The Salvadoran muttered mira. He does this whenever he wants to show me something - with a sense of urgency. He murmurred el hombre detrás de ti so he'd be less obvious. I followed his eyes.

I was in line to the box office of the the Curran Theatre on Post St. trying to get tickets for the April 1 show of the musicale 'Jersey Boys' when I ran into KTVU's sportscaster Mark Ybanez. He's shorter than what I had imagined him to be. His face showed signs of acne during his younger years but that doesn't diminish his good looks. The Salvadoran and I agree that Mark is so much better looking in person.

In a city ten times smaller than most metropolitan areas, it is easy to run into someone who is well-known locally - or well-known period. I made sure I wasn't going to miss this photo op like the ones before. I asked the Salvadoran to take the pic using my camera phone. Mark was gracious and patient enough to pose and wait till we got our three (3) precious shots.

His name escaped me as well so I tried to get a simple conversation going hoping that his name will be brought to mind sooner than later. Everyone in queue at the box office was staring at us. Judging from their reaction, they must be from out of town. If they are local, they must not watch the evening news. Maybe they're just shy.

We've already walked a block from the theatre when we discovered the camera phone didn't take the shots. Mark, infact, walked with us for a couple more blocks. I could have asked for another photo op because I am sure the Salvadoran wouldn't mind taking the picture and Mark would probably say yes. Timidity already took over me so I just let another opportunity pass by.

I am sure there will be another time. I'm using a real camera next time.

~ral

(The photo above was taken after I enjoyed the last show of the musicale Legally Blonde at the Golden Gate Theatre. Thanks to my friend C, he was able to get tickets for a group of 8. It will premiere in NYC sometime in April.)

I could hear the rain from the skylights. It is cold in the living room. I feel a draught, probably coming from the kitchen window. Using a throw, I bundle up on the sofa. My feet resting on the Sumatra trunk. I feel like taking a nap after reading just two chapters. It is a very lazy, quiet afternoon.

I pick a random music. I like this song. Something I was drawn to at one time or another.

...porque fue suficiente / hablarle con los ojos desde allí / si en ese mismo instante / su vida era tranquila y feliz / la vino a revolver / con bollitos y miel...
...revolvió su calor con su voz / con leche y azúcar / se lo dio a beber/ bordeó el corazón la razón / con unos besos / de ron y miel / horneó con su aliento su pelo / y caramelo parecía al terminar / y quiso saborear / la masa de su pan... (~revolvió,bebe)


For the first time in weeks, I have nothing to do.
~ral

(I guess Valentines is just around the corner. Taken around the neighborhood using my mediocre camera phone. Time and again, this camera fails to deliver. sigh)

I was splitting the corned beef hash into two portions when Mijo mentioned something about East coast and West coast newspapers.

When we go to a crêperie for sunday brunch we usually order two items, one savory entrée, normally an omelet or a corned beef hash and then a sweet crêpe for dessert. We split both, sharing the dessert last while reading the Sunday paper.

He explains how East coast people don't take West coast newspapers seriously for its lack of depth. This kind of opinionated statement generally leads to a healthy discussion. He continues by asking why most people prefer to read the Wall Street Journal over the local periodicals.

My concentration suddenly becomes fixated on the potato fries on his plate which he dusts with salt and ground pepper and then he smothers it with ketchup and a light amount of Tabasco. He only puts enough food into his mouth, takes his time to chew, sips coffee, wipes his mouth with a napkin and then continues with his point.

I continue to watch him intently while his well articulated opinion blurs in the background. The same routine, in the exact order. He does this in a well-timed manner that it almost creates a rhythm.

I move my gaze from his plate to his eyes and smiled. I just say “Interesting” in a yielding tone because I hadn’t been paying attention to what he was saying.

There was only one opinion on the table that sunday.

~ral

(The picture above was taken at Slanted Door during the Salvadoran's birthday dinner. By calling two months in advance, I managed to get us a 6pm reservation for two on a busy friday evening.)

I got a call the other day from the California Culinary Academy (CCA) advising me of the start of their Spring semester. They must have gotten my contact information from their website which I had visited not too long ago. The Salvadoran and I had thought of attending a weekend class but later changed our minds. CCA offers training in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, hospitality and restaurant management, and other hands-on weekend courses. The school is also in partnership with the Le Cordon Bleu so they have ties with European culinary institutions. The school staff asked me if I would be interested in a free campus tour that evening. Under normal circumstances, I turn-down ‘short notice’ arrangements. Since I don’t have a class that evening and the Salvadoran and I didn’t make any plans, I agreed to meet with the admissions staff at 5:45p. I thought I don't have anything to lose and maybe I'll even learn something from it.

The California Culinary Academy is housed in the historic California Hall located in the heart of the Tenderloin district on Polk and Golden Gate Streets. I’ve been inside the relaxed and elegant dining hall when the Salvadoran and I came here to try out the prix-fixe dinner prepared by the school's graduating students a couple of years ago. I remember our server, who was a freshman then, made our Caesar salad dressing from scratch! Through a glass window, we could see soon-to-be pastry chefs working busily inside the prep room. We were instantly captivated with the scene! They make cooking look easy. I was secretly imagining myself wearing the chef's hat and apron and carrying a mixing bowl.

The Enrollment office is across the street from the main hall in an obscure building that looks too ordinary for its location. I was briefly interviewed by the same fellow who I spoke with on the phone and then I was taken to the testing room for an online exam. I almost left the admissions office out of protest because I don’t remember being told there was going to be an exam. But I took the test anyhow. It's just that I find it objectionable being put on the spot like that. The test is like an equivalent to what is employed in companies during a hiring process and is used to gauge how well an individual can grasp more complex subjects and exercise better judgment. I was later adivsed that I aced the test!
I was given a packet containing the school catalog, program and course descriptions, forms and statistics. The school's track record is impressive with a very high employment rate! The list includes popular restaurants in the city and the wine country where the reservations go three weeks in advance, world class cruise ships, and of course restaurants beyond the Bay Area and California. The school offers evening classes so it would prefectly fit the schedule of those who have a day job. The campus tour commenced right away. I still had tons of questions regarding the program, scholarships and grace period but I decided to save them for later.

Here comes the good part – the tour of the school. We breezed through different types of kitchens. ‘Garde manger’ kitchens, confectionery, butcheries, baking and pastry kitchens, and the production kitchen where students were doing prep work for the following day’s cooking sessions I noticed the students looked awkward wearing their cooks’ hats. There were not a lot of action to see this late. I can imagine the atmosphere here during the day is like the ones you see in cooking challenges on t.v. - unimaginably messy and chaotic. We were also able to observe three evening classes where the students' gazing eyes tried to size me up. The school’s Pastry chef also gave me a 5-minute summary of what he likes most about his job. A taller hat (to distinguish them from the students) and a slight French accent are two things the lecturers have in common.

We went back to the admissions office to discuss the tuition and the program details. This is where my excitement started to fade away. The let-down is the ‘externship’ which requires the students to work full time in a restaurant for three months. Unless the Salvadoran pays for my expenses and the mortgage and the bills, I can’t afford not to have a full time job's salary. If I still keep my job, how can I convince my superiors at work for a 3 month sabbatical? I had gone this route before and it didn't do well. I began to realize that this 'culinary' plan might not work out given my kind of work. It is not like my job is stops entirely when I get home.

I thanked my tour guide and promised to keep in touch. Although it was disappointing to learn it would be very tough to attend culinary school and work full time at the same time, I am still glad I went. Now I know it can be done and I have a choice. Just like with Photography, I will put this on hold until the right time.

I had asked myself a question before that if money is not an issue, would I still do what I am doing now? Maybe I'll go back to consulting? Maybe travel the world, become a professional photographer, start my own restaurant serving nouveau Filipino dishes, or help out in church some more. I loved computer programming from the moment I stepped inside Pamantasan's computer lab to this day. I still love what I do but I am also starting to equally enjoy other things that challenge my brain's creative side - like photography, cooking, travel, foreign languages, writing, etc. The great thing about living in this city is that the opportunities are endless.

Maybe not just yet? I think I will just settle for CCA's hands-on weekend programs for now. I think I will just focus my time and energy on what I currently have on my plate. My Italian classes have started last week and this is probably a good time to register at the 4-month Small Business class offered for free at the City College.

Loads of thoughts ran through my head. The ride back home seemed very very long that night.
~ral

(The photos above are my initial attempt on experimenting not only with baking but trying to pair the finished product with different types of coffee and loose leaf teas.)

Arctic weather in the City

Northern California is having a cold spell. The weather is going to be subfreezing again tonight. The forecast for the weekend is even colder. I used to joke about winter being the time of year for showing off stylish clothes. It is nice for one day but two, three, four days? That is too much.

It is too much if I have to wear four layers. It is too much if I have to wear a pair of gloves and a hat. Where has the mild winter gone to? This is too much for someone who just came back from sunny, warm, paradise. By spending Christmas in the Philippines, I thought I skipped the coldest and longest night of the year. Apparently, more cold nights are coming.

I am back to my routine. The party is over. Since I am staying indoors to keep myself warm, this weekend is probably a good time to start reading the books I had bought earlier. Maybe review my basic Italian from ITAL1A before I start ITAL10A for Spring Semester. Anything just to keep myself busy. Homesickness is setting in already.

~ ral

(The photo of a hawk bathing in sunshine was taken around the backyard. I work from home on Mondays and Fridays and I was taking a quick break when I spotted the bird behind the leafless trees. I quickly but quietly ran to the bedroom to get my camera and my 300mm zoom lens. How often do you see a hawk in your backyard, in the city? This is priceless.)

Il Film nella Città

The Salvadoran and I had the pleasure of seeing a great Italian movie at a
field trip in our Beginning Italian class ITAL1A. The story revolves around a poor Sicilian boy who, after the death of his parents, made a choice to make sacrifices to take care of his little sister and a grandmother. The movie is set in a small coastal town in Italy's southern island of Sicily. The movie has a melodramic tone and, in a lot of ways, unlikely to happen in real life. This reminds me of another good Italian movie entitled 'Ciao, Profesorre'.

Before the feature presentation, the director, Gian Paolo Cugno, spoke briefly to the audience with the help of an interpreter. Che bello! He spoke really fast or at least it seemed that way to my untrained ears. His sentences sounded like a big long Italian word. It was so elegant, it flowed smoothly. Without the interpreter's translation, only the last part of his speech registered perfectly in my brain where he is encouraging anyone who has questions to talk to him after the movie. The Salvadoran kept insisting that he understood 70% of the entire talk.

Coming from almost a similar town as the main character in the movie, I was moved. I also have a soft spot for Foreign movies. The outing was great too since we have not been out a lot these days. We’ve been watching more home movies lately so we could enjoy the house (read as: we’re trying to cut down on entertainment expenses because of the astronomical mortgage!).

The movie was sponsored by the San Francisco Film Society’s New Italian Cinema at the Embarcadero Center. Almost half of the class was there.

The Salvadoran and I typically ask each other the ‘top five’ of this or that. Since 2006 is almost o-v-e-r and I probably won’t see another movie because I will spend most of December outside the States, here’s my list of personal favorites that I’ve seen on the big screen.

• The Last King of Scotland. I only agreed to see this movie because it was playing at the Century theatres inside the new mall (Bloomies). I heard the place is great – great, comfortable faux leather seats, more leg room, better view, better sound, better popcorn and we get $2 off because we are registered 'students' (at the city college). I was in for a surprise because the movie is very good. The movie is about Idi Amin. I am not at all knowledgeable on African history so I could not attest on how historically accurate the movie is. The entire cast gave a great performance. I hope this movie gets nominated for something.


• Little Miss Sunshine. This is probably this year’s funniest movie even though I think this is more a dramatic movie than comedy. That’s the good thing about this movie. It wasn’t trying too hard to make people laugh or be sentimental. I remember laughing so hard for a good 15 minutes or so. Great acting too.


• The Devil Wears Prada. This is in the league of the first ‘Legally Blonde’, at least for me. And that says it all.


• Superman Returns. I was debating between this and Mission Impossible 3. No, the decision wasn’t based on how good looking the main actors are. You should have seen Tom Cruise in his priestly outfit (just kidding!). I'd have to go with Superman. Afterall, this is ‘the Superman’ movie and I thought it was a good one.


• Pride and Prejudice. Just like with science fiction, I am a sucker for love stories especially when it is set in an earlier era.

I haven’t seen ‘Click’ yet. I heard a lot of good feedback from my friends about it. I also enjoyed several home movie titles but that is another list (allconsuming.net).

~ral

Pink Martini in the City

I've only seen them perform on T.V. during their telethon on PBS (Public Brodcasting Service) even though I've been a fan since their first album came out. I missed them earlier this year when they performed with the San Francisco Symphony. The tickets went like that, fast! So when the tickets for their November 15 concert went on sale 6 months ago, I was online and ready. Who knows? I was probably the first who bought the tickets. I wasn't going to miss them again.


So just imagine when I made it to The Warfield Memorial with the Salvadoran. I was absolutely looking forward to this. It was a sold out show. Since they are not mainstream , I never thought they will be able to fill the auditorium. I even ran into someone who also works for the card company. And then I got it. Hello? This is San Francisco. They love non-mainstream here! I wonder if the group Everything But The Girl appeals to anyone here? I wonder if anyone in the crowd has heard the music of 2raumwohnung?

Listening to them is like getting a crash course in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Arabic, Croatian and of course English. If this city speaks more than 10 languages, this band sings in all 10 of them. The band has a lot of sense of humor too so the Salvadoran and I totally enjoyed the show.


Before the concert ended, they played their classical rendition of a Filipino national song Ang Bayan Ko. As in '...ibon mang may layang lumipad...' Ang Bayan Ko. It was near perfection! I was in awe at the same time surprised that I am hearing this being played by a West coast band! During the thunderous applause I suddenly got quiet. I felt a rush of emotion - angry for my country's current state, sad for its people, hopeful for its future.

I felt homesick. I wasn't going to cry. No, not in there. :)

(The third picture is my failed attempt to capture a Pink Martini moment using my camera phone at the Warfield Memorial in San Francisco. So you see, I will never become a believer of camera phones.)

~ral


E x c e s s . . .

I saw this video from You Tube. It is from the SF concert on 11/15 and I thought I'd attach it here. Someone from the main floor, which is standing only, obviously took this clip.