Blackout in Chinatown and A Bit of Pukey Cuteness

Jimmy and I went to San Francisco for Valentine's. It was also the celebration of Chinese New Year.
So we were casually driving down Grant Ave, watching all the people, listening to the firecrackers,
and enjoying the sights and sounds of a busy Chinatown.

We heard sirens coming towards us, and as we approached an intersection, we saw the big fire truck quickly coming down the road so (of course) we waited for it.
It turned onto Grant Ave. right in front of us, barely missing that black car you see on the left.

Then stopped, blocking the road, so we patiently waited till we could move. What else could we do? Then another fire truck came up behind us, blocking us in from both ends. A fireman from the truck in back came to us and told us we had to back out, but right at that moment, the front truck moved forward just enough for us to squeeze by, so the fireman told us to go forward.

After we got past all the fire trucks, I said to Jimmy "Dang, I should have had my video camera out instead!" So even though I thought it was too late, I still took it out and start taking video as we continued down Grant Ave. I liked the sounds of the firecrackers.

So, we're casually driving down Grant Ave. again, enjoying the sites and sounds of the city. Then suddenly...

Blackness!

Well, this time, I got it all on video:

then:

Kinda cool, right?

Afterward, we went to Ghirardelli Square for ice cream, of course. And being Valentine's night, the line was longer than we'd ever seen it, but it moved pretty fast. Every time we get ice cream at Ghirardelli, we get it to go and walk to the cable car turn around on Hyde St and listen to the street performer. Then depending on where we parked, we walk along the waters edge at Aquatic Park. It's really quite romantic at night. Yep, even after 19 years of marriage, we can still find romance.



I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO (Tony Bennett)

The loveliness of Paris
Seems somehow sadly gay
The glory that was Rome
Is of another day
I've been terribly alone
And forgotten in Manhattan
I'm going home to my city by the bay.

I left my heart in San Francisco
High on a hill, it calls to me.
To be where little cable cars
Climb halfway to the stars!
The morning fog may chill the air
I don't care!
My love waits there in San Francisco
Above the blue and windy sea
When I come home to you, San Francisco,
Your golden sun will shine for me!
_

A Little Kristin Chenoweth

for you, because there are still a few people out there who haven't heard this song yet. I encourage you to buy it, play it over and over again till you've memorized the lyrics, which I'm thoughtfully included below, then sing it at the top of your lungs.



Taylor the Latte Boy

There's a boy who works at Starbucks
Who is very inspirational.
He is very inspirational because of many things.

I come in at 8:11, and he smiles and says, "How are you?"
When he smiles and says, "How are you?"
I could swear my heart grows wings!

So today at 8:11
I decided I should meet him
I decided I should meet him
In a proper formal way.

So today at 8:11 when he smiled and said "How are you?"
I said "Fine and my name's Kristen"
And he softly answered, "Hey."

And I told him "my name is Kristen, and thank you for the extra foam"
And he said his name was Taylor,
Which provides the inspiration for this poem:

Taylor the latte boy,
Bring me java, bring me joy!
Oh, Taylor the latte boy,
I love him, I love him, I love him...

Well I'd like to get my nerve up
To recite my poem musical
He would like the fact it's musical
Because he plays guitar.
And today at 8:11, Taylor told me he was playing
With a band down in the village in the basement of a bar.

And he smoothly flipped the lever to prepare my double latte,
But for me he made a triple! (And he didn't think I knew)
But I saw him flip the lever, and for me he made it triple,
And I knew the triple latte meant that Taylor loved me too!
I said, "What time are you playing? And thank you for the extra skim..."
He said, "Keep the $3.55," because this triple latte was on him.

Taylor the latte boy,
Bring me java, bring me joy!
Taylor the latte boy,
I love him, I love him, I love him...

I used to be the kind of girl
Who'd run when love rushed toward her.
Till finally a voice whispered, "Love can be yours,
If you step up to the counter and order.

So many years my heart has waited,
I love him, I love him, I love him...
Who'd have thought that love could be so caffeinated?

Taylor the latte boy,
Bring me java, bring me joy!
Taylor, the latte boy,
I love him, I love him, I love him.
Oh, I love him, I love him, I love him.
_

It's Got a Good Beat and You Can Dance To It {Daily December 14}

I realize I'm starting to repeat myself about my obsession with Glee and Line Dancing. But hopefully this'll be the last time (for this month at least) because tonight was my last night of class till January and the Glee season is over till March.

But tonight's class was extra fun and special because we did some of the dances to Christmas music. I missed last week, but Julie had mentioned to Mandy, the instructor, that I had posted a Christmas song that matched to the beat of the steps for the Cruisin' dance. So when Mandy played "Last Christmas" by the singers in Glee, I was...
wait for it...
gleeful!!

um, yes, i really am this dorky.
Oh. you already figured that one out, didn't you?
_

22Nov "Today I am Thankful For"

...music.
I'm watching the American Music Awards and have to admit that I don't know a lot of the popular songs or artists anymore. But I don't think it matters, it's fun to watch and listen to.

Isn't it amazing how music can bring out so many emotions in us? How a certain song brings back memories that have been long forgotten or have been hidden away to protect the heart?

um...yea...me at 16. Oh how i loved Adam Ant.
_

Beyonce did have the best video of all time...

according to this baby...who happens to have back. heehee.

_

discombobulated

the video card in my mac died. it's getting fixed, but I've already gone w/o it for 5 days. thankfully, jimmy still has his old dell laptop for me to use, but i'm lost w/o my photos and photoshop and the programs i use. at least i have internet connection and can check my email. but i still feel discombobulated w/o my computer w/ my settings. I haven't been very present on the internets lately because of this. But this is the least of my concerns tonight.

I've been in limbo all week because I'm assigned for jury duty. I had to call in every day at 11a and 5p and finally got picked to appear today. I have to go back tomorrow for final jury selections. But it's been kinda interesting, actually.

other than that, i'm feeling sad tonight. Some very un-good health news coming from family. Also, a long-time close friend of ours got his pink slip. I'm on the verge of bawling.

This is not my typical post.
I may find myself living with an inferior computer.
I may find myself behind the desk in a judgment chair.
I may find myself praying for my beautiful family and my beautiful friends.
And I may ask myself-
Well. How did I get here?
_

Eating seeds is a pastime activity

This could be the 1st year that I've seen many of the movies nominated for the Oscars. I've been in a movie watching frenzy lately.

Before Feb. 22, I'm hoping to have watched Doubt, The Reader and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I probably will not see Frost/Nixon before then but hopefully will eventually.

I've seen:
The Visitor: Loved it. The best movie I saw last year.
Milk: You pretty much know the story, so the details and the amazing acting are really what makes this movie so spectacular.
Revolutionary Road: It was ok, but in my opinion, not that compelling of a story.
Slumdog Millionare: Fantastic and highly recommend. The best move I've seen this year. So far. It's still February.
The Dutchess: Good.

I'd also like to watch Wall-e, Bolt, The Dark Knight, Changeling, Rachel Getting Married, Vicky Christina Barcelona...have no desire to watch The Wrestler.

What does eating seeds have to do with any of this? Nothing. I just have that song stuck in my head.

_

Christmas is Interesting

I love my family and I love Christmas, but I had to share this cynical song that'll have you laughing, not quite like a giggle you'd get from "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer" and almost crying, but not like you would to "Oh Holy Night".
You have put on your feety pajamas
It's time for a long winter's nap
There's a knock on the door and a stranger is there
He wants you to sit on his lap
He takes your watch and he gives you a hairbrush
Your wife gets a wig on a chain
He says he can't stay
Cause he's got a long way to go
And it's starting to rain

Christmas is interesting
Like a knife in your heart
Christmas is interesting
How it tears you apart
Christmas is interesting
Like a stick in your eye
It's so freaking interesting
That it might make you cry

So you're an elf, but you'd rather be a dentist
Maybe you're a train with square wheels
Maybe you're a squirt gun that only shoots jam
Now you know how Jesus feels
He is riding a sleigh he calls Rosebud
His mansion is lonely and cold
He can't remember a pleasant December
When he wasn't tired and old

Christmas is interesting
Like a knife in your heart
Christmas is interesting
How it tears you apart
Christmas is interesting
Like a stick in your eye
It's so freaking interesting
That it might make you cry

So you're drunk and your name is Jimmy Stewart
You once had a wonderful life
Then you lost all your money, you cracked up your car
You yelled at your favorite wife
You go to bed and you wait for Jacob Marley
He comes to make you feel brave
But under his cloak he is nothing but smoke
And a finger that points at your grave

Christmas is interesting
Like a knife in your heart
Christmas is interesting
How it tears you apart
Christmas is interesting
Like a stick in your eye
It's so freaking interesting
That it might make you cry
_

Christmas Music

Is it just me, or does Christmas music bring you to tears sometimes? I was at a friends blog and was reminded of this.

Almost every time I hear "Oh Holy Night" I burst into tears during the "Fall on your knees" part.

Other weep-worthy Christmas songs are:
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Away in a Manger

Plus I always get goosebumps during Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis in Ding Dong Merrily On High.

What are you favorite Christmas songs?
_

It's a New Day by will.i.am

Found this on Paris Parfait's blog and needed to share it here, too.
_

Liberty

“Liberty is the possibility of doubting, the possibility of making a mistake, the possibility of searching and experimenting, the possibility of saying No to any authority--literary, artistic, philosophic, religious, social and even political.” - Ignazio Silone
_

Here's something fun to try: In iTunes (or wherever) create a playlist search of "America". These are the first few songs that came up on my search:

"Voice of America" by Asia
"Peaches" by The Presidents of the United States of America
"American Idiot" by Green Day
"Give Me Novocaine" by Green Day from their American Idiot album
"Feelings" by Offspring from their Americana album
"She's Got Issues" by Offspring from their Americana album
"Kids in America" by Kim Wilde
"America" by Yes
"Young Americans" by David Bowie
"America" by Simon and Garfunkel
_

These Are The Days

A few years ago I made this album in a class at my then fav scrapbook store, which has since closed. I just finished it this morning, adding pictures from last summer when the family came up to the hideaway for a week. The words in the album are from Natalie Merchant - "These Are the Days".


















these are days you'll remember

never before and never since, I promise
will the whole world be warm as this
and as you feel it, you'll know it's true
that you are blessed and lucky
it's true, that you are touched by something
that will grow and bloom in you

these are days you'll remember

when May is rushing over you with desire
to be part of the miracles you see in every hour
you'll know it's true, that you are blessed and lucky
it's true, that you are touched by something
that will grow and bloom in you

these are the days
that you might fill with laughter
until you break

these days you might feel a shaft of light
make its way across your face
and when you do
you'll know how it was meant to be
see the signs and know their meaning

you'll know how it was meant to be
hear the signs and
know they're speaking to you
_

Rock Band

We scored ourselves a late Christmas present. Jimmy and I have become rock stars. We just acquired the game yesterday...played it for 4 hours. I've played solo for 2 hours so far today. I've already toured San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and I'm currently in New York. This game is freaking FUN!! And we finally have a video game that we can play together. The music is awesome - includes songs by Nirvana, Hole, Garbage, Nine Inch Nails, Beastie Boys and tons more. The only drawback is all the equipment takes up a big chunk of our living room. Maybe we'll get our own studio soon.
_

Heart

Jimmy and I went to see Heart perform at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. We haven't been to a concert in the Bay Area in a long time but I'm hoping that will all change.

The Mountain Winery is an awesome venue, on top of a hill in the Santa Cruz Mountains with amazing views of the South Bay. We've never been up there before, which is a shame because it's so close. There's a restaurant at the winery and you can have the option of enjoying a 3-course gourmet meal before the performance. We weren't able to because I just got the tickets 2 weeks ago and dinner reservations are booked as soon as tickets go on sale. But we've certainly made a mental note of it for future reference.

Jimmy has listened to Heart since he was 7 years old. But this was the first time he's seen them in concert. When he lived in San Diego in the late 70's, he remembers they played at the Padre's Stadium, which seats 50,000 people. This was a much more intimate performance with about 2000 people. And we were in the 13th row, dead center. He knew all the words to all of the songs except 3 solo songs: 2 new songs from Ann Wilson, the other by her sister, Nancy. They also covered 2 Led Zeppelin songs and one song from The Who. I was familiar with most of the songs, but couldn't sing along flawlessly. But my favorite song of the evening was "Dreamboat Annie" which was the last song they played for the night during their 2nd encore. It was a perfect way to end the evening. Also loved Barracuda, Crazy On You and Magic Man. An added bonus was the cool weather and the full moon in the sky.

I wasn't sure if I could or couldn't bring my camera. I had a feeling I couldn't but put it in my jacket pocket...ya know...just in case. A blog post is so much more interesting with photos afterall. But they're not amateurs and I am, so I had to leave it at will call.

I'll leave you with the lyrics to Dreamboat Annie

Heading out this morning into the sun
Riding on the diamond waves, little darlin' one

Warm wind caress her
Her lover it seems
Oh, Annie
Dreamboat Annie my little ship of dreams

Going down the city sidewalk alone in the crowd
No one knows the lonely one whose head's in the clouds

Sad faces painted over with those magazine smiles
Heading out to somewhere won't be back for a while
_

And now onto music...

Ahhh...gotta love those Saturday afternoons when nothing is pressing and you can spend all day answering and sharing slam book type questions.

1. Of all the bands/artists in your cd/record collection, which one do you own the most albums by?
Peter Gabriel

2. What was the last song you listened to?
The Girl in 14G, Kristin Chenoweth

3. What's in your record/CD player right now?
At home we listen to iTunes so our entire collection gets shuffled. But I have a 6 cd changer in my car and in there I have:
Kristin Chenoweth: mixed cd made by my SIL
Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds
Jewel: Goodbye Alice in Wonderland
Sarah McLachlan: Afterglow
Linkin Park: Meteora
Elton John: Greatest Hits Volume II

4. Do you know what music the person before you is into?
Lifted from Ragged’s blog. She mentioned a few bands I’ve never heard of before, but if we ever happened to be in a car together, I think we'd get along. :-)

5. What's your favorite local band?
Green Day’s awesome. Primus is pretty cool although I can only handle them for a little while, they’re very excited. Totally love Cake but they’re from Sacramento so they don’t really count do they?
More Bay Area Bands Here.

6. What was the last album you bought?
Purple Onion, Colonel Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade
Which, truthfully, was a while a go and for Jimmy.

7. What was the greatest show you've ever been to?
Ok, there are 2 stand out concerts…and 1 "show".
The first one was Rush opened by Primus in 1992. It was a visual feast. I didn’t like Rush before but that concert certainly made me a lot more tolerable to their style. And Primus is just so wacky they were so fun to watch.
The second one was Peter Gabriel’s Growing Up tour in 2002. It was Peter Gabriel. Nuf said.
The 3rd was The Beatles Love performance by Cirque du Soleil. The music obviously wasn’t live, but wow, talk about a show. It was so freaking amazing. I had to add this one since the question was greatest “show” you’ve ever been to.
And as I was writing about these 3, a few more stand out performances kept popping in my mind, but I’ll leave it at these.

8. What's the worst band you've ever seen in concert?
I can’t even remember who was headlining. But I used to work for a radio station in LA and got free concert tickets. Oldies. Snoozefest. Blech.

9. What band do you love musically but hate the members of?
Ya know, whatever floats their boat. I’m not much of a hater.

10. What is the most musically involved you have ever been?
I’m musically challenged. Does Karaoke Revolution on Xbox count?

11. What shows are you looking forward to?
Uh, well…since the word “show” was used again…I’ll say anything that Cirque du Soleil does that’s similar to Love.

12. What is your favorite band shirt?
Phin’s Social Distortion t.

13. What musician would you like to hang out with for a day?
Mike Mesaros and his wife Cindy of the Smithereens

14. What musician would you sleep within a heart beat?
Keanu Reeves plays bass.

15. Are u a stalker?
Yea. Riiight.

16. Sabbath or solo Ozzy?
Ozzy

17. 80's Madonna or Kabbalah Esther?
80's Madonna

18. Punk rock, hip hop or heavy metal?
Punk rock, then heavy metal then a little hip hop.

19. Name 3 timeless records or artists?
Peter Gabriel
Paul Simon
Natalie Merchant

20. Name 3 artists that suck?
Britney Spears
Her x does music, too, right? I’ve never heard his stuff though so should I judge?
?

21. Did you know that filling out this survey makes you a music geek?
(Shrug)

22. What was the greatest decade for music?
It’s all good.

23. How many music-related videos/dvds do you own?
There are at least a couple dozen in the collective collection of mine and the husband’s.
Ohhhh…musical type movies? A handful, including Grease.

24. Do you like Journey?
Yes, along with Styx and Foreigner

25. Don't try to pretend you don't!
(Rolling eyes)

26. What is your favorite movie soundtrack?
Xanadu. Uh huh, I admit it.

Upsidedown Christmas Tree

Now, I don't normally take photos of the inside of strangers home. But how could I resist a tree hanging upside down from the ceiling? Besides, I bet I'm not the only one who's taken a photo of their tree, afterall, they leave all their blinds open for all to see. Best to enlarge the photo since it's so blurry - hard to capture a detailed photo in the dark from the street in a moving vehicle.

Currently listening to festive Christmas tunes, including ones from Ragged, thanks so much! Oh Holy Night is one of my very favorite Christmas carols and I love both Jim Brickman's instrumental and Bing Crosby's traditional versions.

We're home for the evening after an intimate dinner. Food was fantastic. I don't eat pork tenderloin very often, but tonights may have been the best I've ever had. For dessert, we ordered a chocolate souffle. When the waiter brought it out, he said "I'll be back with some chocolate sauce". When he returned, he smiled, said "Chocolate sauce" then he broke the top of the souffle and poured the chocolate sauce in the steaming middle. It looked delicious. After he finished pouring, he said "I'll leave the rest of this here in case you want more. It's an espresso cabernet sauce." Um. Excuse me? Espresso cabernet is not chocolate sauce. Oh well, we enjoyed it nonetheless, despite the overwhelmingly alcohol flavor. And now we've got another one of those pukey cute couple's secret language sayings. Whenever we'll come across something that isn't what they say it is, we'll call it "chocolate sauce".

My only explanation is that

Aliens must have taken over my body.

I just watched the season premier of Ellen and I love the new...
(I can't believe I'm actually writing this publicly)

Justin Timberlake song: SexyBack.

Before you judge me, just go here and give it a listen first.

I'll wait...

Did you listen all the way through?
Do you need lyrics to read along with it?
We're you able to sit still?
Did your ears bleed?

Ok, now that you've listened, you're free to judge me.
I suppose I left myself open for it. Justin Timberlake. Really? Before I heard this song, I would have said that I'd wear Crocs before I'd like a Justin Timberlake song.