The City and Country Beaux. And, COTW of TV.

The City and Country Beaux, Francis William Edmonds. [http://www.metmuseum.org/special/americanstories/objectView.aspx?oid=3&sid=3]

Consider the above painting (it's currently on exhibit at the LACMA). Reflective of society at the time, Edmonds' portrayal illustrated the rivalry that existed among the city and the countryside folk in the mid-19th century.

The woman has two suitors, the gentleman from the countryside sitting off to the side of the room, and the gentleman from the city off to the right, more sharply dressed. The orientation of the city gentleman in closer proximity to the woman, suggests that she may prefer the city man as opposed to the more brutish countryman, whom sits with a more crude posture and is juxtaposed next to the door, suggesting that he's likely on his way out.

Interesting. Something to think about.



COTW [crush-of-the-week] Stylewatch
The sources of inspiration for this edition of COTW has derived from fictional characters prevalent in television. Let's take a look, shall we?

Toofer, 30 Rock. Clean, sophisticated, fresh. Preppy. [Photo: http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/30-rock/photos/281135/95866]

Vincent Chase, Entourage. He doesn't make all the most fashionable choices, however, he is constantly rockin' the bedhead-and-I-did-not-put-any-effort-in-dressing-myself-yet-it-looks-nice-on-me look.  Must be the babe magnet quality of nonchalant confidence.

Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Lots of black and leather. A tall glass of dark and brooding.

Shawn Hunter, Boy Meets World. It was the hair. All about the hair

On a completely unrelated note, Javier Bardem works at Porto's Bakery in Burbank. OKAY - it's not Javier, but someone who looks a lot like him. Is he attractive because he looks like Javier Bardem, or is Javier Bardem attractive only because he's Javier Bardem?

Ugly Betty. And, the Search for a Latin Lover. / Betty La Fea. Y, La Búsqueda para un Amante Latino.

Betty Gets More Action Than Me.
Caught an episode of Ugly Betty the other evening. Every time I manage to catch it it brings me back to reality. The fact that I feel like Ugly Betty. Not Amanda, Wilhelmina, or Hilda. Betty. 100%.

It's a curious thing.

Must be something that stemmed from middle school and back in high school. Something inside of you that you feel like you can't escape, make over, or outgrow. That's just it. Once a nerd, always a nerd. With big braces, big glasses, and big waist.

But even Betty gets more action than I do! Four boyfriends in four television seasons ? There's Walter, that accountant, Gio the sandwich guy, and Matt her new boss, and...I know I must be forgetting one more guy. So - more than one guy for every television season. The girl gets around.

The Search for a Latin Lover begins.I have decided.
Next, in my love life, I want a hot Latin lover. I have not dated one before. I do love salsa dancing. Food. Tapas. Spain. Perhaps I should set my sights on a hot Spaniard instead ? Nah, too picky. Apparently, I'm too picky, Mr. Matchmaker-Assistant-at-the-Peacock says. And he wouldn't take me on as a client! (Who's being picky now?) Hey - I'm open-minded. I like to eat, hike, travel.

Maybe its time to hit the salsa clubs again.
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Betty tiene más acción que yo.Atrapado un episodio de Betty La Fea, la otra noche. Cada vez que me lo vi que me trae de vuelta a la realidad. El hecho de que me siento como Ugly Betty. No Amanda, Guillermina, o Hilda. Betty. 100%.

Es una cosa curiosa.

Debe ser algo que se deriva de la escuela media y en la secundaria. Algo dentro de ti que te sientes como que no puede escapar, hacer más, o superar. Esa es la cosa. Una vez que un nerd, siempre es un nerd. Con aparatos grandes, grandes gafas, y la cintura grande.

Pero incluso Betty la acción se vuelve más que yo! Cuatro novios en cuatro estaciones de televisión? Walter, que el contable, Gio el tipo sándwich, Matt y su nuevo jefe, y ... sé que debo estar olvidando una vez más chico. Por lo tanto - más de un tipo para cada estación de televisión!

La búsqueda de un amante latino comienza.He decidido.
A continuación, en mi vida, el amor, quiero un amante latino caliente. No he de fecha anterior. Hago bailar salsa amor. Comida. Tapas. España. Tal vez debería fijar mi mirada en caliente en lugar de un español? No, demasiado exigente. Aparentemente, yo soy demasiado exigente, el Sr. Matchmaker-Asistente-en-el-Peacock, dice. Y no me tomaría como un cliente! (¿Quién está siendo exigente ahora?) Hey - Soy de mente abierta. Me gusta comer, ir de excursión, de viaje.

Quizá su momento de golpear a los clubes de salsa de nuevo.

Speculation, Eye Twitching, and Mochi=A Simple Life

Some people speculate about an office crush. Some speculate about having a nicer car, nicer apartment, or winning the lottery. As for me, my routine daydreams revolve around time. And breakfast. I dream about getting up early enough to stop by the local joint before work and sitting down to a full hour of strong coffee, french toast and perusing the paper.
Or a huge plate of chocolate chip pancakes with syrup, fluffy scrambled eggs, and some Tabasco sitting at the ready. Or maybe a heaping Belgian waffle covered in fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Or a goat cheese and spinach scramble. Add a glass of freshly squeezed oj. Sometime between Monday and Friday.
It has yet to happen, I suspect that to be the reason for its lingering stamp on my brain. I dare to dream to have the luxury of time before rush hour.

My eye is twitching. I have had some anxiety of being a bit busier, what with studying for a secondary career, taking on a writing class, and hitting the gym more than once in a blue moon. Didn't see the twitching coming, however.
I have no idea how people manage marriages and raising kids while having a full-time career, nevertheless going to school. It's nuts. It's absolutely nuts. Thank God I can go home and close the door to my room and be alone. Note to self: I really do need to get a 'Do Not Disturb' sign for my room. Make that two. (For work, of course.)

Froyo and the Simple (and Good) LifeI finally got my frozen yogurt after days of a dissatisfied hankering. Some tart original flavor and self-serve topping madness. I was thinking, in that moment, there's something so genuine about it. Enjoying something sweet. The world grew quiet for a moment. Nothing else mattered except for savoring the sweet and crunchy cup of goodness - there's nothing adult or complicated about it. Mochi, sprinkles, strawberries, and oreo cookie crumble, in case you're wondering? Who knew? Mochi over froyo and life is simple again.

LOTW"This is Top Chef, not Top Scallops!" Fabio Viviani, Top Chef contestant (Season 5, Episode 7). Fabio doubles as COTW. Also interesting that though the Italiano resides in the greater L.A. area, pronounces his European roots on all counts. Guess LA really does consist of local transplants who will stop at nothing to defend the fact that they're not from L.A.

I realize I am quite behind in my television watching - apologies for the delay, life has gone a little nuts and has begun to change lanes and run a couple of the red lights (please see paragraph regarding eye twitching above). Many thanks to the total of four readers that manage to skim thru my humble blog.

Fluffernutter

I was just thinking about fluffernutter sandwiches. You just don't see them around anymore. Peanut butter and marshmallow spread anchored between two pieces of carb-loaded bread. Mmm, comfort food. I guess I'll put that on the cheat list, along with designer cupcakes, mocha lattes, and hot-off-the-line doughnuts. For a zip code that worships six-pack abs and celebrities, there sure are a lot of doughnut shops and fast food joints packed in this town.

More on the job hunting front: if you're going to ask me to put in a full day of work, "learning the ropes" with one of your own, and call it an "interview," you'd better be able to cough up the money for my time. The things corps get away with. Ciao, Papa.

I lost my Burt's Bees lip balm. I bought another one. Why is it that you can't buy these things in bulk? Marketing ploy, Burt? Then I found my old one later that day.

Million-dollar business idea:
SILENT leaf-blowers. I loathe you, you 8am-on-a-Saturday-morning gardeners.

Lines that steal

"You matter to me, Betty Gonzalez." - Amanda Tannen, Ugly Betty, 'Zero Worship' ep.

"Stripping's like riding a bike. Once you ride that bike, you always got the skill." - Big, Rob and Big, season two ep 205.
These bosom buddies - I hate reality television, but they're just so damn likable. Ridiculous outings, overgrown immaturity and all - and I just can't look away. Their typical misadventures include visits to the nutritionist, hypnotherapist, and stripper dance lessons. But you gotta throw in a kooky phone call to a guy who hooked them up with a time machine. Yeah, I know. Can't change the channel.