Scariest sound in the world

A ticking clock

I don't understand

by Antonio Berardi

Thanks, Cher

Instant Architect

"Found"

16 x 20 acrylic on canvas

For newlyweds, Auntie Des and Uncle Brice

The Birthday Boys

Mike, Jeff and Chris work with me and are 3/5 of the sketch comedy group,the Birthday Boys. So last night, I went to the Upright Citizens Brigade theater to see what people were talking about. And guess what? They were actually funny.

An interesting fact about the Birthday Boys is that they all live together in one big sized house of brainstorm. This is evident in their sketches through their themes of insecurity, groupthink, and absurdity. Most importantly it shows that they like what they're doing and in result, we like them and their work too.

See them every 1st Wednesday of the month at the UCB Theater in Hollywood. Or here: The Birthday Boys

Happy Birthday, Mom!

My mom with her pet basil plant, Basilio.

Movie Review: No Country For Old Men

No Country For Old Men, 2007
dir. Ethan and Joel Coen
Drama, 122 mins

Unbelievably well executed.


I was late to see this Oscar flick because everyone had already seen it before me.

Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms

Another dreamy Palm Springs getaway by architect E Stewart Williams, but this time Frank Sinatra lived in it so the demand is much higher. Personally I would prefer the Kaufman House over this house any day, but I most certainly wouldn't complain about this one. On the market now for $3.25 mil/$14000 a month to rent.

Learn more here: Twin Palms

Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog Millionaire
dir. Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan
comedy/crime/drama/romance, 120 mins.


Slumdog Millionaire was the feel good movie of the year. The story takes the audience on a crowd pleasing and emotional trip through modern India. Boyle/Tandan seamlessly go through time and space romancing the story in order to keep us hungry for more plot. Perfect pacing for a very full romance. The performances were convincing and there wasn't a dull moment.

Go watch it.

How was Thanksgiving, Anne?

My mother (as mentioned in a previous post) hosted this year's Thanksgiving. She hurdled up about 40 of our closest relatives into our home despite the fact that we owned maybe 10 chairs altogether.In true Filipino tradition, everyone brought something to consume. From mashed potatoes and salad to bibinka (a dessert made with coconut milk) and lengua (beef tongue), our Thanksgiving meal spanned continents. The food probably took up about 3 normal length dining room tables.

Uncle Ed, an old white uncle, managed to bring Balut. Surely from the outside it appears to be a normal egg. However, once the eggshell is cracked, your dinner is revealed: an "almost" baby chick. This, to me, has always been the most horrifying of Filipino cuisine. It's difficult for me even to be in the same room with someone eating it. So leave it to my mother to torment our "non-Filipino" relatives and loved ones and force them to eat it. (Yes, we are a very diverse family) My mother's method of psychological hazing almost appears to be a "welcome" to the family or just a joke at their expense. I'm still not quite sure. Loud laughter from our doors could be heard blocks away.

After I had caught up with my relatives, some of us explored the world of Rockband. (My father would like to add the disclaimer that Rockband is NOT a performance art and that he has the REAL thing in his office.) Yes even my grandma played the guitar to Ballroom Blitz. Or was it Gimme Shelter? I can't remember.

Overall, an exhausting and rewarding holiday. Typically unorthodox, just like my unbelievably cool family. Maybe you'll be invited next year.

Aspirational

From Ricky Gervais Obviously

Movie Review: Twilight

Bad story only leads to a bad movie. Even Catherine Hardwicke's indie style couldn't save this sinking ship. I enjoyed the young girls screaming for America's new undead dreamboat, Robert Pattinson. That and all the ridiculously portrayed vampire scenes at which Grace and I couldn't resist laughing wholeheartedly. It was a disaster waiting to happen, but at least we came out with a new arsenal of badly written script to repeat at parties.

Cher Draws Little Cher

By Cher Grepo

Don't you hate it

when you're full and angry at the same time?

Thanks, Girl at Work

Who Is You? #13

I like you.




You = air

Twilight Mania :: A Fight Within

Only because I wanted Grace to stop reading passages of Twilight on my voicemail, did I decide to appease her and start reading the book. That's when I became entranced. Poorly written page after poorly written page, I kept on reading until I had finished the 4 book series.

I'm so weak.

Anyway, it was a good replacement guilty pleasure since Sex and the City made its departure.

This weekend, Grace and I will brave the crowds to watch the movie and like others swoon during the teen vampire romance. I was even tempted to join the others who swarmed Ryan Seacrest's radio studio during a Pattinson interview. (Seacrest's studio is across the street from mine) Thank god, I got a grip and realized that would be CRAZY.

So I'm with you, you love-lorn Twilight fans. We all can use some vampire escapism to get away from the actual reality that romance is fictional.

Countdown to Cousin Day

My cousins, Marisa, Christian, and I have made our own post Thanksgiving ritual- COUSIN DAY! On this day, our like minds work together to cause havoc all over the Bay Area. This year, we're thinking of getting something brought to us. Like a moon bounce or bouncy boxing! Any suggestions are welcome!

Congratulations, UCSC!

On being the #1 Surfing College in the nation. What you lack in conservative high caliber higher education, you make up in lifestyle and extreme sports.

Note: My beloved alma mater.

Fancy Cars

Isn't it odd that we would spend a lot of money on fast cars so that ideally we would sit in them less?

Las Vegas :: Fremont St.

For Mike's birthday, our little group packed a car and drove to Vegas with the promise that we would not visit the oh-so-popular Strip for most reasons involving impoverished wallets and an overall distaste for the popular. With such strict ruling, we were left to Las Vegas' grungy Fremont Street experience.

On Fremont St, you see all the classic electric signage that you see in Vegas movies and commercials. This is the land of overstuffed capri pants, one-toothed wonders and $8.99 prime rib. We managed to experience some of the quintessential ridiculous treats like deep fried twinkies. Mmm tasty.

This is not a place of disappointment, but more or less, acceptance. The people here were friendly and asked no questions except those pertaining to alcohol. I have to admit that I am not one to really describe Las Vegas as a vacation destination, but my good times would prove that Fremont St. is definitely a good place to get away from the mainstream.