Be Good Johnny Weir

OMG, I saw a little bit of this show on Sundance, I have to say that I love love love it, and may be obsessed.



The most hilarious bits are the stuff with Johnny and his "best friend" and "roommate" Paris.



This is definitely on my must DVR list. I am also rooting for him in the Olympics too. Weir in 2010!!

Obsession: Vampires

I know I know.. the whole Twilight phenomenon. You're sick of it. Me too, but I still it!!! I could make a whole blog based on my sad Twilight obsession (maybe one day!) but for now, I'm all about Vampires Live the iPhone game!!! It rocks and has me picking up my phone every chance i get! It's like D&D where you are a vampire roaming around and have to collect blood by doing missions or by attacking other vampires. And with the blood you get, you can buy attack and defense abilities... AND you can befriend the other vampires and make clans to attack other clans!!! I die! err... I'm undead!!

Yes, I'm a big nerd, but don't care. It's all if good fun, right? I've invited all my "friends" with iPhones to play and be in my clan, but NO one has joined. NOT ONE(Some friends, huh?)! But it doesn't matter... I myself was befriended my a few others. humph! If you want to join, let me know and we can hunt together! But for now, I'm off to hunt alone!
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We be up in the canyon just workin' on our fitness

She's my witness! (ooh wee!)

What a glorious day Sunday was! I heart LA and even more so after it rains. Jessica and I took this opportunity to work on our fitness (along with the rest of LA so it seemed, including a ripped Jackie Warner & a doughy Finn from Glee). We walked and hiked the loop at Runyan Canyon starting from Fuller Ave 1.5 times in just over an hour or so (1 loop=1.6miles!). Although "my witness" wasn't all smiles the whole time, yay for us! Mild cardio, leg and ass toning! Next time, 2 times and twice as fast!




And Elaine, Kyle and the kids met us for the last half mile and then we tore up Starbucks after... literally.

OMG I Almost Died. 2x!

Well... OK, maybe not really, but it was touch and go there for a bit! And still kind of is. OR is it just the crazy in my head?

So did you all see this video or the many out there about the girl who had the terrible reation to a flu shot?


It's just heartbreaking.
So when my company offered up free H1N1 Flu Vaccinations, everyone in my office jumped at it except for me. Being the hypochondriac that I am, you'd think that I'd be first in line, but instead, my craziness manifested itself as paranoia that I too would be one in a million to develop a neurological disorder.

My whole office went and got them. Then a week later I had dinner with a friend who claimed that she had the swine flu over the holidays and wanted to die for 2 weeks and proclaimed that although she lost 8 pounds (score!) that it was so not worth feeling like stepped on shit for 2 weeks and that the vaccine was worth the risk.

So of course I then felt the NEED to get it... There was one last day that the company was sponsoring so I bucked up the courage to do it. But I SWEAR God didn't want me to do it. He brought the worst rain and wind I've ever seen in the OC and threw palm frawns at my car.
The pic doesn't do the furry justice... that tree almost touched the ground!

There was some serious storming on my short drive. But I made it to the location, signed my life away and the right to sue if I had any negative reactions. Before sticking me the nurse asked if I was allergic to eggs and do I know what Guillain-Barré Syndrome is? No... and YES!!! "That's the nerve disorder!" I proclaimed a little too excitedly... she said that I was the only person thus far that had known that. There was a small sense of pride within me and then disgust. Did NO one I worked with read about the side effects?

Anyway. I got the shot. The weather on my drive back to work? Almost beautiful. The skies were clearing and the rain had stopped.
Had God given up on me?! Weather wise, I think the answer was yes. He figured that at that point, it was too late, I had already gotten the vaccine injected so no need to prevent him from going anywhere. But we'll see what his real is plan for me is next Friday. Friday marks 10 days since my shot... and it was on day 10 the the cheerleader lost the ability to cheer.

fingers crossed!

What I ate this weekend: Part 3 Huckleberry Cafe

Jessica and I had pre-planned a Sunday of yoga or walking or some kind of exercise. Not so much because we knew that were going to be eating a lot the night before, but more to start the year right and for other reasons that I'll let her post about. But we definitely want to sculpt our doughy shapes this ear... err, well, at least *I* do!

But Sunday was cold, there was some sleeping-in and a discussion and iphone searching as to what to do... then the morning came and went and by the time we rolled into the car it was Sunday afternoon and time for lunch. Huckleberry Cafe, just a few minutes from her place was deemed "too bourgey" (spelled that way it looks weird, but think 'boo-zh-ee') by some people. But since they weren't around, that's where we went. (hope that didn't get anyone in trouble!)

It was so cute and so good. And the perfect end to my trilogy of weekend over eating. It was also quite popular and quite the zoo inside. You have to order at a counter and have your food brought to you, but the have this "you must order before you can save a table" policy that helped to speed things up and made for good people watching, especially since there was an enforcer of the rule who ordered people to get in line before sitting. And I must say, the tables turned pretty fast and efficiently this way! Anyhow, the food was ranch fresh, baked in house, bordered organicy in that good Santa Monica way and VERY good! Our morning of exercise and declaration of health by not having McDonald for breakfast turned into Duck Hash, Pesto Pasta, a Prosciutto & Guerre Crossant, a breakfast sandwich WITH aioli and a slice of delicious chocolate cake!!

Things I ate this weekend: Part 2 The Bazaar

And so the marathon continued...
Jess and Kathy took me out the next day, Saturday, for my annual Martin Luther King Jr. weekend meal. (The King and I go way back.) We went to The Bazaar in the new-ish SLS Hotel. The restaurant, that has of late received a ton of accolades coupled with the fact that it was Golden Globe weekend in LA, was nearly impossible to get a table at. Apparently we were on a wait list along with 500 others... Luckily JG, my connection to all things, was able to get us a table! (ps-if given the choice, don't sit on the patio. it overlooks the valet)

THE FOOD WAS AHMAHZING. So tasty and very innovative. I've seen all that fancy molecular gastronomy stuff with foams, suveed meats, and encapsulated liquids on Top Chef, but never had the chance to taste it. And let me tell you, it was damn good. Marcel and Hung are resident Chefs and until last year, so was Michael Votaggio. The space is beautiful and sprawling and in the same vain of other of its sister restaurants with mis-matched chairs and over-sized lamps. After our meal on a white sofa in the Blanca room we were taken to The Patisserie, separate area furnished with high stools, glass tables and pink accents overlooking a buffet (described by both JG and Jess as Marie Antoinette like) of desserts. The desserts we had were creative and good, but the savory stuff is definitely the standout. We have to go back for the tasting menu!!!

And we burnt the calories off the best way we know how... with song!

Things I ate this weekend: Part 1 Anqi

This weekend was a good weekend. Well, some good some bad. The good, I ATE ALL WEEKEND. The bad, I ATE ALL WEEKEND... and now have a spare tire large enough to fit the Flintsotne's car. Seriously. It's totally gross. I'm totally gross. But it's all because... well, lets just say I'm now a year older and have the wrinkles to prove it.

My marathon of weekend meals begin with Anqi by Crustacean on Friday night with Jennifer and Withel. The new Crustacean (of garlic noodles fame) opened recently in Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza. I'd been once, but just had some drinks and didn't get to try the food. But this time...

It was good. Really good. Think clean modern Vietnamese meets molecular gastronomy (I learned that from Top Chef!). I highly recommend it! Hamahama Oyster Shooters, New Zealand Muscles, Tuna Tacos, Caprese salad, Caramelized Bananas with Chocolate Moose and items I forgot to photo - Garlic Noodles with Lobster, Angel Hair Noodles with Rock Shrimp and the Dragon Fried Rice!

Kooza!

Kathy Griffin hates Cirque du Soliel, or at least she says so in her act "... once I see the guy bend over and XXX himself, I'm done...!"

Yes, I admit, it's a little strange. And if you try to make sense of any of it, your head will get sore, but each show I've seen has been pretty amazing! Kooza was much lighter and upbeat than some of the other I saw... How, my I ask, do you get you body to do such things?! I can barely cross my legs before they fall asleep!
There was a strict no-photos on the inside le grand chapiteau policy. Those clowns that roam the audience were damn creepy and the last thing I wanted was to harassed by one of them or even worse, get pulled up on stage!!! For a little anonymity, I'll keep my camera in my pocket, thank you. Or push someone else into their waiting arms!

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Holes and Sandcastles

Kathy's family got a beach house the week after Christmas at Bellows Beach Park... Another perfect Hawaii day. Live Aloha.
We frolicked in the water (we were forced to toss around a football...!!!) and like any kid who's at the beach, tried to dig a big hole. When we got tired and couldn't get very deep, we decided to build up the walls and ended up with this Gothic masterpiece! (AND it was TOTALLY the envy of all the kids who only had stupid holes!)

for scale!

They were all totally jealous! you can even see them trying to make one of their very own.

many tired but no one succeeded!!!

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Happy New Year!

The firecracker were hung from the ladders with care...

For anyone who grew up in Hawaii, fireworks and firecrakers are a necessary part of New Year's Eve. In addition to the family garage parties and kids running around playing with fire, everyone sets up their own version of the contraption pictured above in their front yard from which to hang a long string of firecracker to light at midnight.

You had to be there in person!

Kaneohe looks to be extra smokey tonight since according to the ladies at Long's "dis is all we got lef dis year... we almost sold out! And we had some of da extras from da Waianae store sent ova!" And so much for the "illegal ban of aerials"... da sky was lit!

Some things just don't photograph well...

Although there's nothing "traditionally New Years" about tempura, that is what my dad made us for our annual family meal... SO delicious! and with veggies fresh from my brother's garden!

And later that night, we made sushi for the party that would be at our house the next day. And after the last strand of firecrackers were lit, we all returned to the kitchen to eat soba... fist meal of the year = noodles = long life! let's hope it works! la heim!

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LAX is a mess!

As in hot tranny.
Bad day to fly in as it seems the whole city is returning from vacation. Notes for next year - take an extra day or two and arrive at an off time!It's a war zone out there, but luckily there are only 5 people on the Flyaway to Irvine. The Flyaways to LA however... not a pretty sight.

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New year, new closet!

GOAL NUMBER ONE FOR THE NEW YEAR: CLEAN OUT THE CLOSET

I devoted all Sunday to this task and succeeded in cleaning out about 40% of my closet, with my mother's help. Her motto? "Be ruthless." So anything that was even slighted frayed or faded or out of style or that I haven't worn recently went into the trash bag. I filled up FIVE white garbage bags full of clothes, that I intend to donate.

I also transferred all my clothes from the white plastic tubular hangars to the slim, velvet hangars that I got at Costco - 50 for $15, I got two boxes, which turned out to be just enough. The good thing about the slim hangars is that more fit in the closet (tho, my closet is half empty now), and than nothing slips off those suckers. The bad thing is that nothing slips off those suckers, so it is a little harder to hang shirts and other garments straight, and I can't just slide something off the hangar in the morning as I get dressed for work. But, this is a small price to pay for a roomier, more organized closet.

We also refreshed the closets with new cedar sachets and organized my dresser (purging many tshirts in the process).

A good start to 2010! How did everyone else start the new year?