Beyonce Bounces thru San Diego

Last Sunday several female and male models from my agency were hired to work the Beyonce concert at San Diego State University's Cox Arena. Now, I wouldn't call myself necessarily a fan of hers - but I have certainly respected her talent and determination starting at such a young age and especially for writing and producing most of her music.

Upon arrival none of us had any clue as to what we were doing. But I was pleased to see my favorite male model of the agency, Elzie, was working as well as one of my favorite young promo models, Madison. We were herded into a VIP room sponsored by Samsung and given black dresses, style "Sasha" from her clothing line of Derreon (you can get it for $69.99 here).
Even though the dresses were light we were sweating a ton and it was definitely not a good hair day for anyone, especially us wavy and curly-haired girls.
As exhausted, hot and uncomfortable as we were the job ended being a blast. Essentially we were paparazzi taking digital pictures of the crowd and then giving them a card with their number on it so they could download it for free later (you see the attached pictures as examples). People really got into it. Most of her fans were African-American (of course) and very fashionable gay men (you know I love my gay men!) so they got crazy or super sexy in front of the camera :)

My group was chosen for having most energy an enthusiasm to work the main red carpet at the entrance of the Cox Arena. Thank God - because we had a GREAT DJ spinning next to the red carpet to dance to as well and people loved posing on the red carpet (whereas the other teams had to just wander the crowds and offer to take pictures).
The best part was that we got to enter and watch for free most of the concert at the ground level close to the stage! Like I said before: I am not a huge fan, but it was a very energetic spectacle. I noted that her band was all women and mixed ethnicities - VERY cool! Of course there were tons of dancers - several women of various colors and then 5 African-American, very cut men. hahaha. I screamed and closed my eyes to Elzie's laughter when they got too raunchy and sexual with their dancing - I actually don't like that gyrating stuff.

Also worth noting - in person, Beyonce looks younger - what is she only 25 or so? I mean: she is young and in her videos or on awards shows she has so much hair and makeup going you almost forget how young she is. Don't get me wrong - she was sporting butt-long extensions, false eye lashes and silver glittering eyeshadow - you know, stage makeup, more than beautiful makeup - she actually resembled a drag queen at times to me. Her outfits were horrible. I know her mommma, Tina, designs all her clothes and obviously they are going for flash and pizazz most of the time - but even Elzie - a gorgeous man who is a fan of hers said, "She shouldn't wear that" or "that one outfit really doesn't flatter her." HAHAHHA

Of course she had several costume changes, the worst being this one leotard - yes, LEOTARD (have you seen this gal's thighs and ass??) that was half nude-colored (making her from stage look naked) with strategically-placed patches of bright silver sequins and fake diamonds on her chest and big old butt. The worst is that her very toned dancers wore it, looking amazing and you couldn't help compare her and say, "deammn her legs and ass are HUUUUGEEE!" God Bless her for not giving a flying fig and trying to pull it off. Don't get me wrong - the woman has had some gorgeous moments in some videos and in the movie, "Dreamgirls" where she lost 25 pounds to beautifully show off the great period costumes, but when there is no air brushing or dieting involved and she is busting a move all over the stage with girls that weigh half her weight - well sheeit, there be a whole lotta jiggling going on. I also loved how she had across the entire front bottom of the stage very strong blowing fans that constantly kept her extensions flying wildly off her face (and kept her from sweating enormously with all that jiggling go on). Editor's note - J-Lo is a fan of this technique also- hahahaha :)
I also have to mention my recent pet peeve how everyone is jumping on the Middle Eastern belly dancing train. Columbian ex-rocker (she has sold out) Shakira can authentically do it and has trained in it since a little girl (and is half-Lebanese at least). But now everyone is doing it. I saw that pipsqueak excuse of a singer, Hilary Duff, even try it the other day on TV. Please. Well, Beyonce recently did a duet with Shakira with a fabulous video and so when she came out to perform the song (not as a duet) she came out in a belly-dancing outfit with her thong showing through the see-through material. Let's just say she ain't as petite, sexy or toned that way as the 5'1 Shakira is. Okaayyyyy????

Not to dwell on the negative, I do appreciate that she did a long medley of her Destiny Child hits (man, some of their earlier stuff was g-h-e-t-t-o!!!) She also can dance and shake it like crazy and at least sings for real in her concerts - not this lip-syncing bologna that seems to be accepted by younger and newer pop stars nowadays. Good for her - it was a very entertaining concert - I really enjoyed her energy and commitment. I can certainly recognize a lot of hard work went into it.

80s Song of the Week: Huey Lewis and the News "If This is It"

ahhhhh: those San Fran working boys of Huey Lewis and the News. The girls in my family all loved Huey. How could you not? He was so ruggedly cute, with a raspy voice (unexpected for a white guy) and he always portrayed a great sense of humour in his videos. In fact: this was the first concert my mom (begrudgingly) let my sister Sara and I go to - with our older sisters who bought us tickets as a Xmas present. I was in 9th grade, we went to the horrible acoustics of the SD Sports Arena venue and screamed and danced and then I even wrote a review on it for the school newspaper that I was involved in.

Back to this song. The year was 1985, it was from their "Sports" album which had a string of Top 10 hits. I chose this video because it was sweet and showcases totally 80s bathing suits (girls wore those high French cut 1-pieces that looked horrible on anyone with a butt or hips); I also point out at the very beginning of the video the 80s boombox that they play - - kids nowadays probably won't even know what it is!!

The video is sweet but it always bugged me that Huey wanders around Venice Beach completely dressed in cords and polo shirt - the only one there amidst the tanned, half-naked bodies - he stands out so much and isn't he hot???!!! But then: I can't imagine him with his shirt off and in shorts anyway... :)

Birthday Shout Out (8/26): Miky de Italia

Sei Vecchio, Monstruo!!! 31 - madonna mia!!!!

Back to my Musical Roots

For those of my appreciated readers who do not know me in person, I am a singer and have studied and performed professionally upside of about 15 years. I love many, many styles and genres of music but studied classical for several years - my mother setting the precedent. A naturally gifted, but untrained soprano herself, my mom blessed my 5 siblings and I with a gift for musical talent - all the girls learned piano, my closest sister in age, Sara, and I also took and excelled at violin before (regrettably) quitting to focus on our other talents. My brothers Ben and Gabriel both learned clarinet, with Gabe going on to study jazz and saxophone as an adult. The girls also all excelled at singing in school choirs. I was the only one who actually decided to major in music in college and try to make a living at it. Am I the fool or the most blessed of them all? It all depends on how you look at it.

Musicians, dancers, actors, artists - whatever genre - is an extremely difficult way to live. We truly are a breed apart from the norm. You pretty much know you will struggle to make ends meet your entire life and need some sort of survival side job - shoot I have 2 right now and have had 3 different ones in the past. But something inside - when you are truly studied and talented - makes you go on in spite of the compromises, stress and toll it takes on your families and relationships. Also, no matter how good a communicator I may be - - no one in my life has been able to comprehend my pain and yearning for my creative expression unless they are some sort of creative-arts person as well.

For there is something in me that aches and has always ached about music. I wasn't blessed with composing my own music, which is probably why I am so in awe of good composers and song-writers. I am extremely appreciative of harmonies and the feelings evoked by a single chord (especially dissonant ones). My mom, thankfully, was a wonderful role model and had the insight to expose us to classical music and Broadway musicals since I can remember. I grew up for years seeing my mom sing in the San Diego Master Chorale - with her Tuesday night rehearsals - - the ONLY hobby and time she'd take off being a very busy mother to 6 kids - might I add. Sunday mornings, the only day my father didn't work (owning his own CPA firm and especially during tax seasons, we didn't always see him much) was family and Church day no matter what - and it always started out with my mom waking up and automatically putting on the classical music radio station for us to wake up to and spend family time with. It makes its mark on you, folks: if you give it a chance.

Yes, I love classical music. And I was good at singing it too. Good enough to get a performance scholarship to several colleges - ultimately choosing UC Irvine and winning some singing contests. But upon graduating, I knew I wouldn't be good enough to truly be an opera diva and travel the world singing in opera houses - perhaps how my dear mother envisioned.

After finishing school my path crossed with many artists, actors, writers, directors, singers - and I ended up decided to also pursue acting and eventually also modeling in Los Angeles - not a bad choice, if also as difficult a path to choose as the music.

The truth is: the more talents you have - the more marketable you are to your agents. I still loved singing - I still also performed professionally doing musical theater. I was certainly well-rounded enough to also pursue straight (non musical) theater, comedy, drama, commercials and modeling as well as anything singing. But I essentially have not performed or studied my classical music since 1994.

And, oh - - how I have truly, utterly missed it...

It took me to be 35 years of age to realize several things in my very different, colorful and trying life. Some professionally, some of it personally, physically and mentally. But one of the biggest goals for this year for me was to let myself be happy again and fulfilled within the realm of getting back to my classical roots. That meant leaving a much-needed, great paying nighttime job, and also knowing I will be compromising other possible acting and modeling jobs with the year-long time commitment that I must give. Perhaps the hardest compromise is that I know my love for travel and even short trips might not prove to be as easy to get away should I delve back into professional music. That said - I am very thankful and blessed to announce that I auditioned and got accepted this morning to the talented (and very same) professional choir that my mother once sang in years ago - The San Diego Master Chorale. No doubt about it - although I looked decent on paper as far as my training and skills, the soprano voice part that I posses comes a dime a dozen and they were only looking for 2 new ones this year. I can't stress enough that I am for lack of a better word: rusty - when it comes to real singing. Classical music is a talent. It's difficult to be good. And one must be trained. At the audition not only did I sing, but we had a written test to see how much we were studied in music as well as having an oral singing, sight-reading and memorization test. I wasn't 100% pleased with my performance, stating dramatically at the end while thanking my critics that, "My old college professors would be disgusted with me for being so rusty." To which the director commented, "These were hard tests. We didn't expect anyone to ace them perfectly. The truth is you have a really, really good musical ear, Elsa."

I so rarely hear praise in my life - and I certainly knew I went in feeling somewhat self-conscious that I have not been in good voice for many years like I used to be. I was very grateful to hear his words, knowing he wouldn't just utter them. And the fact is: I do. I know I have a very good musical ear and talent and overall performing and presence package. But in a 12 year career of mostly rejections in the Arts - it was nice to know that a professional in the field could recognize that in me too. :)

Jumping on the Blogger-Train!

http://tiponfamily.blogspot.com/

My wonderful college friend and roommate for 1 year: Heather has now started her own blog - likey likey!! A little background - she is married to Noel (he is a lawyer in the marines), stationed in Oahu, HI, has a cutey-pie 2.5 year old son Robbie, with another boy due in October. Heather hails from Oakland, northern CA, has a fabulous head of hair, but fair Irish skin that burns much too easily for the swimmer she is, and taught school in St. Lucia for 2 years in the Peace Corps. She is also a good photographer by hobby and I have included above my favorite picture on her blog so far - shot with a Macro lens on a photography trip to Alaska in July. Looking forward to more!!

Latina Style: VASZARO designs

About 3 years ago I met and modeled for local Latina designer Vanessa Rosas. You can see previous blog here about that first show. Since then I've modeled again for her as well as bought a one-of-a-kind black gown that I adore and has accompanied me to Vegas and Miami. I was checking out her website and, enjoying always seeing those I know work, I'd like to support her by posting it here for those wanting to check out some of her fantastic, super sexy and flowing designs.

Check it out:
http://www.vaszaro.com/

and click below for slideshow:

Vazsaro fashions

D and E in the OC

Back in July my best friend and college roommate, Diana, and I drove up to the OC (Orange County) to visit our other friend and college roommate, Jenn AKA Flaca ('skinny girl' in Spanish - she is 5'10 and back in college ate a ton but had model proportions).

I literally lose my voice whenever I reunite with my circle of best friends (my college roommates Di, Jenn, Heather and Bev) because we talk non-stop. This was certainly no exception as we literally talked straight for hours as Jennifer commented, "..about everything we are not supposed to talk about: sex, religion and politics". ha ha ha.

We also cooked a lovely vegetarian meal. Well, Diana cooked, Jenn helped her as her sous chef and I cleaned up. It was a lovely time with these gals I have known for so long. One last thing we can all learn from - I am proud that Jenn and her husband, Mike, bring their own reusable bags every time to the grocery store (see pic) instead of constantly using and wasting plastic bags (or even worse: paper.) It was as Jenn pointed out: in England you must bring your own bag to shop with, or they charge you for a bag. Even P came home with a bag from Ikea that must be reused or they will charge you. Everything helps, folks...even baby steps :)

80s Song of the Week: Pet Shop Boys "West End Girls"

I still like this 1985 song and its basically being completely programmed on a keyboard synthesizer is SO 80s :)
Pet Shop Boys are actually still around, still recording and still successful - in Europe. But their heyday in the USA was definitely during the 80s starting with this hit. Made up of the duo Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe they wrote danceable tunes with intelligent lyrics delivered solemnly by the stoic Tennant.

Interestingly enough, by watching their videos again I only recently came to realize that the lead singer is obviously gay - well, shoot - I wasn't a fag hag in 1985 in 7th grade (or WAS I- - but didn't know it yet?)hahahaha It seems he is publicly "out" since 1994. Also, Patrick recently informed me that their clever name leans to something very gay - again, I grew up so innocent and sheltered for so long (how on EARTH was I supposed to know?) :)

Whatever the case - good songs, great memories :)

Oh, Yeah:

He's Baaccckk....

San Fran - continued....

Editor's Note: Shame on me for not getting this posted right after my wedding blog, but my mind is cluttered with things to do. In any case, please excuse my not posting in chronological order lately.

In any case, the morning after Jake and Rosa's wedding in San Fran 2 weeks ago, Patrick and I had the luxury of strolling about town, taking in the sights and stopping by the Chinese restaurant, Sam Wo, in China Town.Truly a hole-in-the-wall you actually enter through the kitchen and head upstairs to a few run down tables and booths. It ain't pretty but it's fascinating. One single waitress, a middle-aged Chinese woman literally exploded with energy back and forth, up and down, even working an old-fashioned pulley that the kitchen staff used to hoist up the food on a tray so she wouldn't have to go downstairs. The restaurant is an old haunt and favorite of Patrick's parents (who met in San Francisco). He even remembers them going often when he was a little boy. Evidently there was even a now deceased infamous waiter who was extrememly grouchy and awful to the customers - it is said his 'rudeness was legendary'. The food is also great and remarkably cheap. A definite treasure.

After that bit we took the very efficient Bart underground where I emerged into the gay Castro District. Whew hew - E loves the gay part of town - wherever I might be! After window shopping and enjoying myself watching P being checked out, we eventually met up with Dick - his 2nd cousin on his paternal side.

Thus ensued a most lovely afternoon spent in the gracious and intelligent company of this old gent - they hadn't seen each other in about 8 years. Dick is extremely well-read and intelligent, getting old (in his 80s I believe) but his mind and memory are as spry as ever. He is essentially a walking encyclopedia. His house was quaint and full of character - with a fridge from the 1950s, artwork and absolutely congested with books (his passion) that were alphabetized and categorized according to subject matter.
As we got a tour of the house Dick would have stories about the Merritt family and Patrick as a teen, as well as P's father. At one point he pulled out an old family photo which I tried to take a picture of as you can see. Dick is but a boy in the photo - it was a family-party and he told stories of that day - how the African American maid was sneaking yellow colored, tulip-shaped ice cream to the kids, etc.
As we ohh'd and ahh'd over the picture and listened to the stories, both P and I squinted at the same time at the top right image of his grandfather - looking just like his Dad over in Ireland!! We were amazed at the likeness in expression and heavy eyebrows. Very cool...
We really had such a wonderful time. Dick is so polite, well-spoken and interesting with a sense of humour as well (he and Patrick do not see eye-to-eye when it comes to politics especially). hahaha.

It is times like the afternoon we spent that I really get inspired to interview and get the history and family tree down from the elders in the family. Especially the wonderful stories - when Dick is gone, so much will be lost within that great memory of his. It was as Patrick smiled and complimented him as we left, "You're a dying breed, Dick.."

Hearst Castle

Per my previous blog about our road trip up the CA coastline, one afternoon we went to do a tour of the beautiful Hearst Castle. Patrick had already been once, but this was my first time visiting the historical ranch. Wow - what a beauty! Before we went up on the shuttle bus to the actual house, we first watched a documentary video on William Hearst as a boy and how, at 5, his mother took him on a European tour where he, even at such a tender age, was fascinated and entranced by the architecture that he saw there. It was very interesting to watch how he, at 46, started the 15 year construction of his dream house - based on what he saw and loved as a child. Evidently there are 4 tours, ours taking us through one of the guest houses, the main dining room, living room, both pools (indoor and outdoors) and the movie theater (where he mostly showed films of his actress wife over and over again).

was fascinating. He spoke of how the set designers for the Harry Potter movies came and sketched and essentially duplicated the goth style of the dining room with it's huge table and mounted flags. Opulence was everywhere - gold ceilings, gold tiles, an original Sphinx statue in the garden, massive hanging tapestries in the great living room - just amazing! The front outside of the main house even resembled our Balboa Park buildings - as it was the same design that the architect used here in San Diego for the World Expo in 1914.

I highly recommend this tour - it is beautifully situated at the top of a hill, with an amazing view of the ocean - with Spanish and Mediterranean design (and designed by a woman architect - at that!), its own landing strip, a private zoo and acres where zebras, tigers, lions, polar bears and more ran around, stunning gardens and walkways - it is just an amazing architectural accomplishment. I was very impressed and enjoyed it immensely! :)

Click on slideshow below!

Hearst Castle

"Hell's Kitchen" TV spoof

I had to plug this because I love my actor-friend, Reggie De Leon, who did the national tour with me in 2000 in the "Selena Forever" musical. Anyhew, he did a skit shown earlier this week on the Late, Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson. I always try to support my fellow actors and I laughed extra-hard at this one because it's a spoof of "Hell's Kitchen" - I watched the 1st season anyway. Also, Reggie got tons of screen time - cus he is that good! Click link below and watch "Coming Soon: Hell's Kitchenette". Be sure to watch it soon, because I am not sure how long the link stays up on the TV show website...

http://www.cbs.com/latenight/latelate/comedy/

** Special-added Bulletin - it's up on youtube so you can watch it easier below!!!

YouTube reporting and digital recording..

I hate to admit it - feel like I am cheating on - but I love the digital camera Patrick bought me in Oahu last summer. I was the only person left in the world still using regular film, with an old camera held together by tape that I had used for 15 years throughout college and around the world.

That said my Pentax digital one is compact, nifty, takes pretty darn-good pictures and even has a video recorder option which once in a while I actually remember to use...

You might have seen my YouTube posted videos of Ireland. (Stupidly I deleted my Peru, Inkan Trail one). Here are a couple of our July camping trip to California's Big Sur. Enjoy!

Adventures in The Big Sur

The weekend before the San Fran wedding - Patrick and I took a long weekend and drove up the scenic Pacific coastal highway 1 to the central Californian coastline of The Big Sur.

Strangely enough, I had never done this drive before (having only taken the less-scenic, but far less-trafficky 5 freeway to drive to San Fransisco). The furthest I'd been up the coastline before was Santa Barbara. So this was yet another new and big treat for me to share with P :) And loyal readers will know that E loves camping and hiking out in nature!!!

A word to other campers: except for 1 place in San Simeon there are no camping reservations possible thus making it pretty stressful to drive all that way and almost not get a camp ground! We even left late on Thursday night - driving until about 3 am before getting a motel just past Santa Barbara and starting out early. When we arrived at Plaskett Creek campground we were bitterly disappointed to see that it was full. We took our chances driving another 1.5 hours to another 2 possibilities before returning and while circling the campground found that someone had packed up and left. Whew!
Plaskett Campground was very cool - shaded by tall Monterrey Pines and right across the street from Sand Dollar Beach. The only bad thing (and we weren't the only ones caught unawares of this): they don't allow campfires or using the grill after a certain date for fear of forest fires. P's coworker had just gone a month previously and been able to (as well the website said they were available), so we had packed the car full of firewood and food for grilling (since we don't own a camp stove). We were pretty bummed seeing we couldn't make a fire - that is truly one of the best things about camping! Also, since we couldn't live just on snacks - that meant we had to backtrack 15-30 miles to Cambria for breakfast or dinner to eat (so much for our budgeting).

That said: the weather was great - it was cold at night and morning but pleasant when the morning fog would burn off. Of course we had a great time taking hikes and pictures - although upon returning to our tent to take a mid-afternoon nap - P's pants were infested with ticks!!!!!!!! EWWWWW I have never seen one before!!! We got him out of those clothes and luckily they didn't bite him - whew!!!

Other highlights of our adventure was going to Hearst Castle (future blog), stopping and driving through tiny towns along the way to eat and take pictures (some felt like old Mexico - in fact: not much English was spoken at all). We also stopped a couple times to observe and laugh at the enormous elephant seals (the coastline is evidently a protected reserve for them). We have sea lions in San Diego, but these mammals were simply gigantic and had the oddest gurgling-popping chortle sound that they'd make. Also, the males, according to the specialist who was there answering questions, hate each other, are grumpy and bug each other for space all the time. Come mating season, they actually truly bloody each other in their fights for the fewer females. It was really entertaining to watch them.
But, without a doubt, our best memory and highlight was the fact that we found out through another family of campers that we'd run into here and there - that late at night across the beach and down the cliffs of Sand Dollar Beach we could try getting away with making a rock fire pit and still having our campfire after all. Thus, our last night, P hauled some heavy bundles of firewood across the street and down the trail, and I grabbed some snacks and margaritas and ice and we tried to look inconspicuous traipsing through our campground carrying firewood.
Well, it was beyond worth possibly getting in trouble. Having a campfire to ourselves, alone on the beach late at night was amazing. All other campers pretty much go to bed by 10, since no campfires are allowed and quiet-time is at 10, so no one would have known or dared to do what we did at the beach late into the night. Well no one but one Indian couple who saw us and copied us but only had 1 log to burn, so left early.

Imagine the crashing waves, along with the cackle of our fire for hours while relaxing dreamily and telling stories from my never-ending repertoire.... I mean - it felt like our own private beach!!! What a great memory...

Click below for slideshow of more nature photos!

Big Sur

Cousins Jacob & Rosa Wedding!!

If you know me at all (or read past blogs) you are tuned into the fact that mine is a huge family. My mother is the oldest of 8 children so you can imagine how many aunts, uncles and cousins I have just from her side of the family!! :)


True to our Mexican roots - we have many get-togethers, eat a lot, are loud, gregarious and fun to be around. And when something extra special comes up - engagements, births, graduations - the Araizas (my mom's maiden name) sure know how to throw a great shindig!

In this case, one of my 19 Araiza first-cousins: Jacob got married last weekend to his long-time novia: Rosa. A wedding is always a blessed and huge celebration with much happiness - and this was no exception. Oddly enough, for a hispanic family, with major role models of the love and importance of 'familia' and having children - 11 of us (me included) have not yet taken the plunge to get hitched. Therefore, the 8 weddings we have had the last 2 decades (starting with my oldest sister Cecilia) have been far between.

Thus, one can imagine that when we do have one - it's hailed as the 'Wedding of the Year'! It feels like we've all been waiting and emailing and making travel plans for ages! Being Northern California residents for some years now, the couple decided to have the wedding take place in San Francisco. Most of the 150 guests were either our southern Cal family or Rosa's also large family. Thus everyone essentially made a vacation trip out of it.

No complaints there - who doesn't want to go to San Fran in the summertime??! It was a real blast with a lot of the family staying at the same hotel in Union Square - thus starting the celebration days early by dining together and hitting the hip hotel bar's Happy Hour.
As for the wedding, itself - we all know Jake enough to know that his Cal Berkeley education and liberal upbringing would call for a somewhat, ahem, unconventional ceremony. I loved it! Taking place amongst the tall redwood trees of Stern Grove near Golden Gate Park, the ceremony was full of nature, spirituality, and ethnic origins as the bilingual and uber-cool officiant dressed in white linen traditional ethnic dress first greeted all the guests asking us all to take a bead and hold it in our left hand for good blessings and love throughout the ceremony, until the end when we placed them all back in front in a basket for the newlyweds. With Jake being a superb music-lover, collector and DJ, I knew music would be a treat at this wedding - and thus I greatly enjoyed the conjunto trio softly playing their latin rhythms and percussion throughout the ceremony off to the side. In the smoke of burning sage as incense, a bird's feather was waved from head-to-foot over the couple in a traditional Apache gesture, as well we acknowledged the different signs and directions of the earth (north, south, east and west) and their representations - - it was all very cool!!

Of course, being San Fran and in the midst of the very tall trees blocking out the little sun there was, it was quite chilly, thus as soon as the ceremony ended - we all (very uncharacteristically for such a Catholic family, might I add? hahahah) rushed the open bar and started sipping on wonderful rum, wine and sangria to take the edge off. Pictures followed - Patrick took some of the Aunts and Uncles and then of us cousins - everyone was in ridiculously great spirits and by the time the heat lamps were turned on and the yummy latin food was laid out - the noise level was as high as the alcohol buzz most of us were feeling!
There is so much I can write about. I shall try to sum up the highlights: great dancing music provided by DJ David (my cousin Maddy's husband); the 'loteria' table cards that told us where we were sitting were amazingly hand-drawn by Rosa's sister; the gorgeous, multi-colored and multi-textured flowers were painstakingly and generously done by cousin Maddi (employing her old job's skills); great speeches were toasted to; Cousin Paul (freshly returned from his 2-month sojourn to Europe) was actually able to pull off wearing blindingly-white dress shoes; Rosa's tiny 94 year-old grandmother was drinking wine both at the wedding and the previous evening at 11pm in the hotel bar with everyone!!

It was such a great time - and one last word - as I informed Patrick, "All celebrations in our family are such blessings, but especially my cousins that were close to me in age (Jacob, Maddi, Noey, me, sister Sara and Jude) because they we were not only close in age, but also some of our best friends growing up: attending camp and the beach together, play time at each other's houses, going to TJ when we got older - shoot: my cousins were the only ones my mom let us spend the night at!"

Therefore, an extra special abrazo of happiness to my younger cousin Jacob - who, being the youngest of our troop, was forced to eat dirt, dress up as a girl, follow Maddy around on all fours as her dog, make lemonade stands with us, play church with us (we'd put uncooked popcorn kernals in his squished-up wonderbread and make him eat it for 'communion') and seeing him always play with his dinosaurs and Transformers - I am mighty proud of the tall, handsome, gentle, and socially-aware young man he has grown into. I am so happy for him and Rosa - Que Dios los Bendiga!!!

Click below and watch the slideshow!!

Jakewedding

80s Song of the Week: Modern English "Melt With You"

I decided to choose this week's 80s Song of the Week as Modern English. A trio from Essex, England - they are mostly remembered for their major New Wave hit, "Melt With You." Being Patrick's birthday week and all, I also chose it as a sort of ode to him for various reasons 1)- it is one of his favorite songs ever; 2) I dedicate the lyrics to him (a very 80s thing to do - remember when you could call in to the radio stations and request and dedicate songs??) and 3) - I chose it because the song was featured in the hit 80s movie: Valley Girl with Nick Cage (who happens to be one of P's favorite actors). I will save details for a whole other blog, but one of the celebrities that people think P resembles is a younger Nicolas Cage (before the receding hairline, and back when he was a punk and funky and cool).

Thus, I also post below the song set to the movie for a little more 80s' nostalgia... (the original video is a little lackluster anyway, and lead singer, Robbie Grey is not funky, hip, punk or anything - he is just scrawny and unphotogenic.)

Birthday Shout Out: Fred-the-Basset

Fred
Originally uploaded by EyeScape

Yesterday was Patrick's hound, Fred's 4th birthday - that is 28 in human years, ya'll....



Patrick felt really guilty when I was the one who remembered - - thus furthering my oft said, "Who takes cares of dat dog??!!!"

Birthday Shoutout: our P

A great weekend was had in the Bay Area (more on the later), but being delayed due to the fog late last night made me also delayed in putting up my birthday shout-out blog to my Irishman: Patrick

Happy 41st,'Cono'!!!!!!!!!!
I love my Merritt brats (even Fred-the-Basset), "fer fek's sake!!"

Awww, Shucks!!!

elsamart apologizes for being out of town so much lately and is extremely back-logged in her blogs and picture-posting. Please accept her regrets and stay tuned for camping, wedding, the OC, Big Sur, and San Fran pics!!!

Birthday Shout Out: Danny

Today my friend and old next-door neighbor Danny, turns 34! "Nahstee Dahneee" as I like to call him is one of the most interesting and genuinely likable people I have ever met. So I thought for his bday I'd do an:

ODE TO DANNY:
First of all - his nickname that I call him dates back ages because he doesn't like to take showers. Okay, it actually dates back to before I even met him and the boys who lived next door at Dove Street in Hillcrest - but evidently, the story goes (according to my ex, Mik - his old roommate and one of his best friends) that when they first moved to San Diego from the Bay Area and lived in a "Crack House" in North Park, there was no water or something like that, so he didn't shower for days. Even playing soccer. Gross.
Danny is one of the most open sons of bitches you'll ever meet. He has no problem hanging around gay men or drinking in their bars (he totally is tuned in that gay men = hot chick friends who hang out with them).

When I first moved in next door, Danny tried hitting on me (actually doing the cheesy teenage "yawn-stretch-arm-up-and-over-so-it-rests-behind-my-neck" move) because he thought I was Middle Eastern and he likes ethnic girls.

I actually thought, upon moving in, that he and my afore-mentioned ex, Mik were a gay couple (cus they were always hanging out and leaving together in the same car for soccer practice).

Danny is the most generous person I have ever met. He insists upon treating his friends to drinks and dinners and therefore can make over $100k and STILL be broke.

One of my fave Danny moments was going to San Fran with the old gang and since we were all so poor we could only afford 1 hotel room and he, generously (see??!!), offered to sleep in the closet. (See pic of Mik and I having staged a wig next to him in bed as if he woke up with someone in the closet!!)
Danny and I did our first half-marathon together - yes, he drank margaritas and ate nachos the night before the race EVEN after we had totally carbo-loaded at dinner at my sister's house.

Yet another interesting Dan fact was when he went on a month-long super expensive trip to Iran (we were all scared and praying his crystal blue-eyed Minnesota white arse would just make it home in 1 piece) and he fell in love with some rich Iranian princesses and brought home thousands of dollars worth of Persian rugs and gifts and was so broke that it stressed him out and he had to take ANOTHER week off of work just laying around on the couch watching bad TV.

Yup, that is Danny. His life can be upside down but he'll still be willing to go grab a drink with you and treat you to it. Anytime, any place.

He also has pretty, naturally red lips that look like he is wearing lipstick.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNY!!

PS - I even love Danny even though he used to call my cat, Jordy, an a**hole when he'd generously open the screen door at 4am to let him in when my skittish cat would be meowing but then, like clock-work, would run away to Dan's disgust.