Mama Lu has joined the 21st century!

Hallelujah! I finally have DSL!

That's right, Karaway. I can now view the millions of funny and crazy clips you post daily :)

Yahoo finally got this AOL gal to convert. Sort of.

I'm keeping my AOL e-mail indefinitely. I can't let go yet. I have an unusual attachment to my e-mail address. It's the only thing that's been a constant line of communication for me.

I've moved eight times in the past eight years.

I've had three pager numbers, at least five home numbers and roughly five cell phone numbers. Oh. Now it's six. My AOL e-mail address is like my permanent home address. But it will eventually have to go because it's ridiculous to pay for AOL dial up and Yahoo DSL. Please don't tell me to use the free AIM e-mail. It's not the same thing.

Anyhow, DSL is amazing. I never knew life could be like this. I can watch video. I can download music in a timely manner. I can surf the internet footloose and fancyfree!

I think I'm tearing up. It's all just so beautiful.

Filipino reference of the day

"I love Filipinos. They're Asian.

But they're not cocky about it."

Dammit, I love her character.

I'm doing this for world peace

My last two weeks with my current job are bittersweet. I don't want to blab on and on about my anxieties, excitement and sadness. What I will tell you is that I am pretty thrilled about the drinking bonanza that will occur the next week:
Monday-drinking with close work friends
Tuesday-drinking with people who have ALREADY left my work
Wednesday-drinking with the work knitting group (But that's every week. And we do knit, too.)
Thursday-official going away party for me so drinking with a lot of my coworkers
Friday-up in the air but I'm sure I'll be drinking

Don't think I'm a lush. I'm doing all this for the greater good. See, I have a theory:
+ =


Drinks + Happy Lulu = World Peace!

A classy joint

I will be the first to admit that my people - shot out to my Filipino homies - aren't known for having upscale restaurants. They are either a) Hole-in-the-wall or b) Fast food places (i.e. Goldilocks.) My Vietnamese, Hawaiian and Mexican friends can probably relate. It's not a diss ... it is what it is. And the "fusion" places don't count because that's just a bastardization of the culture's food. Yah, I said it.

The Man and I love Filipino food so we're always open to trying out new places. We're not big fans of the fast Filipino food but we're fine with hole-in-the-wall places as long as they're clean (we won't even go into places like Ling Nam's. For the few peeps that know what I'm talking about ... you KNOW what I mean.)

Surf & Turf recently recommended a new restaurant called Gerry's Grill. Last night, I decided to take The Man out. We rolled up to a place that looked nothing like a Filipino restaurant. It was ... pretty. The bar (yes, Lulu said there's a bar!) was mahogany and glass, there were three or four big screen plasma TVs, a waterfall at the entrance, and the color scheme was understated and coordinated. Now y'all, if there's one thing about Filipino restaurants it's that they love them some LOUD colors. Which don't always coordinate. Ooooo-weeee.


This isn't what the one in our area looks like (the picture wasn't great) but here are other locations so you can see what I mean.

The music was blaring (kinda clubbish) and it was definitely an afterwork place with a hearty drink menu. The Man enjoyed his San Miguel beer and I was smitten with the pretty and CLEAN bathrooms. Priorities, people, priorities. The waitstaff was a good mix of different ethnicities but I would be a liar if I said that the clientele was diverse. Only open a month, the place was packed with A LOT of Filipinos and a sprinkle of other ethnicities. The Man and I have a hunch that the Gerry's Grill advertised on the Philippine Channel. I'm just sayin'.

The food was a little too pricey but it was good. It wasn't the most delicious Filipino food we've ever had but the presentation was very nice. It would be a good place to take someone who has never had Filipino food and might find it intimidating.

Real Filipino restaurants don't care much, if at all, about presentation and the fish head (or pig head) will still be there, in tact. And that's OK. As someone who has grown up with Filipino food, that kind of stuff doesn't scare me. In fact, in my family, we say it isn't a huge to-do unless the lechon is present. And we mean a whole pig that's been roasted and isn't cut up until it's time to eat. Foreel.

So, what's the verdict? We would go there again if we were taking out people for a special occasion (visiting, never had Filipino food, drinks, etc.) If it's just us and want to eat, we'll go to another place. For the two of us, the bill came to $49.00 w/o tip. That's a little pricey for Filipino food. But it was a good experience and we were happy for our people for finally having an attractive restaurant.

Not bad ... not good either

You Are 40% Evil

A bit of evil lurks in your heart, but you hide it well. In some ways, you are the most dangerous kind of evil.

How Evil Are You?

Leap of faith

This morning, I gave my letter of resignation. I'm leaving a place that was my second home for over two years, going back to for-profit and starting a brand spankin' new career.

I'm leaving some pretty great people. They are why I loved my organization. Do I need to remind you of the tid bits of work banter I've shared in previous entries? I've spent more time with them on a daily basis than The Man or my family. They also say, "nappy snatch" at the drop of the hat. I'm going to miss them so much.

I'm scared. I'm excited. I'm hoping that I haven't lost my mind.

On that note, I'm celebrating the Irish folk by going to my local brewery and drinking some spirits to ease my mind. I LOVE holidays that give me an excuse to go a-drinkin'.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Victoria's Sucker

Why don't Victoria's Secret Underoos fit right?

Ideally, underwear should fit your body like the picture on the left. Instead, the waistband in the back is halfway up my back.

I used to think it was me and my small caboose. But even my ample-bottomed friends have told me that these trademark cotton panties are an awkward fit for them, too.

I don't care if they're 5 for $25. I'm not buying these damn bottomless bottom saggers anymore.

Tell me, where are all the good panties?

Got the day off

I went to Watercourse Way* and it was fan-flippin'-tastic.

(Unfortunately, I wasn't on a sunny beach but it still felt good.)

Since I worked 12 hours on Friday and five hours on Saturday last week, I got today off!
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh .....
Can I get an amen??

*WW has special deals if you schedule your appointment during the work week and before 5:00pm. Oh, and ask for Malka. She is s-t-r-0-n-g.

You need a pick me up

It is really hard to see a friend get attacked. Whether they're outright attacks or snide comments, it's difficult to just sit back and watch (or read.) Ladies, you know how good we are at it. For example, "Mary Jane is such a sweet girl... unlike some people." Or the handy-dandy backhanded compliments, "Your dress looks great! I bet you'll be able to fit in that comfortably in no time."

Even though I'm not in the mix, I've read my fair share and have read it all silently. So I guess that makes me part of it just because this person is my friend. Tel and I have talked recently and she's had some strong feelings and opinions but nothing she couldn't handle. However, I know that my friend is now hurt, angry and upset. So I'm not going to be silent. I'm going to write about what I told her she should do which is concentrate on the positive.

Most of our egos are a tad fragile. Ninety-nine people can say how wonderful we are but that one person who says, "You're not that great" (or worse) can really do a number on our self-esteem. Well, I'm going to be one of those ninety-nine and SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOF TOPS!!!

I met Tel in the beginning of 2001 when my life was drastically changing. At the time, I was going through an UGLY break up and making my transition into the "real world." Tel welcomed me with open arms into her life. She listened to my tirades and frustrations with dating as we sunbathed, ate cheese and smoked cigarettes. She introduced me to all her friends, invited me to her short-lived Book Club, and asked if I wanted to go with her to the infamous Cow. Relatively new to the Bay Area, Tel knew what it was like to want to meet new people and the need to surround yourself with good friends. My ex-boyfriend was my social life for the longest time - I was starting anew. Without a second thought, she included me in her circle. Six years later, we're still friends.

Tel and I have different personalities. Until recently, she would say things that would just make my jaw drop. Her "shock value" may have worn off on me but she still makes me laugh. Tel tells me about places I've never heard of and wouldn't even begin to know where to find them! I'll leave it at that. She's outrageous, outgoing, outspoken and outstanding. Tel knows, while I'm neither shy or quiet (thus my appeal!), I am on the reserved side. She respects that and doesn't try to question or change me. I think our differences make for good conversation. Plus, how can I not love a girl who likes spas, wine and hula shows? Impossible.

We're still friends because of various reasons. One, she makes the effort. I'm infamous for losing touch with people because if I have to do all the work ... I'm done. She sends me random e-mails or calls me spontaneously so we can schedule a dinner, drinks or a spa treatment :) Tel's also the one who brought me into the lovely world of blogging. Two, she helps put color in my world. Some may disagree but it's important to me that I bring happiness to the people in my life. I want to be a person that makes someone's life brighter. I write "some may disagree" because people might say that creating your own happiness is more important. I think putting color in other people's lives as well as your own is equally important. Maybe that's the philanthropic side of me :) Anyway, that's what I look for in friends and Tel does this. Her outrageousness (and I say that lovingly,) fun personality, and sweet disposition is what attracted me to her as with all my other friends. Am I calling Tel a ray of sunshine? Damn straight.

Tel, you are a wonderful person. When I first saw you at our Treasure Island bus stop (can you tell it's going to get romantic?) I was a senior in college, wearing my backpack, and going to my internship. I thought you looked so confident. Seriously. Your make up ... impeccable. Your hair and clothes ... polished and professional. The cautious social butterfly that I am, (we also had crackheads on our Island, people) I waited until we saw each other a few times before I tried to strike up a conversation. For all I knew, you were going to think I was this immature student not worth a dime of your time. But no. In fact, our first words has got to be the funniest exchange I've ever had with a friend.
Me: "Um, excuse me, are you from SF State?"
Tel: "Excuse me?"
Me: "I said, are you from SF State?"
Tel: "Ohhh! No, I'm not."
(I would later find out that she was two seconds from kickin' my as$ because she thought I asked, "Are you section 8?" I told you people, we were living amongst crackheads.) From there, our friendship blossomed.

I am so happy you found "the one." I am so excited to have a reason to go to Hawaii in 2007!!! You are a great person with a great heart. Move forward, plan that wedding, have fun with P while you're doing it and for crap's sake ... smile!!

Knit happens ... all over the place

Work has been buckwild busy because I had a huge event to plan. Now it is DONE. There were 170+ people, assigned seats, a program, print materials, ... and it was a morning event, to boot. I woke up at 4:30am and started the ball rolling at 6:00am. After all was said and done, I told my boss I needed a long lunch. I then called my favorite nail salon and booked a manicure + deluxe pedicure. This was a first for me. I like to self-indulge but I could never justify two people pampering m'feet and hands at the same time. But now I can. After working six hours and it being only 12:0opm, it was well worth the small splurge. (Did I mention I had to go in to work the very next day, a SATURDAY, and work for five hours?!?! Ugh.)

Earlier in the week, my little knitting group planned an outing to my favorite yarn store, Nine Rubies, and I am 100% sure that this is a perfect place for me. Not only is it a beautiful store (it used to be a small art gallery,) but the proprietors are friendly, they stay open late for small groups, and they are hospitable, too! When my friend and I walked in the door, the lovely owners had little treats for us - strawberries, pretzels, butter cookies and a cooler of sodas and bottled water. But wait, oh my!

Is that ... wine??? Seriously? You're going to give me alcohol ... after work? Well, OF COURSE I'm going to buy stuff from you! Size 19 needles? OK, why not?! A membership? OK, I'll buy a membership! Did I tell you how much I love your store? And even though I'm sober now, I don't regret my purchases at all. Any place willing to freely pour me wine and serve me little treats deserves my loyalty and hard earned money. I love my Nine Rubies somethin' fierce!

Here are my quiz results, Sister. I'm no knitting guru (and that is why I bow to you) but I was pretty excited to score a drawing of a brown girl. Sweet.
Humph. My hair is still bigger than hers.

You appear to be a Knitting Adventurer. You are through those knitting growing pains and feeling more adventurous. You can follow a standard pattern if it's not too complicated and know where to go to get help. Maybe you've started to experiment with different fibers and you might be eyeing a book with a cool technique you've never tried. Perhaps you prefer to stick to other people's patterns but you are trying to challenge yourself more. Regardless of your preference, you are continually trying to grow as a knitter, and as well you should since your non-knitting friends are probably dropping some serious hints, these days.

What Kind of Knitter Are You?