The Evolution of Dance

I love to dance. I especially love 80s dancing and salsa dancing. And I adore watching ballet. This little diddy is a fun video that will take you through years of different styles of dancing starting in the 1950s with Elvis. A whole lotta clean fun!

Young Latina Comedienne makes me Laugh!

I'm always up to support my fellow latina sisters in the entertainment industry - even those who beat me out on TV roles (huh, P? lol!) Check out this young half Mexican - Half Native-American stand-up comedienne. Her name is Anjelah Johnson. I don't know her personally, but she has gorgeous bone-structure, and is great at character role-playing in her recounting getting her nails done. I bet some of you can relate to what she says - I rarely get my nails done, but I've heard these things!!! HAHAHA Enjoy the link

Frappr gets it Right!

It really pains me to admit that I have been having a real tug-of-war in my relationship. My relationship with my Frappr map, that is. hehehe. Loyal readers will already be tuned into the yo-yo of previous blogs about my being happy with it, then sad. See, the Frappr map is still 'buggy'. Some days it works great, some days my member location dots disappear, some days I can't even see the map in the corner of my screen! Alas, until they work the kinks out of it I am contenting myself with the return of my Honolulu and Kuala Lumpur member-dots and new readers: Detroit and Southfield, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Sheboygan, WI; Mashpee, MO; and new International readers - Milton Keynes, England; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and Curitiba, Brasil. WElcOME, Friends to my on-going babble and diary of my life! :)

80s Song of the Week #4 - Spandau Ballet - "True"

The minute anyone over the age of 30 hears those guitar-plucking chords at the beginning of the song: they will undoubtedly recognize one of the biggest hits of 1983: 'True'. This British band with their slick, adult contemporary sound, wearing their classy 1940's-inspired suits, well-scrubbed faces and impeccably 'beautiful' vocals by lead singer Tony Hadley made them seem almost vaguely aristocratic. The video is simplistic, only relying on artsy lighting like light reflecting on water. Good choice - makes you not distracted from the prettiness of arguably one of the best ballads of the entire 1980 decade. Sit back, enjoy it and remember what it was like to be a teen and dreaming of love...

Italy Trip #3 - Summer 2004 - Rome, Trieste

So, if you are just tuning in, I have been using this blog to also document like a journal some past trips I've done. These were before I knew Patrick, my beau. This was my last trip abroad while seeing Italian Mik. This was to be my last trip to Casa Venuti and Vernasso, Italy. Of course I didn't know that at the time but I am glad to say if it had to end it was a final beautiful memory there.
That summer we spent a lot of time with Mik's friends. His best friend, Samuele, was in town - who had previously visited us in San Diego since he also was a pilot in the Italian Airforce and they evidently train in the USA at times. By now my Italian was somewhat conversational, but it was nice that Sam spoke English as well since we spent a lot of time with him and his girlfriend, Eliza.
We also spent a week in Rome - staying with Mik's older cousins - 2 unmarried sisters who inherited an incredible apartment right by the famous Spanish Steps. What an incredible time! I really, really, enjoyed Rome. I am sure a lot of it was due to the fact that we had such a beautiful place to stay, with 2 incredible cooks (I ate so much I thought I'd burst) and guides to show us and explain better than any tourist book all about the architecture, history, meanings, and details of the buildings and neighborhoods. I was fascinated by Rome - so much sightseeing was done with us returning to the apartment for a late HUGE lunch, a short (food coma) nap and then out again to see more. It was also interesting to learn that the water is so clean in Rome that you can drink from any pipe, or fountain - so you'd see us and the locals filling up out water bottles, while the tourists bought over expensive water. The Coliseum, the Churches, the ruins: all so humbling to walk around so many centuries later. Of course, I also wanted to see the Sistine Chapel. We walked there and saw that the ailing Pope John Paul was outside blessing one by one about 100 wedding brides and grooms (evidently if you are very rich you can pay to have your marriage blessed by the Pope, himself)! I was so excited when I saw him far, far away that I broke away from Mik and dashed into the crowd of thousands trying to catch a glimpse of his gentle Greatness. Usually I am claustrophobic and hate crowds but I felt nothing but a lump in my throat at seeing in person such a Symbol of Peace and God. I felt proud to be Catholic.
Other highlights of Rome was hanging out with Mauro - a random, hilarious Roman friend of the sisters who came every day for lunch and absolutely took Mik and I under his wing. Mauro was hilarious! In his 40s, married with 2 kids, he was a happy, successful man but you can tell he yearned for his youth and didn't like to be tied down. We thought he liked us so much because he thought we were cool, me being American and Mik now living in America and bringing his American girlfriend to Italy. He spoke a Roman dialect and also spoke so fast that even Mik couldn't understand him most of the time! But he was very congenial and generous, driving us one evening an hour away to the beach or taking us to dinner with his wife one evening. Mauro always showed up on a motorcycle (I HATE those) and he one day made Mik ride with him and I was TERRIFIED seeing them speed off in the WRONG direction weaving in and out amongst on-coming traffic.
But all was smoothed over by his showing us where was the BEST ice cream in Rome - and to this day - ANYWHERE I've been. Let me tell you - fresh made from scratch every day, you always got 2 to 3 different scoops of flavors - and then they'd put a spoonfull of homemade UMMMMM whip cream on top - OH MY GAWD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We went there EVERY day. A couple time TWICE a day! It was light, and it was CHEAP. I will never forget it..... sigh!

Roma2004

We also made a couple day trips to nearby city of Trieste. Located on the coast - we saw my first castle there (Il Castello di Miramare) overlooking the sea. Then we went into the city to visit our friend Neno who was living and working there after having graduated from the University the previous year. What a great time! Getting drunk with his roommate, Leo, and a group of his friends I tried my first "Parampompule" drink which is lit on fire when they serve it to you. We were laughing and singing and talking so much the owner of the bar took it upon himself to keep joining us and DRINKING our alcohol!!! Which would make us laugh even more! It was one of the 2 times ever that part of the night I don't remember everything - and I am surprised i didn't get sick. I do remember going to the restroom and falling down so hard inside that I thought i had broke my wrist. But I don't remember walking around the square outside where students and 20s somethings would just come up to us and when they found out i was American would freak out chanting "Baywatch, Baywatch!" We did end up at a Communist Festival - I guess I can't run for President now - for a great BBQ and beer garden for the boys. I was convinced they'd be hateful people cooking small children on the grill but it was very family-oriented and fun. he hehehe.
Alas, I have photo albums of wonderful pics and along with these blog entries I hope to always remember the lovely friends and family of Mik's that always made my visits to their beautiful country unforgettable. To go to Italy is a treat, but to actually stay with natives and hang out and do the normal things Italians do - not as a tourist, but as a friend - was a real blessing. I shall never forget it. Viva Italia!!

Italy 2004

click on the 2 webphoto albums!

Vaszaro Runway Show

A couple years ago I had the good fortune to meet a lovely and talented local Chicana (Mexican-American) fashion designer named Vanessa Rosas. Since then I've 'walked' in a couple of her runway shows while feeling extra proud to be supporting a fellow latina in her artistic endeavours. Being latina, her clothes of course tend to be sexy and I now even own one of her original one-of-a-kind gowns myself! This first show was an extra treat since I worked alongside friends (and some familiar faces on this blog's web albums) Genevieve and Sharona. The show was at the Gaslamp club Galileo 101 in downtown San Diego and we had a huge turnout of friends to cheer us on (actually, they were screaming and laughing so loudly at me when I walked past them that I started to break character and smile - shame on me!! hehehe) Click on webphoto album and enjoy the slideshow! :)

Vaszaro Fashion Show

Kix are for (Hispanic) kids (too)!!!!!

2 years later and I am still featured with my (fake) El Salvadorean daughter sitting on my lap on the back of Kix cereal boxes all across the USA. I've seen these boxes with my own blind eyes as far as Maui, HI to NYC, New York. But, don't bother buying the cereal thinking it's going to help get me paid residuals or anything like that... I haven't seen a cent since the original photo shoot was paid and I know that the photographer sold the image to "Proctor & Gamble" for probably about $20k....

Still, my nieces and nephews get a kick out of it as they were the ones who first saw it eating their morning cereal. My face has been taking to elementary school "Show And Tell" thus cementing me as Cool Aunty Elsa for-EVER!!!!

Also, worth noting was that way back in May when my darling Patrick and I had only been dating a couple weeks he one day texted me, "OMG - you've been sitting on top of our fridge for months now!!!"

Pretty groovy. I'd say it was kismet that we met. It even prompted this MySpace poetry along ago:

It was inevitable
that our Love would grow.
For on so many occasions already
our paths had crossed
without our even knowing it.
And so
There I was
All this Time
Smiling down at you
Like your Guardian Angel
...from the back of a children's cereal box."

Our Love was truly meant to be!!!

A flicker relights my Chariot of Fire

Well, I'll be damned! 2 days ago I was lamenting on this blog about my callback audition for a running photo shoot for "Adidas" to be used in a year-long campaign in all advertising formats. (For models to shoot for a world-re known brand is GREAT for your career as it impresses future clients that you are worth them shelling out the money to hire you.)

Well, older (34 compared to the 22-28 year-olds they wanted), injury-prone, lean - - but no 6 pack abs - I got the call today from my agent that they, indeed, could see that I have a runner's build and have run my whole life and I got the job!!!

I will be pumped up on ibuprofen for the shoot will be painful tomorrow (running off and on for several hours), the money is greatly appreciated, and I just am simply proud of myself!!!

Just goes to show it ain't over till the Fat Lady sings!

80s Song of the Week - #3 New Order "True Faith"

This was my favorite New Order song back in high school circa 1987. The biggest reason is because my month-long boyfriend (popular, older, stylish and DJ: Ryan Takashima) when I was only a gawky, oblivious sophomore had dedicated this song to me at a party he Deejayed right in front of the whole popular social clique of Juniors. (Sounds silly, but to a goody-goody, sheltered, wall-flower like me and within the ridiculous politics of high school social drama) it was extremely important to me and my status!

Long after Ryan dumped me (undoubtedly because I WAS a goody-goody, wall-flower, sheltered sophomore) I still always liked the song for it's great dramatic lyrics, "The morning sun is the drug that brought me here, to a place that I lost replaced by fear."
I'm a SUCKER for depressing and sad lyrics, always have been: always will be. he he he.

As for the video: I regard it like modern dance. I don't really like it, but I can appreciate it's artistic vision and colorfulness. This song was far more deserving of a better video - especially since the front man is handsome and certainly camera-friendly. The strange costumes and makeup on the dancers are simply just unflattering. That paired with the childish jumping choreography makes me feel like the director thought the video was not for 1 of the biggest New Wave songs of the year, but a predecessor for the "Teletubbies" kid show. Just odd. I do appreciate, however, the progressiveness of the weird 'Weeble-Wobble' guy (if you are under 30, you won't know what I am talking about) doing the lyrics in sign-language.

Overall: video - lame. Song - AWESOME!! Nostalgic high school memory of being popular for a month and then booted out again - TRAUMATIC! HAHAHHAHA

BAD Frappr Map!!!

My adored Frappr map is letting me down!!! For unknown reasons, people who have previously signed in and marked their spot on the map - showing me where they hail from - are disappearing!! Just a few examples: Kuala Lampur; India; Israel; 2 Austrailian cities; Austin, Galveston, Tx; NYC and Bronx, New York; Fairfield, CT; Honululu, HW... these are just some that pop into mind. It makes me so sad... :(

Euro Trip #2 - 2003 Italy, Spain, Austria, Slovenia

Do any of you remember that summer? That was the hottest summer in about 25 years all over the world. Old people were dying without air conditioning. It was even muggy in San Diego (where we usually don’t have humidity). Well, I remember that summer. It was my 2nd trip to Europe. My 2nd trip visiting Mik’s parents in Vernasso, Italy. But this time instead of 10 days I stayed about a month. My old boyfriend, Mik, had neglected to tell me how humid a NORMAL July and August can be when compared with the perfect May weather from my previous year’s visit. This year the weather was simply…painful.
Put it this way: Italy and most of Europe, I think, – does not have air conditioning. Maybe the big cities but certainly not the country. It was so hot and sticky one couldn’t sleep, eat, walk, look pretty or anything. I remember the first day I tried working out with Mik and I got so sick that I scared Mik’s parents greatly and they had to call an emergency doctor at 1am who (get this..) did a house call!!! I’ve only heard of doctors making house calls in old books and movies!!
Regardless of humidity, I wasn’t going to spend a month in Mik’s tiny village – no matter how pretty it is. We did a lovely day trip up to Austria (about a half hour to the north). This was a great idea as it was much cooler up there in the mountains. We went to 2 nice cities – Klagenfurt and then the pretty lakeside town of Velden. I enjoyed Austria very much – it is completely different than Italy in architecture, food and mannerisms - yet so close!
We also did a tranquil day trip to Slovenia – only a few minutes east of Mik’s village. We found ourselves at Santa di Lucia Lake where we had a picnic and strolled around the large lake watching the swans and the Slovenian teens playing in the water. It was very peaceful. Mik told me stories how people in his village used to go there to buy gasoline since it was so cheap until the Italian gov’t gave them special cards to buy discounted gas in Italy so the profits stayed in their native country.
Another fabulous trip was a week spent in San Cugat and Barcelona, Spain visiting my 2nd oldest sister: Sylvia, brother-in-law Tim, and kids, Ariela and Sebastian. They moved to Spain for about 3 years when Tim’s work at Hewlitt-Packard transferred him there. It was definitely a life-changing experience for all of them and a great way for the kids to really have to learn and use their Spanish in school. They were greatly missed in San Diego by all the family, so it was very exciting to see their temporary lives in Espana! They lived in a cute house in quaint San Cugat – about 15 minutes by tram to Barcelona. We spent our time between hanging out with the family, playing soccer with Sebastian and going into Barcelona to explore. I loved the museums and getting lost. I thought the Spanish people (men and women alike) were the most beautiful people, collectively, that I have ever seen! My only complaint was that I did not really like the food and also I, surprisingly, found it hard to understand the Catalan dialect they use in Barcelona. I realize my Mexican border Spanish is different but sometimes business owners were a little snooty about my Spanish. Geez!
One harrowing story in Spain was that we got to meet up with our dear San Diego friends Danny (Mik’s old roommate), and married couple Claudio and Leyla who were all en route to party in Ibiza. They stayed a couple days in Barcelona to see us and shop. The first night we met up with them we were ahem, ‘over served’ sangria (ummm) and found ourselves late at night wandering the famous Calle Ramblas where all the bars and clubs are. The boys were demanding to have Paella since we were in Spain. We finally found a tiny, dirty hole-in-the-wall shop after midnight that was open and, indeed, selling paella. Paella, that is, for a whopping $20 bucks for a bowl that was probably made early that afternoon and was old and hardened. Still, Mik and Danny, being buzzed said they wanted it. We hadn’t paid anything yet and the gruff Turk behind the counter shoved 2 bowls in the oven to warm up. We waited. And waited. And waited. I was doing all the translating but they could see that we were a little drunk, tourists, and NOT happy about how long it was taking to warm up the darn bowls of old paella. Finally Danny suggested we leave. It was almost a half hour we waited. So we wandered outside. Well, next thing we know 3 pissed off Turkish men jump over the counter and grab the boys roughly by the collars shouting and swearing at me in Spanish that we were thieves and breaking the law. I was so scared – they looked like they were going to kill Michigan blonde hair, blue-eyed Danny who was cussing back at them in the only Spanish he knew. I tried explaining that they were taking too long, the food looked poor and we hadn’t even paid yet. Well, SHAME on US. That was very naïve of us to assume we can do whatever we want in a foreign country after midnight. They dragged us back inside, pulled down the bars and LOCKED us in, demanding to be paid or they would call the cops. Believe me: we paid. Then they basically threw down the bowls of food with no silverware and told me they could use their fingers. We were so glad to leave in 1 piece and I can honestly say that we were very lucky no one got hurt. I was very ashamed at our behaviour, but we honestly had no idea it would make them so mad. As for the $20 paella bowl? Inedible and thrown away.

The last event to discuss was that in August back in Italy, Mik’s village puts on a HUGE festival (Matejur) that now brings 100s of people even from Germany, Austria and Slovenia. It is a week-long, complete with beer garden, nightly bands and dancing, volleyball, BBQs to sell food day and night, a gorgeous but tough cross-country race, people swimming and tanning in the adjacent river Natisone. Out of towners bring tents and camp there next to the field or river and bathe in it for a week!!! Can you imagine the stink of no real shower and the heat of that summer??? EWWWWW. Being Italy of course there was a huge soccor tournament for prize money (major fights and racism). Shoot, one guy was so hurt that they had to call in a helicopter to land in tiny Vernasso!! Amazing! The locals all sign up and work booths, or sports events. It has gotten to be so big that it is a MAJOR money-making event for tiny Vernasso.

My 2 favorite memories were dancing to some Asian girl fronting a foreign band in her heavily accented English as she sang Shania Twain’s song, “Damn! I feel like a woman”. The crowd would go so crazy at every American song and they’d sing it at the top of their lungs in their broken English as best they could and I swear but I saw some big, athletic, macho, monster of some guys who were singing and dancing like happy oafs, “Damn! I feel like a woman!” Now you know they had NO CLUE as to what they were saying, and if they did they would be traumatized. As for me: it almost made me homesick for my gay town Hillcrest in San Diego.  Sigh!
My last great memory was on the closing night of the festival had the best fireworks' display I had ever seen. And this isn’t America, folks, where they set them off far away. No sir, they set them off right in the middle of the soccer field and everyone just laid down in the grass and watched the sky – it was SO loud and SO low I almost got scared a couple times! Absolutely fantastic!!! And seeing that massive, colorful display in the dark countryside with no city lights and only stars just can’t be beat. A great memory… it even made the humidity worth it! :)
click on slideshow below!

Euro Trip 2003

AI makes E so happeeeeeee!!!

I have 2 words to say: American Idol.

ok ok I have a little more to say (becus I got the Gift to Gab!)

Melissa Doolittle - work...it...out.
Sundance Head: I did the gay man shocked gasp when Simon Cowell commented in a daze, "Blew (last year's winner) Taylor Hicks out of the water..."

Models work it out in Roppongi Restaurant

Forgive me for taking a moment to post some of my old modeling jobs. It's my way of documenting jobs and friends I've worked with and for those close to me to get a peek into some of my jobs. This job from June 2005 was a show for Niche Boutique clothes in Little Italy, San Diego. It took place at my favorite restaraunt, Roppongi, in La Jolla overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean. It was a lot of fun even though my large fan club of friends who attended evidently were drunk and annoyingly demanding to the poor waitress but very supportive of us models! I was very skinny then - and I soon learned why - I was diagnosed with bad strep throat the next day and was on the couch for a week feeling like I was dying. (That said, I just remember being horrified and flattered that they put my old arse at 33 in a bikini next to those young girls!!) Now how can you DO that to somebody??!!! Click on the web album below and enjoy the slideshow!

Niche Boutique model show

New friends! New friends!!

I've previously mentioned how much I adore my Frappr map in the corner of this blog which allows you lovely, wonderful readers to tell me where you hail from. I told my beau Patrick yesterday it will be my goal (no matter HOW long it takes) to fill up that map from every place in the World!! LOL!!

Anyhew - I decided a new weekly blog (which I kind of started last week) will be to honor my new readers and where they are from!! There must be a lot of injury-prone runners or Heavy Metal heads out there because I got a lotta new readers today! hee hee. :)

"Mexico Lindo y Querido!" goes the song - let's hear it for my FIRST (FINALLY!) reader hailing from the place of my ancestors - Mexico. Since you are from Tijuana I just want to tell you I remember when the club "Baby Rock" opened up around 1990 and was HUGE! Orale!! Also I got my first reader from Peru - since I have visited your lovely country and city of Lima on 2 occasions now I hope you check out my blog and pics in October! Hello to Vancouver - I know so many actors heading up there to film things - I hear it's beautiful and the new "Hollywood"!! Cheers to Manchester and Cambrey, England - boo, Manchester United - go Barca, Spain all the way!!

On the homefront I've got North Arlington, New Jersey (P made me watch "Sopranos" for the first time last night- do you know any Jersey mob bosses??); Framingham, MA (I spent some time in MA to star in a badly written independent film (more on that some later blog); Lake Worth, FL (is it near my gay friends and models in Miami?? tee hee); and Winnetka, CA and Rockville, MD ("I got nothing"). WELCOME!!! I hope you become regulars. Feel free to leave a comment and put your 2 cents in!! It can be 'anonymous'. Just click on 'comments' link at the end of each blog.

And for those of you who read my blog regularly and STILL haven't marked your Frappr map dot: I'm terribly disappointed in you!! shame!!! Don't you know that Elsa believes in such simple pleasures??? :)

This 'Chariot of Fire' is burnt out!

I have been a runner my whole life. My whole family, except for 1 sister and my mom, runs. My dad still runs at the track and is in his late 60s! When I was a kid I saw my oldest sister be the MVP for her high school track team. I ran around my big back yard so much pretending I was a horse that I actually wore a track in the grass that took years to regrow once I had stopped.

In short: I love to run. But now I am an old lady with a broken down hip and knee injury that doesn't let me do it much anymore. And that really stinks. When I was 30 I made the goal to run my first half-marathon in Long Beach, CA with my 2 brothers, 1 brother-in-law and 2 friends. And I did it! Then I made the goal to train for a full marathon - the Rock "n" Roll marathon in San Diego. It was then that I pulled up as lame as an old horse on his way to the glue factory. That was a good 4 years ago now and I have not been the same gal since. Now luckily I like enough other modes of fitness to keep me interested in exercising but I really miss running. I miss being out in nature every day. I miss the alone time to reflect while running. I miss the fun of running with someone else too (granted they weren't faster than me). Last night Patrick did another Hash Run (see previous blog) and I couldn't join him because last time my leg gave out at the end. It really stinks! I'll never forget how when I passed under the finish line at the half-marathon the sense of pride I felt manifest in a lump of my throat. I am a very hard person on myself and it's not often I feel proud of myself. The fact that they were playing a Duran Duran song over the loudspeaker made it even more 'radical' to this 80s girl!

So why the lament on running? I just got back from a call back for a great model print job for Adidas catalog. I was the oldest girl they called back (they wanted 28 and under) but the fact that I look younger than my age and that I can pass for a few different ethnicities probably helped. They liked me. You could tell I was a runner - unlike some other younger, much more toned and tanned girls - I had on real running shoes, that were actually worn and dirty and I RAN like a runner. Not all bouncy and cutesy. But I sure wasn't as bouncy and cutesy and toned as those young-uns were - shoot! I'm old and broken down and that big paycheck would really come in handy so I can buy my ol' Irishman the flat screen TV he wants - (lol!!)

Oh well, I can still always get the thrill watching the Summer Olympics and my siblings race

Metal Heads make Creative Video Parody

Rush, Van Halen, ACDC, Judas Priest, Pat Benetar, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osborne: these are just a few of the Heavy Metal music that my older brothers used to listen to in the early 80s. I can clearly remember their black concert t-shirts and their record LPs which fascinated me with their daring cover artwork (sometimes featuring satanic monsters or scantily-clad women). And, no,, my mom did NOT want the 'babies' to see those LPs!

The funny thing is that my brothers were good boys: church-going, loved their many sisters, weren't smoking or drugged out, and never came home drunk from a high school party (or was that just because my strict parents didn't let us attend any high school parties??) But that all said: especially my oldest brother, Gabriel, and his friends were into Heavy "Bang Your Head!" Metal.

I guess being the creative and good boy deep down that Gabe was in his teens, he did manage to choose also creative and talented (and SMART) heavy metal friends instead of just the pot-smoking dead heads that ditch school. The following video was made probably about 20 years ago by his good friends David Lee (who has made a living in creative arts) and John McHenry - who is a West Point graduate and now a lawyer in JAG. Enjoy them poking fun at being the (CREATIVE) Metal Heads that they were... Enjoy!

Look to the Stars for the Best Drivers

My boyfriend, Patrick, will love this one.

He hates how I drive. I don't think I am a bad driver at all. I don't follow too closely, I rarely speed. I don't believe in 'road rage'. I am a helluva parallel parker. But he hates driving with me. Hmm, I think it's due to the fact that a botched-up Lasik eye surgery left me with HORRIBLE low-light and night vision. So, reading signs in unfamiliar places is very hard for me.

In any case, Patrick, turns completely around to talk to his daughter or dog in the back. And he has a small problem of backing into things because he is in a rush and claims it's hard to see out of his Honda Element.

Still, according to a Reuters survey with car insurance carriers, they are now looking more at astrological signs than your postal code about your status as a good driver. The study, which looked at 100,000 North American drivers' records from the past six years, puts Libras (born between Sept. 23 and Oct. 22) followed by Aquarians (born between Jan. 20 and Feb. 18) as the worst offenders for tickets and accidents. Leos (July 23-Aug. 22) and then Geminis (May 21-June 20) were found to be the best overall. Leos, described along with the study results, are "generous, and comfortable in sharing the roadway."

Did I mention Patrick is a Leo??

Are you Hot? :)

Hee hee hee. I am so cool, that I am hot! I would say mine was perfectly right!

Your quiz score makes you: Calm and Collected
Catching a movie along with good food and fun friends often beats a wild night out. Why not enjoy a brisk ride in a horse carriage or a fine wine from a good year. You love life and don't feel the need to live it in fast forward. You are really hot because you're already so cool with your life.

Take this quiz to see where your personality stands (it has nothing to do with looks). Here is the link

Elsa takes on the Great Blue Yonder

So, I am officially looking for a new job and essentially a career change. It's a major life transition for me to do this. I've got 6 years working in public middle and high schools and 12 years professionally acting and modeling. I'll probably go into sales since I am good at talking to people, but I really just love being moved by artistic people, music and writing. Hmmmm.... we shall see. It's a little scary and hard to leave what I've been doing for my entire adult life at this point. I've certainly put in a big effort of time, compromise, travel and money into my performing career. But I am almost 35 now... and I've never known the word, "stability". Plus I've got a fantastic beau who feels like a real partner and I think we can work at and share a great life together. We shall see.... the search is on!

You are All Appreciated!!!

 

Just a quick, happy note about how I am so fascinated and pleased by my frappr map that enables you readers to log in so I can where you are from. Just in the last 3 days I have new international friends hailing from Milano, Italy ("Ciao!!"), Santiago, Chile ("Hola!!"), Canada ("Cheers!"), Galway, Ireland ("Erin Go Braugh!"), Paris, France ("Bon Jour!") and Lisbon, Portugal ("Ola!"). I am so flattered that any of you take the time to read this. Wow!! Greetings and hugs to all of you and, especially, to my regulars in San Diego, Newport Beach, Plano, TX and Herndon, VA!!

80s Song of the Week #2 - Adam Ant

oh, this song is so much fun! I love the playful brass section - it just makes me want to get up and dance the 'skank'! Note: once again, the 80s usage of face paint, sexy Adam's tied-up salmon pink blouse at his naval (not many straight men can pull that off), and lastly notice that back in the 80s music videos were about having fun with the songs - not the overkill nowadays of "I'm-so-sexy-look-at-me" videos that all look alike...

Lastly: this song could have been my anthem for my teenage years- because Elsa was a self-proclaimed "Goody 2-Shoes"...(but 'there must be something inside'). Hmmmmmmm...

Enjoy!

Abrazos Gratis - Free Hugs

My darling oldest sister shared this on behalf of a beautiful family friend from Madrid, Spain. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. I share it with all of you my readers and loved ones from around this world - sometimes we need a beautiful reminder that we are all brothers and belong to the same family. God Bless! (and look into this organization - they do it around the world).
"Todos necesitamos uno... Nos das el tuyo?" "We all need one..will you give us yours?
www.abrazosgratis.org

Elsa Commercial for the Amazing RocketRod Fishing Pole!!

I was just sitting down with my laptop computer while babysitting Patrick's daughter. After a day of us playing with Fred-the-basset hound I was pretty tired and she was watching the kid channel, "Nickelodeon". Suddenly I looked up at the end of a commercial to recognize the product: a super-fly kid's fishing pole that launches the fishing line like a rocket.

I shot this commercial almost a year ago on a freezing day at a lake here in San Diego County. The day I shot was with a 'Hispanic' family - my kids, husband and I were all Latinos. The day before they shot a 'white' family. Evidently on the version we saw, they edited most of the other family into the commercial and I only come out in 1 moment. That said, it's always nice to see my work in use. After all it's not about me: it's about the toy and the kids playing it. Sooo.... Here's the link to the product. Look for me with a ponytail, khaki pants, and pink t-shirt congratulating my kids launching their rockets at the end of a bridge. And just think: you can get this AMAZING product for only $19.95.

** PS - I can attest to it - it's a fun product and it REALLY works!!!

Here is the LINK

Long-Winded Blog about 1st trip to Italy (2002)

Okay: let's face it. Best way to learn about other cultures, travel cheaper and learn a new language is to date someone from another country (it's especially easy for Europhiles like moi). Once upon a time I was seeing a sweet Italian boy from Northern Italy. Michele (pronounced Mik-kay-lay) and I met as next-door neighbors here in San Diego and eventually started dating.

In my case with Mik - my fondest memories are being able to travel to his home in Italy where his parents live and learning conversational Italian. Now - I love traveling. But in my 20s I was so busy pursuing my acting career in Los Angeles that I didn't travel much at all. Also, I had never done the American token Just-graduated-from-college-gonna-go-party-or-hitchhike-in-Europe trip. So when I turned 30 and was seeing Miky, it seemed logical to treat myself to my first trip abroad, specifically Italy, where he went yearly for about a month to visit his parents and friends.

I remember being so excited at finally going to Europe. But I was terrified at the thought of flying there alone (Mik was already there). I hate flying. And I wasn't looking forward to my first-transatlantic flight. I figured if I didn't die a horrible death in a plane crash into the icy ocean waters, then the sharks would eat me alive. (Just the kind of colorful craziness that enters Elsa's head).

I made it somehow through the plane ride and eventually landed at the Venice International Airport. Mik is from a tiny village located just minutes west of the Slovenia border and about a half hour south of the Austrian border. This to me, was even more fascinating than getting to know someone from a major city. For I LOVE nature and the countryside. And the region he was from was full of small villages, tons of beautiful trees and meadows. I absolutely LOVE that stuff!!!

Mik's village of about 200 is called Vernasso. It is a couple hours east of Venice. I simply couldn't believe I was on another continent as we drove to his home. Reflecting on it: I am pleased that my first trip to Europe was on my own dime and done at 30 - there was so much I wasn't taking for granted!

Vernasso is situated in a large valley surrounded by fields of corn (that are grown for livestock food), the river Natisone where Mik's dad fished, and during the summer young and old alike tanned, swam and launched off the large boulders. To the north of the village a dirt road leads up through the mountains and to a ranch where one can stay as a bed and breakfast.

Mik's house was completely different than I ever expected. His parents have am ample property with trees, a garden (where Mik's mom grows most of her vegetables), a small guest house in the back at the end of a long driveway. Their house was built by an uncle who was an architect. It was in the shape, believe it or not: of an octagon!

I will always be grateful to Mik's parents for their generosity during my stays in Italy. His mom waited on us hand and foot - something I was most uncomfortable with, but Mik insisted she didn't mind since she so rarely saw her only son.

Special and interesting culinary highlights from Italy include: Aunt Emma's bringing EVERY time she visited a tray of expensive, fresh pastries that tasted better than any other pastry I've had here. Italian pizza: completely different than here - it is super thin (so you don't get fat on all that thick crust like here in the USA). Also it's a basic staple, like pasta - something you can eat every day. Petiferoles - a dessert of chocolate or vanilla pastry balls filled with cream and covered in sauce - ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Also interesting was the fact that most people grow their own grapes and make their own wines to have at their houses for every meal. Mik's dad drank wine even at breakfast. After my initial shock, I tried it and realized it's not as strong as I am used to, thus making it possible for Italians to drink it at every meal. But my favorite food memory will be the most wonderful ice cream I have ever tasted to this day is the fresh made ice cream made in Italy. It is unlike the ice cream here. Fresh, light. Not heavy. And so many flavors. Ummmmmmmmmmm.

As much as I was eating there: I was very aware of the lack of obesity in Italy wherever I went - unlike here where my teenage students are severely overweight and already have diabetes - the people in Italy are thin, and healthy looking with all the fresh foods they eat, the Mediterranean diet, olive oil, non-packaged foods. Plus all the walking they do. As a matter of fact: I felt fat with my Mexican hips and big, curvy bones compared to the TINY, petite-boned and no-hipped Italian women.This was surprising to me. I needed to learn that there is a huge difference between northern and southern Italians. I learned that the stereotypical Italians we see in Hollywood movies are based on the southern Italians or Sicilians. They are kind of like Mexicans: loud, big families, curvier, darker-skinned and black haired. Whereas the Northern Italians tend to be paler, light-colored eyes (Mik's were hazel), blondes and lighter hairs, small families, and much more reserved in personality. It has to be that Austrian influence hehehe. Another thing I learned was that there exists a HUGE prejudice between the northerners and southerners. They evidently hate each other. The northerners tend to be better educated but I must say that I probably could relate better with the southern personality.

My trip had another huge highlight: not only was I meeting Mik's sweet friends, but it was the wedding of his friend, Gianni (pronounced "Johnny", essentially). I felt so fortunate to experience a wedding in another country and see the traditions. The night before the wedding all the friends of the groom (males and females) alike congregate at the family's house (while the friends of the bride do the same at her family's house). While eating and drinking wine, the friends then do the tradition of making a trellis from leaves, branches and flowers that the groom and their family will walk through the next morning on their way to the church. Such a sweet, giving idea! Gianni had asked for me to bring an American flag - he LOVES the USA and had traveled on holiday here previously. Actually he is obsessed with the USA. Idolizes it. He actually wanted a HUGE flag but when I realized it costs about $100 bucks I decided on a smaller one. I placed it on the trellis and he was so happy. He also remarked several times how he cool he thought it was that an American was attending his wedding.

Gianni and Sabrina's wedding was held in a small village church but then we drove for an hour to the reception hall in Udine (the nearest city). I felt like we ate and ate and ate. So many (small) courses. I don't eat red meat and at one point Mik said, "don't eat that!" I wasn't planning to anyway but was horrified to learn it was meat of a 'little horse' or pony!!! wahhhhhhhhh :( Needless to say, it was a wonderful, lovely time - even though I spoke no Italian at the time and no one else spoke English.

Other highlights was a day trip to Venice. I looove Venice. It was May and therefore the weather was very warm but perfect! Also, there were not as many people as the tourist season hadn't started yet. (I understand it can get miserably crowded on those tiny, hot, dusty alley streets). We wandered around the streets and squares with no plan. It was a lovely day getting lost, seeing the canals with the gondolas -having an incredibly delicious late lunch of margarita pizza, tortellini, fresh-baked bread and wine. The only thing was that we ate that huge meal and then went to the Opera House to see "La Traviata". I was so full of great food and wine and after walking around all day in the warm spring air I (GASP!) started nodding off (as in SLEEPING) and on throughout the Opera. The middle-aged woman next to me kept giving me disgusting looks. I was so ashamed but I couldn't help it! :) As we left the Opera House at dark we crossed through the vast San Marcos Square where I heard a sidewalk cafes string musicians playing songs from, "The Phantom of the Opera". Simply perfect way to end my nice day!

We also went to visit Mik's cousin Andrea (Ahn-drey-uh) - and his wife who lived in Pisa, Italy. This was a treat in that Andrea - who is a pilot in the Italian air force - was stationed in America for some time and learned English pretty well - so I was finally able to converse a bit after days of trying to communicate with everyone else! As for Pisa - well, it's a university town - many students. But essentially if there was no school there or the famous leaning tower - Pisa would NOT be a tourist stop. It was alright, but not too much to write about other than how hospitable his relatives were.We also did a side trip to London - I LOVE IT! It was expensive as heck - shoot! But I loved seeing a show on the West End, loved shopping in Campden Town Market, loved walking the parks, loved sipping tea, loved the Indian curry restaurant we went to, loved the weather (we had sunny, clear days the whole time), loved the AWESOME movie theater that the Royal family even has a section at (didn't love the $19 ticket prices though to go see the 2nd Star Wars movie) and mostly loved our friend and host, Mark, who took care of us and let us into his fabulous flat he shared with ballerina boyfriend. Mark and Mik used to work together on DISNEY UK TV and he is now hosting some show of his own. He is fabulously gay and generous and made me laugh all the time. I loved London.

Other trips continued and it's all past tense now, but I came across some digital pictures recently and I want to somewhat document those old adventures in bella Italia.

italy02

(It's about) Time to Retire

There are a couple different facets to modeling. I have been lucky enough to be able to do all: runway, editorial (hi-fashion), print, stock, informal modeling and lastly promotional and spokesmodeling. It's the latter that I refer to that I have officially retired as of December 31, 2006.

Having been blessed with the gift to gab and the kind of personality that I can enter any situation and talk to anyone helped me get through years of doing this. It's not brain-surgery, but one MUST not be shy or afraid to talk. Sometimes the job was awesome - getting in for free to very cool events. And sometimes it lagged. But the pay is better than my teaching job - thus, I kept on. (And on. And on and on). In my spokesmodeling agencies I was the oldest by far and working with many 25 and under girls. It was lovely being the big sis and mom to them but, alas, I am getting long in the tooth so it is high time to pass the reins on...

Attached is a photo album of various jobs and friends who worked alongside me!

Promo/spokesmodeling

All the Young Dudes Carry the News: Bowie turns 60

Yesterday was David Robert Jones AKA David Bowie's 60th birthday. Since a child I have always lived in a theatrical, dream-like, imaginative world in my head and that is why I appreciate his work so much. A true artist, he should not only be revered for his career longevity and uncomparable songwriting talents but because he is one of the last few who represented a time when true performers were bigger than life and concept albums were essentially a form of escapism from the real world.

I listened to a 2002 interview on National Public Radio yesterday where he commented that he just wanted to learn to play saxaphone as a kid and write theater musicals until 16. Undoubtedly it was that theatrical creativity and vision which led him to don the red wig and makeup in the 70s and create the "Ziggy Stardust" character, explore other adrodgynous fashions and then continue on to remake his sexier 80s image with his suits and shorter James Dean hair, and finally become the sophisticated and classy man that he is now.

Singer Suzanne Vega put it best, "He's not just a great rock and roller: he's a great Entertainer. And there's something almost like the old-school vaudeville about his character. And as he's gone on, he's gotten almost more 'human' onstage. Which is very powerful - perhaps even more powerful than when he was doing the more fantastic characters from the 70s".

This song, to me, epitomizes my utter contentment at being able to lose myself and go 'to another place' through his lyrics and piano. I have been that 'Girl with the Mousy hair', and Lord knows I have 'walked through my sunken Dreams'. I was going to put the original video, but found an excellent picture hommage of Bowie through the years that is perfect for this blog's subject. Enjoy and don't be afraid, my readers, to lose yourself in the dreamland he creates with his music...

"Yahooooo!"

Last night my brother, Gabe, called to inform me my big grin was smiling at him and the ENTIRE computer world from the home page of Yahoo.com. A couple years ago I was on the home page of AOL.com - so my lifestyle stock photography images seem to be selling to some pretty big clients.

My brother sent me the page but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to link it onto this blog. So until then: enjoy a picture from that same shoot.

The ironic thing is, is that it accompanies the "Yahoo jobs" section - which I have been clicking on daily lately while on the lookout for a possible career change. !!!!!! It must be a sign... :)

80s Song of the Week #1 - Duran Duran "Rio"

ok ok. I am in my mid 30s as you all should well know by now. I also love my 80s music (especially New Wave) from back then. I decided this New Year for my blog that I'd treat myself and maybe even some of you to a different 80s video each week. Perhaps it will take some of you down memory lane or open you young ones to a genre that coincided with MTV's birth. These videos are colorful, strange, loud, and each one UNIQUE.
Of course, I could not help but start off with my beloved Duran Duran and their hit, "RIO". Note the tanned bodies, big hair, European playboy attitude, use of dyes, paint and bright colors and the Brazilian model's tilted back laughing open smile at the beginning (which I realized upon posting this that I have stolen as one my signature poses - as many of my images with that exact laughing smile have been in ads everywhere....)
Enjoy...I'll be 'dancing on the sand'!

Idle and Wild in Idyllwild, CA

I am glad to say we all made it back in 1 piece after spending the weekend in San Bernadino Mountains. This was the 2nd time my immediate family of 20 has attempted a family getaway. The last time was about 5 years ago. Then, we had 3 babies and Olivia wasn't even born yet. Now we had a bunch of kids ready to play!
We rented and stayed in 1 large house that slept all of us somehow (I did take the couch though). We ate a lot and played games, my dad laughed through the movie, "Nacho Libre" and we played a lot in the snow. The kids loved it! We sledded on the slopes right outside our door. I even sledded a couple times - it was my first time! My sister, Sylvia, said I screamed an operatic high-pitched note as I slid down the hill with my long legs stopping me at the bottom. My nephews were christianed the new "Eval Kanevil" as they flew and jumped and slid on their knees like stuntmen. Of course a couple times some tears were shed when they hit trees (I'm just glad I wasn't one...) Nieces Ariela and Olivia were not to be outdone by the bigger boys and by the 2nd day were sliding down the big slope as well. It was so nice to see them all play and enjoy themselves in such clean fun in Mother Nature - and they had a blast having a snowball fight against the grown ups!
Such a lovely time with tons of food and laughing and further enjoying our great, large, loving family. We are all truly blessed!

click on slideshow!

MartinezReunion

Have a Great Weekend!!!

I am off on my family's 2nd ever Martinez Camping Trip - yep: a weekend renting a huge cabin in the mountains with some snow, sledding, games, tons to eat and drink and much laughter! I am very blessed to have my - wait - let me count on my fingers - 8 neices and nephews - along with my folks, 5 siblings, and their spouses. I think we are totalling about 19 people! That is a whole lotta noise coming from this outgoing, gregarious family! Unfortunately, I won't be around thus to blog for a couple days but appreciate each and every one of my readers from around the world - especially those signing onto my Frappr map so I can daydream about how different all our lives must be from such different places on this great Earth! Have a great, safe, weekend everyone! :)

*that is a pic of my nephew, Isaiah, showing off the mexican mariachi loco (crazy) in him!!

Fred - Part 2

My friend and fellow crazy dog-owner, Diana, left a good comment previously and I hope P checks out this 'dog whisperer' although I think it's all a lost cause. Basset hounds are known to be stubborn and almost impossible to train or teach tricks - but they are very cute and good with kids - sigh.

I agree with Di that Fred-the-Basset is Alpha. He and P do Alpha Male contests some times when Fred forgets his place and challenges Patrick. They will stare at each other a real harsh stare for MINUTES with Fred muttering and growling at P until he breaks and comes whimpering to be pet. That said he has asserted himself on me and knows I take care of him more than P so now P refers to me as "Fred's Bitch". ha... HA. Get it? -sigh-

To rub salt in the wound I attached a pic over xmas of Diana and hubby, John with Kilo during a roadtrip to Sedona, Arizona from San Diego. Patrick laments all the time that we can't take Fred camping or hiking - and believe me, we tried foolishly once and he was dead tired after 15 minutes. Just wanted to show P the things one can do with their dog who 'placed first in his obedience class' hahahahahah!!!

2007 FORECAST

My Cup Runneth Over in Blessings...


-OR-



DEEEAMN! IT'S GONNA BE A FANTASTIC YEAR!!!!!

Freakin' Fred

This blog entryis for all those crazy dog-loving owners out there. I need help. My boyfriend, Patrick, thank God has returned safely back from spending the holidays in Ireland with his family. I was meanwhile dog sitting El-Fred AKA Fred-the-Love-Machine for 10 days. Now this is the not the first time my readers have heard me mention Fred. Fred is P's basset hound, you know: hush puppy? I gotta tell you: I love animals and I am good to them. And heaven knows, I am good to this hound. But he is so emotionally high-maintenance!

First of all he is King of the Roost (or P's home) and MINE when he comes to visit. He plops himself anywhere he likes, whines this pitiful plea to jump on beds and spoon, (oh and he has 2 big, comfy doggy beds of his own!!). When I first met Patrick, Fred was fatter. I used to fondly refer to him as "Fat Fred". ha ha ha. I started taking him out on daily walks (something P shame shame was not doing!!) Fred has, indeed, lost weight. But the walks are painful! First of all he is a hound. That means he has tracking and sniffing in his blood. Also, those little short legs of his means his head is right there basically at ground level. So, our walks are basically him with his wet nose to the ground sniffing everything. I mean.....EVERYTHING!! And this dog may be small but he weighs in at a solid 75 pounds. And he is strong and stubborn on that leash. So if he catches a scent that he needs to check out: I can huff and puff and pull but he is so strong he pulls ME to where he wants to go.

He also has a tiny, oh, shall we say itty bitty problem of NOT being potty-trained completely yet!!! And he is 3 and a half! Ciara, Patrick's daughter, defends him saying he is just a puppy. HECK NO, HE AIN'T!! That dog failed obedience school and Patrick and Ciara spoiled him rotten with kisses and love when he was this puppy with big, long ears and dark droopy eyes. Well, now he is big, and goes to the bathroom leaving BIG messes inside the house at times (ruining P's gorgeous hardwood floor). Patrick admits that Fred only seems to do it when he is rebelling against something. Sometimes he won't do it for days...then BAM! A week of it straight! And there is no excuse - he has a doggy door.

Ah.. Fred. Fred is nicknamed 'Love Machine" because this breed is not that common around these parts and he gets so much attention out in public for his cuteness - which he KNOWS he possesses. (P undoubtedly back when he was single picked this breed for the utter CHICK MAGNET that he is!!) GEEZ!!! This dog especially LOVES women! He trots right up to any strange lady and rolls over for her to pet his stomach. I mean, he has no shame - it's almost embarrassing! I told Patrick and he agrees that, although happy, that dog would go off with the prettiest 20-40 year -old woman in a snap and not look back!

So let's see. He is a chick magnet but he is great with kids. He gets tired fast on those little legs but he can get fat quickly and bitches if he doesn't get his walks from me. He follows me all around my house or P's house. He loves and licks Jordy-the-cat all over but he isn't potty trained. He let's himself get molested by this big black poodle at the dog park and ignores Patrick completely until he is ready to go home. He is a very vocal dog - he "talks" to me and P all the time. And we can tell when he is disgruntled with us by how he semi-growls, yips and grunts. I mean, he definitely has some beef with us and wants to let us know. Walks are all about him, I am just along for the ride. And lastly: did I mention - he has a problem with rolling in other dog's crap??? If it's there, he goes in for a shoulder dive - I have learned to look out for his diving posture after having to bathe him a couple times.

And where is his real owner all this time? Shoot. Patrick has let me take control of that dog. Heck. He is SO fascinated by his hound that he overlooks all the insanity. Sometimes I see P sitting on the couch just staring at Fred's antics or bitching, happy as can be. He adores his "Little Man" so much that I have NO doubt that I'd be sent packing if I didn't like Fred as much as I do or if Fred didn't accept me.

Shoot - give me my easy cat any day. Cats are independent. And small. And not loud. Or stinky. (sigh) :)

Does anyone else out there have a basset hound or other dog so crazy?? (Di - I know you got a 'horse', er Rottweiler you keep inside your house). I'd appreciate any suggestions or advice. Leave a comment so I don't feel all alone in the insanity that which is Fred.

click on Fred's slideshow!

Fred-the-Love-Machine

New Year's baby celebrates 4th bday!

My niece and god-daughter, Olivia, is a New Year's baby. Today she turned 4 and the family gathered at Sara and Sven's house to play and eat a lot. We even ended up having a pinata broken expertly by big cousin Isaac. I have been dog-sitting Patrick's bassethound, Fred the Love-Machine, and decided to bring him since Olivia loves playing with him (she calls him "Bread" though, since she can't pronounce the "F" well). He was so tired after several hours there he has been passed out since. Happy birthday to my beautiful god-daughter and also to cousin Noelle, who is a New Year's baby as well!! What a wonderful way to start 2007! :)

olivia4bday07

click and watch on slideshow!