erratic-urbanite’s blog

What's your favorite flavor of Life Saver?

Hmm...are we talking about the classic roll or some of their newer varieties?  If we're talking about the classic, I'll need to sample a roll to refresh my memory.  Though, I can safely say that I dislike the orange and lemon flavor, so that would be the orange and yellow ones of the pack.  Anything with that artificial, cough medicine-y, choloraseptic-like cherry flavor is also disgusting.  Was the red even cherry?  Maybe it was strawberry.

One thing is for sure, I used to love the tropical flavor roll.  Can't recall which flavor, but I do remember inhaling those bad boys.  Still, I'm more of a Tropical Starburst and Sour Skittles kind of gal. ;)  Mmmm...sugar.

Despite the chilliness of an SF "winter," cozy sweaters, warm hats, soft mittens, thick coats, cute scarves coupled with the smells of cinammon and holiday cheer fills me with the warmest feelings of gratitude and contentment.  Growing up, we were quite poor.  As the sole breadwinner, my father worked three jobs in order to put clothes on our back, food on our table, ensure we had a warm, comfortable house, and to put us through school.  Though my mom had wanted to work, he insisted she stay at home, so that his four little girls would have someone to provide them with hot, home-cooked meals after school, care for them when ill, ensure they behaved and did their homework every night, and so on.  Sacrificing a dual income meant having "less" in the traditional, middle class sense of the word, but it never felt that way...shopping at Kmart or Payless, playing with toys at toy stores, but not necessarily getting to take them home, outdoor activities such as fishing, picking fruit, and swimming at the lake...All of this remains extremely fond memories and probably has made me that much more appreciative of everything.

Even with four hungry, little mouths to feed, my mom and dad always taught us one thing: always give if you can.  This value has stuck with me as a child and into adulthood, and I actively try to live this. I can't always give or help on the level I'd like to, but as my mom says, "You do what you can."  So this year, I was particularly excited when I received a colorful drawing of a girl on a swing from Jennifer, a 4 year old participant at the Potrero Hill Headstart School Holiday Gift Program and the child to whom I was assigned.  A note attached by her teacher read: Dear Friend, I would like a teddy bear and baby doll. Thank you.  I melted.  Being able to participate and be a part of something to help someone less fortunate (and a child, no less) was exciting enough; I never expected to receive anything in return.  Touched by the personalized drawing, I quickly placed it up against one of the frosted glass windows of  my cubicle wall, directly in my line of sight whenever I looked up from my workstation like some proud parent.  Because I really wanted her to love her gifts, I was on the hunt to find the perfect bear and doll.  In the end, I found Jennifer the softest brown teddy bear and a newborn baby doll dressed in a soft, yellow and white jersey knit onepiece with matching beanie.  She even came with a little bottle and blanket.  It was too cute...I hope she was as thrilled Christmas morning as I was about it getting them for her and receiving her handmade gift. :)

Friday.

Everyone has their vices, habits, addictions, and infatuations.  It can provide anything from a sense of stability and certainty to happiness, blind, blissful intoxication, or ...well, there exists a dark side to this for some, of course. 

I'm a simple gal.  I have simple pleasures, wants, needs, habits, routines, and what have you.  If I like something, 99% of the time, it's instantaneous.  I pretty much know right away, as I momentarily feel that anxious excitement that comes just as you hit a drop on a roller coaster ride--but only for a split second.  There's usually no need for something to grow on me.

For no reason whatsover, I began to evaluate and comb through my day to day activities, thoughts, cravings, habits, etc.  But seriously, why am I even bothering?  Probably because I'm stuck in traffic, trying to get to the Beverly Hills area from downtown LA by 6 pm, and annoyed out of my mind at the drivers, the sluggish pace we're moving, my painfully irritated eyes brought about by wearing contacts while suffering from eye allergies, and at the fact that I didn't get up at 6 am this morning to work out.  It probably doesn't help because my mind's running at a 100 mph, with hundreds of thoughts bombarding my consiousness most of the time, irrespective of what I'm doing.  

A voice inside me tugs at me.  "Focus on things that make you happy..."  So, I give it a try.  Hmm...what am I currently into that makes me happy?  Well...I'm totally addicted to Cuties brand clementines (too bad they'll be out of season after April!) ...Thao with the Get Down Stay Down ... good music ... energized by fun mashups...intoxicated by Fresh Sugar Lychee...the little pho gem and the cuties in skinny jeans exuding bike messenger/ artist hotness (well, many of them lacking in real artistic authenticity, which is in some ways quite similar to many who now frequent the Mission and geez...what pockets of the Mission have become ...overpriced, overpolished, and lacking the genuine edge and flavor it once had-- but hey they're still cuties nonetheless and I still love the area as much as I did years ago when it was seedier and pretty deserted after sundown, yet full of random divey and unique bars)...finding a gloss I love for more than a few months...that sore feeling you get after a kick ass workout...drinking 8+ cups of water...driving on a sunny day with the windows down, sunroof open, and wind blowing through my hair and on nape of my neck...spiritual stuff...reading a great book...intimate music shows...basking in the sun...eating great food...having way too many oysters...the happy buzz of champagne...a day spent at the beach biking, eating, and relaxing...helping those in need when I can...good people...nice chats...acting...gotta get on the ball again on that one -- maybe in a couple of months after I get everything squared away...

With each thing I named, I felt the veil of stress lift, as I rolled down the windows, turned on my ipod, and listened to some good music.  By now, I'm 7 minutes away from my destination.  Right on time. :)     

Oh, and later that night, I had at least five Cuties.  God, I love those cute, sweet, little suckers! 

Cuties

Show us something wacky.

pooh.jpg

Have you ever won anything at a carnival, arcade or midway game?

I once won a slew of tickets with which to "purchase" some worthless garbage they offered at the prize station at this arcade-for-adults called Dave and Busters.  It was over seven years ago, and the first and only time I've set foot in that funhouse.  A group of my ex's friends decided to go, slam a few drinks, and play some games quite similar to those you find at Great America, Six Flags, and the like.  After a few beers, I was extremely insistent on rallying some of them to play one of the games.  I immediately gravitated towards the horse race, which was powered by the amount of water one sprayed into a tiny, little hole.  Somehow, I won.  The part where I won was fun because...well...who doesn't like to win, right?  And, a stream of tickets, no less!  It was "claiming a prize" that took the longest and proved the most trying.  I think if I had a few more beers, I'd be easily pleased and elated with whatever I was able to get with the tickets, be it a stick of gum, a plastic ring with colorful, plastic gems, etc.  3 beers didn't do the trick. ;) I can't remember what it was that I had settled for....all I remember was feeling torn between two equally worthless pieces of junk that I no longer have in my possession. LOL.. Still, beating a bunch of grown men at a kiddie game was darn fun. :)

In between juggling doctor appointments, 3 hour class, busy 9-5 days glued to the computer, minimum of 6 hour rehearsals each week, finding, analyzing, immersing, memorizing, and rehearsing a monologue due next Wednesday, reading the play from which I found the monologue, an event, hanging out with my lovely friends who are coming to visit, softball, pharmacy runs for allergy and antibiotic prescriptions (yes, a plethora of different what-have-yous and what-nots), trying to find time to hang out with local buds, fully analzying the scene for the 20th, working on the scene alone everyday (because it's always a work in progress), and trying to sneak in some good old sleep and vegging out time... It's been quite stressful to say the least.  Obligations seem to be the mantra these days.  Still, I can't complain, as it only pushes me to work harder, focus, and become a more responsible person with willpower.  I need that, you heard it.  Shopping...one love I miss so much.  How I wish I had a bit of money to indulge you, if only for a moment.  I've even tried rationalize the situation, reminding myself that it's unnecssary for happiness...that what matters is that my family and friends are healthy and happy...that I am happy and healthy...these momentary delights don't define me nor do they necessarily benefit me in the long run (though they do make me surely happy for a day or two!)...which is all very true, but still difficult at times.  I guess, despite my yearning, bitching, moaning, and yes, whining, I've partially come to terms with the reality of being poor for the time being, in order to learn and grow.  Obviously, I'll eventually need to buckle down with something solid, so that I can fulfill familial and personal obligations and expectations...But growth is such a beautiful thing.  And for this moment in time in this particular reality that is so unique and unlike any other time in any other realities, it's a small price to pay...

What was your favorite game to play at recess in grade school? 
Submitted by Elisheva Chana.

I loved tetherball and played it like mad in grade school.  I remember how I loved jumping, catching the rope with an arm midjump, and swinging it the other way at an angle and velocity that made it difficult for the contender to reach it. The rope would twist and turn around the pole, until it could twist no longer. Such good times.

Since we weren't always allowed to hog the tetherball, I also enjoyed playing kick ball and dodge ball; I loved kicking and running, not to mention hitting others with the red, rubber ball.  As a child, I was perpetually hyper and full of energy, so I'd play any game, really.

How do you beat writer's block? 
Submitted by marvel is my pen name.

Writer's block is something I struggle with often, and when it hits, I often immediately walk away from any form of creative writing.  Once I'm overthinking and overanalyzing words, sentences, and content, what normally proves deeply satisfying and enjoyable turns into a laborious, annoying, stressful task.  Walking away has helped me on occasion.  Picking up a good book and reading also helps provide a level of escapism, which can also elicit inspiration or get one out of one's all too cerebral head.  I currently am suffering from a bit of writer's block, so I'll have to stop and walk away ... :)

What are the things in life that you're truly passionate about? 
Submitted by Jess.

I'm truly passionate about my family, friends, those about which I care, and life. 

I'm truly passionate about living, not just existing in this world. Being, not trying to be. Doing, not just wanting.

What's the worst pickup line you've ever heard?
Submitted by ShellEy.

 

Not sure if this would fall under the category of pick up lines...but there was a guy who was trying to hit on me outside of a bar, as I was smoking.  He stumbled my way and asked what nationality I was, to which I replied, "Chinese."

Wide-eyed and displaying utter shock, he exclaimed "Full? You can't be!  Chinese people are the ugliest people! I've never met any good looking Chinese people."

I gave him a thoroughly sarcastic smile and replied, "And that should make me feel special beacuse...?" I looked his way with enlarged eyes, head shaking, and arms out as asking for an answer that was non existent.  With that, I laughed and walked off.

There's another I've heard, though I can't remember from where I've heard it. 

Guy: Boy am I tired.

Girl: Why?

Guy: Because you've been running around in my head all night.

Lame!