Sunday, October 23, 2011

Let's Talk on the Phone This Week (Really)

One of the easiest, yet most satisfying ways I keep in touch with friends is with a phone call--sometimes several times a week, but at the very least half a dozen times a month. And this past week, I had an influx of delightful rings from my nearest and dearest. There was a heart-to-heart on why a friend's "combat boot-wearing Clark Kent" love interest was more interesting in sharing his chocolate chip cookie recipes instead of a glass of wine. While on the receiving end of a transcontinental call, I was encouraged to "lead with my heart and not my head" but not be so "CB" (read: Carrie Bradshaw) when it came to new men in my life. And it isn't unusual for me to save a few of these humorous voicemails ("Grandma!" "Cocoa Caliente!" "Grams, are you in your 'jams already?!"). The phone call is as direct a form of communication you can get without actually having to be in the same room with that person. Unlike other modern-ish correspondence like texting or instant messaging, a phone's most exceptional quality comes from being able to keep a conversation's score, so to speak.

No amount of emoticons can take the place of hearing a friend's in-the-moment vocal reactions, whether it's because of a lunch-break debate over outfit potentials for the evening (it's chilly, but I just shaved by legs, so skirt for dinner girlfriend?), or a two-hour dialogue about what each other's serious and silly goals--become fluent in Spanish, start an interior design company, hire another beautiful soap opera-worthy intern, etc. There's something undoubtedly heartening and genuine in hearing your friend's uncontrollable laughter after sharing some buffoonery of foreign, yet utterly amusing British slang.


Today, having a new job that keeps me out of the house a good 11 hours a day, five days a week, my social playtime became understandably limited, with 9-5 business hours and (gasp) weekends no longer applying to me. It also meant letting go of those occasional, but much-coveted happy hours at Barbarella. 


In the end, rather than let a career force me to purge all social interaction, it's helped redefine it. Time is valuable for everyone these days, and I try to make every minute spent with a friend, count. Perhaps, in this way, it serves as a healthy reminder that when it comes to investing time in friendships--it should always be about quality not quantity, especially when you want to make that five-minute "ketchup" chat in between meetings, matter to you both. 



Related: Listen More, Talk Less, Ask Questions

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

St. Vincent

I'm slightly (but in an oh-so-healthy way) obsessed with St. Vincent. Especially this song, her album is out today.


Thursday, August 11, 2011

Screwy Dating Affairs: Guitar Strings

I used to think that screwy dating affairs could only originate from a certain breed of young types -- the sort of folks who'd often put themselves in those socially horrifying and irresponsible situations because well, they enjoyed late-night, drug-induced trysts, and partying with the wrong crowd, and therefore were wholly responsible for whatever dating catastrophes happened upon them. 
Boy, were my theories lacking research.


A lifetime of playing a bachelor(ette) isn't even required to understand what all the hubbub is about. In the past year of my singledom status, I've been blessed with many a chivalrous moment as being told by *writer guy, "I think we should see each other for a few hours this weekend;" being emailed a list of I'll-make-love-to-you songs by *car guy; and *tv guy who simply insisting on sending me a list of get-to-know-you questions before our date (you know, the one that never happened).

I suspect every man has over the years honed his own special method for gaining the affection of women (even if it's for one night for said affection). I once interviewed a guy who authored his first novel on bedding women by way of a little saute and garnish. A totally interesting guy -- and for a reason, he carried a holy sensual agenda that most single gals would come to know. And Danny Devito implies a little more than safe sex with his monster condom bit. To be fair, this isn't an original Devito Pièce de résistance as I had the pleasure (er, no pun intended) of experiencing this same triumphant act while on a date with *Guitar strings.


*Guitar strings was making me laugh to the point that I could hardly finish my prosciutto and wine. Entertaining was second nature to him, as he performed for a living, natch. As a lead singer, he was more than accustomed to girls screaming at his sweaty body as it pulsated across stage at the House of Blues and the Viper Room. Dinner soon concluded and we began exiting our booth. *Guitar strings smiled one last time at me as he turned to reach for his jacket. As he did a glimmering gold piece came flying out of his jacket and directly found itself a new home atop the check on the table. Blinking, I bent closer to see what I thought a recognizable logo. And that's when I realized what I was looking at.


Yes, I suddenly found myself standing in the middle of a very populated dining room, next to a guy who I'd just finish dinner with ... and who'd just casually let a Magnum condom tumble out of the privacy of his duds and into public view for all of West Hollywood to witness over their antipastos.

I nervously laughed and pointed to the still-glimmering package, turned to him and asked, "Ha, so, you trying to leave our waitress a tip or something?"

To this day, I still can't decide if the in-flight Magnum or the distressing + horrified look that immediately settled on his face was the better of entertainment to me that night -- either way *Guitar strings delivered a great performance. 






Monday, August 08, 2011

Adventure Journal - How Girl Scout Cookies Kill Orangutans

Please check out a story, "How Girl Scout Cookies Kill Orangutans" I did for online magazine Adventure Journal (from the makers of National Geographic Adventure). I'm especially happy because in under a week, my story has received over 100 Facebook "likes" and nearly 50 mentions. 


I became interested in writing about these two girl scouts after reading about their stance against the Girl Scouts organization, a well-established organization they set out to idealize, but later refused to represent as their own values after learning a dark secret behind the much coveted cookie. Please share the story and learn more about adventure lifestyle at Adventure Journal. 

Sunday, May 08, 2011

Simple Shoes' New Blog: Collect is Here!

Simple Shoes, where I write, just relaunched their website's new blog, and will feature a great collection of posts on everything from art, design, film, surf, green living to simple shoes. Check out the blog, Simple Collect and follow them on Twitter


Here's an example of a recent blog featuring my flight with Felipe Calderon in Mexico ... of course I had to take my Simple Take On Hi's with me on Air Force Mexico! 


In other news, Simple is turning 20 (almost legal drinking age). Look for more updates in the coming summer months. 

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Simple Take On Hi: The White Stuff

Today, I received my white-on-white Take On Hi's, and boy am I excited to show off these kicks tomorrow at the office, where hopefully I'll start a new trend. Say yes to high tops with eco-certified leather uppers! And if you're planning on attending the artisan and local merchant event, Unique LA, be sure to stop by the Your Daily Thread table, where I'll be showing off these eco-fied, stylie kicks. 


Friday, April 29, 2011

Green Up Your Date Life ... With Me

Are Green Guys More Chivalrous? 
No, I'm not soliciting for dates (as if!) but I will be writing all about eco dating in the coming months. Be sure to sign up for free daily emails at Your Daily Thread to read relationship posts like the one below. Or read it at YDT

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Spring is coming

All those dandelions are sprouting up all over my backyard. It takes all my strength not to sit out there and blow away all their little seeds.



Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Acapulco vs. L.A. -- I'll take Acapulco

While it is tragic hearing what is happening across the Mexico-U.S. border--I couldn't help but furrow my brow in an unconvincing manner after reading a two-page article dedicated to describing a violent Acapulco: "Amid Drug Violence, Acapulco Watches Tourism Recede." 


I just returned from a month-long work trip around Mexico and found much of the cities and areas, even touristy one where supposedly a lot of this stuff is happening, relatively safe. I would be walking with friends and during the day because, well, that's just safe traveling. Here's what got me.


I find it ironic that there's plenty of headline about 650 people killed in four years (that's 162.5 a year), I think it's hyped and I think while there's media mention about L.A.'s violence, it's downplayed. They say about Acapulco: " ... the famed resort city has been the scene of vicious fighting among rival drug gangs ..." -- If you think about it, couldn't you use that line for Los Angeles? Actually, you couldn't, L.A.'s homicide is vastly larger than that of Acapulco. If you weren't sure, there was something like 314 homicide killings in 2009, 216 in 2010 and from Jan. 1 to Feb. 13 2011 L.A. has outdid itself with 83 homicides (barely two months and it's half of what Acapulco garners in a whole year). I edited the LAPD magazine for a few years and would always hear about these killings. However, I will say L.A.'s homicide rate has been dropping in the past few years--in 1992 there was a whopping 1,200 homicides. 


I just found it strange that L.A., a city with nearly triple the homicides of that of a foreign, beautiful Mexican city like Acapulco, would dedicate so many inches to denounce it. Violence is there and no one can get around it. But let's keep perspective. Besides wasn't L.A. the city where songs like "Murder was the Case," "Eazy-E" and "Straight Outta Compton" originated from? I don't think I ever heard a track like that come out of Acapulco. 


Check out the nice shot my friend Adriana took of me while we were driving along Champoton, Arnie Weissmann a great editor in chief I befriended while traveling here wrote up a nice story for Travel Weekly about the experience. 


Along the Mexican Gulf Coast in Champoton.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

City's Best Los Angeles: My Interview with Tracy Helper

Recently, I've been writing with AOL's City Best for the L.A. edition. I've been tasked with writing on green living in Los Angeles. I interviewed Tracy Hepler of Your Daily Thread -- not only is she a good friend I've come to know through working in green living, but she's also got some of the best eco-etiquette I've seen around the city. From her compost, DIY vegetables to tin cans she's always carrying to avoid contributing to the plastic bottle fiasco, she's got top-notch manners when it comes to being good to the planet. Here is my recent interview with her.  

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Abuelita & Su Abrigo

Grandma decided to gift me her 1970s-era coat that grandpa bought from one of those fancy window displays. She only wore it a handful of times. Funny enough, it fits me to a tee. Alas, where would I wear such a glam piece?

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Mexico City in Photos

Hello gang,
As of late, I've been working in Mexico City on a top secret mission ... well, not secret and not a mission but I think definitely "top" would be the word to describe what I've seen so far just in Mexico City. I've been here a week and a half and although I'm seeing much of it from a hotel's 20th floor window and the length my feet can travel around the hotel, the country is still breathtaking. Every morning I wake up and face a flying Mexican flag that's large enough to cover a house. (I think they fly it whenever the president is in town.) The city, at a higher elevation, is engulfed in these omnipresent mountains -- it reminds me of Las Vegas being surrounded but grander.  


I have not even seen much of the country yet, but one of the first things to stick out for me about Mexico is that it's exactly like the beautiful books and movies that (properly) depict Mexico in all its rich, colorful, artisanal and cultural beauty. There's rich, spicy food, overly bright-painted buildings in pastels, orange, red, etc and everyone is dressed to the nines. I joked to Adriana, it's like Beverly Hills, except everyone is tan and has a beautiful accent. Here are some shots I've taken so far of the city.



Enchiladas

Frida Kahlo's House
On the gondolas