High Kicks and Temper Tantrums

A change in temperature

2010-03-03T16:11:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was hot!! But thankfully Tico's love their ice cream so finding a cone of your favorite flavor is never a challenge. San Jose has been an average of 75 degrees each day, peaking midday when everyone's out for lunch. 12:30/1 usually lands me right in the heart of the city to switch busses and seeing 60% of population holding ice creams cones is a beautiful site, in an alternate universe type of way.

I've only really felt the heat on the weekends when visiting the coasts. My first weekend a group of us visited Puerto Viejo, a small Rasta town on the south east coast. Best time I've had in a long time. After riding the bus for 5 hours we walked a dirt road for 20 minutes along the beach to our hostel. Rocking J's: pot-smoking, hammock-sleeping hostel and 5-Star resort for hippies worldwide. Mosaics on the ground, walls and pillars, paintings covering the tin bathrooms, and lost&found belongings of travelers past glued into the tables: photos, lighters, necklaces, ID's...I shared a spacious 3-person tent with my friends Kayla, and Lindsay. The sand was black and the water was salty, the people a blend from the Caribbean, North and South American areas. Saw some great live music both nights and relaxed near the water in the sweltering sun during the day. Saturday we hiked Cahuita National park and I found a great piece of Bamboo I can only hope makes it through customs. The animal sightings were a tad sparse compared to what we'd been told to expect but, at one point, when I noticed tiny monkey less than a foot away from me I was satisfied.

Saturday night we found ourselves at Johnnie's Place, a club on the beach with indoor dancing, outdoor tables and street food vendors everywhere. I bought a meatstick and some pot from an old skinny Rasta who kissed Lindsay and I goodbye after making our purchase. Even though she bartered with him we probably could have gotten it for cheaper but enjoying it on the shoreline with water at my feet after a few beers was more than good enough. We shared it with two guys from the band we saw earlier. An old Italian keyboardist with amazing stories that made for an enlightening yet frustrating one-way conversation. And a guest vocalist originally from New York who's been living in CR for 8 years. I found myself on the beach with him late that night and he told about the 3 acres of land he owned which he was currently building his house on. A tree fell on the first one because even though all his friends told him to cut them down to begin with he "didn't move here to cut down trees". He also described the garden on this land where he's planted 30 varieties of fruits and vegetables...I strongly considered staying at the end of the weekend.

Sunday afternoon I bought ice cream, cookies, an apple, and some bread and boarded our bus with my new walking stick. I slept like a baby although my body was aching. I should have packed thinner socks, and applied more sunscreen but I really can't complain. When your first meal at a new place is a giant basket lined with cheesey french fries, topped with a fried egg, avocado slices, thick bacon, and fried plantains with a side of fresh squeezed Mango juice for 3 bucks you know you've arrived.

Senorita Escarlata en la Cocina con la Ropa

2010-02-26T09:09:00.000-08:00

One of my biggest concerns before arriving in country was my host family. Knowing that they would be providing food and shelter for me and not knowing a damn thing about them, I was hestitant. Am I physically able to consume rice and beans three times a day? Will the language barrior land me in some sitcom-esque sitatuation ending in humiliation and failure beyond rapair? Who's washing my underwear?

My luck in this situation is beyond words. My familia Tica is large, welcoming and up for a good time. The youngest son taught me a phrase that sums them up perfectly: "Tuanis", which is actually Spanglish stemming from "Too Nice" and is used in slang to indicate a general well being or coolness. The house my roommates and I stay belongs Anajance and Marco Rodriguez a newly married couple in their mid-late fifties. They also own a home in Guanacaste and a hostel in Playa de Hermosa where they spend most of their time, so they are only at the house once or twice a week. Anajance has three sons who are in and out of house on a day to day basis as they bounce from the various houses their mother, father and step-father own. Alejandro is 31 and lives in San Josa with us all the time. He prepares all our meals and acts as our older brother. His English level is just enough to communicate on a regular basis without too much confusion. He's straight forward, takes care of us well, and loves to joke. His eight year old son, Felipe, is at the house twice a week and is learning English in school. His birthday was earlier this month and they threw a party for him yesterday at the local Roller Rink! We were unable to go but enjoyed the leftover cake, which was decorated with a huge Autobots symbol! The other two brothers, Esteban, 25, and Sergio, 23, come and go as they please traveling from beach to city to surf, work or go to school. Good vibes all around.

Although Alejandro generally kept out of our ways the first week my roommate Lindsay (so amazing, 26, from Philly) and I broke through last week and had a great night out with him and Esteban. I picked up some Guaro, a popular Costa Rican liquor made from sugar cane, and shared a nice family toast with my "brothers" and "sister". From there we headed to a local bar and practiced our Spanish and English well into the night. Last night we (Lindsay, my other roommate Emily, Jersey, 24, and I) hung at home with Alejandro and Sergio playing cards and having beers. When we ran out of traditional card games Sergio broke out Clue and it was fantastic! They're so laid back, and willing to help us with our Spanish, I really couldn't have imaged a better host family.

So to answer my above questions, Yes I can eat rice and beans with every meal and actually find myself missing it when it's not included. The language barrior has been an interesting obstacle but everyone is so cool that their have been no real problems or embarassments. And Alejandro hires a cleaning lady to come and do our laundry (although we still have to gather our garments and undergarments from the clothes line in the yard afterward)

Counting Holes with Costa Rican Children

2010-02-24T17:17:00.000-08:00

Each weekday after my Spanish class I eat a home-cooked and packed lunch (generally rice, beans, and ____) then travel on two busses for an hour to an hour and a half to my project. The location, a daycare called Rayito de Luz (Ray of Light) is nestled in Quebrada, a small mountain town. The children range from toddlers to 10 and 11 years old. They are amazing. Excitable and energetic as most kids are, they scream GRINGA every day as I walk up to the fence enclosing their building. (Although "Emeelee" is heard more often now that they remember my name).

I'm tempted to kidnap an adorable set of sisters whose inquisitiveness and attitude remind me of my childhood. Genesis is 6 and loves learing English and Emily is 4 with the personality of someone 5 times her age. Last week Emily and I counted the tiny ant holes in their yard all the way up to 38. Although she went over some more than once it was great exercise for us both in Spanish counting. Then yesterday I twisted her around and back on a swing for 20 minutes only hearing "Otro vez" and "por favor" between the giggles.

Not being able to have full conversations with them is great motivation for me to work on my Spanish but in the meantime I feel like we have a good understanding of each other: What qualifies as kind behavior & what's mean, which games to play inside & which outside, and the 2 letter difference in the word used to tell them "I'm tired" as opposed to "I'm married". There's no doubt I will miss them.

Mostly we play outside...swings, slides, y avionceta. Sometimes they need to be engaged a little more though. My second day I bought flowers and taught them to garden, having them repeat the colors of each in English as we went along. I ask them to repeat "green" several times as their "aweeeen" pronunciation is adorable. We also sing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (in English), and play Pato, Pato, Gonso (Duck, duck goose!)

Today the women who run the center made me a bread and jelly sandwich with warm horchata to eat with the kids during snack time. It was pouring rain so we stayed inside, which was difficult to keep under control, but it still managed to be one of my favorite days so far. They don't have many toys since they're prone to bring them home or throw them over the fence but my improvisation skills rose to the challenge and reminded of what little is actually needed to have a simple, fun time.

Tune In and Unplug - My first accounts of Costa Rica

2010-02-14T09:29:00.000-08:00

I've been in Costa Rica for 72 hours and could already fill 100 pages with observations. Any nerves I had prior to this trip evaporated with the ascendancy of my plane out of JFK airport. Aside from the excitement, and security I felt in the program I'm volunteering with I knew I had a number of comforts packed neatly in my suitcase and carry-on to help me stay positive if anything should go awry in transit and/or during my stay. Among them were carefully chosen artists and albums (most being fairly new to me) to lay foundation for the development of sensory memories specific to this experience:

Surfer Blood - Astrocoast

Ok Go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky

Devendra Banhart - What Will We Be

Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca

What I secretly hoped for, though, was that my fastidiousness would be blown to bits by the unplanned days ahead of me like an inadvertent chemical explosion. Days that would, instead, introduce me new sounds, smells, touches, tastes...

They have! I've learned Salsa y Merengue dancing (muy basico), am living in a beautiful home outside San Jose, working with preciosos chicita's in a rural mountain area, and taking Spanish lessons. I'm super busy but am able to take it all in. My bus ride to work is about an hour and a half so my musical selections have come in handy but I'm happy to say no cell phone, little computer, and little iPod are working wonders on spirit :)

Where Are They Now: Twin Peaks Giant Cast

2010-02-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

Back in the early nineties David Lynch and Mark Frost assembled one of the largest and most dynamic ensemble casts on Twin Peaks. This collection of absurdly dark and comically naive characters bustled through their mountain town with the kind of magnetic energy that makes it impossible to pick just one favorite character. Pearing in on this sinister and mystical community 20 years later makes one wonder why in the hell we haven’t seen most of their faces since. Lynch is famous for casting actors without even doing so much as a read through- simply sitting down and having a conversation with an actor is all the explorative director needs- so there’s a chance that some of them were never standout performers to begin with. But sharing the journey of finding out who killed Laura Palmer is a bonding experience that begs the curiosity of where these actors have gone since the untimely ending of their landmark series.

As much as I’d like to share overdramatic stories of disappointment over the decisions our beloved Special Agent Dale Cooper has made in his career in recent years we all know what Kyle MacLachlan has to up so I will simply move on. Another actor you may or may not have semi-followed since is Lara Flynn Boyle whose hype has unfortunately followed her weight more than her acting career but nonetheless has made her a household name. The incredible talents of Grace Zabrinskie and Ray Wise have also continued working steadily since their equally zaney roles as the Palmer parents. Zabrinskie had roles in titles such as (Lynch’s) Inland Empire, License to Wed, and Big Love. And Wise held a laundry list of guest appearances on popular television shows before playing the Devil on the WB’s Reaper for two years. He currently has three films in post-production.

Now we can focus on those Twin Peaks cast members whose faces we haven’t seen in last two decades. Remember when Bobby Briggs turned Laura’s funeral “upside down”? Super-cute-bad-boy, Dana Ashbrook, was cast as Clyde Barrow in the 1992 TV movie Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story, then went on to play a short collection of small roles in series such as Dawson’s Creek and Charmed. This absence of work is disappointing considering Ashbrook’s impeccable comedic timing and inarguable good looks. But things are turning up for old Bobbo as he’s been cast in the regular occurring role of Jimmy in the Starz series “Crash”. Then there’s his sweetheart secret girlfriend and Double R Diner waitress Shelly Johnson. Madchen Amick has been one of the busier actors from Twin Peaks holding reoccurring roles in Gilmore Girls, ER, and Joey. Most recently she played Christian Slater’s wife in the short-lived My Own Worst Enemy and also appeared in Californication.

Amick’s relative success makes one wonder where Eric DaRe (Leo Johnson, her character’s abusive husband) could be. The answer is nowhere. Or nowhere locatable, I suppose. He’s credited as a casting assistant in Wild at Heart and a property buyer in Lost Highway, which really only further proves Lynch’s loyalty. As far as acting he was a medic in Starship Trooper’s, which totally counts, and coincidentally played two minor roles in films starring actors famous for other Lynch work (Thriller with Dennis Hopper, and Playing God with David Duchovny). But all in all Peak’s was his peak.

Most TP cast members have maintained minor acting careers through their connection to the show by occasionally being featured in B movies and popular TV series spanning the networks. Among them are Kimmy Robertson (Lucy Moran) who’s done voice acting for The Simpson’s and Pepper Ann, and James Marshall (James Hurley) who may be found in films ranging from Soccer Dog: The Movie to A Few Good Men. Piper Laurie (Catherine Martel) has also played a number of television roles over the years and will appear as an unnamed character in Hesher, a Joseph Gordon-Levitt-Natalie Portman-Rainn Wilson-set to premiere at Sundance 2010-feature.

One undeniable fact about David Lynch is that, while he’s able to find to the most uncomfortably eerie looking actors, he’s also able to find divinely beautiful women to fit his sirenous roles like a glove. Case-in-point: Sherilyn Fenn (Audrey Horne). After solidifying her sex-symbol status by dancing mid-day in the Double R Diner like a doped up gogo dancer she went on to grace the covers of Playboy and Rolling Stone magazines. She also landed spots in a number of “Most Beautiful…”, and “Most Sexy…” lists in the early 90’s. Her acting career led her to a role in Gary Sinise’s Of Mice and Men, and to play Liz Taylor in their 1995 NBC miniseries about the actresses life. Her latest endeavor The Scenesters, a mockumentary about a serial killer taking town dipsters in LA, has her playing an A.D.A agent.

Now this could literally go on for 10 more pages considering the size of Twin Peaks cast, especially after the second season popularity drew in such names as Heather Graham, Billy Zane, and David Duchovny, so I’m going to have to stop eventually. But there are a few more major characters with minor careers worth mentioning. The Log Lady (Catherine Coulson) is primarily a theatre actor and has been working with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for over ten years. The Giant (Carel Struychen) has played other giants in Men In Black, My Name is Earl, and three Adam’s Family films. The Man From Another Place most recently played carnival manager, Samson, in the HBO series Carnivale. Bob (Frank Silva) as many people know worked in the art department of Twin Peaks and other productions until he accidentally made his way into a shot inspiring Lynch to write a role for him. His production work was limited after Twin Peaks and in 1995 he died of AIDS. Sheriff Harry Truman (Michael Ontkean) has worked consistently in made-for-tv movies. Benjamin Horne (Richard Beymer) went on to do some sparse TV work before writing a semi-autobiographical book in 2007. And last, but certainly not least, the lovely Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer and Madeleine Ferguson) has been featured in Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Desperate Housewives, and One Tree Hill.

If you remember correctly, the opening credits for Twin Peaks were about 2 minutes long so I’ll mention again that a ton of people have been left out. To find out about these unmentioned characters, and possibly meet them in person, check out Twin Peaks Fest 2010! Dates aren’t set yet but guest appearances are a guarantee along with the opportunity to relive the mystery with fellow die-hard fans.

Socially Conscious Discrimination

2009-11-21T11:18:00.000-08:00

I'm going start this by reminding you of the times you've pulled into a crowded parking lot and wished with all your might that you were handicap (or at least had a handicap relative or friend willing to lend you their car pass). I think we can all agree that priority parking spaces for handicap are a noble consideration in a society lacking regard in most matters involving fairness. But I'm already on a tangent. What I'd like to focus on is a sign I saw in the parking lot of a newly built shopping outlet on Long Island:

I smiled at first because at first glance it seems like a noble effort but as I crouched on my front tire snapping this photo on my p.o.s cell phone a second and third thought crossed my mind. When I first saw another alternative parking sign "For Pregnant Women and Women with Small Children" I was baffled and angry. Whoever thought of placing this sign in this parking lot had themselves or their wife in mind because I don't believe for one second that out of no where whilst paving a new lot someone thought "Hey! What can we do for all the pregnant women out there?" It's a kind gesture but I find it dubious. As I find this "green" sign to be as well. There are many people out their who neglect buying an energy efficient car albeit the environment and the money they would save. These same people would then, upon learning it could help them get closer parking (meaning less walking because they're probably lazy as shit), reconsider for their own personal benefit. But why on earth should we reward them?! It's not a sales tactic, because I doubt that much thought went into it, and there's no punishment for disobeying the sign so what's being accomplished? Snobbish berating through tin signage. At least there are men at home sleeping better because by establishing this new parking system they are "helping to make a difference".

Birthday Celebration

2009-10-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I learned that I share my birthday with the unwaveringly absorbing Hope Sandoval. This date is June 24^th though she was actualized 21 years my senior. It is my firm belief that people born on this number day are truly special creations and I celebrate and tip my hat to my fellow “24” spirits.

She hangs brightly from a tree

Wonders what she's gonna be

I'm aware of her game

Come and watch me, watch me come on

-She Hangs Brightly, Mazzy Star

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2009-10-01T04:10:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again when you can hardly go anywhere without seeing your usual grocery list items, and beauty products sporting a certain shade of pink. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and although the overload of pink-washed consumerism may blur into another time-of-the-year event I assure you this cause is worth noticing.

The rosey colored tic-tacs and pom-pom socks may not seem aesthetically appealing (I myself was never a pink kind of girl) but the support is needed and not nearly as taxing on your daily budget as you may think. Many companies have partnered with Susan G. Komen as well as other cancer organizations to continue this fight that affects far too many of us. Breast cancer is relevant in the lives of most Americans including myself and I find it comforting to know that the corporations that seem to exist in some underground vortex of crunched numbers and endless amounts of money share in the desire to work towards a common goal. I’ve compiled a list of some of these companies so that the next time you decide not to buy cookies in lieu of your new diet, you’ll decide otherwise because you’ll actually be helping in making a difference!

Pepperidge Farm
Ghirardelli
Kitchenaid
M&M
Yoplait
Mott’s Applesauce
Bumble Bee Tuna
Orbit White Bright Pink
Bicycle Playing Cards Ribbon Edition
Elf Beauty Products
Philosophy's Pink Ribbon Shower Gel
ChapStick
Dove Shampoos and Conditioners

Although the verdict is still out on certain food products and their relation to breast cancer (soy, for instance) there are still a number of ways to keep your body healthy and balanced which, as a result, lends itself to breast cancer prevention. These measures may seem vague in their connection to breast cancer but they’re easy enough to follow so why not!?

Ingest antioxidants through food with naturally high amounts of vitamin E (almonds, spinach, mangos) and vitamin C (oranges, grapefruit, red and green bell peppers, tomatoes)
Processed meats should be avoided and red meats should be eaten minimally because of their high levels of saturated fat and iron
Eating fish and/or taking fish oil pills provides the body with omega 3-fatty acids which may keep breast cells from multiplying and dividing
Drinking green tea daily has been shown to decrease the rate of breast cancer in wide studies

I’d like to share the website of an organization dear to my heart, as it is in memory of my mother: judisrun.org. We give to various research facilities as well as local families affected by breast cancer in need of financial support. And without getting too heavy with this post (as I have been resisting with all my might not to do) I’d like to remind all you ladies that being aware of your body is the best precautionary measure you can take. Go to your doctors appointments when that time of the year comes around, stay in tune with your emotional, spiritual, and physical health, and remember to perform self breast exams at least once a month (right after your period is the best time). If you’re unsure of how to thoroughly check for yourself this website should be of help:

Self Exam: http://women.webmd.com/healthtool-self-breast-exam

If you are bored...

2009-09-27T22:09:00.000-07:00

...and don't feel like getting off the computer follow these steps:

1) Go to www.pandora.com

2) Create your own account

3) Click on "Create new station" and search for "Carly Simon"

4) When Pandora is done thinking and begins playing music go to the "Add Variety" option

5) Search for "Big L"

That Time The Prostitute Paid Me

2009-09-25T10:21:00.001-07:00

It's Labor Day weekend on Fire Island (a combination of time and place that I was sure would finally drive me over the edge) and I'm back at Michael's Ristorante to help out a friend and make some quick dough. Saturday night's dinner shift was profitable overall- the number of diner's was decent, not too many counter slices, and a noticable amount of deliveries and catering. I was busy but not stuck in one area keeping my mood at the sub-bearable enjoyment necessary to stay on my toes with customers and coworkers.

We get to a breathing point in the night where dinner dies down and the late night drunks aren't jonesin' for pizza just yet and that's when she walked in. Just another customer at first, slightly demanding, with long brown hair, prominent rack and Louis Voutan bag. Then she grabs me. And begs for my help. "Listen, I'm from LA I have NEVER been here before but I have to leave. Help me get home, I can't be here."

"Okay, relax, let me see when the next ferry leaves."

"I just came here for the weekend and my friend is drunk, she just left with a random guy. She doesn't even know where she is. And I don't run with those kinds of people. (Um, yes you do.) I just want to get out of here." She grabs my arm "I will give you a hundred dollars if you get me home."

"Sure, okay. The next and last ferry isn't for an hour so why don't you order some food and we'll figure this out."

Now I don't get offers like this often, or ever, and I wasn't very comfortable with it. I mean, I was bussing tables and serving slices that night, I would have been lucky to make a hundred bucks on my own working honest and hard and this chick wants to give me enough money to support my drinking habit for the next month just for showing her where to walk? I figure, she's probably exaggerating about the exact amount of money, and it's in my nature to help whether there's money involved or not so I'll just go along as I usually would.

"I need to 2 glasses of wine now." (Hey we could really be friends)

So I set her up with the two wines that make the most sense: my favorite-shiraz, and that mixed red bottle we've been trying to get rid of. And I'm on with the rest of my work.

A few minutes later I'm helping another customer and I see her waving me over out of the corner of my eye. I go over when I'm finished with what I'm doing to hear the same story again. I try to calm her and walk away and just as I turn she squeels "And I just found out my boyfriends cheating on me" So I sit.

"He was seen bringing another woman into his building. And I'm not that sad but I better still get my 15 grand a month."

"Right right" is what I say before registering her last comment. 15 grand alimony from a man you weren't married to? I'm lost. Although I don't let on because I'd honestly rather not know.

"I'm not heartbroken I just need that money. I don't love him, he just pays me"

Now I don't run with people like this woman but who am I to judge, it's not like I'm rolling in it.

"Well that's just disappointing then. Fuck him for being a little boy, but your lucky you don't care about it. That money is your support system but it's worse when you care." I tell her, trying to create a bond.

Her phone rings. She hands it to me, "I can't talk to her, you do it" And suddenly I'm her personal assistant.

The rest of the details would make you knaw at your own skin from irritation and boredom but long story-short she left $34 tip on a $34 bill and gave me another $80 after walking her to the ferry (I rolled her suitcase down there also[who the fuck am i?!])

Judge me for accepting the money but the woman was evil, and it was her cheating old mans cash anyway. And that's how I got paid for saving a hooker in distress.

Everyone slips up sometimes, even Aliens.

2009-09-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

At the exact moment I turn to head back to the restaurant with my plastic gray wagon, successfully done with the last of 4 Labor Day '09 pizza deliveries I saw in the sky a cloud shaped like a flying saucer and thought: Of course! Extra terrestrials have the ability to shift molecular form. That's how they've gotten around us all these years...but they weren't too clever about it this time because that cloud is OBVIOUSLY a space ship.

This is not my photo but this craft is similar to the one I saw.

Autumn is Falling

2009-08-31T20:55:00.000-07:00

I absolutely adore the "back to school" season but there is one key thing missing in my life this year: school. I honestly love and look forward to the start of a new semester and going to class but it's time to be a big girl and I will cope with this loss by falling back on my autumn comforts. Comforts are classics and though this time will be marked by growth I'm glad to have them.

First and foremost are my Standard Fall Tunes- As summer winds down I can't help but relish in my greasy girl ways and tune in to some Mazzy Star, Garbage etc. Then as Halloween approaches I'm ready for my annual Nirvana, and Smashing Pumpkins kicks (holiday decor reference not relevant). And as the temperature lowers even more I indulge on the daily in some Billie Holiday. Needless to say, for me, fall sounds like the grungier times in countries history, primarily the 90's, and if you can't understand why I'm sorry for you.

Second is the Back-To-School Clothes- Since I work an unpaid job, have loans to pay very soon, and recently moved back in with Dad the shopping will be kept to a minimum this year. But that didn't stop me from impulse buying these amazing shoes an hour ago whilst online "window shopping". Along with the buying of new clothes is the wearing of garments that cover my arms and legs. Two weeks ago I would have shrieked at the thought of a sweater but snuggling up in some warm rags sounds oh-so-choice right now.

Third would be getting back into Routine-This summer was amazingly erratic. I didn't spend more than 2 weeks in one place and it felt so good. I strutted around Spain (pictures to come), drove to Miami, worked in New York, and played in Philadelphia. But to settle back in one place and get my daily process underway will feel good. It's all about balance and what I need now is equal amounts of work, play, healthy living, and creativity.

With that said I'm starting to feel a little better about no longer being a student. I'm going to continue my education on my own anyway and as an end-of-post-gift (they're very common, really) I leave you this classic clip:

An Ode to Belgian Food Products

2009-08-08T22:44:00.000-07:00

To begin-your Chocolate

Satisfying my craving in taste

Smoothly melting into my mouth

You make me feel sexy (which is important while eating)

And I know when to stop

Because you've your job right

Secondly-your Beer

Satisfying my craving in taste

Heavily bubbling down my throat

You make me feel bold (which is important while drinking)

And I don't know when to stop

Because you've done your job right

And lastly-your Waffles

Satisfying my craving for breakfast

Brilliantly encasing my maple syrup

You make me feel full (which is important while breakfasting)

And I'll always come back for more

Because you've done your job right

The Beauty and Convenience of the Short Story

2009-08-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

No I'm not talking about writing them because a beautiful short story is a challenge indeed. I'm referring to all the reading I've done in last few months. I'm not quite sure how but I managed to get through 21 years of life without reading a single book of short stories by my own choice. And now I can't stop.

It started around January when I was ready to revisit Hunter S Thompson, as I always go back to my favorite authors at least once a year, but was not sure where to turn. I landed on The Proud Highway: Saga of a Desperate Southern Gentleman, 1955-1967, which I'm still reading yet feel no guilt about it. Usually if it takes me this long to get through a book the 14-year-old that's still finishing up the paragraph in her social studies book while the teacher begins talking about it (our countries school system has a bias against slow readers) creeps up forcing me to feel ultra "special". But I've maintained confidence in my reading skills with this book because I go at my own pace. There are no plot twists, or character arches rushing me along at the end of each chapter. I can start and stop at my own liesure...whoda thunk it! So I read it a little while I was still in school and after finishing up my semester have since started 3 others books of short stories, only one of which I've finished. I like bouncing from one authors voice to another and encourage every reader to do it. Below are the four books of short stories/letters/lectures/articles I've read in the last few months- varied in style and content yet equally satisfying.

Sometimes I think that I’m Bigger Than the Sound: A YeahYeahYeahs Non-Review

2009-08-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

I am in no way qualified to hold “The Enemy” title so rather than try to review I will write as the fan that I am. So the start Karen O is a truly inspiring female artist and I know you know this but if you haven’t seen them live you can’t fully understand her ability to move and connect. I must have creamed my pants at least 7 times because the woman is fucking amazing. She wore this big-armed poncho-like shirt that attached at the crotch and was decorated with neon colored TexMex patterns. Underneath she wore tiny booty shorts. And for a few numbers she put on she black studded leather jackets with her initials on the back that was so rockin’ that I would wear it any day with the K.O lettering and all.

Obviously none of these are from the show but they are great examples of how rad her and her style are

Now I can’t recall the order of the entire set but they started with a dark stage, spot light on Karen singing the 7th track off their new album, "It’s Blitz!", Runaway. She moves slowly the entire time in and out of equally beautiful and awkward poses like a traditional Chinese dance. When the number is over the lights come up revealing the rest of the band and the backdrop consisting of a GIANT eyeball in the middle with blue sparkly rings around it. They kick it up at this time with "Show Your Bones" Gold Lion.

At this point I’d been standing near the back of the ground floor of the Electric Factory dancing with myself (went alone-love a good solo adventures) enjoying the wide array of fans. Mostly pushed to the front were the late-teen fans from the suburbs who made sure to belt their V-neck T’s, among them were also the wealthy suburban girls matched head to toe in big worn out T’s and tiny jeans. Scattered around were the band-crazed girls who had friends on each arms, one of them usually a gay man. And then their were the mid to late twenties crowd mostly made of tattooed, and wild-haired women and their boes. I could have been in the “band-crazed” category had I been adorned with some arm candy but going to shows by myself gives me an enormous sense of independence and lets me dance like a frantic epileptic until a stranger stops me and not the person I’m with. But then I ran into a friend and headed upstairs with him and his date.

I spent the next few songs kneeling on a drink shelf through some of my Yeah Yeah Yeah’s favorites including Soft Shock, Pin, Maps, and Skeletons. I was appreciative at this time for the back and forth pattern they created switching between new and older songs. Pin got me off at the first strum as one of my all-time fav’s of theirs. The shelf on which I perched was wet from past occupant’s beers and I nearly fell right over during the repeating “Dono” chorus. The crowd really went wild for a stripped down version of Maps. And although this song, easily their most well known, has been heard a million times over it still got me into a deep sentimental trance remembering all the “they don’t love you like I love you” moments I’ve had in my life (but this isn’t the time or place for such reminiscing) They finished off with their latest dance grooves Heads Will Roll and Zero.

I was so pleased with this set that I didn’t dare utter “I hope they play ___ in the encore” What they did play was a trashing mash up of "Fever to Tell" and "Show Your Bones" track’s that made me want to go out in the streets and break stuff. Among them were Date With the Night where she did indeed “walk on water” and Cheated Hearts, which had me singing louder than anyone around me (which I’m sure they all appreciated very much)

Needless to say I had a more-than-satisfying night complete with estrogen fused head shaking, balls out ass shaking and good, clean listening enjoyment. So please please please go see the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s if they’re in a town near you.

Feeling Immobilized

2009-07-30T10:42:00.000-07:00

Up at 9:30 on my first day with nothing to do. Anxiety has my mind on the almost-finished bottle of Coppola Merlot downstairs but my better judgment has kept me in bed now trying to deal by writing about it.

Watching a clip of Maria Maldaur and The Jim Kweskin Jug Band’s performance of I Ain’t Gonna Marry simultaneously helps open my airway through it’s beautiful slingshot vocals while channeling my drifter desire which hasn’t been utilized thus raising my heart rate. See for yourself.
I’d be her in this moment over and over again for the rest of my life.

I’ve just been to Spain and hope to explore the east coast a little for the next month. I’ll be driving Hope (younger sister) down to school in Miami in August so that’ll help.

Now I’m tired of this narcissistic ramble so I’m going to start my day. I hope yours is keeping you grounded and that you do all the things of your desires.

July 21

you can never have too much storage

2009-07-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

Found these on one of my externals when I was looking for something to use as a banner. They're from when I first started getting into photography about 2 years ago.

Getting up and Started

2009-07-21T12:25:00.000-07:00

This blog may be a little backwards for some time as I post older writings

an unemployed waitress is a happy waitress

2009-07-21T09:02:00.000-07:00

This short story written by Tom Robins has gotten me through the last few weeks of work:

Of the genius waitress, I now sing.

Of hidden knowledge, buried ambition, and secret
sonnets scribbled on cocktail napkins; of aching
arches, ranting cooks, condescending patrons, and eyes
diverted from ancient Greece to ancient grease; of
burns and pinches and savvy and spunk; of a uniquely
American woman living a uniquely American compromise,
I sing. I sing of the genius waitress.

Okay, okay, she's probably not really a genius. But
she is well-educated. She has a degree in Sanskrit,
ethnoastronomy, Icelandic musicology, or something
equally valued in contemporary marketplace. Even if
she could find work in her chosen field, it wouldn't
pay beans--so she slings them instead. (The genius
waitress is not to be confused with the
aspiring-actress waitress, so prevalent in Manhattan
and Los Angeles and so different from her sister in
temperament and I.Q.)

As a type, the genius waitress is sweet and sassy,
funny and smart; young, underestimated, fatalistic,
weary, cheery (not happy, cheerful: there's a
difference and she understands it), a tad bohemian,
often borderline alcoholic, frequently pretty (though
her hair reeks of kitchen and bar); as independent as
a cave bear (though ever hopeful of "true love") and,
above all, geniune.

Covertly sentimental, she fusses over toddlers and old
folks, yet only fear of unemployment prevents her from
handing an obnoxious customer his testicles with his
bill.

She doesn't mind a little good-natured flirting, and
if you flirt with verve and wit, she may flirt back.
Never, however, never try to impress her with your
resume. Her tolerance for pretentious Yuppies ends
with her shift, sometimes earlier. She reads men like
a menu and always knows when she's being offered
leftovers or an artificially inflated souffle.

Should you ever be lucky enough to be taken home by
her to that studio apartment with the jerry-built
bookshelves and Frida Kahlo posters, you will discover
that whereas in the public dining room she is merely
as proficient as she needs to be, in the private
bedroom she is blue gourmet virtuoso. Five stars and
counting! Afterward, you can discuss chaos theory or
the triple aspects of the mother goddess in universal
art forms--while you massage her swollen feet.

Eventually, she leaves food service for graduate
school or marriage; but unless she wins a grant or a
fair divorce settlement, chances are she'll be back, a
few years down the line, reciting the daily specials
with her own special mixture of warmth and ennui.

Erudite emissary of eggs over easy, polymath purveyor
of polenta and prawns, articulate angel of apple pie,
the genius waitress is on duty right now in hundreds
of U.S. restaurants, smile at the ready, sauce on the
side. So brush up on your Schopenhauer, place your
order--and tip, mister, tip. She deserves a break
today.

Of her, I sing.

Tom Robbins
Playboy, 1991

It’s his appreciation of the worker and his understanding of lying awake at night unable to sleep because your hair stinks of pizza and your finger nails are backed up with a tar-like substance made up of grease, garlic sauce, and, most importantly money dirt that prevented me from pouring steaming marinara in the face of every old-money Manhattan bachelor I've had to explain to why they could NOT have my number. Now your wondering why I wouldn’t just shower after work before going to bed and the answer is that after a 14-hour shift the thought of having to continue standing just to be clean is not worth it to me by a long shot. Many a night I’ve contemplated bringing a lawn chair in the tub with me but the undertaking of such a project gets lost in my thoughts around the prospect of fumbling around my dark yard searching for said chair. I’d rather sleep in my own filth and worry about the rest in morning.

You may also be wondering why on earth I would quit a decently paying job as a recent college graduate in this kind of job market and I'll put it right on the table for you now: I'm okay with my head being bigger than my bank account.

Long story-short tonight was my last night of work at Michael’s Ristortante. Although I did shed a tear at the thought of leaving my coworkers, most of whom I’ve had an outstanding working relationship with for three summers now, I couldn’t be happier to get away from the pizza-loving freaks that occupy that place at the most god awful hours of the morning. If you’re one of the drunks that has felt the need to yell over the 7 people ahead of you in line to make sure you get the corner slice of the Sicilian pie you will never see my rosey face again.

Written July 13