No good very bad week

It's been a rough week.
A friend a colleague passed away. One friends's father passed away after being diagnosed with lung cancer. And a dear friend of mine on the east coast - who I thought fell off the planet - has really just been carrying the burden of caring for a his sick father by himself all summer. Granted, these tragedies are not necessarily "my own" in a way...and yet, I feel them all, deeply. As mom mom said "You are just tender hearted, K, and you've always been that way.". And it's true. Even though my skin has toughened over the years, and I can hide my emotions under a cloud of humor when I have to do so . . . underneath it all, I feel the hurts of people I love quite acutely. It has been a great blessing to me over the years, but it's not always easy.
And I wouldn't change a thing.

But finding out about these three friends in 24 hours - this on top of some already stressful situations - this was too much.

Fast forward to this morning. I woke up late, was in a rush, and in my haste, slipped and fell on my wooden floor (my feet were still wet from the shower).
In the process, I wrenched my knee quite badly . . . nothing new, if you know me. So. Thankfully Shanna was home and took me to the ER, where I hobbled in with great pain, and hobbled out on crutches, knee brace and ibuprophen. I am to see the orthopedic surgeon on Monday.

Several years ago - after my last serious knee injury - my doctor told me that if I ever seriously injured my knee(s) again, I would knee surgery. So, of course, those are the thoughts running through my mind right now. I hope I don't need surgery - that would suck. But, I guess if I had to get it, now's as good a time as any other. (Things could be worse! Praise God that they are not!)

So. I'm at home, on the couch with ice pack and pillows. hey hey! no work for a few days :) That's a silver lining!

comic relief

R.I.P.

A friend and fellow lamplighter has passed away quite suddenly. Peter Weller was a lovely spirit, kind and genuine. Truly a gentleman, indeed. I shall miss him and his crazy antics.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

It was truly an international gathering. At this year’s Shakespeare Festival in the Presidio, we had a truly international gathering.
I had sent out a mass invitation for people to join me at one of my favorite SF “summer” events, and we had quite the eclectic and fun turnout. Also, perhaps it is just further testimony to the genius of Shakespeare that half the people in our group for whom English is not a first language truly enjoyed the play. (It’s also a testament to the brilliant production and very fine acting!)

From the corners of the globe (France, Germany, Korea, Japan, Brazil, Texas haha) and across the US, we laughed and bonded over great food (thanks, AZ), wine and Shakespearian chaos. It was a wonderful evening! I often feel as if I lead multiple lives, and this evening was a mixture of some of them: my music world; my church world; my personal relationships world; my household. I try to keep them all balanced, but I don’t always succeed. I tend to not be able to say no, sometimes.
Right now, our church is going through a big “get out of your comfort zone and meet people outside of these walls” push. In all honestly, I find it a strange concept to have to go out of one’s way to meet people outside of one’s house of worship. If anything, I feel I’m on the opposite side of that fence. Just between work (musical and non-musical) and home, a majority of my time is spent with colleagues, friends and family who either a) couldn’t be bothered with ‘religion’ and/or b) get paid to attend church several times a weekend. In saying this, though, I do not wish to imply that my circumstances make me any better or worse a “Christian” than anyone else. I just have a different perspective; different goals. I feel like I don’t have to create circumstances to “share with all”…but rather, be a good steward of the friendships, relationships and opportunities I already have. Am I loving people? Am I listening to them? Really? Am I too quick to judge? Do I spend enough time in relationship with my Father? Quality time? How much time do I waste watching bad TV, when I could have made a phone call to a friend or family member?

Things to consider.

! ! !

It's COMING!

Next weekend, people, one of my (if not my actual) FAVORITE San Francisco festivals.
My feet are already tapping!

I. CAN'T. WAIT!

------
Edited to add this poem - whose author, I think, would choose to remain anonymous - which captures some of the essence of the festival:

oh spanakopita, you look niceta
next to vegetarian moussaka
the night is young, let me danceta
next to hot men in tight pantseta...

All I can say to that is OPA!!!!

sensory perceptions

Prokofiev
Tchaikovsky
Saint-Saens
Bolivian pipes
Laughter

Salteñas
Crab quiche
Dried mango
Yuca Frita
Caffe latte

Dagon's temple
Olive colored suits
Leopard-print fmp's
Dahlila's boudoir
Sunset over GGBridge


Silk sleeves
Warm paper
So-ripe-they-almost-squish figs
Sequins
Wind

Donuts baking
Aftershave
Vanilla candles
Orangemate
Cinnamon tea

perspective

Jaime's uncle and two cousins were in the first plane that crashed into the WTC 6 years ago today.

when worlds collide

seriously. my mind is blown. it's really funny.

i had lunch today with like...14 other people - about half of whom i knew previous to our lunching together. it was fun and we had a good time eating, laughing, getting to know one another.

fast foward to tonight. a few friends and i are self-described 'social experimenters'; ie: social network site users/chatters/etc which now and then provide the occasional date.

so, one of the 'social experiment' sites i hadn't checked in about...3 months or so. but i had a reminder email, so i thought i'd check it out. why not? bored, doing laundry, sure!

turns out i had a message in my box from someone, from back in July (when I was crazy). well, i recognized the person who sent me the message. from lunch today. WILD.

A few Alaska pics . . .

(The full set is up here for your viewing pleasure.)

87 hours

5:00 p.m.: leave house
5:30 p.m.: arrive at BART
6:15 p.m.: arrive at SFO
9:10 p.m.: leave SFO
5:30 a.m.: arrive at JFK
6:00 a.m.: watch sunrise over Queens
7:00 a.m.: arrive in midtown
7:15 a.m.: sleep!
12 noon: lunch and blessed coffee
1:00 p.m.: walk to and thru Times Square
1:30 p.m.: hop subway to WTC site
1:45 p.m.: fight the crowds at WTC site
2:30 p.m. walk up to Chinatown
3:00 p.m.: get serenaded by a puppet singing "Under the Boardwalk"
3:30 p.m.: Pizza break at Vincent's in Little Italy
4:30 p.m.: Look for that one purse shop Alan swears is "just on the next block"
5:00 p.m.: Find shop
5:30 p.m.: Head to Joe's Pub
6:00 p.m.: Get free entrance to the show at Joe's Pub (courtesy of Alan)
9:30 p.m.: Mind is now blown from the concert Stephane Wremble just gave
10:30 p.m.: Arrive at Max Brenner's "chocolate by the bald man" cafe
11:00 p.m.: Consume chocolate and coffee
12:00 a.m.: Decide to head home
1:00 a.m.: -sleep-
8:00 a.m.: Where am I? What time zone?
9:00 a.m.: blessed nectar of the gods coffee time
9:45 a.m.: negociate subway singlehandedly
10:15 a.m.: arrive at correct destination in time to meet alicia for church
12:00 noon: church ends
12:30 p.m.: still debating which dim sum place to frequent
12:35 p.m.: board Ford explorer for trip to chinatown
1:00 p.m.: arrive at The Golden Palace
2:00 p.m: sated and also have an autograph
2:30 p.m.: decided not to wait in the 2-hour line for serendipity
2:35 p.m.: order frozen hot cocoa at dylan's candy bar
3:00 p.m.: decide to walk to met museum
3:15 p.m.: decide to turn around and walk to hotel to put on more comfy shoes
4:00 p.m.: start out again for the met museum
4:45 p.m.: arrive at museum
5:15 p.m.: museum closes
5:30 p.m.: nat shows up at closed museum
5:45 p.m.: head to west village pier to gaze at the sights
6:45 p.m.: watch breakdancers in wash park
7:30 p.m.: get on subway
8:00 p.m.: eat real NYC foldover style pizza
9:00 p.m.: head to Times square
9:30 p.m.: fight crowds at hard rock
10:00 p.m.: fight crowds at coldstone
10:30 p.m.: watch cop pose for photos
10:50 p.m.: applaud cop for posing for so many photos
11:00 p.m.: arrive at Rockefeller center
12:00 midnight: forced to leave "top of the rock" observation deck
12:45 a.m.: back to hotel
1:45 a.m.: sleep
9:00 a.m.: up. coffee. nectar. mmmm.
11:00 a.m.: checked out of hotel
11:15 a.m.: real NYC bagel
12:00 noon: walk to time warner building
12:15 p.m.: walk to lincoln center
12:30 p.m.: take opera shots in front of the met
12:45 p.m.: real NYC cab to natural history museum
1:00 p.m.: wander around museum
1:45 p.m.: try to get planetarium access
2:00 p.m.: no go on the planetarium access
2:05 p.m.: dinosaurs!
2:45 p.m.: nat arrives at museum
2:55 p.m.: real NYC cab agrees to take all 5 of us back to hotel
3:15 p.m.: head for the E train
3:30 p.m.: say our farewells
4:15 p.m.: arrive JFK
6:30 p.m.: leave JFK
9:45 p.m.: arrive SFO
12:51 a.m.: what time zone am I in? where am I?
8:00 a.m.: the alarm will go off and I will have to go to work

The last frontier

...no, it's not space (that's the 'final' frontier....)

The last frontier is Alaska. And it is truly a place to behold. I'm working on uploading my pictures.

The family and I (plus Sibling's gf) had an amazing time. We were in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier National Park, Whittier and Anchorage. Some of these places are only reachable by boat and plane, perhaps by train. Or, there is just one road in and out. But only in the summertime when it's not buried under snow. Then it's time to bust out the dogsleds.

The sheer scale of things in Alaska boggles the mind. The sky is huge (even bigger than Texas, oh yes); the ocean is vast; the mountains are really that green. I feel like I've been on another planet. And the diversity of wildlife! We saw: Beluga whales, humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, moose, all varieties of bear, elk, reindeer, HUGE spawning salmon, musk ox, porpuses, harbor seals, puffins and sea lions.

We had daylight from 5:30 in the morning to 10 at night. The people are generous and friendly.
I cannot wait to return and get a chance to explore this part of our country on a deeper level.

je me trouve....

sans mots. mdrrrrrrrr.

c'etait une semaine tres interessante. et je dois laisser tomber mon imagination. parce que - si je ne la laisse pas - ca sera dangereux pour moi. bon. on verra.

je suis fatiguee, heureuse et j'ai TROP de choses a faire avant mes vacances (ceux qui commencent lundi, finalement!)

et, comme c deja tard, je dois me couchee.....

ack ack ack ack

c'est rien. c'est rien. c'est rien. ca m'est egale. ca m'est egale. ca m'est egale....

alors pourkoi c si difficile de laisse tomber tous ce qu'elle dit...presque tout le temps. alors....elle m'ennerve.. c'est ca. c'est au point que je ne peux pas la supporter pas....mais peut-etre c seulement moi qui n'a pas de patience...surtout maintenant. alors, mon Dieu...donne-moi de la patience...et de grace.....

The glove has been thrown . . .

. . . and I shall accept the challenge.

Pinafore has been getting - almost across the board - great reviews from bay area critics. This is wonderful for the whole company and hopefully shall extend to some full houses during our remaining performance weekends. (Let me know if you'd like to come see it!)

However, (and I know it's just my own pride), I can't help but feeling a little like the 'weak link' in some folks' eyes. I know there will always be good and bad reviews - and opinions are completely subjective, I shouldn't let them get to me, etc - but part of this one did, and has been eating at me a little bit.

[MezzoSF] sang Buttercup. In a production dedicated to the memory of two historic Buttercups, it can’t have been easy, but she did a good job. She sounds a bit like someone sticking to the score; I hope she will come to be more outrageous in the part. Buttercup, like many G&S mezzos, should be a scene-stealer.

The thing is, I tend to agree with her - at least about my first performance when the review was done. I have noticed that I do improve throughout the run of a show - there is a vast difference between my first and last show. Not that the first one is "bad", but it's like I'm not fully enveloped by the character - that I am "sticking to the score" as it were. I don't know why I am like this - maybe it's fear? Or I am just feeling inhibited? I know that with each performance, I dive deeper into the character. What I need to learn is how to dive in deep sooner.

I can't help but compare myself with my colleagues who have done this show a million times before. But of COURSE they have more layers in their characterizations - they're being reunited with an old friend. Whereas myself, I am meeting Buttercup for the first time. But even that does not suffice as an excuse, for I know that I am not the only lead doing this show for the first time. Which makes me wonder . . . what is it I'm afraid of? It's ACTING, for crying out loud! There are no consequences . . . I can pretty much do whatever I would like to do. Most people only dream of that, and here is my golden opportunity. Hmmmmm. Is it my introvert rearing her head? I mean this role is a little more - earthy is perhaps the right word - than what I usually play - much more extroverted.

Anyways. This being said. I accept my critic's challenge, to be more outrageous. I shall not venture to be a scene-stealer; rather, I shall venture to be more connected to Buttercup. We'll see...

like sand through the hourglass...

...so are the days of our lives.

not that that has anything to do with this post..really...except maybe for the late hour, and how it keeps getting later and later and I need to go to bed...but first i wanted to write down a few thoughts.

Tonight was a night of connections - old, new, established...all around it was good. I love people. I love loving people. It can be hard, sure...but the benefits greatly outweigh the detrimental parts (most of the time). And yes - I still need my "alone" time...but you get the idea.

Some of those connections happened at our first sitzprobe tonight for Pinafore. The orchestra sounds amazing - they always do, actually, with this little company. Got to see a familiar face from last year (we'll call him "junior") who plays the viola. He's the image of his father (2006's conductor)...and it's so fun to see them together. Actually, they were both there tonight. It had been a long time (a year, in fact) since I saw Jr. anywhere other than [insert social networking site here], and he always makes me laugh. Kid is funny. And his dad - well, he just always knows the right thing to say. He's very much an encouragement/encourager to me as a musician, and I am just very grateful for him in that way. I respect him and his opinion immensely.

Fast Forward to post-rehearsal. My favorite Romanian tenor had a good-bye party tonight. He leaves to move back home to Brasov on Tuesday. It was a small party, and we had wine, vodka, food, just chilling. I will miss him a good deal. We've not been friends, really, except for this year, but we just connected very well and easily. I look forward to a trip to Romania...! Also, at his party, was this mysterious girl, "Irene"...who looked too familiar. Finally, it comes out that I went to grad school with her FATHER (she's 17), and she is just here visiting the states on holiday (he is also Romanian). When I realized who she was, I just about fell out of my chair....I had heard her dad talk about her - but he moved back to Romania a couple years ago, and we've not spoken in a while....so, to see her sitting there...with her father's eyes. It was crazy. Truly - and I could only feel like this joy bubble up in me...just happiness at getting the chance to meet her, and share with her about her life, her dad, etc. It was amazing, actually.

So. Now it's 2:15am. I am truly mindblown, happy, and sad all at once. All because of love and relationship with other people. La vita e'bella....si?

ahhhhhhh

Ahhhhhhhhhh..........sigh of contentment.

It's been a great evening. I had a birthday party tonight. Nothing too formal - just about 20ish folks crammed into our living room from all different social circles, eating, drinking wine, making new friends (and reconnecting with old ones!)

It is a wonderful thing to be surrounded by people you love, and who love you back. The sounds of laughter and clinking glasses mixed with smiles and hugs. Even the folks who were tired after a long day (week!) of work felt at home enough to find a hidden corner and read for a bit. This is what is important to me . . . being open, welcoming, and warm; cultivating relationships - both old and new (though this gets harder as I get busier); creating an atmosphere of "home"; sharing joy and struggles with those in my tribes. It was a great night. I haven't had a party chez moi in a long time, either, so it was nice to do that again.

One note - amazingly people all pretty much left at midnight (a "decent hour"). Perhaps it is a sign that yes, I really am getting older! Well, that, and Harry Potter was released at midnight tonight. I know of at least three folks headed to apres-party at various bookstores around the bay. (I finally caved myself and ordered one on amazon.com today!)

Oh..and for those of you interested, my friend Mark's Wizardrock band - Marked as His Equal - has just released a new CD. Check out his myspace page here.

d'oh

It's after midnight. In fact, it's 12:15. And there are two *EXTREMELY* happy little birds. Outside of my window. Chirping away and away . . . carrying on such a lovely little conversation with one another.

ack!

my iPod's out of battery...d'oh! Earplugs???

sputum

-Looking forward to 28. Should be great.
-Bastille day is Saturday. I am so excited. Every year I am like "oooh this year I'll celebrate" and I never do. But this year I am! yay.
-I just found out an ex of mine is married. Crazy! But I'm happy for him.
-I am looking foward to dinner tomorrow at Cafe Claude
-I am learning to say "yes" to the right thing(s). You'd think this would be easy for someone who has a hard time saying "no".
-God is able. God loves me.
-Go see Ratatouille. It is such a great film!
-Oh...and what may be the awesomeist celebreality show yet: Scott Baio is 45 . . . and Single. Thanks, Vh1!

World views

Yesterday, on 07-07-07, the New 7 Wonders of the World were announced. This project was started by a British adventurer, who started a foundation to protect some of the world's heritage sites, which need additional funding to be restored. UNESCO can't do everything by itself, people.

So, the "new 7 wonders" were chosen by a world vote - via internet and texting. Yours truly did participate a few months ago, casting my vote for the 7/21 candidates I thought should win.

The original wonders of the world - the 7 wonders of the Ancient world" are slmost all disappeared. Only the Pyramids in Giza remain. (The 6 others being: the Lighthouse of Alexandria; the Temple of Artemis; the Statue of Zeus; the Colossus of Rhodes; the Hanging Garden of Babylon; and the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus).

The "New7Wonders" now - in random order:
Chichén Itzá (pyramid), Mexico
Christ Redeemer (statue), Brazil
The Great Wall, China
Machu Picchu, Peru
Petra, Jordan
Roman Colloseum, Italy
Taj Mahal, India

Exciting!
------
I had a conversation last night with a friend about national anthems, and how most of them are all about war, blood and guts. The conversation, naturally, turned to France, seeing as Bastille day is on Saturday (and we have plans to celebrate). So we start singing La Marseillaise at the top of our lungs, walking down Bush street. We get to the end of the second line . . . and don't remember the words. Ack. Our dreams of being able to sing along with the Frenchies a week from now were dashed.
Until now.
Can I tell you how much I love wikipedia? So! In case you're interested - and I know you are! - here are the lyrics and translation (first verse only):

Allons enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé!
Contre nous de la tyrannie
L'étendard sanglant est levé. (bis)
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras
Égorger vos fils, vos compagnes!

Aux armes, citoyens!
Formez vos bataillons!
Marchons, marchons!
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons!

Arise childen of the fatherland
The day of glory has arrived!
Against us, tyranny's
Bloody banner is raised (repeat)
Do you hear in the fields
The howling of these savage soldiers?
They are coming into your midsts,
To cut the throats of your sons, your wives!

To arms, citizens!
Form your battalions!
Let us march, let us march!
May tainted blood
Water our fields!

namesake

This is a random entry. Hence the name "random laundry". Work is killllllllllin me slowly and softly today. I might. Just. Snap. so. Here we go. Let's start things off with a survey, shall we? Feel free to do the same on your blog, if you so choose to make this a meme...

1. Who took your default pic?
I don't have one on this site. (I took this from a myspace bulletin, can you tell?)

2. Exactly what are you wearing right now?
Blue jeans, white shirt, tennis shoes and a grimace.

3. What is your current problem?
Neckpain from sleeping crooked. Bronchitis remnants.

4. What makes you most happy?
Friends, family, love, laughter, music, movies, travel, foreign languages and cultures.

5. What's the name of the song that you're listening to?
streaming radio 105.7 la kalle

6. Do you like MTV?
sometimes

7. Name something that annoys you about people?
insincerity
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 1:
MYSELF

1. Nickname(s)?
K, kates, daniel, sibling, grace

2. Eye color?
blue

3. Hair Color?
"blonde"
-----------------------------------------------------

Chapter 2:
FAMILY

1. Do you get along with your parent(s)
Yes

2. Are your parents married/separated/divorced?
married - this year makes 40

3. Do you have any Siblings?
yes, one brother

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 3:
FAVORITE

1. Ice Cream:
mint cookie

2. season:
fall, spring

3. Book(s):
Outlander series, LOTR, historical fiction, travelogues

4. Band:
u2 is my all-time favorite

5. Food:
Chicken Caesar salad

6. Drink:
Water, Tea, Coffee

7. Past time
musical activities, movies, spending time w/my friends

8. Pen color:
blue

9. Store:
book stores, music stores
--------------------------------------------------

Chapter 4:
DO YOU-

1. Write on your hand?
yes

2. Call people back?
yes - usually

3. Believe in love?
yes

4. Sleep on a certain side of the bed?
at home, on the left. Hotels: whichever side the alarm clock is on.

5. Any mental health issue?:
hahahha to be sure.
------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 5:
HAVE YOU-

1. Broken a bone?
no, actually. Chipped a piece off my kneecap once, but I didn't break it.

3. Had physical therapy?
many times.

4. Gotten surgery?
wisdom teeth out; had oral surgery for that time I ran into a metal bar with my mouth in grade school.

5. taken any pain killers?
not today

6. Have you ever gone scuba diving/snorkeling?
snorkeling, yes.

7.Ever been stung by a bee?
no

8. Thrown up at a doctors office?
yes

9. Sworn in front of your parents?
not often!
------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 6:
Who/what was the last:

1. Movie you saw in the movie theaters?
Ocean's 13...fab!

2. Person to text you?
nat

3. Thing you touched?
mouse

4. Thing you ate?
chicken caesar salad

5. Thing you said?
nope

6. Had a detention?
no

7. Person you hugged?
sibilng, probably

8. Person you kissed?
V

9. Person you called?
Mom

10. Person to call you?
Work call

11. Book you read?
"Pretty little mistakes" it is basically a 'choose your own adventure' book for grown-ups. *awesome*

12. Last time you cleaned your room...?
too long ago
-----------------------------
And continuing on the random thread.
Things I'm looking foward to experiencing this weekend (trying to cram in a lot, here:
-"Gypsy Caravan" movie (only in town for one week!)
-French lesson (teaching) at Cafe Claude (never been)
-Bocce ball (learning)
-Free Candela concert @ Yerba Buena Gardens
-Kryolan's make-up sale (hopefully I'll have time to get to it)
-Ratatouille w/Sibling
-Church
-------------------
And, next week is birthday week...WOW!

argh

it's laaaaaate late late late and I am awake awake awake.

it was the cup of coffee at 7pm. I forgot to ask for decaf, and drank it anyway. i though maybe because I was sick and sleepy, it wouldn't really have that much of an affect on me . . .

wrong.

coffee + 3 hour nap = no sleepy time for KT. argh.

oh well.

---
Anywyas this evening had a lovely game night at my French student's house. Our CLG is on a summer schedule: one week study, one week social night, etc etc ad nauseum until September. It is actually quite good, because we are getting to know each other better relationally . . . which hopefully will make our study times better, as we are establishing deeper levels of trust I think. Team buidling, trust building, relationships...these things take time.

Anyways, our team won OUTBURST! And one of the funniest categories of the evening was something along the lines of other words for 'farts'. I mean. Really. It was pretty funny...and the other team only could guess 5/10 words for that category!

---
In other news...I finally found my camera. I had been racking my brain, trying to remember where I left it and freaking out that I lost it - I mean, I have a very photo-worthy summer coming up, what with my birthday, performances, backstage pics, vacation and a wedding all in the next 3 months. Turns out the camera was hiding in the Green Bean's glove compartment. WHEW. It ran out of battery, and I had left it hiding in there, I guess. I am relieved. I just wish I had remembered sooner, for 'rona's and my photo shoot down at Fisherman's wharf a couple weekends ago...

----
et finalement...je voudrais ecrire qqchose en francais maintenant. mon anniversiare arrive en qq jours...et j'ai envie d'inviter qqpersonnes chez moi..PAS bcp de personnes..mais c difficile. parce que si j'invite cette personna ci, je dois aussi inviter celle-la...etc etc etc....et vraiment, il y en a qq d'eux - de ma groupe si tu veux - qui sont...'biens'..mais nous ne sommmes pas proches amis. alors...mais c MON anniversaire, oui, et je voudrais avoir des personnes chez moi qui j'aime bien...et pas les autres qui m'ennervent. est-ce que ca c trop a demander? nous sommes tous adults...je pense...? hahahah alors, on verra, on verra....j'avais rien dire ce soir, et personnne a rien dire en ce qui concerne la soiree...alors..bon.

et maintenant...au lit!!

I know, I know . . .

I haven't been writing much of late - sorry - but here is a little tidbit I found interesting.

Guess what George Michael's real name is . . .

Yorgos Panayiotou (!) Who knew he was Greek?

Here's another interesting one: Freddy Mercury. Birth name: Farrokh Bulsara. What? He was born in Zanzibar, Tanzania...! Crazyness.

These fine bits of knowledge and more courtesy of this site here.

cracks me up every time

red letter day

It's been quite a day already and it's only 8:45 in the morning! I have found out that one of my oldest and dearest friends (our parents were friends before we were even born) is going to be a Mom! Baby F will be born in December. And, as this is an Air Force baby . . . as my friend K said "It was conceived in Korea, discovered in China, and shall be born in Italy." Wow! I am so excited - I can't believe it. Work will be very hard today.
Also on the exciting news front - one of my dearest friends from SF just landed the title role in Madame Butterfly - - - this is huge for her, because I think for a long time, people just didn't know where to cast her...so YAY!!!! I can't wait to go hear her (not until 2008, but still!)

wow. Praise God for His blessings - both big (baby! role!) and small (mmm delicious French espresso made in the comfort of my own home!)

whew!

I was going to write this whole tirade about how I felt old because I have now officially been out of high school for 10 years (ack)...but really...can't complain. Because I have experienced some amazing things over the last 10 years (it IS a little trippy) and I wouldn't change that *gasp* decade for anything. HAHAHA!!

where the heart is . . .

Home.

Such a simple word. One syllable. Easy to pronounce, easy to spell. And yet, wrapped up in this humble word is an entire world of thoughts, feelings, associations and ties.

Do you know that the English word "home" is not translatable into several languages? French, for example, has maison ("house"), chez ("house of" or "at"), and even patrie (roughly translatable to "fatherland"). Italian, too. I'm sure if one were to examine all of the romance languages, this would be a common thread. It's interesting, don't you think?

I am spending this Memorial Day weekend at home with my parents. Home in Colorado, where I was raised. Although my parents no longer live in my childhood house, I still feel at home when I visit them. I still have a room to sleep in, which makes me feel "at home." It holds photos from high school and earlier; scrapbooks; warm winter sweaters I only wear at Christmastime or in the mountains; dried flowers from my grandmother's funeral inside of a jewelry box; my childhood doll collection; old notebooks; shoes I never wear because they are too dorky; a homemade cabbage patch doll; empty cd jewel cases; etc. Mementos from my childhood; some from college.

Whenever I come home to visit, I find that, the more things change, the more they really do stay the same. My father will always have a stash of chocolate near his coffee pot; random mail from my college sorority will be on my bed waiting to be opened, along with Opera News magazines to be read (even though I get my own subscription in SF); my mom will stay up late cooking and watching Jay Leno; the fridge will be obscenely stocked; my bedside table has an alarm clock, a bottle of perfume, lotion and a jewelry box; in the bathroom, I will find - conveniently - extra razor blades, qtips, deodorant and shampoo. All the comforts of "home", truly. And, when we go up to Grand Lake, where I have spent time practically every summer of my almost 28 years - it's the same thing - the small comforts of home. Similarly, when we go to Louisiana - which is not often anymore - I feel very much at home. I get in touch with my roots, and really feel the weight of my genealogy and family tree down there.

It has been nice, this weekend.

I love living in SF, and it is home in a way, but Colorado will always really be "home" to me, I think, even if I never take up a permanent residence there as an adult.

list

Making me happy this week:

Extras (on Netflix). Hilarious. Truly.

Coffee from Massimo's lounge on Market Street.

Il Massimo del Panino on Washington - the main caffe/restaurant.

H.M.S. Pinafore. Come see it this August! www.lamplighters.org

weekend snapshots

It's been a while, I know. Alas and alack . . . here are some snapshots of recent activities.












Pics top to bottom:

Finishing off Mint Juleps at Citizen Cake; Old time car; Ring of Fire cocktail - has jalepeno-infused vodka and is very spicy; marinated squid; radishes served French style; GGBridge cookie; powdered-beet star; decorating my co-worker's plant; SF Cocktail Week photo.

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.
------
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!

Grace

There is just no accounting for how on earth I have made it thus far in my adult life, other than the fact that God has a sense of humor, and likes to humble me...?!

Let me tell you a story . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Driving down O'Farrell, not much traffic, window rolled down, Ozomatli blasting from the speakers, our Heroine finds a metered parking space! This is a Big Deal, as it is after 6pm on a Friday night, which all adds up to free parking. She effortlessly backs into the spot - on the left, no less - in one smooth arc. She leaves the car running so she can finish listening to track 9 as she reapplies her lipstick, tosses her hair, and thinks to herself - "damn, self, but ain't you havin' a goooood hair day.
She climbs out of her car, only momentarily getting the door stuck on the sidewalk - oops - in front of Naan 'n Curry, where three young, handsome gentlemen happen to be dining outside in the cool, Spring night. She throws her cd's in the trunk, locks her car and just as she gets ready to make her way the last couple blocks to her destination, she turns to double check that indeed, her meter does not need to be fed. Satisfied with the meter's hours, she steps away and just as she turns . . . TWACK!!! She walks SMACK into a metal pole - which she swears just came out of nowhere - making contact with the left side of her face. It was a 'no parking 2-6am sign, tilted towards her, instead of being perpendicular to the sidewalk. Right in front of the aforementioned table of men, enjoying their Indian food, she can't help herself - "S*&T!" she turns to them, ripping off her chic aviators, "Am I bleeding or anything??!" The men shake their heads solemnly, looks of disbelief slowing being replaced by the guilty looks of schoolboys trying to repress a laugh during church. "This is SO embarassing," she continues, "but, as long as I'm not bleeding, I guess I'll be okay."
She catches the eye of a Nick Lachey lookalike on the other side of the restaurant's window - he and his date are laughing their asses off. She waves at him, acknowledging the humor of the whole situation - but stops herself just short of taking a bow. "Well - you guys have a GREAT night," she says, turning on her heel (clad in very cute, high-heeled, gold wedge sandals), and heads off, again, towards her destination. She stops in at a corner market, quickly locating a bottle of advil and the coldest Diet Coke she can find in the back of the cold drink case. She pays, hastily rips into the ibuprophen, all the while using the soda as a make-shift ice pack. She leans against a parking meter, Coke against her cheek and eye, and watches the people walk by her. Thankfully, at that moment, the Critical Mass bikers start zooming by by the 100s, and she - as well as the other onlookers - have something else to distract them for a while. She can't help but smile to herself, even giggle a little bit, as one of her father's favorite sayings pops into her head. "Well, Grace, what've you done THIS time?" Grace, indeed . . .
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, now I sit, ice pack to head, thinking that come tomorrow, I'll probably have a black eye. I only wish I had some sort of COOL reason for having one. However, after retelling my story to Sibling, (who started crying with laughter), I guess I don't need to come up with a better story; this one is funny enough.

Bottoms up

Color-coded vodka:
Polish (left) and Russian (right). Personally, I enjoyed my shot (and a half?) of Polish vodka. Yum. But I had to drive, so that was plenty for me.

what a whirlwind of two weeks

It's been a crazy two weeks - full of rehearsals culminating in 4 performances, the last of which (and the best) was this Sunday afternoon.

Followed by a crazy-ass cast party. Fun - and vodka - was had by all.

I'll try and get some pictures up.

das vdanya...

Week

This is a crazy week - it's tech week for Onegin, which means I drive to Fairfield and back every night after work (1 - 1.5 hours a leg). BUT, I have a fun carpool which helps. I'm just really tired.
I took a nap over lunch today. My boss is out of town, so I just spread out on her floor and crashed for 30 minutes. Strange, but somewhat restful.

I got to work this morning and realized I had forgotten to brush my teeth. It's just stuff like that happening...I know I'm really tired. Thankfully, one of my coworkers had some toothpaste, and I had an extra toothbrush in my drawer. Whew!

Anyways...I'm sure more and more funny things will happen as the week continues. Stay tuned for the overheard: backstage entries. I've some pretty good ones this round...

Faraway, So Close!

I spent the evening doing laundry. Not the most exciting Friday Night, but I've an insane 10 days coming up, and the laundry could wait no more.

Whilst laundering, I watched one of the better movies I've seen in a long time.

Based on the recommendation of a friend, I rented Wings of Desire and its sequel, Faraway, So Close!, by German director Wim Wenders. They tell the stories of angels walking amongst us everyday, and how two of them wish - and choose - to become human. (The American adaptation from a few years back, City of Angels, is but a pale reflection of the original films).

I watched Wings of Desire last week, and was blown away by its elegance, style and poignancy. Set in postwar Berlin in the autumn, half the film is black and white (the way the angels see the world) and the rest in color (how humans see the world). Berlin in and of itself becomes a character in its own right - a tragic, beautiful, and scarred character. I loved the film. Bruno Ganz (the main angel) has an amazing face capable of portraying the deepest emotion with just his eyes.

This evening, I decided to pop in Faraway, So Close. I think I enjoyed it even more than its predecessor. Again, set in Berlin - but this time just after the fall of the Wall. And, the film is not just strictly in German. It adds Italian, English, French and even Russian to the mix. This second film delves more deeply into the blindness and emptiness of humanity apropos the viewpoint and lack of understanding of heir angelic counterparts. There is also what I took to be a quasi-demonic character named Emit Flesti (read backward Time Itself), played brilliantly by Willem Defoe. And the importance - or lack thereof? - of time and how it's measured is one of the main themes of the film. The story starts off with a quote from the book of Matthew, which set the tone for the evening:

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will by full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23

Followed by:

We (the angels) are not the message. We are the messengers and the message is love".

Thoughtful, provocative, bittersweet - and beautiful.

Spoctopus

Team Spoctopus coming in Third Place AND winning Best Small Team. Rock and Roll!!

Here is our glorious victory photo. Hopefully to be repeated this week!?

Google me this . . .

I can't figure out for the life of me why my new website does not pop up as a result when I do a search under my name.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm . . .

Stolen from AZ - hours of fun!!

Are you freaking kidding me?

. . . how the heck am I supposed to get any work done today, when I just found out that a friend of mine from high school is on American Idol...???!?!??! He's in the top 24!

Click here for his audition and acceptance to Hollywood.

Crap. I'm going to have to start watching American Idol on a regular basis. Or, at least start taping it . . .

that's amore

So I went to the grocery store directly after work today to do some shopping, and ran into a VERY busy place, indeed.

It was almost as busy as it is right before the Superbowl! Only, instead of guys walking out with cases of beer and chips, they were crouched over the card displays, roses and chocolates clutched in their arms; bottles of wine thrown in a basket with lobster and spices; balloons and teddy bears held unassumingly waiting in line.

I feel sorry for the poor guys that get off of work late - by the time they get to the store, there will be nothing left!

The whole sight made me chuckle :)

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

So, I joined a great new small group through my church two weeks ago . . . and I loved it. Come to find out tonight that the leaders, K&C, are actually going to be moving, and no longer involved as of about April 1.
They are taking a year to travel (C has just retired) and figure out their next steps in life. I am super excited for them, albeit selfishly bummed, because I *reallly* was looking forward to getting to know them better.

oh well.

I hope the group keeps going, and I look forward to staying with it...

3-2-1 chilllll

I've been trying to "chill out" this year. Whatever that entails - I
guess, just making some time for myself and not running around like a
mad woman (or, at least after I run around like a mad woman, make sure
I have some chill time). It's hard to say NO...there are too many
things I want to do!

Anyways, I went to salsa class tonight for
the first time in about 3 or 4 months. It was *so* good to see Jaime!
He really is a dear!

I've been listening to a lot of Cesaria Evora lately. She has an amazing voice...kind of the aural equivalent of a molten, bittersweet, dark chocolate souffle . . . she sings traditional Fado (very chill) songs, as well as choro and samba. Anyways, I've just been digging her music over the last week. I might do a French-Portuguese language trade off with a couple people who want to learn French (and want to teach me Portuguese). I'm playing around with the idea. I would LOVE to learn some Portuguese, it's just a matter of scheduling at this point.

peace to the out...I'll leave you with some lyrics....

Beijo Roubado
(Words: Adelino Moreira
Interpreted by Cesaria Evora)

Dizem que beijo roubado
Embora seja de amor

É crime na terra,
No céu é pecado
Faz o homem
Criminoso e pecador

Para mim está tudo errado,
Beijo roubado tem mais calor

Quantos beijos
Eu ganhei do meu amor
Eu não contei,
nem ele contou

Mas nem um beijo foi mais beijo
Que o primeiro beijo
Que eu fingi negar
E ele roubou

(Lyrics gratefully found on this site)

Fergalicious . . .

If I hear Fergie singing anymore about her london bridge or any other geographic/historical landmark, I just might lose control ('just lose control'). I've had "bring sexy back" stuck in my head all day - pretty much in anticipation of going out the hip hop club I just got back from. And, I was not disappointed - mr. tiberlake did, indeed, bring sexy back, mulitiple times, throughout the course of the evening.

so, I went to this place called Suite one8one in pretty much in the tenderloin. I had reconnected with an old friend (V), and he invited me to come to one of his coworker's birthday parties there.

It's funny, because neither V nor I usually frequent these types of places. In fact, standing in line, we were both lamenting the fact that we *could* have been at the Tito Nieve, Grupo Niche, Monchy & Alexandra concert down at the Bill Graham Civic. At 33, and myself and the ripe old age of 27, V and I were definitely older than the many 21, 22 year olds living it up. We were pretty much cracking up a good chunk of the time we were there (note: his coworker was turning 23!).

I had managed to sign up for the guestlist online ahead of time (score!) so I didn't have a cover (read: cheap date!)-which was $20! yikes. Inside was a pretty cool decor which was tres ghetto fabulous. The dance floor was packed (we got a solid chuck of dance time in) but there were additional back rooms (still LOUD) with banks of couches. Sitting on the couches made for the best viewings of the "kids". I must admit though, that some of the music was realllly good. Old school hip hop and rock mashed up. Fun stuff. Or maybe I'm just old school...?

I was amused a lot of the time, but saddened by how many folks I saw literally falling down drunk. Even before midnight! It was crazy! I managed one (1!) beer and some water. Had I fallen, it would have been of my own clutzy accord. Thankfully, I did not. hahaha.

All in all...I'm glad I went! I mean, there is NO WAY I would have gone other than to meet V there. Not my (or his) scene. But it was nice to reconnect, dance a little, cut loose and just have some fun. Added bonus: I shall probably sleep very well tonight.

yay.

Maybe next time I can hit up the salsa concert...

here's your sign

Sleep is a good thing. It's easy to notice when you've not gotten enough. I am feeling the effects to today of a lack of sleep. Here are a couple of my bloopers from today:

-I left the fax machine unplugged from yesterday (long story), thus making my boss crazy trying to send a fax to three different numbers;

-I replyed to the wrong coworker in an email . . . which could have been very bad, but thankfully I had restricted my comments to "HAHAH I forgot about the end…with colin powell and oj…etc…", thus prompting the aforementioned boss to ask me, "I didn't get the joke, what's so funny?"

The problem is, I cannot go to sleep. Last night was the worst this week. I tried to go to bed early (meaning 11pm), and I had gone to the gym, taken a bath with relaxing bath salts AND had my lavendar tea. As soon as I lay down, I started feeling all panicky again. ARGH.

The good news is, the shrink says I am okay...really, he's like "I don't need to see you again, unless things get to the point where you are incapacitated".

I'm starting to wonder. I *do* have some Ativan I can - and I guess, should - take when I get another attack. I have just been hesitant to do so.

Seriously, part the second

Seriously:
We now have rules for our making of popcorn. The folks upstairs seem to not like the smell, so they bought us a new microwave, which we shall keep in our spare office and use under the following conditions ONLY:

1) Under no circumstances may anyone use the microwave in the spare office to cook or heat other food;

2) The microwave may be used no more than once a day for popcorn;

3) The window in the spare office must be left open to air the room in order to lessen the absorption of popcorn odor in the fabric walls;

4) The door to the spare office must be closed when making popcorn.

seriously?

Whomever decided that "Legally Blond" was a good idea for a Musical needs to have all of their musical priviledges taken away.

Just hearing the commercials on the radio sets my teeth on edge.

Am I being unfair? Ummmmmmm.....let me think about that.

---thinking---

Yeah, I'm going to go ahead and say...no. This prejudice is totally warranted.
For the love of eardrums all over the world . . . STOP with the musicals being styled after movies, already!!!

The Lion King is clearly an exception, as it was awesome. And had a really good soundtrack. Which then translated to a good stage soundtrack.

This works vice versa too...only *rarely* does the stage show actually translate well to the screen.
Good movie: Chicago
Bad movie: Phantom of the Opera
Good movie: Cabaret (with Liza, of course)
Bad movie: Les Miserables

I could go on, but I'm done ranting for now.

braindump

tomorrow is my doctor's appointment at the psychiatrist. i had a really fun time playing trivia tonight. and racing crossword puzzles at lunch today. i had a great experience at a new clg, to which i look forward to returning. i like old people. i need to remember to measure my curtin rods, and how high they are off the floor. but, in order to do that, i have to go through some crap stacks. which, i don't really want to do. i'm looking forward to saturday, but am also a little trepidatious. there are some happy hippies on vh1 right now doing yogi and qi gong. whoa. good tea. i should get some bath crystals. joe cocker is totally playing air guitar right now, and looks as though he's smoked one too many. i need to go to bed now. i hope i can fall asleep. hoping this braindump helps me fall asleep, as i shall have gotten everything out of my system.

Es viernes, ya-ba-da-ba-dooooo!**

**actually heard on 98.9 tonight! It made me chuckle!

I just got back from the YMCA's Cuban Salsa class. I've never done the cuban salsa before (rueda) in which everyone dances in a circle, passing the women back and forth. It was a lot of fun! I haven't been salsa dancing in a long time...! I had almost forgotten how much I enjoy it! Yay!

LIVE! from New York it's . . .

Saturday Night American Idol!

DAY 1:

Ian Benardo
"My therapists say I'm a superstar". "I'm wearing chinchilla to show people how rich I can be."
Needless to say, he's not going to Hollywood...

Sara (forgot her last name)
Lied to her parents about trying out for American Idol, but she's going to Hollywood!

Fanta Tsakalakos
She was on Greek American Idol . . .but will not be continuing onto the stateside version...

Ashanti Johnson
She's been to Hollywood twice before . . . but I can't figue out why. She's not going back. And wow, she has a whole monologue diatribe going off on the judges. Very soap opera. She should be on tv. But her voice sucks is better for musical theater.

Amanda Coluccio & Antonella Barba
BFF's and Jersey girls! Amanda's the 'trained' one - and blond. Meh...she gets a go on to Hollywood. Why not.
Antonella's the untrained one - and brunette. Man, I like her voice better - and she has more soul than her bland blond friend. The judges agree! She goes, too!

uh oh...I hear a harmonica! It must be Clifton Little!
He's very funny (dry humor), and there's stomping involved. AND clapping. And lots of yelling...why the heck is he singing ZZ Top? I'm so confused...and more harmonica. Sorry Cliff....no go.

WOW someone in a spacesuit! hahahah. They got 3 seconds on tv!

Kia Thornton sings some ARETHA, yeah!
Lots of soul, looks good and good pipes! Way to go. Just don't oversing.

Where are the men from NYC???

DAY 2:
Starts without Simon? what? he's hungover??

oooh the oh-so-easy on the eyes Jenry Bejarano. And not bad to listen to, either...a little rough around the edges, but a lot of potential (he's only freaking 16!!!) Jailbait! ack! He is going to Hollywood!

Now for someone completely different, Nakia Claiborne. She has TONS of energy! But her voice needs work - it showed on her slow song. She's not going to H'wood & there are lots of tears :(
"Sometimes you get tired of hearing 'no'"

Sarah Goldberg
She reminds me off my wacky theater friends. But not my musical theater friends. She can't sing. And she's ADMITTING that she's at American Idol because her friends make fun of her tone-deafness. Even though she can't sing, she can be the next American Idol, because she can be TAUGHT to sing! What? This is a singing competition, girl!

(HEY here comes Mr. Cowell...finally!)

Holy cow...there's a 47 year old trying out?? What?eh?

Now back to our real auditionees...
Jory Steinberg
Not bad, looks good...but has this weird habit when she breaths of sounding like Michael Jackson (cha!) *insert moonwalk here* She's on her way to LA!

And representing Queens, NYC . . . we have our own rocky here...will she make it?
Porcelana Patino sings some Mary J. Blige for us. Paula thinks she's pretty awesome. She's unique! And she's going through. The training paid off!

Christopher Henry says he's been told he looks like Simon Cowell and George Michael. HAHAHA. Does this give him an edge? He's singing a Kelly Clarkson song. In a VERY high key. Damn. I think he lost that edge.
(Paula just called Simon an asshole bad word!)

Here comes a girl who "goes to school for opera. and if they find out I might get kicked out and lose my scholarship." Her name is Rachel Z..? forgot the last name. But they've asked her for a second song! And now, some opera (which she doesn't sing very well...IMHO). Wow she gets a semi-enthusiastic 'go' to Hollywood.

Christopher Richardson DANG good singer. And has a cool confidence, but yet, humility. Or, maybe it's just his youth...whatever it is, he gets MY vote.

Nicholas Pedro bowed out of American Idol during the competition last year. So, he's back to audition again! Will they give him a second chance? He's singing some ol' blue eyes! And they still love him for a second chance...so don't blow it this time, Nicholas!

I can't even comment on Isadora. Ack.

whew. I'm done blogged out. Yo.

family ties

So, I was talking to my mom earlier today, and she informed me that my cousin, L, on my dad's side also has panic/anxiety attacks. As does her father (my dad's older brother). As did my grandmother (my dad's mom). Hmmmmm. And, interestingly enough, OCD (as exhibited by my father) is characterized as a type of anxiety disorder.

It's all very interesting, in someways. That is, when I'm not in the midst of an actual panic attack. Because really, that sucks.

I spent a good deal of time on Friday trying to find a psychiatrist in my health insurance network, and left a couple of messages. So, here's hoping I'll hear back from one this week, and get something going. I'm also waiting on the results of my lab tests, to determine if there are physical factors (anemia, thyroid, etc) contributing to the attacks. So, we'll see.

In other news, I've had the strangest cold, and am pretty sure I caught it from Will's girlfriend, who had it and was at the house last week. Strange in that it seems to be moving on fairly quickly - I think. I was feeling so-so on Friday night, and by Saturday night, I was not so good. Sunday and today I've spent resting and drinking tons of tea. Thank goodness I didn't have rehearsal this weekend, and an extra day off! I should be all better by Saturday!

red letter day...

I just wacked the bejeezus outta my skull. Ouch. I went to sit in the oh-so-comfy red leather chair when BOOM. Slipped on that luxuoriously slick material and slammed the back of my head into the pointy corner of the lampshade. Which in turn struck the painting behind the chair, which in ITS turn smacked against the wall. Loud enough to send my brother running out to ask what the heck..?

So, ice pack and ibuprofin in hand . . .

I went to see my doctor today. I've been having anxiety attacks over the last month. Three of them, seemingly unprecipitated. Tomorrow morning I'm going to get some blood work done. Sometimes being anemic or having some sort of thyroid issue will be manifested as anxiety. And, just in case it's NOT something physical, but mental, my doctor also wants me to see a shrink I mean, psychiatrist. So, here's to 2007!

But, all is not lost. I can't quite go to sleep yet, so I will watch an episode (or two) of Arrested Development. One of the best. shows. ever. And here's hoping that I don't do anymore damage to myself before I go to bed.

weekend!

I am v. much looking foward to this weekend for many reasons. I get to spend time with my friends (read: no rehearsal) - including AZ, who's been out of town for a bit, and Raina, too. Also, get to meet up with an old friend on Friday, who I've not seen in ages - at least a year and a half - so, that will be fun. And perhaps the reason I'm looking forward to this weekend the most . . . .

drum roll, please

It's a three-day weekend. Oh yeah. Sibling has Monday off, too, so perhaps will shall wreak havoc up and down the coast. Plans t.b.a.
- - - -

Meanwhile...it is getting wicked windy here in SF, and I've been hearing rumors of snow? Now, having spent the better part of the holiday season in Denver, I know about snow. (I should put up my pics...hmmm), so to hear rumors of snow here..? wtf?

Martin Mack's

Just got back from a really fun pub trivia night at Martin Mack's up in the Haight. Our team won! The night was a send-off for Karen, so it was good that we won, I guess!

I shall have to go back and play again!

AND, they have strongbow, which is not terribly easy to find in SF, so that made it even better! hahahah!

yay!

As it - randomly - happens, my cousin, H, is in town. Turns out one of his fraternity brothers from LSU who lives here in SF had H drive out his car to CA from Louisiana. As H is between jobs right now, he made the long haul out to the West coast, and just called us!

I haven't seen him in...oh, probably 2, or 3 years...? I can't really remember. So, I'm really excited. We are going to meet up with him shortly.

Hilarity shall ensue. I'm sure.

'tis the season . . .

I hate making 'resolutions.' For me, the word resolution may as well just be defined as "something to do during the month of January, and then discard February 1".

It's true. I don't know why, but there must be some sort of disconnect in my brain. I know I'm not the only one, I'm just saying.

However, I also know there are other folks who don't necessarily think like that. For some, "resolution" is just that: a strengthening of one's resolve to make a change in one's life. I respect these people a great deal, and admire their tenancity to stick-to-it.

Anyways, I was at lunch with a couple friends one day not too long ago, and one asked "do you have any resolutions for 2007?" Even though my mind can leap to some stock answers - things I know I should resolve to do (lose weight, sleep more, clean out the house, etc), I don't want to classify them as "resolutions" out loud because I just don't think I'll get it done.

2006....my biggest goal for 2006 was to decrap my house. Well. If anything, I did the opposite...got more crap to fill it up. So, whilst this is niggling at the back of my brain, I dare not pronounce it as a carry-over resolution from 2006, or else no progress whatsoever will be made.

Sitting there, thinking to myself, "what can I possibly resolve to do in 2007 that might actually get DONE?" After several minutes, and a few conversation topics later, it hit me:

I shall floss daily.

That may sound tiny, insignificant perhaps. But to me (and my dentist) it's not. I have never been in the daily habit of flossing, and that is no good. And, the best part? I *started* flossing in December. So it was kind of like cheating on my "New Year's Resolution" because I had a head start.

Am I a total nut having to double-talk my way around my own head and my own stubborness? Sometimes...

Deju vu all over again . . .

So, last week, as a result of the blizzard in Denver, hundreds of thousands of holiday travelers were stuck, due to cancelled flights in, out and through DIA. My brother was one of them. He was scheduled to leave Wednesday morning. Cancelled. A new Friday morning flight. Cancelled. Finally, he got a flight for Christmas eve night. Oakland -> Las Vegas -> Denver.

He got here, we had a lovely Christmas, and Will had even changed his return ticket to stay a few extra days in Denver, since he got in so much later than anticipated.

Well. Dad walks in from work, and he has some news. On both the Frontier and United websites (not to mention the weather channel site), there is another winter storm brewing for the Denver Metro area, including (of course) the airport. And, they are suggesting folks get out of town tonight or Thursday morning. Not (of course) Friday, when Will has a ticket. He might get stuck again.

Alas. He has tickets to the Orange Bowl in Miami for Jan. 2. We are trying to get him there!

Denver snowstorm travel advisory
United is currently monitoring a winter storm in the Denver area that may impact future travel. A travel waiver has been issued to enable customers flying in and out of Denver today through Saturday to change their travel plans.
Travel tips:
We encourage all customers flying in, out or through Denver on Thursday and Friday to consider departing Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.
If you would like to change your travel plans, consider taking advantage of United’s travel waiver that is in place through December 30, 2006, by contacting your travel agent, united.com or United reservations.
United’s lobby at DIA will open at 2:00 am on Thursday to accommodate a higher volume of customers.
Check your flight status before heading to the airport.
Check in for your flight with EasyCheck-in Online then use united.com BagCheck at the airport.
Please review the ticket waiver information below for a full list of travel
options.

Insomniacal*

List of v.cool things from this afternoon and evening (in random order):

Guitar Hero II for PS2
Lego Star Wars II for PS2
Karaoke
Green Apple Books
Birthdays
Wacky artist/musician types
Siblings
Throat Coat tea
Banana cake with Bittersweet Chocolate Icing
Myspace
Naps
Ninjas (and Pirates)
Italian Slang
Christmas decorations
New friends
Old friends
Whitesnake
Bad jokes
Good books

and last - but not least - being able to finally? fall asleep...

*not quite a real word, but I vote to start using it in my everyday vocabulary, nonetheless

of course . . .

I have a love/hate relationship with the Fedex/Kinko's store closest to my house.

I Love it because:
They have scanners
They have color copiers
They have pretty holiday paper
They are open late
They are open early
They are really close to my house

I hate it because:
Unfriendly people
Copier Jams
Expensive if you need to use the computer to print something off
Murphy's Law of Kinkos - something goes wrong every time I go there.

Yesterday was time for my semi-annual trip to Kinko's. By the time 6-months have come and gone, I usually have forgotten - or buried - my previous traumatic experiences at said copy establishment. So, full of holiday cheer (I was going to print some Christmas letters on pretty paper), I headed out. I *even* found my copy card from 6 months ago!

I get there. And wait. And wait. There was ONE other customer. And TWO staff members.
And it stilllll took me 20 minutes to actually purchase the pretty paper from them. WTF? So, I just opened up my packages and started printing on the paper, and finally one of them asked me if I needed something...um, yhello?

I got about 1/4 done copying, when we had a paper jam. Well, I've spent a good 1/40th of my life unjamming copiers, so no problem. Fixed! Immediately after pressing 'start' again, it jams. I tell the Kinko's lady that this is jam #2 (Wastes 4 sheets of pretty paper each time!). She fixes it.
Press start. Jam. Open to unjam. Bend back thumbnail all the way. Ouch.

Switch copiers. Resume copying.

Leave. Sigh of relief.

Go home, attend to now bleeding thumb.

So, here's looking forward to . . . about next June, when I shall (I'm sure) have more tales from the Kinko's . . .

shifting

so, i don't know about this blogger beta thing yet, hmmmm we'll see how it goes..

anyways. i'm working on a (non-blogging) website - compiling all my materials to make a site for my (semi?)professional singing life.

so, stay tuned. it'll take me a little bit to get it together, but the nice folks over at Voxpage1 are making it possible!

vegas, baby! part the second

Pictures:
1. Eating - inside - at the Venetian.

2. John Travolta over our bathtub!

3. Glass ceiling art in the Bellagio.

4. Oh yeah, and I won, too!




 

vegas, baby

after a truly hellacious day*I am packed and ready to go to Vegas early tomorrow morning. It's my mom's 60th bday, and we are all meeting up in the crazy city for celebrating. I'm just looking forward to a mini-break and family time. and cirque du soleil...

yay.



*my thanks to AZ, my brother and sha-na-na-na for helping to keep me sane

weird weekend

i was so looking foward to this weekend, because there is a TON of stuff going on in SF right now (Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Fleet Week, Italian Heritage Parade, SF Opera Simulcast . . . the list goes on and on).

Instead, I've been not well....but I've no idea what's wrong with me.

I got home Friday afterwork and was so achy/fever-ish feeling, I passed out on the couch fully clothed (including shoes). My wonderful sibling was so kind as to bring me a thermometer & lots of gatorade from the grocery store. At first I thought it might have been related to the tetanus booster I got on Thursday, but after talking to the doc at UCSF, that shouldn't be the cause of my illness.

Saturday morning I slept - still low grade fever - and attempted to make it to my voice lesson in Oakland. I got as far as my car, sat in it for 5 minutes, then got out and went back inside to bed. I spend all day there, until last night when I was determined NOT to miss my Berkeley Opera audition (my throat is fine...it's the rest of my body that's rebelling right now).

The audition went well enough that I have a callback this afternoon. I'm no longer feeling fevered, really, but my stomach kind of hurts. I don't know what's wrong with me! ack! I know I can sometimes be a hypochondriac...but not all of the time.

I'll try and get an appointment for tomorrow, I guess.
*sigh*

Lightning fast

Oh my gosh . . ! It's that time of year again!

In our newly renovated office space, I now have a view, which means I don't have to run into my bosses office to watch those fabulous Blue Angels zoom over Alcatraz.

Yay!

Gmail - RE: what was that song? help!

Lily over at the XM radio Watercolors station...she is my hero!

And this is why:

family files, part 549

Newly added to the vault:

My father is a good man - generous, patient, wise, loving - and pretty much impossible to shop for. (Sorry 'bout that dangling preposition, there...)

Sure, he collects certain things - keychains, postcards, model airplanes & vintage Delta Airlines swag. But, to truly get him something out-of-the-ordinary...something he *really* would like...therein lies the difficulty.

Cue today. I was on the phone with my mom, when dad suddenly pops in and excitedly picks up the phone. He has found something he wants for Christmas (that is not the usual socks or dark chocolate he loves so much). Newishly possesed of XM radio in his vehicle, he has discovered their "Smooth Jazz" station, channel #71 aka 'Watercolors'.
He says to me, "Hey, Miss Priss, I know what I want for Christmas, but it will take some mystery-solving on your part. I heard a song I LOVED on Watercolors, once today and once back in July, and I would love that album if you can find it. It's piano mostly, maybe a little orchestra and sometimes a choir...it's O Happy Day. With a rocketing piano. I don't know what it's called or who sings it or anything, but they played it today around 5:20pm."

He hhehehehe...it just made me laugh, because my dad is pretty easy to please, and when he mentions something so specific as this, well, it's fun. I've commenced my research, signed up for my free 3-day xm trial and have written the Watercolors' DJ with my question. Hopefully I'll get a reply!

rambles

I've not blogged in a while.
I've been trying my best to bask in the glow of my vacation . . .
holding on to the feel of unwindingness in mind, body and spirit.
Looking forward to the SF Greek Festival!

Since I've been back many things have happened in the lives of people I love:

new birth
near deaths
moving
not being able to move
getting hired . . . or not
falling in (and out) of love
reuniting with old friends
making new ones

Wish you were here . . . .

 
 
 
  

ahhhh

if you need me, i'll be on vacation.....

yay!

back in 10 days!!!!!!