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A Well Deserved Win
Tonight was the finale of the 5th season of Dancing With the Stars.
I love that show.
I saw less than a handful of episodes the first season. I saw a bit more of whatever season Drew Lachey won. Not much of the season with Mario Lopez. But I really really became a fan last season after taking my mother to a taping. I knew that she LOVED the show, so when I got tickets, of course I took her. I started watching every week after that and when I got tickets again, I took another friend.
As for this season, I missed the first few weeks, but tried to watch as much as possible.
Mel B. of the Spice Girls and Sabrina Bryan of the Cheetah Girls were *clearly* exceptional dancers. But the thing is, to me, a show like Dancing With the Stars is about taking people with no dancing experience and turning them into dancers - so even though Mel and Sabrina (and Drew and Joey from previous seasons) have a different kind of dancing experience - they still have dance experience!!!
I think Helio Castroneves win was well deserved. The show is about fan support, but it's also about the most improved. I really do think that was Helio. Mel was pretty strong from week to week.
Here is Helio kicking butt:
Look how pumped he is afterward - so awesome!
(I got to meet Julianne's family at the last taping I was at - very nice people!!)
Speaking of Mel - absolutely hot! stunning, hot, beautiful, powerful. And her partner, Maksim...well, he just like God placed down on the dancefloor for us to enjoy. The two of them paired up is like...well, it's not only fantastic dancing, but incredible chemistry that makes for some of the hottest television I've ever seen. Here's a taste:
and another hot one.
When the dancers are good, they are really really good and it is just AMAZING to watch how it all goes down - the way they move, the energy, the tight choreography. I've always enjoyed watching dance, regardless of the type (for the most part) - so this show is so much fun for me.
And Maksim says he won't be back next season...that makes my heart hurt. Maybe they will put DWTS on DVD???
Who needs New Year's?
Things I am putting out into "the Universe."
- I will apply for a passport before December 15, 2007
- I will go to Taize with Valerie OR to see Valerie in the Spring of 2008
- I will go to Paris in the Spring with Kimberly (hey - I'll already be in Taize!)
- I will go on a summer cruise with David.
- If Kim's fashion stuff goes through, I will go to the Bahamas with her.
- I will go to NYC for the Meetup/OPEN Organizers Meeting in January '08
- I will return calls faster
- I WILL remain open to opportunities and possibilities
- I will take advantage (in a good way) of worthwhile opportunities that pass my way
- I WILL take more chances in my business AND personal life
It's been a while
It's been a while since I've been so excited about the options at the movie theater on a particular weekend or short period of time.
I only saw a couple of movies over the summer- Once, LaVie En Rose, 2Days in Paris, and Paris Je Taime, the TV Set, and Hairspray. That seems like a lot, but for a 3 month period of films that you are supposedly going to want to run out and see - only ONE film I saw was a "major" picture. The rest were all indie flick (which is just fine by me).
I was thinking that I want to see a movie or two this weekend and my options are plentiful.
There are are more movies I want to see this weekend than in that whole summer period.
I am excited to see that 3:10 to Yuma is still playing. What else what else?
Enchanted
American Gangster
I'm Not There (Todd Haynes I think is one of my favorite directors. what a guy!)
Love in the Time of Cholera (even though the reviews have been less than great and I haven't read the book yet)
Margo at the Wedding
Michael Clayton
Lions for Lambs (maybe)
Across the Universe
And two movies I halfheartedly want to see, meaning I probably won't - August Rush and This Christmas.
A bit more movies than I can afford to see in one weekend, but I like having the option. For weeks and weeks there was nothing out that I wanted to see. It'll be nice to get back to the movies again. Now, I did see No Country for Old Men with a friend a couple weeks ago - but I went not knowing what it was about AT ALL. It wasn't a bad film - it was actually pretty good, but not something I would have woken up from a nap for and seen at 11 at night had I known the content.
Wow! Black really don't crack!
I am not a party person.
I wish I was.
Not in the sense that I wish I was wild and crazy, drunk off my arse dancing on tables flashing people. I just wish I was a better mingle-er.
A few weeks ago, I spoke at an event in Beverly Hills. I wrote about it here in the good 'ol blog. Well, one of the women I met there has her own marketing company. Every month she has parties in downtown L.A. at various lofts to get the residents plugged into the local businesses. I don't have a store obviously, but at some of her other parties I'm going to have a table or something set up. In addition to business cards and such, I'll have some other visuals and maybe some video, etc.
Tonight's party was a combo marketing party and this woman's 40th birthday. So I was just invited to come and have a good time.
I got there about 2 hours after the party started...but it's L.A., so it took a couple hours after THAT for a crowd to really gather. It was so flippin' cold. What was I thinking? I knew it was a rooftop party, but there I was in my dress, no jacket or anything. I wandered by myself for the first half hour or so, checking out the views and getting some grub. After that, the b-day girl snatched me up and introduced me to her friends. We happened to be sitting next to one of the two rooftop fireplaces. When we finally got it lit, that was it for me - no more walking around. My butt was as close to the fire as it could get.
I ended up talking to several people - but really only if they were around the fire. I got up once or twice, but always ended up back at the fire. There were some fine young male specimens there - but me, with my shyness and freezing-my-butt-offness - I just kept my arse planted.
I actually did have a good time, but I really spent the night talking to various 40 year old women (what's wrong with me? everyone I spend time with these days is over 35. how did this happen?). All of them but one were black. And my lord, two of them told me they were 41...I wouldn't have pegged them for a day over 30. They say black don't crack, and I'm really starting to believe it. I'm 23 and I already feel like I'm cracking. I need to tap these women for their secrets. I don't want my black to crack!
I'm home now, sweats on, rocking out to Audioslave, trying to stay warm.
Nerd?
I think so. But that's ok.
I think.
I am so proud of myself!
A couple of weeks ago, I was surfing online for various meetings and groups I could check out. This was mainly for business purposes, as I'm signed up for enough social type groups right now.
I found a meeting that looked interesting, so I sent off an email to find out more info. My call was returned by the PR person for the event. She put me down on the list to attend, but also asked me to - get this - be a speaker at the event. Wuuuuut?? So I said yes. And for the past two weeks I hadn't given it much thought other than "yeah, I'm speaking at this event."
This weekend rolled around and the nervousness began - I'd be speaking in front of a room of stranger - and I had no idea who these strangers were or how many of them there would be. I also had no idea what I was going to say.
I got home two hours before event time and tried to figure out what to wear. I found the right dressed, grabbed my notepad, business cards, and postcard/flyer things and headed on my way. The event was at the Beverly Hilton, so it was cool to go to an L.A. landmark. I had to valet park, which I wasn't expecting, because self parking was full. Who the hell valets an '87 Acura?? Well, I am getting more nervous with each step, still not sure of what I'll be saying.
I made the rounds to check out merchandise that some vendors had during the "mingle time." I introduced myself to a few people, told a couple of them what I did, and told a few about the magazine I write for if it seemed like they'd be someone who could write for us or be featured by us. Speaking of the magazine, in addition to writing articles, I'm now going to be editing our section on non-profits (which are always close to my heart), but that's another story. I introduced myself to the publisher of the magazine that was sponsoring the event (she runs the event as well).
The speakers included a poet, a real estate agent, a woman who wrote a self-help type book, and a plastic surgeon because, as the publisher said "what's an event in Beverly Hills without a plastic surgeon?" (do you understand why this is a place I never spend time in?). I was the final speaker. People asked questions - I got more questions than anyone else!
how do you maintain?
how do you get started?
how can I help my kids?
what do you do with severe hoarders?
how do you know what to tackle first when everything is a mess?
Wow - I mean, I felt like an expert, it was crazy! After the event ended, several people asked for my business card and others told me they loved what I had to say. A couple of women told me I was "hot" and I "rocked it." Haha. Add that to the people I told about the magazine, and the woman who invited me to her birthday party (!!!!!) and networking events...I'd say I did well in the connections department. None of these people could end up clients, but that's not the point. Sure, I run a networking group - but I've never been a *guest speaker* somewhere for some group or organization I'm not involved in. The publisher had me give my card to her daughter, who apparently needs me. And then - get this - she asked me if I wanted to write something for her publication. Hello!! Of course! Sure, it's not Time or Vanity Fair, but whoooooo cares?
So, the night ended and I actually felt like a somewhat successful person. What a concept!
Forget the article - look at the picture!
I loooooove "Ugly Betty." I'm so glad it turned out to be a good show. I remember watching "Betty La Fea" when I was a kid. Ahhhh, sweet sweet childhood memories.
Anywhoooo, I am psyched for the season premiere which is about a month from now. To tell the truth, I'm very interested in ABC's entire fall premiere week. I'm curious to see what they toss out this season.
So, I came across the headline tonight that Victoria Beckham (yada yada Posh Spice) will be on an episode of 'Ugly Betty.' I clicked the link and - hot damn! what's going on on her chest?
See for yourself.
And, just because - watch those balls.
You've probably all heard it by now
But man, what was up with Miss South Carolina in the Teen USA pageant?
I just couldn't believe how she just made NO sense...
That hurts...it really really does.
I guess if you're going to be a prostitute, it's good to have protection
From Wired.com:
"Where would a good prostitute be without her (or his) signature platform shoes? In trouble, that's where. The Aphrodite projects has taken steps to protect street-walkers with Platforms. The shoes have a built in audible alarm to scare off attackers, and when the alarm is triggered, the prostitute's position is transmitted to either the police (in places where prostitution is legal) or to sex worker's rights groups."
Apparently, some facts in the article are wrong, which I guess means they aren't facts. And as usual, the comments are interesting. I guess if you're going to be a prostitute, it's good to have some protection. But maybe a watch or something would be better than a shoe. When I feel my life is being threatened, the last thing I want to do is SQUAT DOWN or BEND OVER and press a button on my shoe. I'm just sayin'...
GPS Alarm Shoes for Sex Workers
You Think Your Name is "Pass the Joint"
So, I am up late tonight, actually being productive in the way of cleaning things up around my place. Yay me.
I put some Gavin DeGraw on. I haven't listened to him a few months. It's been a good 3 years since his album came out, he should put out something new. You know, I have seen him live 3 or 4 times. That's more than most people I've seen live. There are artists I love much more than him that I haven't even seen once yet. But that is beside the point.
I was listening to Gavin do his thing and I thought "he must have been high or he's gotta be out of his damn mind." Some of his stuff doesn't make any friggin' sense. For example, he busts out with the line "and the sky opened up, with the soil of the sun..." WHAT?
I've heard him sing the line 100 times before and it didn't make much sense then, but I just thought, wow, some of his stuff is like looking at magnetic poetry on a fridge. The line I used in the title is actually from a song called "Chemical Party" that actually does make sense.
I thought of other artists I listen to who spew stuff that doesn't always make sense - Coldplay, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The White Stripes...sometimes these rock artists can get away with saying...well, nothing(!) because their music is so fantastic. I'm really drawn in by lyrics, so songs that tend to be closest to my heart, so to speak, typically make sense. But a day rarely goes by that I'm not singing a song by one of the aforementioned bands with all the power I can muster.
I don't know what the purpose of this post is. I guess I was thinking about how much better these bands are overall than Gavin DeG is...so I'm less likely to go "what the f--- does that mean?"
I'm sleepy now, so I'm not going to try to make this make sense. Just another random musical musing.
And for the YouTube addicted, here is a video by the RHCP for "By The Way" one of those songs that doesn't make too much sense.
Sometimes when I watch this video, I like to imagine that it's me in the cab and I have to be saved by my awesome rockin' friends. If I don't see the Chili Peppers live before I die - well, I won't be able to say I really lived. I'm just saying.
Janet. Ms. Jackson if you're nasty....
When normal people are tucked in bed and sound asleep, you can often find me wide awake...dancing. I am sure I have written of this before.
Well, last night, I started importing a bunch of CDs that I couldn't import form January 2006 to April 2007. Man, I've purchased a lot of CDs since then.
Anyway, 1 AM rolls around, and when most people who have to get up at 6 am are in bed, I decided to do some dancing...2 hours of dancing actually. If you're one of the 4 people who has seen my new place (and you're probably not because I don't think any of them read this) you know it's really not large by any stretch of the imagination. But really, you could put me in a closet and I'd still find a way to spin in circles or something. I usually start at the door, work my way through the main area, down the "hall," into the bathroom, make a spin and come back out. All done with style and grace of course (riiiiight).
After dancing around to songs from various genres of music, I decided to play one of my staples - "If" by Janet Jackson. Now, I have known this song for maybe five years or so, but it's much much older than that. And I didn't know what the hell she was saying other than the chorus until about a year ago. I would just make random stuff up (watching various YouTube versions of the video, I learned I wasn't the only one).
(this video has the best combo of sound and visuals without sitting through the additional minute of "story" the long version has. blah)
But on that faithful day, about a year ago, I decided to look up the lyrics....
Read more! »
Here's a message that I'm sending to you...
This weekend has left me with tons of free time that I hadn't planned for. Some people would go for a walk. Some might paint a pretty picture. I decided to watch Saved By The Bell.
Was that show the sh*t or what?!? God, I loved Saved By The Bell. I've seen every episode half a million times. Come on, remember when they started a band and they had that hit song "Friends Forever"? I learned long ago that when driving, I should keep my hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel (thanks Slater, I'm sure that tip helped me with my driving test) and thanks to Kelly performing in the Miss Bayside pageant, I learned the words to "Blue Moon." I as watching the episode when Zack made a "Girls of Bayside" calendar and a photographer liked it. I'm so jaded now that I was waiting for the guy to be revealed as a child predator and for everyone to learn a sobering lesson at the end. I totally forgot that the guy was actually decent and Zack was just being a jerk as usual.
I finally made my way to Season Two and I'm close to the end. My favorite episode is on. I'm sure it's many people's favorite - "Jessie's Song." The girls made a kick ass music video. That video was probably the highlight of childhood television for me. I knew all the words and moves (of course).
Please, join me in reliving the memories...or if you lived under a rock, experience it for the first time...
Rock n' roll - you ain't seen nothing yet! I still get absolutely giddy when I see it.
Well, I have to get back to the TV now - the Bayside gang is going to set up a 1-900 advice line and Kelly's little sister falls for Zack. Woohoo!
Viva....?
So, here I am, watching Nightline when I should really be in a bed.
All of a sudden a commercial comes on. Some guys are sitting around jamming on instruments and I think "I wonder what this commercial is for...."
And then I found out....
...boy, I was not expecting that! I'm still somewhat speechless. I'm not sure why.
Who is Will Traveler? Don't forget the lyrics!
Well, a couple of months back, ABC premiered a show called Traveler. I watched the hour long sneak peek episode (which seemed more like a first episode than a "sneek peak") and thought it was pretty good. My schedule has no sort of consistency whatsoever, so I quickly forgot about the show and with the major shows on hiatus for the summer, all I've really watched is the news when I get up and the news when I get back in, or before I go to bed.
Tonight was...well, tonight was weird. I turned on the TV, endured some America's Next Top Model (I actually liked the early seasons), and then tuned into Fox to catch Wayne Brady hosting a new show called "Don't Forget The Lyrics." Is that the perfect show for me, or what? I'm really really good with lyrics. This show is like "Who wants to be a millionare?" Except you sing karaoke to popular songs instead of answering trivia questions. The woman on tonight...god, what an awful voice. But she's cute and spunky, and that's what works for television. It was kind of painful to listen to her, but I LOVE Wayne Brady and I get some amusement from watching people f- up lyrics to popular songs.
After that, I tuned into ABC and decided to watch Traveler. I regret missing out on the season! Next week is the finale! ABC keeps 4 weeks of episodes online for viewing, so I might check a few more out before the finale next week. It's a dang good show, but I just wonder where it can go and how long it can last.
That's all!
No, Imma buy YOU a drank!
I'm sure this has happened to everyone at some point or another: you listen to the radio and a song comes on that you really don't like, but somehow, the words get stuck in your head.
Well, this happens to me quite often. And I am a lyrics freak - when I like a song, I have to know the lyrics and I have to know them all. Somehow I just absorb the lyrics. Well, unfortunately, my filter isn't always that great, so I end up knowing lyrics to songs I hate.
Two or three days ago, I would have told you that "Buy U a Drank" by T-Pain was another dumb annoying song. I still kind of think it is...buuuuuuut there is this one part that I like:
Crunk juice bombs
Oakly Shades
Shawty Got Class
Oh Behave
Let's Get Gone
Walk It Out (Now Walk It Out)
Just Like That
That's What I'm Talking 'Bout
Yeah, really that's the only part I like, but it has lead to me knowing the entire song verbatim. The local "hit" radio station, KIIS FM plays this song ALL THE TIME. Every time I'm in the car, I hear this song. So, on my ride home yesterday I found myself deliberately putting the station on, and what do you know, one song finished and then this one came on! And for the first time, I sang along to the whole dang song. I feel slightly ashamed.
Since I can't post the song, here is the video (a typical rap/hip-hop/r&b video, but I've seen worse), with the lyrics I like starting at 1:17 (or 2:35 since here in my blog the clock is in reverse:
To balance that out though, I give you Chris, reciting the lyrics to "Buy U a Drank":
What's going on with summer movies?
As I drive around L.A., land of a million billboards, I see tons of movies being advertised and many of them have 7.4.07 listed as the opening date. But then, when I turn on the television, the movies are opening on the 3rd. Which one is it? Not that I will see any of those movies, and especially during the opening week, but you never know.
So, what's going on? I've seen this with at least two or three movies.
Just ranting.
Did you hear the news???
The Spice Girls are planning a reunion tour!!!
They gave us wonderful lyrics like "swing it, shake it, move it, make it, who do you think you are?" and "if you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends." God, they were so huge for, like, two years of my childhood.
You know what....I just might go.
Well, probably not. I never buy concert tickets on time and then when the show rolls around I'm pissed that I didn't buy any.
Teen Marries Track Coach
If you pay attention to the news, this story might have crossed your path. Apparently a 16 year old student married her 40 year old track coach this week. Hopefully, your response was similar to mine "what the hell?!?" You just have to wonder how this stuff happens.
The parents claim no one could convince her this wasn't a good relationship and apparently the coach wouldn't stay away from her. Now, I am trying *really* hard not to judge anyone's parenting - but don't you think that as her parents if you were really against this, you'd do anything to keep this from happening. But these parents went ahead and signed the papers to OK the marriage - and their hope is that it won't last and that she'll return home.
Well, honestly, short of him tying her up and keeping her in the basement until she dies (or some other form of overt abuse), I really don't see this lasting. When she's ready to have some sort of life, she'll cheat, or leave, or cheat and then leave. And perhaps he, after accomplishing this task, will get sick of her when the novelty wears off. Or he'll leave once she starts popping out kids and he wants another 16 year old to go after.
I find so many things wrong with this whole situation, one of them being that the coach took a "special interest" in her when he met her as a 14 year old freshman. I saw it on the news this morning and searched online for something to link to - it was pretty hard surprisingly. So here are two links - from the same local news network, same story, but two different sets of comments, and comments are always interesting. Some of the comments are apparently from people who had this coach as a teacher at other schools. They don't have favorable things to say (surprise, surprise).
Sixteen Year Old Marries Coach
High School Coach Resigns
Racist Dogs?
Sometimes I'm really amazed at the random news stories that cross my path.
Snippet: BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A Belgian businessman rejected a Nigerian job applicant because the businessman said his own dog was racist and would bite non-whites, Belgian media reported Saturday.
Full Story: Job seeker rejected due to "racist dog."
What's wrong with people?
I mean, really?
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (AP) -- Police in northwest Georgia have rescued a boy from a hot car where his mother's companion is accused of tying him up.
Full story: Couple finishes restaurant meal while child tied in hot car
I was chillin' on a Sunday afternoon
Well, I have to say, I had a really nice Sunday! Good from start to finish.
On Saturday night, after a good dance party (see previous post) I set my alarm for 6:30 AM. Yes, 6:30 AM. I knew I wanted to wash my car before the sun came out (it causes major streaking), but I also thought that if I felt up for it, I'd go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market.
Well, when I woke up, it was a lot brighter than it should have been. That's because it was actually 7:50 and I discovered that my alarm was set for 6:30 PM. So, in my jammies and a sweatshirt I hurriedly hopped in my car and went to wash it. I knew if I didn't do it, it'd be another week and my car was looking just plain sad. I mean, if it's old and making a funny sound, it can at least be clean!
So, I washed my car (which I actually enjoy when I get around to it) and then returned home to pass sometime before heading out to Studio City for brunch at Good Neighbors. It was a perfectly lovely brunch with a cool person. I don't do brunch often, so that was also kind of nice.
After that, I went to Amoeba Music, which is my favorite place to shop for music (and movies too, sometimes). I intended to buy a couple of things - and I did - but I also bought a few more.
The goods:
The Very Best of Dusty Springfield - Dusty Springfield (duh)
Year Zero - Nine Inch Nails
Dave Chappelle's Block Party soundtrack
Trailer Park - Beth Orton
Slow Motion Addict - Carina Round
Too Young to Fight It - Young Love
The Sun and the Moon - The Bravery
This is What Radio Should Sound Like - Various Artists
The first two are the ones I intended to buy. I debated picking up Sam's Town by the Killers but put it back down. I also decided I wasn't quite ready for the new Tori Amos.
I will talk about my music purchases in depth in a later post. For now, I move on.
I proceeded to Pasadena to meet a friend to see Once. Oh. Wow. What a good movie! It was charming, funny, had good music...and yes, I cried a little. Well, maybe I shouldn't call it crying. A few involuntary tears made their way out of my eyes. My friend and I had a early dinner at San Sai, where I had my least favorable experience with them. The first time I had their food, it was from the Westwood location. The second time it was Glendale. It was fine today, but didn't taste as great, so maybe something was wrong with my tastebuds. We stopped at Interact, a store that sells computer games, used movies and TV series. The only thing I usually get there is TV series because the prices are FANTASTIC, so in comparison, I don't find the movie prices to be as great (example - I bought a season of a tv show for two dollars more than the price of one movie).
The goods:
Saved By the Bell - Seasons 1 & Two
Weeds - Season 1 (mixed feelings, but whatever. If I end up opposed to the show for some reason, I'll just sell it)
Hard Candy
Little Children (soooo good).
I worked with a client for a couple of hours after that and then came home, to where my landlord has just acquired a jacuzzi, which I will be using (I have never been in one!), imported Dusty and NIN into my iTunes, played on Facebook, and clearly, updated my blog!
It was a lovely day from start to finish. Totally stress free. If every Sunday was this pleasant - wow! I can't even imagine. My shoulders and back would probably be a lot less tense, let me tell ya!
Bring it on, Monday!
Just a four song playlist.
For the majority of last week, I only listened to four songs when I was at home. In the car, sitting in traffic, I listened to oodles of tracks. At home, not wanting to plug in my stereo (feeling lazy, what can I say), I've been relying on four tracks in iTunes to suit my musical needs:
"Read My Mind" - The Killers
"Dashboard" - Modest Mouse
"Closer" - Nine Inch Nails
"Icky Thump" - The White Stripes.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to buy The Killers Sam's Town album, so I just bought "Read My Mind" because I knew I loved that one at least.
Ditto to Modest Mouse. I don't know enough of their stuff to have any confidence that I will like an entire album of theirs, but "Dashboard" got under my skin and it's stuck there.
"Closer" by Nine Inch Nails....don't even get me started. Mmm. Sexy. In an f-ed up way, of course. I have a long funny history with this song and NIN in general. But I will save that for another post. This song is just 6 minutes of pure...I don't know. Something sexual.
"Icky Thump" is the title track/first single off the White Stripes newest album. Of course, best lines? "well, americans [or white americans] what nothing better to do/why don't you kick yourself out, you're an immigrant too/who's usin' who?/what should we do?/ well you can't be a pimp and a prostitute too." Why are those the best? I don't know, they just stick out. And if someone can clarify for me whether the lyric is "white americans" or "well, americans" that would be nice. There seems to be an even split on the internet.
And let me tell you, I can't wait for Icky Thump to come out on June 19th. I bought Get Behind Me Satan when it came out, and I was so so pleased with it. I love the Stripes and I hope this album doesn't disappoint.
I could have myself a little private dance party with those four songs. Ok, who am I really trying to kid - I HAVE had myself a little private dance party with those four songs. Ok, I have had several....at least one a day for the past week. I'm kind of weird like that. I just dance and dance and dance like a fool. Usually well past the time I intend to go to bed. But oh well! If I was 15, there'd probably be a video of me on YouTube acting like an obnoxious idiot. But I'm not 15.
So I guess these are the most played songs of June so far. I think in May it was Incubus' Light Grenades album and Muse's Black Holes and Revelations. Of course, there is other music, that's just what was listened to most often. But June isn't even half over yet - I wonder what will happen.
Ooo...the suspense.
I just got mind freaked by Chris Angel
Do you know who Chris Angel is? He's the "Mind Freak" magician who has a show on A & E. Normally, I never would have watched this show, but there are some kids I babysat for up until recently who loved the show. I'd show up at their house and they'd subject me to Chris Angel. His show is actually quite entertaining - I just don't really believe people can levitate and stuff like that.
So anyway, I am in the car, commuting to work, and even though I hate them all, I listen to morning radio shows. They're all full of crap, but I don't have a CD player in my car and I can't sit in silence in my car for long. So, I toggle back and forth between all the shows, hoping to find music, or a snippet of some conversation that won't make me want to put my head through the windshield.
This morning, Ryan Seacrest had Chris Angel on his show. After they talked for a while, he said he'd amaze us with something. I'm thinking "yeah right." We had to pick a number (even for women, odd for men), then he went through the numbers 1 - 10, saying a word/phrase "One - precious metal. Two - yarn..." etc etc. So I picked two, which meant my word was yarn. After that, he said some random stuff and you had to pick one. Well, I picked a yellow ball of yarn - and what the f---! He said all the women would think of that and that the men would think of the knife. Of course, mostly women call in to Ryan's show, but everyone that did picked the yellow ball of yarn.
I know there's some explanation out there for it. But sitting in the car, bored out of my mind, I actually was pretty amused and said out loud "oh my god, I just got mind fu---- by Chris Angel."
Pointless story, but I felt like sharing anyway.
Ugh...
Dave (A-Dub's stupid blog host) here.
I just upgraded the software, and the former layout is not working.
I will see what I can do...
UPDATE: Oh goody... almost there!
UPDATE #2: And it looks like we are back for good. Feel free to leave a comment if you find anything funky.
And make sure that you visit the new poll over on the right side bar.
I should try positive thinking more often
In my last post, a rambling mess I'm sure no one could follow, I said that I felt like tomorrow would be a good day. I said it in my head and then proceeded to type it and send it out into the world.
Well, yesterday was a very good day. The original morning plan was to go thrift store shopping with a friend, but I had some delays getting out of the house, so we pushed it to today. I got back in my pajamas, turned on some music and just started piddling around. Nothing special. Then I had a couple of interesting phone calls.
The winds were strong in Los Angeles yesterday. SUPER strong. I love a good windy day. I knew there was destruction all around me with trees falling and power going out, so it was kind of nice to just sit in the comfort of my home and stand up to open the window every so often to watch the trees and leaves move back and forth and allow the strong breeze to smack me in the face. Loved it.
After that, a networking associate (what do I call that kind of person?) came over to help me set up my new calendar system and prep for a meeting I as hosting as I had invited her to speak at it. We set up the calendar quickly and had some time to just talk and share about our lives. She's someone I respect and admire very much and that's hard for me to find in a person.
The meeting...oh the meeting. I was so worried that we'd have a low turn out. The meetings I host on the west side of Los Angeles are no problem, but the San Gabriel Valley has been a thorn in my side, which is unfortunate since that's my home base. My associate (you know, I really think we are friends now) and I went down there and within 5 minutes, the first two people showed up. Wow, people were showing up early! And they kept showing up. We had to add tables and chairs to our gathering as the people filtered in. We had a turnout to rival the west side. It felt great. And when the meeting ended, at least half the people stayed around to talk to each other - which is the kind of thing I want to happen. We even attracted a couple of onlookers who overheard our discussion. People kept thanking me for organizing it and that made me feel good, because it's clearly something people want.
And then after the meeting...oh, after the meeting. I can't tell you about after the meeting. A person has to have some secrets right?
I had a fantastic day.
Here I am
Here I am
sitting on a barstool
headphones on, Ray LaMontagne singing smoothly into my ears
"war is not the answer...the answer is within you."
I'm kind of wishing that I had a q-tip next to me, as I'd rather not stand up...even though my butt is kind of hurting at this point. pesky ear wax.
I'm sitting here thinking about how exhausted I am and how I should really be in bed.
I'm thinking about how my life isn't exactly what I'd envisioned for myself right now, but that you know what? My life isn't half bad.
I'm thinking that tomorrow will be a good day, and that's something I don't often think. I can even say I am excited for tomorrow...
I think I will play this CD over again, even though I've listened to it all the way through at least 4 times today. I love the journey this album takes me on.
Glancing around the room, I realize how comfortable I am here and how I can't wait until things are all in their rightful place(es?).
"don't let your soul get lonely child it's only time it will go by..."
Distracted by the banner ads of half naked women flaunting their body parts, I wonder if there is some way to make it stop. This might excite or at least interest me if I was a lesbian. Unfortunately for me, I am not a lesbian. It's just plain annoying.
"see I've been to hell and back so many times, I must admit you kind of bore me..."
I'm thinking about how nothing in my life turns out just the way I hope it will. Rarely does something absolutely terrible happen, but I have a very active imagination and reality rarely lives up to it. The conversations never flow the same way, the people aren't as enthusiastic as they were in my head. The speech gets messed up, the agenda goes out the window. Someone puts my clean towels and pillows on the floor, which drives me nuts, but I say nothing, because they are trying to help me, and I silently think of how I will have to wash them all over again...
And don't even get me started about the wild fantasies I have about me and a field of tall grass and a guy named LaMontagne, or sometimes it's a gal named Jolie, and how that never quite works out in reality. Kidding.
There was that one night in October that was better than I imagined...mmmm, much better. That was nice. Ah, memories.
"can I stay here with you till the morning? There's nothing I want more than to wake up on your floor..."
I am content to be typing my random thoughts out, esp since they are things I never get to say out loud. I feel like I'm getting warmed up. I think the next step is to finish and publish the post I wrote many weeks ago but never let out into the wild.
I will try to update again this week. And next time, it will be something that makes sense to other people, not just to me.
I slipped up with my goal - but with good reason!
I started off doing well for a couple of weeks with my "blog at least once a week goal." But then I found out that I had to move. Oy vey. Totally unexpected. I LOVE the place I'm living at and didn't want to move any time soon. I still think the reason I was given for having to move in kind of a sham (I'm very suspicious), but whatever, maybe it's time for a change.
I'm trying to work on being a more positive thinker. I have to view this as a time to change. I had been planning on downsizing/simplifying for a while, but I think I need pressure to make certain things happen and this move is just the ticket.
As soon as I got the written notice that I needed to move (via email, how lame), I started searching for places to move to and had my very first appointment set up the next day. I placed my own ad and a woman responded. She had a place for rent and I checked it out. I liked her and the place but didn't want to jump on anything too soon (also, since having to move was unexpected, I didn't really have the extra cash just laying around). Well, after seeing a bazillion places (ok, more like 25 - which is still a lot!), things came full circle and after going on and on about this place on the phone to my mom, it was very clear to both of us that even the the place is small (the actual living space, not including bath and kitchen, is about 1/3....or maybe even 1/4 of the space I'm living in now), it was my preference in terms of landlord, privacy, amenities, etc etc. So, I called the woman back and accepted the place.
It's now the morning after and I still feel good about the decsion. So, I spent the last two weeks hectically visiting places, and now I have two weeks to sort, purge, donate, sell, trash, pack, and move. Yes, it will be a busy time.
I'm not a New Age-y kind of person, and not as spiritual as I wish I was, but I've made a decision to give positive thinking, and visualization and manifestitation and all that stuff a try. I'm kind of at a major transition period. I'm moving into a much smaller place, still getting oriented at my new job, simultaneously trying to build a business, create, organize, and run a networking group for L.A. area business owners, build/rebuild a social network, and make tons of personal improvements (as usual). There are a lot of negative things I want to shed and I want to make room for positive things in my life, so I'm going to try my best.
So, I will try to post (I actually have a couple of drafts sitting around waiting to be finished), but if you don't see me for a couple of weeks, you'll know why.
The Onion never ceases to amuse me
CNN.com featured an article from The Onion. It gave me a good chuckle.
Check it out: Justin Timberlake apathetically crowned King of Pop
Obama's Running
In personal news, I got the boot from my best friend on Monday. What a weird thing to happen to a person. So, it's been a strange week to say the least.
In political news, Barack Obama has decided to run for President (CNN Story). I don't think most people are surprised. I personally think he's a decent guy and could probably make a great President. I am, however, thinking back to something my aforementioned best friend said when we were discussing Obama and Hillary Clinton. We both like Clinton and Obama and think they could do a good job as President, but what's their likelihood of winning? I'd like to say it's good. I'd like to say that America is a place where a woman or a Black person could be elected President as easily as a White man. But really, it's so not true. Racism and sexism are still so rampant in America that I really can't tell what their chances are.
Is it wiser to vote for another candidate in the same party who actually has a chance of winning? I'm not super liberal. I'd like to think I'm progressive. Unless the Republicans put forth a candidate that I can really stand behind (not sure how likely that is), I'll be voting Democrat, as usual. I'd gladly cast my vote for Obama, but would he even win in a state like California? I'd like to think so. But if he doesn't win major states and the Rep. candidate wins the electoral college, that's what counts in the good 'ol U.S. of A. Is it better for me to put my support behind another Blue candidate who has a good chance of defeating his/her Republican opponent.
I'm very interested to see how this all pans out.
Top Chef - I want a refund (of my time!)
Life has been rocky since my last update, but since I made a commitment to be a little less personal in this blog, I will talk about a current, but less personal, issue that is bugging the hell out of me.
I watched all of Season Two of Top Chef on Bravo, and I have to say, it was a really engaging show. I also have to say that I probably wouldn't eat half the stuff those chef's made. There are 3 reasons:
(1) They use ingredients I know I don't like
(2) I don't know what the heck the ingredients are they are putting into things/don't know the names for things (hearts of palm? blini?)
(3) I forgot the third reason.
But anyhow, from the very start, I could see who some of the better chefs were. My favorites were Sam, Ilan, and Cliff. Sometimes I liked Elia, though I felt that she was too flippant (how many times can you hear someone say "I quit!" and "I dont even care anymore" - and still care about their winning?). Marcel, the chef that everyone seemed to hate, was in my mind a decent chef, but his attitude and behavior was just terrible.
So we get down to the final four - Sam, Ilan, Elia, and Marcel. Throughout the season, I really belived that Sam would go all the way to the top. He was a great chef, and aside from his cooking, seemed like a pretty cool guy too. So in part one of the finale, which aired last week (but I didn't get to see it until last night), Sam and Elia were cut.
Yes, I have to admit, I jumped off the couch, said a few expletives (but nothing too outlandish), called my friend up on the phone and said "I want a refund!!!!!!" I was mad. I defintely think Sam deserved to be in the top two, and think he deserved the title of Top Chef. I didn't even bother to watch the finale where Ilan and Marcel went head-to-head. I did tape it to watch later though.
I logged on to Bravotv.com today to find out who won, and I'm happy that it was Ilan. I'd eat at his or Sam's restaurant any day. Hopefully the exposure that Sam got from the show will help further his career. He's a really great chef. And I want to marry him. But that's beside the point.
2007 is well underway....
Yes, I am still alive.
Blogging and a lot of other things I used to do online have fallen by the wayside in the past year with the absence of a personal computer. I've made a goal to blog once every two weeks. This is nothing to most bloggers, and a year ago, I would have thought "only ONCE every two weeks??" But at this point, I think that would be a great accomplishment. Baby steps. Baby steps. Then if I can master that, I'll upgrade to once a week.
Writing has always been a great release for me, so bottling it all up has been no fun!
The last post I made was that major update back in September. A lot has happened in the past four or five months, of course. I will, however, skip those details and just get to the current stuff going on in my life.
Taking another semester off from school. This is a plus and a minus. I would really like to just GRADUATE, but having the stress of my university lifted for this extended period of time has been wonderful, considering everything I've been involved with the past few months.
Now, I'm working at a school as an assistant teacher. I started the first week of January. Last night was the big winter show, complete with dancing, the chorus, and orchestras. The kids were all fantastic, and when many of them came up to me before the show to say hi, it felt great to know that they actually like me - even though I'm always telling them to be quiet and get back to work.
I'm also working as a "Professional Organizer." It's a term I'm trying to get more comfortable with, but I like the work a lot. I help people in their homes, home offices, and businesses. I enjoy the work, and I love seeing how happy my clients are. I have a website, but due to prying stalker-ish eyes that read my blog, I'd prefer not to post the link. If you know me personally or live in the L.A. area, I'd be happy to send you a link if you contact me directly.
And that's about it right now. Working at the school, working with organizing clients, still volunteering. Aside from the stressful week I'm in the midst of now (and my car getting towed two weeks ago and having to pay 200 bucks to get it back), 2007 has been pretty good to me so far.
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