Saturday, October 6, 2007

2007.10.05

I’m grateful for:
  1. Grooming Uma
  2. The toweling she loves — after the bath she dreads
  3. Gorgeous weather
  4. Giving myself a manicure and recovering my hands —at least a bit— from disaster
  5. Keeping up with brisk walks

Friday, October 5, 2007

2007.10.04

I’m grateful for:
  1. Finally being decisive on going to the Seattle Art Museum — but failing in the attempt due to #2
  2. Bumping by mere chance into a free street concert of none less than Kool & The Gang in front of the Sheraton — how kool is that??
  3. Immersing myself in the atmosphere
  4. Living the moment
  5. Good music, great dancing, awesome crowd, surreal experience

1111 — 77

Giving 1111 cheers happened to be my 77th completed goal!! How cool is that? :)

Get down on it

So today I finally decided to go to the Seattle Art Museum. I walk down Pine and stop at 6th for the pedestrian light to change, when I hear concert-like music coming from a block to my left. I spot a crowd and think _Well, I might as well turn here and check it out_.

As I get closer, I think _These guys are really good. What is this going on here at the Sheraton? Maybe it's a local band playing for some seminar_... Traffic is still going through and there are crowds on both sides of the street.


Out of curiosity, I was just going to pass by. But the music caught me; *they were ON!!* So I get even closer and then they start playing "Get Down On It". Thinking what a good cover it was and how good these guys were, I manage to bring myself to about 20 feet from the stage. I see the sign on the drum — my jaw just dropped! It was no less than *Kool & The Gang* THEMSELVES!!









OMG!! What? How? When? Where am I? — I grew up with their songs, and here they were outside a hotel lobby giving a free concert, and I just happened to be walking by! Crazy!!!

I still can't digest this, so surreal!! I can't imagine how many times they've played their songs and, yet, they played and danced as if it had been their first time! They were so good!! They danced spectacularly!! The rhythm and the atmosphere were so contagious!!

!http://images.43things.com/place/1152608pw150.jpg! !http://images.43things.com/place/1152605pw150.jpg!

!http://images.43things.com/place/1152607pw385.jpg!

!http://images.43things.com/place/1152609pw150.jpg!

!http://images.43things.com/place/1152610pw294.jpg!

!http://images.43things.com/place/1152611pw311.jpg!

I stayed for the rest of the concert where they played their most famous hits including "Get Down On It", "Ladies Night", "Cherish", and closing with "Celebration".

!http://images.43things.com/place/1152612pw243.jpg!

!http://images.43things.com/place/1152613pw400.jpg!

After reflecting about today's experience, I can only imagine how fans felt when The Beatles played unexpectedly on the roof of a building, or when U2 popped in the middle of LA... Two of my favorite bands — Wow!!

Of course, I never made it to the SAM...

Thursday, October 4, 2007

A review of "Bicycle Thieves (Criterion Collection)"

by Vittorio De Sica

Beautifully photographed and excellently directed and acted, this outstanding film tells the story of an unfortunate event happening to a common man in postwar Italy, portraying his struggle through hardship and his relationship with his devoted son while trying to recover the stolen bicycle.

A review of "Ocean's Eleven"

by David Holmes

For me, the soundtrack of Ocean’s Eleven is the star of the movie. Holmes compositions are very engaging and really immersed me in the story.

So why did the producer decide it was a good idea to insert some movie dialogues and whatnot in the soundtrack CD? I was really looking forward to this CD, and was very disappointed on this decision. If I wanted to listen to the dialogues, I can always pop in the DVD :S

The music is very, very worth it, but the CD is not :(

A tip I have about Than Brothers Restaurant

This is a cheap option when hungry. Go for the small portion and expect to be filled up for the day. For those not big on meat, choose the vegetarian pho with tofu and mushrooms. Very good!

I would review it, but TaffyAnne already reviewed it perfectly and hilariously! And the profile she depicts is hardly away from reality! lol But I guess that’s part of the restaurant’s folklore ;)

No expectations

I came into Salumi since my mother insisted on treating us here. I really had no expectations about the place, because I had never heard of it before. The locale is outstanding, very appealing and clean.

After having a sandwich —decent but not great—, I was surprised to learn the hype and famousness of it. Actually one of the sandwiches was served with very little salami and was mostly a huge piece of bread.

Though I wouldn't say it wasn't worth it, I was not impressed. I still find it hard to understand why people swear by this place (?!)