A Wedding and a Funeral

This past weekend I was able to attend my first Same-Sex Wedding. Troy Williams, who I have had the pleasure of getting to know through CHEER SF, and Richard Brooks have been together for over 7 years and the Thursday before the election they had a private city hall ceremony. Sunday night, Troy's "bridesmaids" put on a small reception for them, inviting close friends and family. Instead of a wedding present, the grooms asked everyone to make a donation towards the No on 8 campaign. The amount of love between them should be what every couple, gay or straight, should aspire to.

This is why the results of Prop 8 totally shocked me. It was announced late Wednesday, that Prop 8 had passed, eliminating the rights for same-sex couples to marry, denying equal protections and writing discrimination against one group of people - lesbian's and gay's - into the CA constitution.

Therefore, in the past week I was able to celebrate the wedding of two loving people and only a few days later, attend the funeral of the amendment that gave them the right to marry.

Congratulations Troy and Richard, I wish you nothing but endless happiness amidst this very ironic world.

(Pictured above: Troy and Richard with the justice who conducted their ceremony)

The Window

Its amazing the vast differences between the views I've had since being in San Francisco. I started out in Bayview, aka the GHETTO, where living in the basement I had an awesome view of the underside of a porch along with the bars that kept me "safe" at night. Now, I live in SOMA near the AT&T Giants Ball Park, and have a typical city-scape view. My window is filled with tall sky scrapers where as before the tallest thing in my window was perhaps the cobwebs. I love being rescued.

An Unfamiliar Day

Birthdays this year have been a little bit different. There were no giant, poster-size, uber embarrassing photos hanging on the door. No major plans involving reservations for a party of 20. There was just David and myself. We spent the day walking miles around DC, hitting all the National Monuments. At the US Capital Building, David decided that it would be cool to go through this tunnel, which lead us to the door. A sign marked this door as 'Members and Staff Entrance Only.' David decided to get a better look, I wanted to capture the moment. We were immediately met by Secret Service. He then made me delete my picture and escorted us out of the tunnel. Luckily, no handcuffs were exchanged and we continued on around the city. When we got back to our hotel, David had a bottle of champagne and a piece of cake waiting for us. We went over to Dupont Circle for dinner at Melting Pot, where again David had a teddy bear and a balloon sitting at our table. Although it was not the familiar chaos of a birthday, it was quite possibly one of the best (undoubtedly the most romantic). 23 will be a great year for me.

Rendezvous

And ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation. -Kahlil Gibran

Those birds

The pigeons are inescapable in this city. Rachel and I found one severely handicapped, one foot a lobster claw and the other had a large tumor, and couldn't help but laugh and take pictures. We may be going to hell. Afterwards, Rachel felt bad because we didn't help it, she mentioned perhaps replacing its one leg with a chicken foot.

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

Bluegrass was a genre of music I associated with banjo's and necks that seem to be redder than usual, but dare I say, I thoroughly enjoyed myself at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, a free music festival held in Golden Gate Park a few weeks ago. With the friends and family pass, we got to avoid the crowds and get good seats (and by that I mean open spots on the ground) while being right offstage. Nick Lowe performed 'Cruel to be kind,' which wound up being the only song I recognized all day, but I loved it. I was also fairly entertained by the older woman who danced around in her light blue dress, bare feet, and a paper umbrella. The weather was perfect and just a great time spent outdoors in the park.

Castro Street Fair

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? -Alice in Wonderland

Macy's Passport 2008

Sent on a mission from my mother to spot celebrities, this week has been more than exciting. The Macy's Passport show is a fundraiser for HIV/AIDs organizations that serve our community. CHEER SF was invited to perform before the infamous male underwear segment. The idea was to have cheerleaders, like during a football game, then it would transition into the locker room. Having 2 different rehearsals and 3 performances, we got to be around models and different dance groups way too much. Some of the celebs and performers I got to meet/see were Cedric and Alex Da Silva, from So You Think You Can Dance, the Jabbawockies, models from Project Runway, Adrian Young, the drummer from No Doubt, Dame Edna, Tommy Hilfiger, and Christian Audigier, the designer for Ed Hardy. I was totally star struck and felt like a complete dork asking people to take a picture with me.

p.s. yes that is a sweet lightning bolt headband that I made...

Project Wedding

For my first project with RBP, we produced a ridiculous wedding in Napa Valley this past weekend. With a budget of $800,000, how could you go wrong? But with the temperature being in the 100's for the 5 days we were there, we were just melting away. However, we managed to pull melting off very well. Thursday was spent on site, in the Production office aka a tent surrounded by miles of vineyards. Friday, was the welcome bbq and wine tasting. Set up in the pavilion of the awesome hotel we got to stay at, the theme was red and was a family style dinner with a piece of rosemary at every place setting. The open bar led to Alex and I sitting on our balcony, which overlooked the pool, with a glass of wine and scope the drunkards. The day of the wedding was spent on site again making sure that everything was coming together. The ceremony was set in the vines. The platform for the wedding party even included air conditioning to blow right up the brides dress. Immediately following the ceremony was the cocktail reception where it was Alex and I's job to act as the bouncers. We were to make sure that no one entered the tent, which led to plenty of comments by the guests. After the bride and groom had their private moment in the clear tent, draped with 100's of yards of gold fabric, the guests were allowed in. They all of course flocked to the clear-plexi dance floor which looked onto to the vines. All 192 guests enjoyed a 5 course meal, an open bar, and an 80's inspired live band, not to mention the taco toast. Halfway through the meal we got a request from one of the groomsmen to order 300 Jack in the Box tacos (who even knew Jack in the Box had tacos is beyond me). Apparently, after the bachelor/bachelorette party in Vegas the group was hungry, and wound up scarfing down some JitB tacos. While we were all taken aback at such an odd order, the employees of JitB simply shrugged and replied 'you'd be surprised.' Plating the 300 tacos ironically on very fine china, 6 of us carried them into the middle of the dance floor to a stunned bride and groom. It was probably what I overheard people talking about the most the next day. Later that night, we got to munch on scrumptious avocado salads, fillet wrapped in bacon, au gratin potatoes with truffle oil, along with some left over cake! Upon leaving all the guests were met with a take-out box filled with french fries and a hamburger the size of a quarter (seriously). The final event was the champagne brunch Sunday morning where the newly married couple were presented with a huge engraved bottle of wine. This wedding was absolutely spectacular and how could it not being set in such a beautiful location. I definitely consider my first project with RBP, Inc. an
unwavering success!

My Office

The Event Bible.
















Welcome BBQ & Wine Tasting.
















The Aisle to the Ceremony.


















The Reception & Clear plexiglass dance floor.
















Amazing Reception Tent lifted 7ft above the ground.

CHEER SF

As a way of meeting new people, I have joined an amazing cheerleading team, CHEER SF. Their mission is to raise monies for direct-care service organizations serving individuals with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging conditions through performances as a means to entertain, inspire, and motivate audiences to strive for their personal best while recognizing and celebrating the beauty and diversity in all people. Over the past month I have performed at the Filipino parade, Reno Pride festival, the Sacremento Rainbow festival, and next week will be performing in the Macy's Passport fashion show. I have met some incredible people and I absolutely love everyone on the team!

My life as an intern

I started my internship with Rita Barela Productions International, Inc. on Monday. I absolutely love my super cool office and my very own desk! So far I have been making grids non stop of bobble head and rubber ducky prices, organizing production, registration, and the warehouse on-site boxes, and I even got to make a wood stain sample. I am looking forward to the upcoming events and the next 15 wks of my internship!

O Hippie Hill...

During our exploration, a Coffee Bean & Tea iced hazelnut latte was a must have. When I ordered, the man behind the register asked us what we were up to that day? We told him we were going to Golden Gate Park. He suggested we go to Hippie Hill where they set up a big drum circle and play for hours. We stepped off the train and followed our ears to this huge open field with people sitting all around. A scantily clad woman/hippie/bum came up to us and felt the need to hit on us and give us hugs. We sat down, far away from her, and enjoyed the beats from 20+ person drum circle (deciding that next time we would come prepared with our bongos and would join in).

He came back...

It seems both David and myself had some unfinished business when we parted ways (David would carry on with his bachelor party/road trip and I to start my life in San Fran). Not knowing when we would see each other again, we said our goodbyes and tried to "lock it up" (def: keep from falling apart). Then, after being in Las Vegas for a few too many days, and perhaps being a bit impetuous from lack of sleep, he traded in his ticket home for one to San Francisco! Within 3 hrs, he was here! We got to spend another 28 hrs together. So we took full advantage of our time and went to explore the city. Taking the train we went shopping on Haight St, ate some grub, meandered through Golden Gate Park, enjoyed Hippie Hill and its drum circle, snuck into the De Young Museum, and finally ended the exploration with a banana split! Both of us being exhausted, we went back to my room for a nap. Waking up refreshed, we dared to go outside after dark looking for somewhere to eat, but found nothing. Cold and hungry, we decided to order some pizza (that ended up being a challenge due to few dare to deliver in Bayview). While waiting for dinner, there was something that I needed to tell him, something that I had been thinking about for a while. As soon as I started this conversation, David pulled me down, and tried to make me stop talking (he does this when he feels an awkward convo is about to start up). Fumbling with his phone, he said someone was calling, he text me "i l u." I am convinced that I have a psychic boyfriend, as this is like the 3rd time he has read my mind. He told me that this was the reason he flew back, that he had to tell me in person. The pizza was delivered, and we dubbed it "The 'L' Bomb" dinner. We had a fabulous time together! I miss him already.

De Young MuseumFun times on the TrainThe "L" Bomb Dinner

Quasi-Ornithophobia

Since being in the city I have developed Quasi-Ornithophobia, meaning I'm kind of afraid of birds. There are so many pigeons that see no consequence in flying right at your head. I have been counting the number of close encounters: 5. Almost every time I have went into the city. By the end of my internship, this quasi phobia will have become full-blown.

I have arrived

Ok, so I have actually been here for about 6 days, but better late than never. I arrived last Saturday night to what seemed to be the coldest, dreariest day ever in San Francisco (view point North of the Golden Gate bridge completely covered in fog). More pictures of the bridge on a more picturesque day to come.

Livin' the LA Lifestyle

My best friend Carly gracefully gave me the LA tour. In my 2.5 days with her, we did all of the following...

(1) Went to the USC campus, where Carly was shooting a movie (which I got to be a part of!)

(2) Went to the Chinese Theater to see the Walk of Fame and do some awesome shopping.

(3) Saw the infamous Hollywood sign

(4) More amazing shopping along Rodeo Dr.

(5) Had the tastiest sushi ever at the Geisha House
(6)Sunbathed at the Santa Monica Pier
(7) Also, in these 2.5 days, Carly managed to get me hooked on Pinkberry and Iced Hazelnut Lattes from the Coffee Bean.

(8) Another thing not pictured above, is the funniest game to play whilst in LA, "Name that Movie Star." At the architecture/German festival we saw Peyton Manning, Paul Giamatti. Patricia Arquette, and Dustin Hoffman.

I had the most fabulous time with her and will definitely be back for some more of the above.

The York Hotel

When trying to check-in to the Hyatt in San Francisco, David discovered there was no big comfy bed for us in this fabulous times ten hotel. Instead they redirected our weary bodies to a very interesting/historical place. When we got there, we were trying to make the best of it. We found out that this hotel was where Alfred Hitchcock shot Vertigo, thus making its appearance a little more acceptable. Until we meandered into our room. It was expected for 4 grown adults to sleep in 2 twin beds. We were all at a loss for words. Starving and exhausted from a 10 hr drive from LA that day, we all started to laugh. Hey, we can't always stay in the nicest hotels for free.

2 twin beds to sleep "4 grown men"Interesting/Historic lobby

My very own bedroom

With my house being overtaken by stuff for the bar in the garage that has been in the works for over 12 years, this is what has become of my bedroom, where I slept for 3 months. My mom and sister actually managed to move stuff around and clear some space. It was quite cozy, but sometimes may have been a bit messy.

p.s. that is a dvd player on the bed that I used to watch Ratatouille to help me fall asleep every night.

My Boyfriends.

Over the summer, I may have acquired a few extra boyfriends (they weren't mine exactly, more-so David's). However, I will miss them.

Name Change

I've been having trouble recently when talking to people about my roommates, or ex-roommates, well they weren't just my roommates they're my best friends (you can sense the agony). So, I have determined that a permanent name change is in order. They will now be referred to as my Best Friends. These girls are one of the best things to ever happen to me and have made the past four years of my life, absolutely amazing.

Ach Liebe

After reading my roommates stellar blogs for a few years now, I have decided it's time. Ach Liebe, meaning 'Ah Love' in German, is the name I have given to the clothes I make and my attempt of a blog. This blog was created to share my new found adventures, my creative endeavors, and my random train of thought with the world.

Check out their inspiring blogs:

Suburbs of Utopia

Perfectly Imperfect

May the Adventure Begin

In t-minus 19 hours, I will be on a plane to L.A. There, I will visit one of my very best friends, Carly Hallam. My mother asked me to sit at the airport for several hrs so I could get her a picture or an autograph from a celebrity. From there I will be joining David, and his brothers on their bachelor party road trip, on the 7 hr drive up to San Francisco. I have a room in the Bayview district, which is in the city, but don't ask me with who (I have either forgotten those details or didn't ask). August 4th, I start a 16 wk internship with Rita Barela Productions, Inc. I am so stoked for this new chapter (no not chapter, entirely new book) to begin, but saddened when thinking of all the things I will leave behind. I consider this to be a complete learning experience, not only with the internship but with myself. Check back for future posts to see if I make it out of this alive.