My April Playlist

(Included in this list will be new and older releases, the top 8 C.D.s that got the most airplay from me at home)

1. Amy Winehouse --BACK TO BLACK
This c.d. has been out for over a month, and it is still my favorite. Every single one of the tracks in this soul diva's record could be a hit. From the spiritual "Rehab" to the mournful "Wake Up Alone."

2. The Shins --WINCING THE NIGHT AWAY
The nicest indie pop record out right now. I first became aware of this band on America's Next Top Model. Former contestant Elyse is bandmember Marty Crandell's girlfriend... Cheap trivia, I know, but The Shin's music is so nice...

3. LL Cool J --ALL WORLD
Originall released in 1996, this collection of LL's earliest hits contains such gems as "Doin' It," "Going Back to Cali," "Jingling Baby," "I Can't Live Without My Radio," and one of my favorite songs of all time, "I Need Love." This is one of my best purchases from Amazon.

4. Akon --KONVICTED
Guilty rap pleasure with ocassional nasty lyrics...

5. Lucinda Williams --WEST
Lyrical, tender and beautiful music are all things one expects from Williams. This record offers all that and more. What else can you expect from one of the best living songwriters around?

6. Jay-Z --THE DYNASTY ROC LA FAMILIA (2000- )
I just got this from Amazon two weeks ago. This C.D. came out in 2000 when I was getting back into hip-hop. Jay-Z is one fo the best producers and rappers around. The C.D. has a lot of memorable tracks, but track #3, "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It To Me)" still brings me out on the dance floor everytime I hear it. This one's a hip-hop classic!

7. Arcade Fire --NEON BIBLE
I am trying to get into this disc more. NEON BIBLE is not as immediately infectuous as their older stuff, but it still contains a few good tracks. Arcade Fire remind me a lot of Echo and the Bunnymen and The Jesus and Mary Chain on this disc...

8. Mel & Kim --THAT'S THE WAY IT IS: THE BEST OF MEL & KIM
Another Amazon purchase. Got it for $3.99. Does anyone remember the late '80s song "Showing Out (Get Fresh At the Weekend)"? I love this song!!!

Los Amores de Mi Vida

Au Revoir Land Line

Most of you who are on my e-mail address book received a couple of letters from me notifying you that I was getting rid of my land line. It was not an easy decision to make, particularly since I did not want to let go of a number that I had had for the last 11 years and 3 months. I have now joined the ranks of many who only have a cell phone and no "line line" at home. When I was first given the number of 213 483-6818, back in January of 1996 by Pacific Bell (which then became AT&T, and then SBC, and now AT&T again) there was no such term as "land line." At least I was not aware of such a term. I never had a pager, but I remember having a voicemail number briefly for a couple of years when I was living with my mother.

Two years ago, I finally got a cell phone. I felt as if I was the last person on earth to get one! I remember resisting at first, claiming that I did not want to be tracked down wherever I went by people trying to reach me. But eventually found it necessary to own one, especially since I always ended borrowing one owned by friends or companions I was with. I have to admit, I love cell phones. It is so funny how useful they are when you're meeting up with someone, and you're letting them know that you are running late, or what spot to find you when you're meeting somewhere. It is wonderful to have a phone around when you travel within the States and you just want to check up on loved ones back home. And let's not forget, one never needs to worrry about using public phones or having change in one's pockets when needing to make a phone call when out.

For the last year, I found myself using my land line less and less. I only used it to make local calls in the day, during the week. I didn't always need to make a phone call, but found myself using it not just because I wanted to speak to someone, but using it because I felt I had to since I was paying to have it in service! Also most people either found themselves trying to reach me on my cell, rather than on my land line. And then there are the friends and relatives in my life, who find it easier or more convinient to communicate via e-mail, not by phone...

I am going to miss my old number. Call me sentimental! I have heard it too many times from my oldest and dearest friends that (213) 483-6818 was one of the last phone numbers they still remembered by heart. That was probably my number one reason why I hesitated to get rid of this number. Alas, I had to let go! We live in a time when we do not remember numbers. We go in our phones. Scroll down to the name you're loking for. A-B-C... Find the name. And press send. Hit the green button..

I keep on telling myself that I will be economizing with only one phone line now. One less bill to pay. I don't know... I still miss my old phone. But as I write this, I am reminded that today, a Sunday, I was only on the phone three times. Did I really need two lines?



(p.s. Let me know if any of you still do not have my cell phone number. I will e-mail it to you...)

Wine Tasting By the Sea

I am on spring break this week and have enjoyed going on short trips with different friends the last few days. Earlier in the week, I went down to San Diego for an overnight trip with Robert B. We partied in the Hillcrest area, had fun, yummy meals in new restaurants we discovered, and enjoyed a nice drive around the city... Today (On Wednesday I mean), I went to Santa Barbara with friends from work Naomi, Iris, and Carmela. We visited the Santa Barbara Mission. Walked on the pier. Shopped and had an early dinner on State Street. And we went to a couple of wineries for some wine tasting. I brought home a few bottles with me.
There's still a few days left to my vacation. Who knows where else I might go...