day 215: Somebody to Love

Surrounded by friends and family Vanessa was very surprised by the elaborate plan that Alex planned for her birthday. Vanessa's mom and brother flew in, Porto's bakery catered and cherry bombs were the drink of choice. As the night wound down (or started up) Angela's karaoke mic brought out all the singing voices.

Happy Birthday, Vanessa!

day 062: Bar-B-Q

The last of the Pisces birthdays has come, we celebrated Adrian's birthday on Saturday night/Sunday morning. As always Sandy and Adrian had a wonderful selection of food and drinks. We talked, played Cranium, poker and partied in to the early morning.

Happy Birthday, Adrian!

day 040: memories

I'm scared of what people are going to write. I could never run for public office and I know that. In fact some of the memories created recently are enough to ruin anyone's career. hahaha

Leave one memory that you and I share, the first thing that pops into your mind will do. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Don't send an e-mail message, but leave a comment here. Next, re-post this in your notes and see who leaves a memory for you..

day 034: and the Oscar goes to...

moi? I won the Oscar Pool with a total of 16 correct picks. I did watch all of the Best Picture nominations and all of the big categories: Actor, Actress (you should definitely watch Frozen River), Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor. All of those free screenings helped. I wonder if I can get into the Vanity Fair party in my 'hood with this award? hahaha

Vanessa and Alex hosted a glamor filled Oscar party with delicious food and great company. I was the emotional one. I'm a cryer, yes I get emotional during the show. The "In Memoriam"... how can you not tear up? Heath Ledger? forget it.

The show:
I liked Hugh Jackman as host, primarily because he's hot. JK He's a very talented man.

I loved how they presented the awards with the five former winner's and I hope they continue this.

I loved the Best Picture montage with former Best Picture winners.

Favorite moments:
"Domo arigoto Mr. Roboto" Kuni Kato blurted this when accepting his Oscar for Best Short Film, Animated.... awesome!!

Ben Stiller's impression of Joaquin Phoenix (I watched that Letterman interview and it was a mess)

Kate Winslet's dad whistling

Kate Winslet talking to Meryl Streep in her acceptance speech

Sean Penn's acceptance speech. I wanted Mickey Rourke to win, because his performance was amazing in The Wrestler. Sean Penn's portrayal of Harvey Milk is wonderful, but he's truthful in his statement, "...I know how hard I make it to appreciate me." He's not a very nice person, but I liked that he brought up gay marriage.

Slumdog Millionaire winning for Best Picture. This is an absolutely beautiful film in a beautiful country.

Fashion:
loved Kate Winslet's everything: hair, dress, make-up...she looked like Grace Kelly

Natalie Portman's pink dress: The bold color was beautiful and her hair was amazing.

Awkward Moment:
Why did they keep showing Brangelina when Jennifer Aniston was presenting?

day 033: Any Man of Mine & Seis Leches

I love Karaoke, and I love celebrating my birthday, because then I can make my friends sing Karaoke. :) Nate and I are so fortunate to have birthdays one day apart. The fact that we have the same friends, it makes for a huge celebration. It was a crazy mixture of hip-hop, rap, 80's, love ballads, and heavy metal. I had a wonderful time, but forgot my camera!!! :O Oh well, everything happens for a reason, and everyone is probably happy that I forgot it. ;) Thank you to everyone, the potluck was delicious and we had more main dishes than sides, which never happens with potlucks, so THANK YOU!!! AMAZINGLY we had two Tres Leches cakes...so it was Seis Leches...mmm delicious. I still have the "Pru" slice in my fridge. I think I'll enjoy it for lunch. :) muah xoxoxo

songs were:
American Boy
Peaceful easy feeling
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Blue Bayou
Summer Lovin
Sweet Child o mine
Any Man of Mine
A Little Less Conversation

Please help me... :)

day 017: twenty-five

Ha! By George, I’ve got it! I knew I did this before!!
Here are 10 random things about me....well, I will try to delve deeper into randomness.

1. I learned to drive when I was 10 years old on a stick shift. It was in my dad’s old white truck with a pillow behind me on dirt road.
2. I love scary movies, but always regret going to them when I’m in the theater. I can make an entire theater scream.
3. I believe in Astrology. Sun: Pisces, Moon: Leo, Ascending: Leo, Chinese: Wood Rabbit
4. I studied Architecture extensively, but now realize that I strongly dislike the profession. I love proportions, materials and experiencing space, but hate waterproofing, nominal sizes of structural members, and codes, etc.
5. I’m getting laid off. My last day of work will be 02.13.2009. If you didn’t know anyone affected by the tanking economy, now you do. It’s another reason for my dislike of architecture. The construction industry is the first hit when there is a recession. I see it as an opportunity to find out what it is that I want to do with my life. I’m thankful for all my friends and family who have been supportive.
6. I’m scared to get on the escalator without holding onto the rail. I know. I discovered this at a Clippers’ game. With food and a drink in my hands, I halted at the bottom as a line of people mounted up behind me. I had to ask the guy behind me to hold my drink. My friend was laughing. I’m scared that I’m gonna loose my balance and fall on my a$$, strange I know.
7. I’ve been to some amazing Hollywood Parties and will maybe document them some day. The best was with Owen Wilson, of what I remember...
8. Through the years I have acquired many “cheesy prom poses” pics. Thank you, Clara.
9. I randomly donate money to people training for philanthropic endurance events, because I know how difficult it is to fundraise. I leave the simple message “pay it forward, please.”
10. I stood up to my boss when I saw injustice, even when I was on the fortunate side, but I don’t know if I would do it again. It was too draining.
11. I’ve planned two weddings and overseen three wedding days. I would like wedding planning if it weren’t for the brides. hahaha
12. I always have to look-up the definitions for conscious and conscience. I can never remember which is which.
13. When I was young my friend and I went to the mall. We quickly changed direction and I tripped over a little kid. The mom immediately said, “You f-ing Navajo. Go back to the reservation.” That memory has stuck with me my entire life. I think about that little kid who grew up with that belief, and wonder if he has the same belief as his mom. It taught me to speak out against discrimination.
14. I love the midnight screenings of movies. It’s the true fans who show up. Some of my favorite memories are Attack of the Clones (when the lights turned off it was a sea of blue lightsabers) and Spider-man 2 & 3 (Tobey Maguire showed up for both of them)
15. I’ve been known to watch a football game with the guys and then watch a chick flick with the girls on the same day.
16. My favorite karaoke songs are “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Love is a Battlefield”...oh and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.”
17. I ran a marathon, cycled a half century (actually my longest ride is 80 miles) and I hope to ride a full century and participate in an olympic length triathlon soon.
18. I come from a large family, well, not my immediate family. I have one brother and two sisters. My dad had four brothers and five sisters. My mom has four brothers and three sisters. I grew up with many cousins who I call my brothers and sisters.
19. I gave up coffee two years ago and it was the hardest habit to break: the headaches, withdrawals, and irritability. I give thanks to my friends and co-workers for understanding.
20. I had my tonsils taken out when I was 7.
21. My dad passed away when I was 20, too young for both of us.
22. I’m usually laughing and have had friends seek me out after a movie, because they heard me laughing.
23. I studied the history of the gaze and how perspective has changed from antiquity. I love finding devices that affect perception: the camera obscura, dioramas, spectacles, etc.
24. I learned how to find myself in India.
25. I love my relationship with my mom right now. I see her as more than my mom, and I think she sees me as more than her daughter.

day 013: inspired

This morning my friend, Vanessa, ran the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA. It was a beautiful morning to spend next to the beach. Vanessa was awesome. We saw her at mile 20 and Amery ran the last 6.2 miles with her. Amery looked worse than Vanessa at the end. hahaha Afterward we enjoyed a cold beer and welcomed her into the Marathoners' club. Congratulations Vanessa!!! You've inspired me to do it again!