I'm Moving!

Ok, I'm not physically moving, but this blog is. Here's my new location:

http://jbadrina.wordpress.com

Also check out my other (truly random) blog featuring pictures floating around my hard drives:

http://jpovs.wordpress.com

See you there!!!

The Peeps Are Back!!!

(I emailed this to a bunch of people, so if this looks familiar, you can skip this post.)

Last year, the Washington Post held a diorama contest where contestants had to use Peeps (yes, those Easter marshmallow treats) as the central figures of the dioramas. (Click here to view last year's entries.)

Well folks, it's back!!! Take a look at this years' Peeps Show II.

Of special note: for those of you familiar with the YouTube video of the Filipino inmates recreating MJ's Thriller video, you'll want to check out the fifth slide of this year's entries.

Enjoy!

Another Meme (Courtesy of Nemesis)

Partly due to laziness and partly due to a really boring life, today's episode is brought to you by Nemesis, the Letter J and the Number 3. If you decide to play along, let me know where I can find your list.

You have to use three words to answer each question. No more, no less. And no using the person you got this from's answers!!!!
It's harder than you think.

1. Where is your cell phone?
In my purse

2. Your boyfriend/girlfriend?:
What is that?

3. Your hair?:
Black and brown

4. Where is your father?
Somewhere in Houston.

5. Cheesecake?:
Anytime, anywhere, anyplace.

6. Your favorite thing to do?:
Take a nap.

7. Your dream last night?
Did not dream.

8. Your favorite drink?
Drinks with chocolate.

9. Your dream car?
'67 Ford Mustang

10. The room you're in?
Agora's upstairs level

11. George Bush?
Please leave NOW!

12. Your fears?
There are some.

13. Nipple rings?:
Ew. Ouch! No.

14. Who did you hang out with last night?
Mer, Chris, Nick

15. What you're not good at?
Let me think...

16. Your best friend?
Still at work.

17. One of the things on your wishlist?
Shoes, shoes, shoes!

18. Where did you grow up?
The Galleria, Houston

19. The last thing you did?
Read a script.

20. What are you wearing?
Sweater, skirt, boots

21. Tattoo on the lower back?
None there (yet?)

22. Ketchup?
No thank you.

23. Your computer?
A constant companion.

24. Your life?
Could be better.

25. Your mood?
Hard to say.

26. Missing?
Summer stock gig.

27. What are you thinking about right now?
What's for dinner?

28. Your car?
White Honda Accord

29. Your work?
Can't complain much.

30. Your summer?
A little scary.

Wheres # 31?
Here? (I guess)

32. Your favorite color(s)?
Red - Different shades

33. When is the last time you laughed?
At a show

34. Last time you cried?
I don't remember

35. High school?
Bellaire Senior High

36. People you text today?
Vicki...so far.

37. Last guy you kissed?
I shan't say.

38.Last phone call?
A crew member

39. Tuesday?
Today is Tuesday.

40.Last time you got whoopie?
See number 2.

Post-Primacaucus Spin

Yesterday (for those who've been hiding under a rock for the past month) was the Texas primaries. Yes, I did vote (I voted early) and yes, I did go to my caucus. I stayed up late to watch the returns with one of my favorite bartenders and we were a little disappointed. BUT when it comes down to the numbers from Texas, it was a close race, thanks in part to the caucuses. But let me start with Monday.

Monday I attended the Obama rally at the George R. Brown convention center. I was one of those people who got there early. 4:30p early. They didn't open the doors till 8p. And for those who live in Houston, Monday was one of our COLD days. I was one of the first 50 people in line, so I had company as we froze our tushies off.

The upside to getting in line early is a choice of a prime seat (as seen here, about 10 rows back) or a spot on the rail in front of the stage.

Guess what I chose.

Uh huh. The rail. I was on the rail. 12 feet from the stage with nothing but the rail,

the Secret Service agents

and some of the photographers from the traveling press corps between me and Obama.

And because I was on the rail, I was THERE when Michelle and Barack worked the rope line at the end of the rally!

(I know the pictures aren't that great, but between the crowds pushing me forward and the Secret Service detail pushing the rail back, I thought my iPhone did a decent job.)

The rally was AMAZING! Besides the fact that I like him as a candidate (if you want to get into that debate, let me know), he's a great speaker to listen to. I've read a number of his transcripts and listened to some of the videos of his speeches, but he's such a phenomenal orator to hear in person.

Tuesday I went to my precinct convention to caucus. I got there early because I knew parking was going to be an issue. The powers that be decided this year they would group my precinct and a neighboring precinct in ONE polling place. In years past, my precinct would vote at the middle school and the other precinct would vote at the elementary school a block away. This year, the Dem. primaries and caucuses for both precincts and the GOP primary for the other precinct was in the lobby of the library. Only the GOP primary for my precinct was at the middle school.

Why am I mentioning this?

Because when the polls closed and it was time to start the caucuses, not everyone was able to get into the building because the fire marshal said we had hit capacity. In fact, there were about 200 people waiting to get inside to get into the caucuses. Needless to say, caucus proceedings started late. (BTW, I'm a delegate to the senatorial district convention.) Afterwards, I joined my friend/fav bartender to watch the results into the wee hours of the morning.

Like I said, I am a little disappointed with last night's results, but the race is FAR from over. There are still 10 more states coming up and it's a tight race, so I'm not disheartened.

YES WE CAN!!!

Pictures & a PSA

I'll get the PSA out of the way first.

I had sometime before my show this past Saturday, so I went to one of the new early voting polls to go vote. I was in line for about an hour before I got to vote, which is kinda cool, if you think about it. An hour for early voting for the PRIMARIES. The whole point for this little story? GO VOTE! Early voting ends Feb. 29, the actual primary is on Mar. 4 and (at least on the Democratic side) caucus starts at 7p on Mar. 4.

End of PSA. Now the pics.

Yes, I know, I know, these pictures are overdue. These are some of my pics from last month's trip to the Philippines. I'll get the rest posted on Flickr (once I figure it all out).

Mom & I at Fort Santiago in Manila.

My cousin's wife, Ann & I at the Shangri-La.

Me & the de la Cruz family.

The Parreno side of the family at Lola's birthday party.

More to come later. Really. I promise!

My Super Bowl Sunday

This was the first Super Bowl Sunday in awhile that I can remember having off. Usually I'm in a rehearsal or a performance and it always cuts into part, if not all of the Super Bowl. So today was luxurious! Here's what I did today:

• wake up (because the cats woke me up)
• feed the cats (that's why they woke me up)
• move to the couch with blanket & pillow in hand
• doze off listening to the political talking heads
• wake up again
• foraged for brunch (really, it was too late to call it breakfast)
• doze off again
• woke up in time for pre-game
• cook my lunch and dinner for the next day and a half
• threw some laundry in the washer
• go back to the couch to watch the Super Bowl
• ate dinner somewhere during halftime
• finished watching Super Bowl (I thought it was a good game, a few of my friends did not)
• met up with a couple of friends at Agora because I needed to get out of the house for a bit

Basically, I just lounged about and did nothing constructive. It was GREAT!

From The Land Of Cheap Pearls & Really Good Coffee!!

I know it's been a long, long while since I've updated this blog, so let me bring you up to speed. For those who don't know, I'm here in the Philippines for my grandmother's 85th birthday. It was a little traumatic getting here. Our flight out was delayed due to the bad weather in the Northeast. We almost had to stay overnight in Guam, but Continental had the plane wait for us since it would be cheaper than trying to put up a planeload of people overnight. Once we got here, it took us almost 2 hours to find our relatives that were picking us up from the airport in Manila. BUT (and here's the good part) we're staying in the Shangri-la in Makati City. Makati is the business & financial district in the Manila and the Shangri-la is one of the top hotels in Manila. One of our relatives works here, so we got a GREAT discount and when we got to our room (at 3am), there was a fruit tray and 2 bottles of wine courtesy of our relative!! WOO HOO!!!!!!

We spent today pearl shopping! We walked out of the market with bundles of pearls for almost nothing!!! After that, we did some sightseeing at the historic part of Manila. I'll post the pictures when I get a chance.

We leave for the provinces tomorrow afternoon and the rest of the week will be family fun-time and we'll wrap up the week with a huge birthday bash for my grandmother complete with a "here's your life" slide show courtesy of moi.

More to come (complete with pictures) later.