bearded men who sing like robert smith

venue: great american music hall
artist: shout out louds with haert
who: nisa
when: 22 may 2013 (wednesday)
doors open at 7p

optica is the new album by shout out louds which is a return to their first and second albums. i enjoyed every song. initially, i was disappointed with their last album work. but after another listen, i am finding it quite nice. it was just different. it's slower and has several delightful songs on it. i know it's unfair to compare them to the cure all the time and they really are a band on their own. but robert smith has such a unique voice and singing style. i haven't heard anything like him until i heard shout out louds. i discovered them while on my swedish pop high on pandora.

back to the show. nisa and i had dinner tickets so we could get first dibs on seats. we arrived so early that not only did we have to line up but we also got rock star parking. the opening band haerts could have been much better than they were. their vocalist had a cool stevie nicks vibe about her and had so much potential. however, i could tell there was a difference of musical opinions with the rest of the band. they were more rock and roll while she was more country folk.

i didn't remember adam olenius being so cute from the last show. but having such optimal seating, we were able to gawk at him for the duration of the show. another 80s throw back. it was something really wonderful. nisa and i had a great time eating, dancing, and best of all, gawking at the cute bearded man who sang like robert smith.

rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ like sugar on my tongue

diamond rings & omd (again)

venue: regency ballroom (sold out!)
band: omd with diamond rings
who: cousin lam & nina
when: 12 april 2013 (friday)
doors open at 8p

when i saw diamond rings open for stars at the fillmore, i was blown away. his energy was contagious, along with his music. it was an 80's throw back. i was thrown back. i was very excited to see that diamond rings opened up for omd. i'd never been to the regency ballroom and was unsure about what general admission tickets would look like since nowadays i prefer sitting to standing at concerts. luckily, others preferred standing. we were able to get seats next to the stage.

during the intermission, nina and i found our way to the merch table where diamond rings was doing a meet and greet. i was also interested in adding another record to my collection. it's also an excuse to talk to him. and he is so so pretty in person. i don't think the picture above does him justice.

you can tell that most of the audience was there to see omd as nina and i were basically the only ones dancing to diamond rings. i didn't care, i couldn't help myself. i saw omd for the first time in october of 2011. i had waited about 20 years to see them. not sure why i didn't see them sooner, it's not like they haven't had any albums out since sugar tax. in fact, they've had two albums after sugar tax before the tour of the show in 2011.

the show was fantastic. even more fantastic was going with my cousins. we all got up out of our seats and danced like it was 1989. the night was a great 80's throw back.

rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

food adventures: state bird provisions

after attending the lecture on eleven madison park loves new york on wednesday, april 3 at the jewish community center of san francisco with chef daniel humm & will guidara (co-owners of eleven madison park) in conversation with james oseland (editor-in-chief of saveur magazine and top chef masters judge), my dear bff decided to take them up on their recommendation to try state bird provisions that night. except she didn't tell me.
she surprised me upon arriving there. but being the retard foodie that i am (ok, more like beginners foodie), i didn't realize the amazing adventure she was taking me on. on an ordinary wednesday evening. clockwise from the top left: duck liver mousse with almond biscuits, ca state bird with provisions (aka quail and the name of the place), glazed pork ribs with swiss chard togarashi, crispy pork belly with winter citrus (a must since we had two of these), spicy yuba kimchi with smoked egg bottarga, and 'world peace' which were shots of peanut muscovado milk (not pictured and complimentary). we couldn't even finish the shots.

the concept of this place is innovative. it's like dim sum, where they have a menu but also plates on a cart that they attempt to roll around the place. they end up just walking around with platters of the plates as it is a tight squeeze towards the front.

we walked in thinking it would be easy to get a table on a random wednesday night at 9p. we were wrong. while we eventually got two seats at the tables near the kitchen, we had to wait to get spots standing right next to the door. i'd recommend getting reservations though i hear it takes a month or so to get a table there. but read up about it (i did!), it's one of the best new(ish) restaurants.

girls' glen ellen getaway

funie and i decided to go on a girls' getaway to nearby glen ellen located north next to sonoma. funie wanted to celebrate finishing her degree and i had a couple of days off in the middle of the week. what better way to use them on a quick getaway to wine country?

i made my way up to pick her up around lunch. we didn't get to glen ellen until close to 2p. we decided to go down the road and find some grub at the grist mill restaurant. i ordered a burger with fries, a salad, plus a side of mac and cheese. funie also had a couple of plates with a side of fries. we were both really hungry, apparently. our small table for two was covered with plates. a couple stopped by our table, coming or going (i can't remember), asked us if anyone else was joining us. we looked at each and said, noooo. after we finished, our waiter came by and told us he was quite impressed with our appetites. afterwards, we checked and got on our way after all of the heavy food we'd just ingested, i felt the need to walk. so we found our way up to the sugarloaf ridge state park. it was beautiful driving up through all the greenery. we even saw a small waterfall on the way up. for some reason, they charge to park so we couldn't stop until we could find a way to pay for parking.

despite having just eaten a feast consisting of very heavy foods and going to a couple of wineries, we decided to have an early dinner at the fig café. another food adventure, it was very exciting and delicious. the next day after check out, we visiting the kenwood winery. of all three wineries we visited (chateau st. jean, benziger and kenwood), the last was the best.

on our way back through napa, we stopped by the napa valley premium outlets. funie found a new professional wardrobe and i snagged these super cute orange wedges.

michael kors

i've been looking for some basic mary janes in black. i remembered that one of my lovely cousins told me about how comfortable michael kors shoes were. so obviously, i had to try a couple pairs on.

before i knew it, i was walking out with 2 pairs of shoes by michael kors. aren't they super cute?

more food adventures: flour+water

this is the winter pasta menu with wine pairings plus two pizzas to go because bff and i weren't sure the five pasta courses were going to be enough for us. hah.

noise pop 2013

venue: great american music hall
artist: thao nguyen + the get down stay down @ noise pop
when: 2 march 2013 (saturday)
doors open at 7p

thao has a new album out called we the common. at first, i wasn't sure how much i liked it. but after seeing her live and paying attention to what it was about, it was really meaningful. it's about taking care of one another. it's been a long time since i found meaning in full length albums.

unfortunately, all three of her opening bands (sallie ford & the sound outside, before the brave, and kacey johansing) were horrendous. fortunately, the company was fabulous which made up for the openings.

rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

food adventures: e&o asian kitchen

i have this foodie friend who is the bestest foodie i know. she knows where to go and what to eat. i am learning a great deal from her. she is also a very good friend. she is my bff (best foodie friend). hah. clockwise from top left: hush puppies & corn fritters, duck rolls, black cod, green tea affogato, beef toppiko & pork spare ribs. order of meals were: top left & right; middle left & right; and bottom left & right.

food adventures: dixie with nina

i received a voucher for a 5-course dinner at the chef's table at dixie thanks to a very dear friend. i made reservations on the 5th and asked nina to join me. it was convenient since her office is near mine. we started with drinks and they gave us an option of eating in the main dining room with everyone else or in the kitchen at the "chef's table". this was a chef's table dinner so we opted for that. to my surprise, there was a table for six with no one there. even better! we had the kitchen to ourselves. it was like a private dinner party with the chef, joseph humphrey. he was kind and generous with his time. he told us everything about each course and more. he even busted out his laptop to show us a youtube video on the acorn grits. we enjoyed ourselves so much that we closed out the place. as a result, we received a personal tour of the kitchen and restaurant by mr. humphrey himself. we definitely have to go back!

first pair of 2013!

ever since i wore these booties to death, i've been searching for a new pair to replace them. unfortunately, i have not been able to find the right color. so, i settled with these cole haan booties that i purchased last month.

santa party #3

it was my third year going to the party. last year, i didn't post about it. as i went solo this year, i thought, i must post about it. i went solo again and stayed until the very end. i had an amazing time! the food was delightful and the company was fun. it was very festive. pictured is me with the host, stephen. he is awesome.

birthday dinner slideshow

i had such a great time at my birthday dinner at e tutto qua that i put together a slideshow about it. enjoy! thanks everyone!!

my wedge-o-rama

clockwise from the top left, the colors are in: cove nappa, barn door nappa, black patent and harbour blue nappa. they have a 3¼" wedge heel and are super comfy. and, they were all on sale for $60 each. hence, the 4 pairs.

swedish pop: jens lekman & taken by trees

venue: the fillmore
band: jens lekman with taken by trees
who: ashley
when: 5 november 2012 (monday)
doors open at 7p

i was supposed to see taken by trees at noise pop back in 2008. but the band got their equipment stolen and cancelled all the shows including the one i had tickets for. it was a bummer. so i was thrilled to see that she was opening for jens. for those who have not heard of taken by trees, it is the solo project of victoria bergsman, former lead singer for the concretes. her voice was quite sweet and lovely, much like her.

we arrived early so we could get prime seating in the balcony. we had a nice view into the stage from the left. jens was touring his latest album i know what love isn't. after making music about being in love and breaking hearts, this was heartbreak. his heartbreak. despite that, he can still put on a show.

rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

wedges galore

apologies for back dating the next several posts...

these wedges by badgley mischka were actually purchased in october. they have a 4" wedge heel and the color is rose satin. and best of all, they were 80% off.

the white wedges are burberry and were also purchased in october. i know, i blew my one pair per month limit. oh well.

the north with stars

venue: the fillmore (sold out!)
band: stars, diamond rings & california wives
who: joe
when: 20 october 2012 (saturday)
doors open at 7p

joe came up again to visit and see stars with me at the fillmore. lisa & i took the day off on friday so we could go to napa with joe. we started with the house for lunch in the city and then picked up some egg tarts at golden gate bakery. we began our wine tour with castello di amorosa in calistoga for some wine tasting, then dean & deluca for raclette cheese ending with v. sattui for more wine tasting and a picnic of cheese, paté, salami and bread. incidentally, both castello di amorosa and v. sattui are owned by the same company.

joe and i had peruvian food for dinner. a few blocks from the fillmore, we made it there in less than 10 minutes. the first band, california wives from chicago were surprisingly good. joe and i listened to both opening bands before the show and they sounded much better live. the second opening, diamond rings was even more surprising. the lead singer is like a gay vanilla ice. he was a total diva. very entertaining. the songs were pretty good too. joe liked them so much, he got their tank top and was quite excited about it too. hah.

this album really speaks to me. though i think i say that about most of their music, i'm so in love with "the theory of relativity." i love this verse, i think it's so catchy and fun to sing:

back in the lame grade ten i was a total devastator, baby
down in the schoolyard they all fell to their knees
but it can't be '93 sadly 'cause i wish it could forever
you call it luck; i call it tragedy

and in the song, "the north," the chorus describes my sleep patterns exactly:

good luck, bad luck, survival
sleep is my friend and my rival
good luck, bad luck, survival

i struggle with getting to sleep every night, however, i love to nap and sleep in when i get the chance to. and i suffer during the work week because i am a night owl by nature but my work life forces me to be an early bird.

there is one more song that i have to mention. "lights changing color" takes me back to my most favorite and possibly, the best date ever. specifically these lines bring back the memories:

it was empty 'till you came up through the honey
nothing ever goes as planned
when you're walking and the lights are changing color
remember how you held my hand

this is actually my 10th stars show. i counted. i miscounted before because i think that i counted the memphis show as a stars show. maybe i should say that i've seen torquil campbell play ten times. in any case, this is the most i've seen a band and i can't help it, i don't want to stop. it's as if i am addicted to them. well, i suppose i am. as i am in still in love with this new album, the north. plus, the poster that the fillmore produced is obviously designed by someone who knows their music because this was the perfect poster (by brad kayal) for them.

rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ the heart suspends then bends it into three or five.

new order, back after 7 long years

venue: fox theater (sold out!)
band: new order
who: lisa
when: 5 october 2012 (friday)
doors open at 7p

this is the fourth time i have seen new order. the first time was in 1993, then i saw them at the area: one festival in 2001. the last time was in 2005 for the tour of their most recent album, waiting for the siren's call. come to think of it, every show was with lisa except for the last one.
see the close-up shots of bernard sumner? i had to show off the awesome zoom i have on my point & shoot canon camera. hahah.

since i've seen them, new order started playing joy division songs at their last show but didn't before that. this is nice for those of us who never got the chance to see joy division which is most of us since ian curtis killed himself right before their american tour back in 1980. here is the setlist from the show:
1. elegia
2. crystal
3. ceremony
4. close range
5. age of consent
6. isolation (joy division)
7. here to stay
8. your silent face
9. bizarre love triangle
10. 5 8 6
11. true faith
12. the perfect kiss
13. blue monday
14. temptation
encore: atmosphere & love will tear us apart (both joy division)

we were a bit disappointed that they didn't play anything from their technique album but it was still a 5-heart show for me. we left as "love will tear us apart" was ending so we could avoid the mad rush leaving the theater. and we listened to technique "all the way" home to make up for what we didn't get to hear at the concert.

rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ it was a fine time.

next stop: victoria, canada

caroline and i left for canada very early the next day. the night before, i stayed up late catching up with fred, her husband. he and i have very similar taste in music so we had a lot to talk about. our ferry was leaving seattle at 730a but we had to get there by 6a. on the ferry, there were four older women sitting next to us in a section of six seats. they told us they were childhood friends from missouri and in their retirement days, they take an annual trip with just the ladies. they asked if we were still in college! they were super nice.

the woman sitting directly next to me kept staring at caroline as she read her us weekly magazine. caroline looks up at her and smiles. she tells caroline, you know everything in that magazine is untrue, right? we agreed that it was trashy. then she continues to say, i know, my son is an actor. caroline proceeds to ask, is your son famous? the woman looks to her friends and they all give each other knowing looks. caroline then asks, can you please tell us who your son is? she answers, my son has six children with angelina jolie. her friend sitting next to caroline says, i changed his diapers. omg! it turns out that i am sitting next to brad pitt's mother!!

after we arrived, we checked into hotel oswego just down the street from the ferry terminal. it was very conveniently located. plus, we were able to check in early.

we were then off to make the most of our overnight stay and see as much as we could before our afternoon tea reservations at the empress hotel. we shopped, bought candy and fashion jewelry from a street vendor. we also came upon a street fair of chalk artists. finally, we arrived at the empress hotel for afternoon tea. our spread was lovely. it was a good thing that caroline thought ahead and made us reservations!

clockwise: they start you off with fresh strawberries and cream when you are seated. the top tier included french macaroons dipped in chocolate imported from paris, pink princess cake among other delightful desserts. the middle tier had scones with jam and butter. the bottom tier was the first one we worked on with a variety of five different tea sandwiches. the very best was the egg salad on croissant sandwich (the second to the last on the right in the image). mmm goodness.

for dinner, we intended to go to the brasserie l'ecole but got there 10 minutes after they opened and no tables were available for another two hours. we were too hungry to wait and looked for another place. the one thing i really wanted to try was poutine, which is a canadian specialty. i had poutine in a san francisco restaurant but it is nowhere near what it was supposed to be. we ended up at the local kitchen off of wharf street. they had poutine and there wasn't much of a wait. in the top right image, it's a close up of the poutine which is french fries smothered in cheese curds, bacon and gravy. it is extremely rich. that is why i ordered a salad for dinner but the poutine was too much. i barely touched my salad.

i was hoping to catch the ghost tour they offered after dinner but i didn't think i could walk for another 90 minutes, despite my comfortable shoes. on the way back to our hotel, the house of parliament is lit up. it was a beautiful end to a full day.

on the ferry ride back to seattle, guess who tapped me on the shoulder? that's right, mrs. pitt. turns out, she and her girlfriends sat right behind us so we hung out with them for the 2-hour ride sharing what we did in victoria and seattle. fun fun fun.

seattle in september

i have this friend, caroline and i know her from my san diego days after i graduated and worked at the scripps institution of oceanography. she was hired as my student assistant. i left my job and san diego some months after she started. after i left, we'd become friends.

in 2002, she was abroad studying in london and i'd gone there to visit her. and in 2006, after a breakup, i took a trip to chicago and saw here during my stay there. eventually, she'd gotten married and had a little boy. she introduced me to my good friend funie. in 2008, her twin sister grace, moved to the bay area so i'd gotten to know her as well. five years ago, caroline and her husband moved to seattle for his job at microsoft. on a recent visit to san francisco, she mentioned that they wanted to move down to the bay area. since i'd never been to seattle, i had to visit her... soon.

i booked a flight a month later scheduled to leave on the 14th. the only non-stop flight was one leaving at 6am. so i arrived there very early. it was so early that pike's place wasn't as packed as sardines, or as it usually is on a friday morning. caroline was very pleased about that.

we hit her favorite french bakery first to get some coffee and french macaroons. she showed me the original starbucks just a couple of stores away and we went across the street to pike's place. i went a little crazy at chukar cherries and watched fish being sold at the market. it was quite entertaining and impressive when they threw fish at each other. i kept my distance when we saw the walls of spit, i mean gum. that was truly disgusting.

we did a little shopping downtown and went to the space needle for our lunch which caroline made reservations to ahead of time. we started our lunch with wild salmon fritters. it was amazing. she recommended that i get something from the sea since that's what seattle is known for. so, i ordered the wild king salmon sandwich and fries with my bloody mary. mmm delicious. after lunch, we took the tram back downtown for more shopping. then we headed back before traffic was terrible. one thing i forgot to mention which you might notice is that the weather was fantastic! i was very lucky that my first trip to seattle was not a rainy one. i finally met her son, victor who recently turned 3. he is adorable!

labor day weekend in reno

finally, my high school friend with whom i have known since 1990 (and was a bride's maid in her wedding), invited me to her house in reno for the long weekend. originally, it was planned for the end of july which fell around the time of her husband's birthday. i can't remember when they moved to reno but it has been a while since they became nevada residents.

at my recent 20-year high school reunion, i sat with justine and dave and spent most of the time catching up with dave. i mentioned to him that i was interested in coming and visiting them one of these days at their reno house. since they worked and lived in the bay area during the work week and went home to reno every so often, i invited myself to hitch a ride with them. that was in june. despite burning man this year, we left on friday night and arrived before midnight. the way home was a different story. we had burning man spottings all weekend. you could tell because these cars were covered in a layer of desert dirt and most carried furry bicycles.

their house is huge and beautiful. there are two guest bedrooms, one man cave plus one and a half bathrooms on the first floor. on the second floor is their office and master bedroom. inside the master bedroom is a walk-in closet to die for, that was literally overflowing. it was ridiculous.
on my first day there, we dropped off justine's mom at the peppermill and headed over to virginia city. i am told that this is one of the oldest western cities in the country. though it is extremely touristy, people still work and live there. it really takes you back to the west. apparently, mark twain was born there. we also took the old school train (pictured) to where i was able to take a picture of view. also pictured is the old washoe club which is supposed to be haunted. and always fascinating to me though we did not make it inside.
we had dinner at the lodge near their house which is the only restaurant close to them. even though we were planning to go to the rib cook-off the next day, i had myself a kobe burger. the rib cook-off was in sparks, nv (right). apparently, justine and dave go every year. we looked for the longest lines as we hoped that was a sure sign that it was good. i had ribs and a guinness. i meant to take a picture of it but started eating it right away. that night, we had porterhouse steaks by chef dave for dinner. their neighbors ed and christy joined us. more mmm meat goodness.
on the way back (as well as on the way there though we took a different route home), we drove through the altamont pass and wind turbine farm. for some reason, these windmills and turbines give me such peace. i took a bunch of these from the car.