Fully loaded

"What made you start smoking again?"

"...well, that's a loaded question."

"Sounds like it must be a loaded answer..."

We wander, shop, dance, and then head to the courtyard for some air.  We sit on a bench not far from a guy who is lighting up a cigarette.  Another guy walks up and stands in front of the smoking guy and absently starts shaking his ass to the music -- which makes the smoking guy twist all up on the bench to avoid the shaking ass.  I giggle.  Me and smoking guy make brief eye contact and he scoots out of ass shaking range to greet us with a slurry introduction. 

"Hi, I'm Aaron... I just came from a wedding... what's your names?  ...wow, can I just say that the two of you look absolutely stunning tonight.  *grin*"  (Aaron wasn't actually his name...I heard him wrong.)

A mix between Ben Affleck, Richard Gere, and...a baby?  He's really drunk, but sort of strangely charming.  ?

Aaron tells us about his job and shows us videos of him on a boat.  He then pulls out a joint and starts smoking it while displaying an app on his phone that counts how long it's been since his last cigarette.  ....  ???  He tells us he just started smoking again about a month ago...

"What made you start smoking again?"

He proceeds to tell us detailed stories about a Japanese woman he got pregnant who ran away with his baby, two failed marriages, run-ins with Katt Williams and Dave Chappelle, and a letter he wrote to Maury Povich... his stories are laced with humor and dripping with charm.  "...but, what made you start smoking again?".  Another story would replace the answer. 

Before he goes, he starts spelling something in my ear again and again.  "It's my name..." he says, "A. R. ..." he starts giving me mnemonic devices so I won't forget it.  "Do you want me to find you?"  I ask, "and, will you tell me why you started smoking...?!"

He's about walk away, when he leans in one last time to say, "I have a live-in girlfriend who doesn't like it when I smoke.  I'm trying to get rid of her.  Find me."  

Did I forget to mention the supernova...

There's so much I haven't mentioned from the last couple weeks... birthday parties, shows, Jennifer's departure for college, flash mob class, a night at The Lost Church, nice dinners with friends, work events, a ukulele session, a soul house party, and a perfect adventure though the Oakland Hills in search of the supernova...

:)

This weekend, I had a great night out with Gabriella, Keenan, Brian, and Teresa.  A quick stop at a gallery, then off to Berkeley to see a David Bowie cover band and Total B.S. (Bob Segar).  We thought Matt would be playing with Total B.S. but apparently he broke his hand...!  So, we missed him that night, but super fun show and super fun time regardless!!

Saturday, I cleaned, did laundry, took a dress to get tailored...then met up with miss Kara for a night on the town.  We found ourselves at a bar in downtown Oakland for a drink, then off to the New Parish for some dancing 'n stuff.  We met a fascinating man at the Parish...which I will have to blog about separately.  :) 

Today, (er...yesterday) I went to flash mob class, caught up a bit with Gabriella, took an amazing nap, had a quick dinner w/ Digs, then headed out to pub trivia with Brian, Teresa, Jen, Justin, Robb, and friends.  We got third place tonight!

My life's been a little taken over by plans with my amazing friends these days... but, I'm so lucky to have so many amazing friends.  :)  I do want to start thinking about classes and shows again soon though...

City of Angels...

I'm dancing at a club, and this tower of Asian yumminess says to me, "Are you ready for this?" and does a sexy unbutton-his-shirt dance to reveal a tiger tattooed across his very nice chest.  I giggle...and just keep dancing.  ?  He pulls me into his arms, which puts me about a foot or so off of the ground, and then lifts me above his head and kind of caveman yells while I dangle and squeal and thank God that I'm wearing little dress shorts instead of a skirt.... !!

A very unplanned last minute road trip with the girls.  :)

I'm no longer allowed to listen to Niggas in Paris while driving but, aside from that -- dim sum, shopping, the Tim Burton exhibit at LACMA, taco trucks, clubbing, the beach, Caribbean food, getting lost, giggling, music, girl talk, driving...

...the Asian caveman comes by to dance and then wanders off -- he is friends of friends, a little Sung Kang and a little...Marky Mark(?)... and, a little bit aggressive for my taste. 

At the end of the night, he pulls me close and asks, "Are you scared?" 

"I'm kind of scared..." I admit. 

He says, "Don't be..." 

...I turn my head and his kiss lands on my cheek...

Things I'll never forget:  to pay attention to the road while Niggas in Paris is playing, how generous and lovely girlfriends can be, that the beach is always amazing and, no matter how many kisses are dodged -- a sexy tiger will make an impression... 

;)

lost in space...

One night, in a room in a beautiful house in San Juan Capistrano, I sang an entire Sundays album to an audience I that thought was sleeping...

A head full of daydreams. A heart full of...

Adventures in art 'n stuff

After a treacherous piggy back ride (I was in 4 inch heels) over hills of concrete, dirt, shrubbery, and boulders, we made our way through this amazing graffiti homeless tent camp and found ourselves here... by the bay.  Metal and concrete, paint, words and pictures. 

Another friend and I found ourselves admiring a giant mural on Shotwell after watching a short documentary about street art at the MOMA. 

This weekend was full of random adventure, new places, great art and great friends.  I went to the Marin Shakes steampunk Tempest, a lindy hop class/dance, a hookah lounge, had a lovely breakfast with some lovely ladies, hit a music festival in Japantown, saw a movie, had a breakfast/walk with a favorite, got a massage, and had a nice dinner/dessert.

Long weekends with no plans seem to fill up with the best things. 

"You are one very, very talented lady of stunning beauty."

Stunning? This was sent to me in a rejection email by a playwright I auditioned for.  It was a confusing message... overall. 

I need to figure out what's next.  I'm not working on anything specific at the moment so I'm considering an acting class, continuing to audition, a photography and/or writing class, or producing another show.  I've actually been thinking a lot about an ongoing series of shows that create a safe space for new artists to explore...

...but it'd have to be done exactly right, wouldn't it?