Sunday, January 11, 2009

My First (and last!) Madonna Concert






Surfing the Signs on San Diego (local paper) online... I came across Madonna's concert being advertised. Madonna has always been one entertainer I admired since college. When most thinks she is a "B" I think of it another way and in that she just knows how to market herself and is one savvy business person. See how she has manage to stay in a competitive market and reinvent herself for decades.

I was in college when she was first introduced to pop music and her influence was instantaneous. Here I am with those dangling unmatched earrings. Tops tied in a knot by the belly in unbelievable colors. I had those flowing skirts and bandannas as well. I thought it was so cool!

It didn't take but a few minutes for me to decide that I was going to a Madonna concert when she was in town last November. The prices were ridiculously overpriced for the huge venue of Petco Park. I think this is the only second non-baseball event in this stadium. Petco Park has friendly staff and the place is generally clean.

Madonna is always known to have great productions with high tech creative innovation. So I went past the price issue and went for it.

She showed up on stage late after two hours and from what I heard she did the same thing in the East Coast. The excitement died with the waiting. She did deliver with her energetic dancers, colorful costumes and magnetic visuals.



I did not care for the politics played on stage ("are you as f@#$$ excited as I am?" pro Obama chant) coupled with Obama shirts. It was election night. I thought that entertainers should be just that - entertainers. Leave politics at the door and perhaps do fundraising affairs for higher causes such as poverty, children, environment, etc.

This was my first (and last!) Madonna experience. I thought a little professionalism such as being on time or an apology would have generated a better understanding to the paying client.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Lake Arrowhead, CA







Rich, Rhett and I went to Lake Arrowhead, CA for the day. It was almost two hours drive by San Bernardino, CA. The road as we get closer was narrow and curvy. I was glad I was not driving and it was a two lane each way. I had to keep on reminding Rich to please stay in the inner lane. Those cliff do not in any way resemble the "Sound of Music" hills where you can roll and laugh away.

The fog was horrible and you cannot hardly see the incoming vehicle. But what awaits us was a little quaint village called Lake Arrowhead Village with small shops. (Yes they had a Coach store and there goes my early holiday shopping). It was cold and we first stop at a place called Woody's Boathouse Restaurant to have lunch.



The interior was like a boat. The owners makes sure their seafood catch is always fresh even if they have to have them delivered daily from Los Angeles or from nearby vendors. I ordered fish and chips which is one of their specialties. It was worth being in their menu for years. Truly delicious! Rich had a filling with the salad bar. Rhett was excited that they had apple sauce (his all time fave).



The fog mostly covered the wonderful lake view. It would come and go. We got some bird food from one of the shops. We became an instant hit with the seagulls and ducks. They came flocking like crazy. It didn't take but a few minutes for the food to go. Rhett had so much fun feeling like Santa giving away the goodies.





I noticed that the duck had web feet that looks like a feather. I have never seen anything like that.

We were supposed to check out snow in a nearby snowy resort but the fog prevented us from driving further up the road. There was a weather warning of using chains for the wheels to get by the slippery road. We could have check the Internet in the blackberry to confirm the weather.













However, we all just decided to swing by a nearby friend for socials and caroling.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

motion of emotions



motion of emotions
(gracias mi amigas y amigos)


tomorrow has just begun
i see the sun winking and
craving my shine
spanking NEW

the best is yet to come
you will see it blossom
today was just a glimpse
teasing a few

leona lewis and ne-yo
serenade my nights
sleep evades me now
motion of emotions

tomorrow has just begun
i see the sun winking and
craving my shine
spanking NEW

i see you from afar
so unconditional
reaching out and
holding back

we all have been
there and here
days are kinder
calm whisper

tomorrow has just begun
i see the sun winking and
craving my shine
spanking NEW

-duchesne
1/8/2009