chark attack!

Too funny to ignore. Kanye interrupts his own apology.

Because saying sorry isn't enough for Mr. West.

Mr. West really. I'm too nice. Obama had it right with 'jackass' in lowercase cause giving him a few letters in uppercase will make him classy.

Catch you on the flip side San Francisco!

Dear San Francisco,

Good-bye for now! It was a great five years, but your lack of entertainment career opportunities and my hatred for the Muni has forced us to move back to Los Angeles your older, dim-witted sister to the South who we have realized as of lately is a metropolitan late-bloomer. Though I will miss not having to dress up, showering or even combing my hair prior to leaving (my tiny and expensive) abode looking nearly homeless, I won't miss the fog and having to layer up to accomodate to the micro-climates.

I like not having to wear pants okay (talking about wearing shorts and dresses)! And my flat feet need to steer clear from the restrictiveness of these covered things with the holes for easy access - what's that called again? oh yeah....shoes. I'm also a beach and pool girl, not a real fan of the hot tub and I like my yoga 90210-created cult status.

So, while I'd like to keep our relationship casual note that things do need to change when I return in the future or this golden goose is going to have to lay her eggs in Spain.

Chau for now,
Charm

P.S.
Jajajajajajajaja!

I'd like to wish you a...

MERRY CHRISTMAS
or
HAPPY BIRTHDAY J.C.

I'LL TRY TO CELEBRATE WITH A BOTTLE FULL OF BUB MAMA -- after I get off this plane.

I knew I'd receive this note sooner or later.

Dear Mrs. Narong,

Thank you for inquiring about tickets to the 56th Presidential Inauguration Swearing-In Ceremony.  An unprecedented number of Californians have submitted ticket requests, already far exceeding the number of tickets we expect to have available for constituents. As a result, I regret to inform you that it is unlikely your request can be accommodated, however your request will be kept on file in the event that additional tickets become available.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee will have access to a number of tickets so please contact them at www.pic2008.org to check for ticket availability.

Requests to participate in Inauguration Day events for marching bands, marching units, mounted units, and other performers are collected by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee. The Presidential Inaugural Committee selects the participants from the collected requests.

Further information and an application to participate may be found at the http://www.jfhqncr.northcom.mil/afic/.

Sincerely yours,
Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

yes on 8

disturbingly true story i heard over the weekend during my brief stint in LA-LA land for my cousin's wedding. i dunno if i could live down there again.

family member #1 hangs many "yes on 8" signs around their home via windows and lawn ornaments. family member #2 hears this in disgust and steals all signs with the help of another family member who lives in the home of fm #1.

fm#1 is po'd that signs are stolen and blames "the lesbians" who have stolen them.

ugh. ignorance is not bliss. it's moronic.

Why I can't sleep and I'm stressed

According to this SF Gate article, I work in the Noisiest Neighborhood (SoMa) and live in the Eighth Nosiest Neighborhood (Haight-Ashbury), which is tied with <eeek!> Bayview-Hunters Point. This possibly explains the noisy street kids and bum fights, loud drunken party people, the Late Night MUNI Service, telling loiterers to get off my stoop after I've been working twenty hours straight, the liquor store below me and the bar across the street from me. Did I mention the tourists?

I'd like to move, but I can't find a place. It's such a pain to move too.

Remove me

In my continuing fight to keep my inbox free from junk, spam and other "offers" I've begun to unsubscribe myself from a number of newsletters who continue "to keep me in the loop" in regards to events and consumerism. These times are a trying and you bet your bottom I feel it in my industry which borders entertainment + luxury...we're the odd non-profit. I don't need to spend money on frivolous things at this stage of my life, a girl can only fit so many things on her calendar and in her closet (though I do have a massive walk-in which is not common in SF unless you own).

Yellow, Grey & Prague

My blog design needs a makeover something along the lines of yellow and grey. I'm just not feeling the airy light design. But who knows what transpires when I take a crack at it. Oh it's been a while since I've done anything artistic...I've been geeking out on other things like this morning I finally reset my Skype password and got on a video (conference) chat with dear, ole' Kat who moved to Prague about a week ago. She's already got an apt and cell phone, but it's expensive to call on those things especially since we'd be fighting over who gets to tell a story next...so free and fabu Skype it is! The video was a bit wonky most times and since I was slouched on my bed with my computer on a pillow (since it's overheating or just hot) only the top 1/3 of my noggin was in view. But wow it's so easy to keep in touch with technology these days. I know I sound like a granny, but ooooh the wonders of the interwebs (stop mocking reader!). Next time, we're going to try to do a 3-way video chat with Sarah on iChat, but it's going to take some massive coordination with Kat in CET, Sarah in EST and me in PST. Ahhh can't wait until we're all in NY again.

On being positive.

It's getting harder and harder to get up in the morning though it's easy to wake up since sleeping seems to be just a two-to-four hour pause. I'm kicking in my sleep again (Restless Leg Syndrome) and it started in NY when Elaine thought I had a nightmare. I did and it was the thought of returning to the Left Coast.

Who I'm Hot 4 Now or My Hot 4 Now Are...

Whichever way you want to interpret it, here are the people and the things they do that I am so into right the fuck now! And yes, I really know those people and no, they didn't pay me for the publicity. I am just in the know people...in-the-know. I also know what is up with the what's up. Alrighty!

P.S.
Margaritas are cool, but I prefer scotch-whiskey or rum.
Scotch, scotch, scotch, scotch, scotch.

Butterface

A few nights ago as Ang (Jon's sister) and I were watching Michael Phelps in his natural habitat, we did as any two gals would do as they stared at man-meat...oogle and gossip. Staring at Phelps-O-Lympics we can't help but be drawn to everything below the neck: those arms, abs, torso and umm, speedo<branded> nether region. Is it because his mouth is naturally agape with those chompers always in view? And when he speaks you know that he's a jock, yeah...most definitely.  Then, Ang blurts it out, "He's a butterface!" I turn my head in shock and in natural, agreement, "Yeah, just what I was thinking." Fortunately, we're not the only meanies who think so.

Happy Racist Day!

Take your pick Basketball or Tennis.
But it's okay cause that's just a sign of affection on Spain.

SFist Offended Me & My Peeps

Try cracking a new tab in your browser lazy ass reporter and "google it". Ignoramus (feel free to do a search to define this too).

I think I'm sick or at least I sound like it.

After a full week of telling myself and others "I'm fine, I can party with ya'll!" I really, really made myself super sick with a fever, chills and finally fatigue. I knocked myself out and woke up feeling like hell twelve hours later. I was hot then, cold and sweaty and yucky overall. But this only happens once a year or two...it's the migraines that really bother me.

Girl in Green

RIP Starr

Earlier this morning my Dad called me in near tears (he's sensitive) to let me know Starr, my baby sister's dog died. Now Starr was a wild dog. She wasn't trained and lived in the garage up until a few months ago. She was finally housebroken and slept either with my sister or dad. So, today the new delivered to me was really devastating and how she died was really gruesome.

My parents live up in the hills of So. Cali with no fence to stop wildlife from coming in or to protect domestic animals. With that being said, Starr was in our backyard earlier this morning playing with my sister before she went off to school. She left her to do something and minutes later my dad hears Starr crying and runs down to see what's going on. Starr is down with a coyote chomping on her lifeless body. My dad shoos the coyote away (not recommended) and takes Starr to the nearest hospital (for humans) and is turned away. Then, he takes her to the fire station where they pronounce her dead caused by a heart attack. Now, my dad is crying and heartbroken along with my sister and my mom.

I couldn't believe the news, but two nights ago I dreamed someone very close to my baby sister would die. I woke up crying from that dream and now, I guess it's true.

Why do I love work so much?

It's 4:20 AM and I'm up because of an allergy attack. Okay I exaggerated. My sinuses are blocked and I can't breathe, so my nose started dripping and now, I am up. Yeah, you like the "allergy attack" explanation better, huh.

So, I'm up and I grab my laptop and iphone from the living room and immediately check my e-mail on my iphone on my way back to my bed. Then, I'm on my laptop simultaneously reading my feeds while getting an urge to work on floorplans for an upcoming event.

I'm just a ball full of fun.

Happy 4-20!

Living in the midst of Haight-Ashbury has its ups (Bay to Breakers, Haight St. Fair, nearby indie film house, shops, restaurants, bars, proximity to the Lower Haight) and downs (loiters, runaways and tourists). But on April 20th of every year, many come down to my neighborhood to celebrate a free-for-all extravaganza to smoke pot on every street corner and to wait in a massively long pizza line. Yes, it is indeed four-twenty.

People exclaim a happy 4/20 all day long. Puffs of smoke rise up into my apartment from the street below. Tourists get contact high and then, the munchies. And my pothead neighbor continues to make our shared hall green-scented.

The following day, I still hear a lone echo of "Happy four-twenty-one."

MPB: April 16, 2008

MPB: April 16, 2008, originally uploaded by charmiebeez.

 

MPB: April 12, 2008

MPB: April 12, 2008, originally uploaded by charmiebeez.

 

Lately I...

• have been overbooked myself.
• entertained way too many out-of-towners. Thank God there were no trips to Pier 30 nor Alcatraz, but the Exploratorium instead.
• gave my cell a break over the past weekend.
• taught Mika to jump over hurdles, obstacles, etc.
• almost bought the entire Gyrson collection, but upon seeing it in person only liked the $20 Gryson for Target cross-body bag.
• finally saw some friends, had English food, drinks and a hangover.
• spied with my partner-in-crime, Red Strawberry.
• tried to sneak a peek at the Olympic Torch run, but it hid in a van near a warehouse and tried to skip out on it's duties by way of speed boat or jet ski; neither happened.
• took Jami to my Spin class and it made the 60 minute workout seem faster.

Migraines

It started in my early twenties or was it when I turned twenty that I started to feel agonizing, intense pains above one of eyes (never both) and sometimes somewhere near my sinuses lasting until I would eventually pass out from exhaustion. I would have to tell everyone around me to shut up, turn off all noise making machines, shut the blinds, close the curtains and then, place a pillow over my face. Tears would start to fall down my face, a hollow feeling on the side of my head would start to emerge, I'd feel the urge to vomit and get so dizzy closing my eyes some times intensified it. An hour or two later, after I've passed out from whatever drug I was prescribed with at that time, I still feel a touch of nausea and the long-lasting sensation of "hollow-head".

And a few days to a week later the dreaded migraine monster returns.

Today I had an attack that came for no apparent reason, like they usually do. I woke up around 7:30 am and was ready to leave for work an hour later. But as I was about to apply mascara, I had to stop and shut the lights off...the migraine had arrived. I thought I could just take my meds, but I really had to lie down and for some reason, the radio was extremely loud and it made me frustrated. I hit the off button hard. I knew this was going to be a bad one and an hour later, I had to tell my co-workers I was going to be late. Four hours later, I took another pill since I felt it throbbing still, but at least I could sit up, talk and open a window. I started to feel better, but I know it's not completely over yet. And I'm right, it's 8:30 in the evening and I can still feel the slowing pulsating thump above my right eye. Woe is me or is it woe is I? Whatever, I'm still not 100%.

Bummer.

I was about to submit my design for HP's Design to Inspire Contest, but I just read the contest rules and I'm not eligible since the hubs was a previous employer of the sponsor. Big bummer. Here's what I wanted to submit, Monster Rock. I think I would have had a chance.

Pre, pre, pre, pre, pre, pre, pre cancer cells

At work today I got a phone call that went something like this:

Moi: Hello.

Dr: Hi Charm, this Dr. XXX you may not remember me, I'm the gyno you saw during your trip last December to Urgent Care (another post).

Moi: Oh yes, I do. Hi.

Dr: There was something slightly abnormal from the results of your pap smear.

Moi: Ummm okay.

Dr: Have you ever received an abnormal result from a pap?

Moi: No, never.

Dr: How old are you?

Moi: 27

Dr: Ok well first off I just want to let you know that we found some pre (x10) cancer cells in your uterus/cervix. Don't hang up the phone though, because you don't have cancer, but we're glad we found the pre (x10) cancer cells now because it can turn into something ten years from now.

Moi: <shocked> Ok so what should I do now.

Dr: We need you to come in every six months to do a pap smear to make sure everything is okay.

Moi: Okay I can do that.

Then, I panic and yell to my co-worker oh my god I have pre (x10) cancer cells in my uterus/cervix, I don't even remember exactly where she told me cause all I heard was cancer and pap smear. I also tell the hubby and make him near to tears in the process...okay I was kinda morbid about it too, but I was just being realistic.

The sun's out time to roast!

It was gorgeous this weekend in the Bay! Hurrah the sun is back and I can show my pasty legs, but I didn't. But I did go walking everywhere and anywhere before dusk. Saturday was dim sum day at Yank Sing, the best dim sum place in San Francisco. If you ever go, ask any cart-wielding lady to send over some Spinach dumplings [spinach dumpling wrapper stuffed with a spinach mix] and a pork-ginger dumpling, which is like $10 for 6 pieces, so go alone. After grubbing, we ditched the car for a while in the FiDi and hiked through the Embarcadero to North Beach. NB is really a hard place to get to
usually, so it was a real treat to just stroll around.

Today it's even warmer than yesterday so, we trekked downhill to Lower Haight, past Castro, through the Mission and made a stop at Bi-Rite Creamery where the line was near the end of the sidewalk. I felt like a Margarita, but the hubby called me an alcoholic and mentioned I wasn't with my girlfriends. So, ice cream it was gonna be. Fortunately, we were in a gay-wich so, entertainment was close. The dynamic gay duo in front of us were hipsters to the max, yet they were also queens which confused me at first. I especially loved the guy's longsleeve pink top that wasn't really long enough in the torso...coincidence or hoochie. I think hooch. The gays behind us weren't nearly as entertaining and almost seemed to have just fallen in line to see what the crowd was waiting for.

About 15 minutes past and we were inside Bi-Rite which was really unpleasantly warm inside. I guess they want you to buy more ice cream by making you sweat first. I fell for it. I got three scoops which consisted of: honey-lavender, roasted banana and butter pecan. I couldn't finish it and passed it on to my hubby. Then, we hiked back up the hill where I had the bright idea to make a stuffed pork roast for the week. Of course, I've never made one before, so I had to look it up and buy a bunch of crap like a rack, twine, meat thermometer, etc. It didn't take too long to prep the meat, but I knew we wouldn't be eating it for dinner tonight so, the feast is for tomorrow, a perfect cure to ease the case of the Mondays.

Eyes are in pain.

My vision is getting blurry again and I think it might have to do with my 15+ hours on the computer or something to that effect. I also have a migraine today along with plans to meet some women for a cocktail at a meat market type of a hotel bar. I'm debating whether I should go or not...I shouldn't go because I don't have an umbrella and it's pouring. I should go because I haven't seen a friend of mine in a while and she was also invited to this thing which is like a "ladies who lunch" type of meet and greet. I should go since I do love to meet new people and expand my network to ummm I dunno, double digits, haha.

Argh! Rain go away. Today, I really wish I drove cause you know where our car is, in the garage all nice and toasty taking a big ole' nap.

Ugh, I gotta log off, my eyes are in pain. I might cry bloody tears or something gross like that.

Oh baby hangover.

Last night, Jami and I went to 7x7's Eat + Drink Awards with the anticipation of tasting treats from the winners or participants' establishments. But it wasn't so. Instead, we started to take advantage of the open bar, but with my stolen wallet I've been out of practice and I was nearly buzzed a quarter of the way of my first drink. Sad. So, I took a breadstick to help appease my liver and stomach but it angered my tastebuds first. It was such a hard, salty thing I felt like it should have been fed to horses.

Disgust; we tried to get rid of it.

We started to look at the scenery instead within the walls of the City Club, but we knew not too many people we recognized and if we did, we didn't really feel like schmoozing. It was one of those nights. Until I saw Tyler Florence, the evening's emcee. He was pretty hunky something I've never thought until I saw him in person and I would have liked to chit-chat but I was chicken he looked busy. Then, out of the blue we heard drums and a mini-marching band composed of mainly the drumline stomped in. Everyone hooted and hollered especially because these kids were between the ages of six to twelve. They were darling, but I wondered if they had ear plugs.

Jami also pointed out that Top Chef's Marcel was in the crowd. He was my favorite on the show and she looked at me with a "what?!" I also would have liked to chat it up with him but he looked like he was supposed to be somewhat interested in the annoying group of people he was with that kept introducing him to their friends. I guess that's what happens when you are quazi-famous and around people who want to inhale your kool-aid.

After much, non-schmoozing and more cocktailing we retreated upstairs as promises of Citizen Cake cupcakes were announced. None were found so we grabbed some cookies and with Jami's luck she got the one with bits of bacon. i sniffed her cookie and yes, there was bacon in there?! For those of you who live outside of the Bay Area or more specifically the City, it's an obsession along with organic farms, free-range, veganism, raw and incorporating a pirate look into everyday wear as often as possible. No joke.

Shells, Elephants and shhhhh...Spies

Last December, we had brunch at the Mark for Jon's birthday. It's as fancy as you can get for brunch in this City that includes a 360 degree view of SF, enchanting live music, bottomless champagne and caviar without dining with the man himself, Robin Leach. Jon's mom was addicted to these spinach and ricotta stuffed pasta shells, and as usual Jon takes a sarcastic stab until I get a taste for myself. It was divine and comforting with a nostalgic flair, so of course, I had to find similar shells which I did at Lucca's a few weeks back and finally had the chance to make them for dinner last night for Jon's parents. But I didn't really follow any recipes and forgot to use a few key ingredients to make them more flavor, so it wasn't the best. It was really bland overall and I'm dying to re-do the dish since I've been on this cooking buzz.

Before the dinner, we actually went to the airport to pick up Jon's dad who had just spent the last three weeks in Thailand on holiday. We wish we could've gone, but since Jon just landed the fruit gig , it got postponed until either later this year or next. But we got a taste of Thailand from the gifts we received that included pearls and elephants - the national symbol. I really can't wait to go and we'd also visit my relatives in the P.I.

After dinner, we were back to the City for a themed housewarming party, I know... it's like what?! Luckily, the theme was spies and the first rule of being one is to not blow your cover. Wearing a trench coat, mustache, all-black outfit and/or a suspicious look may have tipped off some people.  At this party, I thought it was obvious who has played this game with the neighborhood kids and who was not allowed past their front yard.

More Models.

We had model castings today and boy were my interns giddy. My co-worker yelled out who wants to do their first model casting! And our intern, Tiffany jumped at the chance, but the other one, Melinda still had to do some boring art work for me. I saw the look of possibly seeing hot nekked male models dis-robe taken away from her and told her she could finish things up the next day she was in. Melinda was happy and I'm glad she got to see some ass. Haha.

A few minutes later a plethora of tall, chiseled jaw lines, high cheek bones and butt chins came in like the wind (yeah, models are light...as a feather). And the next time I saw my interns they were on cloud 9, telling me to sneak a peek upstairs. But I mentioned that I've been to enough of these castings to encourage my bulimia for a lifetime.

Male Models. I need a camera.

The two are not related. I hope that was obvious cause I'm not a peeping Tom/Tamara.

At work, this youngish looking guy knocks on our door and I guesture for him to come in as I was on the phone at the time. He mumbles something about a casting call for Banana Republic and I point to my co-worker who's currently working on a Gap fashion show. But for some reason the male model goes out the door and disappears. I get off the phone with Ted from THS (check them out!) since we weren't really talking about anything that important just Jesus toast and Mr. T in your tea bag or something. He's hilarious.

So, I walk out of my office and find the male model in the lobby with portfolio and model card in hand. I swear I wouldn't have thought he was a model at all...he just didn't have that look. I know could be wrong. I intro'd him to my co-worker and he's ready to do his model stuff you know get nekked and try on some clothes to walk, walk, walk. Or is it strut, strut, strut. Whatevs. He doesn't get to do that though since he's a day early. He turns red, gets embarrassed and leaves. We = start to laugh and cry. Okay the situation was funnier live.

OTHER THING: I need to get myself a camera because <drum roll> we [Dave at LTM] will be filming a documentary! Hurrah! Just had a meeting today with our subjects and we are good to go =) We are actually starting to shoot tomorrow and on Friday. Emotions are abound with a sigh of relief.

Re-Start

I've had the "Pillow Book" blog on and off since I moved to the Bay Area 3.5 years ago when I lived by myself in Palo Alto and was in school. Now, I'm married, living and working in the City and re-starting this blog all over again in the hopes that I'll keep it running longer and without much disruption.

New situations, projects and career moves are also in the making so, the obvious thing is to document this progression. I've gotten a new title upgrade and more or less the same responsibility; or at least it seems that way now.  I'm also giddy about a possible return to my second love, films. If you must know my first love is it's art and not fashion as my friends might assume...that's my third love. I don't really want to divulge much since it's in a very sensitive stage and my superstitious-ness tells me to zip it. So, I've zipped it.