With that being said, it's officially true. I've become an official club-rat...AGAIN! With good reason, although I'm still trying to figure out why that's so. I was talking to Florence Saturday night, and I was asking her what it was that was making me feel like being out and about all of a sudden. Everyone who knows me well KNOWS that I went through this terrible "i-don't-wanna-go-out" phase. Like all of a sudden, I totally dropped off the face of the Earth. I was NEVER at the parties or the clubs or the events that were going on every freakin' weekend. I became the epitome of being "ghost," and that was pretty weird - not only for me, but for all my friends, too. Needless to say, I'm kinda glad that I snapped out of it. Florence thinks that I've found some new kind of "empowerment" since I've dropped some poundage, and blah-blah-blah. Even still. I'm not quite convinced that she's right, although it sounds logical. Whatever the case - I just love music, I love gettin' my groove on, and I love the company. OK, I'm not gonna lie, I love the drinks, too. (GOSH, I love those DRINX!!) Carrie has been our saving grace during these club-nights. AHAHAHA... I think Gina would agree 'cause Carrie be workin' SOME kind of magic with the peeps up in the club. Somehow, she was able to hook-up with a wrist-band to go to the bedroom (at Home), which was - unfortunately - unbelievably LAME that night. THAT or I must've just been so trashed, that it probably didn't seem any different from the other floors. Oh, and JEN. My gosh, my kumare JEN... she is a trip, bless her heart. Me and Flo had a BLAST with her upstairs, being mean as usual. But Jen, always the smart one, caught on and ended up gettin' us shots - at MY expense: SoCo & lime for me/Jen, and Grey Goose for Flo. DAMAGE.
Can I just tell you? I went to DREAM on Saturday night, and it was LIVE. Like we got there a little later than we usually do, so we had to stand in line for a little bit. Whattya know, the KIDS were out and in force. Thank goodness spring break is officially over. I swear, all the kids were straight-up in line to get into Dream this past Saturday. But SOMEONE please tell me WHY the hell these jiggas rolled up to the club tryin' to get in with a STUDENT F*CKING I.D.? UMM - hello!? Isn't the whole purpose of needing an official I.D. @ a club for the age verification process? Umm, as I last recall, our student I.D.s don't HAVE that info. SO why the hell you gonna bring that shit? No matter who you know, no matter what you look like, no matter what pass you've got from what night and blah-blah... if yo' ass is too young to get into the spot, then you ain't gonna get in. PERIOD. I swear! Freakin' AMATEURS! This one chic was all tryin' to play it off - and talkin' smack to one of her boyz: "Where's my other I.D.? Don't you have it? I thought I gave it to you!?!" Emmm - whatever, sweetie. Yo' ass ain't have it to begin with, so STEP ASIDE. Just step yo' ass aside, and let US in. I swear. These kids rollin' up to the spot with cigarette in hand, thinkin' they is some HOT STUFF. Oh no, baby. You ain't hot when you tryin' to get into a club with a damn student I.D. This ain't no Backwoods County USA club... this ain't some booty-bar at the beach... This is the CITY, thank you very much. And YOU just DO NOT KNOW what the hell you're doing.
Oh yeah. And if you're gonna be a model for a lingerie fashion show at a club, can you PLEASE make sure you look cute? One woman looked old enough to have had three kids in HIGH SCHOOL. Now that was trife. And she was tryin' to be all hot and sexy. OH NO, momma...you need to get off the cat-walk and back into the dog-house. O-K?!
My oh my. Bring on the mean-ness into APRIL...
OK, now for a quick shift in focus. I went to Mass yesterday, and I was sitting there watching the priests and eucharistic ministers administer holy communion. Now, I consider myself religious to a point... I'm definitely not a fanatic, nor am I at all constricting when it comes to practicing my faith. BUT as I was sitting there watching them give out the eucharist, it seemed to be one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life. It was so reverent, so pure, and so full of love... I couldn't explain it. For the first time, in a long time, I saw the TRUE meaning of what the eucharist and church, in general, is all about. It's all about Him. THAT'S WHY we go to Mass each week, THAT'S WHY we follow this basis of faith, THAT'S WHY we live... I think it's confirmed that God/Jesus isn't only found within the confines of a prayer community. In fact, I think I've contented myself to believe that those things are quite superficial, and while they strive to be noble in cause, they aren't so noble in effect. So for those people who choose to live their lives within those "communities," more power to you. I hope you find what you're looking for. As for me, I've found it - and it was within me all along. If you don't find Christ in your own hearts first, then you'll probably NEVER find Him. So find Him in your hearts first... if that happens, then you just might realize that He's everywhere, and you may not need to be confined to the "rules" of a "cloister" to know that. Ahhh...peace :)
Can I just tell you about the dorky souls who were at this showing? It was almost as if I walked into a weird alternative dimension. Geeks to my left, nerds to my right, not to mention the few "cool" people mixed in-between. Me and Gina (my Godsis) were utterly grossed. But at the same time, we were amused. We got to the theater early, to ensure our space in line. We eventually made our way into the theater, and just sat-back and took in the scenery. I even saw someone I knew, but was embarrassed to make any contact. Gina remembered the guy, too, and we started laughing about how we knew who he was and blah-blah. Eh - guess you had to be there. There was also this one dude who was so KOOKY. He totally got up before the movie started to tell everyone that he was an extra in the film. It was way lame. But lucky for him, eh? Anyway, the characters there were just amazingly out-of-this world. I even questioned my being there, but hey - how was I about to pass up free pre-screening tix? I've never really won anything in my life, so this was totally good enough for me.
The movie made us laugh, laugh, and laugh. C'mon now, it's Chris Rock. How can you NOT laugh? Yes, it was funny. Unconventional at times, but funny no less.
Afterwards, we headed over to Penang to hang with my other Godsis, Amelie, who's home from Hawaii for spring break. Good laughs... Am is so "freety!!" Her hair is all long, and she's totally lovin' the laid-back lifestyle of Hawaii. Although she admitted to me that she couldn't stay there for the long haul, she seems to be taking to it very well. I'm happy for her :> She's experiencing something great, and she's finally on her way to get that degree! SO PROUD OF HER!
Ah... day-by-day, week-by-week... time is just passing us by. Sometimes I sit here and wonder about what tomorrow will bring. But then again, I'd rather just be surprised. Well, I'm on the way to working things out so that I can make it to where I wanna be. As much as I love DC, and as much as I'd love to raise a family here, I think that I'm still relishing in my singleness... I've got things to do, places to be, people to see... the world is at my feet, and I've got to get out there and greet it. So I've got to rethink a lot of my short term travels, and plan on something more l-o-n-g term. It's a scary thought, but at the same time it's fun. Like my gurl, Lesley, said - we got all the time to be married... gotta enjoy this single life while we can. Ain't THAT the truth... *wink*
Oh yeah, before I forget... my dearest friend - "Adeh" or "ahpe'" Francine Felix just turned another year older this past Wednesday!! *WoOhOo* I wish her the bestest for the year that's to come!! Happy birthday! LOVE YOU, AHPE'!! xoxo...
But anyway. Still reeling from a great weekend! On Saturday, we took the PCH into Malibu, and had lunch at the Barfeet Bar, or something like that. Good eats along the beach... And the weather was great, too. After that, we spent some good time @ the 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica. None of us actually bought anything except Preams. He bought some funny stuff, too. LOL. Then we went back home and got ready for a night at the Highlands. We got ready, had a lil pre-club beverage, then we headed to the Highlands. We drank to our hearts' content - going drink for shot for drink for shot... We met-up with my niece, Anna May, which was cool. We did definitely get our dance on, and I HAVE to say - perhaps it was just the crowd that night, but the east coasters were still the masters of the dance floor, right Al & Les? SHOOOO! Don't even lemme get started! They had people who couldn't get their reggae on, and practically the whole place had no clue how to, or what the heck the humpty dance was. It was almost painfully sad, but we danced anyway and had a blast. Afterwards, we tried to stop in for those famous hot-dogs @ Pink's, but instead we ended up at Tommy Burger, which worked out just fine. Sunday we went back to the Kodak and hung around for some Oscar action, which was pretty much non-existent. We saw a few stars coming out of cars and limos, but only from behind a fence that was still covered by a mesh tarp, so we couldn't see anything well at all. We did see Leeza Gibbons, and I must say that she looks incredbile in person! I was very surprised. There was some Latina chic that hosts a show on E!, and some of the Latino guys in the crowd were going mucho loco over her. She was a sweetie, tho, and she totally waved, blew kisses, and made contact with the fans despite her being in front of the camera for E! Nice indeed. One of the ladies we saw was some really old woman that won an Oscar like ages ago. That sounded so mean, but whatever.
After the Oscars action, we took a drive on Mullholland Dr., and took pics at one of the park vantage points. We got a GREAT view of the surrounding Hollywood area... Then we went on Melrose, and had a late lunch at Louise's. Great food again (ummm, we ate & drank A LOT). Then we went shopping. This time we all bought something EXCEPT for Preams. LOL! Les got a cool jacket, Ali got a nice hat, I got this cool shirt, and Perce got some records... so we all came out with stuff. Afterwards, we headed back to Les's place to get ready for dinner. We had our last LA dinner @ Sushi Roku in Santa Monica, then we walked to the Santa Monica Pier. Afterwards, it was back home to Les's place... we packed and got ready for bed. The following day, Les dropped us off at Burbank Airport on her way to work. We checked-in pretty early, so we ended up taking a cab into downtown Burbank. I hated our cabby cause he purposely took the long way, and I ended up paying like $20 for the cab ride! WHAT AN ASS! He's mad because of this war business, I'm sure. But that doesn't mean he needed to take that out on US?! We meant him no HARM! LOL! We got to the mall and used the bathroom, then Al bought a bag somewhere. Then we walked around and ended up at the Elephant Bar, which ended up being a great place to eat. We had a great lunch, and then walked out to hail a cab. With the quickness, I hailed one, and we were off. Ali had the fare this go around, and the guy totally took at much quicker way. It was only $8.50 for the fare! So we tipped him a good $4. AHAHAAH... We landed in Dallas, and as we were coming off the plane, tell me WHY I saw Kaia from Real World-Hawaii on the flight. I swear it... She sat a row in front of us, off to the side. She looked exactly the same, just a bit more normal. It was HILARIOUS. So I had a pretty decent share of celebrity sightings. I'm beginning to think that'll happen each time I'm out visiting my cousin and Les. AHAHAH! THANKS, Les & Perce, for the entertaining times...and for the hospitality!! You guys are the best... (oh yeah, they took us to Goldilocks, too! awwwww!!)
Today was a blower cause my dad took the other car, which I specifically told him NOT to because I left my gym gear in it. I figured we'd switch cars. But being the forgetful man that he is, he took it anyway... and I was assed-out with no gym gear. So now I'm not going to the gym during my lunch break. I think it's a sign though. For one, my dad ended-up getting in a car accident this morning (he's okay... thank GOODNESS!), I left my cigarettes from the trip (uh, me and Al smoked like almost 4 or 5 packs this whole weekend... *yuk*) in that car - so now I don't have any to smoke (which is good, cause i'm not buying any now that vacation is over), and I'm so tired and bloated... I think from all the food, drinks, and lack of sleep for the past week or so, I am just bloated. So now I can't even function without feeling like a dumbass. I hate it. I hate this feeling. Make it go away! Take me away!
OK, that didn't work. But yeah, I feel trife. When I get home this evening, I think I'm gonna go straight to bed. No food, no water, no NOTHING. I will go to bed and sleep like 10-12 hours before getting up for work tomorrow. Oh yeah, I'll have to improvise with an old gym back for tomorrow, since the car is still in police custody after dad's accident. *eh* I'm annoyed as all hell, but still! I had a great time this weekeend to make up for it...
Miss USA was crowned last night... She's a cute chic - Suzie Castillo from Massachusetts. How ironic cause I was talking to Primo about possibly moving to Boston, and I get home and find out that Miss Massachusetts wins Miss USA. Not that it means anything for me, but you know. LOL! She's a lot better than Miss Philippines. I guess I'll be rooting for Miss USA this year @ Miss Universe. Oh, look out for the news section coming soon. I know I've been lax about it, but I'll get on it soon... Same with the trends. Hmm, maybe I'll feature some of the places we went to while we were in L.A. this past weekend. That might be interesting.
Ahhh... where's the Porch when you need it?!
Oh - last night... we ended up going to the Sunset Strip. I just LOVE the Sunset Strip. I don't think I can ever get tired of it. There's something for everyone: clubbing and dancing for those in their early 20s, and lounges and "hollywood" mystique for those people in their late 20s...like myself. We went to the Saddle Ranch, which is one of my favorite places. AWESOME bar-tenders and just a friendly vibe. We then went to Katana for our reservations... great sushi, btw. And they have these great skewers called "robata..." YUM. Katana is where Bard Pitt had Jennifer Aniston's b-day party not too long ago. We heard rumors that Paula Abdul was having dinner on one of the coveted terrace tables. This we heard all amidst industry talk, so we weren't sure how true it was. We also heard that we just missed Fabio coming out of the place. Interesting. After dinner (we also had an awesome table on the terrace overlooking Sunset) we stopped back in at the Saddle Ranch. We saw Blair from Road Rules. He's one of the bull operators. I got my friend, Alison, to go make "small talk" with him. Very funny. He looks a lot like he does on television, minus the mohawk that he sports on Battle of the Sexes. Afterwards, we went to Miyagi's and had a few drinks. Okay, we had a lot. Well, I had a lot of drinks. Got drunk off a double rum & coke and a sweet pussy. Don't ask. Afterwards, we walked (well, i hobbled) to the Standard. Very chic. Very hollywood. We even saw a naked couple come up from the pool. It's very much the same scene as the Sky Bar, but just a tad short of pretention. After that, it was back to the SR... then we had a grease-fest at Carne's. We headed back to Santa Monica and fell into bed. Today we're off to Malibu and the PCH for lunch. Then we're going to hang out here in Santa Monica... Probably the Promenade, and then go to Fred Segal. Tonight we might do dinner at Vert (one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants), and then head over to the Highland. After that, it's any man's game. Sunday we'll try to see what we can in Hollywood...try to glimpse any stars headed over to the Oscars. We're gonna do Melrose, too, and then just chill out before heading home on Monday.
Lots of fun here in L.A. Wish all my friends were with me. But one day... who knows?! *wink*
Oh yeah... gotta try out this place called "the Porch" here in Santa Monica. Very cool... a trendy lounge with only the hottest people in tow... ahhh... southern california...
Can I just make a comment on American Idol? It's just so trivial... how Julia Demato or Corey Clark were kept "safe" from the voting public is just beyond me. OK, Julia isn't all too bad... but then again, Carmen Rasmussen wasn't all that GREAT either! And Corey Clark?! He's definitely daring with his above-normal register, but I have to agree with Simon that he sounded "absolutely diabolical." Yeah, Corey. I guess riding that bull @ the Saddle Ranch wasn't all that good for you, eh?! [ASIDE: I heard that Blair from Road Rules totally is one of the bull operators at the Saddle Ranch. LOL!] Charles Grigsby chose a pretty lame song to sing, but the thing is he sang that song with so much heart. He's definitely a show-man. Julia Demato... I kinda liked her a little bit before, but after they showed her "video" where she sang the National Anthem at some community function in Connecticut, I was utterly GROSSED-OUT. She sounded HORRIBLE. All I gotta say is that right now my money is with Ruben, Trenyce, and Kim (Caldwell). We'll see what happens.
OMG, I just heard that Paris Hilton got punched in the face by Shannen Dougherty. First of all, whatever the hell Paris Hilton was doing near Shannen Dougherty is just a mystery to me. In fact, that's probably what she gets for being all up in the "Hollywood coochie." I mean Paris (and her trife sister) think they're so hot... but to me, they're just blonde-trash. Totally ambitious bitches with a penchant for fame and fortune. I mean, I'm all for fame and fortune in the entertainment industry, but the thing is they're not even models or singers or actors. They're flat out socialites, and to me - socialites are nothing but social climbers. That's what she gets for messin' with Shannen. LOL. I actually don't know the "real story" as to what happened...which brings me to my second point. Secondly, if you already don't know - you better stay the fuck away from Shannen Dougherty! She's like on bitch-mode 24/7, which I personally admire. Shoot. Life's a bitch, so why not be one? LOL!
Alrighty... WAR. *eh* I really don't feel like getting into it, but something compells me to. I was at CoSi last night and Bush was on the tele... I don't know what was wrong with me, but I was totally getting annoyed by his tone of voice, his diction, and just his face. I was annoyed, and I wanted to scream obscenities at the tv screen. Even this morning, when I heard the replay of his speech, I was just like, "SHUT-UP, YOU IDIOT!" I feel bad, though, cause I totally emphathize with him. But I think it's just the idea that bothers me. I'm so torn between the issues, probably because I don't really know the issues. And like I said in another post, I don't think that I care to know the issues at this point. But whatever. It's gonna hit me sooner or later, so I might as well figure SOMEthings out.
Like I said, I'm torn. I keep hearing how people are making all these foul cries about how Bush is doing this for all the wrong reasons. The argument that pisses the shit outta me is the one about "how do we know for sure that Saddam has weapons of mass-destruction?!" MY GOSH, PEOPLE! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! I think people are either blinded or just in denial about Saddam and his weapons. He has them... He's always had them. He's used them on people (his own people), and I'm sure he won't hesitate to use them on others. Seriously, people. He has to have them, so let's stop pretending that he may actually not. With that being said, that totally devalidates (is that a word?) the claim that we should wait until we find proof. WHAT FUCKING PROOF DO THESE PEOPLE WANT?! I'm assuming that people are waiting for Saddam to actually use them, THEN they can cry foul and blah-blah. Well you know what? By the time that happens, it'll be too late. All these countries totally hate Saddam, but no one is trying to do anything about it. What the hell does he have on these people, anyway?
I'm with Bush for the simple fact that he's our president. What the hell would our country be if we don't support our own damn president? I mean, sure, it may be hasty... but shit! He's the president, and if we don't rally together about this shit, then YES! Our country is going to go down. THEN who's fault will it really be? Just think "Vietnam," people. Bush may very-well feel that he has nothing else to do now but END THIS once and for all. Well, if no one else is gonnga do it, then crap... thank goodness that Bush has the balls to do it.
On another end of the spectrum you have the people who cry foul over the moral issue of death and yada-yada. Well, the Old Testament preaches "an eye for an eye." The New Testament doesn't. Well in cold reality - neither testament can validate the threat that IS Saddam Hussein. I really think that what's being done HAS to be done, but I just don't know if the timing is right.
I guess that's where I come into my mental indecisiveness. While I know that we're probably just doing what we gotta do, I just don't know if right now is the right time. I think that Bush isn't being patient enough (or his people aren't... you know presidential decisions are SO NOT at his exclusive discretion...), and I think he's pulling resources and decisions out of his ass. To top it off, he sounds like an idiot when he's telling everyone the "plan of action." I just can't take him seriously. BUT all that aside, I think NOW is the time for us to come together as a nation. FORGET the whole "STOP THE WAR" campaign, because the sad truth is that it's ALREADY started. The best thing we can do now is to stand-by, support our troops and our president... because we do NOT want another Vietnam War on our hands.