My Sister The Moon

I have just begun reading the book called "My Sister The Moon" by Sue Harrison; I'm on page 61 and I can already tell that it's going to be one of those books that I read over and over and over again. It's set in 7039 BC in a small Inuit village on the sea, a new settlement of people moved by war- but with all the problems that we still have today. It has a timeless feel to it; I'll report later how it goes!

(Belated) Valentine's Day of mine...

So it was last Saturday, but I guess I'm still thinking about it, and it includes a restaurant review, so here it goes... Valentine's Day begun like any other Saturday: wake up at 5am and get my ass to work! Before I left, Sam and I exchanged gifts... he gave me the sweetest card (always made by his hands for me) and a photo of us imposed on a little canvas with it's own little easel for my desk. It was, as his gifts are always, perfect! I gave him some jeans that showed how cute his butt are, that he exchanged! Thought that counts, no? Off to work! I had made Valentine's cards for my co-workers, so I passed them out (I was the only jerk who did cards, but they were so appreciated, so it was worth it) and went about my day. My parents picked me up at the day's end and surprised me with homemade heart shaped brownies with red icing and chocolate covered strawberries with red sugar topping! Those, I ate on Sunday afternoon while Sam was out and had myself the worst stomache ache in like 10 years.... that wasn't because they weren't delicious, but because I ate a dozen... think I over did it? Heh. Onward! After finally getting home (mom had to push a visit to sister AND grandma in there before dropping me off), I relaxed for a few then dressed for dinner on the Blvd! We bundled up and headed out on foot, I mean it's only two blocks to Hollywood Bl. anyway. We walked until we came to a place called El Loteria (or is it La? Either way, you get it). We got a seat at the bar where we had a perfect view of the people making all the food and ordered up taquitos for me (chicken and potato) and Sam got this platter of 12 different tacos that were all two-bite sized. I love taquitos wherever I go, and this place was no exception... their chicken musta been stewing all day and tasted like heaven and my favorite of Sam's platter was the Chicken Mole one (holy cow, it was better than ANY mole I've tasted outside of my Grandma's). Sam's favorite was the carnitas, and after we finished, the chef asked him what his favorite was and gave him another, bigger taco for free! The restaurant is beautiful with a relaxed atmosphere; all white with huge Loteria cards all over the place, Spanish music giving it a feel of a fiesta. The prices were average, the service excellent. I think that I've developed an allergy to lettuce that made me sick later, but from no fault of the restaurant. I would go there again for sure, it's the perfect place to bring out-of-towners.

After dinner, we strolled (slowly) to Kitchen 24 for a lil' dessert & drink. It was empty, which was perfect, because we weren't in the mood for a line. We shared the Skillet Apple Pie, I had tea and Sam a scotch and soda. It was the perfect ending for two fat puppies like us. Our romantic night was an eating contest, but if you know me and Sam, that's just what we like.

Happy Eating! I mean, Happy Valentine's Day y'all!

The Dark Tower Series returns!!!

Well folks, it's Dark Tower time again! It has been six years since I first picked up "The Gunslinger" by Stephen King. Always being a great fan of his work, I still had my reservations about these books simply because the covers just never appealed to me! I am guilty of judging a book by it's cover, don't tell anyone!!! A few friends and I were on a long distance road trip and one of the guys had this book and WOULD NOT put it down until we reached our far distance -- well, it was New York to Vermont, and c'mon, anywhere outside of "the city" is just FAR. But he was so enrapt by it, I just had to ask... and he told me to just read it. So I did. And I'll never judge another book again... The Dark Tower series is fantasy, humor, Western, romance and good 'ol King-horror that we all know and love, but it's more than that too, it's like stepping into another world. And I'll tell you one thing: that world often isn't somewhere anyone would necessarily want to be, but somehow (as he always does) Mr. King makes us believe that we'd ditch the world which we live in now for his freaky one in a second if given the chance! The books hero is Roland Deschain and it's set in a future after the world has "moved on" and he is the last gunslinger alive, roaming different worlds and dimensions toward a Tower that holds the strings of existence in it's floors. He is out to save the world, and he has all kinds of adventures along the way including man eating creatures on a beach called "lobstrosities", I mean really! Maine, lobster! But really, it's just the type of thing that scares the shit out of me and I love it.

I did read all the books, scattered over 2003-2006, but now have to really sit down and read them again, back to back and I'm sucked in again. I find myself thinking about our hero during the day and longing to pick up my book during work hours! So, if you are looking for an interesting read (or seven) do pick it up... but take heed, you won't be able to put it down again!

Finding Fish

Hey everyone, if you haven't heard of Antwone Fisher you are either under a rock, behind the stove or in the junk drawer with all the coupons or scissors. (Here I go with my tangents) I have just finished reading "Finding Fish" by Antwone Quentin Fisher-- one of the best biography books I've read in a very long time. He is a boy who was abandoned by both parents and left a ward of the state, ultimately fostered by an evil church lady who ruined his young life. He describes how he dodged insanity with savoring every little bit of kindness he could grab here and there. His story is inspiring and gives one hope with the resilience of his soul. After he turns 18, he winds up in the Navy where the institution molds him into the man he will be. I found myself sad when there were only 10 pages left and put it aside, as I often do when a story is coming to an end, not wanting it to be over. Finally, I picked it up and found that it ended with me smiling- success!!!! Anyone can read this, it's a simple read and I recommend it to early teenagers especially, if anything it teaches that anyone can do anything.

I know this is late, but... WOW OBAMA-RAMA!!!! Ok, now that that's done, isn't this doll cute? You could get him and pair him up with Barbie or even Ken, who knows? I am listening to a program online called This American Life, episode #296: After The Flood, it's about Hurricane Katrina and all the craziness that happended in New Orleans during that disaster. I am thankful that we have a president in office now that has the ability to think and solve problems... aren't you? I mean, the stories that come first hand from the survivors are INCREDIBLE, some of them make you think that you are actually listening to someone speak of Nazi Germany in the 40's, the way the authorities were treating the good people of that city. I don't want to forget what happened then, and I also don't want to forget that we are still living in a very racist country. The county Sheriff was guarding a bridge that led out of the city (and, unfortunately, into an upscale (white) city- and were actually shooting at civilians trying to walk over that bridge and into land that wasn't flooded and that had electricity. They were shot at. Does that even seem possible? Others were turned away from the Super Dome and the other large facilities (that were miserable anyway) and had no place to go, no water to drink and, well, you all know the deal. I just find it way more awful to hear real life stories of these people... and to know what is actually possible in our country. We often think that we are invincable, un-shakeable, all that. But we aren't... and after mother nature takes over, it's there like we were in any other counrty in this world. USA, not all it's cracked up to be. But, I have hope today... and I gues that's what I'm trying to say right now. That's all.

Very Young Girls

Hey y'all, last night I accidentally stumbled upon this movie on Showtime called "Very Young Girls"... I was browsing the menu, and would have passed it, but saw the genre was documentary, so I had to give it a chance. This movie is about young girls on the streets of New York who are coerced into prostitution... slavery by jerks who call themselves pimps. It was a heart wrenching film that followed a handful of girls who were tricked, kidnapped or finessed into "The Lifestyle". They show video of them on "the track", and at the hands of their pimps, who beat them without mercy. They show how young and innocent girls are turned into young ladies without hope... and no place to turn. But, there was a light and it's called GEMS- Girls Educational & Mentoring Services, and is the only organization in New York State specifically designed to serve girls and young women who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking. GEMS was founded in 1999 by Rachel Lloyd, a young woman who had been sexually exploited as a teenager. GEMS has helped hundreds of young women and girls, ages 12-21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking to exit the commercial sex industry and to develop to their full potential. GEMS provides young women with empathetic, consistent support and viable opportunities for positive change.

Visit their link here: http://www.gems-girls.org/index.html and make sure to catch the documentary on Showtime in the coming weeks. Donate to their cause or just become aware of what's really going on.

I wish the women of GEMS and of the street much love and respect.

Not a lot new these days, only want to share this pic, isn't that crrrraaaazy? I know, I know- me and the cakes, but if you know me, I'm always thinking SWEET!!!!