Cranky Pants hits Spring!

Ever have one of those weeks when things just.... suck? Like, really bad. When you can't shake some crazy weird shadow hanging over you, and everything around you starts tweeking out in some weird way, and you can't stop listening to that Otis Redding/Amy Winehouse playlist you made for your Debbie-Downer days (don't judge), and everyone bugs the shit out of you?! And you really just want to crawl into a little, tiny cave and act like certain people in the world don't exist, while eating Nutella out of the jar and watching old re-runs of My So-Called Life to figure out where it all went wrong....? Yeah. F*!% those weeks. This week.   Maybe I'll hibernate until Sunday.

One a better note, March has been an eventful month....

Performed with Aguas da Bahia in SF! Capoiera meets Afro-Brazilian and me doing lots of Cartwheels...

 And hung out with the fam bam in San Jo (My Tata is cooler than yours).....

Drove to Chico during rush hour on a Friday evening to barely make it in time for a show with Arenas Dance Company...

Then had to stop at some random Motel 6 in the middle of nowhere cuz we were too damn Afro-Cuban'ed out to drive anymore at 2:30am....

And finally became an official Member!! Member's Only Jacket, Whaaaaaaat?!

And now, its the first day of Spring! Don't get me wrong, I'm still in Cranky Pants mode, but who wouldn't get excited over the idea of flowers growing, outdoor BBQs, and dresses...? And I can't help but think of the amaaazing times I'll be having over the next few months with the amaaazing people I have in my life. Seriously. Sometimes it takes shitty things and shady ass people to come in and out of your life to make you realize just how lucky you really are. 

Goals for the month: 

-Get a Smart phone (I think my fancy pager-like phone has finally come to an end)

-Decorate the walls in my room

-Make a pie

-Buy a plane ticket (Destination not set, its just time....)

F*!% you, shitty week! You'll be long gone soon. but until then....

Cuzzo Love!!

A year today, but still think of you all the time. Hope you're havin' a blast, Cuzzo. Te extranamos.

RIP Spanky! We miss your laughs, smiles, and craaaaazy fun ways.

 

Febrero y el amor

Late post on the day of love that soooo many people over-do, freak out about, or try their absolute hardest to "not care" about. I've never been big on Valentine's Day. Boyfriend, no boyfriend, ladies night... whatever, its just never been a big deal to me. Similar to my feelings about New Years (amateur night), I feel like its just another day with way too much unnecessary pressure, with that same "Who am I gonna kiss tonight?!" freak out that too many people have. February has been a busy month for me, so V-Day just creeped up on me like any other day. It wasn't until a co-worker walked up to me, teary-eyed, that I remembered that it was that day. That "hold your special someone" day. Booooo.

I have to admit, getting chocolate and adorable little cards from my 3 year old students definitely made me smile. And, it was the kind of thing I wouldn't get from them on any other day. but the reality was... I had an awesome day, because it was just that- another awesome day, continuing to do things I LOVE with people I LOVE, while still appreciating everyone around me. Call me lame and cliche, but f*#! this crazy pressure to have a fancy date, with fancy roses, and the perfect significant other. If that's not the case every other day of the year, why make yourself feel so pressured to have that this one played out night of the year? February 14th included lots of 3 year old hugs, greasy Thai Food, and a bad-ass performance at the Salsa Rueda Festival. No fancy flowers, or diamond rings, or giant balloons, and I LOVED IT!! 

That being said, small gestures and acknowledgements go a long way. Everyday of the year. Lets love who we love all the time.  

Back with my amazing Afro-Cuban teacher, Susana Arenas, I danced for Ochun at the Salsa Rueda Festival! Such a beautiful (and FUN) performance, with some amazing dancers!

February has been good to me. 

It crazy how much stuff can be packed into such a short span of time. And soooo much more to come. Returning to the stage with my Afro-Brazilian group Aguas da Bahia after a 3 year break! Then to figure out how to pass the CSET and get my ass back to Veracruz by May. I need me some humidity, antojitos, and Zapateado back in mi vida!!

On that note, my friends from mi querido Veracruz killed it in SF this weekend. Listen to this nonstop. I know I am. 

XO- V

Adventures in Portlandia

Random, last minute trips are the best. Especially when they involve awesome friends. 

This is Natalie, circa Semana Santa, 2010. Through a random connection, I showed up at her (then) apartment in Guadalajara, stayed in an extra room downstairs, then went on an epic last minute road trip to Puerta Vallarta during Spring Break. Probably one of my favorite weeks ever. It was the only time I'd hung with this awesome gal....

Until January 2013. I decided to take a last minute trip to see this awesome friend for the 2nd time ever. And to explore her home- Portland! Its crazy how you can continue to enjoy someone so much after years of not seeing them, and even then, it was just that one time. Haha. 

Anyway, aside from Natalie's awesome-ness (more on that later), Portland is pretty rad on its own! Despite the freeeeeezing days (a girl from Cali can't hang that long), I love-love-loved this town! Kinda residential/big city at the same time. Hipster meets farmer. And lots of plaid and beer. I was happy. 

First evening in, we went to Voodoo Donuts when there was no line (!!!!) and I figured out why long-sleeved layers are so important. 

Then, walked across the bridge (Brunswick, I believe) straight to my first Portland house party where Robyn is a dance party must and they actually do jello-stands (WTH?!).

The next few days were a blur of farmer's markets, beer, FOOOOOOOD, and Girls from HBO. Oh, and Oregon has no Sales Tax! On anything. I should've bought more things.

We searched for the best biscuits and were actually given blankets to use at the restaurants because its soooo cold. But seriously. Best. Biscuits. Ever. And, Im pretty serious about my biscuits. 

Super cool town, super awesome people, lots of vintage-y goods and even more food. I seriously don't think I could've eaten more, but (not so secretly at all) wish I could have. Its like a bubble of cute things, beards, strip clubs, and delicious-ness that I would for sure re-visit. 

So, finally, yeeeeears after our first advenure, we re-united with less beach time, more scarf time. But, still had a rad weekend filled with Gaycation, first-time strip clubber, beer drinking, baby bunnies (literally, lots of them) fun! Can't wait to add to our epic adventure/awesome friend list!! 

XOXO- V

PS- Dance filled February. Can't waaaaaaaait!!

I loooove this week!!

New dresses, Brunch with besties, walks through the 'hood, and a movie night with favorites (as in theaters... fancy in these parts). Sunday was awesome. And I already can't wait for the rest of the week! Yeah, a night of insomnia, but I'm just using it as extra time to get pumped for the dance filled, new adventure days I have ahead of me. And I'm sure some extra nyquil will handle that problem soon enough.

 And in case you're wondering, sweet biscuits and tofu scrambles in the Lower Haight are amaaaaaazing. 1/2 hr waits in the cold ain't got nothin' on us!

Days of saying something, and actually DOING IT! I'm glad you're back and you're treating me better than ever.

 XOXO- V

Don't ask. Its just timeless.

 

2013!!

Ok... I'm about to get all sensitive, boring, and real-life for a minute, so braaaaace yo'self! I just spent the past 2 hours doing house chores. Sounds super boring for the first weekend of the new year, or just boring for a Saturday morning, period. But, it actually felt really good. I was thinking back at how this time, last year, I was broke, lived in the nastiest apartment ever, and was just in a super lame, insecure mental space. And, I dunno... this morning I thought to myself, "Fuck yeah, I'm cleaning my house and bumping Willie Colon on vinyl on a Saturday morning 'cuz this is what grown women do." I will take self-sufficiency, independence, and grown-up responsibility any day. That being said, the holidays this year were AWESOME. Lots of holiday part-ays. Went to some, performed at some. Fam Bam time, homemade mac and cheese by yours truly, and some badly needed time off (not from work, just from living the ongoing teacher/performer double life that I don't see ending any time soon. It makes me feel like Wonder Woman, but with less shiny gold spandex).

 Performing at the Yahoo! Holiday Party. We DEFINITELY opened for Train (sorta...).

Las Primas en Navidad!!

My lil' cuzzo!

New Years... happened. Ja. We'll just say, there was champagne, a whiskey, jukebox tunes, and a party at my house. All fun. See for yo'self!

I like 2013 already, despite it being an odd number (I'm sooooo not a fan of odd numbers). I don't do New Years resolutions, but I DO have a list of 28isms that I totally plan on doing. Here's to another year of Fun, adventure, Dance Dance Dancin', LOVE, and grown-ass woman-ness!!

 XOXO- V

 Soundtrack for today

!

I've decided....

my life isn't nearly as exciting as it used to be. Maybe its because I've been back home for the past year now (eeeek!). Maybe its because I'm not totally happy with my current work situation (though I am suuuuuuper happy about the fact that I am back on my feet once again and have been for awhile. Man, coming back to the US with no monies suuuucked). Who really knows. But, tonight, while hanging out with some friends I haven't seen in awhile, I said to myself "Noooooo more of that!" Starting this week, I will do one new thing a week. Yep, every week from now until forever, one new thing. Sometimes being back home can get kinda monotonous, especially after throwing yourself into unknown territories and loving it. But, I refuse to become one of those sick of work, bored with life, super cranky bears that so many 40-hr a weekers become. First thing on my list- drinking a Hot Toddie in a bar by myself. Doesn't sound too crazy and fun, BUT, it will be a first. I have been to many bars alone, yes. However, they've always been in a different state/country. Other than a show (ie- Ted Leo, cutest guitar playin' man ever), I've never had a drink in an SF bar by myself. This week, that will change! I do have to say, doing things alone used to be one of my favorite things ever. Shows, movies, long urban adventures that took me in circles that showed me new favorite spots in my city. But, as of late... I haven't been so on top of that. Le Boo. On a side note, I've done some awesome things since my last post. Some highlights...

 Performed with Duniya at Sierra Nevada Festival!

Celebrated my awesome nephew's 16th Bday!

Did my first radio interview!

Was reunited with some of my loves from Xalapa and D.F. Not to mention going back to the city que tiene mi corazon!!

Performed on the HOTTEST foot burning stage ever with these lovely ladies.

Went to NYC to perform at Bomplenazo with Las Bomberas de la Bahia!

Got the BEST album ever!

And turned a whole year older!!

Lots of stuff! Following the birthday note... I still need to make my list of "While I'm 28, I will...." Its my annual thing. Next time.

Until then, here is the tear jerking song that my new AMAZING album starts out with. Its amazing, his voice, the intro, the musical build towards the end. If this song doesn't make you wanna cry... I don't know what will. Damn Otis. Daaaaaamn.

 XO- V