my prince charming

becca: the fog's so pretty!
todd: it's a handsome fog.
becca: um...
todd: and if you kiss it, it'll turn into a handsome pince.

a short sell

whoever thought a high waist, contrast piping, and red or chambray blue fabric would combine to create such a hideous hip-covering monstrosity? gee, alex, for $78, who is... me? and did this model forget to shave her legs? ew.


but don't fret! your boy toy can be as hairy and hipster as you are in his own peacock-colored clamdiggers! leg hair extensions included:)

don't be a wimp.

we're heading to ohio next month for my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. todd and i arrive several hours before my mom, em, and their men handily in tow, and my grandmother was excited about our "alone time," wanting to take us to the air force museum. unfortunately (or maybe not), i reminded her that we went with them last february, and most likely nothing's really changed. unless they've retired the most recent air force one... thankfully she agreed that another 4-hour visit isn't necessary, and it now sounds like we're heading to ajanta for an indian (and mostly vegetarian) lunch buffet followed by a nap in some lovely yet sagging twin beds before a big dinner that night. but maybe, just maybe, we'll get to go to wympee's. i'm not sure why i want to go. i've never been in the 28+ years i've visited the great corn-producing state of ohio (or if i have, i don't remember much about it). and it wouldn't surprise me that they probably think a veggie burger is beef with tons of iceburg, tomato, and pickles piled atop. but something about the name just sounds right, sort of like whoopie goldberg's white, introverted, midwestern sister.

you spin me round

lately, i've been standing at the bus stop, quietly upset that loads of people rush the back doors, muni threatens (yet thankfully doesn't approve) to raise monthly passes, and some of the bus lines may be cut or rerouted to be more "economical" (the 33-stanyan may cease to be my faithful ride from home to the castro and mission in the near future...) thanks to the ironically named "transit effectiveness project."

also, as of a few weeks ago, there were still "golden compass" posters in some of the bus shelter ad spaces (these are 6 months old). sure, i loved the movie, but it's over, guys. time to move on to iron man. or prince caspian. or indiana jones.

with all of this, there's no surprise that muni is still crying "poor me, poor me!" well, am i glad that clear channel finally went out and got some new fat-wallet ad sponsors! may my neighbors finally hear the call of the wild and go out and get some spinning lessons. finally, our bus system will be saved...

mum's the word

dear companies who bombard me with email every april and may,

many thanks for your thoughtful suggestions on what i should send my mom for mother's day. you always seem to know what she'd like! whose mom wouldn't want a pink baseball bat or stila hair refresher or a trip for two to sweden (ya!) or hideous jewelry that i didn't even make myself or nautical-themed pottery or breast implants and a 20 year old's body with a gift-with-purchase terrycloth robe? only this year, i decided to go out-of-network. but thanks for thinking of me! er. i mean her!

regards,
becca

ps- click on the image to see it at readable and full-scale size.

SFB's New Works Festival (Program C)

San Francisco Ballet
New Works Festival, Program C
May 3, 2008, 2PM

San Francisco Ballet’s New Works Festival is still the talk of the town, and luckily I was able to catch a matinée of Program C, featuring three very diverse ballets. This afternoon's cast showcased mainly dancers from the corps de ballet and soloists, a refreshing treat perhaps foreshadowing the company's future, and if so, this vision is grand.

Val Caniparoli's "Ibsen's House," gets my vote as winner of the afternoon. With dark fabric and a brightly draped "window" adorning the back, the 10 dancers emotionally poured through Caniparoli’s circular and attractive movement while portraying various characters from five Henrik Ibsen's plays, each focusing on women's place in society. These women aren’t cookie-cutter, and Caniparoli intends to prove it. Obviously, the ladies were the focus here, dressed in Sandra Woodall's dark jewel-tone dresses. Lorena Feijoo, in burgundy as Hedda Gabler, treaded lightly as she expansively lept forward and extended her arms, and Aaron Orza (a last-minute replacement for David Arce), as her husband, seemed indifferent to her needs. Clara Blanco shone as the young Nora Helmer, and Luke Willis as Torvald Helmer picked her up like a doll whether in second position en pointe or grasping his neck more like a father than a husband. I greatly enjoyed seeing the glowing Blanco in a featured role: she's got lovely, pure technique plus a special presence. Courtney Elizabeth and Pierre Françios Villanoba played the couple from “Lady from the Sea” with electricity and passion, but Patricia Perez, looking lost compared to the other women, danced somewhat tentatively with Steven Norman as the couple from “Rosmersholm.” Dana Genshaft, with enchanting musicality, and Garen Scribner paired well as the mother and son from “Ghosts,” dancing naturally and with confidence. “Ibsen’s House” featured innovative lifts along with 10 dancers’ sensitive and dramatic performances, and to top it off, Dvoràk’s “Piano Quintet in A Major, Op. 81” sounded divine from the pit. Caniparoli sure has a hit on his hands.

For more, go here...

Dana Genshaft in Caniparoli's Ibsen's House.
© Erik Tomasson