Note to Self
Red Wine + Raspberry Lemon Drop + Pineapple Martini = Winning Combination
This is the most drunk I've been in a long while. Funny that it should occur on a night out with Harry, Jimmy, and Frank. We had a great dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Vert at Hollywood & Highland. Previously, I was not a big fan of Wolfgang. Thought he was a bit of a sellout. But he really does fusion well and knows how to properly incorporate international cuisine on one menu. The fritto misto was well done. Too much cheese on my pizza. All the pastas were great. And my chocolate souffle cake was to die for. Seriously. Our menus were screwed onto a steel clipboard, and what sort of style contribution that offers, I'm not entirely sure of. After Vert we commented on how many Asian hos were milling around the area, and wondered if they were destined for the 15 and over club, 17, or The Highlands, the pretentious nightclub that is more or less the main nighttime attraction there. We ended up at Jimmy's stand-by favorite, The Room. Then at the Tiki Lounge again, but the "scene" crowd did not appeal to Harry. It's really strange to roll home as buzzed as I am and look around the room quizzically as if I don't recognize it. As if I'm at my parent's house for the first time and am surprised at how many of my belongings are strewn around. I know this is crazy -- but in my present state of mind I am convinced that I have a very intense mental connection with Dozer right now. It's as if we are on the same psychological plane. Am I insane to believe that I share an intellectual wavelength with a cat?
Well, he's not just any cat! I even told Reyna yesterday that Dozer was studying for his GMATs. Not an easy test.
He's sitting on my bed with his arms crossed, one over the other. He knows that he is much classier than I am right now.
Harry is a big ball of fun. Jimmy is reliable and a stand-up guy. Frank, well, it appears that he has a heartbeat.
The King of Sit N' Sleep
... has a lot of 'splainin to do. We'll just leave it at that.
On Thursday night and Friday morning I saw Mary's L.A., which is a very stylish and charming place. I spent time in parts of L.A. I seldom saw during the UCLA years, most of which took place in West L.A. and Santa Monica. She took me to Bossanova, The Tiki Lounge, and Gallodoro -- all great finds. I had a snowbubble instead of a milk tea at CJ's and I went into Giant Robot for the first time. After all, you never know when you're going to need stickers of shrimp tempura and sashimi.
I'm a true brunette now.
Spring break is now over.
Thank You, Allegra, For the Gift of Life
Or, more appropriately, thanks to Eve for having a bottomless stash of Allegra free samples. My ratty cold gave way to some really bad allergies that rendered me completely imbecilic for 2 days. Today I've regained the normal shape of my face and am able to sit upright without feeling it in 5 different places.
I'm here in San Diego, all alone, because Meghan took off to Palm Springs and Las Vegas. Lucky girl. I would have liked to stay here all week but many social opportunities present themselves in Diamond Bar and Los Angeles, and my mom and dad will finally get to see me for a stretch longer than 3 hours. I'll get to spend time with The Fabulous Mr. Dozer.
I can't believe how good I feel. I'm elated.
"The Nap of a Lifetime"
It's a rare treat to hang out with high school friends, especially in San Diego. But when you have Tammy Borrero, "Miracle Worker," as the architect of such occasions, it suddenly isn't so improbable. I was with Mike, Cheryl, and Tammy for a very relaxed and eventful Saturday. Not bad, especially because I was determined to rally through my impenetrable sickness and be good company. Before we went anywhere we had to stop by the drugstore so I could stock up on medications. Then we went to Coronado and had lunch, then walked around the Hotel. We were on the beach and heading towards the shore, but right as we got to the middle I stopped. Loaded with cold medicine and dietary supplements, I said, "I'm stopping here. I'm going to just sit down." I saw that the breeze at that particular location was perfect and it was serenely quiet. There were less people wandering around that vicinity and the sand below my feet was soft and white. I felt heavy and sluggish and my body was asking me, "Please, Karen, can we just lie down on the sand, here and now?" Cheryl looked at me oddly and asked, "You sure you can't just make it to the rocks?" There were crags by the shore, but I knew I couldn't spread myself out and take a nap on those. I said, "No, I'll be here. Fetch me later."
I set my purse down as a pillow and had the most tranquil, soothing nap I've ever experienced. The sand beneath me was soft and firm, just like a Swedish therapeutic pillow. There was a faint breeze in the warm air, and no sun, but the sky seemed pale yellow anyway. I heard the waves billowing against each other and the hollow sound of the sea. I heard voices float here and there, moms and dads calling to their children, the foreign languages of tourists. If I opened my eyes I could see my friends retreating towards the shore.
I fell asleep for 30 minutes and dreamt about nothing. At least, I think so.
When I opened my eyes again, my friends were back to claim me. "Did anything happen while I was here?" I asked. Tammy said, "Yes, a couple guys came by and tried to spoon you and take pictures." I said, "Really?" but Cheryl shook her head. I said, "Did it look weird, me having dropped dead in the middle of the beach?" Cheryl said, "Yes," and Tammy said, "No," at the same time. Then Cheryl said, "You looked like you needed money." Tammy said, "But your sunglasses were a clue that you didn't."
I told them that I had the nap of a lifetime.
After that we went to Mexico and had lobsters in Puerto Nuevo. The sales representatives they have outside of each restaurant pitching the specials are the most coercive smooth-talkers. Finally, so pressured that we were on the verge of crying, we threw our hands up in desperation and settled for an $11.95 special with 6 lobster halves. I think they actually served crawfish.
We took the long way back to San Diego. At the border I saw a pastel frieze of The Last Supper, splattered with glitter, "Wall art for the Florida Christian."
Finally, congratulations to Michelle Kwan on winning her 7th medal at the World Figure Skating Championships. She was brilliant.
Please, Something for the Pain
So, like, thank God my appellate brief got turned in on time with no problems. Eve and I actually turned in a fine piece of work. However, I think it really affected my health because I have this terrible cold and all sorts of back aches and pains. Tonight I went to an appellate advocacy dinner for Moot Court and was intimidated by plenty of faculty and overachieving students at the top of their class. I met some professors and heard lots of gossip.
I haven't been writing too much lately, it's because of my illness-induced half-crazed delirium
Soy Sauce is King
It makes anything taste good and I had it both in my breakfast and lunch. My sister says that I consume too much soy sauce and that's why I'm the darkest member of my family. Although that doesn't seem quite right, who am I to question her -- she's the pharmacist, not me.
Who is it that said to me, "My bed is like the Bermuda Triangle: once I get in, I'm lost and I never return." That's precisely how I feel and I'm nearing the point where it will take a small and organized search team to effectively bring me out of there. I snooze for about an hour and a half each morning before I actually get up, which is why I set my alarm to like, 6:00 AM.
I've done nothing significant over the past couple of days, aside from some legal research. I also watched an excellent TV movie last night on Lifetime. Give TV movies a chance!
Thank You For Being A Friend
Yesterday, I started panicking when I turned on the TV to Lifetime at 6:00 PM and found "Mad About You" playing. What did they do to "The Golden Girls?" I almost screamed. But I rushed to computer and checked the website: they were having a "Mad About You" marathon on Monday only.
It's resumed its normal schedule, and I may resume normal living again.
Diet Log
Breakfast/Lunch: 1 1/2 pasta bowls worth of vermicelli in white wine and vegetable broth with broccoli, asparagus, and portabello mushrooms, half glass fresh squeezed orange juice
Afternoon Snack: 1/3 lb. roasted turkey, 1 Tall Starbucks Mocha
Dinner: 1 bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios with skim milk; 12 Chicken McNuggets
I don't know; I can't decide right now if I disgust myself.
It's just that I wanted to eat Vietnamese food tonight and I ended up settling for McDonald's.
Diamond Bar and Dozer
I finally made up with my sister after that "you ditched me to die" fiasco.
It is a cruel and wrathful God that constantly tempts me to break my Lenten pledges (as termed by Mary). There was a pair of clear Gucci sunglasses framed in silver, the hottest pair in the whole display case, on sale at Nordstrom for $150. That's at least $60 less than what they would normally go for. Both the salesgirl and Vicky enthused about how compatible they and I were, and Vicky is Spartan with the compliments. I mustered all the self-control I've never had when I handed them back to be replaced. 30 minutes later I committed a Lenten transgression anyway, when I bought a Malted Mocha Madness from Gloria Jean's for a preposterous $3.85.
My family and I saw "The Time Machine" tonight, the one with Guy Pearce. Vicky and I really differ about whether he is attractive or not. I say that he is; more than you need to know, but his chest was really appealing to me. How sick to say this, when I was sitting next to my dad during the movie. I'm tired of Hollywood's consistent vision of the menacing ghoul that attacks you in hordes: it is always ape-like, sinewy with bulging muscle mass, monstrous, essentially like the Orcs in "Lord of the Rings." The only difference with the Morlocks in "Time" is that they were white.
A shout-out to my cousin, Beulah Forrest, who gave me a Burt's Bees kit for Christmas. I left it in Diamond Bar awaiting the day that I finished using my other lotions and lip balms, and it was a real treat today to start using the kit. It was actually Vicky who started the Burt's Bees fest and we were poring through the various items like kids in an organic candy store. Later, my mom picked up the same items and we were raving about the fresh and citrusy scents.
Love the Cosby Show. When I grow up, I'm going to be black.
Let the Record Show...
That today, when I was crying on the phone to my mother about being lonely and misunderstood, she said that she would prepare a jar of chicken marinade for me and take me to the movies on Thursday. She dislikes the movies and has not taken me to one for at least 10 years.
Here's to Mom.
Tuesday, and all is well.
I was not unhappy with my feet today.
Claire, Jason, Paul, Joe, and I have got a plan. We're going to meet in London in July. I will sleep on the floor of Claire's bedroom and everything will be peachy keen.
However, the director of the program dissed me when I said bye to him. Because of this, I'm going to go lift some weights. In the words of P.Diddy, "Can't nobody hold me down."
Movie Review
Heartbreakers was surprisingly good. I like sarcasm and sassiness and that movie was full of it.
I really hate renting videos, though. The charges are ridiculous.
Weekend Wrap-up
Anybody ever watch The E! True Hollywood Story: Three's Company? It's totally gripping me right now.
I really love my friends down here in San Diego. I've never met people like them before and as my relationship with each person develops, I become more fascinated and in awe of everybody's individual path. Staying here this weekend gave me a rare opportunity to spend leisure time with people I generally only see in a tense, academic setting.
Anybody see Don Knotts lately? He looks surprisingly good for his age, whatever exponential number that may be.
A Guide to How Law Students Relax
Wow, the effects of a hot bath. All the tension was drained away with the bath water. I had a very eventful weekend already and was relishing the prospect of having tonight alone with my bed, laptop, and a good movie.
The worker at Blockbuster Video was just too into his job -- the kind of guy who has to announce his every move, so everybody behind me in line knows my business. "Hello, and you are taking these two videos today? Ms. Luh? It would appear that there is late balance on your account. Let's just take a look at it. I'm pulling it up right now. Yes, now I'm going to restore the account. It's a late charge. It's going to be $7.50. You're going to use the card, OK, is that ATM or credit? ATM? Just press that green button for the amount. Now you can put your pin number in. And if you could just sign this for me. OK, it looks like you're taking 'Cinderella II' and 'Heartbreakers.' 'Cinderella II' is due Monday at noon and 'Heartbreakers' is due on Thursday. I hope you enjoy watching 'Cinderella II' and 'Heartbreakers.' See you soon."
So, just my luck, to have 10 or 11 people in line behind me at the busiest hour, about 60% of which were typical beachy San Diego guys, hear my movie selections on the one night I chose to be absolutely girly. And, well, a bit idiotic.
I'm really fond of Cinderella. She's elegant, simple, kind, and patient. This sequel seems to model her on Princess Diana, the People's Princess, because Cinderella is eager to introduce local customs into the daily routine of castle life. In the beginning there's a little to-do about how a common maid can possibly maintain the responsibilities of a princess. Of course, no problem, she's actually more wise than even the most lettered and civilized high court official. No country bumpkin here, she's the ghetto rat with city smarts and who-are-you-to-judge-her. Plus, she's in love. She's in a very fulfilling relationship with a stand-up guy who also happens to be the prince.
The downside is that she has these dumbass mice sidekicks who speak with totally impaired English. They're overly gesticulative with their wiry mice arms and in their overeagerness to help Cinderelly assimilate, they end up fouling up the most important state functions. In a desperate move for a plot twist, one of the mice gets turned into a human by the fairy godmother. More snafus abound. I know that no Disney movie would be complete without a talking animal, but really, hasn't the marketing team figured out that they were never the box office draws? Another gripe I have is with Cinderella's up-do, that strange coif where she looks like she has this tiny ass on her head. It's that bun with the weird crack in it. Other than that, though, the fashions are colorful hoop skirts with nice ribbon work, and other styles suggest that the movie is set in 19th-century low country -- maybe Belgium or the Netherlands.
The movie also addresses the reality that the stepsisters are not really bitches but misunderstood, and have long suffered under the adverse domination of the stepmother. She's taught them a host of shallow and misleading values, and the root of most of their malice is from insecurity and lack of self-esteem. Anastasia secretly covets Cinderella's fairy tale life and starts to form a relationship with her to look for guidance. The stepsisters are animated to look as if they're almost 40. The Disney team is a crafty sort. Anastasia ends up finding consummate happiness, against her mother's will, with a poor and chubby baker.
Finally, another element I'm having difficulty accepting is that every few scenes or so all the characters break into pop songs. It's the standard Busby Berkley in a cartoon kind of staging, but all the songs sound like they're performed by a Dixie Chick. It's not quite the lilting grace of "A dream is a wish your heart makes," but more "Oops, I did it again."
Now, who would've known that this movie was so socially progressive? Fittingly, the song at the closing credits is "Bippity Boppity Boo - The Remix."
Martha Stewart and Tecumseh
Thursday is finally here -- the law student's Friday. At least, here in San Diego. Another close friend dropped out of law school this week and the tension at school is palpable. I'm not going out tonight in favor of curling up with a good torts book.
Also, the weather is rainy and damp, perfect with an episode of Martha Stewart and a cup of Chai tea.
In my property reading last night, there was a footnote about the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. He said that the Great Spirit had given the North American continent to the Native American people and that no tribe could sell any of this common territory to the white expansionists coming across the Appalachians without the consent of the all the other tribes. He denounced some chiefs in Indiana who sold three million acres for $7,000, on which land half a dozen other tribes were still living. Governor of Indiana, William Henry Harrison, would not cancel these land-treaties and so Tecumseh went to war. General Harrison's army killed Tecumseh. The Shawnee Indians moved westward, along with many other tribes, to federally ordained reservations.
Tecumseh is now a city in Oklahoma, whose jurisdiction does not honor legal delivery of land deeds by depository in a bank. Either establish a revocable trust, a will, or give it to a third party for delivery.
I mean, in case you wanted to know.
That Tecumseh footnote was, to me, the most significant part of what I studied last night.
Cirrus wrote a poem about me:
On Karen's New Do
There once was a diva named Karen
Whose hair was fashionably lightish.
When she went out,
The people would shout,
"That Karen, she's always most stylish!"
- C.A. Alpert
You can imagine what kind of joy that gave me. Plus, Po gave me a can of coconut juice from her stash. So, it's been a good day.
I like "The Cosby Show," but I wish Nick-At-Nite didn't give up "Family Ties" for it. Can't we bring the best of both 80's worlds back?
2nd Request for Tuesday
When you're angry, go study.
OK, so I was a little frustrated earlier on today. People have that effect on me. After 5 days of the "no store bought coffee" rule, I had coffee. But I made a new rule: it cannot cost over $3, and it has to be in a social setting with others whose peer pressure compels me to do so.
Dinner is frozen pork and shrimp shumai prepared in a bamboo steamer, and it tastes disgusting.
Request for Tuesday
Don't equate my silence with acquiescence. It's tolerance, and you shouldn't be treating people that way. Do you think that when you talk like that, I am not hurt? Is this what I deserve? Is this how you make your point, or is it how you make yourself feel better? I hate people who deflect all liability; who are so fearful themselves that they try to make others fear. Bring them into their circle of dissatisfaction.
People, I am not silly putty. I don't even ask you for respect. I don't care what you really think of me, but at least be decent human beings and treat others with civility.
I had half a can of well-salted yellowfin tuna in olive oil. It's the best kind. I put it in a yellow bowl and ate it with a large fork.
At least wipe your boots before you start trodding all over me again.
Macaroni and Cheese with Coconut Juice
It's worth mentioning that yesterday I finally saw Hollywood & Highland, which I liked very much. The salesgirl at Benetton was totally insolent, and if somehow you're reading this, yeah that means you and you're a bitch! Reyna and I found at least 5 or 6 things she should not have said or done, but despite all of that she still managed to fleece us of $160. Having once worked at Benetton, I know exactly what kind of commission she gets and what kind of a coup that was.
I had macaroni and cheese for dinner. A friend had a bad experience with this in 1994 and I'm already starting to empathize.
General Rule: Do not eat macaroni and cheese too quickly. It's served as a blob and it will sit in your stomach as one.
Po and I went to the Vietnamese supermarket and stocked up on coconut juice -- the craving continues. Between us, we have 15 cans which I believe we both plan to consume by the end of the week.
Yesterday, I gave up something else for my mock Lent. This will have to endure for the whole 40 days: shopping. Coffee and shopping. If these sacrifices do not bring me to mock Heaven, what will?
It's Oscar is a Southern Gentleman night on Turner Movie Classics and I caught Bette Davis in "Jezebel" and of course, "Gone With the Wind," of which I only watched a few scenes, since I save the annual festival for spring break. I pick a day where I isolate myself in a dark room, with the curtains drawn, make sure my bed has blankets strewn all over it, and lay on my side engrossed for the full 4 hours. If things go my way, the weather on the day of the festival is hot but breezy enough for me to feel comfortable. When it's over, it's about 5:00 PM and the sun is just right, so I draw open the curtains. Here's to being 13 years old again.
Happy Birthday, Dottore Manini!
Ti mando milioni di baci da lontano. Speravo di parlare con te oggi ma forse festeggeremo insieme a maggio... o piu' presto... ad aprile? Dimmi di si!!
It's the amazing Roberto's birthday and we wish him all the best from our sunny but lonely post here in San Diego, California.
And a big BOO to Ramon for flaking on the Chinese Heritage Festival at the Price Center at UCSD. I brought Po and everything! However, both of us were very impressed with ACA Hip Hop's performance. I was so happy to see the old peeps: Jen, Tim, Trish, Nikki, Andi... What a treat. Afterwards, Po and I had a jaunty little Saturday romp at the UTC, 99 Ranch Market, and then in search of the perfect cup of coconut juice.
I'm having a mock "Lent" and I'm giving up coffee drinks. I can only consume coffee brewed here at home, but I am not to spend one more penny on it for at least 2 weeks. Po is still contemplating what she will forsake. I said boys, but we nixed that pretty quickly.
Happy Saturday, everybody. Buon compleanno Topolone Favoloso.
Time After Time
I remember being 19 years old and being a passenger in a green Nissan Altima at midnight, on the 10E headed to Monterey Park for an impromptu styrofoam cup of boba milk tea. I remember feeling excited, intrigued, and curious. I remember being with 3 tall boys: one was Thai, one was Mexican, and the other Irish.
I remember being 22 years old and in my bedroom in Westwood, playing CDs burned in Italy. It now feels like the room had a color, a memory tinted with gray because so little sun was coming through the curtained window. I remember feeling hopeful, young, and eager. I remember being with 1 tall boy: he was Italian.
It's amazing how aligned your memory and your senses are. Scents, sounds, tastes, will bring you back to a place or time. It's the quickest way to travel. Today I unwittingly played a song I often overlook on my playlist, and without any control whatsoever tears welled up in my eyes. The memories attached to the song rushed back faster than I could understand what was happening.
I agree with
Mary -- time goes by criminally fast. I've been asked several times in my life, "If you could have one super power, what would it be?" I've consistently answered, "Like Evie on 'Out of this World,' the ability to stop time by just putting your fingers together." I remember that show, brainstormed by NBC to be part of their "Prime time starts at 7:30!" campaign, but duly went to syndication and moved to KTLA. Whatever its final home, it left me a firm choice for the one super power I would select over any other in our mortal consciousness.
You Never Know
... how a day may turn out. I'm beginning to feel like Doogie Howser as I type into this every night. This is the closest I'll ever get to being a doctor. Anyway, I had a very gratifying and rewarding day. I've started 40% of every day this week with a bad attitude, so it would appear that the key to ending on a good note every day is to start it as a sourpuss. At 4:30 I headed to the mall to pick up a gift for Cirrus. This was the other kicker: I had a $50 gift card at J. Crew, $20 store credit at Victoria's Secret, and $20 store credit at Macy's. Tell me that isn't a gold mine. It felt glorious to shop with such liberty. I was looking for a new pair of shoes for spring, mostly. Just when I thought that I would not be able to use my various currencies today, I came across a darling pair of black leather sandles at J. Crew. They were on sale for $59.95, so with the store credit I ended up paying $15 for a very solid, classy, and useful pair of shoes. Fantastic.
I got ready in a hurry and after Po got here we headed downtown to Bandar. We were going together but I knew on the way back I'd be by myself because she was meeting a blind date that she had somehow convinced to drive all the way from Anaheim. Girls and their wiles! There were more people waiting at the restaurant than we expected -- something like 20 in our party -- and I was lucky enough to be able to sit next to the birthday girl herself. Paul was so sweet and he bought me a rose, even if Joe said the vendor smelled like urine. Joe was another ball of laughs. There was a leftover piece of bitten chicken on Cyrus' (a guy, not the birthday girl, Cirrus) plate and I teased Joe about taking that home in his doggy bag. He said that he had no problem with it, because they were "brothers." Fantastic.
Somebody should tell the DJ at the Onyx Room to enter the twenty-first century. The music there tonight sucked fat monkey balls but I saw a lot of people I wanted to see and met new ones I was glad to meet. Had me a nice tall Sex on the Beach and Eric treated me to a glass bottle of Evian after that. I'm delighted that this prescription also means that tomorrow I won't be hung over. I talked at length to Stefan again, who as an Irish-British-American is surprisingly fond of Cocary and Sam Woo. Fantastic.
To top it all off, I came home to my preset recording of Michelle Kwan on Jay Leno. She was radiant, and I felt more at peace for her than I had all week. She talked about how disappointed she was, but not in a way where you felt sorry or uncomfortable for her. She took the whole thing very matter-of-factly and I was proud that she was so honest and practical. Don't we all have dreams that don't quite come true? But we don't all accept it; we tend to make excuses or blame others. Michelle really is a remarkable person. She was engaging, relaxed, attractive, and funny. I'm really happy for her and will be rooting for her when she goes to Nagano in a few weeks for the 2002 World Championships. Fantastic.
I've got this feeling that I want to listen to Debussy or Puccini. But I've got Pink's "Don't Let Me Get Me" on the Winamp so I may have to just settle for that. Fantastic.
