Power of Music

Is this the greatest album ever? Or just the most spiritual? I've listened to it too many times to count, and some of the songs still give me chills (in a good way).

Amazing

Continuing the luck I've had recently, with concerts turning out even better than my expectations, last night I saw Lura at the Wheeler Auditorium on campus. I kind of bought the ticket on a lark, not really knowing much about her, other than the fact that she's from the same place as Cesaria Evora (Cape Verde), and therefore often compared with her.

I had listened to a few 30-second snippets of her music online, and it was pretty good. So, given the fact that tix for students are half off, a friend and I decided to see her show.

Wow.

The music was great.

Her singing was great.

She was great.

But, three things REALLY stood out in my mind, and left a big impression on me:
1. Her singing seemed so effortless. I think the fact that she was singing in a foreign language might had something to do with it, but it's probably more the amazing quality and clarity of her voice. Either way, singing up there on stage just seemed to be the most natural thing to her.
2. That woman can DANCE!! Holy crap, that was some of the most amazing booty-shakin' I've ever seen in my life (and I don't use "booty-shakin'" in the metaphorical sense, but in the literal sense.)
3. I've never seen someone who appeared to be having so much fun on stage! She was laughing and smiling and it really seemed like she was enjoying performing, as opposed to just doing it for the cash, which, frankly, a lot of bands seem to do. You know, they've been touring around so long that they don't care anymore and just want to get it over with kind of vibe.

Anyway, I ended up buying her cd, partly because the music was great, but mostly because she was signing cds after the show. :)

Weekend in the City

It's still Saturday night (well, technically early Sunday morning), and I've already spent a good part of my weekend in San Francisco. I tend not to go into the city (which, yes, refers to SF, NOT Oakland) very much, because I'm lazy, and because while taking the BART is relatively convenient, it does require a 15 minute walk and a train transfer, for total time of almost an hour. This weekend, though, was different.

My mom was visiting me in Berkeley this past week, but she left yesterday morning. After doing a bit of necessities shopping at BevMo (yes, Newcastle Brown Ale DOES qualify as a necessity, especially when it's only $10 a case!), and taking care of some school stuff, I headed into the city for a night out with my friends Josh and Eric. It was Eric's birthday, and we were celebrating with a big group of his friends at Espetus, a Brazilian steakhouse. I hadn't been to a Churascarria in several years, and in preparation for this meat-eating festival I skipped lunch. Wise move. I gorged myself on several different kinds of excellent meat (and even some veggies) and a couple of caipirinhas (great Brazilian cocktails), but managed to avoid going so over the top that I had to be rolled home.

I had some shopping to do near Union Square today, so I crashed at Josh's place. I got an early start this morning, but ended up spending more time than planned. This was NOT a result of the St. Patrick's Day parade, which only distracted me for a few minutes, because, frankly, it sucked. Mostly just a bunch of kids dressed in green walking down Market Street, followed by the occasional "cable car" full of drunken union members. Anyway, I finished up around 3, making it back to Berkeley a little after 4. After a bit of reading for school and a light nap on the sofa, I headed BACK into the city for a concert.

Bloc Party, one of my favorite bands of late, was playing, and one of my classmates' husband had an extra ticket. Lucky! Ironically enough (for this post, at least), their latest album is called A Weekend in the City, and it rocks as much as their first one, Silent Alarm. The reviews I had seen online for the venue didn't lie (note that the top review was written TODAY, as in, after tonight's show), and it did indeed suck. But the band rocked. They played both of my favorite songs ("So Here We Are" from the 1st album and "Sunday" from the 2nd), and had a great mix of songs from both albums (unlike a lot of bands that tend to only play stuff from their newest release).

Tomorrow, I was SUPPOSED to go see Barrack Obama speak in Oakland, but I realized when I got back home this afternoon that it was actually today. Bummer. But, the upside is I have all day tomorrow to catch up on work, and maybe, just maybe, actually get my summer internship search in gear. Finally. One can only hope....

Comedy Platinum

If there was such a thing as a monopoly on comedy, the writers at Family Guy would have it. I can't believe I had never seen this show until recently. Granted, the whole "out of the country" thing didn't work in my favor, and Family Guy isn't really the type of thing that people would likely get in Japan (I think the Simpson's are mildly popular there, but I'm sure that the different levels of comedy and social satire don't translate very well...).

Anyway, now I'm doing my best to catch up. I came across this clip today, while I was sitting in a cafe taking a break from my homework. I think the people at the tables around me were probably looking at me funny because I was having to contort my face to prevent from busting out in hysterical laughter. It's not comedy gold, it's comedy platinum. 100% hillarious.

Bonne Anniversaire!

Rock 'N Roll, Old Skool Japan style

On Friday night, I went to my first concert since coming to the Bay Area. Earlier in the week, I was sitting in a cafe, perusing one of the local weekly "alternative" newsrags, when I came across the name "Yoshida Brothers" in the concert listings section. The Yoshida Brothers I knew were two brothers (naturally) that played the shamisen, a traditional Japanese 3-stringed instrument. They had gained quite a bit of fame in Japan for their style, both of playing and looks.

It turns out these were the same Yoshida Brothers (really, how many groups could there be with that name?) and they were playing at Yoshi's a jazz club/sushi restaurant in Oakland. After doing a little digging, I found out that some of the Japanese students in my program already had plans to go, so I invited a (non-japanese) friend along, and we went to the show.

I'd heard a few of their songs before, and had even used one as background music in a video I created for my old company. Plus, as I found out from one of the Japanese guys I went with, they have a song in the new TV commercials for the Nintendo Wii. Anyway, I thought I kind of knew what to expect going into the show (although, my friend had no clue), but I was totally blown away. Basically, they rocked. While the set was pretty short (just over an hour), and a few of their songs were nothing special, they had several songs that were amazing, both more "traditional"-sounding ones, as well as the more modern take on Shamisen for which theyre known. The coolest was probably this awesome shamisen-drum "battle" between one of the brothers and the percussionist they had brought along. And at times, the way their fingers were flying over the strings it really seemed like they were playing guitar, not an instrument that's hundreds of year old.

Mmmmmm..... Bacon!

My Dad doesn't eat pork. Not only that, when I was little, he stopped allowing pork in the house. So, with the rare exception of breakfast/brunch outside the house, I grew up on Turkey Bacon.

If you've never had turkey bacon, it's kind of like a mix between greasy meat and cardboard. Sounds appetizing, huh? Now, in what surely must be some kind of Freudian development, I'm a bacon fiend. I mean BACON, the real stuff. The stuff from pigs.

For the past several years, my policy has pretty much been "Anything tastes better with bacon." Hamburger? Check. Pasta? Check. Salad? Check. Ice cream? Well, maybe not, but I did have a bacon-flavored cookie at a restaurant in Tokyo last month (to go along with the mango and cream "egg", but that's another post).

Despite this fact, I don't really cook bacon THAT often. I guess it's a result of not eating breakfast very often, a habit which I'm trying to change, on the weekend, at least. A few weeks ago, I was up at Tahoe with one of my classmates, Jun, and Jason, the husband of another classmate. Being three guys, it only made sense to have a big breakfast on Sunday morning, before our second day of snowboarding, which, of course just HAD to include bacon.

Jason was in charge of breakfast, and he turned out bacon that was so crispy it crumbled. When I asked him the secret, he said he learned from his Dad to cook it really slowly, so that all the fat cooks out (I think that's why). I had always thought you cooked bacon at high heat (which, admittedly, might have also had something to do with my impatience and desire to EAT THE BACON NOW!!!)

This morning, I tried it the slow method. It probably took 20 minutes, which was just KILLING me. But my my my my, was that some good bacon! Definitely worth the wait! The amount of grease/fat that came out was borderline disgusting, though -- it practically filled the pan! Guess in the past that was all going straight through my system.

I still have one slice left, as well as a few slices in the freezer. Yesterday, I found a recipe online for kale and bacon. Guess what's for dinner tomorrow night?

Also seen on TV (when I should have been studying)

LOVE the nonchalant use of the stun gun.

Another great line

"Is the Vice-President Evil?"
--Jon Stewart, speaking with former press secretary Scott Mclellan on the Daily Show

I'm thinkin' the answer is "yes"...

The REAL value of a $12 box of chocolates

Or, "How I turned 12 bucks into a better flight and my own private bar"

Several years ago, I had scheduled a trip from Japan to the US that had me flying on Christmas Day. Upon hearing this, one of my coworkers at the time relayed to me a story about her friend who, flying to Australia on Christmas Day, brought a box of chocolates for the stewardesses and proceeded to get upgraded to business class. Knowing a good deal when I saw one, I brought a box of Godiva chocolates on board with me and gave it to the stewardesses. As it was several years ago, I can't remember if I got upgraded or just got a better seat, but I do remember that it definitely paid off.

Fast forward to yesterday, Christmas Eve 2006. At the airport, before boarding my flight, I bought a box of See's chocolates (yes, it was $12). I figured, worst-case scenario, I was out 12 bucks. As I boarded the flight, I asked the flight attendant where my seat was (showing my pass so she'd remember where I was), and then gave the box of chocolates to the purser, wishing them Merry Christmas.

One of the last ones on the plane, I took my seat and got ready for takeoff. The plane started up, we taxid to the runway, and we were off.... except, before we actually got off the ground, the engines powered down and we came to a slow stop. Apparently there was a problem with the cargo door light, so we had to return to the gate and wait. And wait. And wait. When the problem was finally fixed, the pilot came on and said he had some paperwork to take care of, so we waited some more. And a little more. Finally, almost two hours after our original departure time, we had a successful take off.

The next 8 hours were a rather uneventful combination of reading (The Omnivore's Dilemma), watching airline movies (Little Miss Sunshine and Invincible -- both of which were pretty entertaining) and watching downloaded tv episodes on my computer. Until, all of a sudden, the purser came by my seat and asked "you're the one that gave us the candy, right?"

When I said "yes", he apologized for not "taking care of me" earlier, bemoaning how understaffed they were (it WAS Christmas, after all...), and handed me a plastic bag full of bottles of alcohol. He then apologized again, offered me my choice of red or white wine, and said that while there was only two hours left, if I wanted to, I could sit up in business class for the rest of the flight and have breakfast there.

I practically tripped over myself rushing down the aisle to take him up on his offer. And it was all I could do to prevent myself from laughing out loud with glee. In the end, I couldn't sleep (despite putting the seat completely flat and turning on the lumbar massagers) because I was so amped up, so I read a little and watched a little more tv on my laptop. Breakfast was delicious -- roast beef, salmon, a bowl of fruit and coffee cake, with two surprisingly tasty cups of coffee.

When I got off the plane and finally had the courage to peek into the two bags I had gotten, there was a bottle of Schramberg sparkling wine, two FULL-SIZE bottles of red wine (including a bottle of St. Supery, which is in Napa), and 8 or so miniature bottles of alcohol. While I certainly would not have minded sitting in Business Class for the entire trip, considering the fact that the first 10 hours were a sunk cost and I had stopped expecting anything, all in all it worked out in the end.

Not bad for 12 bucks...

Ever feel like you can take on the world?

What about take OVER the world? I feel like both sometimes. Especially when I listen to this song. Well, actually, not that particular song, although it's great, too. The song I was really listening to in a cafe, earlier today, is called Playstar Vista. But I couldn't find a clip of that one.

Both are from the cd Futurama, by Supercar, whom I've mentioned here before. Because they rock. And because when I listen to them, I feel like I can take over the world. And kind of want to.

Or, at least don't want to study for my finals any more...

I think when I'm in Tokyo over the holiday, I'm going to have to rent all of their cds that I don't have and rip them on to my PC. 'Cause they rock. And 'cause that kind of thing is legal in Japan (no kidding).

My latest infatuation

Heard in the Fred Segal on Melrose, in L.A.
Snapped up at Tower Records' Going Out of Business Sale in Santa Monica (40% off).

Dreams, by The Whitest Boy Alive

Rock 'N Roll.

(Be sure and check tracks 1 & 2)

Customer Service

I rented a car today from Enterprise. Panda chan is coming into town again tomorrow (yeah!), and I decided it would be better to pick her up in a car, instead of taking BART (the train). Plus, she's getting in at 7:30 in the morning, which means I'd probably have to take a 6 or 6:30 train to make it there in time.

I used Enterprise because a) last time I rented a car through them I had a great experience, b) it's close to my apartment c) it's usually cheaper than other places (though not this time) and d) perhaps the most important part, they pick me up. Last time it worked out great -- I called, and 20 minutes later they were at my school, ready to take me to their location.

This time, however, I waited outside for 30 minutes AFTER the agreed-upon time before they finally came. So, when I made it to the counter, I was somewhat less than pleased. This bad experience had completely colored my image of Enterprise, and not in a good way.

Fortunately, it didn't end there. Sensing I was NOT in a happy mood (and remembering that I had been in a few weeks ago), Kenny, the young guy behind the counter, offered to give me a free upgrade. Not only that, it was from a compact to a convertible (which apparently they had just gotten from the airport). AND, he offered to cut me some slack on the amount of gas I needed to fill the tank with before I brought it back. So he turned a potentially bad situation into a great one. All for the price of MAYBE 2 bucks in gas, and the use of a convertible which otherwise probably would have sat idle on the lot.

So, yes, I'll be going back to Enterprise for my next rental car need.

Radicalicious

I want some! I can't recall seeing any Lavazza's in the Bay Area, but I wonder if they're bringing this out here anytime soon... Or maybe the Lavazza's in Japan have it??

Wheels!

Suhweet! After about a month of not having wheels (other than the occasional rental car), I finally got a new bike! Ah, I can taste the freedom. And it tastes kinda like creme brulee! Mmmmmm, creme brulee.....

Anyway, I ended up getting a cool Trek hybrid bike. In this bitchin' red color. And I figured since I was at it, it was best to get some of the options -- helmet (gotta stay safe!), lock (MAJOR Kryptonite U-lock, so the thieves can't strike twice), chain lock (for my front tires, which are now quick-release) and a new mount for my bike light, since the old one was on my stolen bike (but fortunately I had the light itself up in my apartment).

Ready to roll!

PS -- thanks go out to my folks who got me the bike for my (now belated) birthday.

Good to the last drop

I've been using my new coffee maker pretty regularly lately. On weekedays, I'll usually make a pot in the morning, before I go to classes. Depending on long a day I have, I sometimes put what I don't drink in a thermos, and take it to school (helps keep me awake during the more boring lectures...).

Never having bought coffee beans before, I've been experimenting with a few different varieties. The Berkeley Bowl sells organic coffee at 8 bucks a pound, which is a great deal, considering the exact same stuff is 10 bucks at another grocery store, and Peet's coffee sells their stuff for 12 bucks a pound in their cafes (not sure what Starbucks goes for, but probably something similar). I tried a couple of different flavors/types, and they were all pretty good (alhtough, I can't really recall if one was better than the other).

Much to my surprise, the Bowl also sells French Market coffee, Chicory coffee from Louisiana. I've had it at my parents' place several times (I think), and since it was only 6 bucks for a pound, I thought I'd give it a try. Not only is it going to last me twice as long as what I had previously used (because you only have to use half as much), but it tastes really damn good! Add some soy milk (vanilla or plain), and it's even better! There goes any attempt at limiting my coffee intake....

Sheer Genius!

And with English supertitles, to boot!

Love it, or get your ass off the internet, 'cause you don't belong!

(and next time you wonder why I like Japan so much, just think back to this video -- what's not to like?!?)

a great idea

Maybe it's just a reminant of my childhood fascination with legos, but I think this is really cool. Can you imagine stacking blocks of ice cubes in your drink glass? Brilliant!

Here Here!

See! It's not just for grad students in Berkeley!

Awe. Some.

It's paper. Made out of poo.

I shit you not.

P.S.

I saw my coffee maker on a couple of Japanese websites, and on one of them it was selling for over 200 bucks!!!!

I guess in some ways, it's nice being back in the States....

And I got some coffee at my new favorite grocery store, the Berkeley Bowl (The. Best. Grocery. Store. Ever. Ask Josh.) Their coffee is only $7.99/lb, even for organic coffee. While that's more than the can of French Market they had (Louisiana coffee!! In Berkeley!! Located across the aisle from Tony Chachere's cajun seasoning!), it's still a lot cheaper than buying from one of the local cafe chains, like Starbucks or Peet's (a California-based chain), which are $12/lb and up. I don't even want to THINK about how much coffee beans cost in Japan -- probably $8 for 100 grams (less than a quarter of a pound). I didn't have a maker in Tokyo, so I never had to buy beans. I more than made up for it in weekly Starbucks/Tully's expenditures, though....