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Archive | October, 2007
Seven Halloween Things About Me
26 OctI was tagged by Christa M. and asked to come up with seven things about myself. I’m changing the rules a little and making them seven Halloween things about me in honor of the season.
2003
2006- I was once the letter “C” for Halloween. It was my ode to Sesame Street and allowed me to wear a cute skirt;
- I ripped a large chunk of skin off my face one year while removing a fake wart I’d applied with skin glue or cement or whatever they call it;
- I really enjoyed going to the Halloween extravaganza held at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine when I lived in NYC;
- My pan de muerto always comes out looking like a pretzel; and
- Sweet Tarts are my favorite Halloween candy.
I won’t tag anyone in return, but would be interested in others’ Halloween factoids.
Estamos Bien
25 OctThanks to all of those who have checked in on us over the past few days. We are fine and comfortably away from the fires. The cars are a little ashy and our lungs burn a little, but otherwise we’re home and ok.
Oddly enough, despite our location generally away from the fires (i.e., in the north eastern Los Angeles area and not in San Diego, Orange County, Malibu, or Riverside), today we received an e-mail from our car insurance company noting that we “live in an area affected by the fires” and setting out the phone numbers to call to file a claim.
Better to have them care too much, than not at all.
Delusions of Grandeur
20 OctI’m always amazed when I hear about people who make up elaborate stories regarding their past. I mean, it’s hard enough keeping actual reality straight.
Today, the L.A. Times has a piece on a guy who has been charged with falsely claiming to have a Medal of Honor. According to the L.A. Times, Xavier Alvarez, a local water district official nicknamed “Rambo” by his colleagues (why a water board needs a Rambo is apparently an entirely different issue), told the following stories:
- He was a 25-year veteran of the Marine Corps;
- He rescued the U.S. ambassador during the siege of the embassy in Tehran (and that during that rescue he was shot twice, but still managed to hang from the helicopter on his way out and take the American flag off of the embassy as he left);
- He was married to a Mexican starlet (but couldn’t be seen with her because of photographers);
- He played ice hockey for the Detroit Red Wings (but only at a minor league level); and
- He was a police officer for a local city (only to be dismissed for using excessive force).
My favorite part of the story, he was tripped up by a female former Marine. Alvarez started spewing his made-up military past and the woman started asking him questions. Although initially impressed, the woman became suspicious and called the FBI. Alvarez initially told the FBI everything he told her was a lie because she was annoying him and he wanted to “hold her off.” Ok, except for the FBI found a tape of himself telling the lie about being a Marine and getting a Medal of Honor on tape in July.
What Are You Talking About?
15 OctMy niece is three and her favorite question of late is “What are you talking about?” Knowing that the question isn’t going away anytime soon, my sister has taught the kid how to add “Willis” to the end of the query.
She’s awaiting the call from the daycare center any day now.
I knew watching too much tv in the 70s and 80s would come in useful someday.
You’re Kidding, Right?
12 OctDriving home from work today, I saw this billboard off of Huntington Drive just inside El Sereno.
I did a double take.
The text made it look like an ad for a horror film, but I wondered whether the letter P and the number 2 were really boldly emblazoned 10-feet up. Did that mean this was actually advertising a movie titled “P2″? Or was this a joke–like some kind of psychologically-twisted ad for a nutritional supplement?
You see, in Spanish, “P2″ translates literally to “pe-dos.” That means gas–the kind that comes from humans, not the kind cars use.
Sadly, after some research I found out that the movie’s name is actually “P2.”
This is what happens when you don’t have any Spanish-speakers working anywhere near where movies get made and marketed.
Good job, Hollywood. Keep up the good work and continue to advertise for flatulence in predominantly Latino neighborhoods.
La Araña
10 OctI am not a big fan of spiders.
Perhaps it’s because of my hair issues or because of the urban legend about spiders in the hair.
In any event, it’s never a good day when one of them sets up shop across the path leading to my front door.
Sundays Are Special
8 OctFor religious reasons or otherwise, Sundays have always been special. They’re a day of treats (like McDonald’s after mass) and reflection (like spending an entire day fasting). Nowadays, in the fall, the treats always include football.
Today, we weren’t making rice like El Chavo. Instead, we went with grilled mussels. Nothing like grilling with butter, garlic, and parsley. Mm-mm-mm (and a big thanks to 30 seconds of a Julia Child show on PBS that taught me how to make these).
Buggy
6 OctIt’s October and that means the Yankees are in the playoffs. For the past couple of years, this time of year has meant holding my breath and hoping the boys can pull it off. It’s a nerve wracking time.
The baseball gods granted me some respite from the stress today in the form of gnats. I had to crack a smile when watching major league players trying to swat the bugs away while batting, pitching, and fielding. Some even applied bug spray.
It ended up being all I would smile about. My team lost the game, which had been tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the 11th.
Old Habits Die Hard
3 OctOk, so I used to be a reporter–when I see helicopters and SWAT teams and cop cars all over the place and streets blocked off for a quarter mile, I don’t just say “Hmm, wonder what happened?” I get out of the car and start asking questions.
Preliminary reports (obtained from a reporter watching the cops at the Rosemead Walmart staging area) say officer down and manhunt on.
UPDATE: Operations called off around 1 p.m. The whole thing was a misunderstanding. Police thought they were under fire when a lighter exploded on the hood of a car. Oops! http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_7073547?source=email
Today’s Finger Puppet
1 OctI keep a lot of finger puppets and little characters sitting around my spaces. Jane Austen, Plato, El Diablo, Warrior Woman, Mariachi Skeletons, etc., all comfort me on different days. Today, this one captures things–and it’s only Monday.
Fotos de Los Locos
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Lo Que Dijeron