Ann-tastic

I am back from the glorious Danube River cruise - our first through RSVP - and as always, had a fantastic time. Jeff and I have got this thing now. We know how to choose vacations, we always have a good time. River Cruising is more low-key than ocean ones, and with the RSVP crowd, it was as low-key as low key gets. The average age of the passenger is between 50-55, and this is the farthest thing from a party boat. There aren't parties, and the closest thing we got was a costume contest thing on the last afternoon of the cruise, and it went on for only 45 minutes. However, this cruise had Ann Hampton Callaway as the entertainment, and for me, that alone was worth the price of the trip. Imagine having her sing almost every night? Yes, it sounds as good as it was. And getting to know and hang out with her is like cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. She is fantastic, with positive energy, wit for ages, and I get her, and I think she gets us, too. This makes a once-in-a-lifetime trip a truly unforgettable event. I am now home with a glow, and am kind of depressed to be going back to the low humdrum of my normal life. But, there's always some other next time.

2 1/2 Weeks

- Two and a half weeks until the river cruise, and I am more excited. I took out my luggage tonight and started filling it with some items I definitely want to bring. Again, this is two weeks of traveling and I have a specific vision that I want to accomplish, and I hope to be able to execute it. I finally got our documents this week and it looks good. This is definitely going to be a classy trip, and even though we hit a snag with Desiree, I am quite happy with RSVP. I spoke to this guy Nick on Friday, and he just happens to be the one in charge for the Danube trip, and got a lot of insight. Plus, I got ourselves invited to some of the activities for the people who bought their Pre-Cruise package with them, which includes a Pub Crawl in Budapest Saturday night before the cruise.

- I still have not gotten a hotel room for the first night. I am inundated with choices but you know what? I will just pick one, as long as it is near both the Intercontinental and Le Meridien, it should be fine. The first night I just need a bed to sleep in anyway.

Bit Behind

 - I am just thinking, it's just five weeks till the Danube cruise and I am still a lot unprepared. Normally by now I have thought about everything but I frankly am behind - or am I getting too comfortable now not to plan or lay out everything? I have a general idea of what my "look" will be for the trip and I have a little but of execution from it, but still have a long way to go. As years go by, though, I find that I am a whole lot smarter about everything. Gone are the days when i would over pack, for example. I bring just enough - the playing safe in me may bring a piece or two in excess, but no more overload. I have just learned about that the hard way too many times. Okay, now that I am writing about this I am getting more excited... and just a little bit scared that i am behind in my preparation.

I Have Been Changed For Good

We get used to things after a while, and we learn to move on. I remember saying (and writing here) that it is sometimes painful for me to watch the network morning shows because they are all set in NYC, and it just makes me miss the city. But I am ok now, and once in a while, even peek at them. To get the news and weather, I turn to my local station here, and for the most part, I am happy with Jason and Monica from Channel 5 here. They were my default then, and I happily tune to them now. This means that I am now completely at peace here. I was at my local bank on Saturday, and was talking to this guy who also moved from San Francisco same time as I did, and we were comparing notes on how we dealt with uprooting our lives from one place to another. He asked me if it took a while for me to get used to life here, and I said, really no. I really do enjoy the relative silence of my life here, and case in point - this weekend I almost did not do anything, but relished the naps, the reading, the whatever I did. It's all good.

365, and A Day

I was going to do something yesterday to "commemorate"  my year at the desert. I had a vague plan of doing something by myself, for myself but it rained. Yes, it rained on the day of my first year, which is quite unlike what is normal weather here (I would say it rains less than ten times past year) so maybe it was nature's way of giving me something different, something old and familiar. In the end, it was just another day, it seems. Just another St. Patrick's Day. I remember the sights and sounds of the NYC parade, and the past couple of years, it just became a familiar nuisance. I remember spending the day thinking I should get home as early as possible - those belligerent drunks can be nasty and stupid at times. There's a parade here, too, but it's low-key, maybe because the Irish community here isn't as big. So in the end, not much ado about something, and maybe everyone is better off that way.

Mercury Retrograding

Oh, how I despise Mercury Retrograde. I am trying to calm myself right now. technical things have been going haywire. I got home, and all of a sudden my cable box won't turn on, and it really pissed me off. I call DirecTV and it took me a couple of tries, going through hurdles on their phone system until I get a Tech Support person, and we exhaust all possibilities until it is realized that I need a new box, and one won't get to me until three business days and by all calculation that will not happen until Saturday, so here is hoping and crossing fingers that it arrives bY Saturday, and with all these delays and what-nots I won't be surprised if it does not arrive by ten. I hate to be cynical but there you go. And then we keep on trying to call Bombet and we cannot connect. All wires are getting crossed and it really wound me up, and I am still wound up right this very minute and I am just trying my damndest to calm myself down right now so I thought I would write. I mean, i don't even watch a lot of television, and oh, wait for this, what would be worse is that everything that I have DVR'd in there will be gone once I get a new box, so that was another thing that pissed me off.  Oh Lord help me. 

As Today

I feel like I have not written here, and maybe I just need some kind of inspiration. The year hasn't so far been the kindest, but it has gotten a lot better, and I know it will continue to be even better. Valentine's Day is coming up in a day or two and I don't feel anything about it. Year after year it means les and less, and to think ten years ago I would have gone into deep depression by now. But I guess with age comes apathy. Or maybe I have just given up, and that's not necessarily the worst thing in the world.

Anti-Social

A quiet Saturday night beckons. A week ago I was in WeHo at The Abbey and while it was nice and a lot of fun, I can't help but think that I couldn't possibly do that every week. At this point in my life, it would be too much excitement! Right now I am just doing laundry - I have three weeks' worth to do - and I could barely contain myself. That's what old age does, I guess. My brother's group of friends are having a SuperBowl party tomorrow and they are doing the hard invite, but I honestly would be much more content being at home, seeing the Madonna part of the festivities, and then going back to reading, or watching my BluRays. Am I getting anti-social in my elderyears?

The Book Of Mormon

1. There is a guy who owns one of the companies we order supply from. He is one of those older jovial guys - nice but probably one of those conservative Republican types (if I am to go by stereotypes) So anyway, he was at the office and out of the blue went to my desk and said, "Hey Buddy...are you ready for the big game on Sunday?" I assume he is talking about the Superbowl, of course. I played along, and he started talking about football stats and I thought, I hope my eyes weren't glossing over. But the more important thing was, I guess I can still pull of "straight" because why else would he, all of a sudden, talk to me about sports. Bizarre.

2. Our secretary, Jacky, started telling me a story earlier. She said she took her husband, who does construction work, to this family who wanted to have extensions done to their house. In the process of their conversation, the woman told her that she just recently disowned her 13 year old on. The reason: he came out to her. Jacky was saying how bad she felt about the kid, and she said it was probably because the family were Mormons. I told her these people were despicable. Mormons can have as many wives as they want, but they cannot accept a gay son. 

The Memory Of Scent

I went to the movies today and behind me was a woman who was wearing Chloe Narcisse, and I tell you, it brought me right back to 1997. I remember when I used to wear that scent that even Tim was saying that whenever he smelled it on other women, it always reminded him of me. The dominant note is daffodil, but it also powdery and has hints of sandalwood. I haven't worn it for the longest time, and don't even own it now, but I have this sudden desire to wear it all of a sudden. Since it is from the 90s, I am sure the scent has been reformulated and I wonder if it smells the same, although what the woman was wearing swells very close to how I remember it to be, so it should be close enough. But it is funny how smells bring you back to a time and place. Or maybe I am just thinking about this because I am currently reading a book about time travel. Mixed media. 

The New Year Is Here

I will not declare a resolution for 2012 because I will feel like I am just setting myself up for failure, since we all know more often than not those are abandoned by January. I will have challenges, and promises, though. One of my challenges is from last year. I wanted to read 100 book, but I fell short, accomplishing only 55. Well, they say if at first you don't succeed, try again, and I am trying again. Hopefully this year will be better. I won't make excuses for last year, since I know I should have made it. Another promise I will make this year is to always be in the moment. I noticed that when I was lookign at our family Christmas photos, on almost all of them I was on my iPhone doing God knows what - texting, facebooking, twittering. Looking back, it was disgusting. I will spend a lto less time online this year, because I know I spend a lot of my time, especially in the evenings, on my computer. I will limit myself to two hours at the most. I don't care if I watch television, or watch a movie, or read - those activities can be as wonderfully spent as looking at a computer screen. And yes, I do get the irony of writing these things while I am blogging. But it just has to be said...and done.

This Christmas I Give You My Heart

Christmas is almost here, and it's quiet right now. I marvel at how stress-free this one has been. I bought my gifts way back when I was in New York, and whatever I bought recently - not really much - has just been "incidentals."  My life now is just totally more quiet, and I like that. With old age comes a desire for serenity. I love how it's not nearly now about material things for me, for I value life experiences  much much more nowadays. In an hour or two, we are all going to my brother's house where there is a little bit of a spread. I have my specialty "Pernil Puerto Rican Style" roasting in the oven and it should be ready by then. Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

The Gift

The Holidays are really here, whether we like it or not. I got my sister's gift today. She had been harassing me in regards to what to get me, and I honestly didn't want her to get me anything. I told her that I understand times are tough ow, and she has kids, and I wanted her to make them her priority, but she was insistent, and was incessantly texting me, so I acquiesced. I told her to get me the small bottle of Bottega Veneta. I have been admiring and testing the thing for a couple of times now, but every time I try to get it, something better always comes up for me to buy. Every time I sniff it, the combination of jasmine and the buttery leather always gets to me, and it's a reasonably-priced gift, too so I am happy about getting this now, and will be wearing it tomorrow. I finished the last lot of my Christmas shopping last night, at the mall, of all places. I can't remember the last time I went mall shopping, and I thought it was going to be a madhouse, but it was surprisingly pleasant. I did the bulk of my shopping in NYC when I was there the beginning of the month, so this year I am not as stressed. It will definitely be a very different Christmas this year, my first here at the desert. I look forward to it, there's a novelty to the whole Holidays here that I am enjoying. My first Christmas somewhere else after 27 years, who would have imagined?

Health Is Wealth

I started new blood pressure medication last week and when I was in LA noticed that I was having some nausea and vertigo, so when I got back I called my doctor and told her what was happening. She told me she was going to give me new medication but it has been so busy today that I didn't even suggest picking it up. And when I checked my blood pressure earlier, it was high. I hope I get to be better. I always go through this whenever I change medication, and it is kind of frustrating for me. Oh, health is wealth. I hate when I don't feel well.

"If Shadows could talk they would tell us there is gold to be mined, in every experience." - Debbie Ford,

And All Is Well

Just got back from Dim Sum, and all is well. The long weekend served its purpose, and now I am rejuvenated and ready to go back to work. I have a lot to look forward to during the week, and as I aid all is well. I am ready to roar. I still have two slots to fill for my theater viewing and I am getting very close as to what y decision would be. And again, in that case all is well. I feel much better now.

"God turns you from one feeling to another And teaches you by means of opposites So that you will have two wings to fly, Not one." - Rumi,

Relax

I am calm right now, and that's just fine. There is something rally good in stillness. I finished a book in an afternoon, and I feel really relaxed. Isn't that what I always crave, though? Shortly after this, I will pop a Blu-Ray and watch, and that's all I want to do right now. By the middle of the coming week, i will be in New York, and I am still finding the right balance for these trips. The last time I kind of did not where I fit in the city yet, but I have a better idea now. I will still be going through trial and errors, but my expectations now are more realistic. I also don't want to overtire myself this time around, cause that happened the last time. That way, I can enjoy the experience better. I also don't have the overwhelming need to see everyone and everything because pacing is key. 

Art washes away from the soul
the dust of everyday life.
~ Pablo Picasso

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

I was at the Supermarket tonight and of course, I know that Thanksgiving is just around the corner so I see all the ads and specials for turkey and pumpkins, but they were playing Christmas music the whole time and it just kind of surprised me. Well, I know I shouldn't be surprised but it just stuck to me, and right there in the middle of the produce aisle I realized it will be my first Christmas here and I don't know how I feel about that, I am honestly still processing the idea in my mind. Oh how my life has changed from a year ago, like night and day. This time last year, I don't even think the move was an iota of idea in my mind. And look at me now. While at dinner last night with a bunch of people, someone asked me "Are you happy here?" and I couldn't answer the question.

"The bliss you seek Can't be found by another Not friend or dad or mom or lover Begin within and you'll see Its yourself that sets you free." - Jackson Kiddard

For The First Time

I never thought I would do it, but there is always a first time. Last night, i went to a Pacquiao Party. I thought I would hate it, but I didn't, honestly. Well, most of the time, I isolated myself to read via my Kindle, but when the main fight started, I went to the main room with everyone and started watching. And it was kind of exciting, to tell you the truth. I now understand why people love it. Is it something I would always do? Probably no. My taste would tend to be more towards Hugh Jackman Back On Broadway.  But it is always interesting to see how the "other side" lives.  I do hate what the win does for Filipinos - they become these arrogant, belligerent people who thinks they are the shit. I still contend that one person's success does not mean it's the whole country's. But then, I mostly just steer clear of them when they start getting unbearable, and it was back to the Kindle for me afterwards. 

I begin to understand as never before
that holiness is made of dailiness,
of living life as it comes to me,
not as I insist it be.
~ Joan Chittister

Veterans

I just want to thank all the veterans who have served our country so we could be free. Oh, and I also want to thank them because tomorrow, because of the day honoring them,  there's no work! So hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. Plus it's 11/11/11, and isn't there some kind of asteroid that's supposed to hit something? I just keep on hearing Rufus Wainwright's song "11:11" in my head, and right now I am just in that place where I may actually relax. Do you realize it is almost Thanksgiving? Wow, time is sure flying by fast.

"If the single man plant himself indomitably on his instincts, and there abide, the huge world will come round to him." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Delilah's Fault

So maybe it was all Delilah's fault. We were on the car this evening, when while flipping through radio stations, chanced upon the Delilah show. Oh wow, I used to listen to this a long time ago, but I haven't in such a long time. And it is still as cheesy and saccharine as ever, but in my heart of hearts, I loved it. All these people falling in love, falling out of love, falling back in love. All the stories may sound the same, but the beats of each heart are so different. And beautiful. And when I got home, saw the GLEE episode, and it's the one about first love, and first time, and it just tore me apart. I am such a wreck, that I found myself hysterical in tears and I look at myself in the mirror and I ask myself, how did I get here, at this point of my life, and I had no answer.  but now I am okay, and I can just say I like the way I have lived my life, mistakes and all. And I vow never to listen to Delilah again. 

My private measure of success is daily.
If this were to be the last day of my life
would I be content with it?
To live in a harmonious balance
of commitments and pleasures
is what I strive for.
~ Jane Rule