This Guy Is No "Flake"

There is a great magazine that my Creative Director friend, Arlene Zapata, recommended called 'Fast Company'. She lives in the Chicago vicinity. The magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper. It keeps me abreast of new, up and coming companies that are breaking ground in innovative ways. It has a slant towards Internet-based technology companies. I just love it.www.fastcompany.com/In the November 2008 issue there was an article about "Young Flakenstein"....

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When In Doubt...Do It ?

"When in doubt, mumble; when in trouble, delegate; when in charge, ponder."--James H. BorenThe nuns pictured here were captured in Paris, France in July 2008. I saw the movie DOUBT earlier this month. I remember hearing Meryl Streep in her nun role talk about the BOSSANOVA. It made me want to look it up and I've been listening to this melody all morning. I just love it. Give yourself six minutes of joy and watch the visuals from this video of BOSSANOVA.www.youtube.com/watch?v=32_tkje6NjUI...

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The 'Jon Bon Jovi' Dream

Two nights ago I was having dinner in San Francisco. Someone brought up the subject of age. One fellow surprised me when he announced that he turned forty years old this year. He looked no more than thirty years old.“Yikes, I will be fifty next year,” I said.Another thirty something fellow remarked, “Really? I never would’ve guessed.”“Well, thanks. Yes, I am the same age as Marie Osmond and a year younger than Michael Jackson and Madonna.”“Madonna...

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A Night With 'Insignificant Others'

"When all seems insignificant I remember there's you."--Jay KuoLast night was a wonder of fun, energy and delight while watching the San Francisco musical performance of "Insignificant Others". It was about five friends who move from other parts of the country to San Francisco to find love, adventure, friendship, hope and more. It was the closing night show. I can see it coming to New York or some other major city one day. It's a feel good kind of...

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What Matters In Life

Yesterday, I received a phone call after lunch at the Auberge du Soleil resort in Napa Valley from my cousin, Lawrence Vigil. He was sharing the sad news about his mother passing away. His mother was Julia Vigil-Casillas, my Aunt (sister to my father). Julia was a vivacious and talkative soul. In her heyday she was said to be quite the beauty. She was a widow since 1995 when her last husband, Armando Casillas passed away. She always had a chihuahua...

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Dancing Through Some Memories

I heard a song during the drive up to Northern California and I fell in love with the lyrics and melody of this tune once again. It has been a song I have loved for a long time. It's pretty special how a single song can flood back memories.My friend, Carson, who now has a blog inspired me to write a blog every so often about a song. He likes writing a blog based on a song each day. I love that idea. And so, today I chose this tune, "Hey Eugene".www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjtekYzkZD4"Hey...

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My Passion for Photography

"It's A Long Way Home, Dear..."My dear friend and fellow photographer, Brenda, who resides in Florida purchased a mounted print of my photo illustrated here. Brenda asked me when I first realized my passion for photography. I hesitated. Then I thought long and hard and realized it happened during my Alameda Summers of 1972-1973. I had one of those little Instamatic point and shoot cameras. I saved up money and bought a Bell & Howell movie camera,...

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The Holiday Feeling Is Here

I felt it. I am frantically wrapping presents today. Alan and I take a road trip up north (from Los Angeles to Napa Valley) tomorrow. We are having a family holiday party on Christmas Eve. The above photo was taken a year ago (December 23, 2007). These are my five nieces and one nephew. Top row: Ally Armijo (b. 1990); Dylan Armijo (b. 1992); Leigh Armijo (b. 1988); Bottom row: Ashley Armijo (b. 1984); Holly Armijo (b. 1988) and Lauren Armijo (b....

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8 Steps To Wellness

It's a little embarassing to admit but I had this poster of Suzanne Somers posted up in my bedroom around 1977-1978. Everyone had the Farrah Fawcett poster and I had to be a little different.Just before bedtime last night I happened to catch a glimpse of Suzanne Somers as a featured guest on LARRY KING LIVE. Suzanne was promoting her new book called WELLNESS. I was curious as to how obsessed she is with her health, practicing all of these nouveau...

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I Believe Disco Is Back In Style

She was the substance and I was the shadow.--Philippa Gregorya line I chose that reminds me of when I would dance with Paloma in the early 1980sMy first sign of the DISCO return was about two weeks ago when I opened a letter and found an invitation to a February 2009 Montessori School 'Saturday Night Fever' fundraiser in St. Helena (Napa Valley), California. Secondly, the closing scene of the hit movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' thrived on a group Disco...

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What Good Is a Dream ?

"What harm is dreaming, if it eases pain? What good is reality if it blots out hope?--Bette Bao Lord in her epic novel about China called SPRING MOONDo you ever remember your dreams? I would like to remember all of mine but it seems as soon as I open my eyes the pictures and stories are completely gone. I need to keep telling myself I will remember them. The vivid ones where I actually see my mother or father are 'heavy' because they seem all too...

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Remembering Those M&M Cookies

“Mike,Don’t change.Stay as you are…Happy all the time…And a good boy.Hope you continue your educationAnd hope you like going to collegeAnd hope you get ahead in the future because you deserve it.PS-And Thank you for Sunday for taking me out for dinnerAt the ‘Mexicali Rose’. Love Your Mom, Virginia.”---handwritten June, 1977 in my Alameda High School year bookThe holiday season is difficult sometimes when you think about loved ones you’ve lost. ...

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A 'Clint Eastwood' Christmas

I just walked in the door after a visit to COSTCO. I am starting to feel the holiday shopping spirit with so many folks 'out and about' on a rainy day. I took a photo while in line at the checkout of an overweight woman with a giant box of CHEERIOS in her cart. It made me wonder if this is a 'sign of the times'. CHEERIOS for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Yikes...Last night Alan and I pulled off a spontaneous Christmas movie caper outing by checking...

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The Benefits of Tomatoes

I was in the car with Alan yesterday when we heard that eating tomatoes tend to make one look more beautiful. I laughed because my choice beverage on airline flights is tomato juice. Apparently, there is a magical component in tomatoes that research is beginning to show could protect our skin from UV damage from sunburn. It’s called lycopene and it is a very effective antioxidant. About 85% of lycopene in the western diet is obtained ONLY from tomatoes...

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Now and Then: The True Joys In Life

I have returned to the Los Angeles metro (Marina Del Rey, California to be exact) after a weekend in Santa Fe, NM. It was a busy return over the last couple of days with mail, work and other domestic duties. I opened my top desk drawer today and found a handwritten quote that I scribbled a few months ago on my 'Success Begins With A Dream' notepad. I heard the words by the actress, Jacqueline Bisset, while in character during an episode of the cable...

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The Horny Busboy

There was so much energy in me, such belief that one day I’d be handsome and clever and superior and admired, such anticipation when I met new people and new situations.--a line from 'The Reader' by Bernhard SchlinkOnce upon a time there was a seventeen year old teenage boy who worked as a stock boy in the paint department of a major department store known as Montgomery Ward & Co. It was the summer of 1976 and the workload was diminishing as...

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THE READER Is One Worthwhile Book

"If looking at someone with desire was as bad as satisfying that desire, if having an active fantasy was as bad as the act you were fantasizing then why not the satisfaction and the act itself? As the days went on, I discovered that I couldn't stop thinking sinful thoughts. In which case I also wanted the sin itself."--excerpt from THE READER by Bernhard SchlinkI had bought this book around 2001 knowing that it was a National Best-Seller. It remained...

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Dancing Is All About Self-Discovery

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." --Sally Berger (a quote also found on a Fantesca Chardonnay wine cork).It was a busy 'last day in New York Wednesday' with a meeting in Brooklyn followed by organizing and packing at home. I am now writing you from the INN AT THE ANASAZI, Suite #224 in Santa Fe, NM. I will be at the Pojoaque Pueblo tonight to see my two year old GodDaughter, Micaela, dance Native American-style for the very first...

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Life Is A Cabaret Ole Chum

Cabaret: noun-a spot that is open late at night and that provides entertainment (as singers or dancers) as well as dancing and food and drinkOh...what a night! I saw Liza's At The Palace starring Liza Minnelli on-Broadway last night, December 9th. Ron Lewis, the director and choreographer was in the first row. We had unbelievable center orchestra seats. Candice Bergen was seated behind me. Denise Rich was one row to the side. Our friend, Ron de...

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Martini Techno-Theater Night

It is funny how a few degrees of separation can lead to new friends and laughter. If you had read my previous blog from a few days ago (Have You Had Your DNA Tested?) you would have read how my ancestral "DNA cousin" John Earl Spencer entered my life this year. John resides in San Francisco, CA and he cyber-introduced (Is that a new word for wikipedia?) me to Jay Kuo who has become a mutual friend. Jay Kuo and I have been exchanging electronic mail...

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