COACHELLA 2010 FINAL FEATURE BROADCAST VERSION

FISH OUT OF WATER

Recently, it was the unfortunate event that my very best friend's grandmother passed away. She was 82 years, born in 1927, and an exceptionally strong-willed woman. Revered by her friends and family in the utmost of respects, her funeral came to be the subject of my "Fish out of Water" blog.

Now I have been to a funeral once before, but at the time I was very young and not especially tuned into what was actually happening. Keisha's lola's funeral is the first Filipino funeral I have ever attended. What was so interesting about it was the sharp contrast to what I have interpreted, through movies and television, as the standard funeral tone and proceedings. Full of laughter and smiling, the funeral was more of a celebration of her life than anything else.

Now for anyone who has grown up around Filipino communities or had a close Filipino friend, they would know that they LOVE to eat! No matter the occasion, whether it's a birthday, graduation, or other kind of celebration, there is always an enormous amount of food! All kinds of food are present, and they always want you to eat eat eat! This apparently also goes for funerals.

The minute I walked into the church, I was greeted by a handful of doting aunties welcoming and urging me towards the banquet in the other room. Smiling, I thanked them appreciatively and found my way to Keisha. Now the moment I saw her, I got tears in my eyes. Keisha is my closest and dearest friend, and therefore her pain is mine as well. Sharing the load in her grief and wanting to emotionally be there for her, I couldn't help my initial response of tears. Keisha however was in anything but tears. She was smiling and laughing and exclaiming in excitement at me finally arriving. Her general demeanor at the funeral was a feeling shared by everyone in attendance.

While waiting for the priest to arrive, I sat around with family members who were sharing stories and fondest memories about their lola. It was a real bonafide family affair. I was pleasantly surprised by the feel of that afternoon. In sharp contrast to a gloomy, mournful occasion, the proceedings were actually a time of joy and praise.

When the proper Catholic services began, the prayers and chants were those to be expected. Everyone sat in the pews and sang along with the prayers and hymns led by the father. After that was done, a few of the cousins went up and shared heartfelt speeches that they had prepared for the services. There were some tears, but not ones of sorrow. The underlying feeling of the entire duration of the funeral was that of joy and pride. Everyone there seemed to be very spiritual and very full of faith. Growing up in a household where my mother is Catholic and my father is Muslim, we were never forced to go to church. It was very eye opening and intriguing to be in a situation with people that were just bursting with faith and religion.

In my humble Opinion #2

The magic pill that some say jump started the sexual revolution celebrates its 5oth birthday tomorrow. Yes that's right, tomorrow marks the 50 year birthday of "The Pill." And the kicker? It's Mother's Day. How ironic is that?


In a world where pregnancy prevention was left to condoms, the rhythm method, vinegar sponges and in some extreme cases sterilization, U.S. officials' decision to approve the world's first oral contraceptive came as a real God send for some. May 9th, 1960 was when the oral contraceptive was first approved. Elissa Stein,co-author of “Flow: The Cultural Story of Menstruation,” told FoxNews.com that “Birth control pills gave women control over their bodies in a way that was unimaginable before. Sexual freedom exploded as the fear of pregnancy was wiped away." This being said, many of the life threatening side effects that still pose a threat to women today were present at this time. These effects included blood clots and heart attacks and at the pill's inception 11 women died as well as over a hundred suffering from blood clots due to the extremely high dosage present in the pill at that time. Through trial and tribulation, the Pill and other pregnancy contraception's have come a long way from their humble beginnings, boasting over 40 different brands for pregnancy prevention.

This is a prescription pill that is and has been available to women for years now. Consenting, sexually active women can engage in sexual activity without the fear or pregnancy as a result. Basically, she is in control of her own reproductive destiny if she wants it, because it is her choice. This is where it gets a little sticky. It was brought to my attention a couple years back through news articles and word of mouth that some pharmacists across the country are refusing to fill prescriptions for birth control and morning-after pills, saying that dispensing the medications violates their personal moral or religious beliefs. The trend is a growing one that has ignited many debates over where the authority should lie. Should it lie with the pharmacist, who refuses to be a catalyst to something he or she believes to be immoral and wrong, or to the woman who has the right to fill the prescription her doctor has prescribed her.

I am completely flabbergasted as to what makes these pharmacists believe that this decision is in any way THEIR choice. I am not and never will be someone who fully promotes and supports reckless promiscuity amongst women. This being said, one thing i will always support is a woman's right to make decisions about her OWN BODY. I am a pro choice advocate in this matter as well as in regards to abortion.
I can only imagine that at least some of these pharmacists are making the mistake of confusing contraception as abortion. Engaging in sexual activity and taking contraception regularly as a means of pregnancy PREVENTION is not terminating a life.

According to an article by Rob Stein in the Washington Post, "There are pharmacists who will only give birth control pills to a woman if she's married." What the hell is this? Who gave that person the right to pick and chose who can safely participate in private affairs with her loved one..or in some cases loved ones. Sometimes, love has absolutely nothing to do with it. This does not change the fact that it is her body and her choice!! Of course, we should be teaching the young women of our generation to love and RESPECT their bodies and only engage in such sexual activity when they are mentally ready to make such an important decision. If a woman has decided to make that important choice in her life, 'preaching' the practice of safe sex with condoms and contraception to protect herself from STD's and unwanted pregnancy should be employed.

Pharmacists who are taking these ethical issues into their own hands are completely in the wrong. If i walk into a pharmacy with a prescription from my doctor for continued use of birth control, then you better damn well give it to me. If I walk in the morning after a condom broke with my partner and I need a Plan B emergency contraception, then i should be leaving with one shortly after. God forbid, if I am raped and lying in a hospital, it is the duty of the doctor taking care of me to help me make sure there will be no pregnancy as a result if i wish so. It’s not the business of doctors, nurses, or pharmacists to impose a sense of morality on the world. Some people have made the argument that if a pharmacist morally feels as if he or she cannot dispense said medications to a woman, then they should transfer them to another pharmacy. No. If you don’t want to dispense contraception, emergency contraception, or otherwise, then go into some other line of work.



http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,592423,00.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5490-2005Mar27.html

Japanese Internment Monument field trip

Our field trip to the Japanese Internment Memorial in downtown San Jose was a pretty eye opening experiencing. It is an amazing piece of art dedicated to a period of time in America, and specifically on the west coast, that speaks volumes and is put together beautifully. All things considered, this monument is often times passed when walking down the street without a second look. While on our mini trip we learned a lot about the situation with Japanese immigration into the United States and the situation in America post Pearl Harbor travesty.

It was in the 1880's that the first generation wave of Japanese immigrants, the Issei, started arriving on America's west coast. Most who arrived were middle aged males who worked as agricultural laborers, hoping to one day have land of their own. As the Japanese started to have more and more success in society with their own land and businesses, sentiment toward the Japanese as a people grew. Eventually the first real organized racist league against the Japanese started, the Oriental Exclusion League, and it boasted around 78,000 members. They were set to do one thing, hault Japanese Immigration, and in 1908 they succeeded. This was only the beginning of the prejudice and intolerance of the Japanese people in the states.

The severe restriction of Japanese immigration, called The Gentleman's Agreement, made it so that only the Issei already living here could stay and only their immediate family members could enter. This prompted the popularity of picture brides for Japanese men living in the states. They were arranged marriages with women in japan and they would communicate though letters and photos. They were technically married in Japan, and so finally between 1910 and 1913 more than 20,000 picture brides left Japan and made their journey across the sea to join their husbands in the US. This huge influx of Japanese woman gave rise to more Happa (Japanese-American) families in the US and 2nd Japanese generation, the Nissei, were born.

There was much discrimination and prejudice on the families. The second generations parents couldn't legally own land (Alien Land Act) and to add to that, they couldn't become citizens. Shortly after this unequal treatment, in 1924 the Asian Exclusion Act was passed which barred any further immigration. This is where the monument comes into play. Despite all this widespread discrimination toward their race, the Japanese showed little hostility toward the larger community. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1942, President Roosevelt authorized the internment and relocation of approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans along the Pacific Coast. The order was called Order 9066 and it allowed the military to evacuate Japanese Americans from their homes and towns, including San Jose, and resettle them into designated "exclusion zones."

One of the vignettes on the moral was of some of the Japanese American soldiers getting ready to go to war against Japan. This part of the monument blew my mind because of the circumstances in which they were participating. The circumstances were, that if you were Japanese male and living in America, you were either fighting in the war against Japan, or you were being held basically prisoner in an internment camp with the rest of your family, away from your home. This specific area of the moral paints a picture of Japanese American men fighting the good fight alongside other American men against their own homeland. Despite all the prejudice and mistreatment their race had endured over years and years in America they still fought. As explained by professor McCune, there were many Japanese men who participated because they wanted to show their immense and swelling pride in being Americans. The fact that these young men, who were 2nd generation Japanese immigrants, could feel so much for a country that had treated them so unfairly amazes me.

The amount of injustice to have been endured by one people, and still there was an overwhelming feeling of Americana pride really just blows my mind.

1.maledicent
2. I was skimming through a scholarly journal about our generations tendency to use inappropriate language non-nonchalantly and in everyday situations.
3.maledicent (mayl-di-sent)
a.Speaking reproachfully; slanderous.
b.One who is addicted to abusive speech
4. Howard Stern is an infamously known shock dj who uses maledicent vocabulary in his everyday verbage.

1.Accubation
2.My friend Shawn was talking about his life as a young bachelor. When asked what kind of leisurely activities he likes to partake in he simply replied, "Sex. Drugs. And accubation." I had to look it up....
3.Accubation (ak-ku-bay-shun)(n.)
a.The act or posture of reclining on a couch, as practiced by the ancients at meals.
b.the act or habit of reclining at meals.
c.the practice of eating or drinking while lying down.
4. Since Shawn is usually too lazy (or hung over) to get out of bed in the morning, he has perfected the art of accubation.

In my Humble Opinion

Oscar Wilde once said that, "Experience is one thing you can't get for nothing." And you know what? He was right. The whole point of an experience is to take something away from it and be all the wiser. In my humble opinion, we need to stop teaching woman to be weak females.

I couldn't tell you the countless times that I have listened to girl friends of mine cry and complain about their guy situations. It always starts out with some guy that is treating them badly in some way. He doesn't call. He's unavailable. He's playing games (this one's my personal fave). Enough already! We need to be counting our blessings, looking at the BIG picture and moving on. Being aware of these red flag kind of "men" is key! There is no use in burying your head in the sand and pretending that the treatment is "good enough" and "only gets to us sometimes".

Over the period of our lives, girls are constantly exposed to countless portrayals of weak females. Woman in our television shows, in our movies, sometimes even in our own lives who rely on these time-warn, antiquated roles that women are supposed to play. Always roles that involve females as swooning, damsels in distress who couldn't see their way out of a paper bag, much less understand why the men in her life treat her poorly or lets face it, like she's not worth it.

It comes down to self respect. And squarely from self respect comes self esteem. Enough self esteem say to drop a dead beat boyfriend? Or shoo away any wishy-washy suitors only interested in mind games, sex, or both? I'd like to think so. In the famous words of notorious play boy Tucker Max, guys will treat you the in exactly the manner you allow them too.

Tucker states it ever so plainly. "Ladies, let me give you some advice. You can throw all your stupid fucking chick-lit, self-help, why-doesn't-he-love-me books out, because this is all you need to know: Men will treat you the way you let them. There is no such thing as "deserving" respect; you get what you demand from people.. if you demand respect, he will either respect you or he won't associate with you. It really is that simple."

Girls these days have really go to know that knowing their worth is one of the most valuable pieces of knowledge one can possess. To be able to be confident enough to say through your words and actions that, "This is what I want. If you think you can manage to respect that, then I think we can have a good time."

I've grown weary of hearing from friend after friend ( and sometimes random, hurting girls in public restrooms!) that, "Oh their this way because this guy.." and "Oh, well this guy made me like this and that's why.." The point of that experience at its end is for you to have learned a lesson, for better or for worse. It was not for you to be a jaded, bitter, guarded female who either wallows in self-pity or seeks comfort in promiscuous fits of behavior that have become more and more socially acceptable. As much as it won't seem like it in the heat of the situation, you've been given a gift. A life experience that you can now say, "I've grown from that experience in ways I never realized" or "WOW. NEVER AGAIN." Now you know what you like, what you don't like, what you won't allow, and what you want next time around. All the things that don't work out in life, whatever they may be, are only stepping stones to the ones that will!

A great woman named once said, "The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing --- and then marry him.” That woman's name was Cher, and Cher was right. Work on self love, and then find someone who can love you that much. The rest? You shouldn't give two shits to Shynola whether or not they decide to grow up. Whatever it was, it didn't work out. Save your tears and move forward. You've got to have enough chutzpah to let that which does not matter, truly slide.

Ultimately, any self-respecting woman wouldn't want to end up with/waste time with someone who couldn't take the time to get their clever dick out of their own mouth and decide whether or not they like a woman enough or not. So ladies, please, value yourselves as priceless commodities..not just anyone can have you.

Z.Z. PACKER

ZZ Packer is an amazing writer. It doesn't take long once you've started to read her works that you are thoroughly enjoying yourself, and don't plan on stopping reading anytime soon. She does what only good writers can do for you; she transports you. Using detail, emotion and odd but seemingly fit correlations, she makes you feel as if you were in the story, as if you were right there witnessing the whole thing. A good writer doesn't TELL you, they SHOW you. I am not a 8 year old little black girl in Brownies trying to make sense of all the hatred my troop feels toward "Caucasians", nor am I an African American male college student struggling to come to terms with my decrepit father's idiotic rmabling's and arrogant attitude...but she brings you there.

One part I really liked in her story,The Ant of the Self, was the description of his father and his general personality that seemed to be summed up all in one sentence. "He used to be this way with Mama. Never hitting, but always grabbing, groping, his halitosis forever in her face." Describing this young man's feelings towards his father and his all-encompassing, though non-physical barrage of unpleasantness was done quite nicely here. ZZ uses some descriptions of the seat the father is sitting in that was also really great, "His arm falls away of it's own accord as he settles deeper into his car seat with this knowledge, the leather sighing and complaining under him."

Packer does a wonderful job of creating parallels between ideas that paint fantastic background information and really draw the reader in. I received her novel, "Drinking Coffee Elsewhere," as a sort of welcome to San Jose State University. Since that time, I have neither picked up nor thought of that book. Tucked away on a shelf in my room, I never knew what a interesting read was waiting for me, not 5 feet away. This blog post has prompted me to finish the book, and seek any other literature Packer may have published.

The feeling you get from a good book is one of those inexplicably amazing feelings that require a whole mess of verbs. However true this may be I must say J.D. Salingers, Holden Caulfield may have said it best.."What really knocks me out is a book that, when you're all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it.."

CLASSMATE PROFILE

Given the opportunity by his parents either to live on campus, or get a new car, 20 yr old Brandon Castillo, made the right choice and chose the wheels. Having witnessed the same ultimatum given to his older brother a couple years before, Brandon thought it a wiser idea to choose the more sensible route of reasoning. This route being the aforementioned automobile over dorm life reflects a lot about Brandon and how he lives his life.

Being a journalism major leaves a lot of room for interpretation and wide field of job opportunities to embark on and Brandon just so happens to fancy a focus in broadcast journalism. One day, if his wildest dreams and hopes were granted he would have his own glorious spot in the world of sports journalism. Not really asserting a preference between radio and television, Brandon shows no hesitation in declaring his undying love for writing about sports and all the fun, hard work and dedication that he expects comes with it.

Arms relaxed and placed at his sides, Brandon leans in and starts to tell me a little bit about where this passion all started off. It was in high school, that he first decided that journalism was a area of interest for him, specifically in the area of sports and athletics. Having always been an outgoing and active guy, Brandon has been playing league baseball for a number of years, and like many guys finds an oddly satisfying affection for all things to do with sports. Brandon exclaims almost exasperatedly, that any sport will do, "Any sport. As long as I'm outside doing something!"

Currently, Brandon is also nurturing another love of his; technology. His first ever job, happens to be the job he holds today and he gestures to me non-nonchalantly that, he is "quite pleased with it." He works alongside his brother at a small computer company close to downtown called Urban Peripherals. At urban peripherals Brandon is an introductory technical sales person repairing and selling refurbished Macs and Mac accessories. His job there he says, has been quite lucrative in the way that he has access to different types of technology, he gets practice dealing and conversing with clients to better his customer service skills, and the discount he gets on the merchandise there is none too shabby!

Brandon hopes to graduate from San Jose State with the rest of us journalism hopefuls in about two years, of course this relying that the budget cuts in school in California don't ruin our generations lives any more than they already have! Degree in hand, Brandon hopes to get a job and prosper in the writing field (don't we all!) and someday have his own radio and or television spot reporting sports news. God speed, Brandon!

1.malaise
2. found in an article referring to Jimmy Carters televised speech on July 15, 1979.
3.malaise (mah-lays), noun
a. A vague feeling of bodily discomfort, as at the beginning of an illness.
b. A general sense of depression or unease.
4."Each morning I wake up exhausted and not in the mood to be up and moving. This feeling of malaise generally washes over me until my lips are finally greeted by a hot, reassuring cup of joe.

MYSTERY CHARACTER

I got my start across the pond. By accident, I entered a contest and won, thus starting my celebrity. Did my thing in Europe for a while and eventually moved out to the states where I only became more successful in my field. Nicknamed, "The Body" at the start of my career in America, I eventually ascended to "Angeldom." This is when my career really took off. Flanked and in good company with some of the most beautiful women in the world, I have been on the pages of some of the most circulated and widely advertised magazines in the world, including the coveted cover of Sports Illustrated's annual Swimsuit Issue in 1998. I have spent years modeling the undergarments many have in their dressers and routinely dawn elaborate angel wings down a catwalk. I now have my own reality television show that deals with the cutting and snipping of several talented hopefuls. I love to welcome and dismiss the contestants in cutesy, token foreign salutations. My show, as well as my social life has got a sort of cult following, however luckily for me life in the spotlight has not tainted my youthful, carefree spirit. After one failed marriage, I got back on to my feet and found the love of my life. His name brings up images of marine life. We've got 3 children and there may be room for more! WHO AM I!

1.enfant terrible
2."Alexander McQueen: enfant terrible and fashion genius" article on the late, great Alexander McQueen.
3.enfant terrible (ahn-FAHN ter-EE-bluh), noun
1. a child whose inopportune remarks cause embarrassment
2. a person known for shocking comments or outrageous behavior
3. a usu. young and successful person who is strikingly unorthodox or innovative
4.Struck by a case of verbal diarrhea, Ava blurted out inappropriate comment after inappropriate comment and played the 'enfant terrible' card all night long.

1.cajole
2."The unsub must have cajoled her into his car. This type of unsub is a charmer, and very confident."
3.cajole (ka-jol) (v.)
-to urge, coax
a. To persuade by flattery, gentle pleading, or insincere language.
b. To elicit or obtain by flattery, gentle pleading, or insincere language.
4. For her 21st birthday celebration, Anna's friends cajoled her into drinking entirely too much with pleads about her coming of age and tradition.

1. brouhaha
2." Okay guys, one more thing, this summer when you're being inundated with all this American bicentennial Fourth Of July brouhaha, don't forget what you're celebrating, and that's the fact that a bunch of slave-owning, aristocratic, white males didn't want to pay their taxes." Ms. Ginny Stroud from the movie Dazed and Confused
3. brouhaha (BROO-ha-ha), noun
An event that involves or invokes excitement, turmoil, or conflict.
4. The cause of all the brouhaha in the lobby was due to one Steven Tyler making his way from his limousine to the elevator.

library scavenger hunt

1. What type of system is used to organize the books in the MLK Library? Briefly describe how it works.

-MLK Library uses the Library of congress system as well as the Dui Decimal system to organize the books. The Library of Congress system allows more space.

2. What's in the "Browsing Library" on the first floor?

-Its called the Brandenberg collection and it has current best sellers and new dvd's as well as cd's.

3. What types of electronic databases are available in the MLK Library?

-Many: AATA online, Academic Search Premiere, ACLS Humanities E-book, ACM digital library, etc.

4. Briefly explain how to access the library's electronic databases.

-You have to log in with SJSU pin or Library pin

5. List 10 daily newspapers that are available in the MLK Library.

-Spartan Daily, Mercury News, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Parenting on the Peninsula, News for Chinese, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and USA Today.

6. Give the title and call numbers of a video, DVD and CD.

-DVD: “Food Inc” DVD 338.19 Food

-Video: “Families of France” J VIDEO 944 Families

- CD: world music/instrumental music CD WORLD MC

7. Find a reference book; give the title and call number, and briefly describe the type of information found in this book.

-The World Book encyclopedia: REF 030 World vol. 1

This is an A-Z general reference encyclopedia

8. Find a DVD, CD, newspaper and book in a foreign language. Give the title and call number for each.

-

9. List five magazines available the MLK Library.

-City Wide Activity Guide -Disabled Dealer-Ananda -Psychic Reader -Time Magazine

10. Locate a scholarly article on John Steinbeck. Give the call number, title and author.

-

11. Locate a book about Steinbeck. Give the call number, title and author.

-A descriptive bibliography of part of the Steinbeck Collection at California State University, San Jose / by Dana Pitts.
vii, 32 leaves ;
Call Number(s): PS3537.T3234 Z79234x 1973

12. Find a book on farm labor in the California Room. Give the call number, title and author.

-Farmworkers

Title:
Author:
Location: Clipping File-California Call #: Envelopes
Source: Source Date:
Page:
See also United Farmworkers
full record

13. Find a book on San Jose in the California room. Give the call number, title and author.

-Title: When San Jose Was Young
Author:
Location: When San Jose Was Young Scrapbooks Call #: Scrapbooks
Source: San Jose Mercury Source Date: 12/11/1933
Page: 89
full record

14. Find a book on California minorities. Give the call number, title and author.

-MINORITIES

Title:
Author:
Location: Clipping File-Santa Clara County
Call #: Envelopes
Source: Source Date:
Page: Volume:
Note:

15. What is in the MLK's Cultural Heritage Center collections?

- Books on MLK as well as books on issues that took place during that era. There are also pictures of his birth home and articles about MLK from many years ago.

16. List three things you'll find in the Center for Beethoven Studies.

- A bust

- Piano(s)

- Sheet music

17. What is the difference between a scholarly journal and a popular magazine? How can you tell them apart? (2 pts.)

-Scholarly magazines use researchers with expertise in specific area studied and also have clearly defined structure where as popular magazines have no specific interest and are geared towards general public. Popular magazines also contain pictures and illustrations where scholarly journals may include charts and graphs.

18. List five mass comm (journalism/PR/advertising) journals available in the MLK Library.

-American communication journal, Atlantic journal of communication, Global media and communication, Journal of creative communications, Journal of mass media ethics

19. How many art installations are there in the library? Briefly describe your favorite one.

-33 pieces

-The one that was interesting to me was the bust of Lincoln located in the California room

Pretty Beauty Nail Salon. BLOG 3: A Fly on the Wall

Its half past two and the plaza is buzzing with infectious excitement. This piazza in particular, is one of immense popularity and this fact paired with a rather ineffective parking layout has got me looking, no hunting for a spot. Ah ha! On days like this, a pull through parking space is just what a girl in need of some therapy can appreciate. You know, it really is the little things in life. With one quick honk from my horn at a cyan colored Prius eyeing my spot, I maneuver in and throw my baby in park. I pop my door open, take a step outside. In one sweeping motion I release my jingling keys from the ignition, slam my door closed, and alarm my auto. The sound of my sandals slapping the pavement accompanies the squeals of four year olds frolicking in front of the frozen yogurt shop and their respective mothers chiding a jumble of reproachful but all at once soothing remarks at them. Finally at my destination, I take a swift step in the door and am immediately comforted by an old, familiar smell. Ahh, the nail salon. There really is no aroma like the scent that greets you in the nail salon. A blend of fragrant chemicals, nail polish, and assorted ladies eau de parfumes drifts lazily through the shop and I am immediately transported back to good memories in salons with my mother. This particular nail salon, Proffesionail, oh the literary giants that reside here, contains a little more sophistication and elegance than your usual run of the mill basics of such an establishment. This is exemplified in the carefully chosen pinkish taupe wall colors and peculiarly placed greek-inspired statues and wall hangings. Clean and tidy, this sanctum houses a variety of women seeking rest, relaxation, and a healthy dose of luxurious pampering. Ladies line the walls, reclined in such tranquil positions as shop employee’s work diligently at their feet and hands. As I am seated at my respective whirling foot bath, I am made welcome by the low, reverberating rumble and hum of these odd vessels of repose. The slow churning of blue water below me reminds me inexplicably of our own household porcelain thrones, alas I indulge myself. Much like a pair lobsters dropping into a pot of scalding water, the lady beside me plunges her feet into her bath and with an unabashed sigh of relief she sinks a bit lower and more snuggly into her chair. Smelling faintly of bergamot and jasmine and wearing what looks like might be every piece of jewelry she owns dripping from her neck and fingers she whips open the pages of the latest gossip rag, screaming headlines in bold face letters of Brad and Angelina’s impending marital doom, Obama’s latest “failure” as president, and new easy-to-learn jujitsu moves targeted to tone and shape your ass. Along the wall is a barrage of nail polish color in every hue imaginable. Such a display begs the question, “What kind of mood are you in today?” Well me, I’m in the mood for some fire engine red. The lady beside me is obviously in a coppery disposition, and beside her Miss Telenovela with the hoop earrings and strong brow is feeling a bit more geometric today. Scattered among the sounds of manicurist’s delicate jade bracelets clinking, and occasional blackberry text message dinging, a variety of separate dialogues intertwine. Talk of deadlines, significant others’ receding hairlines, and snippets of discussion in other languages litter what could be an amazing shared listening of one of the greatest songs ever recorded: The Eagles, Hotel California. The smell of the quaint Italian restaurant across the way wafts into the shop and momentarily the taste of penne portobello lingers on my tongue leaving me hungry and distracted. My taste buds whipped into such a fervor accompanied by hunger pains make me feel like abdicating my pedi-throne, mid rub-down and running over for some chow. Tammy, my loyal pedicurist, seems to disagree. Knowingly, she starts to coat my toes with “Heat Wave No. 5”, leaving me powerless and at the mercy of wet toenail paint. Nine toes and a layer of fast drying topcoat later, I’m gathering my things, paying upfront and walking, no gliding out the door. It’s a day after one solitary Valentines and yet I’m still feeling great. This nail polish makes me feel sassy. It makes me wanna call everyone ‘girl ‘, or better yet ‘sistah friend’. This color has got me feeling like running for president. It’s a sensation I get the feeling a lot of women share when they leave the salon, and for that I know there really is truth in the simple pleasures of life. Well, right on, right on.