Lyrics, poetry and art all meshed together

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Ready for Californication


Hello Blog family,

I will be skipping my Dear Diary periodical this Friday, 8/11 and resume when I get back from my vacation...I'll be heading to sunny California back to my old roots. Being a Cali girl most of my life it's been interesting with my huge transition to NYC. Being here 5 years, wow, time sure flies, and mentally I feel I am a New Yorker. I no longer have the bougie attitude I had when I first moved to the eastcoast. I remember how I couldn't stand the trains, the smelly streets and the crowd of people to me looked like criminals or maybe I looked strange to them...lol.

I'm going for some well-deserved vacation to Californication, my fornication will be food and shopping, that's it and I can't wait. I'll be there for 12 days spending time with friends and family. I know some will comment on how I gained a little weight and oh yeah say something about my hair color which is more like a honey blond. I gave up on trying to lose weight before my trip, so i'll be splurging on all the restaurants I missed over there and when I return home i'll go back to my healthing eating. For example I can't wait to eat at Tony Romas, if you've never heard of it, it's a restaurant that specializes on great ribs. Just thinking about it now makes my mouth water, you can check out their menu (www.tonyromas.com), i'll be ordering the St. Louis Rib Sampler which consist of a dozen St. Louis Ribs in four flavors: Original, Carolina Honeys™, Blue Ridge Smokies™ and Tony Roma’s Red Hots, it is to die for.

Another favorite eating spot is In-N-Out Burger (www.in-n-out.com) , the place is really addicting especially their fries which are cut, peeled and cooked in 100% cholesterol-free oil and you can't have the meal without their delicious shakes which are made from real ice cream which is why they are so thick and creamy. Am I hungry or what? Lol... ok one last spot I must say i'll check out as far as splurging like a pig is the Cheesecake Factory. I go there each and every time I visit California. I usually order the avocado eggroll instead of a salad, to me their salads are too much enough to feed Somalia. I eat my six eggrolls then treat myself to a nice slice of cheesecake. Cheesecake Factory has a dozen or so cheesecakes, it's really hard to pick one, and the last time I ordered an Oreo Cheesecake it was way too sweet but then I tasted my girlfriend's Kahlua Cheesecake and that was it for me. I will definetly order myself a Kahlua Cheesecake. Take the time to browse at their menu in advance if you do plan on visiting California in the future (www.cheesecakefactory.com) believe me, you won't be disappointed. Another spot (I know...I know) but it's great when it comes to Mexican food is El Torito's. Fine...i'll stop right there with the food and head straight to the beach where I will be walking off my extra calories. I'll be strolling Venice Beach and of course Malibu where I love to sit on top of the rocks and look out at the ocean andsunset. It does get cool and windy over there but i'll bring myself a sweater.
The first thing I do when I get to Cali is rent my car and go straight to Wholefoods, I'll be staying with my aunt who is not a healthy eater and she cooks a lot of beef which I stay away from. That's why it's best for me to stop at the market first to get what I need for the week and then I can unpack my things and relax. Well, I think i'll be enjoying this vacation and come back with a sunny tan and sunnier smile.

I'll bring back some more poems for your viewing pleasure and keep you inform if I do meet Mr. Right. I have a girlfriend over there who is trying to set me up, me being so picky I am not holding my breath. By the way, I read one of my poems last night (Kinky Roots and Rapture) at a spot I visit often on Mondays (www.louderarts.com), it wasn't my first time so I did ok. It was great feeling the support of family and friends who showed up.

We had a CD vendor today who stopped by at my job, I bought two CD's not at all planned but I couldn't help it. I purchased Andrea Bocelli's (Romanza) and Etta James (Love Songs). I fell in love/lust with Andrea's voice when I was flipping channels and saw the commercial for his Romanza cd. I've always been a fan of the opera world, having my Pavarotti collection in hand and 1 cd by Sarah Brightman...so to have Andrea's cd for $10 bucks you can't beat the price.
As for Etta James, she's been a favorite since I first heard the song At Last in a movie which gave me chills all over and then when I found out she's the legendary songstress who sang My Funny Valentine, I was hooked. I think my purchases were worth every dollar and they will keep me relaxed on the 5+ hour flight to Californication :)

I will miss you all...believe me, my fingers will be itching.

P.s. If you are looking for some inspiration while i'm gone stop by my website: www.delaleuwritings.com (feel free to roam around the G-spot and sign my guestbook)

27 comments:

paris parfait said...

Hope you have a fabulous time! That list of restaurants makes me homesick for California. And Whole Foods! I miss that place. As for Bocelli and James, I have both those CDs. I was listening to Etta's CD "Life, Love and the Blues" earlier today, followed by my all-time fave B.B. King. Enjoy every moment of your trip! Will look forward to hearing about it when you're back. Anyway, I'll be off to England next week.

Willie Baronet said...

Mmmmmmmmmmmm. In n out burgers...

Have fun!

Libra Moon said...

...and may you enjoy the fornication of California!

ketchup when U R back!

Chhers!!
Libra Moon

Anonymous said...

Enjoy the trip. We all need a chasnce to just get away. I have a new poem posted.

Xave said...

Andrea Bocelli's Romanza has special meaning for me. It was playing in he delivery room when my daughter was born. :-) Enjoy your trip and don't forget the camera. By the way, we seem to like many of the same restaurants.

Anonymous said...

yep im still fasting ... on day 6 right now ... and its killer ... day five was the worst ... everything looks appetizing ... i read your blog with all of your favorite restaurants and im sure i was drooing by the end ...but ive only gotta make it until sunday ... fingers crossed ... have fun in cali! ... while youre in cali ill be in sunny florida... only ill be working ... oh well

Miz JJ said...

I had some 'In-n-Out Burger' when I was in Vegas. So good! And I went to the cheesecake factory in Atlanta. I had the strawberry cheesecake. So yummy.

TequilaGuy said...

I wanna go! Have a great trip.

The girl-next-door said...

Enjoy visiting...you've picked a good time since the humidity has finally broke. On the Border is also a good place to try for Mexican (in fact where I live it does better than El Torito). Sun and shopping - what better way to relax. Safe travels.

Ananda said...

cali sistalove. enjoy your trip. have fun. congrats on reading at your open mic spot. eat and shot in cali until you drop. paz, ananda

black feline said...

Hi,

Have a great holiday!...I will be back...excellent blog..

Ty said...

We will definitely miss you while you are in Cali but have a wonderful time. Take plenty of pics and don't forget to stop by Roscoes' Chicken and Waffles. It is my favorite.

~grey said...

Thank you for your comments....

I look forward to reading more of your blog.

The Sarccastik Variable Why said...

okay...i know 'bout cheesecake factory....it's always a big thing down here...but you better get there early or it's a wrap!!!! at least 45mins wait time...

Sheba Brooks Moore said...

Hi..I saw your striking image on rramonnes site...such amazing electric colors...

mermaid said...

I love the avacado eggrolls, too. What part of Cali? I'm up north. Somehow, I get the feeling you will be in LA.

Unknown said...

A certain cowgirl from Texas is asking for my help. To spread the word. She has a new place. It can be found by following me. Looking carefully at my site. Or email me. Add a new link. Leave the old.

Unknown said...

Have a good time with your family and with yourself. Having our own retreat from the humdrum will give us a new strength to move forward.

RTMac said...

hey...
continued thanx for your posts to me...I am from New York as well...love etta ..and andrea...love to talk about food...of course poetry ,film,painting...always interests me...

I am a big flirt...but i am hopelessly married....just can't turn down the stimulations...:)....

thanx for yours
rtmac

snowelf said...

I LOVE the cheesecake factory and Sarah Brightman is SO great.

Have a great trip!!!

Stealth said...

you are so beautiful...I hope you enjoy your time away...

you will be sorely missed!!!

-spitfire

Stealth said...

dream of californication.....

Intelfetish said...

Take care of yourself during your trip mami, and I appreciate you supporting my writing even though its not quite as good as yours;?

White Magpie said...

Have a blast...Time to say goodbye...for now..

princessdominique said...

Have fun!!!!!!!!

ShawnQt said...

Can't wait to read you when you get back, lol

A.u.n.t. Jackie said...

i live in socal and haven't done some of this in soo long i am homesick for my own home.

damn shame isn't it?

i forget how much i love malibu until i get there...

i've kinda given up red meat, but i do miss me some in-n-out burgers, double double animal style!

yummy!