from my seat & I'll admit it I'm partial to Spanish tapas restaurants now ever since going to Barcelona last spring...so, coming here was like reliving my Spanish nights there...we had about 9 dishes there, from squid, to shrimp, to the paella, to some boiled egg dish, to almost all the veggie platters & everything was full of flavor - also, the best part was we had it with some yummy white sangria that tasted just like it was just grape juice going down...dangerous, I tell you...no wonder we were all giddy by the end of the night & we got to meet the young 25 year old waiter, too...Zagat was pretty jaded & smug almost implying that it was some kind of "marketing" tool to warm customers up to the food but I disagree, if he has the good biz skills to know his clientele & wants to know if they're satisfied with the meal, why not??? Especially when it's that excellent ... so thumbs up...I hear he's opening up a lunch spot near Embarcadero either soon or I think it may be up & running now...coolio...I can't wait to head there for lunch this year, then

That's it for now kids...if I have some night time picks that I feel energetic enough to share, I surely will soon ...

Night now,
El -

Currently listening: The Clarence Greenwood Recordings By Citizen Cope Release date: By 14 September, 2004