I was super excited a few weeks ago when I got the free tickets from Another Planet, er, actually my office since I beat out everyone at work for the only pair of first night passes. I think my coworkers hated me a little more because of it. Like when I said, "Oh, can't you guys change the night for the after-work pool night because I can't make it?" They were like, "Fuck you, we feel so bad for you." and "Oh, poor baby, you're going to miss pool night because you're going to see Radiohead and Beck instead." Oh, right and how could I forget this one: "Haha, you're going to get all emotional." Yeah, I would have slapped on the heavy eye-liner if I hadn't started the day with a killer eye infection.
Yeah, it's tough being me.
Although not as tough as trying to enjoy a concert. I don't think I've ever had to work this hard to listen to a band in my life - and that includes all those times I sat by the radio to win tickets.
I'm not so young anymore. And that's why I'm really in pain. You can pierce your nose to make you feel young again, but it's just not going to do the trick when you have to go to an outdoor rock festival. The truth is I'm not 18 anymore, unlike my cousin, who's only complaint was the "creeper" standing next to her asking if the band was British and who they were.
I'm really glad she didn't tell me that during the show or I would have cut him with my compost-friendly cup of Heineken Light. I was already on-edge from having to walk to the other end of the park just to get my will-call tickets. And then having to stand in line for thirty minutes, followed by more walking, then another line to get in, followed by more walking, and a line to get my ID checked, more walking, a line for light beer, more walking, a line to order my flat bread pizza with nitrate free pepperoni, and then a line to pick it up, followed by even more walking.
I missed seeing Beck. That's one artist I'd really like to see in concert. But it was either going to the other end of the park and seeing him or missing Radiohead. We all have to pick our battles. Luckily, I did get a chance to see Oaktown local, Too Short. Groovy. I have a tiny crush.
But it was definitely all about Thom Yorke and the rest of the guys from cabeza de radio. I did feel bad for them because the sound system kept breaking up. They kept playing, but none of us losers in the back could hear any of it. Then he would have to apologize for the damn thing after the massive booing and random cursing: "Fuck Meyer Sound!" Aw, poor Meyer Sound, small Berkeley company gets a largely publicized gig and they fuck up.
Still, I asked myself last night as I crawled into bed after a hot shower, and two Duane Reade PMs if I would do this again given the chance. And you know I definitely would because "you do it to yourself, you do . . . that's what really hurts."
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
one shot
We have this cool side-project going on at work. There's this camera the editorial department got as part of a circus promotion. So, we put film in it and are passing it around throughout the office to make a collage of East Bay images. Since there are roughly 30 people in my office and about 36 pictures in a roll of film, we basically get one shot. The best shot makes it into the paper.
So, imagine my frustration when I was handed the camera one day by accident. Great. I've had this thing for almost a week without any images coming to mind. I have tried to get rid of it by handing it off to another coworker, but was told to keep it a bit longer.
This really sucks because I've taken so many random images throughout the East Bay on my cell phone's camera. Good images too.
The pressure is intense. But I have a few ideas up my sleeve.
So, imagine my frustration when I was handed the camera one day by accident. Great. I've had this thing for almost a week without any images coming to mind. I have tried to get rid of it by handing it off to another coworker, but was told to keep it a bit longer.
This really sucks because I've taken so many random images throughout the East Bay on my cell phone's camera. Good images too.
The pressure is intense. But I have a few ideas up my sleeve.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
woke up this morning and 10 years had gone by
A few years ago I left my hometown, which up until then was my one goal in life. Most people ask me where I grew up and I normally hesitate. The last time I said "Millbrae" one of my coworkers looked at me intrigued, "Norway?" I shook my head and corrected. "No, Millbrae," I repeated, "you know, across the bay . . . by the airport."
"Oh," he looked disappointed, "that would have been more interesting."
Yeah, well, we can't all be interesting. You can take the girl out of the Peninsula, but, well, you know . . .
I don't head into Millbrae much, unless it's for a trip to the airport because let's face it, that's pretty much all there is out there. Although, I believe they've opened a Chipotle where the Lyon's used to be. Ahhh, Lyon's, the only restaurant down the street from our high school and the place of so many fond memories. (Think Peach Pit)
Speaking of high school . . . apparently my class has decided to hold its reunion this October. (Wow, it seems like only yesterday that I was standing in line waiting for my Freshman student body card.)
Anyways, I was hoping they'd settle on December because that would have given me a little more time. But now, I only have two months to lose those fifty pounds I've been trying to lose these last ten years. Let's look at the check-list of all the things I should have accomplished in these last ten years, shall we:
"Oh," he looked disappointed, "that would have been more interesting."
Yeah, well, we can't all be interesting. You can take the girl out of the Peninsula, but, well, you know . . .
I don't head into Millbrae much, unless it's for a trip to the airport because let's face it, that's pretty much all there is out there. Although, I believe they've opened a Chipotle where the Lyon's used to be. Ahhh, Lyon's, the only restaurant down the street from our high school and the place of so many fond memories. (Think Peach Pit)
Speaking of high school . . . apparently my class has decided to hold its reunion this October. (Wow, it seems like only yesterday that I was standing in line waiting for my Freshman student body card.)
Anyways, I was hoping they'd settle on December because that would have given me a little more time. But now, I only have two months to lose those fifty pounds I've been trying to lose these last ten years. Let's look at the check-list of all the things I should have accomplished in these last ten years, shall we:
1.) Lose 50 pounds --- working on it.
2.) Graduate from college --- check
3.) Move out of Millbrae --- check
4.) Get my own apartment --- check
5.) Have a "grown-up office job" --- check
2.) Graduate from college --- check
3.) Move out of Millbrae --- check
4.) Get my own apartment --- check
5.) Have a "grown-up office job" --- check
Ok, so four out of five ain't bad. I'm leaving the marriage and kids for the twenty-year reunion.
Like any teen I had bad times in high school, but ultimately a great experience. It should be interesting to see what everyone is up to considering I already know what everyone is up to thanks to Facebook and MySpace. But it should be interesting to see people I've known since preschool all grown up.
In the meantime, I'm going to sit back and enjoy this YouTube clip and plan my diet of carrots and water for the next two months.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
beers, bongs and barbecues
I feel like I totally lost a month. July was here, and then it just disappeared. I'm sorry my dear readers if I have neglected all three of you. Not my intention. I think Mercury was out of retrograde and Jupiter had aligned with Mars coinciding in a super busy month. Needless to say both my liver and my sanity are slowly recovering. I blame it on the weed. No, the beer. No, the barbecue. Oh, fuck it. I blame it on all three.
Here's what happened while I was away . . .
Cried my eyes out at the six gay weddings I helped put togehter. Later celebrated with a drag king show at the White Horse Inn. Got hit on by my favorite peppy Puerto Rican, Papi Gil. By the time the "guys" came on stage was completely hammered.
As always found some time to unwind and detox in Sonoma. Nothing like watching fireworks between a row of grape vines.
The rest was much needed because the following week was the East Bay Express Best of the East Bay Party! Too much good stuff would have been the tag-line for that event if AM/PM hadn't already copywritten it. Totally excited about next year's. I'm all about parties. I was just happy my coz came to help out from Sonoma. Having a guest always gives me a great excuse to head over to The Dead Fish in Crockett. Brunching on crab benedict and other seafood goodies while sitting outside right above the Sacramento River is a perfect way to kick-off the weekend.
Discovered a new more distinguished Happy Hour at Periscope Cellars Wine Wednesdays. I believe my group was actually caught on camera scarfing down cheese and downing the wine. I'm still trying to find CBS 5's "Eye on the Bay" segment.
Had to have my fill of Kitty's of course. It had been a while since I'd gotten my $2 PBR on. I like to save the mojitos for our staff meetings.
Fell in love with Feist at The Greek Theater on the UC Berkeley campus courtesy of Another Planet Entertainment. She's so cute. I heart Canadian folk-rockers from Toronto even if the only song I really know is the one from the Apple iPod Nano commercial.
The next day it was off to The Warehouse Cafe in Port Costa. Sundays are apparently a special day at this bar that serves over 400 beers because they have a delicious barbecue, and live music which is great to listen to when you've had your share of pear cider. I happen to like this place not only for the fabulous view of the murkey Sacramento River, or the thunder of Harley's being started by, but because the owner and I share the same name. Like I say, it's the little things that make me smile.
And it's the little things that keep me smiling when I've had too many beers, pot brownies and barbecues. Or, is it the brownies that keep me smiling?
Here's what happened while I was away . . .
Cried my eyes out at the six gay weddings I helped put togehter. Later celebrated with a drag king show at the White Horse Inn. Got hit on by my favorite peppy Puerto Rican, Papi Gil. By the time the "guys" came on stage was completely hammered.
As always found some time to unwind and detox in Sonoma. Nothing like watching fireworks between a row of grape vines.
The rest was much needed because the following week was the East Bay Express Best of the East Bay Party! Too much good stuff would have been the tag-line for that event if AM/PM hadn't already copywritten it. Totally excited about next year's. I'm all about parties. I was just happy my coz came to help out from Sonoma. Having a guest always gives me a great excuse to head over to The Dead Fish in Crockett. Brunching on crab benedict and other seafood goodies while sitting outside right above the Sacramento River is a perfect way to kick-off the weekend.
Discovered a new more distinguished Happy Hour at Periscope Cellars Wine Wednesdays. I believe my group was actually caught on camera scarfing down cheese and downing the wine. I'm still trying to find CBS 5's "Eye on the Bay" segment.
Had to have my fill of Kitty's of course. It had been a while since I'd gotten my $2 PBR on. I like to save the mojitos for our staff meetings.
Fell in love with Feist at The Greek Theater on the UC Berkeley campus courtesy of Another Planet Entertainment. She's so cute. I heart Canadian folk-rockers from Toronto even if the only song I really know is the one from the Apple iPod Nano commercial.
The next day it was off to The Warehouse Cafe in Port Costa. Sundays are apparently a special day at this bar that serves over 400 beers because they have a delicious barbecue, and live music which is great to listen to when you've had your share of pear cider. I happen to like this place not only for the fabulous view of the murkey Sacramento River, or the thunder of Harley's being started by, but because the owner and I share the same name. Like I say, it's the little things that make me smile.
And it's the little things that keep me smiling when I've had too many beers, pot brownies and barbecues. Or, is it the brownies that keep me smiling?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
how 'bout some cheese with that whine?
Because we all secretly wish we were sommeliers for a 5-star Michelin restaurant, we decided to head on over to Periscope Cellars for their "Wine Wednesdays".
It's another excuse for me to pretend I'm actually from Sonoma and that I know anything about wine tasting. Sure, I'm pretty sure you swirl the glass and look at the legs, then smell, then taste then to a thing where you smack your lips with your tongue as if your tasting. And last but not least, you mention that it's "oak-ey".
The tastings are gratis, which in this economy makes me a very happy whino. I recommend the Sangiovese because it's good and fun to say. And they had some wonderful cheeses, including some aged Monterey Jack from Vella Cheeses in Sonoma.
It's nice to change up your Happy Hour routine every once in a while. Especially to head to wineries that have $5 full glasses of wine paired with cheese and crackers.
And since Emeryville is thee hot spot of the Bay Area, this was probably the third time I've been filmed by a television crew in the past month. I'm not exactly sure which TV station it was, but hey, they asked us is they could film us. I doubt we'll be on television though because my group was having some pretty racy conversations. Not quite G material if you catch my drift.
No worries, though. We'll whine about it later. For now, it's all about the wine.
It's another excuse for me to pretend I'm actually from Sonoma and that I know anything about wine tasting. Sure, I'm pretty sure you swirl the glass and look at the legs, then smell, then taste then to a thing where you smack your lips with your tongue as if your tasting. And last but not least, you mention that it's "oak-ey".
The tastings are gratis, which in this economy makes me a very happy whino. I recommend the Sangiovese because it's good and fun to say. And they had some wonderful cheeses, including some aged Monterey Jack from Vella Cheeses in Sonoma.
It's nice to change up your Happy Hour routine every once in a while. Especially to head to wineries that have $5 full glasses of wine paired with cheese and crackers.
And since Emeryville is thee hot spot of the Bay Area, this was probably the third time I've been filmed by a television crew in the past month. I'm not exactly sure which TV station it was, but hey, they asked us is they could film us. I doubt we'll be on television though because my group was having some pretty racy conversations. Not quite G material if you catch my drift.
No worries, though. We'll whine about it later. For now, it's all about the wine.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
an apple a day
When I was a kid my grandfather had a business partner that worked for Mattel Co., so sometimes when he came over for dinner, he would bring a new toy that wasn't on the shelves yet. I got my second Cabbage Patch Doll from him - one with the "corn silk hair" instead of the regular yarn that passed for hair. I was one of the first people to get that doll, along with a cool Play Dough Factory set.
I'm not bragging. That was in like 1987, but I thought I was the shit back then. All my other first grade classmates had to figure out cool ways to do things with their funky smelling Play Dough - and that didn't include eating it.
Ever since then, I've been playing "keeping up with the Jones'". I'm materialistically insecure. It comes with being a total outsider in a wealthy upper-middle-class suburb.
As a shop-a-holic with an eye for the latest trends, and a B.F.A. in Fashion Merchandising that I don't happen to put to any use, I like the thrill of having something new. Having some thing new and being one of the firsts to have it is a conversation starter. I get a little chill whenever someone asks me what I'm wearing -even if it's a knock-off of a Marc Jacobs sweater.
This wacked-out mentality would explain the insanity that went into getting up early on Friday morning to stand in line for the new iPhone. I had been counting down for this since June 1st. And by the look of the line, so had everyone else.
I got to the Apple store in Emeryville by 7am, thinking that if I got there an hour before they opened their doors that I would have some sort of chance. NOT! The line wasn't around the block or anything drastic like that, but it was pretty damn long.
And just like I had imagined, I was surrounded by a bunch of Pixar dudes. You can't go anywhere in Emeryville without seeing Pixar guys. It's cool though, I happen to have a soft spot for animation geeks. Unlike the ones I rode in the elevator with at art school, these actually smelled like they'd taken a shower. Plus, I get the dirt from within the compound.
At 8am the line started moving and they started handing out water to compensate for the free Peet's Coffee they had already given us. It was obvious that they were trying to see who had the strongest bladder. And then a camera-crew came. As I was sending a text to one of my friends, I got a camera shoved in my face. "So, you're upgrading that phone?" I looked at the chick holding the camera. "Um, yeah." Duh. No, I just thought I'd get up two hours early to stand in line for two hours just for shits and giggles. "Who's the first person you're going to call on your new iPhone?" I shrugged, "My boss because I'm late for work." I was getting nervous and just wanted to have the camera move to one of the Pixar dudes. "What would you say to Steve Jobs?" Um . . . "good job, Jobs?" Hahahaha. LAAAAAAAAME!
Hey, in my defense I was half asleep, had to pee and was running incredibly late for work. I bounced at 9am for fear of losing my job and hence having no cash to pay for the damn phone/ipod. Had I stayed an extra hour, I might have gotten one.
But, being a glutton for punishment, I came back for seconds and then thirds. And I have yet to get one. It's ridiculous. I've turned into my worst pathetic nightmare.
I'm not the type who stands in line for anything. Now I know how the peasants of the Soviet Union felt while waiting in line for bread.
I've taken it as a sign. So, I have decided to wait out the frenzy and get my iPhone in a couple of weeks when I can afford it. Maybe I can get one next week, when I don't have to wait in line hearing people pass by shouting "Losers!" to all those standing there.
Sticks and stones.
I'm not bragging. That was in like 1987, but I thought I was the shit back then. All my other first grade classmates had to figure out cool ways to do things with their funky smelling Play Dough - and that didn't include eating it.
Ever since then, I've been playing "keeping up with the Jones'". I'm materialistically insecure. It comes with being a total outsider in a wealthy upper-middle-class suburb.
As a shop-a-holic with an eye for the latest trends, and a B.F.A. in Fashion Merchandising that I don't happen to put to any use, I like the thrill of having something new. Having some thing new and being one of the firsts to have it is a conversation starter. I get a little chill whenever someone asks me what I'm wearing -even if it's a knock-off of a Marc Jacobs sweater.
This wacked-out mentality would explain the insanity that went into getting up early on Friday morning to stand in line for the new iPhone. I had been counting down for this since June 1st. And by the look of the line, so had everyone else.
I got to the Apple store in Emeryville by 7am, thinking that if I got there an hour before they opened their doors that I would have some sort of chance. NOT! The line wasn't around the block or anything drastic like that, but it was pretty damn long.
And just like I had imagined, I was surrounded by a bunch of Pixar dudes. You can't go anywhere in Emeryville without seeing Pixar guys. It's cool though, I happen to have a soft spot for animation geeks. Unlike the ones I rode in the elevator with at art school, these actually smelled like they'd taken a shower. Plus, I get the dirt from within the compound.
At 8am the line started moving and they started handing out water to compensate for the free Peet's Coffee they had already given us. It was obvious that they were trying to see who had the strongest bladder. And then a camera-crew came. As I was sending a text to one of my friends, I got a camera shoved in my face. "So, you're upgrading that phone?" I looked at the chick holding the camera. "Um, yeah." Duh. No, I just thought I'd get up two hours early to stand in line for two hours just for shits and giggles. "Who's the first person you're going to call on your new iPhone?" I shrugged, "My boss because I'm late for work." I was getting nervous and just wanted to have the camera move to one of the Pixar dudes. "What would you say to Steve Jobs?" Um . . . "good job, Jobs?" Hahahaha. LAAAAAAAAME!
Hey, in my defense I was half asleep, had to pee and was running incredibly late for work. I bounced at 9am for fear of losing my job and hence having no cash to pay for the damn phone/ipod. Had I stayed an extra hour, I might have gotten one.
But, being a glutton for punishment, I came back for seconds and then thirds. And I have yet to get one. It's ridiculous. I've turned into my worst pathetic nightmare.
I'm not the type who stands in line for anything. Now I know how the peasants of the Soviet Union felt while waiting in line for bread.
I've taken it as a sign. So, I have decided to wait out the frenzy and get my iPhone in a couple of weeks when I can afford it. Maybe I can get one next week, when I don't have to wait in line hearing people pass by shouting "Losers!" to all those standing there.
Sticks and stones.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
i needed this
I've been thinking a lot about this sketch, where it has been, who it is with, is it thinking of me and will it ever return . . . okay, not really. But it did take me a while to find it on You Tube. That's okay though because I really don't have much of a life. I can sympathize Scott Thompson's French-Canadian whore somehow. Although I could give a fuck about where Tony is right now.
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