Weekend with David

David hasn't been to DC in quite a while. But when I learned Gov't Mule was coming to town, he decided to make a special trip down. When he arrived on Friday night, we immediately make the requisite stop to Kabob Palace where the lamb kabobs and kubideh are luscious. David is convinced they season the kubideh with some sort of poppy/opium powder because every time eats there, he has this euphoric experience.

Poor Lane had to work again this Saturday, so David and I headed over to Eastern Market. We checked out the flea markets there, and all the artisan stands, walked through the fresh meat market and awesome bakeries and cheese stands, sampled cheeses and nuts and juicy, delicious apples. And I bought a necklace made by the Maasai tribe from Kenya. We also found this really cool retro/vintage clothing store, which I can't wait to go back to.

Saturday night was the big finale - Gov't Mule is a classic rock "jam" band that formed as a side project of the Allman Brothers. These guys are mostly influenced by 60's greats such as Cream and Jimi Hendrix Experience. One of the members was also from the Black Crowes. David LOVES Gov't Mule and Lane and I went to see them on New Year's Eve last year in New York.

This time was at the 9:30 club - the same place we saw Keane earlier this year. We were right up front and had a great time. They even covered some Neil Young and One by U2, which was my favorite. These guys started at 9:30 and didn't end until 1 AM! They are serious about jamming. Lane caught a guitar pic Warren Haynes (the singer and lead guitarist) threw out into the crowd.

I really enjoyed the band that opened for them - Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, who I had never heard before. Grace is only 24 (what an old fart I sound like when saying that), and their music is bluesy with a 1970's rock sound. Her voice is beautiful and she has such amazing stage presence - plus she's hot.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures of the show since they made me check in my camera!!! grr. Also, DC is regularly a city of young, preppy professionals. Out of nowhere at this concert appeared long-haired, tattooed, long bearded, tie-dyed shirt wearing, smoker bikers with southern accents. It was kind of humorous.

David left this morning, but only after feasting on a lazy Sunday morning breakfast.

Pictures of Our City

I just felt like posting some DC pictures tonight. No real reason. So here are pictures of our city. We're always happy to show people the sites in person : )

October 10, 2007

October 10th was my mom's b-day. Happy Birthday, Mom! She is one of the kindest, most self-less people I know. I don't think I would do the kind of work that I do, were it not for the example that my mom has shown to me ever since I was little of how important it is to help other people. I don't think I would have any clue in the kitchen if it weren't for my mom and the wonders she works in there. Overall, my mom has been a wonderful example, and a great friend. I'm glad we were able to have a pre-celebration together in New York.

Could this really be??

Yesterday, as it sweltered to an autumn high of 90 degrees, I realized I am ready for fall. I’m done wearing dresses and skirts for a while. I am ready for sweaters and scarves, crisp breezes and hearing the crackling of fallen burnt orange leaves. I am ready for soup cooking season, for when it actually feels nice and cozy to use the oven instead of something to avoid doing at all costs.

Could this really be? The summer loving sunshine basking (yet sunscreen wearing) California girl is ready to put away the shorts and flip flops for a few months? What can I say?? There’s just something to be said about having four distinct seasons. It’s enough time to enjoy, get bored, and get excited for the next. You start noticing little changes in the light, the air, the flowers, the leaves, I love it...

However, I’d be willing to trade winter for a longer cherry blossom season next spring. Not sure there’s much I can do about that, though.

This is wacky summer weather - on the hottest, most humid day of the whole summer last year, we also had the most thunder and lightning and were evacuated from the capitol lawn. Then the sun came out again and we were able to enjoy the fireworks.This summer photo was actually taken in Central Park, not DC. But it's still beautiful summer.

Ready for Vacation?? I think so.

Our weekend was pretty blah. Unfortunately, Lane had to go in to work on both Saturday and Sunday. I had grandiose plans of cleaning our entire apartment. Hah! Instead I got sick and felt like crap all weekend. So in the spirit of feeling like crap, I just watched crap on TV. Yes, I'm ashamed to admit that I watched the E! channel and mTV. Suddenly, I snapped out of it and decided to do something to make myself feel better, instead of encouraging the sicky-ness. So I read, took a bubble bath, did some yoga, did a little face mask (complete with cucumber slices over my eyes), took a nap and ate chicken soup. It worked. a little.

Poor Lane goes to work at 6 in the AM every day. I couldn't believe it when he didn't get home until 8 PM yesterday. Total bummer. Hopefully those excruciatingly long days will be few and far between. I made use of this time away by doing the dishes, marinating some meat for tonight's dinner, making salmon patties, fixing his lunch for today and making last night's dinner. I felt like such a little homemaker.

But seriously, the guy needs a break. I can't wait for our decisions to be hmm, should we go to the pool or the ocean today? November 15th can't come soon enough.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to make a big hoopla over Thanksgiving since we'll get back in town on Monday night. But then I started daydreaming about my menu, and I realized how much I love Thanksgiving (and how proud of myself I am for cooking a whole turkey) and that I can't possibly *not* cook a wonderfully large Thanksgiving dinner. After all, I'll have a three day weekend to recover from both vacation, and Thanksiving prep/cooking/overeating.

Where are you from????

I get asked this question a lot. It’s always uncomfortable and I feel like the person is never actually asking what they really want to know. I’m not sure if I should answer their question, or not answer their question, but skip all the prancing around and just tell them what they want to hear.

I was born in Indiana, so if you want to be technical about it, that’s where I’m from. However, I consider myself from California. I grew up there, lived there for 21 years, made all my friends there, went to college there, met my husband and got married there. It’s where my parents live; it’s my home and where I’m from. People aren’t ever satisfied with this answer though – “no, what *country* are you from??” uhhh. The united states??

Apparently, some people see me, and it’s very clear to them that I’m from another part of the world. It’s just weird because when I see myself I don’t see a Mexican or a Spanish speaking person or anything else than a normal almost thirty (yikes!) year old person.

So, yes. I’m half Mexican. I didn’t grow up in Mexico. As far as I know I don’t have any family there, and I’ve only ever been to Puerto Vallarta – for my honeymoon. I learned all my Spanish in school and what can I say, I love tamales.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not angry or offended – I’m happy to share. Just ask what you want to know, people! :-)

So... hours and hours after I posted this, I started reading a little more of my new book called Ancestor Stones by Aminatta Forna. I was amused to read the following sentences: "And the way those people talk, sideways, out of the corners of their mouths, using some words to say what they do not really mean, and other words to say the things they do. And you cannot shout at them: 'What do you mean? Say what you mean to say!' Because then they look at you as though you had let the sun get to your head."

Nueva York

We went on our favorite Washington Deluxe bus this weekend to visit David in NYC. The special double bonus was that my mom was visiting Cynthia in Boston and they both came down for the weekend. Yay family!! (and Delfine)

Aren't David and Alex just the cutest couple!?!?

We started out at our favorite hang out on 53rd and 9th - Mange y Bevi. I've told you guys about this place before - they have dancing on chairs, dancing with waiters and tambourines at the tables. I know of no other restaurant where you get up from the table and dance your little heart out and then go back to eating dinner like it was nothing. Cynthia and I found our own little dancing spot. Later on my mom decided she wanted to get up and dance too. My favorite part, though, was when the waiter brought a round of shots to us all, and as my mom held it, she whispered scandalously, "does this have alcohol in it?!??!" and then she proceeded to down it in one gulp. It was hilarious. After we got back, we just chit chatted with David and Alex about their adventures en Cuba, and chilled.

Yes, this is at dinner. Not at a club or a bar.

And my mom was ready for the party!We celebrated Alex's birthday with requisite chair dancing, the whole restaurant singing to her, and shared a delightfully decadent and creamy tiramisu.
Saturday afternoon, we browsed and ate at the street fair. I bought my mom a little b-day present, and stocked up on accessories - a scarf, a hat, a headband, sunglasses... i was having a blast. We had a delicious thai dinner - and I couldn't believe it was my mom's first experience with thai food!!! It's definitely a favorite of Lane's and mine. We checked out a cool play in the evening that Alex got us tickets for. It was an intense drama set in Taos, New Mexico in the mid 1800's. The actors were all spectacular. And in reading the bios, we learned that practically every actor in NY has been in Law & Order. Apparently, that's your magic ticket to making it in theatre.

We finished the night with some dancing/bar action...

Sunday was so relaxing. Lane and I had a leisurely brunch and then sauntered through Central Park and met my mom and David where we shared a cheese and fruit plate and I took pictures of some of the characters we came across in the park, like this weird lady: Strawberry Fields - Before we knew it, it was time to go back.

Adios, Nueva York. More pics are on our Our Pics link...