Felotalk

Riot Grrrls Revisited!!!

2010-07-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

I guess I started feeling nostolgic for the '90s after a friend made a Riot Grrrl reference yesterday. So I picked up some old CDs in my collection that I had not listened to in years!!! (Bikini Kill, Julie Ruin, Lois, Sleater-Kinney, Beat Happening, the Spinanes....)

Anyway, this is not really a video, but I love this ...song by one of Kathleen Hanna's many aliases and side projects, Julie Ruin....
Enjoy!!!

I'm in Love With a Robot

2009-08-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

"The Girl and the Robot" -- Royksopp (feat. Robyn)

Röyksopp Feat Robyn - The Girl And The Robot / NEW
Uploaded by PeteRock. - See the latest featured music videos.

This is my favorite song and music video of the summer. Enjoy!

Grace at the Bowl

2009-07-28T22:48:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of Oscar De La Cruz

Filled with breathtaking costumes and her expected crazy theatrics, Grace Jones show this past Sunday at the Hollywood Bowl was nothing short of astonishing! She performed some of my favorite songs from her late '70s, early '80s oeuvre, including: "My Jamaican Guy, "Libertango" and "Pull Up to the Bumper," as well as a few songs from her new record. The queen of Studio 54 era disco continues to amaze her fans with her music, avant-garde antics and fabulousness. I loved this show!

R.I.P. Farah Fawcett

2009-06-25T18:55:00.001-07:00

R.I.P. Michael Jackson

2009-06-25T18:49:00.001-07:00

Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough
Uploaded by chilavert. - Explore more music videos.

Humbert Bovine 1998-2009

2009-05-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

I just had to put my 11 year young cat Humbert to sleep. He had an incurable disease, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), and this was the only option. I was there during the procedure and couldn't have done it without the presence of my roommate Cindy. (Thank you Cindy). It hasn't really hit me that he is gone yet... But I will miss him!!!

Ja'mie King from Summer Heights High

2009-04-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

Summer Heights High

I love this Australian import, which originally aired in the U.S. on HBO last fall. Chris Lilley, the show's creator and writer, also plays Mr. G, a sexually-ambiguous drama teacher and Jonah, a troubled 13-year-old from Tonga. He's brilliant!!!

Another Cha Cha Takes Me Back

2009-03-29T10:44:00.000-07:00

Last night I was watching figure skating on t.v.and I saw that one of the girls skating performed to a familiar tune which I had not heard in a long time. All I remember from the song is its beginning chant: "One two, cha cha cha, three four, cha cha cha..." So I decided to Google in these lyrics and I found that the song is titled "Another Cha Cha" and was released in the late '70s by a Franco-Latin disco group called Santa Esmeralda.

My memories of this song take me back to 1979, the last full year of my life that I spent as a citizen of Ecuador before emigrating to California the following year. The song reminds me especially of my trips to the seaside, an hour and a half away from Guayaquil, the city of my birth. My grandmother loved to travel and enjoyed leaving the city. This was especially true during Easter week, but also whenever she had an opportunity. She would leave my grandfather behind who couldn't easily escape his duties as the headmaster in an all boys orphanage.

My grandmother would take my two younger sisters and I, our travel bags in tow, sometimes accompanied by her "helper" or one of our aunties, but once in a while with no help whatsoever. If we went to the beach communities of Playas or La Liberta, we would rent a little room for our stay. If we went to Salinas, we would stay at my godparents Nancy and Rodrigo's beach condo, a block away from the water.

These trips to the sea were magical for my sisters and I, and I have a feeling that they were also a welcome respite for my grandmother. We would all swim and play in the water for hours, building a nice appetite in the process. I have fond memories of ordering fish and crab, salty green plantains, and drinking coconut water right out the fruit. I remember my grandmother drinking a cold beer and getting a great satisfaction from it. I remember these restaurant stands having palm-leaf thatching for roofs. And I remember Santa Esmeralda's catchy and festive hit "Another Cha Cha" always blasting from a juke box or radio.

Now I can't wait until I go back to Ecuador again! It's been 3 years...

47 Days and 47 Nights

2009-03-02T17:58:00.000-08:00

My good friend Kathy, a fellow blogger asked, "Are you observing Lent this year?" on her February 25th post. Well, for those who didn't know already, I am! This year my friends Robert, Raquel and I decided to give up red meat and all alcohol for Lent. I for one am not someone who drinks in excess, but I normally can not live without a glass of red wine for more than a day. I also enjoy a nice cold beer when it is warm, which is quite frequently (even in winter) if you live in Los Angeles. As for red meat, I do not eat it everyday, but I thought I could one up most Catholics who only give it up on Fridays!

Well you can imagine my shock when I discovered this weekend that Lent is actually 47 days long and not 40. All my life, I had always believed that Lent was 40 days and 40 nights. Since we started our observance, my friends and I had been doing a countdown, counting backwards from 40 days. Looking at a calendar, the three of us thought Easter Sunday would be on April 5th (40 days counting from February 25), but we soon learned that it won't be until the 12th of that month. We were perplexed. I brought the subject up in the lunch room today with my colleagues who are also observing Lent and giving up something or other. Beth is giving up coffee (yikes!). Maggie is giving up sweets. Carolina is giving up all carbonated sodas. Beth then said: Lent is 40 days and 40 nights, but you don't count Sundays!

What a realization, I thought, but it just sounded dumb to me. I know Sunday is a holy day, but really! Does this mean one can cheat on Sundays? Don't worry, yours truly will not! I just think those who are in observance should be given credit for the 47 days of practicing their will power.

O.K. With my new knowledge now, as of today: 6 days down, and 41 days to go...

Have You Ever?

2009-02-16T07:56:00.000-08:00

Well, here I go again! I am reposting another list I was sent on Facebook. Personally, I find the list to be too cheesy and more like the type of goals or "have you evers" asked by someone living in a small town in the midwest. But since I have done many of the things on this list, and since I think I am now addicted to these lists (called NOTES on Facebook), I decided to do this one too.

Oh yeah, If you see an X in front of each line, it means I have done that...

Things you have done during your lifetime:
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Skipped school
( ) Watched someone die
(x) Been to Canada
(x) Been to Mexico
(x) Been to Florida
( ) Jumped off a cliff
( ) Bungee jump
( ) Parasailed
(x) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Flown a plane
( ) Been on a helicopter
(x) Been lost
(x) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
( ) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons
(x) Sang Karaoke
(x) Paid for a meal with coins only
( ) Been on an African safari
(x) Been to NewYork City at Xmas time
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x ) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sunrise with someone
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
(x) Seen a Broadway show
( ) Been deep sea fishing
( ) Driven across the United States
( ) Been in a hot air balloon
( ) Been sky diving
( ) Gone snowmobiling
(x) Lived in more than one country
(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars
(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish
( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
(x) Been on a cruise..
(x) Traveled by train
(x) Traveled by motorcycle
(x) Been horse back riding
(x) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
(x) Been to Disney World...
(x) Truly believe in the power of prayer
(x) Been in a rain forest
( ) Seen whales in the ocean
( ) Been to Niagara Falls
( ) Ridden on an elephant
(x) Swam with dolphins
(x) Been to the Olympics
( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China
( ) Saw and heard a glacier crack (Hiked on one)
( ) Been to India
( ) Been water-skiing
(x) Been snow-skiing
( ) Been to Westminster Abbey
(x) Been to the Louvre
( ) Been to the Sistine Chapel
(x) Swam in the Mediterranean
(x) Been to a Major League Baseball game
( ) Been to a National Football League game
(x) Ever been skinny-dipping
(x) Laugh so hard you cry
( ) Follow a map for treasure
( ) Drive a dune buggy
(x) Get lost in East L.A. after dark

My New Obsession on Television

2009-02-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

So I finally have cable t.v. and I can't get enough of Flight of the Conchords on HBO. It is stupid and brilliant! It's my new favorite show on t.v.

25 Random Facts About Me

2009-01-29T17:46:00.000-08:00

This is from a Facebook chain-letter "tag." Since I haven't posted anything on this blog in a while, I thought I'd copy and paste it here...

1. When I was 5 years old my grandparents lost sight of me at a crowded parade. They looked for me for hours. When they got home, they found me already there. I had walked some 10 blocks home by myself.

2. I was born left-handed, but my Catholic school teachers made me re-learn to write with my right hand. Today I can't do much with my left hand. I feel this is why I am a slow typist and was never able to learn how to play any musical instruments no matter how hard I tried.
(Also, my dad, mom, and youngest sister Monica are left-handed)...

3. I am a survivor of L.A.U.S.D.'s year-round-schools B-track, which in my opinion really mess up students' learning habits.

4. I adore my niece and nephew so much! They have only been in my life for 5 and 3 years but they are the most important people to me. (Mom and sisters come a close 3rd...)

5. I know more about film history than many filmmaker or "industry" friends I have.

6. In the '90s I was one of those obnoxious, elitist people who never watched television...

7. When non-native French speakers speak, I can understand almost everything they are saying. I have a hard time, however, understanding the French.

8. I hate Los Angeles Magazine!!!

9. Vancouver, Quito, and Paris are my three favorite cities in the world.

10. I am a very forgiving person, and only hope that my friends are equally forgiving...

11. In the last few month, I have had some nights when I have trouble sleeping...

12. I like going to work when I am sick, and saving my sick days for leisure...

13. Everyone knows I have 2 sisters. But I also have 6 half-siblings (that I know of).

14. It takes me a whole day to clean my house, but I know that other could do that work in 3 hours!

15. Ariel Carmona Jr. has been my friend since 1984.

16. I still communicate with my 9th grade English teacher.

17. I used to write poetry and was once an avid journal-keeper.

18. I am not comfortable talking about myself...

19. Lately, I have come to realize that I need more positive, optimistic people in my life. I get really impatient with negativity.

20. I absolutely love water!!! Swim in it, bathe in it, drink it!!!

21. I walk a lot, yet I don't wear a hat. I know I should, but I have a big head.

22. I love roasted and rotisserie chicken!!!

23. In the last 5 years, I have become more confident around the kitchen. I cook almost every day.

24. I hope to travel in the next 5 years across Colombia. It is the next Cuba or Peru, in my opinion!

25. I talk to my mother everyday.

Good Riddance!!!

2009-01-17T11:08:00.000-08:00

I can't wait for Tuesday!

Eartha Kitt -- 1927-2008

2008-12-26T15:03:00.000-08:00

It is so sad and ironic to hear that the magnificent Eartha Kitt passed away yesterday on Christmas Day. The woman is legend! And yours truly loved listening to her music especially during end-of-the-year parties and gatherings. Although her music and contributions to entertainment will be remembered forever, her loss is greatly felt among her loyal fans.
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I love December!!!

2008-12-15T16:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!!! I once saw these two wonderful songs performed by a drag queen in Seattle, back to back as part of a medley. It was the most hilarious and brilliant show I had seen in years.
I hope all of you are enjoying the holiday season as much as I am!!! Happy December....

Single Ladies in da House

2008-11-26T19:44:00.000-08:00

I have never really called myself a Beyoncé fan, but I have to say I really love this new song of hers. I was reluctant to enjoy it and appreciate its video with its crazy choreography when I first saw it posted on my friend Christiaan's blog over a month ago, but I now find myself looking it up on You Tube all the time.
This song is fierce!!!
No pun intended...Sasha!

SNL Continues to Entertain

2008-11-16T22:09:00.000-08:00

p.s. Paul Rudd has never looked cuter...

Keith Olbermann on Marriage

2008-11-13T18:51:00.001-08:00

Thank you Christiaan!!!

Introducing The First Family

2008-11-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

Heading to the Polls was Never so Fun

2008-11-04T14:14:00.000-08:00

I voted first thing this morning, and found myself quite exhilirated!!! In my 8 years of voting (I became a U.S. citizen in 1999) I have never felt this good, this moved and excited to vote. I left my house to my local polling place, and got there 5 minutes before 7 a.m. I was in line for no more than 30 minutes, which felt so long. I felt eager and nervous. I chatted up the people around me. I texted various friends like crazy. Almost everyone who texted me back was either in line as well or on their way to vote.

As I left, I felt accomplished and proud to wear my I Voted sticker for my students to see.

Anyway... Go Obama!!! And defeat Proposition HATE!!!

I am Hopeful for November 4th's Outcome

2008-11-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

Solid as Barack!!!

2008-10-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

You will need to scroll down and pause the music coming from my previous Playlist post to enjoy the clips featured below.

In case you missed it, SNL brought in the laughs once again with the wonderful Fred Armisen's impersonation of Barack Obama. We also saw the return of Maya Rudolph to the show, doing her impression of Michelle. Both are great in this clip, playing the Obamas doing their best Ashford & Simpson.

I also couldn't pass up the opportunity to post the video of this fabulous song!

This is Hilarious!!!

2008-10-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

I am no Palin fan, but I do love it when politicians are able to poke fun at themselves... And, by the way, Amy Poehler is brilliant!!!

p.s. You may need to pause the music coming from my earlier Playlist post, to be able to view this video

Where Have I Been These Last Six Weeks?

2008-10-15T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have been back at work.

Facebook.

Making meals with friends. I have been in the kitchen more than ever. On any given week, I probably make dinner at least 5 to 6 times. And most Sundays, I have been making lunch with friends. One of my favorite dishes I have been preparing is penne pasta mixed in with sliced steak, arugula, and a simple homemade balsamic dressing. Delicious!!!

Going to the theater! Last weekend I saw the new 9 to 5: The Musical musical at the Ahmanson Theatre. The show which is headed to Broadway after its L.A. run, was funny at times, but I did not love it. Much of the story is faithful to the hilarious but ridiculous film, which it is based upon. The music written by Dolly Parton did not win me over too much. There were four really great showstopping numbers in the show, but the rest of the songs sounded like recycled Dolly hits!
The week before that I finally went to go see Wicked at the Pantages Theatre. I loved it! This show is so wonderful. The story is clever. The songs are sometimes hilarious, but always beautiful and memorable. And the staging and lighting takes your breath away.

Keeping cool!!! It has been too hot for about the last four weeks or so. I hate it! I know that normally September and early October are hot times of the year in Southern California, but I am sick of it already. Thankfully we had two cool weekends in a row. And we even had a little bit of rain on Saturday the 4th, the day of Dominique and Joe's wedding. However, the heat has been returning, like clockwork, each Monday. Hopefully, the heatwave we are experiencing at the moment is the last one... Hopefully, I will be sporting my new scarves and coats soon.

I have been watching Saturday Night Live religiously. I always look on YouTube to see Whoopi, Sherri, Joy, and Barbara rip Elizabeth Hasselback a new one!!! And of curse, I have not missed a single presidential (and vice-presidential) debate.

Maui in Pictures

2008-09-09T20:08:00.000-07:00

I experienced my most breathtaking airplane landing ever as we arrived into Kahului Airport in Maui.

The sunsets in Maui were always inspiring. We found a little beach near our hotel in Ka'anapali with little tide pools which my nephew and all of us enjoyed.

On a couple of mornings I went on walks along the beach...

I can sit at any beach and watch surfers do their thing forever.

My sister and I went snorkeling one day near these local reefs. The water was so gorgeous and turquoise.

On my last full day in Maui, we took a long drive from Lahaina, through Kahului, to Hana. Near Hana, we went to the Black Sand Beach...

I'm Off to Maui

2008-08-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

I will be staying near Lahaina Beach, on the northwest side of the island. I am flying with my mother, Karina, and Francisco, but will be returning home a couple of days before them to be back at work on the 2nd of September.

Aloha!!!

P.S. I will have phone service there so you may be receiving a text or two from me while I am there...

My Playlist

2008-08-22T17:59:00.001-07:00

I have been working on an online playlist on Playlist.com for the last two days, and I've posted it up on my Facebook page. I love this site! I like that I can find almost any artist or song title that I want. All day I have had my playlist on another open window playing while I was doing something else in another window. I love it!

Stories from the Mexican Caribbean Sea

2008-08-19T22:22:00.000-07:00

My trip to the Cancun area in the Mexican state of Quitana Roo was short but quite memorable. I actually stayed in the town of Playa del Carmen, about one hour south of Cancun. The water there was just as clear, but less crowded and Vegas-like than it is in Cancun. During my brief time in this part of the Yucatan peninsula, which is often refered to as the Mayan Riviera, I managed to sunbathe poolside and swim at the beach right next to the hotel we were staying in. I also visited the ancient ruins od Tulum and Coba. I also took a ferry ride to the island of Cozumel, where I went snorkling near some local reefs. I also got to climb up the tallest pyramid in Coba, and got to go down a zip line and canoe over lake inhabited by crocodiles. all in all I had a wonderful adventure in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo...

On Holiday

2008-08-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

I'm off to Playa del Carmen, Mexico this week, but will be back in time for Kindred's wedding next Sunday the 17th. Have a good week, y'all!!!

Hot Brilliant & Hilarious!!!

2008-08-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Adfunny videosFunnyOrDie.com

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

I cannot believe that I have put Paris Hilton on my blog!

Les Rita Mitsouko - Marcia Baila

2008-08-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

I heard this song in the soundtrack of a film I recently saw called The Witnesses. The minute I heard it, I knew it sounded familiar. The song was released in 1985 and I remember hearing it on the radio back then -- maybe it was on KROQ's Rodney Bingenheimer's old Sunday night show. This group's music reminds me a little bit of Marc Almond, Sparks, and Souxsie and the Banshees among other of their contemporaries. According to their Wikipedia bio, Les Rita Mitsouko are still around.

Today's 5.4

2008-07-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

An earthquake, when it hits, always catches us by surprise. The one we felt today here in Southern California at 11:42 a.m. was no exception.

I was in class with my students and the other teacher I've been paired up with for summer school when we felt the quake. The first few seconds, as it usually goes with a quake, were starling but we couldn't quite make what was going on. Was it a truck driving by, or children running down the hall? When we realized what was going on, we immediately had the kids drop under their desks. All these earthquake drills we've had over the years were finally put to the test. The earthquake was not terribly strong (the epicenter was in Chino Hills, approximately 30 miles east of Los Angeles) but it was definitely long. I must've felt 20 seconds of it. A couple of the kids in the class were crying. A few were excited by it. Most, thankfully, remained calm.

When it was over, I got up as did the other adult in the room. Everything was thankfully in place. We had the children get up. I consoled my two little crying girls. And we all walked out to the yard. All the classes were in the yard, away from the buildings and trees. The school's plant managers inspected all the buildings in the school. This took some 25 minutes. Many of the adults tried making phone calls to loved-ones from their cells, but to no success. They say that telephone lines usually get clogged up after a quake.

There was no damage in our school, thankfully. We all went back to our classrooms. There were only 15 minutes left before school was to be dismissed. (Summer school only goes up to 12:20 p.m.) We gave the kids free play in the class. Half of them played, read, and or colored under their desks. We let them. When the bell finally rang, I felt good about doing the most I can do in protecting these children.

In retrospect, the earthquake was pretty exciting. This was my first quake ever that I have experienced in the classroom. And the first strong quake I have felt in six years. When I got home, I was happy to see that everything was in place. My animals were safe. My roommate Cindy was around and shared her experience with me... I talked with my mom and my sisters. Talked with friends on the phone who also shared their experiences with me. By 3 p.m., this Tuesday, July 29, 2008 seemed like just another day.

Wedding Bells (Not Mine)

2008-07-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

It seems like just about everyone around me is getting married this year. Today I will be attending my cousin Gina's wedding in Ventura. In the coming months, my friends Kindred, Dominique, and Veronica will be tying the knot as well.

I am surprised that none of my few queer friends in relationships in the state of California have announced any plans to marry now that they can! Oh well... The gays I know are not that romantic!

I leave you now with a clip of one of my favorite love songs from South Pacific. I guess I am a bit of a romantic. Enjoy!!!

The Lotus-less Festival 2008

2008-07-15T19:35:00.000-07:00

Let's go on with the show, Ethyl Merman once sang. And so the show went on down at the Echo Park Lake. The Lotus Festival was a well-attended success once again, despite the disappearance of the famous flowers. The L.A. Times finally wrote about it a couple of weeks ago... In the story they did not mention something that my friends Oscar and Jerry shared with me recently. Last year, as they were going about their usual morning walk around the park, they noticed some city workers "cleaning" the lake. They seemed to be pulling the dead lotuses found in the area of the lake that sheltered the flowers from the root, they said. "They seemed not to know what they were doing," my friend Oscar said. Could this have been the cause of the lake's lotuses' demise? We'll never know perhaps...

Despite the loss, I must say that it was still inspiring to see Angelenos enjoying the festival this past weekend. The concession stands were as fun and interesting as always. The performers were entertaining. The food court was divine. And the fire works were better than ever.

Let's hope the city fixes the situation with the lotuses. Maybe they can plant some new ones? As fun as the festival was this year, it just wasn't the same without the presence of the majestic flowers.

1982

2008-07-14T23:48:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday America

2008-07-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

There are many beautiful patriotic songs out there, but if you ask me, this Woody Guthrie classic should be our national anthem.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Where are the Lotuses?

2008-06-24T16:56:00.000-07:00

I am saddened by the fact that the lotuses in the Echo Park lake have yet to make an appearance this year. Normally this is the time when they are in bloom, and blossoming. That's why the Lotus Festival for decades now has always been held on the second weekend of July. Usually a few weeks after the festival the Lotuses start to slowly die, disappearing by September. In 2006 and 2007 there were only a tiny fraction of lotuses around. And due to strange weather, the lotuses didn't reach their full growth until mid or late August. This year it scares me that there aren't any visible buds on the bed. What is going on? Is this due to climate change? Is the lotus bed diseased? Is there anyone there trying to study this to see what is going on?

(The above photo was taken from an LA Times blog)

Toto at Play

2008-06-17T19:27:00.001-07:00

June So Far

2008-06-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

1. We haven't had much June Gloom yet. Hooray!!!

2. I got a nasty stye in my lower right eyelid. I've had it since Friday, and it is finally coming down. I have been doing the whole warm compresses thing....

3. Happy Birthday Mami Sara!!! That is what my niece and nephew call my mother. Yesterday she turned 60 years old!

4. My wonderful neighbors Janet and Terry are moving this weekend. Their move is bittersweet as I will miss having them right next to me, but they found a place four blocks away!

5. The last day of school for my students and I is fast approaching. Their last day is the 19th, mine will be the 20th.

6. Even if the Lakers don't win tonight (again, against the mighty, solid Celtics) I am excited that they made it this far. For the first time in a decade or so I have been experiencing Laker fever. They have a really good team this year.

7. I am happy that I have recently booked two trips for the summer. I will be going to the Yucatan in early August, and will travelling to Hawaii in late August. I am also glad that I did get a summer school position. The extra cash will come in handy...

8. I love love love the new Portishead album, Third. It's been at the top of my play list for the last month. It's brilliant!!!

9. Everything on television since the T.V. season ended sucks. I have been reduced to watching The Bachelorette and So You Think You Can Dance. One thing I have been enjoying is watching the first season of 30 Rock on D.V.D. Thank you Netflix!

10. I have yet to see the Sex in the City movie. And this upsets me. I was never a fan of the show when it was originally on. I found the characters to be too shallow, whiny and more like self-indulgent gay men (many of the creators, etc. actually were...) But after the show went off the air, and through the persuasion and high recommendation of friends, I began to watch the show on D.V.D. and in syndication. I then found that the show was actually well-written, touching, and often quite poignant. And it sounds so trite to say it, but I found shared aspects between (in my order of most favorite to least) Charlotte, Miranda, Samantha, and Carrie, and many of my girlfriends, a few male friends, and (gasp) even myself. Anyway, will someone go see the film with me... (Not you Ariel!)
;-)

May Gray, Rain & Sunshine

2008-05-30T16:37:00.000-07:00

The different weather patterns we experienced here in California during the month of May totally have affected my moods, health and energy.

There were some really cloudy, cold, rainless days at the beginning of the month that put me in the worst funk imaginable. I have not felt depression like this in a while. Most weekdays, around 1 p.m. I would crave a Coke and some Prozac to help me withstand the rest of the day. It was so bizarre and when I would share my feelings with a few others, I learned that they too were not loving this this stupid May Gray.

Things looked up when suddenly we had a heat wave and temperatures soared to the upper 90s. For the first time ever, I welcomed the intense heat with open arms. Suddenly I wasn't sad anymore!!! I was barefoot or in flip-flops whenever it was not required for me to wear shoes. I was showering three times a day, as I normally do when it is hot. I even bought an 18-pack of Tecate!

Then after a week of high temperatures, we received some rain for the first time in at least a couple of months. The rain was also a much-welcomed respite from the gloomy days, and the heat which was starting to get unpleasant. While I did complain about the gloomy, rainless, cloudy days, dear reader, let me stress how much I love the rain! Even if it's just a few raindrops, the air is completely different. It's so refreshing, and like with a plant or wilted flower, rain totally revives me. Sadly, by this time, and after so many different weather patterns in the span of a few weeks, I got sick! I spent most of my Memorial Day weekend in bed sleeping, reading, watching T.V. But that's o.k.

Now for these last 4 days that just passed... What fabulous weather! It's been sunny and breezy and the temperature has been at a comfortable 73 to 76 degrees each day--the way it should be in May. My plants love it. My students love it. My animals seem happy. I couldn't be happier!

P.S. Let me give a shout-out to all my loved-one with birthdays in May: Carmela, Joanne, Adria, Mary, Genevieve, dad, Lexi, Stacie... I hope did not forget anyone.

A Cause des Garçons

2008-05-02T17:16:00.000-07:00

I love this song by Yelle, an artist who's been described as France's answer to Peaches.

This is the original video of the song:

This is the video for the song's club remix:

One More Time

2008-04-22T17:26:00.000-07:00

Since I have not been too consistent in following new music, and since this decade seems like it will be over a lot sooner than we think, I have been thinking about what my favorite records and songs have been since we welcomed the millenium. One C.D. that comes to mind is Daft Punk's Discovery, which was released in 2001. The first track in the album, "One More Time" has got to be my favorite song of this new millenim and decade. Everytime I hear it, I am filled with joy and nostalgia. It is a great song and its video is so amazing and beautiful. I love this song! Lately, I feel as if I have been listening to it more than ever.

Enjoy!!!

What I've Been Watching

2008-04-12T19:26:00.000-07:00

For the last three weeks or so I have been hooked on the BBC science fiction drama, Torchwood. I have been getting the DVDs from Netflix, and I just finished watching the last episode of this BBC show's first season which first aired in the U.K. in 2006.
Set in Cardiff, Wales, the show is about this organization that claims to be: "Outside the government, beyond the police. Fighting for the future on behalf of the human race. The 21st Century is when everything changes..." Torchwood is always called whenever anything strange or paranormal occurs. The show has touched on such fantastic themes like alien activity, spirits, evil fairies, immortality, and time travel via rifts in time... What's cool as well about this show is that all of its main characters are not what they seem at first. They are all hiding something, and flawed human beings. This adds some intense drama that goes beautifully well with all the sci-fi stuff.
I love this show! I can't wait for the second season to come to the U.S.

p.s. Fans of The X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer will love this show!

The Desert

2008-03-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

I went to Yucca Valley and Joshua Tree this past Saturday with my good friend Steve Garza, whom I've known for the last 17 years. In Yucca Valley, we spent two hours shopping in an old bookstore. We then went to this frontier town, that seemed to be right out of an old western. We had an incredible lunch there in this saloon-style restaurant/bar that had the most amazing jukebox ever. The second part of the day, we spent in Joshua Tree, where we hiked, rock climbed, and took pictures until the sun went down. All in all, it was a fun day trip...

What I am listening to right now

2008-03-22T23:34:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love this woman! She has three recordings out. She's a New Yorker. She's kinda jazz. She's kinda pop. Kinda hip-hop. Kinda reggae. She's a sharp songwriter. And I can't get enough of Nellie McKay and her music right now.

This performance from an appearance on The View is a few years old. (Notice all the former hosts...) There's a little interview followed by Miss McKay's singing. Enjoy!!!

Somebody is Watching Me

2008-03-08T20:09:00.000-08:00

I decided to enter my address in Google Search, and clicked on the "satellite" link. What I got was this aerial view of my block and my house. I don't know whether to be impressed by this feature or to be scared by the idea that I am possibly being watched...

P.S
Remember to zoom in.

Hurray for Harry!

2008-03-03T16:27:00.000-08:00

I am not really into royal families and monarchies, but I really dig that Prince Harry! If you ask me, he should be Britain's next king, not Charles or William. If he were to become king, I'd move to a British Commonwealth nation in an instant!

Barack O-Bollywood

2008-02-28T19:05:00.001-08:00

She Was So Good That Night!

2008-02-13T19:36:00.000-08:00

I pray that Ms. Winehouse's road to recovery is legitimate and fruitful. And I hope that she will be making good records soon. I don't care what Natalie Cole says, but Amy Winehouse deserves every single one of those Grammy she won on Sunday!

Say No to Plastic Bags

2008-02-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

One of my New Year's resolutions as we welcomed 2008 was to always go out shopping with a reusable bag in hand. I am tired of using plastic bags, and tired of seeing them on trees, power lines, and littering our streets, beaches and parks. While I usually ask for a paper bag when given a choice at a market, I see that that choice isn't always available in drugstores or at my neighborhood Asian and Latino carnicerias. I know that many people like to use plastic bags to line their trash bags, or to collect dog poop, but I feel that can be done with everyday bio-degradable paper bags. In my backpack I have been carrying a rolled up canvas bag from Uncle Jer's. Right by the door, in my house, I have several other bags. I have a mesh bag I bought in Grand Central Market years ago. I also have canvas bags from Trader Joe's and the L.A.U.S.D.'s Nutrition Network. As I leave the house for any kind of errand, I have been making sure I bring a bag with me at all times.

Felotalk Endorses Obama

2008-02-04T18:40:00.000-08:00

Many of you whom I exchange e-mails with quite fequently may already know that I will be casting my ballot for Barack Obama this Tuesday, February 5th. Like a lot of folks I know, I had been debating for a while between Obama, Hillary Clinton and even John Edwards. I made my choice last week! And was especially moved by the possibility of Obama becoming president after reading this LA Times endorsement.

Whoever you vote for, I encourage you to just go out and vote. It's time for some needed change in this country!

P.S. I found this on YouTube and found it to be both cool and humorous... Enjoy!

The Year in Music (a month later...)

2008-02-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

Last week The Village Voice announced the winners of their annual Pazz & Jop poll compiled by various music critics from around the country listing the best albums and songs released in 2007. Many of their choices included music that I also enjoyed last year. But the list also included releases that I didn't care for, like Arcade Fire's Neon Bible, for instance. Also, I can not believe that Alicia Key's beautiful, soulful As I Am was ranked at #70.
Here's my list of best albums and singles for 2007. Enjoy!

Best Albums - 2007

1. Alicia Keys - As I Am
2. Kanye West - Graduation
3. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black
4. LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver
5. Once - Music from the Motion Picture
6. Bonde do Role - With Lasers
7. The Shins - Wincing the Night Away
8. M.I.A. - KALA
9. Rufus Wainwright - Release the Stars
10. PJ Harvey - White Chalk

Honorable Mentions: Mary J Blige, Growing Pains; Keyshia Cole, Just Like You; Feist, The Reminder; and although it was released in late 2006, Lily Allen's Alright, Still was playing loudly in my house during the first half of 2007.

Best Singles - 2007

1. Amy Winehouse - "Rehab"
2. Mary J. Blige - "Just Fine"
3. Keishia Cole w/ Diddy - "Last Night"
4. Marketa Irglova & Glen Hansard - "If You Want Me" from Once
5. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova - "Falling Slowly" from Once
6. Kanye West - "Flashing Lights"
7. Alicia Keys - "No One"
8. Kanye West w/ T-Pain - "Good Life"
9. Keyshia Cole w/ Missy Elliot & Lil' Kim - "Let It Go"
10. Peter Bjorn & John - "Young Folks"

French Kissing...

2008-01-15T21:31:00.001-08:00

...In the U.S.A.

The Umbrellas of San Francisco

2008-01-09T21:36:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!

2008-01-09T21:32:00.001-08:00

A December Classic

2007-12-22T19:11:00.000-08:00

The popular wintertime ditty "Baby It's Cold Outside," which can be heard everywhere this time of year, was apparently first written for a film called Neptune's Daughter, starring Ricardo Montalban and Esther Williams. I adore this song!

And if I may add, this song reminds me of Kathy and Elias...

Enjoy!!!

I Love Kristin Chenoweth

2007-12-19T14:08:00.000-08:00

I Love this Commercial!!!

2007-11-27T22:33:00.001-08:00

A New York Minute...

2007-11-20T09:49:00.000-08:00

Here are a few snap shots from my day in New York two weekends ago...

The Colors of Fall

2007-11-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

New Jersey isn't called the Garden State for nothing. The following pictures were taken in Passaic County in northwestern Jersey were my friends Walter and Andy live.
Enjoy!!!

Oldie but Goodie

2007-11-13T20:17:00.000-08:00

This is the song I had the most fun dancing to at Walter and Andy's wedding...

The Playlist

2007-10-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Walter is getting married in New Jersey next week. (Ms. Spleengrrrl and I will be attending, by the way..)
The other day Walter asked me to think of good party songs from the '70s and '80s that I think might be fun to dance to at the wedding party. Below is the list of suggestions that I e-mailed him:

Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life -- Indeep
Yes Sir, I Can Boogie -- Baccara
Kiss on My List -- Hall & Oates
Private Eyes -- Hall & Oates
Flashdance (What a Feeling) -- Irene Cara
Total Eclipse of the Heart -- Bonnie Tyler
We Got the Beat -- the go-go's
Rio -- Duran,Duran
Hungry Like the Wolf -- Duran, Duran
I Feel for You -- Chaka Khan
Let the Music Play -- Shannon
Object of My Desire -- Starpint
Genious of Love -- Tom Tom Club
Love Bizarre -- Sheila E
Oh L'Amour -- Erasure
Wordy Rappinghood -- Tom Tom Club
Talking in Your Sleep --the Romantics
Pull Up to the Bumper --Grace Jones
I Feel Love -- Donna Summer
Abracadabra -- Steve Miller Band
White Horse -- Laid Back
The Popcorn Song
Daddy Cool -- Boney M
(the rest are my favorite hip-hop songs I like to get down to:)
How Many Licks -- Lil' Kim
Lean Back -- Fat Joe
Work It -- Missy Elliot
I Just Wanna Love You -- Jay-Z
Milkshake -- Kelis

What would you suggest?

The Gold Room

2007-10-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Another favorite dive of mine has now been overtaken by hipsters. The Gold Room used to be a cozy, funky, dirty bar. Located at the corner of Sunset and Echo Park, the hostesses here wear miniskirts and the clientele used to be predominantly Latino and male. That has slowly been changing. This narrow bar now boasts a D.J. two nights a week and a new clientele of skinny twentysomethings. I guess adventurous types like myself, who found this whole-in-the-wall charming years ago, are to blame...

Rufus Does Judy at the Bowl

2007-09-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week pop singer-composer Rufus Wainwright staged his trubute to Judy Garland's historic 1961 Carnegie Hall concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Wainwright has already staged this amazing, and difficult show in NYC, London, and Paris. Angelenos had the pleasure to experience this performance last Sunday, September 23. I was there and was blown away!

Nothing Else to Say, Let's Talk About the Weather

2007-09-22T10:35:00.001-07:00

According to the Rockie Horoscope:

Virgo: Aug. 23 - Sep. 22

"Virgins could find themselves caught between a rock (Saturn in your sign) and a soon-to-be-cushy-place (Venus enters Virgo on 10/7.) Anticipating the pleasures the goddess of love and beauty will bestow may kill some time, but you'd be better off planning how to maximize the benefits that she'll shower you with before she exits on 11/8. Knowing that your fortunes will improve, if only to make you the flavor of the month for those four weeks, could take the edge off the pressures exerted by an unpredictable partner and a bossy relative."

What does this mean?

Seriously, I am so happy that autumn is finally here. It was so soothing to fall asleep last night to the sound of rainfall. We have not had any considerable rain in Los Angeles since April. It looks as if it will be warm but not too hot during the coming week. Hopefully we will see some more rain soon.

I am a big fan of summer. I always look forward to it around the month of May. However by mid-August I grow tired of the heat and I find myself looking forward to cooler weather. For the last week or so, it has been nice to get to wear sweatshirts, my hoodies, more long-sleeve shirts. Even at night, it's been fun to get to wear pajamas again. (It had been so hot in L.A. during the previous month that the most comfortable way to go to bed was by wearing nothing at all!)

Anyway, I love fall! I always say it is my favortie season. I am looking forward to the longer nights. The fall T.V. season. Making dinner more often. Halloween. The month of November. Thanksgiving. Cocktails. And the anticipation of Christmas.

Movies, Music, Books, T.V.

2007-09-13T11:08:00.000-07:00

Last movie I watched:
2 Days in Paris . I absolutely loved this film. Julie Delpy serves as writer, director, and star in this lovely hilarious movie abouth a French-born New Yorker who takes her American boyfriend (Adam Goldberg) with her to visit the city she was born and raised in.

Last c.d I bought:
Rio Baile Funk: More Favela Booty Beats
This year I really got into baile funk, which is a type of dance craze that originated in the Rio de Janeiro favelas. Some well-known artists, whose music is considered Baile Funk, include Bonde do Role, M.I.A., Diplo, and Tetine among others. The above-mentioned compilation is a collection of music by more low-profile artists of this genre, and like its title suggests, the disc is a real booty-shaker, perfect for a party.

What I am reading:
James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.
This summer I read D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover and Women in Love. After finishing both books, which I absolutely loved, I decided I wanted to read other works by Lawrence's contemporaries. That is how I came to choose this book by Joyce, which so far I am enjoying.

T.V. land:
I still don't have cable, nor do I want it. I am simply eagerly awaiting the fall season premieres of some of my old favorite shows. I guess most of them have their premiers airing in the coming weeks. Other than that, I am really into a Brazilian soap set in colonial times called La Esclava Isaura. I love this show! It is beatifully shot, written, and acted. The Brazilians are the best at producing telenovelas. Other telenovelas from Mexico, Venenzuela, Colombia, and Miami all seem like camp. The Brazilians, however, are staging good drama. Thank you Telemundo for bringing them to my home!

The Last Month or So in Pictures

2007-08-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Papio Cruz and I went up to the Bay Area to help Robin Urevich move her stuff to her new home in Oakland. We drove in a Penske truck!

I was very happy to ge to see Kathy and Elias.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I continue to go to the beach quite frequently with different friends...
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I even found an opportunity to go the desert this week. It was 112 Farenheit in the city of Palm Desert when I was there.
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And I have been getting together with old friends whom I don't get to see all the time...

Brazilians Are Hot!

2007-08-06T22:32:00.000-07:00

Bonde Do Role - Solta O Frango

This band is from Brazil and they totally remind me of the U.K.-Sri Lankan M.I.A. and of Cansei de ser Sexy (CSS), also from Brazil.

Oh yeah! I can't wait to read the new Vanity Fair issue dedicated to all things Brazilian!!!

Water

2007-07-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

It is summer and I have been hydrating myself more often than during the rest of the year. While I live for my summer drinks and cocktails, such as: a good Tecate, Sangrîa, Campari and soda, and a nice glass of champagne, Cava, or Prosecco, nothing compares to the refreshing pureness of ice cold water.

Well, this summer, I have discovered a new bottled water that beats the rest.

Glacéau's Smart Water is the best bottled water I have ever tasted!

While I understand that it is better to filter your own tap water at home so as to not contribute to the excessive use of plastic bottles in the world, buying bottled water is often inevitable. At least for me!

You can taste the freshness in Smart Water and actually feel your body becoming hydrated as you drink it. The cool thing about it, too, is that Smart Water is not spring water, but actually cloud water.

On the label it says:
“Is it just us or do clouds get a bad rap? While we admit they’re not as great to have around on a beach day, as say, the sun, clouds are unsung heroes because they contain nature’s purest source of water. Meanwhile, spring water comes from the ground and contains random stuff and whattever else the animals that swim in it leave behind. That’s why we copied our white puffy friends by creating SmartWater. It’s vapor distilled so it is in its purest original state. It’s a difference you can taste… unless, of course, you have no taste buds (then you’re on your own). But, we don’t stop there. We one-up the clouds by adding electrolytes just in case you decide to hit the beach. Unfortunately, we can’t fix the whole men in thongs thing.”

Anyway, I'm hooked!

Are These Ducks or Geese?

2007-07-21T09:52:00.000-07:00

I feel as I have been posting photos more and writing less. I will change that on my next post...or the one right after that. Anyway, I am excited that this is my 97th post. I will soon be reaching that 100 mark. I have now been blogging for two years!
Hooray!!! And how quickly time flies....

Anyway, enjoy this picture. This is one of my favorites from the pictures I took last weekend. I didn't use a flash. And it was around 8 p.m. when I snapped this shot.

Summer Nights at the Bowl

2007-07-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

I also went to the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday night with a bunch of friends. We brought some good wine with us and much yummy food. The performers that night were Groove Armada and Café Tacuba. It was quite the fun night... And a great finish to what ended up being a really good weekend!

The Lotus Festival

2007-07-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

This past weekend marked the 14th time that I attended the Lotus Festival in Echo Park. Since 1993, I have only missed the festival on one occasion.

Since I live so close by to the park, I was able to go twice in one day. In the afternoon, I joined Monica, my mother and my niece Victoria. And in the evening I met up with different friend, among them Miss Anna Eng (Kathy will be happy to hear this). I had a lot of fun!

There was much to see throughout the day: various vendors selling jewelry, clothing, plants and food. There were also dragon boats, Asian and Pacific Islander performers, fireworks at night and lots of fun people-watching.

Oh yes! The fireworks were pretty spectacular this year!!!

The Babies Are Nine This Year...

2007-07-09T21:16:00.001-07:00

p.s. I have a new digital camera...

Busy

2007-07-08T12:25:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a lot of beach-going, barbecuing, dining out, cocktailing, bike riding, movie-watching, sunbathing, partying, and reading. I am kind of composing a more clever and longer post in my head, and will be writing it pretty soon.
In the meantime, Happy Birthday to all the Cancers in my life: Karina, Nancy, Walter, Diane, Nikola, Giovanna, Kenner, Tom, P.P....

Enjoy the following video.

The Summer So Far

2007-06-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

So I am now officially on summer break from work. I feel happy and liberated, and am ready to have another fun summer.

I have already started on the fun. This week alone I have not rested much at night since Monday.

Tuesday night I was visited by Miss Wendy and Ariel. They were in the neighborhood and dropped by the house for an aperitif. I then joined them for dinner at The Brite Spot, which is not the most ideal dining place but Miss Wendy wanted a good salad.

Nonetheless, it was great seeing them together.

Wednesday was the last day of school for my students. That night I went to the Greek Theatre with Karina and her friends to see Nelly Furtado perform. It was a free ticket, and I had no idea the night would end up being so much fun. Ms. Furtado is quite the performer, and for nearly 2 hours she kept us entertained singing all of her greatest hits.

Thursday was my last day of work. At night, I got together with some work friends. We went to Dockweiler State Beach to see the sunset and enjoy a nice bonfire. We brought plenty to eat with us. I made a nice big pitcher of sangria, which we all enjoyed. And our friend Julio provided the music with his i-pod and a set of speakers he had for it. It was also fun to lay in that beach and see so many airplanes fly above you. Dockweiler is just west of LAX...

Friday during the day, I was a total bum, and loved it! I read the newspaper. Went online frequently. Watched a DVD. And talked on the phone all day. At night I got together with friends from work again and went to see this Spanish band named Ojos de Brujo perform at Watercourt Plaza downtown as part of the Grand Performances summer series. It was a lot of fun. I have been going to see shows there in the summer for over 10 years now. And it amazing how these shows get more popular every year. I love it!

Yesterday, I relaxed most of the day again. I watch another movie at home and at night I went to Raquel's birthday party. Something I am looking forward to this summer is watching as many movies at home as I possibly can. With Netflix I like to have mini film festivals or retrospectives of certain directors' or actors' work. A couple of summers ago I rented a bunch of Cary Grant, Bette Davis, and Katherine Hepburn movies. Last summer I watched at least ten Hitchcock films I had never seen before. I also learned that Elizabeth Taylor at one point was indeed the prettiest girl in the world. I've also brushed up on Luis Buñuel, François Truffault, Federico Fellini... It is almost like taking a film history class.

Anyway, I leave you now with a clip from a movie by French auteur François Ozon. He's been called the French Almodovar. His films are a little darker however... Next to Almodovar, Ozon is one of my favorite directors living today. Enjoy!

Water Drops on Burning Rocks

Personality Test

2007-06-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

I recently took this online personality test and this is what it said about me:

Advanced Global Personality Test Results

Extraversion	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	60%
Stability	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Orderliness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	46%
Accommodation	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Interdependence	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Intellectual	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	83%
Mystical	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Artistic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%
Religious	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Hedonism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Materialism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Narcissism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Adventurousness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Work ethic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Self absorbed	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Conflict seeking	\|\|\|\|\|\|	23%
Need to dominate	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%

Romantic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Avoidant	\|\|\|\|	16%
Anti-authority	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Wealth	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Dependency	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Change averse	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%
Cautiousness	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Individuality	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Sexuality	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	90%
Peter pan complex	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Physical security	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	76%
Physical Fitness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	44%
Histrionic	\|\|\|\|\|\|	23%
Paranoia	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Vanity	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Hypersensitivity	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Indie	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	66%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

And it also said that I am:

social, outgoing, worry free, optimistic, upbeat, tough, likes large parties, makes friends easily, rarely irritated, open, enjoys leadership, trusting, dominant, thrill seeker, strong, does not like to be alone, assertive, mind over heart, confident, controlling, feels desirable, likes the spotlight, loves food, social chameleon, hard working, concerned about others

What do you think?

"Porque Te Vas"- Jeanette

2007-06-18T20:53:00.000-07:00

Lately (Again)

2007-06-11T17:34:00.000-07:00

Last C.D. I Listened to:

I just got Air's POCKET SYMPHONIES on the mail from Amazon. I put it on to listen to it as I worked at home, but was not too impressed. Maybe I need to listen to it some more and the record will grow on me. Normally, I am a big Air fan!

Last Movie I Saw:

On D.V.D.: I watched Alfred Hitchcock's MARNIE, starring Tippi Hedren and Sean Connery. It was really good. Hedren and Connery have wonderful chemistry together, even though Hedren's character continuously rejects Connery's. They are both incredibly attractive in it.
At the movies: I went to see SHREK THE THIRD two weekends ago with my friend Joanne. I have to admit I don't go to the movies much these days. I see almost everything in D.V.D. nowadays. I found this third installment better than the second one. My favorite characters remain Donkey and Puss n' Boots. They crack me up!

Last Thing I Watched on T.V.:

This morning I watched GOOD DAY L.A. as I always do while I am getting ready to go to work. But last night I got together with friends to watch the final episode of THE SOPRANOS. It was great. I loved it!!!

Last Person I Talked on the Phone With:

Carmela Pimentel (not Soprano) :)

Last Time I Had to Deal With an Ant Situation at Home:

An hour ago! We had the dryest winter and spring this year. As a result, ants have been invading my bathroom, my kitchen counters and cat food three months sooner than normally expected. To keep ants away from the cat food, I put a saucer with water under the dish that holds my cats' food and that usually keeps them away . But all it takes is for my cats to spill one tiny kibble on the floor for ants to be everywhere. If I spill water on the floor, around the sink, or on the counter, ants will be there. I am tired of killing ants!

Last Time I Had People Over:

Saturday! I had a barbecue at home in honor of my mother's 59th birthday. My sisters, Frank, Francisco, Victoria, my aunt Consuelo, and KIndred Gottlieb with her partner Antony and their new almost-month-old baby Genevieve were all here to celebrate with my mother. On the menu we had: chicken shish-kabbobs, carne asada, arroz con frijoles negros, grilled zucchini, peppers, and scallions, corn on the cob, and cake from Queen's Bakery in Chinatown. It was quite a feast. I also made a big pitcher of sangria...

Getting Fit For Summer...

2007-06-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

I joined an exercise class at the Silver Lake Recreational Center. It is three days a week, and for the last three months I have been pretty good about trying to go to class regularly. Monday nights we do Pilates. Tuesday night's class is step aerobics with Yoga stretching exercises in the end. And Thursday nights our instructor, Maruca (I love her name!), incorporates Latin dance into her aerobic routines. I absolutely love this class! And I am happy that I look forward to going to each one.

The Joy of Food Preparation

2007-05-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

At the moment my family and I have been playing host to another relative from Ecuador who is in California visiting us. Our latest visitor is my godmother Nancy Ratto. This is her third visit to Los Angeles in the last 10 years. And she has now become the 8th visiting relative we have recieved from Ecuador since the year began. At the moment, she is in Vegas with my mother and my great-aunt. This weekend we will be barbequing at my house. And Nancy has promised to teach me a few more Ecuadorian dishes to prepare. My mother and aunt never really learned how to cook in Ecuador.

My mother got married really young and emigrated to the States soon after. Most of the dishes she can prepare, she learned in California. My aunt, on the other hand, was always in school and was a big social animal when she was young. She always came home to meals prepared by my late grandmother and the family's assistant (maid...) She moved to the United States in her early thirties, and like my mother she learned just a few dishes from her mother.

Growing up in L.A. my mother (and my my aunt sometimes) usually prepared my sisters and I three Ecuadorian dishes. They were the following:
1. Chaulafån, which is a Chinese-Ecuadorean type of arroz con pollo.
2. Tallarin de Pollo o Rés, which is like spaghetti with either chicken or beef.
3. Seco de Pollo or Seco de Chivo, this dish which can be prepared with either chicken or goat meat is familar to the Mexican birria.

My mother and aunt also brought with them from the Ecuadorian coast (not to be confused with the Sierra or Andean region) their love for plantains. Many meals were usually accompanied with either the sweet (maduros) or the green (verdes) platains. They would often improvise and make some kind of carne asada, fried fish, or stew, which can be easy to prepare, and would serve that to us with rice and plantains. Here in L.A. my mother also learned from friends or neighbors how to prepare dishes such as enchiladas, meatloafs, casseroles, and stews.

Yesterday in my mother's house, Nancy made some delicious dishes. She prepared this soup called sancocho, using chunks of meat, carrots, yucca, corn, and green plantains. She also made this rich barbecue pork, and served thant with rice, potatoes, and a spicy chopped salad. This woman enjoys cooking! As a teenager, she lived with my grandparents and according to her, my grandmother was an amazing cook. She learned a lot from my grandmother. My mother and aunt couldn't be less interested to be in the kitchen, Nancy says. Eventually, we all need to learn to prepare our meals, she added.

The last few years, I have been more adventurous in the kitchen. I have enjoyed cooking a lot with different friends, especially with Ms. Serene Ford. Whenever I am with Nancy (during my visits to Ecuador, or her visits here to L.A.) I have watched her cook. When the year began I hesitated to make a New Year's resolution. There are obvious resolutions that involve "life decisions" I could've made, but didn't. I opted instead for something more fun. The resolution I eventually made was to become a better cook and to cook using recipes more often. So far, for the most part, I have been meeting this goal. I love getting recipes from the Food Network, Emeril, Sunset Magazine, and Cooks.com. It is fun to cook! I love the art of preparing a meal. And I love the presentation. Just as fun is watching others eat what you've made. There are few greater pleasures in life! I am eager to learn new dishes from Nancy. And even more eager to prepare these new dishes for my friends.

Tales From the City (Griffith Park)

2007-05-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

This was taken on the day of the fire from my house in Echo Park at 3 p.m.

This was taken the same day at 8:15 p.m.

The fire in Griffith Park that started two days ago was quite scary and saddening. I have the fondest memories of outings in that park from my childhood. I recall the many family picnics and barbecues my sisters and I experienced there growig up. I remember the visits to the zoo and the L.A. Observatory we used to take with our mom and other relatives. Last year, some twenty-plus years later, I frequented Griffth Park at least half a dozen times with my now adult sisters and the new additions to our family --my niece and my nephew. We enjoyed the children's train ride, watch Victoria go on the pony rides, and rode the historic merry-go-round (which my friend Julio runs) many times. We also had new picnics, and revisited the zoo to see the little ones marvel at the animals.

There are so many more memories from my 27 years as an Angeleno: Hikes, birthday parties and barbecues, drives, playing Hide-n-Seek in Travel Town and in the old zoo, bike riding, getting drunk and high with friends as a teenager in the park, concerts at the Greek and the Gene Autry Museum. Endless memories... Also the park is practically in the backyard of the Atwater Village school I teach in. I see the park's hillside everyday! As I write this, I hear that the fire is almost 100% extinguished. Let's hope that the city and its citizens can easily restore that 1/5 of the park that was destroyed.

My April Playlist

2007-04-26T17:44:00.000-07:00

(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

2007-04-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Au Revoir Land Line

2007-04-15T17:54:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-05T00:41:00.000-07:00

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...

San Francisco Moments

2007-03-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

My cousin Luis Hernan and I standing on Broadway, where Chinatown meets North Beach

My mother Sara and I enjoying the sun in Golden Gate Park

Cousin Nikola and I posing and taking in the splendor around us

Sadly, my camera broke on the second day of my trip and I was not able to take pictures of my friends whom I got together with.

The Month of March

2007-03-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

1. This is what I have been listening to lately:
Akon, The Arcade Fire, and Amy Winehouse.

2. The shows I have tried not miss lately are:
The Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars, America's Next Top Model, Brothers and Sisters, and Grey's Anatomy.

3. Favorite websites. Or I should say the websites that keep me from blogging more often:
www.perezhilton.com, www.myspace.com/felorv3, www.amazon.com, www.foodnetwork.com. And a couple of others I do not want disclose...

4. What I have been reading lately:
Sadly, I have not completed a book in a while. However I still do enjoy my issues of Vanity Fair, National Geographic, Harper's Bazaar, and Entertainment Weekly.

5. Last time I left town:
Three weeks ago I went to San Francisco for the first time in a year. I had visting relatives from Ecuador and we drove up with my mother for a weekend. We stayed in Union Square and I was the perfect tour guide. We drove and walked around the city. On our second day I left the relatives to their devices. I gave them a map of the city and left them to experience it by themselves. I took this opportunity to get together with Kathy and Elias in the morning in the Mission; Miguel in the afternoon in Union Square; and with Tom Pendergast at night in Chinatown and North Beach.

The Playlist

2007-02-15T15:35:00.000-08:00

MY CURRENT PLAYLIST:

1. "Rehab" Amy Winehouse
2. "Oh My God" Jay-Z
3." LDN" Lily Allen
4. "Smile" Lily Allen
5. "Let's Make Love and Listen to Death From Above" Cansei de ser Sexy
6. "Hey U" Basement Jaxx
7. "Young Folks" Peter Bjorn and John
8. "2 Cool To Be 4-Fotten" Lucinda Williams
9. "Meeting Paris Hilton" Cansei de ser Sexy
10. "Lost One" Jay-Z

Lily Allen--LDN

2007-02-07T17:48:00.000-08:00

Lily Allen - LDN

This is my favorite song at the moment.

Bring Me Edelweiss

2006-11-20T17:06:00.000-08:00

Edelweiss--Bring Me Edelweiss

O.K. So I have been spending too much time on YouTube. But it is such an addicting site! I have found myself looking for old music videos. Videos or performances with songs which I have not heard in years... This is the latest one. Came out in 1988, the same year I graduated from high school...

Raffaella Carra

2006-11-15T19:50:00.000-08:00

Raffaella Carra--Hay que venir al sur

This reminds me of my youth!!!

Bored With Blogging

2006-10-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

I am just writing this short little post for those of you who may be wondering what I have been up to. I have been really busy with work and taking care of personal matters. When I go online, which is not everyday, I check my e-mail, my MySpace and Netflix accounts... Sometimes I'll google someone whom I may find cute at the moment!I have also been too deep in thought about a number of things which I rather not discuss on the world wide web. I wish I could easily get in front of the computer and write about frivolous things (fashion, t.v., sports, movies, et cetera); or about important social matters (politic, gentrification, Bush, the coming elections...) But I can't. At least, not right now!
So anyway, if you miss my voice, pick up the phone and call me. Or e-mail me.

Kisses to all!!!

September Already...

2006-09-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

I am back at work. Finally! I had trouble getting out of bed yesterday at 6:30 in the morning. During my summer break, I had been getting up between 8 and 9 a.m. To many this is not sleeping in late, but not for me. I pride myself in being a morning person. If I am ever still in bed past 10, I always get the feeling that I wasted most of my morning.

My birthday is coming up on the 6th. There have been years in the past when I didn't care about celebrating it, especially if it landed in the middle of the week. But lately, my dear sweet friends constantly remind me that the day is coming, and inquire how we will be celebrating this day. Two years ago, I had a champagne brunch at home. Last year, at the very last minute, I decided to get together with friends at Pizza Buona. Both gatherings were a success. I still don't know what I will be doing this year --in five days. I need suggestions here!

Anyway, have a fun Labor Day weekend, everyone! Cheers!

Drinking and Eating

2006-08-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

I will keep this post short, a la Sheffspecial, but won't include any links or additional reading... The last few weeks have gone super fast. This was the first summer break in years I've had where I did not travel anywhere. But I have managed to keep myself quite entertained at home.

I continue to see my sisters and their kids regularly. On Monday, actually, we all got together to got to go the L.A. Zoo. We started the day by having coffee and pastries at Porto's Bakery in Glendale, a place where I have gotten together with my mother, siblings and their kids quite a bit this summer. We then drove to the zoo, which can often be depressing when you see all these fantastic animals all caged in. However, I must say that watching little Victoria and Frankie getting excited at seeing these animals was wonderful and cute.

I have not been to the beach in two weeks. I don't know what happened. For a while there I was going at least twice a week. On the other hand I have been to a few pool parties. One weekend, Raquel and I went to Francesca's mother's mid-century ranch-style house in Orange County. The backyard was like a scene straight out of a David Hockney painting. We were joined by other friends and had a fabulous pool party and drank Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio the whole time, as we swam, sunbathed and barbecued.

Last weekend Dominique and Joe had a barbecue and pool party in their home in Encino. This gathering featured more Uncle Jer's faces. The beverage of this event was a white sangria, which Dom made by using: white wine, peach juice, club soda, fresh apricots, and mint. It was so yummy and refreshing. Too yummy actually, I drank a lot of it and its final buzzing effect totally hit me by surprise hours later. I had fun.

I continue to hang out with Robert B. and Raquel... I see other friends from time to time, but not as often as I have seen these two. We've made a new hang-out out of this place called Good! on Sunset and Lucile, in SilverLake. This restaurant, brewery is located where the old The Crest (which we used to nickname The Crust) used to be... Well, Good! is actually quite good! They have great happy hour prices most weeknights, and not only in the early evening. On Mondays, for instance, they have this "Mystery Beer" special. They serve your table five random beers for ten bucks. And all of their appetizers are $5. All night! It is also a dog-friendly environment. If you want to sit outside. in their sidewalk tables, your dog can join you. The servers will bring out a doggy treat and water for your pooch. I almost forgot to mention that they make the best chicken wings!

Well so much for making this post short. I am fighting a cold at the moment. Summer is the worst time to get sick. I have to get better for the weekend. I am already committed to attend two engagements which I simply cannot miss.

Ciao...

Uncle Rafi

2006-08-03T13:40:00.000-07:00

Today I babysat for my mother and my sister Karina for a couple of hours. My mother, who looks after my almost-9-month-old nephew most weekdays, had to run a few errands this morning. So I went over to her house to look after Karina's son Frankie. He is growing so fast and is trying to talk and is crawling already. He's got the "mama," tata," and "dada' sounds down at his young age. And he loves to laugh, loves to be tickled. My little niece, Victoria, who will be three in November, loves her young cousin. She understands that she is no longer the youngest one in our family. Since she still is in her "terrible twos," there are times when she does not like to share with Frankie. When Frankie is in his walker, she will ask us to remove him from it and she will climb in it herself. She loves to baby him, like she babies her dolls and stuffed animals, but she is also quick to scold him. If Frankie starts grabbing at her hair or reaching for one of her toys, Victoria's immediate retort is, "No, Nano (her name for him) no!" or "No touch, it's mine!" It's kind of a cute behavior to witness actually.
I forgot to mention it, but Frankie was christened/baptized last month, and Karina and Frank asked me to be little Frankie's godfather. It was such an honor for me.
I love that both my sisters have becomed parents in the last 3 years. It is so incredible! My mother couldn't be any happier to finally be a grandmother. She had been pressuring my sisters, and even gay moi, into having children. She was seeing friends around her age becoming grandparents, and was beginning to feel left out. Since she is Latin American and an old-fashioned Catholic, she was afraid that both Monica and Karina, who were 28 and 33 respectively when they gave birth, were being seeing as old maids. As for me, my mother still thinks I may have a child someday. I tell her that my cats are her grandchildren, and she frowns. She has even suggested that I have a child with one fo my many female friends. Just have a baby, no marriage, no commitment. Like in the movies, she said!. As old-fashioned as she is, she shocks me sometimes with how modern she is as well!
At the time, babies are not for me. I love my friends' babies...they are popping up all over the place. And I adore my niece and nephew. But I see what hard work they are to keep and feed and nurture and protect and tend to... I am a parent vicariously through my sisters, and friends. At the time, I am quite content with my role of uncle.

Another List

2006-07-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-20T16:47:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

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

2006-07-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

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!!!

2006-07-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

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...