Shoes, Fast Food, y español

So last night, I went out to the Eddie Bauer outlet in San Leandro. It was on the way home, and I needed some new pants, and what the hey, I'm always up for a good sale. Didn't find any pants (they were all classic fit, and this toches ain't classic, k?), but I found a few shirts that were a very good deal. Then I went next door to the Nordstrom Rack, and I found this great shoe, something I've been wanting for a long time now. When I went to the Shoemate to pick up the left one, dammit all to hell when they didn't find the match! I'm all, "y'all are lazy. Go back and look again." I was so disappointed. I guess it wasn't meant to be.

So, in order to quell the depression, I went over to the brand spanking new Del Taco on Hesperian Blvd. in San Leandro. One of the great people I met down in the Springs, Paul, told me they just opened it up, and it was all the rage or something, well natch it would be the rage because Del Taco whips Taco Hell's ass any day. Every time I drive down I-5, I stop in Santa Nella, hungry or not, and load up on Del Taco. Uh huh. Yummy yummy in my tummy. I kept saying that when I was talking to him and it became a joke because he didn't see the specialness of Del Taco. We didn't have them in the Bay Area until just recently, and apparently, there's been one in Campbell right close to where I work, one in Newark, and one in (my possibly new neighborhood) Fremont. Well, who knew? And why didn't you tell me? Anyway, so I chowed down on some hearty burritos and a juicy Coke to make up for the lack of new shoes. And the kicker was that the shoes were marked down 35% from the last tagged price ($35.99) for a total of (close enough to) $25.00!!! What a deal! ¡Qué suerte! But it wasn't meant to be.

So then I made my way back to Emeryville for a fill-up and wash. Let me tell you, the Shell station on Powell Street, on the corner next to the Holiday Inn and the on-ramp to I-80, has a good deal on gas right now, but their car wash leaves way too much to be desired. Most of the road crud is gone, but it looks half-assed. Plus it's slow as hell. Whatever.

After that, I drove over to the Borders to make a purchase of a couple of books so I can aprender español. I have waited long enough to learn the language, and I've missed out on more than one opportunity because of the language barrier, so there I go, at home, in my spare time. Languages are a game to me anyway, so it'll be fun as well as useful, and I'll then be a true polyglot, a trilingual. Wheee!

The Friday Random Ten: The Closure Edition

Fire up the iPod, set it to shuffle, and write down the first ten songs that play. No cheating. No skipping forward.

1. Hey Jack Kerouac—10,000 Maniacs
2. Delta Dawn—Helen Reddy
3. Where's That Rainbow—Barbra Streisand
4. Alors on se raccroche—Natasha St. Pier
5. Is You or Is You Ain't My Baby—Diana Krall
6. Deep Deep Ocean—Belinda Carlisle
7. Spider Web—Joan Osborne
8. Marry Me—No Doubt
9. Why Walk When You Can Fly—Mary Chapin Carpenter
10. Go Your Own Way—Fleetwood Mac

I finally saw Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith last night. Obviously, I knew the basics of what was going to happen, and I had read a lot of the spoilers, so there were no giant surprises as to plot, just a lot of emotional shocks here and there. And obviously I had to see it regardless of the content. I loved it. It was awesome. Critics be damned, it was necessary to tie all the stories together, and though the film did so rather quickly at the end, the pieces all fell into place and completed the stories as we know them. I loved it. But I thought it was a very sad movie. It was sad to see Anakin Skywalker fall into the lies and hatred of the chancellor and the dark side. It was sad to see him turn on the people who loved him and cared for him and raised him. It was totally cool how he became Darth Vader, and I will admit that a very strong chill went down my spine when Vader ripped himself from his initial restraints after having been recreated. Wow. I was loving that. That's a scene I'll replay a couple times once I get the DVD.

So it's Friday. Blah blah blah. I'm gonna try to leave early this afternoon. I'm gonna try real hard. I have a "Spanish lesson" this evening, and I really don't want to miss it. This weekend should be fairly light. I'm going to the city for the day on Saturday. I haven't really traipsed around over there in a while, so I'm gonna give it a shot. I'm dying for some pasta in a thick, heart-stopping cream sauce. I'm also dying to check out Amoeba for a few CDs that I don't have yet. And I'm also just dying to go look at cute men.

It's 8:30-ish, and I would love a hot dog with relish right now.

So, Happy Friday.

Brava Diva Brini

If you haven't heard of Brini Maxwell on the Style Network, you are truly missing out on an infectious personality who rivals Martha in style and panache. Put them side-by-side, apply the appropriate filters, and you wouldn't be able to tell one from the other! I don't have cable, as I'm sure I've mentioned before, so I wouldn't have heard of her. But my new friend Paul showed me a few episodes of her show, and I was hooked. I immediately ordered the whole first season on DVD. Because we "lost" our tuner, I can no longer play DVDs at home (it's getting more ghetto by the day, it seems), and Paul was generous enough to let me visit him to watch them. Otherwise, I'm in front of my iMac with my headphones on. And I thought I was all set up.

Then yesterday, I was pleased to purchase the first season of Bewitched (in black and white). Gawd, Mary, I love that show. I can't tell you how much I love that show. A long time ago, Columbia House had the first season available on VHS, which I subscribed to immediately. However, their tapes didn't have the full list of shows from season one. They picked and chose which episodes they gave us, and I was jilted out of my favorite one, the second episode where Endora and Samantha go to check out the new house Darrin is looking at. It was a great episode in which Darrin also meets Endora for the first time. But it wasn't available through Columbia House. I was lucky enough to have a copy of the ep from a Bewitched marathon Nick at Nite had on a long time ago, like pre-Navy long time ago. Anyway, now I have them all. Wheeeeeeeee!

My engine light is on, and I'm starting to freak out a little. It's the first time I've really had to worry about the car since I've had it, regardless of any entry in this godforsaken blog. I'm taking it in tomorrow morning, and I'm crossing my fingers hoping that fate will smile on me and not rob me blind. I'm also taking the bus to work for the first time in about three years. The Dumbo Express again. I need the exercise and the time to read books again, so maybe I'll make a habit out of it. I'll bring my camera with, just in case I find something curious to capture.

That's all.

Blisters and Band-Aids

So, I'm driving home last night, checking the four voice mails waiting for me...a record number all at one time...when I hear that my long-lost friend Skot is in the Bay Area. He and another long-lost friend, John, were up for the day and had plans to see a concert in the city that night. He suggested that I meet him over in the city to see each other in person for the first time in over seven years. I was a little wary that I wouldn't make it due to my commute and the time his concert started, but I did what I could. In the end, they decided not to go to the concert, I met them over there, and we drank and laughed and talked and all kinds of shit. I was out until 1:30 in the a.m. I don't know why I was so nervous seeing him again. So much time had passed, and so much had happened to me in the course of this time that I didn't know if our relationship would be the same fun bond that we shared so long ago. I've known him for fifteen years! That's almost half my life! And the fears were for naught. There were some awkward first moments of silence as if none of us knew where the conversation would lead, but after a while, it was all just the way it was—carefree and fun with no pressure. I haven't had fun like that in a long time, and I hope I can see more of them.

This morning, I woke up at 6 a.m. with my alarm...well, no, I woke up at 4:23 a.m., and then again 5:42 a.m. but for all intents and purposes we'll start at 6 a.m...showered and left the place by 6:32 a.m., drove down to the VW place, and dropped my car off for a diagnosis. Then I hoofed it to the BART station at 19th Street and proceeded on my way to the bus at Union City. I forgot how long this trip is. I got to the BART station at 7:32 a.m., and the bus didn't drop me off until 9:13 a.m. It's almost as long as if I drove, plus I got to read a book, a real book with paper and ink! It was relaxing and engrossing, although a little warm inside the bus. If I could manage to get up that early, or earlier, every day, I'd seriously consider this as an alternative three or four days a week. I did the cost comparison three years ago, and it's still applicable. I love mitigating this commute, don't you?

I just got a call from the repair shop. They determined that it was the coolant sensor that tripped the engine light, and with my history of coolant problems in my past cars, just fix the damn thing and be done with it. I can subsist on ramen for a while. ’S OK.

I'm a little crabby, but overall, I feel pretty good. I got less than five hours sleep, I didn't get to iron my shirt for today and I'm a little crinkled, but I can blame that on the commute, and we have a welcome lunch for our new vice president this afternoon at Spagos in Palo Alto. I don't know if Spagos is a "chain," or if it's just another generic Italian name like la cucina or something, but it's Italian, and I could so go for that plate of pasta in a heart-stopping cream sauce that I didn't have last week. I'm on foot for this commute, so I can burn it off. My life is one mitigation after another.

Happy Thursday.

The Friday Random Ten: The Twinkle-Twinkle-Twink Edition

Fire up the iPod, set it to shuffle, and write down the first ten songs that play. No cheating. No skipping forward.

1. Gold Dust Woman—Fleetwood Mac
2. Get On Your Feet—Gloria Estefan
3. Parlez-moi de nous—Hélène Ségara
4. Sweet Toxic Love—Culture Club
5. La clé—Patricia Kaas
6. What You Waiting For—Gwen Stefani
7. Je me souviens—Lara Fabian
8. Miss Marmelstein—Barbra Streisand
9. Heart for Hire—Swing Out Sister
10. The Longships—Enya

And one more because I couldn't resist:

11. That's Rock ’N’ Roll—Shaun Cassidy

So, I got my car back this morning. After passing several members of the Dead Presidents Society from my hands into the hands of Broadway Volkswagen, I was all set. There was a recall notice for the hazard light switch, which they took care of, and now the signals sound different when they're on. It's higher pitched, and a little more shallow. I notice things like this. No big deal, though. I so love my car, and though it did cost a pretty penny to fix it this time, it's worth it, especially when I realize the weight of the problem...I absolutely fear overheating and being stuck somewhere. It's the biggest fear I have in any car that I drive. And can you blame me? Oh, I guess that whole drama was before this blog existed. Maybe if I'm bored sometime I'll write about it.

I'm still super tired from all of the social activity this week. I'm not used to being so active and out every night of the week. Last night, I got home at about 7:30 p.m. and was in bed by 8:00 p.m. I slept almost twelve hours and woke up just as tired. Go figure.

Tonight, I'm going to see Bewitched with Paul and the East Bay Bears Movie Group, which supposedly also caters to the greater GLBT community of the East Bay. This should be interesting. Really. I love movies, and I am especially fond of bears, so I'm sure we will have fun. I'm not sure about the movie, though. I've had the first season of the TV show staring me in the face all week, with no time to watch any of it, and the whole concept of the movie is a little disturbing. I like Nicole Kidman (am I the only one left who does?), and I can't wait to see Shirley MacLaine as Endora. Open mind, Michael. I can't wait to see Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Batman Begins. If I like the movie Bewitched enough, I can see it again with the San Francisco Movie Bears.

So, for now, I'm at work, struggling to be productive on a sunny Friday. I was tempted to call in sick today and drive down to Monterey for a quick visit, but you know, my work ethic prohibits me from playing hooky, and that sucks. Oh, and our lunch yesterday was pretty good. There was no pasta in cream sauce, but the waiter was creamy and dreamy enough to stop my heart whenever he put his big meaty hand in front of me. I couldn't help myself. I was out of it all day anyway, so I can't be responsible for actions taken in my haze. I wasn't lewd or anything, please! I was just leering at him like he was dessert.

Happy Friday.

Movie Review

OK, let me start by saying that I'm not a movie reviewer, as much as that doesn't need to be said. I like most of the movies I see, and I am never impartial enough to really give a decent account of a movie. Whatever. So, I saw Bewitched last night, and to sum it up, I'll just say that I won't be seeing again on Wednesday night with the SF Movie Bears. I liked it, generally, but I really don't like Will Ferrell. His brand of comedy is just not funny to me, and I had a hard time watching his scenes. I thought Nicole Kidman was great, I always do, and overall the premise was interesting. It was a cute movie. Maybe I'll put it in my queue, maybe not.

Pride

1. Useless :: Tits on a tomcat
2. Radiant :: Heat
3. W :: Hotels
4. Unpaid :: Workers
5. Geek :: Love
6. Unfaithful :: Isn't everyone?
7. Reboot :: Ctrl + Alt + Del
8. No! :: Please! No!
9. Squad :: Pom-Pom
10. Fetish :: Shoe

Happy Gay Pride. Happy Gay Freedom Day. Happy Whatever You Are Day. Happy Love Yourself and Be Yourself Day. And a special Happy Birthday to my dear roommate.

I spent Sunday afternoon in San Francisco at the Civic Center milling around the thousands of other gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered, and their friends, family, and whoever else decided they needed a day of diversity. I got up too late to see the parade in person, again. I watched most of it on KRON, and by the time we got there, they were already starting to clean up the streets. So H and I walked down to Powell where we met up with Skot, and the three of us walked the rest of the way down to the festivities. There's not much else to say, really. I had a good time walking around, snapping pictures with my new camera, looking at this, watching that. The whole party seemed a lot bigger than it has been in the past. Maybe I just haven't been paying attention.

I'm still not used to the Civic Center being the location of the post-parade events, even though it's probably been that way for years. The first parade I went to was in 1993. The parade was all turned around to end up at Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero. I think this was because the City Hall was under renovation and wasn't a suitable location for a party. So, every time I think about Pride, I think of the Embarcadero, which itself was a mess because of the cleanup of the demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. Anyway... The Civic Center is probably a more apt place to have a celebration as diverse as Gay Pride.

Now I'm home, my face is a little sunburnt, I'm not looking forward to the week ahead, but I am looking forward to next weekend. It's the Fourth of July, and I'm (tentatively) heading down to Monterey to spend some time with Skot. It's a three-day weekend, and Tuesday and Wednesday after that, I've got a class in XML in the city. Now that I'm looking forward to. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Spread the Word!

Free Katie Holmes

iTunes 4.9 and a Public Plea

Apple has released a new version of iTunes which includes support for podcasting, or at least support for downloading your favorite podcasts! This is fantastic news, and while I'm not totally sure how it all works yet, I'm really excited. However, there is already a glitch in the system. As pointed out by our beloved Wanda Wisdom, Apple has not included a top-level category for the GLBT community. I can't see where it is now, but I'm guessing it's somewhere around lifestyle or society or some crap. Read Wanda's message below, and consider sending Mr. Dowling a personal message asking him to give the GLBT community the respect they deserve by showing us at the top level along with everyone else! It is pride month, after all!

Ladies,

Today, Apple launched iTunes 4.9, with a podcast directory and direct podcast support. Totally cool. Download it, if you haven't already (click here). Now you can subscribe and listen to your favorite podcasts via iTunes. Delicious. There are a few bugs and noticeable flaws, but I'm pretty excited. Except for one thing...

Regardless of the coolio factor, I/we (GLBT podcasters) need your help, NOW!

iTunes 4.9 does NOT have a glbt or gay/lesbian top-level category. The only queer show advertised is Queer Eye's sad attempt at something which can hardly be called anything but crap. There are at least eight other queer-produced shows that haven't received any main page recognition (including Madge's show, which is routinely in the top 10 overall). GLBT podcasters would benefit from a specific, top-level category for our content. Please help spread the word.

Please take a moment and Steve Dowling, Apple's senior manager of corporate media relations (dowling@apple.com). Tell him you want a glbt podcast top-level directory in iTunes.

Please forward this email on to anyone you think would be interested.

Your humble drag queen podcaster,

Wanda Wisdom

Untitled

And then I saw Mr. & Mrs. Smith. I can't get that out of my head. I mean, I really only went to see it because of Angelina Jolie, who is too delicious in the film—there is one screen capture of her I can't wait to take when I get the DVD—but something else is sticking with me, and I don't know how to explain it properly, so I won't try, but it's sitting in the back of my mind, nudging me in the shoulder every once in a while. Besides, explaining it too much would give away spoilers to those who haven't seen it yet, and we don't want to do that now, do we?

I've tried to watch Napoleon Dynamite twice already, and I can't do it. The kid is just too freaky to find funny, and while the humor elsewhere in the movie is there, I can feel it, I can't stand looking at him. That painfully-tight curly do and those thick, giant glasses make me wince in pain. Maybe if I just listen to the dialogue...

I'm starting to hate this job...again. I'm sure I've written about this before. But now I realize why I hate it: I'm doing the work of two people, a manager and a publisher, and I'm getting toxed out and tired of being dumped on. I can't complain too much because I'm still here and collecting a paycheck, and I promised myself that I would stay through the submissions this year. Drama, I know, but it's starting to hurt a little. I still want to drive a truck.