Another List

LAST D.V.D. I WATCHED:

I just watched Trey Parker's and Matt Stone's TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE. It was so offensive, but really funny. And the songs are hilarious!
Before that I watched, Hitchcock's DIAL M FOR MURDER. I loved this film. It is probably right up there with REAR WINDOW, and VERTIGO as one of my favorite Alfred Hitchcock films. With Netflix, I have been able to focus on certain directors' or actors' bodies of work. I kind of have mini film festivals. In the last year, I've watched different Francois Truffault, Alfred Hitchcock, Luis Bunuel, and George Cukor films. I have also focused on selected works featuring Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Cliff, and now Grace Kelly. It is a fun way to brush up on film history, if you are film buff.

LAST C.D. I LISTENED TO:

I listened to Fugazi's "In On the Kill Taker" last night as I was watering my plants and tidying up around the house. And I listened to "The Very Best of Donna Summer" earlier this morning as I was making my bed, feeding my cats, drinking coffee, and getting ready to go out.

LAST PLACE WHERE I ATE OUT:

I got together with Iris, Naomi, and Jack from work earlier this afternoon to have lunch. We were all indecisive about where we wanted to go, but Jack, who always likes to be in control of things, chose for us to go have Japanese. We drove to Pasadena, and went to a place called Gin-Sushi, on Colorado Blvd., near Sierra Madre. It was good! For $10, I had beef teriyaki, spicy tuna rolls, miso soup, rice, salad, and a diet coke... Since it is summer and I am not working, and living off of savings, $10 meals are ideal.

LAST PERSON WHO VISITED ME AT HOME:

Raquel

LAST PERSON I SPOKE WITH ON THE PHONE:

Monica

LAST TIME I TOOK A SHOWER:

Three hours ago, but I am about to jump in again after this entry. It is still very hot, and I am feeling quite sweaty at the moment.

Rocio's Sweet Music

In case anyone was interested, this is what I have been listening to so far this summer...

Nelly Furtado, Peaches, Kelis, Calle 13, Julieta Venegas, Miranda!, and THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, soundtrack/original cast recording.

I also recently bought a Rocio Durcal C.D., her greatest hits collection. Durcal was a Spaniard who made her career in Mexico, recording melancholic Mexican pop songs and ranchera-style music. She collaborated a lot in the 1980s with Juan Gabriel. She died of cancer complications recently in Madrid on March 25th of this year. The reason I remember the exact date is because she died the day after my grandfather passed away. Her death was a great deal and major loss around the Spanish-speaking world. She was much loved. During my visit to Ecuador in the spring, that was I all they seemed to be playing on the radio. My fondest memory of listening to Durcal was on the day my mother and I drove to the coast, La Ruta del Sol, with our cousin Ivonne. She brought along a two-disc greatest hit c.d. for us to listen to in the car. We listened to it twice. And my mom and Ivonne sang along to many of the songs. This drive to the coast was such a wonderful respite from all the things my mom and I had to take care of during our sudden visit to Ecuador. And Rocio Durcal's voice and songs served as a perfect, sweet soundtrack.

Let's Talk About the Weather

I continue to go the beach as much as I possibly can with different friends. I went to this little beach in Malibu Colony with Robert, Raquel, and Iris yesterday. The tide was high, but the water was surprisingly warm. We sunbathed and enjoyed a nice little picnic potluck, which we all prepared. We had a lot of fun.

I am planning on going to Santa Monica later today with friends from work, for another outing of fun and to escape the inland heat. It has been too hot lately, so beach outings have been a wonderful relief from this intense weather. It never used to get this hot in July in Southern California. A really warm day in L.A. in July was usually around 84 degrees. Our hottest time of the year has always been around late August through September. It feels as if it has been over 90 degrees everyday for the last month, and we are not even half way through our summer. From what I understand this heat wave is happening across North America. It is scary to think that this may be a result from global warming and that this is just a glimpse of what we're are to expect in years to come. By the way, I have yet to see the film, AN INCONVINIENT TRUTH, but I now want to see it more than any other movie out there.

City Boy in the Water

I have been going to the beach quite regularly. I went twice this week. And at least four times since starting my summer break three weeks ago. A couple of days ago, I went kayaking in Naples Beach, down in Long Beach with my friend Joanne Palmieri. This was so much fun and really good upper body exercise. I have tried row boating and canoeing before, but because of the lack of practice I found it quite difficult. I also lack the coordination required in handling two oars or paddles. But kayaking for me is easier.

Joanne grew up in a rural area in certral New Jersey surrounded by lakes (yes, there are rural areas in Jersey!) . The girl can water ski, sail, snorkel, do anything aquatic. She is quite the sporty girl, actually. We were talking about our experiences growing up and agreed that depending on where and how you were reared, there will always be certain things you will be exposed to and learn at an early age that others will not. I shared with her that I have always lived in a big city. I have other friends who were raised in urban environments and a handful of them for some reason or another never learned how to swim or ride a bike as children. In the case of my sisters and I, we have always been near the ocean, in Ecuador and in California. Growing up in L.A. we lived in one of those cheesy '70s apartment buildings you see all over Los Angeles. The place had a pool, and every summer we would enjoy swimming in it. In addition, our father had a swimming pool in his suburban house, which really became more of the attraction than our visits with him. At a very young age, my sisters and I were expert swimmers.

I, however, never had the experience or row boating or kayaking as a child. As a kid growing up in an urban setting, I learned how to skateboard, roller skate, ride a bike, jay walk, but never tried boating or kayaking until I was an adult! My outing with Joanne last Wednesday was only my third time in my life trying kayaking, and my first time in two years. I am always a mess in the beginning. Rowing or paddling doesn't come naturally to me, at first. Joanne, who brought along her dog Nacho (who was wearing a cute little doggy life vest), was in one kayak, I was in another. She was sweet and patient and from her kayak instructing me how to paddle. I quickly got the hang of it, but messed up a few times when other boats or kayaks would come near me. Other boaters and poeple in kayaks were generally friendly, however. It was also a comfort to see that I was not the only novice around. After a good fifteen minutes I was fine. Joanne no longer felt the need to stay near me. I had so much fun. The kayak rentals were for an hour and after finishing, I totally wanted to do it again. I will have to wait another week though because my arms and shoulders are still sore.

I love Futbol!!!

Now that the FIFA World Cup is over I can now officially begin my summer reading. I am very happy that Italy won, but would have liked to see Portugal in the final two instead of France.
I was channel surfing last night and I caught this stupid segment on NBC's "Dateline" totally dissing Football or futbol, (what Americans call soccer). The guy was calling it the "Almost World Cup," and was suggesting that it wasn't truly a world event only because it isn't big in the U.S.A. His arguments were so idiotic, and truly reeking of "ugly Americanism." And of course, his main complaint was that he (and most Americans according to him) doesn't get into soccer because of the low scoring. He couldn't believe anyone getting truly excited about a game which ends in a tie or at 1-0. I suppose he is used to a game like American football where a touchdown can be worth 7 points, or basketball where the scores after the end of a game often reach the tripple digits. What I love about soccer is that if you have two great teams it is really difficult to score. I love that the players are not allowed to use their hands. I love the fancy footwork involved in running and kicking a ball at the same time. I love the excitement of the fans and the t.v. commetators. I do not know of any other sport that is played with that much passion and bravado. I love futbol!
And yes, there are no hotter athletes out there than soccer players...