Blurry Diablito from Gallery 683

He's blurry. He's a diablito. He's in the hallway.

I don't know but I'll Axum

Last night was pretty cool despite me going to an eyebrow appoinment that is actually scheduled for NEXT Thursday - oh yes, you'd better believe I'll have my tweezers out this weekend. So I cruised through the Presidio and made it to R's work around 5:45, had a half hour to kill so sat and perused the Avon catalog, exciting stuff, I know!

All set to go, we headed to Lower Haight for Gallery 683's open house. PD was there and so were a dozen of lovely patrons and very innnneresting people, including PD's dad and gallery owner. You guys, he was the man that bought Mariachidelic, remember I told you? Anyway, Gallery 683 has loads of wonderful items from all over the world, we could have stayed all night and it wasn't just because of the complimentary wine and goodies.

When our growling stomach's began causing too much of a distraction we asked PD for some dinner recommendations and as luck would have it she gave us some great ideas. Right across the street is Axum, Ethiopian food. Now, neither Rafael nor I had ever had it so it was time to take the plunge. There were maybe 5 occupied tables when we arrived yet after we were given menus it was like a bus let out, seriously. The place was packed - good sign. So we ordered the chicken and the lamb and had a couple of beers as well. The food arrived in one gigantic plate with injera as your only means of consuming the main course(s) which means: your are going to use your hands, baby! Look, we Mexicanos have no problem with this as we have our tortilla techniques down flat so we can take a dainty piece of injera and scoop up a generous portion of the meat, hummus and salad with a graceful "swoop", an art in itself! I had to donate a big piece of injera to R because his injera to meat ratio was all wrong - ha! Talk about a Mexican Cracker! One question though, is the injera supposed to be room temperature? I'm a big "MY FOOD MUST BE SERVED HOT" freak so I like my edibles right out of the sarten, stove or wok. Ok, anyway the food was hot and tasty, I liked the Ethiopian spices that were actually very similar to Indian spices. I did think the place was a bit on the dark side and had trouble reading the menu, only the tables on either side of the place had overhead lighting, we were in the middle and in the shadows. Service was good, the waitress was a bit rushed off her feet with all the tables being full - yes, 1 waitress, though an older man did come in to help for a bit. Be warned: If you do go to an Ethiopian restaurant don't ask for utensils, just don't.
I will go back but after exploring many of the other restaurants in Lower Haight.

This neighborhood seems to be in the middle of a huge transformation and it couldn't have been more apparent then when we passed by Mad Dog in the Fog and nearly fell over. The place is unrecognizable. From divey, comfy, homey, live band playing local pub to swanky, sterile, record (?) spinning dj bar; mind you this opinion is based on solely walking by and gawking at the interior. Will eventually visit for a pint or two.

From Robbert (on the left)

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Stolen from Shonna and Karen

I rarely do these, so pardon the lameness of my answers, and wait, are they supposed to be one word answers?

Where is your mobile phone? Vest pocket
Where is your significant other? Getting ready for work
Your hair color? Brown with highlights, not sure if I like the highlights, I think I may look too chacha
Your mother? Temple City
Your father? Temple City
Your favorite thing? Fleece jim jams
Your dream last night? I was hanging out with my girlfriends from 7th grade
Your dream goal? To be an independently wealthy wench
The room you're in? Office with pictures of friends/family all around me
Your hobby? Psychedelic paintings
Your fear? Heights and grasshoppers
Where do you want to be in 6 years? In a kayak on the Waimea River or sipping wine in Spain
Where were you last night? At home baby, it was a school night
What you're not? False
One of your wish-list items? Inner peace
Where you grew up? So. Cal, Veracruz, So. Cal, Nor. Cal
The last thing you did? Eat Trader Joe’s sun chips
What are you wearing? One of the scarves my Mom knitted for me
Your TV? Acting wonky
Your pets? Husband
Your computer? Emac, acting wonky
Your mood? Sleepily
Missing someone? Yuppers
Your car? Scion TC
Something you're not wearing? Boots
Favorite shop? Aaron Brothers
Your summer? In October
Love someone? Yuppers
Your favorite color? Changes too often, but mostly brown or green
When is the last time you laughed? This morning
When is the last time you cried? Yesterday when I watched the Matt Dancing video

Academy of Sciences

Ok, ok so we didn't make it in to the Academy of Sciences, but one day we will and that's the good part; that's something to look forward to.

To pass the time we strolled along and admired the art work that was set up in one of the clearings near the music pavillion and listened to an elderly Chinese man

playing the morin khur (horse headed violin/Mongolian bowed instrument) while another man (not with him) was pulling off some cool acrobatics.

The sun was warm and welcoming despite it being November 23rd and on days like these there is no other option but to venture outdoors and absorb the rays that will soon become rare instances as brother fog descends and strengthens its hold over them.

Amador Wine Country

It had been just over a year since the last visit to Amador Wine Country. This time we took some friends along for the ride and for some great wine tasting. About an hour East of Sacramento Plymouth welcomed us with beautiful rolling hills, mild weather and a delicious sampling of their excellent wine production. With complimentary tastings, an impressive food spread at Amador, delightful sparkling wines at Karmere (peach, almond and raspberry, you guys!) and great friends to share this with, how can one go wrong?

Here we are in the Dobra Zemlja caves. Photo taken by a cool guy named Arnold, I think! More pictures coming soon.

Samhain at work, because we're cool like that!

Not that I had anything to do with it! Buahahahahahaha!

These are some of the participants in the "Laurel Heights Door Decorating" Contest.

For more scary pictures, see my photo album!! Oooooh, spooky!This is where the costume contest will happen...15 minutes to go!

Truly terrifying!

Preching to the choir

Democracy is not average people selecting average leaders. It is average people with the wisdom to select the best prepared. Facts are powerful!!
Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin, what if things were switched around?.....think about it.
Would the country's collective point of view be different?
Could racism be the culprit?
Ponder the following:

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first life after a severe disfiguring car accident, when she no onger measured up to his standards?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five? (The Keating Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980s and early 1990s.)

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?

What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?

Educational Background:
Barack Obama:
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations. Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and BA. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Education isn't everything, but this is about the two highest offices in the land as well as our standing in the world.

You make the call!

Bouldering...who knew?

You've heard of the indoor rock walls the intrepid, brave, the ones who don't know any better take on for the thrill of it, right? Well, R and I decided to head out to Planet Granite in Chrissy Field to see what it's all about. Turns out that before you can head on up those massive indoor rock walls you have to take several classes - smart move. In the meantime you can perfect your grip and falls over in the bouldering area. All I have to say is I'm thankful for the big and strategically placed mats provided since amateurs like me spent much time plopping onto them *splat*!

Ok, I'm up here, now what?

R - Like he's been doing it his whole life...well he has, kinda...

No net, no rope, no broken bones, huzzah!


Having a "rock"ing good time!

Bouldering...who knew?

Bouldering...who knew?

Mariachidelic moves to the Haight!

My piece, Mariachidelic, was purchased by Mark the owner of 683 Gallery in the Haight! How serrendipidous is that? Of course I'm so happy I'm bouncing up and down in my chair despite my sore knee and overhead fear caused by those pesky, noisy Blue Angels!! Thank you Mark and Pilar!!

Footage of my cable show on You Tube!

Someone finally figured out how to get the footage up there!

Enjoy! Mellow Drunk Definitely there's more stuff posted by the same video genius!

I directed the videos, wheeeeee!!
Cee
xox

Filling up my suitcase like a hungry mouth to feed...

Off to the Garden Isle for a couple of days, I'll be back online on October 3rd if my inbox at work hasn't gone completely lolo! Not to mention the gubment!

Photo by Brad Dawber

Title of this blog is a lyric from On the Tip of My Tongue by the talented

Marty Willson-Piper.

Monday cartoon

Mariachi Delic

For those who didn't get the personalized email - this piece will be shown at the UCSF Fall Art Show 2008. I used acrylics, watercolors and ink. It has a shine to it that really doesn't translate that well here but I hope you get an idea of what it looks like. Cheers!

Ewan McGregor is My Neighbor, ehrm...

I mean, this is his car, right? Right?

I didn't hang around long enough to find out whose car this belongs to, so until proven otherwise it's Ewan's car, yeah Ewan Lopez!

What happens when there's an art sale and you've just had some magic cookies.



Smart car, can be picked up and taken away by about 5 people!
Super cute and smart!

McCain Invented the Blackberry!!!

Get this. Apparently, John McCain invented the BlackBerry! Today, McCain's top economic adviser waved a BlackBerry in front of reporters and said, "He did this...You're looking at the miracle John McCain helped create."

A miracle indeed. Who ever would have guessed that the BlackBerry was invented by a 72-year-old man who recently called himself computer "illiterate," talked about "a Google," and said he "watches" blogs?¹

Today's news took even McCain's biggest admirers by surprise. In fact, we just "found" an amazing video from Billy Mires, the "real" bus driver of the Straight Talk Express reacting to McCain's impressive technological feat.

Well if Gore can be credited with inventing the internet...why not? Ha, these guys kill me!

Feliz Dia de la Independencia

Or...

Happy Independence Day, for los Mexicanos! Ajuuuuaaa!
Of course I had to find the creepiest doll for the celebration.
¡Otro tequila!

Top Ten Sarah Palin Scandals

When you have time and you have your investigative reporter hat on (that or your responsible voter hat) go visit Common Mistakes bloggie and have a nice read. Follow the links and become informed...pass it on.

You know the good ol' boys are churning their own butter to this picture! This photo may actually kill all terrorists on sight. Perhaps a aerial drop of this picture over Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan?

"When asked last month about the vice presidency, she [Sarah Palin] said, 'I still can't answer that question until someone answers for me: 'What is it exactly that the VP does every day?' When asked about Iraq, she said, 'I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq.' "
-Gloria Steinem, September 4, 2008

Chillaxing on Mr. Grizzly bear. "Please don't maul me, Mr. Grizzly bear, oh wait, you can't, you're dead! Ha, ha!"

Warm and Fuzzy Taggers

The intention is a good one I suppose, but the execution is still a misdemeanor and if it were MY fence I'd be very put out! I guess I'm turning into that woman who'd scream "get out of my yard!!" when you were outside playing softball with your friends and the ball would accidentally roll onto her property. Now all I need are like 12 cats.


Good advice from the street preachers.

Weekend/Fin de Semana

Of course the day when both R and I are off the sun decides to beat it behind some low lying fog, undeterred we decide to head east towards Fort Mason and to our delight the sun was smiling, the dogs were running, the Fight Against Breast Cancer was winding down it's 3 day march and we enjoyed a Domingo echaos.

By the way my great friend T is walking in the Cancer 3 Day in DC, here's the link to her page, if the spirit moves you please send her some $ and good vibes. Thanks!

Ghostly Golden Gate Bridge.

I began work on the piece for the UCSF Art Show, it's called Mariachi but it may change to Mariachidelic (acrylic, watercolor and ink)

Can't stand it

One of the many, many reasons Palin is a bad choice for any public office.
Have you ever heard of aerial hunting?
It's a brutal practice. Wolves are shot from low-flying aircraft or chased to exhaustion, then killed at point-blank range.
Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for Vice President, promotes this barbaric practice,
exploiting a loophole in the Federal Airborne Hunting Act to allow private wolf killers to shoot down wolves using aircraft.

Please watch this powerful video by Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund, and then share it with the wildlife lovers you know: Please paste the url into your search engine.

http://actionfund.defenders.org/palinvideo

Murphy and Noonan - how they really feel

What they said.

From MoveOn.org
It's funny what Republican pundits say when they think nobody's watching. Today, John McCain's former campaign chief Mike Murphy and former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan were caught on tape after an NBC interview. They shared their real thoughts on McCain's judgment in selecting Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Pass it on, si quieres.

What are you looking at?

I am so wearing this at the next bored meeting!!

Mexican Cracker

So this here is the very beginning of Mexican Cracker, some more insanity by yours truly.

Es el comienzo de Mexican Cracker, mas locura cortesía mia, para servirle. Orale puesn!! (the puesn is on propósito!)

Introducing Lalo, El Mariachi!
Les presento a El Mariachi, Lalo!

Time waster with scenes of San Francisco

Go tech savvy geeks! For Star Wars fans and beyond: Death Star

TV, Clement and GG Park

Kate and Sean drove down from Sacramento so Kate could be on my show, OTTOMT. The interview flew by because as well all know the set up for a television shoot always lasts longer than the shoot itself. This time my colleague Rod directed the show and I actually played host. The new episode will air on Saturday the 23rd of August. It's funny because Kate had the boys watch it at Casa Balboa, I saw the second half of the epi. See? I'll pretty much do anything in front of a camera within the limits of propriety but that doesn't mean I have to watch it, right? Right. Anyway, it's a solid interview about Kate and her scooter obsession which includes fashion, art and stationery. So, tune in if you can. In San Francisco, Cable channel 29 at 6pm 8/23/08. Online go to AccesSF and click on AccesSF 1, scroll down & click it again under the should be able to see it.


My guest for the show...Kate and her "scooter patches" jacket



Award winning Director, no really, stop laughing!



Chillaxing at Casa Balboa



Pagoda at Golden Gate Park's Stow Lake

Party at Shaggy's House!

We've known Shaggy for a few years now and he's such a cool cat that it would have been outrageous to miss his birthday bash. With a well stocked bar and a couple of bands playing in one of the vacant flats that make up the courtyard everyone had a great time in spite of the bone chilling wind that picked up as the night progressed.

Window sized birthday card!

Shaggy's hair gone all frizzy!

Follow the beacon of light to the bar, notice double fisted drinker! Also note the coats and hats, this is a summer party, right?

Me eez Kaia cat and mai ayze kan steel ur sol

Band in the window of the vacant flat, Shaggy on the stair case, lights all around.

Shopping on Sunny Saturday

I had to run to Walgreens; this was the second sunny Saturday in a row and I like it. I was about to go into Aaron Brothers (75% sale - hello!) when I decided to snap this shot. It's the Blarney Stone and a new Irish Bakery next to it.
(Bakery! Hey Shonna!)


Two Irish establishments next to a Korean book store. My hood, baybee!

On the way back from Walgreen's I took a picture of what is directly across the street from the Blarney. You gotta dig diversity! Russian cafe and a Greek market!

Don't leave home without your stylish do rag, y'hear?

Someone needs their restraints tightened!

So I get this phone call at 9 this morning regarding an open position somewhere in the university, at the time I had no idea who placed it, at the moment I have a clue. ANYWAY so this person, who shall be referred to as Bingo, goes on to tell me that the health care industry has been brutal and that it turned Bingo's mother into a zombie thanks to wrong medications. Then Bingo got all racist on me. Bingo never cursed and was very well spoken during the racist assaults, the inconsistent ramble ("I'm half black and half Latino, my Mom is Latina...I was adopted by and Irish family and I have Japanese cousins") and the crying. Yes, crying that was amazingly turned on and off quite quickly and effortlessly. Bingo was creeping me out but I didn't want to interrupt less Bingo go crazy(er) on me, so the rant went on and covered topics about people with flashlights and video cameras in showers, and being misdiagnosed for 32 years, how god was going to punish Bingo for telling the truth... SO turns out Bingo sent in a resume to apply for the open position which would include working with people with diverse ethnicities, with the very same ethnic group Bingo was hating on - ironic, isn't it? One positive thing Bingo said that may cause the researchers to consider the resume: Bingo will work for freeeeeeeee... Now can I call Bingo crazy?

Going away party

My friend and colleague, Mayra, is leaving our division for a similar position still within the university; it's different in that it's closer to her home and it pays more - how can you say no? The folx that work with her directly are super bummed she's leaving and so am I not only because she's a fabulous woman but also because she always laughs at my jokes, bless her little cotton socks! Mayra is wearing the red blouse.

Food catered by Pancho's on Geary Street. Mayra loves Panchos.
Oh, and yes those are lychees on the table. Lychee fruit frightens me.

Gorgeous day for Mayra's last day. Looking East towards downtown San Francisco, aka the Financial District.