The drive this morning wasn't all too bad either. I can't complain with NO traffic. It was almost scary, but good at the same time. Meant that I strolled into the office on time and will be ready to jet outta here at a decent time, too. And now I'm hungry, but I just want to eat fat food. I'm sorry. I'm on a fat food binge. That's not good.
I was admiring the boots I bought in Santa Monica last night. They're ALDO boots, which I could've totally bought here at home (or in VA) and saved like $10 from CA taxes, but it just seemed "funner" to buy them there. They're already a lil messed-up though. That's what I get for rockin' that ish through Sunset. All those dumb foolz running up and down screaming like idiots; yeah, really makes you appreciate the more refined lounges and stuff like that. AHAHAH. Not that I'm a stickler for the shi-shi scene, cause Wen can get really trife and dirty, too, but on a whole...the crowds tend to be better-acting (and better-looking) when you're at the more up-scaley places. I have officially decided that my current favorite "night-spot" to chill is The Standard on Sunset... the crowd is just chill, and the "scene" is very much LA. I like it better than the Ranch or Miyagi's... although the Saddle Ranch is a lot of fun when you're in the "dress-down" type of mood. Their food looks plentiful and filling, too. Miyagi's is not so bad either if you want that crowded type of scene. Between Miyagi's, the Saddle Ranch, and Dublin's...I don't know who has the more "packed" crowd. So yeah, give me The Standard anyday. And I love White Lotus... If I had to pick a restaurant/lounge/club --- then it would have to be White Lotus. I can't wait to go back there...just for the nightlife. I can so go to LA and just sleep during the day, but go out at night. Throw in some shopping, beach-bummin', and a LOT of food then that'll make it even better. Right now I'm salivating as I'm thinking of Sushi Roku... or robata from Katana... oooh, and TOFU STEAK. Call me a freak, I know. I think I'm just hungry. And I haven't seen the guacamole Doritos here yet :/ Now what's THAT lag all about? I should've brought a bag home with me! I guess I'll have to settle for pop-corn?! Eh, it's light... Did I tell you that I was hungry? Duh.
I have this new "duty" here at work. I'm not very happy about it cause it'll make me certainly busier than I've ever been, but I guess that'll make the day go by even faster than it does right now. I'm sleepy but I'm not. I'm definitely hungry, though. What the hell am I babbling about?!
Yesterday was good... HaPpY BiRtHdAy to me! Perce and Elizabeth (les's friend) came to the apartment, and then we headed to Venice for my birthday lunch. We had lunch at C&O, and Italian bistro right off the beach. GREAT stuff. We stuffed ourselves on salads, italian bread, and glasses of sangria. It was GREAT! Afterwards, we just hung around the beach and took in the sunshine, the breeze, and the gorgeous scenery. After the food started to sit-in, we were feeling pretty lethargic and decided to call it a day. AHAHAH. We're getting old, I know. We went back to Les's place, and popped in Van Wilder, and watched that. I was zoning in and out of the movie. But in the end, it was actually a "cute" flick. I actually liked it. Then Les popped-in The Sweetest Thing, and it was over. AHAHA... We capped-off my stay with the BEST sushi @ Sushi Roku in Santa Monica... My favorite, no wait - absolute favorite, sushi is from Sushi Roku/Katana... Haven't really found anything as comparable here, but Tono Sushi comes close. Hmmm, I'm feeling some sushi for lunch. We'll see. I also picked-up the Katana CD. That shit cost $20!! But I want it. It's a good reminder of LA---which I love. I'm so gonna have to visit those kids again soon. I just can't get enough... ahahaha! After Sushi Roku, I was off to LAX.
OH - the night before... SUNDAY, when everyone went home (sef/t-bone left for home; jun/katz left for simi valley) Les, Perce, and I went over to White Lotus. It took us 45-fucking-minutes to get in. They were just totally being SO choosy about who to let in. But hey, that was the whole Hollywood experience. Yanno?! We were behind the Velvet Ropes... and luckily (ahem, some others weren't as lucky...) we were able to get in. It had an interesting crowd, and the restaurant was actually closed, so there weren't any hollywood big-whigs in tow... BUT it was all good. The music was decent, for the most part, and it's just NICE inside. I loved it. Afterwards we grabbed some pizza at some random place on Hollywood Blvd., then we headed over to Sunset again. We went to Dublins, and met up with Eleanor, Franny, and some of the LA YFC/SFC-ers. We were there for about a half-hour before it closed...then we were being asked to leave. We ended-up sitting around some street corner just talking and taking pictures for another good half-hour. CRAZY times. Sunset and those other clubs in Hollywood are TOTALLY two different worlds. I tell ya'... *WiNk*
Before that, we did some stuff with Jun/Katz. We took 'em through Hollywood again - showed them Hollywood & Highland, Graumann's Chinese Theater, we drove through Melrose and Beverly Hills, and then we even stopped-in at the Hustler store. CRAZY-ness. It was cool. We all ended-up buying stuff. After that, we headed over to Pinks and got a good dose of FAT food. *YuM* After that, Katz did her thing in the bathroom (ahahah!), TWICE!, and then they were off to Simi.
Ahhh, it was a good weekend. I had a blast, but I always do when I'm visiting with Les/Perce. So I'm looking forward to going again... Any takers?!
Will post pix real soon...like after I get some sleep. *sigh*
Ralph Waldo Emerson gets mad-props for that one. It totally sums-up my personal mantra: to live life, and be fulfilled in ways that matter most to me. I'm 28, and to me that's still very much young. I have many more experiences to relish before I can ever think about turning my life to a certain direction forever. And I'm one of those people who do NOT want to live life with regret. I'm very ambitious, and I have goals, and I have dreams...and I have a yearning to follow these things through on my own; to be able to tell myself that "i can be my own person." I don't want to live co-dependently with someone withOUT being able to be totally dependent on myself: mentally, spiritually, physically, financially, and even emotionally. I think that we owe ourselves this opportunity. Sometimes we get so bogged-down with life's daily toil that we only see what's around us. Sometimes we only see what we think we're supposed to do with our lives, and because everyone else around us is living life in that cut-and-paste way we often feel like we're stuck...that we have no other alternative but to follow in the usual plan of action, protocol if you will, that life should course. But in actuality there's a HUGE world out there. There is an immense wealth of knowledge, experience, and opportunity that lies before our feet - BUT it's only up to US to take these things and run with them.
They say that "ignorance is bliss..." But I don't agree. I believe that ignorance is a travesty, and it can totally be averted IF we allow ourselves to open up to these experiences that lie before us. Take these experienes, run with them, and learn from each moment.
ANYWAY... Lisa (Pace), Chelmo, Jun, Katz, and Sef were officially the "early bird" b-day wishers. They actually greeted me with pre-greetings either before I left for LA, or before we parted ways here in LA - ahahah! Then mom/dad were the first official "east coast" b-day wishers...thanks mom, dad! Then the "west coast" wishes were followed by Les and Perce, Eleanor (reppin' Jersey, of course)...and then the e-greetings from Mg. Len and family, Currita, Helen and so on and so forth. *sigh* Thanks, guys! Life is wonderful. Can't complain ONE bit.
So - as I enjoy the SUN of this, my final day in LA (for now), I just want to say "thank you" to all of you for the birthday wishes, greetings, prayers, etc. My birthday wish this year is for everyone of you to live life without fear, and to be unafraid of taking those "opportunities" to "experience life" as you were meant to.
I came in around 11AM on Friday. Jun and Katz scooped me up and we ended up going to the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. We had eats at Bravo, and then walked around. I ended up pickin' up these hot boots I wanted from ALDO. WONDERFUL. Jun ended up scoring a new watch in Kenneth Cole --very cool! Afterwards, we fought traffic to Huntington Beach... It's easily a 30-40 minute drive (if you're haulin' ass on the 405). ANYWAY. Friday night we had the rehearsal and dinner - which was cool. Got to see Ate Deeda - she looks GREAT!! Ate Queens, Kuya T, Kuya Terry, and all the kids. Even Tito Lito and Tita Edith. Despite my understanding, everyone seems to think that I'm "skinny." Yes, I have issues. Saw Franny, Eleanor, and all the peeps... Kit, Pidong, Albert... the whole gang... Dee! It was just, WOW. Seeing them all was enough for me. Quite enough... *wink* We tried to go out Friday night, but that didn't happen. And we were supposed to go to White Lotus tonight, but again, that just isn't happening... they gave our reservation away to someone else. HOW SUCK! But we're taking the gang to Sunset, and we're having dinner at KATANA... So we're off for now, k? More later...
Anyway. The really excruciating part was at the end... OMG, I don't think I'll ever forget it. It was right after Ruben was "proclaimed" the NEW American Idol, and Ryan turns to Clay to ask him about how he's feeling at the moment. Then Clay went into this humble speech about blah-blah-blah. But that wasn't what killed the little interview there. It was the end part where he goes something like, "I'm gonna beat him (Ruben) up later because he stole my title!" OK - it wasn't even THAT which made me cringe. It was the little LAUGH that he did afterwards. Like it started off kinda low, then it escalated into this even higher-sounding CACKLE. I thought I heard a freakin' crow making some sounds on the television. I'M SO SERIOUS. When I looked over, WHY was it CLAY?! It was probably the ugliest laugh I've ever heard in my LIFE; so ugly that I think I might have wanted to kill myself afterwards. Really.
And since we're on the subject... I was having an e-conversation (on e-mail, duh) with a friend about Clay yesterday. I swear, the sh*t we were saying was so POOR that I'm pretty sure the BOTH of us are guaranteed a spot in hell later on. How sad is that? I just have to share with you what we said --- my friend said that she "still smells and sees DORK all over the spikey-hair" and yada-yada-yada. Then I went on to explain that I was watching it the other night, and I was distraught thinking to myself, "How do you fix that (Clay)? You just can't... the freckles, the facial structure... Clay looks like the dude from MADD MAGAZINE." I'm sorry, he has an amazing voice - which I am totally envious of, btw - but he just looks so... I dunno. I don't even want to say it. He could almost pass for a singing scarecrow?! And the way he perfectly enunciates his "-ers" or "-ahs." Now that's death. AND WHEN HE FLUTTERS HIS EYES!!? Goodness. I honestly feel like he's going into convulsions or something. I can't take it. It's almost like how I can't watch an Austin Powers movie. Like I think that Austin Powers is just flat-out UGLY. And for some reason, I can't seem to hold my attention to anything (or anyone) that I find relatively UGLY. I'm a mean-a$$, I know. I just can't help it!!
OH, and Kelly Clarkson?! Umm, that was NOT her best performance of Miss Independent. I don't know. I'm not convinced. I think that this whole American Idol thing is such a farce. Yes, I'm just mad cause Trenyce should've gotten further than she did (and tamyra last year). LOL! Yes, I know, I'm the only fool out there who actually thought that girl was talented. Hello, she IS talented. AHAHA - my co-workers are totally discussing the show. I'm gonna listen to this sh*t. It's sounds like it's getting good.
OK---the headache-issue... I'm convinced that I am a walking Doppler radar. Yesterday, and the day before, the headaches were bothering me a little more than usual. Could it be cause of the on-slaught of RAIN? The last time these damn aches started to manifest themselves was just before rain was gonna come. I usually feel that ish in my right knee, but now I'm feeling it in my head. OK - so I'm gonna have to tell that to the neurologist when I see him/her next week. I am making an appointment. Wish I could see the neurologist before I leave for LA, but I can't fit it into my schedule, and I'm sure that they'll be outta their office before I get outta mine. Oh well. Wow, maybe I can get that job at the tv station -- as the "human Doppler." I'll totally make a killing off it, and eventually work my way to MTV. Can you imagine? "WEN - the MTV Doppler-VJ..." Now that would be DOPE.
Right now "I'll Be" is blaring on my radio, and I'm disgusted by it. I used to like the song a lot, but after Josh (from american idol) took that song and practically made it his AI-anthem, I am utterly DISGUSTED by it. It used to evoke these feelings of happiness, love, and similar emotions. However, now it evokes these feelings of nausea, vomiting, and the like. And, NO, those are NOT from my headaches. Speaking of AI, I am totally numb to last night's episode. Watching Clay and Ruben dook-it-out is WAY boring. It's like a total yawner. Clay is just SO annoying to watch. His voice is incredible, but he looks like dork-o-matic. GOSH, do you have to flutter your eyes, Clay? That's scary. I mean, I feel like you're gonna keel over and die afterwards. And Ruben, "A House Is Not A Home" is a HARD song to sing, esp. after Tamyra Gray blew the competition away with it last season. Sorry, bud. I like your voice and all, but that was pushin' it a bit far. I mean I choose YOU, but last night was such a no-brainer. Bring-on a more interesting competition. *YaWn*
So now we're on an "orange alert" in the DC area once again. So that means that they have the security working "harder" outside our building. Seriously now. Who the hell is gonna try to come in here? It's not like Osamas or Sadams will be b-lining the entrance to our building. They don't need citizenship to do their thang. HONESTLY. EH, I guess you just never know... The country is in a state of whackness right now. THANKS, George Dubya... I mean, I support you just because, but really now. How whack is/was this war? Let's bring-on the candles and grab all the beauty queens and make a plea to an alien universe to help us gain WORLD PEACE.
Traffic was a B!TCH this morning. But I guess I was asking for it, leaving at the time that I did. The thing is, I just don't understand how or why people just can't fathom how to drive in traffic?! I mean, it certainly doesn't take a rocket-scientist to figure that one out. Traffic moves as long as YOU move, so don't be an idiot and drive 5mph just because there's traffic building-up in front of you! Hello, keep your momentum up with the cars in front of you... Don't leave those huge-ass gaps between you and the car (or cars) in front of you. If you do, then you're gonna piss-off a more able-minded driver who is BEHIND you. So yeah... I need you drivers to CHECK THAT.
More and more I can't wait to go to Los Angeles. I just want to be away for the weekend, and then I can come home to normal life once again. I can arrange to see that neurologist when I get back... I'm such a "head-case." But anyway - I can start to pack tonight. I'm getting my hair cut after work today - *WoOhOo*
Wanna know what else is some sh*t? I went to the gym today (yippie! 3rd day in a row since my "accident" at HOME what - about three weeks ago...) and I stepped on the scale like an idiot. TELL ME WHY I am officially 2 lbs. LIGHTER than I was BEFORE my three-week gym hiatus?! Now that's some sh*t...some scary/funny sh*t! So while I sat at home feelin' like a fat-ass, I actually became a tad-bit lighter than I was before. *EH* Perhaps it's the decline in my muscle mass. Wait a minute, Wen has NO muscle mass! LOL! BUWAHAHAH! Isn't that some SH*T?! It's all good sh*t though, cause I'm 2 lbs. lighter! WoOhOo! Pop-the-BuBbLy! Light-up the candles! Blare the music! *OK* I'm fine now.
LAWD HAVE MERCY. One of my supervisors just got married. That foolia went to the islands and ELOPED... and her ring is BLINGIN' forreal... FORREAL!!@! But emmm... her new last name? I don't know about that one. Boo, she needs to keep her maiden name. I'm not even gonna say her new last name on here, cause I think she's nice. OK, maybe another time. *evil-laff* LOL.
(Wanna read my review of "The Matrix Reloaded?!" Just click HERE...)
While I'm here being COLD, my friends are out and about being warm, or ABOUT to be warm. Mike and Arl are now on their honeymoon cruise. They flew out to Miami yesterday and are taking a cruise that'll bring them through Cozumel in Mexico, Ocho Rios in Jamaica, and a few other pit-stops including an exclusive beach and Puerto Rico. Man, sounds like FUN to me. And tomorrow, my Godbro Primo is headed out to the islands of Hawaii. Lucky ass-wipe. Well, I shouldn't be TOO jealous. I'm flying out to Los Angeles on Friday, so at least I'll get some Pacific Coast weather. It's not exactly Florida, or the Gulf, or the islands even, but it's definitely something. Yesterday I was feeling very much NOT interested in flying out this Friday. But as the day is progressing, I'm feeling that I'm wanting this trip more and more. After the wedding I'm gonna wax crazy with my cousin and his girlfriend, and that'll be totally cool. I can't wait to go out on Saturday night. Hollywood. Sunset. Ah, I'm HOME! LOL...
This means that I have a busy week ahead of me. I'm working 10-hr days starting today, since I'll be missing work on Friday. (i don't know when vacation kicks-in, but it actually should be sometime this week) So I'm gonna be a working fool. Today I'm going to pick-up my barong from Lola. I need it for the wedding. Tomorrow after work I'll get a haircut at Bubbbles, most likely. Wednesday night I might try to hit up Arundel Mills, or G-town. Just wanna see if I can score a pair of quarter-length pants. 
If not, it's no biggie. Then Thursday night, I'll PACK. I like packing at the last-minute. That way you totally have everything you need ready to go. So yeah, the week is going to be a busy one for me. I'm sorta looking forward to it, but I'm not. At least I've mustered-up the courage to go back to the gym again. I'm not going full-throttle on the cardio, but I'm burnin' mine and that's all that matters. Two days in a row; so far so good.
I finally organized the pictures on my page, so you can now check 'em out. I have some newer pics which I took with my BRAND NEW DIGITAL CAMERA (see the picture of it!!? lol!)! *WoOhOo* But I have yet to post them. They're already uploaded, but I just need to post them on my page. All in due time. Ahhh - in the meantime, it's time to eat SOMETHING. Gotta have my stomach filled before I hit the gym. Laterz...
OK - I'm getting into this whole issue about religion with one of my friends. It's actually a very good discussion. AHHAAH! TOO FUNNY. I don't wanna get into it, but I just have ONE thing to say. You believe in what you wanna believe, and I will respect that. No religious-bashing from my end. And you don't have to believe in what I believe just to be "saved..." Only God saves, and if you have God in your life as your own personal Savior - then that's all that matters. GOT IT?!