Brother, brother, there's too many of you cryin'...

It has been such an intense day. I can't believe the murderous rampage which happened at Virginia Tech today - it saddens my heart. How in the world does this happen? Hmm.
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I can't focus on anything else serious tonight. So here's another meme. It's all I can handle.
From Jennifer:
For this one you set your iTunes playlist on random and whatever songs come up answer the questions--no cheating, no skipping. I have a lot of music (35.5 GB) so we'll see what comes up.

1. Will I get far in life?
"Fly Like an Eagle" by Steve Miller Band--I guess so, then!

2. How do my friends see me?
"Que Manera de Querete" by Gilberto Santa Rosa --- I think this means they love me..hahah

3. When will I get married?
"Trip Through Your Wires" by U2--well, I AM a clutz. Maybe we'll literally crash into each other...?

4. What's my theme song? (should be #3, I'm just saying...)
"El Ultimo Beso" by Marc Anthony. Great.

5. What is the story of my life?
"Bandolera" by Johnny Ray (translation: bandit. HAHAH!)

6. What am I like in bed?
"La Numero Cien" by - and I am not making this up - Klimax.

7. How can I get ahead in life?
"Savor" by Santana

8. What is my best feature?
"Cua cua" by Tito Puente. I *DO* cluck like a chicken very well.

9. How is today going to be?
"Wild Mountain Honey" by Steve Miller Band.

10. What is in store for this weekend?
"Un Real de Hielo" by Orquesta Aragon ... something involving ice?

11. What is my life like at the moment?
"Paloma" by Carbon Leaf

12. What song describes my secrets?
"Una Aventura" by Grupo Niche

13. What is my current lover like?
"Day Tripper" by the Beatles. that's funnnnny.

14. What song will they play at my funeral?
"Kikuchiyo To Mohshimasu" by Pink Martini. ahahahahhahaha.

15. How does the world see me?
"Swing Valse" by Baguette Quintette

16. Will I have a happy life?
"Cerca de Ti" by Chispa & los Complices

17. What do my friends really think of me?
"Soul Sacrifice" by Santana

18. Do people secretly lust after me?
"Let's Take a Ride" by Justin Timberlake, featuring Pharrell Williams. They lust after my car, I think.

19. Will I accomplish my goals in life?
"Mi Soncito" by Celia Cruz - perhaps...i think this means "my little son (type of song)....

20. Will I find true love?
"Sonata in C Minor, No. 8, Op. 13: Pathetique III" by Beethoven.

21. How do I treat others?
"Lo Que Paso Entre Tu y Yo...Paso" by Luis Enrique (=That which happens between us, happens...)

Meme from Blackbird

In the kitchen with...MezzoSF

Variety is the spice of life.
In my cupboard, I have this many spices: too many, for sure
Rack or no rack? a couple of small racks on two shelves
Alphabetize? They used to be at one point, yes.
Which spice do you use most often? Peppercorns (multicolored, and ground)
Which recipe? Hmmm. Well, the LAST recipe I used was for pesto

It's like the pot calling the kettle black.
Coffee or tea? Both.
Do you make coffee at home? Occasionally...but Sibling tells me my coffee making has declined (I make it too strong for him).
If you make tea, loose or in bags? I have a ton of loose leaf and some Traditional Medicinals tea bags. Sibling likes Stash...I'm not a big fan.
How many kinds of tea do you have? A bunch. At least 10.

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
I use my stovetop: Yes....
I use my oven: not that often

Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?
Soy or cow? unsweetened soy
Skim or whole? Sibling drinks skim milk
How many gallons a week? Nowhere near a full gallon/week

Three items in my freezer (right now):

1. Frozen peas (for icepack usage)
2. Ice cream
3. Lean Cuisine


Three things in my fridge (right now):

1. Feta cheese
2. Cilantro
3. Artichokes


Item I am most chagrined about: Mystery tuppaware container - not mine...

Item I bet no one else has: the world's biggest bag of spinach. Seriously, it's huge.

Libiamo...!

I LOVE this commercial. It took me a couple times to realize that indeed, the song is Libiamo from La Traviata.

For some reason, I can't get youtube to let me post the actual thing here, so you'll just have to watch it here and laugh. It's sooo wacky!

No Relation

Friday night, one of my friends from college came through SF on a tour of the West Coast. And, even better, our other friend, L who now lives in Sacramento, drove out for the show. L and I were reminiscing, remember funny stories fromSMU and our time in France together (we were
all three there at the same time)...and realized that we have all known each other for 10 years. CRAZY.

Anyways, David Karsten Daniels (no relation) is a brilliant songwriter and musician. On the notes to his new Album, Sharp Teeth, he's credited with the following: vocals,acoustic and electric guitar, bass, piano, organ, drums, tambourine, glockenspiel and cello. And it's true - I've heard him play all of those (just not
at once)!Hahahah.

The gig was at the Hemlock Tavern on the seedy end of Polk street. If you've never been there, Irecommend going sometime. It is the exact opposite of any bar you'll find in the Marina, and is filled with nerdy, alt-emo-loving, tragically hip folks listening music, drinking beer, and
comparing eyeliner. But I mean that in a good way - it was a friendly crowd.

After David's set and when he and the band finished tearing down equipment (he is on tour with three supporting musicians), we walked up Polk in search of food, counting the number of hookers we saw in our 4 block trip back and forth, and laughing a lot.

It was a great night.

because 'I' said so

So, here's a fun new survey from Math Jedi. Basically, he gave me a letter, and I have to list my 10 favorite songs beginning with that letter. My letter is "I". (If you'd like a letter, just leave me a comment, and I'll send one your way!)

Here they are, in random order (well, except for the first one, it really is my favorite song ever):

1. "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel. I fell in love with this song as a Freshman in high school - there was a travelling a cappella band from some East coast college who performed this for us during choir class one day. I was hoooooked. Shortly thereafter, I finally rented "Say Anything"...and heck, John Cusack? In the rain? Holding a boombox blasting this song? Yes, yes and yes, please!

2. "I Will Survive" as covered by Cake. I LOVE this song - it's so funky, and singer John McCrae speaks/sings his way through it with so much attitude. I swear this song got me through my sophomore year in college. I listened to it constantly.

3. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" by U2. Brilliant song by my favorite band ever. No other explanation needed.

4. "I've Got You Under My Skin" sung by Frank Sinatra. I love to sing this song!

5. "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash. ooooh the Man In Black. Because you're mine...I walk the line! I love me some Johnny Cash, and I would LOVE somebody to tell me that someday.

6. "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye. This song reminds me of family. Well, and the California Raisins. Anyways, my cousin, my brother and I dreamed up an entire lip-sync and dance to this song to perform for our grandmother this one time. I will never forget that!

7. "I Could Have Danced All Night" from My Fair Lady. Another song I enjoy singing and being silly with at any given moment, if there is a piano and people who love musical theater anywhere near me.

8. "In a Little While" by U2. What can I say? I love this band! This is a very chill song...sweet and romantic.

9. "I Need Thee Every Hour" traditional hymn. Just a reminder that, indeed, I need Thee every hour of every day...can't do a darn thing by myself. And when I do, I tend to walk into poles and the like.

10. "In The Mood" by Glen Miller. Big band rocks my world. Again, this reminds me of a few things: dancing around to my grandmother's big band record collection; swing dancing; playing jazz trombone. I have enjoyed swing and big band for a long time, and probably will continue to love it indefinitely!

thinking

I have tried writing a couple times about the various and sundry things going on in my heart and spirit. And, well . . . to no success. Oh well, that's okay. Not bad things, mind you, but just still some nebulous things floating around in the ether. God is good, though, and for that I am grateful!