May 2005 Archives

laguna beach, ca

Memorial weekend was good times. Went to Ikea, put together the shelf I bought at Ikea with minimal trouble- thanks to Moe Moe, saw Madagascar, ate at Jerry's Deli, took pictures of the beach at sunrise- normal stuff really (execept for taking pictures at 6 in the morning). I highly recommend Madagascar- the lemurs are hilarious. Just go see it- you need a good laugh, trust me.

~

I have decided to get healthy again. This resolution usually happens every other month like clockwork. But there is no joke this time. I'm going to be a stricter vegetarian- I want to cut out dairy all together- its just not natural. Good-bye cheese, good-bye the occasional ice cream... So wish me good luck cause I am going to need it.

palm trees and the sunrise, laguna beach, ca

What I am listening to: Master Blaster- Stevie Wonder

Where Jazz is: Kicking it under my bed

I hope you all had a good weekend... I promise to post more in June...

reflection of a tree in a puddle, Seattle

Today I told a friend that I would rather die with stregnth than live with weakness and I thought it was because I was trying to bolster her faith in living. But I have realized that I am a firm believer in stregnth and dignity. Even though I question my faith in organized religions. I believe in good, in loyalty, in treating others as you would want to be treated and in the goodness of humanity. Just when things seem unbearable, I take a look around and revel in a beautiful moment. And in that moment I am reminded that I better thank my lucky stars that I am alive to witness it.

I may pretend that things are okay most of the time. That I am in control. But the reality is the only thing that I am in control of is the way that I greet the day and the way that I react to life. Cause the reality is life can suck, be ordinary, be difficult, be a million indescrible things in one. But one thing for certain is it is never dull if you don't want it to be. It is moments of despair that give way to great stregnth. And damn, do I love the feeling after the stregnth has taken over.

That is the time when I "Do not go gentle into that good night." No I "rage, rage against the dying of the light." I am my own hero to myself. I pick myself up and dust myself off and go...

So my cousins and I finally got our tattoos. My cousin did the initials above the wings of my tattoo and she drew her sister's and hers. She is an amazing artist. Shout out to Jen (nicest lady ever) the amazing tattoo artist at Outer Limits on Tustin in Orange. Lauren (because she is deathly allergic) couldn't get a tattoo with us but she stayed with each of us as we got it done.

My tattoo with my dad's initials- it helps me keep a little reminder of him on me forever. Love you dad.

April's tattoo with "Tio"- it means uncle in Spanish for those who are wondering

Em's tattoo on her back with Tio

aloe in my backyard

Thought you might like to see a little sample of what I am listening to right now:

Bandy Bandy- Zap Mama
Feel Good Inc- The Gorillaz
I You He She- Peaches
Homies- Lighter Shade of Brown
Anything- Dramarama
Yelling Away- Talib Kweli, Common, Zap Mama
The Seed (2.0)- The Roots and Cody Chestnutt
Find Us- The Beatnuts
Dear You- Asheru and Blue Black
Riot- Kaiser Chiefs
White Gutz- Dungeon Family
Danger Keep Away- Slipknot
Contact- The Beatnuts
Holiday- Green Day
Flashlight- Parliment
Brother- The Organ
Mr. Brightside- The Killers

Most of the songs aren't new- I just feel like revisiting old favorites every once in awhile....

Venice beach at sunset

So I've been gone for a minute and sadly I have not been relaxing- things have been crazy busy. But lets recap shall we- lets do a little list....

Things I have been up to:

- seeing Juanes in concert (nice latin pop rock)- girls were straight crazy at the concert. One girl got up on stage, wrapped her legs and arms around Juanes and it took three security guards to pry her off.

- Mother's Day- went to the desert and had good time- seeing cousins and family is always nice

- My sister came home from school- she'll be here all Summer- we have so many plans

- Going out with M

- Doing endless sketches of good things to come

- Planning my tattoo (still...)

- Coming soon- more artwork, t-shirts designed by me and my sister and other goodies (I know- how may times have I promised this)

- Reading Alli's story- heart wrenching stuff but good at the same time

outside of Palm Springs, CA

I have been slacking on the posting business cause I have been crazy busy, tired and a little bit sick- damn mocos! But to recap last weekend- COACHELLA was tight as hell! So many bands so little time. There were mad people there- here's a little taste: Coldplay, Weezer, Nine Inch Nails, Zap Mama, Arcade Fire, Black Star, New Order, Cafe Tacuba, Wilco, Aesop Rock, Jean Grae, Mr. Lif, Snowpatrol, Bloc Party, Jem, k-os and many others.

Here are the people that straight killed it (and these are in order)-

1. Black Star- Talib Kweli and Mos Def were crazy good. Mos Def was like the energizer bunny- security actually told him that they were going to slap him with a big fine- but that didn't stop Mos. Nah, dude kept rockin' it until they turned off all of the equipment and the lights. Now thats hip hop. Oh, did I mention that they brought Common out from backstage (what a pleasant surprise)...

2. Zap Mama- I had never heard her actual album- just snippets that she did was people like ?uestlove and Talib Kweli. But Zap Mama made Saturday. She was amazing- thats the only word that truly fits. She didn't stop entertaining or dancing for more than an hour- she was dancing and singing and beatboxing like crazy. If you don't know about her, I suggest you check her out right now.

3. Aesop Rock- Aesop and Mr. Lif killed it earlier in the night on Sunday. I have respect for both of these lyricists. Especially Mr. Lif's hair. Song to check out- "Daylight" by Aesop Rock cause all I ever wanted was to pick apart the day, and put the pieces back together my way...

4. Arcade Fire- Mad energy from these kids. I like them and I can't even explain why really. Cause they aren't the most prolific- I think its just the right speed for right now....

5. Jem- I like her simple melodies plus the woman did a rendition of Stevie Wonder's Master Blaster- whats not to like...

And before I forget, Leslie (my cousin) and I saw Giovanni Ribisi and Axl Rose. I supressed the urge to yell "Hey Axl! You know where you are? You're in the jungle baby! " But I really wanted to...