Corinna P - Plinky Answers

I <3 bougainvilleas

2009-10-29T19:00:44-06:00

I'm a lady of simple tastes... My favorites are all oober common Mediterranean flowers: bougainvilleas, geraniums, carnations, yellow daisies.

They are all native to my Greek homeland, and most of them do quite well in the San Francisco climate as well. It's a flower I associate with clay pots and the smell of fresh wet dirt and the sight of home, wherever that may be.

It took determination to get through "Anna Karenina"

2009-08-07T14:50:15-06:00

Russian literature is hefty. Dostoyevsky, Tolstoy, Chekhov et al. are not for dappling. And they're most definitely not sexy beach reads. At this point I've lost count of how many times I've totted a giant Russian lit tome (they no longer qualify as just "books" when they weigh that much) with me to Greece, or Spain, or Mexico thinking this will be the time I read Crime and Punishment. I will sit on the beach and read Crime and Punishment. And it never happens...

But! I did manage to get through Anna Karenina. It may have taken me well over a year but it happened. And I was 15 years old at the time too. -That would not be the first time I'd prove to myself that my determination and will-power as a teenager far exceeds that of my twenties.

And I'm quite glad that I did. As much as I enjoy casual writing styles and contemporary content, there is something of grandeur to be found in nineteenth century European literature. Tolstoy crafted a beautiful narrative of aristocracy and high society that maintained human vulnerability. Despite reading about characters I could not relate to on many surface levels, I found they kept the same problems shielded behind their façades.

If you have the time and energy, I highly recommend tacking this masterpiece. It could take you a while but it's all worth it in the end.

Heritage cereal is crunchy and delicious

2009-07-28T19:38:50-06:00

My favorite cereal growing up was Cheerio's. I never even had the chance to get into sugary exciting breakfast-fare so I've graduated to just about the most senior-citizen friendly option outside of All-Bran.

Heritage Heirloom Whole Grain cereal features quinoa, kamut, spelt and who knows what kinds of other "ancient" exotic grains.

It's crunchy and delicious and, when I feel like eating cereal, it starts my day off right. Yay, quinoa!

The Pork Store is a great greasy spoon.

2009-07-27T19:03:50-06:00

Serving breakfast, lunch, brunch AND dinner, this greasy spoon's got something for everyone.

Here's why I love the Pork Store:

1. I used to live across the street. That meant I could roll out of bed on a Sunday morning, walk straight into the restaurant and immediately order "eggs in a tasty nest."
2. Mimosas are included in their brunch specials. Hair o' the dog that bit me, please.
3. At 2 am, the Pork Store turns into a hookah bar. Just in case I feel like smoking flavored tobacco after I've been out all night.
4. It's open until 3 am. Just in case I feel like eating a burger after I've been out all night. (I feel like eating a burger after I've been out all night.)

I'll get to Tolstoy one day

2009-07-22T13:26:21-06:00

It's always difficult to sit down with a giant book. Seems like there's no light at the end of the tunnel - it's just too overwhelming. Especially when the publication looks like an encyclopedia tome.

I've already read Anna Karenina. It's another gigantic Tolstoy book. It's fantastic - I loved it. It took me a few months to get through but it was well worth it.

I'm sure when I get to War and Peace I'll enjoy it. I just have to actually sit down and read it.

I just need some beauty products.

2009-07-22T13:20:04-06:00

When I think of spending time in jail, I mostly think of being bored and having little to do. Thus my first response to this question was that I should probably bring some books, a coloring book, pen and paper - things to keep me busy.

However, we all know prisons have libraries. And I'm sure some of them even have TV's. I bet I could score some pens and paper from the warden. And, if Arrested Development taught me anything, it's that prisoners play in softball leagues. So I'm sure I'd have plenty of ways to occupy my time.

Therefore it's way more important I bring along some trusty friends of a different sort.

Philosophy Amazing Grace body emulsion
My level of contentment in life is very closely linked to the amount of moisture in my skin. I'm very uncomfortable if I feel scaly. And then I turn into a miserable bitch. I've tried just about every lotion in the world and have settled on Philosophy. Not too thick, not too watery, not heavily perfumed - just right.

Arcona Triad pads
These facial cleansing pads are infused with cranberry. They clean, tone and moisturize all with one soft sweep over my skin. I can use them as a make-up remover or substitute it for my face wash. They smell amazing and make my skin glow.

Shu Uemura Depsea Smoothing Foundation
First of all Shu Uemura hair products have changed my life. Bad hair days are a thing of the past for me. Unless I forget my depsea hair mist, which contains deep sea salt water that makes my hair soft, wavy and irresistible (I'm not making commission here, I only speak the truth).

As long as I have these products to keep me clean, youthful and glowing, jail ain't got shit on me.

I remember my Samson

2009-07-20T16:32:52-06:00

I feel extremely fortunate for my parents. They both taught me invaluable lessons. My mother showed me how to love like crazy. My father has a strong connection to animals and nature that he passed on to me.

From a young age, I've adored animals. I spent most of my childhood playing with stray dogs and cats, or baby goats. That's why, by the time I turned three, I had already sufficiently hassled my parents to convince them to get me a puppy.

Enter Samson.

The earliest thing I remember (most likely a combo of a handful of vivid photographic memories and several stories that were recounted) is driving to Athens to pick out my puppy.

We went to a floor high high up in an apartment building, where a pet store owner lived. My parents had gone to the pet store first and looked at dogs. My mom suggested a cocker-spaniel but my dad said they look too droopy and dumb. So he asked the owner what dog would be good for a little girl and was told about the griffon breed. That's the kind of dog he had at home, and she'd just given birth to a litter of puppies. As my dad would later say, who knows better about dogs than a man who sells them?

We went to his apartment and were taken out to the balcony. All the puppies were waddling around playing and wrestling with each other. My dad told me if I caught one I could take it home.

I went after the cutest puppy out there. A pudgy champagne-colored pup whose belly was almost dragging on the ground. I named him Samson, after the horse in Sleeping Beauty (my favorite movie at the time).

That was the beginning of a beautiful friendship that lasted fifteen and half years and spanned the distance from Greece to America. He followed me everywhere when I was young, put up with me as an angsty teenager and finally threw in the towel when I left for college.

Now I've got Walter to be my canine companion. I love him just as much (almost) and will never forget my very first fond memory: Sammy.

The Choo Choo train

2009-07-14T16:08:51-06:00

Who needs a car... I've got little smokies!

Girls Weekend in Vegas 2007

And my feet (aka my only mode of transportation) would be tricked out fo real if I could just get my hands on some Jimmys.

Songs of summer

2009-07-09T17:30:46-06:00

Yah, summer! Cruising in cars with the windows down, lazing by pools, sitting on decks, dancing in the kitchen. All these events are enhanced by (cold beers *and*) music. Here are my choices for summer songs at the moment:

Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

There is not a single song on It's Blitz that I dislike. I love them all with every ounce of my existence. There are some great tenderoni songs but mostly fantastic disco jams.

Heads Will Roll specifically is so full of energy. I'm pretty sure Karen O (who is threatening Shakira in the contest for my favorite female recording artist of all times. Listen, this is a huge deal. Shakira used an auto-tuner on her most recent single. I'm pretty upset about it.) coming back, pretty sure Karen O says "you're all chrome" and that's my favorite part of the song. Because I'm really into precious metals. Especially gold and chrome. I wanna be all chrome.

Say Aha by Santigold

We were just discussing at lunch how cool it would be to barf gold glitter. I think it's one of my new goals in life. Possibly achievable via consumption of copious amounts of Goldschlagger.

Well, barfing gold's a long shot BUT I am thrilled to listen to Santigold and know that at least she can do it. Because she is a badass. And her songs put me in the best summer dance mood.

Notion by Kings of Leon

Don't get me wrong. I still like to get down with a hipster slow sad depressing jam. But not nearly as much as I used to. And here's why: I love to dance, damn it. And not the awkward shuffle. I like to actually dance. The best dancing I do is when I listen to sexy music, like T.I. or Kings of Leon.

I listen to Notion and get down. And I remember being in a hot sweaty crowd at Sasquatch in May and being like fuck yes, this is my life right now. So I relisten and remember.

I'd spend a week in a treehouse, fo sho

2009-07-07T13:09:19-06:00

I am a very adaptable person. I've slept on floors, hammocks, couches, chairs, in the dirt - all sorts of places. Don't get my wrong... I love a nice comfy pillow-top bed. In fact I prefer it to all alternatives. But I'm not one to complain about roughing it for a while. Bring it on!

I think the longest amount of time I've spent in a tent is three days. The sleeping sucks. Oftentimes tent-snoozing goes hand in hand with outdoor tomfoolery so the first part of that story is I fall asleep drunk. No decent z's there. Then I wake up at the crack of dawn as soon as the sun comes up and, because camping usually occurs in nice weather, it gets hot fast. And so I'm up and out.

Lack of sleep aside, it's really the absence of showers that gets me when I'm sleeping in tents. Even if I'm taking river and/or lake showers on my camping trip, eventually nature's deodorant gets old. My hair gets matted and crusty and I look like a piece of woodland garbage and smell like tree bark and have chunks of dirt in my gross new dreadlocks. I love to get down like a hippie for a few days but then get my to my gold iPhone and shag rug por favor as soon as possible.

That's my the choice is easy. Have you seen a really dope tree house? One that's been on Pimp My Ride, alternative living edition? When I lived in Washington, I knew this family that lived way out in the sticks of the Key Peninsula (world capital of meth labs) and they had the sickest tree house I've ever seen.

This tree house had a staircase that wound all the way up a 200 foot evergreen (I'm very bad at estimating distances in feet, so take that with a grain of salt. Suffice it to say a really freaking tall tree).The stairs led up to the first floor of the house. YES. MULTIPLE FLOURS. The entry level had a nice deck that led into a living room. A tree house reception area, if you will. It had electricity and heat and the second level - the "loft" - had a few beds.

So, uh, yeah. I *could* spend a week living like a baller in that tree house. In fact, I *want* to.

I can be your hero, baby.

2009-06-30T12:44:11-06:00

My general policy is "don't try to be a hero." This is because every time I tell my roommate, James, I'm trying to do something extraordinary, like go to the gym on a Sunday, or wake up before 9am, he says "don't try to be a hero, mini tiny." It's possible he's being sarcastic when he says that but I take it pretty seriously. Because of that there are few times that I've tried to be heroic.

The one department in which my heroism excels is swimming. Picture this. You're at a beach - river, lake, or ocean; doesn't matter - and you're enjoying a fantastic game of paddle ball with your friends. If you don't play paddle ball, it might be volleyball, soccer, or some other ball-throwing game that I don't even know about! There you are, tossing it back and forth, back and forth when - whoops! - the ball goes flying way out into the water.

What are you going to do?!

Who's going to swim out there, into that possibly freezing cold water, and retrieve the ball???

I'll tell you who. Me. I am. I will be the hero, I will jump in the water, doggy paddle (or possibly butterfly) hundreds of yards away into the Puget Sound, or Lake Cushman, or Lake Tahoe, or wherever else we may be and I'll get your damn ball.

Just as long as someone's waiting on the shore to wrap me in a towel as soon as I get back.

Band of Horses gets me every time

2009-06-22T14:26:57-06:00

All it takes is being open to tears. During times when I'm particularly prone to crying, it does not take much to put me over the edge. I'm pretty sure Interpol's "There's No I In Threesome" has made me misty before... The way Paul Banks pleads "babe it's time we give something new a try," it's very chilling if you don't think of it as a sexual request.

I Go To The Barn Because I Like The by Band of Horses

Many Band of Horses songs will get me but this one is the most tender song on the planet. It's about accepting people for the messes they are and loving them in their worn out suit and tie. I can guarantee you right now if a hot dude shows up outside on my doorstep I will have no qualms loving him and all his baggage.

Finch of Saturdays by Horse Feathers

There are several Horse Feathers songs that can bring tears to my eyes. It's very likely because of the string instruments. Throw some violin, or cello into music and I'm ten times more likely to cry. This particular song gets me because it's upbeat and optimistic yet tragic. And there's a part where they sing "she was born to cry herself to sleep." If that's not encouragement to cry myself to sleep, I don't know what is.

Modest Mouse by Lives

This song is fantastic. It starts out as kind of an eerie, dark jam but by 1:24 into the song, it transitions into a beautiful ballad with, what else, some beautiful string instrument action.

It's hard to remember, it's hard to remember we're alive for the last time.
It's hard to remember, it's hard to remember to live before you die.

Oofta, they are into some heavy shit.

I stole the baby!

2009-06-19T13:22:15-06:00

From a stupid Daikini.

Willow was made in 1988, two years after I was born. However I'm sure they started filming in '86. And if not, at least the idea was already in the works. So I think it qualifies as a valid answer to this question.

I would like to think I was partially raised on Willow. That and Coming to America. I had a babysitter named Elina who had a giant crush on Madmartigan AKA Val Kilmer and would always watch Willow when she came over. No qualms, here. The Madmartigan crush transferred and I also wanting nothing more than to watch Willow.

I was thoroughly fascinated by the two Brownies:

"Rool, you fool, get out of the road!"

"I stole the baby! From a stupid Daikini while he was taking a pee pee."

"Not a woman? NOT A WOMAN?!"

Really, I love Lord of the Rings and other fantasy movies like that. But they do not hold a candle to Willow. This is where it all started, my friends.

I travel on foot and feel the burn

2009-06-19T12:34:47-06:00

I enjoy my self-image of an environmentalist hippie who takes showers. As such, it's important that I stick to two main modes of transportation: walking and biking. I don't have a bike at the moment so that option's out the window. Thus, I must walk. This is very important in preserving my hippie sense of superiority to people who drive (nevermind the fact that I often drive my cousins' cars...)

I like to walk to the park, to the store, to my job and anywhere else that's reasonably accessible by foot. If I have time on my hands I'll even walk miles away because, why not?! That gets Walter a nice long walk too.

If my destination requires more than 45 minutes on foot, or if I'm in a hurry, I must resort to the next most environmentally conscious mode of transportation: public transportation. This is generally both nasty and cheap. For example, I frequently ride MUNI buses that smell like flaming cheetohs and orange drink. And there are post-flaming cheetoh sticky finger marks everywhere. Or sometimes I walk onto BART and get smacked in the face by hard-boiled egg smell. Thanks dude eating the hard-boiled egg - your aroma made my day.

Another bonus of public transportation is listening to crazy people yell things. Yesterday I was riding BART with a crazy, or drunk, or both man. First he shoved a cup in my face. I thought he was offering me some of his booze so I said "no thanks!" Then he screamed "coins!" so I was like oh, yeah, also no to that too. He walked away from me and sat a few rows down for me, then started yelling about a prostitute and her anatomy and what he did to her anatomy and different bodily fluids and solids that entered the equation during their encounter.

So the lesson learned here is that I should walk more than I take public transportation. Or if I take public transportation I should also have headphones with me and turn my music up really loud. But if I can bike, that's probably the best alternative because then I get there quickly, free of crazies *and* for free. But I also run the risk of getting hit my cars, or having my bike stolen... Oh man, no win.

Solving puzzles, a civic duty.

2009-06-10T16:31:52-06:00

Good timing, Plinky, good timing. I actually just had jury duty last week. And, although I was dismissed within 20 minutes of my arrival, I would've been quite unprepared for a day of sitting.

The only activity I had with me was an iPhone. Luckily I have a Sudoku application that allows for hours upon hours of nerdy puzzle solving.

Dave Matthews and I are practically best friends

2009-06-09T13:15:17-06:00

Considering the quantity of concerts I go to, I see famous people all the time. I still haven't had any sightings of my favorite celebrities, the cast of The Hills, but one really can't win them all.

Dave Matthews
Shortly after taking a massive dump on the Chicago river, Dave Matthews, dressed in a stunning mauve suit, wandered into a Walgreens on Michigan Avenue. I also happened to be in that Walgreens.

"Has anyone ever told you you look a lot like Dave Matthews?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I get that kind of a lot," he said.

...

"Hang on... are you Dave Matthews?"

"Yes, I am," he said.

"So I guess the real question is, what are you doing in the pantyhose isle?"

Evidence.

Ethan Hawke
During my recent trip to Madrid, I spotted Ethan Hawke with his girlfriend and baby. Now, my opinion of his looks was not too high in the first place. But when I saw him crossing Gran Via? Homeboy was looking haggard.

Rihanna
She was shopping at Bloomy's in San Francisco at some point last year. I saw her walk by the perfume counters. That's my prime headache zone so I may have been sprinting past her in my attempt to refrain from barfing.

Stroke 9
When I was 13 I had a giant crush on the Bay Area band Stroke 9. (Remember "Little Black Backpack"). I stalked them hard and went to every show they played in my vicinity.

At the Crystal Ballroom in Portland I was able to stick around after the show until they took down their equipment and talk to them. I was 13, I'm not sure where I was hoping it would go. Wait, yes, I remember. I was hoping it would lead to marriage. That's it.

I talked to the lead singer, Luke Esterkyn, for a bit then took a picture with him. Then at some radio concert the next summer I tried to talk my way backstage so I could go hang out with Stroke 9 but they wouldn't let me so I just asked the bouncer if he saw them, to tell them I say hi. Then Luke Esterkyn came out and gave me a hug.

Then I went to their show at some bar in Seattle like a year ago - for old time's sake - and ended up taking Jagger shots with them backstage. And most recently I spotted Luke Esterkyn outside of Osha on 2nd Street in San Francisco. Nearly a decade after my stalkage. My 13 year-old self would've been so excited. My current self was more like "I bet you're married and live in Marin, or some shit, and have kids and probably don't play in a band anymore."

Things change, man, it's crazy!

I'ma find me a Benjamin'.

2009-06-07T12:51:00-06:00

The best things in life are free. Especially when they happen to be free money.

Gig Harbor, WA is surprisingly delightful

2009-06-05T19:01:27-06:00

Listen. This prompt provides no specifications as to when I was surprised to like said city. It doesn't have to be the first time I laid eyes on this Puget Sound gem. And it's not.

In fact, for the five years that I lived in Gig Harbor, I could not wait to leave. Yes, this was during my angsty teenage phase. Washington is a rough place to be a miserable sixteen year-old girl. It's always raining. And I was/am especially good at perpetuating my own misery by listening to slow, sad, depressing music and laying in bed all day. So I was really feeling the blow of sun deprivation and the poor disposition of what my sister likes to call my "dark years" (look at me now!).

As soon as I graduated high school though, and got the H out of there, I began to miss the mountains. And the serenity of the metallic waters. And the lush colors of the forests. And even the grey skies and the rain. I went back to my rugged Washington wilderness after spending a year in Chicago and I was surprised to suddenly love it and have a tender little spot in my heart for it.

Now I look forward to my visits back to Gig Harbor. I like to walk along the water and look at the stunning view of Mt. Rainier. Or drive west and have the Olympic Mountains as a backdrop. Rain or shine, part of my soul lives in Washington.

I don't know a lot about weddings...

2009-06-03T00:20:51-06:00

But I imagine some Daddy Yankee (and other reggaeton jams) would get that party blowin' up!

El Impacto by Daddy Yankee

I would also settle for "Gasolina." But "Impacto" features Fergalicious definition make them boys go crazy. How much fun is that to say?! Well, this tune is also great to dance to. Wedding goers ba-bump to this.

Se produce el impacto, baby.

Gold Digger by Kanye West

Overplayed? Sure. But you can't deny it's fun to sing along. Get down, gurl, go 'head, get down.

Ashamed by Deer Tick

Just kidding! Ambiguous indie is absolutely inappropriate for weddings. Not everybody enjoys it and you must stick with tunes everyone can agree upon.

Journey? Bon Jovi? Now there's an idea I can get behind. A little "Don't Stop Believing," or maybe some "Livin' on A Prayer."

Wedding playlist... we're halfway there.

Hugh Jackman, fer sher.

2009-06-03T00:04:59-06:00

Much like Stuart, my opinion is based entirely on fictional characters. In the battle between a Looney Tune and a Marvel comics mutant, I'm fairly certain the cartoon would get his furry derrière handed to him.

Alloy adamantium claws. Adamantium! With Wolverine's super healing abilities, I don't think the Tasmanian Devil's keratin nails would do a lot of damage...

Dirty barbies got me into trouble

2009-05-21T17:58:33-06:00

Every young lady likes to get down with a game of Barbies. I spent many a day playing puppet master to the blonde bombshell. Teacher Barbie, Mom Barbie, sister Barbie, friend Barbie, etc. But there comes a time in every young lady's life when the wholesome fun gets old and boring. That's when Ken comes into the picture. And incidentally his clothes come off.

Barbies drying outside

My best friend growing up, Chiara, and I had our fair stint of shenanigans early in life. Vandalizing tree houses, getting in fist fights, rollerblading around town with our rollerblading gang - it was a good time. When we weren't reeking havoc in our town, we were quietly playing dolls.

One time, after Barbie had a particularly stressful day, Ken came home from work and tried to help her relax. It started with an innocent back massage but, as I would later find out, massages lead to one thing and one thing alone. A make-out.

First Barbie slipped off one of her spaghetti straps, then Ken took off his shirt (because how else do you administer a massage, if not shirtless). One thing led to another and the next thing I knew, they were chillin' in their birfday suits.

That's when my mom walked in and caught Ken with his pants around his ankles.

"Girls! What are you doing?!"

I mean, technically, we weren't doing anything. It was Barbie who was acting inappropriate... I seem to recall our doll-play becoming slightly more supervised after that incident. Oh, the shame.

Quench your thirst and take a gulp out of the cup o' knowledge.

2009-05-18T14:19:06-06:00

It's that time of year when thousands of kids are graduating from high schools and universities around the country. They're generally receiving fat wads of cash from their family and family friends, getting an endearing pat on the ass and being launched out into the world. Additionally they're receiving hoards of advice, some of it sound and some of it complete garbage.

The questions that seem to hound graduates lucky enough to overcome the barriers to higher education and the ones who have completed college degrees are what they plan to study and the immediate follow-up, what they intend to do with their degrees. I find this sequence of thinking to be gravely flawed.

Society is losing its appreciation of education for the sake of learning. University studies are not a means to an end. The pursuit of knowledge has lost importance and is overshadowed by the idea that it's a vehicle to careers and wealth. If we're encouraging our youth to go through life chasing an end goal, opportunities and life itself is bound to pass them by.

Well, I have different advice. Pursue your interests. Seek out the things that stimulate you. It doesn't matter if it seems unlikely you'll make a career out of it. A lot of people don't end up working in jobs related to their undergrad degrees anyway. You might as well learn about things that truly interest you.

Without questioning, I accepted the idea that I need to study something practical that would eventually translate into a career. I am glad I chose to study psychology but more and more I doubt I will ever work in that field. And I'm questioning whether it even matters what I studied as an undergraduate. Or what I'll study as a master's student. So I'm now subscribing to the idea that I should study whatever I'm curious about regardless of whether I will "do" anything with it.

And I would encourage other people to do the same. Even if we're in student loan debt up to our eye balls, at least we'll be smart.

Let's cuddle.

2009-05-15T16:06:51-06:00

It's been said that I'm a touchy person. That's because I think there's nothing more comforting than human physical contact.

Spooning Around

When I'm in a jam, I drop into the fetal position and hope there's someone around to come play big spoon and hold me tightly. A nice, close snuggle is the most relaxing, reassuring medicine.

I'm fully engulfed in flames.

2009-05-13T18:45:12-06:00

Do you feel that heat? Like the fire of a thousand suns? That's me. I'm all wrapped up in flames. I don't know when it's going to end but I'm going to roll with it.

It feels bratty to say but everything is going my way. Everything. It really couldn't get any better. There have been lulls in my San Francisco life, a high and then a low. Nope, not now. There is no low right now. I am loving everyone and everything.

I recently went to Rhode Island and nurtured my soul by visiting Rose. And guess what? She just bought a ticket to Seattle to meet up with me and attend the world's best music festival at the world's greatest venue: the Gorge. We be campin'.

I set out this year hoping to travel somewhere new. Well I'd never been to Rhodie and I'd certainly never been to Spain. Huzzah! I had the best vacay ever with my home slice, Tyler. And home slice is thinking of moving to San Fran so we can hang out ALL THE TIME.

And family is visiting and we just went to the best Giants game I could imagine. Won at the last minute when they were down by a point with two outs and two strikes at the bottom of the ninth inning. And I'm still pastry comatose from the great breakfast we had at Tartine earlier.

Let's not forget it's almost summer! The weather's great, I camp, I swim, I go outside. Great concerts are coming up, festivals - there's a ton to do. My amateur photography career is fantastic fun, I'm playing with new cameras, I'm seeing things with new eyes. I'm secretly in love with at least three people who are keeping me on my toes. Piano is going swimmingly. I have great friends. Walter is happy.

What more could I ask for?! Maybe just not to get extinguished.

TGIFriday's has the best dessert EVER.

2009-05-13T16:39:57-06:00

And, really, any tacky eatery for that matter. TGIF, Cucina Cucina, Olive Garden, Chili's, Bennigan's, etc. They all feature the same gem that makes me return and "suffer" through the "horrendous" entrees. (JK - I love baby back ribz.)

It may not be the best dessert ever but at least the fudge brownie with giant ice cream and whipped cream pile is consistent. I always know that I'm going to love it and I always know I can get it at some chain restaurant that's decorated with oars on the wall.

Veggie pile is a tasty 'broke meal'

2009-05-12T13:00:03-06:00

All the produce markets in the mission make is amazingly easy to create a gigantic multi-day meal for under $8.

Veggie Box

Buy some sweet potatoes, squashes, onion, beets, kale, carrots, peppers and tomato. Chop, cover in balsamic vinegar and olive oil and bake for a while. Enjoy sweet veggie pile for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner.

I've done it before and I'll do it again.

I'll take a pen and paper

2009-05-12T12:46:57-06:00

Call me old fashioned but I'll never take notes on a keyboard. In meetings, in classes, in life I fare much better with a ballpoint and a notebook.

Let it all out

2009-05-12T12:38:15-06:00

Are you ready for my hippie moment? Here it is.

Sometimes all the beauty fills me to the brim and then it starts to leak out through my tears. And I cry because I feel so lucky to be alive and have two eyes with which I watch sunsets and sunrises and forests saturated with texture and leaves falling and flowers blooming and beautiful paintings and photographs and smiles and wrinkles and faces. Two ears that allow me to listen to lapping waves and crashing rivers and music and stories and laughter. My nose that takes in all the smells of wildflowers and tree bark and redwoods and evergreens and oregano on scorched hillsides.

There are plenty of wonders in the world that make me so happy I cry. And then there's no sense wasting time mourning all that's sad.

I can't travel without my Lonely Planet

2009-05-12T12:08:58-06:00

Hrm. Well. A hostel comes with little to nothing. So I have to make sure to come with soap, shampoo, towels and a blanket. In some cases toilet paper too. Basics aside, these are my ultimate necessities:

Lonely Planet
This is the best travel guide for young people on a budget. They point to free museum days, cheap attractions, budget food and lodging and fun places to go out. They also have great itineraries for quick trips, eg. if you have three days in Barcelona these are the places you should go to... Total life saver in Spain.

Camera(s)
I am launching an amateur photography career. Everywhere I've been going recently I've been training my mind's eye to see the fascinating beauty around me. So it's crucial that I have at least three cameras with me: Holga, Canon EOS and digi for snapshots. So far they've served me well (please go look!)

Moist towelettes
If I've learned anything from travelling it's that you cannot count on there being soap, you cannot assume they have TP and you cannot rely on wax napkins. So take all the moist towelettes you can from your flight and carry them around with you everywhere.

Swim suit
Finally, I would say it's a good idea to have a swim suit. I feel a strong need to swim in any body of water around me whether it's cold or not. At Yosemite in September I swam in an ice cold mountain river. Although it was quite windy in Cadiz, I took a dip in the Atlantic. It's a life mission to sample all the waters and seas I visit so I can die knowing the best place to swim in the world. So far it's shipwreck beach in Zakynthos although Ipanema is a close second.

After you've secured the above goodies go through your suitcases again and empty half their contents. Avoid overpacking at all costs.

My childhood enemy AKA my first boyfriend

2009-05-08T17:57:25-06:00

Well, in truth my first boyfriend was just someone who busted my balls all the time. It was the classic "I'm gonna pick on you because I have a crush on you" scenario. It totally worked. He made fun of me for a few weeks and then he girlfriended me. Same tactic works to this day.

My real arch enemy, though, was this bitch named Mema. She rode around with this crew of totally nasty hoods, including Dimitra, who would always find me and my friends and try to ruin our fun. If we were playing basketball they'd try to take over the court so we couldn't play. If we were rollerblading they'd try to throw things in our way and make us fall. Sticks and stones can break my bones but I'll still punch you in the face.

So one day I was playing with my home slices, Chiara and Stella, when Mema and Dimitra rode up on bikes. One of them hopped off and shoved Stella. Being a loyal friend with a short fuse and a dangerous temper, I immediately grabbed the culprit, pulled her down to the ground by the hair and then whacked her in the face. A brawl ensued. There was punching, hair pulling, biting and slapping.

I wish I could say that we came out the winners but I'm pretty sure we all walked away with equally scraped knees and bruised prides. Regardless, I learned a really important lesson. Invest in some brass knuckles if you really wanna take someone down.