La Recessionista Files

Tales from an unemployed renegade on a world tour 



September 14, 2009

The World's Dustiest Art Gallery

So I went to Burning Man (again). Every year I hold debates with myself that go something like this; "haven't I already been there and done that? And how about staying home and taking care of business ... like searching for a new job, taking care of repairs around the house and other such tasks that responsible people do?"  In the end the call of the desert was loudest so I packed up the airstream and hit the road.

Burning Man is a yearly festival of art, music and an absolute experiment in community that now attracts nearly 50,000 attendees. The price of admission (a hefty $250+) only gets you in the door. Everything else you provide for yourself. Organizers believe in radical self-reliance - bring your own food, water, shelter and entertainment. In this age of ultra-convenience I think its great to exercise a bit of self-reliance. No money is exchanged at the event which provides a healthy break from consumerism

The event is hard to describe - Mad Max meets a hyper-creative and commercial-free Disneyland for adults. Attendees (or "burners") run the gamut from MIT professors to truck drivers...hipsters, corporate warriors, old, young...pretty much any type of person you can imagine. You can't accurately typecast a burner, something I also love about the event.

Burning man is lots of fun but it can also be very tough considering the elements, the intense energy of thousands of creative people, the reality of porta pottys. I always learn something about myself out there. It is a grounding experience that helps me re discover what is important to me. 

It sounds corny - but when I look at all gorgeous humans out there I feel like I've found my people.  One nation, united in costume, devoted to art, music and all things that glitter, thrill and spout fire. A nation that doesn't care about money or what you do for a living. Where the only cars allowed are artful. Where nobody wears a watch. Where sharing really is caring. These are my people and I was happy to pay them a visit. 

                               

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August 22, 2009

Singapore Sling Returns

While in Vietnam Lisa and I met Terrence and Serene, the completely lovely couple from Singapore. As you may recall, we paid them a visit in Singapore and met their family (including their 4 adorable dogs).

Serene works in advertising and was in L.A. this week for work. Lucky for her she is spent the weekend in SF, trading the ickiness of L.A. for the fog of SF.  Her boss Lu and girlfriend Avon came along to take in the SF sights. Lu is a force of nature & can curse like a sailor, a trait i always respect in a woman. Avon, though slightly more subdued is a total sweetie who manages to hold her own in the wake of Lu.

I had the ladies over for dinner, plus Toby, Lisa Carey and my fantastic new house-mate Derek. American comfort food was the name of the game. We started with a fresh tomato soup and gourmet grilled cheese. Manchego & Jamon with suprise ingredient of chopped medjool dates and a 5-cheese & sliced pepperocini version. I considered keeping with the American theme by adding Ranch dressing to the salad, but I just couldn't stoop that low. I forgot to take food photos so i'll share pics from the web.

We topped-off with S'mores around the fire in the backyard. I handed out fur jackets (don't judge me, they're vintage and mostly faux fur anyway!) to prepare our guests for SF winds. Speaking of S'mores my sisters made up the best combination. A light coconut cracker (oddly enough found at the Mexican market), caramel (also found at any Mexi market and sold in flat circles), roasted marshmallow and topped with toasted coconut. Super yummy. We went traditional this time but used cinnamon graham crackers and dark chocolate from CocoaLux. 

The night was beautiful and clear. We strung lights up which amazingly turned my backyard into a magical space.  It was great fun until Toby started talking politics. Nothing ends and American themed party like a divisive discussion around the campfire. Ahh Toby - you know I love to jest. It was late anyway and I am sure we all welcomed the sleep.

We've had a fantastic weekend of SF sightseeing. It is great to be a tourist in your own town. I'm really going to miss these ladies.

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August 18, 2009

More Tiki

Just when you think you've seen enough sun, surf and sauciness....

                       

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August 18, 2009

Endless Summer Continues

One of my favorite memories from the weekend is catching an elevator that was literally packed with 25 people plus a 3-person band. The hotel staff was unbelievably accommodating. It was like we had free-run of the entire hotel. Not a single person was shusshed.

I asked some of the hotel workers what it is like to work this weekend. They said they look forward to this event all year. As a token of their enthusiasm, they even added tropical flowers to their hair.

Jay was on turbo this weekend. She danced with such force that her movements were faster than photography. Hence the 'phantom dancer' series.

                     

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August 18, 2009

Tiki Oasis

Spent the weekend in San Diego at Tiki Oasis , a 3-day tiki-themed party. This is their 9th annual party and let me tell you, they have it down. The weekend was phenomenal. Everything takes place at the Crowne Plaza hotel, a Polynesian-esque hotel built in the 60's that comes complete with waterfalls, tropical oasis and wood carved tikis. The entire hotel is rented to party goers and a huge tiki stage is built on the grounds. From 10 am till 4am there is something fun to do - bands, hula dancing, go-go dancing, burlesque, fashion shows, car shows... the list is endless. They also have all sorts of vintage tiki fashion and decor for sale. I was in heaven. I seriously suggest checking this party out.

Most of the attendees are completely dedicated to the tiki lifestyle - surf music, tropical-themed fashion and friendly attitudes. People throw huge parties in their hotel suites that you just can't imagine. The regular hotel furniture is replaced by fab tiki-themed decor, custom-built bars are added ... I even went to one party where huge faux volcanoes and lava rock were brought in. Not only this, but nearly every party has a house band. I'm talking full-sized bands with drum sets, bass guitars and other string instruments. I even saw a burlesque show in one room.

Met a ton of lovely people from all different age groups and walks of life. Meeting DJs Strike and Audrey from my favorite internet radio station Luxuria was great.

I loved the pool-side parties with live bands - the Martini Kings and Del Rays were my favs. Hanging with the best of SF was also a blast - 8 ladies in total. We had 2 rooms right next to each other which meant 2x the fun.

I'd do it all again this weekend if I could. It was that much fun. 

                       

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August 13, 2009

(Not So) Great America

Went to Great America with my godson Blue and his pal Vlad. I was so excited to go - I felt like a kid again waking up at the crack of dawn to get there at opening time. We used to stay until closing and made sure to hit every ride. Imagine my surprise to find that Blue doesn't like roller coasters. For him Great America was a backdrop to discuss seemingly endless topics relating to video games, not to ride the rides. It really is remarkable to hear these two cuties talk so intensely about video games. It is a way of life for them.

We did make it onto a few rides and had a ball. Vlad and I rode the Demon 2x in a row. There was a hilarious (and waayy overpriced) photo of the 3 of us on one of the kiddy roller coasters. In a renegade/cost-saving manoeuvre I snapped a photo of the picture with my own camera. It's kinda blurry but hopefully you'll get the gist.

The day before our visit 25 or so people were trapped on one of the rides for over 5 hours. You'll see Blue and Vlad posing in front of the closed Intrepid.

To me Great America has seen it's better days... or maybe I am just older and more critical.  While I won't be rushing back, it was worth the price of admission to witness two gawky tweenagers pal around the amusement park. Now that's amusing.

                   

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August 11, 2009

A Beautiful Birthday For Mumsie

This weekend we celebrated my mom's ('aka' Mumsie) birthday at their home in Gilroy. It was a scorcher but that didn't stop anyone from having a rip-roaring good time. My mom was her usual bubbly, social butterfly self as she held court among her many long-time friends and family. It was great to catch up with some family friends I haven't seen for years. Lots of great food and the wine was a' flowin (at least it was into my glass). Here are J & K slaving over the mini burgers.

The irresistible Ella (cousin Janina and Ethan's tyke) was a favorite guest. She has me wrapped around her itty bitty finger. Based on guidance from her mischievous mom, Ella calls me Auntie Diva. Confirming that she is indeed a relative, Ella was after me all afternoon to play 'dress up'. "Auntie Deeeba, let's pwayy dwessUP!" My mom unearthed Kristin's old dance costumes and some tambourines which prompted a costume parade thru the party. 

Aunt Diane came thru with the biggest surprise of the day (maybe even the year!); a tattoo on her shoulder (a chinese symbol for family). Not that she is at all a square, I just didn't peg her for the tattoo type. Now I see there is more mystery to my aunt - there is no telling what she will do next and I like it.

Here is to my beautiful mom on her birthday. Simply put, you're the best.

                     

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August 2, 2009

Neuro Revolution

My Uncle Byron co-authored a book called 'Neuro Revolution: 'How Brain Science Is Changing Our World '. I was lucky enough to score a copy of the book. If my blog posts start sounding more intelligent, send your kudos to Uncle B.

Uncle B and Aunt T were in town for the book launch party. We kicked off celebrations at Delifina pizzeria. Aunt T ordered the clam pie and it was amazing. Chance enjoyed the left-overs of the exotic dried meat plate. I don't recall what animal part these dried hunks came from, but let me tell you Chance was insane over it. Poor dog, having a vegetarian mom he really covets his encounters with meat.

The book launch party at Foreign Cinema was great. I love that space. I hoped to walk away with a higher i.q. but simply walked away a very proud niece. We are looking forward to Oprah having Zach and Uncle B on the show. Two words: best seller.

                 

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August 1, 2009

Love Is A Battlefield When You Have A Heart Of Glass

Went to the Donnas, Blondie, Pat Benatar show at Mountain Winery with BWard. A great venue on a summer evening. I asked B if I needed binoculars and he laughed. Turns out we were in the 9th center row. I could see Debbie Harry's eyeshadow with my bare eyes! So exciting - I was jumping around like a teenager.

The Donnas sounded great from the parking lot ( I NEVER seem to make it in time for the opening act). Debbie took a while to warm up. I imagine playing a small venue in the Saratoga hills is not exactly a thrill for her. Either that or nonchalance is part of her shtick (i think it is the later). She ended with a Michael Jackson song - pretty cool. 

Pat Benatar was phenomenal - the woman has some serious pipes and she looked beautiful. The band was tight, celebrating their 30th year together. I surprised myself by a near perfect memory of PB lyrics. I can hardly remember my current online banking passwords, yet could recall all the lyrics from songs I haven't heard since the 90's. There must be something about teenage hormones and lyric retention. Or perhaps music was just the center of my world back then.

No pics of the show because the party-poopers at the gate took away my camera. Boo hoo! Anyway - here are pics of Debbie and Pat taken by some else and a Norman-No-Mates shot of B and I before the show.

 

     

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July 22, 2009

More Party Pics

More shots from Presidio Yacht Club. Sitting here in the cold SF fog it seems impossible the weather was this perfect just days ago. Ahh summers in San Francisco are tough on the psyche.


                   

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