Busy weekend

Yesterday I went went to Greenwich Connecticut after work with my friend who lives there. We took the commuter train from Grand Central Station, where you can drink beer and wine on the way. We sat and drank Corona, and shared headphones - we each got one ear - on the iPod.

(I've seen a lot of people sharing iPods on trains. Double headphones would be a great idea. Do they sell those?)

After we cooked a delicious summer meal, and ate outside, we went to catch a late showing of the latest Indiana Jones flick. I loved it.

I seem to be super nostalgic for the 80s lately. Nostalgia is kind of silly, but I don't judge myself for it. I was surprised that this movie felt almost as exciting as when I first saw the Indiana Jones films. I loved all the great formulaic moments, fun action, and a final sci-fi scene almost as wacky as the one in Raider's of the Lost Ark. That said, I bet this movie is not as good on video. It was built for the big screen.

Harrison Ford, an old man now, confirms that I do have an older-man fetish. Ok, maybe it's just a Harrison Ford fetish. Han Solo forever!!

Kudos for the casting of Karen Allen (character from 1981 film) as the love interest. Though I could have done without the cheesy ending (won't give it away-you'll have to see it yourself). I wonder sometimes if I'm not romantic much anymore.

Today I went to Barge Music for a great concert of Mozart, Brahms and Shostakovich. Brilliant! The program is playing again tomorrow at 4pm. If you can, GO!

GEORGE MICHAEL FOREVER!!!

Oh, I hope I can get to his concert here in New York! This review is so exciting.

I was at the Oct. 1 1991 concert. He did the most amazing version of "Tonight" by Elton John and some great Stevie Wonder covers, and all the old favorites from "Faith." I even remember what I wore that night, and how excited we were. I bought a concert t-shirt, and it finally died in 2002 when someone thought it was an old rag.

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The wait was worth it for George Michael fans
AFTER 17 YEARS, SINGER RETURNS TO BAY AREA
By Jim Harrington
Bay Area News Group
From MercuryNews.com
Article Launched: 06/21/2008 01:32:46 AM PDT

The fans had to have faith.

It had been 17 years since George Michael's last North American tour, and during that time, the pop star had racked up far more tabloid headlines than hit singles.

Yet, his fans were willing to brave ticket prices that topped out at $175 and turn out in full force to see Michael on Thursday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose - the singer's first Bay Area performance since Oct. 1, 1991 at what was then known as the Oakland Coliseum.

And their faith was rewarded - at times, handsomely - during Michael's performance. The 44-year-old Londoner, who came to fame as a member of Wham!, managed to put on a likable enough two-hour show, despite song choices that were iffy at best.

The capacity crowd rose to its feet to greet Michael as he opened the show with "Waiting," putting a little extra muscle into the line, "Here I am. Is it too late to try again?" Sporting tinted shades, a dark sports coat over a V-neck T-shirt and that still-fab 'do, Michael looked great.

So did his stage. The design was both visually impressive and nicely unobtrusive, providing just enough effects to keep things interesting but never taking attention away from the star. There were three video screens, including one that sloped from ceiling to the floor under Michael's feet, and his backup band was located on a three-tier set-up at the back of the stage.

Read more at MercuryNews.com >>>>>

john mayer....

Has really annoyed me at times ("Your Body is a Wonderland" or "Daughters" - anyone?)

Something about his songs don't seem true to me. But at the same time, I also admire his cocky confidence and dedication to his work, and his effortless yet very idiosyncratic vocal style.

If Justin Timberlake can win me over (yeah, I'm a little bit of a fan), John Mayer might have a chance.

I did kind of like this newer song, esp. his phrasing on the bridge, and the last verse lyrics. The mandolin at the beginning was rad, and it's produced so great that the orchestra doesn't sound ridiculous.

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say...

Farewell Rufus .....

Since I was a teenager in the '80s, George Carlin will always be Rufus from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. But he was way more than that. He was excellent others, and I'm sure he is partying on, DUDE!!!!

George Carlin on Religion:

Channel 7 NYC/ Missing children and voice-over guy

I have a question for New Yorkers: What's with the voice-over guy on Channel 7?

You're not supposed to notice voice-over guy, and most of the time I don't. Yet every time I see the Public Service Annoucement for missing children I suddenly pay attention.

As they show the picture of a child, he always says "Have you seen (first name of child)?"

As he says the name, Channel 7-voice-over guy deepens his voice and slows down, and it sounds so creepy. "Have you seen ... (PAUSE)... Me LI sssaaAA?"

Has anyone else noticed this?

I saw The Incredible Hulk/ Male driven movies

Iron man was SOOOOO much better. I thought Hulk sucked. It was non-stop testosterone-fueled violence. Edward Norton and Liv Tyler - even an unrecognizable William Hurt - were good, but it was just one Hulk vs. military scene after the other.

The best part was the cameo by Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark (AKA Ironman). But that was a short moment at the very end.

At least Liv Tyler, as one of only two female characters, was smart and emotionally evolved (way more than her boyfriend, Bruce Banner). She offered the only cessation of the violence with her glassy-eyed gazes and whimpering "Bruce" several different times.

As I get older, I am much more aware of the lack of strong female characters in films. (Especially since the strongest characters in my life have been women.) I remember the first time I noticed this was when I saw Lawrence of Arabia and there was only one scene with a woman in it (and all she did was say farewell from a boat).

I love men, don't get me wrong, but women rock. We are way more than arm-candy. It's time that these blockbuster movies acknowledge that once in a while.

I went shopping

After my blog a couple of days ago, I decided I needed to be fashion policewoman to myself.

As of tonight, several items have been tossed, and several new items have been added.

IN

Gold Carlos Santana shoes, a gold Kathy Van Zeeland purse and some Guess sandals, a white eyelet sundress, wide belt. My former employer also contributed several new skirts and blouses. I look like a grown up now.

OUT

The San Francisco messenger bag I've been carrying for several years, the retro 70s wooden platform sandals (Blech!), T-shirts that are worn, threadbare and too short.

It's time to face the truth - I'm not in California anymore, and I'm too old to wear juniors fashions. A big birthday is on its way, and it's time to dress according to my city and my age.

Social butterfly

I had a great New York summer weekend. On Saturday I went to Edgar's for the afternoon and got soaked in the summer rainstorms. Edgar's is a laid back place on 84th Street where Edgar Allen Poe used to live.

Later that night, I went to a classic NYC party on the Upper West Side - lots of writers, singers, artists and wine!
(got soaked in the rain storms again with my pink stilettos - but it's ok! They survived).

Sunday I went to Barge Music, where Olga Bloom greeted me "Welcome Home!" I love it there, and the music always blows me away. This place has become my church:

Beethoven Piano Trio in D Major, Op. 70, No. 1, “Ghost”
Variations in E-Flat Major for Piano Trio, Op. 44
Piano Trio No. 7 in B-Flat Major, Op. 97, “Archduke”
Mark Peskanov, Violin/ Dmitry Kouzov, Cello/ André-Michel Schub, Piano

Right outside the Barge was an art installation called the "Telectroscope" which allows you to see people looking through a similar device in England. I caught the very last day, and it was quite a sight. The device itself - powered by fiber optics -was built to look as if it was a tunnel coming out of the ground.



Sunday night Yumi and I finally went to see Sex and the City. The fashions are crazy, but all part of the fun. We realized our New York lives are as awesome as those ladies, we just don't have the big Hollywood budget yet. It's ok. Someday soon.


In other news, I am feeling like I am enjoying life again. It has been a long year of many ups and downs, but I'm starting to laugh and smile, and feel better than ever. Sometimes going into a cocoon is really important. It's the only way to grow into a butterfly.

Bitchy fashion post (not to become regular)

New Yorkers tend to look great. Effortlessy great. They're not usually the kind with caked-on make up and overly styled hair that looks like they spent too much time on themselves.

However, I am surprised that the polyester dresses with abstract prints have taken a hold here. The prints are universally awful, and polyester is a terrible fabric to wear in this heat.

The first time I saw Gladiator sandals was in Germany in 1984. Hard to believe they're back again. Just a reminder to all of us: what's in style shouldn't be worn by all people.



I really shouldn't complain about the fashion on the streets as my wardrobe looks ragged. I did buy a pair of shoes for work last October,but I admit I'm looking a little bit thrift (ukay-ukay in Tagalog).

The next time I go shopping, I will look for some stunning bejeweled sandals, and I will go for a retro print dress - but it won't be polyester or ugly.


YES:

Silver bejeweled sandal slippers
Silky paisley/ 70s print dress (not polyester)
Designer purse (I like the silvery ones - trying to pick the right thing)
Foxy sunglasses (Big ones like Sophia Loren)


And while I'm being fashion police, unless you're a my Grandpa, Cary Grant or Sean Connery and you can pull of European beach glamour, please don't wear man-sandals!! Especially those brown leather strappy ones popular in middle america.

Goh Nakamura comes to NYC

This is good news for New York - very good news!

Goh Nakamura
@ Pete's Candy Store
709 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, NY
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
11:00 PM

Goh Nakamura, Michelle Amador, East West Quintet
@ Pianos NYC
158 Ludlow St., New York, NY
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
8:00 PM


Goh Nakamura is a San Francisco Bay Area based musician who writes ditties about parking tickets, impossible crushes and faraway dreamlands. With one foot in the traditional troubadour world and another in the digital age, he performs at venues small, large, and virtual, to an enthusiastic and ever growing audience. A fortuitous 2007 feature on YouTube's front page brought his music videos over a million views and earned him a huge new fanbase from all over the world.

I think this means I'm Filipino ...

One of the guys at work (let's call him Mike) is Filipino American. I liked talking to him about Manila and the Philippines. This week I made him a mix CD of some of my favorite and varied artists from my iTunes playlists - Sandwich, Joey Ayala, Cynthia Alexander, Noel Cabangon, Yeng Constantino, etc...

One of the maintenance guys at work (a young guy - let's call him Bonifacio) is actually from Pasig. He is very shy, and never talked to me until the day I brought the CD for Mike. Apparently he noticed it on the desk, and suddenly he made a point of saying hello and calling me by name and smiling.

I mentioned to Mike "Wow, Bonifacio is coming out of his shell" - and Mike said "That's because he found out your Filipino." He said it completely seriously. I didn't know what to say, but I went back to my desk and smiled to myself.

Joey Ayala and the Philippines (nerdy picture of me)

You know how sometimes things move you, and you're not really sure why?

That's what happened when I heard Joey Ayala's songs last year. They resonated with my spirit, and got me through a really intense time during my first winter in New York. Something earnest and sincere about his music was comforting, even though my Tagalog was non-existent.

So in March (if you've been reading my blog, you already know about this), in a very unexpected course of events, I actually made it to the Philippines, met Joey Ayala, Cynthia Alexander, and lots of other great neo-folk artists from the greater Manila region.

I didn't actually see Joey Ayala play until the end of my month-long stay. Hearing him play all his songs live was something I won't ever forget. I especially loved his live version of "Durian."

I LOVE this picture that Imabelle took of me with Joey Ayala. I look like a complete nerdy fan (with my goofy grin), but somehow this picture represents the culmination of a big journey that I took on a complete leap of faith. I still can't believe I made such a big internal and external transformation. Thanks to my friends Tita, Joe. C, Imabelle, Cynthia and Joey A. for making it all possible.

[Oh, and if anyone knows a good Tagalog teacher in New York, please let me know. Thanks!]

One year later...

Yesterday I went to a bat mitzvah party on the Upper West side. It was at the most beautiful Park Avenue apartment with a balcony and enormous windows overlooking Central Park. It was absolutely incredible. The view looked like this
<-------------- Across the street to the north, we looked down to a penthouse apartment across the street where a guy was mowing his roof lawn!!!! Well, I hit my 1 year anniversary in New York. I still can't believe I arrived here with only the last $10 in my pocket, my clothes, and a few cherished possessions. I still have a lot to accomplish, but I've done a lot of things in this year:

• lived in a hostel
• found an apartment
• found several jobs
• started an album
• wrote many songs
• performed several times
  
• dated my MTA busdriver
• spent 1 month in the Philippines
• spent 8 months employed
• spent 4 months unemployed

In other news, cigarettes have gotten a brand new New York tax. The American Spirit cigarettes I smoked, (about $4.00 in San Francisco, $7.75 in New York) are now up to $9 a pack!!!

Though I have cut down quite a bit, this is completely beyond my means at this point in my life. Thanks to this new tax, I am a former smoker.