Boston Added to the M&M World Tour!

Thanks to the gracious hosting of pal, LG, BOSTON, MA has now been added to the M&M world tour.

Dates are May 22-24.

woot.woot.

Peas 2008, Smell Ya Never

So apart from the a few traumatic experiences this year (sarah palin, economic breakdown, losing my job, leaving SF), there were things to note.

Honorable mention to Craigslist and eBay for always coming through with concert tickets, clothes, and shoes at all-American low prices that have nothing to do with Wal-Mart!

Despite being a crap year for new music, I would like to thank the veterans for touring: Stevie, Tom, Tina, George. Thanks for saving what could have been a truly lackluster year.

And of course, who can leave this year without thanking the American public for making good on the last 8 years by electing Barack Obama!

As for personals, it was the year I realized I'm old as hell and I'm not quite sure what to do about it.

I went to Honduras, the birth place of my parents, for the first time. Graciously, all the family I'd never met thought I was 18. I learned a third world country is a third world country, and wonder if they will ever catch up. At the same time, I can't help but resent spoiled Americans. Our infrastructure and general level of safety is something not to be taken for granted--ever.

I moved in with a boy. The first batch of my dear good friends were married and now have husbands.

These things have made for a very pivotal, landmark year.

So for next year I wish pragmatic things everyone around the world should have: a steady job with insurance, a home, and health.


Cheers '08! Be nice '09!

I leave you with some sexy animals who wish you all the best in the next year...

In Memoriam

In Memoriam:

In loving memory of Raymund Wu: hardworking businessman, loyal husband, loving father and grandfather. There is no better legacy than enduring love. All who knew Raymund spoke of his generosity, care, and good spirit.

In life, you are lucky if you can grow and learn in the presence of positive, loving family. I can't say enough how much 'Gunggung' adored his grandchildren, and vice versa. On the day of his wake, I saw his wife, Stella, staring dutifully down at her husband with whom she'd shared her life. I couldn't help but think, that despite having to part, reminding us all of our human condition, she must have felt so happy knowing she got the most out of her life with him: two beautiful daughters, 5 gorgeous grandchildren, a lovely home their work and strength provided.

In death, the only solace is to remember the joys in life and to continue to honor the people who bring us this joy.

Retirement

On Saying Goodbye to Two Very Dear Pairs

I'll admit I do get sentimental about shoes. They are like friends. It's not often you find the right fit or style. I wanted to take the time to say goodbye to two shoes who have been with me since the early 2000s. Onisuka Tigers were purchased in Boston in 2002 while I was visiting N in college. Nike Cortez are an ode to Syracuse and purchased for $20 at Foot Action on a random trip to Carousel Mall with LG.

So many times I buy a pair of shoes and I wear them once and end up tossed in the depths of my closet. Oh, but not these suckers. They went with me everywhere. I've been to Europe, Honduras, East coast and West. They've touched countless sidewalks and roads. Mang, I can still remember the Tigers pinching the sides of my wide ass feet as I broke them in on my walk across Las Ramblas in Barcelona. They were with me all throughout my trip to Scotland and covered my feets as I walked into bars playing 'Songbird' by Oasis.

When they started to deteriorate, I went into denial mode. I thought maybe I should just replace the sneakers for the same pairs. The Tigers were still sold in multiple stores around SF; the Cortezes were proving to be more difficult. At the end, I knew I had to give it up when I was starting to feel the concrete through the soles of the Tigers and when there was a hole in the Cortezes.

Thankfully, the Other M was inspired to find two other sets of sneakers on his eBay perusings. Maybe I'd been overwhelmed at replacing two such good pals so immediately. Maybe I was worried I'd never find something so good again.

Either way, I was taken care of.

Twice a Bridesmaid!

It is with great pleasure that I announce my second turn as a bridesmaid to my dear friend CG. Congratulations to her and A!

CG and I met in college. We are both natural New Yorkers. I think she really stole my heart when we made a mix cd filled with R. Kelly and other classic New York slow jams after one of our sorority events. Once we graduated college, we shared work woes together and often, our frustration with the New York dating scene.

Serious boy woes stopped about two years ago on her end with the entrance of A. He was the cute co-worker at a gig she didn't exactly love. Thankfully, she found something worthy other than career advancement from that day job!

Wedding date has not been set yet, but I am excited to share in the special day no matter when it is!

JUANES, Es Por Ti

Friday night, V and I went to see our fave Latin artist, Juanes, at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. We first saw him on his Mi Sangre tour in 2005 at Madison Square Garden in New York. For those of you who don't know, Juanes is from Colombia and is the recipient of 12 (TWELVE!) Latin American Grammys. He's a political motivator and good spirit in the vein of Bono. His music is inspiring and earnest. I'll be shallow for a moment and also mention that I find him incredibly attractive. This was the closest I've been to a singer in a stadium setting. I pretty much screamed throughout the entire show. NV and I sang every song.

I love seeing him in concert because he's so upbeat and really commands the stage. He runs around to every corner and engages the audience at every turn. He also is an expert at pillow talking the ladies in the audience. It's quite incredible. From the pics, you can tell he's having such a good time working it. Here's a pic of his telling us about how lovely women are:

HP Pavilion, May 16, 2008. San Jose, CA.
A Dios Le Pido
No Creo en el Jamas
Mala Gente
Clase de Amor
La Noche
Un Dia Normal
Fotografia
Gotas de Agua Dulce
Bandera de Manos
Bailala
Suenos
Para Tu Amor
Me Enamora
La Paga
La Vida...Es Un Ratico
Minas Piedras
Es Por Ti
La Camisa Negra

ENCORE:
Dificil
Tres
Nada Valgo Sin Tu Amor
? (rats, I didn't know the last song!)

Also, let me just say he has the sweetest lyrics. Lately, I've been listening to Un Dia Normal a lot lately. Mostly for this phrase:
No importa en donde estes yo desde aquí te besaré en mis sueños
Mi sangre arderá por ti hasta que se pierda por tu cuerpo
En un día como hoy caminaré más despacio
En un día como hoy defenderé mi verdad
En un día como hoy te amarraré con mis brazos

Happiness More or Less

I must start this most special birthday week with a post thanking my darling cohabitant V for taking me to see The Verve. Like I mentioned before, it was ten years in the making. Mr. Ashcroft cut his hair. Hate to be so superficial, but that's the first thing I noticed. Then of course, the incredible vocals and amazing sound caught my attention for the next hour and a half they played.

I found myself singing unabashedly to 'Lucky Man.' Every single line. As if I had a good voice. At the top of my lungs. All of a sudden the song had so much more meaning.

Happiness More or less It's just a change in me Something in my liberty Oh, my, my Happiness Coming and going I watch you look at me Watch my fever growing I know just where I am But how many corners do I have to turn? How many times do I have to learn All the love I have is in my mind? But I'm a lucky man With fire in my hands Happiness Something in my own place I'm stood here naked Smiling, I feel no disgrace With who I am Happiness Coming and going I watch you look at me Watch my fever growing I know just who I am But how many corners do I have to turn? How many times do I have to learn All the love I have is in my mind? I hope you understand I hope you understand Gotta love that'll never die Happiness More or less It's just a change in me Something in my liberty Happiness Coming and going I watch you look at me Watch my fever growing I know Oh, my, my Oh, my, my Oh, my, my Oh, my, my Gotta love that'll never die Gotta love that'll never die No, no I'm a lucky man It's just a change in me Something in my liberty It's just a change in me Something in my liberty It's just a change in me Something in my liberty Oh, my, my Oh, my, my It's just a change in me Something in my liberty Oh, my, my Oh, my, my

Stinson Beach, April 27th, 2008

A wise friend told me recently that this week, when I turn old, I will know everything. I'll be excited to know what I'm supposed to do for work for the rest of my life. I'm excited to know the places I will travel and the people I will meet along the way. I can't wait to know that every decision will be 100% correct for me and no one else.

I'm excited to be your omniscient narrator...

Sexy Animal of the Day! Life Partners

SEXY ANIMAL(s) OF THE DAY

Life Partners: Bridget and May

Meet Bridget and May. This hard-working couple never takes playing 'dress-up' for granted. Bridget and May are both professional workaholics who model for television, print, and the internets. They are the double threat in the industry fo sho! They met on the set of a project and have been inseparable since. KB, director of the couple during the photo shoot featured above, says,"They were sooo cute with each other, tugging on each other's clothes. It seems they wanted to go off and roll around in the hay.'" Adorable! Who says work can't be fun?