Brunch babies

Living in NY, the best meal of the week is undoubtedly…SUNDAY BRUNCH. Drink specials, good grub, and catch-ups with friends.  Take note: brunch in NY isn’t limited to “brunch hours.”  It lasts til about 4pm, and even 8pm at some places. Can we say day-rage?  Sunday in NY is the ultimate FUNDAY.

After an emotionally draining trip home to LA for my grandmother’s wake and funeral, I returned yesterday morning feeling like sh*t, to say the least.  I wasn’t happy to be back at all as I felt the necessary fam time was cut short.  But alas, the fantastic Mr. L suggested we hit Essex for brunch and the Jets/Colts game.  As soon as we sat down, I had a smile on my face and was feeling like I was home again. Brunch & football…don’t mind if I do!

People, Essex is the TRUTH.  $18 for some slammin’ food and unlimited mimosas, screwdrivers, or bloody marys.  To give you an idea of their menu, we had the baked eggs over crispy ham w/ home fries and greens, as well as smoked salmon over potato pancakes with greens and scrambled eggs. YOWZA.  I don’t have pictures of anything as I was a little dazed, but I’ll snap some next time!

www.essexnyc.com

XX’d

My boy Pep put me onto this group about a week ago, and I’ve been hooked since.  Simple. Emotional. Sexy. Get on ’em.

Formed in 2005, The XX are an alternative trio hailing from London, England, featuring the dual lead vocals of Romy Madley Croft (lead guitar) and Oliver Sim (bass guitar), and backed by Jamie Smith (beats, MPC sampler).

RIP to the #1 Queen Bee: Purification Natividad

This morning, my grandmother passed away.  We knew it was coming, but as much as you think you’re ready for it — you’re never REALLY ready.  It’s difficult being on the East while my family is on the West, but I’ll be in LA next week to tough it out with them.

TEAM LOLA since 1920.

At almost 90, she saw it all.  Lola, you will be missed dearly. Rest in Power.

PS:  Give my pops a big hug for me.

Be stupid.

Diesel just launched their new “Be Stupid” campaign, and I dig it.  They’ve pretty much taken over the West 4th subway stop and some others along the 6th Ave line.

And this guy I spotted before seeing this campaign. I just thought his outfit was entertaining. Oh, Ed Hardy. Why oh why oh why.

Rockstar Status

The James Brown tribute x my birthday party this past Friday was a HUGE success. Everyone was in good spirits and all of my peoples came thru to ring in another birthday!  Thank you, NEW YORK!!!

No doubt my favorite snapshot of the night is me and the homie Jon. West Coast representing!

More pictures can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=138137&id=157748898780&ref=mf

7 Truths I Learned/Re-learned Today

I am incredibly blessed to have such wise friends.  A lot of the truths listed below are straight quotes from him.  You know who you are.  So much running through my mind right now…had to get it all down before I let the thoughts escape me!

1. Instead of viewing yourself as a victim and your situation as a problem, use these times as opportunities to learn about yourself.

2. The truth you discover may be beautiful or ugly, but it’s real.  Once you realize that then you can move forward in reality rather than continuing to live an illusion.

3. Stop escaping – explore and express.  You may feel empty, rejected, afraid.  Instead of hitting the bar or diving into a book, explore where your true emotions are coming from, accept them, and address them.  Most of the time you’re fearful of things that are untrue.  It’s like if you’re afraid there’s a monster under your bed. When you look, you realize it’s just a shadow.

4. If you lose yourself in your lover, your lover loses you, too. ‘Nuff said.

5. Don’t let others define who you are or look to them to fix you. Only you can define and fix yourself.

6. Be concerned with your real, true self in this moment instead of concerning yourself with personas and perceptions of you. Are you supposed to be the bad boy? The good son? The earthy, hippy soul singer? The cold-hearted chick that doesn’t take sh*t from anyone? Perhaps you used to be all of these things. Perhaps you want to be. But who are you right now in this moment? It’s okay to change. We are all on a journey of self discovery. Accept where you are in the present and realize that while tomorrow you might be different, you will still be you.

7. Don’t hide from yourself. We are all our own worst critics, but dont let that stop you from pursuing your passions. Many times I dread coming home and facing my pen. My pad. My microphone. Pro tools? Nooooooo! A beer and a meal with friends sounds better. But know that as much as you bury your dreams and fill the void with frivolous things, you will still have that void until you face it head on and start filling it. You can’t move if you’re standing still.

On One: Machine Dreaming

I’ve always been a fan of Yukimi Nagano, from her work with Koop to the rare remixes by Ge-ology.  When Little Dragon came out with their first release, I fell in love with her all over again…and then again when I saw them live at Le Poisson Rouge NYC.

Their sophomore release, Machine Dreams, is even better than the first.

Listen here: www.myspace.com/yourlittledragon

“Sworn to fast with all my might
the clay was soft the future bright
old fashioned ways that won’t erase
out of control this building gate

Blinded like new
Im feeling much stranger about you
Blinded like new
Im feeling much stranger about you

despite the shape
this twisted form
with open arms into the storm
kept me kept and wanting more
I saw you peaking through the door…”

Celebration in order

The countdown begins.  On 1/7 I’ll be another year older, another year wiser, and another year more surrounded by good peoples and a loving fam. On Fri 1/8, we get funky! NYC folks, come thru.