Remembering Diner House M

M Bar was perhaps one of my favorite bars. I remember how every time we went there was always something to "put in the movie" as Taylor and I would say."To put in the movie" of course, became a line we'd say to each other when something happened that was so bizarre and cinematic, it would of course have to be added to our ever growing screenplay we needed to write (but never wrote). 

From a young woman we once met who described in detail how we would be the perfect leads in a wacky rom-com, a choice character description for me "I mean you fuck around, but you don't fuck around", to a young man busting into the ladies powder room to do a line like it was nbd, to dancing to Kelly Rowland's Motivation or the first time. So cheers to summer and that mother fucking white couch, mirrored, minor serving, LA den. 

I feel like I'm at an interesting point in my life where I have to actually have a shard of self awareness to move forward, while at the same time feel betrayed by myself because; who was I trying to be for the last twenty three years? I always thought college was the time to discover who you are, and not come out the other end feeling like your life is a really tangled silver chain you just realized was really tangled but you must wear tonight. So in an act of nostalgia, regression and perhaps appropriateness I wanted to fill out one of those Myspace surveys that we all used to post as bulletins? OMG. So for posterity,
When was the last time you changed in front of someone?
Last night.


What are you wearing?
Some comfy lounge pants, black tank-top, LONG BEACH sweatshirt.


Where is the shirt you are wearing from?
A hand me down :)

Do you ever turn your cell phone off?
No, I'm afraid I'll miss an important call.

What happened at 3:00am today?
I'll probably be finishing this survey.

Do you hate anyone?
Only the people I truly love.

Are you going out of town soon?
Nope.

When was the last time you cried?
Last night, jerk.

Do you have a good relationship with your mother?
I hope so!

Have you ever told someone you loved them?
Yes

Do you tend to get in fights?
Not really.

If you could change your eye color would you?
Yes and no, all of my half siblings got my Dads green eyes so I wish I could see what I looked like with green eyes. But in the sunlight my eyes look really light and pretty so, no.
What does your last text message say?
"Meeeerm its 8:30"

What was for dinner last night?
Chile rellenos, red rice, salad with cilantro dressing, and beer.

What are you thinking of doing right now?
Answering your question.

What are you doing tomorrow?
Work out, wash my baby Roman, and take him to the groomers to get his face washed and nails clipped. Perhaps make some bias tape binding to finish the hem on the circle skirt I'm making.
How are you?
Well, thank you.
How tall are you?
5'3 1/2
What do you hear?
The heater whistle.
Do you like the dentist?
No way.
Who was the last person you talked to in person?
My mom.
Are there any posters on your wall?
No.
What will you buy next?
I'm in the market for some cute workout shorts.
Favorite drink?
Orange soda.
What's the connection between you and the last person that called you?
My mother.
What color are your bed sheets?
Light pink.
Can you sleep in jeans?
I'd prefer not to, no.
Are you tired?
nah.
Are you happy with life right now?
Yea.
Have you ever read an entire book in one day?
Yes, I was a Comparative World Literature Major. I mean COME ON.
Do you believe everyone deserves a second chance?
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Are you a jealous person?
Naio.
What are you going to do after this?
Look up some recipes, sleep.

What were you doing this morning at 7am?
Sleeping.
Is there anything that you are craving right now?
Pepperoni Pizza.
Would you rather be a girl or a guy?
I "enjoy" being a girl.
Who is the most spoiled person you know?
My baby Roman.
Would you rather date someone 20 years younger than you or 20 years older?
Ask me when I'm 50.
Are you ticklish?
Yes, jerk.
Its 4 in the morning, and your phone rings...what do you do?
Make sure it's not an emergency I suppose.

Your name:
Alex
You have been making the world more amazing since:
1989
Oldest/youngest/or middle sibling:
ONLY CHILD

Your dad's name:
Jamil
What kind of phone do you have?
iPhone
Who is your favorite celebrity ever?
Mila Kunis
Favorite type of music:
Gen X type alt, pop-punk, the Delfonics, John Coltrane.
How many pillows do you sleep with?
1
Ever prank called the pizza place and ordered a pizza for somebody totally random?
No.
What do you find most of in your room?
Bed
How many piercings do you have?
Historically five, currently two.
How about tattoos?
None
Describe your house:
Typical San Gabriel Valley.
Who is your neighbor across the street?
My neighbor across the street.
Your favorite facial feature:
My nose.
Name the band you are listening to now:
Aaliyah Ft. Timbaland. RIP
Who do you know that throws the best parties?
I never really feel comfortable at parties.
On a boy: Skinny or Muscular?
This is dumb.
Name an item you've kept with yourself since you were young:
A blanket I suppose.
Possible children's names?
Veloria Marie, Veloria, Mariana
What is your favorite method of exercise?
The elliptical machines at the Rec Center!!!!
What do you do to get money?
I am nacent in starting my successful career.
Do you dye your hair?
No, and the woman who cuts my hair refuses to ever dye my hair. It's that beautiful.
Own a pair of skinny jeans?
Yeas.
What is the longest you have been in the car for a roadtrip?
Fucking Tahoe, OMG.
Been to Six Flags?
Yes!
What about Disneyland?
Yes, I have.
Name the bands you have band tees for:
Pixies, NO DOUBT, RHCP
Favorite local band?
I don't do local band.
How many cell phones have you owned?
Four since I started out.
Your nails are painted:
Nothing as of now.
How many pairs of sweatpants do you own?
One, unfortunately. I don't think Yoga pants count.
When was the last time you shaved your legs?
Yesterday.
What were you doing this morning at 8am?
Sleeping.
What were you doing 15 minutes ago?
Finishing this survey.
Are you mad at anyone right now?
Nah
Last person to say they loved you?
Ma.
Last person to send you a text?
My mom.
Do you have a crush on anyone?
Yes
Have you been naked today?
Yes
Do you have any famous relatives?
Our cousin was the quarter back for UCLA when they won? the Rosebowl in the seventies so sometimes people ask our family if we're related to THEE John Sciarra. For the record, yes.
Have you ever had sex in a public place?
Naio.
How many different drinks have you had today?
3.
What have you eaten today?
Leftovers from last nights Mexican feast.
Are you good at math? Yes.
Do you have plans on Saturday night?
Yes.
Do you draw your name in the sand while your at the beach?
No.
Do you look like your mom or your dad?
I've been told I look like my mother from far away, and up close I look more like my dad.
Have you ever been awake for 48 hours straight?
No.
Do you like the ocean?
I went to a college that calls itself THE BEACH. Yes.
What are you excited about?
Getting a job!
What did you do yesterday?
Went grocery shopping, and cooked with my boyfriend.
Are any of your great-grandparents still alive?
No.
How many grandparents do you have?
Four?
Where do you keep your change?
In a big purple pencil bank in my closet, it's my parking ticket fund.
Who is the best person in your life?
At what?
Would you rather sleep with someone else or alone?
Together but not cuddling.
What was the weather like on your birthday?
Fairly cold, overcast. Typical Southern California winter.

The Best Two Things About Moonstruck

No One Told Me About Workaholics!?

What a great, great show. So great it gives me hope for the future, great.

I've Been Having Very Vivid Dreams Lately

Grrrrl Bands

A few months ago I got to see the wonderful Wild Flag at the El Ray. These ladies rocked hard, and about halfway through the show I went into feminism in popular culture mode. Wild flag is the supergroup of some members of Sleater-Kinney, Helium, and the Minders. To contextualize where I'm headed with this let me mention that before the show started I overheard a gentleman say, "you know, I think it's really unfair that Sleater-Kinney is labeled as a lesbian band". Interesting spin, bro. I haven't followed Sleater-Kinney and to unpack this guys remark, "I'm 100% LA douche". Still, while watching  Wild Flag, I felt differently than many other larger shows I've attended. I watched on with an eerie critical appreciation and respectful distance that is usually not present in going to rock concerts. It felt like I was watching a group of friends playing. What was missing was that I didn't want to fuck them.

The mythos of the rock band, rock star, or rock concert dictate a certain level of sexual tension and attraction. I would be interested in doing a mini-study on men's reaction to a band like Wild Flag or the Breeders in relationship to how they feel listening to oh, say Blink 182.
I hesitated on writing about this because I wasn't sure how to flesh out the equation completely, and then I stumbled across this video.

I've never heard of this band before and it's not an all girl band, but I am more viscerally stimulated by this female vocalist than I am while listening to Wild Flag. I would totally at least make out with her. She's no less passionate than Carrie Brownstien, but there is an undeniable level of seductiveness in the latter. It's important too for me to define my terms in regards to listening and point-of-view. Listening to female pop stars to me is the "we" of listening, there is a certain degree of activity on my part in meeting the vocalist half-way, it's both an active and passive act. Most male pop-rock groups I listen to is like listening to something that is being told at me, and I adapt a more passive listening role, and there's a level of magnetism to this opposition. What is fascinating to me is that there is a gradation of mesmerism in terms of female rock groups or vocalists and the real motivation behind making and listening to rock music really is just driven by who you want to have sexy time with.

I WISH I HAD A TWIN

The Man's Guide To Love #210 from themansguidetolove on Vimeo.