January Birthday Spectacular

January is one of my least favorite months of the year. The weather often can be dreary; the days are still painfully short; and very little of interest tends to happen. Except for January 20th, that is. Great American presidents have been inaugurated on January 20th (as well as a few admitted duds). Plus, January 20th is the birthday of my very fine friend Chris Sams. Chris and I met twelve years ago during his very first week in San Francisco. I was a virtual City by the Bay veteran, having lived here for just over two years at that point.

Since that fateful February day in 1999, I have considered Chris to be one of my closest friends. He is brilliant, funny, talented and one of the kindest people walking the face of the earth. So needless to say, the anniversary of his birth warrants a celebration, and several of us gathered tonight to mark this auspicious occasion. Snacks in the form of Little Star pizza, drinks and excellent conversation all were part of the party. I even played pool for the first time in about a decade and did a pretty good job, even though I lost.

I managed to snap a few photos during the festivities to give you an idea of the love that surrounds Chris. I only captured a few of the many celebrants, but I believe these shots do represent the good time had by all.

Have you ever seen a more dashing birthday boy? To quote his cake: Oh, my God, yay!

Me and Kurt

Carla, Andrey and Tom

Chris and Nicky P.

Me and Drey, who looks just a bit like he's posing for the cover of a Harlequin romance

Roland and Irina expressing the unique love of their friendship

Inspiration

Every once in a while a girl needs a little inspiration or a pick me up.

Case in point, I found myself briefly in a bit of a blue mood yesterday, and I turned it around by reminding myself how much I enjoy my job (honestly), donning a pretty dress for the day at said job and just thinking about buying "Sugar, Sugar" by the Archies from iTunes. Yes, "Sugar, Sugar," easily one of the worst pop songs in history but also one of the most fun. Buy it I did, and when it popped up on my iPod as I exercised this morning, I was embarrassed not only that I own it but also that it was making me very happy.

Music, singing or exercise usually will do the trick, but if I'm feeling especially insecure, I may need to call in the big guns. On those occasions, I try to channel the energy of someone I admire. This can be a person I actually know, someone famous or even a fictional character, and the qualities I'll try to channel generally are grace, class and confidence. I already possess these qualities, if I do say so myself, but sometimes inspirational reminders help. Like these women:

Joan

Lena

If boys can do do it, so can we: The Go-Go's

California's Attorney General

Audrey

Perhaps someone will look to me for inspiration one day, but whether or not that ever happens, I hope at least I can entertain you with this space.

Where The Heart Is

I've been reading a few new blogs lately, many of which use photos more than text. These little chronicles have inspired me to talk in pictures more frequently, myself. Now, one of the reasons I maintain this blog is because I love to write; so pictures never will replace words here. However, variety is the spice of life, right?

One of my favorite types of posts from the blogs I've been perusing is that in which the authors display photos of their homes. It's like an everyman version of Better Homes and Gardens or Town and Country. To that end, I offer you some glimpses into my minimalist living space. I call it minimalist because I have lived in my apartment for two years, yet I still have done precious little decorating. I've not painted or hung anything on the walls (much to the relief of my landlords, I'm certain), and the only curtains I brought adorn my sliding glass doors. All the windows remain dressed with blinds only. I have managed to add a little bit of style and glamour to the rooms, however, and I've tried to capture that here. Be warned: I'm no photographer. Plus, my camera is just a digital version of one of those point-and-shoot-for-dummies numbers that I bought about four years ago at Radio Shack, of all places. I've done the best I could, though, so I hope you enjoy.

Warm living room light. Note, if you can see them, Valley of the Dolls and Milton's Paradise Lost sharing bookshelf space right next to each other. I have, indeed, read both. Speaking of books...

...I love to read, and more importantly, I love to own books. I don't think I've set foot in a library in seven years. Storing my books quickly becomes a challenge, and I am officially out of the aforementioned bookshelf space. Time to buy more furniture, I suppose.

Big sunglasses and costume jewelry. I do own some real jewelry, as well.

Coco!

Minimalist mantle: candles, photographs and two birthday cards from 2009.

I haven't shaken a cocktail at home in forever, but I remain prepared.

About 15% of my CD collection. I also own a little vinyl, and yes, many mp3s.

This says it all.

In other news, I went with my friend Andrey to see The King's Speech at the Kabuki Theatre last night. The film was lovely, and as for the Kabuki... Well, I rarely see movies in the theatre, and I don't think I've been to the Kabuki in a decade. Since before they redid it and started assigning seats and serving cocktails. After last night, I think the Kabuki has ruined me for all other movie houses. And just in time for awards season.

Perfect Friday Night: Singing and Skanking

Probably the biggest compliment anyone can pay me is hearing me sing and then assuming I do so professionally.

I am very much the amateur chanteuse, but I suppose the voice lessons, Sober Nixon rehearsals and performances, and night after night of karaoke help me to fool some of the people some of the time. Last night after work, I sang songs at two different karaoke dens, and a woman at the second venue mistook me for a professional singer. So much so that she actually was surprised when I told her I'm not a professional. I guess I did a pretty decent job on "Only the Lonely," "Somewhere Only We Know" and "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" and was a convincing Kim Deal when I backed up my friend Ash on "Here Comes Your Man."

After all the songs had been sung, I made my way to Bimbo's 365 Club to see one of my favorite bands of all time, The English Beat. Only one founding member, Dave Wakeling, still is in The Beat, but the shows continue to be really fun. I used to see The Beat every time they came to town, as well as catching them in Los Angeles with my friend Emily if they happened to be playing a show when I was there. However, I've gotten lazy and missed their last few San Francisco appearances. Last night I was reminded what a mistake it is to skip a Beat show. I had the greatest time singing along (good thing I'd warmed up with all that early evening karaoke) and dancing/skanking until I was a sweaty, happy mess. They played all their hits, some album cuts including my favorite: "Ackee 1,2,3", and even debuted some new material. New English Beat songs after almost 30 years? Apparently so.

I wish Ranking Roger still was in the band, but nothing in life is perfect, is it? Perhaps not, but seeing the English Beat live, even if it's just Dave and a bunch of musicians he's hired over the past few years, is pretty close to perfect in my book.

Math Heroine

I am reading a novel about a young woman who loves math! Okay, the heroine of Aimee Bender's An Invisible Sign of My Own actually appears to have severe OCD, and math and numbers probably help her keep her world in order. But whatever. As a real life math-loving supergirl, I often am infuriated by the stereotype that women and girls are incompetent at math or don't like it. So any representation of a female who is good at math works for me.

I adored math in high school, especially trigonometry and math analysis. Calculus admittedly was a little esoteric for my taste, but it still is math and, as a consequence, earned my admiration. I could have been a mathematician, I bet, but I went to college and majored in English literature with the intention of becoming a writer. I love books and writing, as well, so there you go. Today I am neither a mathematician nor a writer, but the career I have pursued involves writing and even a teeny bit of math.

Anyway, back to the book. An Invisible Sign of My Own is the cutest little dysfunctional read.  Well, the character is dysfunctional, anyway.  I'm not quite finished yet, but unless it takes a decided turn for the crappy in its last 48 pages, I highly recommend it. I just learned from Google that it was made into some sort of movie last year starring Jessica Alba, and I'm not sure how I feel about that (was that film ever even released?).  Once I'm done with Invisible Sign, I have four other novels waiting for me. I went on a small literary purchasing spree at the end of last month (something I do frequently), and I now am working through my bounty.

I may have a lot of time for reading over the next few days because I think I may be getting sick. That's my way of saying I am getting sick while maintaining a cloak of denial. Even if I keep this denial thing up, I have to take care of myself because I'm going to see one of my all time favorite bands on Friday night, and sniffles and coughing fits simply will not do. So it's all zinc and chilling out for a while to show whatever virus I've picked up who is boss. I have faith I will win; I am a supergirl who loves math, after all.

Notes on a Dance Party

After the horrible craziness in Arizona yesterday morning, I almost considered staying in last night and skipping the Mod Dance Party at the Burritt Room.  Almost, anyway.  In the end, I decided that sitting on my couch wasn't going to help anyone... So out dancing I went.  Here are some notes to illustrate what a top notch time was had by all.

• A pretty dress and saucy boots: staples of my wardrobe that work perfectly for mod dancing.
• Friends, including Valerie, Kevin, Tom, Julie, Jimmy, Roxanne and Steve, make up an awesome dance party posse.
• Free rum and whiskey.  The first courtesy of one of the bartenders; the other paid for by Tom.
• "Sorry" by the Easybeats and "With a Cantaloupe Girlfriend" by the Three O'Clock: my two favorite dance floor numbers of the night.
• Dancing to a song you don't know is its own reward, but especially when Tom notices that said song has the same back beat as the Kink's "All Day and All of the Night."  Because then you can do your own mash up.
• Dancing with Kevin to whatever song is a party in and of itself.  And he calls me a hoot.

Don't you wish you'd been there?

Anyway, moving on. Tomorrow I'm embarking on a grand adventure.  After work I intend to step out of my comfort zone.  Now, what I actually will be doing is very small and probably would inspire much eye-rolling and many questions such as: "Seriously?  Is that all?"  However, a comfort zone is a comfort zone, and extending even a toe out of it is very scary, at least for me.  So wish me luck.

Finally, I leave you with a little photo montage. It's a wee bit old, but I love it anyway. My friends Eric, Tom, Chris, Kevin, Angela and I had our way with the Knockout photo booth during my 39th birthday party, and just looking at these pictures makes me happy. I hope they at least make you grin a little bit.

Drums and Dancing

Get ready, kids, it's time for another Mod Dance Party! Oldies DJ nights happen all the time in San Francisco, but back in August, some friends and I went to a Mod-specific dance party. And this wasn't just about old music; tunes from the 60's, ditties from Mod's second wave, Paisley Underground selections, and even new songs filled the air and called us to the dance floor.  It was so much fun.

The same group of DJ's is throwing another Mod Dance Party tomorrow night, so of course I'm going, along with most of the same friends who joined me in the summer. I'm so excited. January is one of the most boring months of the year (closely followed by February), so it can use a little Mod energy boost.

Before the Mod dancing tomorrow, however, I have to attend to a little Sober Nixon business tonight. We are auditioning a drummer. Or perhaps it might be more accurate to say that he is auditioning us. We still don't have a new guitarist (see this previous post), but we just may be able to beef up our rhythm section in the meantime.  Providing he likes us.

And on Sunday, my friend Christine and I will be getting together for one of our bi-weekly cocktail and gossip sessions. Due to the holiday madness and various travel plans, we actually haven't had one of these sessions for a couple of months, so it's beyond time. There are cocktails to drink and boys to be discussed, and you know as well as I that those two things simply won't be made to wait.

Last Night of 2010 - First Morning of 2011

As I mentioned, I took no pictures on New Year's Eve, but my friend Heidi did. So these photos come courtesy of her. They are from the third event of my evening: the party I was attending at midnight when we all ushered in 2011. I'd say they are a pretty accurate depiction of the good time had by all.  Plus, they showcase my purple and gold New Year's Eve outfit.

Since 2011 began, things have been bubbling along quite nicely. My singing habit continues, and I exercised that habit on Monday night with some karaoke. Then last night I dined with my friends Mark and Daniel at their super fancy apartment (I think I need about six days at the gym to counteract the effects of that meal). Coming up this weekend: a Mod dance party and most likely more singing. It's a good life, and I'm glad 2011 is living up to the expectations set by the years that proceeded it.

The Year That Was

It's the second day of 2011, and I find myself on this cloudy Sunday watching "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Gilmore Girls" reruns, cleaning my apartment and anticipating a party in North Beach early this evening. I also have been thinking a little more about the year that was 2010. So to that end, I have prepared a photographic chronicle of last year.... month by month (yes, I am aware that I have posted two photos from April; I couldn't choose). Enjoy!

January: playing Beatles Rock Band at Chris' Mission loft birthday party.

February: with Tom and Carla at Berto's birthday party in Noe Valley.

March: Sober Nixon performing at the Revolution Cafe for Caveat Lector's spring issue launch.

April: singing with Sober Nixon South of Market for Ho's birthday.

Late April: with Tom at Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu.

May: about to enjoy a cocktail at Tiki Ti in Los Angeles.

June: playing in the photo booth at Madrone with Candace and her (rather adorable) friend Sean.

July: singing "We Belong" karaoke-style in Santa Monica.

August: Sober Nixon performs at Cafe Royale.

September: with Nina and Frances at Nina's Burritt Room birthday party.

October: The Giants go to the World Series, and the City bathes itself in orange.

November: Thanksgiving at Tom's parents' place (the expression on my face in this photo is classic).

December: with Bill and Kim at my own Burritt Room birthday soiree.

One-One-Double One

Happy New Year, my lovies!

2011 is barely a few hours old, and the first thing I want to do is update this little chronicle. I don't know how 2010 treated you, but overall, it was pretty good to me. Until the end of year, that is.  December 9th, to be specific... when things took a decided turn for the sucky (that circle of life issue I referred to in a previous post). To be honest, the person most affected by the events of that day probably had a fairly miserable 2010, but I believe he is in a better place now.

So on to the new year for everyone. 

I must confess that I wasn't very interested in New Year's Eve this year. Usually, I feel at least a little bit of pressure to go out and do something spectacular, but this time, I seriously considered more mellow options, like staying home in my PJ's.  I have to admit, however, that I'm glad I didn't succumb to that temptation.

As it so happens, I ended up ringing in 2011 in style. My celebration began at 4 p.m. on December 31st, when I arrived at my favorite karaoke den. Three and a half hours later, I'd sung five songs and sung them all quite well. I'd like to believe that bodes well for my singing skills in the year ahead.  I also, by the way, consumed two fairly potent cocktails during that time.

After the songs had been sung, I went to a party at my friend Brad's fancy, grown up condominium. Which he owns. Like a real adult (I still proudly rent my living space). His living room offers a view of San Francisco City Hall, which still is bathed in red and green light for the holidays, as shown in the above photo.  While at Brad's place, I sipped cocktails, enjoyed snacks and chatted with his famous author friend Scott.  Okay, perhaps Scott is not famous, but he's had two novels published, and I bought one of them at Borders on Thursday evening without realizing the book I was purchasing had been written by a friend of a friend of mine.  So I was impressed.

I left Brad's at about 10 p.m. and headed across town to Olena and Kevin's party, where I intended to stay for about an hour so I could get home before midnight.  Yes, that was my intention, and no, I have no idea why.  However, within a few minutes of arriving at said soiree, I knew I wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.  Champagne was consumed, dancing was done, and cheers, hugs and kisses greeted the arrival of 2011.  I brought my camera with me, but I didn't take a single photograph.  Others did snap a few shots, however; so maybe I can nick a few off Facebook in the days to come and share them with you.

All in all, I would call my New Year's Eve a big success. Here's to hoping the rest of 2011 follows suit.

Help Wanted

In the midst of our struggling economy, which has been plagued by layoffs and long-term unemployment, I actually am looking to hire someone.  This position unfortunately does not pay money, but it will pay in the form of happiness and fun.  At least I hope it will. 

Sober Nixon (pictured above performing at Cafe Royale in August) is looking for a new guitarist.  Our current guitar player, Jackie, is leaving to pursue a music and writing project she has in mind.  So alas, she no longer has time for us.  Jackie has been so easy-going and easy to work with for the past two and a half years.  She and her very good attitude will be missed, but I can't blame her for wanting to focus on her original music, as opposed to playing countless cover songs that I choose.

To that end, my first project for the new year is to find Sober Nixon a guitarist.  I'm beginning that process by networking.  I know a few musicians, and I'm hoping one or more of them will know a guitar player interested in a no-stress, cover band project.  If networking gets me nowhere, then I'll cross my fingers and brave the dreaded Craigslist.  I actually found Jackie through Craigslist, but since then, I haven't had a great experience with the "musicians" section of that website.  A lot of bitter, crazy people hang out there.

Anyway.  Sober Nixon also may be getting a drummer.  We're going to get together play with a guy I went to high school with who has become a drummer.  Hopefully, he'll like us, and we'll like him, and we can beef up Sober Nixon's rhythm section.  2011 could bring good things to my little music project.

In other news, I got a belated birthday present this evening.  It was from Sephora and was belated because I took my dear sweet time popping into the store to pick it up.  Because I am in Sephora's "spend money in here and get free stuff" program, they decided to give me a little gift to mark the anniversary of my birth.  I hardly was going to argue with that, and I walked away with a bottle of Philosophy vanilla birthday cake shampoo/shower gel/bubble bath.  I'll be using mine as shower gel.  I love presents, especially ones I don't expect.

So I guess all of this is to say that change is on tap for 2011.  Change and a few vanilla birthday cake showers.

Joyeux Noel

Timeline for Christmas, 2010:

December 24th, 6:00 a.m.:  Arrive at work. Yes, you read that correctly; I was at work at six in the morning on Christmas Eve.  The good news is that getting to work early means leaving early, and I was done with my duties and able to begin my holiday weekend by 2 p.m.

December 24th, 6:30 p.m.:  Begin final descent into the Burbank airport.  On this particular Southwest flight we were treated to free cocktails, and one of the flight attendants sang "White Christmas" to us over the P.A. system right before we landed.  Talk about Christmas spirit.

December 24th, 7:20 p.m.:  Arrive at the South Pasadena home of 4-year old Mikey Jet.  I'm usually not in Southern California on Christmas Eve because I generally work on Christmas Day, but this year was different.  As a consequence, I discovered that we spend some Christmas Eve time at my brother and sister-in-law's place.  Visiting them is always fun because it means playing with my nephew Mikey (be warned: he'll wear you out after about an hour).  On this particular visit, Mikey and I read Goofy and the Gondola, one of the strangest children's books I've ever encountered.  It did feature Mickey Mouse and Goofy, and they were on vacation in Venice, where Goofy was trying to find a job.  Of course.

December 25th, 11:00 a.m.:  Be thrilled that the torrential rain that pounded the Southland just a week or so ago has stopped and take a run/walk down Los Feliz Boulevard. 

December 25th, 12:30 p.m.:  Take a quick trip to the neighborhood grocery store, which is open, for Perrier sparkling water (can never have too much) and an extra bottle of champagne.  Just in case.

December 25th, 2:30 p.m.:  The Christmas party officially begins.  Christmas Day is spent at my sister Fabulous Patti's place in Los Feliz, and we always have music, food, drink and lots of holiday cheer.  Last year we even had a dance party, but on this Christmas, my older nephews were allowed to watch basketball when they arrived.  So the Lakers took the place of any dancing.

December 25th, 6:30 p.m.:  Enjoy a Christmas dinner that includes chicken, sushi, mac & cheese, stuffing, haru maki, green beans and cupcakes.  Diversity is the name of the game in my family.

December 25th, 9:15 p.m.:  Bid the last of the guests goodbye, except yourself, of course.  My mother and I always stay with Fabulous Patti, so we didn't have to leave.  But my other sister, brother, sister-in-law, various nephews, niece and other friends were on their way home before 10:00.

December 26th: Enjoy last day before returning to San Francisco.  That should include another run/walk, mimosas, biscuits, bacon, and general merriment.

Happy Holidays, my lovelies!  I hope your Christmas was a smashing good time.

Birthday Darling

Date: December 21, 2010
Time: 6:00 p.m. until approximately 11:30 p.m.
Place: The Burritt Room in the Crescent Hotel, San Francisco
Occasion: My 41st birthday

It's possible I should be ashamed to admit that my birthday is my favorite day of the year. Well, shame be damned, it is my favorite day of the year. No matter how old I get, I always wake up feeling a little bit special on the morning of my birthday. And every year, my very wonderful friends rise to the occasion and join me to celebrate, even if my birthday falls on a rainy Tuesday, like it did this year. Last night about 40 or so of us gathered at the Burritt Room for birthday cocktails. Here is a smattering of the photos we took throughout the evening. They should give you an idea of the wonderful time had by all.

Mark, Daniel and me

Frances and Nina

Rico, Carolyn, Eric and the star of the night: Widget

Christine, Michele and me

Me and Carla

Joel, Maya and Adam

Kevin, me, Valerie, Carolyn and Widget

A big, snuggly thanks to everyone who attended.  You made my night, my birthday, and my year.  As always.

I'm Dreaming...

My apologies, gentle readers, for my tiny absence over the past week and a half.  Also forgive me for not explaining it.  I like to keep this little chronicle happy and upbeat (personal blogs full of whining, ranting, complaining and sadness bore me), so all I'll say is that is was a circle of life issue.  Nothing for you to worry about, my friends, and I'm back now.  There is no getting rid of me permanently.

Since it is the holiday season, it was only fitting that Sober Nixon would play a Christmas party last night.  It was our bass player's company Chrismas party, but that still counts.  Our audience was small, given that it is a small company, and we played inside the office, but it was still a lot of fun.  Plus, our small audience was extremely receptive, so we felt a lot of holiday cheer and love.

Even though I've been doing my vocal exercises lately, my singing was a little rusty last night.  Except on one song.  The song about which I was the most worried, and, as a consequence, I practiced the most.  Every year, we in Sober Nixon, trot out one Christmas song: "White Christmas," and we use the Phil Spector arrangement that Darlene Love sang on Phil's 1963 Christmas album (pictured above).  Now, make no mistake: I cannot sing like Darlene Love.  However, I can sing like me, and with enough practice and awareness of supporting my breath, I can belt out a tune with the best of them.  Belt I did last night, and I would say our rendition of "White Christmas" as arranged by Phil Spector may have been the best number of the night.

Assuming I wasn't hideously off key or anything.  No one cringed, and no glass shattered, though, so I think I was okay.

Today I did a little lounging and a few chores, picked up three new books that I ordered from Amazon and got some exercise.  So now I'm ready for the socializing portion of our Saturday.  I'm going to swing by my friend Zeeshan's birthday party before going to see the Loved Ones.  Tomorrow I'll be doing some more singing (this time karaoke) and then cocktailing with my friend Christine and my sister, who is coming up from Los Angeles for a visit.  All of this is in advance of my own birthday party on Tuesday, when I'll celebrate being fabulous despite being old.

Socializing waits for no man.. or woman... however, so I've got to get to it now.  If I wait too long to leave the house, I risk getting sucked into the couch for the evening.