100% Serious

If this doesn't move you, I can have nothing to do with you...
Rob Schwimmer, piano--Improvisation on Octet (Adam Guettel)

Description: When Adam Guettel first played me an early version (just piano and vocalise) of what would come to be called "Octet" from "The Light In The Piazza" I thought it was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever heard...still do! The form I do here is not "correct" but I've tried to retain what it was that I felt on that first go 'round

 


Hear that?


It's the World burning down...

A Don Quixote World

To quote the amazing and gentle mime, Marcel Marceau who passed away today, sometimes I feel "alone in a fragile world filled with injustice and beauty." May he Rest in Peace.

Why is is that artists' reflections and words have always struck me as the most insightful? In this modern-day world of war and political strife I also refer to a comment of his in reflection of those unmercifully killed in Auschwitz where he escaped (but his father did not). He profoundly commented in 2000, "Among those kids was maybe an Einstein, a Mozart, somebody who (would have) found a cancer drug. That is why we have a great responsibility: let us love one another."

Reflect on that one, folks.

God Bless..

Una Pausa....A Break

It's a rarity. Even with the "Gift to Gab" this gal just doesn't feel like talking or writing the last few days. It doesn't help that today is another 9/11 anniversary. Or could it be the continuous vivid nightmares I have that waken me nightly? Nah, a lot of it is linked to the bully that once again insisted upon bringing me down and taking the wind out of my sails this last weekend.

Sometimes I cry at the injustice of it all...

So I don't really feel like writing for a bit (hell, it's better than my other option that Patrick talked me out of) - which was to delete my blog completely. But, after all my hard work posting my journal memories and photos I decided not to do that but to take a break for a bit. (The good thing is that the spiteful old cats out there who read this won't be able to keep abreast of my unconventional life.)

Gracias por leer - thank you for reading this whole time. Like I've mentioned before: this blog was not meant to entertain the masses. It has been more a journal of my thoughts, life and travels more than anything. It's just in a different format than the many, many pages of the previous journals I have written since being 14 years old. If no one read this, I could care less. It was for me more than anyone else in the world. But those who learned anything, or liked looking at my travel pics or know me and wanted to keep track of me - I say: cheers!

I will keep standing firm on this stony ground.

Hasta pronto...

God Bless -

elsa

8 Foods U Should eat Every Day!

Okay Friends: The experts say it here plain and simple. Imagine how pleased I was to see that I already daily incorporate 6 of the 8 recommendations and the other 2 - or their substitutes - often enough. :) Diet is extremely important to me, folks. And it would be to you, too, if you taught public school for 8 years and daily saw the crap that kids eat and how overweight the next generation is. Or try traveling around the world and realize how pudgy and out of shape Americans tend to be compared to their foreign peers. The worst thing about it? It is all needless, laziness or ignorance!! Go have a salad and call me in the morning..

SPINACH

Sexual enhancement (HELLOO!!! And I thought I was just an extremely passionate Latina in her sexual prime of mid-30s!!!), Muscle growth, Heart healthy, Bone builder, Enhances eyesight

It may be green and leafy, but spinach is also the ultimate man food. This noted biceps builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the penis. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights age-related macular degeneration. Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day.

SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce

FIT IT IN: Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip.

YOGURT

Cancer fighter, Bone builder, Boosts immunity

Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food's health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body, which boost the immune system and provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic though, so make sure the label says "live and active cultures." Aim for 1 cup of the calcium and protein-rich goop a day.

SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt

FIT IT IN: Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast — or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips.

HOME RUN: Power Smoothie Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.

TOMATOES

Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they're packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it's easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice.

SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava

FIT IT IN: Pile on the ketchup and Ragu; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe.

PINCH HITTER: Red and Pink Fruit Bowl Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, 3 persimmons, 1 papaya, and 4 guavas. Garnish with mint

CARROTS

Cancer fighter, Boosts immunity, Enhances eyesight

Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids — fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis — but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for 1/2 cup a day.

SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango

FIT IT IN: Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake

BLUEBERRIES

Brain stimulant, Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

Host to more antioxidants than any other popular fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname "brain berry"). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or 1/2 cup frozen or dried.

SUBSTITUTES: Açai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries

FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form.

PINCH HITTER: Açai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Mix 2 Tbsp. of açai powder into OJ or add 2 Tbsp. of açai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.

BLACK BEANS

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Heart healthy

All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That's because they're full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily ½cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber, and is low in calories and free of saturated fat.

SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans

FIT IT IN: Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with ¼cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes.

HOME RUN: Black Bean and Tomato Salsa Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with 1/2 cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.

WALNUTS

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Cancer fighter, Heart healthy, Boosts immunity

Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts — about 1 ounce, or seven nuts — is good anytime, but especially as a postworkout recovery snack.

SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts

FIT IT IN: Sprinkle on top of salads; dice and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken.
OATS

Muscle growth, Brain stimulant, Heart healthy

The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA's first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per ½-cup serving, they deliver steady muscle-building energy.

SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice

FIT IT IN: Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt.

PINCH HITTER: Quinoa Salad Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in a mixture of 1 cup pear juice and 1 cup water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, ½ cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.

BON APETIT!!!

Luciano Pavarotti: 1935-2007

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Dona eis requiem sempiternam....

AAAAAAAAAAACKKKK!

I TOTALLY messed things up with Picassa on my blog and now as you can see any photos on previous blogs have DISAPPEARED!!

A MAJOR UNDERTAKING will need to take place. Hopefully I can rectify the situation (as many of those pics I deleted after posting). DANG ITTTTTTTT!!!!

No more blog postings will occur until I try to fix my pictures. Please stay tuned my loyal readers: elsa still has so much to write about...

Mark Hiss' Last Supper

'Tis the End of an Era, my friends.
Alas, Mark Hiss, my ex-boyfriend of several years in my 20s (and for those who know me - they were QUITE a doozy) is all grown up. Happily for his girlfriend, Stacey, who moved to a new job in San Francisco 6 months ago, Mark put his foot down and declared, "That is just TOO long distance even for me!" And therefore is leaving his 1972 Carmengia and Aerostar family van (fondly known as the "Mother Ship) behind and heading to Northern Cal where he can rely solely on his bike and public transportation.

Mark - a wonderfully unique, dapper and intelligent gay-straight man has not co-habitated with anyone (male or female) since his marriage 18 years ago. (whew - how OLD did I say he was??!)

Thus I personally know this is a MASSIVE step for him to move up there and join his rock n roll singing concubine.

That said I know that he will be fantastic in San Fran. Full of like-minded Liberals, and creative-types: the men will adore him and the women will admire his wit. Another plus- he is able as a freelance writer to work anywhere as long as he has his computer. A no-brainer, huh?? And I'm STILL waiting, by the way, for the novel that he began with a character based on me.
Being on his coveted Short List of Favorite San Diegans (and after doing PR and writing for decades here he knows more than a truckload of peeps in SD) - I was invited to join his farewell dinner with some of his closest friends last week in Hillcrest. It was a lovely time seeing some old friends of his that I haven't seen now for at least 5 years - especially the coquettish and witty Stephanie Steiner, the always positive and giddy Lisa Baker and the indescribably unique Kevin Six.

Best wishes and mucha suerte - you certainly made your "mark" (he has always been into word play) on the theater, tourism and art worlds here in little San Diego. Your toss of the curls as you turn your nose up to scoff will most certainly be missed :)

Did anyone else in San Diego get this email today??

It feels like h-ll out here in East County (for all you non-San Diegans: it's the hottest part of San Diego county where I live). I will be watching my energy usage - and I don't even have air conditioning :(

"San Diego Gas & Electric HEAT EMERGENCY DECLARED!!!!!

Due to extreme heat conditions, a Power Emergency has been declared.

We are asking all customers to take immediate conservation steps through
Tuesday, September 4:

Set your air conditioning thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, health permitting.
Turn off unnecessary lights and computers.

Do not use any major appliances, ie. dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and electric stoves.

Please turn off pool filtering systems.

People who are temperature sensitive can visit Cool Zones throughout the county.

Due to the excessive heat, SDG&E is experiencing system outages. Both SDG&E and contract crews are working to restore power to all affected customers by late Tuesday afternoon.

In addition to continuing to conserve energy, be prepared for possible outages. Keep emergency supplies on hand, including fresh batteries and flashlights and non-perishable food and water. Have an emergency plan in place if a member of your household depends on life-support or needs other medical equipment. This may include a back-up power source or transportation to another facility."

Ciara's TV Debut

This growing bundle of energy and wit is Patrick's daughter, Ciara - pronounced Keer-rah - but spelled the traditional Irish way. Fondly referred to as Bo-Beera or Brat #2, this rapidly-growing weed made her TV debut last week after being chosen along with 1 other girl to be interviewed for Fox News while attending The Scripps Aquarium camp last week. (Man- when I got to go to camp I had to wait until High school age and it was Christian camp - shucks!!)



It doesn't suprise me at all that she was selected as Ciara possesses the elsamart Gift-To-Gab (NOT from her father, but obviously from her Mexican mother) and I have already taken her under my wing to some modeling auditions with me even though she doesn't have an agent and exposing her to Broadway musicals (Hairspray, Phantom of the Opera, Sound of Music, etc). She has somehow even managed to imitate quite well my model runway walk having gone with me and watched me audition. Who knows what the Stars hold for her? Stay tuned, she will at least be a star on this blog....