My Favorite Part of 2010

Bad Romance, by Lady Gaga.
Technically released in 2009 (October 20, 2009), Bad Romance has carried over into 2010 and was a heavy influence of many fun nights and closing numbers of Gaga concerts I witnessed. In fact I specifically requested this song to ring in 2010 while at a club in LA on NYE. I cannot wait to see what Gaga has in store for me in 2011!

Happy Friday!

Smile, the day is urs. Enjoy what u have. Grow from days past. Although festive, the holiday season can sometimes overwhelm w/travel, gifting, weather. Brush the blah aside and welcome the joy & simple treats. May your day be merry & bright :) Happy Friday!

Festive

A festive bridge in San Diego.

Happy Friday!

Thru the course of a lifetime we experience many relationships. Some brief, some end poorly & others last forever. Each teaches us something abt life & ourselves. Hang on 2 those special ones, the ones worth fighting for bc they will forever guide u in good & in not-so-good times. Distance & petty misperceptions shld pose no challenge 4 true connections. Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend!

Black Eyed Peas - The Best One Yet

Ah, clear your mind.

I am a big fan of solo activities. Attribute it to the eternal independent within me, but I find them great opportunities to assess your existence, clear your mind and challenge your body. One of these activities is hiking up Cowles Mountain in San Diego. 1591 feet of mind, body exercise at your service :)

Happy Friday!

Wake up & look around with fresh eyes at what's available day2day. It's easy to focus on the bad, but far more rewarding to appreciate the great things u already have: amenities, friends, family & health. Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend

85 degree Christmas

It seemed very wrong to be stringing up Christmas lights while the air temperature was a sunny 85 degrees last week, but mission complete nonetheless :)

Only chair in the world

Happy Friday!

Good morning. It is a great, new day. Although every moment in past may not be perfect don't allow those less than stellar moments sabotage ur current happiness. Happy Friday!

Top 5s

Top 5 Artists
1. Beyonce
2. Lady Gaga
3. Pink
4. Rihanna
5. Britney

Top 5 Dancers
1. Ciara
2. Beyonce
3. Usher
4. Chris Brown
5. Britney

Top 5 Singers
1. Whitney
2. Celine Dion
3. Mariah Carey
4. Christina Aguilera
5. John Legend

Top 5 Music Videos
1. Beyonce - Crazy in Love ft. Jay Z
2. Lady Gaga - Bad Romance
3. Britney - Slave
4. Janet - Rhythym Nation
5. Britney - Toxic

Top 5 Groups
1. Destiny's Child
2. The Fugees
3. Dave Mathews Band
4. City High
5. All American Rejects

Top 5 Songs
1. A Song for You - Donny Hathaway
2. Crazy in Love - Beyonce ft. Jay-Z
3. We Belong Together (remix)- Mariah ft. Jadakiss [tied]
3. Halo - Beyonce [tied]
4. Transatlantacism - Death Cab for Cutie
5. Umbrella - Rihanna ft. Jay-Z

Random sidewalk chalkwork

Office Bday Treat

This morning I was greeted to these two treats when I arrived at my desk! Obviously the patron is a given, but the card is even more special!

Each Friday we have fruit delivered to our office and sometimes the bananas arrive a week premature. It's a common discussion between myself and a few others. So this card is perfectly awesome!

Thank you office friends :)

Happy Friday!

Challenge urself everyday to b a better, nicer person. Not only to those around u, but to urself. Start within & the outward results will be delightful. Happy Friday!

Hmmm

This is quote confusing to me. One day there is a full telephone pole in my alley way the next it's cut in half and I don't see where any of the wires went.

Kick Start Your Weekend

Rihanna - Only Girl In The World

Happy Friday!

:) Wake up. Feel great today. Take on the world, make it fantastic bc u can. Smile with friends. It's a new day - rock it! Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend

Ciara - Gimmie Dat

Happy Friday!

Treat eachother with fairness and care. It's not always easy being 'different' & sometimes others just need a little support. To be lucky in life's lottery is blessed. To help others is the ultimate gift in return. Share ur great qualities & take a moment to be the amazing person u r. Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend

Nicki Minaj - Your Love

Burnt sentiment

Saw this burnt piece of paper in the grass on my way to the beach. Something about the charred edges of paper and text seemed emotional to me fluttering in the breeze.

Kick Start Your Weekend

Christina Aguilera - Genie In A Bottle

Happy Friday!

Good morning! Wishing u a pleasant day and marvelous wknd ahead. May ur moments be filled with fun, kindness and great company. Happy Friday!

Hum it out baby!

Due to my full-time employment I do not watch daytime TV, but every now and then I come across a gem like this. D'Atra hums when she feels angry. It helps her cope. Please enjoy the melodic anger-management hum of D'Atra Hicks! Work it girl!

Foggy morning

FOG beach

Interesting brand loyalty

The parking attendant where I work in Mission (Hell)Valley drives this Chevy dedicated vehicle. She must REALLY love Chevrolet because the whole thing is outlined in the Chevy logo. And yes, it is two-tone: yellow & brown.

Right now

Perfect night :)

Kick Start Your Weekend

Usher - DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love Again ft. Pitbull

My fave

This is my favorite green tea variety. Stash - Moroccan Mint Green Tea

Kick Start Your Weekend

Black Eyed Peas - Labor Day.

I typically reserve this song for enjoyment once a year :)

Right now

My friends and I play this pix message game where one of us sends a pix of "right now" whatever you are looking at and then the recipient has to reply back asap. Today I received this gem of a reply from Dana who lives in Harlem and teaches in the Bronx: "Right now and 90 some degrees"

Don't stay set on any one way. Mix up ur routine and free your adventurous side. The results can be magical. Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend

Blackstreet ft. Mya - Take Me There (The Rugrats Movie theme song)

Right now

Laundry night! My least favorite night...

Within each day the road is always unknown. Sure, there may be a plan but it's the journey that can surprise u & shine above. Lose the map & let ur passion guide u. Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend

Destiny's Child - Say My Name

Right now

OB farmers market

Right now

Lunchbreak gymbreak

Right now

One of my obsessions: a dog with their head out the window - always makes me smile :) ALWAYS :)

If you don't take the risk, u will be safe but may never know what u missed. If u got the passion make it happen. Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend

Ciara - 1,2 Step Ft. Missy Elliott

Right now

Ride home from work

Right now

Home, sweet home :)

Right now

Oooh. I like this.

Although I am not fully feeling any of the new Xtina tunes, I am liking this remix of her latest single "You Lost Me" the song is sad too (I like sad songs).

Daily pix msg

Peace. Love. Music. I can get behind that.

Daily pix msg

This festive ice cream truck strolled down my street today.

Kick Start Your Weekend

Flo Rida - Club Can't Handle Me

This song is featured in "Step Up 3D" coming out 8/6. I am SUPER excited for this spectacle!

Sounds about right...

So today I received an automated call from Cox Communications regarding my account billing. I knew this was coming because last month my debit card (which I used for my auto-payment) was compromised and I had to get a new one but never updated my records with Cox.

Well, I called back and asked if I could update my info (knowing full well what they were calling about). They said sure and asked for my account (telephone) number and PIN. I don't know my PIN - mostly because it is one they randomly assign you. They would not help me any further unless I came into their office and showed picture ID. Ugh.

I became irritated, Mostly because all I wanted to do was PAY my balance and update my auto-payment records AND because I was sitting inside Alejandro in a Ralph's parking lot on my lunch break, in Mission (Hell) Valley, in 85 degree heat.

The remainder of the conversation went like this:

Me: "J3sus Chr!st. Are you serious? If there is no way to update my records without my PIN, I guess I will have to void my service and cancel."

Him: "Well, let me see. There might be another way. Oh, here, you have a secret question. 'What is your favorite food or drink?'"

[Now, this caught me off guard because I am use to these questions being about hometown, high school or pets, but not usually food or drinks]

Me: "Um, yikes, I don't know.... [long pause].... [kind of embarrassed]...vodka?"

Him: "Yes, correct."

I think he was more relieved that I got the question right because it calmed my temperament, but I couldn't believe that was my secret question and I chose "VODKA" as my answer! Oh my...

Happy Friday!

Accepting others for who they truly r is one of the greater qualities in life. Accepting urself & living ur life with pride helps set the pace. Cont 2 B great to urself & those around u. Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend

Lady Gaga - Just Dance ft. Colby O'Donnis

Where it all began...

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Daily pix msg

Kick Start Your Weekend

Ciara - Ride
*Warning: Ciara can DANCE! Best enjoyed on high volume, bass thumping. "pretty face, thick thighs"

Happy Friday!

With all the great qualities within u it's amazing how it's still so easy to focus on minor flaws. Let ur strenghts shine & remember flaws make u unique & interesting. Beautiful inside and out. Happy Friday!

Prime Example

Lady Gaga - "Teeth" in the rain, rocking out in NYC. Passion to the max.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Sad Song

So I have tried to ignore this song for the last 2 or 3 months because it's sad and reminded me of certain things. But I like it and typically like sad songs...

Daily pix msg

Daily pix msg

Kick Start your Weekend

Kelis - 4th Of July (Fireworks)

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Daily pix msg

Kick Start Your Weekend

Jason Derulo - Ridin' Solo

Night Lights!

I like to switch up the lighting situation above my doorstep every few months. This summer's edition are fish-ified. Thanks to my good friend and ex-roommate, Lori! Perfect, if you ask me :)

Previous Night Lights included: pumpkins, icicles, reg. string lights and Moroccan balls. I wonder what's next?

Kick Start Your Weekend (better late than never)

Robyn - Dancing On My Own

I'm a sucker for a good, urban, passionate ballad

Shontelle - Impossible

Summer Scent

If you are at all like me you might enjoy the scent of sunscreen. In fact it is my favorite scent (even more than any cologne). Luckily, I live in a place where I have an excuse to wear sunscreen year-round. My personal favorite is Hawaiian Tropic... mmm.

Well, to even further my enjoyment I recently discovered a soap that is pretty close to my favorite sunscreen scent. Dove Nourishing Care Shea Butter. Check it out, I highly recommend it!

P.S. Also, don't forget to wear your sunscreen when going out under the sun :)

Top 5 Cereals of Present Day (according to me)

1. Basic 4
2. Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds
3. Raisin Bran
4. Cookie Crisp
5. Honey Nut Cheerios

Top 3 Trilogies of All Time (according to me)

1. Scream*
2. Jurassic Park
3. The Matrix

*I am super excited for Scream 4!

What would you wish for?

Wow. This song got to me on the first listen. I heard it in my car this week and had to look it up: "Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky, are like shooting stars. I can really use a wish right now..."

B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams - Airplanes

CanNOT resist

Beyonce - Crazy in Love ft. Jay-Z

Happy Friday!

Smile with each encounter and take a moment to listen to the story w/in. Stretch ur thoughts toward passion dreams and u may find urself right where ur ment to b - surrounded by those who truly light ur day, soothe ur night and warm ur heart. Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Ding, ding, ding! Chirp, chirpity, chirp! Zesty fresh air & golden sunshine. Wow! It's great to be awake! May ur day be swept up & away w/great energy & adventure. Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Once upon a time there was a lil child with BIG dreams of fortune, fun & leisure. In one way or another dreams come true. Look at ur family/friends (fortune), memories past & soon-2-b (fun), & beach city locale (leisure). Life is grand, spend it up. Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Sometimes the great moments and perfect days in life are replaced with not-so-great days. When faced with struggle keep in mind that u r strong and that tomorrow is a new day. This morning begins ur new day. Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Up and at 'em. Have a great day and an amazing weekend! Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

:) Today is going to be an amazing day! Open ur mind and breathe in ur surroundings. Certain days may giv us an unplanned challenge, but it only leads us to a greater prize. Enjoy ur environment, friends, health. Enjoy life. Happy Friday!

Happy Friday!

Success comes in many diffrnt shapes & forms. Measure urs on ur own scale. Take time to celebrate; for ur greatest success is already within ur passion and drive to be the wonderful person u r today :) Happy Friday!

Kick Start Your Weekend

Whitney Houston - How Will I Know (dance mix)

Kick Start Your Weekend

David Guetta - Getting Over You ft. Fergie & LMFAO

Natalie Imbruglia - Torn

Top 5 Bands* of All Time (according to me)

1. Destiny's Child
2. The Fugees
3. Dave Mathews Band
4. City High
5. All American Rejects

*Yes, I realize I am using the word "band" loosely.

MaliBullet Down?

If you know me, you may be aware that I do NOT enjoy sitting behind the driver seat of a vehicle. I have never had a "dream car" nor was I a fan of bumper cars or remote control cars as a child. In fact, if I ever came across an inordinate amount of money, I would hire a driver, NOT buy a nice car. It has, however, long been a dream of mine to live in a city where driving a vehicle was NOT a necessity. San Diego does not afford such a luxury, unfortunately, but I will let it slide.

Nonetheless, I have owned two cars in my 11 years of driving experience: A black 2-door 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier and currently a (senior citizen) gold 4-door Chevrolet MaliBullet. I drove the Cavalier until it died, and now I think I am in a similar predicament with the MaliBullet. This car has ridden on a train from MD to FL and driven me and my friend Bull from FL all the way to CA - with a short breakdown in the New Mexican desert! Breakdowns aside, this car has been pretty good to me. In recent years though it seems to be crumbling underneath my guidance. The door handles fell off, a few visits to the shop, fender benders (oops!), a constant thirst for coolant and a bicylce flyby (leaving my driver side door a REAL treat...)!

Yeah, its kind of bummy to have a car that is far from perfect, but you know what, it works. Its (relatively) safe and it's cost is minimal. All in all, I am grateful to have a car, not have car payments and thus plan to be there until the end. Its not the most ideal situation, and I am sure there will be days ahead where I am less than satisfied with the MaliBullet, but hey, its not nearly the end of the world. In the meantime I can keep my eyes peeled for a back-up plan, when needed, but for now you will continue to see me around town yanking the driver side door open and waking up the neighbors with its LOUD creak of metal on metal.

Hello, hello baby you called, I can't hear a thing

As a little monster I cannot get enough of the video for Lady Gaga's "Telephone" ft. Beyonce. It's wild, zany, neurotic and dark. Although it hardly follows the shallowness of the lyrics themselves it lends itself to a deeper yellow-haired Gaga and partner in crime, Honey B (Beyonce) on a mission of devious and fatal intentions.

Pros:
9 and a half minutes of greatness
Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta cameo
Beyonce and Gaga dancing together
Odd use of sandwich ingredients as telephones

Cons:
Slightly overdone product placement (Virgin phone specifically)
Not enough Gaga/Beyonce dancing together

View it HERE for yourself. Enjoy :)

Top 5 Songs of All Time (according to me)

1. A Song for You - Donny Hathaway
2. Crazy in Love - Beyonce ft. Jay-Z
3. We Belong Together (remix)- Mariah ft. Jadakiss [tied*]
3. Halo - Beyonce [tied*]
4. Transatlantacism - Death Cab for Cutie
5. Umbrella - Rihanna ft. Jay-Z

*Yes, there is a tie for the #3 spot. No, I did not want to make this a "Top 6" list.

Kick Start Your Weekend (my 100th post!)

Whitney Houston - I wanna dance with somebody

Top 5 Favorite Foods

In no particular order:

Hot Dog
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich
Spam
Lobster
Shrimp Taco

Mother's Cure

Growing up, nothing said "feel better soon" quite as succinctly as a piping hot bowl of classic chicken noodle soup, you know, the kind that you add water to, heat over the stove top and usually need to add an ice cube when ready so you can slurp up sooner vs. later. My mom use to always make this soup for me and my brother as kids when we weren't feeling so well, so I decided to bring a little nostalgia to my overpriced California apartment this afternoon. MmmMmm Good!

P.S. Don't tell Mom, but I added a little Lousianna hot sauce to spice it up a bit ;)

9 words i use often

ugh
yessssssss
BLAST! off
Blessed.
Tubular
ew.
wo.
serious.
GaGa

Kick Start Your Weekend

Beyonce - Why Don't You Love Me

HOT tip for the online shopper

If you are at all like me, you often find yourself browsing the online retail labyrinth. And, if you are at all like me when it comes time to make that purchase you see the "Enter Promo Code Here:" field thinking Darn, I wish I had one... well, you can. Every time I am on a site ready to make a purchase I visit RetailMeNot before finalizing the transaction.

RetailMeNot is a great site that archives coupon codes for over 50,000 popular online retail stores. They offer discounts ranging from a percentage off to free shipping. Each coupon has a success rate next to it and also shows its term of validity so you can better gage which one will likely provide the biggest, most reliable return. I saved $12 on a recent denim purchase! Check it out next time you are about to make a purchase. It's worth the extra few seconds in search. You can thank me with a drink next time you see me ;)

Happy saving: RetailMeNot

She is great.

Beyonce live during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

Facebook Tubularness

Check out this lovely list GQ published describing at least one of YOUR Facebook friends.

Thanks, Kristy.

Until next year...

Today is Sunday, January 24th, 2010 and I am just now dismantling my Christmas cheer. Not that I actually had a lot of festive gust, but enough that it was seasonally inappropriate to continue to keep on display. Thank you all for they great holiday wishes and new memories. Until next year...

Kick Start Your Weekend

Alicia Keys ft. Beyonce - Put in a Love Song

Guilty Addictions

I don't technically have any true addictions, but there are a few guilty vices that I would like to admit. Here are a few items I can seldom refuse:

• Snickers (preferably dark chocolate)
• Milk
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Beyonce
• Lady Gaga
• Champagne
• Hot Tub/Pool Parties
• The Beach
• Formal Wear

3 things I am greatful for today

1. The ocean across the street from my house.
2. Unconditional friends who provide enormous amounts of fun adventures.
3. Discovering new adoring qualities within those who are close to me.

Kick Start Your Weekend

This is FIRE!

Lady GaGa ft. Beyonce - Telephone (Kaskade Remix)

Vintage Pennsylvania Plate

Over the holiday season I had the pleasure of hosting my dear friend Kristy from San Francisco. Among the many elements of festive joy she brought, I was given this lovely vintage ceramic "Pennsylvania" plate. It is decorated with befitting scenes from the Keystone State and trimmed in an ornate gold border. This is officially my new favorite plate when enjoying a delicious peanut butter & jelly sandwich ;)