Charts, facts and news: I love!

I started my day by finding this interesting chart while browsing the MSNBC news online. It's really informative. It shows the major events that signed the first 100 days of the last 13 US Presidents. I was not surprised by finding so many similarities between JFK and Obama. They both shared the following: being idealists, desire to improve health assistance, minimum wages and international politics.
Here are some of my brief personal observations on past presidents:
* Roosevelt seemed like an honest man.
* Eisenhower said “I don’t like the word ‘compulsory’ I’m against the word ‘socialized’”. I'm obviously not a fan.
* Johnson encouraged the passage of Civil Rights Bill that JFK had fought for. I like that.
* Nixon ended the Vietnam war, had a good rapport with China, against spreading of weapons, but Watergate scandal made resign, against spreading of weapons. While in LA I once met at a gallery the photographer Harry Benson, we had a lovely chat. He told me that he had great respect for Nixon, he personally knew him and he really liked him.
* Ford suddenly president, solved nothing and everyone hated him.
* I actually remember Carter being president since I grew up around my parents who watch 3 to 4 versions of the news twice daily. I think he was good, all for human rights, he worked on the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, suggested already back in the 70s fuel efficient cars!
* Reagan, responsible for military increase and not watching weapons being sold in Iran.
* Bush Sr all about his stupid war, lacked in everything.
* Clinton, I liked him, he was all about research, gay rights, freedom of abortion, and the first lady was all over the place and very involved. Hillary would have been a great president too.
* Bush Jr all about the war (like his father!), he was against abortion, and counseling, and research. Al Gore should have won the presidency.
* Obama, idealist, first African-American, he initiated a massive stimulus to help economy (the largest in 200 years of history). He fights for universal health care, and to end war in Iraq. He signed in favor of embryonic stem cells research. He feels strongly about improving the education system and the environment.

It is really interesting to witness how Europe is accepting President Obama. I think after all it all sums up to be pretty positive, there are still some that are skeptical of him and I think that is normal. i was very pleased to see that Sarkozy had such an connection with him.

I was annoyed about the whole protest being altered into a violent act. Why can't they see that having a G20 is actually a positive thing!!! That is exactly why they have those summits, to discuss and find solution to issues that affect on a global level. Anyway, no reason to waste words over not so smart individuals. As far as I'm concerned it was an amazing day, the called it "The day the world came together".

Enough with all this seriousness. I have exhausted the sharing of all my random thoughts generated by a chart I saw on a website!

ActionAid G20 Rally

About 40,000 people gathered today in London to protest the G20. Their final destination was Hyde Park where they had a stage with several guest speakers, and a huge screen. I joined them moved by my curiosity. It was quite the peaceful rally. It always amazes when people of all different backgrounds come together united only by the same beliefs and dreams. There were people with several banners and signs protesting different current issues: global warming, Gaza, jobs, animal cruelty, climate, justice, poverty... any possible problem that humanity and the planet earth is experiencing.

I experienced a feeling of encouragement! All of these women, men, and children fighting to make a difference. The speakers were great and most of them had traveled from all over the world to be here today and throughout next week. April 2nd is the day of the G20, and all these campaigners and activists have one main goal: have all the world leaders open their ears and eyes to the disastrous situation that we are facing. However some were upset about the fact the not all counties are represented at the G20. This is after all the "party" of the most powerful nations' leaders... so in a way what do you expect?

I was just so impressed by how many smart people there are around the world. So why is that "evil, wrong, and dumb" always end up ruling everything? Is it that the "smart, fair, and honest" are just a minority? That solves my question! Although I also believe that in the end is all about the money. If the wrong leader has the financial resources to do any sort of idiotic decision he/she can make... they will. It creates ego-power and too often destruction.

On a positive note, I was pleased to see how all the speakers made a point to mention president Obama! They chanted "Yes We Can" and they added "Yes We Will and Yes We Do!". Observing that: one, just ONE person is making such a difference on a global level it's really revolutionary!

I only made a short visit to this event... as it started to hail and rain at the same time. I ran back home and the temperature had drastically dropped. My hands were freezing to the point they were burning... if you have ever been in this type of cold you understand the unpleasant experience.

That's all for now. I must go back to Facebook and post my pictures!!!

Seeking desperately strangers

I was surprised to find in all London’s papers those random add of people who want to connect with a stranger they briefly saw in some public place like the tube or a market. How absurd that in this day and age they still write those adds. What are the odds of somebody actually replying? Having the right person actually reading it? I want to meet somebody who actually met that way. I think I will test it. I will place an add and might as well describe my ideal match (you never know after all, it’s like playing the lottery!), I want to see if any freaks will reply to me! At this point you already know that they are liars though! Because you made up the add. Therefore, do you want to meet a desperate liar? Not really! I just picture this guy or girl, he gets on the tube, it’s packed. He/she sees an attractive person… their arm brushes against each other (which will happen no matter what because you are packed in there like sardines). The girl/dude runs in the office, goes online to contact either The London Paper or London Metro to post “Saw you on Victoria line, you had blue scarf and you smiled at me. Want to catch a drink?”…. is that for real? Who reads those adds? I did because I read everything or anything when I’m bored… but do other people actually “read” them? Hoping that someone , somewhere noticed them and would like to see them again? Wouldn’t be easier to meet strangers on the internet? I really want the statistics of what are chances of really have these strangers colliding into each other again through a silly add on a free tube trashy paper.

A struggle of a Threesome!

Lately I have had so much time on my mind to think about myself. It might sound egocentric to some of you. But I consider it my self-reflective stage.

My whole grown up life I have been so preoccupied taking care of others, working, being with people... around too many people at times. I even went through a stage where I had to have a never-ending number of friends and I would manage to invite them all to my very time consuming BBQs and parties.

Maybe I'm finally maturing, although that is a scary though (you know how I connect that to aging!!). All i can do lately is contemplate on what will happen in my future. This leads to a constant state of struggle in between who I represent at the moment, who I want to be and who I dream to be.

Who I am at the present:
I could be satisfied with my present situation. I live in London which is a great city. I work for an award winning agency, where there is a light of a committed growth. I have my own place. I go out anytime I want to. I'm very independent. I'm close to my family. I have traveled and lived abroad for the last 13 years of my life.

Yet I feel restless more than ever. I can't stop thinking of who I want to be:
I want to be very successful. Although I'm not ruled by a materialistic nature, I want to be wealthy and recognized. Partly for the selfish sense of not having to worry sick of my family. Is it because I care or because I need peace of mind? Both I think. I also need to feel accomplished on a professional level... and I still don't. I feel like I need to be determined to become an executive of something, somewhere. I need to be in charge, making big decisions, assigning projects and presentation to a whole stuff a people running around. I could start investing and grow stronger and bigger than ever. This my responsible side. Which also convinces me that I should be able to take night classes and get a degree like in International Business, or Marketing, or Law, or Political Science, or at least study a couple of languages that can be challenging (like Arabic or Russian, or Japanese).

The third is who I dream to be:
such is ruled by my adventurous and impulsive side. I fantasize about my future to the point that I believe it could happen. I imagine quitting my job without giving a notice to pursue acting full time, or to travel the world with a camera and just capture anything in my sight. I think how wonderful it would be to spend time volunteering in impoverished countries, helping children, and women who have been abused. I would only have a smelly back-pack. Wouldn't that be more fulfilling then riding the tube every day and sitting in front of a computer all day listening to people talking about the same crap every day!

What do I do? I wish that voice in my head would give me a final answer. Instead it just keeps on changing its mind between settling where I am, aiming for the stars or saving baby goats in Pakistan. I truly get in serious discussions with myself (or should I say with "myselves"!!??). Ce la vie! Maybe I just have to give up to the fact that I will never be happy. Happiness is an abstract painting that you can't get in. You can look happy. You can pretend to be happy. You can look back at a happy memory. But you never look at the future thinking "it will be a very happy tomorrow". Maybe this concept only makes sense to myself and the few voices whispering in my ears. Why can't I settle? What am I looking for? Success? Fame? Reward? Love? I feel like I'm the Alchemist, but a version that won't find peace in this lifetime.

My addictive second life on Facebook!

I really have a full time second life. No, I'm not referring to the "Second Life" game... which I must admit that out of boredom I once signed up to... however my incredibly slow laptop refused to let me fully upload the software. Which I'm sure it's for the best! Between my real life, my alter-egos who get confused with my real self and my now addiction to Facebook... I would really have to quit my job if I had Second Life as well.

I spend an average of ten hours a day at work. By the time I get home I have a million ideas I want to write about on my blog (a lot of them don't pass my over-critical eye once I actually see them in typing). I use my blog as an excuse to be creative and turn on my "time-black-whole" (my PC). I'm not sure how this happens punctually every night. I turn the TV to follow the news, I turn on the PC to write my blog, and cook a quick dinner. Before I know it I have already switched to Facebook. This is a full time activity! I have a whole new life there waiting for me. I am very methodical about it too, which really bothers me! First I have to snoop on everyone's by clicking HOME and checking everyone's activity. If I see anything interesting I must COMMENT on it or select the I LIKE IT! Next I must check my NOTIFICATIONS, that's where I easily see if anybody has commented on me, my status, my pictures, tagged pictures or videos to me, has sent me flowers, or shoes, or cupcakes, Superhugged me, Poked me, Superpoked me, Kidnapped me, had a Mafia War against me, had a vampire attack my vampire, zombie attacks, pirates attacks, received a lei, Mardi gras beads, and.... it's endless! I then must reply to any comment or action! Once I'm done I check my messages and must reply to all of them. I also always aim on trying to be funny and original. All right, I have poked everyone back, replied, commented, kidnapped, whatever needed to be done is now done. That's when I start torturing myself by having to compose a clever STATUS of WHAT'S ON MY MIND! The motive is to see how many will comment on my status and see how long they can continue their chain of comments. That makes me feel satisfied towards my choice of thoughts. You would think that by now I would be done and I could happily either go to sleep or move on to reading or writing. No!! I'm still distracted. Now I decide that I must send something to someone I have not talked to in a while, why not write on their WALL. What's next? Youtube!!! When you're out of things to do on Facebook, then you turn to Youtube to find something (anything) you like to post on your on Wall on Facebook! this is endless! You know this is to provoke more comments. It's a very viscous circle. And let's not start on ridiculously personality quizzes that then you are forced to send to at least 30 friends. I'm way more social at this point in my life on FB then in reality. In the end I managed to spend about 5 hours on this dumb social network. But instead of getting sick of it... I get more and more wrapped in it. Let's also mention that I DO NOT accept strangers as friends. That is not why I'm in this addictive game. I just like to keep in touch with my own friends.

Well... now I must run... somebody is trying to chat with me on FB!!!!

Only Two Things

I'm going through a phase where I urge to meet and discuss life matters with the widest variety of individuals. I'm sure that is because of the environment I'm presently immersed in. You honestly must run into every ethnicity and background you can possibly imagine in this city. It's like a constant foreign experience at your door... it's foreign culture 1 on 1 home delivered! I plan to start studying two new languages... just like when I'm picking up a books in a store I can never just pick one... the same I experience when I want to learn a new skill. I usually have to pick at the very least two. Why? Because otherwise I feel like I'm not using my time and resources in a productive way. So, I decided I want to learn Russian and Arabic. I suppose that if you go for the challenge, you might as well pick the hardest one to really test yourself. Maybe it's part of my mid-life crisis where I refuse to accept that I'm getting older... and I want to prove to myself that my brain can assimilate as much as it did when I studied other languages one too many years ago.

During my sporadic extroverted attacks, I told my new friend from Algeria my desire of learning Arabic. I now officially have a personal trainer!! She is determined to teach me! She calls me everyday after work and forces me to meet her for my Arabic lesson! She is amazing! In exchange I'm teaching her English. Think about it! She barely speaks English and I speak NO Arabic! It is quite the comedy scene. But believe it or not we are both learning. She loves introducing me to all of her friends. Our background is a million years apart! Yet, we have a great connection. I love the fact that she is so honest and she can't hide her emotions. Today I told her that I wouldn't be able to see her tomorrow because I have a business dinner to attend and she couldn't hide her disappointment! She said "But I bring my book for you! I wait for you! And you don't come?"... I felt like I was breaking up with a boyfriend! But it was really endearing.

After our "class" we met with a friend of hers. He must be one of the wisest, deep and worldly persons I have ever met. I wanted to remember every sentence he said. I wish I had a recorder! He works in fashion trading. He travels a lot. He had stories about Brazil, India, USA, anywhere. And he really enlightened me when he said something so simple but so true. Something we all know... but often forget. "Only two things happen for sure in life: your birth and your death" and he added "in between is up to you to make the best out of it". He was telling me how he lives with no regrets, he loves the job he has chosen, he loves to travel and whether is for business or pleasure he will manage to see the whole world before he dies. He said that he knows he die happy because he is doing accomplishing all of his goals in life. He went on how people get stuck on a single problem and avoid "to look through a clean glass instead they look through a dirty glass". He mentioned so many more great thoughts he learned on his travels. Oddly it wasn't anything really knew, it was more how he passionately worded everything, how he believed it, and how he made it work. It goes back to the law of attraction. If you really want something, you set your goals, you find solutions to problems, and you successfully live your dreams. I was very inspired. I always am when I meat one person after another as a chain and learn something from every single one of them.

This week's magic places.

I've dined out to a few new places this week. You can go out every night in this town and have amazing food from all over the world. The options are endless. Here is a list of places you must try if you visit London. As many of you know I'm not a vegetarian because I eat seafood, however my diet is 75% vegetarian. All the places I'm about to list have a great selection for both, any taste from vegan to carnivore.

KASLIK in Soho
It's a small and chic Lebanese restaurant. It has the typical "Arabic" style decor that is also found in Moroccan and Persian restaurants. Or as I like to refer to as the sexy Mediterranean basin style, that has many sort of variations starting from Northern Africa all the way to Middle East, and Southwest Asia. I love the bright colored cushions splattered with beads and gold. The walls of this restaurant are all painted in red. All the tables are formed by the large silver round trays. The ceiling is a tasteful constellation of gold and colored glass lanterns. It's an intense experience just walking in. It's like being sucked inside the genie's lamp!! The food was incredible. Everything was so fresh and full of flavor. I was pleased to know that one of people in the party is vegetarian and he ordered every possible dish I could also eat. The ambiance is warm and friendly, the service is impeccable. The Falafel are some of the best I have ever had. And I do consider myself a Falafel snob!

MAISON TOUAREGUE in Soho
After the Lebanese night... I had to follow up with a Moroccan night! What a treat! This restaurant has a ground floor and an under-ground level (as many here in London). We decided to go downstairs. It was the right choice! That is where the younger and hipper crowd was. The upstairs was more for older couples and tourists. We were in the right spot. The owner and the whole staff make you feel like you are at home. It was like being at a party. I had a fabulous Vegetable Couscous while my friend opted for a Royal Couscous (all sorts of dead animals cooked in great spices). The whole lounge was full of girls in all the booths and cabanas! By the time the Belly Dancer showed up, everyone was having a really good time. The dancer was so beautiful. I envy how sensuous their movements are and how effortless they make it look. The drunk guests were not as graceful... but from an entertainment point of view... priceless!!! I ate, drank mint tea, laughed, watched, ate, drank some more and by the time we left the staff hugged us and begged us to go back and visit! I love this place!

TWELFTH HOUSE in Notting Hill
I thought it would be a great idea to bring my friend who was visiting to Notting Hill and possibly Portobello Market on Saturday morning. I must have being smoking crack! It was a nightmare of slow walking tourists! I once again wished for an iHonk! Sometime though from the worst ideas the best things happen. We had given up on Portobello Market and were heading back towards my house. We see this small cafe. We enter and it looks so interesting! Surprisingly it was not busy. The girls from the staff are the typical funky NH bohemian creatures (similar to the Melrose Ave. crowd in LA). We sat by the window and spied on all the manic people rushing to Portobello. The food was really good, I had no idea I could still enjoy a vegetarian version of the classic English Breakfast. I know I'm weird, but I do really love the beans, the mushroom and the stewed tomatoes! The funniest part of the place is that it revolves around the Astrological Signs theme, hence the name Twelfth House. With you bill you also get your horoscope! How cute is that? Of course I have to post it....

***Virgo***
You're not really a virgin! You have been misunderstood. You're as lusty and naughty as any of the other signs. Your reputation comes from your need to retain a sense of yourself and your own integrity. You may marry many times but you will never completely belong to anyone else. You are a worker who likes to create order and make things as perfect as possible. If the job is to be done it must be done RIGHT and you're the who knows how to do it right enough! You are an earth sing ruled by Mercury, messenger of the gods, and you enjoy being useful to others and the community.

This is one of the best horoscope I have ever read about my sign!I don't believe in daily (nor monthly, yearly horoscopes). I do like reading about the traits in different signs. I must admit this one is pretty darn close to who I am. I liked this place; good brunch, fun staff, plenty of people watching, and free horoscope! I love it!!!

TUK-TUK NOODLE BAR in Bayswater
This is a fast, affordable and fun Thai Noodle Bar. I had a scrumptious Mixed Seafood Sizzled Noodle dish. The place is quite busy but the staff will manage to sit you very promptly. This is good when you're on the go and don't want to spend too much time or money on a quick bite. Surprisingly you need to ask for chopsticks! I refuse to eat Asian food with a fork!!!! It takes the fun out it and it doesn't taste the same! They only have the really nice chopsticks, they don't use the disposable ones. The server explained that they don't put them on the table anymore because people steal them!!!!

CAFE ROMA in Bayswater
This is the smallest cafe I have ever seen! It matches the size of my studio flat. It's cute and unique. The breakfast is good, the capuccino was amazing. I like it that is elevated for the street level, they have a fun view from the window. Great for grabbing a croissant and coffee on your way to Hyde Park.

Lovely, I'm drunk... here are some flowers!

There are pubs who have beautiful flower stands right outside their front door. I always thought it made them look so pretty! The old English pub look with a fresh touch of color added by the pretty flower. It looks amazing, it's very picturesque!

I pointed that out to a friend today. I was merely making a comment about how pretty it looked... Then my friend promptly replied "Yes, it's very convenient! They guys gets drunk at the pub after work, they end up being late for their dates, so they buy flowers on their way out to excuse themselves!". I think that is genius! It must be the reason why. Those blokes get totally pissed at pubs every night... then by the time they stumble outside for a few quids they buy some pretty flowers to buy the girl's trust back! How would it work?

Scenario from intoxicated chap's view:

Drunk bloke- "My lovely, here are some flowers for you! You all'right? You sure? Really? You all'right?" (at this point he is still convinced that he will get laid!)

The dumb girl forgets her angry feelings towards the drunk bastard who made her wait for hours before showing up for their dinner date.

Dumb girl- "That's so nice! The flowers are amazing, they are amazing! That's nice! I'm so lucky!!!! You all'right?"

Do men really think that flowers and other silly gifts can just fix everything? Are they taught so since they are children? Or is it also women's fault? The kind of women that will forget and forgive anything in exchange for "stuff"! How would men react to the same treatment? The girlfriend comes back home trashed and with a few stinky flowers and a not so focused smile painted on her face... would he say "Aw lovely! Thank you!! You shouldn't have? You all'right? Let me make you some tea...". NO, no fucking way! It would no be that way! Just the other day I was reading one of those free magazines you get before entering the tube. I read an article about the fact that 1 in 5 men think it's ok to hit a woman! That is what would happen!! That is outrageous!

Question... How is that I managed to get to this feeling of disgust from my initial impression of thinking "that pub looks so pretty with the flowers right out front".

Did this just happened in my head? Did I just get myself all wired up over a fiction story I just created? Wow.... maybe I should just go to that pub and buy myself a nice pint and on my way out by myself some pretty flowers to make feel good and tell myself "I'm sorry!".

I once met a "Little Bean"...

Fagiolino is what I call him (little bean in Italian).

Have you ever met someone and had that instant feeling you already know them. You're not sure where or when you have met this person, but you are certain that they used to be in your past life and the universe has reunited you. That is what I felt when I met Fagiolino. He was family, he was the twin brother I was missing.

I worked with him eight years ago on a crazy independent movie in Florida. We were both cast as vampires. We had a blast while filming, and we have been connected ever since.

I'm talking about him today because I just left him at the station. He had the brilliant idea to visit me and I believe his presence was therapeutic to my soul. Fagiolino is the kind of person that will go the extra mile to make you laugh. He has no limits and has no boundaries. He says the most outrageous things to complete strangers in the streets... and all he gets back are smiles and people offering him their phone numbers and skype IDs!!! Anyone else trying the same approach would probably get slapped in the face or at least a dirty look! No, not the Fagiolino! People LOVE him! It's quite entertaining to witness. He has a gift, he was born this way. His mood is contagious and up-lifting.

I'm very lucky that I have a Fagiolino in my life!

Where is my iHorn?

Let me explain. I'm sure most of you remember how everyone at some point had a Walkman, right? You carried it with you all times! It was necessary and fun. Well I wish I had a portable device I could carry with me on my walks from/to work. What type of gadget? Not a music one. I already have an iNano. I could use full advantage of blowing a horn while walking on the busy streets. I'm not joking! Some people just can't walk, they sort of wobble in the middle of the sidewalk with no destination nor purpose. To make it even more annoying they are usually right in front of you and they like to place themselves in a way that you can't pass them neither from the right nor left side. Since I don't have a car in London, my legs have officially become my way of transportation. Trust me when I say that my short little legs can move quite fast. Is this town turning me into a rush-freak? I just don't like wasting time. That is why I would love to have a Walk-horn, or maybe I should call it a Walkie-Honky (Walkie-talkie)... or even better I should keep up with fashion and name it the iHorn! I think that is my most favorite option at this particular moment. How wonderful would it be, when you find yourself stuck behind the sidewalk-sloth-hogger, to blow that tiny little iHorn and scare the hell out of them? It should project a very loud and intimidating sound. That thought made me realize how loud it would be out in the streets if they were freely sold to anyone. On a second thought I think I should be the sole owner of a iHorn!!! Ok, I admit it... at this point I just like repeating my made up brand.

YES to Stem Cell Research!

I was just following the news and I was very happy to hear that President Obama has signed an Executive Order on stem cells research. It was about time! In other countries there is already stem cells research in process. It is really unbelievable that the former "President" refused to sign such an important order in favor of medicine and research for cures. We should always welcome progress which leads to improvement. We know that stem cells can reveal "miraculous" solutions for some diseases. I find this process fascinating and necessary. The fact that we are so close to be able to rebuild a damaged body part like we fantasized in Sci-fi movies not too long ago, it's astonishing. What is appalling to me is that I had just heard on the news that President Obama is being criticized for this choice! I guess that the same movements against abortion are obviously also against federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research. That makes me feel like some of us are still stuck in the middle ages with their bigot beliefs. I'm sure that the same people however had no issue to raise against the funds wasted on a never ending atrocity of a war, on building more weapons that can ever be used, on sending thousands of thousands of young soldiers to give their life in honor of their country, on banning same sex marriages, on keeping the masses ignorant to hide their inconvenient truths. But they dare to call Obama's decision profoundly immoral!?!? This is outrageous! I'm really, really, really happy that Obama just reversed this madness, and he still keeps on reinforcing my belief and vision I had the day I voted for him. If all this medical research would have already been in function years ago... chances are that probably my father could have taken advantage of it already. Intelligence needs to prevail over this religious rubbish!

"Rather than furthering discovery, our government has forced what I believe is a false choice between sound science and moral values," Obama said. "In this case, I believe the two are not inconsistent. As a person of faith, I believe we are called to care for each other and work to ease human suffering."

Kew Gardens

This is a very impressive ensemble of gardens and green houses. It showcases the world's largest Victorian Green House. It's fascinating to imagine who visited those gardens in the mid 1800s. It reminded me a little of the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. My favorite section was this amazing green house divided into different sub-tropical zones displaying different types of Orchids. It is really a scenery that looks like it popped out of a fairy tale! The colors are so vibrant. The shapes are unbelievable. It's really amazing what nature can do. I seriously kept on waiting for a fairy or some other sort of strange creature to jump out from the greenery. What a treat to find a place like that on a cold, windy and rainy day. The park is in the Richmond area, which doesn't even look like London. It looks like a little ritzy colorful English village. It was definitely worth the trip and ticket. I just wish I had more time and that the weather would have been nicer. It was so cold that my ears were experiencing the most acute form of pain ever. I have now blasted the heater at home so high that it feels like I'm recreating the Palm House climate!

Higher standards and lower tolerance

I'm aware this does not apply to everyone. In fact I feel like this posting is somewhat related to the previous one (The city of "pairs"). I think that a lot people lower their standards as they get older, especially when is relationship related. I think they fear to be lonely, to grow old and alone. So they compromise by lowering they standards and raising their tolerance levels.

I qualify under the opposite list. As I get older my standards get higher, sometime way too high! To the point I'm not sure I'll ever reach them but I'd rather try and fall then settling for what is available. This subject includes: jobs, love, food, clothes, or anything that I get to chose.

Let's start with jobs. When you're younger you just need a job sometime, then you learn, you go to school, you gain experience and discover what is your talent. Once that is nailed, I want to pursue it and additionally I want to grow and reach higher position levels in that particular industry. I will not chose a job that forces me to back-track and I would not be happy working for a company that does let me fully sparkle (I like that word!). I also find that as years go by my urge for chasing my dreams becomes more and more maniacal. I feel like I need to accomplish everything! The sooner the better! I need to get a show running in London, Rome and Paris. I need to win an Oscar! I must direct and shoot a documentary in Africa or South America!!! I also need to find some time to at least once do some volunteer work in a third world country!!! I must be recognized world-wide for some sort of achievement that helped animals! Write a thriller/novel. Write a comedic book about my life in the USA. Learn how to pilot an helicopter. But I just feel like time is running out, and my projects in my head keep on multiplying even before I have the actual time to start working on them. Yes, I'm an ambitious workaholic with no sense of reality.

Love in a way is similar. When you're young you think you fall so hard for someone because it's new. My standards were pretty low. I think that cute and funny was all it mattered! And I surely did find "cute & funny". I would lie if I said that I didn't go that route again... obviously I have a weakness for cute and funny men. The difference is now that I'm older I know it will only be funny and cute for a very short time. I would not consider the "subject" to be a possible candidate for a long term relationship. I must admit that I still will not give up the looks on my ideal partner, nor a good sense of humor! But now I have become incredibly judgmental about men's IQ, their goals and ambitions and whether or not they accomplish to reach them, their taste in shoes, their political views, their choices in hobbies, their opinions about being green, their level of spirituality not being related to any particular religion, their passion for nature, their ability to actually be a man. I know it's really close to impossible, especially because I decide on daily basis to add more "toppings" to my flavor. How would I describe this impossible creature? I guess it would be a mix of the following: The genius of Einstein, The looks of Pearce Brosnan, The irony of "Rhett Butler", The humor of Roberto Benigni, The creativity of Leonardo (NO, NOT DiCaprio!!), The green passion of Al Gore, I won't go on because it would really become a Frankenstein creation of my psyche. As a result of my over elaborating of this fiction man, my tolerance for anyone who does not share my list of "must haves" decreases more and more. I still think I'd rather be alone than accepting a meaning-less substitute. I also refuse to "search" for him on a website! It has to happen like it was meant to be. I can only meet my perfect match either at some outdoors venture, museum, art gallery, or acting rehearsal I almost forgot that one!! He must have a real love and understanding of the acting craft. See? This is The Never Ending List!!!

Food and clothes classify under shopping. I've become quite the snob on this level as well. I'm truly obsessed by organic foods. I also am in a constant search for vegan products! Although I'm not vegan. I also am very picky about grocery stores. I was quite happy to find Whole Foods here in London. I now also like Waitrose and Tesco. I religiously take my vitamins, various supplements and potions daily. I like personally picking my fruits and vegetables. It's a ritual. I really love to eat, cook and therefore do my groceries. Clothes.... Here in London I swear they have the same stores lined up on the streets at intervals over and over again! You see Clarcks, H&M, GAP, Benetton, Zara, and then it starts all over again! Obviously if you have the budget there is also plenty of choices for the designer brands. I love shoes and clothes. I must touch everything when I'm in a store. If it looks good but does not feel good to the touch, then it's not good for me. It must fit like if it was made for me. I can't just buy something because it's on sale! Luckily I'm not a shopaholic! I like quality over quantity. I follow trends to a point, I think I have my own style. As a dear friend of mine would say, the style of "Purple Movie Star".

The city of "pairs"

I honestly don't think I have ever seen so many couples as I am experiencing here in London! They are everywhere! Young and old, of all shapes, sizes, religions and races. You find them on the tube, on the street, in the stores, at work, at the museums, at the pubs... you can't escape from "couples".

Are there any single people in this city? I went from the capital of Singles (LA) to this? My theory is that is so damn cold and grey here, that people get bored. They need another human being to keep them warm at all times. That explains the constant snuggling, kissing, hugging. Once they find a compatible "match", they keep it! They have no intention of going out in the cold again to look for another one. It doesn't matter if they don't perfectly match! At this point they have already decided to move into a flat together... it makes perfectly sense, they will now not only keep each others warm but they will also share bills.

Often the couples I see don't look like a match at all, not visually nor intellectually! It looks like they went to a "partner" end of season 80% sale! It's the last day of the sale, there is not much left, you just need to pick the piece of garment that is leftover because it's a good deal... not necessarily because it was what you were looking for, but because it was there and you just needed to pick one up. I find all this to be sad and hopeless. Will I eventually end up thinking that way too? Just because I realized that I used the word "eventually", I know it will never happen! That is my least favorite word! It's a lazy way to say "never". I just don't see myself adapting to a new environment to the point of transfiguring my beliefs and standards... and with this thought I must end this posting as I will save it for my next related subject!

Post-trip rant

When did my parents become so old-fashion? I used to think of them as free-spirited souls and anti-conformists. However as time goes by they regress in their beliefs and ideas. Every time I go visit them I get so mentally exhausted. They need to make sure to remind me of any mistakes I have made in my life... although I consider them experiences instead. It's a constant past digging of events, it's negative, and time-consuming. Additionally they now love mentioning religion!! They were never religious! What happened??? Is it because they are getting older? That is terrifying! I just got back and truly feel sick! I have made myself sick by absorbing their annoying complaints. I feel like no matter what I do they will never be proud of me, they will never be grateful of my efforts to help them. Having these feelings in the end it makes me also feel guilty... which it doesn't help.
I'm too annoyed to even write about it. I just need to go on. I just need to go back to my solo-brainstorming for a multi-million dollar idea, that would allow me to book post-parental holidays in very fancy spa/retreat locations around the world.